It was so moving to join with many of you to watch the Queen's funeral on Monday - big thanks to Fiona, Peter and others who enabled that along with cake. And now we move into a new era with a new King: the Carolean era. With the period of national mourning over, we've been thrown back into this new era with a cost of living crisis, concern for the NHS and escalation of the war in Ukraine.
In the midst of all these uncertainties it's good to be reminded that even when we walk in some rather dark valleys, we don't need to be afraid: Jesus the Good Shepherd is close beside us, guiding us along the right paths (Psalm 23: 3,4). And we don't do it alone, but as the family of church, open to all.
As we look forwards, there are lots of good things happening at St Francis over coming weeks. It's Messy Church this week and All Age Harvest festival next week. It's a great opportunity to enjoy lunch together and to get to know each other better.
Read the rest of the newsletter here.
