St Mary Magdalene Church, Littleton
Weekly Newsletter
30 August 2025
Our church is committed to making all activities as open and accessible to all
As we near the end of August, and both my curacy and Tim’s return from Sabbatical gets closer, Irene has kindly offered me a brief moment to share a little of myself in this week’s newsletter.
Originally from New Zealand, I first arrived in the UK in 2001. My original intent was to come for a couple of years, travel through Europe as kiwis like to do, then head home. Two years came and went, and I found myself falling in love with England, with its deep history, warm hearted people, and diverse opportunity. One such opportunity was to work as an oncology pharmacist, managing a pharmacy chemotherapy service and supporting cancer patients. I started this role in 2006 at Peterborough hospital and since then, have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most amazing people in hospitals all over the UK. As you might imagine, working with cancer patients has many highs and lows, but I can honestly say that I have been so blessed to support patients in some of their darkest hours. These days I work in this field as more of a teacher and advisor, and others do the real work, but occasionally I don my uniform once again and have the privilege of working at the heart of patient care.
My wife Louise also originated south of the equator, and arrived in the UK from South Africa back in 2005. She also fell in love with this remarkable Island, and I can’t imagine her now not living in the land of Jane Austen and Henry VIII. Though I will leave that to her to elaborate. Nevertheless, our
paths didn’t cross until 2009 at a dinner at the end of an Alpha Course at HTB. Through fate and design we found ourselves sitting opposite each other at the table and the rest as they say is history. 2009 was a very significant year. As well as meeting my future wife, I also met Jesus. While I had some experience of church in my younger days, my adult life up to that point had been very much as a fairly vocal atheist. Despite my regular quashing of faith discussions, a friend at work had the courage to invite me to an alpha course, and without completely knowing why, I agreed to go. God connected with me in a very special way during that course and indeed that whole year, and I ended 2009 with a lovely Christian girlfriend and a new faith in Jesus Christ. All of this was to the dismay of my friends, but they could see how happy I was, so were remarkably supportive. A page is far too little to share all that life sent our way from that day to this, and even less to share all that Jesus has done for both of us in that time (nor would all the books in the World as John says in 21:25). Except to say that there has been one overarching theme in our faith journeys. God’s perfect timing. Just like everyone, we have had mountaintop highs and deep valley lows, and everything in between. But in all of it, God seems always to have spoken and to have acted, just when we needed Him to. Though perhaps not always when we wanted Him to.
The same is true of our journey to Saint Mary Magdalene of Littleton. Our move to Shepperton, a little over three years ago, felt very guided,
RECTOR: Revd Tim Rose
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Website: www.stmarymagdalene.co.uk
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though we didn’t really know why. Our decision to send our lovely daughter Elizabeth to Littleton Infant School was equally a heart decision which we could not fully describe, and at the same time that we decided it was the right school for her, we also felt deeply drawn to the beautiful old church across the road. It was then, once again that God’s perfect timing was revealed, when the Diocese called asking me if I would consider it for my curacy. I had to smile as I explained that I had been about to call them to ask the same question! I cannot tell you how excited I am to join you all on the 7th of September, where opportunity to share more of myself and to learn more of you awaits, and would like to finish this little blurb with one of my favourite Bible verses, from the book of Romans. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
May God bless you all abundantly.
Jared
Shared Lunch
Sunday 7 September at 12.30pm in the OSB
To celebrate Tim’s return from sabbatical and to welcome Jared as our new curate.
Please sign up on the list at the back of church or email Irene to advise of numbers and what you can bring to share.
This Sunday’s Collect & Readings –
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
This Sunday’s Readings –
Jeremiah 2:4-13 Luke 14:7-14
Sunday Services 31 August at 9:30 ONLY
Cornerstone 1 September 10-12 in the OSB (Bacon Butties)
Wednesday Fellowship 3 September at 10 am (Words&Worship)
Prayer Meeting 3 September at 8pm on Zoom
Sunday Service 7 September 9:30 & 11:15
Baptism and Confirmation
Sunday 28 September
If you are interested in being baptised or confirmed, then please speak to
Jane or Rebeccah for more details.
