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![\"Rev](\"https:\/\/www.pattinghamchurch.org.uk\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rev-merry.jpg\")
<\/a>September<\/strong> 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if we have not been involved with school for a long time, September always brings back memories of school. Many people fondly remember songs from hymn practice, popularly known now as “assembly bangers”!<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is part of the reason why our Hymns and Pimm’s service this month is rather special. It isn’t simply an opportunity for the regular church congregation to sing some old favourites. It is an invitation to the whole village to come along, join in as much, or as little, as they wish, and perhaps rediscover a few songs from their own childhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is something wonderfully nostalgic about singing the songs we learnt at school. But perhaps there is something more important too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world we inhabit as adults can feel extraordinarily complicated. There are difficult decisions to make, troubling news to absorb and questions for which there seem to be no easy answers. Yet many of the hymns we learnt as children contain remarkably simple truths: God loves us. God is with us. We can trust Him. We are called to love one another. And there is a particular joy in using our voices together. You don’t need to be a regular churchgoer, or a great singer, or even remember the words. Come as you are. Listen if you prefer. Join in if you want to. Have a drink, meet some people, enjoy the singing and see where the evening takes you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So here is my September challenge: whether you come to church or not; sing something this month that you remember from childhood. Listen again to its words and ask yourself: What simple truth is this song reminding me of today?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I wonder whether the old songs will have something new to say to us. And if you’d like to, please come and join us; whether you are new to church or the village, someone we haven’t seen for years, or a regular attender, come and join in the fun. You will be very welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 100:1-2: Rev Merry<\/p>\n\n\n\n Previous month<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a0Monthly index<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u2018Merry’s miscellany\u2019 The Vicar\u2019s monthly letter for the Parish News September 2026 Even if we have not been involved with school for a long time, September always brings back memories of school. Many people fondly remember songs from hymn practice, popularly known now as “assembly bangers”! That is part of the reason why our Hymns … <\/p>\n
Those truths haven’t become less important simply because we have grown older. Perhaps we need to hear them more than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord … come into his presence with singing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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