Letter from Cressida Pryor
July 31, 2025

Dear Friends,

The first bread harvest, the time to celebrate work and labours hard won…

Last night I watched the final of the women's football Euro competition. And I have to say I screamed when the penalty shoot out went 'our way'…and it seems we, meaning England, have not recently been used to winning at things…so a celebratory evening, and apologies to our Spanish friends…a rich harvest there of hard work and having nerves of steel. Practiced and developed through inspirational coaching and a mind set of persevering and belief. One of my favourite moments was from one of the youngest players Michelle Agyemang when she won Young Player of the Tournament…after receiving the award she spoke of God's grace bringing her to that moment.

In thinking of harvest and gathering in, it is hard to reconcile our plenty with the withholding and lack that is the reality in certain places in our world. Tears and fury seem the only sane response when faced with a child's body reduced to skin and bone. This man-made situation seems like a total refusal of divine grace…in a world that is weary, benumbed and stumbling we have perhaps turned the other way…

It's hard to know what we as individuals can do…we can, I hope and pray, still hold peace and justice in our hearts.

I would like to turn now to the wisdom of Chris Whittington who explores the beatitude: Blessed are the Peacemakers:

"Blessed are the peacemakers; they shall be called the radiance of divine love.

Blessed are those who have surrendered the need for control, who allow the Spirit of peace to breathe through them without resistance, and so become the breath of peace for others."

Holy Mother may we all be holders of peace within ourselves, our homes and our communities.

So may it be, Amen.
Cressida, FOI Steward