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From the Rector — March 2010 The parish church I attend when I visit Yorkshire has taken the bold and wonderful step of re-ordering its interior. The main difference is that the ranks of dark brown pews have gone. New flooring, with heating underneath,has created clear, broad spaces around the altar and the font. Upon entering there is plenty of room for people to meet and greet. Comfortable and attractive chairs have been provided. These can be laid out in whatever way serves the needs of any particular service or event in the church. The overall impression is stunning and heart-lifting. Outwardly it's a sternlooking stone church; inside, however, it's warm and welcoming; brightly lit and inviting. The parish is not unusual nor spectacularly “successful”. It serves an area of mainly terraced housing in a former mill town of the North. The congregation comprises a cross-section of local people; its age distribution skewed towards the upper end, as typical of the Church of England. Sunday morning worship in style is almost identical to the Parish Communion here at All Saints. What does distinguish this parish however is it has understood the needs of the parishioners of today and tomorrow and seized an opportunity to adapt to meet those needs. Rather than squeeze its worship and events into a mould that suited the church of yesteryear, this church has broken that mould. It has reshaped the space in which it meets in order to serve people in the way they want to gather and worship today. As rows of pews were introduced to parish churches in the Victorian and Edwardian periods to cater for the changing needs of those times; so now they are being removed in parish churches across the country in response to the needs of our times. Removing pews ,of course, is not a panacea for parishes which may be ailing for lack of more vital changes – in hearts and minds – of the sort only prayer and the Holy Spirit can supply. The church is the people, of course, and not the building. There will be different solutions in different places to the problem of making church buildings more fit for the Church's mission and worship in the twenty-first century. Though in
1
parishes that address this problem seriously, retaining their serried ranks of pews does not appear to be among the solutions adopted. As a church we have done some thinking already about this issue. In 2008 a Building Strategy Group set up by the PCC reported after a year's research and reflection. It's a report very well worth reading and I hope that it can continue to be the stimulus for ongoing discussion. Since that report was issued in 2008 there have been some small easily-made changes e.g. you may have noticed the use of signage around the outside of the church to guide visitors to the correct church entrance and the Parish Office, and the use of A-boards outside the church entrance to indicate that we are open and things are happening. Last summer we emptied the Lady Chapel of pews and borrowed some chairs to experiment with flexibility in that particular space. Unfortunately the chairs were only available during August when most people were away, and they were not very representative of the type of chairs used in churches. Whilst it gave some people a positive experience of different ways to configure gathering for prayer in the chapel; others were distracted by a negative response to the chairs themselves. This year we have been given another opportunity. Woosehill Community Church has kindly offered an extended loan of more suitable chairs; and the PCC has agreed to conduct a six-month experiment of their use in the Lady Chapel. This pilot is specific to the Lady Chapel of course and does not carry any necessary implications about what may be done in the rest of the building. But it would be a missed opportunity if we did not use the Lady Chapel pilot to inform and stimulate conversations about what our future strategy for the rest of the church should be. The 2008 Building Strategy Group Report is an excellent resource for these conversations. Please read it when you can at http://ow.ly/17Ehv This month there is a Leadership Forum meeting (20th March) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on the topic of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nurtureâ&#x20AC;? - to which all groups are invited to send a leader or a representative. Sometimes groups ask me how their group's specific purpose relates to some of the topics covered in the Leadership Forums, such as evangelism. Two comments I make in response are these.
2
First, group leaders are leading members of the whole church and so it's vital that we gather to consider together matters affecting the whole church even if your particular group's purpose may not directly relate to every topic. Second, most (though not all) groups provide small face-to-face meetings of church members and when people meet in them there's opportunity to chat informally about topics and needs affecting the whole church.
David Hodgson
MAGAZINE INFORMATION Please leave items for publication in the Magazine tray in the Parish Office or email directly to the editor on or before the Copy Date please. Contributions can be typed, handwritten, or e-mailed. All Saints PCC Wokingham, is a Registered Charity, Nbr. 1127585
Editor:
Andrew McKenna (977 3812) Email: editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk
Distribution:
Sheila Longley
(978 4193)
Advertisements:
Andrew McKenna (977 3812)
Collation:
Sheila Longley & team
(978 4193)
Copy Date for Mar:
Mar. 14th 2010
Collation:
Mar. 26th 2010
3
Clergy and Officers Rector Associate Priest Designate Honorary Asst. Curate Honorary Asst. Curate Community Priest Church Wardens Parish Office
The Revd. Canon David Hodgson The Revd. Caroline Kramer The Revd. Colin James The Revd. Helen Charlton The Revd Michael Johnson Jo Robinson John Smith Margaret Raggett Jo Asplin
Children and Youth Safeguarding Co-ordinator and Children’s Advocate Margaret Raggett Crêche Leader Rachel Garlish Junior Church Co-ordinator Harriet Swinyard Youth Church Co-ordinator (Acting) Revd Michael Johnson Friday Night Youth Drop-In (FDI) Co-ordinator Lorraine Hodgson Worship and Music Director of Music (inc. Choir) David Rance Music Group Leader Gail Houghton Head Server Chris Gilham Deputy Head Server Ruth Smith Bible Readers’ rota Joyce Baldry Tower Foreman John Harrison Flower Guild Chairman Pam Gilbey Worship Rota and Prayer Lists Co-ordinator Revd Colin James Lay Co-Chair of Worship & Music Development Liz Rippon
979 2999 (TBA) 978 1515 978 9153 979 0098 978 9730 979 0948 962 9378 979 2797
962 9378 978 2602 979 0098 979 2999 947 6734 979 2797 978 3948 978 7065 978 8506 978 5520 978 5694 978 1515 979 2797
Parochial Church Council Vacant can you be of help? John Smith 979 0948 Stephen Smith 979 4407 John Alp 979 2797 Margaret Hawkins 962 9792 Dickon Snell 978 1044 Stewardship Co-ordinator Jo Robinson 978 9730 Gift Aid Co-ordinator Peter Whittaker 978 6225 PCC Secretary Deputy PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Deputy PCC Treasurer PCC Treasurer’s Team
4
Clergy and Officers Stewardship Recorder Electoral Roll Officer Leadership Forum Convenor
Jim Creech Joyce Baldry Barbara Smith
377 4194 978 8506 979 4407
Pastoral Care contacts Home Communion Barbara Smith Healing Prayer Group Jack Hayley Pastoral Care contact Jo Robinson Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals Parish Office
979 4407 979 2797 978 9730 979 2797
Churchyard Steward
John Smith
979 0948
Clergy days off:
David Caroline Colin Michael
Thursday (TBA) Thurs/Friday Saturday
The Parish Office (0118 979 2797), in the Cornerstone, can be contacted about church related issues (Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals). It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.15 am to 1.00 pm and for urgent matters or by telephone on Monday and Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. e-mail: Postal address: All Saints website:
parishoffice@allsaintswokingham.org.uk The Parish Office, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk
The Cornerstone : For room bookings and general enquiries please phone 0118 979 7778. Administrator Monica Martin is in the office: Monday 2-5pm, Tuesday 12.15-4.30pm, Wednesday 2-5.30pm, Thursday 1.45 - 6.00pm. e-mail: info@thecornerstonewokingham.org.uk
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Worship at All Saints Services at All Saints' Church embrace a wide range of formats. An outline is given below but for details and information about occasional services, see the weekly leaflet.
Sunday Services 8.00 a.m. 9.30 a.m.
11.15 am. 11.15am
Holy Communion. A said service with a brief address using the traditional language version of the Common Worship Order One Eucharist Parish Communion. The service is sung, with hymns, and follows Common Worship Order One Eucharist. Children are catered for in the Crèche and Junior Church. The last Sunday in the month is Parish Communion for the Whole Church and often includes Parade, children are present throughout, and contribute to the worship. Prayer for Healing with Laying on of Hands is offered regularly at certain Parish Communion services (see diary). Coffee is served after the service and this is the weekly 'social gathering' of the Congregation. Please come and meet us there if you are a visitor to the church or would like to get to know us better.
(1st Sunday) No Service (2nd Sunday) Holy Communion. A said service using the Book of Common Prayer.
11.15am
(3rd Sunday) No Service Occasionally Baptisms will take place during this time
11.15am
(Some 4th Sundays) Matins using the Book of Common Prayer, usually sung and including a sermon.
6.30 pm.
(1st - 3rd Sundays) Evensong using the Book of Common Prayer with sermon. Choral Evensong is sung usually on the first Sunday of each month (An alternative form of worship on 4th & 5th Sundays ; and Services of Healing)
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Weekday Services Morning and Evening Prayer are said, using Common Worship Daily Prayer, at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. each day from Monday to Saturday. All may, and are encouraged, to attend. These services may be led by a Priest or members of the Laity.
Holy Communion is celebrated as follows: Monday Tuesday
9.30 am. 9.30 am.
Wednesday 10.00 am.
Friday
(Common Worship Order One) (Common Worship Order One with short address, followed by coffee) (Simple form of Common Worship Order One and short address (particularly for parents and child minders of babies and pre-school children)
in various Residential Homes
Major festivals are also marked by additional celebrations of Holy Communion. Please see the Parish Diary elsewhere in the magazine, or for whole year’s dates, see leaflet “Days to Remember at All Saints”.
Home Communion: If anyone knows of a housebound parishioner, either temporarily or long term, who would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office (979 2797).
Confirmation, Welcome or Growth Groups: Anyone interested in confirmation, a refresher course, or learning about the Christian faith is invited to join one of the Eureka! groups or a confirmation course - contact Barbara Smith on 979 4407.
Baptisms: are usually conducted at a special afternoon service on the last Sunday of each month; or occasionally in Sunday morning services if requested. Baptisms can be booked via the Parish Office (979 2797).
Wedding Bookings: Clergy are available in the Cornerstone on Monday from 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm and on Saturday from 10.30 am - 11.30 am on an appointment basis. Please book via the Parish Office on 979 2797
Transportation: Pat Forsyth (979 7023) or Sue Farrington (978 2371).
7
Flower Guild During the weeks of Lent we are all in a state of preparation of our thoughts and minds and looking forward to the season of Easter. On a different plane the Flower Guild members although not creating arrangements in Church to support the worship, are busy looking at our equipment, tidying our storage areas, touching up the finish on our stands and generally Spring cleaning. We are always grateful for help in these tasks when members are able. In the gardens we can be preparing to plant seedlings and tend bushes for our use later in year. Our next Guild Meeting will be the AGM on Wednesday 17th March at 8pm in the Cornerstone. If you have anything you would like to suggest or discuss at the meeting please let us have the details at least 2 weeks before.
Dates for your Diary
At the meeting we will be asking for help with the Easter flower arranging on Saturday 3rd April at 9.30am. Please let us know if you are available but cannot be at the AGM. We are again offering all Church members the opportunity to donate towards the cost of the special Easter flowers in memory of our loved ones. (See Page ?) Also we are always pleased to receive other spring flowers, blossoms and branches to brighten up the windowsills and elsewhere in the Church. Please bring items to church at 9.30am on the Saturday or arrange for collection. The next Guild practice evening will be on Tuesday 13th April at 8pm in the Cornerstone. Further details will be in the April magazine and in the weekly sheets. The worst of the weather is hopefully over so we can look forward to the milder temperatures of Spring and happy gardening and flower arranging. Margaret Whitaker For any information please contact : Pam Gilbey (978 5694), Kate Thomas (989 4190) or Margaret Whitaker (978 2307)
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Mothers’ Union Last month at our AGM, the Committee reported another successful year for the branch; the Committee were re-elected unanimously. The Mothers’ Union has again produced a catalogue of ethical gifts for Mothering Sunday. These catalogues can be obtained from Committee members or purchases can be made directly online. Purchasers may receive either a card to send to their mother, a card in memory of their mother or they can opt for no card. Gifts start at £6 for ducklings and prices rise to £168 for a literacy trainer’s salary for one month; there are 10 options up to £40 so it should be possible to cater for all budgets. The deadline for ordering cards in time for Mothering Sunday is Thursday 11th March or Tuesday 9th March if you need to allow time to post the card on. These ethical gifts have made a tremendous difference over the last three years that Mothers’ Union has run ‘Make a Mothers’ Day’. There are more details on the website but gifts include £26,000 of birthing kits and training of birthing attendants in Central Zambia, £53,000 to vegetable patch and poultry projects getting people out of long-term poverty and latrine and hand-washing gifts. The Mothers’ Union is a grassroots network, so overheads are almost the lowest in the charity sector; around 3% of the gift covers the cost of delivering the assistance to a family in need, including the expertise of the Mothers’ Union development worker in that area and the gift would not get there without this! See the poster on page – for more details. March is always a busy month. We will welcome Rev. Helen Charlton for our Lent meditation. We will take part in the Mothering Sunday service and prepare the posies; we are also making the coffee after this service. We will parade our banner on Palm Sunday. The Lady Day service this year is being held at Christ Church, Oxford. More information on The Mothers Union’s work worldwide can be found
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on the website www.themothersunion.org. Alternatively, you can call Valerie (978 7363) or Mary (978 2678) for more information on more local matters or for a lift to meetings.
Dates for your Diary
Tues 9th Mar
9.30am Corporate Communion 8.15pm Branch Meeting – Lent Meditation.
Sun 14th Mar
9.30am
Mothering Sunday service followed by our quarterly fund-raising coffee.
Thur 25th Mar
11am
Lady Day service at Christ Church, Oxford.
Sun 28th Mar
9.15am Palm Sunday procession.
QUIZ: QUICK-MARCH! A quiz for March: secular questions/answers feature the word ”march”, Biblical ones, feature ”march” or “walk”… 1. 2. 3. 4.
The March family are in which children’s classic book? Who led a daily march round Jericho, once a day for six days? In which English county is the town of March? In which strange situation was Jesus walking when he terrified the disciples? 5. Who sat with Alice, the Hatter and the Dormouse at the Mad Hatter’s tea party? 6. Where were two of Jesus’ followers walking to when he joined them, unrecognised, after the resurrection? 7. Which famous composer of marches wrote the tune used for, ”Monty Python’s Flying Circus”? 8. What did Jesus call Himself, saying that we would not walk in darkness? 9. Which title character in a Shakespeare play was urged to, ”beware the Ides of March”? 10.Psalm 23 tells us not to be afraid when walking where? (Answers are on pg. 36)
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Changes in the Tower The tower AGM, chaired by the Rector in January, saw two significant changes of officer. Jon Tutcher stood down as Ringing Master and was succeeded by Nigel Mellor. Mhairi Miller was elected Steeple Keeper (the person who looks after the hardware), and in doing so when not quite 17, became the youngest person ever to hold a tower office. The previous youngest officers, also Steeple Keepers, were Evan Kozakiewicz (18) and Simon Tomlinson (19) in the 1980s. Two years ago Mhairi attended a course on tower maintenance, run by the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bellringers. Since then she has been a keen assistant during maintenance sessions in the tower, and now she will have the chance to develop her practical experience in a position of responsibility. Shortly after the AGM, on the morning of the tower dinner, Mhairi rang her first peal. Nearly three hours of continuous ringing might seem a daunting prospect to a non-ringer, but ringing a peal (over 5000 changes) is the ‘gold standard’ performance to which most ringers aspire. About 5000 peals are rung worldwide each year. This peal, 5056 changes of Superlative Surprise Major, was the 78th peal to be rung at All Saints, the first being in 1903, shortly after the bells were augmented to eight. There is more about the history of peal ringing at All Saints on the tower website: www.allsaintswokinghambells.org.uk/peals/ The annual tower dinner was at the Frog & Wicket in Eversley, and included a performance of Kent Treble Bob Major rung on handbells. Jo Robinson was guest speaker, and she challenged us all to move out of our comfort zones. In contrast, Neil Curnow, whose name had earlier been drawn out of a hat to give the traditional ‘third speech’, had everyone in stitches as he graphically recounted getting his sweater stuck over his head while ringing a peal in his youth. John Harrison
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House-to-House Collection for Children 17-24 April 2010 The Wokingham Committee has consistently been one of the top houseto-house fundraisers in the whole country. In our annual house-to-house collection we can help The Children’s Society reach out to thousands of vulnerable and disadvantaged children who desperately need our help. This year alone, 100,000 children will run away. That is a truly shocking figure. A quarter of first time runaways will be under 11 years old and two thirds will not be reported missing by their parents or carers. Many face violence, poverty and neglect at home and feel their only option is to run away. It isn’t. Every penny you raise enables us to take action to rescue and support these children when they need us most: listening to their problems, helping them find safe accommodation and protecting them from harm. The Children’s Society is driven by the belief that every child deserves a good childhood. We can’t help every child in need, but we do try to target some of those who face the greatest danger or disadvantage in their daily lives, who can’t find the support they need anywhere else. So please help us again this year with our house-to house collection across Wokingham, or volunteer to join our team of about 100 people, to raise money for some of the children who are the most at risk. Without your help many children will miss out on the childhood they deserve. If you can help deliver and collect envelopes house-to-house, please contact Dickon Snell on 978 1044. Let’s see if we can be one of the top fundraisers again!
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Clergy Team Letter Reflections on Joining the Clergy Team Helen Charlton (Rev) (Still can’t quite get used to Rev!) We meet as a team about once every 3 weeks, usually after Morning Prayer. I’d like you to picture the scene: David, Colin, Michael and I squidged into the clergy office in the Cornerstone, at least one of us is a bit late, coffee mugs in front of us, and a rather formidable agenda. The meeting alternates between high efficiency, spurred on by the need to make certain decisions quickly, and a more contemplative style where we try to take a more reflective approach to some tricky issues. We each bring our experience, our style and our concerns. David is in the ‘chair’ although there is plenty of scope for freeflow discussion and it is recognised that this is an important space for us all to raise subjects. I feel affirmed that despite being the ‘new girl,’ my views and suggestions are readily sought (of course most of you know I was never backwards in coming forwards!). We are in transition – what team isn’t? – Michael’s energies are focused in his stage-fright role; this is acknowledged, as is his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition in workload until Rev Caroline Kramer joins us. I am available only limited hours, and I need to be ‘shadowed’ on many projects. David, with his laptop in front of him is connected to us and to cyberspace during the meeting. Colin has a collection of very neat notes in a file, and his contributions to the meeting demonstrate his shrewd observations, his warm compassion, and his sense of humour. My diary displays the juggling act I am doing with my (other) work in mental health. Much of the meeting consists of feedback from and to other groups, whether it be a review of a recent festival, or a proposal concerning youth work. The complexity of the All Saints’ organisation becomes apparent and David manages to keep an overview. The amount of work done by
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17
congregation members is phenomenal, both through PCC and other formal channels, and through informal networks. The clergy team has to ensure that the grand view of the ‘work of God in this place’ stays in perspective, - locally, ecumenically, nationally and globally. It does sound grand, doesn’t it, but God has grand designs. Whether we are discussing strategic direction, sharing confidential pastoral concerns or divvying out tasks on various worship rotas, I hope that we can keep this perspective. A mobile goes off. It might be a work colleague of mine requiring advice about the Mental Health Act, it might be stage-fright business or a Ukrainian friend calling Michael, but most likely it is Jo Asplin reminding David that he is due at a Deanery meeting. We depart, last one out washes up the mugs and turns out the light ! Helen Charlton
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Music List March 2010 Sunday
Lent 3 - 7th March
Org
Service
Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
DAR
Hymns
(312a)
Music
Victim Divine - Hutchings
Final Voluntary Service
Choral Evensong
Introit
Hide not thou thy face from us - Farrant
Responses
Plainsong
Psalms
12 & 13
Canticles
Darke in F
DAR
Hymns Music
Love's endeavour, love's expense - Barry Rose
Final Voluntary
Sonata No 3 (1st Movement) - Mendelssohn
Sunday
Lent 4 - Mothering Sunday - 14th March
Service
Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
Hymns
(255a)
Music
Ave maris stella - Grieg
Final Voluntary
Scherzo - Gigout
Service
Sung Evensong: Plainsong Responses
Psalms
30
DAR
DAR
Hymns Music
Never weather-beaten sail - Thomas Campion
Final Voluntary
Short Prelude & Fugue in D minor (BWV 554) - J S Bach
Sunday
Lent 5 - Passion Sunday - 21st March
Service
Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting
Psalm
126
Hymns
(220)
Music
Drop, drop, slow tears - Orlando Gibbons
Final Voluntary
Tuba Tune - C S Lang
Service
Said Evensong with Piano/Healing Service
20
DAR
---
Music List March 2010 Sunday
Palm Sunday - 28th March
Org
Service
Procession and Whole Church Communion
DAR
Hymns Music
Hosanna to the Son of David - Hutchings
Final Voluntary
"Little" Prelude & Fugue in E minor (BWV 533) - J S Bach
Service
Passiontide Meditation: Choral Service of Music & Readings
Music
by various composers
Final Voluntary
---
Thursday
Maundy Thursday - 1st April
Service
Eucharist and Washing of Feet: Archer - People's Setting
Music
Wash me throughly - S S Wesley
DAR
DAR
Nolo mortem peccatoris - Morley Friday
Good Friday - 2nd April
Service
Solemn Liturgy
Psalm
22
DAR
Hymns Music
The Reproaches - Victoria
Sunday
Easter Day - 4th April
Service
Whole Church Communion: Peruvian Gloria - Kemp
Hymns
(232a)
Music
This joyful Eastertide - Wood
Final Voluntary
Fugue in G minor "The Great" (BWV 542) - J S Bach
Service
Evening Choral Eucharist
Setting
Missa Brevis - Andrea Gabrielli
DAR
DAR
Gradual Hymns Music
Haec Dies - Byrd
Final Voluntary
Fiat Lux - ThĂŠodore Dubois
21
Parish Diary March 2010 Sunday
Monday to Saturday
Lent 3
7
8
Mo Tu
08.00am
Holy Communion
9
09.30am
Parish Communion
10 We
11.15am
**No Service
11 Th
06.30pm
Choral Evensong
12 Fr
page
Serendipity
8.00 pm Julian Group
13 Sa 14
Mothering Sunday
15 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
16 Tu
09.30am
Parish Communion
17 We
11.15am
BCP Eucharist
18 Th
06.30pm
Evensong (Sung)
19 Fr
Mother's Union
10
20 Sa 21
Passion Sunday
22 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
23 Tu
8.15 pm Serendipity
09.30am
Parish Communion
24 We
All Saints Fellowship
34
11.15am
**No Service
25 Th
Healing Prayer Group
28
06.30pm
Healing Service
26 Fr 27 Sa
28
Palm Sunday
29 Mo
08.00am
Holy Communion
30 Tu
09.30am
Whole Church with Palm Sun. Parade
31 We
11.15am
**No Service
1
Th
3.00pm
Holy Baptism
2
Fr
06.30pm
Choir Service
3
Sa
22
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Paying for Peace If like me you are a pacifist and possibly belong to the Peace Pledge Union, you will believe it is only through cooperation, and the acknowledgement that we are all interdependent upon one another, that the human race will survive and develop. You will believe too that there is no such thing as a “Just War” and that the term is an oxymoron. Therefore may I commend to you a small organisation called Conscience? Conscience campaigns for TAXES FOR PEACE NOT WAR and works for a world where taxes are used to nurture peace not pay for war. It campaigns for a progressive increase in the amount of UK tax spent on peace-building, and a corresponding decrease in the amount spent on war and preparation for war. Last year UK military expenditure totalled over £35 billion. Every year 10% of your taxes are spent on the military budget. Military security is expensive, ineffective, and costs lives. Non-violent peace-building is more effective in the long term and better value. The U.S. Congress voted to fund the invasion of Iraq to the end of 2004 to the tune of $200 billion – twice the cost of global clean water, health, literacy and soil conservation! If you wish more information please visit the Conscience website (conscienceonline.org.uk). It and the world need your support desperately. David Chapman Never in the world can hatred be stilled by hatred; it will be stilled only by non-hatred - this is the law eternal. Gautama Buddha Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
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Don’t forget to let our advertisers know you saw their ad in the All Saints Parish Magazine!
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My introduction to Christian healing ministry wasn’t in a church, but at a community festival with a group called Eden People. Although all of us who were with Eden that day had been to their training courses on the practice of the Christian healing ministry at music festivals, it was a bit of a shock to suddenly be one player in the spiritual supermarket. We were right next to the Hari Krishnas (and the command to love your neighbour is stretched after five straight hours Hari Krishna karaoke!) and in the same area as the tarot card readers, reiki healers, herbalists, spiritual healers and alternative practitioners of all types. People would drift from one tent to another, going from reiki healers to tarot readers, and then off to watch a set by a local band and then back to the healing field. So what did we, as Christians, do in this setting? Well to start we didn’t advertise that we were Christians. There is absolutely nothing on the outside of our tent that says that we are followers of Jesus. There was a huge great wooden cross inside the tent, but apart from the invitation for free healing in an ‘ancient tradition,’ there were no clues about our background and what might be inside the tent. There is a very clear reason for this. If the people who go to these festivals knew that we were Christians they wouldn’t talk to us. It can be a real education to learn just how Christians can be perceived by some groups outside of churches. People I’ve met tell me that Christians are judgemental and out of touch. We have nothing to say to people’s lives as they are lived in the 21st century and are an irrelevance at best. So how can Eden, and groups like it which are active all over the UK, begin to speak to people like this? They won’t come to us; we have to go to them.
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Berkshire Counselling Centre Counselling for the Community Counselling and training for individuals and couples. Self or Company referrals, help with depression, stress, relationships and self esteem. Talking things over with a trained counsellor may help to free a situation. Through counselling people can often gain a new zest for life and make changes for the better in their personal relationships. Berkshire Counselling Centre provides an independent, confidential service for clients. Anyone over the age of 18 can make an appointment for an assessment interview. (Financial contribution discussed at 1st appointment) We are an accredited member of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
0118 978 7879 Berkshire Counselling Centre The Cornerstone Norreys Avenue Wokingham RG40 1UE Email info@counsellingcentre.com Website www.counsellingcentre.com
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At Eden we give food and drink to anyone who is passing who is hungry or thirsty. Festivals are often very expensive places to be and to give things away is counter cultural. We also provide a quiet space with big cushions, art activities and meditation spaces. Festivals are loud and can be overwhelming. Eden provides rest. And we offer free healing. Next to the stalls offering all sorts of enlightenment, insight or healing for ÂŁ20 upwards, Eden offers healing for nothing, nadda, nil pounds and for free. We listen to worries, to past and present pain, to concerns and in the listening, try to find where Jesus has already touched their lives. It becomes a process of helping people recognise what was already there in the story of their lives, rather than imposing a set of values from outside. Usually they are happy to let us pray for them and it is such a huge privilege, to be given permission to pray for people who never heard the name of Jesus spoken with love before The bottom line is that in the commercial world of the festival, grace is radical. An old story that was dismissed as irrelevant is found to be alive and living in people today. So was it worth putting up with the karaoke Hari Krishnas? Oh yes! Karen Wellman 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 next Healing Service will be held on Sunday 31st January at 6.30pm. The Laying on of Hands will be made available at the Parish Communion on Sunday 21st February.
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SONNING DEANERY SYNOD REPORT At the Deanery Synod meeting on 28th January the House of Laity met to elect either John Smith from All Saints or Martin Hughes from California as Lay Chairman of the Synod. Statements by the candidates were circulated. In a secret vote the candidates tied and in line with Church rules one voting paper was then picked out at random. Martin Hughes was the successful candidate. Deanery Mission Plan The present Deanery plan will be developed by the circulation of a questionnaire to all Parishes with “Living Faith for the Future in the Deanery of Sonning” providing a framework. Parishes will be invited to comment and use the questionnaire as a planning tool to then feed back to the group. It is hoped that this can be done in a month, be in draft form by the March Synod and finalised at a Synod meeting at the end of May. This meeting will be brought forward from June so that the completed plan can go to the June Archdeacon Pastoral Committee. Parish Share The parishes of Arborfield, Barkham & The White House chose not to pay their parish share in full this year. Deanery Synod approved the payment of £566 shortfall in order to safeguard the potential rebate for 2010. A resolution was passed to go back to these parishes during the year to further discuss the implications. Bearwood and Winnersh proposals The Area Dean reported on the progress of talks around the possibility of three new benefices. A debate was held on the proposals which will form the biggest section of the new Deanery plan and discussion on some of the practical difficulties to be overcome. Talks continue with the aim of enabling mission and ministry in the growing Winnersh area and reconnecting part of the Hurst parish with Ruscombe and Twyford. Meetings are also ongoing between St. Paul’s and Woosehill. Meriel Dickson
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All Saints’ Fellowship Welcome to Fellowship’s new program with meetings in the Cornerstone De Vitre Room on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.45pm for 7.55pm. Everybody is very welcome and the cost to visitors is £1.50. We held our A.G.M. in January when the following committee was elected: Diana Clifford (Leader), Diana Coates, Jill Jones, Sheila Shields, Evelyn Goddard, Marjorie Fletcher, Anona Jones. Our thanks to Revd. Colin James for chairing the evening and guiding us through discussions and decisions which was very much appreciated. This year the charity will be Berkshire Cancer Centre at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Wed. 17th Mar. BROWNSEA –A SECRET ISLAND – the turbulent history of this tranquil and idyllic island (some of you will be interested with its’ connection to scouting) and now belongs to the National Trust. Slides & talk with Mr. Tony Weston.
Dates for your Diary
Wed. 21st April ARMCHAIR EXERCISES – get fit for spring with Mrs. Jill Hibbitt. Wonderful to have Jill back again after her accident last year. Wed.19th May. FLORAL DESIGNING –WHAT’S THE END RESULT? Mrs. Kate Thomas Wed.16th June PUPPY WALKING – GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND Mrs. Heather Rees Wed.21st July SUMMER GET TOGETHER with STAWBERRIES & CREAM. Contact for Fellowship is Diana Clifford 979 2614.
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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 CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE
EASTER BREAKFAST SUNDAY 4th APRIL 7:15 am approx. In the Cornerstone following the 6.00am service Tickets £2.50 each for full or vegetarian £1.25 each for continental Available at Sunday 8.00am service from Su McArthur Sunday 9.30am from committee member Money with booking please and the last date for booking is TUESDAY 30th MARCH Contacts: Mavis Mason 9792940 Diana Clifford 9792614 WE WANT TO WELCOME LOTS OF PEOPLE SO DO COME!
HAPPY EASTER
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE
HELP! CHILDREN’S ACTIVITY TABLE In Cornerstone after 9.30am service SUNDAY 7th MARCH SUNDAY 21st MARCH EASTER BREAKFAST see details in magazine SUNDAY 4th APRIL CELLOPHANE WRAPPERS - Thank you very much for the superb response. We used some of them for the St. Valentine’s Day table and it was such a help. Please keep bringing any you have (wrappers from cards etc) to Su McArthur at 8.00am and a committee member at 9.30am on the first Sunday in the month or contact Diana Clifford 9792614 but please do not leave them in the parish office. PLASTIC POT with TOPS. We also need for the table on Sunday 21st March plastic pots such as those used for glace cherries – similar pots a bit larger or smaller would be suitable but we do need the lids. Please bring them on Sunday 7th or 14th March.
Quick March Quiz Answers (from pg. 11): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Little Women Joshua Cambridgeshire On the water The March Hare Emmaus Souza (that tune is called ”Liberty Bell”) The Light of the World Julius Caesar Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
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WOMAN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (for Women, Men and Young People) Cameroon is situated on the Gulf of Guinea and is twice the size of the U.K. It produces, among other things, oil, rubber, cotton and bananas all contributing to the economy. It is also becoming a tourist attraction. After a long period of campaigning for independence from France and Britain on 20th May 1972 it became the United Republic of Cameroon. Cameroonian women are involved in working for social equality (only male heads of households have land rights) but they do have equal rights for inheritance, credit and employment. Malaria, poverty and malnutrition affects more than one in five children. Child trafficking and delivering education are big problems but despite this the Christian Women of Cameroon’s response to this in compiling the international Women’s World Day of Prayer service for this year is ‘Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God’ – please support them and come to the service at St. Paul’s Church on Friday 5th March at 10.30am. The speaker will be Mother Jennifer Welsh. We look forward to you joining with us Diana (979 2614), Lilian (978 2171), Ursula (979 4473).
HELP!
We have a missionary family returning home from Burkina Faso for a 6 month Furlough from 31st March – 25th Sept. Mark and Caroline have a little girl of primary school age.
We wondered if you had any suggestions regarding free or reasonably priced accommodation for this family? I look forward to hearing from you, Catharine Newport Kings Church Wokingham Kings House, 6 Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BJ Tel: 0118 9619876 email: admin@kingschurch.org.uk web: www.kingschurch.org.uk Registered Charity No: 1077523
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News from February PCC Meeting At our PCC meetings in the DeVitre room, we sit around tables that have been laid out in a rectangle shape. This time in the middle of the rectangle shape was a solitary chair â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but why was it there? As well as the general acceptance of the minutes and matters arising from the minutes, amongst the items that were further discussed and noted were: The draft outline report for the APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) Our legacy policy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this was about what we do with legacies that have been left to All Saints. A paper had been submitted from the Finance Committee, which was accepted. Expenses that have been incurred, over and above our budget, during the winter so far - several trees lost big branches because of the weight of the snow, so urgent attention was required by a tree surgeon; clearing the fallen timber, although many volunteers did help, incurred extra skip hire expenses; and our winter stock of rock salt supplies ran out during the first downfall of snow before Christmas. A report was received the by the Deanery Synod reps. The Deanery Synod - a committee made up of representatives from churches in the Sonning Deanery of which The Rev Canon David Hodgson is Area Dean - has now elected a lay vice-chairman, filling a vacancy after nearly a year. It was noted how well All Saints had supported the CTW (Churches Together in Wokingham) service held at the Wokingham Baptist Church recently. The displays and presentations gave everyone a good feeling of how churches, organisations and their activities are working together. Now to the solitary chair. You may remember last August that there was a trial in the Lady Chapel using chairs instead of pews. The PCC have agreed to extend this trial
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but to borrow some more suitable chairs for an extended length of time to ascertain the flexibility and practicalities of using chairs and not pews in the Lady Chapel. Woosehill Community Church very kindly loaned us a chair to show the PCC members, and hopefully we will be able to loan a number of chairs from them for our trial.
This article is written by Jo Robinson (Churchwarden and PCC member) on her views of the meeting, and is not an official record of the meeting which can be found in the published minutes.
EASTER FLOWERS Would you like to contribute towards the purchase of Lilies and other Easter Flowers? This is an opportunity for us to remember our loved ones by making a donation
All donations of cash or cheques (made payable to All Saints Flower Guild) will be welcome and may be given to Pam Gilbey, Margaret Whitaker or Kate Thomas
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Baptisms 24 Jan
Jan Molly Rose Crallan
Marriages 22 Jan
Burials 8 Feb
Matthew John Taylor with Lucinda Jane Pilgrim
Anthony Martin Joyce
Age 76
At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 29 Jan Barbara Winifred Fiddamen 16 Feb Philip Gavin Grant 17 Feb Margaret Fletcher
Number of Sundays Sundays Week days
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Age 93 Age 86 Age 78
5 826 194
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