Newsletter

#447: Going once, going twice, it’s only the Harvest Auction!

My dear friends, I’m so excited about the harvest auction on Sunday! I know that the curate has told people to bring cakes, biscuits, fruit and veg, drinks etc. Now I’m not saying she’s wrong exactly, but she did seem to forget to tell you to bring cheese. I’m sure it was an accident and we won’t hold it against her. I’ve been saving my pennies, though I might set up a GoFundMe incase any of you are feeling generous. A cheese selection would be preferred, failing that any hunk of cheddar, gouda, edam, cheshire, port salut, halloumi, mozzerella, smoked applewood, nicely packaged so I feel appreciated please. I am a very hard working mouse, as you know. And please remember that I only have a very quiet squeak when you’re bidding on things, I don’t want to get lost in the crowds.


This Sunday

We have services at 8am (BCP), and 9.30am is St Paul’s All Age Harvest Festival. St Nick’s have a service at 11am and Woosehill at 10am. As Bertie so helpfully (!) reminded us, there is the harvest auction after the service in the parish rooms. As we don’t collect food for the Foodbank on Harvest Sunday but proceeds from the Harvest lunch go to our three charities, a tradition has developed where people bring harvest gifts for auction to the congregation. Ideal donations, alongside cheese for Bertie, might be produce from an allotment, home made cakes or cookies, cans or bottles or mixed parcels of tasty treats of any kind that can be auctioned as a lot. Smaller donations are just as appreciated as larger ones. Thank you! Then luch is at 1pm in the parish rooms.


New hymnbooks

Also this Sunday, 6th October, brings the arrival of our new hymnbooks! They will be blessed at the start of the service ready to use. Christopher Cipkin has kindly provided some information about the new hymnbooks, why we chose them, what is different and what stays the same. Thank you so much to all who donated towards them, it’ll be exciting to start using them.

  • First published as the English Hymnal in 1906, edited by Percy Dearmer and the composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, who’s contribution is fully retained in the latest edition.
  • New book replaces the previous edition, the New English Hymnal, published in 1986 and which has been our main hymn book for most of that time. 
  • Revised edition is an opportunity to include many splendid new hymns not included in the 1986 edition that have become regularly used in our worship since that time. Some of these were requested in the survey we did of congregational favourites a few months ago.
  • The Revised English Hymnal published in the last few months retains the familiar green cover, but more importantly also continues to be classically Anglican, with a strong focus on supporting the cycle of liturgical worship, which remains important to St Paul’s.
  • The revised edition includes around 50 items to support the liturgy, including 8 mass settings, some of which we already use. but with opportunities over coming months to add further variety as we explore what the book has to offer. 
  • The new book also retains the rich legacy of plainsong melodies connecting our worship today with that of Christians down the ages.
  • New hymn book expands the geographic range, drawing in texts and music from Europe, North America, Africa and beyond. Inclusion of some spirituals and Taize music is an example of this.
  • Appropriate to launch it at Harvest as Revised Edition includes a new ‘Creation’ section reflecting the growing concern for protecting the natural environment. The Choir will be introducing a fine tune by Francis Jackson, the former organist of York Minster, in today’s service, taken from the Harvest section.
  • Looking to hold a ‘Songs of Praise’ event in January to explore more of what the new book has to offer.

Tomorrow – Thursday 3rd October MU

Mothers’ Union Meeting

The next meeting of the Mothers’ Union is on Thursday 3rd October at 12.30pm for 1pm in the Carpenter Room (upstairs in the Parish Rooms).  Jean and Teri will be leading a discussion on Challenging the Narrative – what influence do cultural/fairy tales have on younger generations, particularly with regard to stereotyping of gender?   We are hopeful that this should prove to be a lively and interesting topic.

Please bring your bible, along with your lunch/sandwiches and we will provide light refreshments.


Autumn Bazaar

Following the success of last year’s bazaar, we will be running another one on 9th November this year so please could everyone start hunting out or producing any items that might be useful and saleable.  Liz Gallagher will be organising a Grand Draw and is seeking good quality unwanted gifts etc that would be suitable.  There will also be lists of items in both churches, to fill the first prize of a Hamper, plus various wines from around the world.

If you have any questions, or would like to assist in any way, or if you have brilliant ideas for stalls etc, please let me or Liz know.     Teri Austen


Mariakyrkan Booklets

As many of you know, we are twinned with the Parish of Mariakyrkan in Växjö (Sweden) in 2015. It has been a rich blessing over the years, with people from Växjö coming here to visit, and vice versa. Since lockdown, the relationship is still there but has been less prominent for both churches, and it’s a link that we are keen to maintain.  At the back of church, we have some gorgeous booklets, produced by Andrew Harte, full of information and photographs. Please pick one up, if you’d like to make a donation that would be lovely, and maybe grab your copy before Bertie does…


Lucky Numbers Draw

The Lucky Numbers draw for September finally took place after Mass at St Paul’s on Sunday 29th September 2024.

 Congratulations to the lucky winners:

£50     No. 96    Janet and David Charlton

£25     No. 75    Lyn Austen

£15     No. 100    Susannah Allen

£10     No. 34    Petra Johnstone           

 The Lucky Numbers Draw raises funds for repairs and renewals to the church building. Funds remaining after the distribution of the prizes go to the Restoration Fund for this purpose. 

One share (number) costs £24 per calendar year;  you can have as many shares as you wish, paying annually or monthly by Standing Order.  

For more information, please contact Tony Roberts (979 5351), Liz Gallagher (989 1176) or Mary Cassidy (979 5096) – or talk to Mary at St Paul’s, or Tony or Liz at St Nicholas’.


Letter in the Church Times

This heartfelt and spot-on letter was published in last week’s Church Times. It’s a great testamony not just to Richard’s ministry, but to the way we as a congregation and community support and bless one another. Yay us and yay to ‘unfettered joy of community’!

From Mr David Styles

Sir, — I have recently taken on a new communications post within the diocese of Norwich, after stints in Westminster and a range of journalistic and public-relations positions.

While attending the licensing ceremony of my colleague the Revd Richard Lamey, whom the Bishop of Norwich has now formally installed as our Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry, I was struck by the unparalleled support routinely evident between peers past and present.

On an unseasonably mild Sunday afternoon, the pews of Norwich Cathedral were populated not only by ever-present members of the congregation alongside Richard’s new colleagues keen to welcome him, but by dozens of unfamiliar, smiling faces.

Such is the affection of those who have come to know Canon Lamey during his time as Rector of St Paul’s, Wokingham, a large contingent had undertaken a round trip of more than 300 miles.

In most political or media circles this nurturing culture is seldom seen. While the abundance of such acts may thankfully not seem unusual to many Church Times readers, I shall endeavour to maintain a full appreciation of just how uniquely brilliant such gestures are — and hope that others can also overlook humdrum gripes to focus instead on the unfettered joy of community intrinsic to working and praying in today’s Church of England.

DAVID STYLES


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