#535 Time for a new beginning
Fr Sam writes
It feels like “last day of the holidays”, I think, with the weather turning (at last), September and its work bearing down upon us, and normal life looking to resume after its summer pause.
This makes it a good time, I think, to consider a new beginning. Two major events are coming up in the next few months: confirmations on 15 November, and first communions on 22 November. First communions are aimed at children of around 7-11 years. For older children and adults, confirmation is the ideal next step in a Christian journey. In each case, there will be some preparation beforehand.
If you are interested, please email me, phone me, or speak to me in person on a Sunday morning.
Image: Detail from “The Adoration of the Lamb” by Jan van Eyck
This Sunday: Get behind me, Satan!
This Sunday the character of St Peter is unfolded further. Last week we heard “On this rock I will build my church”: this week it’s very different.
Our first reading is from the prophecy of Jeremiah, where the prophet laments his suffering and isolation, but God promises to strengthen and deliver him if he remains faithful.(Jeremiah 15.15-21).
In our Gospel reading, Jesus speaks of the suffering and death he is to undergo. Peter tries to dissuade him from it, but Jesus rebukes him, saying “Get behind me, Satan!” (Matthew 16.21-28)
Image: St Peter in a sixth-century icon in St Catherine’s monastery in the Sinai
Services this Sunday
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| Organ Preludes: Prelude – William H. Harris Trio (Op.49 No.1) – Josef Rheinberger Communion music: ‘Intermezzo’ from Sonata No.8 (Op.132) – Josef Rheinberger Voluntary: ‘Scherzo’ from Sonata No.8 (Op.132) – Josef Rheinberger | |||
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Café Church | Revd Cara Smart & Elaine Steere |
| 11am | St Nicholas’ | Community Eucharist | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
Tea & Tissues
Woosehill Church is hosting an event marking the start of the new school term: Tea & Tissues takes place on Thursday 3 September at 8.30-10am after school drop-offs.
Rochester Cathedral
Saturday, 26 September 2026 – Choir singing Evensong at Rochester Cathedral – 3.15pm.
As ever, the choir would really appreciate members of the congregation joining us and a coach is being organised. It will leave Wokingham at 9.15am arriving in Rochester at approx. 11.15am and leave Rochester at 5.30pm arriving back in Wokingham at 7.30pm approx.
The cost will be somewhere between £22 and £30 for adults, £10 for Children.
There will be a sign-up sheet at the back of church or you can email Rhoda at rhoda297@gmail.com.
Ride & Stride
It’s not long now before this year’s Ride & Stride Day to raise money for Berkshire Historic Churches Trust. This year it will take place on Saturday 12 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 Paul’s.
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: mother and son
Today, Thursday 27 August, is the feast of St Monica. Tomorrow is the feast of her son, St Augustine of Hippo, one of the Church’s greatest theologians.
Augustine lived a dissolute life in his youth. Monica’s prayer for him continued, until eventually he was converted to the Christian faith and lived a good, faithful life, writing some of the great works of Western theology.
Towards the end of Monica’s life, the two had a shared vision of God, which Augustine recorded in his Confessions.
They are remembered on consecutive days marking their close relationship both in the flesh and in faith.
Image: St Augustine & St Monica at Ostia, by Ary Scheffer
