#356: can’t stop- Traitors US has just dropped on iplayer and it’s meant to be epic
Here are the headlines for the week to come… courtesy of Bertie the legendary but humble, friendly but reserved, portly but energetic, witty but wise, larger than life and twice as much fun Churchmouse.
Services on Sunday are at 8, 9.30, 10 and 11- see you there! and if you’re on the livestream do please send a message on the chat so people can see who they are worshipping with and wave back.
Saturday is the next Churchyard Work Party– everyone welcome- do come along- there will be cake. But not as much after I have managed to clamber onto the table as there was before I got there- yummy, yummy cake.
The funeral for Fr Roy Holmes is at 11am on Wednesday the 25th of January at St Paul’s- which will be a con-celebrated Requiem Mass. Everyone is welcome, of course- and the livestream link is https://youtu.be/IYPS5cTnhmY
Apologies that we ran out of Worship Questionnaires in Church on Sunday morning- there are more in Church now and here is the Questionnaire if anyone wants to print it our or email it directly to Louise at the Parish Office.
We really want a wide range of responses from many ages BY 29 JANUARY– and people who join Online are equally welcome to respond, although it would be helpful if you could tell us that when you respond.
There is no requirement to give your name if you don’t want to — your view will be included in the analysis whether or not you give your name
Responses will NOT be linked to individuals in any way in discussions at Standing Committee, Worship Committee or PCC – only the clergy team and Louise will ever see the response forms.
A message from Rhoda about the next Choir Trip, which is to Chichester in Feb half-term:
Friday, 17th February 2023 the choir will be singing Evensong at Chichester Cathedral and once again  it would be lovely to have members of the congregation join us. A coach will be leaving The Parish Room Car Park at 10.30 am, giving time to explore Chichester during the day before Evensong at 5.30 pm.
For the return journey the coach is scheduled to leave Chichester at 8.00 pm arriving back in Wokingham around 9.30 pm. The cost is £25.00 per adult and £7.50 per child.
There will a sign-up sheet at the back of church or you can email Rhoda at prt.treasurer@spauls.org.uk.
As this event is only a matter of a few weeks away, numbers are needed as soon as possible, please, but by Sunday, 29th January at the latest and payment in advance would be appreciated.
If you would like to make a direct payment, please would you make it to the Parish Room bank account:
St Paul’s Parish Room Trust – Sort Code: 20 11 74 – A/c No: 50764582
If you would prefer to pay by Cash or Cheque, you can either give it to Rhoda on a Sunday or put the money in an envelope, marked CHICHESTER and drop it in to the Parish Office.
Cheques should be made payable to:   St Paul’s Parish Room Trust.
By coincidence, Peter Shilham has sent this report from 1890 in this week- please note the time that the trains left and be grateful that the Chichester coach will be leaving at a far more civilised hour…
1890 July 5 Reading Mercury
The annual excursion for the clergy, choirs and friends of the Deanery of Sonning took place on Monday last, 30th inst..  Two special trains were provided by the SER , the first leaving Wokingham at 6.35am and the second leaving Reading at 6am, both well filled. Bound for Hastings. St Paul’s Wokingham was among the eleven parishes joining. In addition the men employed at the Paper Mill, Embrook, with their families at the request of Messrs Wescott joined the excursion.Â
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK FOR THE LENT RETREAT at St Columba’s House, Maybury Hill, WOKING GU22 8AB
6:00pm Friday 3rd – 2:30 pm Sunday 5th March 2023 Confirmed cost £210.
Booking forms and more details are available on the parish website: Â Â Â Â Â https://spauls.co.uk/lent-retreat-2023/
Mary Cassidy has sent his link in, to an inspiring and encouraging article from Ignatian Spirituality: Prayer Is Like a Water Bottle – Ignatian Spirituality
Finally, Sunday was unusual in that Jane, Cara and Richard were all preaching on the same reading (John 1.29-42). Jane’s focus was the shadow of the cross falling on the crib and the way in which John calling Jesus the Lamb of God pointed directly to the cross and the temple and sacrifice. Cara preached this sermon at St Nick’s
and Richard preached this at St James’, Finchampstead:
