Page 44 - Demo

44 Phonebox Magazine | October 2025CALL 01933 667575FREE DELIVERYWITHIN 15 MILES WS6074 READY TO BURNLOW MOISTURE BRITISHORDER ONLINE NOWFIREWOODKILN DRIED Quality Hardwood Quality Softwood Kindling Nets Hardwood & Softwood Nets. Firelighters Locally Sourced SustainableQuality Hardwood Quality Softwood Kindling Nets Firelighters Locally sourced Sustainable Firelighters Locally sourced SustainableBlock Paving %u2022 Driveways %u2022 Patios %u2022 Fencing %u2022 Sleepers %u2022 Artificial Grass %u2022 Landscapinginfo@ajblockpaving.comAJ Block Paving pridesitself on paving theway in quality drives,paths and patios atcompetitive prices.We offer a full service,from design, throughto installation.07551 461 733Call now for your free,no obligation quoteNEWPORT PAGNELLWalk with meOver the summer, in my search for a refreshed (and slower) rhythm of walking with God, in mid-June, I grabbed a tent and backpack and made my way up north to complete the fi rst half of the coast-to-coast walk from St. Bees (near Whitehaven) to Kirkby Stephen. I travelled up on a Tuesday morning and began the walk just after lunch. Me, being me, I had a deadline of being in Kirkby Stephen by Saturday afternoon at 5pm. Any later and I%u2019d miss the train home, and some family plans we had for Sunday.I had envisaged a relaxing time with God, seeing him in the beauty around me, hearing him speak through podcasts, sermons and music as I walked. However, for the fi rst time in my life, the intensity of the walk, combined with the heat and the weight of the backpack, meant that I struggled to do any of those things. I recall many moments, especially the uphill climbs, with my head down and all my energy focused on putting one foot in front of the other. God was present, I know that. But my attention wasn%u2019t on him, because I was following my own path at a pace I had chosen.God revealed to me that was what my life was like. It may have appeared productive %u2013 97 miles in four days of walking %u2013 but it wasn%u2019t fruitful. Of course there was beautiful scenery along the way, and there were great conversations with fellow travellers, but I ended up exhausted and moved so fast that I know I missed so much. It%u2019s an experience that has made me refl ect on my life %u2013 the busyness, the speed at which I so often run, the crazy deadlines I set for myself, and the amount of time spent at work. None of these things on their own is bad; in fact, some of them make a positive diff erence in the world, but combined and over time, they can drag us %u2013 even pastors %u2013 away from the life God intended for us through Jesus.I%u2019ll fi nish with His words, not mine, found in Matthew 11:29-31: %u201cAre you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you%u2019ll recover your life. I%u2019ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me %u2013 watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won%u2019t lay anything heavy or ill-fi tting on you. Keep company with me and you%u2019ll learn to live freely and lightly.%u201dSteve Wood, Pastor, Newport Pagnell Baptist ChurchChurches TogetherOLNEYDear residents of Olney Parish,It is really great to have the opportunity to introduce myself as the Anglican Priest in charge of St Peter and St Paul. I was installed on Tuesday 2nd September and celebrated the mass and preached here for the fi rst time on 7th September at the 10am service. It is a huge honour and privilege to serve and lead in this role in your community. Prior to taking up office here, I served as Vicar in Wellingborough for eight years and as curate of St Mary%u2019s Goldington for three years after ordination at St Albans Abbey. I%u2019m fairly local having grown up in Wymington, schooled at Harrold and Sharnbrook, before reading Government and Public Policy at Northumbria University in Newcastle. Before training for the Priesthood at Ripon College Cuddesdon Oxford, I had been a Police offi cer and a Publican. I come to this role passionate that the church reaches out beyond its comfort zone in the way Jesus did. As the Anglican Priest in your town I can say fi rmly that no matter who you are, what you%u2019ve done, what you believe, what shape your family is, what you look like, or who you love, you will always be very welcome at St Peter and St Pauls. I love meeting new people so please say hello at our 10am or 6pm services, at town events, while I%u2019m walking my three dogs, or having a pint out and about. I%u2019m here to serve you and to do all I can to support you. Given my previous roles in the police and running a pub there is little I%u2019ve not heard before, I%u2019ve seen folks at their best and their worst, so I off er you no judgement but a listening ear, counsel if you%u2019d like and a friend if you need one.Do let me know how I and our beautiful historic church and Christian community can bless you. I include my favourite verse of scripture which has encouraged me over the years. He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?I look forward to meeting you soonWith Blessings,Rev Ben Lewis, St Peter & St Paul, Olney