Weekly Email w/b 13th July 2026

This week our curate, Ian, reflects on his recent chaplaincy placement on the Camino.

For over a thousand years pilgrims have followed in the footsteps of St Thomas a Becket, St Francis, and many others on the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James). Over 500,000 people each year come from every continent and every walk of life: some seeking adventure, some healing after bereavement, some marking retirement or a life transition, some exploring faith, and others simply looking for space to think, pray, and breathe.

One of the most striking features of the Camino is its diversity. On any given day you might meet students, business leaders, social workers, clergy, cyclists, families, recent widows, people discerning vocation, and those searching for a fresh start. Whilst motivations differ, many discover that the Camino slows them down enough to notice God, creation, themselves, and one another in new ways. It also teaches a refreshing simplicity. Freed from many of the pressures, routines, and noise of everyday life, people often rediscover gratitude, perspective, and joy.

Serving as Anglican Chaplain offered me a wonderful perspective on this spiritual journey. Through ministry at the ancient San Fiz de Solovio Church and the Casa Anglicana, pilgrims found prayer, Communion, reconciliation, blessing, hospitality, practical advice, and above all a listening ear. Some arrived joyful and thankful; others were weary, anxious, grieving, or uncertain about returning home. It was clear that God was already at work long before people crossed the threshold.

The highlights were often surprisingly simple: sharing prayer with pilgrims from across the world, helping people tell the story of their Camino, offering blessings before journeys home, celebrating milestones and anniversaries, welcoming those seeking reconciliation, and gathering around tables where strangers became friends.

My greatest takeaway is that pilgrimage is less about reaching Santiago, and more about being transformed. The Camino teaches being present in the moment, gratitude, simplicity, and trust. It reminds us that Jesus meets people along the way, in conversation, in worship, in encounters, and in acts of hospitality. The journey may end, but the invitation remains: carry what you have discovered, and continue walking with Jesus in everyday life.

Thank you for your prayers!


Ian Budd, Curate

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This Sunday, 19th July, we'll be finishing our sermon series on Hebrews in our morning services. Our preacher at 9am and CTK is Nick Webb, with Ian Budd hosting at HTBV. At 11am we will be holding our annual Confirmation Service led by Bishop Sarah. Please do pray for Jason and Laura who are being confirmed. The evening congregation, at 6.30pm, will be beginning the summer series, 'Sent' with Annali Hindle speaking, after a longer time of fellowship together as part of 'Fun in the Sun'.

Fun in the Sun

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All our Fun in the Sun events are now on the website. You can find out more about any of them by clicking the link below...

Evening Service congregation, don't forget that on 19th July we'll be having 'Church and Cake' with bring and share puddings or cakes from 6.15pm and then a shorter, cafe style service after some important fellowship time together.

We're also highlighting the Summer Walk on Wednesday 29th July. We'll be meeting at 7pm for a prompt start from the car park of the New Inn in Hook a Gate for a two hour circular walk. The New Inn will be open when we get back, and it's good to support them for post walk refreshments! Full details are on the website, and it's quite helpful if you can let us know that you are coming.

Find out more about Fun in the Sun
Sign up for the Summer Walk

Holiday at Home and the Barmouth trip

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If you, or someone you know, may be interested then it's not too late to sign up for Holiday at Home on 3rd and 4th August. Wednesday 5th August sees the annual Barmouth trip - we have two coaches booked with one aimed at our 'Holiday at Home' guests, and the other to cater for families, and particularly those without an easy way to get to the seaside themselves. These categories are not exclusive, though! Again, if you know someone who might appreciate this then please do pass on the details.

Sign up for Holiday at Home
Sign up for the Barmouth trip

Tuesday morning small group

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We are really delighted to have a group of people, many of them new Christians or those exploring faith, reading the Bible together on Tuesday mornings. Several of them are parents of preschoolers and this term we've been able to offer a creche. We would love to continue to do this, so if you have a DBS and safeguarding training – or are happy to have a conversation about what this looks like – and would like to support this important new ministry then please do speak to Keith Moore or give the church office a ring.

Remembering Gillian

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The funeral of our lovely friend, Gillian Binnall, will be held in Church this Monday morning at 11.30am.

Trinity Life

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The latest edition of Trinity Life is available on the website, and in all services on Sunday.

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