RG31 - Spring 2023

Thank you to those who have paid the £6 to re-subscribe and receive this quarterly magazine, it really helps me to know how many copies to print.

Having said that there are always extra copies and I’m happy for them to be given away to visitors or for a donation of £1.50.

I’m very grateful to the familiar names you will see at the end of some of the articles and do welcome contributions, particularly those of general interest and encouragement. The next edition will be out in mid-July, just before the schools close for the summer.

Enclosed with this edition you will find the annual report that we produce listing all the church activities for 2022. By 15th April the annual reports and accounts booklets will be available.

The accounts will show that for 2022 our income was sufficient to meet our outgoings. BUT 2023 may be a different story.

I’m now, as it were, taking off my magazine editor’s hat and putting on a different one; as a member of the small group that supports and advises our

treasurer on church finances (and a former church treasurer myself).

Like every individual, St Catherine’s church has been hit by rising prices in energy, cleaning supplies and supplies for the café. In addition we pay those who we employ the ‘living wage’.

Coupled with that has been the sad closure of the St Catherine's Pre-school (although started by church members some 56 years ago now an independent charity) and the resulting loss of Hall income.

To cover the costs of running St Catherine’s Church and fulfil our stated purpose: ‘to worship God and show that Jesus’ love makes a difference in reaching, serving and caring’ we have to increase our income.

It was for those reasons that we decided that for Lent (traditionally a time of penitence, fasting and alms giving) we would appeal for increased monthly giving. Also a one-off donation to cover us until the resulting increase in income. It is also the opportunity to review the giving of one’s time; there is much to do!

If you do not already support St Catherine's financially, perhaps you might consider setting up a monthly direct debit in our favour? To do so please contact me (details on the back cover) or go direct to the church organisation that handles them. It’s - www.parishgiving.org.uk then you can select St Catherine's and set up regular giving, with the options of adding Gift Aid if you’re a taxpayer and opting for an annual index-linked increase.

Tony Bartlett

Richard Yates says:

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

I’m guessing that got your attention! You’re probably surprised to be asked that as we approach Easter, but there is a point to my question.

The word “Christmas” evokes some sort of response in most (all?) of us, whether we’re excited or daunted by the idea.

However many Christmases we’ve experienced, there’s still something about it that resonates strongly with us - and prompts us to wait expectantly for it.

So, do we “look forward to” Easter in the same way as we “look forward to” Christmas? Maybe not - yet the events celebrated and commemorated by both are of equally huge importance.

Awe and wonder may still abound as we contemplate a baby born in a stable - God Himself becoming human and all the unusual and amazing events surrounding thatyet , if we’re honest, such responses may be in shorter supply when we think of that same child, now grown to adulthood, dying and coming back to life in order to heal our broken relationship with Him once and for all.

I was prompted to think about this by a song we sang at St Catherine’s a couple of weeks ago, which spoke of us standing “amazed” in Jesus’ presence, and that it’s both “marvellous” and “wonderful” to think of our Saviour’s self-sacrificial love for us. Does this truly represent my response to Easter - or yours? And, if not, why not?

Perhaps it’s easier to feel some kind of personal connection with Christmas? Maybe we can identify more easily with a new-born baby (we’ve all been one, after all!) than with the adult Jesus? The former is helpless, and we might feel as if we could ‘do something to help’.

The latter, though, is ‘in control’ - God in human form fully-formed - and it is we who need His help. Yet, the Bible tells us, He chose to make Himself “nothing”, to be His Father’s servant - and ours - in humbling Himself and allowing others to put Him to death (see Philippians 2).

For Christian believers, the death and resurrection of Jesus are historical - and historicevents and foundational to our faith. The definitely dead and buried Jesus; His definitely empty tomb; the evidence of 500+ witnesses (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) having seen the

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risen Jesus; the changed lives of His disciples; and the testimony of millions, through the years since, of the presence and power of God - these all challenge each one of us to ask, “Why did these events take place, if not for the reason the Bible gives?”...which is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)... but…“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

As this Easter approaches, may we each take the time to be awe-struck anew by the events and purpose of that first Easter, marvelling at the wonder of God’s amazing grace expressed to us through Jesus.

START FRESH EVERY DAY!

'A quick-tempered person does foolish things.'

Proverbs 14:17 NIV

You overslept, the car wouldn't start, you were late for work, your computer crashed! These things can make you angry, but only if you let them. Solomon said, 'A quicktempered person does foolish things,' so if you fly into a rage, expect a rough landing!

The Bible says, 'Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city' (Proverbs 16:32 NCV). Anger always comes back to bite you and ends up doing more damage than the thing that triggered it.

David said, 'Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar' (Psalm 5:3 MSG). Start by offering your day to God, then you will be less likely to react in anger when things go wrong.

One pastor writes: 'Our time here is short. What a shame to let something that happened - twenty years or twenty minutes ago - ruin your day. I've made up my mind to enjoy every single one. I may make mistakes; things may not go my way. I may be disappointed, but I'm going to live my life happy. I'm not going to let what does or doesn't happen steal my joy. Every morning I say, "Father, this is going to be a great day. I thank you that I have discipline, self- control; that I make good decisions. may not have done what I could have yesterday, but that day is gone. I'm going to do better today."'

Ever wonder why a car's windscreen is big and its rear-view mirror small? Because what's behind isn't nearly as important as what's ahead. So, keep looking ahead, and no matter what happens today, don't lose your peace.

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 (although UCB do welcome donations) notes or those aimed at Secondary School age, call UCB on 01782 911 000

A guide to the Parish

The official title of the Parish is Tilehurst St Catherine and Calcot St Birinus as it incorporates both the existing Parish of St Catherine’s and part of the St Birinus Parish after the two were merged in 2007 and the St Birinus buildings sold.

Some areas of the St Birinus Parish were merged into St Michaels Parish and the northern part of St Catherine’s (the Fairford Road area) was merged with St Mary Magdalen.

The combined Parish now spreads from Dark Lane in the North to Bath Road in the South and behind the houses in Park Lane to the East. This means that parts of Berkshire Drive and Chapel Hill are in St Michael's Parish.

Stoneham Park, Long Lane is within our Parish and we arranged a leaflet drop at Christmas to the new homes there.

The Church Parish area differs from the civil Parish of Tilehurst area which means that whilst most homes are in West Berkshire, some quite near to the church are Reading Borough. This leads to some friendly swaps due to the two different recycling policies!

Tony Bartlett

The Cornwell Centre where the church 0-5s group meets

St Catherine’s Church

but for the Grace of God go I

During the Easter season we meditate on the suffering of Our Lord as he paid the price for our sin. By the grace of God, through His only son, we have been saved.

The New Year dawned and I felt so uplifted

It's surely the time that my fortunes have shifted? Day 3 I caught COVID and my health hit the floor Thing is, I'd just dragged myself up from the trial before!

Why, oh why, I wailed to God, do I suffer so?

I'm always knocked down when I get up to go I want to move on for mine and your sake But the trials keep on coming – please give me a break!

Paul pleaded thrice, ''remove this thorn from my side''

''My grace is sufficient in weakness'' God firmly replied Jesus, too said, ''be this Your will and not mine'' Seems we all have to suffer, even those most Divine

In the trials and the suffering we give God the glory| He gets us through.. and we move on with our story| We just have to trust that all things will be well\ The result of our suffering, time eternal will tell

To suffer is part of our time here on earth| When we reach heaven we'll see all its worth

Some suffer a little, some suffer a lot But pain with no gain is not worth a jot

So we pray for God's grace as we all struggle on Knowing one day that our woes will be gone THANK YOU for dying to show us God's love

Our Joy lies before us in heaven above Amen

Hebrews 4:16 ESV ''Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receivemercyandfindgrace to helpintime of need.''

Lorraine Roberts

THEALE TAXIS

Established 1962

RJ & DA Brown

0118 930 2345

Local or Long Distance Stations * Airports * Docks

8 Seat Mini Bus

TEXT: 0779 584 0115

thealetaxis@outlook.com

www.thealetaxis.info

Theale Taxis Unit 7, Hewins Wood Farm Bradfield, Reading, RG7 6DH

THAMES VALLEY FLOWER CLUB

Come along to our friendly and welcoming flower club. Make friends and WATCH a professional flower demonstrator make beautiful flower arrangements. Membership fees are £42.00 a year (£5.00 for a visitor)

Refreshments are available. We also hold social events throughout the Year. We meet at 10.30am on the last Monday of each month (excl. Bank Holidays) at The Calcot Centre, Highview, Calcot ,Reading, RG31 4XD.

For more information please contact Brenda on 0118 943 1079

A gardener’s eye view of the church

We have endured quite dreadful weather recently. We’ve been hit by such a lot of rain I’m glad I live on top of a hill. ( Arks are not required in Tilehurst). The extremely cold temperatures have been very challenging, so come with me for a while to a very different kind of day.

It’s 4th August 2022, I’m sitting in the church garden, on Gill Howgego’s curvy bench, looking at the flower bed in the corner. It’s a hot and very sunny day. As I sit, I’ll tell you what I can see from my eye level vantage point and where my mind is wandering to.

I see honey bees feasting on marjoram flowers.

I see the Verbena bonsarienses standing purple, tall and stately, many bees feeding from the myriad of flowers available to them.

Although I didn’t get the chance to do an official wildflower survey on our wild flowers in the lawn, it’s plain to see that the whole garden supports many bees and other pollinators

Earlier in the summer there were a couple of plants from a wildflower mix I grew. They were a beautiful magenta coloured mallow - the sort that marsh mallow sweets used to get their flavour from. I’ve saved seeds and sown some on the wild flower mini meadow for another year.

I see some of our clematis are struggling. In poor soil and in the heat, it’s not surprising. As I write the temperature is set to be 30-38 degrees over the next three days. That’s HOT!

The sunflowers I planted this summer are struggling too, but hanging in there. I notice that some are beginning to form flower buds, will they actually get to their supposed heights of 6-8 feet or attain the growth that their name Russian Giant suggests?

I see a hot pink phlox in the corner of the bed, bold and beautiful in spite of high temperatures.

I’ve cut down the really tall alliums, I know from experience that behind those pink flowers lie many many seeds waiting to make new plants - the bed could be growing hundreds next year! These are Walking Onion, given to me from a guide at the RISK garden in Reading town centre. The guide called them Walking Onions, as the flower heads drop to the ground 4 or 5 feet from the parent plant. Well, you know how that will pan out!

Apparently all parts of the plant are edible - they are huge leeks I guess. I don’t suppose there will be a class for them at the Tilehurst Village Show, unless there happens to be a class for vegetables not already allocated a specific class. Hmm, could I win a prize for the sheer novelty or uniqueness?

Meadow brown butterflies have been coming to the flower bed for 3 summers now as well as cabbage whites. Such a shame there aren’t as many butterflies as I remember from my childhood.

I see the Borage that was added this year, to the corner flowerbed. When they are in flower they provide far more nectar than any other uk plant.

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The flowers are such a beautiful, clear blue and they taste slightly of cucumber, (so are great for adding to a Pimms ). Teasel flowers are attracting buff tailed bumble bees as well as smaller honey bees, the teasels are gettingtaller too.

The golden marjoram is awash with red admirals and the meadow butterfly too.

The flowers that have been seen on the un-mown patch of lawn are - knapweed, birds foot trefoil self heal, ox eyed daisy and vetch. In July the red clover comes in, such a bounty for many pollinators.

Every time I come to the gardens I see an abundance of creeping buttercups, plantain and cinquefoil, which to be frank, I could do without, but as they too are part of God’s bounty, I sigh and take them out of the “cultivated” beds again and again. That’s the thing, since I’ve been gardening in the church grounds and wanting to encourage wild flowers, my sense of “ what is a weed?” has been challenged sorely time and time again. Having said that, if you have an area that you too can grow wildflowers ( packets of seed are readily available in all good garden centres and supermarkets) do have some growing. I think you may, unexpectedly find yourself richly rewarded, but also perhaps a little conflicted - I know I have.

I begin a slow wander, my joints are stiff from sitting so long. On Sheila Firth’s patch I see a painted lady butterfly drinking from her calendulas - marigolds, if you are not into botanical names. The white holly hocks are towering above all other plants along with soft pink phlox and Japanese anemones. Such a gardeners’ garden!

In the buttress bed with the welcome sign there is a colourful array of daisies ( Mexican flea bane), supported by agapanthus, day lily and a floriferous purple hebe. Such a fulsome, tumbling sight to see when people arrive at the church premises.

Looking back at the lawn I was reminded that a few weeks ago I saw a little girl crouched beside that patch of wild flowers, my first thought was - oh no! What’s she doing to our precious patch?

Then I stopped and thought she’s enjoying doing what I used to do as a child - picking wild flowers. Did you do that too? None of us would ever have imagined it would become unlawful to do that in the future, would we?

Remember the bluebells we would pick for our mums? Our child-sized arms struggling to keep the blooms together to take them home. Did our houses contain enough vases to put them in, mine didn’t. So I won’t tell if you don’t!

I’m not sure how long you have spent reading my ramble through the garden, but I hope you have experienced a mindful moment, good for everyone’s mental health.

I needed that time out I spent on the bench. Maybe you have thought about gardens you used to play in and pick flowers in, making daisy chains and what we may have euphemistically called “potpourri”, or “perfume”.

Or maybe you played football or cricket. Those were the days. Happy days! Let’s not forget them.

Hazel Newman

Have you, like me, ever wondered about the words in Micah 6 v8 ‘what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God’? When I am asked ‘to do justice’ what am I being expected to do?

The Reading Deanery, to which we at St Catherine’s belong, has embarked with other community groups on a journey with Citizens UK , which leads to thinking deeply and prayerfully about how to make a meaningful difference in Reading.

We already strive to meet people’s needs in lots of practical ways in our community as we care for people and love kindness.

But as Desmond Tutu said ‘There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.’ And that is what this journey is about – looking to take an active role in changing things so that people do not need to ‘fall in’.

Citizens UK provides a community organising framework involving listening, taking action, negotiating with those in power and holding decision makers to account on those matters that are important to our community.

It provides a new opportunity for us in the Reading Deanery to demonstrate our Christian commitment to the worth of every individual while working together with other community groups.

This is very much in the spirit of Partnership for Missional Church (PMC) with which we at St Catherine’s have been involved in recent years.

The intention is to launch a Reading Citizens UK Alliance in November 2023, including the Reading Deanery; University of Reading; other educational institutions; some faith groups; various charities (eg Reading Refugees) and other community organisations to make meaningful change in Reading for the benefit of all.

In preparation for this launch, the community groups involved have committed to listen to people in our community to discover what is making them angry, what is it that they would like to change in Reading.

All the information gathered will then be collated in order to identify the priority issues to tackle first as the Alliance is launched.

If you would like to become more involved in this aspect of social justice to actively bring about change for good in Reading to the glory of God, please contact Sonia Ludford or Caroline Heron as we work with the Reading Deanery and the evolving Reading Citizens UK Alliance to discover what is worrying our community.

This will then feed into Reading Citizens UK taking an active role to bring about change in the priority areas identified.

More details about Citizens UK can be found at www.citizensuk.org.

Caroline Heron, Sonia Ludford Richard Yates

Caring for God’s Creation towards Eco Silver Award

The Green team at St Catherine’s has been working very hard to build on our Bronze Award and identify what we, as a church and as individuals, can do to reduce our impact on the environment and help reach a Net Carbon Zero target by 2030.

It can seem overwhelming to know what to do or where to start! Governments and businesses have a huge role to play but I was surprised to find out that more than 60% of the changes needed involve changes in behaviours and choices by individuals and communities, mainly related to transport, home heating and food.

Identifying just a few changes in our personal lifestyles is a good start and there are reminders each week in our notice sheets. Some of us may not be able to make big changes but “every little helps”.

Reusing the items that we have or repurposing them, not wasting food in our cupboards and fridges, walking or cycling more if we can or car sharing where possible.

The Black Bin Recycling bins in the car park are just one way we can all make a difference. Soft plastics eg bread bags, fruit and veg bags, crisp bags placed in one black bin and medical blister packs separated and put in the other bin.

It really helps us with the recycling process if waste streams are separated. Of course, please recycle your own soft plastics if you shop in the large

supermarkets: Tescos, Sainsburys, Asda and the Co Op all have soft plastic recycling facilities.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

These are words which are familiar to many of us. If we really care about God’s created world, our neighbours and the poor, then we must prayerfully and honestly think about what we can do to fulfil this commandment.

www.arocha.org.uk

A Rocha UK is the organisation that awarded St Catherine’s the Bronze award and sets out the criteria for us to gain the silver award.

A mini-recycling centre has been opened by West Berkshire Council at Cotswold Sports Centre, Downs Way, RG31 6SL.

There are banks for: plastic pots, tubs, trays and cans, small electricals, paper and cardboard, food and drink cartons (including paper tubes with metal ends), and textiles.

Sonia Ludford St Catherine’s Green Team

December

21 members enjoyed an evening of Carols and Readings from Luke telling the story of Jesus’ birth from the shepherds’ point of view.

During the interval the committee served mulled wine, shortbread and mince pies which were very welcome.

Afterwards the story continued with the shepherds sharing the angel’s message with Mary and Joseph. Then Jo Day closed with prayer and thanked everyone who took part including Maureen Godfrey for accompanying the carols on the piano.

January

15 members and 2 husbands braved the rain and joined in the fun of a Beetle Drive to beat the winter blues. Steph welcomed everyone and Rita controlled proceedings with her trusty whistle.

Tea, coffee, nibbles and biscuits kept us going and at the end Terry Bryant was declared the winner and Hilary took home the booby prize again!

Thanks to the committee for an entertaining evening enjoyed by all.

February

Hilary opened the evening with prayer and introduced Alan Goold from Henry Street Garden Centre whose subject was ‘Growing Roses’

First he gave a short history of the centre which was created by a Mr. Henry Street at the beginning of the 1900s. He, along

with his 3 daughters, grew roses near Woking in Surrey. The nursery was taken over by his eldest daughter, Molly, and her husband Reg’s son, also called Henry, in the 1970s.

In 1985 they moved to larger premises (40 acres) and cleaner soil in Arborfield. Then Henry’s 4 sons Mark, Alan, Peter and Tim joined the business which they now run each with their own expertise –horticulture, finance etc. and still specialising in roses.

Alan continued with hints on growing roses successfully. For example, they flourish better in a group setting rather than being individually placed. Clay is the best soil for them with added organic matter.

All their roses are grafted onto rootstock for strength and longer blooming times. Also Alan mentioned that if we have trouble with deer eating our roses Henry Street does stock a deterrent spray.

He answered a variety of questions before a welcome cup of tea and the raffle.

March

Valerie Forrow welcomed the members who had ventured out, after a snowy unpleasant day, to the World Day of Prayer Service as written by the Christian women of Taiwan.

It is amazing to think this Service is prayed around the world, starting in Western Samoa and Tonga, and finishing in American Samoa some 40 hours later.

Taiwan has been isolated internationally for decades and, as of April 2022, only 13

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of the 193 UN member states and Vatican City/Holy See have recognised it as a sovereign country.

A large majority of Taiwanese reject reunification with China in spite of daily harassment by the Chinese, so the people of Taiwan are very much in need of our prayers.

The Service includes spoken letters of encouragement for women facing suffering and injustice accompanied by the Response Hymn:

• ‘I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,

• I have heard about your love toward all the saints,

• I have not stopped giving thanks for you,

• And remembering you in my prayers.’

The Service finished with the traditional hymn – ‘The Day Thou Gavest’, and was followed by welcome tea and biscuits.

Sheila Bryant

Once again members of the Mothers Union have been busy knitting for the Children Heard and Seen Project.

We have knitted 50 Easter chickens for the project; each one will be filled with a chocolate egg. The Children Heard and Seen project supports children who have a parent in prison to let them know they are loved and not forgotten.

We also sold 25 filled chickens in aid of Mothers Union projects .

Hilary Smee

How can a Christian be a Scientist?

I used to ask this question as a student. I wondered, who could make it in the world of science and still hold onto their faith?

Soon enough I met a good number of successful scientists who were sincere Christians, some of whom were at my own university. So, what do people like this make of the opportunities and challenges that a life in science holds for a Christian?

Science is an exercise in observing and measuring things in the world, and coming up with general principles about the way things are.

Exploring the world is a great thing to do to express our gratitude to the Creator. There is a sense of awe and wonder that comes when we expand our minds and our horizons by discovering things about the universe can feed into our worship.

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Miscellaneous observations on daily life

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.

What's a perfect gift for a person who has everything? Storage space.

If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.

In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog to worship him and a cat to ignore him.

I am having an out of money experience. What's the leading cause of dry skin? Towels.

The biggest lie I tell myself is "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it."

Marathon runners with bad footwear suffer the agony of defeat.

Getting older is just one body part after another saying, ‘Ha ha, you think that's bad? Watch this!’‘

Ecclesiastic’ is material used to fasten a clergyman’s robes.

A day without sunshine is like, well, night. I plan on living forever. So far, so good.

The good thing about becoming forgetful is that you can hide your own Easter eggs.

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Of course, there may be things in science that some Christians don’t want to get involved in because of what they believe. But there should also be ethical issues that make them want to get stuck into new research that will help people, protect creation, or tackle injustices. I am glad to see that many senior scientists do their best to find appropriate ways to make their own faith visible, so that people like my younger self can find role models and mentors.

Another helpful thing about science is that although our beliefs may at times affect what we notice about the world and how we interpret our data, they shouldn’t affect the outcome of experiments themselves.

This means that a scientist can be respected by her colleagues for doing

good work, regardless of what she believes and what her colleagues think of that worldview.

In my work at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, and my involvement with Christians in Science, I have the privilege of meeting a great number of scientists who are also Christians.

One of the most famous living biologists is Francis Collins, who was Director of the project to decode the whole of human DNA.

He wrote that it is “possible for the scientist-believer to be intellectually fulfilled and spiritually alive, both worshipping God and using the tools of science to uncover some of the awesome mysteries of His creation.”

(Francis Collins, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief (Simon and Schuster, 2007)

Are you a knitter or quilter?

Buscot Ward are in desperate need of 3 items:

• Knitted/crocheted baby blankets (60cm x 80cm)

• Quilted baby blankets (50cm x 50cm)

• Quilted Incubator covers (90cm x 90cm)

These sizes are all approximate. The blankets and covers can be any colour!

For the knitted blankets - there is no specific yarn but it needs to be as soft as possible (think of what you would want to wrap a baby in)

And no fluffy or mohair type yarns which are more likely to shed/irritate or get caught in wires/tubes/tape.

Please ensure:

• there are NO tassels on any of the blankets

• and no holes in the knitted/crocheted blankets.

Blankets can be sent directly to the ward: Buscot Ward Royal Berkshire Hospital London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN

14 conversations to have with your neighbours at a King’s Coronation street party

We have all known that awkward moment at a party, when your conversation with a stranger suddenly dries up. But if you are going to one of the King’s Coronation street parties next month, you don’t need to worry.

An information pack called the Coronation Big Lunch ‘conversation menu’ has been published, offering 14 handy ideas for keeping the conversational ball rolling.

The ideas are: Have you ever met a member of the Royal family? What’s your

favourite way to spend a bank holiday? What’s something nice that’s happened to you this week?

What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard? Who’s the kindest person you know and why?

What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud? What’s been the best part of your day so far?

What’s the last occasion you celebrated? Do you have a hidden talent? If you could pick up a new skill in an instant, what would it be?

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Dear Friends

Thank you for the compassion you have shown to people affected by Leprosy through your gracious gift of £350. Your love is changing lives in the tea gardens of Bangladesh. Families like Aloka’s will no longer be disabled by this curable disease. They can flourish, in Jesus’ name.

Leprosy, but sadly the cure came too late to prevent disability in her left hand.

Aloka’s dream is that no one else will have to suffer like she has. Now, because of your kind heart, you’re making her dream a reality.

Many more people with Leprosy will be found and cured before they are disabled like Aloka. You have made it possible for them to continue working. You have blessed them with opportunities to live a life to the full as Jesus promised.

Your generosity means people affected by Leprosy have a new hope. A future that is not defined by Leprosy and disability. A future free from fear. A future where they will truly flourish. Next time you are drinking a hot cup of tea, I hope you are reminded of the special gift of hope you have given so many.

Thank you for your kindness.

May God bless you richly

Aloka is a tea picker in Bangladesh, she loves her job which provides for her family. Thankfully she has been cured of

Chris Stratta Community Partnerships Team manager

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Who’s someone you really admire? What’s one thing you are grateful for today? Joke: Where do kings and queens get crowned? On the head. Joke: What did one plate say to the other plate? Lunch is on me.

More than a million people, and more than 7,000 street parties and community events, have so far signed up to the Coronation Big Lunch initiative.

Buckingham Palace is hoping the celebration will bring neighbours together across the country.

Certainly, chatting with our neighbours is no longer common. One poll from 2019 found that half of us had not chatted over the garden fence or outside our homes in at least a month, while almost one in five of us have never spoken to our neighbours at all.

The Coronation Big Lunch will take place on Sunday, 7th May, the day after the King and the Queen Consort are crowned at Westminster Abbey.

More than 17.2 million people took part in Big Lunch events last June, for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

St Catherine’s in Vacancy

The Appointment of a New Vicar

The formal process to appoint our new vicar is well underway.

The Bishop, in consultation with the Deanery and Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Care Committees, have determined that our new vicar will hold the post as incumbent, just as Gill Rowell did, with full rights of ownership of the church, churchyard and vicarage and the right to remain in post until 70.

This enabled the PCC to hold a meeting (formally called a Section 11 of the 1986 Measure meeting!!!) on February 23rd 2023 to appoint its 2 representatives to participate in the appointing of the new incumbent and to review progress to date.

The PCC, in common with most parishes, appointed us, the 2 churchwardens, Lynn Stevens and Caroline Heron, as the 2 representatives.

Production of the profile, which potential candidates will use to understand what we are looking for as we seek to serve God, our community and our church, is underway. Its production is managed by a subset of PCC members, Sonia Ludford, Stuart Poore, Lynn Stevens and Caroline Heron.

A listening exercise is being undertaken to assist in identifying who we are at St Catherine’s and the direction we are headed, which will feed into the profile. 30 church members attended a meeting on 11th February to review that approach which led to the identification of those

that should be included in the listeningchurch members, those using church facilities and those in the community the church serves.

This led to the production of 2 questionnaires to support the listening, one focussed on church members, the other for those less familiar with church services. A big thank you to all those who have participated in this listening which completed on March 6th.

We have received a great response, with over 50 Church member responses and 22 other responses so far, including church groups, schools, church/hall hirers and shops.

These are currently being analysed, with a parish session planned for March 26th, led by Rhodri Bowen, Diocesan Parish Development Advisor, to work through what this is telling us about ourselves and our direction.

Meanwhile the daunting task of actually writing the parish profile has started with very welcome help from a number of people!

We are hoping to speed up progress so that we can use April as the opportunity for the PCC and diocesan representatives to review it so that a reasonable draft is available by early May, in time for the formal meeting with the diocese (known as a Section 12 meeting!) to largely finalise the document.

The activities then turn to finalising the profile, advertising and interviewing candidates.

(Continued on page 19)

(Continued from page 18)

The aggressive target timeline that has been agreed with the diocese is as follows:

Section 12 meeting 09th May 2023

Advertising deadline: 16th May 2023 (requires final profile, person specification and advert)

Advertising start date: 28th May 2023 (Church Times, Pathways and Oxford Diocese website)

Closing date: 25th June 2023

Shortlisting: 29th June 2023

Interviews: 18th July 2023 (just before the summer holidays)

Should an appointment be made in the first round of interviews, and it is assumed that person will require 3 months before taking up the post, October/November is the likely appointment date.

Clearly it cannot be assumed we will be successful in the first round and the vacancy may continue beyond that.

Whilst the main focus is currently on the profile, as it is produced we are identifying the sorts of things that we want to find out from any prospective candidates.

The format and content of the interviews will need to be carefully considered and the intention is to involve a range of church members and the PCC in the interview activities.

The Vicarage

The diocese has arranged for the vicarage to be rented during the vacancy and we welcomed the tenants on 23rd February.

Ongoing Church Activities

We have been blessed with the support of a number of visiting clergy for our services, including Adam Carlill, Polly Falconer, Alan Gates, Mike Smith, Judith Sumner, and Tracy Watkins. With all the arrangements in place until the end of April, the Leaders and Preachers Action Group are currently planning the services in May and June, with Chris Stratta from the Leprosy Mission on June 25th and the Bishop of Reading on June 4th already booked and a Christian Aid service planned for May 14th.

A stewardship campaign is taking place during Lent. It is also planned that between Ascension and Pentecost (18th –28th May) we take the opportunity to focus on prayer and join the Thy Kingdom Come initiative, including a short daily opportunity to come together to pray at 7pm.

The APCM is looming on 23rd April, after our 10am Sunday service. Serving on the PCC is an important role and new members are appointed at the APCM. We would ask you to prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to stand, and if so to put yourself forward for nomination.

Our hope is that during this time of vacancy we are all growing in our faith, in our love for one another, and in the knowledge of our God, supported by the many activities that you all so faithfully run.

Many, many thanks for all that you do in support of the ongoing life at St Catherine’s.

Lynn Stevens and Caroline Heron Churchwardens

Climate Crisis messages in your weekly notice sheet.

St Catherine’s Green Team are concerned to raise awareness of the climate crisis amongst our church family and friends.

We have decided to put some (hopefully!) helpful and encouraging messages in the weekly notice sheet for a few weeks. And we thought it might be helpful to include these in the church magazine.

Jo Day

These messages follow, starting with this introduction.

We are in a climate emergency. More people are going hungry, extreme weather events are more severe and communities are being displaced. People are being pushed back into poverty and the damage to creation is accelerating.

As we contemplate the scale of the crisis, it’s important we keep our eyes fixed on the God of justice, who loves His creation and brings restoration and peace as we play our part to reduce global warming and restore God’s beautiful creation.

Climate emergency action encouragements on this theme will appear weekly in the notice sheet.

They are repeated here, for ease of reference. We hope they will help you to take whatever action is appropriate for you.

MINIMISE SINGLE USE PLASTICS week 1

• Buy in bulk when possible, and re-use containers, for example, using Thatcham Refillable

• use solid shampoo and conditioner, available online or from Boots

• use solid soap or re-use liquid soap dispensers by buying liquid hand soap in bulk, for example from Thatcham Refillable

• use your own non plastic shopping bags rather than the supermarket/ shop’s plastic carriers

Note - Ask Jo Day for details about Thatcham Refillable.

MINIMISE SINGLE USE PLASTICS week 2

• re use polythene bags many times, re use bread bags

• use wax wrap instead of cling film (Leprosy mission sell wax wrap)

• as an alternative to foam scourers - try loofah washing up pads, available at Thatcham Refillable

• avoid using plastic cups/bottles - use your own reusable bottle or cup

REDUCE CAR USE

• plan carefully to use your car less often

• walk or cycle or use public transport when possible

• share lifts when possible

• avoid leaving the car engine running while stationary

• make use of video communication, if appropriate, rather than meeting in person

(Continued on page 21)

(Continued from page 20)

REDUCE PERSONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

week 1

• switch on lights only when necessary

• switch off appliances completely if they do not need to be left on standby

• insulate your home (loft, doors, windows, double glazing, heavy curtains, draft excluders etc)

• turn the heating down and wear warmer clothes indoors

REDUCE PERSONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

week 2

• reduce the number of cooker rings you use by using a steamer

• use the microwave, air fryer or slow cooker rather than the oven

• batch cook when practical

• use the microwave more

• use the electric kettle sparingly.

REDUCE PERSONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

week 3

• use less hot water for washing dishes and laundry, for example wash dishes and do the laundry with a bigger load

• use less hot water for bathing or showering

• choose the Eco cycle on your washing machine

• wash clothes less often and at 30°

REDUCE PERSONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION

week 4

• consider installing solar panels

• fly less often or not at all; choose to holiday in the UK

• consider choosing a greener energy from your supplier if funds allow

• take steps to find out your own personal carbon footprint

REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE week

1

• plan meals and shop carefully to minimise food waste

• recycle food packaging as much as possible. Get into the habit of looking for the symbol to tell you whether plastic packaging can be taken to the supermarket to be recycled. If you don’t use a supermarket, give your recyclable packaging to a friend or use the church recycling bin.

• reduce unnecessary use of paper

• recycle waste paper and card, cans and plastic bottles, glass bottles –kerbside collections vary according to where you live. Cooperate with friends whose waste is collected by a different local authority to recycle things which are not collected where you live and vice versa

REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYCLE week 2

• mend and repair things

• send communal Christmas Cards within our church community

• share and donate (charity shops, Freecycle, Eco Sales)

• buy less “stuff” in general

• reduce the amount of water you use, especially in summer

(Continued on page 22)

(Continued from page 21)

BE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT YOU EAT week 1

• buy LOAF (Locally grown, Organic, Animal Friendly)

• choose Fairtrade when possible

• eat less and better meat and dairy, (locally produced, Organic)

• choose Organic and Free Range, pasture fed RSPCA assured meat when you can

BE CONSCIOUS OF WHAT YOU EAT week 2

• eat seasonal, unprocessed food.

• replace half the meat in a casserole recipe with vegetables

• plan meals and shop carefully to minimise food waste

• reuse leftovers - find different ways of doing this with recipes and ideas from the internet

MISCELLANEOUS CHOICES

• choose ethical investment if possible, taking advice from a trusted financial advisor

• be conscious of where you buy your goods from, and where they have been manufactured

• encourage others, friends and family to make similar lifestyle changes

“The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.”

From Life on Earth,

by David Attenborough

Quotes - With Holy Week and Easter in mind

Christianity is the revelation of God, not the research of man. - JA Stewart

The death of Christ was the most dreadful blow ever given to the empire of darkness. - William Plumer

The Resurrection is the central theme in every Christian sermon reported in the Acts. The Resurrection, and its consequences were the ‘gospel’ or good news which the Christians brought. – C S Lewis

The world cannot bury Christ. The earth is not deep enough for His tomb, the clouds are not wide enough for His windingsheet. - E

Thomson

The best news the world has ever had came from a graveyard. - Anon

The Christian Church has the resurrection written all over it. - E G Robinson

Our friends bring us to the grave and leave us there, but God will not. - Anon

All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of mankind on this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life. – James

Allan Francis

Tilehurst Triangle WI

Elvis came to rock and roll in December for our last WI meeting of 2022! It was just what we needed and we sang and danced all evening ending with Christmas songs.

Our Burn’s Night, organised by member Linda Cole and her family, was just brilliant. In the morning, we had a vegetable peeling and chopping group consisting of willing WI members and some of their partners.

For the evening, dressed with a touch of tartan, we watched the haggis piped in and then enjoyed a 3 course Burn’s Night supper, followed by traditional toasts and addresses.

We then danced the evening away to the Craigievar Ceilidh Band with great hilarity following the caller’s instructions.

As well as a very enjoyable event, we raised £585 at Burns Night towards our charity of the year, My Cancer My Choices.

Since the new year, we have had some speakers on various topics and with the talk on Victorian Railways particularly interesting. It is surprising how much we just take for granted – for instance, the routes and stations we have is the result of Victorian entrepreneurs keen to make the most profit for the railway companies they owned.

In March we held our Annual Meeting and, for the first time since our WI was formed in 2013, we held an election for a new committee as we had more nominations than places.

What a great membership we have that so many are ready and willing to support.

The Berkshire Federation Chair, Annette Dolphin and a WI Advisor attended and told us a little about how the 3 layers National, County and WI branch work together.

We then presented a cheque for £1,106.20

(Continued on page 24)

(Continued from page 23)

to the co-founder, Mandy Baxter of the charity My Cancer My Choices.

The charity offers complimentary therapies from specialist therapists to people in Berkshire with cancer. As a cancer patient herself, Mandy had found the disease itself was treated but with little holistic support.

Diagnosis and treatment can lead to anxiety, uncertainty and isolation. She explained how therapies such as reflexology, acupuncture, massage and yoga can help people relax and help with their well-being.

Nominated by a WI member who had used the services of the charity, Mandy

was delighted with our fundraising and said it will provide 100 complimentary treatments to Berkshire cancer patients.

Wishing everyone at St Catherine’s a Happy Easter.

Ros Somerville, Tilehurst Triangle WI tilehursttrianglewi@berkshirewi.co.uk

Remembering Corrie ten Boom

food and money to the needy. They believed the Jews were precious to God and that all people were created equal.

During the Second World War, she – and the rest of her family – helped many Jews and others to escape from the Nazis at great risk to themselves.

She later received the rare accolade from Israel of being named Righteous Among the Nations.

It was 40 years ago, on 15th April 1983, that Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch writer, watchmaker, and Holocaust survivor, died. She wrote about her experiences in Christian books that became best-sellers.

Corrie’s family were Calvinist Christians in the Dutch Reformed Church, and served their neighbourhood by offering shelter,

The Dutch Resistance helped them to build a secret room in their house behind Corrie’s bedroom, which became known as The Hiding Place – later the title of her most famous book.

The room held six people, had its own ventilation and an alert buzzer, and was astonishingly successful.

(Continued on page 25)

A sponsored child

Here is a photo of Ashini who some of us support through Compassion. Ashini lives in Sri Lanka with her family, the photo shows her with the gifts which were bought with the money we sent her for Christmas.

Ashini writes:

Dear Sponsor, How are you? I hope you all are doing good. We just got our holidays. We are planning to go on a trip this month. My sister is getting ready for her A/Ls.

I was sick few weeks ago. But now I'm fine. How is the COVID situation in your country? Thank you for all the gifts you gave me. They all were so beautiful. God bless you!

Ashini.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for Ashini.

Hilary Smee

(Continued from page 24)

It is estimated that about 800 Jews in all were saved through Corrie’s efforts, which included obtaining at least 100 false ration cards.

Eventually an informer gave them away, and the family were arrested in February 1944 – though not the six people in the Hiding Place at the time.

After months in prison, Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp in September 1944, where they continued to worship and share the message of forgiveness, hope,

love, and salvation.

Betsie died in the December, but Corrie was released later that same month, apparently because of a ‘clerical error’. A week later all the women in her age group were sent to the gas chambers. After she was set free, Corrie travelled the world for 33 years, from 1944 to 1977, speaking in 64 countries.

She suffered three severe strokes from August 1978 and died on her 91st birthday.

Around our Community

some of our local shops visited by our reporter Sean J’s News

J’s News has been under the same ownership since 2010 and is located at the Bath Road end of the small parade of shops in Royal Avenue.

I was offered a friendly welcome and it was explained that they know their community and feel part of it.

They are happy to offer a listening ear. The shop is a general grocer and newsagents offering a wide range in a limited space.

The Avenue Deli

This was my first visit to The Avenue Deli. I was given an extremely warm welcome by sisters Simi and Simran and I was left in no doubt about their passion, enthusiasm, commitment to the business and above all generosity.

Simi along with her husband, Jay opened the business with Simran as the general manager on 20th July 2020.

They offer breakfast, coffee, lunch, brunch and the emphasis is on quality but at a reasonable price. There was a great atmosphere and they receive extremely good reviews. An evening bar is also opened on an ad-hoc basis. Being part of the community and giving back to the community is a really important part of the philosophy.

The Deli has received the Good food Award and do a great deal for charity. During the pandemic they provided free take away pre-packed lunch bags and have been part of the Marcus Rashford kids eat free initiative and they still offer free kids meals during some school holidays. An “Act of Kindness Board” was set up where locals could help others in need. The family provide support to local schools through this and their other businesses Tasty Plaice and Phat J’s (see other reports) and sponsor 3 local youth football teams.

Phat J’s

This is next door to the Deli and the building (previously a fish and chip shop) was offered to the family along with the old restaurant (now Avenue Deli).

Phat J’s now stands on the site of the former fish and chip shop and hairdresser. It is run as a partnership by Jas and Jay. It was opened in January 2022 and had opening offers such as pizzas for just 99p. Again this is a business that wants to be part of the community and for the community with the same emphasis on quality food and ingredients. They offer burgers, pizza, fish and chips, kebabs and more. This is a take away and delivery service. It is highly rated by those that use it.

Tasty Plaice

Although not technically in our parish this establishment is owned by the same family as Phat J’s and The Avenue Deli, so I thought it should be included.

The business started in 2013 having taken over the previous fish and chip shop next to the Water Tower near the top of Langley Hill.

Simi told me that the aim is to run as a traditional fish and chip shop but want to stay current offering gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. They are fully gluten free on a Sunday.

They employ young local people who keep in touch and come back to tell them about university, careers etc. The family owners want to play their part in the community and have for example donated or provided discounted food for fetes at the local Springfield School.

Thank you Sean! I hope that knowing more about our local businesses and the people who run them will encourage us all to support them.

Tony Bartlett - editor

Bible Study – why? DELIGHT and JOY

Just before Gill Rowell left last year she held a bible study course which I couldn’t wait to join again. It was one we did during the pandemic over Zoom, so to do it face-to-face with Stuart Poore coleading and other members of St Catherine’s was such a delightful and joyous course to take part in.

The Bible Course run by the Bible Society focused on how the bible as a library of books in the Old and New Testaments form one story that centres on Jesus Christ.

There were three words that stood out for me during the course: ‘Forsake’, ‘Covenant’ and ‘Believe’. Although I have read the bible through before, these particular words stood out for me on this occasion.

As they are mentioned many times in the bible a few verses struck me as being particularly meaningful, and I do not purport to have any major insight into their understanding, but something to continue to ponder and meditate on.

‘Forsake’ is mentioned in Joshua 1:5 “Noone will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Contrast this with Jesus dying on the cross - Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34 and Psalm 22:1 (different context) all quoting the same words “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

A ‘Covenant’ being a formal agreement between two parties links the old and new testaments or covenants. Exodus 2:

23-25 paraphrasing: “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out for help… God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

Anyone who likes to take part in communion services knows that the word ‘covenant’ is said in similar fashion and comes from 1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’“

‘Believe’ is a word that appears dozens of times in the Bible, however, two verses that stood out for me during the course were John 20:30-31 “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that you may have life in his name.”

This hit me so hard (metaphorically) as I was struggling a bit with my faith that they reminded me of a couple of other verses that are also so significant to me. And perhaps you as well? John 10:10 “I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Also, a very famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” What’s not to like or believe in about all that?

Chris Addison

St Catherine’s Gardening Club

I’m afraid there is not a great deal to report this year so far!

Chris and Richard have taken care of the car parks, sweeping up leaves and rubbish.

They also spent some time with me, clearing twigs, acorns and leaves from the lawns to enable the first cut of the year to be less arduous. This is all in addition, of course, to any maintenance jobs they have needed to carry out inside the church building.

I have to confess I did not appear on the scene until the weather became a little warmer this year, enabling me to cut back the dead fuchsias, prune the roses and weed the rose beds. It’s good to see the bulbs emerging in so many places, with their promise of bright spring colours to come.

They have weeded between and relayed the slabs, top dressed with white stone chips and generally upgraded a very tatty area alongside the top car park, as well as smartening up the parking area outside the vicarage.

As the weather warms and things start to grow, we will need more help to maintain the church grounds. Please do think about joining us.

Maybe you could take responsibility for one of the beds between the buttresses, or the rose beds either side of the north entrance.

We also need someone to keep cutting back the persistent brambles which keep growing out of the perimeter hedge across the path, causing a hazard to passers-by, especially small children. You could pop round for an hour or so at a convenient time for you.

It need not be on a Saturday morning, although that is always an enjoyable time to be at the church, to have time to chat and have a coffee together as well as getting the jobs done.

Hazel has buried some logs around the mini wild flower meadow at one end of the North lawn. While they rot these will hopefully provide good places for insects and other small creatures. Hazel and Chris have plans to make a second insect hotel making good use of a small wooden unit discarded by the Preschool.

We are grateful to two wonderful people who prefer not to be named, but who deserve credit for their hard work.

Please contact Jo Day 942 1481 or Chris Addison 07966 105056 if you would like to get involved. We would be so pleased to welcome you.

Jo Day

“Working in the garden gives me something beyond the enjoyment of the senses. It gives me a profound feelingof innerpeace.”

Ruth Stout

Christian Aid Week 14th-20th May

Esther's story

With pigeon peas, warm-hearted Esther is doing amazing things for her family.

feeling desperate. But when Esther joined a pigeon pea programme run by our Christian Aid’s local partner - Nandolo Farmers Association - and started selling as part of a cooperative, she was able to earn much more.

‘I was able to sell the pigeon peas at a better price with a better market,’ she explains. ‘It provided financial stability.’

The power of love, loss and legacy

Esther grows some truly special pigeon peas on her farm - with them she can bake delicious bread, support her daughter’s dreams, and give her adorable little grandsons a happy future, full of love and laughter. But she wasn't always able to support her family so easily.

A doting mother and grandmother, Esther adds that growing pigeon peas also helped her through the loss of her husband.

Previously, they worked together on their land. When he fell ill, they spent time talking about how she could continue to grow the peas after his death.

‘My husband was a teacher in everything that he did,’ she says quietly. ‘Therefore, we can continue his legacy.’

A fair price - at least

For ten years, Esther grew pigeon peas on her farm, but she could never secure a fair price for her crop.

She was robbed in 2021 when Cyclone Ana washed away her crops, leaving her

‘It is food that makes a meal for the whole day’

And not just for the day, but for the future. With the money she's making,

(Continued on page 31)

Softly-spoken Esther Saizi, 54, radiates joy and warmth.

Malawian women in traditional clothes dancing

Tilehurst Picnic in the Park Saturday 6th May

Tilehurst Parish Council is arranging an event to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III. It will be held from 2.00pm on Saturday 6th May at Turnhams Farm recreation ground on Little Heath Road, and everyone is welcome to be involved.

On the day of the event, we plan to decorate the recreation ground with bunting and we’re inviting local groups to help us make bunting to be displayed.

We’d really like to have a “King’s Mile” of bunting, so we need as many people as possible helping us make it.

If you’d like to take part, please contact the Parish Office for details by e-mailing bookings@tilehurstpc.co.uk or calling 0118 941 8833.

On the day of the event, there will be a giant picnic with people bringing their food and drink to be enjoyed on the recreation ground.

A range of activities, as well as displays by dance and drama groups, are planned throughout the afternoon.

Further details will be published as they become available.

Jacky Major Clerk to the Parish Council

www.tilehurstparishcouncil.gov.uk

(Continued from page 30)

Esther has been able to feed her family and support her two daughters, Ziwone and Rashida. She's been able to:

• buy tools for Ziwone's carpentry business

• pay for Rashida’s school costs, the lodgings near her school, and a parttime tutor

• acquire a herd of 13 goats, who provide manure for her crops, saving on expensive fertiliser

• store her pigeon peas in a warehouse, safe from floods and storms

• buy a sewing machine.

Through the cooperative and its equipment, Esther can bake pigeon pea flour bread and boost her income - and also make fish food, using a special machine provided by us.

How changes like this became possible

Thanks to people like you, this change has been possible for Esther and her community.

Esther's dream is to see Rashida graduate from college and become a nurse, and to send her two grandsons to nursery.

With your gift this Christian Aid Week, you could help more families like Esther's have a brighter future. More farmers could secure a fair price for their crops, and more loving parents like her could make their children’s dreams come true.

WATCH OUT FOR DETAILS OF OUR QUIZ EVENING ON SATURDAY 13th MAY

Richard Canning

Musings from Phil French

MOVING IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY

Many astronomers now believe in "exoplanets" - planets orbiting distant stars. Perhaps there's even life on some of them? (Will they have all the same needs as we do?). That idea is a bit "big" for some folk! But try not to worry. When Galileo suggested that the Earth went round the Sun, he challenged Papal authority! But he also made humans feel they were NO LONGER at the exact centre of the Universe! Rather shocking at the time.

Humans do love to think that the whole Universe revolves around THEM! (But not, of course, around "other" tribes, as we read in the Old Testament). News can be disturbing. But we've been told that our Creator "moves in a mysterious way", so we'd better hold tight; and learn what we can.

BIG MYSTERIES?

The word "epiphany" reminded me of St. Paul. He had an experience, I'm told, that turned Saul, the awful persecutor, into a much-revered SAINT PAUL!

I was asked recently if I'd had any epiphanies myself. I hesitated. Folk might think I was pretending to be a saint (in today's meaning)! Oops, not quite there yet. But an epiphany might be just the next lesson, or first aid for a sufferer?

Yes, as I've said before, I had a little "epiphany" when I was only about six. I was crying: I wanted help! Something happened. I no longer felt that God was a tough judge, a remote being up in the sky—but in lots of ways the essence of life all around me (and in me?).

I felt IMPERFECT(!), and VERY SMALL in a vast universe. But at the same time I felt supported and loved. Mystery?

St Augustine said: "God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!"

Difficult notion for anyone using a typical smallish picture of God. Today, I see many mysteries, both in physics and in theology. but, one day I hope ...

STICKS & CARROTS?

Once upon a time, folk said: "Never say no to your child!" Not good! It worked SO BADLY that its' tiny grain of wisdom can get lost.

A tough telling-off can make the "controller" seem an unforgiving ENEMY! Result? A child that's obedient ONLY out of fear - longing to REBEL, FEEL POWERFUL, FREE!! (I felt it, remember?) Expect problems.

Dealing with such things can be hard. But there are cunning ways of hinting (perhaps just after bad moments) that the advisor is a friend, striving to prevent trouble. My old school teachers pointed out our mistakes very firmly. But quite often, they'd soon follow it with a bit of praise. They wanted to be HELPFUL FRIENDS,

NOT ENEMIES!

Some religious speakers might copy? And "thinking positive" like this can even pay when you're TELLING YOURSELF OFF (seriously!).

AND FINALLY

"I think the key isn’t to think about what would happen if Jesus came back right now, I think the important thing is to treat everyone as if He never left… " --- Anon, I think? --

Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent speech in ‘Living in Love and Faith’ debate

“We are not divided but we disagree, and that is very painful. And I will use again the words close to those I used to the Bishops gathered at the Lambeth Conference on a very similar debate.

“For some, to question the inherited teaching damages witness and is sinful: you point out that in many provinces across the Anglican Communion any change might make the church a victim of derision, contempt and even attack for being part of what is called the ‘gay church’. For we are often seen as the Mother Church.

“For others, you have not arrived easily at the conclusion that we need to change. You are not careless about Scripture. You do not reject Christ and His authority. But to question this change makes the church here and abroad a victim of derision, contempt, and even attack for being part of the perceived ‘homophobic church’.

“Listening and loving is about what has been brought forward by the House of Bishops. It has been consulted extensively with the primates and many others in the Anglican Communion. What we are seeking is what we understand from the Spirit is right, not what is convenient or easy. There are no convenient or easy ways forward.

“What we have in this conversation and the decision we make, is at its heart the chance publicly to witness to Christ in the most difficult, distinctive and radical way – to disagree passionately and yet to be clear that we uphold our need for one another, and for the world, to come to the knowledge of being loved by God in Christ.

“Let me be clear on this point, we do that

by saying to the world: unity in Jesus Christ is our common identity, and difference must be worked out within that identity.

“Even things that are so important and so painful for us, are not as important as the essential-ness of others. That is our witness to a world that throws others away, excludes them, divides in the face of disagreement.

“I know there is fear of a slippery slope, of what may or may not happen at some point in the future, but let us not give in to the fear of a future which we can neither predict nor control.

“Each of us will answer to God at the judgement for our decisions on this matter. We are personally responsible. I am supporting these resources, not I think because I am controlled by culture but because of Scripture, tradition and reason evidenced in the vast work done over the last six years so ably by so many.

“I may be wrong, of course I may, but I cannot duck the issue any more than anyone else here. I ask each member of Synod to vote with their Spirit-inspired consciences, scripturally and spiritually guided, and not because groups or lobbies or outsiders have told you to.

“So let us decide as we each conclude the Lord desires. Above all, let us debate remembering that all Christians are indispensable members of God’s Church, all Christians, and whatever our views or theirs will remain so.

“And let us show that in how we speak, and let us show that in how we decide, and that we are above all the church that demonstrates the call of God to people whom He desires to know and love.”

Beware when the choirs meet

The Rectory, St James the Least of All

My dear Nephew Darren,

You agonised recently over your ecumenical service: who should be invited? Who should preach? What about the order of service? If you had attended our recent combined churches’ choir festival, your own dilemmas would have seemed a little less acute.

At the pre-meeting, there was heated discussion about whether those choirs who normally wore robes would be comfortable standing among those who didn’t. The more aesthetically sensitive worried whether St Agatha’s pea green cassocks may clash with our red ones. Intending to be helpful, but phrasing it rather badly, someone suggested that the normally robed choirs should wear nothing. Colonel Wainwright was a little too quick to chuckle.

I began to wonder if a prize was to be awarded to the person who raised the greatest number of concerns: Should the choirs stay separate? Would the tenors be next to the altos or the basses? Where would extra seating be placed? Would the heating be on for the rehearsal? Then came what you would call the ‘elephant in the room’: of all the choirmasters, who would conduct and who play the organ? Tension mounted, and expressions grew grim. But before the committee started to dig trenches in my carpet and position howitzers under the desk, I briefly left the room, turned off all the electricity and claimed we’d had a power cut. This is a useful device for truculent committees; sadly, it can be used only rarely.

Come the day, an uneasy truce lasted while everyone adopted the traditional solution to disagreement within congregations, and simply did exactly what they wanted. Some were robed, some were not, some choirs congealed in their own huddles, while others joyfully sat next to people from other churches – mainly so they could point out their neighbour’s wrong notes. Some sang in the right key, some sang in the wrong key, some sang what sounded like quite different songs altogether.

The service ended with one choir thinking that the organist had played too loudly, while another choir thought that the conductor wasn’t up to much. Everyone agreed afterwards that we must do it again, while firmly stating that if their own choirmaster didn’t conduct next year, they wouldn’t be there.

Thankfully, one fundamental thing on the day united them: they all said that our church was too cold, and they all went down to the pub afterwards to warm up.

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

St Catherine’s Centre

Church and Hall regular bookings listed below

To book Church or Hall contact Eve Combes

 hall@stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk

OR  07969 423 232.

Monday

Breakfast club - 7.30am-8.45am (term time)

After School Club - 3:30pm-6.00pm (term time)

Exercise Class - 7.00pm-8.00pm (term time)

Yoga - 8.15-9.15pm

Tuesday

Breakfast club - 7.30am-8.45am (term time)

Childminders Drop-in 10.00-11.30am (term time)

Tuesday Get Together - 10.00am-12.00noon

After School Club - 3:30pm-6.00pm (term time)

W.I. - 2.00pm-4.00pm (3rd Tuesday)

AA - 7.00pm-9.30pm

Wednesday

Breakfast club - 7.30am-8.45am (term time)

Communion Service 9.00am-10.00am

After School Club - 3:30pm-6.00pm (term time)

Vivace Voices 1.45pm-3.45pm

Kettle Bells - 6.30pm-7.30pm

Mothers’ Union - 7.30-9.30pm (2nd Wednesday)

W.I. - 7.00pm-10.00pm (3rd Wednesday)

Yoga - 7.45pm-8.45pm

Thursday

Breakfast club - 7.30am-8.45am (term time)

Zumba 9.30am-10.45am

Cafe Siena - 10.00am-2.00pm

After School Club - 3:30pm-5.30pm (term time)

Trefoil - 7.30-9.30pm (4th Thursday)

Friday

Tots Praise - 9.15am (term time)

Glow Tots Sensory - 9.30am-12.30pm

Cafe Siena - 10.00am-2.00pm

Friday Friends - 2.00-4.30pm

Pick’n’Mix (Youth Group) - 7.45-9.15 pm (alternate Fridays Term Time)

Saturday

Yoga - 9.30-10.30am and 10.45-11.45am

Crafty Space - 1.30-5.30 pm (once a Month)

Bowls Club - 7.00-9.00 pm

RG31 RG31-- The Parish Magazine The Parish Magazine The Parish Magazine The Parish Magazine of Tilehurst St Catherine of Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus & Calcot St Birinus Calcot Birinus Calcot Birinus

RG31 is published quarterly by the P.C.C. of Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus to subscribers (contact editor to subscribe, the cost is £6 for the year) or in digital form accessed from our website: www.stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk

Editor:

Tony Bartlett ℡ 0118 967 8659

Assistant Editor:

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 for the next (Summer) edition must be received by the editors by 9th July.

Contributions may be sent to:

© Tilehurst St Catherine & Calcot St Birinus P.C.C. 2022

Some material is

© Parish Pump Ltd, and some

© Dave Walker Cartoonchurch.com

Cover Picture by Stuart Poore Spring is here

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/st.catherines.tilehurst

Please check these websites for up-to-date information on services and other events

We are ‘live-streaming’ our 10.00 am Sunday services so that they can be viewed via our Facebook page. Simply go to: www.facebook.com/st.catherines.tilehurst (you do not need an account to view - if asked to login or join, you can click ‘Not Now’). Once shown on Facebook, all our videos can be found again on our Web Site: www.stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk

Every Sunday, The Ten O'clock Service - varies in style and contents each week, but will always be ‘family friendly’. It will contain praise, teaching, communion and usually include a time of sharing what God is doing amongst us.

Refreshments afterwards in the Hall.

On Wednesdays at 9.00 am - there’s Holy Communion in church, everybody welcome.

Who’s Who in the Parish

Whilst we’re currently without a vicar, for initial enquiries regarding baptisms funerals and weddings, please email us at info@stcatherines-tilehurst.org.uk.

Licensed Lay Minister

Mike Heather

℡ 0118 962 4852

 michaelheather@btinternet.com

Churchwarden

Caroline Heron

 caroline.heron123@btinternet.com

Licensed Lay Minister

Tony Bartlett

℡ 0118 967 8659

 tony.bartlett.ccc@ntlworld.com

Churchwarden

Lynn Stevens

 07917 132 519

 lynn@stevensfamily.co.uk