#383: forget what I said last week- there is no cricket happening at all this month. Not a single match. Strange but true.
Hello, dearest friends- it is getting to be one of my favourite times of the year- what is not to like when there is the parish BBQ followed promptly by the last Evensong refreshments of the academic year on the 16th of July. And the evenings are light, and the air is warm, and the bees are buzzing, and the exams are over and even the worst of the hayfevery snuffles are past. So much fun to be had in July. The sound of tennis balls against the net and the sound of angry MCC members screaming at Australian openers. Strawberries and prosecco and lemon cheesecake. Actually, I’m going to have to go and have a little snackette because I am getting hungry just from writing this. Back momentarily.
Wanted notices- lots of people to join our reformed tithings groups- I will send a personal signed photo to everyone who signs up because it is so important to the life of the Church- and also wanted… members to form a new committee for 18 months looking at our fundraising and grant applications as we begin to accelerate into a period of proper and focused fundraising for the aisle roofs and the lighting in Church. Please speak to me or Richard for more information and to register your interest.
This Coming Week
On Sunday we have services at 8am, 9.30, 10 and 11 and then the Parish BBQ. The main Gospel reading is Matthew 11.16-19, 25-end if anyone would like to check it ahead of time and think about it.
It is also Soulscape Awareness Sunday…
Coming Soon
We have Churchyard Working Party this weekend. Hopefully we will have payback working with us this weekend but it has not yet been confirmed either way. There is lots to do, and we are planning a visit from a local school who want to complete a project in a day. We are expecting them to rebuild and restock the bug hotels in the churchyard. If any of you have Bamboo canes you need to clear or get rid of please do bring them to the churchyard they are excellent for big hotels. Anything else you feel is suitable can also be left near the shed for use. The date of this project is the 13th July. So please bring anything before this date.  As usual there will be refreshments at 11 and 1. See you then.
Wokingham Lions are holding an auction of promises on the 15th of July in the Parish Rooms and they would love our support…
As Andy hints at above, a group of people from a local Special School, Chiltern Way, will be coming to help in the Churchyard on the 13th of July– it would be great to have people from Church to welcome them and to work alongside them- if you would like to join in please speak to Andy Clark or Louise Cole. They will mostly be focusing on the bug hotels so it might not be a job which will appeal to people who don’t like earwigs.
We will be delighted to welcome Miles Welborn back to the parish on the 16th of July, along with Katie and their new son Jesse, where he is our next Evensong preacher at 6.15pm. Do come along and do bring a friend! The service that morning at St Paul’s will be an All Together Service and those are always fun. It will be a great farewell to the academic year and a great start to the summer.
Save the dates- Chris Cipkin is planning a series of organ concerts which will be wonderful and here is the information about them- do put them in your diary now…
We are being asked to help with refreshments at the Art Exhibition again this year- it is always a great way to engage with the local community and to raise some money for Church as well- Jenny has sent this message…
Art Exhibition Saturday July 22th until August 3rd from 10.30am – 4.30pm.
Please help St Paul’s and St Nicholas by serving coffee, tea and cakes in aid of Church funds.  It is a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours and you will have time to view the paintings and other exhibits. I will give you a letter explaining what you do and new helpers usually work with someone else, or you may wish to bring a friend. The rota for helping is in the back of Church. I hope to call in at the BBQ, or will arrange for the Rota to be there, so please bring your diaries if you are able to help. Thank you. Jenny Ellerbeck  0118 9783470 jennyellerbeck@talktalk.net
And Mary has sent this note to Bertie, wrapped around a small ball of mozzarella which made it all rather sticky… we have booked St Mary’s Winnersh for a Quiet Day on Saturday 21 October 2023. Further details to be advised in due course!!
Other exciting notices and notes
Our twin parish in Vaxjo have sent a recording of some of their choir singing in the Church- if anyone would like to record anything to send back then do let me know- we are already sending a Magnificat recorded from an Evensong- and if you have a friend in Vaxjo do please send them a message this week and see how they are and what is going on in their lives and church at the moment…
This is the Sermon from Sunday morning last week when Richard tried to engage with Genesis 22, the story of the binding of Isaac by Abraham. He didn’t stick entirely to the script but it gives a flavour at least of what he said- you could also look at the video on Youtube if you want to find what he actually ended up saying…
