St Peter's Yaxley

…reaching out in love and faith

The Gate of the Year

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Dear Friends,

As I write this, we are drawing to the end of one of the strangest and most unexpected years (not that you need me to tell you that!) I have been thinking that this time last year Coronavirus and Wuhan were distant news articles. I do not think that any of us thought that it would come close to our shores, let alone become a worldwide Pandemic that would put us into lockdown for several months closing down much of our country. As we head towards the end of the year, it is often a time when we look back on the year that has been, and we look forward to a New Year with new chances and opportunities.

You may well be wondering what the next year has in store for us? We may be walking into the next year with quite a lot of trepidation knowing that it will not be easy. As you look back on 2020, what stands out – toilet paper? Home-schooling? Loss of job or relationship? Loss of loved one? Maybe there are equally some good things that you can look back on – More time with family? A slower pace of life, realising what is important to you?

I obviously cannot tell you what next year will bring, but I know a God who has been with me all my life and yes, even in this year. As I walk into 2021 I do so believing and trusting in a God who does know the way.

“The Gate of the Year” is the popular name given to a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins. The title that she gave it was “God Knows”.
The poem, written in 1908 and privately published in 1912, caught the public attention when King George VI quoted it in his 1939 Christmas broadcast to the British Empire. The poem may have been brought to his attention by his wife, Queen Elizabeth. (Thank you to Wikipedia)

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”
And he replied:
“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

With every blessing in this New Year

Rev Sarah 01733 248690/07498 230858
yaxleyvicar@gmail.com

As We Enter A New Year…

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Dear Friends
As I write this we are preparing for Christmas and the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, sent to earth for us. By the time you read this, Christmas Day will have come and gone, and we will be thinking about a New Year, maybe about New Years resolutions or just what this year may hold for us or not.


20 years ago when I was nursing, I had volunteered to work the night shift for the night of 31st December 1999 and 1st January 2000 – the new millennium which I can’t quite believe is 20 years ago now! I have never seen so many staff in the hospital for a night shift and worried looking technicians and managers walked in and out of the ward as we waited to see if planes would fall out of the skies or whether all of our technology would go down at midnight. It came and went without event (although you can usually never describe an NHS night shift as being without event!) but nothing changed, the pumps continued to do their work, the blood pressure machine didn’t break down and the electrical system continued to light the ward lights and work the bell system. There was activity for a few hours and we realised all would be well and we continued our work for the night.


As we go in to a New Year we may be going in to this with anticipation, worry, sadness or regret or we may be excited by new opportunities, new possibilities. I am struck thinking again about that Millennium, that there was so much worry and anxiety, yet all continued on. The Bible tells us to “cast all our anxiety on to God, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5: 7). I hope that whatever the New Year holds for you, that you know the love of a God who cares for you whatever your circumstances.


With every blessing in this New Year
Rev Sarah (Vicar)


01733 248690/07498 230858/vicar@saintpeters.co.uk

Try something new in 2019

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Happy New Year!

It’s that time of year where we are thinking about our new year resolutions; maybe giving up smoking, drinking, chocolate or shopping. These things all focus on giving up something but we can also focus on becoming part of something and in turn helping others.

St. Peter’s Church in partnership with Deafblind Enablement run a monthly informal group, named Impaired Senses, for anyone with sensory loss, which we would like to invite you to. There’s two ways to take part and join in the fun:

If you, or anyone you know is finding it harder to see or hear and would like to join a friendly group for games, raffle, fellowship and refreshments, then please come along and meet us.
Alternatively, you could become a volunteer and join the team from St. Peter’s who provide this community group for the village and surrounding area.

The group takes place, as follows:
Where: St B’s Hall, Main Street, Yaxley, PE7 3LZ
When: 3rd Saturday of the month, 2-4pm
Cost: Nothing but a smile

Our next meeting is Saturday 19th January 2019.

We would love to meet more people and with enough volunteers we are able to assist in transport needs, just let us know your requirements. We even have a summer trip to the seaside for fish and chips! For more information on the group please contact Debbie on 01733 686969 or email debbie@deafblindenablement.co.uk

In addition to this group, we work in partnership with Cambs Deaf Church to provide a Signed Service on the 4th Sunday of the month. We are blessed to have two people attend who sign, and can offer both BSL and SSE. Our next Signed Service is Sunday 27th January 2019, at 11am.

May the year ahead hold many blessings for you.
God Bless

Opportunity awaits the courageous

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Happy New Year to you all!

I can remember when I was a boy calculating how old I would be in the year 2,000. Well this year, I’ll be 1.5 times as old as that. As they say; “Time waits for no-one”. Hopefully, this is an encouragement to me and us all to make the most of every day.

How might we do that? One way is to try to ensure that we make the most of every opportunity and not let setbacks and difficulties hold us back. Let me illustrate this in a light-hearted way by comparing my day at the end of November to that of our cat.

November 30th saw the first snow of the winter. Our cat was desperate to go outside and explore. However, she put one paw outside the door, realized how cold it was and turned round and went back to bed for the day. I was due to go to Newcastle and visit our daughter for the day. I was aware that 2-5cm of snow was forecast. When I stepped out of the front door at 8.00am, the wind chill hit me. But I was braver than the cat (!) and carried on. When I arrived in Newcastle there was a fair bit of snow already. As I ran to where our daughter had parked I stepped in a puddle of slush and discovered a hole in my shoe. As we walked to a pub for lunch my sock got wetter and wetter.

However, by braving the elements (and a wet foot) I had a wonderful day in Newcastle with my daughter. An opportunity taken despite the setbacks. The cat apparently slept all day and missed her chance to explore.

I wonder what opportunities lie ahead of you this year. Let’s be courageous and pursue them even if we face setbacks. I am, of course, well aware that a bit of snow is insignificant compared to some of the issues which some will face this year.

Whatever you do this year may you know Jesus’ promise to all who believe and trust in him. His last words before he returned to heaven after his resurrection were; “Remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age”. If you would like prayer for any issues you face, please contact me.

With my prayers for you all for 2018 and beyond,

Jon Randall (Vicar) 07939 449255; vicar@saintpeters.co.uk

Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.

Great truth in timeless words

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A very Happy New Year to you all!

Just before I wrote this it was announced that Andrew Sachs had died. He is best known for playing Manuel in the 1970’s sitcom ‘Fawlty Towers‘. As a memorial, BBC 1 screened an episode (the one with Mrs Richards and her lost cash). Watching this episode I was struck by two things. Firstly, the number of lines from this episode which I regularly quote in response to situations around the home! Secondly, this programme does not seem to have dated much. I appreciate that the scenery is dated, but not the humour which I think is timeless. I’m very well aware that the humour of Fawlty Towers does not appeal to everyone. However, the programme’s success must lie – at least partly – in the fact that we can all see people we know in the various characters, albeit their personality traits are exaggerated for comic effect. There is great truth behind the timeless humour.

As we start 2017, none of us know what will happen during the year. However, my prayer for us all is that we would know the great truth of how much we are loved by Jesus Christ; whose birthday we celebrated not so long ago. Jesus may have been born over 2,000 years ago, but the message heralded by the angels to the shepherds is timeless: “We bring you tidings of great joy”, they proclaimed. Not only is their message timeless, but the great truth is that it is also for the whole world, young and old, poor and rich. May this timeless truth be an inspiration and an encouragement to you throughout 2017 and beyond.

If you would like to start this new year by finding out more about God’s love for you please do come along and join us at St. Peter’s or the church in the community where you live. As always, please remember you are all welcome at any of our services at St. Peter’s – details are here or give me a call.

With my prayers.

Jon Randall (Vicar) 01733 240339; vicar@saintpeters.co.uk

Read this article in the Yaxley Gazette.