As I come to write this letter I feel like Victor Meldrew as I am thinking `I don’t believe it.’ I cannot believe that we are approaching the first Sunday of Advent, and yet here it is.

This week and as we prepare ourselves for advent, may we be open to Gods renewing, refreshing, love and peace and may we truly know who it is that we are preparing to meet once again,

November is a time for remembering – All Saints, Guy Fawkes, and of course Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. Over the coming days, we will take time to remember the sacrifice of those whose lives were lost in war and conflict in the pursuit of peace and justice.

As the world leaders prepared to leave Glasgow, following their Cop 26 Conference, President Biden spoke of wanting to leave something positive for his grandchildren. Certainly, it requires a determined and a concerted effort by all our World Leaders and indeed ourselves to make a real difference.

I can’t remember the last time 31st October fell on a Sunday, but I suppose it can’t have been that long ago. Those of you who will be venturing out to Church on Sunday evening will probably see

Bartimaeus was in a sad state. This poor blind man was sitting by the side of the road, on the margins of life. He was forced to beg and was totally dependent on the charity of others. His situation was hopeless.

Over the last few weeks as I have popped in Aldi (Other supermarkets are available!) I have found myself having a few conversations with one man who works on the checkout.

I have been hearing about the trials and tribulations of him preparing the ground, digging it out and then trying to lay the base of his new green house.