Author: Peter Wells

2020 Lent Lectures Inspired by…

St James Church Centre, Finchampstead, RG40 4LU

7.45pm for 8.00pm

  • Tuesday 3rd March    Canon Mark Oakley – Inspired by Poetry
  • Tuesday 10th March  Mrs Beverley Stevens – Inspired by Literature
  • Tuesday 17th March  The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell  – Inspired by Art
  • Tuesday 24th March  Revd John Castle– Inspired by Scripture
  • Tuesday 31st March  Canon Julie Ramsbottom – Inspired by Music
  • Tuesday 7th April      Canon John Edwards- Inspired by Stained Glass  

Spring courses from the Diocese of Oxford

Spring courses from the Diocese.
A variety of courses suitable for those in the congregation and those training for ministry.  Equipping for Life: Learning for Discipleship and Ministry. 

Music for Mission and Ministry
Training courses from the Royal School of Church Music for leaders of worship and musicians. Three-day courses in 2020 take place in February, April and September/October. There are also one-day courses available. Flyer 

Eco church and energy audits

Click the image to watch the film and visit oxford.anglican.org/church-energy-audits to find out how your church can get involved.

Energy efficiency can enable our churches to provide attractive places of sanctuary, fellowship and communion – with a comfortable level of warmth and illumination – at a lower cost to the planet, and sometimes with financial savings as well. One significant barrier for churches, however, is knowing what positive actions they can undertake. PCCs can now obtain and begin to act on expert advice in this area with energy audits carried out by professionals with experience of historic places of worship. The energy audit looks at a range of energy uses in the church building, from lighting to heating, and recommends the energy and carbon reduction measures available. These can include simple changes that will cost nothing – such as setting adjustments and changing practices – as well as options for renewable technologies, better controls, or changes in equipment. This short film tells the story of how one church in Wokingham has benefited from this approach. To find out more, visit: oxford.anglican.org/church-energy-audits

Prayer Cycle for January

No. 85 January 2020

This month our special focus is on Arborfield with Barkham and Christ Church Wokingham.

Please pray:

  • For our family of churches gathering for our annual joint service on January 26th. Pray we would give God the glory for all he has done and be encouraged to continue to serve him.

Arborfield – St Bartholomew’s – Please pray

  • Give thanks for all those who continue to serve joyfully in seen and unseen ways week by week.
  • That as the new year begins, we would continue to rejoice in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour and seek to live in light of his return.
    • The leadership team: Andy Kearns (Minister)
    • Wardens: Patricia Fryer, Joe Brown
    • Treasurer: Mark McDonnell
    •  PCC secretary: Tom Auden

Barkham – St James’ – Please pray

  • That the Lord would have been working in the hearts of some who came to our Carol services and that they would join us in January with a desire to find out more about Jesus.
  • Give thanks for those who have joined us recently. Pray they would settle into the church family so that we might grow and serve the Lord together. 
  • that we would grow in our prayerfulness; that we would be ‘Devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful’ (Colossians 4:2)
    • The leadership team: Julian Bidgood (minister), David Horrocks, Michael Byrne
    • Wardens: Mark Stevens, Craig Manning
    • Treasurer: Lionel Matsuya
    • PCC secretary: Isobel Manning

Arborfield Green – Church at the Green – Please pray

  • Give thanks for number of relationships strengthened through outreach events pre-Christmas and pray that from amongst them there may be those who come to faith in Jesus in 2020.
  • Give thanks for the many children aged 0-11 who belong to CTG and pray they may grow into lifelong followers of Jesus.
  • That we would be a people who ‘Rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.
    • The leadership team: Piers Bickersteth (Minister)
    • Elders: James Carpenter, Ed Clark

Christ Church Wokingham – Please pray

  • Give thanks for provision of a house for the Huddleston family.
  • For those who give so much time to serving the church family. That they would serve in the strength God supplies and find real joy in serving.
    • The leadership team: Mark Huddleston (Minister), Mellissa Tuthill
    • Wardens: Martin Northend, Helen Hotchkiss
    • Treasurer: Graham Richardson
    • PCC secretary: Andrew Bateman

In the Deanery please pray for:

  • All Saints Wokingham as they begin to ask for donations to realise the vision for a church building which is an accessible and open community hub.
  • Woosehill Guidance for post-Christmas reflection for a prophetic vision for the or the years ahead.
    • A sense of the ‘privilege’ of serving the King and making and taking opportunity to serve the people of God in Woosehill.
    • Hope and thanksgiving trust in God in the midst of illnesses.
    • The next processes after the energy audits one of which is application for funds for implimentation of these recommendations.
    • The process of transition at Hawthorns Primary school as they look for the next head teacher.
  • Winnersh Parish, especially that the Parish Priest, the PCC, Churchwardens and Parish Development Adviser may be enabled to listen to what God is saying as we consider our future mission and ministry in 2020 and beyond.

New Communities

For more details or to book your place: