#438: the week summer FINALLY arrived
I’m feeling a Rock ‘n’ Roll this week, they call it Rock Chic but I think Rock Cheese is a much better name. The song ‘School’s Out’ has been going round my head and my little paws are tapping away to the drum I made myself. Edam wax cheese for the drums, some carrot sticks, a cheese slice or 2 on top of nachos for the cymbals. Strangely I didn’t hear anyone singing it last week in church when we had the Year 6’s leavers services, so I guess I better sing it even louder to make up. School’s out for summer!
School is indeed finished for summer, thanks Bertie, and summer holidays are here, along with the sunshine. I think there’s something about that long 6 week summer break that doesn’t ever fully leave us, even when we are no longer children or have to work around school holidays. There’s time to go on holiday ourselves, or take a break at home, to slow down a little bit and enjoy the warmer sunny days and evenings. At St Paul’s, the choir are now also having a very well deserved break, though many will be in the congregation singing. If you’re going away, have a fantastic time, and you can still join us or catch up on the livestream – bonus!
This Week
On Sunday we have services at St Paul’s with 8am BCP communion, and 9.30am Parish Mass. Or we have 10am at Woosehill and 11am at St Nick’s.
A reminder that Wokingham Art Exhibition is on at the Parish Rooms and so Friday’s Coffee and Chat is at Woosehill Church.
On that note of the Art Exhibition, Mary says this: There are still gaps on the Art Exhibition Refreshments rota, particularly the weekend 26-28th July and again 3rd August, plus some where there is only one volunteer at present. The number of available helpers seems to be in decline this year! Please contact mary.cassidy@spauls.org.uk if you might be able to help out! THANK YOU.
Coming Up…
Organ Recital
Thanks to all those who have sponsored Christopher Cipkin to play their favourite organ pieces in the next and final recital of the current series. Don’t miss what promises to be a fantastic musical treat at St Paul’s on Sunday 18 August at 6.15pm. Admission free, with retiring collection in aid of the organ restoration fund, and interval refreshments.
Ride & Stride on Sat 14th September 2024
St Paul’s has supported Ride & Stride for many years by volunteers participating as Walkers or Riders and in Welcoming visitors to St Paul’s church during the day. However, you will not have failed to notice that this year Ride & Stride falls the day before Fr Richard’s licensing in Norwich. There are many members of the parish who will be travelling to Norwich before the 15th.
Therefore, please can you let me know by email, no later than 4th August, whether you are available and interested in either:
a) participating as a walker or rider on behalf of St Pauls this year; or
b) being in church for an hour between 10am and 6pm on 14th September to welcome visitors, letting me know what times during the day you would be able to do.
Many thanks
Andrew Harte
Växjö
For those who are newer to the parish and may not know, we entered into a Twinning Link 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. The Diocese of Oxford works closely with the Diocese of Växjö, curates have the opportunity to go to Sweden and visit for example. One thing that is being organised for September is a joint online service to pray together and celebrate Creationtide. The details are below, including the sign up link, so do please join if you can. As a helpful extra, Växjö is pronounced Vek – qwa.
Creationtide service with the Diocese of Växjö
To celebrate this year’s Season of Creation, we will be hosting a joint service between the Dioceses of Växjö and Oxford. The service will take place online on 11 September at 6.30pm UK time, 7.30pm Swedish time, with contributions from Bishop Olivia and Bishop Fredrik. Everyone is welcome to this time of worship, prayer and reflection for creation.
July 2024 Lucky Numbers Draw
The Lucky Numbers draw for July took place at the post-communion service coffee at St Nicholas on Sunday 21st July 2024.
Congratulations to the lucky winners:
£50 No. 44 Lesley & David Ruddock
£25 No. 89 Petra Johnstone
£15 No. 64 Tony Egglestone
£10 No. 42 Jean Vaughan
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. It is not too late to subscribe for 2024 – a number of vacancies for new joiners have arisen this year!
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’.
Lastly, just a reminder to please send anything you would like to go into Bertie and Pews News to Cara and Louise, thank you! Email addresses are cara.smart@spauls.co.uk and church.office@spauls.co.uk
