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At Christmas and the New Year we send messages of peace to one another. We celebrate the gift of peace with God and our neighbour which the birth of Christ brought into our world. Peace is a wonderful gift from God to celebrate at Christmas. But we cannot take it for granted. The international situation, especially since 2001, has shown us that. Jesus said that peace makers are blessed. What can we do to make peace and to share peace in our complicated world? We can begin where we are; in our own daily lives. We can seek God’s peace this Christmas and New Year. God’s peace is not a quiet retiring into cosy thoughts. Making and sharing God’s peace is a risky venture. It begins and ends with prayer; and it leads us into action. Is there a person in your life; or an area of your life, with whom there is no peace? Is there a part of the world which you care about, or have a connection with, where there is no peace right now? Could you offer a simple prayer of peace for that person or situation every day? Through those prayers God’s peace can grow, and your actions will grow more peaceful. Every day ask yourself: will what I plan to say and do today build peace or demolish it? Am I building true peace or building barriers against the needs of others to find peace? May this Christmas and the New Year bring you, and those whom you love, the blessing of God’s peace.

2

News from the Parochial Church Council meeting in November

Churches Together in Wokingham future PCC affirmed the need for a new structure and constitution for Churches Together in Wokingham, in response to questions for consultation from CTW

Child Protection Policy Margaret Raggett, All Saints’ child protection co-ordinator and children’s advocate gave the annual report on the operation of our child protection policy. It was agreed that a checklist for leaders organising off-site visits would be prepared and that a standard risk assessment form for events would be produced. PCC endorsed the current child protection policy and thanked Margaret for her vital work in safeguarding children at All Saints.

Youth Church team leader The Rector reported on discussions with the youth church leaders about future leadership of the youth church.

Parish Magazine review Andrew McKenna, editor of the parish magazine and member of the group of Vision enablers for communication, presented the initial work done on reviewing the parish magazine which had been requested by PCC. PCC thanked Andrew for the report and for his work as magazine editor. It encouraged the group to continue their review work with a view to final proposals to be presented in spring/summer 2009.

Church membership It was reported by Joyce Baldry, Electoral Roll Officer, that the church electoral roll now stands at 336 people on roll.

Church Finances for 2009 Steve Smith, church treasurer, reported that the diocesan share alloca-tion for this parish for 2009 would be £122,902, an increase of 3.12% over 2008.

Damage to church floor The churchwardens gave an update on progress to repair the damage to the floor of the nave. PCC was told this work is subject to faculty and re-pairs cannot be completed before Christmas

(Personal summary, other items were discussed. Please see official min-utes)

3

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Rector The Revd. David Hodgson 979 2999 Assistant Curate Vacant Community Priest (Youth) The Revd Michael Johnson 979 0098 Honorary Assistant Curate The Revd. Colin James 978 1515 Church Wardens Sue James 978 4339 Jo Robinson 978 9730 John Smith 979 0948 Director of Music David Rance 947 6734 Head Server Chris Gillham 978 3948 Deputy Head Server Ruth Smith 978 7065 Tower Foreman John Harrison 978 5520 PCC Secretary Janet Alp 979 2797 Deputy PCC Secretary John Smith 979 0948 PCC Treasurer Stephen Smith 979 4407 Deputy PCC Treasurer John Alp 979 2797 PCC Treasurer’s Team Margaret Hawkins 962 9792 Dickon Snell 978 1044 Gift Aid Co-ordinator Peter Whittaker 978 6225 Honorary Verger Vacant Electoral Roll Officer Joyce Baldry 978 8506 Stewardship Recorder Jim Creech 377 4194 Flower Guild Chairman Pam Gilbey 978 5694 Children & Youth Co-ordinator Margaret Raggett 962 9378 Parish Secretary Jo Asplin 979 2797

Clergy days off: David Hodgson Thursday Colin James Thurs/Fri Michael Johnson Saturday

The Parish Office (0118 979 2797), in the Cornerstone, can be contacted about church related issues (Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals). It is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.15 am to 1.00 pm and for urgent matters or by telephone on Monday and Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. e-mail: parishoffice@allsaintswokingham.org.uk The Parish Office, Norreys Avenue, Wokingham RG40 1UE All Saints website: www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk The Cornerstone : For room bookings and general enquiries please phone 0118 979 7778. Monica Martin, Administrator, is in the office: Monday 2-5pm, Tuesday 12.15-4.30pm, Wednesday 2.30-6pm, Thursday 1.45 - 6.00pm. e-mail: info@thecornerstonewokingham.org.uk

4

WORSHIP

Services at All Saints' Church embrace a wide range of formats. An outline is given below but for details and information about occasional services, see the weekly leaflet.

SUNDAY SERVICES

8.00 a.m. Holy Communion. A said service with a brief address using the traditional language version of the Common Worship Order One Eucharist

9.30 a.m. Parish Communion. The service is sung, with hymns, and follows Common Worship Order One Eucharist. Children are catered for in the Crèche and Junior Church. The last

Sunday in the month is Parish Communion for the Whole Church and often includes Parade, children are present throughout, and contribute to the worship.

Prayer for Healing with Laying on of Hands is offered regularly at certain Parish Communion services (see diary). Coffee is served after the service and this is the weekly

'social gathering' of the Congregation. Please come and meet us there if you are a visitor to the church or would like to get to know us better.

11.15 am. (1st Sunday) “11.15 Informal” An informal and contemporary child inclusive service 11.15am (2nd Sunday)

Holy Communion. A said service using the Book of Common Prayer.

11.15am (3rd Sunday) No Service Occasionally Baptisms will take place during this time 11.15am (4th Sunday)

Matins using the Book of Common Prayer, usually sung and including a sermon.

6.30 pm. (1st - 3rd Sundays) Evensong using the Book of Common Prayer with sermon.

Choral Evensong is sung usually on the first Sunday of each month

(An alternative form of worship on 4th & 5th Sundays ; and Services of Healing)

5

WEEKDAY SERVICES

Morning and Evening Prayer are said, using Common Worship Daily Prayer, at 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. each day from Monday to Saturday. All may, and are encouraged, to attend. These services may be led by a Priest or members of the Laity.

Holy Communion is celebrated as follows:

Monday 9.30 am. (Common Worship Order One) Tuesday 9.30 am. (Common Worship Order One with short address, followed by coffee) Wednesday 10.00 am. (Simple form of Common Worship Order One and short address (particularly for parents and child minders of babies and pre-school children)

Friday in various Residential Homes

Major festivals are also marked by additional celebrations of Holy Communion. Please see diary, or for whole year’s dates, see leaflet “Days to Remember at All Saints”.

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HOME COMMUNION. If anyone knows of a housebound parishioner, either temporarily or long term, who would like to receive Holy Communion, please contact the Parish Office (979 2797).

CONFIRMATION, WELCOME OR GROWTH GROUPS. Anyone interested in confirmation, a refresher course, or learning about the Christian faith is invited to join one of the Eureka! groups or a confirmation course - contact Barbara Smith on 979 4407. BAPTISMS are usually conducted at a special afternoon service on the last Sunday of each month; or occasionally in Sunday morning services if requested. Baptisms can be booked via the Parish Office (979 2797). WEDDING BOOKINGS. Clergy are available in the Cornerstone on Monday from 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm and on Saturday from 10.30 am - 11.30 am on an appointment basis. Please book via the Parish O f f ice on 979 2797 TRANSPORT. Pat Forsyth (979 7023) or Sue Farrington (978 2371).

6

%

Please leave items for publication in the Magazine tray in the Parish Office or email directly to the editor before the Copy Date please. Contributions can be typed, handwritten, or e-mailed.

Editor: Andrew McKenna (977 3812)

Email: editor@allsaintswokingham.org.uk

Distribution: Sheila Longley (978 4193)

Advertisements: Andrew McKenna (977 3812)

Collation: Sheila Longley (978 4193) & team

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Flower Guild

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I hope that you have managed to see one of the many Christmas demonstrations that have been taking place at various local Flower Clubs and that you now feel inspired to create wonderful arrangements for Christmas. We will be decorating the church on Monday December 22nd from about 10.30am following the 9.30 Communion Service. Do try to come to the communion service, it is a special moment in the year when we actually worship together as a Guild and it is also a short time of peace and quiet before the day begins. The sign-up list of arrangements will be at the Guild meeting on December 4th or otherwise ring me later in the month and we can discuss what you might like to do. At the beginning of January I will be drawing up the Flower Rota for 2009. If you do not already arrange flowers in church but would like to ‘have a go’ please contact me and we can organise something suitable – if you are a beginner it can be the Lady Chapel on a week when there is nothing special happening, so don’t feel intimidated, and there is always someone who will be happy to help you.

Pam Gilbey Dates for your diary Thursday December 4th Guild Meeting

(See November Magazine for details) Thursday March 5th Annual Meeting Saturday March 21st Day School Thursday May 7th Guild Meeting

For information contact: Pam Gilbey (978 5694)

Margaret Whitaker (978 2307) and Kate Thomas (989 4190)

9

10

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Parenting at All Saints

This year, our Advent meeting will be an informal service in the Cornerstone. December 14th is the date of our annual sale of individual Christmas cakes in aid of Mothers Union charities. If you are unable to come on this day, you can reserve a cake by calling Valerie on 978 7363. The speaker at the MU diocese winter meeting will be the MU central chaplain, Rt. Rev. Richard Ingram, Bishop of Bedford. The deanery winter meeting will be held at St. John’s, Crowthorne on the morning of Monday 15th December. All welcome. In January, our branch meeting will be a Quiz Evening. For more information on any of the above or for a lift to meetings, please call 978 7363 or 978 2678. Wed 3rd Dec 10 for 10.30 – 2.00 Diocesan Winter Meeting –

Benson Village Hall - speaker Rt. Rev. Richard Ingram.

Tues 9th Dec 9.30am Corporate Communion.

8.15pm Branch meeting – informal advent service.

Sun 14th Dec after 9.30am Sale of individual Christmas cakes.

service (cont. pg 12)

11

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12

Mon 15th Dec 10 for 10.30am Deanery winter meeting at St. John’s, Crowthorne. 2009 Tues 13th Jan 9.30am Corporate Communion.

8.15pm Branch meeting – Quiz evening.

ALL SAINTS CHURCH SOCIAL COMMITTEE

GREETINGS FOR CHRISTMAS! It has been really lovely having so many people attend the various events during autumn when we have been around to 'give a hand'. Now two dates left then we promise to hibernate at least until Febru-ary or March! SUNDAY 14th DECEMBER CHRISTINGLE TEA in Cornerstone following the 3.00pm Church service SUNDAY 21st DECEMBER MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES In the Cornerstone after both the 9.30am and 11.15am services. P.S. We hope to have The Children's Activity Table in the Corner-stone on Sunday 7th December after the 9.30am service. Please see weekly leaflet for confirmation.

Contacts: Mavis Mason 9792940 Diana Clifford 9792614

13

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14

A School Governor’s Story I am a Foundation Governor and Chair of the Governing Body of All Saints School. I should begin by explaining that I am responding to an ‘invitation’ from Anne King – and many of you will know just how difficult they are to refuse! I must also plead guilty to Selina’s charge in the last issue of the magazine. I do prefer to ‘hide my light under a bushel’ and perhaps that is not all bad. Quiet personal pride and satisfaction are fine, and equally service to the community which dwarfs my own modest efforts deserves to be recognised and celebrated, but I dislike very much the tendency of some to claim credit and kudos for helping their fellow citizens. I am happy to try to explain what I do and why I do it in the hope that oth-ers may wish to take up the rewarding challenge of school governance. When I responded to David’s announcement at a PCC meeting a few years ago that there was a vacancy for a Foundation Governor at the then Palmer School, I little knew what I was letting myself in for. It is a major commitment – which is why too many Governors are retired old buffers like me. I applaud the dedication of those who take on such a commitment at the same time as the awesome responsibilities of parent-hood, and in many cases full time work as well. In essence I said ‘yes’ because in all humility I thought I might make a difference, and few others seemed willing to take up the challenge – very much the same reasons which led me to join the railway industry all those years ago. Also I have had a lifelong interest in education, especially Primary education, as the greatest potential factor in generating citizen-ship and a stable and positive society. In some ways the role of School Governor may be likened to that of a non-executive company director. The Headteacher is quite clearly the Chief Executive and the professional. The job of the Governing Body is to (a) set the strategic framework in which the school operates, including its aims, values and priorities; (b) be ultimately accountable for perform-ance – academic, financial, health and safety, employment, adherence to legislative requirements; (c) to support but also to challenge and question the head and the staff. In a Church of England school the Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese and have the special responsi-

15

16

bility of ensuring that the school embraces and fosters a distinctive Chris-tian character and ethos. If that sounds a daunting set of responsibilities, it is! However, excellent training and support are provided both by the Diocese and by Woking-ham Borough Council. The Governing Body acts as a collaborative and supportive team and offers a warm welcome to new members. When I joined I had no aspirations to chair the Governing Body but an unforeseen set of circumstances led to a rather precipitate promotion. My leadership capabilities were stretched to the full in steering us from the abandonment of a planned amalgamation, through a ‘collaboration’, to full amalgamation and a new life as All Saints Primary School. Would I do it again? – without question. Our children are our future and to be involved with their development is hugely rewarding. The proudest mo-ments? – the wonderful opening day; totally unexpected and undeserved applause from the PCC and from the APCM; most of all the tiny 8 year old who looked into my eyes and asked ‘are you like the Prime Minister?’

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18

Dear Friends I wonder if any of you still has a Christmas present you were given when you were eight. That’s when I received my first Bible, Authorised Version of course. It is pretty battered now, but it still travels about with me in the glove compartment of my car. It was my granny who gave it me. And that was by no means the only way in which she influenced me positively towards the Christian faith. From time to time I have used this letter to recommend a book I have been reading. I never expected that I should be doing this in the case of the Bible, or more precisely the New Testament. Back in 1947 my granny didn’t have any choice of which version to buy. Today the choice is enormous and confusing. Each time a new one appears we are bound to wonder whether it is really justified. So we look at the “blurb” on the cover to see what’s special about the latest addition. And there we read, “Instantly accessible…A fine and quite distinctive addition to the ranks of scripture translations. As a guide to the kind of study that will nourish a robust and grown up faith, it will be hard to beat.” (Rowan Williams) “Nicholas King has succeeded in putting into English something of the raw power that the first Christians experienced when they heard or read the documents.” (Cormac Murphy-O’Connor) “Wonderfully refreshing. The translation hits you between the eyes… amazing new insights…A splendid piece of work.” (Desmond Tutu) Even the editor of the wonderful New Jerusalem Bible says, “Gripping and attractive…I hope that this translation will become an icon for the twenty-first century.” And the reviewer in the Methodist recorder says, “This is dynamite! I anticipate this volume being open on my desk during sermon preparation for years to come.” And just to cap it Professor Christopher Rowland of Oxford says, “I was enthralled by it. I am sure that readers will find his translation and commentary highly stimulating and a book to which they will come back again and again. They are in for a treat.” So who is Nicholas King, and why is the New Testament he describes as

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“freshly translated” so special? He is a Jesuit based at Campion Hall in Oxford, and what makes his version special is two things. First, as the distinguished reviewers have already indicated, it is indeed fresh. Sometimes this may be a bit upsetting because King has deliberately set out to reflect the style and language of each of the New Testament authors. And some of them frankly were not literary geniuses. The result is that we are not in danger of thinking “I know this bit” and letting our mind wander off as we read. For example he will say “Look!” where we are used to finding “Behold!”. The “Blessed be…” of the Beatitudes becomes “Congratulations to…” One instance I find difficult to accept is his replacing “Truly I tell you…” by ”Amen. I tell you…” My problem is simply that Amen is a “religious” term which does not immediately convey much to the modern reader. But it would be amazing if there were no occasions on which one questioned a choice of word. The other feature is the brief commentaries after each little section of the text. These are full of interesting new insights and end with a question to readers about what it means for them, an asset if it were used in a group Bible study. Of course the words are printed across the whole page and not in in the usual two columns, a practice I find an impediment to reading the Bible for its meaning. And why else should we want to read it? This New Testament is published by Kevin Mayhew for a modest £9.99 or, if your eyes can cope with really small print, there is a version at £8.99. If making a renewed effort to read the Bible is among your New Year’s resolutions, perhaps this is the moment to drop a hint to someone who might like to follow the example of an old lady sixty-one years ago who gave her little grandson a Christmas gift precious beyond price! And by the way my copy of King’s new version is not hidden away in the car. It sits on my coffee table, ready at hand to be picked up and read. I wish you a blessed Christmas and peace in the New Year. With love and prayers.

Colin

21

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Sunday 7 Advent 2 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am Parish Communion 11.15am 11.15 Informal Service 06.30pm Choral Evensong

Sunday 14 Advent 3 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am Parish Communion 11.15am Holy Communion 06.30pm Evensong (Sung)

Sunday 21 Advent 4 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am Parish Communion 11.15am Nativity Service 06.30pm Evensong (Said)

Wed. 24 Christmas Eve 3.00pm Crib Service 6.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols 11.15pm First Communion of Christmas

Thurs. 25 Christmas Day 08.00am Holy Communion 09.30am All Ages Communion (CW Order 1)

Sunday 25 Holy Innocents 08.00am Holy Communion

09.30am Parish Communion (n.b. not Whole Church)

11.15am No Service 06.30pm Healing Service

23

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Sunday 4 Christmas 2

08.00am Holy Communion

09.30am Parish Communion

11.15am 11.15 Informal Service

06.30pm Choral Evensong

Tues. 6 Epiphany

7.45pm Sung Eucharist

Sunday 11 Baptism of Christ

08.00am Holy Communion

09.30am Parish Communion

11.15am Eucharist (BCP)

03.00pm Holy Baptism

06.30pm Evensong (Sung)

Sunday 18 Epiphany 2

Stewardship Celebration

08.00am Holy Communion

09.30am Parish Communion

with Laying on of Hands

11.15am No Service

06.30pm Evensong (Said)

Sunday 25 Conversion of Paul

08.00am Holy Communion

09.30am Parish Communion for Whole Church

11.15am No Service

03.00pm Holy Baptism

06.30pm Choral Eucharist

24

MUSIC LISTS - December 2008 January 2009

Sunday Advent 2 - 7th December Org

Service Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting DAR

Hymns

Music The Lord will come and not be slow - Tye

Final Voluntary Lied (24 pièces en style libre) - Vierne

Service Choral Evensong DAR

Introit The Lord will come and not be slow - Tye

Responses Plainsong

Psalm 40

Canticles Morley Fauxbourdon Setting

Hymns

Music Jesus Christ the apple tree - Elizabeth Poston

Final Voluntary Prelude in G minor - Pierné

Sunday Advent 3 - 14th December

Service Eucharist: Archer - People's Setting DAR

Hymns

Music Adam lay ybounden - Peter Warlock

Final Voluntary Liturgical Improvisation No 2 - George Oldroyd

Service Christingle in aid of Children's Society

Service Sung Evensong: Plainsong Responses DAR

Psalm 68 vv1 - 19

Hymns

Music The Christ Child - David Jaques

Final Voluntary Short Prelude & Fugue in E minor (BWV 555) - J S Bach

Sunday Advent 4 - 21st December

Service Eucharist (Healing): Archer - People's Setting DAR

Psalm Magnificat

Hymns

Music Psallite unigenito - Praetorius

Final Voluntary The Modal Trumpet - Karam

Service Said Evensong with Piano ---

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Monday Christmas Eve - 24th December Org

Service 18.00 Nine Lessons and Carols DAR/

Hymns MS

Carols by Howells, David Jaques, Morten Lauridsen, Richard Lloyd, Michael Praetorius, David Rance and Peter Warlock

Final Voluntary

Service 23.15 Midnight Mass: Archer - St Mark's Setting DAR

Carols as special booklet

Final Voluntary Carillon (24 pièces en style libre) - Vierne

Tuesday Christmas Day - 25th December Service Eucharist: Peruvian Gloria - Kemp DAR

Archer - St Mark's Setting

Carols as special booklet

Final Voluntary Postlude on "Adeste Fideles" - Eric Thiman Sunday Christmas 1 - 28th December DAR

Service Whole Church Communion (No Choir) Hymns

Final Voluntary March in G - Henry Smart

Service Evening Healing Service ---

Sunday Christmas 2 - 4th January 2009

Service Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting DAR

Hymns

Music As with gladness - Stanford

Final Voluntary Prelude in G major (BWV 568) - J S Bach

Service Choral Evensong DAR

Introit As with gladness - Stanford

Responses Spedding

Psalm 135

Canticles Brewer in D

Hymns

Music Here is the little door - Howells

Final Voluntary Prelude & Fugue (Op 18) - César Franck

Tuesday Epiphany - 6th January Service 19.45 Evening Eucharist: Archer - St Mark's Setting DAR

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A Prayer Have you ever wondered if Jesus sang? We know that Jewish people sang in the synagogues, and the ‘directions’ for many psalms, such as ‘a song’ and ‘for the director of music’ give tes-timony that psalms are songs of praise to God as our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. While we have an understanding that Jesus sang, there is only one place in the Gospels that records this: When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Matthew 26:30 The occasion that is chosen to inform us of this in Scripture gives us much thought and direction. It was not as Jesus walked along in the sunshine, or even as he was sailing along on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples. It was at the Last Supper on the night when Jesus was betrayed. Of all the times and places, it was for us to remember him singing as he was led off to his death! This speaks to us and shows us how to follow the Lord in song when our hearts are heavy, when we’re facing disappointment and when we are aching and in pain. Psalms 115-118 were the usual Passover songs, so these could be the songs Jesus sang, and in singing them his words were songs of praise and worship, and also songs of prayer. It is good to sing to the Lord, and if Jesus sang on such a night it should inspire us to do the same when we are in difficulty. If it made a difference to Jesus then it surely will make a difference to us.

Lesley Ludlow

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Spirituality in Healthcare

The following is an article written by the Rev Dr Russ Parker in a recent edition of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation’s

Acorn News. (www.acornchristian.org) “It’s official. Spirituality is to inform and resource how patients receive treatment within the National Health Service. The subject was placed second in importance in the Patient’s Health Charter during the John Ma-jor era and its importance has subsequently been ratified under the pre-sent Labour government. At the heart of this Spirituality has been the fo-cus upon holistic care; ensuring that the patient is not subjected to the status of a disease being treated but a person receiving care. Indeed, Archbishop Barry Morgan emphasised this point in his recent speech marking the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Swansea He said that effec-tive health care “has to recognise the importance of the personal in a world of targets, accountability and value for money”. Archbishop ex-tended this humanising of care to staff who, like their patients, are in need of receiving respect and dignity in an increasingly mechanised soci-ety. However, before we can discuss ways of honouring and attending to the spirituality of patient need, we must understand what is meant by spiritu-ality. A definition offered in a recent document by the Mental Health Foundation states that spirituality is”…that aspect of human existence that gives it its ‘humanness’. It concerns the structures of significance that give meaning and direction to a person’s life and helps them to deal with the vicissitudes of existence. As such it includes vital dimensions as the quest for meaning, purpose, self-transcending knowledge, meaningful relationships, love and commitment, as well as (for some) a sense of the holy amongst us”. All of these core values are set on a collision course when we become ill and find ourselves in hospital. A far country, where we are liable to be disorientated and in need of not just the best surgical

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care but of being helped to understand ourselves and what may be hap-pening to us. There is the sense of loss of connection with ourselves and consequently it is important that as a patient, we are respected and be-come involved in the healing journey in which we have been placed. Our need is both cure and care. It is here that we observe a parallel journey in the world of Christian healing. Christian healing, far from being just an issue of curing people of their sicknesses, is also about empowering people to walk in newness of life. Neither is it just an emphasis upon the ability of God to cure us by a su-pernatural act of grace but also about that same grace being found in the world and skills of professional healthcare. Two brief examples from the New Testament Gospels will help to understand these principles.. The first is the healing which Jesus bestows on a man who had attended a healing event for over 30 years. (John 5, 1-14) The reasons for selecting him above all other needy people there that day are not given but as we shall see, this seems to be a case of individual surgery rather than a uni-versal diagnosis for those who are physically invalid. Following his sud-den healing there comes a private moment of dialogue in which the man is encouraged to radically alter his moral life style or his spiritual disease will carry bigger penalties than his former illness. The concern is for the man to live a whole life rather just be glad he is not physically ill anymore. The second account is the healing of the ten lepers. (Luke 17, 11-19) All ten are encouraged to return home to Jerusalem and to seek out the priest who functions rather like a general practitioner. It is his responsibil-ity to check that all contagion has been removed so that he can pro-nounce healing and the patient be allowed to re-enter normal as opposed to quarantined community. Here there is no immediacy of cure but the journey of faith which involves the expertise of the general practitioner. The interesting twist in this story is that one of the ten lepers would not be welcome at the door of the temple in Jerusalem because he was a Sa-maritan. The physical healing they all received exposed the deeply em-bedded racial prejudices which had been temporarily suspended when they shared the same life-threatening predicament. Yet when the Samaritan returns alone to Jesus, he is pronounced whole and not only cured. This underlines the importance of health and healing as not just being the removal of disease but the empowerment to walk in a greater maturity with an improved and greater connectedness with the

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world around me: the very core of how spirituality has been defined within the NHS”. We wish you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas and Peace in the New Year. (Members of the group are Gill Allen, Maggie Bateman, Jack Hayley, Mary Hughes, Ann Penn, Joan Thomason, Joan Watts and Karen Wellman). Please let us know of any need of healing prayer support. Confidentiality is assured. The next Healing Service will be held on Sunday 28th December at 6.30 pm. The laying on of hands will be made available at the Parish Com-munion on Sunday 18th January

A big THANK YOU to James and Peter for pointing us in the direction of a number of great tracks in October’s

issue.

As a result I discovered “Something Borrowed” by The Streets.

This includes brilliant quotes such as “Just when I discover the meaning of Life they change it”, “Memories are times we borrowed for spending tomorrow”, but my favourite is the refrain , “I came to this world with nothing and I leave with nothing but Love; everything else is just borrowed”.

Another couple of albums I’m listening to at the moment :

“East meets East “ by Nigel Kennedy and Kroke Band includes a number of haunting tracks reflecting eastern European culture; some incorporating traditional tunes or melodies. If you like this, “Sounds of the Vanishing World “by Kroke Band is also worth a listen .

Lorraine Hodgson

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To finish 2008 we will be having our CHRISTMAS GET TOGETHER in the Cornerstone on Wednesday 17th December – an opportunity to praise and an opportunity for fun. 7.45pm for 7.55pm. 2009 WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21st A.G.M. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18th A magical evening when Mr. Taylor will be giving a presentation of 'VICTORIAN MAGIC LANTERNS'. As always everybody is most welcome to come along. If you would like a lift please contact Anona Jones 9619120. All other Fellowship enquiries to Diana Clifford 9792614. BLANKETS Thank you very, very much for the wonderful response to our appeal of blankets for The Diana Brimblecomb Animal Rescue Centre. If you still have blankets, brushes or combs to donate please let us have them by the end of the year which is when the collection finishes.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

All Saints’ Fellowship

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Did you know?

In the All Saints hymn poll last month the hymn “All things bright and beautiful” was the hymn which received the most votes in the

category of “hymn you never want to hear again”!

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Christingle – 40 years of making childhood better

In 1968, John Pensom of The Children’s Society first introduced the Christingle service to the Church of England as a symbol of Christ’s light and love. Forty years on, 6,000 churches, schools and groups join the celebrations each year from Advent through to Candlemas. With nearly 600,000 children involved last year, Christingle is a great way to intro-duce children to the Christian Faith. With over £1.2 million raised in 2007 alone, this generosity has directly supported The Children’s Society’s work, helping to make childhood better for all children in the UK. By being part of this wonderful celebration and raising money for the Chil-dren’s Society, you will enable us to be there for children in trouble with the law, guiding them away from a cycle of crime and custody. Children who feel forced to run away from home or care, helping them to avoid abuse, crime and prostitution on the streets. Disabled children, giving them the opportunities that other children enjoy. Refugee children, ena-bling them to rebuild their lives in new communities. Forgotten children like young carers, traveller children or children and young people whose parents misuse alcohol or drugs, ensuring their needs are not ignored. Thank you for your invaluable support and enjoy your special celebration.

The Rt Rev’d Tim Stevens Bishop of Leicester

Chair of The Children’s Society Trustee Board.

Please join us at our Christingle service in All Saints’ Church

Sunday 14 December at 3pm

and support the work of the Children’s Society

If you cannot come but still want to make a donation, please contact Dickon Snell (9781044)

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A Mousical Story for Christmas

I suppose you’ve heard of the story behind the composition of the carol, “Silent Night”. A mouse was supposed to have chewed its way through the bellows of the church organ thus ren-dering it useless for accompanying the Christmas services. So the organist and the priest set to work to write something that could be accompa-nied by a guitar and the result was this carol. I’m not at all sure if that story is true but what I’m

about to relate is true. The organ at All Saints has three manuals or keyboards. A few months ago we discovered that the top manual didn’t work, so we called the engineer in. He discovered some broken wires inside the organ. Well, he said, it’s either vandals or mice. I wasn’t inclined to believe either. Vandals wouldn’t have taken the back of the organ off, snipped a few wires and then carefully put it back again. And mice who nipped wires cleanly? Nah! A week or two later the same thing happened to the bottom manual and then again to the top manual. We called the engineer in again. Yes, it’s definitely mice, he said, and their preferred colour is red! Red? RED?? Mice that can see colours in the dark and can cut red coloured wires into neat sections? Difficult as it is to believe, there was other evidence that mice prefer red. In the vestry there was a tin of metal polish with a red plastic top. The mice had chewed all the way round this top. The engineer solved the problem by replacing the red covered wire with yellow and using a thicker wire. So far we’ve had no more trouble. But Christmas is coming…

David Rance

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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE Many thanks to everyone who has returned their Stewardship pledge forms (and also their database forms) so far. If you haven’t returned yours, we would love to receive them! For those of you who did not hear the presentation on Stewardship Sunday, or maybe have forgotten what it was all about, we thought it would be an idea to write it up for the magazine. It was easier to adapt the presentation that was given at 8am - the 9.30am one was full of action! The following was written and presented by Chris Westgate, a member of the Stewardship Team: “On our designated Stewardship Sunday this year we thought we’d give David a bit of a rest and let him off sermon-writing duties for a day. Stewardship - the word itself should probably be used with caution as it can conjure up all sorts of preconceptions, not to mention causing glazed eyes within thirty seconds at a distance of 50 yards; so we thought we’d like to do something a little different. To illustrate, the 9.30am is the main feature, and the 8am is the ‘making of’ a special feature, the one you can’t usually access from those fiddly DVD menus – though when you get to them they’re usually hopefully quite interesting. First of all, Jo and other volunteers spent some time making up a big pile of cash bags, and several cards with jobs or tasks on them. In a nutshell, the idea is that the bags represent the All Saints income for a year; I am going to give a speech about how, due to the current uncertainty over world finance, the PCC have appointed me to a new role: Guardian of the All Saints’ Treasury. I will explain how I am going to safeguard the finances of the All Saints Bank… sorry, Church, and I have five appointed “fund managers” to assist me. However, these fund managers, while unoccupied, get laden down with the tasks, and while the money is not being looked after, it gets used for various essential purposes around the church. I’d like to reassure you that there isn’t such a thing as a “Guardian of the All Saints Treasury”. Clearly, donations to All Saints are not stockpiled – there isn’t a big All Saints barn where all the treasure is stored. The skit

37

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at 9.30am is, of course, not intended to be a completely accurate summary of life at All Saints, merely a rather tongue-in-cheek representation. But there are certain grains of truth in there. For instance, it illustrates some of the many jobs that need to be done, and some of the significant and continuous financial outgoings that All Saints has. So looking at the money first. In our little illustration we will start off with a great big pile, and end up with nothing. So where will all the money go? Will it just vanish into thin air? Does the money All Saints gets as income just vanish into thin air? Well, of course, the answer is No. So where is it? It is, in effect, all around us. When we give money to the church, it’s fair to say we invest in the church. We have to be careful though; All Saints is not a business, and we don’t store up our treasures in a barn. But it does cost a goodly chunk of money to keep All Saints running. The PCC and all the people responsible for the running of our church must be good stewards and use resources efficiently, but we must all bear in mind that, ultimately, our church has only one source of financial income. And what of time and talents? In the illustration, the jobs won’t pile up; people will take them on. A small representative sample of the work that actually goes on will be used but and realistically people will end up doing more than one task, and not necessarily the task they originally thought they might be doing, but nevertheless will take them on willingly. Now it may be less obvious when someone makes a gift of their skills and time that it is an investment but, of course, there’s no way of storing time and releasing it again later; time is a transient gift that can only given or received at a particularly appropriate moment. Again, where does this resource come from? - from all of us; from the body of the church. I am going to start the 9:30 presentation by mentioning the credit crunch. In a time of uncertainty it is a natural response to be cautious, to cut down unnecessary expenses, to find the safest place for our investments. But as I’ve since said, All Saints is not a business. We should work together to make our church “recession-proof”, by continuing to invest rather than cutting back. You’ve heard the expression “safe as houses”. Well, although bricks and mortar are currently undergoing a downturn, what safer house could there possibly be for your continued and growing investments than God’s House?”

From Jo Robinson

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Ringing for All Saints Tide

We always try to mark special occasions with special ringing – usually with a quarter peal before Sunday evening service. So we rang a quarter peal of St Clements College Bob Major before evening service on All Saints Sunday. This year All Saints Day fell on a Saturday, so we also rang a peal on the day itself. We put posters on the gates so that passers by would know why we were ringing for 3 hours on a Saturday morning, though since it began to rain just after we started, they might have been hurrying past with their heads down, and not stopped to read them. It is interesting to note that of the 73 peals rung at All Saints since 1903, six have been rung for All Saints Tide. In recent years they include the peal of Wokingham Surprise Major for the 800th anniversary of the church in 1990, and the first peal on the restored bells in 2005.

John Harrison

The FINCHAMPSTEAD SUPPORT GROUP would like to thank all those who supported the Christmas Fayre this year at Warbrook House. We made an astounding £10,000 for the Duchess of Kent House Charity. Our CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING is on Wednesday 3rd December at the Church Centre, St. James' Church, Finchampstead at 10.30am. Proceeds from this event will go to Sue Ryder Care, Nettlebed. There will be a £5 donation to include coffee and warm mince pie and Margaret Finch will be demonstrating Christmas floral arrangements. We look forward to seeing you and your friends.

Janet Gill

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WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR? From Churches Together Wokingham

I am writing to give you news of an important event to be held on Wednesday February 4th 2009 at Greyfriars Church, Reading between 6.30pm and 9.00pm

Churches Together in England has recently published a major report entitled "Who is My Neighbour - A Church response to social disorder linked to gangs, drugs, guns and knives". I have been asked together with Churches Together in Reading to organise a launch evening for this project in the Reading area. It has already been launched in the House of Commons in July 08 and has received positive coverage in the National Secular and Religious Press.

The principal author of the report, Bishop Dr Joe Aldred, Minority Ethnic Christian Affairs writes to say "It is now imperative that this report finds it way on to the agenda of local Churches. At the launch event I hope to engage with Church Leaders, Youth Workers, Local Government and Police Personnel working on the youth agenda and "ordinary" people who are interested in this area of ministry".

In addition to a presentation by Dr Joe Aldred on the subject of the report there will also be an opportunity during this evening to hear of the local context and have an opportunity in plenary session to discuss how we can take the recommendations of the report forward.

There will of course also be an opportunity to meet with others in this field and to exchange ideas and experience.

Further details regarding this will come nearer the time.

With best wishes and many thanks for your help.

Honor Alleyne

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'On Christmas Night'

Carols for Choir and Audience

Wokingham Choral Society, conducted by Alex Chaplin, invite you to join them at All Saints Church, Wokingham on Saturday December 13th at 7.30pm to take part in their popular Christmas carol concert. Doors open at 7pm so be sure to come early to ensure getting a good seat. This year they will once more be joined by a children’s choir from Keephatch Primary School.

The retiring collection will be in aid of the Mayor’s charity, the ME2 Club, which helps children and young people aged 5 to 19 years old with special needs to participate in mainstream activities playing and socializing alongside other chil-dren. If you would like a pre-view of the concert come and hear members of the choir singing carols from 11am to 1pm on Saturday December 6th in the Market Square, Wokingham. Concert tickets, priced at £6 (concessions £4), will be available from Bookends, Wok-ingham, Wokingham Information Centre and choir members, or by emailing tick-ets@wokingham-choral-society.org.uk or by ringing Sue Bryant on 0118 934 0283.

Further details are available at http://www.wokingham-choral-society.org.uk.

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CTW CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

PLACE St Paul's Church rooms

TIME 7.45 for 8pm on Tuesday 2nd December

All Welcome to enjoy the fun of Christmas together Bring & share finger buffet

Coffee & Christmas punch will be available.

Entertainment including St. Mary's hand bells

Carol singing led by Lynn Hawkins - Salvation Army. Tearfund Christmas gifts & cards for sale

and drama by "Stage Fright"

Celebrating Christian Unity

Wokingham Churches are celebrating the week of prayer for Christian Unity with a buffet meal at

The Bradbury Centre - The Methodist Church,

Rose Street, Wokingham On Sunday 18th January 2009 at 6.30pm.

The Celebration will be a time to give thanks & praise

to God over a meal and an opportunity to see "Faith in Action across the Borough."

The Mayors and Rt Hon John Redwood plan to be with us.

For more information on this and CTW please see me or ring Jo Robinson 01189 789730

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Visiting Guildford Cathedral

Why?

• The only new Anglican cathedral in Canterbury province in the twenti-eth century. • Glorious position on top of Stag Hill, so called as kings of England hunted here. • The view inside – clear view from west to east end, open, spacious with no choir stalls or organ blocking the view, with soaring arches and white marble floors. • Made of bricks formed from the clay dug out for the foundations. The Children’s Chapel, for bereaved parents, their friends and families, with a Book of Remembrance that has pages turned daily. How? Easily reached by road or rail, a direct train Wokingham-Guildford. The splendid hilltop site makes it easily visible for miles around. What else is there?

• Over 1400 kneelers, each one different.

• The Seeds of Hope, children’s garden, where bereaved children can follow the pattern of the seasons and find loving support when required. • Worksheets and outdoor trails for children. Separate gift shop and bookshop: worth a visit for Christmas shopping? Be aware The walk up from the station is demanding, but well worth the effort for that wonderful view. Bonus The classic horror film, ‘The Omen’, was made here and the huge golden angel weather vane was added specially for the film. The church liked it so much that they kept it: it’s now a beautiful landmark and also a utilitar-ian mobile phone mast!

Su McArthur

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Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals

Pets

Studies have shown in recent years that caring for a pet can be good for your health. Research confirms that pet owners may have significantly lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than those who do not own an animal. A recent study of 4,500 adults by the University of Minnesota found that cat owners had a 40 per cent lower risk of suffering a heart attack. Just 10 minutes in the presence of an animal is claimed signifi-cantly to reduce your blood pressure. According to the Mental Health Foundation the bond between an owner and a pet can be as strong as the connection with another human which increases our self-worth. In one study 70 percent of families surveyed reported an increase in happiness after getting a pet. Dr. Deborah Wells director of the animal behaviour centre at Queen's University Belfast says "Caring for a pet makes you feel better about yourself". Pets as Therapy (visit www.petsastherapy.org) is a charity that pioneered taking pets into hospitals to raise patients' spirits. It celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – dogs and cats make 120,000 visits to hospitals, care homes and hospices each week. A little dog I used to have was one of the first to be a P.A.T. dog. After several months of taking him to War-ren Lodge Care Home the effect of contact with him – stroking and fon-dling – had an amazing result on two elderly men who were bedridden. One who could not talk as a result of a stroke began to enunciate and started to talk, another who had Alzheimer's and shouted repeatedly at the opposite wall gradually quietened and started to talk sensibly! Human visitors had made no impression on them but contact with my little dog certainly did! Animals can detect certain health problems such as epilepsy, diabetes and seizure. Seizure alert dogs are trained to detect the signs of an im-minent epileptic seizure and warn their owners giving them time to get to a place of safety. Dogs and cats can alert an owner that blood sugar lev-els are dropping dangerously low in people with diabetes. A friend of mine had a visit from someone with diabetes. She left her in

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the sitting room while she went to the kitchen to make tea. A while later my friend's cat came into the kitchen miaowing and agitated then ran back to the sitting room. My friend followed her cat and found the visitor going into a diabetic coma. She gave her something sweet to raise her blood sugar level and revived her. Allergies are often linked to exposure to animals but they can have the opposite effect. Children who live with a cat or dog when young have a lower incidence of hay fever and asthma and are less lightly to develop animal related allergies. A five year study of 600 children showed that those who lived with pets had higher levels of self esteem and coped bet-ter emotionally if they were under stress. The University of Wales has estimated that in the U.K. the health benefits of pet ownership may result in savings to the N.H.S. of £600 million per year.

Marcelle Williams

ARE YOU THE MISSING PERSON? If you are a caring person and would like to help those in the community who are less fortunate than ourselves, and enjoy a good social life as well, why not come along to one of Wokingham Lions Club’s meetings to find out more about us and what we do? We are well known for organising the Wokingham May Fayre – but due to this, and other successful events, we need more members to follow our international motto – “We Serve”. We meet at the Committee Room, Wokingham Town Hall on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. for 8:00.

Or contact Wokingham Lions Club on 0791-007-5106 or 0118-978-1561 for further details.

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Chef’s Corner:

Christmas Stained Glass Window Biscuits 8 tablespoons plain flour 3 tablespoons butter 1 lightly beaten egg-white 3 tablespoons custard powder 3 tablespoons granulated sugar Crushed boiled sweets (clear fruit drops) about 2 of each colour Fun to make and a pretty and tasty result: Put the fruit drops into a stout plastic bag. Wallop them with a hammer to crush them! Rub the butter into the flour. Add the custard powder and sugar. Add the egg-white till it’s damp, not sticky: add a little water if needed. Roll out to 1 cm thick. Make biscuits using a shaped cutter or round glass. Carefully remove 2 or 3 little circles of dough to make holes, an apple corer does this well. Gently lift the biscuits onto greased foil on a baking tray. Fill the holes with the crushed sweets. Bake for 15 mins at Mark 3/325 degrees/170 degrees. The sweets will melt and reform into clear ‘windows’. Peel the biscuits from the foil when they are cold. Admire and eat!

WOMAN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER (for Women, Men and Young People) The service for 2009 is on Friday 6th March and the theme is "In Christ There Are many Members Yet One Body" prepared by Christian women in Papua New Guinea. The service in Wokingham at 10.30am will be hosted by Rose Street Methodist Church and they extend a warm wel-come to all.

Full details in February magazine.

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Baptisms 19 Oct Luke Daniela Martin 26 Oct Summer-Marie Hunt Rowan James Auty 12 Nov Charis Janet Bekker Gianna Christine Bekker Marriages 25 Oct Benjamin James Brombley with Sarah Louise Goldsmith Burials At Easthampstead Park Crematorium 7 Nov Milicent Eileen Betty Southern Age 85

Number of Sundays 4 Sundays 676 Week days 147