From the Vicar

The “lazy days” of summer are upon us. As I write this, the school terms are coming to an end, Cambridge University has already finished its full term and those who sat exams this year are all done and awaiting results. Although for many there is no laziness to the summer months, there is definitely a hiatus as many whose lives are ordered by the academic year take some well-deserved rest, or at least a change of rhythm!

And rest is good for us. Christians believe it is built into the fabric of the universe as the creator God rested on the seventh day from all His work in creating. Many cultures have some form of “sabbath” when people are encouraged to rest from their work. For the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Islam and Christianity) it is a specific day of the week, but for others it is based on the lunar cycle or seasonal festivals.

One thing is sure: we have known the value of proper rest for a long time, and perhaps also our tendency to neglect it, which is why there need to be rules about it!

Our modern life seems to allow little time for rest for many people. Zero-hours contracts, constant communication and FOMO (fear of missing out) mean we can find it very difficult to “switch off”, both literally and metaphorically. It is no surprise that there has been a rise in wellness retreats, digital detox and other offerings to try to help us to rest. Finding time to rest and knowing what makes for good rest can be challenging, but I would encourage you to try to carve out some rest for yourself this summer. Even just a little time each day to sit and be, listen to the birds and the insects, and feel the sun (or rain!) on your skin can be surprisingly restorative.

Because soon enough Cambridge will be back in full swing again. Schools will head back, the traffic will increase and University life will recommence for another year. You are of course welcome to join us each Sunday as we mark our Christian “sabbath” by coming together at St Mary & St Michael’s, either for a short, reflective service at 8.30am each Sunday or a larger and livelier gathering at 10am. On 6 September, the first Sunday of a new academic year, we will have a special “Blessing of the Backpacks” service to mark the occasion. Bring a symbol of your study or work and we will use it to ask for God’s blessing on all that is to come.

Until then, I pray that you will find blessed rest in this season.

God bless,

Barnabas

Services at St Mary & St Michael in August & September

Our 10am Sunday services are in-person and Zoomed; other services are in-person only. You can find the Zoom link here: achurchnearyou.com/church/2697

Date	Service
Sunday 2 August, Trinity 9	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion
Sunday 9 August, Trinity 10	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion
Sunday 16 August, Trinity 11	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer
Sunday 23 August, Trinity 12	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion
Sunday 30 August, Trinity 13	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion
Sunday 6 September, Trinity 14	Back to School Sunday with Blessing of the Backpacks 8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am All Age Communion
Sunday 13 September, Trinity 15	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church
Sunday 20 September, Trinity 16	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Experience & Explore 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer
Sunday 27 September, Trinity 17	8.30am BCP Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion with Junior Church

The Season of Creation

This is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1 September to 4 October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life.

As the Season of Creation ends we shall celebrate with Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 4 October. The 10am All Age Communion will be followed by a bring and share lunch in church. All welcome.

From the Parish Registers

Service	Date	Name
Wedding	30/05/2026	Daniel Jean-Pierre Franz-Morgans & Kayleigh Jane Owens
Interment of Ashes	31/05/2026	Margaret Elizabeth Maloney
Baptism	28/06/2026	Mellisa-Jo Dawn Berridge (Missy)
Burial	03/07/2026	Anthony Hazlerigg Proctor Beauchamp

A guide to our services

Service	Description
8.30am BCP Holy Communion	From the Book of Common Prayer: a quiet, traditional communion service.
10am Holy Communion	A service using liturgy from Common Worship with hymns and music, and with Junior Church on 2nd and 4th Sundays during school term-time.
10am All Age Communion	A more contemporary communion service specifically for all ages. There is no Junior Church on this Sunday as the children stay for the service.
10am Third Sunday Experience and Explore	An informal service without communion; it includes a talk, a time for personal reflection, activities for all ages and refreshments.
6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer	Normally takes place on third Sundays.