The Parish Magazine July and August 2021

The Parish Magazine - July/August 2021 25
elen Hotson, dreamstimes.com
s owned a farm near Earls
everal summer holidays
my time helping to gather
in the most convenient
t to a barn. A barn owl
us off by diving at us,
hree foot wing span.
nted a bit of adventure
arn so I rearranged some
ecess. However, the owl
sion and soon after they
screeching and making
scrambled down the
rge the farmer was always
string for a belt and on
at the side of the road a car
e him some money!
ht there we would host a
ily and on the last day go
-sea to spend the money
.
Gatherings for social events and times of worship are a feature of a CCCF rally
. . . and how did we find time for caravanning?
By Bob Peters
So, where are you going for your summer holiday
this year? Are you looking for somewhere in the
UK with a low risk of Covid infections that is safe
for young and old alike? Somewhere with plenty
of clean, fresh air that the scientists say is good
for us, and somewhere with like-minded people?
Have you thought of camping or caravanning?
Have you heard of CCCF? If you have, you will
know that a CCCF holiday is an ideal solution for
such a holiday!
CCCF stands for Christian Caravanning and
Camping Fellowship, a title that sums up the
organisation well.
It is a nationwide, nondenominational Christian
nonprofit making organisation run by volunteers
since 1969. It aims to encourage like-minded
Christians to meet for fellowship in a relaxed
caravanning and camping holiday environment
– you need to provide your own tent, caravan or
motorhome of course. In my experience, the best
way to find out what makes it such a great way
to caravan, or camp, is to book into one of their
weekend rallies which are held all around the
country on farms, camping sites and schools.
EVERYONE WELCOME
You will be assured of a warm welcome and
you will soon make life-long friends with other
Christians from different churches to your own,
and you will want to book one of its holiday rallies
that last for a week or longer. It does not matter if
you are a family with young children, or teenagers,
or more elderly, or disabled. Everyone is welcome
in the CCCF family.
Typically, each day begins with a short meeting
with prayer, a hymn and a brief ‘Thought for the
Day’ by one of the members. At the longer rallies
there are usually evening events with speakers
and live music, and sometimes guest entertainers.
For children there are on-site clubs and organised
games, all supervised by volunteer members.
More than 25 years ago, after some persuasion,
I nervously stood up and gave a ‘thought for a day’
at a weekend rally. It was a turning point in my
life. Unfortunately, because I am now so busy as a
lay minister at St Andrew's I no longer have time
to be a member of CCCF.
There are, of course, Covid restrictions in
force at the time of writing, but these are being
relaxed all the time. Take a look at the CCCF
website on http://www.cccf.org.uk/ and ignore any
preconceived ideas you might have.
Planning Your
Traditional Wedding?
Then you might like to
discuss the possibility of
marriage in our ancient and
beautiful parish church.
If so, call the vicar, Jamie
0118 969 3298
He will be pleased to help!
In addition to the stunning and historic location in Sonning,
we will work hard to provide you with a memorable and
moving occasion. We can provide a choir, organ, peal of
eight bells, beautiful flowers, over 100 lit candles set in
ornate Victorian chandeliers and the use of our beautiful
churchyard as a backdrop for your photographs.
Church of St Andrew
Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye
cccf.org.uk
the church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL,
SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th century