From the Rector — August/September 2010
How much does church mean to you? Our Area Bishop Stephen leaves Berkshire during August to become the Bishop of Chelmsford. Stephen goes with our love and prayers; and with our thanks to God for the faith and care he has shared with us over the last 6 years. In case you are thinking Chelmsford sounds like an obscure market-town somewhere east of anywhere important, and you are not sure how being sent there from the thriving, would-be city of Reading is meant to be a step up in God’s calling on Stephen, let me re-assure you. Stephen has definitely been promoted! The Bishop of Chelmsford’s diocese includes the whole of the county of Essex, five east London boroughs, and a bit of south Cambridgeshire. With a population of 2.7 million, it is England’s second biggest diocese in people numbers after the Diocese of London itself. Before coming to Wokingham I served in the Diocese of Chelmsford for 7 years as both Industrial Chaplain to Harlow and Vicar of two villages near Stansted Airport. I discovered for myself how big and diverse is the Diocese of Chelmsford when the Bishop at that time asked me to join a team which was sent to visit parishes across the Diocese and discuss with them the financial needs of the church. Amongst the parishes I was asked to visit were two I remember well because they were so contrasting. I may have visited them within a week or two of each other, which highlighted the contrast. One parish was a semi-rural area not far from Cambridge. It was very leafy and clearly very well-heeled. I was asked to visit its meeting of the Parochial Church Council, which was held in the spacious sitting-room of one of the large houses typical of the parish; surrounded by a gorgeous
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garden with an immaculately mown lawn. Before my presentation about the finances of the Diocese came up on the meeting’s agenda I had to sit through what seemed like half the evening whilst members debated vigorously whether to buy a new lawn-mower for the churchyard at a cost of about £200. I recall thinking, even then in the mid - 1990’s, that some of the parishioners no doubt would not have blinked an eye at spending that amount in an evening at a restaurant with their family. But spending this amount on ensuring the churchyard would be kept welcoming and tidy was debated at great length and with some fervour. Not surprisingly the presentation I made after that, about the need for parishes to give generously to support the ministry of the Church, received a frosty reception! The second parish was in east London, in the Borough of Newham. This was then and still is the poorest borough in London and one of the most deprived areas in Western Europe. The meeting I attended was held in a very well-used church hall on a busy street. There were no lawns in sight! Several of the Church Council members were unemployed or, if employed, worked long hours for low pay. My presentation explained that church members needed to give more generously to support the ministry of the Church because historic reserves – the legacies of past church members – were no longer enough and we could not rely on them for the future. Living church members need to support our own living church. The response of this group of Christians in Newham was in total contrast to that in the leafy parish. Despite many being on low or fixed incomes they responded warmly and positively. Of course we must do whatever we can to support the work of our Church, they said. Most memorable to me was the argument of one woman who spoke out. “What would our lives be like without the Church?” she asked, “what state would we be in with no Church in our community and our lives?”. How much does church mean to you?
David Hodgson
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Congratulations to Helen Charlton on her ordination to the priesthood.
Helen and Bishop Stephen on the 27th of June.
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 Oct:
Sept. 12th 2010
Collation:
Sept. 24th 2010
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Clergy and Officers Rector Associate Priest Designate Honorary Asst. Curate Honorary Asst. Curate Community Priest Church Wardens Parish Office
The Revd. Canon David Hodgson The Revd. Caroline Kramer The Revd. Colin James The Revd. Helen Charlton The Revd Michael Johnson Jo Robinson John Smith Margaret Raggett 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
979 2999 (TBA) 978 1515 978 9153 979 0098 978 9730 979 0948 962 9378 979 2797
962 9378 978 2602 962 9313 979 0098 979 2999
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
979 2797
Parochial Church Council David Atkinson John Smith Stephen Smith John Alp Margaret Hawkins Dickon Snell Stewardship Co-ordinator Jo Robinson Gift Aid Co-ordinator Peter Whittaker
954 0466 979 0948 979 4407 979 2797 962 9792 978 1044 978 9730 978 6225
PCC Secretary Deputy PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Deputy PCC Treasurer PCC Treasurer’s Team
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947 6734 979 2797 978 3948 978 7065 978 8506 978 5520 978 5694 978 1515
Clergy and Officers Stewardship Recorder Electoral Roll Officer Leadership Forum Convenor Asst. Stewardship Recorder Asst. Gift Aid Coordinator
Jim Creech Joyce Baldry Barbara Smith Chris Westgate Chris Westgate
377 4194 978 8506 979 4407 977 1041 977 1041
Pastoral Care contacts Home Communion Barbara Smith Healing Prayer Group Jack Hayley Pastoral Care contact Jo Robinson Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals Parish Office
979 4407 979 2797 978 9730 979 2797
Churchyard Steward
John Smith
979 0948
Clergy days off:
David Caroline Colin Michael
Thursday (TBA) 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
Transportation: Pat Forsyth (979 7023) or Sue Farrington (978 2371).
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Flower Guild Harvest Festival will be celebrated on the last weekend in September but while you are out and about during the summer do please take the opportunity to look out for suitable berries and seed heads which you can go back and collect at a later date when they are ripe. We will be decorating the church on the morning of Saturday September 25th from 9.30am. There will be a variety of different sized arrangements to be created; also Sue James will need helpers to make the small pots which are distributed as harvest gifts. There are Guild Meetings planned for Wednesday September 22nd and Thursday November 18th. As usual, we will meet in the Cornerstone for an 8pm start. At the September meeting the practice session will be an arrangement to feature fruit and vegetables. Day School – Saturday October 2nd Following discussions at the last Guild Meeting there was virtually a unanimous vote that the topic for the day should be figurines. We covered this once before, probably more than 15 years ago, so by popular demand we are going to revisit the subject. Once your have made one figurine with us you could even set yourself the challenge of making your own nativity scene! More details nearer the date but in the mean time do feel free to ring me to reserve your place. Pam
Dates for your Diary Flowers in church during August and September Aug 1 Mrs J Atkins Miss B Branson LB 8 Mrs P Gilbey Mrs K Maund PG 15 Mrs V Briault Mrs M Holden VB
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22 29 Sep 4 12 19 26
Mrs L Williams Mrs L Hatt Mrs T Freeston Mrs M Holden Mrs L Barrell Mrs A Wade Harvest Festival
Mrs P Gilbey
PG
Mrs G Houghton Mrs L Clark Mrs M Hughes Mrs J Alp
GH MW LB AW
For information contact: Pam Gilbey (978 5694) Kate Thomas (989 4190) or Margaret Whitaker (978 2307)
Mothers Quiz Answers pg. 32 August 9 is the day that the church remembers Mary Sumner, founder of the Mothers Union. Can you remember the mothers of the Biblical and secular characters below? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
John the Baptist Liza Minnelli Samuel Shirley Williams Moses Princess Caroline of Monaco Cain and Abel Toby Stephens Isaac King Edward 7th
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Mothers’ Union Supporting the Mothers’ Union’s Work Mothers' Union is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. The 4 million members in 81 countries share one vision - to bring about a world where God's love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships. This is not a vague hope, but a goal actively pursued through prayer, programmes, policy work and community relationships. By supporting marriage and family life, especially through times of adversity, the MU tackles the most urgent needs challenging relationships and communities. Members are not all mothers or even all women. For all, The Mothers' Union provides a network through which they can serve Christ in their own community - through prayer, financial support and actively working at the grassroots level in programmes that meet local needs. Major projects include the Parenting Programme, the Literacy and Development Programme (which has so far accredited over 53,000 learners as literate and numerate), fighting poverty, social justice (including justice for children), supporting those whose culture often demands early marriage, relief funding (usually due to war or famine) as well as providing holidays for needy families; there are numerous smaller local projects. MU lobbies local and national governments on issues affecting family life and campaigns to challenge legislation that neglects the vulnerable and marginalized; MU is also represented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The Mothers Union is working! In common with other organisations The Mothers’ Union has suffered from the recent downturn in the financial markets and the weakness of sterling has increased expenditure in local currency. Overseas spending was reduced by 30% last year and Mothers’ Union worldwide transport budgets are down by 60%. To address the latter, there is currently a ‘Wheels Appeal’ to raise money for vital aid transport, without which the
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“Total Quality Nursing Care”
West Oak Care Home Murray Road, Wokingham Tel: 0118 979 5100
Sara Gallagher - Home Manager Web: www.barchester.com
Do you need an NHS Dentist? All patients are welcome at our surgery: 56, Easthampstead Road Wokingham Telephone: 979 1551 The placement of adverts in this magazine does not signify any endorsement or confirmation of quality of either products or services offered.
Flowers For All Occasions FULLER’S 6 Denmark Street, Wokingham 978 7183 THE CHIMNEY SWEEP - EXPERIENCED AND CLEAN Contact Mr. M. Blair 0118 934 2799 Member of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps
Don’t forget to let our advertisers know you saw their ad in the All Saints Parish Magazine!
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MU cannot run their family support projects or get crucial aid to the families who need it. Total membership is growing rapidly worldwide; unfortunately this is not true of the UK which provides the majority of the MU’s funding. New membership is not keeping pace with those lost through death or allowing their membership to lapse. We commend Mothers Union membership to all, male or female, parent or not. There are many facets to being an MU member and members bring different skills: some work hard on projects; others contribute significantly with the prayers which underpin all the MU’s work. All pay an annual subscription (currently around £20) which allows budgeting for vital work This annual sub. could form part of your charitable giving. The only requirement for membership is that you are a baptised Christian who supports ours Aims and Objects for family life. Most members join a local branch but it is also possible to be a Diocesan Member or a Central Member; correspondence is then by post although you are still eligible to join in local events. Please consider carefully whether you are able to join the Mothers’ Union or renew your lapsed membership. More information on The Mothers Union’s work worldwide can be found on the website www.themothersunion.org or contact Valerie or Mary. Thank you
Dates for your Diary
Branch news
A reminder that we will be collecting for the MU diocese project providing items for parents visiting the John Radcliffe Hospital children’s ward at our September meeting and Sunday coffee (12th September). The items requested are razors, toiletries, cot sheets, T-towels, instant coffee, chocolate or Horlicks sachets, soap powder (washing powder), tea bags, small biscuits, magazines (old ones are fine) and small toys (pocket money toys) to share with siblings. Our September meeting will be on the new day, Wednesday 22nd, i.e. the 4th Wednesday of the month. We are delighted to be welcoming Rev
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Caroline Kramer who will lead an evening Eucharist; this will be followed by a short informal meeting. Corporate Communion will remain on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and will continue as usual in August. For branch information or a lift to meetings, please call Valerie (978 7363) or Mary (978 2678). Tues 10th Aug
9.30am
Corporate Communion
Sun 12th Sep Tues 14th Sep Wed 22nd Sep
9.30am 7.45pm
Coffee after 9.30am service Corporate Communion Branch meeting – Evening Eucharist led by Rev Caroline Kramer.
BREAKFAST A continental breakfast will be held in the Cornerstone following the 8.00am service (you might prefer to come before the 9.30am service) on Sunday 28th November. Everybody very welcome – there is no need to book – just come along. If you have any particular dietary requirements please contact Diana 9792614
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HARVEST FESTIVAL FLOWERS Harvest Festival - SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER Although we are all now looking forward to a glorious summer and lovely holidays, it won’t be too long before harvest will be here again and now is our time for forward planning! Each year we make and distribute flowers to the local care homes, elderly members of the congregation, the sick and housebound, home communicants and those bereaved during the past year. Each year our request for help is so generously responded to by many of you. As for previous years, I would like to say a very big thank you. I hope this year you will be able to be equally generous with your time, enthusiasm, generosity and skills. DONATIONS REQUIRED: This year we need to replenish our financial resources, to ensure Harvest Flowers can be bought. Please look out for the forthcoming retiring collection and give what you can. Any monies over and above requirements will be kept in a fund for harvest flowers in subsequent years. We are in need of small, round clear plastic containers, without lids, of the sort used by the supermarkets to put fresh olives in. They must have no writing on please. If you have any, please save them. They can be donated to me (please call for collection/ deliveries!). Or perhaps you can provide some greenery or berries from your garden (for small arrangements) on the morning of Saturday 26th September? Just bring them to church on the day. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: We are also looking for assistance on Saturday morning the 26th September to make small flower arrangements. You do not even need to be a flower arranger and the junior children are welcome to get
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involved too, though we do ask that you accompany them. All flowers will be provided, but greenery and berries suitable for small arrangements would be greatly appreciated. If you could also bring a pair of secateurs / scissors with which you can cut the greenery, it would also help. We usually spend a pleasant morning in the corner of the church whilst the flower arrangers work their magic on larger arrangements in the church. You are welcome to pop in for half an hour or as long as you like! After the Harvest Festival, we are very much in need of firm offers of help from volunteers on Monday morning 28th September from 9am, who can assist in distributing the flowers to a number of addresses in the local neighbourhood. Please meet at church and maps will be provided if necessary. It helps if you have the use of a car. We aim for each person to deliver no more than about 6 or 8 arrangements in a similar locality but obviously, the more volunteers we have, the fewer deliveries per person! Deliver as few or as many as you like. They all contain small greeting cards, and all that needs to be said is “With compliments from All Saints Church, Wokingham�, or you are welcome to let them know they are in our thoughts and prayers. If they are not in, they can be left on the doorstep. It is not an onerous task and it is often a delight to receive some of the responses first hand. Please don’t be shy about coming forward! Finally, can I say a big thank you once again, to all those who assist in any way with these things, whether it be once in a while or consistently each year, whether it be through spiritual support through prayer or physical support over the harvest festival weekend, it really helps to make a difference to those who most need to know we care. With gratitude, as always, Sue James 0118 978 4339
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Group of the Month THE TREASURY TEAM The Treasury Team has been selected as August's 'Group of the Month'. It can honestly be said that we have never met as a team, but nevertheless if a team can be defined as a group of people all with a common purpose that works hard for one another then we are definitely a team. The job of PCC Treasurer in a parish like ours is certainly too big for one person to do. So the job is shared out. Every transaction needs to be carefully entered into our computer system. That means every cheque that's paid in or out. And some, such as those for weddings, generate 6 - 10 transactions. This task also covers every standing order including all those hundreds that result from pledges. John Alp is deputy treasurer and he takes care of all this bookentry side of things and the reconciliation to the bank statements. The generation of cheques to our suppliers and to a surprising number of other people is the job of Margaret Hawkins. Margaret prepares the cheques, ready for countersignature, and addresses the envelopes and keeps a careful log. It won't be a surprise that we have to pay the salaries of our paid staff. Which means that we need someone who administers our payroll, keeping on the right side of the demands of HM Revenue. Dickon Snell fulfils this valuable role. Then there's Jo Robinson who collects all the cheques that we receive each week and pays them into the bank. And of course it doesn't stop there because there has to be a sound paper trail that can substantiate the accounts. We also have close links to another team - the Monday Club. These stalwarts are the people who count the church services' collections and pay
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them into the bank. Another invaluable job. Peter Whittaker is strictly speaking on the Stewardship team but he's certainly an honorary member of the treasury team. Peter is the person who turns every envelope and every standing order into 128% of its value, by the careful administration of our gift-aid scheme. Peter also has to keep in HM Revenue's good books! And I sit back and let the others do the work! Well not exactly. It's my job to apply the final touch to all the accounts, to make sure that the PCC doesn't spend money it doesn't have, to prepare the annual budget, to report to PCC and Finance Committee regularly on the state of the accounts, and the biggest job of all - preparing the annual accounts. The job does have its better moments, and one special moment for me is when I send out the cheques to our mission agencies, in response to All Saints' commitment to give away 10% of our donated income. People like USPG or CMS or the Mildmay Hospital are so grateful for the money we send them. It's so good to be involved in a church that cares so much for the needs around the world. Please pray for us in our work. Whilst the team as such is not directly involved in spreading the Gospel or good works on behalf of the church, we are central to the facilitation of all such work. Without the money being collected and distributed All Saints would seize up. Pray that the team will continue to be inspired to undertake their roles. Pray for successors for each of us when we eventually stop. And while you're about it, talk to our Lord about whether that volunteer shouldn't be you. Stephen Smith (PCC Treasurer) (There’s a special cartoon in honour of our Group of the Month on page 43.)
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Music List August/September 2010 Sunday Service
Trinity 9 - 1st August Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Org LA
Hymns Service
Evening Prayer
---
Sunday Service Hymns
Trinity 10 - 8th August Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Service
Evening Prayer
Sunday Service Hymns
Trinity 11 - Assumption Day - 15th August Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Service
Evening Prayer
Sunday Service Hymns
Trinity 12 - 22nd August Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Service
Evening Prayer
Sunday Service
Trinity 13 - 29th August Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
SRB
---
SRB
---
SRB
---
SRB
Hymns Final Voluntary Service
Evening Prayer
---
Sunday Service
Trinity 14 - Creationtime begins - 5th September Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Hymns Music Final Voluntary
* * NO CHOIR * * Scherzo - Eugène Gigout
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DAR
Music List August/September 2010
Service
Said Evensong with Piano
Org ---
Sunday Service
Trinity 15 - Creationtime - 12th September Eucharist: Archer - St. Mark's Setting
DAR
Hymns
(117)
Music Final Voluntary
Turn thy face from my sins - Attwood Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Handel
Service
Choral Evensong
Introit
Rejoice in the Lord alway - Anon
Psalms
124 & 125
Canticles Hymns Music Final Voluntary
Blow in Dorian Mode O Lord, increase our faith - Loosemore "Little" Prelude & Fugue in E minor (BWV 533) - J S Bach
Sunday Service Psalm Hymns Music
Trinity 16 - Creationtime - 19th September Eucharist (Healing): Archer - St Mark's Setting 113 (108) O Lord, the maker of all thing - Mundy
Final Voluntary
A Trumpet Voluntary - John Stanley
Service
Said Evensong with Piano
Sunday Service Hymns Music
Trinity 17 - Harvest Festival - 26th September Whole Church Communion
Final Voluntary
Tuba Tune - C S Lang
Service
Evening Prayer
DAR
DAR
---
DAR
For the fruits of his creation - Francis Jackson
---
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Parish Diary August 2010
Sunday
Trinity 9
Monday to Saturday
1
2 08.00am
Holy Communion
3
Tu Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion
4
We Flower Guild
11.15am
**No Service
5
Th Julian Group
06.30pm
Evening Prayer
6
Fr
7
Sa
8
9
Mo
Holy Communion
Trinity 10
10
Tu Mothers' Union
09.30am
Parish Communion
11
We
11.15am
**No Service
12
Th
3.00pm
**No Service
13
Fr
6.30pm
Evening Prayer
08.00am
14
Sa
16
Mo
Holy Communion
17
Tu Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion
18
We All Saints Fellowship
11.15am
**No Service
19
Th Healing Prayer Group
3.00pm
**No Service
20
Fr
6.30pm
Evening Prayer
21
Sa
23
Mo
15
Blessed Virgin Mary
08.00am
22
Trinity 12
08.00am
Holy Communion
24
Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
25
We
11.15am
**No Service
26
Th
Evening Prayer
27
Fr
28
Sa
6.30pm
29
30
Mo
Holy Communion
Trinity 13
31
Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
1
We September
11.15am
**No Service
2
Th
3.00pm
and 4.30: Holy Baptism
3
Fr
6.30pm
Healing Service
4
Sa
08.00am
24
page
Mo
8
10
24
Parish Diary September 2010
Sunday
Creationtime 1
Monday to Saturday
5 08.00am
6
Mo
Holy Communion
7
Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
8
We
11.15am
**No Service
9
Th
06.30pm
Said Evensong
10 Fr
12
Creationtime 2
13 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
14 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
15 We
11.15am
Holy Communion BCP
16 Th
06.30pm
Choral Evensong
17 Fr
Mother's Union
page
10
Julian Group
11 Sa
18 Sa 19
Creationtime 3
20 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
21 Tu
Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion
22 We
All Saints Fellowship
34
11.15am
**No Service
23 Th
Healing Prayer Group
28
02.00pm
Baptism
24 Fr
06.30pm
Said Evensong
25 Sa
26
Harvest Sunday Creationtime 4
27 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
28 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion Whole Church
29 We
11.15am
**No Service
30 Th
3 00pm
Holy Baptism
1
Fr
06.30pm
Healing Service
2
Sa
Forthcoming Events
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October
Holidays that Heal This is the time of year when most people, especially those with families, are taking their annual holidays. These holidays, of course, take many forms, depending on what we are looking for in them. For families with young children it will generally be a time by the seaside to enjoy the sunshine and swimming and visits to places of amusement. These days more and more people go abroad for this type of holiday to be assured of good weather. Others will be looking for a time of travel and adventure, perhaps to places in our own British Isles which they love or may not have visited before, or to foreign countries. I am sure that those who enjoy cruising will agree that if you are looking for a time of being thoroughly spoilt, then this is the type of holiday for you. The food is, from our experience, of high quality, your cabin is looked after for you, you can please yourself whether you choose to just laze on the sundeck or take part in the various activities provided, or make shore visits to places of interest. I have even played golf at the famous golf course of the Belfry, thanks to a very convincing golf simulator! From the cultural point of view, all ships have a very good library, and most provide some facilities for worship. Many of you will recall Bob Boyd of blessed memory. He was in his eighties when he went on a world cruise. He used to keep us informed of all the interesting and exotic places he visited with post cards to the parish office. I know he made many new friends during those three months of his cruise. Soon after his return he moved to Exeter to be near his family. Sadly he died about two years ago. Whatever our choice of holiday, we are looking for a change from our daily routine, to do things we enjoy, to broaden our knowledge and ex-
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perience, so that we return with a fresh enthusiasm for living. Through being relieved of the hectic routine of daily living we find time to take stock of our relationship with our God and Creator, by means of suitable readings and meditation. My Oxford dictionary tells me that the origin of the word ‘holiday’ is the old word ‘haligdaeg’, which meant ‘holy day’. We recall what the Bible’s creation story says in Genesis chapter 2, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work he had done in creation”. Hence the seventh day became a ‘holy day’, a day on which our Creator, even with all his power, found it necessary to take a rest from his labours. Furthermore when God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments through Moses, the fourth Commandment was, “Observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, as the Lord commanded you. Six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.”. (Deut 5.12 - 14) So the message for us today is that our holidays, although they may be restful, in the sense of laying about being lazy, or being active doing the things we enjoy but do not normally have time for, they are a time for taking a break from our daily routine of work, coping with the various demands that are made on our time in the family environment and in the voluntary work we undertake. As Christians, our time on holiday should give us the opportunity to take stock of our relationship with our Lord and his creation and enable us to return home with a deeper awareness of all the blessings of this life and an eagerness to serve and worship our Lord with renewed vigour. Jack Hayley Members of the Group are Gill Allen, Maggie Bateman, Jack Hayley, 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 15th August. The next Healing Service will be held on Sunday 25th September at 6.30pm.
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News from our School As we come to the end of the second year for our new school it is very pleasing to be able to report some real progress. Our pupils and staff have been complimented by independent observers and visitors on their achievements and attitude. We also at last have agreement to capital funding supported by both local government and the diocese. After 18months of planning, often I am afraid to say with long periods of delay and frustration, the Governors are preparing to submit plans to the local council early this autumn for approval for a significant building project. It was always felt by the Governors and staff that to really weld the two original schools together as one, a physical link between the two buildings was needed. Tina Norman our wonderful Head has always strongly believed in the enormous benefit for all the pupils if the teaching and support staff were not fragmented around the building in different offices and staff rooms, but could meet and work from a single staff room and office area. The proposed design has cleverly linked the buildings together, addressed the car parking issue, and provides a new library, office space and single entrance to the school, whilst leaving the swimming pool unaffected. The proposal frees up space in the existing buildings to create a new single dining hall, staff room and importantly solves the environmental issue in the Oaks (formerly Palmer) building created by the covering over some years ago of the central courtyard. It is proposed that following full approvals the building work will start in January to be ready for the new academic year 2011-12. All our children are special, but at All Saints School we do have some very special children, and the facilities these children so richly deserve will be brought up to a very high standard. By fast tracking this part of the project we will provide a much improved and expanded physiotherapy area and a new disabled bathroom and toilet for the start of the next academic year. Parents have taken the trouble to write and express appreciation of the
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sportsmanship and discipline shown by our children in the recent District Sports. A distinguished external drama specialist has written to say how impressed she was with the school ethos demonstrated by the children as well as the level of performance achieved in their Shakespeare production. Our termly local authority ‘inspection’ was highly impressed with plans in place for next year. We are clearly on the right track! Robert Newman Foundation Governor The Foundation Governors of All Saints School will be our 'Group of the Month ' for September. Please remember the governors, all the children, and all who teach, work or help at the school in your prayers especially during this month.
Mothers Quiz: Answers (from pg.9)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Elizabeth Judy Garland Hannah Vera Brittain Jochebed Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco) Eve Dame Maggie Smith Sarah Queen Victoria
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All Saints’ Fellowship We hope you had an enjoyable summer and now welcome back to Fellowship held in the Cornerstone De Vitre room on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.45pm for 7.55pm. The cost to visitors is £1.50 which includes coffee and contact for Fellowship is Diana Clifford 9792614 Wed. 15th Sept. RAILWAYS & HOLIDAYS - a presentation with Mr. Gordon Stephenson about the part played by railways in opening up seaside holidays.
Dates for your Diary
Wed. 21st Oct. HISTORY OF POLICE – with Mr. Ken Wells. Many of you will have sent a happy evening laughing at Ken in productions at Wokingham Theatre. Now he comes to Fellowship with his ‘real’ job as Curator at Sulhamstead Thames Valley Police Training College. Wed. 17th Nov.
BEETLE DRIVE t.b.c.
Wed. 15th Dec. CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER including, we are delighted to say, a visit from All Saints Church Hand Bell Ringers. EVELYN REMEMBERED BEFORE HER UNTIMELY PASSING OUR MEMBER AND FRIEND EVELYN GODDARD CHOSE THE BERKSHIRE CANCER CENTRE AT THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE HOSPITAL AS OUR CHARITY FOR THE YEAR. IN LOVING MEMORY OF EVELYN WE WILL BE HOLDING A CAKE STALL IN THE CORNERSTONE FOLLOWING THE 9.30am SERVICE ON SUNDAY 19th SEPTEMBER. PLEASE COME AND BUY A CAKE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT LOCAL CHARITY AND IN MEMORY OF EVELYN WHO GAVE HER LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND HARD WORK TO SO MANY. THANK YOU
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Notes from the July PCC meeting We addressed a number of “Items for Decision” this month and a brief summary of the discussion outcomes follows: Future of Little Steps: PCC agreed to support Little Steps, the Mother and Toddler group, meeting in the Cornerstone, to the end of Summer Term 2011. Vision Renewal: We shall be looking again at our strategic goals as a church, especially in the light of our discussions to employ a Youth Worker and Revd Caroline’s work in the Parish. Charitable support for External Agencies: The general policy of the church’s giving, having been reviewed in recent months, was agreed: that mission giving is a high priority, that 10% of donated income should be given away and that Christian organisations, in the main, should be the beneficiaries. Our favoured core beneficiaries to continue as USPG, CMS and Bible Society, with additional beneficiaries to be suggested by the congregation. Ringing Chamber funding: Funding was agreed for work to the Ringing Chamber which would entail: Glazing the archway between the church and the ringing chamber with no damage to a chalk arch in our listed building. Installing equipment to control the temperature of the ringing chamber Allowing organ and bells to be played simultaneously. Other matters for PCC approval were the Health and Safety Policy and Risk Assessment Annual update. PCC were informed of the following on-going matters: Strategic Budget Review (Youth Worker funding); Church’s income update. Mike Moulds These notes are a personal view; the official report will be in the PCC minutes
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From a distance............ From a distance might I be permitted to offer some thoughts on the Lady Chapel ‘pew’ discussion ? (Although ‘at a distance’ I am still an occasional visitor to All Saints mainly during the week when visiting our family at Woosehill – my last visit was in May.) What we must never lose sight of is that the primary purpose of a church is to be a building where all can worship Almighty God – it is not a place of entertainment. We seek to worship Almighty God with all our heart, mind and soul. To offer our wholesome worship in this way, waiting and listening to Almighty God, singing His praise, offering Him in humility our petitions, seeking His guidance, asking for His forgiveness, we must do our best to eliminate all distractions. So the contents of a church such as furnishings must be for the purpose of leading our worship ‘Godward’ – even at the expense from time to time of having to set aside our personal preferences. The Lady Chapel at All Saints’ as with other parish churches where there is a Lady Chapel, marks out that part of the church which is especially dedicated to quietness and stillness to enable an individual or a ‘cell’ of individuals to indeed be still and quiet. Equally it is that part of a church where with a smaller congregation on days other than a Sunday can capture a greater union or ‘bond’ than if they were spread out in the nave of the church. And all this spiritual activity takes place in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament as it is reserved in the Lady Chapel. Here all can seek to work and pray towards holiness. In waiting on and directing our thoughts to Almighty God there is the need through necessity to discard those things within our sight which serve to jar against our pursuit of access to Almighty God - and He to us ! But a modicum of comfort should not be ignored. If ‘to pray is to work’ then we need the right conditions in order to work in our praying. There are conditions required for our bodies and conditions required for our minds. For if the body is not at ease and the mind becomes troubled the journey into the awe and wonder of Almighty God is hampered.
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE Joint Chair – Mavis Mason 9792940 Diana Clifford 9792614
DIARY All events in Cornerstone
Dates for your Diary
Sun. 3rd Oct.
Children’s Activity Table after 9.30am service
Sun. 10th Oct.
Refreshments for all – two or four legged after 3.00pm Animal Blessing Church Service
Sun. 17th Oct.
Coffee-time Café after 9.30am service
Sun. 7th Nov.
Children’s Activity Table after 9.30am service
Sun. 21st Nov.
Children’s Activity Table after 9.30am service
Sun. 28th Nov.
Children’s Activity Table after 9.30am service
Sun. 12th Dec.
Tea following 4.00pm Christingle Church Service
Sun. 19th Dec.
Mulled Wine & Mince Pies after 9.30am service Also after 11.15am service to be confirmed
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So as far as the ‘pew’ or ‘chair’ discussion goes then we need to ask some fundamental questions. Would the provision of chairs instead of pews enable us to have comfort of body bearing knowing they do move around, they are difficult to kneel against, each has its own seat area, and so on ? Being chairs would they cause us more distraction than with pews ? Would we feel comfortable in a half circle where our beings are directed towards the person(s) opposite (and their fidgetings!) and not towards the Altar, its surroundings and the Blessed Sacrament ? Do we really want to be forced to look at each other and so be drawn away from dwelling on Almighty God ? We may think that we know the answers to these two questions but can we have those answers without the personal experience of time ‘working at praying’ in the Lady Chapel itself ? Perhaps those who are to decide, and those with strong views either way, would benefit in coming to a decision by spending at least half an hour or so each week between now and September in the Lady Chapel itself –waiting on Almighty God to discover to where He might lead ! With best wishes to you all. Rev’d. Alan Clements Chorley June 2010
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HELP!
JUST 120 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME
Wokingham Volunteer Centre operates a low cost transport scheme to enable those who cannot use public transport get to their hospital/doctor appointments Due to the increase in demand for our help we have recently had to let some of our clients down. We desperately need more drivers (we naturally pay for your petrol). We would love to be able to expand the driving scheme to enable us to take people shopping or for a short outing to say a garden centre. However, to operate this service we do need the help of more drivers. If you can spare just a couple of hours a week to help with this scheme, or with any other opportunities available throughout the district we would like to hear
from you.
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Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals Cruelty to Animals Continues Reports of continuing cruelty to animals come to me from different animal welfare organisations. Animal Aid, with backing from the RSPCA, CIWF, and the Soil Association, is hoping to have CCTV cameras installed in every slaughterhouse in Britain, starting this year. This could prevent some of the worst suffering for millions of animals in abattoirs. A recent investigation was at Tom Lang Ltd, a Soil Association approved abattoir where one would expect higher standards. However, pigs were seen being beaten and kicked in the head, shackled before being stunned, sheep being lifted and thrown by their fleeces and having their heads cut off whilst still alive. Such slaughterhouses are certainly not humane. Factory farming continues; a recent UN report concludes that meat production is responsible for 18 per cent of global carbon emissions – more than cars, planes, trains and boats combined. The dog meat trade in the Philippines continues; many of the dogs caught up are stolen family pets. They can have their front legs cruelly forced over their shoulders and tied with twine, their soft muzzles are tied so tightly that they can hardly breathe. Crushed into cages for days of agonizing pain, fear, thirst and hunger, they are finally brutally butchered. Corrupt officials, policemen, even judges turn a blind eye in the name of money or indifference. It is good to know that Bishop Dominic, now Bishop of Monmouth, is the new President of ASWA. Marcelle Williams
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ARE YOU THE MISSING PERSON? If you are a caring person and would like to help those in the community who are less fortunate than ourselves, and enjoy a good social life as well, why not come along to one of Wokingham Lions Club’s meetings to find out more about us and what we do? We are well known for organising the Wokingham May Fayre – but due to this, and other successful events, we need more members to follow our international motto – “We Serve”. We meet at the Committee Room, Wokingham Town Hall on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for 8:00. Or contact Wokingham Lions Club on 0845 833 7384 for further details. www.wokinghamlions.org.uk
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Baptisms 27 June
Marriage 12 June Burial 21 June
Ruby Megan Willis James Mark Willis Noah Thomas Gibbs Absalom Joseph Wilson Charlie Absalom Wilson Samuel Ethan Weston Matthew Lawrence Weston Shayne Mathew Wright with Emma Louise Player Ivy Alice West
Age 82
Burial of Ashes 11 June June Elizabeth Hosegood 7 July Sidney Andrew Dunn 12 July Evelyn Mary Goddard
Age 79 Age 84 Age 71
At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 30 June Moya Rae Harris 20 July Edna Gladys Harrison
Age 74 Age 93
Number of Sundays Sundays Week days
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