Xn - June 2012

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JUNE 2012

ISSN 2049-4971

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thanks church administrators

From the editor WeLCome to the June issue of Xn – the new magazine that’s packed with good news from churches across the Thames Valley. If this is your first issue, an extra special welcome.

Our aim is to be an inspiring, encouraging and informative read.

This month sees the nation mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the long weekend of partying marks the start of summer-long celebrations: the Euro 2012 football championships also kick off this month and then the London Olympics follow in July.

It should come as no surprise that churches want to help people celebrate and give thanks for these events.

Throughout this issue you’ll find details of events taking place across the region over the coming weeks. They’re all ways in which we’re trying to make this a year to remember.

There are so many great things that churches are doing and it’s a privilege to be able to share them with you.

Xn was launched in January and we’ve been bowled over by the response: readers love our mix of news and features.

But we’d like to do more. At the moment the magazine is run by just myself, with some help from some volunteers.

You could help us by offering to deliver copies to churches, advertising your business or sending us your news.

We’re here for you!

Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk

CHURCH administrators from Wokingham, Bracknell and Crowthorne were thanked for their hard work recently.

They were guests at a special lunch organised by Xn and supported

by Faith In The Community.

Held at the Artsbar in Cantley Lodge Hotel, Wokingham the lunch was also an opportunity for the administrators to meet their counterparts.

“Church administrators work hard and are the unsung heroes of our churches,” said Xn editor, Phil Creighton. “This is our way of saying thank you for what they do.”

The lunch was so successful that plans are being made for a follow-up. v Church administrators in Reading have been invited to a lunch later this Church administrators with copies of Xn at the recent thank you lunch, held at the Artsbar in month.

Cantley Lodge Hotel, Wokingham Picture: Sharon Elliott

v Get in touch! email your stories to editor@xnmedia.co.uk Deadline for July issue Friday, June 15

A bittersweet jubilee celebration A CHURCH’S golden jubilee service will be a bittersweet occasion – it’s also a service to bid farewell to a member of its ministry team.

All Saints Upper Bucklebury will mark its 50th year with the special service of thanksgiving at 11am on Sunday, June 17.

Afterwards, the church will hold a bring and share lunch.

During the service, the church will thank associate minister the Revd Raymond Obin for his eight-year ministry at the church.

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Three sessions with Michael Penny (Chairman of Churches Together in Reading)

2.30-6.30 Saturday June 9th, 2012.

St. Stephen’s Church, Upper Basildon, Reading, RG8 8LS Refreshments will be served between sessions and there is no charge for the afternoon.

For directions and further information please call 01491-671357 email admin@obt.org.uk for a free copy of Search magazine or visit

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1962. As the church marked its 15th anniversary in 1977, it was extended, while a brick-built worship area was added to the church in 1988.

Now, the church is an active part of the community and includes a rural Post Office which meets twice a week. v The church has also launched regular Messy Church sessions.

At the May event, the Revd Lyn Bliss helped families learn about the day of Pentecost and explore the power of the Holy Spirit through making windmills,

kites, blowing bubbles and paint, making straw flutes, rubber stamping on bookmarks, writing ‘Praise the Lord’ in different languages and decorating cakes.

As part of the session, the children also made a banner that now adorns the worship area in the church.

The next Messy Church is planned for Tuesday, June 19, from 3.30pm. All are welcome. v For more details, call the church on 01635 860220 or log on to www.2bsd.org.uk/messychurch.

v Hard of hearing club

v Weekend of music awaits

v Churches Together AGM

PEOPLE with hearing impairments are invited to join the Reading Hard of Hearing Club.

It meets on the first and third Friday of every month at Abbey Baptist Church, behind Reading Central Library.

New members are welcome and sessions run from 2pm to 3.45pm.

Each session includes a fun activity or visiting speaker and it hopes to hold an indoor curling session in June. v For more details, call organiser Maureen Dickens on (0118) 926 8055 or email maureendickens.271@ btinternet.com.

A SINGER from New Zealand will be one of the attractions at a weekend of music taking place later this month.

St Nicolas in Earley will welcome Rory Malone for a concert of Christian music from 7.30pm on Friday, June 15.

Although aimed at youth groups, all will be welcomed.

Then, on Sunday, June 17, the Boys’ Choir from Reading Minster will perform at 3pm.

A cream tea follows.

The church is in Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley. v For details contact Wendy in the St Nicolas Parish Office, by calling (0118) 966 9080, or email office@stnicolas.org.uk.

GRANGE URC Church in Southcote will welcome Christians from across the denominations next month.

It is the venue for the Churches Together in Reading AGM which starts at 7.45pm on Monday, July 2.

The first item on the agenda will be refreshments and the meeting starts at 8pm.

The church is on the corner of Southcote Lane and Circuit Lane, just off the Bath Road.

Parking is available at the church and also in the car park of a doctors’ surgery opposite. v For further information, email michael@pennyfamily.co.uk or call 01491 671357.

Raymond was ordained in 2004 after a career in IT, something which he still does part-time.

He has been invited to join the Oxford Diocesan Director of Ordinand’s (DDO) team as an Assistant Area Director of Ordinands.

In order to focus on this new role, he will be leaving the regular ministry team which serves churches in Bucklebury, Bradfield and Stanford Dingley.

The church, which seats 150 people, was first dedicated in

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Olympic logos and London 2012 images on this page are © London 2012

OLYMPIC COUNTDOWN

Lower Earley gets together for opening ceremony AS THE Olympic torch makes its way across the country, the countdown for the games themselves is getting closer.

Taking place from Friday, July 27 until Sunday, August 12, the London Games promises to cap off a memorable year for the nation and it all starts with an opening ceremony which includes a parade of the athletes taking part and a stunning artistic display that has been created by Danny Boyle and features 15,000 participants.

To celebrate the Games, Churches Together in Lower Earley and East Reading has

teamed up with local businesses and Wokingham Borough Council for a fun community event which includes a screening of the opening ceremony.

“The nation is gearing up for the Olympics – it’s going to be massive,” said the Revd Jon Salmon, priest in charge of Trinity Church, Lower Earley.

“To mark and make the Games all the more memorable we are partnering to create an exciting and fun event for the local community.”

The event will take over part of the District Centre in Lower Earley with the Opening Ceremony to be shown on a massive screen in the Loddon Valley Leisure Centre’s sports hall.

Throughout the evening there will be a whole range of fun games and activities from Zumba to face painting and a massive barbecue, all located throughout the Leisure Centre, The Earley Retreat and Trinity Church.

Local community groups and organisations will be present.

“Do put this exciting and memorable community event in your diaries,” Jon added.

“This is an event for all ages and all the family, and will – for all the right reasons – help you remember in years to come where you were the day the Olympics started in the UK.” It starts at 6pm on Friday, July 27. The opening ceremony starts at 9pm. Tickets cost £5 for families, £2 for adults and £1 for under 16s. Under fives get in free.

Entry includes the barbecue, a soft drink and participation in

St Andrew’s ready for torch arrival PLANS are continuing for a celebration party as the Olympic Flame comes to Reading next month.

St Andrew’s URC Church in London Road is hosting the Praise Bus which is currently travelling ahead of the Olympic Flame and to mark their arrivals, the fellowship wants to organise a night to remember.

The Flame arrives in Reading from Bracknell at approximately 6pm on Tuesday, July 10. It travels from the Sutton Seeds roundabout, along London Road, across the IDR to the Oracle Riverside before being transported to the Madejski Stadium where it will stay overnight. At each stage of the journey, local people will act as torchbearers.

The celebration at St Andrew’s starts at 5pm and continues to 7pm. Everyone is welcome and join in the fun at the free event.

It will include music from the Reading Scottish Pipe Band, who have also been selected to perform at the Olympics Closing Ceremony on August 12.

“There will be entertainment, food and worship, so we can welcome the torch to Reading with prayer and bless the rest of the journey,” said the Revd Richard Becher, a minister of the church.

The Praise Bus left the chapel of Escalls, Land’s End ahead of the Flame and is following a similar route across the country.

Christian bands perform on the open-topped bus as it passes through the towns.

Torchbearer 001 Ben Ainslie holds the Olympic torch before he begins the first leg between Land’s End and Sennen on May 19. The torch arrives in Bracknell on Tuesday, July 10, heading to Reading later that day

Wokingham churches plan their own relay A CHURCH in Wokingham is making up for the town’s disappointment at not being selected as a venue for the Olympic Torch route – by staging a town relay.

Wokingham Methodist Church will team up with other churches in the town so that an unofficial flame can be taken round the town on Sunday, July 8.

Plans are still being made for

the relay, but organisers are hoping for a fun day.

“Unfortunately the official Olympic torchbearer Street Route does not include Wokingham so we feel that it is our duty to fill that gap,” says church member and organiser Ian Cole.

The church will then team up with Woosehill Church to hold a celebration on Friday, July 27, the day of the opening ceremony.

Doors open at 5.30pm and the event continues until 10.30pm.

Two days later, it will again team up with Woosehill Church for a family fun day at the Hawthorns School in Woosehill.

Running from 12.30pm to 6pm, the event will take its cues from the popular Games. v For more details, call the church on (0118) 977 6898 or log on to www. wokinghammethodist.org.uk.

all activities. They will go on sale in local venues soon.

The main organising partners are WBC, Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, ASDA Lower Earley, Churches together in Earley and East Reading, The Earley Retreat and The Head Partnership, with support from Earley Town Council.

“We want to encourage a legacy for community activity and development in Lower Earley and we look forward to welcoming you on July 27,” Jon said. v For more details, contact Jon Salmon on 07840 494072.

v Blessings will go ahead of Olympic flame CHURCHES in Oxford are preparing prayers of blessing for Reading … while Reading is preparing prayers for Salisbury.

The prayers are part of the Cascade of Prayer, a More Than Gold initiative.

Organisers have arranged for a prayer relay to link the 70 locations where the Olympic Torch will stop overnight.

The chain started at Lands End on Saturday, May 19, where Christian leaders in Cornwall travelled on to Plymouth to hand over a symbolic prayer baton.

The baton will arrive in Reading on Tuesday, July 10.

Although it comes from Oxford, its route to the town is via Henley, Bisham, Maidenhead, Eton, Slough, Windsor, Ascot and Bracknell.

An evening celebration takes place at the Madejski Stadium.

Then, on Wednesday, July 11, it will leave Caversham Court Gardens at 8.04am, travelling to Theale, Thatcham and Newbury as it heads to Salisbury.

Later that day, church leaders from Reading will accompany the prayer baton to its next destination in Salisbury.

With the baton will be prayers from Reading Christians.

The Revd Jeremy Tear, who chairs the Churches Together Caversham Olympics steering group, said: “These are prayers of blessing. It would be really good to take lots of prayers of blessing to Salisbury.” v www.cavershamchurch.org.uk

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jubilee plans

Long to reign over us … Queen’s Jubilee The first weekend in June will be one to remember as we celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Churches everywhere are at the forefront of the celebrations. Here we round up what’s going on and how you can get involved with the nation’s big party

v Aldermaston v Chavey Down, Cranbourne FAMILIES in Aldermaston are being invited to a special fun day and Winkfield on Sunday, June 3.

Held at Aldermaston CE Primary School, attractions include an aeroplane fly-past, Olympic athletics, a hog roast, competitions including tug o’war and a children’s fancy dress and a screening of the Queen’s procession.

The day also includes a special Songs of Praise service led by parish rector, the Revd Becky Bevan. The day runs from 10.45am to 6pm. Tickets are £1.

v Brimpton UNDER 16s living in the parish of Brimpton will receive a free commemorative cup as part of the area’s Jubilee celebrations.

v Burghfield St Mary’s in Burghfield will hold a Civic Service of thanksgiving on Sunday, June 3 at 10am.

The service will include memories of the Coronation and a celebration of the life of Burghfield and Burghfield Common today.

The church will also take part in a village picnic on Monday, June 4 in the Royal Recreation Ground.

v Caversham v CAVERSHAM HEIGHTS Methodist Church is joining residents of Highmoor Road for a Jubilee party at the church on Tuesday, June 5 from 2pm.

Activities at the bring and share barbecue include races and games. v The Queen will be toasted with Champagne after the morning service at St Andrew’s Church in Caversham on Sunday, June 3.

St Mary’s Church in Winkfield is celebrating the Jubilee with a flower festival, evensong and a special peal of bells.

The flower festival started on Friday, June 1 and continues through to Holiday Tuesday.

The theme is, naturally, the six decades of the Queen’s reign.

Flower arrangers from St Mary’s, St Martin’s Chavey Down and St Peter’s Cranbourne have been joined by children from Winkfield St Mary’s, Cranbourne, Lambrook Haileybury and the Montessori Schools to create the displays.

The bell ringers, St Mary’s choir, the Tribe, St Martin’s Explorers and St Mary’s Family Praise members will also contribute.

Oak Tree Nurseries will provide a “floral beacon” and the White Hart is also joining in.

A Jubilee breakfast Bring & Share sees the Messy Church and Family Praise groups join together at St Peter’s, Cranbourne from 9.30am on Sunday, June 3.

St Mary’s will host a Jubilee Evensong at 6.30pm. The special service sees St Mary’s church choir joined by the St Mary’s Singers and Friends and the choir of Holy Trinity Church Bracknell.

Simon Baynes, the vicar of Winkfield from 1984 to 1999, has written a Jubilee hymn which will be sung at this service.

There will be special peals of tower bells all over the country and many other parts of the ringing world during the Jubilee weekend.

St Mary’s ringers also joined in the national event, which was held on Sunday, May 27, at 5pm.

v Earley A CONCERT by the Hodie Singers will be the showcase of the Jubilee events taking place at Earley St Peters. They will

perform a mixture of popular choral works by Parry, Elgar, Britten and Vaughan Williams at the concert which will take place at 3pm on Monday, June 4.

Tickets cost £10 or £8 for concessions and can be bought on the door or by emailing hodiesingers@gmail.com.

Other events include an openair communion accompanied by the Pangbourne Silver Band, which starts at 11am on Sunday, June 3. Afterwards there will be a Jubilee lunch.

At 6.30pm, churches in Earley will join together for an ecumenical service, which will be attended by members of Earley Town council and the Archdeacon of Berkshire, the Venerable Norman Russell, will be the preacher. Refreshments will be served after the service.

v Emmer Green St Barnabas Church will celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a service of thanksgiving a 9.30am on Sunday, June 17.

v Finchampstead Festivities planned at St James’ Finchampstead include a Big Lunch on Sunday, June 3.

On Monday, June 4, the church hosts a barn dance with fish ‘n’ chip supper at the Memorial Hall, followed at around 10pm with a procession up to the Church for the lighting of the Jubilee beacon and some rousing community singing with a glass or two of bubbly to help with the celebrations.

The church is organising some Jubilee walks around the village on Saturday, June 9.

There are three routes, including one aimed at families, complete with quiz and a chance to stop at a local pub. Each ends with a Churchyard Tea. For details, log on to www. finchampstead.co.uk.

v Goring Goring Free Church will be taking part in a Jubilee Praise event in Rectory Gardens on Sunday, June 3 from 11am. It will be followed by a Big Lunch.

v Lower Earley Lower Earley Baptist Church hosted a Best of British evening on Saturday, June 2 from 7pm.

The fun event includes a game of what makes Britain British and food was served.

v Purley St Mary’s Church will hold a thanksgiving service at 10.30am on Sunday. Afterwards there will be a uniformed procession to Bucknells ‘s Meadow for Purley’s Big Jubilee Lunch. This is followed by a family fun day including puppets, karaoke and a falcon display.

Goosecroft Gala takes place on Monday, June 5 from 9am and members of St Mary’s will be having a stall. As part of the day event there will be a fancy dress contest for children and a visit from Kingsley the Lion, the mascot of Reading Football Club.

The fair takes place across the village. For full details, log on to www.purleyonthames.org.uk.

v Reading v ANDERSON Baptist Church in Amherst Road will mark the Jubilee with special parade

service for its Scouts, Beavers and Cubs on Sunday, June 2 at 10.30am. Afterwards the church will take part in a picnic in a nearby park.

If Monday, June 3 is wet, the church hall will be used as a venue for a celebratory street party. v CAREY Baptist Church will team up with its neighbours to host a Diamond Jubilee community lunch on Sunday, June 3.

To take part, you just need to bring your own lunch.

Afterwards, there will be a thanksgiving service at 3pm, in lieu of Carey’s normal evening service. v ENGLISH MARTYRS Catholic Church in Liebenrood Road, Reading, is planning a Jubilee Festival on Tuesday, June 5.

It starts with a party for children aged five to 11 at 3pm.

This takes place in the church hall.

Then, from 6pm, there will be a barbecue followed by an evening of entertainment. Tickets cost £3 for children and £6 for adults. v ST LUKE’S Church in Erleigh Road, will host a Diamond Jubilee Tea Party from 2pm to

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jubilee plans

gives us a right royal chance to celebrate!

4pm on Tuesday, June 5. If it’s dry, it will be held on the grass outside the church.

All are invited to come along for tea and cake and the church building will be decorated with bunting and banners. v RESIDENTS of Newtown are invited to join the churches of St John and St Stephen and Wycliffe Baptist for a Jubilee Big Lunch in St John’s Field on Sunday, June 3.

Guests should bring a picnic and look forward to a fun afternoon including a bouncy castle, a Jubilee cake contest, games and face painting.

St John and St Stephen will also open its doors on Tuesday, June 5 to show the thanksgiving service live from St Paul’s Cathedral. Doors open at 10am and afterwards there will be a tea party.

You are invited to come dressed for the occasion. v MEMBERS of Christ The King Catholic church in Reading will be continuing their Jubilee celebrations later this month with a special Jubilee Festival night.

The evening, which will be held on Saturday, June 9 in the church hall, will be a blend of live music, dancing and entertainment to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee.

There will also be a licensed bar available.

Money raised from the evening will help a Catholic diocese in Cameroon and to help the church purchase new Liturgical items to enrich its Liturgy for the Mass.

The fun starts at 7.30pm and continues to 11.30pm. Tickets cost £5 or £2.50 for under 12s.

For more details, call Danny Apap on (0118) 967 3144.

v Shinfield A street party will be held at Elm Road on Monday from

v Twyford v Everyone is invited to celebrations at St Mary’s church and grounds from 4.30pm until dusk on Monday, June 4.

The Jubilee concert from Buckingham Palace will be shown on a big screen, a vocal group and a clown will entertain.

Food and drink will be available.

The Jubilee beacon will be lit accompanied with a short peal of bells around dusk.

Picture: Michael Gwyther-Jones/flickr

1pm-4pm. It is held jointly by St Barnabas Church and The Sportsman Pub. There will be a parade and Teddy Bear’s picnic, Shinfield’s Got Talent show, pork roast, bouncy castle, games, stalls.

The church is open for prayer and the session will be opened and closed with singing.

“The homes and businesses around Shinfield Road have been informed and invited with a fantastic first response.” says the Revd Leon Collyer, who is helping to organise the party.

“This is a new venture for St Barnabas and one that will open a whole new chapter of how the local church engages with its neighbours.”

v Sonning ST Andrew’s Church will hold a parish service of Thanksgiving for the Jubilee starting at 10.30am on Sunday June 3. Afterwards, there will be a street party for the parish to enjoy.

Over the Jubilee bank holidays – Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5 – there will be a scarecrow trail around the village.

Children are encouraged to make their own scarecrows and the winners will be judged by local MP Theresa May. Villagers will also be opening their gardens to the public. More blooms can be seen at a flower festival in St Andrew’s Church.

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v Swallowfield On Saturday, June 9, All Saints will host its summer fete, bringing the Jubilee celebrations in the village to a climax.

For more details, log on to www.loddonreach.org.uk.

v Theale THE search is on for the best dressed king or queen at a special Big Lunch to be held in Theale on Sunday, June 3.

The contest, which is open to children, will be judged by Lady Benyon and Alok Sharma, MP for Reading West. Entry is free and would-be royalty should assemble at the marquee behind the village hall at 12.50pm.

As well as the fancy dress contest, there will be a special Jubilee service at 11am at Holy Trinity Church and a Jubilee garden party in Theale Recreation Ground. Attractions will include country games at 1.30pm and a tug o’war contest at 2pm.

On Monday, June 4, the Jubilee beacon will be lit in the church tower, around 10.20pm.

v St James’ in Ruscombe is taking part in Twyford’s donkey derby on Sunday, June 3.

The event is organised by the Twyford Round Table and takes place from 1pm to 5pm at King George V Playing Field. As part of their stand they will include a prayer wall for visitors to leave prayer requests.

Then, in the evening, the church’s 6pm services will be followed – after a short break to sip a toast to the Queen – by A Fanfare for a Royal Jubilee, an organ interlude played by Sylvia Collins. Donations from this event will be given to Age Concern (Twyford).

v Wargrave On Tuesday, June 5 the Queen will attend a special service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and St Mary The Virgin, Wargrave is erecting two large screens to screen the broadcast.

The church will open at 9.30am and, when the service begins at 10.30am, visitors can join in singing the hymns and praying.

Admission is by ticket. For details, email andyferguson1@ btinternet.com

v Tilehurst

v Whitley

St Michael’s held a street party to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday, June 2.

WHITLEY’S churches are teaming up for a Diamond Jubilee Celebration Street Party from

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1pm to 4pm on Saturday, June 2. It is hoped to have ½km of tables laid out with tea, cake and sandwiches.

There will also be face painting, live entertainment and a lot of fun.

v Wokingham On Saturday, June 2, a Jubilee Chorus Concert featured 250 singers. It took place at Elms Field from 7.45pm.

After the concert, The Bradbury Centre at Wokingham Methodist Church screened the Jubilee flotilla on the River Thames.

On Sunday, June 3, members of the The Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers will march through the town with “drums beating and flags flying”, after a parade inspected by the Mayor at 9am.

A Civic Parade will leave the Town Hall at 10.30am, heading to All Saints for a Service of Thankgiving.

The parade features the Town Mayor and Councillors, and St Sebastian’s Band.

The Big Jubilee Lunch takes place in Market Place and the surrounding streets from noon. Local restaurants will be providing Jubilee Platters at £5 – or you can bring your own Jubilee Picnic. It runs from 12.30pm to 4pm.

In the evening there will be the Big Jubilee Concert with top bands playing music from every decade of the Queen’s reign.

Admission is free.

It takes place at Elms Field from 4pm to 10.30pm.

v Woolhampton Songs of Praise for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will take place at Douai playing fields, Upper Woolhampton on Sunday, June 3 at 11am.

The service will be led by the Revd Des Foote and include the nation’s favourite hymns.

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v Fun at summer fair ST PAUL’S Church in Wokingham is holding its annual summer fete at the end of the month.

The afternoon of fun will include traditional games, plenty of stalls including books, plants and cakes and the opportunity to enjoy refreshments, including Pimms.

The church is also planning to open its bell tower, giving guests the chance to enjoy the view and see the bells.

It takes place on Saturday, June 30 at the church, on Reading Road, from 2pm to 5pm.

v Bra-vo for marathon effort TWO members of St John Bosco in Woodley took part in the recent Moonwalk in London.

Claire Willoughby and Angela Potter walked 26.2 miles across the capital city, raising more than £1,000 for breast cancer charities. The pair start at 11.20pm and finished at 5.40am. v To make a donation log on to www.walkthewalkfundraising. org/willpott.

Christian Aid concert was a diamond night of music Sonning parish launched its Jubilee celebrations with an excellent concert at St Andrew’s Church.

The evening of music, held on Saturday, May 12, featured musicians and choirs from the local community.

Approximately 300 people joined together to both celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, and to support Christian Aid, raising £2,000 from admission proceeds.

Forty members of the Reading Blue Coat School choir sang Robert Hartshorne’s anthem Stronger As One, which the Queen commissioned for the Commonwealth Day Observance Service in Westminster Abbey, and which they sang in her presence on that occasion.

The newly appointed 16-year-old organ scholar of St Andrew’s, Will Lewington, was introduced and gave an excellent performance.

The evening also saw many

v Karting fun

Caroline Taylor sings Rule Britannia during last month’s Jubilee concert at St Andrew’s Chuch in Sonning other young people joining in, including the choir of Sonning School.

The two choirs of St Andrew’s Church led patriotic songs, and all joined in with a Last Night of the Proms style finale, complete with the vicar’s wife, Caroline Taylor singing Rule Britannia.

St Andrew’s vicar, the Revd Jamie Taylor, said: “It was a great community evening for our

parish of Sonning and Charvil, combining both celebration and fund raising for a most worthwhile cause.

“There has been a long standing tradition of supporting Christian Aid through musical evenings here, and I am glad that so many got involved this year.” v For more on the church and its activities, log on to www.sonningparish.org.uk.

ON YOUR marks, get set, go karting!

That’s the instruction from Six Sixty, a local charity whose organisers include Christians from local churches.

The group are organising go kart race and fun day on Sunday, July 1 at Laurel Park in Earley.

Taking place from 2pm to 5pm, the afternoon will see families race their home-made karts in a series of heats.

As well as the racing, there will be a host of activities including face-painting, a barbecue, live entertainment, bouncy castles and cakes.

The minimum age to take part in the kart racing is five and it costs £5 per kart to enter. The group is organising a workshop for those who need some help in constructing a kart.

Money raise from the day will go to Six Sixty, which has a vision to create a place for local people to relax, enjoy coffee and provide a safe space or children to play.

It will also support two local charities and give a donation to a project in Uganda. v For details, log on to sixsixty. org.uk or call 07887 494875.

Girls’ Brigade take to the streets

The 1st Wokingham Girls’ Brigade took part in the recent May Fayre in the town centre DELICIOUS home-made cakes, jams and cards were snapped up at the recent Wokingham May Fayre, thanks to members of the 1st Wokingham Girls’ Brigade.

The company, which is attached to Wokingham Baptist Church, organised a stall at the recent Wokingham May Fayre, held in the town centre and in Elms Field on May Day holiday Monday.

As well as the chance to buy the tasty treats, the girls also organised a hook-aduck contest.

For the bargain price of 10p, visitors to the stall could snare a plastic bath duck and win sweets as a prize.

Also taking part in the fayre, which was hit by heavy rain in the morning,

were the St Sebastian’s Brass Band, just one of many bands to perform in Elms Field throughout the day.

The fayre is organised by Wokingham Lions and is believed to be the largest street fair in the south of England. It also gives many smaller charities a platform to raise funds through their own stalls.

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Methodist vice-president goes back to school thanks to REInspired’s lesson THE vice president of the Methodist Connexion stopped off in Caversham last month to go back to school.

But lessons for Ruth Pickles didn’t take place in the classroom – she instead visited Gosbrook Road Methodist Church where pupils from Year 3 of Thameside primary school where taking part in an REInspired session.

Led by Jane Borgeaud, a former primary school teacher who is now the charity’s project co-ordinator for Caversham, the interactive sessions saw pupils focus on different aspects of God. Ideas and concepts were explored through crafts, by lighting a candle and looking at how vacuum cleaners are powered. Children were encouraged to ask questions and participate in the sessions.

“It looks more creative than a lot of stuff churches do,” Ruth said. “It’s really good.

“I was really impressed with the knowledge children had – they knew it all, didn’t they?”

TAILORED Jane said that REInspired’s use of church buildings for the sessions, which helps schools by offering sessions tailored around their syllabus, is important.

“Schools like coming into a building and seeing it for yourself,” she said.

“We also say to schools, ‘give us your objectives and we will plan our session around it’.

“We provide lesson plans that gives teachers confidence that what we’re doing will meet the needs of the curriculum.”

Deacon Becky Lovett, who is a member of the pastoral team at Gosbrook Road, added: “The children get a lot out of it. They go away having had a positive experience of Church.”

Jane was also delighted that Ruth, who lives in Cheshire, dropped into the session.

“It was a huge honour for us,” she said. v For more on the work of the Reading-based charity, log on to www.re-inspired.org.uk.

Ruth Pickles (centre), the vice-president of the Methodist Connexion, visited the Caversham REInspired team last month to join in a session with Year 3 pupils from Thameside primary school

RE Matters

One day training conferences equipping you and your church to bring RE and Collective Worship to life in your local schools Wed 27 June 10am-3.30pm Headington, Oxford Sat 7 July 10am-3.30pm Earley, Reading £25 including refreshments & sample resources

Muslim headteacher to speak at St Peter’s A LEADER of a Muslim school will give a talk at St Peter’s in Caversham later this month.

Munawar Karim, Headteacher of Deenway School, Reading, the only Muslim Montessori School in the country will be the guest at this month’s Sunday Supplement talk.

He is the third speaker from the Abrahamic religions to give a talk and

he will focus on faith from the Islamic perspective.

It takes place at the church, which is next to Caversham Court, on Sunday, June 24 from 4pm. After the 40-minute talk there will be time for questions and to enjoy a tea.

Choral Evensong follows at 6.30pm, led by the church choir. Entry is free. v www.stpetercaversham.org.uk

The day includes: An introduction to RE & Collective Worship Building lasting relationships with schools Making RE lessons and assemblies effective Workshops on practical skills To find out more or book a place contact REinspired on 0118 966 3929 or email training@re-inspired.org.uk www.re-inspired.net

Churches Together in Earley and East Reading Schools Project Registered charity no 1109291

8

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v Best of British in bloom

v Perplexed

by Parables?

A CHURCH in Crowthorne will be celebrating the very best of Britain with a special flower festival next month.

St John The Baptist in Waterloo Road will use the three-day festival to raise funds for COATS and Hope Zone, two local charities that work with old and young people in Crowthorne.

The Best of British festival runs from Saturday, July 14 to Monday, July 16 and throughout the weekend there will be occasional musical interludes.

The festival includes an exhibition by members of the Wokingham Embroiderers’ Guild, among others.

Refreshments and light lunches will be available and on Sunday evening there will be a special Songs of Praise service.

It is open from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, from noon to 6pm on Sunday and then from 10am to 4pm on Monday.

For details, log on to www. crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk.

IF YOU’VE looked at Jesus’ parables and wondered exactly what they mean, a new study afternoon will give you some help.

It will be led by Michael Penny, Chair of Churches Together in Reading.

Sponsored by the Open Bible Trust, the afternoon will be held at St Stephen’s Church, Upper Basildon, RG8 7LS from 2.30pm to 6.30pm on Saturday, June 9.

There is no charge and refreshments will be served between the sessions.

For further information, email admin@obt.org.uk or call 01491 671357.

v Catering course CHURCHES who want to offer catering but don’t have their Food Hygiene certificates are invited to join Tyndale Baptist Church for a day of training.

The Shinfield-based church is hosting a Level 1 Food hygiene course, on Friday, July 6 from 11.30am. Lasting for around three hours, it is ideal for Churches who do limited catering but still require Food Hygiene certificates.

The course costs £30 per person and takes place at the church in Cressingham Road. v To book, call Maureen Keeble, the church’s administrator, on (0118) 986 7195 or email admin@tyndalereading.org.uk.

v Breakfast at summer fete BREAKFAST will be served when you visit a summer fete.

Emmanuel Methodist Church, on the Oxford Road, Reading will serve up bacon and eggs as well as lunches for the fete, which will be held on Saturday, June 9.

Starting at 10am, it continues until 1.30pm.

Entry is 30p and accompanied children get in free.

Pink Panther & Scooby Doo in concert MUSIC from Pink Panther and Scooby Doo will be filling the walls of a Wokingham church later this month, thanks to its latest charity concert.

The Livas Quartet (pictured above) will perform the popular tunes, alongside music from JS Bach and Gershwin at the afternoon of music.

The family-friendly concert takes place at St Paul’s Church on Sunday, June 10 from 3pm

and is in aid of the Helen and Douglas House.

The quartet perform using clarinets and saxophones and will intersperse the performance with chats about the music and the instruments.

Tickets are free for under 12s, £10 for adults and £5 for students and other concessions. v For details, call (0118) 989 3133 or (0118) 979 2122 or email karen.ayton@btinternet.com.

West Wall appeal a hit EIGHT months of fundraising come to an end later this month when a church in Kidmore End marks the Patronal Festival of the saint it was named after.

The church of St John The Baptist, which was built in 1852, has been raising £50,000 to repair its west wall. With most of the money raised by the time of going to press, it is marking the end of the appeal by holding a Celebration In Music and Flowers on Saturday, June 23, followed by a special service the following day where Bishop John Bone will preach.

“We will be inviting all those involved in the appeal, some of whom are not regular churchgoers, to join us in celebrating the success of this amazing appeal which is bringing people together in such a constructive and fun way,” said Jocelyn Lynch, treasurer of the appeal.

Repairs are needed to the wall because they cannot support the weight of the roof. It has been bulging and now needs renovations to correct it.

Money has been raised in a number of ways, including a quiz night, an organ recital and a barn dance.

“The quiz night raised almost £700, to my amazement,” Jocleyn explained. “As a bonus, we got several new (younger!) volunteers for the flower rota in the church.”

For the celebration weekend, the church has asked for donations of flowers for the displays, to avoid tapping into appeal funds.

On the day, visitors will be able to explore the church and see an exhibition about Kidmore End and the church in the Parish Rooms. At 2pm, there will be a concert with music from the church choir, Kidmore End

CofE School choir and local musicians.

Nearby pub The New Inn will be providing cream teas afterwards.

And the legacy of the six months campaign goes beyond building a new wall. The church and village have worked together, new volunteers have come forward and the church has been able to restart a Sunday School. Jocelyn has found the experience to be rewarding.

“This has been an extraordinary six months,” she said.

“The generosity and willingness of people to get involved has been a real eye-opener.

“I feel I have been pushing at an open door and it just needed something to get so many new faces involved.

“So far, a new Sunday School and more ‘flower ladies’ – whatever next?”

Redding renewal night

Grandstand afternoons

RENEWAL is the topic for a ministry evening taking place in Tilehurst later this month.

For the event, Reading Community Church will welcome Paul and Sue Manwaring, part of the senior leadership team at Bethel Church in Redding, California.

Also joining them will be Leif and Jennifer Hetland. The couple are from Norway and founded Global Mission Awareness ministries.

The Renewal Evening takes place from 7pm on Thursday, June 14. Entry is free, and there will be an offering. The church is at 384 The Meadway.

The event has been organised with The Well Church, which meets in Whitley and Burghfield Common and is part of the Barnabas Fellowship of Churches. v www.readingcommunitychurch.com

ONE of the favourite traditions of Reading’s summer is back – the afternoon bandstand concerts in Forbury Gardens.

Taking place on Sundays throughout the summer, there are a number of performances from bands and groups attached to churches.

The season launches on Sunday, June 3 with a performance by the Reading Scottish Pipe Band at 1pm. The group meets at St Andrew’s URC Church in London Road, Reading.

Reading Community Gospel Choir will perform on August 26. The Charles Church Camberley Band, which rehearses in St Peter’s Camberley, performs on September 2. Both are at 3pm.

The season ends on September 9 with the Trinity Concert Band at 1pm and the Salvation Army Reading Central Band from 3pm.

v Ringing in the anniversary BELLRINGERS in Wokingham celebrated the 100th anniversary of performance of a bell peal by attempting to recreate it at the end of April.

The Bristol Surprise Major and the London Surprise Major had been previously performed in the town on April 27, 1912, but the complex piece of bell-ringing – which last three hours - hasn’t been heard since.

To mark the occasion, eight local ringers gathered in All Saints in the morning and St Paul’s in the afternoon to recreate the classic performances. However, due to the complex nature of the pieces both were unable to be completed in full.

John Harrison, tower captain of All Saints, told The Wokingham Times: “We knew it would be a tough challenge.”

v Church is 216 not out Twyford United Reformed Church is 216 not out.

No, that’s not its cricket score – it’s its age.

And next month it will hold a special service to celebrate its latest birthday.

The present church was built in 1897 but before that there was an iron chapel on the site.

To mark the occasion, Michael Penny, chair of Churches Together in Reading will host the service. It takes place at 10.30am on Sunday, July 8.

Afterwards, there be an anniversary lunch in the Church Hall.

News v Blooming wonderful MEMBERS of the Flower Guild at All Saints Wokingham will be sharing some of their secrets at a summer workshop.

The session will show participants how to create a parallel arrangement and takes place at The Cornerstone in Norreys Avenue.

It will be held on Saturday, June 23 from 9.30am to 12.30pm and costs £12. This includes all foliage, flowers, equipment and refreshments.

The session is suitable for beginners and places should be booked by June 17. v For more details call Lois on (0118) 978 3453, Hazel on (0118) 978 6700 or Lucille on (0118) 978 6847.

v Bethel goes on the air MEMBERS of Bethel United FC present a weekly Gospel music programme on a local community radio station.

DJ Boss and the Bethel Boyz take to the internet airwaves every Sunday between 4pm and 6pm for a show that aims to present Gospel Tunes with Gospel Grooves. It’s broadcast on Unity Live Radio, a station based at Cintra Park Pavillion in Reading.

The station was set up for the community to play the best music and to address issues that effect our community.

DJ Boss is the pseudonym for Josh Wilson, the minster of the Church which meets at Norcot Mission Church in Tilehurst every Sunday. v You can listen to the show by logging on to www. unityliveradio.com.

v Teddy bears get in training Teddy Bears shouldn’t go down to the woods … they should be in the gym so they can get in training for a special Teddy Bear Olympics next month.

St Mary’s in Burghfield is hosting the family fun day on Sunday, July 15 from 12.15pm.

As well as the sporting fun for children and their bears, there will be a barbecue, refreshments, cake and sweet stalls.

All proceeds from the day will go to the church’s heating fund. v For more details, log on to www.stmarysburghfield.org.

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9

A special service for a special day v Witnessed A Wokingham church marked Ascension Day with a special confirmation service. The Revd Caroline Kramer shares her memories of the special day On Thursday, May 17, All Saints Church Wokingham, was excited to welcome 13 candidates for Confirmation. Ten were from Wokingham and we were delighted to welcome three young people from the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cox Green, near Maidenhead, who joined us for the evening.

Confirmation is always a big deal in Anglican churches. Older people often remember long classes in draughty church halls or the vicar’s study and then having to wear pristine white dresses and, for some, hats and gloves to the service itself.

These days we ask young people whether they would like to consider Confirmation at a slightly older age, in our parish, at about 13 or 14. Some say yes, some choose to wait before they confirm for themselves the vows which were often made for them if they were baptised as babies.

Confirmation courses have changed too. Rather than long lectures there are interactive courses run by teams of volunteers. So our candidates learned about social responsibility and generous giving by playing a game where they pretended they were a family in India making a living from making paper bags – two

The Bishop of Reading (fourth from left) and the Revd Caroline Kramer (fifth from left) with confirmation candidates at a special Ascension Day service held at All Saints Wokingham last month out of three of our families found they would have starved in real life. We learned about praying by trying different ways to pray and all of this with lots of pizza and cake.

The service itself was on Ascension Day – the day when we remember Jesus going back into heaven (Luke 24:31 and Acts 1:1-11).

Our Bishop, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud came to do the service: Confirmations are always done by a Bishop representing that this is a declaration which is made not only in the local parish but in the Church throughout the world.

Our candidates declared in a loud voice that they turned to Christ, repented of their sins and renounced evil, that they believed in God creator, redeemer and sustainer and then one by one they knelt down in front of the Bishop who laid his hands on their head and called down the Holy Spirit to confirm, bless and sustain them.

One of them asked me afterwards: “Did you have a funny feeling inside when you were Confirmed?”

I smiled. “Yes,” I replied, knowing that God has worked really hard on me for many years but that my ownConfirmation

was a real deepening of my understanding of my faith and the beginning of a much closer and more committed journey with Christ.

There was the mandatory bun fight afterwards complete with our trademark cupcakes and indoor fireworks.

We will continue to pray for our candidates and to walk with them in their journey of faith, knowing that God has touched them through this act of Confirmation and will continue to hold them for the rest of their lives. v Caroline is the associate vicar of All Saints, Wokingham

Yeldall seeks gap year volunteers Music & pizza night for teenagers A RESIDENTIAL rehabilitation centre in Hare Hatch has vacancies for gap-year volunteers.

Yeldall Manor is looking for people of any age to take a year out and work as part of the staff team with men addressing their drug or alcohol addictions.

There are vacancies both working with the residents on the grounds and as a counselling assistant, offering

great experience for anyone wanting to work in this field.

On-site accommodation for men is provided, and it will consider applications from women. v For more information, contact Sue Hedger by emailing suehedger@yeldall.org.uk or calling (0118) 940 1093. v Yeldall Manor is hosting its annual open day on Saturday, July 14.

Church appeals for underwear MEMBERS of Gosbrook Road Methodist Church proved they’re not pants at fundraising – the Caversham fellowship has collected 48 pairs of the undergarments to sent to Russia.

The clothes were sent along

with a donation of £40 for the Love Russia Pants and a Pound appeal.

The collected underwear will be used in orphanages that the charity supports. v www.loverussia.org

As GCSE and exam season draws to a close, 13-18 year olds across the Reading area are invited to a well-earned night of music with pizza afterwards.

With live musicians, a short and relevant youth message, competitions and giveaways on the night, both Christian and non-Christians are welcome to the event.

The evening takes place on Friday, June 15 and will be fully supervised and is hosted at South of Reading Christian Fellowship – a church, which has been running since Reading’s Victorian millionaire, William Palmer, gifted the land and the Mitford Mission Hall for Christian service in 1885.

Colin Cassidy, the fellowship’s youth leader, said the challenges

facing today’s youngsters are enormous.

“At no other time in our history has the transformational power of the Christian message been more needed or more neglected,” he said.

“Britain is in a real mess; economically, morally and spiritually and it’s these young guys who’ll have to face it all, head on.”

Colin added: “While we still have the chance, Britain’s Church should be reminding the next generation about the simple Gospel which – many still argue – once made Britain the greatest empire on earth.” v South of Reading Christian Fellowship is behind the Florist in Three Mile Cross. For details, call the church on (0118) 988 4508.

10

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St Oswald’s kitchen makeover Before

Crowthorne had all the fun of the May Fair

AFTER

Parishoners at a Burghfield church have helped rebuild a kitchen in Malawi A CHURCH in Burghfield Common knows that longterm fundraising involves everything – including the kitchen sink.

Parishoners at St Oswald’s Catholic Church have been supporting the work of Father Owen O’Donnell, who lives in Malawi, since 2002.

He originally ran the Namitembo Mission in the Zomba Diocese, comprising six primary schools, two secondary schools and a trade and agricultural school for older children, where they could learn building, carpentry, IT and dressmaking.

He was moved to a mission in the diocese of Sitima last year

and members of St Oswald’s were shocked when they learnt more about the conditions he was enduring.

A spokesperson for the church said: “He sent us some photographs of his kitchen. We just couldn’t believe the state of it.

“We decided to try and raise some money at Christmas time for Father Owen to build a new kitchen. The response was amazing. He has now been able to completely build a new kitchen.”

This refurbishment will make a big difference to his ministry.

The church is hoping that Father Owen will be able to travel to the UK later this year.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS might have sung about them, but a pastor in Reading is going teach about them.

South of Reading Christian Fellowship at Three Mile Cross is hosting a special teaching day devoted to Angels.

Taking place on Saturday, June 24, the day will be led by the church’s pastor, John Angliss.

“This is one of four Teaching Days which have taken place

each year since 2007 and people come from far and wide to participate,” said Christine Joyce, the church’s administrator.

Starting at 10am, the day continues to 4pm. Entry is free, and an offering will taken.

Participants should bring a packed lunch – tea and coffee will be available throughout the day. v To register, email sorcf.3milecross@virgin.net.

Join this angelic throng

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Fun and games at St John the Baptist’s May Fair. It has been running for more than 30 years A May Fair proved that, after 30 years, it is an important village tradition.

Run by St John The Baptist Parish Church, it took place at the Morgan Recreation Ground on May Day Holiday Monday.

“The whole village turns out for lots of good bargains and fun,” said a spokesperson for the church.

As with any good fair, there were attractions for all the family.

Younger patrons could enjoy bouncy castles, Percy’s Horses, a visit from a real fire engine and Sam the Train, run by West Forest Round Table.

Older visitors could enjoy a beer tent, a tea tent, a cake stall run by the Mothers’ Union, a very large white elephant stall, a book stall

and numerous other activities.

“The plant stall has a strong reputation and many in Crowthorne rely on it as the source for their new plants,” the spokesperson added.

Entertainment came from the Yateley Morrismen, Sandhurst Silver Band and the Church’s own singing group, GlorEE. The fair involves a year of preparation and the church says it is grateful for the support of local tradesmen.

The £6,000 raised by the fair will be used as a contribution towards the cost of the Church and to support seven charities.

Plans are already being made for next year’s May fair which will again be held on the Holiday Monday.

Webbers keep generosity in the family A FAMILY from Pangbourne have mother great care before she died. raised more than £1,500 for Thanks to the kind generosity charity by running together. of the congregation at St Andrew, Edward and Bernadette’s and others they Jessica Webber, members managed to raise £1,550. of St Bernadette’s Church in They all completed the race Pangbourne, ran in the Reading but found it quite a challenge.

Half Marathon – a distance of Jessica, who had just turned just over 13 miles.

17 and was one of the youngest The trio raised money for of 18,000 competitors, struggled the Sue Ryder Hospice at Starting September 2012 for the last few miles but Nettlebed, having built up close completed associations with the Tel: staff there 0118 966 7422the race in less than three hours. when they showed Andrew’s

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The end of the race included half a lap inside the Madejski Stadium which inspired Edward to finish with a sprint in a time of 1 hour 42 minutes.

Their father, Andrew – who recently converted to Catholicism at this year’s Easter Vigil at Douai Abbey – managed to achieve his goal of completing the course in less than two hours.

They would like to thank everyone who sponsored them.

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12

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v Fundraising fun for hospice A SOUTHCOTE church will hold a fundraising coffee morning later this month.

Grange URC Church in Circuit Lane will host a range of stalls including cakes, Traidcraft, tombola, bric-a-brac, and a raffle, with all proceeds going the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

It starts at 10.30am on Saturday, June 9.

Organisers invite you to enjoy a coffee and help raise funds to build Berkshire’s first children’s hospice.

Christ Church celebrates 15

v Jubilee fund for church A CHURCH celebrating its diamond jubilee is looking to the future thanks to a series of improvements.

St Catherine of Siena in Tilehurst has launched a £480,000 redevelopment plan which will see a garden chapel and a new kitchen and toilets being installed. The church will also improve access around the building, creating extra spaces for groups to be able to rent.

The first phase of the rebuilding launches in September and it is hoped to be completed by January.

v Abbey has fun in Court FRIENDS of Reading Abbey are teaming up with Friends of Reading Museum and Caversham Court Gardens for a summer party later this month.

Held at the gardens in Caversham, the afternoon will include cream teas, live music including a performance by Parenthesis Choir and a preview of the Progress Theatre’s outdoor play Henry IV Part One. It takes place on Saturday, June 17 from 3pm to 5pm.

The church choir rehearsed during a special open evening on Friday

Clockwise from above: The Resurrection as depicted by Alison Lea, M display evokes John 8:12; Helen Tweedle & Julia Crosthwaite from the

Jenny Barrows from St James, Finchampstead, prepared this display based on Luke 22:20, where Jesus said the cup was the new covenant The church’s recent past was given a display of its own

v Family events READING Family Church are planning a Community Lunch on Sunday, June 24 at the church in South Street. It starts at 12.45pm.

The church will also hold a picnic on Sunday, July 15 after its morning meeting. It is asking people to bring food to share and will be organising activities.

For more details, visit www. readingfamilychurch.org.uk or call (0118) 933 7961.

Six-year-old Rebecca Domimick made this floral decpiction of The Burning Bush

A READING church had a blooming marvellous celebration of its 150th anniversary.

Christ Church, which is near the University of Reading, held a series of special events to mark the milestone, including the flower festival.

During the weekend, held from Friday, May 18 to Sunday, May 20, there were performances from musical groups including Tamesis Chamber Choir, Heather Ryall and Sarah Latto on the clarinet and piano, and the Christ Church Choir.

On Sunday, a service of thanksgiving was held where the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud, preached.

The final event was a special Diamond Jubilee Festival Choral Evensong, held to commemorate the

60th anniversary o reign.

The floral display the building were of the fellowship a across the region i Reading, St James All Saints Reading.

Other displays c Flowers and the W Guides.

The church’s his an important part celebrations. Displ founders and told its Victorian root present day.

Old records we to explore whil shared ch 20

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50 years of witness Barty, who attended services from 1994-2006, was remembered

Mel Harris and Angela Bevan from Greyfriars, Reading; Sue Hockley’s e Women’s Institute depicted the wedding at Cana in this balcony display

of the Queen’s

ays that decorated created by members and other churches including St Giles s Finchampstead and . came from Funky White Knights Girl

story also formed of the weekend’s lays showed the d the story from ts through to the

were also available le a photo board d images of life at the hurch over the past 20 years.

The church’s

foundation stone was laid in 1861 and the church was consecrated the following year.

Due to growth, it was extended in 1875 and over the years it has planted daughter churches across Reading.

Christ Church’s vicar, Father David West (pictured), said that the event wasn’t just a chance to look back.

“We are wanting to look to the future,” he said. v The celebrations continue over the summer as the church opens its gardens to families for fun and games.

Taking place on Saturdays June 23, July 7 and July 21 from 2.30pm to 5pm, there will be entertainers to enjoy and afternoon teas.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and entry is free.

For more details, call the parish office on (0118) 931 3468 or log on to www.christchurchreading.org.uk.

Displays paid tribute to founding fathers Thomas Vincent Fosbery (above) and Samuel Wilberforce (below)

v Abbey honour for church choir WESTMINSTER ABBEY was the destination for Christ Church’s choir earlier this year.

The singers helped lead worship at the prestigious venue on the Sunday just after Easter, singing in three services over the course of the day.

The choir’s director of music and organist Mervyn Williams said: “It’s quite something to be singing in the Abbey – we were given that privilege and we were very pleased to do so.

“The whole thing was sublime.”

And Mervyn is aware of the Abbey’s significant role in the UK’s history as it is the home to several significant national events.

“When I first started playing I couldn’t imagine ever playing there, so all credit to the choir for achieving it.”

13

Torch arrival celebrated with Olympic medalist The Reading Churches Men’s Group held a meeting with a difference on Saturday, May 19.

Instead of their usual thriceyearly breakfast with speaker, it celebrated the start of the Olympic torch’s UK tour with an appropriately-themed quiz for family and friends.

More than 60 people gathered at the Reading Blue Coat School in Sonning to form teams and test their wits in seven rounds – before hearing from guest speaker, the rower Debbie Flood – a committed Christian, as well as being Silver Medallist at the Athens and Beijing Games and three times Gold Medallist in the World Championships.

The fighting was fair; there were not too many Olympics questions to put off the less sporty.

And, despite one contestant thinking that the Forces Sweetheart was Cliff Richard(!), the standard was high – with the winning team romping to victory under the splendid name of “Quizz Akabusi”.

Debbie Flood told the group that the excitement of being in an Olympic team is tempered by the gruelling training regime – especially when it is cold, dark and raining, and several hours of rowing lies ahead.

A back injury has delayed her return to training, but at the time

of writing she is still hopeful of being selected for the London Games.

As a Christian, Debbie has a larger perspective on life.

“You can’t take your medals with you to heaven” she said.

RCMG Chairman John Ledger closed the evening with a prayer, asking that Debbie and all of us will be encouraged and strengthened to reach our full potential with the gifts and talents God has given us. v For the next meeting, the Men’s Group returns to its usual breakfast format.

It takes place from 8.30am on Saturday, October 13, again at Reading Blue Coat School.

The Guest Speaker will be Harvey Thomas – the international public relations consultant and former director of press and communications under the Thatcher government.

Harvey cheated death after falling four floors through the Grand Hotel in Brighton after the IRA bomb attack.

He subsequently met and forgave the bomber, and went on to work for 15 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

All men interested in attending can reserve a place by calling John Ledger on (0118) 986 1917.

Chris Carter

14

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Boosting confidence & transforming lives A new initiative from a charity that seeks to help young people is proving to be a safe haven in a busy town centre. Phil Creighton finds out more EVERYBODY needs a place to think, according to the BBC Four slogan. And a place in Wokingham is providing people with a safe place to be.

The JAC Pad in Peach Street is run by Just Around the Corner, a Christian charity that aims to give hope to young people and encourage them to make positive choices for their lives.

Founded in 1998, it’s a remarkable ministry that involves everything from walking the streets in bright red jackets so that they can meet and befriend young people to running cafes so that people can enjoy a decent cuppa at a low price.

Add in some stables where people can learn how to love and care for horses and a weekly market stall aimed at developing and boosting the confidence of the people that JAC works with and you have a ministry that has remarkable breadth and depth.

And, thanks to demand from the people it looks after, the group has even created its own church, which meets on Sunday evenings at Woodley Youth and Community Centre.

The latest addition to its ministry is the JAC Pad, which is housed in what was disused office space above shops in Peach Street, Wokingham. Nestled next to Marks & Spencer and just round the corner from Wokingham Methodist Church, the Pad aims to provide a safe space for young people who don’t fit in with mainstream education to simply be.

The team moved into the space in November and are still setting it up: a kitchen is currently being installed, thanks to generous donations from the

The JAC Pad in Wokingham is decorated with custom artwork created by its visitors.

It has plenty of space which the team hope to utilise for initiatives such as gardening and workshops

Wokingham church community, while upstairs areas are being renovated to give more space for workshops, including wood work and gardening.

It’s a rabbit warren of a building – everywhere you go there are little rooms packed with something for people to do.

Artwork, computers, televisions and meeting rooms are all here. There’s even a lounge area where people can just enjoy each others company.

Despite the activity, there’s a real sense of calm about the place. And it’s this

atmosphere that JAC worker Chris Pape says is important.

“It’s a safe place for teens who might not be able to go to school,” she explains.

“It gives them confidence and while they’re here they can work on certificates to give them transferable work skills.

“There’s no timescale: it’s about going at their own pace.”

These skills include timekeeping, administration, personal skills and hygiene, as well as communicating with others, travelling and attitudes. It’s

broad ranging and aims to help foster confidence in the people who drop-in.

As part of this confidence boost, JAC has a stall at Wokingham’s Friday market.

A vital fund-raising activity for the charity it also has another aim, as Chris explains: “They can get experience by selling things at the market.”

This helps them gain skills that will help them cope with

JAC out of the box … where you can find its outreach teams v Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)

JAC has stables in Arborfield where it can offer opportunities for people to work with horses at what level they wish to engage – from just enjoying time with them to learning basic horse care skills or gaining a qualification in Horse Care.

v Detached youth work

JAC teams of around six volunteers go out round the streets and parks to meet young people where they are and offer help and support. Teams are currently

active in Woodley, Wokingham, Earley, Crowthorne, Winnersh, Newtown and Whitley.

v JAC Vans

Known as Camels by the staff, these portable youth centres offer TVs, games consoles and a safe place for young children to visit.

v Schools work

JAC meets senior and primary school pupils for mentoring sessions, in small groups or one-to-one, on Emotional Literacy issues, including bullying,

self-esteem, anger management and substance abuse, allowing the group to share their feelings as well as listen to others.

v Eden

A weekly service held at the Woodley Airfield Youth and Community Centre on Sundays from 7pm.

Established after a death of a young man in Woodley, the group welcomes all-ages and promises that no two weeks are ever the same – but it’s always full of fun and energy.

v Inside Out

The Jac Van is parked in Woodley Precinct on Thursday mornings from 10am to noon. Serving refreshments, the van is there to provide people with a place to sit and chat. Organisers say prices are low and the welcome is warm.

v Mothers and Toddlers

An enabling and supportive environment in Ambleside Children's Centre, Woodley, for young parents and their children. This group is supported by a member of the JAC team and Ambleside staff.

v For more details, or to make a donation, log on to www.jacoutreach.org, call (0118) 944 1444 or email info@jacoutreach.org

15

Feature

at the JAC Pad

the world. And if they feel that selling is too much for them, there are other ways in which they can help. Like all JAC initiatives, it’s led by the people they help.

Chris says: “If they can’t cope with that, they can help set it out. It’s all done with negotiation.”

JAC knows that the people who come in have various problems or issues that keep them out of mainstream schools or give them labels that become stigmas. But through patient love and that calmness, JAC has seen big changes in their lives.

“One of the people here has Asperger’s. He’s loving having this chance and he’s taking it,” says a proud Chris who is also keen to point out the advantages of the way in which the JAC Pad can transform lives.

“We make this a safe place,” she continues. “People can work with us. It’s a place where people can prove they’re employable where once they wouldn’t be.”

JAC’s development director Sam Milligan agrees.

“For some people, this place becomes a family,” he says.

There are big plans for the JAC Pad – having a base means that they can expand what they do. As Chris shows me round, she share some of her dreams – a market garden on the roof and, next to it, some beehives.

“It would be lovely to find someone who keeps bees so we could put hives on the roof,” she says.

“We can grow tomatoes up here and teach children about healthy eating and making their own garden space.”

But it’s not just beehives that JAC needs. The team is also after more volunteers.

“If we had more, we’d be open more,” says Sam. “We’d love the older generation to come in and pass on their skills and knowledge.”

Faith is important to the JAC team and they regularly pray for the people they work with.

“The kids know that we pray for them,” says Chris. And the team regularly sends out prayer diaries and letters with news of the whole project.

With big plans for the future and trusting God, the building is not so much a JAC Pad, but a launch pad for the future.

Bishop lives below the line Dhal was one of the meals that the The Bishop of Reading could make when he tried to live on a shopping list that cost no more than £1 a day for five days as part of Christian Aid’s Live Below The Line challenge THE Bishop of Reading was one of hundreds of people who marked Christian Aid Week by surviving on a diet of lentils and rice.

He was taking part in the global initiative Live Below the Line, which challenged people across the UK to think differently about poverty by paying only £5 for all their food and drink over five days, to raise awareness of the 1.4 billion people in the world living in extreme poverty.

As part of his diet, The Rt Revd Andrew Proud cooked dhal and was pleased to take part to raise awareness of global poverty.

He said: “It is scandalous that more than 1.4 billion people in our world today are living in extreme poverty and do not have enough money to feed themselves or their families. £1 is the equivalent amount that people in some of the poorest parts of the world have to live on every day to meet all of their needs.

“Live Below the Line is a way of raising awareness of global poverty, while also raising money to support the invaluable work that organisations like Christian Aid do to try to end extreme poverty.”

Amy Merone, who works for Christian Aid’s

Oxford office, took part in the challenge last year.

She said: “A couple of months after taking part in Live Below the Line I was in Kenya visiting the work of Christian Aid partner organisations.

“While I was there I met a young girl called Jackline who was 15. She was caring for five siblings and cousins, surviving on the equivalent of 15p a day by washing out plastic carrier bags to be resold.

“Jackline couldn’t go to school because her priority was to make enough money each day so that the children could eat. She spoke about what it felt like for them to go to bed at night hungry.

“That there are 1.4 billion people in the world like Jackline and her siblings experiencing extreme poverty and hunger is an injustice.”

Last year more than 10,000 people took part in Live below the Line, raising more than £1 million for charities, including Christian Aid. Live Below the Line is a campaign run by the Global Poverty Project and Christian Aid will be raising money for its work with poor communities in almost 50 developing countries. v For more on the Live Below the Line project, log on to www.livebelowtheline.com/uk-christianaid.

JAC appeals for your help JAC’S multi-faceted ministry means it is currently spread over a number of sites.

Additionally, its stables are currently operating at capacity – and the site wasn’t built for that purpose.

The charity has been given an opportunity to develop a site where they can bring all their facilities under one roof, enabling them to make the best use of finances and resources.

The land is approximately 12 acres on which a purpose-built facility will be built and a local benefactor has offered to contribute some of the cost of the building work.

“We have submitted several planning applications and have held pre-planning

discussions with the council during which we were invited to submit full plans.

These are now being put to the Planning Committee,” says a spokesperson for JAC. The charity is now asking for the schools, churches and individuals to support the application, particularly if they have personal stories of involvement in how JAC’s ministry has helped them.

One way in which JAC says supporters can help is by letting Wokingham Council know how much they value the charity’s work.

For more information or to send a letter of support, email sue@jacoutreach.org or write to Sue Stevenson, JAC, 5/6 The Arcade, Peach Street, Wokingham RG40 1XG.

Willing walkers for Christian Aid MEMBERS of Abbey Baptist Church in central Reading show off their medals, given to them after completing the annual Christian Aid Week walk round Oxfordshire.

Taking place on Saturday, May 19, 107 people from churches across the region took part in the challenge to walk five, 10 or 15 miles for the charity. All routes started at Bix Village Hall, a village near Henley-on-Thames.

Each walker received a special wooden Christian Aid Medal, a coveted prize in this Olympic year.

Plans are in place for next year’s walk, which will take place on Saturday, May 18

16

News

June 2012 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk

v Hymns with icing on top IF YOU love singing hymns, but don’t feel ready to go to church then Hymnz and Cakes could be the answer.

Caversham Park Church is hosting the special session at the Milestone Centre, Caversham Park Village on Sunday, June 10 from 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

At the event, guests can enjoy some tasty treats while being able to enjoy singing well-loved hymns.

v Souper effort for Cafod PUPILS at St Joseph’s College in Reading made a world of difference thanks to a super soup lunch.

The youngsters took part in Cafod’s Give It Up campaign during Lent and raised £350, which will help bring clean water to poverty stricken communities across the world.

The lentern campaign also saw pupils go without favourite treats, computer games or TV.

v Get together for a cuppa COFFEE is served at weekly get togethers in Crowthorne’s Methodist and Baptist churches.

The events – on Tuesdays and Thursdays – are hosted by Churches Together Crowthorne.

Tuesdays coffee morning takes place at the Methodist Church after a 10am service, while Thursday’s cuppas are served at the Baptist church from 10.30am.

For more details, call Carla on 07917 027783.

v Summer fun A CHURCH in Sandhurst is looking forward to making the most of summer with a series of fun social events.

Club 15 is an informal social group from Sandhurst and Yateley Methodist Church and takes its name from the fact it meets around the 15th of each month.

This month it is organising a treasure hunt walk. Next month it’s planning a barbecue.

Young adults, older adults, and anyone who feels ‘young at heart’ are welcome. v For more details, visit www. sandhurstmethodist.org.uk.

Schools see the light thanks to help from Reading Christians Christians in Reading have been helping two local primary schools to achieve their dreams of building a green future.

New Christ Church CofE Primary School and Newtown Primary School are asking their local communities to help fund solar panels for their school roofs.

Several churches have made donations and recently Reading Springboard gave a fantastic £500 to each of the two schools.

Springboard are a group of Christians drawn from various churches across Reading with a shared vision to release God’s passion and a concern to make positive change in our communities.

Reading Christian Ecology Link invited them to help the schools’ campaign.

RCEL co-ordinator Joanna Laynesmith explained: “Springboard have resources to help Christians in Reading to set up ways to help transform their communities.

“We really wanted to help the solar projects at these schools, in two of Reading’s poorest areas, because the solar panels are not just a great educational resource and a very useful means of earning money for the school in future. They also enable the children to be part of the battle to reduce and adapt to climate change.

“Many children are very much aware of the terrible consequences climate change is already having on wildlife and

New Christ Church pupils celebrate reaching the halfway point in their quest to raise £10,000 for solar panels on our neighbours in some of the world’s poorest countries.

So it’s great to find a way to respond to this challenge which is so good for the schools too.”

Both schools are part of the Solar Schools pilot which was launched by the climate change campaign group 10:10 last year.

The project is going national this September.

Donors can upload pictures, messages and links to their own website on virtual panels on the Solar Schools website.

New Christ Church have been celebrating reaching the halfway mark towards their target of £10,000.

Newtown are also almost

halfway towards their £15,000 target. v Solar Schools invites you to offset the carbon emissions for

your summer holiday this year by helping out a local school. For details or to donate, log on to www.solarschools.org.uk.

Cookham walk for Cafod’s birthday CAFOD’s 50th anniversary is being marked in a number of ways this year, including a walk round Maidenhead and Cookham later this month.

The circular walk along the Thames Path and Berkshire countryside includes a number of prayer stops, designed to allow participants a chance to reflect on how we can live in solidarity with the poor.

It starts at 10.30am with a

blessing at St Joseph’s Parish Centre, Cookham Road, Maidenhead, and will include a picnic lunch at Cookham, before returning back to the Centre for around 3pm.

The walk is approximately six miles and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. v Places should be booked in advance. For more details, email portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or call 01252 329385.

Jason springs into action with solar panels A renewable energy firm is feeling sunny side up as it expands into Reading.

Solar panel supplier Synergy Solar is making Reading its fifth franchise territory after Durham, Sunderland, Birmingham and Newcastle – with a further seven new branches expected to follow before the end of the year.

Although the Reading branch will initially be a family-run franchise headed by Jason Taylor – who attends Lifespring Church – it is likely that more jobs will be created as the business is scaled up in the coming months and years.

Jason (pictured) joins Synergy Solar after

21 years of working in a senior management position.

His consideration for the environment and his two young children’s futures attracted him to the company, where he will be able to encourage the sales of renewable energy sources.

Jason said: “I believe that renewable energy benefits everyone, and although running a franchise is going to be a challenge, I also see it as the perfect opportunity to build a business of my own which will help to promote green energy and hopefully drive Synergy Solar forward as a whole.”

Synergy Solar covers several other areas of renewable energy technologies including

solar thermal, biomass, air and ground source heat pumps, wind turbines and rainwater recovery.

Synergy Solar director Mashud Choudhury said: “As the business expands, we want to give like-minded individuals like Jason, who are passionate about renewable energy, the chance to be involved with the firm. There are a lot of people looking to enter the renewable market and our comprehensive model enables them to do this.”

While Synergy Solar largely supplies and installs technology for domestic projects, the company is currently planning to grow its presence in the commercial sector. v For more information on Synergy Solar, which also specialises in energy efficient conservatories, windows and doors, log on to www.synergy-solar.co.uk.

News

To advertise call 01932 246408 | www.xnmedia.co.uk |June 2012

17

v Fancy dress at summer fete A CHURCH in Tilehurst is looking forward to celebrating this year’s sporting events with a fiveringed flavoured fair later this month.

St Catherine’s Church in Wittenham Avenue is organising a host of special contests and events to make the fair even more fun.

Children are invited to take part in a sports-themed fancy dress parade at 3pm, while they can also compete against adults for a baking and cupcake decorating contest.

And if that wasn’t enough fun, the church is arranging a host of fun games and stalls for all ages to enjoy.

It takes place on Saturday, June 23 from 2pm to 4pm and entry is 50p. Accompanied children get in free.

For more details on the contests, call (0118) 941 7689.

v Spring song THE OLDEST-known song in the English language was performed at a special May Day dawn chorus.

The Kennet Morris Men braved torrential rain to sing Sumer Is Icumen In, found from an 800-year-old manuscript in Reading Abbey, on Tuesday, May 1. Starting at 5.30am, the morning event also included some dancing.

v Coffee for Heartbeats THE monthly coffee mornings hosted by Wokingham Methodist Church will return on Thursday, June 7 from 10am. It will raise funds for Heartbeats, the West Berkshire Heart Support Group.

A further coffee morning will take place in aid of Multiple Sclerosis on Thursday, July 5.

The April coffee morning was in aid of the West Berkshire Citizen’s Advocacy Service and raised £169.

v All Saints for little angels ALL SAINTS church in Downshire Square, Reading, has launched a toddler group.

Friendly Faces runs from 10am-11.30am on Wednesdays in its church hall. The free sessions are open to under fives. v For details, call (0118) 957 2000.

The Reading Central Songsters – the choir of the Reading Central Salvation Army – will give a concert later this month

Salvation Army is on song with its summer concert A FREE concert will take place at the Salvation Army hall in Reading later this month.

The evening will feature music from the London Central Fellowship Band and the Reading Central Songsters – the

choir of the Reading Salvation Army.

It takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday, June 23 in the Army’s town centre base, just by the Castle Street roundabout.

Entry is free and a collection will be

taken. Proceeds from the evening will go towards the cost of refurbishing the Salvation Army building. v Tickets can be reserved by emailing Mrs Gardiner on songsters@ readingcentral.org.uk, or on the door.

Church swaps tyres for shoe leather – and you can join in MEMBERS of a Catholic church in Woodley are encouraging Christians everywhere to get walking.

The LiveSimply group from St John Bosco church is holding its annual Walk To Church Sunday on July 15 and the aim is simple: leave your cars behind and pound the streets to get to church services that Sunday.

By walking to church, participants will reduce their carbon footprint, enjoy the fresh air and get some gentle exercise.

“For the past three years, the LiveSimply Group of St John Bosco in Woodley has

encouraged parishioners to Walk to Church at least one Sunday in the year,” explains Rita Belletty, from the church.

“We have on occasion been joined in this activity by other churches in Woodley and also by other churches in the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.

“We hope that people will

Farmyard fun for Fathers’ Day A BRACKNELL church has found an unusual way to celebrate Fathers’ Day: it’s turning into a farm for the day.

And the cute animals aren’t the only way Kerith Community Church will help dads feel special. In the afternoon, it is hosting a fun day with live bands, cage football, sumo wrestling and an inflatable castle.

Hotdogs and other snacks will be available.

The day is rounded off with an evening meeting that will include more live bands.

Taking place on Sunday, June 17, the farm – provided by Farms4U – will be at the 9am and 11am meetings.

The fun day starts at 4.30pm and the evening meeting will be at 7pm. v For more details call the church on (01344) 862699 or email info@kerith.co.uk.

find that it is not particularly difficult, provided they allow the necessary extra time and that they may repeat the effort on other occasions.”

St John Bosco is one of nine parishes around the country who are working towards gaining the livesimply award, a national prize for Catholic parishes putting their faith into action. It aims to offer recognition for the ways in which a church makes a difference in its community and the world.

To work towards the award, churches look at ways in which

they can make their buildings greener, take part in initiatives such as outdoor services, nature walks and litter picks.

LiveSimply helps churches work out their plan and offer support along the way.

“If you’re successful, you’ll have a big reason to celebrate,” says the LiveSimply website.

“Alongside other Catholic parishes, you’ll know that the actions you’ve started will have a lasting impact on future generations.” v For more details on the LiveSimply scheme, log on to www.livesimplyaward.org.uk

Yanne’s big night out a big hit A FUNDRAISING concert for Yanne Nkurunziza held at The Globe last month was a hit.

Friends and family of the Christ The King Catholic School pupil organised the musical evening as they seek to raise £50,000 so he can receive pioneering treatment in America.

Yanne was born with Kasselbach Merrit Syndrome, in which a vascular tumour leads to decreased platelet counts,

and sometimes leads to other bleeding problems which can be life-threatening. He has also been diagnosed with Cerebal Palsy.

The evening, which included a performance by the Reading Community Gospel Choir, raised more than £7,000 for the appeal. v For more details, log on to www.yannesjourney.org, follow @yannesjourney or search for Yannes Journey on Facebook.

18

Sport

v News from the Thames Valley Churches Football League

New teams welcomed for the 12-13 season

Tilehurst Albion win their first league title Tilehurst Albion celebrated their inaugural TVCFL title by winning their final two games and thus holding off the spirited challenge of Kerith Community Church.

On Saturday, May 5, Kerith increased the pressure by smashing nine goals past West Reading CFC without reply.

James Charlton hit a hat-trick to go with his man-of-thematch award, but even his treble was eclisped by Ben Findlay, who fired five more to take his league goals tally to 43 and wrap

up his quest for the golden boot.

Defender Jim Lepp added the finishing touch to the rout.

Meanwhile, Albion responded with an 8-1 thrashing of Brookside St Laurence to retain their slender one-point advantage.

Toby Briggs, Danny Lawrence and Teddy Thomas each bagged doubles, while Josh Baines, who set up most of the goals, and Lewis Wigginton added the other two.

Brookside’s sole consolation was netted by Joe Hare.

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Then, with Kerith not playing on the final Saturday, Albion went into their final game against Wycliffe Wanderers knowing that victory would seal the title.

Although Danny Lawrence struck from an acute angle on five minutes, Albion had to wait until the hour mark to begin believing, when Lawrence sweetly finished a sweeping end-to-end move.

He proved to be the star of the show, rounding off his hattrick soon after to complete a 3-0 victory and spark scenes of celebration at the final whistle.

In the other games played during the last two weekends, Will Satterthwaite and Ricky Thompson goals were not www.mia enough to help Real World Corinthians to victory over Bethel United, who ran out 4-2 winners.

Adi Vaughan, Sean Deoliveira (2) and Craig Hutt sealed the win for Bethel, who finished a forgettable season by their recent standards, in sixth place.

Brookside St Laurence bounced back from their

previous week’s mauling by beating West Reading CFC 3-2.

Meanwhile, Greyfriars FC entertained Norreys Church in an entertaining friendly game which, it is hoped, will be the incentive needed for the Wokingham-based church to enter the league next season.

The newcomers, playing in their first-ever fixture as a team, started brightly but fell behind when George Robertson pounced on a loose ball to slot home.

After a headed equaliser, Greyfriars went into the break 2-1Traditional up thanks to Matthew & Contemporary Bradbrook’s cool Cuisine finish, and Heavenly Indian James Hern sealed the win Est. 1980 early in the second half, rounding the keeper before hs.co.uk stroking home.

Norreys kept going to the end, and scored a great free-kick in injury time; final score 3-2. v The end of the season was marked with a sports quiz and awards evening at Wycliffe Baptist Church on Friday, May 25.

We’ll report on the night of sport next issue.

League table as of april 21

The Thames Valley Churches Football League is looking for more teams and referees to join them next season.

With the vision to attract churches, players and referees into a league that lives the values of the Christian message, organisers say that the TVCFL may be just what you’re looking for.

The league is an independently run 11-a-side adult men’s league.

Games are played on a Saturday morning between September and April.

The 2012/13 season will the 25th year that league has been serving the local Christian community, providing an alternative football experience.

If you’re not sure if entering a team into the league is for you, then the League invites you to consider entering the Cup competition.

This is a smaller commitment of approximately four games throughout the season.

The League also welcomes applications from referees, or for players who are looking for a club to join. v For more details, contact James Hern by emailing tvcfl. secretary@gmail.com. v Xn is planning more match reports and results service throughout the season, including a collection of team photos.

LEAGUE results APRIL 28 Greyfriars FC 0 - 3 Tilehurst Albion Bethel United 2 - 2 West Reading MAY 5 Kerith Community Church 9 - 0 West Reading Real World Corinthians 2 - 4 Bethel United Brookside Saint Laurence FC 1 - 8 Tilehurst Albion MAY 12 West Reading 2 - 3 Brookside St Laurence Tilehurst Albion 3 - 0 Wycliffe Wanderers

Home Away top 10 scorers SUNDAYS

P W D L F MONDAYS A W D L F A Gd Pts

Name Team Goals 1 Tilehurst Albion 20 9 0 1 57 10 9 0 1 44 7 84 54 2 Kerith Community 19 8 1 1 58 10 8 1 0 71 8 111 50 Ben Findlay Kerith Community 43 PER 7 2 1 42 23 6 1 3 36 FOOD 3 Brookside St Laurence 20 24 31 42 Neil Healy Wycliffe Wanderers 33 PERSON 2 1 24 10 7 2 1 50 BILL 22 ONLY52 37 Toby Briggs Tilehurst Albion 4 Warfield FC 17 4 12 EXCLUDES 22 5 Wycliffe Wanderers 20 6 1 3 28 18 4 2 4 40 EXCLUDES 24 26 33 Jamie Carstairs West Reading DRINKS DRINKS 19 6 Bethel United 20 3 1 6 21 33 5 0 5 27 26 -11 25 Carl Wyatt Warfield FC 16 7 West Reading 20 4 0 6 36 29 3 2 5 23 36 -6 23 James Hern Greyfriars FC MAGNIFICENT MEALS EVERY DAY 8 Greyfriars FC 20 4 1 5 25 23 3 0 7 14 39 -23 22 Barry Agar Kerith Community 16 15 9 Reading Saints 19 2 1 7 17 47 2 0 7 16 35 -49 13 Danny Lawrence Tilehurst Albion 15 1 0 RealOF World Corinthians SAFFRON 20 1 0 9 SPENCERS 8 61 WOOD 1 1 8 PANGBOURNE 10 60 -103 7 Josh Baines Tilehurst Albion GARDEN GULAB 11 Vineyard 0FC 1 1 8 19 9 7 5 1 7 7 80 9 9 0 1 17 8 983 8 8 8 31 9 4 0 8 0 1 1 16 8 9 8 452 3 7-112 3 1 6 Courtenay Isaacs Brookside St Laurence 15

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News/Competition

To advertise call 01932 246408 | www.xnmedia.co.uk |June 2012

Who will be the heroes?

UNSUNG heroes will be celebrated by a Bracknell church later this month.

Easthampstead Baptist Church will bring all of its congregations together on Sunday, June 24 for a special service – packed with fun – devoted to saying thank you to its volunteers.

Church members have been asked to nominate their heroes for a range of categories including Unsung Hero, Children’s Work Hero, Youth Work Hero, Older Person’s Hero, Sunday School Hero and Food Hero.

The church has even made the nomination process entertaining, asking people to suggest nominations for The Hong Kong Phooey

Unsung Hero Award and The Geoffrey Boycott Award For An Exceptionally Long Innings (for long service).

Children and young people

have been asked for to nominate for their own categories, as well as the church’s older people.

“Our primary aim is to celebrate all the volunteers who give so much time and energy to make the church all that it is,” says the church’s senior minister, Chris Porter.

“The awards are a bit of fun, but the plan is to celebrate everyone.”

The results will be announced at the service which starts at 10.15am on Sunday, June 24.

Everyone will be welcome to the service. v For more details, log on to www.ebc-bracknell.org or call the church on (01344) 487744.

v Help with breast feeding

v Summer fun in Rec Ground

v Write Bible reading notes

NEW mums looking for some help with feeding their baby can turn up at a special drop-in clinic.

St James’ in Finchampstead hosts the weekly sessions on Tuesdays from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Run by the Breastfeeding Network, the clinic is led by registered helpers. You can come along for advice or just a cuppa and a chat. v Breastfeeding support line 0300 100 0210, 9.30am-8.30pm.

CHURCHES in Crowthorne will be running weekly fun activities next month.

Held at the Morgan Recreation Ground, the sessions are funded by Thames Valley Police and run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on Fridays from July 20 to August 17.

Activities include games, crafts and drumming. Special activities visit, such as a climbing wall.

Last year, more than 100 people came each week.

BRF is looking for new writers for its popular series The Upper Room.

To help, it is running a workshop on to how write a good daily reading mediation. It will be led by Susan Hibbins,who edits the notes in the UK. Held at Highmoor Hall in Henley on Tuesday, July 17, the day costs £20 per person.

Booking closes on July 10. v For more details,or to book, log on to www.brf.org.uk.

v Reader contest car, for singing along to in the home and for secret air guitar sessions, this album is packed with favourite tunes.

Spread over three CDs, dads everywhere can enjoy listening to songs such as Happy Day, God Only Wise, All Because of Jesus, O My Soul Arise and Bless Your Maker and Men Of A Certain Age. Each three CD set has a recommended

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Theleadership, right personcommunication will have more and generally:  Excellent organisational skills • A passion for the work of Street Pastors with a strong & vibrant ChristianIffaith you are interested in this post, please e-mail • The reading@streetpastors.org.uk ability to build & maintain a strong team of volunteers from for further information a range of churches and an application form.

• An understanding of working in FOR partnership with statutory and CLOSING DATE APPLICATIONS: th non-statutory agencies.

MONDAY 18 June 2012 th Interview 28 June (afternoon) • Excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.

If you are interested in this post, e-mail reading@streetpastors.org.uk or visit www.readingchristiannetwork.com/vacancies for further information and an application form.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: MONDAY 18th June 2012 | Interview 28th June It is a genuine occupational requirement for applicants to be a Christian

JOB VACANCYJOB VACANCY

Schools’ Worker

JOB VACANCY

Win Dad’s 50 Favourite Worship Songs!

FATHER’S DAY takes place on Sunday, June 17 – the chance for us to let our dads know how much we appreciate them.

And while stockists of ties, socks and Maltesers are looking forward to the annual rush for boring presents, there are plenty of great alternatives that make much appreciated gifts.

No longer do you have to choose a dull pressie for dad – your local Christian book store has some fabulous ideas for that perfect present.

And with this in mind, Kingsway has released a brand-new album just in time for Father’s Day. Dad’s 50 Favourite Worship Songs is a compilation of some of the very best worship songs ever.

Perfect for playing in the

19

price of £16.99 and is a great collection of worship songs to encourage and inspire strong praise from within.

We’ve teamed up with Kingsway to give you the chance to win one of five copies of the new album.

All you have to do is answer the following question: What date is Father’s Day this year?

Send your answer, along with your full postal address to: Dad’s 50 Favourite Worship Songs Contest, Xn, c/o Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BE by Tuesday, June 26.

Alternatively, email editor@ xnmedia.co.uk.

The winners will be drawn at random from the editor’s hat. Only one entry per household and the editor’s decision is final.

Usual rules apply.

Schools’ Worker

Part-time (0.4) flexible working hours

Part‐time (0.4) flexible working hours

Do Schools’ Worker a heart to reach young you have people in schools with the good news of Part‐time (0.4) flexible working hours

Jesus?

Do you have a heart to reach young people in

schools with the good news of Jesus?

We need a schools’ worker to: Do you have a heart to reach young people in • Work inWe need a schools’ worker to: partnership with our existing schools worker and schools with the good news of Jesus?  Work in partnership with our existing schools worker and volunteer volunteer team team  Develop links with schools through RE lessons, assemblies and clubs •We need a schools’ worker to: Develop links with schools through RE lessons, assemblies  Work in partnership with our existing schools worker and volunteer and clubs  Inspire and encourage churches to serve their local schools team  Support Christian groups in schools • Inspire and encourage churches to serve their local schools  Develop links with schools through RE lessons, assemblies and clubs In return we offer: • Support Christian groups in schools  Inspire and encourage churches to serve their local schools  A varied and exciting job in a town where God is at work  Support Christian groups in schools

 A salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

In return we offer:  Strong support through the Trust and Management Group In return we offer: • A varied and exciting job in a town where God is at work  The opportunity to work alongside an experienced schools’ worker  A varied and exciting job in a town where God is at work  Ongoing prayer support • A salary commensurate with qualifications and experience  A salary commensurate with qualifications and experience  Appropriate training with Scripture Union • Strong support through the Trust and Management Group  Strong support through the Trust and Management Group

 opportunity The opportunity to work alongside an experienced schools’ worker • The to work alongside an experienced schools’ Closing date: 30 June 2012  Ongoing prayer support

worker  Appropriate training with Scripture Union Interviews: 7 July 2012 • Ongoing prayer support

•Closing date: 30 June 2012 Appropriate training with Scripture Union For an application pack, please contact:

Interviews: 7 July 2012 Closing date:Peter Cowling 30 June 2012 Tel.0118 944 2081 pete.cowling@ntlworld.com

Interviews: 7 July 2012 For an application pack, please contact:

For an application pack,Tel.0118 944 2081 pete.cowling@ntlworld.com please contact: Peter Cowling Peter Cowling Tel.0118 944 2081 pete.cowling@ntlworld.com

20 June 2012 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk

v What’s on These are some special events taking place in churches over the next month.

A full events calendar, complete with listings for special church services and local activities can be found at xnmedia.co.uk.

You can also submit your own events by sending an email to editor@xnmedia.co.uk

Jubilee Saturday, June 2

Jubilee Holiday Tuesday, June 5

BRIMPTON – School Field.

Jubilee celebrations including fancy dress contest, activities, live music, beer tent, raffle and hog roast.

Free entry, £5 for hog roast.

From 3pm.

READING – All Saints Church Hall, Downshire Square.

Jumble sale in aid of parish funds and Christian Aid. 1.30pm.

READING – Wokingham Waterside Centre, Thames Valley Business Park.

Network Vineyard Church family fun day. Noon. Bring and share picnic. Details: (0118) 966 9782.

KNOWL HILL – St Peter’s. Book sale. 10am-noon. Details: 01628 825288.

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Bumper Diamond Jubilee street party – bring your own table, chairs, picnic.

4pm-6pm.

SONNING – St Andrew’s Church. Flower Festival for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

READING – English Martyrs Catholic Church, Liebenrood Road. Barbecue and entertainment to celebrate the Jubilee.

PURLEY ON THAMES – The Barn. Thames Vale Singers present a Diamond Jubilee Concert including Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise and Land Of Hope And Glory. £9, £7 concession.

7.30pm. Details: tickets@ thamesvalesingers.org.uk or Jean (0118) 984 2563 or Margaret (0118) 962 4425.

Jubilee Sunday, June 3 ALDERMASTON – CofE Primary School. Diamond Jubilee celebrations including live screening of the Queen’s Procession, hog roast, Songs of Praise, fancy dress contest. £1. 10.45am6pm.

COLEY PARK – Community Fun Day. From noon.

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Jubilee church service.

10am.

SONNING – St Andrew’s Church. Parish service of thanksgiving for the Jubilee.

10.30am.

WOODLEY – Memorial Ground, Headley Road.

Diamond Jubilee Praise In The Park. 11.30am.

Jubilee Holiday Monday, June 4 SONNING – St Andrew’s Church. Flower Festival for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Twyford – St Mary’s Church, Station Road. Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 4.30pm-dusk. Big screen live presentation of the Jubilee Concert, straight from The Mall, barbecue, beer tent, Pimms Bar, singers, clown and lighting of beacon on church tower as part of the international beacon chain.

Donations to Global Hearts, (Feed the Children) Charity.

Details: (0118) 934 0642.

Saturday, June 9 BRACKNELL – Garth Hill College. Three Counties Cycle ride in aid of Holy Trinity Church roof appeal.

Three routes: 15, 33 or 50 miles. Details: www.ccr.org.

SWALLOWFIELD – All Saints Church. Summer fete.

Afternoon.

CAVERSHAM – Our Lady and St Anne Church Hall, South View Avenue. Sing-A-Long night. Details: (0118) 947 1787.

SOUTHCOTE - Grange Church, Circuit Lane. Coffee morning raising funds for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service. Stalls including cakes, Traidcraft, tombola, bric-a-brac, and a raffle. From 10.30am.

READING – Emmanuel Methodist Church, Oxford Road. Summer fete including breakfasts, lunches & more.

10am-1.30pm. Adults 30p, accompanied children free.

WOODLEY – Bulmershe Leisure Centre, Woodlands Avenue. Network Vineyard Church presents an evening of magic with Steve Price.

Details: (0118) 966 9782.

WARFIELD – Memorial Ground, Newell Green.

Village Fete. Noon-4pm.

WHITLEY – Christ The King, Northumberland Avenue.

Jubilee Festival: music, dancing and more. 7.30pm11.30pm. £5, £2.50 under 12s.

Details: Danny Apap (0118) 967 3144.

Sunday, June 10 CAVERSHAM – The Function Room, the Milestone Centre.

Caversham Park Church Hymnz and Cakes afternoon: all ages welcome for a singalong and refreshments.

3.30pm-4.30pm. Details and requests: secretary@cpvc.org. uk or call (0118) 947 5152.

READING –Reading School.

Chris Evans gives his pre-ordination testimony.

6.30pm.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Messy Church for families. 4pm6pm. Details: (0118) 926 8143.

Monday, June 11 EMMER GREEN – St Barnabus Church. Patronal Festival, attended by the Bishop of Reading, the Rt Revd Andrew Proud. 8pm.

Tuesday, June 12 CROWTHORNE – Vineyard Church Centre, Wellington Business Park, Dukes Ride.

Encouraging Mums session: Redeeming The Time.

12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: (01344) 780087.

Wednesday, June 13 BINFIELD – All Saints’ Church.

Installation of the Revd Luke Taylor as Rector of Binfield.

7.30pm.

SHINFIELD – Baptist Church, Hollow Lane. Senior citizens afternoon tea and quiz. 3pm.

Details: 07900 191347.

Thursday, June 14 BRACKNELL - Methodist Church, Shepherds Lane.

Together in Prayer meeting.

8pm.

Saturday, June 16 READING – Forbury Gardens and along canal. Waterfest.

11am-4pm.

READING –Wycliffe Baptist Church, Kings Road. Table top sale. 10am-noon. Tables £5. Set-up from 9.30am.

Details: (0118) 929 9911.

CAVERSHAM – Our Lady and St Anne, South View Avenue. Quiz night with fish n chip supper. 7.30pm. £7.50. Details: www. ourladyandstanne.org.uk WOODLEY – Baptist Church, Hurricane Way. Pete Evens’ ordination. 3pm.

Sunday, June 17 BRACKNELL - Kerith Community Church, Church Road. Fathers Day fun day. Farm4U 9am, 11am. Fun day including cage football, sumo and hot dogs from 4.30pm. Evening

Calendar meeting with live bands 7pm.

Details: (01344) 862699.

CAVERSHAM – Caversham Court Gardens. The Friends of Caversham Court Gardens, Friends of Reading Museum, and Friends of Reading Abbey summer party. 3pm5pm. All welcome. Includes cream teas, live music and more.

EMMER GREEN – St Barnabus.

Service of thanksgiving for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 9.30am.

UPPER BUCKLEBURY – All Saints Church. 50th anniversary celebrations.

Service of thanksgiving 11am.

Bring and share lunch 1pm.

Wednesday, June 20 READING – Greyfriars Church, Friar Street. Reading Christian Network presents Imagine Reformation, a morning conference about what a Reformation could look like in Reading today.

9.15am-1.30pm. For Reading church leaders. Details: readingchristiannetwork@ gmail.com.

Thursday, June 21 TILEHURST – St Mary Magdalen Church Hall, Rodway Road. Reading Concert Singers Summer Concert: 60 Glorious Years.

7.30pm. £8, £4 under 16s.

Details: (0118) 942 5290.

Friday, June 22 BRACKNELL – Kerith Community Church, Church Road. REAL Women’s Conference. Evening events, continues tomorrow. Details: (01344) 862699 or www. kerith.co.uk.

WHITLEY – St Agnes Church Hall, Northumberland Avenue. Reading Concert Singers Summer Concert: 60 Glorious Years. 7.30pm. £8, £4 under 16s. Details: (0118) 942 5290.

Saturday, June 23 BINFIELD – St Mark’s. Men’s Breakfast: Why is sport so important for men? From 7.30am. Details: (01344) 421079.

BRACKNELL – Kerith Community Church, Church Road. REAL Women’s Conference. All day. Weekend £30. Details: (01344) 862699 or www.kerith.co.uk.

KIDMORE END – St John The Baptist Church. Celebration in music and flowers. From 11am. Concert from 2pm. In aid of the St John’s West Wall Appeal.

READING – Anderson Baptist Church, Amherst Road. A Taste of Iona evening. 6pm8pm. Details: (0118) 376 1079.

READING – Salvation Army, Castle Hill. Concert by London Central Fellowship Band and Reading Central

Songsters. Details: (0118) 942 2130.

TILEHURST – St.Catherine’s Church , Wittenham Ave. Olympic Summer Fayre including a children’s Olympic fancy dress parade at 3pm. Adults and children’s baking and cupcake decorating competitions.

Lots of games and stalls for all ages to enjoy. Entry 50p, accompanied children free.

Details: (0118) 941 7689.

WOODLEY – Baptist Church, Hurricane Way. Church panto: Snow White. To mark the retirement of the Revd David Barter and raise funds for a trip to South Africa.

3pm and 7pm. Details: www. woodleybc.org.

Sunday, June 24 CAVERSHAM – St Peter’s Church, The Warren.

Sunday Supplement presents a talk by Munawar Karim, Headteacher of Deenway School, Reading, the only Muslim Montessori School in the country. 4pm. Free.

Followed by a tea and choral evensong at 6.30pm.

Saturday, June 30 CAVERSHAM –St Andrew’s Church, Albert Road.

Concerts in Caversham: music on the piano, violin & cello. 7.30pm. Details: (0118) 948 4112.

WOKINGHAM – St Paul’s Church, Reading Road.

Summer fayre. 2pm-5pm.

Sunday, July 1 EARLEY – Laurel Park. Go Kart Race and Fun Day organised

by Six Sixty. Other events include bouncy castle, face painting and entertainment. £5 per kart. In aid of Six Sixty, two local charities and a community project in Uganda. Details: www.sixsity. org.uk or 07887 494875.

Friday, July 6 READING – Tyndale Baptist Church, Cressingham Road.

Level 1 Food Hygiene training course for churches. 11.30am. £30 per person. Certificate lasts for three years. Maureen Keeble, the church’s administrator, on (0118) 986 7195 or email admin@ tyndalereading.org.uk.

Saturday, July 7 CROWTHORNE – Wellington Business Park to Morgan Recreation Ground. Carnival, including procession and stalls. From noon. Includes the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and Bracknell Vineyard Church. Details: www. crowthornecarnival.co.uk.

Sunday, July 8 CAVERSHAM – Christchurch Meadows. Caversham Festival including Churches Together Service from 11am.

All welcome.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road. Messy Church for families. 4pm6pm. Details: (0118) 926 8143.

Tuesday, July 10 CROWTHORNE – Vineyard Church, Wellington Business Park, Dukes Ride. Encouragng Mums: A Garment Of Praise.

12.30pm-2.30pm. Details: (01344) 780087.

Wednesday, July 11 SHINFIELD – Baptist Church, Hollow Lane. Senior citizens afternoon tea and quiz. 3pm.

Details: 07900 191347.

Saturday, July 14 CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Best of British Flower Festival in aid of COATS and Hope Zone. Includes musical interludes and craftwork exhibitions. 10am-6pm.

HARE HATCH – Yeldall Manor. Annual open day – strawberry tea, thanksgiving service, stalls and more.

Details: (0118) 940 1093.

WOODLEY – Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road.

Barbershop Quartet concert.

Evening. Details: (0118) 926 8143.

SANDHURST - Methodist Church, Scotland Hill.

Summer Fair at the church from 11.30am until 2 pm.

British and Olympics theme, with various stalls, raffle, tombola, games for the children and refreshments including lunch. Details: sandhurstmethodist.org.uk

Sunday, July 15 BURGHFIELD – St Mary’s Church. Teddy Bear Olympics and family fun day. From 12.15pm. In aid of Church Heating Fund. Details: www. stmarysburghfield.org.

NATIONAL – Across area. Walk To Church Sunday and shrink your carbon footprint.

CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Best of British Flower Festival in aid of COATS and Hope Zone. Includes musical interludes and craftwork exhibitions. Noon-6pm.

Songs of Praise 6.30pm.

WOODLEY – Baptist Church, Hurricane Way. Southern Counties Baptist Association event with Chris Duffet, president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain.

Monday, July 16 CROWTHORNE – St John The Baptist Church, Waterloo Road. Best of British Flower Festival in aid of COATS and Hope Zone. Includes craftwork exhibitions. 10am4pm.

Talents

To advertise call 01932 246408 | www.xnmedia.co.uk |June 2012

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v Sharing talents God has given each of us unique gifts and skills. Xn’s talents directory is an opportunity to connect local people with local businesses.

For more on some of our advertisers, visit our website.

We’re sure you’ll find these pages invaluable.

To advertise call 01932 246408 v Piano accompaniment EXPERIENCED PIANO ACCOMPANIST available for music exams and recitals.

Judith Creighton www. judithcreighton.co.uk or 07957 193366.

vH ost families Host families wanted

by ELC London Street language school. Students: 16-60 years (2-24 weeks).

B&B + evening meal only. Tel: 0118 958 2247. email:elc@elclondonstreet. co.uk

v English tuition ENGLISH COURSES with ELC London Street. www. elclondonstreet.co.uk.

Tel: 0118 958 2247.

78, London Street, Reading RG1 4SJ.

vP iano tuition individual piano tuition.

Lessons for all levels and ages from experienced Reading-based piano teacher. Judith Creighton www.judithcreighton.co.uk or 07957 193366.

v Counselling

v Carpets

Reading Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Margaret Hutton www.asafeplace2talk.co.uk Loddon Counselling & Psychology Service.

Accredited counsellors, supervisors, trainers. Over 20 years experience NHS and other settings. CBT available.

07092 022294

v Financial services Dunamis Accounting Solutions. Helping you to prosper in business and financial security. E-mail dungerabb@live.co.uk or phone 07952 302737.

v Construction Kingsmen Limited.

Construction services, extensions, renovations, new builds, electrical, plumbing. www.kingsmenlimited.co.uk (0118) 958 5777.

callaghan carpets and flooring. Home pattern service from a reliable family company. Carpets, vinyls & commercial flooring 40 years’ experience. www. callaghanflooringandcarpets. co.uk or (0118) 962 8527.

v Ted’s offer for Xn readers

A LOCAL carpet company will help Yeldall Manor for every order placed through Xn. Callaghan Carpets and Flooring has made the generous offer as it seeks to support the community.

“For every job I do as a result of advertising in Xn magazine I will donate 5% of the total invoice price to Yeldall,” says Ted Callaghan, the company’s MD. “We believe our prices are very competitive – so what have you got to lose?” v For details, call (0118) 962 8527 or log on to www.callaghanflooring

andcarpets.co.uk.

Place your advert in and reach Christian buyers For details call 01932 246408 v Funeral directors A.B. Walker & Son – Berkshire’s leading family funeral and masonry service. www.abwalker.co.uk MILES & DAUGHTERS. The family funeral service. All areas covered. Owned and run by the Miles family. www.milesfunerals.com

vC leaning & housework Housework getting in the way? Do you need a helping hand with cleaning, washing, ironing (take away and delivery service only) etc. One-off cleans or regular weekly/ fortnightly Reasonable rate – £10 per hour. References available CRB checked. Contact Vicki Emmett 07916 177529 or vickimotwo@hotmail.com

v Pearlstringing/ jewellery Pearlstringer/Jeweller.

Repairs and alterations to necklaces/jewellery. Orders taken. Visitors welcome to see workshop etc. Tel: Anne Finnerty (0118) 958 8274.

v Resources Faith in the Community (Wokingham) – helping Christians work together to transform their local communities. Phone Sharon Elliott 07843 091950 CHURCH NEWSLETTER ARTICLES. Great selection, new every month. Specially written and drawn. www. thesheepdip.co.uk

v Family circle LIFE is an amazing journey. From our very first breaths to our last, we are told to live it to the full.

There are so many things we can celebrate and commemorate and sometimes telling everyone can be a tricky job. This is where Xn can help.

Our Family Circle page is designed for you to share your news. It could be the birth of a new

baby, an ordination or induction, a wedding, an anniversary, a baptism service or even a first communion.

Whatever the occasion, we’re here to help you share with the church family in Reading, Wokingham and Bracknell. Our skilled staff will help you choose the correct wording for your notice and you can be assured

v Funeral directors

it will be read in churches across the region.

We think this is an invaluable service you’ll treasure.

To place an announcement in Family Circle call 01932 246408

Farewell to Robin Selmes METHODIST churches in the Crowthorne circuit will bid farewell to the Revd Robin Selmes at a special service on Sunday, July 15.

Starting at 5pm, it will be held at Crowthorne Methodist Church and give church members the opportunity to pray for him before he leaves the circuit.

v Service THE REVD RAYMOND OBIN will be thanked for his ministry at All Saints Upper Bucklebury at a special service that also marks the church’s 50th anniversary. It will be held on Sunday, June 17 at 11am. Afterwards there will be a bring and share lunch.

v Testimony

Fifth generation family funeral directors and monumental masons. Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

24 Hour assistance 4 Offices with parking Competitively priced Flowers by telephone and on-line Stone memorials Pre-paid funeral plans

Reading head office 0118 957 3650

branches: Wokingham, Bracknell, Henley-on-Thames, Thatcham

www.abwalker.co.uk

CHRIS EVANS will give his pre-ordination testimony at a Reading and Silchester Circuit Service on Sunday, June 10 at 6.30pm at Reading School. Chris is minister of Burghfield Common Methodist Church.

v Ordination PETE EVENS. The minister in training at Crowthorne Baptist Church has accepted an invitation to become pastor of Sandhurst Baptist Church. His ordination service will be held at Woodley Baptist Church at 3pm on Saturday, June 16.

v Induction NEW RECTOR. The Institution and Induction of the Revd Luke Taylor as Rector of Binfield will take place at All Saints Church on Wednesday, June 13 at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Arts

June 2012 | www.xnmedia.co.uk | To advertise email advertising@xnmedia.co.uk

v Music

Jeremy signs in

For the glory of God! My Grandfather, Edward W Matthews, who taught me music and theory when I was growing up, was a composer. On his gravestone, it says he composed For The Glory of God. He never got to hear my songs but I think he would have been pleased that I was using my gifts for God’s glory.

Classically trained in music and growing up in an Anglican church, I was exposed to choral music, rich in tune and harmony. Brought up in a Christian household and reliant on my parents’ beliefs, it was not until my university years that my faith started to be seriously challenged.

That was a good learning experience and for the last 18 years, my wife and I have been members of Argyle Community Church in Reading and the solid Bible teaching has helped build a greater dependence on God. I’ve been involved in the church’s music from joining but it was not until 2001, when we were striving as a church for passionate worship, that God released the desire in me to write songs.

The first 18 months were relatively prolific with seven songs completed including A Ray Of Hope In A World Of Darkness as a response to 9/11 in 2001 and Much More Trust in 2002 where my faith was under real test, in a time when I was weak at the start of a longterm illness.

During this early phase of my writing, I felt my reliance on God became far greater and I knew that the suffering had been for my good in developing my faith.

In recent years I have felt God burdening my heart

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(in a good way) to draw others to him as well as being empowered with a strong church vision for the local community.

A song I finally finished in 2008, We’re Not Finished Yet, took many years to write. I was particularly struck by Romans 10:14-15 and wondered who, but us, could share the Good news of Jesus with the church’s neighbours.

We’re the ones who can ‘shine our lights’ to those around us and by doing so, we can reflect God’s glory into their lives.

As salt, we can also extend the flavour of God. It’s a joy to be serving God and as the song concludes, “We’re not finished yet!”

Whatever age we are, he can use us in the places he has put us.

People often ask me how my songs are written.

Some definitely come more easily than others.

My modern version of The Lord’s My Shepherd in 2001 took under an hour but some songs have frustratingly taken many years. Usually songs start with a few words or a phrase from a passage in the Bible or are inspired from what is spoken in a service. Then a tune will often ensue.

It’s the times when I can spend quality time with God that my songs advance. Aeroplane journeys have been surprisingly useful.

In January 2011, I released my first CD covering 14 of my songs from the last 10 years. It’s available at Greyfriars bookshop in Reading.

I’ve also recently updated my website www. freeandforgiven.com which includes 20 of my songs, music scores and MP3s, which are freely available to download.

I am also keen to share my songs – and the stories behind them – as a ministry to encourage the faith of local Christians and to reach out to those on their journey to faith so if you see an opportunity, get in touch. v To contact Richard, email to mail@freeandforgiven.com. He is on Twitter: @FreeForgivenUK.

Satisfy the thirst for truth…

Serving the Church & Communities in Berkshire with Christian Resources Maidenhead | Reading | Slough | Wokingham • Bibles & Christian Books • CDs & DVDs • Gifts & Cards • Discipleship Course Material • Church Candles • Communion Wafers & Wine • Confirmation, Christening & Baptism Certificates • Bible Reading Notes & Study Guides • Sunday School & Teaching Material • Children & Youth Work Resources • and much, much more Pop into your local store Monday-Saturday Or visit us online at quenchshops.com Store addresses & opening hours are on-line Maidenhead 01628 621985 Reading 0118 957 6078 Slough 01753 538999 Wokingham 0118 977 6715

v Top reads

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

The Voice Bible Complete Edition Do Yourself a Favour... Forgive

Joyce Meyer

There are No Strong People Jeff Lucas Heaven is for Real Todd Burpo

If God, Then What?

Andrew Wilson

Born to Create Theresa Dedmon

Empty Promises Pete Wilson

Voice in the Night Pastor Surprise

The Grace Outpouring

Roy Godwin & Dave Roberts

Redeeming Love

Francine Rivers

BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine will be coming to Reading later this month.

The journalist, who is brother to comedian Tim and a Christian, will be visiting Waterstone’s in Broad Street on Wednesday, June 20.

During the visit he will sign copies of his autobiography It’s All

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Richard Matthews, a Reading based worship leader has been writing Worship songs in his spare time for the last 11 years. He explains how writing Christian songs came about.

News To Me, share insights into his career at the BBC and explore our fascination with the news and media.

The evening starts at 6.30pm and tickets cost £2. They can be bought from the store. v For more details, call the store on (0118) 958 1270 or log on to www. waterstones.com/events.

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Everything in Serving the Church & Communities in Berkshire with Christian Resources Colour Ben Cantelon Maidenhead | Reading | Slough | Courageous Wokingham • Bibles & Christian DVD Books • CDs & DVDs • Gifts & Cards • Discipleship Material 10,000 Course Reasons • Church Candles Matt Redman • Communion Wafers & Wine The Cutting • Confirmation, Christening & Baptism Certificates Years • Bible Reading NotesEdge & Study Guides (CD+DVD) Delirious?

• Sunday School & Teaching Material Stuart Townend • Children & Youth Work Resources • and much, much more Ultimate Collection Townend Pop into yourStuart local store Monday-Saturday Or visit us online at quenchshops.com My Heart is Singing Store addresses & opening hours are on-line Loud Pete James Maidenhead 01628 621985 Reading 0118 957 6078 Loft Sessions Slough 01753 538999TheWokingham 0118 977 6715 (CD+DVD) Bethel Music

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Symphony: I Life My Hands (DVD) Louie Giglio Higher Phatfish

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• Bibles & Christian B • Gifts & Cards • Dis • Church Candles • Communion Wafers • Confirmation, Christ • Bible Reading Notes • Sunday School & Tea • Children & Youth W • and much, much mo Pop into your local Or visit us online Store addresses & Maidenhead 01628 6219 Slough 01753 538999

Puzzles/reader offer

To advertise call 01932 246408 | www.xnmedia.co.uk |June 2012

Steve Vaughan-Turner

Sudoko SUDOKU

Medium www.drawingfromexperience.blogspot.com

Medium

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Editor & publisher Phil Creighton editor@xnmedia.co.uk Distribution Judith Creighton judith@xnmedia.co.uk Contributors Michael Penny, Steve VaughanTurner, John Madeley, Richard Becher, Ken Perrett, Julia Vidovich, Caroline Kramer Thanks to Michael Penny, Alan Magness, Louise Cole, JAC, Ray Coates, Laura Blackburn Finlay, Paul Burnish, RCN, Mary Brockington, Colin Preston, Matt Hearn, Sharon Elliott, Jeremy Sharpe, Christine Joyce, James Hern Advertising Richard Roper, Roperpenberthy 01932 246408 advertising@xnmedia.co.uk Printed by Trinity Mirror Reading Xn is published monthly by Xn Media. ISSN 2049-4971

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Sudoku Solution

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How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. 2 1 4 Each compartment must form a straight 6 4 5 a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be 4 5 in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells 4 3 6 2 remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight.

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To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

If you like Str8ts and other puzzles, check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

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v Xn shop Every month, we’ll put together a range of special offers and discounted books specially for you. Here’s our latest selection. Look out for another collection of great titles next issue!

Dare To Walk In Power, Authority And Love

Step Out in Faith Bible schools have grown to 206 with over 20,000 students and 5 orphanages with 1,857 orphans.

This was not through Suzanne’s vision or planning, but a result of hearing and obeying God in prayer.

This book teaches on the power, authority and love Suzanne has received from God and the Bible that has enabled this work to be done.

Foreword by Ed Harding Dare To

WALK IN POWER, AUTHORITY AND LOVE

The“fifth title in Suzanne Pillan’s ” Dare To series, this book dares you to enter into the miracle ministry of SUZANNE PILLANS God by simple faith and obedience to the Word of God. It focuses on the Protection of God, the Authority of Jesus and the Love and Grace of God. Suzanne’s ministry supports over 200 Step out in Faith Bible schools and five orphanages.

Suzanne is a remarkable woman, simply being obedient to the call of God, learning and teaching biblical principles and above all, living in faith to believe God for big things. - Ed Harding, evangelist and author

This is the fifth book in the ‘Dare To’ series.

Suzanne lives with her husband and family at the Standlake Equestrian Centre and ranch in Oxfordshire, England.

They run a riding school for a living and the ranch to raise funds for the ministry.

They also travel extensively, speaking at conferences and crusades in many countries and running Bible schools and orphanages.

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Dare To WALK IN POWER, AUTHORITY AND LOVE

ANSWERS Str8ts Solution

4

SUZANNE PILLANS

The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers.

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7 Xn is published by Xn Media c/o Abbey Baptist Church, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BE www.xnmedia.co.uk Twitter: @xnmedia

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RRP £7.99, Xn price £5.99

RRP £7.99, Xn price £5.99

RRP £7.99, Xn price £5.99

Beloved African

The Most Famous Book in the World – a Celebration of the King James Bible

Women in the Bible, Miracle Births, Heroic Deeds, Bloodlust and Jealousy

John Hammond was one of Rhodesia’s foremost educators of the black population.

Born in a pole and dagga hut and brought up speaking Ndebele, he educated a generation of children so they could run a modern country. John’s faith gave him motivation that so impressed people that he was called ‘our father – the great teacher, loved by all Africans’.

RRP £11.99, Xn price £8.99

23

Twenty two well-known personalities; clergy, politicians, media and sports personalities, scientists and businessmen, from across the spectrum of churchmanship, reveal their favourite Bible passage.

RRP £4.99, Xn price £3.74

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From Abi to Zipporah, Eve to the Whore of Babylon, this book tells the stories of the Women of the Bible. It looks at the meaning of their name, and explores what is known about them and the relevance and importance of their life in the wider Bible story. The beautiful gift book is illustrated and is a mine of information.

RRP £11.99, Xn price £8.99

To order, call 01932 246408 state code RXn001

To order your books and claim your discount telephone 01932 246408 and state code RXn001.

Alternatively write with a cheque to RoperPenberthy Publishing Ltd, Springfield House, 23 Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9LZ or email grace@roperpenberthy.co.uk. Post and packing £1.50 per book, orders over £10 post free.

26 –28th July 2012 Rivermead Leisure Centre, –28th July 2012 2626 –28th July 2012 Reading, Berkshire –28th July 2012 26 –28th July 2012 Rivermead Leisure Centre, Rivermead Leisure Centre, Rivermead Leisure Centre, Centre, ThisRivermead conference is Leisure about bringing “Heaven down to Earth”. We believe that we are poised for a Reading, Berkshire Reading, Berkshire Reading, Berkshire move of God and are asking our friends locally and nationally to come together, to stand with us Reading, Berkshire and see His Kingdom come.

This conference isisabout bringing “Heaven down toto Earth”. believe that we are poised for aa a conference is bringing “Heaven down Earth”.

We believe that we are poised ThisThis conference about bringing “Heaven down Earth”.

We believe that we are poised This conference is about about bringing “Heaven down to Earth”.We We believe that we are poised forfor move of and are asking our friends locally and nationally come together, to stand with us move of God and are asking our friends locally and nationally come together, to stand with Coming the move of God God and areconference asking our friends locally and nationally to come together, stand with move ofto God and are asking our friends locally and nationallytoto to come together, toto stand with us us and see His Kingdom come. and see His Kingdom come. andand seesee HisHis Kingdom come.

Kingdom come.

National and local leaders will be standing together to see the Lord come in greater measure upon Coming to the conference our city of Reading and in our land. To find out more about each leader attending the conference Coming the conference Coming to the conference Coming toto the conference please visit our website. www.barnabasengland.org.

National andand local leaders willwill bebe standing together toto see the greater upon National local leaders standing together see theLord Lordcome comeinin greater measure measure National local leaders will standing together to see measure upon National andand local leaders will bebestanding together to see the theLord Lordcome comeiningreater greater measure upon our our city of Reading and in our land.

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To find out more about each leader attending the conference our city of Reading and in our land. To find out more about each leader attending the conference please visitvisit ourour website. www.barnabasengland.org. please website. www.barnabasengland.org. please visit website. www.barnabasengland.org. please visit ourour website. www.barnabasengland.org.

Dr Michael Maiden.

Leader of Church for the Nations

Christen Forster.

Leader of ‘Supranatural’ Life

Billy Kennedy. Leader of Pioneer Network

Evangelist Don Double

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Leader Christen Forster. BillyBilly Evangelist Dr Michael Maiden.Christen Kennedy.

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Dr Hugh Osgood.

Leader of CIC International Dr Hugh Osgood.

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Rob Gardiner.

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Rev Grenville John Manwell.

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Leader of Barnabas Leader Overton.

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Baptist Association.

Would you love toHarvest, see the UK impacted by Team Leader for the Leader Counties Liverpool another move of God? God hasSouthern promised that Baptist Association.

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This renewal Conference hosted is by:about God’s sons and daughters a fresh encounter with Him Conference hosted by: Barnabashaving Fellowship Conference hosted Conference hostedby: by: of Churches, Barnabas Fellowship of Churches, LifeSpring church, of Network Vineyard and Barnabas Fellowship Barnabas Fellowship ofChurches, Churches, LifeSpring church, Network Vineyard and The Globe.

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Supported by: The Globe.

The Globe.

Barnabas Fellowship of Churches, Supported by: Reading by: Christian and Charismata Supported Supported by: LifeSpring church, Network Network Vineyard and Reading Christian Network and Charismata Reading Christian Network and Charismata Reading Christian Network and Charismata The Globe.

Book online at: www.barnabasengland.org Book onlineat: at:www.barnabasengland.org www.barnabasengland.org Book online Paul and Heather Garratt.

Leaders of Radiant

Rachel Owen.

Leader of Seekers.

Nicci Whittaker.

Leader of Creche

Supported by: Reading Christian Network and Charismata