#496 In a bazaar mood

It was cheese on my jacket potato at the Autumn Bazaar last week. In fact, the jacket potato was surplus to requirements. Top-rate food, though, even though I didn’t win the wine hamper to wash all that cheese down.
And it was a great success too, as we find out below…


Fr Sam writes
I’m still learning about Wokingham, and one thing I didn’t quite expect was the strength of the civic life! When I went to the Remembrance procession from the Town Hall and to the civic service at All Saints, I was very impressed by the turn-out from cadets, scouts, masons, mayors, councillors, churches, and more. It says a lot about this town and its culture: lest we forget indeed.
I have also had a very school-focused week, spending time at the Holt (for their Remembrance service), St Crispin’s (for a Soulscape meeting), St Paul’s (for a governor day), and St Cecilia’s (looking at their Christian identity). I love being in schools, and it is great to get to know them and their priorities and culture. This town is very lucky to have very good schools and very committed teachers. I’m looking forward to spending much more time with them over the coming years.
This Sunday
The end of the Church’s year is hastening upon us, and this Sunday we hear two passages about the coming of the end of the world. First, St Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonica, reminding them to be active as they wait for Jesus’ return. Then in our Gospel we hear Jesus speaking of the destruction of the Temple, and of wars and sufferings and persecutions that the early Church would suffer, and he reminds us “by your endurance you shall save your souls”.

Services this Sunday
| 8am | St Paul’s | BCP Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| 9.30am | St Paul’s | Parish Mass | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| Organ prelude: Aria – Carter Anthem: Prayer to Jehovah – Molly Ijames Voluntary: ‘Dorian’ Toccata in D minor (BWV 538i) – J.S. Bach | |||
| 10am | Woosehill Church | Morning Worship | Revd Cara Smart |
| 11am | St Nicholas’s | Community Eucharist | Revd Judi Hattaway |
| 6.15pm | St Paul’s | Choral Evensong | Fr Sam Tanna-Korn |
| Organ Prelude: Meditation on a folk tune Turvey Setting: Evening Service in D – Herbert Brewer Anthem: Jubilate Deo – Peter Anglea Voluntary: ‘Dorian’ Fugue in D minor (BWV 538ii) – J.S. Bach | |||

Autumn Bazaar
The Autumn Bazaar last Saturday was a great day, with many people through the doors and fun, food, games, and produce galore.
It was also a great success financially. The stalls brought in a combined £1181 for church funds, to which the Social Committee’s catering added a further £497. Meanwhile, the Grand Draw (with a fabulous selection of prizes) raised £656 for the Restoration Fund.
Many thanks to all involved for all their hard work!
Oar-some
A parishioner generously donated an inflatable dinghy to the parish Autumn Bazaar. Unfortunately no-one attending could be persuaded to “push the boat out”, so it was unsold.
It may well be that someone else in the parish might be interested in it, or who have friends or family who might.
The boat is robust and of high quality, not a child’s flimsy toy. It will carry 2 adults plus a child to a maximum payload of 594lb. It is 8ft 10in long.
We understand that it was bought for over £100 some time ago but has never been used, or even unpacked.
We are looking for an offer of around £40 for Parish Funds.
Elizabeth Hunter 07956 280413


This week’s calendar: an English pioneer
St Hilda, who is celebrated on Monday 17 November, was an abbess and a scholar in early Christian England. Born of royal lineage, she founded the double monastery at Whitby, where both men and women lived, studied, and worshipped together.
Renowned for her learning and holiness, Hilda fostered a spirit of humility, discipline, and hospitality that shaped the English Church, most notably hosting the Synod of Whitby, which helped unify Christian practice in England.
Hilda’s life reminds us that wisdom grows where faith, learning, and compassion meet, and that they need to be practised in our daily lives.
