VICAR’S LETTER AUGUST 2026
I sat down to write this month's letter and realised I had absolutely no idea what to say. Normally, that wouldn't matter too much. I'd write a sentence, delete it, make another cup of tea, stare out of the window for a while, and eventually something would emerge.
This month, however, every idea seemed either far too serious or far too fluffy. I could have written about summer. Or holidays. Or gardens. Or cricket. Or the weather, which remains Britain's most dependable conversation starter. But none of those felt quite right.
So perhaps I'll simply admit something. I think we put ourselves under a surprising amount of pressure to have something worth saying all the time. Whether it's replying to a message, making conversation, posting online, speaking in a meeting, or writing a parish magazine letter, there can be a sense that we ought to have the right words ready.
As the years roll by, the more I appreciate people who are comfortable with not knowing. People who can say, "I'm not sure." People who can ask a genuine question. People who can simply listen without rushing to fill every silence. Faith, too, has taught me that there is no shame in not having all the answers. Some of the most important moments in the Bible begin not with certainty but with a question, an interruption, or someone wondering what on earth to do next.
So, this month's letter is simply a reminder—to myself as much as anyone else—that we don't always need the perfect words. Sometimes it's enough just to be present, curious, and open to whatever comes next.
My prayer for us all this month is that we will have the grace to live with open hearts, curious minds, and peaceful spirits.
And, for the record, I still haven't decided what I was going to write about.
Rev Angie x
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