Hello!

It is with great joy that I write to you as the newest member of the clergy team at St Michael’s. For those who don’t know me, I am Ellie Huggins, I am married to David and we have a little one, Josiah (2) and another baby on the way in December. Though I was on placement here throughout my training at Trinity College, a large part of that was spent in lockdown and so it has been a privilege to be able to continue to be part of the St Michael’s family as I serve my curacy here over the coming years. The journey to ordination has been a long one with lots of twists and turns along the way but the Lord has proved himself faithful through it all and it is with great joy that he has led us to St Michael’s for this season.

Speaking of seasons, a source of delight for me in these days has been observing the leaves changing on the trees as the bright green of Summer gives way to the oranges and reds of Autumn. Family walks with our 2-year-old have led us to discover again the joy of God’s creation as delight is taken in every stick and stone along our path. Acorns have proved to be a favourable collectable item and as I have gathered up them up from coat pockets at the end of a day, it has struck me afresh how something so tiny and insignificant can grow into something as majestic as an oak tree when planted in the right soil. Though acorns aren’t explicitly mentioned, in the Bible Jesus tells a story about a mustard seed which, though the tiniest of seeds, when planted well grows into the largest of all garden plants (Mark 4:30-32) As we ‘root’ ourselves in Jesus and build our lives on Him, we discover that, like the acorn and mustard seed, we too are able to grow and flourish knowing that we are held safe in the arms of our loving heavenly Father who promises to never leave or forsake us.

On Tuesday 1 November, we have a chance to come together for a service of thanksgiving and remembrance on All Saints day as we celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us, and in whose lives the Church as a whole has seen the grace of God powerfully at work. As we give thanks for God’s grace in the past and the present, we recall that growth and flourishing in human life occurs in both the ordinary as well in the extraordinary circumstances of our lives. The All Saints service is in St Michael’s Church on Tuesday 1 November at 7:30pm.

As we enter new seasons ahead, within God’s creation as well as in the changing structures of our society, government and monarchy, may we take strength and comfort in the truth that, as we root ourselves in Jesus Christ – our solid rock and firm foundation – we can have confidence that he will lead us into life in all its fullness and the flourishing that can only come through him.

May God bless you and keep you in His love and care now and in the days to come,

Ellie Huggins

We are thrilled to be the context church this year for six Ordinands, who are all studying at Trinity College to be future vicars. 

Julie, Si and Tom will each be responsible for oversight of two students. Welcome to Gael Browne, Katie Delamere and David Huggins, and welcome back to Hannah Blythe, Pete Oakley and James Wragg-Smith. You’ll be seeing them around about, especially on a Sunday, so please make them feel welcome!

We’ve had a pretty good summer weather-wise, haven’t we? A few years ago, we had our garden landscaped, and it’s been such a joy to watch the plants mature, nourished by appropriate plant food and a temperate climate. As I have sat in the garden over these summer months reflecting on God’s wonderful creation, it got me thinking about what we need so that we are nurtured in our Christian faith. 1 Peter 2:2 came to mind ^‘Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation’. Plants need a bit of help to become established and grow, and, in a similar way, we need a bit of help on our Christian journeys.

We are told to crave pure spiritual milk because our appetite for it doesn’t come naturally. Newborns will sometimes reject the very milk they are crying for until they get a taste for it and then they guzzle hungrily. So, what is this “pure spiritual milk” we need to hunger for? It’s the kindness and goodness of the Lord experienced through reading the bible. It’s not all we need, but it’s an important part of developing our faith whether we have been a Christian for many years or are just beginning to explore what the Christian faith is about. This month we’re starting both an evening and a daytime Alpha group for people wanting to know more about the Christian faith. If this is you, why not come along? The evening course starts with a taster session on Wednesday 21 September at 7pm. The daytime course starts with a taster session on Tuesday 20 September at 9.30am. More info here.

These days there are so many ways we can ensure reading the bible is part of our daily lives. You might like to try a bible app or Lectio 365, a free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the bible every day. Or you could purchase an audio bible such as the NIV version read by David Suchet and if you prefer something in print, how about Nicky Gumbel’s ‘The Bible in One Year’ (Hardback version)? Whatever ways we choose to guzzle the word of God, my prayer for us all is that our faith will mature and flourish and that we will reflect the beauty of God, just like our garden did over the summer months.

One person who clearly reflected God’s beauty and whose journey through life was scripture-led was our much loved and sadly departed Queen. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II held her Christian faith dear and once said her religion was ‘an inspiration and anchor’ during her reign. Just as she drew strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel, may we do likewise as we continue to mourn her loss and prepare ourselves for her funeral in the coming days.  

May God bless each one of you and keep you in his love and care.

Julie Hobbs – Licensed Lay Minister and Pastoral Care Assistant

Life Groups are a central part of life at St Michael’s Church. They are smaller groups of church members who gather together regularly for conversation, Bible study, prayer and discussion. They provide an excellent chance to get to know each other better and to grow together in our faith. Very often they also provide excellent coffee and cake!

Every year in September, everyone is given the opportunity to sign up for a life group. This year our sign-up Sundays are 11 and 18 September. See below for a list of the groups available, and click on the one you would like to join. Any queries or questions please get in touch. Sign-up opens on Sunday 11 September.