AT St. Peter’s Church we have a special area set aside for private prayer. As you go into the church it is in the alcove on the right (the technical name is the south transept.) Here you will find a measure of privacy, and a prayer box where you will be able to place a prayer that you wish to be included in the Sunday services. You will also find some guidelines for prayer. It is there for everyone, and the church is open everyday between 9.00 and 4.00pm, please feel welcome to use it.

Sit comfortably, feet flat on the floor, put down any baggage you are carrying.

For one minute, just be still: relax your muscles, calm your breathing, listen.

For one minute, remember something you are grateful for. Say thank-you to God for it, and be sure that God is happy for you.

For one minute, remember something you regret. Say sorry to God for it, and be sure that God forgives you.

For one minute, think of some good thing you would like for another person. Ask God for it. If what you want just isn’t possible, god will still use your prayer to bless that person.

For one minute, think of some good thing you would like for yourself. Ask God to show you if it’s right for you, and listen for the answer. God seeks to guide you.

Now go, and the peace of God go with you.

IT started with an empty tomb. Where was the body? They knew Jesus had been buried, they had seen him die but now two days later there was no corpse just an empty tomb. And they were frightened, terrified in fact, it was incomprehensible. Why had this happened, it was bad enough watching their beloved friend and leader, Jesus, die in that horrific, but all too familiar Roman way, but to find an empty tomb, can things get worse?

The first disciples did not expect Jesus to be risen from the dead, that was not their first thought when they found the empty tomb. Questions came flooding as they would for us. Has the body been stolen? Well there was a Roman guard on duty and the huge stone was sealed – it was more than their lives were worth to let grave robbers get passed them.

Perhaps Jesus wasn’t really dead and he had revived in the tomb and somehow managed to push the stone away. No, they knew he was dead, there was no way he would have been taken down from the cross alive, even if he could have survived such a cruel beating and crucifixion. Then again if the body had been stolen starting rumours of resurrection it would have eventually been found, especially as there was a vested interest in squashing any rumours of resurrection.

Even when Jesus first appeared to the disciples they were scared – that’s how little they expected Jesus to appear again after his death. But when Jesus said ‘Peace be with you’ and stood among them they began to realise, Jesus had overcome death and was risen. Even the two on the Emmaus road didn’t at first recognise him until he broke bread with them.

Meeting the risen Lord Jesus changed his followers, Peter the one who denied him out of fear, could not stop telling everyone about this Jesus who had died and who God had raised from the dead. Those who met the risen Lord were changed forever and they could not be stopped from telling others that; ‘The Lord is Risen, he is risen indeed.’ And have you ever thought that the stone was not removed to let Jesus out but to let us in? Many people today even in Kineton and Combroke know the life changing power of meeting the risen Lord Jesus. Why not come and celebrate with them this Easter?

THIS is your chance girls to pop the question! 29^th February is the traditional date when a woman can ask a man to marry her. Venus can approach Mars for a change.* I wonder how many do take the opportunity of the Leap Year Day? I’ve never actually known a woman who proposed to her boyfriend on 29^th February, though throughout my time of arranging to marry couples I do hear of some wonderfully romantic proposals. One recently was a young man, who on a holiday in Australia with his girlfriend, proposed to her at Sydney harbour with the backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney harbour bridge. Wow! Perhaps you’ve got a proposal story you would like to tell us, if so drop a line to the editor of Outlook, we’re always open to new stories. The truth is wherever ‘the proposal’ happens it is always remembered.

The same is true of the wedding day, the events of the day are always remembered, the place, the time, the people, the clothes, the food and perhaps even the cost!

So here’s a proposal to anyone thinking of getting married, why not choose the church for your special wedding day?

You can have a beautiful setting in a historical building, the services of a professional wedding service planner, all the hymns and music you want, readings, prayers and bells rung all for the cost of £450.00. For this we also throw in an hilarious half day of wedding preparation with other couples getting married and the chance for a rehearsal before your great day. You can decorate the inside of the church however you want. One couple at a winter wedding lined the church path with candlelit torches, it was magical. We can even let you use the church afterwards to serve an aperitif to all your guests and for your photos before you go off to your reception.

The same package is available in Combroke for even less money as there are no bells.

To qualify to be married in Kineton or Combroke you simply have to live in either of the villages or have some connection with the churches e.g. through childhood attending or parents. Alternatively you can qualify to be married in any church by attending regularly over six months.

You can also opt for a service of blessing at church following a register office ceremony.

So go on make St. Valentine happy and give me a call, I’m by the phone, waiting………

Yours hopefully, Charmaine –