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From the Rector — February 2011 A review of 2010 in All Saints Parish Welcome to the new year. I’ve been looking back over the year just gone, before plunging headlong into this one, to remind myself of the blessings and the challenges we were given as a church community in 2010. This time last year we were rejoicing that God had found for us the Reverend Caroline Kramer to be our new full-time Associate Priest… but we still didn’t have a clue where she was to live! Now Caroline, and Kris, and her family are all here in Wokingham; very much a part of the All Saints community, blessing the parish with their presence and Caroline’s priestly ministry. Caroline has particular responsibilities for our ministry to families and children including the work with All Saints School and with those bringing their children for baptism. So on Ascension Day, soon after Caroline arrived, we combined the licensing of The Revd Caroline Kramer and the commissioning of The Revd Michael Johnson into his new full-time role in the Deanery with a Confirmation service. At the beginning of last year we didn’t know our Area Bishop, Stephen, was to leave in order to be the Bishop of Chelmsford. Now we have the announcement of a new Bishop of Reading, the Rt. Reverend Andrew Proud, who will be installed in Reading officially on Saturday 16th April. Last year in February we welcomed Heather Clements of the Bible Society who spoke to the Sunday morning congregation about the work of the Society, ahead of a collection held later. This began our new policy of having good information about the outside mission agencies we support presented well ahead of any special collections. In March a successful Leadership Forum meeting was held which identified some areas of ministry to focus on as a parish. These led to some additional events in the summer and fed into our new strategic goals - more on these later in this piece. Having been awarded for a second time the accolade of being an EcoCongregation we strengthened further our commitment to reduce our own carbon footprint as a church by developing an action plan we can work together on.
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In June Revd Helen Charlton was ordained a priest in Reading Minister by Bishop Stephen. I was privileged to have been the retreat director for the Diocese of Oxford’s pre-ordination retreat and to preach at the ordination service. Helen presided at the Eucharist for the first time on the first Sunday of July. In July there was the first of the meetings of the PCC Working Group set up to develop new strategic goals for the parish. Elsewhere, All Saints Church Choir spent a week singing at Llandaff Cathedral, to much acclaim for both their quality and the breadth of their repertoire. Last year’s Harvest Festival included an art exhibition of work by local schoolchildren on a nature theme; and the first occasion of the new idea of extending church into the whole of Sunday morning from time to time, and ending with a shared lunch. We call it Sunday Plus. This one was on a sustainability theme and included workshops on making bread, making jam, a communal soup, and knitting. There was a Harvest Loaf competition won by one of the children; and the Junior Church made a special altar frontal on a Creation theme. It was a great success including all ages. On a very different theme – that of waiting on God in prayer and silence- the second Sunday Plus morning in early December was also well-supported. It linked us to the Diocese’s vision and call to sustain the sacred centre of our lives and parish. The next Sunday Plus morning is on Sunday 6th March and will have a Mardi Gras flavour! Mark the date on your calendar now. In October a barn dance in The Cornerstone was a great success. Earlier the same day a Leadership Forum working on the new strategic goals for the parish had gone well. Many people were pleased to be introduced to the practice of Lectio Divina, a form of mediation on the Bible, which also featured in the Sunday Plus day in December. November included a one-day marriage preparation session; the annual service of thanksgiving and commemoration for the departed; the civic Remembrance Sunday service, and the Advent Candlelit Carol Service on the last Sunday; as well as all the final preparations for Christmas. New Strategic Goals for 2011 and beyond In December the Church Council agreed new strategic goals to present to the
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congregation and seek support for them. They are now available in church and on our website. You are asked to respond to each of the goals and say how much you support it. Please pray too as we seek Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will for our parish going forward.
David Hodgson
Congratulations to David, Lorraine and their family as they welcome their new grandson Stefan into the world!
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 Mar:
Feb. 13th 2011
Collation:
Feb. 25th 2011
3
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 Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Team Stewardship Co-ordinator Gift Aid Co-ordinator
Margaret Hawkins Dickon Snell Jo Robinson Peter Whittaker
962 9792 978 1044 978 9730 978 6225
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 978 3939 978 9730 979 2797
Churchyard Steward
John Smith
979 0948
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
Transportation: Volunteers needed to assist other parishioners. Please help.
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Flower Guild There are few opportunities to get out into the garden at the moment as the ground is so waterlogged and so why not use the time to make plans for next summer’s display. Last year my borders looked a picture but I definitely planted too many annuals which just required such a lot of attention. This year I am going to buy Eryngiums, Echinacea’s and Gazanias, the flowers last well and the plants need less watering. All are readily available from Wolverton Plants at Wolverton Common – although not exactly on our door steps this nursery is well worth a visit, it reminds me of the nursery my maternal grandparents owned, it looks slightly untidy and lived-in but they grow many of their own plants – look out for their Heuchra, they have a superb selection. We have already booked the Cornerstone for Guild meetings right through until December and hope that you will put these dates in your diary and make them a priority. Pam Gilbey
Dates for your Diary
Forthcoming dates Thurs March 17th 8pm Annual Meeting Monday April 11th 8pm Meeting, ‘Spring flowers’ rd Sat April 23 9.45am Easter flowers in church Thurs June 11th 8pm Meeting, ‘Flowers from the Garden’ Wed September 7th 8pm Meeting, ‘Autumn arrangement’ Sat December 3rd 10am Christmas workshop morning Flowers in church during February Feb 13th Mrs J Alp Mrs L Taylor Feb 27th Mrs P Gilbey Mrs K Maund
LT PG
For information contact Pam Gilbey (978 5694) Hazel Matthews (978 6700) or Lucille Taylor (978 6847)
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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! 9
Mothers’ Union Mothers Union Bye Buy Childhood Update Reg Bailey, Mothers' Union Chief Executive, has been asked by the UK Government to chair the Independent Review of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood. This review has been commissioned by Sarah Teather MP, the Minister for Children and Families, and is to be undertaken at the behest of David Cameron, the Prime Minister, and Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, who have expressed a strong personal interest in the outcomes. This appointment partly emerges out of the related work that the Faith & Policy Unit has been doing over the last 3 years, and in particular, with the success of our current Bye Buy Childhood Campaign Thank you to everybody who signed our Bye Buy Childhood petition in December; 92 signatures were forwarded from our branch to central MU prior to being forwarded to the PM and Deputy PM. It is not too late to contact your MP to make your views known. Branch News We would like to record our thanks to Fellowship for the warm welcome we received and the lovely evening they put on for us and their members in December – a truly special way to enhance our Christmas preparation. Our February meeting will centre on a talk by Anne-Marie Woodfield on ‘Life as a Child Prisoner of War’. Did you know that your branch commits to the Ministry of Welcome at Christ Church, Oxford on just one day every year? This is a very enjoyable day involving greeting the numerous visitors to our Cathedral and offering them an information leaflet in an appropriate language. There are stewards available to answer any ‘technical’ questions, so no specialist knowledge is required. Breaks may be taken in the Priory
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Room or shopping / lunching in Oxford town centre. New volunteers are always welcome and welcomers can be any parishioner. 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).
Dates for your Diary Tues 8th Feb Wed 23rd Feb
9.30am 7.45 for 8pm
Corporate Communion Branch Meeting – ‘Life as a Child Prisoner of War’.
New Family Service Beginning on March 20th there will be an additional opportunity for worship at All Saints every fortnight. Whilst everyone will be welcome at this new service it will be especially suitable for parents and children who wish to worship together. The 9.30 Eucharist has long been a place of welcome for people of all ages but it is realized that we would probably benefit from having a shorter, non-Eucharistic offering on a regular basis. The new service will be no more than half an hour, starting at 11.00am and followed by coffee. There will be songs and prayers and the children will be invited to gather for a talk aimed at them. This new service will have a set order, easy music and will be led by a member of the clergy. No church experience necessary just a willingness to come together and explore God's amazing love for all of us. Caroline Kramer
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THE HISTORY OF PACT 2011 will see the centenary of the Oxford Dioceses charity PACT or Parents And Children Together. During 2011 we will be supporting PACT with prayers and charitable giving. Funded by a legacy a PACT employee has been working at our school for the last two years, as featured in the Diocesan Newspaper The Door just before Christmas. I asked PACT to provide us with a brief summary of its history and current work with local families in the Oxford Dioceses. Bishop Francis Paget, Bishop of Oxford (pictured) held a passion to address the vulnerabilities of families living in need in the Oxford Diocese area in 1910. He shared his concerns with other likeminded people to establish an organisation which would provide guidance and protection for children of tender years. He saw the need as ‘...an imperative and the evil so appalling’ in the society of which he was part in 1910 that action was essential. With the support of his Diocesan colleagues Bishop Paget established the Diocesan Council for Prevention and Rescue Work in 1911. Lord Stanmore, the son of Lord Aberdeen, Prime Minister at the time of the Crimean War, provided £100 to enable the Council to start its work. The Diocesan Council appointed Miss Sharpe as the ‘rescue worker’ in 1911. Her efforts to support vulnerable families quickly demonstrated how important and widespread family issues were and a second worker joined the team, thereby upgrading Miss Sharpe to a Diocesan Worker. She recorded in her first report that she had visited 52 parishes (many of them on her bicycle) within the first six months. She helped 97 women and girls, by placing some in maternity homes, houses of mercy and refuges. 24 had been visited in their own home and 30 visited
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through links with the Mother’s Union. The Council’s remit identified the importance of education and community support if families were to escape poverty and uphold Christian family values. Parents, teachers and youth leaders were all involved in ensuring that social well-being might be achieved. Even in those early years the services by which the agency is still known were provided with a number of agencies working together on, what we now call, a multiagency basis. The 50th Annual Report acknowledged in 1960 the immense input from the Council of pastoral and educational work through the counties of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The report recognised that some members ‘needed personal help, other than in financial terms, if they are to achieve satisfying personal and family relationships’. Another example of how similar the understanding of family needs was then to how we view it now, 50 years on. In the early 1960s concern was being highlighted by Council members for the numbers of very young mothers, many under seventeen, and their need for support for themselves and their children. The agency had established itself as an Adoption Society in 1953 and began placing babies directly with adoption families. Charities had long played a key role in providing services not available from the state. In 1954 128 children were placed for adoption leading up to the high point in 1969 when 481 placements were made. Thereafter the numbers reduced as society’s understanding and provision for unsupported mothers changed, enabling single parents to have a choice in whether they wanted to parent their own babies. The 1976 Adoption Act required local authorities to provide their own adoption services and by the mid 1980s the agency had relinquished its ‘baby placements’ to the local authorities. The requirement for placements for children with exceptional needs remained clear and the agency re-organised itself to recruit families for particularly vulnerable children – those who were older, required placements with their siblings, had a disability or came from black and minority ethnic families.
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In the late 1990s the agency – by this time known as Parents And Children Together was registered to approve adopters for children placed from overseas as well as domestic adoption. In the early 21st century foster carers were recruited to provide homes for a range of children requiring permanence. The Society house Clark’s Row, Oxford was founded by Miss Hatch in 1907, it later served as a Remand Home and Probation Hostel before being sold in 1947. The Oxford Moral Welfare Association (the new name of the Council) was preparing, in 1960, to provide a home where rooms and flatlets might be available to unmarried mothers who had their children with them. The provision of hostel accommodation for young women has continued ever since and presently PACT’s house in Bracknell continues to offer support and guidance to young women and their children. In 1997 PACT began providing training courses for care sector staff seeking National Vocational Qualifications. For a number of years large numbers of care staff based in the Thames Valley came through the doors and achieved their qualifications. In 2010 this service was passed over to West Berkshire Training Consortium in order that PACT might focus more on developing its community and adoption work. The focus of the charity has remained constant, to support families and provide services not available locally, within the Oxford Diocese. The reputation and experience of the agency has grown over the years, with its stable and committed team of workers. PACT’s Trustees and staff group, now numbering 140, have recently signed up to the business plan focusing on their work from 2010 – 2014. The agency has recently ‘rebranded’ ensuring it remains accessible and relevant and has identified with an I-Shape framework to define ‘who we are’: I-Shape emphasises individual responsibility for shaping the growth and development of PACT within three contexts: firstly as an organisation, secondly with regards to the workplace in which we work with our colleagues and thirdly in the way we
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Pippa Liddell
ROWENA WELSH
FSSCh DipPodMed MBChA
Qualified Surgical Chiropodist
The Lady Painter and Decorator
HPC Registered Surgery at: Sherwood School Road Barkham Wokingham RG41 4TN
Tel: 01344 776109 Mobile: 07749 898656
sykespippa@hotmail.com
Email: rowenaywelsh@hotmail.com
0118 976 0099
CHIROPODIST Helena S Gold M.S.S.Ch., M.B.Ch.A Registered Member of the British Chiropody & Podiatry Association And Health Professions Council * * * * *
Modern surgery in Binfield Village 10 minutes from Wokingham Very easy parking Evening appointments Cryosurgical treatment for Verrucae and Warts
Tel: 01344 459 371 67, Knox Green Binfield Bracknell RG42 4NZ
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shape the lives of those we work with. The support of the Oxford Diocese has changed but not wavered over the years. The direct financial input was reduced in the mid 1990s but an annual grant is still provided. The relationship between the agency and the church is an important element of what PACT is. In keeping with other changes in society, the agency no longer requires its staff to be active church attendees, although still holds as important the basic tenets of the Christian faith within all service provision. PACT’s trustees, staff and volunteers look forward with anticipation and excitement to celebrating its one hundred years, in 2011. The vision from Bishop Francis Paget which formed the inspiration of PACT’s origins is now positively carried forward by the present Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard. Robert Newman
GEORGE HERBERT, PRIEST AND POET George Herbert, who is remembered by the church on 27 Feb, is probably best known for his poems, several of which have become well known hymns. Can you give the first line or title of the hymns whose second line or phrase appears below: there are 3 by George Herbert, can you identify those too? (Answers on pg. 39 ) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
To His feet thy tribute bring Forgive our foolish ways My God and King All creatures great and small When I in awesome wonder I shall love Thee Fast falls the eventide In all things Thee to see Pilgrim through this barren land Joy of Heaven to earth come down Walk upon England’s mountains green ‘Gainst all disaster
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Valentine’s Menu Bring your special someone to dine by candlelight in the warm glow of our open fire and enjoy our lovingly prepared special Valentine’s Menu.
Set menu includes a glass of bubbly on arrival, a choice of three exquisite starters, main courses and desserts followed by tea or coffee and chocolates. £39.95 per person. Available Sunday 13th February evening and
Reservations Recommended The Shurlock Inn, The Street, Shurlock Row, Berkshire, RG10 0PS info@shurlockinn.com www.shurlockinn.com
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The West Window The stained glass window in the ringing gallery fills the whole of one wall. It is somewhat larger than the east window in the chancel, but it is less accessible to the casual observer. It was designed by Burkson & Gryffs, and installed in 1885 in memory of Com. Elliott Mores, who had been a church warden for much of the 1860s, and was instrumental in achieving the major restoration of the church at that time. The guide books describe the window as representing the Te Deum, which it does in part, since it contains 17 of the Te Deum’s 29 verses. For some reason they appear in a rather jumbled order – perhaps there was a mixup in the design team! But there is much more to the imagery than this. The design includes seventy saints and angels, as well as Christ. Only three of them are named, but it is possible to work out who many of them are intended to be. Christian artists over the years have used a set of conventions for representing different saints, based on significant features of their lives. So by looking at what they are holding, what they are doing, how they are dressed, and of course what they look like, you can work out who is depicted – providing you can read the ‘code’. It’s not quite as simple as that, because there is quite a bit of variability between artists about which aspects to include. So far, we have identified about a third of the people in the window, and it would be good to find out who the remaining ones are. There are detailed pictures of the window on the tower website, with an analysis of what we know so far. If you think you can help to fill any of the gaps, or correct any errors, then please let me know. To see the pictures and descriptions, go to the tower website at www.allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk and type ‘window’ into the search box. Alternatively, follow links to All Saints Tower > Ringing room > Window. John Harrison
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WOMAN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER NAPAYKULLAYKI - that is ‘greetings’ from the Christian women of Chile who have compiled the service for this year. Stretching from Peru to Antarctica Chile is a country with many natural resources including copper, fish and timber. Most of the present day inhabitants are Mestas (mixed Spanish and indigenous people) with a small indigenous population of Mapuche, Aymara and Quechua . Chile is still suffering from the regime of Pinochet between 1973 and 1990 when many people were killed or disappeared with families even to this date not knowing what happened to them. Over a third of the workforce is made up of women in less well-paid jobs and a lot suffering from domestic violence. The churches try to provide spiritual support for them and offer prevention workshops. Bread pays a large part in their daily lives so a theme of ‘How many loaves have you?’ is appropriate for this international service. We do hope you will be able to come and encourage others as this year is the turn of All Saints to host and we want everybody to feel really welcome. Diana Clifford 9792614 Lilian Clark 9782171 Ursula Morris 9794473 WOMEN’S WORLD DAY of PRAYER SERVICE ALL SAINT’S CHURCH FRIDAY 4th MARCH 1.45pm SPEAKER: REVD. CAROLINE KRAMER Refreshments will be served in church following service
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Music List February 2011
Sunday
5th Sunday before Lent - 6th February
Org
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
DAR
Hymns
(63)
Music
A new commandment - Archer, arr. DAR
Final Voluntary
Marche Triomphale: Nun danket alle Gott - Karg Elert
Service
Choral Evensong
Introit
Jesu, priceless treasure - J S Bach
Responses
Smith 5-part
Psalms
1, 3 & 4
Canticles
Weelkes Short Evening Service
DAR
Hymns Music
O for a closer walk with God - Grayston Ives
Final Voluntary
March in G - Henry Smart
Sunday
4th Sunday before Lent - 13th February
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
Hymns
(426a)
Music
Agnus Dei - Thomas Morley
Final Voluntary
Scherzo - Eugène Gigout
Service
Sung Evensong: Ferial Responses (McKie Amen)
Psalms
7 & 13
Hymns Music
If ye love me - Tallis
Final Voluntary
Short Prelude & Fugue in B flat (BWV 560) - J S Bach
24
DAR
DAR
Music List February 2011 Sunday
3rd Sunday before Lent - 20th February
Org
Service
Eucharist (Healing): Archer - St Mark's Setting
DAR
Psalm
119 vv33 - 40
Hymns
(312a)
Music
Though I speak - Bairstow
Final Voluntary
The Modal Trumpet - Frederick Karam
Service
Said Evensong with Piano
---
Sunday
2nd Sunday before Lent - 27th February
Service
Whole Church Communion
DAR
Hymns Music
PiĂŠ Jesu - Malcolm Archer
Final Voluntary
Toccata & Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) - J S Bach
Service
Evening Prayer
Sunday
1st Sunday before Lent - 6th March
Service
Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting
---
DAR
Hymns Music
O nata lux - Tallis
Final Voluntary
Introduction-Chorale and Menuet Gothique - Leon BoĂŤllman
Service
Choral Evensong
Introit
O nata lux - Tallis
Responses
Smith 5-part
Psalm
84
Canticles
Brewer in D
DAR
Hymns Music
Give us the wings of faith - Bullock
Final Voluntary
Tuba Tune - C S Lang
25
Parish Diary February 2011
Sunday
Monday to Saturday
5 Before Lent
6
7
Mo
page
08.00am
Holy Communion
8
Tu
Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion
9
We
11.15am
**No Service
10 Th
03.00pm
**No Service
11 Fr
06:30pm
Choral Evensong
12 Sa
13
4 Before Lent
14 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
15 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
16 We
All Saints Fellowship
32
11.15am
BCP Eucharist
17 Th
Flower Guild
8
06.30pm
Sung Evensong
18 Fr
Julian Group
19 Sa 20
3 Before Lent
21 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
22 Tu
Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion (w Laying of Hands)
23 We
Mother's Union
10
11.15am
**No Service
24 Th
Healing Prayer Group
28
06.30pm
Said Evensong
25 Fr 26 Sa
27
2 Before Lent
27 Su
08.00am
Holy Communion
28 Mo
09.30am
Parish Communion Whole Church
1
Tue March
11.15am
**No Service
2
We
3 00pm
Holy Baptism
3
Th
06.30pm
Evening Prayers
4
Fr
26
Group of the Month The Church Cleaning Team We are a small, and rapidly diminishing band of volunteers who endeavour to maintain a clean and tidy church for the rest of the congregation. The team is in the classic situation of being noticed only if we didn't do our job, rather than when we do! For the purpose of cleaning, the church is divided into several sections each, with its own team of 4 or 5 peopel who are prepared to spend about an hour a month. You do not have to clean the whole church by yourself! The most common time for cleaning is a Saturday morning but for some people Thursday or Friday is more convenient. However clattering around with brooms or vacuum cleaners is not to be recommended should a wedding or funeral be in progress. There is very little enthusiasm amongst the congregation for this task but you can come with friends or family to lighten the task. More volunteers are always very welcome and all materials are provided. The duster box is full of all the very best quality cut down cotton T-shirts so we are very eco-frinedly. Finally it is a complete myth that you have to be a senior citizen in order to qualify for this form of Stewardship.
For more information, please contact the Team Leader, Sheila Longley 978 4193.
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THE MYSTERY OF UNANSWERED PRAYER There are times when we find it difficult to reconcile the words of Jesus in relation to the answer to prayer, with the reality of our prayer experiences. Two particular quotations come to mind namely, in chapter 14, verse 13, of St John’s Gospel we read, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it”, and again in chapter 16, verse 23 He says, “ Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete”. In a recent series of daily meditations, the late Selwyn Hughes, used the analogy, taken from Isaiah 40:31, of the eagle soaring above the storm. His theme was that no matter who we are, Christians or non-Christians, nobody is exempt from the adversities of this life, and however much prayer we may offer up to God, we cannot expect it to provide the immediate solution to the particular problem. We have to learn how to face up to adversity, knowing that it is all part of the learning process of life on earth and that prayer must be an important part of this process. Selwyn goes on to discuss how, having worked our way through our adversities, we become stronger in character, in knowledge and in our ability to stand up and cope with similar adversities in the future. Furthermore it enables us through our own experiences to be able sympathise with others who find themselves in similar situations and enables us to give effective care and support. St Paul gives witness to his own experience of being afflicted with adversity in chapter 12 of his second letter to the Corinthians, when he recalls that he experienced a thorn in his flesh. He says he appealed three times to the Lord that the thorn would leave him. The Lord’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. Paul concludes this passage by saying, “Therefore I am
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Holiday in 'real' France www.chezcolwill.info e-mail: jo.colwill@ntlworld.com Ancient stone house in picturesque Normandy Sleeps 8/9; 2 bathrooms (1 en suite); well-equipped kitchen; enclosed garden & ‘garden room’ Great base for sight-seeing (le Mont St Michel; Normandy beaches etc) Lots of activities nearby (large swimming complex; kayaking; high ropes; walking/biking trails etc) Peaceful location – 5 minutes to large market town Ideal for family/walking holidays/ peaceful retreats .
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content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong”. I hope you will bear with me if I share a personal adversity experience. When my first wife, Noreen, died suddenly just over 25 years ago (can it be that long ago!), I had just been retired three weeks, so not only did it knock the bottom out of my life, but all our plans for my retirement went for nought. I was lucky to have family and many friends to support me. As a result of a two weeks visit of a Franciscan group to the parish about three years later, the PCC agreed with the comment in their report that we lacked an effective healing ministry. As Noreen had attended healing services in the district quite regularly, I felt this was an opportunity to perpetuate her interest in healing by becoming involved in setting up a healing prayer group in the parish. Our Group was started towards the end of 1990, and I am pleased that we are still active. One further blessing following this was my marriage to Barbara in 1991. I can hardly believe it is twenty years! I am quite sure Noreen blessed it for my sake. Finally we consider how we deal with the adversity of sickness. I cannot do better than quote what Selwyn Hughes had to say. “When we are sick we ought to seek every means possible to be healed. …. However, what we must recognise in all this is the fact that sometimes God does not heal – and we may never know the reason why. Many suggestions have been put forward; for example, that God sometimes restrains His healing touch because He sees that His purposes for a person can be better worked out. Whenever we have asked in faith to be healed and God does not answer prayer, all is not lost. The illness can be used and put to good effect. You see, God can do more with illness than heal it; He can make it work to serve His purposes. So either way we win”. Nothing is more certain than death; it is, however, the ultimate healing. 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 20th February. The next Healing Service will be held on Sunday 27th March at 6.30 pm.
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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. For more information please contact us on 0118 977 0749
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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All Saints’ Fellowship Welcome to Fellowship held in the Cornerstone De Vitre Room at 7.45pm for 7.55pm (see dates below). 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 9792614. It was a joy to join with Mother’s Union for our Christmas get together and would like to give our many thanks for the entertainment from All Saints Church Hand Bell Ringers and to Pat Forsyth who was our pianist for the evening. Thank you all very much for making the evening possible for us.
Dates for your Diary
We are delighted to have back again for our meeting on WEDNESDAY 16th FEBRUARY Mrs. Diane Hayes who we know from a previous visit is a superb speaker. This time Diane is giving a presentation about WASHINGTON D.C. so do come along for what will be a very interesting evening. Next month we will have more program details etc following the January AGM. Diana Clifford
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Poipet Diary by Peter Barrett It all started in a pub … I had a ‘significant’ birthday coming up (OK, I’m 50) and wanted to do something other than just have a party. It had to involve giving something to others (rather than receiving), working with the poor (rather than the Western rich) and be faith-based (rather than just another ‘event’). Every week we have a ‘Pints of View’ in our local pub where we invite people of faith and no faith to discuss an issue, usually contemporary, and see if we can come up with some interesting discussions. One of the members of this group is Lindsey Reece-Smith (she works for Tear Fund) who doesn’t always attend that regularly as she is often off to far flung parts of the globe doing the kind of work that actually makes a difference to people’s lives (like Haiti, for example). When I shared my conundrum with her, she said that Tear Fund regularly do trips for people like me where you get to work with local partners on the ground and engage with their projects. It seemed like a good idea at the time, so I put my name down … Day 1 Next thing I know I’m heading towards Heathrow in November for a 10 day trip to Cambodia, all jabbed up and briefed up about what’s going on there as well as details about our local partner (CHO – Cambodia Hope Organisation). There were six of us – one friend from my church in Wokingham (Michael), three folks from Belfast (Gavin, Harold and Jonathan – known as Jono) and our leader (Billie from Woking). The Irish contingent just made the Bangkok flight in the nick of time (given the bad weather and delayed flight from Belfast). I ended up sitting next to a Mum with her arm in a plaster cast who was taking her feisty child to Sydney (11 hours of an active child - this will be fun!). However, she turned out to be good company and the little boy soon nodded
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off. At the airport we were met by Mao, one of the CHO staff, and we stayed at a hostel in the centre of the city. He took us out to a ‘restaurant’ for a meal that evening. I use the word advisedly as when we arrived there were simply a couple of rickety chairs next to the roadside with a wonky Formica table. Out of nowhere the proprietor appeared and other chairs arrived, then a whole number of dishes came from the darkness – a feast! We had to go round the market to find Jono a t-shirt (his bags were still in London …) and it was a good way to meet the locals, including blind people singing for money, palm readers in doorways, tattoo parlours, food of every colour and texture plus the ubiquitous army of young men flashing cards of naked women in our face on every street corner. This was my introduction to sex trafficking, a theme that would reappear throughout the trip. Day 2 We headed towards the Cambodian border where we would be based for most of the trip in a town called Poipet. I read about it in the ‘Rough Guide to Cambodia’ while on the plane. Their advice? Do not stop in Poipet unless you really have to – just get out of there as quickly as possible! The only redeeming feature was the ‘Hope & Health’ restaurant, whose profits went towards social projects. It turned out this restaurant was owned by CHO, which was encouraging. In between the Thai and Cambodian border controls are nine (yes, nine) hotels/casinos, all designed to promote Thai gambling. Poipet is a dusty town with one major road built by the Chinese about a year or so ago. Once off the main street the roads (if I can use that term) become very bumpy. It’s probably why everyone travels on motorbikes here rather than cars, as you can avoid the potholes. We were met by Chomno, the leader of CHO, a quiet, humble man who impressed me greatly throughout the trip. He set up the organisation eight years ago by selling his house in Phnom Penh and moving to Poipet. He told me his wife took some convincing – understandably – as it’s like moving from the West End of London to the docks of Liverpool (I
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was born and bred in Liverpool so I don’t use the comparison lightly). He now has 67 staff. CHO started off life as a NGO (non-governmental organisation) and became a church with strong roots in the community. Chomno needed a letter and significant funding from a third party organisation to set up CHO in Cambodia. Without going into a long story (and there are lots of long stories where Chomno is concerned) he eventually got government permission to set up CHO - without the money or a letter! We were taken to one of CHO’s ‘Safe Havens’, a place where children (614s) who are at risk of sex trafficking are given a place to stay and to be educated. There are high walls and a guard at the gate. There were fishponds, a school building, accommodation for staff and pupils and many places to play. I saw a three year old and found out later that she was taken in as she had nowhere else to go. Her parents had sold her into the sex trade for $200-300, the police had caught the traffickers but she would not be taken in by any Poipet institutions – so CHO accepted her. I also saw one boy in a wheel chair. He was originally a healthy young man but the traffickers had injected him with polio to cripple him so they could get more money when he begged on the streets. I was starting to understand the sex traffic trade and feel the evil beating at its heart. Day 3 After breakfast at the ‘Hope & Health’ restaurant (Rough Guide was right: the food is great) our first full day was a whirlwind of visits to various projects: boys learning how to do motorbike repairs, ‘school on a mat’, girls producing beautiful garments (on sewing machines my grandma would have used), interviews with farmers about microfinance loans and a visit to a ‘safe house’ where one of the CHO families had adopted three children (this in a country where kids are sold into the sex trade to get money – very counter-cultural). ‘School on a mat’ is a place where children learn a variety of subjects (if it rains, it’s ‘school under a mat’), including Maths and English. The one
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we saw was in a clearing in the forest and had (I guess) about 70 children present. It lasts for five hours with a break for lunch. Michael took the opportunity to teach the children some songs and got the team involved in drama, including a (very wobbly) rendition of Jesus calming the water. The best bit was doing some hand-dancing with all the children (white men canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dance, so this was total embarrassment but great fun). Later Jono interviewed two farmers. He was attending on behalf of the Bishopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appeal Fund to see where the money was going. I was struck by the dignity and graciousness of both farmers and their families. The loans had enabled one farmer to set up his own business and sell his produce locally; he had previously been employed in Thailand but had been made redundant. It also allowed his children to go to school. A few weeks earlier there had been extensive flooding which had wiped out his crops, but he simply replanted once the waters had subsided. Cambodians are very flexible and hard-working people. (Day 4 continues on pg 47)
George Herbert Quiz Answers (from pg. 18) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Praise my soul the King of Heaven Dear Lord and Father of mankind Let all the world in every corner sing All things bright and beautiful Oh Lord my God (first line):How great Thou art (title) King of Glory King of Peace Abide with me Teach me my God and King Guide me oh thou great Redeemer Love divine all loves excelling And did those feet in ancient time(first line):Jerusalem (title) He who would valiant be (first line):To be a Pilgrim (title)
George Herbert wrote numbers 3,6,8
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...from Colin James
Dear Friends Some of you will remember that on Back to Church Sunday in 2009 I began my sermon with a reference to “The Wind in the Willows”. More people spoke to me afterwards than about any other sermon I have given over forty-two years! This reflected a shared love of a remarkable book which all of us had encountered at various stages of our childhood and to which we had often returned since. For all of you I have good news… On one of my visits to the Amazon website I was offered a recommendation for three books at a special price if I bought them together. First was Stephen Cottrell’s “The Things He Said” (an examination of the words of Jesus following his resurrection). Then there was Lucy Winkett’s “Our Sound is our Wound” (the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2010 and a deep and moving exploration of sound and silence in our world and in our faith). Thirdly came “The Gospel in the Willows” by Leslie Francis. The first two fully lived up to the high expectations I had of them, and I can highly recommend them. I really didn’t know what to expect of the third. The “blurb” on the cover talked of “a most original and enchanting book…drawing out the wisdom embedded in Kenneth Grahame’s classic and weaving into it a profoundly Christian pattern which glows with spiritual truths simply expressed.” And Susan Howatch was quoted as saying “Read, savour, enjoy”. The book consists of forty so-called “episodes” and could be read throughout Lent. It can equally well be read at any other time of the year. A friend to whom I gave a copy read it during Advent and was as wildly enthusiastic about it as I was. Leslie Francis, who is a professor at Warwick University, begins each episode by quoting a passage from “The Wind in the Willows”, followed by one from a gospel. Then he adds a meditation linking the two and pointing us to a message for our own lives. There is little doubt that readers familiar with both these sources will get most out of this approach. It is the bringing together of two well known stories and setting
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them in a new context that produces challenging and inspiring results. I just wish there were space to reproduce a whole chapter to give the feel of how it works. Francis’s style takes just a little getting used to, but once you have, it works very powerfully. He habitually uses repetition to create an atmosphere and an expectation. I found it helpful to look on these passages as prose poems. No-one finds it odd when phrases or even whole sentences recur within a poem. And we are quite used to the repeated use of a motif in music to build up an atmosphere. I hope these snippets from the first episode “The Call” will give at least something of the flavour. It links the call of the world above to Mole to leave his spring cleaning and explore a new exciting way of life with the call of Jesus to the first disciples to leave their tasks and follow him. “The Mole was busy, busy about his business. He was busy with brooms and dusters, on ladders and steps and chairs, with brush and pail and whitewash. ……………..Simon and Andrew, James and John were busy, busy about their business, They were busy with nets and fishing pots, in boats and shed and market place. …………….Levi was busy, busy about his business. He was busy with ledgers and cash, on desks, tables and office counters. ………………You and I are busy, busy about our business, busy with brooms and dusters, busy with nets and fishing pots, busy with ledgers and cash. You and I are trapped, trapped in the busyness of our own lives. but out there, up above, the spirit of divine discontent is stirring …………..Out there, up above, something is calling, someone is calling. Let that voice penetrate the innermost springs of your soul, until the thread snaps and you are left with no choice other than to respond.” Each episode ends with a simple but powerful prayer by which we ask God to help us to accept the lesson we have just received. I have often in the past recommended books to you, but never more urgently than this one! With love and prayers Colin
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Notes from the December PCC meeting Stephen Smith (Treasurer) presented the proposed budget for 2011. The Treasurer pointed out that if the projected deficit is realised the general reserves will be wiped out within two years. A number of ideas were discussed as to how we could increase income starting early in the New Year. Revd.Caroline Kramer reported on the progress of a group looking at reestablishing a family service primarily aimed at Baptism families and those families who have been absent from or never attended church. The PCC supported the continued development of this family worship service. In 2011 we will continue as a Church to support USPG, CMS and the Bible Society, also PACT (Parents and Children Together) and Miriam Dean Fund. The Christingle retiring collection will go to the Children’s Society and the crib service to Christian Aid. Other collections may be taken according to need. It was agreed that that the Junior Church charity for the spring term 2011 would be the Save the Children Pakistan Flood Appeal. The PCC agreed that we will look at our vision for All Saints annually over the next five years. This states that with God’s help our congregation will strive to grow in faith and help others to meet Jesus, make better use of our buildings and embody God’s love for everyone, especially supporting people at key times of their lives. We will strengthen our commitment to our Church school and be more committed to mission in the world. Following on from the six month trial of chairs in the Lady Chapel which the PCC deemed successful Robert Newman was asked to form a group to explore the use of the Lady Chapel. He will then report back with the various options. The PCC were advised by our Child Protection Officer that we should now use the Churches’ Agency for Safeguarding (CAS) for CRB registrations. This is an enormous task previously done by Church House but it has been outsourced and at the moment this essential service will
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cost us less when carried out by CAS. Meriel Dickson Personal summary. For full report please refer to PCC minutes.
Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals There is much that can be learned from animals from the humble ant to the mighty elephant. Both have concern for the older members of the breed. A study of leaf cutter ants in Central America has shown that the younger and more vigorous members of the colony are given the job of cutting through the leaves they harvest because their sharp young teeth do the job so efficiently. Rather than being retired the ageing ants are given a new role better suited to their physical abilities. The former munchers become carriers transporting the leaves back to the colony where they are harvested for food. These insects recognise that the older members of the group can still make a worthwhile contribution to society. The finding by researchers from the University of Oregon support previous research showing the survival of a leaf cutter colony depends on its efficiency. Dr. Schofield and his team used high tech microscopes to compare the pristine wild forager ants. The ants with the most worn teeth only carried leaves. Wear and fracture can be a problem for insects as well as larger animals! The study showed that there is an advantage in social living, humans that can no longer do certain tasks can also still make worthwhile contributions to society. At the other extreme of size, elephants protect weak and injured members of their group and when one dies the rest of the group mourn the passing and mutually support each other in the shared loss. This mutual concern is shown in all family groups in the animal kingdom. Marcelle Williams
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STEWARDSHIP WORRIES
Stan and his family have realised that when they are talking to people there are several worries and concerns about Stewardship which need addressing. So he and the Stewardship Team decided that they would have to look at ways to help dispel these concerns .. How are we keeping you informed? During January and part of February the clergy have been speaking from the pulpit at all services about four key themes using the Giving for Life Diocesan booklet as a guideline. These are Discipleship, Mission, Lifestyle and the last one Generous Giving which all the others will link into. This will form part of the revamping of our annual stewardship campaign which will now fall during Spring. Two newspapers (the first one Sunday Steward has already been published before you read this article) have been distributed informing you all what is happening. A Stewardship Website has been launched for you to find out about us. Go to the All Saints Website www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk and click on About Us and then click on Stewardship. There you will find news and background information, details of the All Saints Bank Account and how to submit an enquiry. How can you contact us easily? As previously mentioned, via the All Saints Website. We also have two new email addresses so that you can contact us. Only two members of the Stewardship Team will have access to these, so that
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confidentiality is maintained. These are stewardship@allsaintswokingham.org.uk giving@allsaintswokingham.org.uk For those of you who do not have access to the internet or a computer, there is a Stewardship comments box at the back of the church where you can put any queries - or you can speak to any member of the Team, who are: Jo Robinson, Judith Clark, Peter Whittaker, Jim Creech, Chris Westgate and Steve Smith We look forward to hearing from you by whatever means so that we can help to get rid of those concerns. Jo Robinson
Community and Church A challenging quote from Bonhoeffer Anyone who loves the dream of community more than the Christian community itself [warts and all] becomes a destroyer of the latter even though the devotion to the former is faultless and the intentions may be ever so honest, earnest and sacrificial.
Helen Charlton
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE Joint Chair: Mavis Mason 9792940, Diana Clifford 9792614 SUNDAY 27th FEBRUARY.
SOUP - TIME CAFÉ
You told us how much you enjoyed Angela Wade’s homemade soup some time ago so come along and enjoy more. We will be in the Cornerstone following the 9.30am service so look forward to seeing you. ALSO – at the same time we would be very pleased to receive empty cereal boxes (not any other type of box) for The Children’s Activity Table. Please fold down boxes – these can be given to Su McArthur at 8.00am service and thank you very much Su for all the collecting you do for us. The collection of Christmas cards has now finished but if you still have some then bring them along but only ones depicting the nativity, Wise Men or shepherds. The collecting of cellophane wrappers continues and again can be brought along. For above, A VERY BIG PLEASE AND A VERY BIG
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(from pg 37) Poipet Diary continued: Day 4 We went to a Safe Haven where we taught the children some bible stories and songs. We also took the opportunity to distribute some gifts. I think the bubble-blowing kits were a success! It was wonderful to see all those smiling faces, although it also made me reflect on the ones who were not so lucky. As it was the Water Festival period (effectively a Cambodian Bank Holiday) that afternoon Chomno took us to see the long boat racing. Imagine 70 people in a boat racing against another team down a river at breakneck speed and you get the picture. The local kids were diving and swimming at the side of the river. The food stalls had things to eat that I vaguely recognised – burnt snake, for example, and possibly locusts – but for some reason I wasn’t that hungry. That night after dinner Chomno had mentioned that he wanted to share his vision for CHO with us. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. He took us to a dark four-storey building next to the hotel where we were staying. It was a motorcycle repair shop. He opened up the shutters and invited us in to the dimly-lit rooms. He explained to us that he had bought the building – for half a million dollars – and that it would be used (among other things) as an internet café, a bakery, a photography studio, t-shirt printing factory and a centre for church meetings and CHO administration. He wanted to take people from the sex trade and provide jobs and accommodation for them so they could learn skills and then set up their own business. There’s a long story about how Chomno got the money for the building but let’s just say that the money had to be paid in four instalments over six months – and it arrived just before each deadline (apart from the last deadline when it arrived a few days after!). Chomno told us he’d lost five kilos in weight over those six months. ‘I prayed a lot!’ he said. Amazing. Each night we’d meet in the restaurant and Harold (a.k.a. The Bishop of Down & Dromore and newly appointed Tear Fund Vice-President) would write his daily blog, do some tweets and upload our photos etc. to the Tear Fund and Diocesan web sites (with extensive help from Gavin, our resident techno-wizard and iPhone guru, without whom …).
Peter Barrett Part 2 of Poipet Diary will continue in a future issue.
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Baptisms 28 Nov. 9 Jan.
Ava Isabella Grace Stoker Sophia Olivia Rose Stoker Danielle Elizabeth Cranston Charlotte Vicky Kaye Madeline Anne Lambert
Burials 1 Dec. 30 Dec. 11 Jan.
Stella Woods Joyce Blodwin Plaster Leslie Shard
Age 87 Age 83 Age 89
Burial of Ashes 16 Nov. Charles Frederick Marten 17 Dec. Clare Sharp
Age 94 Age 52
At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 17 Nov. June Margaret Webber 22 Nov. James McKellar 17 Dec. Edith Olive Rogers 30 Dec. Amelia Alice Elizabeth Britnell 13 Jan. Grace May Blanke
Age 79 Age 59 Age 86 Age 104 Age 86
At Reading Crematorium 2 Nov. Cynthia Nobbs
Age 94
Number of Sundays 9 Sundays 1312 Week days 657 (inc. 342 at Christmas)
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