SJN1503 - St John the Baptist Parish Church

St John’s News
The newsletter of St John the Baptist Church, Crowthorne
www.crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk
March 2015
The Vicar’s Column
At our January PCC meeting, we identified
six vision priorities for this year, in line with
our parish vision. The actions are being
fleshed out and will be outlined at the
APCM. Meanwhile, here is a snapshot for
you.
Priority
Firmly establish
a pattern of
Messy Church
once a term
Living out our
commitments as
a Kairos
Community
Take
responsible
action to
address climate
change
R&R project
phases:
3: Replacement
AVS
& 4: Organ
refurbishment
Enrich church
prayer life
Continue to
support and
monitor
HopeZone
Correlation to Parish
Vision
Christ: Offer a wide
range of relevant
worship
Community: Find
appropriate ways to
share the good news of
the gospel with those
on the fringe or outside
of church
Creation: Raise
awareness about
issues of global peace
& justice and take
appropriate action
Creation: Promote an
eco-friendly Church
Christ: Encourage and
support the
development of music
and singing as a means
of glorifying God
Christ: Immerse the life
of the church in prayer
Community: Work in
partnership with CTC to
identify and serve the
needs of our
community
If you do not have a parish vision
bookmark then do ask for one. Fuller
details of St John’s Parish Vision can be
found on the website. Information about
the APCM can be found inside. Please do
also prayerfully consider whether it might
be the right time for you to stand as a PCC
member.
Rev’d Lisa Cornwell
Holy Week and Easter Worship
March 29th – Palm Sunday
8 am: Holy Communion & dramatized
reading of The Passion
10 am: Sung Eucharist & Procession
including “Jerusalem Joy”, the story
of the Passion, performed by the
choir
April 2nd – Maundy Thursday
8pm: Sung Eucharist & stripping of altar followed by silent
vigil until midnight.
April 3rd – Good Friday
10 am: Churches Together all-age worship followed by a walk
of witness
2 pm: Meditation before the cross
April 5th - Easter Sunday
8am: Service of Light and
Sung Eucharist
10.30 am: All-Age Eucharist,
blessing of the Easter
Garden & Easter egg hunt
ANNUAL SPRING CLEANING
Saturday 21st March
9am - sweeper downers
10am - clearer uppers
2pm - polishing and finishing offers!!
Bring long canes/extension poles with dusters on. Your own spare
Henry type hoovers, with your own extension leads also welcomed,
tea / coffee + bickie volunteers for 10am also rewarded with smiles!!
Mike Thackray - Mikethackers2@aol.com Tel: 01344 772413
Come and join us for
MOTHERING SUNDAY
All-Age Worship
10am on 15th March
Flowers for mums
Simnel cake after the
service
2
EMMAUS Course
Confirmation preparation for
Adults
Are you thinking about Confirmation or would just
like to know more or need a brush up on the
basics of the Christian faith? Then this course is
for you.
nd
Commences on Monday 2 March 8pm at The
Vicarage. Flyers will full details now available at the
back of the hall. Please return your sign up form to the
Vicar.
Parish Quiet Day
at Ascot Priory
Priory Road, Ascot, SL5 8RT
Called to Holiness
Saturday 7th March
Cost: £15 including soup & sandwich lunch
The day will be led by Fr Paul McLaren-Cook
Approximate timetable:
9.30 am
Arrivals and coffee
10 am
Simple Opening Worship
1st Address
12 noon
Eucharist & 2nd address
Lunch
2.30 pm
3rd Address
3.45 pm
Closing Worship
4 pm
Depart
The day will be in silence following the opening
worship/ first address. There will be pockets of free
time, during which you might like to have a devotional
book with you to read, go for a walk around the
grounds, engage in personal prayer, journal or sign up
for a “spiritual chat” with either Fr Paul, Lisa or Hazel.
Booking has now closed but it may be possible to
squeeze extras in so please speak to the Vicar or
Hazel Berry immediately.
To celebrate Palm Sunday on March 29th the
choir will be singing
‘Jerusalem Joy’,
a cantata for Easter by Roger Jones.
As always, we welcome any members of the
congregation who would like to come and sing this
with the choir. It would be great if you would like
to join us for all the Easter services too.
Practices for ‘Jerusalem Joy’ will begin on
Thursday, February 26th at 7.45pm.
Please talk to David, Jill or Maggie
if you want to know more.
We look forward to seeing you.
Our next Messy Church
will
be
MESSY
PENTECOST
on
Saturday May 16th. Do
come next time. All ages
are welcome to join us!
Forgiveness
a photographic exhibition
A powerful photographic exhibition exploring the idea of
forgiveness in the face of atrocity and telling the stories
of victims as well as perpetrators
www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk/forgiveness
ALL SAINTS PARISH CHURCH
Wiltshire Road
WOKINGHAM
27th February - 5th March
ADMISSION FREE
Open every day: 10am - 5pm
( except during church services)
(Wednesday 11am -5pm; Sunday 12 noon - 5.30pm)
St Patrick's Day coffee morning
Thursday 19th March from 10am to 12.00 am
Crowthorne Baptist Church.
It would be most appreciated if you could support this
event by either baking a cake or something savoury, or
donating books, or just visit for a cuppa and a slice of
something - all of the proceeds for the morning goes to
Corrymeela.
3
Stewardship
On 1st March, Stewardship Sunday, we will
undertake our yearly review of our giving
in support of the mission of St John’s
Reading the financial pages of the newspapers or
listening to the news bulletins may leave many of us
with a more comfortable feeling than for several years.
Even filling up the car is no longer the bank-busting
experience it was a few months ago. Our domestic
energy providers are reducing their prices by up to 5%
even if they have been a bit slow off the mark. The
knock on effect can be felt in the prices of everyday
items including food and, if you are contemplating a
break in Europe, your pound will buy more Euros than
a year ago. Many challenges remain – wage growth is
low, low wage jobs often prevail and returns on savings
remain very low. However, in election year is it hard to
resist recalling long-gone Prime Ministers; in 1957
Harold Macmillan said “you’ve never had it so good”
and Harold Wilson in 1967 referred to “the pound in
your pocket….”
So, with many costs falling in this low inflation world,
what is on the mind of the Stewardship Committee?
When the 2014 accounts are finalised they should
show a small surplus over where we ended 2013. This
is thanks largely to a reduction in the Parish Share and
careful management of the running costs of the
Church. When we look at the pattern of income
however, 2014 saw a progressive decline in Planned
Giving after a strong start to the year. If we do not stop
this decline and achieve an increase in Planned Giving
the opportunity for cost savings will be exhausted and
we will slip back into deficit.
The message today is very simple. As a church we
must ALL take personal responsibility to ensure that we
are making a genuine and proportional contribution.
The level of critical Planned Giving has fallen despite
the excellent response over recent years. This is due
largely to people moving away from the area and from
deaths within the congregation.
The Stewardship Committee asks every family and
individual on the Church Electoral Roll to take a close
look at their financial situation in the light of some of the
positive changes in the country’s economy. Hopefully
lower costs and the better employment outlook are
positive factors for some members of the congregation.
Please also consider carefully the value St John’s
Church brings to so many aspects of your life here in
Crowthorne; friends, social life, schooling and
education and, crucially, the spiritual aspect
underpinning the lives of us all.
We need to see an increase in giving of around £5,000
per year to balance the budget and avoid moving back
into an annual deficit. This is around 5% of giving. We
would ask you to consider your level of giving against
this background.
As usual we’d ask you, where possible, to give in a
planned way using a standing order or a regular
payment set up via an on-line account. Also, of critical
value to St John’s, is that if you are a standard tax
payer, every pound you give will attract over 25 pence
in Gift Aid from the taxman if you complete a Gift Aid
declaration.
It is easy to start your tax efficient Planned Giving by
talking to any member of the Stewardship Committee
or the PCC who will provide you with the necessary
forms; or you can set up the regular payment through
your online bank account. Remember, it is our goal to
have every family on the Electoral Roll signed up to
Planned Giving.
We would like to thank everyone who has recently
signed up to Planned Giving or has been a supporter of
St John’s over the years. It is your generosity that
enables St John’s to continue its work locally and
further afield; we even increased the amounts given to
the chosen Missions last year. Together with our
thanks, we ask you to continue to make your annual
review of the amount you feel able to give and, where
possible, increase it to allow St John’s to avoid running
at a deficit.
Thank you for considering this topic. Whilst there is no
room for complacency, with your generous support St
John’s can continue to grow and fulfil its place in the
community of Crowthorne.
Stewardship Committee
Rev Lisa Cornwell
Anne Mohan – Church Warden
Anna Pearce – Church Warden
Steve Pope
Colin Rosekilly
Ian Lobley
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Parishioners (AMP) will be held
th
on Sunday 26 April in the Church Hall at 11:45 a.m.
AGENDA
1.
Opening Prayers
2.
Apologies
3.
Minutes of the Vestry Meeting of
Parishioners 2014
4.
Election of Churchwardens
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting of the PCC to be
held immediately following the AMP.
AGENDA
1.
Minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting of the
Parish
2.
Matters arising from the Minutes
3.
Parish Vision Update
4.
Update on Renovation Projects
5.
Approval of the Annual Report
6.
Report on numbers entered on new electoral
roll
7.
Presentation of Parish Reports
8.
Elections: Parochial Church Council, Deanery
Synod
9. Appointments: Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer,
Hon Independent Examiner, Welcome
Teams
4
10.
11.
Notices
Closing prayers
CTC have donated £100 to Rachael Marsh towards the
technical equipment she needs when she visits
Chidamayo in Zimbabwe.
The first meeting of the new PCC will then follow.
Please make every effort to attend. This is your
opportunity to participate in important decisions about
how, and by whom, the Parish is run. There are
expected to be vacancies for 4 new members on the
PCC. There are also vacancies for many of the subcommittees. Would you be able to stand? Any existing
PCC member or a Churchwarden would be happy to
explain what is involved.
To vote at the meeting you need to be on the Electoral
Register. Tracy Perrett is preparing the electoral
register please contact her if you would like your name
added to the register. You need to have returned your
th
registration form by 6 April to qualify to vote at the
meeting.
Hope Zone grows from strength to strength and is well
used by youngsters after school who leave each
session very reluctantly. More helpers would be
welcome.
It was generally agreed that the Carol Singing outside
the Co-op was the usual success, and will be repeated.
150 portions f soup were sold at the Late Night
Shopping. Although a considerable loss was made last
year, a very vociferous gentleman demanded its return!
The contribution made by the bell ringers was much
appreciated.
The Baptist Church will be celebrating St Patrick’s Day
two days later on 19th March at 10:30am.
Enrolment on the Church Electoral Roll
The Electoral Roll is the Parish Church’s register of
electors and is the list of those qualified to attend and
to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting which
this year will be held on Sunday 26th April.
Regular worshippers to this Church are asked to
consider applying to enrol on the Church Electoral Roll.
Anyone who has not yet had their name added to the
roll, and wishes to do so, should apply for entry by
completing a form and returning it to Tracy Perrett, the
Electoral Roll Officer, no later than the 6th April.
Those on the roll are voting members of the Church of
England and so help to ensure that all the synodical
councils of the Church – the Parochial Church Council,
our Deanery Synod, the Oxford Diocesan Synod and
the General Synod – are fully representative of its
members. Members of the Parochial Church Council
and Parish Representatives to Synod are required to
be on the Electoral Roll. The number of years on the
electoral roll is also a qualifying factor for a parental
applicant to Ranelagh School.
Forms are available in the entrance lobby or from Tracy
or by downloading from the Church website. The
current Electoral Roll is also on display in the entrance
lobby.
If you have any queries about the Electoral Roll please
have a word with Tracy (01344 773808).
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN CROWTHORNE
Notes from meeting held on Tuesday 3rd February
We were addressed by David McCleod, a member of
the ministry team of St Sebastian’s Church, and
Heather Bull, a social worker employed two day week
by Home for Good, an organisation striving to find
foster and adoptive parents for children. Heather is
financed by Faith in the Community and Wokingham
District Council. Both David and Heather are eager to
visit and talk to every church in the diocese on this
desperately important subject.
Lent groups will be meeting for 5 weeks at the
Methodist Church at 2-4pm and 8-10pm every
Wednesday beginning on the 25th February.
Participants are encouraged to see the film ‘Chocolat’
on which the course is based beforehand.
The Annual Walk of Witness around the parish
stopping at various stations will start from St John’s at
10am on Good Friday 3rd April.
10th to 16th May is Christian Aid Week. The opening
service will be held at the Baptist Church at 6:30pm.
The Crowthorne branch of Good Neighbours gave
more evidence of their valuable work. From 26th Nov
2013 to 23rd Nov 2014, 1,248 customers were given
lifts to 64 destinations. A splendid example of
outreach.
Hilary Burton
The Children’s Society
Calling all Box Holders
Will all box holders kindly let me have their boxes for
emptying during March. Before handing them in please
ensure that your name appears on the box.
Please bring them to Church and pass them to me or,
just leave on the side in the foyer. Alternatively please
ring me to arrange collection.
Many thanks
Tracy Perrett (tel: 01344 773808)
Crowthorne Good Neighbours
Set up by Churches Together in Crowthorne, Good
th
Neighbours is now in its 44 year of providing transport
to help people in Crowthorne get to doctor and hospital
appointments, or shopping if required. In the past year
over 1,200 journeys took place to 64 different venues.
As well as a team of volunteer drivers, there is a small
group of people who ‘man’ the telephone each
5
weekday morning from 10–12 noon in the Baptist
Church.
If you need a lift to a medical appointment (no charge
but hopefully a donation) or would like to join the team
of volunteers by becoming a driver or telephone
operator, please phone 01344 761001.
Sue Hester, Co-ordinator
March is an extremely busy time for the Mothers’
Union. The month begins with with our meeting on
Tuesday 3rd March at 7.30pm with a Lent Eucharist to
be conducted by the vicar. The following day there will
be a meeting at Benson for the diocese from 10.30am
until 3.00pm when the speaker will be Lucinda Hassell
from the London headquarters at Mary Sumner House.
Friday 6th March is the annual Womens World Day of
Prayer ecumenical service at the Methodist Church at
10.30am. This year the service has been written by the
Christian ladies of The Bahamas focusing on the theme
of ‘Jesus said to them, “Do you know what I have done
to you?”.
We have a special afternoon to look forward to on 11
March at 2pm when Kath Coutts will create a Mary
Garden with flowers, accompanied by music and
readings. It will be a time of reflection in this season of
Lent.
The following Saturday, 14th March, we will be making
posies for Mothering Sunday the following day. We will
welcome all offers of help and greenery on the day.
We will also be providing Simnel cake at coffee after
the 10 o’clock service.
Lady Day is on the 25th March and there will be a
service at St Michael’s, Easthampstead at 2.00.
We extend a warm welcome to everyone to any or all of
our meetings. There are programmes in the foyer and
notices about our meetings on the Mothers’ Union
notice board in the hall.
Penny Rickards
Praying for Streets
In March we will be praying for:1st
Church Street, St. John’s, Church Road West
8th
Dormer Close, New Wokingham Road
15th
Mothering Sunday – No PFS
22nd
Brookers Corner, Bracknell Road, Cheyney
Court
th
29
Palm Sunday – No PFS
If you can help deliver leaflets at any time contact Anne
Pelham 774973 / anne.pelham@btinternet.com.
Kairos Update
Holy Land Trip
Our Church is planning a ten day trip to the Holy Land
on 12th-21st February 2016. This trip will include many
of the important Christian sites and be suitable for
people visiting the Holy Land for the first time. It will
also engage with local groups and offer opportunities to
hear their stories. We will stay for part of the time in
Bethlehem, from where we will visit the Christian sites
in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. The second
part of the trip will be in Galilee, some 100 miles to the
north. There we will see the sites associated with
Jesus’ life and early ministry. We expect the cost to be
around £1,350 per person. The trip will be organised
for us by Su McLellan of Embrace the Middle East and
will use a tour company based in Bethlehem. If you are
interested in learning more, please contact Ken
Perrett.
Kairos Britain
You may remember that our Church signed up as a
Kairos Community with Kairos Britain. Ken has been
assisting Kairos Britain with the launch of their new
website. Do have a look at it –
http://www.kairosbritain.org.uk. As a Kairos Community
we now have access to the members forum.
Talks on Israel/Palestine
As part of our continuing efforts to tell others about the
situation in Israel and Palestine, Ken gave the first Lent
Lecture at Finchampstead Church on Tuesday 24th
February. This arose from a similar talk given by Ken to
the Deanery Synod, which has been very supportive in
sharing our concern for Justice and Peace.
Ken will next be speaking at the open Bracknell U3A
meeting on Maundy Thursday (2nd April).
Women's World Day of Prayer
(International and
Interdenominational)
Order of service written by Christian women of the
Bahamas
Jesus said to them: 'Do you know what I have done to
you' (theme taken from St John 13 1-17)
Friday 6th March, 10:30am
Methodist Church
Everyone welcome to attend, men, women people of all ages
6
CTC Lent courses and activities
As in previous years, there are a variety of different activities organised by our member Churches. These started in
the week commencing Monday 23rd February and run for 5 weeks (but it may still be possible to join groups). They
will culminate in an AGAPE on Monday 30th March at 7pm in the Methodist Church Hall, to which all are
welcome - please let Avril Doyle (Tel: 01344 775512 email: leacro@tiscali.co.uk) know that you would like to come.
CTC Lent Course
The Lent course will be “Christ and the Chocolaterie”, by Hilary Brand based on the Oscar nominated film Chocolat
Hilary Brand is skilled and experienced in using the visual impact of art and film to explore Bible themes and their
life changing application. Hilary takes the story and characters of the ‘Chocolat’ to explore what it means to be truly
and completely human as God intended.
Setting out five group sessions for each week of Lent, the course takes events from the film and relates them to
key Bible message of Lent. Recognising Lent as a chance to embrace change and renewal, Hilary’s meditations
lead into private thought or group discussion around the daily challenge of growing, giving and getting real with life.
It is advisable to be familiar with the film before the course starts, so it was be shown at the Methodist Church on
19th February at 8pm.
The sessions themselves will take place on Wednesdays during Lent between 2 and 4pm and again between 8
and 10pm also at the Methodist church (25th Feb, 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25 March).
Please sign up either for the afternoon group or the evening group.
Evening Services during Lent
There will be no joint evening services during Lent. However, you may like to use Lent as an opportunity to attend
services in other Churches. The evening services during Lent are as follows:When
Time
Where
Form of Service
Leader
Preacher
Feb
6:00pm St John the
Taizé
Lisa Cornwell Irene
22nd
Baptist
Simmons
(Lent 1)
Encounter – A loosely structured, interactive
7:00pm St
Sebastian’s
service, giving plenty of space to worship,
listen and respond to the Lord and to be
equipped ready for service
March
6:00pm St John the
Choral Evensong
David
8th
Baptist
Ramsbottom
(Lent 3)
Encounter – A loosely structured, interactive
March
7:00pm St
22nd
Sebastian’s
service, giving plenty of space to worship,
(Lent 5)
listen and respond to the Lord and to be
equipped ready for service
Lent Lectures at St James’
These will be held in the St James’ Church Centre, RG40 4LU, starting at 8pm, with coffee from 7:45pm, and
ending at 9:30pm.
When
Subject
th
Right and Wrong in the Occupied West Bank – a presentation by Ken Perrett. Ken is a
Tues 24 Feb
longstanding member and former churchwarden of St John the Baptist Crowthorne.
Following an earlier pilgrimage trip to the Holy Land, he spent two months last year living
with a Palestinian family in Bethlehem. His presentation will be based on his experiences
and reflections.
Anointed Saviour, Anointed People - a lecture by Rev'd Canon Andrew Marsden
Tues 3rd March
reflecting this week's theme of Jesus as Messiah. Andrew is Vicar of St Sebastian's Church
Wokingham, a long-term member of Bishop's Council in the Diocese of Oxford and Adviser
on Spiritual Transformation to the Bishop of Reading. He is a member of the editorial group
for Grove booklets Ethics series and regularly writes Bible study notes for Scripture Union.
Living Reconciliation - this is the title of a book published last year about the Continuing
Tues 10th March
Indaba process within the Anglican Communion initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury,
and its broader implications for churches and individual Christians: what is an active life of
reconciliation? Angharad Parry Jones helped facilitate the process within the Anglican
Communion Office and co-authored the book. She is currently training for the priesthood in
the Church in Wales at St Michael's College Llandaff.
Jesus and Women - Rev'd Dr Jenni Williams is Tutor in Old Testament at Wycliffe Hall
Tues 17th March
Oxford and Associate Minister at St Peter Wootton near Oxford. She has a particular
interest in feminist interpretations of the Bible. She wrote God Remembered Rachel:
Women's stories in the Old Testament and why they matter published by SPCK in 2014.
Paralysis, and the bid for freedom in life and faith - a lecture by Ven Olivia Graham,
Tues 24th March
Archdeacon of Berkshire, based on this week's theme of Jesus as Son of Man. Before her
appointment as Archdeacon in 2013, Olivia had a number of other varied ministerial roles
within the Diocese of Oxford. She has also lived in Africa where she was involved in relief
and development work.
7
For further information please contact the Parish Office on 0118 973 0133 (Mon – Fri 10 – 12)
Christian Meditation Group
You are welcome to attend the Holy Ghost Christian Mediation Group. Please contact the leader beforehand:
When
Where
Leader
Telephone
Monday morning at
Holy Ghost Parish
Gilly Withers
Angela Greenwood
11am
Rooms
01344 774254
Stations of the Cross
These will be held at the Holy Ghost Church on Fridays, from 12 o’clock until 12:30, followed by Lenten Lunch
(soup, bread and cheese). Open to all, no booking required.
Other Services
All our Churches will come together for a joint service and walk of witness on Good Friday.
When
Time
Where
Good Friday
10am
St John the Baptist
All age Service, followed by Walk of Witness and
(April 3rd)
Parish Church
Hot Cross Buns at the Baptist Church
A European (Musical)
Grand Tour
The world is full of glorious music and it is sometimes a
matter of luck whether we hear a piece that is not
immediately on our “radar”, such as Vaughan Williams
Mass in G minor which might be short but is perfectly
formed!
Thames Voyces concert on 14th March (date updated
from last month’s SJN) also includes pieces by
Brahms, Faure (Cantique de Jean Racine), Lotti,
Stravinsky, Greig and John Rutter whose Birthday
Madrigals were written as a tribute to George Shearing
on the occasion of his 75th birthday.
The concert is entitled A European Grand Tour and is
at St Johns Church Crowthorne starting at 7.30 pm.
Tickets are £13 (£11 concessions); under 16s are free
when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available
from Alan Jackson (tele 776663), on 01189 677319, on
the door or see our website www.thamesvoyces.org.uk.
Fairtrade
We run our Fairtrade stall once
every two weeks on average and
we appreciate the support you
continue to give us.
We stock only a small range of the Fairtrade goods that
are available. Please do look out for the Fairtrade
symbol when you do your weekly shopping. Buying
these products does make a difference to the lives of
the producers.
We have already ordered some “Real Easter Eggs”.
Please consider buying your Easter eggs from our stall.
There is a sign-up sheet on the Fairtrade notice board,
beside “The Net” cupboard .We can even keep them
for you, so that you don’t have to find hiding places at
home for them, till you require them.
We will be open for business on the 8th March and the
22nd March.
Anne Pelham
The Church Library
As part of your observance of Lent this year you could
take out one of the books from our library here at St.
Johns.
We have a selection of books relevant to Lent. These
include, “When they Crucified my Lord” by Brother
Ramon. This book is written as a lentern pilgrimage
from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day. The introduction
to the book suggests that you set aside 1 hour a day.
There is a passage of scripture followed by a reflection
and a prayer for every day.
Another book we have is “With Jesus in the Upper
Room” by David Winter. The book invites the reader to
spend forty days reflecting on five chapters of St John’s
Gospel. This book is also written so that it can be read
as a reflection or study for each day in Lent.
Please take the time to have a look in St. John’s library,
which is in the foyer. It has a very wide selection of
books from novels with Christian themes, to books on
prayer, bible study and poetry.
Anne Pelham
BOOK CLUB
We met on the 17th February to discuss “The Weeping
Chamber” by Sigmund Brouwer. This is a novel based
around the events of Holy Week. Almost everyone in
the book club enjoyed reading this book. One person
wasn’t sure of the genre of a biblical story written as
fiction.
On the whole we found the characterisation convincing
and even illuminating, for instance, the exploration of
Judas’s character, which gave possible reasons for his
actions. The character of Jesus came over as someone
very powerful, very understanding and strong, who was
in control of the events and when they would happen.
All the other characters in the book came over very well
and drew you into the story.
The book also went into the politics of that time and
place; it showed the tensions and power struggles
between the different groups. In addition there were
8
conversations between Caiaphas and Jesus as well as
between Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate.
Everyone said that they would read the book again. It is
a very good book to read in Lent. We found one review
of the book in which the reviewer said they read the
book every Holy Week. We would thoroughly
recommend this book.
The next book will be ‘Hilda of Whitby - a spirituality for
now’ by Ray Simpson. Irene Simmons wrote about the
life of St Hilda in a recent edition of St John’s News and
recommended this book. There is a copy in the library
which you could borrow. Otherwise, you could buy your
own copy which I am sure would be available from the
Quench book shop.
The next meeting will be on 16th June at 8pm.
Anne Pelham
Coffee and Cakes
for Edgbarrow School Staff
As an outreach into the
community, Debbie Harris,
the previous Youth Worker at
St Sebastian’s Church, set up
the provision of cake and
coffee for the staff of
Edgbarrow School once a
week. This requires a number
of volunteers to bake the
cakes and other volunteers to
serve the staff. Sue Thomas
at St Sebastian’s has carried
on the co-ordination of this
and could do with a few more volunteers to add to the
rota. Folk from St Sebastian’s, Crowthorne Baptist
Church and the Vineyard are currently involved, but it
would be great to have more volunteers from these and
the other CTC churches.
Bakers
people will be required to bring their passport on the
first visit. You cannot volunteer to serve if you have a
child currently at the school, due to confidentiality.
As with any rota the greater the number of people
volunteering the better as the load is spread!
Queries
If you have any queries about any of this, please
contact Sue Thomas on 07949 962207 or email her on
suethomas@keynes-controls.com. She will be happy to
answer any questions and explain how the system
works!
Winter Talk Series
at St Michael's Church,
Lower Church Road, Sandhurst GU47 8HN
th
March 18 Ven. Olivia Graham, our Archdeacon, will
speak about “God in the life of an Archdeacon.”
April 15th Rev Lisa Cornwell will speak about “The
challenge of the Enlightenment legacy to the Christian
world view.”
Meeting in the Church at 8pm. There will be an
opportunity for questions and the evening will finish at
9.30 pm.
Minus Fives
Come join us…..
For fun, music, storytime
and craft with friends
When: 9:30-11.30 every Wednesday (not August)
At St John’s Church
£1 donation towards craft activities
Join us on Facebook
The bakers need to provide 20 cakes (or a whole cake
which can feed 20 people) about every four weeks
during term time. The cakes need to be dropped at St
Sebastian's Parish Centre (open 9am to 3pm) by 10am
on Friday morning. If this isn't convenient then they can
be dropped at Crowthorne Baptist Church and left in
the lobby on the side.
www.facebook.com/pages/Minus-Fives/225824250772921
All bakers need to clearly label their boxes with their
name, that they are intended for Edgbarrow School and
from where they will be collected afterwards. Empty
boxes are normally returned to St Sebastian’s Parish
Centre on the following Sunday, for collection as soon
as possible please, or they can be left at Crowthorne
Baptist Church.
At St John’s using our time and talents in God’s service
has always played a key role in church life and
stewardship. Everyone has a skill they can offer.
Everyone is a valuable part of the body of Christ.
Check out 1 Corinthians 12:4-31.
Servers
The servers need to be able to be at Edgbarrow School
between 10.30am and 11.45pm on Fridays. All
equipment is provided including the coffee, tea and
milk. Break-time is between 11.10am and 11.30am, but
some time is needed before and after break to set up
and wash up. On a ‘normal’ Friday at least 50 cups of
tea or coffee are served!
Edgbarrow School would prefer people to have a
current DBS certificate, but if this is not possible new
or if you’re already on Facebook
just search for Minus Fives.
ST. JOHN’S SITUATIONS VACANT
New recruits for the Fabric Committee
Monthly meetings and ongoing maintenance tasks in
church. If you cannot join the committee but could still
get involved, especially on Saturday mornings, you are
welcome to just help out on our working parties during
the year eg. Spring cleaning, hedge cutting – more
muscle needed! Flexible working arrangements
available! Contact Mike on Mikethackers2@aol.com
9
New recruits for the Outreach Committee
... to further the ongoing vision target: “Find appropriate
ways to share the love of God and good news of the
gospel with those on the fringe or outside of the
church”. Speak to the Vicar or Rev David Ramsbottom.
Pathfinder Leaders Required
Would you be interested in getting involved in the work
that we do with Pathfinders? Any involvement - whether
it be supporting occasional social activities, weekly
meetings or taking a more active role – would be
welcomed by the current leadership team. Please
contact us if you would like to find out more. David
Rance.
Sunday School Teachers
Sunday School needs more teachers. Your Sunday
School needs YOU. Do you enjoy working with kids?
Are you looking for a new challenge? Fancy a chance
to nurture our children in their Christian journey?
Additional hands required for the running of our Sunday
School Join a friendly and enthusiastic team. If you
are interested in any way – or would simply like to find
out more - please contact Zellah Barrett on 0771
9300167 or zellah@geminus.net
Sonning Deanery Prayer Cycle
In the Deanery in March we are particularly asked to
remember on St James Finchampstead and St Mary
and St John California in our prayers. Please
remember their ‘Lent well spent” lecture series, their
Youth Ministry, a smooth transition for the new Head of
Finchampsted CofE Prmiary School, their community
outreach projects and their negotiations for the
Strategic Development Location at Aborfield Garrison.
In the wider Deanery please remember
•
St Mary the Virgin. Winnersh for the Hall
redevelopment project and ongoing meetings
with the Architect.
• St George's Owlsmoor for the appointment of a
new incumbent. The advertisement currently in
the Church Times.
• That “The F Word; Image of Forgiveness”
exhibition at All Saints Church Wokingham,
27th Feb – 5th Mar will make a positive impact
and speak to the hearts of those who need to
hear that message.
• For all Lent Study Groups and for each of us as
we seek to keep a holy Lent
The website
Do make a habit of having a look at
www.crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk
It’s full of interesting information and more news!
You can also see the SJN pictures in colour!
Twitter : @stjohnsberks
You can now find out what's happening at St John's on
Twitter by "following us" using the address
@stjohnsberks. If you don't have a twitter account you
can still access what we are saying from the church
web site. Just logon and look at the column on the left
hand side called "Twitter Feed" and read the text and
click on the web links.
Looking ahead to
St. John’s Crowthorne
MAY FAIR 2015
Bank Holiday Monday 4th May
YOUR FAIR NEEDS YOU!
The May Fair is our key annual fund raising event
which cannot function without the energy, help and
support of the parishioners of St. John’s. Please free
your diary and save the date!
With a huge volume of local people attending the event
we really do need your help, many hands lighten the
load! We will be seeking people to man stalls, donate
items (Tombola, White Elephant, plants, cakes etc.), ‘lift
and shift’ equipment, purchase raffle tickets and all
sorts of things. Every contribution large and small
matters and is very much appreciated!
The May Fair committee has now started planning work
and we are more than keen to welcome new members.
So if you feel you can help us plan and co-ordinate the
event please do contact us.
As our ‘experienced’ parishioners will be aware we
display a May Fair helpers list in the church foyer –
please keep a look out as it will printed in the next few
weeks. Mike Thackray will be contacting ‘regular’
helpers presently but as always we will have spaces for
new helpers, so please do get involved and consider
signing-up for a task.
Please keep a look out for our regular updates within
SJN and our weekly notice sheet. For any general
questions feel free to speak to or email me, David
Rance: david.rance@bt.com or Tel. 01344 780967
Chair, May Fair Committee
10
PARISH DIARY
March
st
Sun 1 Stewardship Sunday
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
12.30pm Lent Lunch
6pm No service
Mon 2nd 8pm Start of Emmaus Course
Tue 3rd 7:30pm MU Lent Eucharist
Wed 4th MU Diocesan meeting at Benson
th
Fri 6 10:30 MU Women’s World Day of Prayer,
Methodist Church
Sat 7th Parish Quiet Day
th
Sun 8 Fairtrade Stall
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
6pm Choral Evensong
th
Wed 11 2pm MU A Mary Garden with flowers
th
Sat 14 7:30pm Thames Voyces, European Grand
Musical Tour
th
Sun 15 Mothering Sunday
8am Holy Communion, BCP
10am All age Mothering Sunday service
6pm No service
Thurs 19th 10:30am St Patrick’s Coffee Morning,
Methodist Church
Sat 21st Annual Spring Clean
Sun 22nd Passiontide, Fairtrade Stall
8am Holy Communion
10am Sung Eucharist
7pm Encounter Service at St Sebastians
Wed 25th 2pm MU Lady Day service at St Michaels,
Easthampsted
Sun 29th Palm Sunday
8am Holy Communion and dramatised reading of the
passion
10am Sung Eucharist and Jerusalem Joy
April
Thurs 2nd Maundy Thursday
8pm Sung Eucharist, foot washing, and stripping of
altars, followed by Vigil till midnight.
Fri 3rd Good Friday
10am CTC All age service, followed by Walk of
Witness to Baptist Church (with hot cross buns).
2pm Meditation before the Cross
April 5th Easter Sunday
8am Sung Eucharist and service of light
10:30 am All age Eucharist, blessing of Easter Garden
and easter egg hunt
6pm No service
Regular Weekly Services:
Sunday 8am, 10am and, on some Sundays, 6pm
The dates/form of the 6pm service varies, see above
Wednesday: 10am Communion,
9.30-11.30am Minus Fives!
Friday: 6.15pm Prayers for the Sick
Keep in touch: www.crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk Church Office (! 761521) open Weds 9.30am–noon
Vicar: Rev Lisa Cornwell, (! 772413 messages left will be responded to) Email: RevLisaCornwell@aol.com
Curate: Rev David Ramsbottom (! 0118 9736374) Email: d.j.ramsbottom@btinternet.com
Churchwardens: Anne Mohan (! 774973), Anna Pearce (! 773811) Copy for next issue by 22nd March
Editor: Richard Ireson (! 777444) Email: editor@crowthorneparishchurch.org.uk