My concern this month is not with elections or Europe but whom they affect, us. In May Rev James Hair, Diocesan Mental Health Advisor, led twenty of us in Hambledon in a morning of Dementia training and awareness. For the last few years we have been developing as a Dementia Friendly Church. One of the first quotations he wrote on his board was this. “For a Christian it does not matter whether one has lost one’s mind or not, what really matters is whether one is loved by God”.  The second was this “We are not what we remember. We are remembered.” John Swindon.

In response to the first I have always been sure that we are all loved by God. That surety is given us by God through Jesus. It is not a matter of whether we believe it or not, it either is true or it is not and does not depend on our actions at all. Our belief makes a difference between whether we stand in the flow of that love or exclude ourselves from it. We are all held in the ‘memory of God.

Hambledon has in my experience for the most part, been a place of love, tolerance, care and compassion. Whatever the political world brings us I trust it will remain so and it will, if we can continue to treat each other as fellow human beings of equal worth and value. We are in many ways a privileged community because we are a functional community. Initiatives like Dementia Friendly Church help maintain this and if you wish to know more please contact Jean Grant or Graham Parr.

Heather and I have loved being in this village however our plans for retirement are now clear. We will be moving to Alderbury, near Salisbury in December. My last service will be on Sunday November 26th at 10:30 am. Before that, there is lots to happen and seasons to enjoy!

We are hosting our BBQs again this summer. They are open to all and all are welcome. Further details will be on posters in church and on the outside notice board. We will need to know if you are coming. The dates for your diary are:

Wednesday 21st June 7:00 pm – 10: 00 pm
Sunday 9th July 12:45 pm – 3:30 pm
Thursday 13th July 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

This year our Pentecost focus was around the nation “Thy Kingdom Come” initiative. However we plan to offer freshly cooked, free bacon rolls at the Vicarage garden fence with the Glebe land field on Saturday 9th September, 9:30am to 11:30am.

I hope that you enjoy this summer and we may enjoy it together and with God.
Robin