The Vicar’s UpdateReports of the Quiz Evening

Photography from Recent Church EventsPoetry from Jean Jackson

Updates from the Rambling GroupsInsi

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Spring/Summer 2012Spring/Summer 2012

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The Magazine of St Luke’s Church, Maidenhead

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And so, another year has come to a close and, for me, it was a sad goodbye to 2011. Iʼm so proud of everything I achieved: from receiving my Duke of Edinburghʼs Bronze Award and singing at the BBC Proms, to attending the amazing World Scout Jamboree and taking my first flight on a plane. And it was a big year for St Lukeʼs too: in the last months of the year, we held our first ever Christmas Tree Festival and Light Party, having welcomed Revd Sally in June.

(At this point, I must apologise to audiences reading in June – due to the bizarre schedule on which InSpire is published, Iʼm writing this just a few months into 2012, but by the time the next edition comes out, weʼll be closer to New Yearʼs Day 2013.)

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

In any normal year, it would be impossible to beat 2011ʼs exciting events. But this isnʼt a normal year: itʼs the long-awaited year of the Queenʼs Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics, and a whole lot else. I canʼt wait for our Norfolk Road street-party, and despite only managing to get tickets for that ʻflagshipʼ of Olympic events – womenʼs basketball – Iʼm kind of excited that the worldʼs eyes will be on Britain once again.

Thereʼs lots to look forward to but, before we get ahead of ourselves, lots also to report back on from recent months – this Spring/Summer edition is filled with poems, recounts, essays, spiritual articles, updates, artwork, and photography. You can read Ann Cookʼs piece on Thomas Merton, find out what key ingredient we were short of at the assembly line which made the 250 Christingles needed for our Christmas Eve services, and enjoy Revd Sallyʼs helpful guide to Easter.

Andrew BurdettEditor, InSpire MagazineMarch 2012

InSpire magazine is produced three times a year and edited by Andrew Burdett.

The editor wishes to thank everybody who contributed to this issue, and

reminds readers that the next issue will be published in July 2012.

Any views expressed in this magazine are of the article’s respective author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor, St Luke’s Church Maidenhead,

the Diocese of Oxford, or the Church of England.

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For the latest information, please see the weekly pew-sheet, or download it from our website: www.stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk

Regular Services at St LukeʼsSaturdays

9:00am: Morning Prayer

Sundays8:00am: Holy Communion, with traditional language. A quieter service. Held in the choir stalls.

10:00am: Parish Communion. The Sunday Club (for children aged 3 to 10) and Sparklers (aged 10+) meet during the service, except on the first Sunday of every month where they stay for all-age worship.

6:00pm: Evening Worship at either St Lukeʼs, All Saints, or Cox Green.

Tuesdays8:30am: Morning

Prayer7:15pm: Midweek

Communion

Wednesdays8:30am: Morning

Prayer10:00am: Midweek

Communion

Thursdays8:30am: Morning

Prayer5:00pm: Evening

Prayer

Fridays8:30am: Morning

Prayer5:00pm: Evening

Prayer

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After The RainWritten for an anthology of poems entitled Count Your

Blessings, Jean Jackson’s poem reminds us how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful planet.

Poem and artwork: Jean Jackson

Falling raindrops were the tears of yesterday,When all was dark mid tumult of life's storms.

Long night, restless with invading thoughts andFitful sleep. Awake, for

Comes the dawn and promise of a new resolveTo cherish life and health and those we love.

The sun has risen now upon our world,To bring us hope and bid us cast out fear.

Give thanks for this new day,Untouched by time as yet,

Its history unwritten on the empty page,God's gift, unchanging in a changing world.

The snowdrop dwelt in darkness, deep in earth,Yet thrust its way towards the light of day.The gloom of winter falls away to spring

And life emerges.We lift our eyes towards the sun, and pray

In gratitude for all of life's good things.

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Check out our YouTube page!

Watch videos of our Christmas Tree Festival, Pancake Day celebrations, and young peopleʼs post-Christmas party.

YouTube.com/StLukesMaid

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In the last edition of InSpire I reflected on my first few weeks in the parish and the direction in which I feel God is leading us. Seven months in, how are we faring as we travel together on the journey that God has for us as a church community?

The road is never easy, the path never straight, but I am really encouraged by our shared map-reading as we navigate the way. I am very clear that God has called every member of our church community (of all ages and backgrounds) to worship and serve him in this place, and that it is his church and his mission which he invites us to share. I sense an excitement, if some challenge, as we become a little clearer about where he would have us go, who he would have us be, and how we can best be his people in this place.

Our journey together, building Godʼs kingdom, involves faith and trust, which I value as we get to know each other better.

In October, the PCC had a morning away at Stubbings Church to reflect on our journey and mission. Having made an assortment of clay pots

while we drank coffee on arrival, we were reminded in worship that we are all just clay pots, but used by God for his work (2 Corinthians 4.7: ʻwe have this treasure in jars of clayʼ). We then used a model called Growing Healthy Churches

and a SWOT analysis (a consideration of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges) to think about St. Lukeʼs and our response to God. This was followed up by an open PCC meeting in February, attended by 28

people.

As a result of these meetings and discussion by the Ministry Team (including the

churchwardens) we are considering a number of ways of ensuring that our worship is the very best we can offer (flexible, dignified and accessible) and that we are able to use our resources (people and plant) to serve the needs of our

Travel UpdateIn her latest column exclusively for InSpire, Revd�Sally

reviews our progress on the road of God’s journey.

Words: Revd�Sally�Lynch Photograph:�Andrew�Burdett

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The road is never easy, the path

never straight, but I am really

encouraged by our shared map-

reading as we navigate the way.“

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A Queen’s Diamond

Jubilee HymnWords: Roger Bevitt

No, not our present Queen, but Queen Victoria, who chose it for her celebrations on 20 June 1897. Those familiar with the hymn will follow Common Praise and regard it as an evening hymn, but it was written as a missionary hymn, with the theme that follows through the verses of the prayer and praise of the Church being taken up in countries round the world as the earth spins on its axis. The appeal to Victoria was probably that it could be seen to reflect her Empire on which the sun never sets – except perhaps the prophetic words of the last verse “earthʼs proud empires pass away”.

The author of the hymn was a much loved vicar, John Ellerton (1826 to 1893), who was very much into hymns, writing 86 himself (including Saviour, Again To Thy Dear Name We Raise) and editing an edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. The words in Common Praise are as he wrote them – probably just as well, as one short-lived attempt at modernisation began ʻThe day you gave us, Lord, is ended, the sun is sinking in the westʼ.

The tune St Clement was composed for the hymn in 1874 by Clement Scholefield (1839 to 1904). He was another clergyman and one time chaplain of Eton College. The music was criticised as a poor waltz tune and Stanford wrote an alternative. Later, Vaughan Williams and Archbishop Cosmo Lang publicly condemned it, but St Clement remains the popular favourite.

Travel Update (continued)

community – and beyond. Therefore, we have talked about:

• ensuring that worship is accessible to all ages and involves a variety of people in planning;

• the re-ordering of the church to provide better office facilities, a flexible worship space, kitchen facilities at the back of church and other important things (we have meetings with architects to take us further – we have to decide whether to build inside or outside, about which there are many views and many points to consider as we seek to develop Godʼs kingdom for the 21st�Century, whilst retaining the beauty of our lovely building);

• finding out what the people of our parish really want from St�Lukeʼs – it is their church after all;

• working on the churchyard – and the whole parking issue;

• strengthening our link with St. Lukeʼs hospital Nablus and our concern for Social Gospel issues;

• re-thinking our PCC committee structure to make it more streamlined and effective so that we can spend time doing and being rather than talking, and avoid overlap.

We have already seen people drawn into church by the Christmas Tree Festival and made contacts with local businesses. We have celebrated the confirmation of twelve of our congregation. We have enjoyed social events together and a wide variety of worship. This is an exciting time in a special place, with special people.

Please continue to pray for the PCC and especially for the re-ordering group as they meet, reflect, and report back to the PCC. Please also pray for the ministry team as we lead worship and encourage spiritual growth. As we continue our journey together, may we allow Godʼs Spirit to be our sat-nav and his word our map.

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The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is

Ended, the Darkness Falls at Thy Behest is Hymn Number�22

in Common Praise.

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“Pass Your Papers To The Next Table For Marking”

A reluctant Jilly Bevitt attended the January quiz evening – and enjoyed herself.

Words:�Jilly�Bevitt Photography:�Andrew�Burdett

I didnʼt want to go. We hadnʼt got a group of friends to sit with. “Never mind”, said my better half, “We must make some new ones.” And so we did: it was a great evening. Competition was keen and the quiz questions were very varied so even we, with our limited knowledge of sport and pop music, were able to contribute something to our tableʼs answer-sheet. The foursome who we joined were very knowledgeable so we trotted along very amiably. Some answers of a non-intellectual nature I should have known; the number of times Iʼve watched the Pinky Ponk in CBeebies programme In The Night Garden and read the childrenʼs book The Gruffalo during the last year! I havenʼt told my grandson I failed to remember the programme title of the former or the author of the latter. “Oh,�you silly gran!”, heʼd say.

There was utter confusion when we were asked to pass our papers to the next table for marking. Some passed clockwise and others anti-clockwise. Poor quizmasters. “You must listen to the instructions. I

am only going to say this once!” We ended up with a paper from at least two tables away!

By half-time, we had worked up an appetite, a fish and chip

dinner. It was delicious! A real treat for me as I

have high cholesterol and am not normally allowed fish and chips. But, you only live once and a little sinning doesnʼt seem to have had

any ill effects. The final result of the

winning team was very close. Our team

came a respectable third. If only we had played our

ʻJoker cardʼ (which would have doubled our points had we handed it in

prior to the first question of our chosen round

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“Pass Your Papers To The Next Table For Marking” (continued)

being asked) on the Radio and TV section,�we could had won! Still, itʼs the taking part that counts, as they say.

Thank you to Helen and her crew for arranging the evening, and to Roger and Sonya, our quizmasters, for all the hard work they put in compiling and running the quiz.�

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2Traidcraft

Words: Janet Trinkwon

Traidcraft has been fighting poverty through trade for more than 30 years, pioneering new areas for Fairtrade. When you purchase any Fairtrade items, you are giving people the means to realise their hopes and dreams for their future. At St�Luke’s, we have a stall approximately four times a year, and offer a small variety of food items, selling between £60 and £80 worth of goods each time. We thank the congregation for their continued support.

Fran Hornby and Ruth Jones behind the Tradecraft stall in the Parish Centre.

Check the pew-sheet for details of the next stall date.

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Thomas MertonInspired by a book studied at an Emmaus group, Ann

Cook researched the work of the 20th�Century monk.

Words:�Ann Cook

In our Emmaus group we have been looking at the book Finding Sanctuary – Monastic Steps for Everyday Life by Abbot Christopher Jamison, based on the TV series The Monastery. As part of the section on obedience and the search for the true self, we were introduced to the work of Thomas Merton. The task of being true to oneself is a slow and profound work, involving search and change. Merton said: “In order to become myself I must cease to be what I always thought I wanted to be.”

Thomas Merton was arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the 20th Century. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, sold over one million copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. He was born in Prades, France in 1915, to artists Ruth and Owen Merton. His early years were spent in the south of France; later he went to private school in England and then to Cambridge. Both of his parents died while Merton was in his early teens and he eventually moved to his grandparents' home in the United States to finish his education at Columbia University in New York. While a student there, he completed a thesis on William Blake who was to remain a lifelong influence on Merton's thought and writings.

Merton's active social and political conscience was also informed by his conversion to Christianity and Catholicism in his early twenties. In December 1941, he resigned his teaching post

at Bonaventure College, New York, and became a Cistercian monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, near Louisville, Kentucky. The Cistercians are an offshoot of the Benedictine order. They make vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, observe a rule of silence for many hours a day and follow a demanding timetable of prayer, study and work.

Merton undertook a lifelong spiritual journey into monasticism and the pursuit of his own spirituality. He wrote more than 50 books, 2,000 poems, and numerous essays, reviews, and lectures. Merton has been described as the conscience of the peace movement of the 1960s. Referring to race and peace as the two most urgent issues of our time, Merton was a strong supporter of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which he called “certainly the greatest example of Christian faith in action in the social history of the United States.” For his social activism Merton

endured severe criticism, from Catholics and non-Catholics alike, who considered his political writings unbecoming of a monk.

During Mertonʼs last years, he became deeply interested in Asian religions, particularly Zen Buddhism, and in promoting East-West dialogue. After several meetings with Merton during the American monk's trip to the Far East in 1968, the Dali Lama praised him as having a more profound understanding of Buddhism than any other Christian he had known. It was during this

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trip to the first international monastic conference near Bangkok, Thailand that Merton died on 10�December�1968, the victim of an accidental electrocution.

Thomas Merton speaks to the hearts, minds, and spirits of people searching for answers to life's questions. Merton invites people to be more aware of the world around them as they explore deep places within themselves. His writings provide a template to being an active contemplative in the world. Merton assures us that there are no quick fixes – no ten steps to a spiritual life. Living contemplatively is a moment-by-moment endeavour.

At the core of Thomas Merton's spiritual writings is the search for the true self — the self that is not to be experienced alone but to be lived in community. Merton writes often about the importance of relationships. He focuses upon four relationships: with our self, with God, with other people, and with all of creation. By nurturing these relationships we deepen our connections to God and ourselves.

Merton's writings were prophetic for they address the major issues that still confront society today, over forty years after his death. He believed that we, as individuals, must undergo spiritual transformations in order to impact the transformation of the world.

Merton speaks to the thirst for God found in the world today. People are seeking a simpler life while ever deepening their relationships with themselves, family and friends, all of creation, and God.

Thomas Merton was a spiritual master whose influence crosses generations and religious traditions. His message offers us timely and relevant advice on becoming aware of our world and being more attentive to God. Through this new consciousness, we may not only hear the answers to the difficult questions in our lives but also have the courage to respond to them in loving, gentle ways.

Through Merton's message and life we can build a new model for living, one that integrates contemplation and action. This model holds the understanding that our everyday life is our spiritual life. His message can become the source of deep change in our world — a window through which we see the possibilities for a peaceful and just present and future world.�

Thomas Merton (continued)S

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A Prayer

Words: Thomas Merton (from Thoughts in Solitude)

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I

think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that, if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my

perils alone.

10

Words: Andrew Burdett

We stepped off the train at 11:00am at White City(the same station used by many of the corporationʼs technicians, staff, and journalists) and walked down the road. Our tour, arranged through BBC Tours, was not to start until 1:45pm, so we had some ʻtime to killʼ and decided to visit the relatively new Westfield shopping centre, a stoneʼs-throw away from the Beebʼs buildings. Of course, itʼs not just Television Centre in that area; its 2000s Media Village complex at the 1990s BBC White Citydevelopment is a little further in the other direction. Itʼs in these buildings that the production offices for Watchdog, Panorama, and Top Gear are located, and from there that The One Showgoes out every weeknight.

Our 20-strong party was actually splitting up to do two slightly different tours of Telly Centre. The main one, which I went on, was adult-oriented, with a visit to the BBC newsroom, a cuddle with Children In Need mascot Pudsey, and a peer into TC1 (the largest of all of the studios on the site). The other tour was aimed at the children of the group, and featured references

to many of CBBCʼs programmes, including a look at the Prank Patrol van and the opportunity to sit on the old London Blue Peter set (the programme has now moved to the new MediaCityUK complex in Salford).

Both tours had the opportunity to experiment with presenting the weather using chroma-key, which

works by replacing anything the camera sees as blue (normally just the blue wall one stands in front of) with a computer-generated background. Unfortunately my sky-coloured t-shirt confused the computer, and consequently my body was cut-out. Our guide explained to us that this is the technique used to create Harry Potterʼs invisibility cloak in the films.

Our tours concluded with independent visits to BBC Toursʼs very own interactive studio. There, Matthew Summers joined a couple of non-St Lukeʼs fellow tour attendees for a quiz about a clip

from a BBC show and I co-read the news, before we all walked back to the station to set off home after a fascinating day.

St�Luke’s at O TV CentreFor the second time in 2011, October half-term saw a group of St�Luke’s congregation members heading for London, this

time to see the BBC’s world-famous Television Centre. Andrew Burdett and Ben Darracott report.

Photography: Ann�Burdett and Rachel�HarrisSp

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St�Luke’s at O TV Centre (continued)

Words: Ben�Darracott

We met at Maidenhead Railway Station on the morning of Wednesday 26�October – my birthday. Once weʼd got our train tickets, we were off, and we soon arrived at White City.

Before going into TV Centre, we checked out the Westfield shopping centre nearby. After walking around for a while, we all found places to have lunch.

I joined Jenny Bartholomew, Rachel Harris, and Shelley Summers in a pizza restaurant. You could have pizzas from all around the world. They were absolutely delicious.

When we ordered pudding, mine came with a candle and the usual, embarrassing birthday fanfare. That was very lovely.

After that, the time came to go and collect our passes and meet our guide. We were shown where all the journalists sit and work and where the news bulletins are filmed. Next was the Met�Office presentersʼ ʻHall of Fameʼ, and where the weather reports are made. The kids even had a go, but it wasnʼt broadcast.

Entertainment was next, and we got to see where such shows as Later with Jools Holland and

Strictly Come Dancing are filmed. The studios are much smaller than they look on TV.

En-route, we gained access to the celebrity dressing rooms, and heard of some bizarre requests that have been made by those whoʼve used them.

As well as predicting the weather, the kids got to present the news and face a mannequin dressed as Anne Robinson from The Weakest Link. All good fun!

Nearing the end of the tour, I lost myself when the very lovely Zoë Ball (daughter of the fun maths guy Johnny Ball) arrived for her stint on BBC Radio 2. We managed a quick hello, but we were travelling in separated directions.

We then visited the gift shop, before being escorted back to the reception. We thanked our guide, and made our way outside for a group photo.

Making sure everyone was present and correct, we made our way home.

I then enjoyed some more birthday celebrations with my parents and some “surprise guests” (friends whoʼd secretly been invited around for a meal). All in all, an absolutely fabulous day.

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My Confirmation

29�January saw twelve St�Luke’s congregation members, including Rhys Bartholomew, being presented for

confirmation at Reading Minster.

Words:�Rhys Bartholomew

On 29�January�2012, I was confirmed at Reading Minster, which means I actively decided to be formally welcomed into the Church.

The building was massive, and there seemed to be hundreds of people who'd come to watch and support me and the other candidates. One of the reasons I wanted to be confirmed was because I wanted to be able to take the bread and the wine, which represents Jesus's body and blood, meaning I was following in Christ's path.

I now look forward to taking the next steps in my journey as a Christian.

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From the Registers

C fi iAdults Sue�Brett; Shelley�Summers; Rachel�Harris;

Michael�Murwisi; Katheryn�Russell

ConfirmationsChildren

Michaela�Murwisi; Daniel�Harris; Katie�Harris; Philippa�Russell; Nathan�Summers;

Matthew�Summers; Rhys Bartholomew

Baptisms Jack�Thomas�Newton�Bushell; Oliver�Ryan�Woodbridge; Matthew�John�Smith; Anton�Mohr

FuneralsRoy Bertra

Mary FeAlice Edith Ne

am Smith; Andrew Drummond; Vivian Oliver; nwick Church; Thomas Walker Speakman;

ewman; Roy Alan Rance; David George Garnett; Richard Stanford Burrows

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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDLast year, Operation Christmas Child sent 1,100,000

shoebox gifts to children overseas. Janet Trinkwon co�ordinated St�Luke’s contribution.

Words:�Janet�Trinkwon Photography:�Andrew�Burdett

In September 2011, I asked the congregation for empty shoeboxes, wrapping paper, and ʻfillersʼ, so that we could make up shoeboxes of goodies for children overseas who would otherwise not get anything for Christmas. A variety of wonderful things came in including knitted hats and gloves, coloured pencils, writing pads, and toiletries. In half-term week, about a dozen of us met in the Parish Centre, where I delivered everything including 35 boxes which I had already covered. We all set about filling the boxes and had a lovely afternoon. With completed boxes kindly donated by other members of the congregation, we had 62 boxes in the end –�a wonderful achievement.

Almost 8,000 boxes were collected from the entire Maidenhead area and the local co-ordinator, Maggie McPhereson, went with a lorry of shoeboxes to Easter Europe to deliver the ʻboxes of loveʼ.

Watch a YouTube clip of the shoeboxes being opened by children in Swaziland at the following address:

http://www.tinyurl.com/shoeboxswaziland

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Every year, a team of volunteers descend on St Lukeʼs Parish Centre to assist with the production of the 250 Christingles needed for the annual Christmas Eve services. 2011 was no exception, and the usual factory line was in full operation by the time I arrived, just after 3:00pm on 23 December.

The first step in making a Christingle is to cut the bottom of the orange (which represents Earth) off, so that it can stand up on the trays for the next 24 hours. Then, a hole is made in the top where a candle is fitted (representing the light of the world), a red band is wrapped around the orange (representing the blood of Christ), and finally, four cocktail sticks bearing sweets and raisins are added (representing the fruits of the four seasons).

However, despite initially making a good start, it soon became obvious that there were nowhere like enough oranges to make the 250 Christingles needed. Worse still, weʼd heard reports that Sainsburyʼs had very few left in store, so instead three of us drove to the townʼs market to buy

what stock they had. Fortunately, they were able to assist and, given it was so late in the day and with Christmas so close, the trader gave us a fair price. Whilst in town, I received a call from those back at church, whoʼd realised that they were also running low on sweets and aluminium foil.

Feeling like contestants on The Apprentice, we jumped back in the car and returned to St Lukeʼs. The team had just finished a coffee break, so were fully refreshed and ready to power up the production line again.

Finally, at around 4:30pm, work finished as the last Christingle was completed. Our efforts were rewarded with Revd Sallyʼs Christmas party over at the vicarage, providing jolliness as we excitedly started looked forward to the ever-nearing Christmas Day.

Christingle Factory 2011

Making 250 Christingles for St�Luke’s Christmas Eve services is no small task, especially when you’re short of

oranges, as Andrew Burdett discovered.

Words and Photography: Andrew�Burdett

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Watch a video of the process on the website:www.stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk

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Christingle Factory 2011 (continued)S

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Explaining Lent, Holy Week, and EasterVery often, we take the festivals of the Christian year for

granted. Revd�Sally gives a brief background to the most holy period in the Church’s calendar.

Words:�Revd�Sally�Lynch Photograph:�Andrew�Burdett

Easter was the main festival for the early Church. It was often called the Christian Passover, as the first Easter happened at Passover time – Jesus was seen as the new Passover lamb, who only needed to be sacrificed once, unlike the annual Passover sacrifice. Easter itself celebrates Jesus's resurrection. The name Easter was taken over from the old pagan spring festival of the goddess Eostre, to whom hares were sacrificed. During the 2nd�Century a debate about the correct date of Easter arose and in Rome different congregations kept it on different days. Some churches kept close to the Jewish calendar, but this soon died out and most churches kept it closest to fourteenth Nisan, roughly when Jesus is believed to have died. Even today, the Eastern Church uses a slightly different dating.

In the 2nd�Century the churches held a Christian Pascha (Passover) on one day. By the fourth century there was

more careful instruction of converts to the faith, and they were taught by the bishop (clearly, smaller numbers then meant a much closer link with bishops!) before they were baptised at Easter. It was at about this time that Easter

became a week long celebration with special days remembering certain events in the last week of Jesusʼs life. Often, the days leading up to Easter would be a time of fasting. Nowadays, the date of Easter is worked out by the moon. It can fall any time between the 27�March and 25�April.

Lent was the time when candidates were prepared for baptism and tested by the bishop. Now it is a period of six and a half weeks in which Christians can prepare themselves for Easter by thinking about their faith more deeply and learning about it. It recalls Jesusʼs forty days of temptation in the desert just before the start of his ministry. Often, Christians give up a luxury or give some money to

charity. Some also do something extra during this time. This is all to help us grow in our faith. (See the Lent leaflet in church for opportunities to keep a holy Lent.)

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Explaining Lent, Holy Week, and Easter (continued)The day before Lent begins is Shrove Tuesday. This comes from the old Latin word shriven, meaning ʻused upʼ. All the rich foods that could not be eaten during Lent were used up in making pancakes. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. On this day we are invited to receive ashes on our foreheads at a special service of penitence. Ashes are an ancient sign of sorrow at sin, and repentance. There follow six Sundays in Lent. The fifth Sunday of Lent is called Passion Sunday, when we recall Jesusʼs suffering.

The last week in Lent is now called Holy Week and is full of events leading to Jesusʼs death and resurrection.

Palm Sunday recalls his triumphal entry into the city of Jerusalem. The people waved palm branches and so today many churches give out palm crosses. These remind us of the branches waved to Jesus as a King, but also that only five days later, the same crowds called for Jesusʼs death on the cross. Our service will include the blessing of palm crosses, a procession around the church, and the reading of the Passion Gospel.

The next thing that Jesus did was to go to the Temple and to throw out the people who were trading there. This was not because they were not allowed to trade there – they were – but because they were cheating people in their dealing. This was on the Sunday or Monday. The next two days were taken up with teaching and answering questions from the crowds and the Jewish leaders (who were trying to catch him out).

On the Thursday, now called Maundy Thursday, he had his last meal with his disciples, the origin of the service of Holy Communion. This may well have been the Passover meal. At this meal he also washed the feet of all his apostles, as a servant might. He told them to eat the meal whenever they met together, and to ʻLove one another as I have loved youʼ. He called this a new commandment and that is how the day got its name. The Latin word mandatum means 'commandment'. Churches on this day re-enact the Last Supper, and in Rome, the Pope washes the feet of twelve boys as a symbol of humility. At our evening service of Holy Communion, I too shall wash the congregationʼs feet (thought might I request that they be pre-washed before coming to church?!).

The same evening Jesus was arrested by the Jewish Temple soldiers and had to go through three trials, before the Jewish council (Sanhedrin); the Roman Governor (Pilate); and the Jewish puppet King (Herod). He was crucified the next day by the Romans under pressure from the Jewish leaders. The day is now called Good Friday, possibly a corruption of ʻGodʼs Fridayʼ. All services are quiet and thoughtful. Many churches are stripped of all decoration. In many areas all the different denominations get together and have a procession of witness in the streets or an open air service. In the evening the RC and Orthodox churches hold special vigils. Some churches have services from midday until 3:00pm, when Jesus is said to have died. At St�Lukeʼs, we are invited to meet for prayer with all ages of the church family at 10:15am and then go together to join the Walk of Witness in town. For those who wish to observe the last hours of Jesusʼs life, there will be a service of music and silence based on Jesusʼs last words at 1:30pm, followed by a time of devotion at the cross from 2:15pm to 3:00pm.

For many, Holy Saturday is a day of quiet, thought and sorrow. Others keep a special Easter Eve Vigil at which the saving stories of the Old Testament are remembered. At St�Lukeʼs, we are introducing an all-age service recalling those saving acts with story, song, music, and actions. This leads up to the joyful celebrations of Easter Sunday when the tomb was found empty, and Jesus began a number of risen appearances to his followers. This year we will celebrate the resurrection with a dawn service. Churches light the new paschal candle from a fire outside, and then carry them in to church to symbolise Jesusʼs resurrection. All churches are decorated with flowers as symbols of new life and many have Easter gardens in them. Eggs are also given as symbols of new life, and in the Orthodox church races are held with brightly painted eggs. In all Christian churches the shout is proclaimed ʻChrist is risenʼ and the people reply ʻHe is risen indeedʼ. If it were not for this event, there would be no Christianity. The crucifixion would have been pointless without the resurrection.

So, Lent takes us on a journey of faith, right through to Easter Day. Please do try and join in that journey as fully as you can (whatever age you are) – whether that be at church or at home. May we all keep a holy Lent and have a blessed Easter.�

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Walking In WellsWords:�Roger Clarke

It was October 2011 and a group of seventeen of us had travelled to a hotel close to Wells in Somerset. As we walked in through the hotel lobby area we were confronted with ʻThe Wicked Witch of Wookeyʼ; our ramblersʼ annual get-together had got off to a spooky start! We were staying at the Wookey Hole Hotel, literally right alongside the entrance to the famous caves. Notwithstanding the Witchʼs eerie appearance, we were very warmly welcomed by the hotel staff. A little later, we all sat down to enjoy a meal together and recount our various adventures on the journey down, before retiring for some well-earned rest.

As usual, a simple walking itinerary had been put together; the idea being that folk could pick and choose what they wished to do without feeling under any obligation. The important thing being that we should all relax and enjoy ourselves.

On Saturday after breakfast, a figure-of-eight walk had been planned, this would enable those who wished to to enjoy some fresh air without too much exertion, while others could complete the full round. Our walk started from the charming village of North Wootton, where we parked in the church car park. We were very lucky to meet some church folk before starting, who informed us that there would be a wedding that afternoon. However, providing we parked tightly together all would be fine. I will say no more about the car park manoeuvring which then took place! The first part of our figure-of-eight walk was over flat farmland and laneways, mostly fairly mud-free.

Inevitably, however, we did come across one particularly ʻiffyʼ section where a certain Mrs�Brooks got stuck in the mud and lost her walking shoe! Thanks, Pat, you always manage to give us a good laugh. Fortunately, the shoe was reclaimed and returned to its owner. On arriving back at the church, the group split and a smaller party continued on. From the village we climbed up and over Worminster Down before circling back via Smallford and Newclose Woods. The weather had been kind during the morning with some brightness, and though we did get caught in one fairly heavy shower, luckily this was while we were having lunch and so we were able to shelter under some trees. Those who had walked in the morning had covered 1.75 miles, whilst those who continued added a further 3.75 miles, making a total round of 5.5 miles through

very pleasant scenery. Our day finished with another very enjoyable evening meal in the hotel restaurant.

On Sunday morning, after breakfast, we all made our way to the Cathedral Church of St�Andrew, Wells, to be with other worshippers at the

Sung Eucharist. The choir at Wells is recognised to be one of the finest in the country. This was certainly evident as we walked into the cathedral, to be welcomed by the beautifully controlled sound of their singing. We were all warmly welcomed and enjoyed the service, including a sermon by the Cathedral Treasurer, Canon Dr�Graham Dodds. Afterwards, we had time for coffee and a chat and the opportunity to explore the cathedral building. On leaving the cathedral, we met up on the Cathedral Green. From here, we set off on a very gentle ʻall abilitiesʼ stroll around the perimeter of the Bishopʼs Palace Gardens. This was a very interesting walk; the gardens effectively being surrounded by a moat, the source of which is the ʻwellsʼ of Wells. The well water apparently comes from high up in the

Keep On Walkin’...St�Luke’s rambling groups continued to meet despite the

colder weather. Route-planners Roger Clarke and Roger�Bevitt recount memorable moments.

Photograph:�Roger�Clarke

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It was gratifying

to lead people

to a place that

they might never have

otherwise experienced.“

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Mendip Hills before filtering through limestone to re-emerge on the surface as springs. The three springs (wells) which give the city its name are actually located in the Bishopʼs Palace Gardens and are also known as the ʻholy well of St�Andrewʼ. The springs are said to flow at a rate of approximately 100 litres per second and have never been known to dry up. After our morning activities, those who wished travelled the short distance to Glastonbury to enjoy a short (2.5 mile) walk from the town centre, over and around Glastonbury Tor. A fascinating series of legends, myths and mysteries are linked to the tor. It was a sacred site for pagans and then for over 1,000 years, a Christian centre in the west of England. The tor is over 500 feet high and given its position, rising above the Somerset Levels, gives commanding views in all directions. Having ʻhuffed and puffedʼ to the top, we had a good excuse to catch our breath and pick out various topographical and man-made features. The only down-side was the significant wind which whipped across the top. The afternoon weather was otherwise kind to us with periods of brightness which allowed us to enjoy good views of the tor both before and after our climb. Back in Glastonbury, we enjoyed a well-earned drink in a local hostelry, before returning to the hotel. Again, we enjoyed a pleasant meal together although, somewhat raucously!

Our last morning dawned somewhat overcast but dry. Having checked out of the hotel and said our goodbyes, a small group embarked on a more adventurous walk to complete the weekend. We were going to explore Ebbor Gorge. Cheddar is the gorge which comes to mind when thinking about Somerset, but Ebbor is certainly no less impressive. Starting from the hotel car park, we climbed generally northwards with great views back to Wells and the Cathedral. From here we followed Dursdon Drove, an ancient cattle driving route. At one point along the drove, we sheltered from the strong wind behind a drystone wall for

our lunch. Continuing on we reached the woodland of the Ebbor Gorge National Nature Reserve, the trees giving welcome respite from the wind. From here it was all downhill, first through the woodland and then quite spectacularly through the ever narrowing limestone Ebbor Gorge. As we descended now walking almost entirely on rock, the walls towered more and more above us, closing in and covered in mosses, ferns, and lichens, and in places dripping with water; a fascinating individual ecosystem. If you just stopped and listened all you could hear was the occasional birdcall and the continual sound of dripping water. It was quite

gratifying to have led this particular walk and to have taken some people to a place that they might never have otherwise experienced. As we reached less challenging ground we re-entered woodland and came across a last surprise, a giant bear, made entirely from fine interwoven saplings, probably willow. It even had a full set of teeth! From here there was a final walk through the woodland to a lane and back to the hotel car par: a walk of just under five miles, but with a climb of 700 feet and full of interest.

Thank you to all who joined us for the weekend, your company is valued and makes the weekend special. Sonya is already making plans for this yearʼs excursion, so (currently) please put the weekend of 5 to 8�October in your diaries. Further details will follow in due course.

Keep On Walkin’... (continued)S

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Local WalksWords: Roger Bevitt

The winter season of mainly Sunday afternoon walks started in October when the group tried a new (to us) route following the boundary of Windsor Great Park north-west from Queen Anneʼs Gate, passing by Flemish Farm (so named from the system of crop rotation adopted when the farm was set up in 1793) and returning via Queen Anneʼs Ride. In November, it was the (great deal) afternoon circular walk on the lanes and paths of Cookham Dean, starting from its church, taking in the night scene from Winter Hill and, not of course forgetting, The Jolly Farmer, which we chanced on at the end.

On New Yearʼs Day, Sally prodded us into action after the 10:00am service (and arranged for lunch afterwards), and Roger Clarke led us from near the river via Widbrook Common to Cookham Moor and back by the towpath. Later in the month we and our binoculars took a more leisurely stroll around Little Marlow gravel pit (aka Spade Oak Nature Reserve Lake) to view the winter ducks and other birds including, amongst the less common, pochard, shelduck, teal, wigeon, greylag geese, cormorant, heron, and many lapwing.

We hope to arrange a few more Sunday afternoon walks before the programme of midweek evening walks starts towards the end of April, so keep an eye on the pew-sheet for details and do join us.

More details are available from Roger and Jilly Bevitt (☎ 01628 633464).

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Opportunities for Prayer and Quiet

Pools of Stillness is a monthly opportunity to be

quiet and reflect.

We meet in church at 7:30pm and spend time in a led

reflection on a particular focus. There is then time for personal space

in silence.

We end the evening around 9:00pm with night prayer.

Revd Sally Lynch(☎ 01628 783033)

Our Prayer Groupcontinues to meet on the first Wednesday of every month in church from 3:00pm. All are very welcome to come along and share quiet time in the presence of our Lord.

It is an opportunity for us to make time for ourselves, as well as coming to God. It’s a very informal group where we share a scripture reading, a time of quiet and space, and a time of prayer.

Sonya Clarke (☎ 01628 632626)

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Looking Forward

Licensed Lay Minister Sonya Clarke reflects on our walk with God.

Words:�Sonya Clarke Photograph:�Andrew�Burdett

Itʼs been some time since I actually submitted an article in my role as Licensed Lay Minister (LLM), but I feel now is right.

During the last year, so much has changed for us at St Lukeʼs, and we have been given a wonderful opportunity in stretching ourselves along our Christian journey. For me personally, former vicar Richard Holroyd took me a very long

way,

including supporting me as I went forward for selection as an LLM. His support and affirmation in those early years is why I still enjoy being an LLM.

So, looking ahead, Lent will soon be upon us, and this year we shall be able to enjoy weekly meetings as we journey together exploring our Bible and our faith. Lent will also bring us ʻLent Lunchesʼ: a time when we can socialise over what is supposed to be a ʻfrugalʼ lunch. For me, these are magical times, when we not only enjoy good homemade food, but excellent company.

We will walk with God through Holy Week, a week that brings many mixed emotions, but we know that we will emerge even stronger as we come to celebrate our Lordʼs resurrection on Easter Day.

We have much to look forward to in the coming months. Some wonderful times in church and some enjoyable times socialising: the weekend away, the summer fair, and the parish outing.

There will be times when we want to be together, and there will be times when we want a little solitude. Whatever we feel and however we feel it, we can be assured that God is always with us. Our future is in knowing that God walks with us every step of the way, and sometimes when we may be feeling a little too comfortable, then he will throw down another challenge to get us thinking again. Our future is in furthering Godʼs work through our daily lives, it is in what we say and do, how we reveal the love and peace of God to others. Our future is being ready to meet others on their Christian journey, and walking alongside of them whilst sharing the greatness of Godʼs mystery.

For me it is a privilege to hold the role of an LLM and to be able to work within the church. I canʼt believe that come November this year, I will have been licensed for ten years, the time has rushed past. I donʼt know where it has gone, but gone it has. For nine of my ten years, I worked under Richardʼs guidance, now I look forward to a future of working under the guidance of Sally.

May all of our futures be bright in the love of God.�

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For me it is a privilege to hold the role

of an LLM and to be able to work

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2 From the Church Photo AlbumPhotography: Andrew Burdett

A PLEASURE DOING BUSINESS: Maidenhead MP and UK Home Secretary

Theresa May delighted those manning the St�Lukeʼs stall at the

Combined Charities Fair, when she bought some

of the jams and jellies on offer.

WALKING OFF THE CHRISTMAS PUD: St�Lukeʼs annual Boxing Day ramble took place in Ruscombe, followed by lunch at Roger and Sonyaʼs house.

Combined Cof the jams and je

o

WTCPaDpRfoluananho

BOYS WILL BE

BOYS: Luke

Darracott

proved sparklers

arenʼt just for

children at the

churchʼs New

Yearʼs Day

Firework Party,

kindly held –�in

spite of the

rain – at Eileen

and Peter

Gofordsʼ.

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A Prayer Words: The Sparklers

Father of all,

Thank you for showing us your love in all places and at all times. Let those who don't know your love yet feel your presence.

Help us not to forget our loved ones, no matter how far away they are, and help us to remember that God is always with them and us.

Amen

WHAT THE FLIP?: Pancake

races were held after-school on

Shrove Tuesday for residents

of the parish and members of

the school.

STRONG INCENTIVE: The smell of coffee and croissants greeted attendees to Februaryʼs Open PCC Meeting.

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2Who’s Who at

St Luke’s?Ministry Team

Reverend Sally Lynch 01628�783033Reverend Dick Cheek 01628�628484

Reverend Terrie Robinson 01628�634107Sonya Clarke 01628�632626Noëline Page 01628�638739

Church WardensShula Tajima 01628�546889

Barbara Essam 01628�782894

Assistant Church WardensBen Darracott 01628�620280

Don Luff 01628�630833

Flower OrganiserJoan Harnby 01628�622140

Electoral Roll OfficerJill Bevitt 01628�633464

Gift Aid SecretaryAnn Cooke 01628�472147

Director of MusicJohn Cotteril 01628�636514

PCC SecretaryRalph Hinchliffe 01628�784724

PCC TreasurerRichard Burdett 01628�631486

Parish AdministratorSue Brett 01628�622733

Vicar:Revd Sally Lynch

Permission to Officiate Priest:Revd Dick Cheek

Associate Priest:Revd Terrie Robinson

Licensed Lay Minister:Sonya Clarke

Licensed Lay Minister:Noëline Page

The Church OfficeOpen Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30am–12:30am

admin@stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk ☎ 01628 622733

The Church Website

To view the latest pew-sheet, learn about the history of our church, or find out about the churchʼs many prayer

and discussion groups,

find us online at

http://www.stlukeschurchmaidenhead.org.uk/