Dear Friends

With September comes the memory of my schooldays. The excitement of starting a new year in the classroom. The feel of new clothes for the occasion and, above all, of new strong leather shoes restricting feet which had been carefree for about six weeks, flopping around in wellingtons and plimsolls, as I enjoyed the longer summer break. September was a time to smarten up and venture out with happy anticipation on the next stage of learning, with new teachers and different timetables. New challenges, fun with old friends who were still in the same teaching groups and, above all, a sure hope that things could only get better as I moved up the school. I am sure I am not alone in remembering this feeling of hope and expectation of good things in my youth.
Every day was exciting and the sky seemed to be the limit. In those days the negative remarks of others passed over me unnoticed as I charged on through each God given day. Of course there were setbacks but the will to make life work was strong enough to get me on course again.

Enough memories! I am sure that life is really even more exciting for the present generation of school children, despite the negative things the media expects us to believe. As the new academic year begins, we think especially of those children from our parish who will be changing schools and young people off to university and college this September. Many of course will be starting out on the road of work and experiencing completely new environments. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Churches in the Diocese of St.Albans will be embarking on a new project called “Vision for Action”, which will be launched this Autumn. Our Bishop, the Rt.Revd. Christoper Herbert says, “The aim of Vision for Action is to focus our energies and commitment, through five key priorities, to help us face the challenges and opportunities of proclaiming the Kingdom of God in changing times. The unifying priority is mission - the central characteristic of any