#531 That’s a lot of loaves
Bertie writes
Fr Sam is away on his hols this week so I have come out of retirement to bring you the latest updates. I was told that the theme this week is all about loaves so I am going to be on duty on Sunday to pick up any spare crumbs. It sounds like a huge feast, although I am not sure about the fish. They could be a bit smelly in this heat. I notice that John Edwards is taking the service. That is good.
I must get back to my deck-chair. All this typing has put me in need of a bit of liquid refreshment.
See you on Sunday!
This Sunday: food for all
Our readings this Sunday focus on human need and God’s provision for us. Our first reading is from the prophecy of Isaiah, where the prophet invites everyone to come to God to eat and drink (Isaiah 55.1-5).
Our Gospel reading is St Matthew’s account of the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14.13-21).
Image: The Miracle of the Loaves by Henri van Waterschoot
Services this Sunday
| 8am | St Paul’s | BCP Mass | Revd John Edwards |
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Revd John Edwards |
| Organ prelude: Largo, allegro, aria and two variations – Michael Festing (arr. G. Thalben-Ball) Communion Music: Adagio for a mechanical organ (WoO 33, no. 1) – Ludwig van Beethoven Voluntary: March (op3, no. 5) – Carl Maria von Weber (arr. W. T. Best) | |||
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Morning Worship | Doreen Murgatroyd |
| 11am | St Nicholas’ | Community Eucharist by extension | Mary Cassidy |
August Organ Recital
On Sunday 16 August our organist, Christopher Cipkin, will be giving an organ recital at St Paul’s. The recital will cover 300 years of music from England and North America by Burney, SS Wesley, WT Best, Darke, Carter, Bédard, and Groom te Velde.
Retiring collection for the organ fund. Refreshments will be served at the end of the concert.
Woosehill Magazine
The latest edition of the Woosehill Magazine is out and can be read online. Hard copies also available in St Paul’s.
Mothers’ Union lunch
This year celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Mothers’ Union and, to mark this anniversary, the St Paul’s branch is planning to take a small part in the 9.30am service on Sunday 9 August, followed by lunch in the parish rooms. We should be pleased if members of the congregation would join us for lunch on this day, particularly if you would like to know more about the work of the Mothers’ Union. There will be no charge for the lunch, but a donation to the MU charities would be appreciated.
In addition, we are delighted that Rev Jane Kraft, who is a Diocesan Member of the Mothers’ Union, will be conducting the service.
9 August is doubly appropriate, as we also remember on this day, Mary Sumner, the lady who inspired this movement in 1876.
Please RSVP by 1st August to teri@theaustens.uk
Lucky Numbers Draw
The lottery numbers were drawn after communion at St. Nicholas Emmbrook Church on Sunday 19th July 2026.
Many congratulations to the winners who are:-
- No 35 £50 – Petra Johnston
- No 89 £25 – David & Janet Charlton
- No 100 £15 – Elizabeth Hunter
- No 1 £10 – Teri Austen
If you are interested in taking part in the draw please contact Tony Roberts (07810 643770) or Liz Gallagher at St Nicholas, or Jenny Perris at St Paul’s for further information.
Ride and Stride
This year it will take place on Saturday 12th September.
The Berkshire Historic Churches Trust raises money to help maintain the structure and fabric of churches across Berkshire, through the provision of grants towards repairs and renovations. Ride & Stride is the annual fundraising event for all of the Historic Churches Trusts across the UK.
We need:
PARTICIPANTS – Could you walk, ride or cycle between some churches in Wokingham, Reading or anywhere else in our county? You can do as few or as many as you like. It is a great opportunity to visit some of the churches in and beyond our area.
WELCOMERS – Anyone who has participated knows that it is nice to be greeted when you arrive at a church and to have someone to speak to there. Could you help by spending an hour in St Paul’s on the day to welcome any visitors to our church?
SPONSORS – If you cannot participate, please sponsor the people Riding & Striding for St Paul’s. As well as raising money for the Berkshire Historic Churches Trust, half of the money raised is returned to St Pauls.
It would be really good to have some new cyclists taking part from St Paul’s. So, if you have a bike, please think about being a participant. A number of other churches organise groups of walkers who visit churches together, rather than taking part as individuals, and a few have a cycle group as well.
If you can take part as a Rider or Strider (either on your own or as part of a group), or be in the church as a Welcomer, please speak to, or contact, Andrew Harte (email: rideandstride@spauls.org.uk)
This week’s calendar: a parish priest
On 4 August the Church remembers Jean-Baptiste Vianney, the Curé d’Ars, who served for more than forty years as parish priest of a small French village. He became widely known as a wise and patient spiritual guide, especially through his ministry of reconciliation (hearing confessions), and people travelled great distances to seek his counsel. His life reminds us that faithful ministry is often rooted in ordinary places: in prayer, attentiveness and the patient care of those whom God has entrusted to us.
St Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.
