The members of the local churches, like so many others in Barnston and Dunmow, are concerned about the news of Climate Change and the likely effects of its impact upon everyone’s lives. Can we trust the scientists to have got the information right? Are the predictions accurate? What, if anything, can we do about it?

Those questions, and many others will be examined in three evening sessions in February and March. The first of them, at 8.00pm on February 24th, will be in St Mary’s Church. David Muir, from Christian Aid headquarters, will bring pictures and stories so that we can hear the Voices from the Sharp End.

These evenings are being organised by the churches, but anyone who has an interest in this significant subject can come – you will be very welcome.

In 1985 a trusty band of church members at St Mary’s decided to meet together and to raise funds for the maintenance of the church building.

They set themselves up as The Friends of St Mary’s. From that day to this they work hard on social events and fund-raising events to support the Vicar and Church Council in their work.

On Valentine’s Day – February 14th if you have forgotten – The Friends will celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The church will be decorated with examples of the items purchased or used in pursuit of their goal. The 10.30am Communion Service will be the Celebration Service – and past and present members of The Friends will be attending.

Have you ever said the words “I did my best” to be met with the response “Well your best is just not good enough” or worse still, has this ever been your response to someone. Such discouragement lingers with us and often when we attempt something new it is the negative voices which we hear rather than the positive. I once took part in an appraisal at work where, rather than looking at strengths and weaknesses, it looked only at the strengths and built on them, a much more positive experience which left us feeling valued and encouraged.

OK that phrase from the film Dirty Dancing ages me but it had a big impact on me in my teenage years. Before that there was Saturday Swap Shop and before that adorable Bagpuss and Mr Ben. What are your memories I wonder? My children are amazed that I could ever have been satisfied with black and white TV - and I can remember thinking exactly the same of my parents about Radio – words and NO pictures - lame or what?

This edition of Outlook records many of life’s important events.

For some it is the start of a new phase of life - marriage, bereavement, or a new job. For others it is the marking of a significant milestone – 25 years of The Friends or 100 years of Guiding. Even these milestones are just the end of one chapter, and the start of a new one. There’s no thought of stopping.

We are delighted to announce details of an exciting joint project between Dunmow Library and St. Mary’s Church. The Diary of a Country Churchyard draws inspiration from Edith Holden’s “The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady” which combines wildlife observations, illustrations, poems and other sayings about the months of the year and wildlife. The aim of the project is to ask different local groups to take a month and to contribute material for display on a 6ft by 2ft notice board in the library and as a page or pages in the collective community diary.

Time and again, people in the street ask that we pray for them. Sometimes the words are spoken in jest. Sometimes there’s a real need for a prayer. Every Sunday in each of our Barnston & Dunmow churches we pray for all sorts of people. On some occasions there are specific prayers for particular people. On the first and last Sundays of the month after the morning service, and on the third Sunday evening of the month in the actual service, we make time and space to pray for healing and well-being for anyone who comes. If we can help, we’d love to say one for you. We can only know to pray for you, if you come and tell us!