Sarah and I have been here in Oving and Quainton for six years. I know it’s a cliché, but doesn’t time fly! I remember being totally shocked when I heard, after two days of interviews, that I was being offered this House For Duty post as Team Vicar looking after All Saints, Oving with Pitchcott and Holy Cross and St Mary, Quainton. I was shocked because moving into a traditional rural parish with a shaved head and earring seemed to be not the done thing! But here we are.
We spent a lot of time getting to know the villages and the wonderful people in these parts and soon developed supportive relationships with new friends and neighbours. Oving Church has such an amazing heritage and I am committed to conserving the significant history and architecture of this beautiful building.
The Church calendar is as busy as ever at this time of year. On Sunday 6th November we have a Memorial Service at 11.00am for those we have loved and lost. Do come and light a candle for a loved one. Remembrance Sunday is 13th November at 11.00am and on Sunday 20th we have our Family Service.
We start the Advent Season with our annual Advent Carols at Whitchurch on Sunday 27th November at 6.00pm and the following Sunday Christmas starts in Oving with our Christmas Informal Worship Service at 11.00am.
In the November 2016 edition of Oving News, I concluded by opening letter with these words:
“I’m loving living in Oving. What an amazing place. What amazing people. I told the story above, because I wanted to come clean about my faith. I couldn’t do the job I do, without having a passionate belief in a God who brings hope. I know life is not always easy, and questions sometimes go unanswered, but I have had enough life experience to know about suffering and pain, tragedy and loss, as well as the joys and delights of a life filled with meaning. The Christian message shouts loudly that hope is stronger than despair, peace is stronger than war, love is stronger than hatred and life is stronger than death. Take the journey with me.”
I am still passionate about the mission and ministry of the church in the community. Why not come and join our team.
Blessings,
Rev Steve
