Last night there was a thunderstorm. Rain was falling heavily and thunder rumbling around.

At the end of April a similar storm caused damage to the roof at Trinity Church – just where the lightening rod comes down.

The damage has been repaired to keep the elements out.

Last Sunday (Pentecost or Whit Sunday) the visiting preacher was head of the Methodist Northampton District( a large area stretching from Oxford to Peterborough with Northampton near the centre). Trinity is both Methodist and URC, and is also part of the Wessex URC district stretching through much of the South West. So one way and another has much of the country covered.

Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday and Reverend Richard Bittleston, who leaves Trinity in August, will be preaching on ‘The Minimalist Christian’. And next Saturday, June 21st 2014, will be the Trinity Summer Fair. Stalls to include: Cakes and preserves, Tombola, Raffle, Jewellery, Toiletries, Plants, Tea/Coffee and light refreshments, Children’s activities,and Ice cream with a smile.

On Palm Sunday there was the first concert by the Abingdon Gospel Choir – founded just a few months ago. They were joined by some members of the Oxford Gospel Choir and sang spiritual songs in aid of helping a team from Nicaragua go to the Street Child World Cup in Brazil.

Then on Good Friday there was a procession from the Charter to a service inside St Nicolas Church.

A few years ago you might have seen lots of people standing with crosses on the Market Place in Abingdon on Good Friday, but times have changed and this year Revd. Richard Bittleston’s was to be seen without a flock, carrying a solitary cross.

The Lent Sermons at St Helen’s Church in Abingdon has the title ‘Spiritual Lessons my Dog taught me.’

Rev’d Dr Charles Miller says

‘Some of you, whether dog-lovers or not, have met my petite Jill Russell, Beth (actually Lambeth, but who would wish to be called that publicly?). She is now ten years old, so that we have begun the second decade of our daily walks together. Those walks certainly, but her behaviours and craving at other times too, have been occasions to observe and reflect. Time and again, in reaction to behaviour either charming or challenging, I’ve been led to ask myself, “Well, am I really that different?” It’s been sobering…’

March 9th – Scent & Sensibility – Is there such a thing as a taste for God (Matthew 4.1-11)?

March 16th – “Sit!” – Dealing with our impulses (John 3.1-17)

March 23rd – Scavenging – Where true joys are to be found (John 4.5-42)

March 30th – Mothering Sunday– the series takes a break

April 6th – Lap Dog – “There’s a place for us…” (John 11.1-45)

See Lent sermon series for more.