I am writing this as the temperatures are high in this very hot summer.  Flowers and plants need watering, we are wilting and holiday-makers rejoicing at the hot weather.  I want to say something about the importance of flowers in our church and also express our thanks to those who arrange them and care for them on a weekly basis.

 It has long been the case that flowers have adorned special occasions and celebrations.  Their colours and scents add to our emotional and ascetic experiences.  It is also true of worship.  The presence of flowers not only enhances our sensual experience but they serve as a constant reminder of the beauty and variety of the creation and therefore of God the Creator.

 As with nearly everything, you cannot have something for nothing.  Flower arranging requires resources of money, skills and time.  If you would like to donate money for flowers in church, perhaps in memory of a loved one, or just because you are generous I would be most grateful.  Such gifts must be clearly marked ‘For Church Flowers’.  We would also be grateful for new flower arrangers.  Humans resemble flowers in that from time to time they need renewing and sometimes replacing.  If there are any ‘budding’ flower arrangers who would like to join the present team could you please let me know.  One of the occasions when we shall decorate the church with flowers is our Patronal Festival.

 Patronal festival
We shall welcome as our celebrant and preacher on our Patronal Festival on Sunday 7^th September the Bishop of Kingston, Bishop Richard Cheetham.  This will be Bishop Richard’s first visit to St Mary’s since his appointment as our area Bishop.  I hope many people will be there to welcome him and share in this act of worship.  There will be a shared lunch in the hall afterwards when there will be a chance to informally meet Bishop Richard.

In the evening there will be sung Evensong to which members of other churches in Merton Park Churches Together have been invited.  Again there will be light refreshments in the hall afterwards.

 Harvest Festival
This year Harvest will be on October 5^th.  Full details will be in next months magazine and in the newsletter which will be distributed to every house in the parish during September.

 Confirmation classes
We shall be commencing Confirmation classes during this Autumn.  Please give your names to the clergy if you are interested in attending these classes.  The deadline for joining confirmation classes will be the end of September.

 Sermon subjects
Some interesting subjects have already come forward from the congregation for sermons.  Some of these are going to make heavy demands of the preacher so I might need to go back to school!  So far suggestions range from the authority of scriptures through to goodies and baddies among women in the bible, Christian imagery and modern psychology.  I was considering doing a course of sermons on Sunday evenings during the Autumn on St Paul but these other subjects offer new challenges.  Has anyone got any other (easier) subjects?

•  Harvest Festival

• Remembrance Sunday

• New Service in New Year

• Director of music

• Evening sermons

• State of the Church of England

 Your priest and friend

Tom Leary

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