From the Rector — April 2011 In recent weeks news media have been dominated by events overseas – the struggle for freedom and democracy in North Africa and the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan. The impact of these events goes wider than the communities directly affected. What has happened belongs to the story of the whole human family. This is true not only because earthquakes elsewhere, political or geophysical, could affect our economic prospects at home, or because we may have family members and work colleagues caught up in the turmoil; but also, because we may feel the joy of freedoms won, and also the pain of loss endured. We are able to empathise if we choose because we have a shared humanity. For Christians there is an even deeper sense of solidarity. When any human community,Christian in faith or not, receives blessings, we believe Christ rejoices with them; and, when people are given to endure loss and suffering, we believe Christ is alongside them also in the dark places, bringing healing, hope and strength. When we are joined to the body of Christ through our baptism we enter into a new solidarity with the whole human community that Christ shares. As the poet-priest John Donne famously wrote “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main;...” Through being members of our local Christian body – the church in Wokingham – we are also members of Christ's body throughout the whole world. More than that, we are members of a body which lives and works not to serve its own existence but rather to bless and serve the whole human family, because this was Christ's mission too. As Bishop Tom Wright puts it, in his book of notes on Matthew's Gospel, which many are reading this Lent as part of the Big Read 2011; Jesus calls us to be not spectators but players, working with him to extend the rule of heaven on earth, locally and globally. As we prepare for Easter Day and celebrate God's victory over death and
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sin in the resurrection of Jesus, let's recall Christ died for everyone. His body is now a global body, living in and living for the whole human family throughout the world. Our local church life and mission cannot be separated from God's global mission – these two aspects are one movement, like the inside and the outside of the same circle. We cannot be involved in God's church and mission locally without at the same time being part of God's global movement. This is the movement of God's Spirit to bring heaven into earth. The Bible is very clear that the rule of God is not restricted to spiritual matters, though it would never be separated from the Spirit either. Heaven on earth – God's rule - includes release from physical poverty as well; from disease; from oppression; from fear, from loneliness and despair, or from lack of education and opportunity to flourish. In other words it's about everyone living the fully truly human life God intends for us. As a Christian Aid strap-line puts it – “we believe in life before death”. During Lent at All Saints we are collecting after every service for USPG: Anglicans in World Mission. The work of USPG: Anglicans in World Mission is global. It works in direct partnership with Anglican churches in 50 countries. It enables these churches to reach out to poor communities in life-changing ways. In practice this means schools, hospitals, water supplies, housing, and agricultural training. It is good news in practice; God's mission to bring life before death. Please find out more from the USPG website; pray for this work, and give as God moves your heart this Lent and Passiontide. Over the next few weeks there are also special focus weeks for two charity agencies which are also doing God's work both locally and globally. These are the Children’s Society and Christian Aid. Both of these agencies are rooted in the churches; and, in fact, in Wokingham both have local support committees, including members of our own church here. If you enjoy meeting new people why not become a door-todoor collector for one of these charities during one of the focus weeks. If knocking doors is not your thing, why not have a coffee morning or other fund-raising event with your friends or neighbours? As a church community at All Saints from our net income each year we give away at least the first 10% to God's global mission - especially to
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work amongst the poor, the sick and those suffering the effects of war and natural disaster. In 2010 we gave over £21,000. I'm glad we do that as a church and I know that as long as we have the leaders and members we have in this church that will not change – it is part of who we are. We are not prepared to be a church which will not share in the burden of those in need – how hollow would our own enjoyment of the life we have here be, of support and fellowship in Christ , if we ignored the plight of those who struggle in the world, if we failed to try and share the good news we have in Christ – when Christ took our burden on himself to set us free? Happy Easter! David Hodgson
MAGAZINE INFORMATION Please leave items for publication in the Magazine tray in the Parish Office or email directly to the editor on or before the Copy Date please. Contributions can be typed, handwritten, or e-mailed. All Saints PCC Wokingham, is a Registered Charity, Nbr. 1127585
Editor:
Andrew McKenna (977 3812) Email: editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk
Distribution:
Sheila Longley
(978 4193)
Advertisements:
Andrew McKenna (977 3812)
Collation:
Sheila Longley & team
(978 4193)
Copy Date for May:
April 17th 2011
Collation:
April 28th 2011
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Clergy and Officers Parish Clergy Rector Associate Priest Honorary Asst. Curate Honorary Asst. Curate
The Revd. Canon David Hodgson The Revd. Caroline Kramer The Revd. Colin James The Revd. Helen Charlton
Attached Clergy Deanery of Sonning “Fresh Expressions” Mission Priest The Revd Michael Johnson Church Wardens Parish Administrator
Jo Robinson John Smith Vacancy Jo Asplin
Children and Youth Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Children’s Advocate Margaret Raggett Crêche Leader Rachel Garlish Junior Church Co-ordinator Harriet Swinyard Youth Church Co-ordinator (Acting) Revd Michael Johnson Friday Night Youth Drop-In (FDI) Co-ordinator Lorraine Hodgson Worship and Music Director of Music (inc. Choir) David Rance Music Group Leader Gail Houghton Head Server Chris Gilham Deputy Head Server Ruth Smith Bible Readers’ rota Joyce Baldry Tower Foreman John Harrison Flower Guild Chairman Pam Gilbey Worship Rota and Prayer Lists Co-ordinator Revd Colin James Lay Co-Chair of Worship & Music Development Liz Rippon PCC Secretary Deputy PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Deputy PCC Treasurer
Parochial Church Council David Atkinson John Smith Stephen Smith John Alp
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979 2999 979 9956 978 1515 978 9153
979 0098 978 9730 979 0948 — 979 2797
962 9378 978 2602 962 9313 979 0098 979 2999 947 6734 979 2797 978 3948 978 7065 978 8506 978 5520 978 5694 978 1515 979 2797 954 0466 979 0948 979 4407 979 2797
Clergy and Officers PCC Treasurer’s Team Stewardship Co-ordinator Gift Aid Co-ordinator Stewardship Recorder Electoral Roll Officer Leadership Forum Convenor Asst. Stewardship Recorder Asst. Gift Aid Coordinator
Margaret Hawkins Dickon Snell Jo Robinson Peter Whittaker Jim Creech Joyce Baldry Barbara Smith Chris Westgate Chris Westgate
962 9792 978 1044 978 9730 978 6225 377 4194 978 8506 979 4407 977 1041 977 1041
Pastoral Care contacts Home Communion Barbara Smith 979 4407 Healing Prayer Group Jack Hayley 978 3939 Pastoral Care contact Jo Robinson 978 9730 Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals Parish Office 979 2797 Churchyard Steward John Smith 979 0948 Transportation Volunteers needed to assist other parishioners. Please help. Clergy days off:
David Caroline Colin Michael
Thursday Friday Thurs/Friday Saturday
The Parish Office (0118 979 2797), in the Cornerstone, can be contacted about church related issues (Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals). It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.15 am to 1.00 pm and for urgent matters or by telephone on Monday and Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. e-mail: Postal address: All Saints website:
parishoffice@allsaintswokingham.org.uk The Parish Office, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk
The Cornerstone : For room bookings and general enquiries please phone 0118 979 7778. Administrator Monica Martin is in the office: Monday 2-5pm, Tuesday 12.15-4.30pm, Wednesday 2-5.30pm, Thursday 1.45 - 6.00pm. e-mail: info@thecornerstonewokingham.org.uk
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Worship at All Saints Services at All Saints' Church embrace a wide range of formats. An outline is given below but for details and information about occasional services, see the weekly leaflet.
Sunday Services 8.00 a.m. 9.30 a.m.
11.15 am. 11.15am
Holy Communion. A said service with a brief address using the traditional language version of the Common Worship Order One Eucharist Parish Communion. The service is sung, with hymns, and follows Common Worship Order One Eucharist. Children are catered for in the Crèche and Junior Church. The last Sunday in the month is Parish Communion for the Whole Church and often includes Parade, children are present throughout, and contribute to the worship. Prayer for Healing with Laying on of Hands is offered regularly at certain Parish Communion services (see diary). Coffee is served after the service and this is the weekly 'social gathering' of the Congregation. Please come and meet us there if you are a visitor to the church or would like to get to know us better.
(1st Sunday) No Service (2nd Sunday) Holy Communion. A said service using the Book of Common Prayer.
11.15am
(3rd Sunday) No Service
11.15am
(Some 4th Sundays)
Occasionally Baptisms will take place during this time Matins using the Book of Common Prayer, usually sung and including a sermon.
6.30 pm.
(1st - 3rd Sundays) Evensong using the Book of Common Prayer with sermon. Choral Evensong is sung usually on the first Sunday of each month (An alternative form of worship on 4th & 5th Sundays ; and Services of Healing)
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Weekday Services Morning and Evening Prayer are said, using Common Worship Daily Prayer, at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. each day from Monday to Saturday. All may, and are encouraged, to attend. These services may be led by a Priest or members of the Laity.
Holy Communion is celebrated as follows: Monday Tuesday
9.30 am. 9.30 am.
Wednesday 10.00 am.
Friday
(Common Worship Order One) (Common Worship Order One with short address, followed by coffee) (Simple form of Common Worship Order One and short address (particularly for parents and child minders of babies and pre-school children)
in various Residential Homes
Major festivals are also marked by additional celebrations of Holy Communion. Please see the Parish Diary elsewhere in the magazine, or for whole year’s dates, see leaflet “Days to Remember at All Saints”.
Home Communion: If anyone knows of a housebound parishioner, either temporarily or long term, who would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office (979 2797).
Confirmation, Welcome or Growth Groups: Anyone interested in confirmation, a refresher course, or learning about the Christian faith is invited to join one of the Eureka! groups or a confirmation course - contact Barbara Smith on 979 4407.
Baptisms: are usually conducted at a special afternoon service on the last Sunday of each month; or occasionally in Sunday morning services if requested. Baptisms can be booked via the Parish Office (979 2797).
Wedding Bookings: Clergy are available in the Cornerstone on Monday from 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm and on Saturday from 10.30 am - 11.30 am on an appointment basis. Please book via the Parish Office on 979 2797
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Flower Guild Often much of the period of Lent occurs when the skies are heavy and the trees and hedgerows are looking tired and grey which is quite appropriate for such a period of reflection. This year, with Easter virtually as late as it can be, we can expect something different. Some of the trees are already starting to have a slight green glow about them and the birds definitely think spring has arrived. By the time we come to immerse ourselves in the passion and suffering of Holy Week all around will be awash with coloured blossoms, flowers and baby birds, all reminding us of the beauty of God’s creation and promise of life to come. Easter flowers The Guild will again be grateful for donations towards the HELP! purchase of the flowers which we will used to decorate the church. We will be arranging on Saturday April 23rd from 9.45am. If you are able to provide us with any branches of blossom please bring them to the vestry by 9.30am having had the stems in a bucket of cold water for at least 24 hours. Even if you are not a regular Guild member Easter is an ideal time to come along and help, there are always lots of things to do and so please do give me a ring if you are interested. (see ad pg. 39) Pam Gilbey Friday April 8th NSPCC Spring Flower Demonstration, 2.15pm (doors open 1.45) at the Methodist Church Rose Street. Monday April 11th Guild Meeting in the Cornerstone at Dates for 8pm. We will be making an arrangement of spring your flowers, see the weekly sheet and Guild cupboard Diary in the vestry for more details. rd Saturday April 23 Decorating the church for Easter from 9.45am, contact Pam. Thursday June 16th Guild Meeting For information contact Pam Gilbey (978 5694) Hazel Matthews (978 6700) or Lucille Taylor (978 6847)
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Mothers’ Union One of the Mothers’ Union’s ongoing projects is the ‘Away from It All’ fund or AFIA. This money is set aside by each diocese to provide holidays for families who desperately need a break but are unable to fund it themselves. The family has to be recommended by a health professional, a member of the clergy or similar, but they do not need to be Mothers’ Union members or even members of a Church. If you know of a family who may benefit from such a holiday, further information can be obtained from the MU diocese office which is located in The Priory Room in Christ Church, Oxford, muoxford@btconnect.com or from a committee member. Branch News Thank you very much to everybody who made cakes for our quarterly coffee last month. We raised over £50, which will be used for various MU projects. Our next meeting falls in Easter week, so we decided to have a review of our projects and the MU funds we support, followed by a ‘Bring and Share’. More information on The Mothers Union’s work worldwide can be found on the website www.themothersunion.org. For branch information or a lift to meetings, please call Valerie (978 7363) or Mary (978 Dates for 2678).
your Diary
Sun 3rd Apr Tues 12th Apr Sun 17th Apr Wed 27th Apr
9.30am Mothering Sunday 9.30am Corporate Communion 9.30am Palm Sunday Procession 7.45 for Branch Meeting – Bring and Share and 8pm review of projects Mary Hopkins
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“Sorry… didn’t hear you.” A man was out walking with his dog in a park. As usual he took along a ball for the dog to fetch. One day he misjudged his aim and threw the ball into a large and very deep lake. Before he could stop him, the dog rushed to the water side then carefully tiptoed out on top of the water, fetched the ball and walked back again. The man didn’t believe what he was seeing. After a few moments of indecision he threw the ball into the lake again to see what would happen. Once again the dog carefully tiptoed on top the water and retrieved the ball. In shock the man rushed home and persuaded his neighbour to come back to the lake with him. When he threw the ball into the water the dog, as before walked on top of the water and fetched the ball. The neighbour looked thoughtful but said nothing so the man did it again and again. Finally in exasperation the owner said “well don’t you notice something strange?” The neighbour thought for a long time and then finally said, “Yes, your dog doesn’t know how to swim!” It’s often the case that humour which reflects the truth is the funniest and there’s a fair amount of truth in that story relating to how we handle things we don’t understand. One reaction is obviously to try and make sense of it. But if that doesn’t work, more often than not we will try and rationalise it within the limits of our own reasoning and experience - hence “the dog doesn’t know how to swim!” Another reaction is fear – how many times do we read about people being rooted to the spot in fear or conversely running for their lives? Others will busy themselves with a practical displacement activity that gives them something to do and not focus on the issue – I’ll put the kettle on! Interestingly, people in these situations do not always make very good witnesses and often miss important facts or information whilst being caught up in the action. So what would we have done in Peter, James or John’s place if faced with a situation like the Transfiguration of Jesus? Apparently Peter, James and John had been asleep and they probably thought they were still dreaming. Peter, always the one who feels he has to do or say something to fill the silence tries to suggest that they build shelters for Jesus, Elijah and Moses - the Old Testament version of putting the kettle on! Then as they started to realise that they weren’t actually in danger, they probably started to rationalise it. They had after all seen so many strange
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Berkshire Counselling Centre Counselling for the Community Counselling and training for individuals and couples. Self or Company referrals, help with depression, stress, relationships and self esteem. Talking things over with a trained counsellor may help to free a situation. Through counselling people can often gain a new zest for life and make changes for the better in their personal relationships. Berkshire Counselling Centre provides an independent, confidential service for clients. Anyone over the age of 18 can make an appointment for an assessment interview. (Financial contribution discussed at 1st appointment) We are an accredited member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
0118 978 7879 Berkshire Counselling Centre The Cornerstone Norreys Avenue Wokingham RG40 1UE Email info@counsellingcentre.com Website www.counsellingcentre.com
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things since being with Jesus that maybe they shouldn’t try and understand it –just go with the flow. But suddenly, the voice of God thunders out of the clouds. I think that would have been enough for anyone and it’s hardly surprising that they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear they literally had the fear of God put in them. The synoptic gospels don’t always depict the Apostles as being the brightest of individuals. Matthew is not as scathing as Mark but nevertheless, he frequently shows them misunderstanding Jesus’ teaching or constantly requiring guidance and explanation. But is this really fair? With the benefit of hindsight and history, we know that the Apostles were chosen because they were ordinary people, not superstars even though we know that most of them were destined to go on to greatness and prove themselves worthy of their calling in establishing the early Church. They were not temple priests or leaders of the community. They were not Rabbis or teachers. They had little formal education and were a motley collection taken from all walks of life. The point is that they were ordinary people, ordinary men and women called by Jesus and united by an awareness that something special was happening around them and to them – even if they didn’t know what it was. They were human, and being human, they naturally struggled with the roller coaster of events that being a follower of Jesus involved - the charismatic teaching, the healing miracles, crowd adoration and direct confrontation with the religious authorities. Their lives had suddenly been accelerated into a more exciting, more confusing and definitely more dangerous world than anything they had previously experienced. I imagine they lived from day to day not knowing what was coming next. We know that a lot of Jesus’ actions and teachings were clearly beyond their immediate logic or understanding, so what could they do? They tried to make the best sense of it all and we see several examples of this and indeed some of the reactions mentioned earlier in the Gospels. I’ve often tried to think myself into their position and I wonder how I would have reacted in their position. Even with the benefit of 2000 years worth of hindsight and knowing the story, it’s not easy and if I’m honest, have to say that I suspect that I would have been as confused, and maybe even more suspicious than your average first century Jew. You know the expression that “seeing is believing”, well I’m not con-
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vinced that it necessarily works in this context, especially with things that are so obviously beyond our reason or comprehension. Just think how we react to magical illusions on television – we see them but don’t really believe it - and that’s just entertainment. So I don’t think for one minute that the disciples had it easy by ‘being there’ and I don’t belittle them for their doubts and indecision. I no longer despair at their failures to understand what is in front of them and I certainly don’t blame them for their reactions. In fact I’m prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt and guess that for a time, all meaning and logic in their lives was probably suspended. I mentioned earlier that people in these situations are not always aware of everything that is going on and do not necessarily make good witnesses, so is it any surprise that Peter, James and John missed one of the key messages of the Transfiguration? Matthew describing Jesus’ Baptism earlier in his gospel wrote “suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased”. Here again at the transfiguration, we have those same words again. Or do we? This is my Son, the beloved; with him I am well pleased; “listen to him” In all the bright lights and clouds, that’s the bit that gets missed, “Listen to him”! The trouble is it is easy to miss because there are distractions and we are focussing on the words we think we know well – “this is my beloved Son”, but actually are we really listening? We all profess Jesus as Lord, but how much listening to Him do we actually do? Our lives are full of distractions. We are inundated with information telling us what to eat, what to wear, what to watch and what to do that and it takes a considerable effort to stop and make time to actually listen. But that is human nature. It will always be so and Jesus knew it. Even with the ‘questionable’ advantage of ‘being there’, did the disciples listen? No. When Jesus came down from the mountain he was faced with this very problem. He was asked to cure an epileptic whom his disciples had failed to heal. Significantly, this time the lesson is not in the healing miracle but in the rebuke of his followers that accompanied it. “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Jesus’ frustration is obvious and his message is crystal clear – you are not listening! Even after this rebuke we are told that the disciples still didn’t understand and asked why they had been
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unable to cure the man. Jesus answered “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there”, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’. Jesus’ time on earth is running out and he has to prepare his disciples for what is to come. As we move into Lent will we be like the disciples or will we take heed of the message and make some time in our lives to “Listen to him”. After all this really is the word of God. Amen John Boylan
QUIZ QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS Who asked the following questions? Biblical ones have odd numbers, secular ones even numbers: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Am I my brother’s keeper? Why didn’t they ask Evans? Didn’t you know that I would be in my Father’s house? What’s up, Doc? What is truth? To be or not to be? Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? How many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man? Lord, we don’t know where you’re going, so how can we know the way? Would you walk a little faster? Answers, pg. 36
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Music List April 2011 Sunday Service
Lent 4 - Mothering Sunday - 3rd April Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
Hymns
467, 136, 227, (269), 313 HON
Music
The Lord is my Shepherd - Howard Goodall
Final Voluntary
Prelude to a Te Deum - Charpentier
Service
Choral Evensong
Introit
Lenten Prose (Attende, Domine)
Responses
Plainsong
Psalm
31 vv1 - 16
Org DAR
DAR
Canticles
Fauxbourdon Setting - Percy Whitlock
Hymns
207, 123, 63 AMNS
Music
Vexilla Regis - Venantius Fortunatus
Final Voluntary
Echo Fantasia - Sweelinck
Sunday
Lent 5 - Passion Sunday - 10th April
Service
Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
Hymns
349, 69, 90, (32a), 517 HON
Music
Drop, drop, slow tears - Gibbons
Final Voluntary
Lied (24 pièces en style libre) - Vierne
Service
Sung Evensong: Plainsong Responses
Psalm
30
Hymns
244, 97, 237 AMNS
Music
Drop, drop, slow tears - Gibbons
Final Voluntary
Short Prelude & Fugue in G (BWV 557) - J S Bach
Sunday
Palm Sunday - 17th April
Service
Procession of Palms & Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
Psalm
118 vv1 - 2 & 19 - 29
Hymns
435, 346, (29), 492 HON
Music
Gloria, laus, et honor tibi - Tye
Final Voluntary
Prelude on "Rhosymedre" - Vaughan Williams
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DAR
DAR
DAR
Music List April 2011
Service
Passiontide Meditation: Choral Service of Music & Readings
Music
by: Edward Bairstow; Graham Kendrick; Palestrina;
Org DAR
Richard Lloyd; Thomas Morley; Christopher Tye
Thursday
Maundy Thursday - 21st April
Service
Eucharist and Washing of Feet: Archer - People's Setting
Music
Nolo mortem peccatoris - Morley
Hymns
73, 149, 319, (29), 353 HON
DAR
Such Love - Graham Kendrick, arr. David Rance
Friday
Good Friday - 22nd April
Service
Solemn Liturgy
Psalm
22
Hymns
389, 549, 159 HON
Music
The Reproaches - Victoria
DAR
Sunday
Easter Day - 24th April
Service
All Age Eucharist: Peruvian Gloria - Kemp
DAR
Archer - St Mark's Setting Hymns
(232a)
Music
This joyful Eastertide - Wood
Final Voluntary
Fiat Lux - ThĂŠodore Dubois
Service
Festal Evensong
Introit
This joyful Eastertide - Wood
Responses
Bertalot
Psalm
66 vv1 - 11
DAR
Canticles
Dyson in D
Hymns
144, 139, 428 AMNS
Music
Ye Choirs of New Jerusalem - Stanford
Final Voluntary
Fugue in G minor "The Great" (BWV 542) - J S Bach
Hallelujah Chorus - Handel
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Parish Diary April 2011 Sunday
Mothering Sunday
Monday to Saturday
3
4
Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
5
Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
6
We
11.00am
Family Service (NEW)
7
Th
03.00pm
**No Service
8
Fr
06:30pm
Choral Evensong
9
Sa
10
Passion Sunday
11 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
12 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
13 We
11.15am
BCP Eucharist
14 Th
06.30pm
Sung Evensong
15 Fr
17
Palm Sunday
18 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
19 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion (w Laying of Hands)
20 We
11.00am
Family Service
21 Th
06.30pm
Choral Service
22 Fr
page
Serendipity Julian Group
Flower Guild
8
16 Sa
Serendipity
Good Friday
19 Sa 22
Good Friday
09.00am
Prayers
09.30am
Solemn Liturgy
11.15am
All-age Worship
24
Easter
05.30am
Holy Communion
25 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
26 Tue
09.30am
Parish Communion Whole Church
27 We
11.15am
***No Service
28 Th
3 00pm
Holy Baptism
29 Fr
06.30pm
Choral Evensong
30 Sa
Forthcoming Events 21-Apr
Maundy Thursday service 7.45pm
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Easter Monday Mother's Union Royal Wedding Holiday
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THE HEALING OF OUR LORD’S PASSION We come at this time towards the end of our season of Lent, during which we have been reassessing our relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. We will have been spending extra time meditating on scripture readings, and their interpretation, in order to come to a better understanding of our Lord’s teaching and how we may better serve Him and be more effective in spreading the good news of His Gospel. We now turn our thoughts towards the events of Holy Week. I always find the passion narratives very moving, particularly as usually presented to us at All Saints in the dramatic form of reading. Even more moving will it have been for those who have seen it realistically enacted at Obergammagau. It almost provides the answer to the sentiments expressed in the verse from the hymn, “There is a green hill far away”: We may not know we cannot tell what pains He had to bear, But we believe it was for us He hung and suffered there. The important thing is that we remember that His sufferings and the sacrifice of Himself on the cross, was in order that the sins of the whole world from then until eternity should be forgiven. The greatest act of healing of all time! During His life our Lord experienced other forms of passion in the sense of expressing strong feelings of love and anger. The passionate expressions of love were those of the agape and filial sense; certainly not in the erotic sense as some modern writers would suggest, without biblical evidence. Their motives are to discredit our Lord and His Gospel, and, in the process, to probably gain financial reward. In this context we remind ourselves of His deep affection for Lazarus, and Martha and Mary, and the extreme sorrow He experienced when He was told that Lazarus had died. And, of course, Jesus was passionately fond
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of children. In Mark 10,verses 14 to 16, we hear Jesus saying, ”Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs”. The other sense in which Jesus was passionate was in His expression of anger, particularly in case of spiritual arrogance, self-righteousness and hypocrisy. The most extreme example of this was in driving the moneychangers and traders out of the Temple, and overturning their tables. We also recall how deeply critical He was of the religious leaders who made great show of their alms giving and prayerfulness, so that they may be praised. There were times, however, when Jesus was presented with situations in which an angry response was expected, but which produced an unexpected reaction. In John chapter 8, we read how the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery, and they reminded Him of the law of Moses which demanded that she should be stoned. We recall how He invited anyone among them who was without sin to be the first to throw a stone at her, and that beginning with the elders, they all went sheepishly away. Jesus then turned to the woman and said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again”. What then should be our response to the Passion of our Lord? Firstly we should acknowledge God’s love for us in sending His only Son to suffer the horrors of death on the cross, so that we may be saved from our sins and have an advocate with the Father for all our needs and concerns. Secondly, we should follow His example by being honest, sincere and caring in our relationship with those with whom we come in contact in our daily lives, and by serving our God and Father with faithfulness and in humility. We send to all our readers our best wishes for a happy, peaceful and fulfilling Easter Holiday. Jack Hayley Members of the Group are Gill Allen, Maggie Bateman, Jack Hayley,
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Mary Hughes, Anne Penn, Joan Thomason, Joan Watts and Karen Wellman. Please let us know of any need for healing prayer support. Confidentiality is assured. The Laying on of Hands will be made available at the Parish Communion on Sunday 17th April. The next healing service will be held on Sunday 29th May at 6.30 pm.
All Saints’ Fellowship Welcome to Fellowship held in the Cornerstone De Vitre Room at 7.45pm for 7.55pm. The cost to visitors is £1.50 which includes coffee and if you would like more information or a chat about the group please contact Leader Diana Clifford.
APRIL – NO MEETING
Dates for your Diary
WED. MAY 18th We look forward to welcoming Mr. Colin Parrish who will be telling us about THE CAMBRIDGE FAMILY – QUEEN VICTORIA’S COLOURFUL COUSINS. CAKE STALL Following the 9.30am service on SUNDAY 10th APRIL we will be selling cakes in aid of THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY and children’s activities at EUSTACE CRESCENT COMMUNITY FLAT Diana Clifford 979 2614
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The Link Between Science and Faith Professor Russell Cowburn is a director of research at Cambridge University and has invented a laser-based security system and holds numerous patents connected with nanotechnology. He became a Christian at the age of 18, in a gap year between school and university. He joined a Bible Study group at his local church and was introduced to St. John’s Gospel for the first time. His Christian faith gives him boundaries in his interaction with people and states that all of science is built on a faith statement which is not without root. He says that, as a Christian, the fact that the world is ordered and repeatable is a direct reflection of the Creator and his nature of faithfulness and timelessness. It is therefore no surprise that the creative world is not as random as it might be. Christian faith is a step into the light. Scientists work on best guesses based on limited data sets, which is exactly what faith is. Science tells us about the mechanisms of the physical world. The Bible has a different focus and priority and is about God and how we need to relate to him. When God gave Adam dominion over creation he was making humankind responsible. A part of being made in the image of God is to modify creation in the responsible way God does. Paul Furlong is Professor of Clinical Neuro-imaging at Aston University who was asked what are the strengths and weaknesses of non-animal techniques in medical research. He said that the key strength lies in the ability to study neural activity and behavioural measures non-invasively in human volunteers. The only certain way to understand truly human cognition and human mental illness is to study these directly. Since these are unique to the human condition, animal models and mimicry of disease are poor substitutes. Human tissue testing offers promising strategies.
Marcelle Williams
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Group of the Month Churches Together in Wokingham (CTW) Group of the Month for April Although this is not strictly speaking an All Saints Church group we do have a representative (Joyce Baldry) and our Rector is at present the Chairman. CTW is part of a nation-wide organisation of ‘Churches Together’. Churches in each area work together no matter what their denomination to serve our Lord in the community. In our area the churches involved are: All Saints, The Baptist Church, Rose Street Methodist Church, St Paul’s, King’s Church, The Salvation Army, The Quakers, Corpus Christi, St Sebastians, the Seventh Day Adventists and Norreys Evangelical Church. There has been a group of this kind in Wokingham for over forty years. In recent years a committee, made up of 2 members from each church, has worked as a group to make things happen in our town, the Big Idea being probably the best publicised of these. The idea now is that individual churches take responsibility for the projects, advertising for help via the representatives around all the churches. This means that long committee meetings are no longer required! Please go to the church website and navigate to Groups and Events and then Group of the Month to read two excellent newsletters which give details about all the many activities going on. This Easter there will be the usual Good Friday Procession of the Cross, followed once again by the Passion Play in the Market Place. (Please pray for good weather this year!) There will be a Good Friday shop in Peach Street featuring art displays on the theme of the Passion play by schools and other groups. The ‘Bible Fresh’ initiative is another joint venture where all are encouraged to study St Matthew’s Gospel during Lent. There’s a community choir day on the 2nd April and an ecumenical prayer group meets at Corpus Christi on 22nd March. This should give you a good flavour of the kind of things which are going on. For more information do read the newsletters!
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Poipet Diary Part 3 Day 7 During our devotions that morning in the hotel, Chomno started to talk about what the last 24 hours had meant to him. It was obviously very emotional and I admired him for seeking to share his feelings with us – and felt trusted, too. We then went for breakfast at the Sunrise Café where you can scrawl graffiti on the walls. Michael is at least six and a half feet tall so he could reach parts of the wall still untouched by human hands! That afternoon (back at Poipet) we visited a remote community in an old Khmer Rouge village where CHO was doing sanitation work and church planting. There were still active landmines near the road (bamboo trees are planted next to them so you know where to avoid). Chomno explained that it had taken him a year to gain their trust before CHO could work there. CHO had helped with a serious outbreak of poisoned water in the village earlier that year. I asked the obvious question: ‘Given what the Khmer Rouge did to you at Battambang, how can you help this village now?’ His answer was typical of the man: ‘I don’t know … except I feel that the Lord wants me to do it.’ Incidentally, to get to this village we had to abandon our van and jump into a rice trailer for most of the journey as we could not cross the road at one point (those vehicles that tried simply got stuck in the mud). While we were bumping along the road in the trailer we also waved to a number of CHO staff on motorbikes heading for other remote villages (they are really cool: their number plates are CHO 007, 008 etc, that’s how we recognised them; I work in Marketing – I like this kind of stuff!). In the middle of the night we all started getting texts and phone calls from our family and friends in the UK. Apparently, there had been a major accident in Phnom Penh at the Water Festival – and it was reported on the BBC 10 o’clock news. Over 400 people had been killed on a bridge that had started swaying. People had panicked and tried to get off it, trampling others in the process. It was the biggest disaster experienced in Cambodia since the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge in the seventies. Day 8
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Today we split up to do specific tasks. Harold and Jono spent a day teaching church leaders; (I think) Gavin went to a HIV project; and Michael and I went back to a Safe Haven where we taught bible stories and songs to the children. I also taught an English class for an hour and a half (that was a first!). Then we played games with the children, which was great fun. That evening we went out for a meal with all the CHO staff and their partners. They are a very impressive bunch and it was wonderful to be able to see them all together. I had not realised how many friendships had developed over the brief period of time we had spent together. This was our last night in Poipet as tomorrow we head back over the border to Bangkok for a late evening flight. Day 9/10 This was a day of tying up loose ends and getting ready to fly home. It was also a day of national mourning for the disaster in Phnom Penh. Every TV channel was covering the events in the capital. We had a team session to talk about what we had learned. For me, it was about the difference one human being can make when they are open to God, and how such a journey is definitely not easy, but strangely fulfilling. It reminded me that serving the community is the best way to get into conversations about faith: it just happens naturally as people ask about your motivation. I guess that’s how CHO has become a church. It also struck me that we had created our own little community over the last 10 days – a place where we could relax, listen to each other, pray together and support and encourage each other. This had been a tremendous group of people to work with and I was genuinely surprised at the way we had clicked really quickly, played to each others’ strengths and worked as a team. Plus there was always a lot of laughter! When we said our goodbyes (to Billie in Bangkok as she was visiting friends in Laos; and to our Irish contingent at Heathrow) it was with a genuine sense of sadness. So for the following week, as I continued to take my malaria tablets each morning, I used it to remind me of the group and the great times we’d had together and to remember each one of
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them again. One of my prayers is that we do not forget each other nor do we forget Chomno and his team. So, if you want to be disturbed out of your comfort zone, engage in projects that make a difference to the world’s poor and be reminded that God paints on a global canvas, then this type of trip might just be for you. Thanks, Tear Fund, for making it happen. Peter Barrett January 2011
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Gordon Canning of Finchampstead, enjoys his weekly computer lesson with Kathryn Kinsey from St Crispins at the Understanding Computers course, run by The Link Visiting Scheme each Wednesday afternoon at the Bradbury Centre in Wokingham. LOCAL SIXTH FORMERS VOLUNTEER TO TEACH COMPUTER SKILLS TO OLDER PEOPLE Pupils from local schools and colleges are volunteering to teach older people from Wokingham everything they wanted to learn about computers but were too afraid to ask. Local charity, The Link Visiting Scheme, runs “Understanding Computers” every Wednesday afternoon from 3.30 – 4.30 at the Bradbury Centre, Rose Street, Wokingham. Gordon Canning had never used a computer before, but was keen to learn. He is enjoying exploring the internet, has set up an email account and is very proud of the yellow sticky notes all over his computer which tell him what the different buttons do. His very patient teacher, Kathryn Kinsey, has been teaching him since the beginning of the year. “It’s wonderful to come along here every week and learn at my own pace,” explained Gordon. “ One hears so many terrible things about young people these days, and yet these young people are volunteering to help people like me. It’s marvellous!”
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There is also a morning session of “Understanding Computers” every Wednesday at 10am with adult tutors. Anyone interested in coming along to the “Understanding Computers” sessions, should get in touch with The Link Visiting Scheme on 0118 979 8019 The Link Visiting Scheme is a registered charity (11392480) established in order to combat social isolation in the Wokingham Borough. We work primarily but not exclusively amongst the elderly. Through a network of over 100 wonderful volunteers we provide friendship and social opportunities to those who are feeling lonely. We also provide basic computer training, believing that this can provide a useful window into the world.
QUIZ Answers, Answers From pg. 18 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Cain: Genesis 1,9 Agatha Christie (book title) Jesus to his parents: Luke 2,49 Bugs Bunny Pontius Pilate: John 18,38 Hamlet Jesus: Acts 9,4 Bob Dylan Thomas: John 16,5 A whiting, to a snail:Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland .
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...from Caroline I am always fascinated by watching hang-gliders. Whilst I always wonder what it might feel like to fly free, I suspect I will never have the courage to try. The will to set myself free at the mercy of the winds and a large piece of nylon is too daunting. It is unusual that Easter falls near the end of April but it means that for most of the life of this newsletter we will still be in Lent and then go into Holy Week. The second half of a well kept Lent can seem like hard work – but a well kept Lent and even more a well kept Holy Week will mean a well celebrated Easter. The rhythm of an extended period of reflection and saying sorry followed by a period of celebration is an important one. Our society is not very good at the first but loves to revel in second. We tend to want to brush aside anything which leaves us feeling vulnerable and exposed, but to stay in Lent for its length means that we are, indeed, allowing God to reveal to us things which we might otherwise never notice. The idea of flying and freedom is a theme of Easter but it is also a theme of Lent – Lent takes courage because in this penitential season we are asked to let go and launch into the unknown. Only by learning this trust in and letting God hold us will we truly find freedom in the message of Easter. Holy Week this year begins with a new activity at 4pm on Palm Sunday. Parents and children and anyone else who would like to are invited to come and paint a Station which will be used later in the week. If you have not come across the Stations of the Cross they are simply fourteen “stopping points” along Jesus journey from his trial to his grave. Some are based on Biblical narrative, others on tradition but they all offer a point of reference and reflection on this most sacred of paths. Our younger members will be encouraged to take the lead on this project and there is no right and wrong in what things should come out looking like – it is simply a chance to work together and reflect on some of the themes in the week ahead. A light tea will be provided for grumbly tummies. On Good Friday there will be a simple service using some of these Sta-
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tions in Church which will be about half an hour long and suitable for an All Age congregation. Then on Holy Saturday you are all invited to come and enjoy pizza and decorating the Easter Garden. “Sneak Peek Easter� follows the ancient tradition of starting Easter celebrations at any time after 6pm on Saturday and will allow those who want to to share in a short activity to prepare for Easter Day services. I hope that you have continue well in Lent and into Holy Week and that God leads you into wonderful paths. I pray that we will all learn more trust in the rest of this season and find the wonderful freedom of the resurrection at Easter. Revd. Caroline Kramer
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE Joint Chair – Mavis Mason 9792940. Diana Clifford 9792614 EASTER BREAKFAST - Please see weekly Sunday leaflet SUNDAY MAY 8th the
- THE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TABLE in Cornerstone after 9.30am service
Thank you very much for all the cereal boxes and old Christmas cards. We now have enough
EASTER FLOWERS The Flower Guild would be grateful for contributions towards the purchase of Lilies and other Easter flowers. Perhaps you would like to donate in memory of a loved one Cash or cheques (made payable to All Saints Flower Guild) may be given to: Pam Gilbey, Margaret Whitaker or Kate Thomas 39
Baptisms 27 Feb.
Tabitha Alice Grace Howard Rory Patrick Arthur
Burial of Ashes 4 Jan. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 28 Feb. 2 March 8 March 12 March
Kathleen MacDonald Stephen John Row Grace Mary Blanke Leslie John Gardner Phyllis Margaret Dance Jean Lovejoy Audrey Elizabeth Godlement
Age 83 Age 55 Age 86 Age 74 Age 79 Age 92 Age 76
At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 1 March
Phyllis Margaret Dance
Age 79
Number of Sundays 4 Sundays 657 Week days 180 (inc. 68 on Ash Wednesday)
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