Author: Peter Wells

No. 102 June 2021

This month our special focus is on St Mary’s Twyford, St Nicholas Hurst,        and St James Ruscombe

Please pray for:

Incumbent:                Rev Anna Harwood
Associate Priests:    Rev Graham Theobald
Helen Charlton
Church Wardens:   Sue Payne, Jenny Beasley Smith
Maggie Barnes, Lucy Bowley
Children and Family worker: Ele Buckley
Youth Worker:          Connor Heath
Treasurer:                  Keith Hay
PCC Secretary:         Christine Ferris

In the Benefice, please pray for:

• Continuing work our vision ‘Shaped, trusting, growing in Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit’. Which we have been looking at for a while now and is very exciting and has huge potential.
• Our administration and operation posts which are being reviewed. Both now need to be a paid post and our finances but our finances are challenged

In the Deanery, please pray for:

• The process around a new Deanery Plan – for energy, enthusiasm, engagement and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• Rev Dr Leonard Onaugh who will be moving to Finchampstead and California in July to be installed as Rector, and for his family.
• Rev Hugh Barne and Rev Gemma Donnell who will be moving to be Incumbents in Truro and Salisbury Dioceses at the end of their curacies.
• Rev James Warren as he retires as interim minister of Winnersh and Bearwood on 27 June and the vacancy that will create.
• All those in our Churches working to keep us safe as we worship and for the joy that we soon hope to be able to meet in groups to share our stories.
• Foodbanks and for our generosity to keep them supplied with good and nutritious food for those in need.

In this country and the world for:

• Our Government that  they will make wise decisions about the easing of restrictions.
• Those parts of this country and countries all over the world suffering badly from the Virus and its variants.
• All those suffering hardships as a result of the Pandemic.
• That people will be cautious and wise as they begin to travel abroad.

No. 101                                           May 2021

This month our special focus is on St Pauls, St Nicholas Embroolk and Woosehill

Please pray for:

Rector:                                   Reverend Richard Lamey
Associate Priests:           Reverend Jane Kraft and Reverend Judi Hattaway
Assistant Curate:           Reverend Cara Smart
Woosehill Methodist Minister:   Reverend Soba Sinnathamby
Methodist Lay Preacher: Doreen Murgatroyd
Parish Administrator:        Louise Cole
Churchwardens (St Paul’s): Peter Wells, David Ruddock
Pro-Wardens (St Nick’s): Liz Gallagher and Fiona Albinson
Woosehill Stewards:          John Hoskins and Steve Lewis
PCC Treasurer:                      Lyn Austen
PCC Secretary:                      Lesley Ruddock
Woosehill Council Secretary: Emma Wells
Woosehill Treasurer:          Lynne Paine

At St Pauls and St Nicholas, please pray for:

• All those who are preparing for their baptisms, for the welcome they will receive and for their lifelong journey with Christ.
• Those who are getting married this year, for the couples whose weddings have been postponed and for those who are newly engaged.  We pray that their lives may be filled with love for each other, those around them and for God.
• Wisdom and discernment as we listen to God and one another when working out how best to serve the community as we emerge from lockdown.
• For all who minister and worship across the parish, that there will be moments of rest and relaxation after this past year.
• All who are grieving the loss of a loved one or have not been able to attend funerals of those they mourn, that they will know God’s comfort.

At Woosehill, please pray for:

• Those leading us at this difficult socially distanced time.
• Ourselves as we remember some things we used to do before the lockdowns which may not come back and other things we need to start doing or do differently in response to the needs of community and the congregation.
• The staff & stewards who are committed to spending the time between March and August, together with members of the congregation, to position ourselves ready for the Autumn and for new opportunities which are all around us,
• Rediscovery of our purpose and our joy, reminding ourselves what is special about worshipping at Woosehill and being part of an LEP.
• The process of managing the transition from where we are now back to a more relaxed and more familiar world.

In the Deanery, please pray for:

• The recruitment of a new Family Worker at St Michael’s, Sandhurst and for Angela Harper as she moves away.
• All our parishes as we celebrate Ascension Day and Pentecost.

God our Father

For the Spirit of Peace
that calms our mind
and stills our life,
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Love
that touches hearts
and reaches out,
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Joy
that lifts our soul
and gives us faith
we give you thanks.
For the Spirit of Power,
that gift of grace
for this your church,
we give you thanks.

No. 100 April 2021

This month our special focus is on Wokingham All Saints.

Please pray for:

Rector: Reverend Canon David Hodgson

Associate Priest: Reverend Hannah Higginson (on maternity leave)

Honorary Priest: Reverend Colin James

Authorised Lay Preacher: John Boylan

Churchwardens: Clive Charlton, Alun James

PCC Treasurer: Anne King

Parish Administrator & PCC Secretary: Jane Hodgson

In the Parish, please pray for:

• For all who worship at All Saints Church
• The Spaceforall project to revitalise the church building and provide a community space.
• Mission and outreach in the new housing estates in the parish
• Becky Medlicott preparing for ordination in the summer coming to All Saints as a curate-in-training.
• Chrispen Gumbs ordinand in training on placement at All Saints.

In the Deanery, please pray for:

• All our churches and especially those which have been worshipping online as they begin to open up again for worship in church.
• Our keeping of Good Friday.
• Our celebration of Easter Day.
• St Pauls and Woosehill Churches as they return to in-person worship for Holy Week, and for all of the conversations around which activities to re-start and when to re-start them – that we will be guided by the Spirit to know what to pick up and which new opportunities and moments we should pursue.
• Those who have been most badly affected by the last 12 months, giving thanks for those who have been so selfless and generous during these last weeks.
• Woosehill Church, a long established. single congregation Local Ecumenical Partnership in the Parish of St Paul, Wokingham where 2021 is going to be a time of change, adjustment and reflection for every part of society and every Church. Woosehill has seen a change in ordained leadership, some people have moved away over the last 18 months and others have changed their Church. We have committed to undertaking a thorough review of our activities over the coming months and ask your prayers during this process.
• St John the Baptist Crowthorne as we return to worship in Church on Easter Sunday, but also for all those who will miss the videoed services.

In our country, our leaders and ourselves:

• For wisdom for our leaders as they continue to plan and monitor the easing of restriction
• That we will all behave responsibly to stop the spread of the virus.
• Giving thanks for the continuing role out of the vaccine and all that it means to each of us in our community life.
• Continuing to remember all those who have lost their lives as a result of Covid 19 and those who mourn their loss

In the world please pray:

• For those working on new vaccines and those refining the existing vaccines particularly as the virus mutates.

When everything was dark
and it seemed that the sun would never shine again,
your love broke through.

Your love was too strong
too wide,
too deep
for death to hold.

The sparks cast by your love
dance and spread
and burst forth
with resurrection light.

by the Revd Michaela Youngson.

No. 99 March 2021

This month we continue with our focus on all Parishes in the Deanery as we begin to emerge from our third Lockdown.

In our Deanery, please pray for:

• All our Churches, our clergy, and people
• Our keeping of the season of Lent
• Lent groups for our fellowship and our learning as we study together virtually.
• Mothering Sunday Services in whatever form they take.
• Palm Sunday Services
• Holy week services as we prepare to celebrate Easter Day.

In our communities, please pray for:

• Our keeping to the plan for our progress out of Lockdown and that we will continue to respect sensible rules to keep us all safe.
• The recovery of all the NHS staff who are worn out having worked so tirelessly in hospitals and in the community over the past year.

In the wider world we pray:

• That the wealthier countries will make supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine more available to the poorer countries

We give thanks for:

• The role out of the vaccines and for the efficient way the services have worked together, and the protection it is giving us.
• The numbers of people applying to train as nurses, inspired by what they have seen of the NHS during the Pandemic,
• Signs of spring all around us in the snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and the song of the birds.

Ever present God,
be with us in our isolation,
be close to us in our distancing,
be healing to us in our sickness,
be light in our darkness,
be wisdom in our confusion,
be all that is familiar when all is unfamiliar,
that when the doors re-open
we may with the zeal of Pentecost
inhabit our communities.
and speak of your goodness.
to an emerging world.
For Jesus’ sake. AmenVery Rev’d Andrew Nunn

No 97 January 2021

This month our special focus is on the Parish of Winnersh, St Mary the Virgin and St Catherine Bearwood.

Please pray for:         

Interim Priest in Charge                                     Rev’d James Warren
Priest with PTO:                                                      Rev’d Clifford Smith
Church Warden                                                       Debbie Brunt
Assistant Church Warden – St Mary’s        Anne Warner
Assistant Church Warden – St Catherine’s Joanne Brown
PCC Secretary:                                                        Alison Vacher
Parish Administrator                                            Samantha Robson-Hurst
PCC Treasurer                                                         Derek Manning

In the Parish, please pray:

• For all involved in the ‘ Next Steps ‘ process of the Parish engagement in discerning ways to better resource and sustain ministry and mission in the future; working towards July 2021 when James Warren will have completed his 3year period of Interim Ministry. 
• That God’s blessing will rest on the planning committee for the celebrations.in April 2021 to mark 175 years since the consecration of St Catherine’s and for all those who we hope will attend

In the Deanery, please pray for:

• Our Churches and our worship and fellowship whether we are able to continue worshiping in our Church buildings or on-line through live streaming, video or sound cloud.
• Those with technical skills who continue to provide these online services and resources.
• All meetings, business and social held on Zoom or other on-line resources.
• All who feel side-lined because they do not have the technological knowledge or resources to engage in this way.

In the wider community, please pray:

• That we will all act responsibly obeying the rules whether we are in Tier 4 or Lockdown.
• For the lonely that we will keep in contact with them so that they know they are not forgotten
• For the effects of the pandemic on all our lives, our NHS and the financial state of the country.
• For all sick with the Covid 19 virus and for those caring for them in hospital or at home.
• And give thanks for the vaccine and all who have to organise and administer its role out.
• About the effects of Brexit on our trade and movement round Europe.
• For those we miss who have died in the past year, that they may Rest in Peace. and Rise in Glory

God our Father, when the earth shakes and the nations are in uproar,
speak, and let the storm be still, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

No. 96 December 2020

In our Deanery let us give thanks:

• That we shall be able to hold Christmas services in Church.
• For those with technical skills who continue to provide online services and resources.

In our Churches please pray for:

• Advent Online’, that it may bless all who engage with the resources made available in many ways and find the daily offerings enriching and helpful in deepening our faith.
• The message of hope that is Christmas, will be an encouragement to all.
• All those attending Services whether in Church and those continuing to feel safer watching online or listening to recordings
• The families who are staying away from Church for fear of spreading the virus to older members of the congregation.
• All Christingle, Crib Services and Nativity plays in Church and online throughout the Deanery; that the sense of joy, sparkle and wonder may be felt and special memories made.
• Services of Nine Lessons and Carols
• Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Services
• Continued creativity even though many of us are tired and weary with all we have had to cope with in the last months.
• Fun activities including the Arborfield Christmas Mince Pie Evening on 3 December on Zoom
• The fun and fellowship of the Zoom Coffee and chat sessions
• Hardship funds and Food banks seeking to give assistance to those most in need at this time
• All who have been bereaved this year, especially for those who are anxious about their first Christmas alone. That they may know your comforting presence holding them safe and steady.

In our country please pray for:

• All in government and all scientists seeking for a way through the pandemic.
• Ourselves that as restrictions are eased over Christmas, we will behave responsibly and continue to observe social distancing and all other measures for the protection of all.
• And give thanks for positive news of vaccines to protect us from the virus.

Lord of heaven and earth,
as Jesus taught his disciples to be persistent in prayer,
give us patience and courage never to lose hope,
but always to bring our prayers before you,
though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From Daily Prayer SSF

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Advent Sunday

Lord Jesus Christ, your birth at Bethlehem
draws us to kneel in wonder at heaven touching earth:
accept our heartfelt praise
as we worship you,
our Saviour and our eternal God.
The Collect for Christmas Day