Dear friends

If I had one word to describe this last month it would be cake, cake and more cake! In fact the last few weeks has been a showcase of amazing team work and organisation. A huge thank you to all who have given their time, skills, ovens and enthusiasm as you will see! It all began with the annual Vicarage Fete returning after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic – and what a return it was. It was wonderful to host this traditional garden fete once more and to welcome a record number of families and friends to enjoy the many interesting stalls and entertainment put on by our schools. A traditional fairground organ on our front lawn welcomed everyone in, the weather stayed dry, the barbecue sizzled and I was impressed by how much the children loved holding John Dales snakes and other wonderful creatures! We raised over £2000 for our local schools.

The following week we ran a tea and cake stall at Capel Military Show for both days. Many, many cakes were baked by our volunteers in readiness for this event which was planned and thought out months in advance. A team of 8 people cut cake, managed 6 urns of boiling water (which was a very hot, full time job), served cake, poured drinks, took money and generally kept the stall running efficiently all day long. It was also great fun to be a part of! This was a much needed fund raising event for our parish – one which contributes to the cost of ministry in Capel and Ockley, and also a percentage of our profits goes to the military charities the Show supports. The whole Show was so incredibly efficient and well run and it was a pleasure to be a part of it. We felt very blessed by the amount we raised that weekend and huge thanks to all those who have helped in any way. As I write this we are looking forward to being able to now give back by offering more tea and cakes (!) to Mark Sugden Best and his family for his very popular charity event at Treetops in aid of Myeloma UK. Thank you for asking us.

So now to this month – August. Cannot believe how hot it has been recently and hope by the time you read this temperatures have returned to more normal numbers! A quieter time ahead for us at church and for me some annual leave. There is more cake though! As I prepared the list of services and events for our parish this month, I think every week bar one, there are teas at either Ockley or Capel in and outside our lovely church buildings. We hope very much you might join us. Can you ever have too much cake I wonder?! Well whatever your thoughts on that, you can never have too much of friendship and hospitality, a place to be able to catch your breath, relax and soak up some of the wonderful atmosphere our beautifully cool ancient buildings offer. Buildings that have been filled for centuries with worship and prayer. We are so blessed here that our churches are always open all day and I know many pop in for a bit of quiet time. Long may that continue and may God bless you and yours in this traditional holiday month for many.
With my love and prayers
Revd Liz