† St Andrews
Proclaiming Christ in Clewer
Pews News: May 2016
Welcome, in the name of Jesus Christ, to this house of prayer.
Rector’s Ramblings from the APCM
Can you think about something that has changed in your life? Is it something to celebrate or moan about? How has life changed for you this year, or even today? What was the last thing that transformed your life? Faith is about transformation, nothing stays the same. I am different today than I was yesterday and tomorrow, who knows what will happen!
This medieval church has seen many changes – and yes the inside has changed – the people have clearly changed. Screens have gone up, organs put in, pews arrived and stained glass windows to decorate and for those who couldn’t read – all to help people to have a relationship with God, to worship, to learn about and grow in faith, to build a community of believers – history- there is plenty of it here in Clewer.
I am always learning something new about this building. Families have established links that go back for generations, graves, weddings, baptism etc – rectors have come and gone! Some more notorious than others!
This is a house of God – a house that needs nurturing and fixing, a house of hope and faith that needs to be filled and used and lived in now in our generation and made good and sustainable for future generations of Christians. A place not just for us on Sundays but a place where people feel welcomed, where there is always something going on, where you can come for a quiet pray and reflection, where the coffee is good, where the seating is comfy, where you can hear the word of God, where you can see a good play and be inspired by the music, a place that changes you. A place of relationship.
Another question … .how has this place helped to shape and change my faith and my life?
Changes need to happen for growth, for mission and outreach, to build community links and … to stop the deterioration of this ancient building.
We need to raise a serious amount of money – access grants – project management – carry out consultations – faculties need to be applied for – we need patience, give our time, we need motivation, inspiration, dogged determination, clear thinking, listening, passion and prayer.
This is not one person’s responsibility – it is all of us, everyone has a voice. Every member of the new PCC will have a significant role within the life of our Vision, we are here to serve, and that means action, time and resources. They are a gift to you, you are a gift to them but they can’t do it on their own.
Romans 12
We have a new life in Christ – we are all one body in Christ – therefore we are transformed, nothing stays the same – this amazing building is going to change and be transformed – be part of it, get involved, let’s do this for Christ so that we may PROCLAIM THE GOODNEWS OF HIS LOVE FROM THIS PLACE.
Alleluia Christ is risen! With blessings Revd Rosie
Services for the Month of May
1st Sunday – 1 May – Easter 6
10.30am Family Worship (non-Eucharist)
readings Acts 16.9-15; Revelation 21.10, 22-22.5; John 14.23-29
5pm Parish Eucharist
2nd Sunday – 8 May – Easter 7 Sunday after Ascension
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings Acts 16.16-34; Revelation 22.12-14, 16-17, 20-end; John 17.20-end
5pm BCP Evensong
readings Ps 68; Isaiah 44.1-8; Ephesians 4.7-16
3rd Sunday – 15 May – Pentecost
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Acts 2.1-21; Romans 8.14-17; John 14.8-17
3pm Children’s Church (Child-centred Holy Communion)
5pm Evening Prayer
readings Ps 33.1-12; Exodus 33.7-20; 2 Corinthians 3.4-end;
4th Sunday – 22 May – Trinity Sunday
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31; Romans 5.1-5; John 16.12-15
5pm BCP Evensong
readings: Ps 73.1-3, 16-end; Exodus 3.1-15; John 3.1-17
5th Sunday – 29 May
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: 1 Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39; Galatians 1:1-12; Luke 7:1-10
No evening service
Midweek Services in April
Wednesdays 10am Said Eucharist in the Brocas Chapel
Fridays 9.30am Prayers & Bears in Church
Feast Days in April
Thursday 5 May – Ascension Day. No service at St Andrews this year, please take the opportunity to visit another church.
Celebrating Her Majesty, the Queen’s 90th Birthday
Flower Festival on the first weekend in June, to celebrate the Queen’s life and faith. It will be a full weekend of events and we will be looking for volunteers to do the refreshments, help with decorating etc. Heather and John Albless are leading this so please offer your support. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate creativity and our Monarch. Put it in your diary now! Thank you
For your prayers
Healing Prayers: Peter and Katie Dennis, Jack Trigwell, baby Blake, baby Creed, Jim Allen, Pam and Alfred Tardiff, Graham Fuller, Nora Fenlon, Charlie Murphy
Those who have died: Barbara Mabbs
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Please pray for all those who live or work in Parsonage Lane, Errington Drive, Chantry Close, Rectory Close, Haslemere Road, Oak Lane, Orchard Avenue, and Dedworth Road.
Baptisms: Lucas Harffey
Notices
Choir Practice – Tuesday evenings at 6pm in church
Bell ringing – Fridays 7.30pm
Parish Office is now held on Saturday mornings at St Andrews. The church will be open for visitors 10-12 Saturday mornings, so if anyone wants to see the Rector, no appointments necessary, just turn up. If you have any enquires about weddings, baptisms or funerals this is the time to come.
Christian Aid Week 15-21 May – there are many events going on around town, please take this opportunity to support the work of Christian Aid.
Christian Aid Plant Sale and coffee morning @ The Rectory Saturday 21st May, 10am – 12pm – please bring and buy plants and cakes. We look forward to welcoming you all to the Rectory garden.
APCM News
New Churchwarden – a BIG welcome to Heather Allbless as your new churchwarden. Heather was appointed at the APCM and we look forward to her enthusiasm and energy as we move into the next phase of mission and ministry here at St Andrews. Licensing will be at St Paul’s Wokingham on 18 May at 7.30pm.
New PCC Members – welcome to Lesley and Rob
Standing down – Georgine and Churchwarden Jane, we thank them for all their support and service on the PCC. They will both still be very much involved with the church family.
Thank you to all those who attended the APCM.
Building News – our application for the Roof Repair Grant, towards a new spire, was submitted again and we now await news in June. In the meantime please spread the word about the Cedar Tiles at £5 per bundle, we need to sponsor/sell a lot!
Mice are still a problem and we are looking for someone to help Bob and Stuart identify the ‘easy access’ points and to fix them so no more damage can be done!
Church yard tidy – thank you to all the volunteers who worked very hard at the end of April. We are very grateful for your time and energy. The difference is really beginning to show. Help is always needed, you don’t have to wait for the organised events, just have a word with Bob or Vikki.
Finances – not something we like to talk about but we must! It was agreed at the APCM that there will be a finance update about running costs for St Andrews in the monthly pews news, to give everyone an idea of where we stand financially, beginning in June.
Old Organ – the faculty to remove the old Walker Organ is currently with the Registrar’s Office. Please look again at the plans for this space, which are on the notice board at the entrance to the church. These are not set in stone but we would welcome your comments at this stage.
Children and Families – we have a growing number of young families now at St Andrews. Children were welcomed by Jesus and are a gift to our church – they’re not just the ‘church of the future’ but also members of our church today. Please make them and their families welcome as we worship God together. Come along and help out with Prayers and Bears and/or Children’s Church and Family Services.
Tips for Parents and Carers – relax! Don’t worry about wrigglers and whispers. Sit with your children near the children’s area or near the front so that you can all see and be involved. Explain to the children what is going on in the service and help them to join in, if there are parts you don’t understand, just ask! Sing, pray and join in with the responses and actions, they will copy you. If you need to leave at any point, please do and know you are welcome back anytime. Stay for refreshments so that we can all get to know each other.
School visits this month
St Edwards Middle School – history visit the week of May 23. If you know the historical aspects of St Andrews we would be grateful of your help.
Date and times: 23rd May – 10-12, 24th May – 1.30 m-3.30pm, 25th May 1.30 – 3.30. Please see the churchwardens if you can help out.
Clewer Green First School – 19th May – Year 3 RE visit in the morning.
Deanery Synod – next meeting will be held on Wednesday 8th June 2016 at 8pm at St Peter’s Middle School, Old Windsor. Visitors are welcome, if you would like to go please see Martin or Mulle.
Revd Rosie Webb, Rector
Parish of Clewer St Andrew and St Agnes Church
St Andrew’s Rectory, Parsonage Lane SL4 5EN
01753 852334 www.standrewsclewer.org