I wonder if there is another village in England which is home to both the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff? Population of about 1300 and two of the oldest titles in civic life live here. Not bad, eh?

It has been my privilege to be Chaplain for the past year to Dr Sarah Furness as she has served, by Royal appointment, as High Sheriff of Rutland. Her schedule has been amazing. And exhausting. My six carol services were trumped by the fourteen Sarah had attended. A wonderful year of discovery and service to County and Queen.

One of her final occasions is the Rutland Service in Peterborough Cathedral on Sunday 26th February at 3.30pm. Sarah hopes as many people as possible will join her on that occasion to celebrate all that is good about Rutland. Children from our school will be involved too. Do come along on the coach leaving Whissendine at 1.30pm. (1.30pm coach leaves for the Rutland Service in Peterborough Cathedral. Book your seat with Revd Janet or on the blue sign-in list in church.)

If you haven’t been in Peterborough Cathedral before you are in for a treat. One of the finest of our medieval cathedrals: the wooden ceiling alone takes your breath away. (Actually I think it’s the finest but I am somewhat biased …) And high above the nave is a huge red crucifix. The inscription reads ‘stat crux dum volvitur orbis’. You can work out the proper translation for yourself but a rough (very rough) one would be: ‘when the world seems to be spinning out of control, God remains the same.’ A good motto for 2017. I have it on a coffee mug – just to remind me.

And – to save you asking the High Sheriff – the hat is her own. She doesn’t have to hand it back.

Blessings

The Revd Janet Tebby
01664 474096

janet@oakhamteam.org.uk

@TebbyJanet

 

? QUESTIONS…QUESTIONS…?

Have you been thinking about faith and what it’s all about? Maybe you’d like to explore a bit more, and discuss those nagging questions you (and all of us) have? We have a group at St Andrew’s church which meets occasionally to do just that – why don’t you come along? Contact Hilary Maunders 474349 or Jane Beynon 474882 for more information.