The Uplands Group of Parishes consists of Guilsborough, Hollowell, Thornby, Cold Ashby, Ravensthorpe, Cottesbrooke, Creaton and Spratton                       

Message from Reverend Caroline Burnett, the Uplands Group of Churches

Uplands Group of Parishes Office (Answerphone): 01604 743444                                

the story of Jesus being brought to the Jerusalem temple by Mary and Joseph is likely to have been built onto another ancient tradition where the tentative emergence of spring is celebrated, and good harvests in the coming year hoped for. The groundhog tradition is connected to this.

Some Christians keep their Christmas decorations up until Candlemas, and certainly keep their nativity scenes or crib sets on display until then.  But at Candlemas the Christmas season is truly over and we begin to follow the journey of Jesus as a man and to look towards Lent and Easter.  The story we tell at Candlemas is about new shoots from old roots; it’s about how the story of God at work in the world enters a new chapter with the birth of Jesus.  It’s about hope and light and the love of God spreading throughout the world, beginning with the tiny baby held in the arms of a wise old man and woman who recognize the baby’s holiness.  It’s beautiful and inspiring and reminds us that even through the darkest times there is hope in new birth and in the goodness and faithfulness of individuals who walk in God’s ways of love and compassion, and who find the courage not to give up believing in God’s care for the world.

The film Groundhog Day reflects all of this in some ways as we see cynicism, anger and unkindness transformed into creativity and wholesome relationships.  Perhaps our prayers can be for a Candlemas transformation in the hearts of many so that the world can become the place of peace and love that God longs for it to be.

Email: uplandsgroup@btinternet.com

      The 1993 film Groundhog Day tells the story of a cynical weatherman covering the annual Groundhog Day event in a town in Pennsylvania in the USA.  It describes a day that happens to him over and over again, giving him the opportunity to change his outlook on life for the better and to improve himself and his relationships.

I saw this film years ago but didn’t know until recently that Groundhog Day is a real thing: it’s a tradition kept in parts of America and Canada based on an old superstition about the emergence of a groundhog from its burrow and whether or not a shadow is cast by it.  So, basically, whether it’s a sunny or a dull day - a non-scientific way of forecasting the weather. And the day in question is 2nd February.   We might think of this as an American eccentricity but in fact there are UK and European traditions about snakes and badgers that follow a similar formula.

We have plenty of badgers around here – they even visit my garden (though we never actually see them, only the holes they dig in our grass) – perhaps we could start a local tradition of ‘badger day’.

Or perhaps we could instead celebrate the Christian festival of Candlemas, which also falls on 2nd February.  It’s no coincidence that this festival is on the same date as Groundhog Day.  In the same way that our celebration of Christmas is likely to have been built onto the tradition of an ancient midwinter festival, so Christians’ telling of

Rev John Evans

On November 15th John died after a short illness. His funeral service was held at St Andrew’s Church Harlestone, on December 11th and was attended by his devastated family with so many friends and former parishioners. John loved a procession, a choir and bells. Merrick Bowles and his team from the Uplands parishes rang the muffled bells and then tolled 83 for every year of John’s very full life. The combined choir of the Spencer Benefice with some members from Guilsborough, Creaton and Raventhorpe led by organist Sam Dobbs, the choirmaster and church warden of Harlestone, provided the uplifting singing and music. Some 20 clergy friends led the procession and sat around his coffin in the chancel. The liturgy was beautiful. John would have loved it.

The Bishop of Brixworth, John Holbrook, led the prayers, the former Archdeacon of Oakham the Venerable David Painter gave the address, and the service was conducted by the Rector of the Spencer Benefice, Canon Andrea Watkins.

John was ordained priest in 1970 and his 50th anniversary was celebrated at Great Brington Church in 2020, in a wonderful service attended by over 300 friends. Before his ministry he was in the RAF. He was a curate in Corby and a priest in charge of parishes in Rutland. After a short time as a probation officer and as a Non Stipendiary priest at All Saints Church Northampton, he returned to full time ministry as Rector of Greens Norton with Bradden and Litchborough and then as Vicar of Christchurch, Northampton. When he retired in 2006 he was asked to help out in Welton, as Bishop Frank’s envoy, solving a difficult problem, as well as in this Uplands Group of churches. Eleven clergy came and went, and John steadfastly conducted weddings, baptism, funerals, Remembrance services (he was a British Legion Chaplain), Lent courses, confirmation classes, mentoring inexperienced clergy, as well as supporting others in their ministries. He was a self-effacing man who never thought to promote himself, rather to relish the efforts of others in the service of his Saviour. He loved food and fun and his home, Ivy Cottage and its garden was a venue for many events usually involving food. He was an enabler, a facilitator, a conciliator, a gentle and kindly advisor whose ministry was appreciated by so many. For 15 years he ministered here until he was retired in September 2021 and then he continued in the Spencer Benefice where he finally laid his head. Wendy and the boys want to say thank you for the many, many wonderful, appreciative letters they have received from you all. It has been a bleak time.