If you are more fortunate than other, build a longer table and not a taller fence

In the parable of the labourers and the vineyard it is hard not to have some sympathy with the workers who worked all day in searing heat and only get paid the same as those the vineyard owner hires later in the day. When it came to paying the wages it didn't matter wheter the worker had toiled all day or worked just an hour, they got the same; the amount agreed for a day's work.

I once heard someone preach on this parable who had grown up in Bristol shortly before the war. In those days, workers would go down to the dockyard hoping for work to enable them to feed their family. The fortunate ones when hired would have enough to feed their families that day. Those who didn't find work, they and their families would go without. Invariably it was the stronger, healthier, fitter-looking workers who would get picked first. The preacher went on to say that because her father was quite short, he would often fail to get picked. Can you imagine the shame of having to come home and tell your wife and children you failed to get picked and as such there is nothing for dinner.

When considering what is fair, start from the point of counting your own blessings and remembering those less fortunate.

Rev. Tony Rindl, Vicar of St. Leonard's

Dates for your Diary

Date	Time	Event
Sunday, July 5	10 am	Parish Communion
Sunday, July 12	10 am	Cafe Worship in the Lounge
Sunday, July 19	10 am	Parish Communion
Sunday, July 26	10 am	Parish Communion
Sunday, August 2	10 am	Cafe Worship in the Lounge

Our Folk

Please pray for: Roy Allen, Cellia Barnes, Lesley and Joe Farndon, Ethel Gough, Daphne Halton, Shirley Mellish, Patricia Musgrove, Beryl Robinson, Rob Sale, Rick Smallwood, Vicky Spedding, Derek Taylor, Ann Thomason, Jim Williams, plus any others you know who are sick, housebound or in care facilities.

Funerals: Betty Mullet, Ronald Ward, Oliver Masters. Mayt they each resti in peace. Baptisms: Many blessings on: Nancy Lynn Joan Marie Kendrick Weddings: Best wishes for the future to: Samantha Harnett and Paul Bloom. Confirmations: Many Blessing on Stephane Edwards, Paul Edwards and Oliver Earl

Community News

Friday, July3, from 3.00 - 7.00pm Garden Party at the Parish Hall and grounds.

Saturday, July 4, Roger Jones' musical Angel Voices will be performed by Christian Music Ministries at the Baptists Free Church, 6.30pm.

Family Fun Day - Saturday, July 18 from 12 - 4pm at the Recreation Ground.

Also Juy 18 at 7.30pm, Heart of England Singers' Summer Concert at Water Orton Parish Church including Faure's Requiem and Roger & Hammestein's Broadway Hits.

Sunday, August 2 from 2 - 5pm in Marston Green Parish Hall you can enjoy Afternoon Tea for Zanzibar and help raise money for schools and orphanages in that country. Tickets £7.50/ (RSVP by 26/7/2026 to Amanda 07481993477).

Marston Green 50 Plus

July 13 will be our Annual BBQ. On July 27, our speaker is Mike Randall who will tell us about 'Transportation to Australia'.

Literary Society

Firday, July 17 at 7.30pm in the Elmdon Lounge, the topic is The Sea - in general or seaside, as we prepare for our holidays. Please bring your own drinks and refreshments. Please note: No meeting in August.

Gardening Club

Marston Green & District Gardening Club's 94th Annual Flower Show will be held on Saturday, August 8 from 2.00pm in the Parish Hall and grounds. Although the Gardening Club was established in 1926, it is not celebrating its 100 year anniversary this year, as both World War II and Covid intervened, when we were unable to hold a flower show. From July 5 to August 10, there will be a display in the Parish Hall foyer with some of the history of the Gardening Club including photographs, the trophy list going back to 1947, plus more memorabilia.

Marston Green Library

Date	Time	Event
July 2	2.15 - 3.15pm	Reminiscence Group
July 4		LIBRARY CLOSED
July 9	10.15am - 12.15pm	Reading Cafe Gardens and Flowers
July 11	10am - 12pm	Knit & Natter
	10.30am - 12pm	Councillor's Advice Surgery
		Summer Reading Challeng Starts
July 16	2 - 3.30pm	Writing Group
	10am - 11.30am	Carers' Trust
July 25	10am - 12pm	Knit & Natter

Eco Church

Look after wildlife in teh heat! Put out a dish of water to help wildlife stay hydrated. Birds, insects, small mammals and even badgers, foxes and deer could benefit. A stone in a plant saucer helps bees to perch and drink without drowning. The small action make a big difference in hot weather!