It’s the month of June and midsummer beckons. In Welsh July, Gorffenhaf, is named the end of summer as the days draw in. So let’s enjoy this summer time, this place in June.

I don’t know about you, but I have some happy places and some sad. The good places are comfortable chairs, windows with a view, a shady retreat in the garden, a familiar amble. In Takeley we have the Flitch way, Hatfield Forest, Canfield Church porch. I love to be near trees in a breeze, hearing the rustle of the leaves and the busy bird chatter. With birds we are never alone.

Near the Chapel is a high conifer and of an evening, a bird perches in its heights and sings for all it’s worth. We hear it at our silent meeting on a Wednesday evening. The meeting starts at 7pm with soup but you can join at 8pm.

The chapel grounds have areas to sit in, and you are invited in to share the space with the three legged black and white cat, the starlings nesting in the chapel roof, the sparrows nesting under the eves and the clatter of Jackdaws that have nested for years in the stable block roof.

In the chapel gardens there are seats, a willow arbor and fruit trees and bushes. You can just sit, read or play. The gardening group would welcome you to help water and tend the fruit and vegetables and share their bounty; get in touch, they usually meet at 3pm on a Saturday. Walk by and have a chat.

Historically we are a Congregational Church; a gathering church; a meeting of friends. And, as all things evolve, we are evolving, inviting all to the table of our meetings. Being followers of Jesus is inclusive and happens in community: church ferments. Maybe you will visit our site for a moment and find it a happy place. Maybe a church service for you is a sad place, a trigger for guilt, undue control, a gathering of the deluded. Maybe you will find beauty, truth and peace among ordinary people who will try to listen and change.

We meet at 9-30am for refreshments, read and reflect on scripture and listen to or sing some songs. We sit and pray with and for each other. Above all we try to welcome and include all who join us. You might just decide the refreshments are enough. That’s OK, leave when you are ready; play with your children, go for a walk, cycle.