Thought for the Month
Join me each month as I ponder life with all the highs and lows we encounter along the way.
I hope you enjoy my blog whose aim is to raise a smile as well as give food for thought.
As always, I would love to hear from you, so please contact me 01278 781147 c.judson@btinternet.com
God bless you.
Rev Chris
October 2025 ‘All God’s Creatures’
Her name was Muttley, and she was my pet goat! To be honest, she was a bit stand-off-ish at first, and it took a while for us to get to know each other. A fine brown and white Toggenburg, with a very determined attitude – she taught me all manner of things: the obvious ones about how to look after her, but also when to stand well clear…. Over time we grew together, and she even won a prize at my school pet show!
I believe that pets play a very special role in our lives – whether they are the more ‘normal’ cat, dog, fish, mouse, hamster, rabbit or the rather more unusual tarantula, octopus, axolotl or sugar glider. Being responsible for another living being is an important lesson in life – supporting it, caring for it and enjoying its company can be challenging, satisfying and fun!
Maybe you had a pet when you were a child? Maybe you have a pet now? They can be great company, though I do hold with the saying ‘A dog has an owner but a cat has a servant!’
St Francis of Assisi is known as the Patron Saint of Animals, and is celebrated on 4th October. This Italian Saint is renowned for his compassion for all animals, as well as his rejection of wealth and privilege and his inspiring of the Franciscan Religious Orders. Often pictured surrounded by a variety of animals, St Francis had a deep respect for all living creatures, and continues to inspire us today.
On October 5th we will be holding a Pet Service at Mark Church, at 9.30am. If you have a pet and are able to bring it with you, please do! If you can’t bring your actual pet, but would like to bring a picture of it – that would be great. If you don’t have a pet, but would like to – maybe bring a picture of the pet you’d like to have? And if pets are really not your thing, do come anyway and help us celebrate the good they can do for others….ALL ARE WELCOME! We hope to follow suit at East Huntspill and West Huntspill Churches next year.
God bless you, and all pets everywhere!
Rev Chris
September 2025 ‘New Beginnings’
As we step into September this year, my mind is full of ‘new beginnings’. From school days onwards, September has meant ‘new starts’ to me. New school? New teacher? New class? New lessons? These were the ‘new beginnings’ from my childhood onwards. New clothes – school uniform? New shoes, maybe, especially once the sandals were banished by the rain! New exercise books with that special aroma, and the ‘clean slate’ of a book with no mistakes in it, ….at least not yet. New start, new beginning, new possibilities……
This year, on a personal level, I find myself returning to my role as Rector after a period of time off duty, and it feels a bit like a new start. Instead of a new exercise book, I have a new hip – which I am deeply grateful for! After various operations when I was a baby and a teenager, my old hip had done me very well, but all the medics agreed that it was definitely time for a change. I was much encouraged by the positive experiences of a raft of people around me, and am deeply appreciative of all who have stepped up to cover my duties (especially Rev Margaret Hayward, who significantly increased the hours that she gifts to us!) and indeed for all the good wishes, cards and gifts that have helped me on my way – thank you! Of course, receiving the new hip is but the start, and I know that what I make of it is largely up to me. Yes, the exercises are still happening (…lots…) and I am taking good care of it, as I want it to last for a very long time!
I guess all sorts of new starts have much in common. Some seem to just happen, while we need to initiate or at least accept others, but with all of them it is up to us to then make the very best use of them. Archbishop Desmond Tutu sees God’s mercy as giving us all a new start: ‘Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning’. That doesn’t mean it is easy, and adjusting to new ways can often be painful (as indeed is adjusting to a new hip or knee), but with practice (and many exercises) the result can be transformative.
Whatever new starts lie before you this September, may you know the wonder of God’s grace and guidance, and may you be encouraged to make the most of every opportunity that they bring to you!
God bless you,
Rev Chris