Welcome to Weobley & Staunton Joint Benefice

November begins with services involving remembrance of the departed: All Saints, then All Souls and Remembrance Sunday. While all of this might seem a bit gloomy (as we leave British summer time behind), it’s worth noting that our gospel reading for All Saints (John 11) points us in a much more positive, and surprising direction, with the raising of Lazarus. The dramatic climax of this chapter is a visual one. We see the figure of Lazarus, emerging from the dim depths of the tomb, swathed in bandages, stumbling forward slowly into the light of day. He shuffles forward from death into life, foreshadowing Jesus’ own resurrection on the horizon. ‘Unbind him’ Jesus says ‘and let him go’.

This image of Lazarus stumbling out of the tomb and being unbound is a vital for each one of us. Jesus calls us to rise up, to leave dead and unhelpful things behind; to become fully alive in Him. Our resurrection life begins now: every morning, every night and every day. Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb and he calls us continually to ‘Come out’ of our tombs, to leave behind places of darkness in our minds and hearts: places of decay, neglect or fearful memories or past hurts. Jesus calls us to be free of all that binds us, entering into an experience (and a shared community) of resurrection that is always offered afresh, renewed in the light of his risen glory and present grace.

Rev’d Philip

Over the first two Saturdays in October I have been involved in volunteer clean-up days at Staunton and Weobley churchyards.  It was wonderful to see a dedicated group come along and tidy up these areas. I am also mindful there are other volunteers who quietly and regularly mow, weed, hack and trim in the other 5 churches of our benefice. For all of this unsung (and unpaid) labour of love I am deeply grateful.

Our churchyards are much visited. They are special places of memory: a quiet place in which to remember, to grieve and to be thankful. They are also refuges for birds and wildlife, with a diverse array of wildflowers growing in designated no-mow areas. Some visitors will speak of a churchyard as ‘a final resting place’ but for those of Christian faith, the greenery and peace of a churchyard is reminder of that place of eternal rest and intimate spiritual relationship that awaits:

The writer of Psalm 90 reminds us:

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
 Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God…

The years of our life are seventy,
    or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble;
    they are soon gone, and we fly away…
So teach us to number our days
    that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Rev’d Philip