Parish Magazine
From the Rector
The bible is full of incredible visions – visions of future glory, visions of an age when peace and jus ce will triumph, visions of a me when there will be no more suffering or tears, visions of God ruling supreme with no more evil in the world. These are what we call apocalyp c visions and they are found in books of the bible such as Revela on and Ezekiel. These apocalyp c texts are not just ‘end of the world’ type stuff but are wri ngs which are revelatory – that is, they reveal reali es from a heavenly perspec ve. That is not to say that there is peace and jus ce on earth and we just don’t have the eyes to see it, but rather that – when seen from a heavenly perspec ve –events have been set in mo on that lead us to look forward with hope to such a me.
An earthly perspec ve can easily lead us to a sense of hopelessness and desola on, but if we can gain a heavenly perspec ve then perhaps we can live our lives a li'le differently, able to see hope and promise in the world. In Colossians 3:2 we are encouraged to ‘set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth’.
As Chris ans we are called to live in the world and to work to bring God’s kingdom of peace and jus ce, but we are called to do so not with an earthly perspec ve but a heavenly one – and this heavenly perspec ve empowers and encourages us to work with hope and joy and expecta on for all that God is doing in the world and for all that he will do. Jesus came to earth and lived as one of us, yet he was able to keep his heavenly perspec ve – it was that that led him to take the hard road to the cross, that that enabled him to keep his eyes fixed on God and to walk the lonely path that would lead to salva on by his death and resurrec on. Some mes we struggle to keep - or even find - a heavenly perspec ve, but if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus then we cannot go too far wrong.
The Revd Hannah Higginson
EDITOR’S PLEA
Are you a reader of this magazine or a contributor? This publica on is not just for the congrega on; it’s also by the congrega on. Think what you could chip in.
Our 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
CopyDateDeadlineforDecember-JanuaryIssue: 19November2024
Produc on: 26November2024
Publica on: 1December2024
Subscrip ons: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk/all-saints-parish-magazine
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October’s PCC Meeting
The October PCC mee ng was a very busy one. The most complex item concerned the church’s giving to chari es. Should we give any of our income away? If we do is 10% (based on the biblical the) the right figure ? And if we do, how do we choose the chari es? We used to have champions for all the chari es we supported who publicised the charity so that anyone who gave money to the church, and par cularly to a re ring collec on, would know where it was going. Peter Barre. is a fantas c champion for Chris an Aid. We need others!
How can we get the congrega on whose money we are giving away to be involved and choose the chari es? If you have views to share on this, please talk to any member of the PCC – we did not reach a conclusion in our discussion and will pick it up again our next mee ng, so plenty of opportunity to let us know what you think.
Somewhat more straigh2orward, we heard about Hannah’s plans for our Christmas services and the appointment of a Community Engagement and Volunteer co-coordinator to promote our work with the Wokingham community.
There was a long discussion about a.rac ng young people and children to our church. It’s easy to forget what we do already – not just on Sunday and Wednesday mornings and in christenings but in primary and secondary schools as well. There was much enthusiasm to do more – perhaps a toddler group and certainly something for over 11s, but not on a Sunday morning. Trips away would be a good way of ge7ng a group together and there was general support for doing things with other churches.
We had a brief report on spaceforall and the remaining £40,000 we need to raise. In the finance report we were presented with the first thinking on new financial controls and the need to make commi.ees more directly responsible for the money they spend (and raise!) but always of course with budgets and large amounts ul mately approved by the PCC.
We heard about events being arranged for Blandy and Blandy solicitors and AB Walker to give presenta ons in the church about wills, las ng powers of a.orney and funeral arrangements. We will have plenty of literature about making gi:s in a will to All Saints, and you should see that well in advance of the presenta ons – likely to be at the end of March – with a choice of late morning evening to suit everyone.
Finally, we said a big thank you to Zara for chairing the PCC for the last 15 months and wished her and Tom well for their move back to Scotland.
Anne King
Firefighters in the Tower
You might have seen a fire appliance parked outside the Cornerstone on a Wednesday evening last month. It brought members of the Green Watch from Wokingham Fire Sta!on who were visi!ng the tower.
We have shown many groups around the tower, from many different organisa!ons in the community, but this is the first !me we have welcomed a group of fire fighters. As with all our guests we explained about ringing and how bells are hung, and we demonstrated a bell being rung. We also showed them the historic clock and the stunning views from the tower roof.
But this wasn’t just a ’jolly’; they were on duty. They have to be prepared for anything that might happen so they need to understand the special needs of any unusual buildings in their area, which includes the tower.
So as well as being fascinated by the historic structure they also wanted to understand how the tower was used, how the different spaces are accessed, what was in them, and how we would know if there was a fire.
One ques!on I wasn’t expec!ng, but it’s comfor!ng to know, was about what valuables should be rescued. While they deploy a team to tackle the blaze they also try to rescue whatever would be most important to save. The most valuable items in the tower – the bells – aren’t removable, but there are some historic pealboards, which the ringers spent nearly £1000 to have restored in 2017. There are pictures on the tower website at: allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk/ASTower/ RingingRoom/PealBoards/
And in case you were wondering why they drove here in a fire appliance, it wasn’t to save a 300 yard walk – it was so they could make a quick get away if they were called out to deal with an emergency.
John Harrison
A Pacifist Remembrance Vigil
Donald Soper was a Methodist Minister and an impassioned pacifist for most of his life. Like Ghandi, Mar n Luther King, and others who preached non-violent resistance, he proclaimed pacifism from the pulpit and open-air soapboxes throughout his long life. Many of the older members of the congrega on will remember his brilliant but gentle ripostes to hecklers at Speakers Corner. He died in 1998.
He believed that the fundamental Chris an answer to the problem of war was pacifism. “You never cast out evil by evil. You can’t conquer violence by more violence, or fear by terror”, he is quoted as saying. “Love, Trust, and sacrifice are the weapons which are perfectly effectual to achieve all that men [and women] have tried – and failed – to secure by terror and the sword”.
Jesus never said the way would be easy. He challenges us to love one another as he loved us: to love our enemies; to do good to those who hate us. Try as we might to avoid the pain of the reality of following him, this is the only way to overcome senseless war and violence and enjoy life in all its fullness
On Remembrance Sunday (10th of November) there will be a short Pacifist Remembrance event in Howard Palmer Gardens, off Denton Road, Wokingham RG40 2BX, at Noon – 13.00.
It will be a quiet, reflec ve vigil where everyone of all faiths, and those of none, are welcome. It is a suitable area for people who use wheelchairs.
People are welcome to bring a short poem or piece of prose to recite or read out. Feel free to bring along sea ng. If wet, bring an umbrella!
A white poppy wreath will be laid in memory of all people who have died in all wars, on all sides, throughout history and in current conflicts around the world.
David Chapman (davidchapman781@btinternet.com)
Letter to the Editor
I have enjoyed reading the All Saints Parish Magazine this morning. I am praying that All Saints parishioners will work with new rector Hannah to help her in leading the vision and mission of the community. It is a good mission statement along the lines of the key command our Lord has given us “To love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) remembering as we strategize that we need the Holy Spirt to help us in all that we do. All Saints is a caring community and I am sure your mission will be fulfilled as all buy into it and do their part.
Terri Polet
Letter to the Editor
We have just received your Parish Magazine, I have read it with interest. However, I was very disappointed to see that all the churches in Wokingham had a men on and a snippet about them, but we here at the Salva on Army had no men on at all !! We are a church, but we also fulfil a great need with the homeless and rough sleepers in the area. We do a lot of work with all the different agencies, and especially Wokingham Borough Council. I feel strongly that we at the Salva on Army, have not been recognised as a Church. Regards
Marina Brain
Editor's Note: Guilty as charged! In my summary of Wokingham churches' websites I overlooked the Salva on Army. I have apologised to Marina, and I have assured her that the Salva on Army is most definitely recognised as a church. Some snippets from their website appear below.
Snippets from the Salvation Army
Captain Jan Howlin is the Salva on Army's Corps Officer in Wokingham. In addi on to their church ac vi es, the Army has a lot of community ac vi es going on....
The Salva on Army runs a Community Outreach programme, in which their hall opens as a drop-in centre for anyone who is experiencing homelessness or in need. The Army provides meals, clothing, bedding, food, use of shower room, washing machine and tumble dryer, access to a computer (though its use is monitored),
signpos ng to the appropriate agencies and prayer. In addi on to all that they provide a service called Employment Plus, designed to offer tailored support to help people become job-ready, to get a job and to stay in work. In this respect, they help with
learning progressions and qualifica ons, assisted job search, digital inclusion,
benefits advice and support and a listening ear.
In addi on they also run a fortnightly ceramics group featuring poMery pain ng and friendship. And on Thursdays there's A Place to Meet with board games and craN ac vi es.
What I Learned from the Earth Fayre Talks
WokinghamBoroughCouncil is behind a new solar panel farm somewhere in Barkham, and it's coming on stream very soon. Separately WBC is pushing ten ways to reduce your carbon footprint. And "Climate Ac"on Week" is scheduled for 18-23 November.
Storyteller Helen Wright pointed out the folly of burying high-level nuclear waste and then hoping that the knowledge about it will last for 10,000 years. And apparently the UK s"ll doesn't know where it ought to bury its nuclear waste – it's on the surface presently.
Janet, the Woodland Trust speaker, told us about a gap in the age-profile of New Forest oaks and that rangers there are transplan"ng the earthy material around the roots of really old oaks onto much newer oaks. This causes the newer oaks to age quicker thus plugging the gap.
From the SaveSoil Movement came the claim that oranges nowadays have only one eighth of the Vitamin C of their predecessors. But also it was clear that the important move to "Save Soil" is gaining rapid worldwide recogni"on.
Draughtbusters is a charity organisa"on that fixes draughts in houses. Draughts can appear almost anywhere and are not restricted to older houses, and can cause much bigger heat loss than might be imagined, with consequent much bigger energy bills.
Steve Packiarajah encouraged us all to get heat-pumps, but he surprised me by poin"ng to the existence of central heat-pumps serving whole housing districts and heat-pumps driving the hea"ng of industrial and commercial proper"es.
Tom Blomley was able to talk knowledgably about Palm Oil. Although it is widely decried nowadays as the end-product of a process that damages the environment, it's actually the least land-hungry method of producing vegetable oil. And there are cer"ficates (akin to Fair Trade cer"ficates) that rubber-stamp a lot of environmentally-good palm oil produc"on.
ProfessorChrisMerchant of Reading University was fascina"ng on the subject of world climate. Did you know that the UK's last coal-burning power genera"on was due to cease on 30th September? Or that, as the ocean acidifies with absorbed CO2, it may get to the stage where shellfish are unable to manufacture the material to make their own shells?
Lastly, Margaret Cocks of the organisa#on Global Jus#ce explained how there is a worldwide push for countries to sign up to a "Fossil Fuel Non-Prolifera"on Treaty", along the lines of the decades-old Nuclear Non-Prolifera"on Treaty.
Steve Smith
Together
As a member of Inclusive Church, I thought it would be helpful for you to know about a new group called Together (togethercofe.org).
Together has been created by members of General Synod who want to promote greater equality and inclusion in the life of the church of England. The group is closely associated with organisa"ons such as MoSAIC (Movement of Suppor"ve Anglicans for an Inclusive Church), Inclusive Church, WATCH (Women and the Church) and The Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England. MoSAIC has decided to become a part of Together and is helping with the ini"al set up of the group and contacts / networking. This group is led by Neil PaAerson, Vice-Dean of Bristol Cathedral. ‘Together for the Church of England’ acts as an umbrella body for the wider Together network.
For example, there is also a General Synod group – Together on General Synod (TOGS) –led by Professor Helen King, who is in our Oxford Diocese (it’s beAer than GSGSG - The General Synod on Gender and Sexuality – the previous "tle!). We’re seEng up contacts in each of the dioceses across the country to coordinate networks and contacts, so we can be well organised for the next set of General Synod elec"ons in 2026, as well as elec"ons for the Diocesan Synod. I’m the Oxford Diocese contact.
Just a reminder that elec"ons to the General Synod are done by members of the Deanery Synod. Remember? We need to make sure we have all our places filled. Currently, we have two spare places, despite two new people joining recently. Please consider becoming a member. It’s not a massive commitment and it means we can make the most of our vo"ng power in 2026. If you really believe in inclusion and equality in the church of England, then this is your chance to do something about it!
Peter Barrett
Prayer & Healing Ministry Team
Lord Jesus Christ, Lover of all, we hold before you those burdened by regret and anxie"es, those broken in spirit or in body those torn by rela"onships and doubt, those who feel deeply the divisions and injus"ces of our world, and all those who carry them in prayer at this "me.
AnIonaprayerbookbyPeterMillar
God loves you and has chosen you as His own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek and pa"ent. Put up with each other and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what "es everything completely together.
Colossians312-14
The next services for the Laying on of Hands ministry will be on Sunday 3rd November at the 9.30 service.
Members of the Prayer Ministry team are: Rosemary Sturmer, Jill Oliver, Jo Robinson, Gill Allen and Claire Jones. Prayer Ministry is available every Sunday aLer the 9.30am service. Members of the Healing Prayer Group are: Gill Allen, Rosemary Sturmer, Maggie Davies, Joan Thomason. Confiden"ality is assured .
Prayer Page Remembering Friends,
Parents And So On
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; fulfil in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gracious Spirit, creator of life, carrier of hope, make your presence known among us. Enable us to be brave in our remembering, honest in our sorrow, and open in love and compassion to each other. Help us to seek not so much answers to our ques)ons, but, rather, the pa)ence to mourn and grieve. Enable us to remember with joy the lives of those we have loved. Send us your peace. Amen
O comfor)ng One, compassionate One— be with us all when we suffer loss and ache with the pain of grieving. Give us a glimpse of the way it will be when love will never be taken away, when life itself will not be diminished when all that we hold most precious will live and remain with us forever. Amen
O Lord. I want to thank you for my forebears, my parents, my grandparents, my older friends and all my other such rela)ves. Thank you for all who have brought me to where I am now. Thank you for all who have touched me with their love and encouragement, their pa)ence and understanding, their guidance and wisdom, their joy and simply their presence. Whether they are s)ll are with us or with you, be a loving father to them - draw close to them I pray, and surround them with your loving arms. Amen
OurEarthFayre
The Climate Ma ers group at All Saints hosted the second Earth Fayre on 28th September which provided an opportunity for sharing green ini!a!ves in the community. This ini!a!ve is led by the Revd. Hannah Higginson and with the support of team members – Steve, Sue , David , Adrienne , Barbara and Shakila – the team worked persistently over the last six months in arranging speakers, stall holders, children’s stories, cra, ac!vi!es and choral concert in making this even-ul day possible.
We had 200+ visitors (excluding volunteers and stall holders) and 20 children in comparison to only 125 visitors last year. The responses from stall holders and speakers were overwhelming that we had to politely decline the offers from a few of them to accommodate 19 stalls and 9 speakers. The number of stall holders is 1½ !mes more in comparison to last year. The spectrum of stall holders included Repair Café, Book Swap, Art and Cra, towards Sustainability, Mini Nature Ar!sts, Communal Gardens and Orchard Project, Draughtbusters, Global Jus!ce, Green Party, Involve Community Services, Kiddical Mass, Lavell's Wetland Trust, Maya’s Refillables, Path Financial Ltd., People Planet Pint & Climate Fresk, Quench Chris!an Bookshop, Reading Friends of the Earth and ThermaDetect Ltd. In addi!on, we had a cra, table and story-telling sessions to engage and educate the children in caring for our Earth.
We had interes!ng and influen!al speakers from different dimensions in protec!ng our ecosystem. See page 11 for a summary. Based on the feedback from last year, we had set up the space for speakers in the Cornerstone. This improved the clarity in hearing the speakers; however, there was reduced audience this year as most of them were focussed on ac!vi!es in the church area and many stall holders missed a ending the speeches. An area to plan strategically for next year so as to have more par!cipa!on.
We have received several construc!ve feedbacks from stall holders, speakers and general public about the event. Overall feedback is that the event was well received and the stall holders enjoyed networking with so many like-minded people in the community and sharing ideas with each other. It has improved in the scale and interes!ng talks delivered from different sustainability dimensions; however we need to work on publicity to gather more audience from the community. Several childrenfocussed art-&-cra, ac!vi!es that are environment friendly were enjoyed by li le ones.
The climate ma ers team is commi ed to do whatever li le they can do year a,er year in conserving our nature with the support of congrega!on. “It’s those li le bits of good put together that overwhelm the world” as quoted by theologist Desmond Tutu. If you have any feedback on the Earth Fayre, please contact the Climate Ma ers group.
What Is Church?
Another Chance to Appreciate our Rector's Sermon from 13th October
As part of our exploring what vision God is calling us to, as a church – today we are reflec!ng on what/who is the church?
I’m just popping over to the church we might say – sugges!ng the church is this rather beau!ful building in which we sit. For many that’s what a church is of course – and yet the church is so much more than that - it is everyone siNng here, it is the family of believers, those who join with us in prayer although they may be housebound, those who know and love God, whether near or far from this physical place. As Billy Graham said, ‘The church isn't just a par cular building or congrega on but the spiritual fellowship of all who belong to Jesus Christ’.
ABody
In Paul’s le er to the Corinthians we are given this wonderful metaphor of the church as a body. He emphasises that the body is made up of many members – this is not members like we might understand members of a club – this is members as in limbs. The body has many limbs, different limbs each with their own value and importance, but all a part of the
1 Cor 12: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all bap!zed into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honourable we clothe with greater honour, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honour to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it
What Is Church?
one body. Paul highlights the way in which each of these limbs is connected to the body, and so to one another. So much so that if one limb suffers, the whole body suffers; and if one is honoured, the whole body rejoices.
Therefore, if the church is a body with many limbs - us being the limbs - then we are conjoined to one another, reliant on one another, and suppor!ve of one another. This is a helpful metaphor of the church as we think about how we relate to one another and our rela!onships with one another.
We find this metaphor also in Ephesians, where we are reminded that Jesus is the head of the body and that the whole body is kni ed. With Christ as our head, steering us and uni!ng us, we discover why and how we find this unity despite diversity and different opinions.
The body is a helpful metaphor for the church and reminds us of our unity, the value of all, the support and care that we should show one another. But it doesn’t do much to direct us in our role and our mission as a church.
ADisciple
For that we turn today to our gospel reading (Mark 1: 14-20). Here we heard the call of some of Jesus’ first disciples. A disciple is also a follower, a student really, learning and following their teacher that they might study his ways. In today’s passage, the disciples showed incredible willing as they leave everything to follow Jesus. There is no hesita!on, no half-hearted commitment.
As Jesus calls them, he calls them to ‘repent’ and to change their lives. And yet he doesn’t change everything – he calls them to fish for people – to become fishers of men. They are called to something new, and yet it reflects their lives and what they know and do well. There is a sense here that Jesus calls us and in doing so integrates or fulfils our lives into God’s purposes for us, that we might live our lives to the full. God uses and values who we are and what we have to offer, whilst offering us something more.
What Is Church?
The disciples are called to ‘repent’ and to repent here means not just ‘stopping sinning’; this is about a radical change and turning from all that went before to follow the ways of God. This is a life changing moment. C.S.Lewis once wrote, ‘If you’re thinking of becoming a Chris an, I warn you, you’re embarking on something, which will take the whole of you.’ It is clear from our gospel passage today, as the disciples leave their jobs and their homes to follow, that being a Chris!an is costly and it is life changing.
What does this mean for us as a church then?
Well, who are we as a church if not ourselves a group of disciples? Groups of animals o,en have some interes!ng names, for example did you know that a group of bu erflies is a kaleidoscope, a group of porcupines a prickle, a group of hyenas is a cackle and, amusingly, a group of alligators is a congrega!on.
As a group of disciples then, we are a church. So first and foremost we are reminded that we are called to follow. To learn from Jesus, to sacrifice things in our lives to do as he calls us.
AnAppren ce
Bonhoeffer went even further to say that ‘the church is not a religious community of worshippers of Christ, but is Christ himself who has taken form among people’ – we are not just people following a leader, our leader is with us and within us. When Jesus le, the first disciples he not only equipped them through his teaching to do his will, he also empowered them with his presence. Dallas Willard uses the language of appren!ce to describe our rela!onship to Jesus, he says, ‘I like the word appren ce because it means I’m with Jesus learning to do what he did. When you look at the first disciples, that’s what they were doing. They watched Jesus and listened to him, and then he said, “Now you do it.” ' Like the disciples we are equipped and empowered to go out into the world to spread this message of good news and as we explore during these weeks what our vision as a church should be, surely that needs to be held firmly before us. But like the first disciples we should be careful not to get ahead of ourselves; first and foremost we are ourselves disciples, followers, appren!ces – we must not forget to keep listening to our teacher.
In the original Star Wars films, as Luke Skywalker learns from Yoda the Jedi Master the ways of the force, he is keen to face Darth Vader and try his hand at the ways of the force, but as Vader himself recognizes, ‘the force is with you young Skywalker, but you are not a jedi yet’; the appren!ce s!ll has much to learn from his teacher and he forgets that at his own peril.
We need to keep our eyes firmly fixed upon Jesus, to learn from him, to listen to his
Puzzle Panel
Almost certainly you recognise the lines from well-known hymns shown below, but can you track back from memory to determine the hymn's first line? You may not get them all, but email the editor on editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk if you get seven or more. No prizes but you will get a name-check.
1) And the trees of the fields shall clap their hands
2) Be thou our guard while troubles last, and our eternal home
3) Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness
4) For his word teaches me that his love reaches me
5) From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride
6) Good will henceforth from heaven to men begin and never cease
7) Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us
8) My soul bear thou thy part
9) O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end
10) The heavens are not too high; his praise may thither fly
11) This star drew nigh to the north-west
12) Thy comeliness and vigour is withered up and gone
What Is Church?
promp!ngs, to follow in his footsteps. We are all disciples and need to con!nue to learn from Jesus. That’s not to say that we are not s!ll sent out into the world, for indeed we find that in the gospels from quite early on, but we need to remember that we remain disciples and, back to the body metaphor, importantly need to stay connected to our Head.
So as we reflect on our church vision - this week reflec!ng on What is the Church? - we are reminded that we are a body, but we are also each of us disciples, following Jesus and that discipleship can be costly, life changing and challenging.
PrayerforourVision
Heavenly Father, source of light and truth, we embrace your call for us to make disciples, and to be our witnesses in the world. Give us eyes to see your vision, ears to hear the promp!ngs of your spirit, and courage to follow in the footsteps of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Acts Chapters 29-32
Steve Smith
Don't try and look up Acts chapters 29-32; they don't exist. But what would they have contained? My bible reading notes have just finished dealing with Acts 28 where the final verses read "He [Paul] stayed there [in Rome] two full years at his own expense, with a welcome for all who came to him; he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught the facts about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and without hindrance." It's intriguing and frustra!ng that it comes to a dead stop there – what happened next?
There's not much to go on regarding Paul's life. There are the brief biographical glimpses contained in Paul's epistles, and there is the book of Acts, and that's all. There are lots of archaeological and other records that 'authen!cate' the history of Acts; for instance we know that, as Luke states, Felix the governor was succeeded by Festus and we know when. Unfortunately Acts and the epistles disagree on some aspects, but then Paul probably didn't keep an accurate diary and Luke only appears as his companion fairly late on in Paul's ministry so who knows the preciseness of Paul's recollec!ons?
Using these two sources and interpre!ng them through Wikipedia and through a book St Paul The Misunderstood Apostle by Karen Armstrong, one can put together a !meline of Paul's life. But beware – it's approximate!
5BC-5AD BirthofPaul
Youth EducatedbyfamousscholarGamaliel
31-36 Conversion
Then BasedinDamascus
Then Wentto'Arabia'(probablykingdomofNabataeajustoutsideSEPales!ne) 34-39 MeetsStJamesandStPeterinJerusalem
40 BasedinTarsusandthenAn!och(intheNEcorneroftheMed,amajorcity)
45-46 VisitsJerusalem
46-49
First missionary journey (Salamis, Paphos, Perga, An!och-in-Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra,Derbe)
49 JerusalemCouncil(todiscusscircumcision)withStPeterandseveralothers
49 Starts second missionary journey (Derbe, Lystra[1],Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica,Beroea,Athens,Corinth[2],Ephesus)
52 Backfromsecondmissionaryjourney(Acts18:22,butinActs18:23–thevery nextverse....)
52 ...Startsthirdmissionaryjourney(Ephesus[3],Macedonia,Greece,Philippi,Troas, Assos,Mitylene,Miletus)
57 Backfromthirdmissionaryjourney
57 ArrestbyFelix;detainedfortwoyears
59 FelixsucceededbyFestus–PaulisdespatchedtoRome
60 ArrivesinRomeandplacedunderhousearrest
62AD Actsfinishesabruptly
Note [1] Pronounschangefrom'he'to'we'whenLukejoinsPaul
Note [2] Paulstayed18monthsinCorinth
Note [3] Paulstayedupto36monthsin Ephesus
Acts Chapters 29-32
So what happened a,erwards Acts' conclusion? It is generally assumed that he was released from arrest and became a free man. Then there is dodgy specula!on that he journeyed to Spain - this is based on something wri en some 30 years later by Clement who was the fourth Bishop of Rome (St Peter was the first) but the reference is not at all clear: "He preached in the East and in the West, winning a noble reputa!on for his faith. He taught righteousness to all the world; and a,er reaching the farthest limits of the West, bearing his tes!mony before kings and rulers, he passed out of this world and was received into the holy places."
Finally it seems Paul was re-arrested and at some !me in the reign of Nero was executed – at some point between 64 and 68 AD. It seems he shared those years with the execu!on also of St Peter.
Incidentally, my experts indicate that there are only seven epistles indisputably by Paul: 1 Thess, Gal, 1 Cor, 2 Cor, Phils, Philn, Romans. The other six are quite possibly by 'pseudo-Pauls', but that doesn't alter their status. Just like Hebrews, the fact that the author is unknown does not at all mean that they are not a crucial part of Holy Scripture.
From an historical viewpoint there is another surprise in Acts, namely just how easy it was to secure passage in ships. Traders must have been going all over the place in an amazing network of routes. And note Luke's statement that the ship in which he and Paul were shipwrecked on Malta had no fewer than 276 passengers and crew plus cargo – nothing trivial there.
Let's not allow all the above to mask the discipleship of Paul. He was around the old-ish age of 50 when he began his third journey and 60-ish when he went to Rome. From his conversion to his death he worked !relessly for the Lord, by travelling, preaching, wri!ng, organising and philosophising (and making tents ). What a man!
Nature Notes - 1
Andrea Gilpin of the Caring for God's Acre Organisation
TheBeautyofLichens
Have you no!ced the intricate pa erns decora!ng the stonework in churchyards and cemeteries? These are lichens (generally pronounced ‘likens’). Of the 2,000 UK lichen species, over 700 have been found in burial grounds, many of which are seldom found elsewhere. Lichens are par!cularly striking in winter when other wildlife fades into the background.
Churchyards and cemeteries are rich in lichens for several reasons. First, they contain old, exposed stone, o,en da!ng back to the 1700s. These ancient stones, including gravestones and boundary walls, are ideal for lichen growth. Second, the variety of stone types, from local sandstone to imported marble, provides diverse habitats for different lichen species. The stone’s texture, water reten!on, and pH all influence which lichens thrive. Lastly, the posi!oning of stones affects lichen distribu!on; lichens on shaded stones differ from those in sunny spots, crea!ng a diverse lichen community.
The iden!fica!on of lichen species can be quite tricky. The colour of many lichens can change depending on whether they are wet or dry, in the sun or shade, or the surface they are growing on! Lichens produce a wide range of pigments, giving them their vibrant colours including greens, yellows, oranges, and blues. These pigments can protect them from UV radia!on and have been used to make wool and fabric dyes since ancient !mes and are s!ll used today. Lichens are found in many different habitats, including temperate and tropical rainforests, deserts, mountains, the tundra, snowy and icy areas, and along coastlines. Next !me you walk through a churchyard or cemetery, have a look for these fascina!ng organisms.
Nature Notes - 2
Andrea Gilpin of the Caring for God's Acre Organisation
TheNightSky
The night sky is a vital, shared resource for all life on Earth, yet the increasing spread of ar!ficial ligh!ng has obscured the stars and altered how we experience the night. For most of human history, people lived under a vast, star-filled sky—one that inspired countless advances in science, shaped religious beliefs, and fuelled the imagina!on of ar!sts, philosophers, and writers.
Today, the natural darkness of the sky, once a universal experience, is fading from memory, and many of the youngest genera!ons may never fully know its wonder.
Evidence shows that ar!ficial light at night has nega!ve effects on wildlife including amphibians, birds, mammals, insects and even plants. Wildlife, such as birds, bats, and moths, rely on darkness for migra!on, naviga!on, and feeding. Light pollu!on can disorient these species, leading to popula!on declines and disturbed ecosystems.
Sixty percent of insects are ac!ve at night, and it's es!mated that one-third of those drawn to ar!ficial light die as a consequence. Each year, millions of birds lose their lives during migra!on a,er becoming disoriented and fa!gued from circling and colliding with brightly lit buildings.
A recent study by biologists, conducted over two decades in Chicago, revealed the significant impact of light pollu!on on birds and how reducing it can make a difference. By dimming half the windows in a building during night-!me, the researchers observed a remarkable reduc!on in bird collisions—eleven !mes fewer during spring migra!on and six !mes fewer in the autumn. In total, the study es!mates that this simple change lowered bird fatali!es by 60%
For humans, exposure to excessive ar!ficial light can disrupt circadian rhythms, impac!ng sleep quality and contribu!ng to health issues like insomnia and stress.
In the UK, efforts to combat light pollu!on are gaining momentum. Prac!cal solu!ons, such as shielded, energy-efficient ligh!ng that reduces sky glow are being put in place along with the obvious solu!on of turning lights off.
By safeguarding our dark skies, we can support wildlife and ensure that we can all stand beneath a canopy of stars, undimmed by modern life.
For more informa!on visit The Commission for Dark Skies h ps://britastro.org/dark-skies/
www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk
Flower Guild
Members of the Guild had a lovely day on Friday 27th September arranging flowers for Harvest. We were able to add designs to the church this year, some we managed with no oasis, moving towards our no oasis aim, not completely possible yet but we are moving in that direc!on. We hope you enjoyed the displays. We were also so pleased to be able to extend the displays for John Woodfield’s funeral on 4th October.
We hope you enjoy the flowers we do 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
125 Years Ago - 1899
Every November, the Mothers’ Union supports the “16 Days of Ac vism”, which aims to increase awareness of the worldwide problem of domes c abuse. Our prayer for this month is:-
May our championing of women’s equality and empowerment provide women with the means to li themselves up in their communi es; highligh ng God’s restora on of human dignity in rela onships, based on love and jus ce, not domina on. Amen
As an example of “Faith in Ac on”, the Mothers’ Union has for 20 years been working in Burundi, a ny country sandwiched between DR Congo and Tanzania, on a programme with a par cular emphasis on empowering women. With 165,000 par cipants, many have had their lives transformed. They have reported considerably reduced domes c violence sta s cs and 78% can afford higher educa on for their children and 96% can afford health insurance. Moreover, thanks to the Literacy and Numeracy project, many now have financial stability and 98% say they have improved rela ons with their neighbours and community.
Recent headlines in this country have included “Oracy” which is apparently something new for schools to address! At its core, MU believes “the strengthening of family” is key. The importance of talking with children, right from birth and con nuing through to adulthood, is essen al for building up good rela onships. Gill Allen and Pam Creech recently gave a short session on this topic with some Wednesday Mums followed by a bring-and-share lunch. For those unable to a@end, Sue emailed some useful notes, including the poem by Dorothy Nolte beginning “If a child lives with cri cism …”. It is worth researching if you’re not familiar with it.
A very big “Thank you” to everyone who donated so magnificently to our Ronald McDonald Hospital project. The contribu ons (pictured) were taken to the Diocesan mee ng at Benson.
At our November mee ng we have a return visit of the FinchampsteadHandBells team who always produce a lively occasion.
On Saturday 9th November at 3 pm there will be an Organ Recital with Roy Woodhams. All profits will be split between Mothers’ Union and the Organ Fund. There are posters and leaflets available, covering Roy’s musical career and ministry. Tickets at just £10 will include tea and cake and we hope that there will be a good audience to enjoy what promises to be an entertaining aGernoon, as well as helping with the fundraising. . Pam Creech
For MU's upcoming programme see page 33.
Photos from the Earth Fayre
Courtesy of Paul King - Head of Photos for My Wokingham
Clergy and Officers
Parish Clergy and Ministers
Claire Jones, Jo Robinson, Margaret Ragge0, Clive Charlton, Sue Howard, Pam Gilbey, John Burbury, Barbara Smith, Jacqui Headland and Rosemary Sturmer.
From The Parish Registers
04 October Arthur John Woodfield
11 October Diane Carol Tillotson
Aged 107
Aged 84
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29 September Daisy-Mae Louise Brombley
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.
Modern-day life may not throw up actual dei@es for us to worship. But what are the 'gods' that we in this age pursue? Wealth? Fame? Comfort? Life experiences? Sex? Philosophy? Sunshine? This is from Jeremiah Chapter 2.
On me they have turned their backs and averted their faces from me. Yet in their @me of trouble they say, 'Rise up and save us!' Where are the gods you made for yourselves? In your @me of trouble let them arise and save you. For you, Judah, have as many gods as you have towns.
Extract taken from The Revised English Bible
Last Month's Puzzle
The codeword puzzle a0racted a few more replies. Congratula@ons to Anne Harrison, Ann Crail, Clive Chaney, Su McArthur and Robert Vacher. The answers were: Across: Idol; Calypso; Eve; Llama; Burqa; Gala@a; Malachi; Risks; Elizabeth; Reclothed; Jeers; Bribery; LusIul; Cater; Kanji; Axe; Awnings; Cyst Down: Ideal; Oblates; Charm; Lobelia; Paraclete; Obadiah; Verger; Nazareth; Sacristan; Indolent; Rebecca; Overran; Jus@fy; Silver; Yokes; Feast MU Programme
Mothers' Union Programme
Saturday9thNovember 3.00pm OrganRecital
Tuesday12thNovember 10.00am CorporateCommunion
Wednesday27thNovember 2.00pm FinchampsteadHandbells—DeVitreRoom
