August 2026
As I write, the longest day has passed and we are all enjoying a glorious summer, if a little hot at times! We hope you’re all coping in the heat.
The Circuit has a new ‘Children and Families worker, Rachel Morgan. She has held two Dads’ playgroup sessions at T.G.M.C. and a Bee Trail. The next Dads’ playgroup session will be held on 22 nd August, at 9.30-11.30. If you’re a dad - or a Grandad - to a little one, please come along!
On receiving a donation from the Akinwale family, we have purchased a beautiful, sturdy lectern, in memory of Toyin, who sadly passed away last October. This replaces the original lectern, which was far too small for our lovely new New International Version Bible which was donated to us, but which wobbled and nearly fell off every time we turned the pages! It looks beautiful on our new lecturn, which was blessed by our Minister.
At the end of May our Circuit of seven churches attended the third Vision Day event. It really was such a joyful occasion when we could all get together to share and discuss our own chapels; the struggles and blessings; the hopes and dreams.
Our Minister, Rev. Rachael Prince has charge of four churches: Cryer’s Hill, Downley, Holmer Green, and Tylers Green. Our aging congregations are struggling to find enough people to keep the churches going with the staff that involves. As from 1st September, Rachael’s four churches will become one church on four sites. In other words the collective church will be known as the Chiltern Villages Methodist Church, but the congregations will hardly notice the difference. Representatives from each church will combine for Church Council meetings, there will be one joint bank account, one Treasurer, one Property Secretary etc. We will legally be known as CVMC but locally each church will keep its present name and identity. There will be a lot of trial and error, but hopefully this will save another chapel from closing.
One thinks of the hymn: “One more step along the world, I go, and it’s from the old I travel to the new, keep me travelling along with you.’
God bless!
