“It is like the precious oil on the head,
Running down upon the beard,
On the beard of Aaron,
Running down over the collar of his robes.”
- Psalm 133:2

Hi everyone,

A couple of Sundays ago our services featured an extra element; as we received communion, we also offered a chance for people to be anointed with oil by one of the priests in the parish, prayed for, and marked with a cross on the forehead and hands with holy oil. It was (quite literally!) touching.

I love that touch is such a biblical way to pray – from being on our knees, to raising our hands in prayer and worship, to anointing, the Bible gives us so many bodily ways to connect with God. Anointing always feels wonderfully tender, like God himself is holding my hand as I am blessed.
The long months of Covid have robbed so many of us of touch, to see it come back into church was moving for many.

God knows and loves us in our entirety, in our bodies. They are to be inhabited with integrity and joy, and he speaks to us though them – our own and others’. Anointing with oil is a way of prayer and blessing that goes beyond words, saying things to us that speech cannot. I have known it bring special comfort in hospitals, as people move beyond spoken language.

This short little message barely scratches the surface. If you have any questions about anointing and oil, let us know by emailing ([email protected]) or drop a question in the basket at the back of church for our next A.M.A (Ask Me Anything) in July.
Are you curious about what the Bible says?
What are the different types of oil? When do we use them?

We hope to offer anointing periodically. Until then, here are the two prayers we used. Where the words say ‘beloved,’ that’s your name. Though I cannot reach you from my study today, this is still my prayer for you:

Beloved, I lay my hands on you in the name of Jesus Christ,
The healer and lover of the world.
May the Lord of love,
Who is greater than all that can hurt us,
Give strength and healing for all that is to come.

May the Spirit of love surround you with comfort, warmth, light, and trust.

Beloved, I sign you with the cross of Christ.
May the Lord in his love and mercy,
Uphold you by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

OR

Beloved, I anoint you in the name of God who gives you life.
Receive Christ’s forgiveness, his healing, and his love.

May the father of our Lord Jesus Christ grant you the riches of his grace,
His wholeness,
And his peace.
Amen.

Every blessing,
Rob

Joint Service - 10am
Don’t forget, tomorrow morning is our Joint Worship & Communion Service with us ‘All-In @ 10!’. Come and join us at this all-age worship service.

A Jubilee, with Bells On!
To celebrate her Majesty’s 70 year-long reign, we'll be holding a series of events in church on Friday 3rd June, 1–4pm. We will begin with a Service of Celebration at 1pm, followed by heritage tours of the church and a picnic in the church yard. The tower will ring out a Grandsire Quarter Peel at 3pm.
The heritage event will encompass the last 70 years, from the date of her Majesty’s Coronation (2nd June 1953) to the present day.
We are looking for any Memorabilia or Photos, such as of Weddings or Baptisms, that include the church, covering the whole period.
(We will endeavour to take good care of anything you bring along, although cannot accept any liability for them, we hope you understand.)
If you have anything of interest that you would like to share with the community, the church would be delighted to showcase them on your behalf.
Let’s join together in celebrating the church and community over the reign of Her Majesty. Please contact our reader, John Corbin ([email protected]).

Sunday is Moving!
For a trial period between 5th June - 24th July, we will be meeting at 9:30am for our Traditional Holy Communion service, and 5pm in the afternoon for our Family Service, including Sunday school most weeks.

An Hour of Quiet
Why not join us for a quiet catch-up with God? Our contemplative midday communion service is on next Monday 30th May in church at 12pm.
We run in term time, and not on bank holidays.

Messy Church June!
Our next Messy Church is on Saturday 11th June, 3-4:30pm.
To book a table for your family, please contact the [email protected].