© Long Buckby URC 2019
News 1
Long Buckby United Reformed Church
Email the Webmaster
A Message & News from the Minister
It’s lovely to be back amongst you. I’ve had a challenging, enjoyable and relaxing 13 weeks
sabbatical leave. Right at the start I had a family bereavement, then one of my dogs needed
surgery on his leg.
I attended my URC pre-retirement course in Swanwick and the “pilgrimage” of my break was a
course run on the Orkney isles, following in the steps of the Norse martyr, St Magnus. I’ve also
been working on various creative projects, and read a load of fiction!- All of which I hope will
offer me renewed ideas and enthusiasm.
Wild geese undertake extensive migratory flights around the globe. They fly in a “V” formation,
with one bird leading the way and the rest following. The interesting thing about the flight
formation is that positions rotate. The bird at the front of the flight will only lead for a short
time and then drop back and another will take the leading place. The migrating birds
instinctively know not to fly at the front until they are exhausted, the leadership is shared and
the most taxing role of picking the flight path and altitude, benefits from a shared
involvement.
The Iona community have as their publishing brand “The Wild Goose Press” and they promote
the message of shared leadership. A sabbatical gives an opportunity for refreshment.
We have just had an AGM when elders were able to step down from active service and we
welcome new members to the eldership. In this imperfect church of which we are a part, please
support those who may be new to a task, and if you are a new office holder accept the prayerful
support of others.
We are fed by the past as we progress on our way. As Sydney Carter has us sing:
“from the old things to the new, keep (me) us travelling along with you”.
May you enjoy summer’s bounty and continue to make good memories for the future.
Shalom
Elizabeth
© Long Buckby URC 2019
News 1
Long Buckby United Reformed Church
Email the Webmaster
A Message & News from the Minister
It’s lovely to be back amongst you. I’ve had a challenging, enjoyable and relaxing
13 weeks sabbatical leave. Right at the start I had a family bereavement, then
one of my dogs needed surgery on his leg.
I attended my URC pre-retirement course in Swanwick and the “pilgrimage” of
my break was a course run on the Orkney isles, following in the steps of the
Norse martyr, St Magnus. I’ve also been working on various creative projects,
and read a load of fiction!- All of which I hope will offer me renewed ideas and
enthusiasm.
Wild geese undertake extensive migratory flights around the globe. They fly in a
“V” formation, with one bird leading the way and the rest following. The
interesting thing about the flight formation is that positions rotate. The bird at
the front of the flight will only lead for a short time and then drop back and
another will take the leading place. The migrating birds instinctively know not to
fly at the front until they are exhausted, the leadership is shared and the most
taxing role of picking the flight path and altitude, benefits from a shared
involvement.
The Iona community have as their publishing brand “The Wild Goose Press” and
they promote the message of shared leadership. A sabbatical gives an
opportunity for refreshment.
We have just had an AGM when elders were able to step down from active
service and we welcome new members to the eldership. In this imperfect church
of which we are a part, please support those who may be new to a task, and if
you are a new office holder accept the prayerful support of others.
We are fed by the past as we progress on our way. As Sydney Carter has us
sing:
“from the old things to the new, keep (me) us travelling along with you”.
May you enjoy summer’s bounty and continue to make good memories for the
future.
Shalom
Elizabeth
