September 2022

8 Buckden Roundabout September 2022 Church News Weekly Prayer Roster Each week during the year the Churches, in their prayers, remember the residents of particular streets in the village, those who work in the parish and village organisations. Those to be remembered this month are: 4 th September Church Street, Mill Road, The Barns, The Old Flour Mills 11 th September The Parish Council, The Village Hall and Playing Field Trust; those who help to run the Village Hall, and the activities there 18 th September Greenway, Aragon Close, Hoo Close, Bishops Way 25 th September Village shops, and those who work in them; businesses based in the village, hotels, inns, and those who work at home; homemakers, carers, the unemployed and underemployed, and all visitors to the village Thought for the Month Friends. By the time you read this we will have a new prime minister and, perhaps less certain, some rain! I doubt that I am the only person frustrated that the leadership contest pipped the sum- mers priorities, despite Ukraine, impacts of climate change and fuel bills rising as quickly as the temperature. Many are already struggling. The potential for crisis is all too obvious with the warnings of further price increases as winter draws in. Faced with internal strife and domestic emergencies that will greet the govern- ment when it finally resumes usual business, there will be pres- sure to reduce the sanctionsagainst Russia that Ukraine needs. Our longer term good is bound up with that of others. We needed action over the last two months, not the comedy of errors dished up for our summer entertainment. I don ’ t know how the price increases will affect us in Buckden but judging by the new energy monitor thingy that ’ s taken up residence next to my kettle, many people will struggle. Buck- den has a great community spirit; Roundabout is witness to so much of it - Buckden being nimble and quick in in responding to needs, doing what we can, as the recent support provided to Ukrainian refugees demonstrates. Might we need to be even more vigilant in looking out for each other in the months ahead, and when needed again be the Good Samaritan? Towards the end of Luke 12, Jesus challenges us to read the signs of our times. It ’ s not that difficult to do at the moment but how to tackle the challenges that we see all too clearly – climate change, the economy, Ukraine; it is more than a tad overwhelming. Another way to consider the story of the Good Samaritan is to reflect on who it is we see as the one lying in the ditch. We often first see ourselves as the one providing the help not re- ceiving it! But Samaritans were a people looked down on and it can be humbling to remember that help and support came from a person considered an outcast, a person on the margin of society, a person therefore vulnerable themselves but who nevertheless stepped across the road. We all have vulnerabili- ties, and all have something to offer, something to bring to the table. We all need to receive from each other as well as give. Up and down the country helping each other this winter, pull- ing together where we can, will be important. It might also help ensure the government does what it can do to meet the needs of people here and abroad in recognition of our increas- ing co - dependency. Churches Together in Buckden will also be looking at what we can do together, and your thoughts are indeed welcome. Revd Sue Methodist Church, Buckden Open Art exhibition All Saints', Offord Cluny, 22nd - 23rd October. Please put the dates in your diary, please consider submitting a piece of work to the exhibition, and of course please come to visit it! This webpage for all the details https://www.shorturl.at/delr8 Enquiries: fr.davidowainsheppard@gmail.com