Dear all
It’s getting to that time of the year when some people’s thoughts are turning to holidays and with that in mind I would like to draw your attention to a very special sort of holiday that our parish is planning for Autumn 2020. It is some years since there was a pilgrimage to any of the Holy sites in Israel or the Mediterranean and so we have invited someone who has been leading tour groups to the Holy Land or as he puts it ‘The land of the Holy one’ for over 30 years. His name is Haydon Wilcox and he is an ordained priest in the Church of England. The pilgrimage will be 12 days in all visiting Jerusalem, Bethlehem, the Judean Desert and the region of the Dead Sea, Samaria, The Galilee and Northern Israel. The trip will be very much focussed on listening to the many different voices in The Holy Land and experiencing the diverse culture in Jerusalem. We will be experiencing contrasts between the different districts in the city, Hasidic, Arab and secular plus meeting with the Palestinian community. We shall celebrate Shabbat and learn about the issues of the Palestinian Christian Church and its relationship with Muslims and Jews. We will learn about the views of orthodox Jews and meet a representative of the Samaritan community. This is an exciting opportunity to visit Israel and to hear different views about the extremely complex situation that the Holy Land finds itself in. We will be visiting lots of holy and historical sites but we would like to stress that this is not a trip just for Christian pilgrims. Anyone of any belief or none is very welcome to join us. Haydon will be coming to Capel to the Parish Hall (just behind the Capel Memorial Hall) on July 2nd to give us further information, show pictures and to discuss possible options for accommodation and the itinerary. By coming along to the information evening you are not committing or being expected to commit to travelling with us next year. Most I expect will wish to go away and think about it!! So do come and find out more on the 2nd July at 7.30pm next month.
It is also getting to that time of the year when we have like many of you been putting extra effort into our garden. Yes, it’s Vicarage Fete time again! This year our very creative and efficient team are planning all sorts of exciting things for this traditional annual event. New attractions this year will be a carousel and interactive storytelling from The Cat’s Grin Theatre Company. Loads of fun and interesting stalls along with entertainment from our local schools and of course the usual yummy cream teas and cakes. Terrific raffle prizes once again and as usual all profits go towards our schools, Scott Broadwood, The Weald and Capel Pre- School. So the grass is getting mown towards an inch of its life, the flowers are beginning to bloom and all we need now is you! Doug and I love this annual event when we can welcome you to our garden so don’t miss it! Also on the following day we will be having an all age family worship service in church at 10.30 at St John’s to celebrate the birth of our Patron Saint St John the Baptist. Bob Cranham and the band will be there playing and we would like as many families as possible to come and help us celebrate our patronal festival so all are welcome – we would love to fill the church!
With my love and prayers as ever
Liz