From the Rector — August/September 2011 Like the schools many parish groups and activities close during August. There are less people around to run them. But I want to assure you that not everything stops in August. Sunday by Sunday there will be services in church as usual. Some services will be slightly simplified, and with less music; but nonetheless much thought and preparation will have gone into them, as ever. At Sunday morning services in August we will be taking a look at some of the bible themes which are at the root of a living faith in God. Whilst Creche, Junior and Youth Church groups are closed, and the Choir is having a break after it’s Cathedral Week, still there will be provision made at Parish Communion services in August for children who attend. During the week we will continue to offer Communion services on Tuesday mornings at 9.30am and “Wednesday Mums” will meet weekly at 10am throughout the school holidays. We plan to maintain the daily prayers at 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday throughout August. Volunteers, for whom we are most grateful, will be available in the Parish Office whilst Mrs Jo Asplin is on holiday; even if the opening hours will be necessarily reduced. Many of us enjoy, and need, a break from routine and time off, whether with family or on holiday travels, during August. God’s church here in Wokingham does not go away – not even in August! Our praises to God for the love given to us in Christ; and our prayers for the needs of people near and far, will continue to be offered every single day. We can do this because God’s church is not only the clergy nor even only the church leadership, but it is all of us together; sharing our gifts and our efforts to make a difference in this community. From the very start of September through to early October we will celebrate the season of Creationtime. This season includes Harvest Festival Sunday – with another of our popular “Sunday Plus” sessions after the 9.30am service ending in a delicious Harvest bring-and-share
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lunch – and the Service of Thanksgiving for Creation with Blessing of Animals led by the Bishop of Reading. Creationtime is a recently developed liturgical season in the church calendar, observed internationally and ecumenically, and recommended by the Diocese of Oxford. Like all special liturgical seasons in the church year Creationtime points us to the great actions of God - in this case creation and the renewal of creation in Christ. It is a season for praising God, and for celebrating God's love and will in creating and sustaining the whole created order and our lives as creatures. It is for enjoying the goodness and beauty of the creation which the Bible speaks of; and also acknowledging the finitude of creation and the impact of human sin. It helps us recognise the need for renewal and transformation. It assures us of God's grace and wisdom in giving us the freedom in Christ and power in the Spirit to work with God in transforming the world as part of God's mission. It is therefore like all liturgical seasons a challenge to our discipleship in Christ and a claiming of the grace and gifts of God in enabling us to respond to that challenge. During Creationtime this year we plan to focus on the theme of food; using as a starting point the material from the Christian environmental group A Rocha who have produced a resource for churches called Just Food which gives themes and ideas for each Sunday. What we want to avoid doing in this season is to replicate those secular campaigns on topical issues which end up being guilt-inducing exhortations to do more or change our ways. We do need to change our ways of course but we hopefully come to this with a positive sense of God's grace and goodness; and a can-do approach! Whether you do have time off this August or not I hope that you will have time to stop a little to pray and reflect that God’s love is never off duty and as God’s church we are always here for one another. David Hodgson
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Another Barn Dance Remember the fun we had last October at the Barn Dance? Well, we are going to have another this year – on Saturday 1st October. As last time, we will have a bring-and-share supper and some great dancing. We have an excellent band and it costs a bit less than last time, so we have reduced the ticket price to £8 for an adult and £2 for a child, or a maximum of £20 for a family. †We have also changed the time a bit to make it easier for children – we will start at 6 pm and finish just after 10. Tickets from Margaret Raggett (margaret.raggett@icplocal.com or 01189629378) or Anne King (anne@bardofamily.co.uk or 07768 923608) or after most 9.30 services. Please buy them soon – as there is only a limited number available to ensure there is room for dancing. Thank you. Anne King
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 October:
Sept. 18th 2011
Collation:
Sept. 30th 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 Rachel Knowles 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 7065 978 8506 978 5520 978 5694 978 1515 979 2797 979 7911 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
Pastoral Care contacts Home Communion Barbara Smith Healing Prayer Group Jack Hayley Pastoral Care contact Jo Robinson Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals Parish Office Churchyard Steward John Smith Transportation Susan Westgate Clergy days off:
David Caroline Colin Michael
962 9792 978 1044 978 9730 978 6225 377 4194 978 8506 979 4407 977 1041 977 1041 979 4407 978 3939 978 9730 979 2797 979 0948 977 1041 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.
11.00 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) Family Service (2nd Sunday) Holy Communion. A said service using the Book of Common Prayer.
11.00am
(3rd Sunday) Family Services
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 Our next Guild meeting will be on Wednesday September 7th, as usual, we will meet in the Cornerstone ready for an 8pm start. The demonstration will be based on an arrangement for autumn which will feature flowers fruit and vegetables. Dahlias, sedums, michaelmas daisies, golden rod, rudbekia and crocosmia are examples of suitable autumn flowers. You might like to consider converting a vegetable into a container, for a small arrangement you could use a pepper or an aubergine. For something larger you could recess a container into a slightly hollowed out pumpkin or melon. These arrangements are especially suitable for placing in a kitchen or on a buffet table; they may also give you some ideas for harvest festival decorations. Nearer the time we will put pictures of possible arrangements on the guild cupboard in the vestry. Dates for your diary: Saturday September 24th from 9.30am Decorating the church for Harvest Festival Saturday December 3rd in the Cornerstone at 10am Put this date in your diary now, we will be running a Christmas workshop morning when you can make Christmas decorations which can be kept in your garage ready for Christmas. Flowers in church during August and September Aug 7th Mrs P Gilbey Mrs G Houghton tba 14th Mrs S Richards 21st Mrs A Welch Mrs S Watson th 28 Mrs M Holden Miss B Branson Mrs S Boylan Sep 4th Mrs L Draper th 11 Mrs M Whitaker Mrs G Jones 8
PG/GH PG AW VB SB MW/GJ
18th
Mrs J Mellor
25th
Harvest Festival
Mrs L Barrell Mrs L Hatt
KT
For information contact: Pam Gilbey (978 5694) Hazel Matthews (978 6700) or Lucille Taylor (978 6847)
Group of the Month for September
The August Group of the Month can be found on pg. 30
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Mothers’ Union group from Wheels Appeal Local Mothers’ Union women in poor countries regularly drive or walk for days in baking heat or driving rain to visit the sick, to be with the dying and to support those left behind. They go to teach people to avoid terminal sicknesses like AIDS; they go to help people get themselves out of oppressive poverty; they support families living in fear of guerrilla soldiers. They travel huge distances; there are hardly any tarmac roads; virtually no-one can afford a vehicle; journeys take many hours, if not days by car. They visit places where there are no phones, computers or postal service – most people cannot read so a leaflet would be useless. As an example, in a remote village, people may be dying of a sickness that they have no idea how to treat or prevent, where nearly every family has lost someone to HIV/AIDS. A visit from an MU worker will help people learn how to prevent the disease and to care for those already affected. To make this visit, the worker requires enough money to hire a four-wheel drive vehicle from a local church and for fuel and food for the round trip, which may take several days. As in this country, fuel prices have risen. Travel grants are available from The Mothers’ Union, but these have suffered since the economic recession hit and shifted exchange rates drastically. Unlike us, these MU workers cannot just jump on a bus or pop something in the post and they are unable to afford many journeys. This autumn, our MU branch will be raising money for this appeal. Donations to the MU can also be made directly online. Branch news Our guest speaker on 28th September is Jane Bingham. Jane, a former county and division commissioner, will talk about her trip, as part of a
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Berkshire, to the Sangam Girlguiding Centre in India and their work in the local community there. Anyone interested is welcome to join us. 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 2678). Tues 9th Aug
9.30am
Sun 11th Sep
Corporate Communion – Mary Sumner Day Coffee after 9.30am service in aid of the Wheels Appeal
Tues 13th Sep
9.30am
Corporate Communion.
Wed 28th Sep
7.45 for 8.00pm
Branch Meeting – Jane Bingham on her Girlguiding trip to India.
On Wednesday 13th July the Rt. Revd. Andrew Proud, Bishop of Reading, made his first visit since his recent appointment, to All Saints Church Wokingham to confirm four candidates and receive one other into the Church of England. Prior to coming to Reading Bishop Andrew worked in Ethiopia.
Nathalie Woodham, Clare Child, Sue Howard, Deborah O'Leary and Ruth Payne with Bishop Andrew and other members of the clergy
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HARVEST FESTIVAL FLOWERS (Harvest Festival - SUNDAY 25th SEPTEMBER) Although we are all now enjoying our glorious summer and looking forward to the holidays (or perhaps some are lucky enough to have been on holiday already!), Harvest Festival will be here again sooner than we think. It is time again 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 an enormous thank you; we could not achieve it without your fabulous support. I hope this year you will still be able to partake in any small way you feel able. 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. (I have limited storage space, so please could I request you contact me in September when you can hand them to me at church or I can call to collect them?) Or perhaps you can provide some greenery or berries from your garden (for small arrangements) on the morning of Saturday 24th September? Just bring them to church from 9am on the day. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: We are also looking for assistance on Saturday morning the 24th September to make small flower arrangements. You do not even need to be a flower arranger or an expert and the junior children are welcome to get involved too, though we do ask that you accompany them. All flowers will be provided, but greenery and berries suitable for
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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 26th 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 are all with small 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 9784339
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2012 OLYMPIC GAMES : THE RACE BEFORE US Hebrews 12:1 ..... let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us Want to be involved in something special? Are you enthusiastic? Have some spare time? Over the summer holidays, please could you think about becoming involved in a fantastic opportunity for All Saints to take part in organising an event(s) for the local community, and let me know at the beginning of September if you would like to be part of something very special. The Diocese of Oxford has launched a project called The Race Before Us. This is the name given by them for churches getting involved with the Olympic Games in a once-in-a-life time chance to make the most of the opportunities that the Games will offer. This will be done through Community (outreach), Hospitality and Service. The Diocese is working with a Christian organisation called More Than Gold (who inspired millions at the Atlanta, Sydney and Beijing Olympics). They are keeping me up-to-date with information of possible things we could do. Some ideas are screening of the Games; fancy dress party with Olympic theme; quiz evenings and so on. People around the world will be caught up in the London 2012 Games, and nowhere more so than in Britain and we should, therefore, be making the most of the opportunities that the Games offer. The PCC have voted that their wish is for All Saints to be involved before, during or after the 2012 Olympics. I have been asked to be your ‘champion’ with a team of people to carry out their wishes and to hold an event(s). We will start with a blank canvas so if you are enthusiastic and ready to run would you like to join me? Jo Robinson 0118 9789730 Anicetouch_2000@hotmail.com
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Parish Diary August Sunday
7
Trinity 7 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am Parish Communion 11.00am Family Service 06.30pm Evening Prayer
Sunday
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Trinty 8 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am Parish Communion 11.15am ***No Service 06.30pm Evening Prayer
Sunday
Fri.
21
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08.00am 09.30am 11.00am 06:30pm
Trinity 9 Holy Communion Parish Communion (Laying on Hands) Family Service Evening Prayer
Trinity 10 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am 11.15pm 3/4.30pm 06:30pm
Parish Communion (not Whole Church) ***No Service Holy Baptism Evening Prayer NO CHOIR THIS MONTH
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Parish Diary September Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
Sunday
4
11
18
25
Creationtime 1 08.00am
Holy Communion
09.30am
Parish Communion
11.00 am
Family Service
06.30pm
Evening Prayer
Creationtime 2 08.00am
Holy Communion
09.30am
Parish Communion
11.15am
Eucharist (BCP)
06.30pm
Choral Evensong
Creationtime 3 08.00am
Holy Communion
09.30am
Parish Communion
11.00am
Family Service
12.00pm 06.30pm
Holy Baptism Healing Service
Creationtime 4 08.00am
11.15am
Holy Communion Parish Communion (Whole Church) Choral Matins
3/4.30pm 06.30pm
Holy Baptism Choral Eucharist
09.30am
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Music List August-Sept 2011
Sunday
Trinity 7 - 7th August
Org
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
LA
Service
Evening Prayer
---
Sunday
Trinity 8 - 14th August
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
LA
Service
Evening Prayer
---
Sunday
Trinity 9 - 21st August
Service
Eucharist (Healing): Archer - St Mark's Setting
LA
Service
Evening Prayer
---
Sunday
Trinity 10 - 28th August
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
LA
Evening Prayer
---
Hymns
Hymns
Hymns
Hymns
Service
Sunday
Trinity 11 - Creationtime begins - 4th September
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
LA
Evening Prayer
---
Hymns
Service
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Music List August-Sept 2011
Sunday Service
Trinity 12 - Creationtime 2 - 11th September Eucharist: Archer - St. Mark's Setting
Hymns
(69a) HON
Music
Be still, my soul - Sibelius
Final Voluntary
Echo Fantasia - Sweelinck
Service Introit
Choral Evensong O Holy Spirit - Tye
Responses
Reading
Psalm
119, vv. 41-64
Canticles
Gibbons Short Service
Hymns
AMNS
Org DAR
DAR
Music
O Nata Lux - Tallis
Final Voluntary
Introduction-Chorale and Menuet Gothique - Boëllman
Sunday Service
Trinity 13 - Creationtime 3 - 18th September Eucharist (Healing): Archer - St Mark's Setting
Psalm
145 vv1 - 8
Hymns
(426a) HON
Music
Author of life divine - Archer
Final Voluntary
Pæan (Five Short Pieces) - Percy Whitlock
Service
Said Evensong with Piano
Sunday Service
Trinity 14 - Harvest Festival - 25th September Whole Church Communion
Hymns
HON
DAR
---
Music
Thou visitest the earth – Maurice Greene
Final Voluntary
Prelude & Fugue in C minor (BWV 549) - J S Bach
Service
Choral Eucharist at 18.30
DAR
DAR
Hymns Setting
Missa Brevis - Andrea Gabrieli
Music
O sacrum Convivium - Archer
Final Voluntary
Lied (24 Pièces en style libre) - Vierne
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MENTAL HEALTH This is an aspect of the healing ministry about which we wrote nine years ago, but it is worth repeating and updating. Joan Thomason, a member of our Group, and her husband Gilbert are still connected with the Wokingham and West Berkshire Mental Health Association, which is situated opposite the Wokingham station and is called ‘The Crisis House’. Joan has provided the following updated information about the history and work of the Centre. “The Centre was opened in April 1991, having previously met in a room in the Red Cross Centre in Denmark Street every Tuesday. It comprises a Drop-in Centre, a Befriending Scheme and a caravan. The Drop in Centre is open between 10.30 and 4.30 every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, for anyone with either mental illness, depression or loneliness, and for those who wish to befriend those so afflicted and to be generally helpful to them. The leader, Pam Jenkinson, is always on hand to help with filling in of forms, and to explain what benefits are on offer, and how they can get help with accommodation if necessary. There is also a library with books and leaflets on the subject of mental health and on how to get access to the internet. Coffee and tea is always available with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and plenty of laughter. The downstairs rooms are full of knick knacks, pictures, posters and ornaments which have a very therapeutic effect on those who don’t feel well enough to talk, as they provide plenty for them to look at and think about. The rooms are comfortable, homely and welcoming. There are also four cats, one gold fish and four budgies. This is also a place where worried and upset relatives of ill people can come for comfort and information;
23
where they know that they need not struggle on their own with their problems, and come to realise that they are not the only people to be suffering in this way. Two of the upstairs rooms are in use, one for talking privately to anyone who needs it, and the other as a games room, with pool, darts and table games on offer. The Befriending Scheme has been set up to give extra support to those who wish to meet someone for a chat outside the Drop-in hours, or to visit anyone who is too ill to leave their home. In a crisis members of a team are available, day or night, to talk on the phone or meet in the Dropin Centre out of hours, if anyone is in immediate distress. A caravan is available at Selsey for those who are ill, together with their families and friends. This gives those who are on low incomes a chance to have a cheap holiday where entertainment is provided. Mental illness can happen to any of us and we can be helped by the medical services. Those suffering from mental illness can also help themselves by talking over their symptoms with other like-minded people.� I am very grateful to Joan for providing this updated account of the work of the Wokingham and West Berkshire Mental Health Association. It shows that the ministry of healing extends beyond the Church and into the whole of the medical services, an important part of which is that of the treatment of mental illness. So we thank God for all those caring volunteers who give their time and devoted service to those who suffer from all kinds of mental disorders, and who give advice and support to their families and friends. We pray too that they will receive all the prayer and financial they need to carry on their vital work. 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 21st August. The next Healing Service will be held on Sunday 25th September at 6.30 pm.
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A Time to Act As I write our televison screens are full, once again, of pictures from East Africa. Children with sunken face, grieving mothers. It all seems too horribly familiar and we had all hoped that it was over. The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) were published in 2000. There were eight points aimed at reducing poverty and developing structures for equality and fair distribution of resources by 2015. Last year Christian Aid produced a report saying that, whilst the MDGs had produced some solid results, poverty reduction should no longer be the goal - poverty eradication should. There is, a perhaps inevitable, sense of battle fatigue about world development work on such a huge scale. Progress was always going to be slow with such complex issues involved. This weariness tends to express itself in two ways – either by exclusively focussing in on areas of success (and there have been many) or by resorting to writing a cheque to appease the need for action. Both of these are necessary. We should certainly celebrate the achievements of the past few years and overseas development agencies desperately need our funds , especially in emergency situations. But we have to look beyond the immediate to both sustainability and the systematic failure in reducing and eradicating global poverty. The Christian Aid report “Were All in this Together” is not like its Disney counterpart - a somewhat romantic fictional notion of community – it calls us to the painful heart of global society. The MDGs are failing in areas which are to do with underlying inequality and discrimination and long term structural change. This is something which we, as Christians, have a lot to say about. God created all people and God seeks relationship with all people and this is across the board, regardless of gender, orientation, race, colour, ethnicity or any of the other apparent barriers which humanity sets itself. We are now entering the period where serious review and ongoing recommendation will take place of the achievements of the goals and what
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should replace them after 2015 and we, as God's people, must take a part in that, from living room to government. It is plainly not good enough that in a world where I can talk to someone in Australia pretty much as if they were in the same room, there are people without food, water or basic sanitation. It is not good enough that people are deprived of their rights because of where or how or who they were born. God's image in humanity is distorted by each affront on God's creation – and we should mourn. But we should also act. For each that call to action will be different but in the face of an ever-widening poverty gap simply ignoring the issues is not an option. We must all educate ourselves on the real world and the world's real problems and this is painful, because after a while we realize that whilst there is no panacea – things can actually change and that we, as individuals and a greedy society, must change too. During the Anti-Apartheid movement the staff at a Dublin Supermarket refused to handle South African food – it took three and a half years for the Irish Government to impose sanctions – but eventually this small action became part of something global. Now we have the Anti-Poverty movement – what will be your part? Rev. Caroline Kramer Further Reading: We're All in This Together – Christian Aid (available for download) 2010 Theology and International Developmet Paula Clifford (foreward by Rt. Rev. John Pritchard) 2010 THE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TABLE We hope to have the table in the Cornerstone following the 9.30am service on Sunday 11th September then on other Sundays during the autumn and winter. Please see Sunday leaflet for dates.
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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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Group of the Month for August
The Marriage Preparation Team
One of the first things David did when he became our Rector was to initiate a review of our marriage policy, and one of the consequences of this was the launch of our marriage preparation courses. These have been running ever since and continue to attract the thanks and appreciation of all who attend them. One session includes information about the wedding service itself and the choices available to couples to make the wedding their own. Other sessions invite them to explore together many of the issues married life will present them with, including children, coping with conflict, finance and shared values. The original team underwent a training course to help develop our skills of listening and encouraging participants to join in the sessions. Since then we have had some changes of personnel, and the current members are the Rector, myself, Sylvia Haslam, Karen Wellman, Pam and Jim Creech, Gill Sutterby and Matthew Woodham. Others have served in the past but have needed to step down, so we should be very interested to hear from anyone who thought they might have a gift for this sort of work. We have now developed two formats for the course; either three two-hour sessions on an evening in successive weeks or the whole six hours offered on a Saturday. Not every couple getting married at All Saints finds it possible to attend, but we are happy to offer this as a free service to those who can. We firmly believe that there can be few more valuable forms of Christian ministry than helping people along the path to a happy and lifelong married life. We value the prayers of the whole church in this task. For more information, please contact Colin James on 978 1515 Group of the Month for September can be found on pg. 9
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All Saints’ Fellowship We hope that you have a very happy summer break and look forward to seeing you in the autumn. Fellowship Leader Diana Clifford – 9792614 Meetings third Wednesday of the month in Cornerstone De Vitre Room. 7.45pm for 7.55pm Everybody very welcome. Cost to visitors £1.50 which includes coffee Our fund raising this year is for The Children’s Society and children’s activities at Eustace Crescent Flat. WED. 21st SEPT. EVEN MORE ODD ODES & TRUE STORIES. For the third time we welcome back Mr. Alan Stockwell who is always hilarious with so many stories and odes. CAKE STALL - SUNDAY 18th SEPTEMBER in the Cornerstone after the 9.30am service in aid of our fund raising. WED. 19th OCT. ARMCHAIR EXERCISES with Mrs. Jill Hibbitt. Time to get fit again and to welcome Jill who must be visiting us for at least the tenth time! WED. 16th NOV. THE WAY IT WAS - GROWING UP IN THE 1940’s TO EARLY 1950’s with Mr. Tony King. Another chance to say hello to one of Fellowship’s friends and to have what we know will be a very interesting evening with Tony. WED. 21st DEC. HOW PAGAN IS CHRISTMAS? With Mr. Leslie Grout who will be making his first visit to us.
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Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals Professor Jones of Manchester University is doing research on pain control and has found that the understanding of the complex cognitive interactions that underpin human pain perception can only really be carried out successfully in humans. Animal models fail to fully explain the potential mechanisms of human pain perception and so are of limited value in developing new therapies. The findings of almost half of all animal studies do not replicate the outcome of clinical trials. The efficacy of animal testing is questionable and so scientists have fully replaced the use of animals in all their experiments. It is regrettable that live exports from the UK have resumed after many months. DEFRA has confirmed that since December there have been eight sailings of animals to continental Europe. These included sheep, pigs and unweaned calves; some of these have been sent on horrendously long journeys to Spain. It is good that the new Bishop of Reading, the Right Reverend Andrew Proud, has agreed to come and preach at this year’s Service of Thanksgiving for Creation and Blessing of Animals and is looking forward to coming to it. It will be on Sunday 2 October at 3.00 p.m.; it will be Animal Welfare Sunday. Marcelle Williams
BREAKFAST Diary date. A continental breakfast will be served in the Cornerstone following the 8.00am service on Sunday 27th November. Any queries please contact Diana Clifford 9792614.
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Men (not) in Church?? The 3rd Sermon on Trinity Sunday/ Father’s Day is reproduced in the magazine to encourage further discussion. The 1st session listening to Richard Rohr’s CD will already have happened, but more sessions will be planned in the Autumn – please come and give your views This part of the sermon is a bit more tricky – less of a sermon, more of a random selection of thoughts. I want to open a dialogue about men in church, or rather men not in church. The men are out there… What is happening? Something is missing. This dialogue is part of a wider discussion about men in western society. I should 1st apologise for being a woman and presuming to talk about what men might need…., but, hey ho, it has been the other way round for a long time! But if I am concerned, as a female priest with feminist leanings maybe you will take the issue seriously. To open the conversation, I think there is a problem now with many trends in society favouring women’s aptitudes and skills, starting in infant school. But that is just a start. What has happened to the role and respect that men should have in our churches, our homes and in wider groups? How does it happen that men resort to using power and control in unhealthy ways? I don’t want to explore answers too quickly, nor do I want to get sidetracked onto the debate about God being masculine or feminine, interesting and partly relevant though it may be. As I said I want to acknowledge that the issue is complex and men are complex. Men need respect. I want to open a serious dialogue, for men’s sakes’, in this church. I know that David and others are concerned too. Karen and I have copies of a taped talk at Greenbelt by Richard Rohr. He is raising the same subject. I cannot give a summary here, but the same 3 themes (from earlier in the sermon) also emerge. 1. There is something important about wilderness experiences where men realise that some things can’t be controlled. 2. It is part of growing up to learn that we are not fit for purpose. 3. We have to experience life in its rawness, and trust in God.
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Pippa Liddell
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Experienced local gardener has some availability • • • • •
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Overgrown areas tamed Beds and borders enhanced and maintained One project or seasonal service Graves tidied, flowers for anniversaries etc. Competitive rates
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Modern surgery in Binfield Village 10 minutes from Wokingham Very easy parking Evening appointments Cryosurgical treatment for Verrucae and Warts
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Somehow, the western Christian life has lost its edge, its energy and its earthiness. Hordes of men are out there today, playing football and cycling miles and miles in mud and lycra. Church is far too safe, too soft and too pretty. I think that maybe the Celtic church has hung onto some of those earthy, edgy features. Anyway, I don’t want to go on about it at this stage – I want to open the dialogue, I want men to know that they are taken seriously, I want to hear what other people, especially men, think and I want to arrange for a group to listen to Richard Rohr’s tape to kick off more discussion. Helen Charlton
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. For more information please contact us on 0118 977 0749 38
Celebrate Our Birthday! On Saturday 2nd July we will be holding a garden party to celebrate our second birthday. Come and join us between 10am and 6pm, the BBQ will be smoking all day! There will be lots of fun to be had including a bouncy castle and face painting for the children and for the grown ups... your first beer (or glass of wine) on the house!
NEW Summer Menu from Friday 1st July Our new season’s menu includes favourites such as rabbit and ham hock terrine with rhubarb jelly and toast, honey glazed duck breast with Fondant potatoes, French beans and redcurrant sauce and summer berry Eton mess. Don’t forget we now serve food from 10am - 8pm on Sundays See our website for details of our summer opening times and events
Reservations on 0118 934 9094 The Shurlock Inn, The Street, Shurlock Row, Berkshire, RG10 0PS info@shurlockinn.com www.shurlockinn.com
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Baptisms 26 June
Marriages 25 June 25 June 15 July
Ryan Daniel Atkins Layla Bo Atkins Amelie Camila Tinker Rocca Brian-James Clarke Phoebe Maria Webber Brian Nixon with Katleen Verbiest John Robert Bassett with Karen Michelle Sutton John Martin Robertson with Ruth Alice Lumsden
Burial of Ashes 8 July Barbara Winifred Fiddaman Funeral in Church followed by Cremation at Easthampstead Park Crematorium 21 June Betty Chapman 26 June Malcolm John Houghton 19 July Barry Turner 22 July Peter John Edwards At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 8 June Joyce Morrison 1 July Dorothy Chaffe 4 July Ivy Pottinger 7 July Dorothy Violet Thring 11 July Edith Parker
Age 93
Age 94 Age 67 Age 80 Age 62 Age 79 Age 88 Age 84 Age 97 Age 75
Number of Sundays 5 Sundays 828 Week days 263 (inc. 78 at Confirmation)
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