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Dear Friends,
Though we have not yet had confirmation in writing to the Church Council, we understand, (and it was in the Cambridge Evening News so it must be true !) that ECDC have awarded us a sum in excess of £5000 towards the restoration of the medieval arch behind the church, and to renovate and make more accessible, the church garden. This is all under the terms of their Millennium Fund local projects.
This is, indeed, good news, as with our limited church funds, we did not feel able to commit really any of them to what is an ancient monument; the working church is where our own finances are directed. Our plans for enhancing the village church are still on display inside the church door; those of you who came on Thanksgiving Day with your envelope had the chance to see and discuss them church is open every weekend, minimally, so do go and look. Clearly we are going to need external funding, as my Thanksgiving Day letter indicated; once we have some indication if the project looks feasible, financially, I shall be launching a modest village appeal. The aim is to make the church worthy of God who is worshipped there, an entrance where those to be married or buried can enter with dignity, a baptistry area set aside for those who come for christening and a vestry capable of being wide enough to change clothes in, secure and tidy.
Notwithstanding all this, the work of the Church goes on day by day, week by week, whether in prayer, worship, social concern or ethical debate. Some of you are new to Reach; my invitation to you is to come and share in our worship (no 'commitment' is implicit in this) or be in touch with me privately; I am always very willing to talk things through.
In a small village like Reach, there can be a tendency, not least in church circles, for folk to think "it's us against the world" -large institutional neglect of those with the fewest resources, and where numbers are low. Recent financial assistance with Reach Wood, the Village Centre extension, the playing field, and now the Arch are tangible evidence that we are not on our own. Church-wise, Reach is part of my benefice of 3 parishes, informally grouped with Burwell, making 4, who share the monthly church magazine 'Contact 4'. These 4 are but part of the 11 parishes in the Fordham Deanery, and we help each other out and share resources, all within the diocese of Ely (there are 19 Beaneries). Above all though, we need to remember that we are never deserted or left to our fate by a God who doesn't care; He is with us in all our life... "Heavenly Father, be with us as we travel on the way. Grant us such a vision of your love that No Task may seem too demanding No path too difficult for us to tread No journey too long And bring us home at last to your eternal kingdom Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"
Every blessing, The Reverend Mark Haworth
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