From the Rector
We are going through a real me of change and whilst that can be exci ng it can also be unse ling. Within our church community, July has seen the installa on of myself as the new Rector and a farewell to our curate Becky Medlico who has been at All Saints Church for three years and has been loved and greatly appreciated by all. Having completed her training post with us, Becky now moves on to a new role and will be taking up a school chaplaincy posi on. We wish her every blessing and are thankful for all that she has brought to our community over the last few years. As I take up my new posi on, I am thankful for everyone’s support and prayers and ask that you con nue to pray for me in this role and for us as a church as we seek to discern God’s vision for us and his call on each of our lives.
As the ministry team at All Saints changes, inevitably there will be changes as we seek to move forward, to grow as a church, and to bless our local community. But whilst things may change on the surface, our founda on remains steadfast. God does not change, God remains –God has been and always will be. So, whilst we risk being unse led by changes in our lives and in our church, let us all hold fast to the God who loves us and is with us.
I hope that everyone can enjoy a bit of a lull in the quieter month of August, me with friends and family, ready to hit the ground running in September as we celebrate Crea on de exploring the need to seek environmental jus ce whilst looking forward with hope.
The Revd Hannah Higginson (Your New Rector!)
Our Revised Vision
All Saints will be a church full of life, love and energy, accessible to all, ac ve in the heart of the community and where all can explore and grow their gi,s and faith in Jesus.
ALL SAINTS PARISH MAGAZINE
AllSaintsParishMagazinehasbeenpublishedsinceatleastMay1865,possibly makingittheoldestcon nually-publishedparishmagazineinthecountry.
This magazine is published by the Rector and PCC of All Saints Parish Wokingham. Opinions expressed by individual contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers.
Email:editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk
All Saints PCC Wokingham is a Registered Charity, No. 1127585
Editor: Steve Smith 0118 979 4407
Associate Editor: Harriet Swinyard 0776 533 4695
Produc+on: Jane Hodgson 0118 979 2797
Subs & Distribu+on: David Chapman 0777 199 4461
CopyDateDeadlineforOctoberIssue: 17September2024 Produc on: 24September2024 Publica on: 29September2024
Subscrip ons: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk/all-saints-parish-magazine
Parish Office
Norreys Avenue
Wokingham
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parishoffice@allsaintswokingham.org.uk
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Staffed Monday-Thursday 9:30 - 2:30
July’s PCC Meeting
We started our mee ng with a welcome to Hannah in her new role as Rector. She then told us about how she saw the role of the PCC and reminded us that it was like many trustee boards, but that “God is in charge”. We are here to serve the church and the Parish – i.e. the whole community. She expects us all to know more of what is going on, by sharing the work of teams, groups and commi'ees regularly at PCC mee ngs. From our discussions later it also became apparent that that work needs to be much more visible to the whole church for example through more informa on tables a)er 9.30 services.
She went on to explain that the PCC had a very important role in refreshing our vision as expressed in the Parish Profile : not changing it, but ge.ng everyone on board with it and agreeing priori es.
We had two discussion sessions – the first about finance and our ideas for fund raising and for cu.ng costs. Fund raising ideas included encouraging people to put a coin (or even a note?) in the plate with their PGS token, having an evening or morning social with advice from a lawyer on wri ng wills, holding money-raising events like the Barn Dance, celebrity events and having more re ring collec ons. We will be exploring the issues of professionally promo ng the use of both our buildings and par cularly how we might make more use of the small rooms in the Cornerstone for counselling services.
The other discussion was about how we could make it feasible to run the church with fewer ordained clergy than previously. Some things might simply have to stop and Wild Worship will be one of those. However, we can ask lay people to step into roles that had recently been the preserve of the clergy. We expect to form a small team to share in suppor ng All Saints School, find established lay groups such as youth and junior church to run an occasional 9.30 service, perhaps once a term, and have laity run Cel c Evening Prayer, using the excellent models provided by Becky. There was also a general view that laity could run more faith-related discussion groups such as the Coffee and Ques ons at the café and that this would also help people get to know each other be'er.
We had examples of lay support in two decisions we made. One was to support the applica on by Peter Barre' to train as an authorised lay preacher and the other to accept the nomina on by the Pastoral Care Commi'ee of Liz Preston as one of the Home Communion team who take communion to the housebound and people in care homes.
Finally we gave massive thanks to Becky for her contribu on to the church in so many ways and wished her all the best for her new role.
Anne King
As usual these are the personal reflec ons of the author and not the mee ng's official record.
General Synod : Diary #8
Peter Barrett
GroundhogDay:S llTalkingAboutLLFandSafeguarding
I like the York sessions. Everyone eats and worships together, there’s a lot more chance to meet up (over coffee or something a li le stronger) and all the top brass tend to dress down, which creates a more relaxing environment. Topics covered: the lack of trust within the CofE and General Synod, Living in Love and Faith (LLF – see previous point on trust), safeguarding, clergy conduct, church restructuring, abuse, an excellent paper on diocese finances (but with grim conclusions), clergy days off, the dignity of disabled children, Soul Survivor (and how it all went wrong), the persecuted church, hearing young voices, foodbanks/inadequate social security and a whole host of weird topics (chancel repair, legal fees etc). Plus there was the Synod Quiz on Saturday night (in aid of the Trussell Trust this year). Is there no end to the excitement of General Synod!?
Stephen Co rell’s address spoke about how stories shape us and our lives can become love le ers from God: ‘We are wri6ng the next chapter of Acts.’ The UN Deputy Secretary General told Co rell in New York that shared values, such as respect for the earth and common humanity, based on Chris6an faith, are vital to stop populism. Co rell quoted William Temple: ‘I believe in the holy, catholic church but regret it does not exist.’ We must respect and love one another. I suspect this was the prelude to the debate on trust, which covered how the CofE did not look caring, given the racism, LLF tribal behaviours and (lack of) safeguarding. We need to create safe spaces for discussion and get to know people first before sensi6ve debates. You don’t need 100% transparency. If it was 100% then you don’t need trust!
Sadly, the first ques6ons session showed we did not appear to be listening; the second was be er. These have become weaponized for LLF interroga6on. The inclusive group decided that in this Synod we would reduce ques6ons significantly. I went off to the bar to watch the Euros, which showed more Anglican unity than anything in Synod! I did ask a ques6on about why the eleven cases being reviewed by the Independent Safeguarding Board (they were disbanded last July – see my report of the car crash at Synod) had not progressed over the last nine months. It got quoted in the Church Times because the wri en answer was so bad. I could not ask a supplementary ques6on, because they never got round to my original ques6on as there were too many ques6ons!
We had two LLF sessions. The first was a small panel of people represen6ng all those groups who a ended the Leicester weekend about a month or so ago. The Leicester
weekend was set up to discuss the standalone services of same-sex blessing (a 3-year trial), the pastoral guidance (for those who can’t agree with the proposed way forward) and the replacement document for Issues in Human Sexuality (IHS). And to do so away from the public glare, so we could get to the details and talk openly and honestly – and maybe even trust each other. Apparently, the discussions went well. But the session in Synod was simply a nice chat (again!) and didn’t move us forward. Then there was the debate. There were only two amendments: the first on yet more theology (*sighs*) and the second on whether we can trust (that word again) the working groups to deliver the IHS replacement document or whether we should just wait un-l we can see it. That debate felt like a waste of -me, with all the usual posturing. Overall, we agreed with the mo-on (large majority in the house of bishops, but -ghter in clergy and laity). But there was no sense of sa-sfac-on.
Safeguarding included the Soul Survivor debate. Jus-n Welby asked: ‘How do we deal with powerful leaders, especially in large successful churches?’ Jonathan Fletcher was also men-oned (conserva-ve evangelical leader exhibi-ng similar abuses of power). Rather than focus on one bad apple, we should look at the tree. There was a discussion on the Wilkinson/Jay reports. Parish and diocesan safeguarding is good – it’s the na-onal level that needs work. Independent scru-ny was seen as a good thing but outsourcing safeguarding at an opera-onal level was regarded as a bad thing, partly because no organisa-on has ever done it (CofE being radical? Perish the thought!).
I was inspired by the debate on dignity for disabled children led by a Liverpool priest who was born Thalidomide. He said he’d been prayed for a lot and that we need wholeness, not healing. He has prayed for others too – and laid his hands on them. One of the deaf Anglican a:endees spoke, saying she was glad there was no gene-c screening when she was born. Lots of very moving stories. Not a dry eye in the house. (Interes-ngly, many conserva-ves talked about everyone being made in the image of God and that all should be welcome. I agree. We are making the same points in the LLF debate. Can we not join up the dots?)
The foodbank session was powerful: ‘Churches with the lowest resources (i.e., in very poor areas) are mee-ng very complex needs and doing an amazing job.’ Increasing benefit is not the answer. Some families have enough benefit but do not know how to manage the money. There was a debate on how we get more young people’s voices into Synod debate, led by children from nearby schools, which was brilliant. Adults look at the issue. A child looks at Jesus – and gives him fish and bread. A good point on which to end!
(PS I’m no longer a newbie. We’re now halfway through the five year gig that is General Synod.) Peter Barrett
Letter to the Editor
OriginalSinandAtonementTheology
I was pleased to have some responses to my note in the June issue on original sin and atonement theology. Thank you to all who wrote in.
However, I was disappointed that the responses were based largely on millennia old scripture, and a theology forged centuries ago which makes li:le or no sense to people today in the light of current insights from science and the humani-es.
Some replies were quite tortuous, I thought, in their efforts trying to square a circle. LeAng go of sincerely held beliefs held over a life-me is some-mes painful but if we treasure reason and truth then leAng go we must.
Scripture, Tradi-on, and Reason, are the three principles underpinning Anglican theology, first put forward by the 16th century theologian, Richard Hooker. Whilst the responses took full account of scripture (unfortunately understood literally, and with no reference to its Jewish liturgical roots) and a nod towards tradi-on, no account was taken of reason or of modern biblical scholarship.
The Chris-an narra-ve that the world was created good by God, followed by humanity’s fall into sin, which then required a rescue mission which God mounted in Jesus “dying for my sins”, prepares the ground for an epic myth, but that is all it can be in the light of evolu-on. Crea-on is not yet complete!
No response addressed the fact that this Chris-an myth paints a picture of a vengeful God who requires a human sacrifice, sending his son to be that vic-m! It presents humanity as miserable guilt-filled individuals dependent upon a tyrannical father figure who is somewhere out there, and so needy and insecure that he requires this level of mollifica-on! That image or understanding of “God” (and by extension the nature and person of Jesus) is surely long past its sell-by date. But that’s a debate for another -me!
Evolu-on clearly demonstrates that crea-on is a con-nual process undergoing change and renewal. Humanity is a part of that evolving process and therefore cannot be said to be fallen but rather is as yet incomplete. In this light the theology, liturgy, and language of bap-sm needs to be fundamentally re-cast, but that too is a debate for another -me!
Humanity is yearning for meaning; to be made whole and one with the universe. The heavy emphasis on sin and guilt is harmful and unhelpful. “If Chris-anity is to have a future, the paradigm must shiG from being saved from our sins to being called into a new wholeness from our sense of incompleteness”. (John Spong, USA bishop and theologian).
David Chapman
These opinions are far from universally shared among Chris ans, but as David started this conversa on we have given him the last word—Editor
Christian Aid's Response To Poverty
Bishop John Sentamu—Former Archbishop of York
Chris-an Aid was founded by the Bri-sh and Irish churches in the aGermath of the Second World War, in response to the suffering of millions of civilians who had been uprooted from their homes by the bloodiest conflict the world has seen. A huge amount has changed in the intervening three-quarters of a century: much of it posi-ve. The story of gains in human development, many of them arising from the rights won by women and girls, is not told oGen enough.
The prophe-c tradi-ons of lament and hope must be harnessed in the struggle to end poverty. Poverty has deep structural causes, and ac-on to end it will only have a las-ng impact when it tackles those causes. Yet structural inequality does not reduce people living in poverty to the role of powerless pawns. In the work of Chris-an Aid, we are constantly reminded of people’s agency and ability to change the world for the be:er, through countless individual acts of courage and crea-vity, and through the organised struggle for jus-ce and equality.
In recognising the very real progress that has been made in tackling extreme poverty, we must never be blind to the deep injus-ces that con-nue to scar our world. We are only now emerging from a pandemic that has exposed and entrenched divisions of wealth, ethnicity and gender. The climate crisis is affec-ng first and worst those communi-es in the poorest countries that have done least to contribute to the problem of global warming. These interlocking crises are at their root crises in our rela-onship with each other, with the created order that human beings have done so much to abuse, and with God.
Therefore, solving the problem of poverty can never be simply a ma:er of poli-cal or policy change. It is profoundly rela-onal, and requires us to transform ourselves, as well as the structures around us, so that we can flourish with the full dignity that God intends for every person. This inherent dignity is not op-onal, bought or earned, and leaves no room for discrimina-on on grounds of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age or religion.
In the Chris-an tradi-on, the fullest expression of rela-onship is found in the Trinity of God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Bible, we see people being called to mirror
Concert Review
It was appropriate that on the most English of occasions, the middle Saturday of Wimbledon, that the Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra played at All Saints a complete programme of works by English composers. All were of approximately the same era and all the works were premiered between 1904 and 1908.
The first piece was Dame Ethel Smythe's overture to her opera "The Wreckers", which was rarely performed in her life-me.
A.er studying in Leipzig against the wishes of her parents, she returned to England and made many journeys to the Cornish coast, fascinated by the storms that ba2ered the rocks and the subsequent loss of life of seamen. The music is forceful and drama-c which depicts the stormy weather and the religiosity of the local people and it gave contrabassoonist, Michael Leech, opportunity to demonstrate his skills. The piece ends in a rousing climax, celebratory in nature.
Although not as well known as the two other composers in the concert, Frank Bridge was a prolific composer, but he was much affected by the First World War and his work took on a darker hue.
However, his Dance Rhapsody is exuberant and influenced by the music of Tchaikovsky who he much admired. The music is structured around four dances and a recapitula-on, firstly a bright opening dance, a gentler "Very English" dance, a waltz and a final upbeat dance, with the waltz piece par-cularly memorable and like "The Wreckers" it ends in a rousing climax.
A.er the interval it was Elgar's First Symphony, which was composed rela-vely late in his career and it was not premiered un-l 1908. It was met with great acclaim and arguably the first great English Symphony. Although his earlier work reflected the English countryside, the symphony was influenced by both Wagner and Brahms. There are four movements, the first is weighty, the second a fast march, the
third a hear elt adagio and the last an essay in great intensity.
The first movement has many different structures and would be of great interest to a music scholar. The second movement starts in a mind blowing manner belying Elgar's upper middle class upbringing with its dominant march theme and then goes straight into the adagio, perhaps the most memorable with its evolving rhythms and with echoes of his Nimrod from the Enigma Varia#ons.
The final movement is full of contras#ng styles, giving the strings in par#cular some work to do and then as the pace intensifies the whole orchestra becomes involved and a challenge in concentra#on for an amateur ou it, but they pull it off with great aplomb. A slower segment follows and then the frene#c pace returns and it concludes with a grand and op#mis#c ending.
Both orchestra and conductor Robert Roscoe received a well deserved ova#on to conclude a very sa#sfactory. evening .
Thus ended a very successful first season for the CSO at their new venue and with mutual admira#on from the players for the excellent acous#cs and from the some newly found audience members from the Wokingham area. Hopefully, all will return for the next concert on Saturday 23rd November.
Ken Bowden
Christian Aid and Poverty
that rela#onship, by living faithfully, lovingly, and justly. We also see people con#nually fall short of that calling, and needing to repent, and repair, with the Holy Spirit’s power, and restore fractured rela#onships. The greatest test of our rela#onships is how we respond to people who are affected by the fractures of poverty and injus#ce. Out of this mandate flow the rights and responsibili#es we call human rights.
A new Chris#an Aid report sets out the challenge and opportunity of how we may restore rela#onships that have been broken by poverty. Chris#an Aid is a response to the ques#on asked of Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbour?’ We are each other’s neighbours, regardless of who we are or where we live. We work with people of all faiths and none because of our grounding in the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. It is in that spirit that I hope this report will enrich the wisdom and insight of everyone working in myriad ways to end extreme poverty, and spur ac#on for a more just world.
h8ps://www.chris#anaid.org.uk/resources/our-work/chris#an-aid-poverty-report
An Away Day
One of the delights of being a bellringer is the tour – an organised occasion, usually annual, when you go round other churches ringing their bells. O>en one encounters bells that sound wonderful (or some#mes dire); usually you see the great English countryside and its churches; and occasionally there is a novel twist. It all comes with the added benefit of company among friends, and a nice hostelry for lunch.
This year's ou#ng took us to South Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire, and to Fairford in par#cular. A lovely looking church with some ancient stained glass, and great sounding bells. However ringers there are not tucked away in a belfry. They perform at the central crossing in full view of the congrega#on, in fact by standing among the choir stalls, to the extent that some ringers were worried about their ropes catching on the furniture. But that wasn't the only curiosity.
The church has an extremely high ceiling and the bells are up in the even-higher tower. This means that the rope between ringer and bell is long, and that most of it is on display. So it is quite unnerving to see the ropes snaking around high above you as you ring.
The fourth church of the day was Hannington, and here the arres#ng feature was the staircase up to the belfry. A majority of ringing chambers are elevated from ground level, and not all have stone spiral stairs like here at Wokingham. In the past we have encountered sloping ladders, ver#cal ladders and trap-doors but the elegant wooden spiral staircase was a novelty,
Brilliant Bible Bits
In the course of our perusals of the Bible, many of us surely come across passages that stand out. So let's share them. We invite anyone and everyone to contribute.
In the passage below, St Paul is railing against false teaching as propounded by the 'powers and authori es' of his age. Who are the powers and authori es of our age— the newspapers?, social media?, big companies?, ... This is from Colossians Chapter 2.
Be on your guard; let no one capture your minds with hollow and delusive specula ons, based on tradi ons of human teaching and centred on the elemental spirits of the universe and not on Christ.
For it is in Christ that the Godhead in all its fullness dwells embodied; it is in him you have been brought to fulfilment. Every power and authority in the universe is subject to him as head.
In him also you were circumcised, not in a physical sense, but by the stripping away of the old nature, which is Christ's way of circumcision. For you were buried with him in bap sm, and in that bap sm you were also raised to life with him through your faith in the ac ve power of God, who raised him from the dead. And although you were dead because of your sins and your uncircumcision, he has brought you to life with Christ. For he has forgiven us all our sins; he has cancelled the bond which was outstanding against us with its legal demands; he has set it aside, nailing it to the cross.
There he disarmed the cosmic powers and authori es and made a public spectacle of them, leading them as cap ves in his triumphal procession.
Extract taken from The Revised English Bible
An Away Day
and quite beau ful in its way. It must have taken much skill to make.
These are just two aspects of a super day. Perhaps in future we should open the occasion to 'passengers' who just come for the ride and to par cipate in a really enjoyable me.
Steve Smith
Prayer Page New Leaders At The Rectory
and Downing Street
Almighty and all-knowing God, we thank You for the faithful church leaders who are called to serve in Your church. We come to You seeking divine guidance and understanding for them as they lead Your flock.
We ask that You fill them with Your Holy Spirit and bestow upon them wisdom to know Your will and discernment to follow it. We pray that they will be aware of Your presence in all they do and that You would be glorified in all they say and do.
We pray that their decisions would please You and bring glory to Your Name. Help them to understand spiritual ma6ers and to lead the church in a manner that is pleasing to You.
We ask that You will protect them from evil and tempta on and grant them courage to stand firm in their faith. We ask that You provide them with strength and wisdom to make difficult decisions and lead with fairness and integrity.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Acknowledgements to Chris anPure.com
Everyone must submit to governing authori es. For all authority comes from God, and those in posi ons of authority have been placed there by God. – Romans 13:1 NLT
Jesus, You showed us what it looks like to be subject to the governing authori es, even when things are difficult. Give us strength and wisdom to walk like You. Help us to submit ourselves to the leaders You’ve placed over us. Give us an understanding that ul mately You are in control. Amen
Without wise leadership, a na on falls; there is safety in having many advisers. – Proverbs 11:14 NLT
Lord, thank You for those in leadership. We know, as Your Word men ons, that a na on will crumble and fall without wise leadership. We acknowledge You as the wisest leader that there is. Surround them with godly counsel and with advisors who know You and walk faithfully with You. Amen
Acknowledgements to Klove.com
Diary for September
Earth Fayre
On Saturday 28th September, All Saints is holding is second Earth Fayre, with lots of stalls and talks to interest and engage you. Don't miss it. We really want to get as many people as we can browsing the offerings; it's important that the stall-holders realise that the expenditure of their (me and effort meets a large audience. And you might very well learn something that alters your understanding and future life! So make a note on your calendar now and ... DON'TMISS IT!
Meanwhile, here are some news clippings courtesy of the diocese's Care for Crea on newsle,er.
Chari es mount legal challenge for nature
A legal challenge has been launched by a coali(on of over 80 conserva(on groups to improve government targets on tackling wildlife decline. Organisa(ons including the Na(onal Trust, the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts are holding poli(cians to account for the legally-binding target to stop nature loss by 2030. The Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coali(on of 83 environmental groups, wants a judicial review of what it claims is a government failure to review and improve exis(ng targets for England, as set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP). Click here if you are online.
Renewables reaching cri cal pping point
Good news for a change. In 2021 and 2022, seven countries (Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, the Democra(c Republic of Congo, Iceland, Nepal and Paraguay) produced more than 99.7% of the electricity they consumed using geothermal, hydro, solar or wind power! Another 40 countries are over halfway there. Also apparently, in Scotland, renewable energy technologies generated the equivalent of no less than 113% of the country’s overall electricity consump(on in 2022. Of course electricity genera(on is far from the whole story of fossil fuel use, but it is significant nonetheless. Click here.
Church of England in special net zero carbon podcast
The Benefact Trust, one of the UK’s largest grant-making chari(es, has made a £1.5m commitment to the Church of England’s Demonstrator Churches project, part of the Church’s wider Net Zero by 2030 ambi(on. This project will equip and empower churches all over the UK to be examples of good net zero prac(ces and, in turn, inspire churches of all denomina(ons to act and reduce their carbon footprint. The CofE has an ambi(ous plan to reach net zero by 2030 (regarding its huge number of church and parsonage buildings). The Benefact Trust and Julian Atkins, the CofE’s Net Zero Programme Director, have produced a podcast that talks about the wider climate crisis, the Church’s plans, and how churches can take ac(on to reduce their carbon footprint. Click here.
Today we live in a sad and troubled world
With many living in constant fear Of those who wish to destroy them And families held so dear.
For colour shouldn't ma,er
Neither should a creed
It's who we are and what we do to help With love those in greatest need.
There is so much beauty in the world
But we will never find it if we fight Peace will give us (me to seek All that is lovely within our sight.
So if we want a peaceful world
We must work hard to make it so For with honesty and compassion
The troubles may want to go.
So let us count our blessings And live together in peace
For with the love of friends and neighbours
The trouble may forever cease.
This verse actually comes just before the passage shown on page 15.
Therefore, since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him. Be rooted in him, be built in him, grow strong in the faith as you were taught; let your hearts overflow with thankfulness.
Betty Tomlinson
Member of All Saints Congrega(on
A Bit More Ringing History
It can be exci ng to discover something that was previously hidden. When researching for my book on the history of Wokingham ringing I drew on many sources including tower minutes (1935+), Sonning Deanery Ringers records (1880+) and All Saints Parish Magazines (1865+) but before that there was very li0le. There were payments for ringing for civic events in churchwarden’s accounts from the early 1800s, and a bit about late 18th century ringing matches in the The Reading Mercury.
In recent years a lot of old newspapers have been digi zed and can be searched online – a huge improvement over straining one’s eyes poring over a microfiche reader for several hours. But even be0er, ringing historians have compiled extracts of references to bells and ringing, to create an invaluable research resource, and that is where I was able to find out a bit more about our early history.
The eleven ringing matches run by Wokingham inn-keepers between 1765 and 1785 were part of a local trend in this popular form of entertainment. For example in 1785 there were eight ringing matches within ten miles of Wokingham. The local team was generally barred from compe ng (since knowing the bells would give them an unfair advantage), but Wokingham ringers weren’t men oned as compe tors anywhere else either.
In the 1820s & 1830s there were thirty-six matches in the Wokingham area with three in Wokingham, and Wokingham ringers were o:en men oned as compe tors, which suggests that they had become more skilful – or maybe just more compe ve.
A more radical change was that most of these 19th century matches were for ringing handbells rather than tower bells. That’s less demanding on the skill of the compe tors, but these matches were organised by inn-keepers (profi ng from public entertainment) not the ringers, and handbells opened the market to inns that were out of earshot of a bell tower, like the Pin and Bowl (which was on Finchampstead Road un l it was demolished in 1992).
The records show the ‘Wokingham Youths’ compe ng in eight matches. Their best year was 1829 when they won on tower bells at Egham and came second on handbells at the Pin and Bowl in Wokingham. This was all long before ringing for services was introduced.
For the history of Wokingham ringing: jaharrison.me.uk/book/Heritage/ John Harrison
100 Years Ago - 1924
Love Thy Neighbour #2. Nine neighbouring churches are shown below, all within just five miles of All Saints. Can you iden fy them from the list provided? Solu ons to editor; no prizes but you will get a name-check. editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk.
Prayer & Healing Ministry Team
Loving God, open our hearts
so that we may feel the breath and play of your spirit.
Unclench our hands so that we may reach out to one another, and touch and be healed.
Open our lips that we may drink in the delight and wonder of life.
Open our eyes so that we may see Christ in friend and stranger. Breathe your Spirit into us, and touch our lives with the life of Christ.
From Aotearoa (New Zealand)
“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; for I will help you.”
Isaiah 41 v13
The next services for the Laying on of Hands ministry will be on Sunday August 4th and then Sunday September 1st at the 9.30am service.
Members of the Prayer Ministry team are: Gill Allen, Jo Robinson, Jill Oliver and Rosemary Sturmer. Prayer Ministry is available every Sunday a:er the 9.30am service. Members of the Healing Prayer Group are: Gill Allen, Rosemary Sturmer, Maggie Davies, Joan Thomason and Jill Oliver. Confiden ality is assured .
Last Month's Puzzle
We had four entries for last month's crossword puzzle. Congratula ons to Ann Crail, John & Anne Harrison, Su McArthur and Robert Vacher. The crossword posed the ques on as to whether the na vity's wise men were astronomers or astrologers. What do you think?
Flower Guild
WELCOME HANNAH. As many of you will have seen, the Guild ladies welcomed Hannah as the new Rector with colourful arrangements in the church. Knowing that Hannah had requested the bun ng to be put up, we decided that mul colour arrangements would complement this and they were fun to arrange.
We had some tradi onal designs and some more natural with many flowers and foliage coming from our gardens and allotments and containers without oasis. We especially liked our jug arrangements.
We hope you enjoy the flowers we arrange in church. We are always looking for new members to enjoy arranging flowers so if you share our passion for flowers why not
have a go at arranging, you would be very welcome? One-to-one guidance can be arranged and the main aim would be for you to develop your skills and enjoy. Contact Sue Hedley 07831 149832 or e-mail suehedley@jag.org.uk.
Sun 04 August Main, TBC – Porch Pam Gilbey in memory of her Mother
Sun 11 August Flowers to be checked and refreshed as necessary
Sun 18 August Main – Selina Wilkins, Porch – Sue Hedley
Sun 25 August Flowers to be checked and refreshed as necessary Arrangers some mes have to change at short no ce Jugs before they were put in the windows
Nature Notes
Andrea Gilpin of the Caring for God's Acre Organisation
A Splash of Life
At this me of year access to water can some mes become a problem for wildlife. Providing water in our gardens, churchyards or other types of outdoor areas is not only beneficial for the animals themselves, but can also enrich our own contact with nature.
Water is crucial for maintaining the health of wildlife. It aids in diges on, regulates body temperature, and helps in the overall metabolic processes of animals. Regular access to clean water can prevent dehydra on, reduce stress, and assists the resilience of wildlife to local environmental challenges. And it isn’t just for drinking – newts, frogs and toads use water as shelter and breeding grounds. Bu0erflies gather valuable salts and minerals from slightly muddy water, and birds need water to bathe in and remove parasites.
A simple water source can a0ract a variety of species - crea ng a vibrant and lively place.
Three Tips for Providing Water:
Keep it Clean: Regularly clean and refill water dishes to prevent the spread of disease.
Add Variety: Offer different types of water sources, such as shallow dishes for insects, deeper baths for birds, or sunken sinks for larger animals. Provide shallow edges to all water sources so anything that falls in can get back out.
Choose the Right Spot: Find a place away from predators to make wildlife feel secure while drinking. Place water for birds near to a shrub or tree as they like to have a place of safety nearby.
Then sit back and watch what arrives!
www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk
Lent Reflections
This year’s Lent Course was constructed by Chris an Aid and it focussed biblically on poverty in both Britain and around the world. Peter Mason con nues his summary of each of the six sessions.
Week 5. "Hopeful"
The group considered the ques on: 'Has there been a me in your life when you had to hold on to hope in difficult circumstances? Where did you find hope when you needed it?'
Our Bible reading was Luke 4. 14-21: the account of Jesus reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus began to read, 'The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the cap ves and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's Favour.' Jesus finished reading the passage and then announced to all those assembled in the Synagogue, 'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.'
How can we develop prac ces of hope?
In recent years, some mental health experts have spoken about a rise in 'crisis fa gue' and burnout across the world. The pandemic, wars, climate emergency, inequality and living costs all take their toll.
Of course, the impact is most keenly felt by those directly affected; those whose lives, families and livelihoods are under threat.
Most of us know how difficult it can be to remain hopeful in challenging mes. We even have a word for our capacity to get drawn into a seemingly endless series of bad news stories on our phones, television and social media. Doomscrolling! How long have you spent 'doomscrolling' this week?
(Your ar cle writer had not heard of 'doomscrolling'. The word is used in the notes accompanying the course. Anyone else familiar with it?)
In our reading from Luke, Jesus has just returned to Galilee from the 'wilderness', where he has resisted a series of tempta ons. Among which is the offer that Jesus could be ruler of 'all, the kingdoms of the world', if only he will turn away from God the Father and worship the one who tempts him instead.
When Jesus returns to Nazareth and reads in the Synagogue, it is no accident that he reads a par cular sec on from Isaiah. Jesus has been anointed by the Spirit in bap sm and has come out of the wilderness with a mission: to show and enact what God's
power is for, what God desires for us. In contrast to the tempter's idea that power is about having authority over people, Isaiah's words tell us that God's power is directed towards the libera on and healing of people who are oppressed and suffering. This is what I am here to do, says Jesus. This is the good news.
Jesus aligns himself with the voices of the prophets who proclaim God's message of hope and promise of jus ce. Hope spoken in a prophe c voice is not the same as posi ve thinking or simple op mism. Hope here means more than telling someone 'it will be all right, wait and see'.
This is the hope that wrestles with the reali es of the situa on experienced by those in poverty, the prisoners and the marginalised.
'The ability to name pain and voice grief is in itself a form of hope'
This comment comes from Born from Lament: The Theology and Poli cs of Hope in Africa, published in 2016 wri0en by Emmanuel Katongole.
Emmanuel has worked with communi es in Africa where violent conflict and poverty lead to daily struggles. His research however, has shown that the depic on of such communi es as 'without hope' is far from the truth. He feels that the feeling of hope involves emo ons such as struggling, righteous anger, protest and mourning.
Humankind's hope is heard in the raising of our voices to God and worldly powers, as we ask why and demand jus ce. It is heard too in the proclama on of a different reality: 'The year of the Lord's favour'.
The vision of hope that Jesus proclaims is an expansive one. It is hope in ac on, a promise of change.
However, we have in Ma0hew's gospel ch.26 Jesus telling his disciples "You will always have the poor with you". This occurs a:er a woman anoints Jesus's feet with very costly ointment. Ointment which could have been sold, the disciples point out, and the money given to those in poverty. Jesus replies "You will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me".
This seems to be a realis c comment up to a point. One way of thinking about Jesus's statement is that there can be no end to poverty un l everyone desires to, and indeed does, live according to His commandment to 'Love one another'. In a sinful world there are limits to what can be achieved.
'The poor are always with you' can also be found in Deuteronomy 15.
The Revd Dr Liz Theoharis, a priest and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign in the U.S. has highlighted a connec on that is easy to miss in this phrase. Rules are set out in Deuteronomy 15 for the sabba cal or jubilee year: a me of remission of debts, scheduled to take place every seven years. Theoharis points out that the bible passage says both 'there will be no one in need among you' (15.4) and 'there will never cease to be some need' (i.e. the poor are always with you, 15.11).
How can both be true? Theoharis suggests that 'the poor are always with you' refers to the situa on when the world is 'not as it should be'. When we are not following God's ways, then poverty will persist.
The year of jubilee is a step forward towards mending the world, bringing it closer to God's Kingdom where there will be 'no one in need among you'.
When Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 15 v11 it is to say: this is the way the world will con nue to be if you do not follow God fully, extravagantly, expansively, believing in changes that the world tells us cannot be made - the forgiveness of debts forever, the aboli on of need. The woman with the ointment is perhaps a be0er witness to this vision because of the extravagance of her gesture, the recklessness of her love.
That extravagant love is shown to Jesus as one who lived in poverty, knew what it was like to be a refugee, knew hunger and injus ce, who suffered and who was to be crucified. This boundless love and plenty is a sign of what we should hope for, for everyone.
We listened to Carlos Valle. Listen at h0ps://soundcloud.com/actonpoverty. Carlos is field advisor for Comision de Accion Social Menonita, Honduras. Their mission is to address injus ce in
Honduras, and with support from Chris an Aid CASM is working with coffee farmers and honey producers to develop climate-smart prac ces as the region feels the effects of the climate crisis.
Carlos says hope can start with something as small as a 'grain of sand'. What small things might give us hope?
We next heard from Jess Hall. Listen as above. Jess is Campaigns and Organising Officer for Chris an Aid UK. She discussed her work and what gives her hope for change. She tells us how lament and hope are not opposed for her and how she balances realism about our human failings with faith in the vision of God's Kingdom come on earth. Jess challenges us to become involved in ac vism, sign or begin a pe on, join a protest march or contact those in posi ons of power/influence. She encourages us to be bold, try something new and be inspired by people in history who have changed the world.
We watched a film about The Bap st Union of Wales and the BRACT programme in Zimbabwe. Watch here: h0ps://youtu.be/RM26KNVmn-E. Their director, Simeon Baker, explained about their 'Talents of Hope' ini a ve, supported by Chris an Aid. It connects global neighbours in rural Wales and North East Zimbabwe and helps communi es to develop their resilience through new agricultural techniques, training and bringing in new technologies.
Our session ended with prayer focused on the hope that everyone may experience The Good News in God's Kingdom.
As God's people let us reaffirm our task.
God's Kingdom is coming. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those pushed into poverty. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those weighed down by debt. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those living in fear. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those treated as less than human. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those who have lost hope. Proclaim Jubilee.
For those held cap ve by cynicism. Proclaim Jubilee.
For all who need to hear good news. Proclaim Jubilee.
May our proclama ons and our prayers be accompanied by advocacy and ac on. God's Kingdom come. Amen.
CONTINUED NEXT MONTH
ADVERTISE WITH US. There’s half a page available on the inside front page, the best loca on in this magazine. Contact editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk to take up this prominent opportunity.
We wish to focus this month’s ar cle on our Summer Sounds of Music party that was held on 26th June. Our main fundraising event of the year did not disappoint!! There were around sixty guests on this very warm a$ernoon, which was filled with so much love, joy and happiness. The Cornerstone Hall was decked out in musical decora ons and we had a fabulous music-themed raffle and quiz. We all ate freshly made scones with jam & clo1ed cream, had fresh strawberries and cream on each music themed table and enjoyed a glass of bubbly to toast our King. Here are just some of the lovely comments we received a$erwards:-
Thank you so much for a lovely a ernoon. You all worked so hard and adhered to music theme even for the raffle. Scones and cream with fruit delicious.
A brilliant result and achieved due to much hard work from yourself, Pam and Jo plus members of your MU. Many congratulations and happiness in the future.
What a splendid a ernoon. You all created a superb music themed a ernoon tea and looked a er us extremely well. Thank you very, very much. Please pass on our thanks to all who helped, commi&ee members and others who contributed. Absolutely fabulous!! Well done everyone.
Congratulations on the tea party and the splendid amount of money raised.
Congratulations from all of us at Corpus Christi Union of Catholic Mothers. A lovely afternoon. Good food, good company. I really enjoyed myself and raising money for a good cause.
My appreciation to all the ladies who did an amazing job. The room looked beautiful and afternoon tea scrumptious. The raffle was original and looked pretty too. Hope you made lots of cash, but more importantly it was a lovely friendly afternoon.
Thank you for your invite and the lovely a ernoon. WOW what a lot of work you and your team did.
Mothers' Union
Just to say a Big Thank you to all the MU members who made yesterday a ernoon so lovely for everyone.
We raised a phenomenal £1,000 from this event, which is absolutely fantas c! These proceeds were split to enable a dona on of:
£500 towards our All Saints Church Organ Fund and £500 towards our Mother’s Union “Summer of Hope” campaign – where we help provide Literacy Circles in sub-Saharan Africa, enabling women to learn life-changing literacy, as well as numeracy, agriculture and business skills. Helping women learn these vital life skills enables them to release themselves from poverty.
This special a$ernoon was not only about raising money, but it was a wonderful way of ge?ng many of our members, friends and other local MU branches and the Union of Catholic mothers together too!
We will be con nuing to raise funds for both campaigns, with an Organ Music Recital on Saturday 9th November at 3pm in church. More informa on about this event, including how to purchase your cket for this event, will be sent out in due course. In the mean me, please put this date in your diaries.
In the next Parish Magazine ar cle, we will report back on our Ronald McDonald House visit plus our Scams talk. Our upcoming Mothers’ Union events are: 8thAugust&10thSeptember CorporateCommunion
25thSeptember Paren ngmini-workshopforWedsMumsbyGillAllen 23rdOctober
AGEUKtalk
Once again, many thanks for all the support you give to the All Saints Mothers’ Union. If you would like to know more about our All Saints’ Mothers’ Union, please do contact our branch leader Sue at sue831@b nternet.com or 07957 801394 to find out more.
Sue Howard
Taken recently in our churchyard by Sue James
Clergy and Officers
Claire Jones, Jo Robinson, Margaret Ragge0, Clive Charlton, Sue Howard, Pam Gilbey, John Burbury and Barbara Smith
From The Parish Registers
30 June Sebas@an James Rory Darlington
14 July Theodore Hudson Charles
Spotted At The Repair Cafe
Clive Jones, the new MP for Wokingham, visited the Repair Cafe in July. He is seen here having coffee with David and Liz Preston – courtesy of cakes given to us by the Handmade Company in Maidenhead.
Farewell to Becky
The Good Lord Above sent us Becky three years ago and what a miracle that was. Becky has been wonderful in all her works among us. So we wish her every success in working for her Lord in the future. And we offer her our warmest hearFelt thanks for everything.
Don't be a stranger, Becky!
