† St Andrews
Proclaiming Christ in Clewer
Pews News: May 2017
Welcome, in the name of Jesus Christ, to this house of prayer.
Rector’s Ramblings
Its APCM time again and the gospel set for the Sunday was John 20. 19-end, apart from the story of doubting Thomas, the other focus was on the words Jesus spoke to his followers “Peace be with you”. After a busy Easter I took a few days off, rest days or low week as we call it in the church. It is always good after an event to take time out to rest and reflect, to be still for a while and think..what was all that about? Jesus had risen from the dead, he left the empty tomb behind and returned to the disciples. He greets them saying “peace be with you”, but they were far from any kind of peace. They were still in their tomb, their emotional tomb, behind the locked doors of the house, even after eight days. Without peace they are as good as dead. In the space of a week Jesus greets them with the peace three times, but because of fear in their hearts, they have no peace. Eventually we learn that they do unlock the door and face the world, knowing that they are sent out with the Spirit. Their lives were never free from conflict, not even amongst themselves. But the peace that Jesus gives doesn’t mean we will be free from worldly conflict, it is rather an inner calm in the midst of strife. Jesus came to bring peace, not in the conventional way but a different kind of peace, a peace which passes all understanding. Peace is calmly living on the edge, betwixt and between the ups and downs of life.
Who can be at peace when our world is turned upside down? We can!
Last year was a year of ups and downs, especially with our church buildings and wonderfully, the number of worshippers coming through St Andrews. Sometimes it felt like there was never going to be any peace as there is always so much to do! And there will always be those who differ in opinion from us, whether it be about the pews, or the number of toilets or the style of worship.
Don’t let fear stand in the way of God’s mission here together as a community of faith, not staying behind locked doors but opening the doors to new possibilities, new members, new ventures – possibilities that bring the gospel to our community. Every time we share the peace of Christ with someone we open ourselves up to new possibilities.
Here in Clewer, as people of faith, Living, Loving, Learning together, let us all find the peace of Christ within ourselves as individuals so that together, eventually, we too can unlock the doors, physically and metaphorically and know that we are sent.
We can because Jesus is the One that is Peace….. the peace of the Lord be always with you.
Alleluia Christ is risen! With blessings Revd Rosie
Services for the Month of May
1st Sunday – 7 May – Easter 4
8am Said Eucharist
10.30am All Age Family Eucharist
readings Acts 4.42-end; 1 Peter 2.19-end; John 10.1-10
5pm BCP Evening Prayer: Ps 29, Ezra 3.1-13, Ephesians 2.11-end
2nd Sunday – 14 May – Easter 5
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings Acts 7.55-end, 1 Peter 2.2-10, John 14.1-14
5pm BCP Evensong: Ps 147, Zachariah 4.1-10, Revelation 21.1-14
3rd Sunday – 21 May –Easter 6
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Acts 17.22-31, 1 Peter 3.13-end, John 14.15-21
3pm Children’s Church (Child-centred Holy Communion)
5pm Evening Prayer: Ps 87, Zachariah.1-13, Revelation 21.22-22.5
25 May, Thursday – Ascension Day
7.30pm Eucharist
4th Sunday – 28 May – Easter 7
10.30am Parish Eucharist
readings: Acts 1.6-14, 1 Peter 4.12-14; 5.6-11, John 17.1-11
5pm BCP Evensong: Ps 47, 2 Samuel 23.1-5, Ephesians 1.15-end
Midweek Services in May
Fridays 9.30am Prayers & Bears at St Andrews Church
For your prayers
Healing Prayers: Peter Dennis, Jack Trigwell, Blake, baby Creed, Jim Allen, Alfred Tardiff, Joan Bull, Sam Evans, Margaret Andrews, Al Brewer, Susan Hines, Julie, Jasmine, Phoebe, Roy Taylor, Caroline, Rueben, Vivienne Fletcher. The Homeless, Refugees and Prisoners and all who mourn.
Community Prayers: Clewer Green School, head teacher Martin Tinsley and all the staff and governors.
Those who have died: Ann Laws, Lionel Haynes, Georgina Ruff
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: Abel Fox, Benjamin Gardiner, William Harris, Ivy King, Finn Seller, Max Bardos, Elizabeth Wootton
Notices
“A Night at the Movies” held on 29 April raised £750. A huge thank you to everyone involved in providing us with such splendid entertainment.
Little Lambs Stay and Play – New toddler playgroup and coffee morning at St Agnes Hall. Come along and join us for this new stay and play organised by the young families of the parish. It is held on Tuesday mornings 9.30am – 11.30am, come and go when you want.
Choir Practice – Tuesday evenings at 6pm in church
Bell ringing – Tuesdays at 7.00pm and Fridays at 7.30pm
Parish Office – The Parish Office in the Lodge is now open for business between 10:00 and 12:00 on weekdays. Sharon Robinson is the Parish Administrator. All general enquiries should now go through the office. Tel: 01753 864169
Christian Aid Week 14-20 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 20 May, 10am – 12pm – please bring and buy plants and cakes. We look forward to welcoming you all to the Rectory garden.
APCM News
Churchwardens – Rob Taylor and Heather Allbless were appointed as churchwardens at the APCM. The admission of churchwardens will be at St Mary’s Gate in Reading on 31 May.
PCC Members – Heather Allbless, Rob Taylor, Bob Lester, Lesley Cross, Dennis Evans, Mulle Price, Martin Chandler, Stuart Cockman.
The PCC needs you, the team is still short of four members. You can be co-opted on to the PCC even if you have only just gone on to the electoral roll.
Thank you to all those who attended the APCM.
Next PCC will be held on 22 May at 7.30pm (for prayers) at St Agnes
St Agnes – the hall, kitchen and toilets have all been completely refurbished and is now open for business. If you are looking for a space to meet, conferences, parties etc do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.
New Parish Website – this is very exciting! Our new website will go live next week. It will contain all the up to date information you need. St Agnes bookings will be on-line.
Bible Challenge – recommences Wednesday 10 May at St Andrews at 7.30pm.
Church yard tidy – Help is always needed, you don’t have to wait for the organised events, just have a word with Bob or Vikki. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped on 6 May.
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. The Parish Share paid to Diocese monthly is £3000 and then there are all the bills and outgoings, money coming in is less than half the amount required.
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.
Deanery Synod – next meeting will be held on 24 May at St Peter’s Church, Furze Platt at 20:00. Visitors are welcome, if you would like to go please see Martin or Mulle.
Clewer Parish, St Andrews Church and St Agnes Centre
Parish Office, The Lodge, Mill Lane, Windsor SL45JH
01753 864169