Ladock News, November 2025
A message from Reverend Caroline
As we come towards the close of a calendar year, we naturally turn our minds to remembrance. Remembering is both a personal experience, the retelling of stories of lives and events that we have been involved with; it is also a national action as we remember those lives lost through acts of war and sacrificial service. We remember with love those who have been caught up in grief and suffering, whilst as a nation we are invited to reflect on the cost of war, summarised in the Kohima Epitaph: ‘when you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.’
Nobody wants their life to count for nothing; we each have a purpose, a calling. We have a tendency to try to reduce this to a limited number of spheres of life such as becoming a nurse or teacher or priest, but it is true for us all. We do not exist to simply please ourselves, we are beings that are hardwired for sense and meaning. Everyone who is called to go to war, does so in the hope that their lives will have meaning; they seek to serve the better good.
As I said earlier, this is also the time when we might reflect on our own memories, relationships and past grief. In both the Christian and Jewish traditions there is a long history describing the power of remembering and the healing presence of tears. The Psalms often recount the terrible disasters that the Jewish people experienced but are framed by the remembrance that God was present and brought them through that time of trial. The Gospels tell us how Jesus demonstrated his love for all people especially those who were ill at ease, those who mourned, those who are in dark places, those who have been unfairly treated. We are called to remember the way in which Jesus practiced love by giving himself through service to those in need. And so we remember, God is with us, God is for us. We might struggle to understand how this might be true, but can only do so as we remember and bring to mind events and relationships that we could not control but somehow seem miraculous in their occurrence.
There are two events which I would like to invite you to, please come if can.
Sunday 2nd November 4pm @ SS Probus and Grace Church
‘Remembering loved ones’ A service during which we will remember those whom we have loved but no longer see, names will be collected and called out during the service, as the congregation are invited to light a candle in remembrance. All are welcome wherever you have come from.
Sunday 9th November, 10.50 am. There will be an Act of Remembrance and two minute silence at the Ladock war memorial followed immediately by a special service in church as the nation remembers who have given their lives in the hope of making a difference to those they left behind.
Gras ha kres,
Caroline
Our planned services and other events in November are:
Saturday 1 November: Coffee morning in the Hall 10.00 – 12.00, all welcome.
Sunday 2 November: Holy Communion, 11.00 am
Sunday 9 November, Remembrance Sunday: Act of Remembrance at War Memorial 10.50 am, followed by Remembrance Sunday service in Church.
Sunday 16 November: Holy Communion 11.00 am with choir
Sunday 23 November: Holy Communion 11.00 am.
Sunday 23 November: Evensong 6.00 pm
Sunday 30 November: Team ‘Together@10’ Service at Creed, 10.00 am. No service at Ladock.
There will be a short service of Morning Prayer every Tuesday at 9.00 am.
The Church is open for private prayer every day, including weekends.
Please note that full details of online services and other events are on our website www.ladockchurch.org.uk
Ladock Church is also on Facebook.
Some Future Dates
Saturday 3 December, Christmas coffee morning in the Hall. There will be stalls and gifts for sale. Tables for Hire £6. If you would like to hire a table to sell your own Christmas Crafts and Goodies at the Church Christmas Coffee Morning please contact Sue Smith at: suzanne.smith321@gmail.com
Sunday 14 December – Sunday 21 December, Christmas Tree Festival
Sunday 21 December, Carol Service 6.00 pm (Please note change of date)
Wednesday 24 December, Christmas Eve: Crib service, 4.00 pm, Midnight Mass 11.30 pm.
Thursday 25 December, Christmas Day: Family Communion, 11.0 am
Saturday 17 January: Rededication of the bells service with Bishop David, afternoon, followed by a cream tea.
Christmas Tree Festival
The Christmas Tree Festival (see the gorgeous poster!) is going to be a great opportunity to see a wealth of trees imaginatively decorated 'Through the Ages' by the various village and church groups in the benefice. Come and view them between 10am and 4pm from 14th to 21st December. Entry is free though donations, (this year for the Bells Appeal) are always welcome. Refreshments will be available; you may leave a comment - including voting for your favourite tree - and also share a thought, wish or prayer for loved ones on our Prayer Tree. There will be friendly faces to welcome you, serve tea and answer any questions. If you want to know more now, or take part either decorating a tree or doing a two hour stint welcoming people, please get in touch with Jo Nicolle. jo.nicolle@btinternet.com or 07708495480. See you there!
Contacts
Reverend Caroline Husband Joe Sharp, Churchwarden
01726 337730 07816 317180
Email: rector@probusteam.com Email: Churchwarden@ladockchurch.org.uk
Rev’d Linda Whetter Sue Smith, Churchwarden
01872 530265 07900 070382
Email: lindaw23@outlook.com Email: churchwarden2@ladockchurch.org.uk
Vanessa Morcom, Safeguarding Officer
07980 938910
Email: safeguarding@ladockchurch.org.uk
