Welcome to the month of August. The Paris Olympics are well underway, accompanied by tears and smiles, cheers and commiserations. I sometimes wonder how our nations and Team GB&NI would cope without Clare Balding and team to console the disappointed and celebrate with the triumphant. (OK, so maybe not all of the commentary hits the mark in tone and content, but let’s give them a break – it’s a tricky job).

One interview that stood out for me was when Sharron Davies interviewed Adam Peaty after winning silver in the 100m breaststroke – missing out on gold by just two hundredths of a second. Concerned that people would misunderstand his tears, Peaty reassured Sharron and the viewers saying, ’These are happy tears! I gave my absolute all there. In my heart I’ve already won.’ Peaty has been open about his Christian faith.

 Services this Sunday 4th August

10.00 am	St Mary’s	Creative Church: Stained Glass Windows
10.30 am	All Saints	Holy Communion with Hymns
6.30 pm	St.Mary’s	Evensong

At this week’s Creative Church (10.00 at St.Mary’s) we are celebrating not the Olympic Hall of Fame but rather the Cloud of Witnesses – the Biblical equivalent. The Cloud of Witnesses begins with the patriarchs, continues with the prophets (have a look at the ones depicted in the windows of St.Mary’s apse) and cascades down to the 12 disciples and beyond them to ‘saints’ in the widest sense –  followers of Jesus from all avenues of life.

In the East Window at All Saints we see an array of folks gathered around Jesus – young and old, rich and poor, employed or begging, sick and well. How lovely that, taken together, our benefice East Windows present an all-encompassing Cloud of Witnesses – each with Christ at the centre.

At this Sunday’s Holy Communion at 10:30 at All Saints we welcome back Rev Susan Allman to preside, and Mark Simms to reflect on the second in a series of readings from the sixth chapter of the gospel according to John. In this week’s section Jesus contrasts those seeking purely physical food and those looking for more spiritual nourishment. Jesus declares: ‘I am the Bread of Life’.

Services in the coming week and next Sunday 11th August

Wednesday 7th August	9.00 am	All Saints	Celtic Morning Prayer
Thursday 8th August	10.00 am	St Mary’s	Holy Communion
Sunday 11th  August	8.00 am	All Saints	Holy Commuion
	10.00 am	St.Mary’s	Holy Communion
	10.30 am	All Saints	Messy Muddy Church

The writer to the Hebrews encourages us all, regardless of age, nationality or background, to ‘Run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith’(Hebrews 12:1-3). For swimmer Adam Peaty, with Jesus in his heart, the struggles and challenges of his life – physical and mental, emotional and spiritual – can these days be met with joy and perseverance and peace. Because Christ is the once and for all Victor, he can cut himself some slack. What an amazing testimony! It makes me want to break out in singing this verse from a well-known 17^th century hymn by Richard Baxter:, ‘Ye holy angels bright…’

Ye saints, who toil below,
adore your heavenly King,
and onward as ye go
some joyful anthem sing;
take what he gives
and praise him still
through good or ill,
who ever lives!

Yours in Christ,

Diane