As many of you will have heard, I’ve come to the end of my curacy at St Giles and the Ley Group, and have recently been appointed the new rector of the Arden Valley Group of churches, in the south of Coventry Diocese. I don’t have an official start date yet, but I’ll let you know the date for my licensing service as soon as it’s arranged. In the meantime, I’m planning on being around until the end of September. I came to curacy with very little experience of rural life; I grew up in Birmingham and then lived in Rugby for several years. You’ve helped me to explore ministry in a rural setting and I want to thank you for the positive experience it’s been. I would never have considered applying for a role in a rural benefice without having enjoyed the time I’ve spent with you.
Highlights include several baptisms at St Laurence, including the baptism of Evan Thomas Sansome on Sunday 21st July 2024, which was particularly meaningful for me, as I had the pleasure of marrying Evan’s parents, Thomas and Kara, last year.
Last year, I also had the privilege of preaching and presiding at St Laurence, on the Sunday of the Flower Festival weekend. I’m looking forward to the 60th Flower Festival this year, the last in the current format. I would like to encourage you all to make a special effort to support this significant event.
For those of you who like to collect odd facts, did you know that Floral Foam, know as Oasis, was invented 60 years ago, around the time of the first Ansley Flower Festival. This water retaining foam certainly revolutionized flower arranging. But, did you know that one block of foam contains the same amount of plastic as 10 plastic carrier bags. It should not be put in the green bin and water that has soaked through Oasis should not be poured down the drain. Our impact on the environment is certainly more on our minds than it was 60 years ago.
When Jesus lived in Galilee, people’s lives were necessarily in rhythm with the land and seasons. Life was tough and Jesus has plenty to say about the poverty experienced by ordinary folk. As I write this I’m preparing a sermon on, the feeding of the five thousand as recounted in John chapter 6. This version mentions the green grass that they sit on. I am immediately transported to the scene, lush green grass, flecked with wild flowers inviting me to rest a while. Remember to praise God for the beauty of creation as you see green grass, flowers and trees around you today, and please put the Flower Festival in your diaries!
Rev’d Jo Parker
Prayer of the Church of England Flower Arrangers’ Association
O Lord the creator of all things of beauty,
grant to those who serve you with their gifts of floral art,
a sense of your majesty and a desire to
heighten the worship of the Holy Church by the dedicated use of their gifts.
This we ask in the name of Himh
who with the Father is the Creator and Sustainer
of all good things Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN