RG31
May 2019
May 2019
The Parish Magazine of Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus
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Vicar Rev Gill Rowell ℡ 0118 942 7786 rowellgill@gmail.com
Who’s Who in the Parish Licensed Lay Minister (Cornwell)
Licensed Lay Minister Mike Heather ℡ 0118 962 4852
Tony Bartlett ℡ 0118 967 8659
michaelheather@btinternet.com
tony.bartlett.ccc@ntlworld.com
Churchwarden Richard Canning ℡ 0118 942 8238
Churchwarden Stuart Poore ℡ 0118 962 4555
richard@meadowsweet.eu
stuart.poore@ntlworld.com
St Catherine’s Hall bookings Sheila Drew ℡ 0118 942 7254 hall@stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk Cornwell Centre bookings Tilehurst Parish Council ℡ 0118 941 8833 bookings@tilehurstpc.co.uk RG31 is published 10 times a year on the first Sunday of the month (not January or August) by the P.C.C. of Tilehurst: St Catherine & Calcot: St Birinus and is also available via our website www.stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk Editor:
Tony Bartlett ℡ 0118 967 8659
Assistant Editor: Rosemary Cunningham ℡ 0118 942 0713 Advertising: Richard Canning ℡ 0118 942 8238 All details and events are correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of going to print. The P.C.C. and Editors are not necessarily in agreement with the views expressed by contributors in this magazine. We welcome contributions of articles or letters for future issues from anyone living in, or connected with the parish. All contributions must be received by the editors by the 20th day of the month preceding the next month’s issue at the latest. Contributions may be sent to magazine@stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk Read your own copy of RG31 (10 issues) - only 50p each issue, or £5.00 for a year’s subscription. Details from the editors whose details are above. © Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus P.C.C. 2019 Some material is © Parish Pump Ltd and some © Dave Walker Cartoonchurch.com
Cover Picture
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He is risen! Easter Day at St Catherine’s
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Photo Stuart Poore
May 2019
Tony Bartlett ‘Everything has its time’ ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted’. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 RSV Many of you will know of the decision that the Cornwell Leadership team has taken. I was going to put ‘difficult decision’ there but in the end it wasn’t a ‘difficult decision’, yes it was hard to make but after a long period of discernment we felt it was the right thing to do; that as a separate church ‘Cornwell Community Church’ would cease, but that as a congregation we would continue, albeit worshipping in a different building. Gill has outlined in her article on page 7 the challenges we had faced and the steps we took as a result. During the interregnum and discussions, a question was asked and not fully resolved, were we a church or a congregation? In a sense, there is no difference; both the words ‘church’ and ‘congregation’ have their roots in the Greek word ‘Ecclesia’ which is used 114 times in the New Testament. The literal translation is ‘a gathering of those summoned’. The word is used in four senses: 2. The expression can refer to God’s people in a given region. 3. Frequently, it depicted a local congregation of Christians. 4. It could also signify a group of the Lord’s people assembled for worship. When Jesus referred to ‘building His church’ he did not have a building in mind (Matthew 16:18); he was thinking of people, the family or household of God. Today, however, we associate the word ‘church’ with a building. Cornwell Community Church never owned a building and we were therefore able to stress that our church was the people not the building. We were free from the worries of property maintenance, but with the disadvantages of having no base, limited access and a building that was not ours to change. Church buildings are visible outposts of the kingdom and for worshippers, they provide a physical space for our otherwise ‘spiritual’ encounters with God. A place where the church (gathered people) can be found. Our worship spaces are a means, not the end. There are examples across Reading where congregations that for years have met in hired buildings, have now bought buildings that enable them to have a presence 7 days a week and offer more than simply an hour on a Sunday morning. For the Cornwell Congregation, the move to St Catherine’s offers us a greatly enlarged Harvest Field and a base available 7 days a week, working in partnership with the various congregations at St Catherine’s to further God’s kingdom; let’s embrace the opportunities with enthusiasm!
Tony
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Services in the Parish The Garden Room at St Catherine's is open during the day and reserved for quiet, prayer and meditation. Every Wednesday 9.30 am A simple service at St Joseph’s or St Catherine's see page 16
Every Thursday 12.15 pm Holy Communion or Morning Prayer - Garden Room 2.00 pm Community Prayer - Garden Room
Every Friday during term time 9.15 am Tots Praise - Café Siena, St Catherine's
Wednesday 1st May 11.00 am Holy Communion at York House
Saturday 4th May 3.30 pm Messy Church - St Catherine’s
Sunday 5th May - Third Sunday of Easter Acts 9.1-6 [7-20], Psalm 30, Revelation 5.11-14, John 21.1-19 8.00 am Morning Prayer - The Garden Room 9.30 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 11.30 am Baptism - St Catherine's Church 11.00 am All Age Service - Cornwell
Sunday 12th May - Fourth Sunday of Easter Acts 9.36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7.9-17, John 10.22-30 8.00 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 9.30 am Word and Worship - St Catherine's Church We welcome guest speakers from Christian Aid at St Catherine's and Cornwell Community Church today 11.00 am All Age Service - Cornwell
Sunday 19th May - Fifth Sunday of Easter Acts 11.1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21.1-6, John 13.31-35 8.00 am Morning Prayer - St Catherine's Church 9.15 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church (Note earlier time begins from today) 11.00 am All Age Service - Cornwell 4
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Sunday 26th May - Sixth Sunday of Easter Acts 16.9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21.10,22 - 22.5, John 14.23-29 or John 5.1-9 8.00 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 9.15 am All Stars Family Worship - St Catherine's Church 11.00 am All Age Service with communion - Cornwell
Thursday 30th - Ascension Day Acts 1.1-11 or Daniel 7.9-14, Psalm 47 or Psalm 93, Ephesians 1.15-23 or Acts 1.1-11, Luke 24.44-53 8.00 pm Ascension Day service - St Catherine’s Hail the day that sees him rise To his throne above the skies; Christ, a while to mortals given, Re-ascends his native heaven. Charles Wesley Astronauts sink into insignificance beside this ascension! Vance Havner Christ was taken up into heaven, not to enjoy blessed rest at a distance from us, but to govern the world for the salvation of all believers. John Calvin
Saturday 1st June 3.30 pm Messy Church - St Catherine’s
Sunday 2nd June - Seventh Sunday of Easter Acts 16.16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22.12-14, 16,17,20,21, John 17.20-26 8.00 am Morning Prayer - The Garden Room 9.15 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 11.00 am All Age Service - Cornwell After over 25 years this will be our final service in the Cornwell Centre
Wednesday 5th June 11.00 am Holy Communion at York House
Sunday 9th June - Pentecost Acts 2.1-21 or Genesis 11.1-9, Psalm 104.26-36,37b, Romans 8.14-17 or Acts 2.1-21, John 14.8-17[25-27] 8.00 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 9.15 am Holy Communion - St Catherine's Church 11.00 am All Age Service - St Catherine's Church The first of our new services incorporating All Stars Family Worship with the Cornwell Congregation May 2019
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The New Service I am really thrilled that Cornwell Community Church are joining us at St Catherine’s … although this may be news to you, the discernment process has been going on for several months, since November last year in fact, when we realised that we needed to pray into the situation at Cornwell. There were three main reasons: 1. Lack of Geographic focus, little impact on ‘their’ area – which questioned their purpose. What were they doing there if they are not reaching the people they originally went to reach, as part of Dawn 2000, a nationwide initiative to have one church for every 1,000 homes? 2. Falling numbers - Sunday attendance has halved in the last 5 years. 3. Concern over succession and leadership with the recent loss of several key members, for varying reasons. The Strategy Action Group (StAG) met and prayed 3 times during December, Cornwell Leadership team were consulted, and then the Cornwell congregation were given a survey, the results of which were shared at their Annual Church meeting. The congregation were asked to put five aspects of why they attended Cornwell into order, and Service Style and the People came out top, with Building least. The Cornwell Leadership team discussed the findings, and came to the conclusion that it was right and fitting to move to the St Catherine’s building and help us
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outreach to families and children, specifically through developing an all age service, with Sunday school, based at St Catherine’s. The StAG and I have agreed that the best case scenario is for this new service to begin at 11.00 am. An 11.00 service puts the 9.30 service under some pressure….Should we shorten it by reducing the number of songs we have, not having the sharing time? After much consideration, and to enable a time of having coffee after and before both services we felt that, with Cornwell making such a big move and being pretty sacrificial in doing so, it would be good and right that St Catherine's make a change too and the two congregations move towards one another. So: • The 9.30 am service will move back to 9.15 am. • We will start the St Catherine’s 9.15 am service on 19th May. • The current plan is that Cornwell will join us at Pentecost (9th June). This will bring with it change for all of us - and so we will all need to be sacrificial, kind and gentle with one another. Rev Gill Rowell
Stop Press The new 11.00 am service is to be called:
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Allsorts @ 11 7
Wedding Saturday 13 April dawned cold, crisp and clear as finishing touches were made to preparations for the first wedding at St Catherine’s church in eight years. The hall was decorated in pink and white, with pink and silver balloons. Hundreds of sandwiches, mini quiches, canapés and cakes were plated up in readiness, tables covered and glasses gleaming. At 2 o’clock the church began to fill, soon the band were playing, and by 2.30 the place was packed with guests from near and far. The excitement was palpable. Richard Canning waited at the front accompanied by his best man, and his brother Simon, Adam, Laura, Mike and family. Opposite were Ella’s friends and family, including her sister, her younger daughter Patricia, and numerous nephews and nieces. Ella, on the arm of son Alexis, walked up the aisle to the strains of Handel’s ‘Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’, wearing the palest of pink dresses and carrying a bouquet of pink and white roses.
vows contributing to the solemn intent. While the register was being signed, a little group of Ella’s youngest family members sang sweetly ‘La Vida es Bella’ (Life is Beautiful). From the church to the hall, congratulations, champagne, chatter, endless food, a few speeches, thanks to all who had contributed to the great event, and finally, delicious, beautifully decorated wedding cake(s) from the kitchen of Shirley Horsnell. A truly unforgettable day. Heather Addison
Rev Gill Rowell welcomed all and put her linguistic skills to the test. The marriage service was live-streamed to Ella’s daughter Laura and family in Madrid. It was a truly joyous occasion, with music, readings, hymns, prayers and
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Reading RSPB group
2019 Tour de Purley
Indoor meetings are 8-10pm and held in Pangbourne Village hall, Pangbourne, next to ‘The Elephant. Subscriptions include entrance to all indoor meetings. Adults £15 Juniors £10, entrance fees for visitors Adults £5 Juniors half price. 5th May - Dawn Chorus Walk
At Clayfield Copse, for early risers we start at 4:30am to catch the birds waking up to another day. Postcode RG4 6RT. 6th May - South Stoke May Fair
Afternoon event in including RSPB stall.
South
Stoke,
See - www.reading-rspb.org
Dust off your Helmets, pull on that Lycra, the 5th Tour de Purley is back! On Sunday, 19th May 2019 there will be a 5, 15 and 30 mile cycle ride starting from Bucknells Meadow, Purley on Thames. The three routes will take you into the beautiful West Berkshire/Oxfordshire countryside. Longer rides are set to start between 8.00 am and 11.30 pm and the Scootathon around the village will begin at 12 noon. This community event is run by the Friends of Purley School to raise funds for Purley Primary School. Please visit the www.tourdepurley.co.uk for details. See you there!
West Berkshire Re-Cycling
website further
Longer Opening Hours at Padworth This Recycling Centre, Padworth Lane, Lower Padworth, RG7N 4JF is now open 7 days a week 8.00am to 6.00pm. This is for a six-month trial period from 1st April until 30th September and is in response to feedback that the original afternoon only opening hours were not convenient. Remember that the site can take general waste (i.e. Black Bin material) now as well as materials for recycling. The only exceptions are Asbestos, Furniture for re -use and Gas Bottles. If there is not a demand for these longer opening hours the trial will cease, so do please make use of this local facility.
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The Church Youth Group The St Catherine’s Youth Group meets every other week in term-time for secondary school age young people. Sessions are 7.45-9.15pm and subs are £1.50. Peter Broomfield was invited again to Youth Group on our last Friday of term and my last Youth Group. Peter had prepared lots of Easter Bunnies; all pre-cut and with his guidance the youth put them together. They were all slightly different and all had different expression (see pictures on page 12), another fun evening.
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I was presented with a pot full of pansies, a glass paperweight with butterflies inside and a card to say thank you. I’ve been helping with Youth Group ever since Della Payne started it 17 years ago and when she moved away Helen Boyer took it over until she too moved away. We're very grateful to Dee Anderson for taking over leadership of the group and to June Page, Mary Hudson, Jade Beard and Sean Gulley who are continuing to help. Youth group re-starts on 3rd May. Evelyn Bartlett
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May meeting Moira welcomed a good mixed audience to hear our Vicar Gill share her experiences with Novi Most. “Me and Novi Most” describes the part of her life which has made her what she is. Gill left school at 16 and came to faith when she was 30. She always felt that she wanted to make a difference. Whilst studying at London Bible College she did children’s work at Spring Harvest and much enjoyed it, where a young couple – Nikola and Sandra Skrinjaric – from Croatia spoke about their work in Bosnia & Herzegovina during the war in the early 1990s, and got a standing ovation. In 1993 the Stari Most, the famous “Old Bridge” in Mostar was destroyed during the war. Novi Most, which means New Bridge, was formed by the leadership of Spring Harvest. The aim was to build healing relationships amongst children and young people in Bosnia & Heregovina across the ethnic divides. The children of East Mostar were the most severely traumatised of any in the former Yugoslavia according to a United Nations report. In addition to sending truck loads of aid – food and clothing – summer camps
were established to help youngsters come together, see each others as friends, not enemies, and hear the good news of Jesus – through word and deed. When Gill became Director in 2003, she felt that Novi Most was a bit like the scaffolding on the Stari Most, which was being restored. The organisation was building bridges between people. We remember the joy on our TVs when it was re-opened. Gill relinquished her role as Director of Novi Most International in 2014, the year when Novi Most celebrated 20 years of ministry with various events, the finale being a celebration at Lambeth Palace. In 2018 Gill took up a role on the Novi Most Board. Youth unemployment in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the highest in Europe, and many young people want to leave the country and find work elsewhere. Novi Most has instigated work sponsorship programmes in the past, but today it offers young people opportunities to learn a skill – such as playing violin, drums, guitar – computing skills and English classes, as well as having fun days out to broaden their experience and widen their horizons. During and after tea Gill answered a lot of questions, and we all felt we know her a lot better now. Sheila Bryant
Bluebell Walk and Teas The Cornwell Car park overflowing was an indication of how successful this event was. Val Poore and a team of helpers had made craft, baked cakes, potted seedlings and served teas all afternoon, a huge thank you to them all!
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Stuart directed those visitors new to the area to where the Bluebells were in Cornwell Copse. Takings of over £250 are being split between Novi Most (see above) and ‘Send-a-Cow’ to pay for Bicycles, the Cornwell 2019 charity.
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Sharon – Wycliffe Bible Translators Having worked in Bible translation for twelve years in Senegal, Sharon is now based in France working as a consultant for teams translating the New Testament throughout francophone Africa.
“Walking alongside translation teams is an amazing experience. While my part is to bring a knowledge of translation issues, translation tools and Scripture to the table, others bring a lifetime of knowledge and understanding of their people. As we work together to produce faithful and living translations of Scripture in languages that have little or none, we all learn more - about languages, cultures, ourselves, the Bible and God. If you would like to join us in any way, the translation teams and I would love to have you! With thanks, Sharon ”
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Bye-Bye Betty Betty was part of the 'Prayer on the Streets' Team where she would oer prayer to shoppers around the Triangle, which was gratefully received. She was also in the Prayer Ministry Team and visited many neighbours in their homes for a friendly chat and helping hand. Fayres and Jumble sales will miss Betty's knack for selling almost anything. She always had a well stocked bric-a-brac table to raise church funds.
Betty Want, a much loved member of St Catherine's has just left us, after 31 years, for pastures new in Cornwall. She was very involved in many of our activities and will be greatly missed. She joined us in April 1988 and celebrated her Ruby and Golden anniversaries in the hall. She has sung in the choir (she remembers robing up)/ now the singing group, all those years, helped at Holiday Clubs and latterly with Tot's Praise.
As Betty follows God's plan for her in Cornwall we still have 'Betty's Birch Tree' which she planted outside the hall in the days of Rev Alison Beaver. We had a farewell do in the hall on Easter Sunday and we all wish her peace and happiness for the future. Bye -Bye Betty! Lorraine Roberts
The church Youth group with Easter Rabbits they made, see page 10
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St James the Least of All - On the tribulations that await a curate in his irst parish
The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren So, your bishop is dropping hints that you should begin to consider a move to having your own parish – ‘not forever in green pastures’ comes to mind. Do not be too hasty to leave; remember that a curate can do no wrong, but a vicar can do no right. That means that as soon as you get your own parish, you will be held accountable not only for everything that goes on inside the church, but also for the goal average of the local football team and the state of the economy. And if it rains for your &irst Summer Fete, you will be told reproachfully that this never used to happen when ‘the former vicar was here’. As you begin to ponder this momentous decision, allow me to give you a few pieces of advice. It will be assumed in the parish that every new incumbent is bound to be worse than his predecessor. The greatest compliment I ever received when leaving a parish came from an elderly parishioner: “I've known six Rectors of this parish; you weren't the worst.” Naturally the church you go to will have asked for a married man between 30 and 35 with a wife who will not have her own job but who wants to devote her entire life working for the parish - and it will be a de&inite advantage if she is a brilliant organist, professional caterer and fully computer literate. They will expect you to have two children, one of whom should be of primary school age, so he can attend the local Church school, where you will naturally wish to be chairman of governors and coach of the football team. They will want you to have exceptional talents for attracting young people - but for young people who enjoy the sorts of Services that the present congregation prefer - and you should have the ability to stop a baby crying during Mattins with the briefest of glances. They will want you to bring ‘a breath of fresh air’ into parish life without changing anything. They will hope you will shun holidays, preach short sermons and be able to run a tight jumble sale. Your CV is a little thin. If you could acquire a wife and family within the next six months, become an expert &lower arranger and qualify as a football referee, chartered accountant and trained electrician and plumber, it would prove very helpful. If in addition, you learned how to service photocopiers, had a mini-bus available for church outings, were an heir to a family &irm producing a single malt whisky and could provide reliable horse racing tips, your choice of parishes would be endless. On the other hand, my advice would be to stop attending all meetings where you know the bishop may be present; out of sight, out of mind. Have your phone disconnected, your letterbox sealed and only appear in public wearing dark glasses and a false beard. Keep your head down, lay low, hold on to the charmed life of being a curate for as long as possible. Life will never be better. Your loving uncle, Eustace
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Dates for the Diary See the following pages for more information May Sun 5 Sat 11
May edition of RG31 out today Crafty Space 1.30-5.30 pm in the Hall, see page 18
Christian Aid week Monday 13th to Friday 17th May Fri 17 Sat 18 Tues 14
Quiz Night, see page 12 Sponsored walk, see page 12 Tilehurst Parish Council Annual meeting with ‘Annual Assembly’ 7.30 pm at the Calcot Centre, Highview
Weds 15 PCC meeting Thurs 16 Children & Youth Action Group meeting 7.00 pm in the Garden Room Thurs 23 European Elections Day, St Catherine’s Church Hall and The Cornwell Centre will be in use as Polling Stations Sat 25
Jumble sale 2.00 pm at St Catherine’s
Mon 27
Half term week, no 0-5’s or Tot's Praise
Thurs 30 Ascension Day service 8.00 pm St Catherine’s
June Sat 1
Messy Church 3.30-5.00 pm at St Catherine's
Sun 2
Final service at the Cornwell Centre
Mon 3
Working Party to clear Cornwell cupboards 3.30-6.00 pm
Tues 4
Archdeacon’s Visitation 7.30 pm Greyfriars Church
Fri 7
Prayer Ministry Team meeting 7.45 pm in St Catherine’s Garden Room
Sat 8
League of Friends Summer Fete Victoria Rec. 11.00 am-4.00 pm Churches Together in Tilehurst will have a stand - ‘sowing seeds’
Sat 8
St Catherine's Summer Fete 2.00-4.00 pm Fun for all the family
Sun 9
The new service at St Catherine’s 11.00 am
Sun 9
St George’s Church extension official opening 4.00 pm
Tues 11
Tilehurst Parish Council meeting 7.30 pm at the Calcot Centre, Highview
Weds 12 Quiz evening with Ploughman’s Supper 8.00 pm St Catherine’s Hall tickets £4 from Mother’s Union committee members Weds 19 Finance Action Group meeting 7.30 pm at St Catherine’s
Looking further ahead Week beginning Sunday 11th August - ‘Backpackers’ Holiday club
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What’s On In and
Community Event at St Catherine’s Wittenham Avenue RG31 5LN
Friday Friends Meets weekly from 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm every Friday Price £3.50. Offering a mix of light exercise, singing together, table-top games and craft activities in a safe, warm and friendly environment – with tea and cakes.
May 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st
Cards & Games Refreshments from 2.30pm See below for details Remap Special Need equipment Air Ambulance Talk on hats
June 7th
Cards & Games
If you think you would like to come, or think you could help, please contact Anne Soley ℡ 0118 942 5407
Top Hat Tales 10th May (See above) Is a musical love story based around the famous Broadway musical songs of the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, sung by stars such as Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Doris Day and Bing Crosby. The show has been devised to whisk audiences back to this memorable era allowing them to participate and reminisce. The cast comprises three professionally trained actors who have a wealth of experience performing in the community.
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Volunteers Required Volunteers required to help run a friendly community café based in St Catherine’s Church (opposite Birch Copse School). Can you help out for an hour or two once or twice a month on Thursday or Friday? If so, why not come in and see what we are about, and have a chat to other volunteers. Alternatively call Karen on 07884 233 450.
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Around the Parish May Weds 8th A talk - ‘Thrive’ By a member of Thrive a National Charity whose vision is to enable those touched by a disability to transform their lives using gardening 8.00 pm in the Hall all welcome Weds 15th Bible Study 8.00 pm at 9 Compton Avenue Weds 22nd Fellowship Afternoon 2.00 pm at 30 Ashbury Drive
June Weds 12th Quiz evening 8.00 pm in the Hall. With ploughman's Supper, tickets £4 Weds 19th Bible Study 8.00 pm at 26 Normanstead Road Weds 26th Fellowship Afternoon 2.00 pm at 26 Normanstead Road
Wednesdays
The Link
A simple morning service with St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church held 9.30 am alternating between there and St Catherine's followed by a cup of coffee.
28 School Rd RG31 5AN A Tilehurst Community Café managed and run by volunteers.
See weekly notices at either Church. When at St Catherine’s followed by Meeting Point - meeting together and meeting with God. Teas and Coffees, people to listen and pray in the presence of God for you or for those you are concerned about.
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Opening hours Mon-Fri: 10.30 am – 4.00 pm Sat: 11.00 am – 2.00 pm Sun: CLOSED For reasonably priced teas, coffee, snacks, lunches, cards and books.
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Cornwell 0-5s is a well established Parent & Toddler Group run by St Catherine’s & Cornwell Community Churches in the Cornwell Centre, Home Croft (off Clements Mead), Tilehurst, RG31 5WJ. We offer a stimulating and fun environment for children and a great place for parents and carers to socialise. We run two sessions a week: Tuesdays 10.00 am-12.00 noon, refreshments included And Thursdays, a special session for Childminders, 10.00 am - 12. 00 noon If you are interested in joining, please feel free to drop in at one of the sessions
Registered charity 1006732 - Established over 50 years St Catherine’s Hall, Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, RG31 5LN A caring and supportive setting where Children are our heart and inspiration Ofsted Inspected with a team of qualified staff Outside Play Area Sessions Daily during Term Time 9.00 am - 3. 00 pm Children with Special Needs welcome For more information, or to arrange a visit to come and see us in action, contact us on 07745 909 348 see www.stcatherinespreschool.co.uk
St. Catherine’s Church Centre, Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst
Saturdays 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm May 11th, June 15th, July 13th
We You
provide time, space, tea, coffee & cake
bring along the craft projects you’ve always meant to do :-
A donation of around £1.25 per person, per hour is requested to cover the cost of hall hire, tea & coffee.
https://www.facebook.com/CraftySpace Contact Val Poore ℡ 0118 962 4555 email val.poore@ntlworld.com 18
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Being there in a crisis 'OFFER EACH OTHER A HELPING HAND.' GALATIANS 6:23 CEV Your aim should be to help people cope with their crisis and grow through it. This means lowering their fear level and helping them to function normally again by: 1. Making contact with them. People in crisis tend to withdraw ra ther than ask for help. So you may have to make that first move, showing them understanding and genuine interest. You don't have to be a professional; two simple steps can make a big difference. Listen attentively to their concerns and perceptions, and maintain eye contact. These two things will make them feel valued and understood 2. Helping reduce their anxiety. A calming presence can lower their stress. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and offer hope. For example, say, 'There are ways to deal with this situation.' Chances are the person's outlook is distorted or overly pessimistic, so gently suggest other perspectives. For example: 'May suggest another way of looking at this?' Whenever possible give them hope for the future: 'l realise it's tough, but with God's help I believe you can handle it. Then give them a Bible promise to back it up (see Jeremiah 33:3). 3. Focusing on real issues. In a crisis people are often overwhelmed by the array of confusing facts, potential problems, and necessary decisions. By offering them assistance in deciding what issues must be faced first, and what problems need to be solved now, you help alleviate their distress. Rather than discussing the past or worrying about the future, concentrating on the present and helping them take action can lessen their anxiety and empower them to cope better. This thought is taken from ‘The Word for Today’, Daily Bible reading notes produced quarterly by UCB (United Christian Broadcasters Ltd) PO Box 255, Stoke on Trent, ST4 8YY. If you would like to receive these free notes or those aimed at Secondary School age, please ask Evelyn Bartlett ℡ 0118 967 8659 who is our church rep for UCB.
Tilehurst Library Craft Group Meets 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm in Tilehurst Library School Road, RG31 5AS every Monday (except bank holidays) Enjoy crafting with company. Bring along your knitting, sewing, crochet, drawing etc etc. Tea and Coffee provided There is no charge and you get to support your local library at the same time. The Library is open 9-5am for: Books - fiction and non-fiction, adult and children, large print, Books in French and Spanish, Spoken word CDs and cassettes, Music CDs, DVDs, Selection of magazines, Word Processor PC, Photocopier, Free internet access and Wi-Fi, Study space, Toy Library - reserve and pick up small items.
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Tilehurst Triangle WI April was an enjoyable month full of different WI activities. We started the month with a group visiting Denman College, the WI’s own college, at Marcham, near Abingdon, for the day. Our visit included a tour of both the residential and teaching buildings, as well as the beautiful grounds. The day gave us a good insight into what ‘Denman’ has to offer members.
We also enjoyed a delicious lunch and a cream tea. At our April meeting, we welcomed two teachers and two former pupils, from JLD School of Dancing, Kingsclere. The two students, one who now attends the Royal Ballet School and the other who is
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at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, performed a short piece from Don Quixote and a dance improvisation. They also talked about their life at ballet school and showed us some pointe work. It was then our opportunity to learn a few basic ballet steps! We had a demonstration and then practised ‘Pas de Bouree’ before performing some of ‘The Dance of the Cygnets’ to fellow members.
A very successful plant and produce stall started our fundraising for our ‘Charity of the Year ‘ – The Lymphoedema Service (based at Duchess of Kent). Our walking group have been out enjoying the spring weather with walks at Basildon Park and a 5 mile walk through bluebell woods, Chiltern Way and The Ridgeway near Nettlebed. (Continued on page 21)
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(Continued from page 20) As always, Karen and her team of volunteers at Café Siena, made 18 of us very welcome at our monthly ‘Cuppa and a Chat’.
We ended April with 28 of us visiting Oxford to see ‘Calendar Girls The Musical’. It was both funny and poignant. A great show. Tilehurst Triangle WI meets in St Catherine’s Hall on the third Wednesday of each month, except August, at 7.30 pm. Visitors are welcome. We have a Facebook page: so check us out and see what we have been doing and have planned. Ros Somerville (secretary) 0118 941 6838
St Catherine’s Gardening Club Our little team has been busy over recent weeks as we looked forward to the wedding of a very special couple. We wanted the church grounds to look as good as possible for the big day. The splendid display of daffodils was coming to an end so all dead heads had to be removed. Fortunately, some big bright tulips were still looking great outside the north entrance. Our generous neighbour Darren had given us a beautiful collection of different clematis plants, which we hastened to put into the soil all along the fence at the back of the north lawn. We had already moved “Super Dorothy”, (the rose we planted in memory of Dorothy Beisly), to a better position up against the fence to give much more room for her to grow. Chris and Shirley fixed up the sections of trellis which Darren had passed on to us. The new clematis are being trained to
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grow along the trellis to make a pleasant back drop to the lawn. Paddy has worked hard mowing all the lawns regularly to keep them looking good. Extra potted plants were added to the existing tubs and troughs to decorate the south entrance, and along the edge of the vicarage garden. Betty kindly donated two beautiful stone pots which she planted with azaleas to decorate the steps outside the doors leading out from the sanctuary. They are full of buds promising a lovely colourful display very
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(Continued from page 21) soon, reminding us of our dear friend who will be moving away very soon. Though not able to help on a regular basis, Betty has been an enthusiastic worker, full of ideas and advice. We will miss her badly, and wish her many blessings in her new garden in Cornwall. The roses were pruned and fed in March, but a prolonged cold spell has slowed their growth until recently. We are pleased that one of the roses transplanted from the circular bed is doing well, though so far there is not much sign of life from the other two. We brought out the garden furniture and cleaned it up ready for use. More kind donations from Betty mean that we
now have two umbrellas to provide shade when needed. Betty’s kind donations also include a hedge trimmer, to help us keep the perimeter hedge under control. Once again, we invite anyone with a love of gardening and a little time to spare to come and see us on a Saturday morning. You might find you would like to get involved in helping to maintain our church grounds as a pleasant place for all who visit the church centre, or simply pass by. Call Chris Addison 07966 105056 or Jo Day 942 1481 for a chat to find out more. Jo Day
“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent Van Gogh
Medics at Work Doctors were told to contribute to the construction of a new hospital wing at the hospital. What was their reaction? • The allergists voted to scratch it. • The dermatologists preferred no rash moves. • The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it. • The neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve. • The obstetricians stated they were labouring under a misconception. • The ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted. • The orthopaedists issued a joint resolution. • The pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!"
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• The paediatricians said, "Grow up." • The proctologists said, "We are in arrears." • The psychiatrists thought it was madness. • The surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing. • The radiologists could see right through it. • The internists thought it was a hard pill to swallow. • The plastic surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter." • The podiatrists thought it was a big step forward. • The urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water. • The cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.
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More ‘Cloud of Unknowing’! Long ago, on a Sunday, a preacher cited "mystery". A child smirked (guess his name). Next day, that child studied science, nibbling at mysteries. "Science will soon solve everything!" Oops! It didn't happen! "Science met Creation." Even experts don't quite understand, for instance, quantum mechanics. Its calculations make many gadgets work, but it seems so ABSURD! Schrodinger's cat, simultaneously both alive and dead? "Rubbish! A mere thought experiment!" NEWS! Fedrizzi has done some real lab work, with photons instead of pussycats. Can photons really be in two contradictory states at once? The jury's out, but (oh, my poor brain!) it seems, yes, they can. In Christian Science Sunday School remember? - I asked "naughty" questions. I got excluded. I almost gave up on God, but my wife advised against it. Christians were very helpful and kind to me. Years later, I admit I still don't quite understand EVERYTHING - either in Church, or in the Universe! BUT I'M NOT MOANING. Mysteries aren't that bad. We must be careful, but mysteries can often inspire and help us, in 'mysterious ways'. 1 Cor. 8:1 suggests that a feeling of great knowledge brings the danger of arrogance, but love is very necessary. Scientists discuss paradoxes quietly. Some ancients burnt folk for arguing! Today many of us hate paradoxes. "Absolute" preachers, AND noisy critics
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- they can slow our learning. In science, humility is standard: 'proving one's right' is a minor thing compared to finding Truth. Scientists use their past mistakes as stepping-stones. If 'puzzles' crop up for you, don't be too worried. We might learn? Admitting we don't know is sometimes called "obscurantism". But knowing everything is a RATHER BIG CLAIM for a human!! Look at the night sky. Aren't humans small! For Christians, mysteries (in science, or perhaps even in our own patch?) can make us humble: they might even "declare the glory of God". Please, Lord, help us to be humble Phil French
Giving What We Can? Father O'Shea, the parish priest in the village, was giving a sermon about charity. He said, "The trouble with the world today is that some people have too much and others have too little. We must give of ourselves and our worldly goods to help the less fortunate." He said to Paddy, "If you had ten thousand pounds, wouldn't you give half of it to the poor?" He said, "I would that, Father." The priest said, "If you had two greyhounds, wouldn't you give one of them to your neighbour next door?" Paddy said, "No." The priest said, "And why not?" He said, "I have two greyhounds."
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Prayer is one of the most important parts of a life with Jesus. We have been studying prayer during the Lent season. That being so, I would like to highlight the Prayer Chain that I have joined as one of the 'links'. If we don't yet know Jesus, He is still listening out for our prayer, He is waiting for us to ask Him to forgive our sins, turn away from them and to ask Him into our lives. None of us is perfect but Jesus loves and cares for us no matter who we are or what we have done. The Prayer Chain is set in motion as soon as a request is received by any of the six of us. (Please see contact details in box)
Requests for prayer are for any issue that is causing disquiet. Sometimes when we are anxious we need others to pray for us and the Prayer Chain is available to anyone for that purpose. We believe the Prayer Chain is another way to be of service to others and so experience God’s love and help. We intercede for those needs confidentially for calls made to us from home, at work or just out and about. Requests may be as brief or detailed as appropriate. God knows all our story’s! The Prayer Chain has provided comfort and support to individuals, families and friends. Are you in need of prayer? If so, we are happy to pray for you...just give us a call. NIV 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Lorraine Roberts
Mothers’ Union Prayer Chain—Prayer in Emergencies A call to one of the following numbers will start a chain of prayer straight away.
Valerie Forrow ℡ 0118 942 9319 Evelyn Bartlett ℡ 0118 967 8659 Sheila Ward ℡ 0118 942 5760
Hilary Smee ℡ 0118 941 2895 Jo Day ℡ 0118 942 1481 Lorraine Roberts ℡ 0118 942 6189
Your Holiday Club needs you! We need a lot of helpers (at least 50) to run this. There’s a whole range of tasks that need to be covered, please take a look at the application forms, there’s something for everyone to do! If you’re not sure what you could do, please speak to Gill, Stuart or me. Backpackers begins with the Sunday morning service, 10.30 am on 11th August then 10.00 am-12.00 noon Monday 12th to Friday 16th August. This year all volunteers will have to attend one of the training sessions, either 7.00 pm on Thursday 18th July or 4.00pm on Sunday 21st July. Tony Bartlett (contact details on page 2)
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Christian Aid Week 12th-19th May 2019 We believe in life before death In our Parish We are not running Big Brekkie this year, but you can raise money by taking part in the Grand Quiz and the Henley Walk, details of which are on page 12 of this magazine.
Lack of healthcare means Sierra Leone is the world’s most dangerous place to become a mum. Tragically, 10 women will die today from giving birth there. Jebbeh is praying for a healthy baby.
We don’t do parish-wide house-tohouse collecting any more, but we have the necessary envelopes etc. for those who wish to collect in the streets of their choice.
In Sierra Leone Christian Aid Week exists to fight for equality, dignity and freedom for all. By raising money this year, we will be supporting some of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers – like the communities in Sierra Leone that we're focussing on this Christian Aid Week. Sierra Leone has been burdened with debt following the Ebola crisis. When Ebola struck Sierra Leone five years ago, its government had little choice but to accept loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it cope with the crisis. Now we're asking our Chancellor to push the IMF to drop Sierra Leone's debt. Debt repayments have left Sierra Leone with even less money to provide the healthcare so desperately needed to ensure mums and babies survive childbirth. The country lacks funds for proper health clinics, health training and enough ambulances.
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As her baby grows, it’s not joy that fills her heart but fear. When her sister Fatmata went into labour, she set out on foot to hospital. The road was long and she struggled to keep walking under the baking sun. She never made it. Jebbeh told us: ‘My sister was crying out with hunger. She died on the side of the road. She never gave birth.’ As her due date looms closer, Jebbeh fears she could be next. ‘I pray, when that day comes, God will help me to deliver safely, so that I can have a bouncing baby and I’ll be healthy,’ she says. Together we can fight for a just, equal world for people like Jebbeh. The UK Government has a lot of power within the IMF to do something about
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Leaving your home checklist Whenever you go out, it’s important to leave your home secure. Getting into an ‘exit routine’ can help ensure that you don’t forget obvious, but important things, like not leaving your valuables near windows, or no lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Here’s our quick reminder on what to do just before you go out.
Become a creature of habit Try to get into the habit of following your own course of action when you lock up your home. This will ensure that you don’t forget anything. Here’s what we recommend you do before you go out: • close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you’re only going out for a few minutes • double-lock any door • make sure that any valuables are out of sight • keep handbags away from the letterbox or cat flap and hide all keys including car keys, as a thief could hook keys or valuables through even a small opening • never leave car documents or ID in obvious places such as kitchens or hallways • in the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on (Continued from page 27) this. You can Google Drop Sierra Leone’s Debt or go to:
and ask the Chancellor to ensure all
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• if you’re out all day, then it’s advisable to use a timer device to automatically turn lights and a radio on at night • set your burglar alarm • make sure the side gate is locked • lock your shed or garage • lock your bike inside a secure shed or garage, to a robust fitting bolted to the ground or wall, like a ground anchor
Going away? Here are five tips to help you keep your home and belongings stay safe while you’re away: • if you’re off on holiday and wish to post anything on social media, make sure your posts aren’t public and that they’re only seen by your friends • leave lights and a radio on a timer to make the property appear occupied • get a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property or join a Neighbourhood or resident Watch Scheme • consider asking your neighbours to close curtains after dark and to park on your drive • remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries Thames Valley Police Sierra Leone’s debts on the loans it received for fighting the Ebola outbreak are written off, and to take urgent action to prevent new debt crises in developing countries and tackle them effectively when they arise. Richard Canning
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St Catherine’s Hall - Regular Bookings Monday
7.30 am - 3.15 pm
St Catherine’s Pre-school Contact www.stcatherinespreschool.co.uk 07745 909 348
7.00 pm - 8.00 pm (In term time)
Exercise class mrsjfulbrock@yahoo.co.uk
8.15 pm - 9.15 pm Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Saturday
Yoga
elenaharris1010@yahoo.com
07584 208 989
7.30 am - 3.15 pm
St Catherine’s Pre-school
Contact as above
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
W.I. (3rd Tuesday)
7.30 pm - 8.45 pm
Yoga exercise libbywooøø@gmail.com
Libby Woolcock 07584 529 453
7.30 am - 3.15 pm
St Catherine’s Pre-school
Contact as above
1.15 pm - 3.30 pm (In church not hall)
Vivace Voices Ladies Choir www.vivacevoices.org.uk
Contact Sue Hennell ℡ 0118 966 1291
3.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Pop (children’s) Dance energise@hotmail.co.uk
Juliet Gorman
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Tilehurst Triangle W.I. (3rd Wednesday)
wearettwi@gmail.com ℡ 0118 941 6838
7.30 am - 3.15 pm
St Catherine’s Pre-school
Contact as above
5.45 pm - 7.15 pm
7th Tilehurst Brownies katielou98@sky.com Yoga elenaharris1010@yahoo.com
Contact Katie Taylor
7.30 am - 12.15 pm
St Catherine’s Pre-school
Contact as above
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Friday Friends
See page 16
7.45 pm - 9.15 pm
Church Youth Group (fortnightly)
Contact Dee Anderson 07821 265 804
8.45 am - 10.00 am (In term time)
Judo
Alex Hutton
7.45 pm - 8.45 pm Friday
Jemma Fulbrook
tilehurstafternoonwi@gmail.com
07584 208 989
Antonella Carraro 10.15 am - 11.30 am Yoga Antonella.Carraro@laithwaiteswine.com. 1.30 pm - 5.30 pm
Crafty Space (monthly)
See page 18
3.30 pm - 5.00 pm
Messy Church (monthly) Info@StCatherines-Tilehurst.Org.Uk
7.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Short Mat Bowls Club
Contact Anne Soley ℡ 0118 942 5407
St Catherine’s Hall is available for hire at competitive rates for groups or individuals, both regularly or for one off events. It is especially popular for Children's Parties. For booking details, contact Sheila Drew on ℡ 0118 942 7254 hall@stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk
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The Anglican Parish of Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus ST CATHERINE OF SIENA Wittenham Avenue, Tilehurst, RG31 5LN www.stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk www.facebook.com/tilehurst.st.catherine Saturday 3.30 pm Messy Church is on the first Saturday of the month, it’s a fun time of worship and activities for all the family followed by a meal. Sunday 8.00 am Our Early Service of Communion or Morning Prayer, is quiet and reflective, with no singing. An opportunity to start Sunday thinking about God. Refreshments served afterwards. Sunday 9.30 am (but will be 9.15 am from 19th May) Our main worship service of the day - children welcomed at every service. All Stars Family Worship on the fourth Sunday; Communion twice a month; Word and Worship (non communion) on the second Sunday. Refreshments served afterwards. Sunday 11.00 am Something new with Cornwell Congregation beginning on 9th June Occasional Afternoon and Evening services are also held - see notices & website for further information
CORNWELL COMMUNITY CHURCH The Cornwell Centre, Home Croft, off Clements Mead, Tilehurst, RG31 5WJ www.cornwellcommunitychurch.org.uk www.facebook.com/cornwellcommunitychurch Sunday 11.00 am An opportunity for the whole family to meet with God through praise, prayer and teaching with special fun activities for children (Sunday School).
We’re moving to St Catherine's from 9th June
Refreshments (including cakes and fresh coffee) from 10.30 am and after the service. An informal Communion Service is normally held on the fourth Sunday of the month. See pages 4 & 5 for a full listing of church services in the Parish For initial enquiries regarding baptisms and weddings, please telephone ℡ 0118 942 7786
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