Cleethorpes it is for our hols, then [249]

Hello, everyone- Bertie has gone back to his source at Westminster Cathedral because he has it on good authority that there is about to be a cheese from the Vatican evening there, and he wouldn’t miss it for the world. Turns out that he has his priorities and, well, to be blunt, it’s not me. I even found a joke he could tell the Swiss Guards when he gets there, in case they are guarding the cheese: What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know but the flag itself is a big plus. But he still went off and left me to do this email on a Friday evening- so, here it is- enjoy!

Imminent Happenings

The order of service for Sunday at St Paul’s was sent out last week and is here again- I won’t send it every week so can you make a note of this email if you rely on it?

Soba is at Woosehill, and Cara is preaching at St Paul’s and St Nick’s.

Meditation group meets Tuesday 8th June 1.15-1.45pm in St Paul’s Church, IN PERSON. No need to book a space, just come along (with your face mask) and join us. If you are unable to be there in person, then please join us live on Zoom.
If you would like more information or would like to be added to the email list for the group, then please email me. meditationgroup@spauls.org.uk         Susannah

Susannah is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Susannah’s Zoom Meeting Time: Jun 8, 2021 01:15 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting https://us04web.zoom.us/j/76552404751?pwd=aTNaOUxPQWhIdzlLNGR2TUlPR1pWQT09
Meeting ID: 765 5240 4751 Passcode: 98765

Also, do make sure you have the Outdoor Service at 6.15pm on the 13th of June in St Paul’s Churchyard in the diary- a great chance to worship in the open air and sing. Do bring a chair with you, or a blanket, and your best singing voices.

Surge testing to contain Covid-19 variant: a message from the local Council we have been asked to pass on

Extensive surveillance of Covid-19 has identified a small number of cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant that was first found in India in Wokingham Borough, that cannot be traced back to international travel. As such, surge testing will be deployed in the following council wards between Monday 7 June and Monday 21 June:

• Bulmershe and Whitegates
• Evendons
• Norreys
• Wescott

This will enable us to identify any community spread of the new variant and restrict further transmission. To check what ward you live in and if you are affected, use the postcode checker on our surge testing webpage. All cases are now self-isolating and we have conducted robust contact tracing to identify their contacts and ask them to self-isolate.

What happens next

We are urging residents over the age of 12 who are living, working, or going to school in these areas to come forward for a Covid-19 test between Monday 7 and Monday 21 June if they are not showing symptoms and even if they have already been vaccinated. From Monday, residents in these areas can get a Covid-19 test at one of our dedicated surge testing sites. You do not need to book. Information on where these sites are located is available on our website

Other important things to notice

We will be beginning our Consultation period for the opening of St Cecilia’s from Monday 17 May and this will run through to Monday 28 June 2021.  I know before you have confirmed you would be happy to support with this process and in preparation for this, I have attached the Consultation Form in PDF format and an MS Form link below. You can pick up a form from the back of St Paul’s and St Nick’s this week or fill in the form online. It is really important that the Church community locally is seen to be behind the new Church of England School in the parish.

Link below to the MS Form: The Keys Academy Trust’s Consultation Parental and Community Support Form (office.com)

To all those who work or volunteer with vulnerable individuals or families, or with anyone at all who are going through issues or might need some helpful signposting! Although we are coming out of the lockdown, there will be people who are impacted by the effects of the pandemic, and will need some help trying to find answers to their issues. Citizens Advice Wokingham is offering this great free course to help navigate the help and advice that is out there on offer, so that you can help others. https://citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk/advice-first-aid/ 

There are currently spaces on these two dates: Wed 07th Jul at 09:00-12:00 noon and Tue 20th Jul at 09:00-12:00 noon

Email jenny.carter@citizensadvicewokingham.org.uk to book.

Thursday the 10th of June is the next collection of charity clothes bags at the Parish Rooms for Emmbrook Infant and Junior Schools- do please leave things in the porch on the day.

Excellent and prayerful article recommended by Mary Cassidy on the Divine Potter– Kintsugi and the Divine Potter – Ignatian Spirituality

And a final Swiss joke…

I asked my friend whether the scenery in Switzerland was as amazing as everyone always says- and he looked a bit regretful and said that he really didn’t know what the view was like because all of the mountains got in the way.