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There are some things that go very deep. They are deeply entrenched in my psyche. Having spent so much of my life in education I know that there is no greater feeling than the last day of the summer term, with the promise of freedom ahead. And there is no feeling like it as September approaches and you sense that you are set to move on a path from light and freedom to dark and winter – and the cold!

But at least this year we have definitely had a summer! The sort of summer I remember from my childhood. Long hot days, meals outside, sun peeking through the curtains and brilliant blue skies.

I was reminded of the summer of 1976 – the year I took my A Levels. I don’t remember much about the actual exams, but when they had finished we had a wonderful time; Wimbledon (standing on centre court, sweltering hot, but well worth it to scream for Nastase!), picking
hundreds of strawberries for the whole school to have for supper, going to the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park where the actor who was playing Othello left black hand prints on everything he touched, and sunbathing for hours with my friends smothered in butter pinched from the school dining room! Ah! Those were the days!

This year I have sampled some of those delights (no butter just factor 30!) and some new ones, one of which has been the sublime experience sitting on top of the water in a paddling pool and floating around on a king sized inflatable donut! Perfect!

All of this has made me realise how important it is to have seasons for things. As the wisdom writers of Ecclesiastes put it, ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.’ (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

As summer draws to a close and September approaches there are a number of things to be thankful for: a successful Holiday Club –
the first time in three years; the many couples who have married and the many children (and an adult) who have been baptised. This has been a time to love and to dance.

Sadly, we have also lost some much-loved people. So, this has also been a time to mourn. However, as we look forward, we can see a time to build up and heal.

Claire our Curate is to be ordained priest in September. Do come to our 10.45 am service at Holy Cross, Cruwys Morchard, on Sunday 25th September as Claire celebrates Holy Communion for the first time.

In October the Exe Valley Jubilee Choir starts again, preparing material for our special Mission Community Advent Carol Service on Advent Sunday, 27 November. If you would like to be part of this, then do please contact Claire on 07873 575276 for further details.

New members are very welcome.

Enjoy the new and changing season, and may God bless you and those you love.

Steph

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