St Paul’s Church, Wokingham
St Nicholas’ Church, Emmbrook
Pews News
9th November 2014
Remembrance Sunday
Welcome in the name of Jesus Christ to this house of prayer,
especially if you are with us for the first time today!
We invite anyone who wishes to receive Holy Communion to come to
God’s altar. Please tell the priest if you need a gluten-free wafer.
If you’d prefer to receive a prayer of blessing please come forward with
everyone else and keep your head bowed at the rail.
White Gift Aid envelopes are available in each pew.
If you’re a UK tax payer, we can reclaim the tax on the amount you donate,
but please remember to fill in your name and address on the envelope.
Clergy Contact Details
Fr Richard
Fr Patrick
Mthr Deborah
Fr Roy
327 9116
977 3397
978 7658
978 4141
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Churchwardens
David Ruddock 437 6104
Peter Wells
377 6351
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Parish Office
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri from 9.00am to 12.00
0118 979 2122
[email protected]
www.spauls.org.uk
Rest Day– Sat
Rest Day- Fri
Rest Day- Fri
Rest Day– Sat
This Sunday: Remembrance
9th November
8.00am
Low Mass
Celebrant
Fr Roy
9.30am
Parish Mass
Celebrant
Preacher
Fr Richard
Mthr Deborah
Readings:
1 Thessalonians 4.13 – end
Matthew 2 5. 1 – 13
Hymns:
417, I vow to thee my
country, 392, 354, 489.
Gradual:
Plainsong
Setting:
Mass of St Thomas, Thorne
Anthem:
A Carol for Flanders,
A Mathews
10.00am Woosehill Church: Holy Communion
Celebrant
11.00am St Nicholas, Emmbrook Village Hall:
Community Eucharist
12.00
Baptism
Celebrant
Rev’d Patrick
King
Fr Ken
Celebrant
Fr Richard
3.00pm
Town Remembrance at All Saints
Preacher
Fr Richard
6.15pm
Healing Mass
Celebrant
Mthr Deborah
Collect
Eternal God,
in whose perfect realm
no sword is drawn but the sword of justice,
and no strength known but the strength of love:
guide and inspire all who seek your kingdom,
that peoples and nations may find their security
in the love which casts out fear:
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
The Week Ahead
Morning Prayer 8.30am (Mon, Tues, Thurs at St Paul’s, Wed at Woosehill)
Rosary in The Parish Rooms on Saturday 9.00am
Wed (12th)
Thurs (13th) Charles Simeon, priest,
evangelical divine, 1836
Sat (15th)
10.30am House Mass
*17 Martins Drive
10.30am Low Mass
Mthr Judi
9.30am
Mthr Judi
Low Mass
Mthr Deborah
Sunday 16th November – 2nd Sunday before Advent
8.00am
Low Mass
Celebrant Fr Richard
9.30am
Parish Mass
Celebrant Mthr Deborah
Preacher
Fr Patrick
Readings:
1 Thessalonians 5. 1 – 11
Matthew 25. 14 – 30
Hymns:
Gradual:
Setting:
Anthem:
449, 338, 464, 334.
Plainsong Alleluia
Mass of St Thomas, Thorne
O thou who camest from above, P Stopford
10.00am
Woosehill Church – Methodist Service
11.00am
St Nicholas, Emmbrook Village Hall,
Community Eucharist
Celebrant
Fr Richard
6.15pm
Evensong & Sermon
Celebrant
Preacher
Fr Richard
Fr John Connell
Remembrance Sunday – From Flanders
This year, the annual Service of Remembrance at St Paul’s will take on special
meaning when the choir sing a newly published choral piece, From Flanders,
especially composed for the WW1 Centenary Commemorations by Anna R.
Matthews and dedicated to the Potter Family of Wokingham.
There is a strong personal connection between Anna, St Paul’s and the WW1
Centenary Commemorations in Wokingham. Anna, who lives in Devon, is the
Great-Grand-Niece of the three Potter brothers - Frank, George and Thomas – who
are remembered on the First World War Memorial in the church.
Her composition, From Flanders, is set to Frederick Niven’s poem, A Carol from
Flanders, about the first Christmas Truce of 1914. As part of St Paul’s
commemorations, the Choir will give the first public performance of From
Flanders, during the Act of Remembrance.
Although Niven’s poem refers directly to the Truce on Christmas Day in 1914, it is
the story of two fighting sides spontaneously laying down their arms for the sake
of humanity, which is a poignant moment upon which to reflect this year - marking
the centenary of the outbreak of war - as we remember every man and woman who
answered the call to arms, including the Potter family and the men of the parish of
St Paul’s.
We are delighted to announce that Anna and her cousin, Heather, niece to the
Potter brothers, are with us today to hear the choir sing her commemorative work
in the very place where their forebears worshipped and sang in the choir.
The Poem - A Carol from Flanders
In Flanders on the Christmas morn
The trenched foemen lay,
the German and the Briton born,
And it was Christmas Day.
They dug the graves for all their dead
And over them did pray:
And Englishmen and Germans said:
"How strange a Christmas Day!"
The red sun rose on fields accurst,
The gray fog fled away;
But neither cared to fire the first,
For it was Christmas Day!
Between the trenches then they met,
Shook hands, and e'en did play
At games on which their hearts were set
On happy Christmas Day
They called from each to each across
The hideous disarray,
For terrible has been their loss:
"Oh, this is Christmas Day!"
Not all the emperors and kings,
Financiers and they
Who rule us could prevent these thingsFor it was Christmas Day.
Frederick Niven (1878-1944)
Their rifles all they set aside,
One impulse to obey;
'Twas just the men on either side,
Just men - and Christmas Day
Church Notices
West Africa Appeal
At the recent meeting of the Mission Committee, it was decided to hold a retiring
collection TODAY and next week (16th November) for the DEC (Disasters
Emergency Committee) Ebola Appeal. Please give as generously as you can.
Rosary
Until further notice whilst access to the church is problematical the Rosary will be
prayed on a Saturday at the usual time of 9.00 am but in the Parish Rooms. For
further information or to let us know of anyone who needs our prayers please
contact me (9786420) Geraldine Lea.
Temporary closure of the Churchyard
We are still in the process of trying to get a surveyor and stone mason to touch the
lower pinnacles and check their stability which is why the main path at St Paul's is
still closed. All services are back to usual and happening as usual but you still
have to walk right round the Church to get to the South Door to get in. We are
working as hard as we can to get back to normal, and we do thank you for your
patience in the interim.
The ‘missing’ WW1 Exhibition
Due to unforeseen events, it has not been possible to re-install the WW1 Exhibition.
We apologise for any disappointment this may cause. However, a booklet of the
exhibition is available from the back of church.
Forthcoming Dates
Sunday 9th November
The Children's Society
On Sunday, 9th November the Children's Society Christmas cards will be on sale in
the Parish Rooms after Mass. While recognising that it seems rather early to be
thinking about Christmas, we hope you will once again feel able to support the
work of the Society as generously as you have done in the past. Jill and John Griffin
Tuesday 11th November
Armistice Day
A two minute silence will be held outside Wokingham Town Hall at 11.00am
around the Field of Remembrance to remember the fallen.
Saturday 15th November
Hedge Planting at St Paul’s
Friends of St Paul’s, this is your chance to come and help with the planting of a
new hedge in the churchyard. With grateful thanks to the Woodland Trust, St
Paul’s Churchyard has been allocated 420 Hedgerow Saplings to plant a new
wildlife hedgerow along the railway fence. The saplings have arrived and been
heeled in to keep them until planting day! We are planning to plant all of them on
the 15th November 2014 and would like to invite anyone to come along and help
join in at any time. We will be starting from 10.00am onwards and continuing until
they are all planted. The hedge line has been cleared by our regular payback
group. All will be explained on the day.
If you can bring a small spade, this would be really useful. We will be offering
drinks and cakes to all workers, as we do for all our churchyard volunteers each
first and third Saturday of the month. If you would like to come and take part
please email me at [email protected] , so we can ensure we have sufficient
refreshments and tools in abundance! Thanks in anticipation!
Tues 18th of November
Healing Meeting – 8.00pm at Woosehill Church
There will be a meeting for people from across the Parish to talk about what we
mean by healing and what a healing service is all about. There will then be a
discussion about the way forward for healing services in each church. Do please
come along, whether this is something you are already involved in or not.
Sunday 7th December – Notice for St Paul’s
11.00am St Nicholas Patronal Festival
Given how well the people of St Nicks support things happening across the whole
Parish, and given how often they come to worship at St Paul’s, it would be brilliant
if some people from St Paul’s could return the favour by joining them in the Village
Hall for their Patronal Festival, either after the 9.30am or instead of the 9.30am on
that particular morning. You would be most welcome.
Coming Up
First Steps for pre-schoolers
We meet in church for singing, craft, stories, biscuits and drinks. Starting 9.15am
(we will be in church from 9.00am) and finishing 10.15am. Dates and topics:
13th November, Winter. 11th December, The Nativity.
8th January, Epiphany. See Father Richard or Liz Gallagher to help or find out more.
Other Notices
White ‘one off’ Gift Aid envelopes
If there are any members of the congregation who are regularly filling out a white
envelope, then please consider switching to either a regular Banker’s Order or the
personalised coloured numbered envelopes. A Banker’s Order is the most efficient
way to donate and removes any uncertainty on locating cash for the Sunday
collection! This also provides the treasurer with a better level of confidence when
forecasting income. If you would like to take up this method please contact myself
or Tina and we will pass a Bankers Order form to you to complete and give to your
bank. Alternatively, I do have a spare set of coloured numbered envelopes and
would be happy to explain how the system works. The personalised numbered
envelopes still allow you to vary your level of giving weekly but without having to
write your name, address, date and signature each time.
Jerome & Tina Selwyn-Smith – Stewardship Team (0118 979 2819)
Mothers’ Union
I'm making (hopefully with some help from others) some Fiddle Blankets for
dementia sufferers. I'm using fleece for the top but could do with flannelette
sheeting for the backing and wonder if anyone has old sheets they no longer use?
The blankets are only about 2'6" square so old sheets would be fine.
Jean Vaughan 9790538
The Children's Society
You may have noticed that one of this month's charities in Waitrose is The
Children's Society, so please support us as often as you can throughout November.
Many thanks.
Prayer-walking the new Housing Developments
A group from Wokingham Baptist Church are keen to start prayer walking the new
housing developments on the first Monday of each month, starting on 3rd
November. It seems important to be praying as the churches seek to engage with
the new residents in the coming months. We'd really like to invite others from
across Churches Together in Wokingham to join us. Meeting at 9.15am outside the
Lay-By Café on Reading Road (opposite the entrance to the Montague Park
development) to finish at 10.15am at the latest. For more details please contact
Anna Rogerson [email protected] or just turn up!
Biodiversity team wanted for St Paul’s
The churchyard is just as much for the living – people, animals, plants – as it is for
those who have passed on. The parish is looking for people in the congregation –
young and mature – to form a group to look at how the churchyard could be
developed to take advantage of the plants and animals, which occur there
naturally, in order to make it a more attractive place to visit. Would anyone
interested in joining such a group please talk either to Andy Clark or to Michael
Johnstone. If you don’t know who we are, our pictures are to be found in the
Rogues’ Gallery just inside the main porch.
Wanted - Shoe Boxes
The OTB team would be very grateful for shoe boxes for the (proposed) Fall of
Jericho on 10th February 2015. Please ask/give to members of the team, Debbie
Davison, Sally Dowling, Liz Gallagher, Geraldine Lea, Nami & Justin Elliott).
Many thanks, team OTB.
Vacancy in See
With Bishop John’s retirement at the end of the month, the consultation about the
new Diocesan Bishop begins in earnest.
A range of clergy, LLMs and
Churchwardens from across the diocese – as well as representatives of many other
groups – have already been invited to meet with the Archbishops’ and Prime
Minister’s Appointment Secretaries. They would however like to hear the view of
anyone wishing to comment on the needs of the diocese, or the wider Church, or
who wishes to propose candidates. You are welcome to attend a public meeting to
be held in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford on Tuesday 11th November 2014 at
7.15pm, or you can write to them as below. Letters should be received by the 19th
January 2015 and will be shared between them.
22nd November
Christmas Fair - B.M.S.T.C. Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre
On Saturday 22nd November the BMSTC are having their Christmas Fair at their
Centre: at The Bradbury Centre, 23a August End, Brock Gardens Reading RG30
2JP. We re looking for Raffle and Tombola prizes, so if there is anything left over
from the Church Bazaar you know where to send it! I also have some raffle tickets
to sell if anyone is interested. We would love to see anyone of you there.
Please contact Petra Johnstone for raffle tickets and prizes. Thank you.
Forthcoming Concerts
Saturday 15th November
Reading Symphony Orchestra
7.30pm
Wagner: Overture: Die Meistersinger, Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.4
Soloist Edward Reeve. Brahms: Symphony No.3 in F
Tickets from the RSO Box Office: 0118 986 0707 or [email protected], or at the door
(subject to availability).
For Your Prayers
Prayer before the Service at St Paul’s
At 9 o’clock on Sunday mornings in the Walter Chapel there is an opportunity for a
short period of prayer for the parish, our clergy and the 2014 events.
Siren Prayer for 2014
We meet at 29 Sewell Ave at 9.55am on the first Monday of the month, excluding
Bank Holidays. If you can’t be there, then please pause when the Siren sounds to
pray for the Parish and for the community.
Sally Dowling 0118 978 2729
Please pray:
In 2014: for a successful and enjoyable year of thanksgiving, renewed commitment
and active focus in which we grow in our confidence in God, in our relationships
with one another and in our links with the wider community.
West Africa Ebola Crisis
We pray for the persisting situation in West Africa, for the people and also the
International response.
In our Church Family: We pray for Logan Sparkes-Gale who is being Baptised
today, and for his parents and godparents.
The Sick: Bernice Ross, John Smith, Margaret Hollings, Steve, Jane Stillman,
Andy Clark, Rex Blamires, Elizabeth Hurst.
Recently Departed:
Lewis & Harrison Nash, Darren Linnell.
Those Remembered on our War Memorial who died 100 years ago: Harry
Kennedy, Edwin Mitchell, Arthur Payne
In the Year’s Mind: Margaret Williams, Winifred Jacklin, Stan Hopwood (9th),
Frederick Ashbrook, Ronald Southgate (10th), Annie Biddle, Llewellyn Austen
(11th), Dorothy Beeny (13th), May Winter (14th),
Anglican Cycle of Prayer – 9th November
Sunday: Pray for Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury), Nicholas Dill
Monday:
Kajo Keji - (Sudan), Anthony Dangasuk
Tuesday: Stanley Ntagali, Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala
Assistant Bishop of Kampala, Hannington Mutebi
Wednesday: Kano - (Kaduna, Nigeria), Zakka Nyam
Thursday: Kansas - (VII, The Episcopal Church), Dean Wolfe
Friday:
Karachi - (Pakistan), Saddiq Daniel
Saturday: Karamoja - (Uganda), Joseph Abura