Summer is icumen in!
Even if we have no more fine weather we’ve had it hot and sunny already. Somehow a couple of warm weeks in June make one hopeful of more, really, don’t they? However illogical that may be. A prospect you may greet with mixed feelings. Hot, lazy days by the seaside are to dream of, sweltering on the tube – not so good. And it’s not much comfort to hear that air conditioning is on the way but not, surprise, surprise, for our Northern line. But at least sunny Sundays allow us to take our coffee/wine outside after the service and show Hampstead what a lively congregation we are!
A glance at the Diary will show that things do slow down during the summer.* The clergy will be taking holiday in turns, Bible Study and Holy Hamsters are taking a break, but if you rather regret the lack of activities and find time hanging heavy in August comfort yourself with the thought that all too soon it’ll be September and, as you can see from ‘Looking Ahead’ on the Diary page, we’ll soon be busy again.
Crypt
One thing that won’t stop in August is the work in the Crypt. Walls are coming down and it’s all most alarming but I’m sure that, phoenix-like, a much improved space will arise from the chaos.
Big Brew Day
As last year, we will be celebrating the Diocesan Big Brew Day in style on 11th July with tea, coffee, entertainment and a Traidcraft Stall. Only in the morning this year so come early!
Venetian Season
The big event in July is Venetian Week – starting with a Sunday of Venetian music on 5th and continuing on 9th to 11th with the Hampstead Players’ production of The Merchant of Venice which will also be performed in Pimlico on 12th.
Christian Aid
It’s taken a while to get all the money in but I can announce now that the final total for Christian Aid Week in the parish is £565.21. Thank you to all who collected and gave.
ALMA
12th July is ALMA Sunday and you can read all about this Diocesan initiative in Angola and Mozambique further on in this issue. The parish supports ALMA as part of its planned charitable giving.
Finally a prayer for older people that’s circulating on the web at the moment:
“God grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.”
Have a peaceful summer
July / August
Judy East