JANUARY 2021

The Parish of Kidmore End & Sonning Common

The Lamb and Flag

The parish magazine of

St John the Baptist Church, Kidmore End and Christ the King Church, Sonning Common

50p

CONTACTING THE CLERGY AND CHURCH OFFICERS

Rector

Revd James Stickings Telephone 0118 972 1459 Email [email protected] For the time being, please contact one of the churchwardens if you need advice or support. Associate Priest

Revd Sheila Walker Telephone 0118 972 4861 Email [email protected] Churchwardens

Nick Room Telephone 0118 972 2258 Email [email protected]

Richard Walker Telephone 0118 327 6107 Email [email protected]

Musical Director St John’s

Frances Brewitt - Telephone 0118 948 2743 Taylor Email [email protected]

PCC Treasurer

Nick Room Telephone 0118 972 2258 Email [email protected]

PCC Secretary

Jenny MacGregor Telephone 0118 947 2855 Email [email protected]

The parish website can be found on https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/166

A NEW YEAR REFLECTION

2020 was probably a year to which more downbeat adjectives than normal can be applied. The scale of suffering and misery brought about by the Covid 19 virus has been, and continues to be, large and widespread. We have been forced to set aside many normal ways of living.

When football teams lose a match, managers, though disappointed, are often heard to say, ‘we’ll take the positives and move on.’ And perhaps that is a philosophy we can all try to embrace as we move through 2021.

One of the products of the very difficult times through which we have lived in 2020 is that we have found new ways of living or doing things. In the lockdown that took place from 23 March many found more time to devote to domestic chores like gardening and cookery; or take on healthy leisure pursuits like walking or cycling. Being required to remain at home meant that where possible we had to contact family and friends via technology beit the telephone or ‘Zoom’ but perhaps more frequently than normal. We may have taken extra care to enquire about elderly neighbours and ensure that help was on hand to them if needed. Lockdown may have given us the opportunity to take up something new. Was a more restrained Christmas celebration an opportunity to focus on the most important aspects of the season? Was it more peaceful and a little less stressful? Possibly not given the restrictions.

Many say, ‘I don’t make new year’s resolutions,’ but it might do no harm for each of us to reflect on 2020. What ‘positives’ can we take into this new year? Because a collective effort may make a significant difference for good in our families, our friendships and our communities.

We read in Matthew’s Gospel, ‘Let your light so shine, that others may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’ Let us do all we can to ensure lots of brightly shining light in 2021.

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‘HABEMUS EPISCOPUS’ – THE NEW

Towards the end of November the Ven was named as the next Bishop of Dorchester. He will be consecreated on 28 January.

Gavin, 53, was educated in Law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He then worked as a solicitor in the City of London before training for ministry at Trinity College Bristol. Having grown up in Sussex, Gavin is a life-long and active supporter of Brighton and Hove Albion FC, which he says, proves he is a person of great faith. At present he is Archdeacon of The Meon in the Diocese of Portsmouth.

The , the Rt Revd Dr said; “I am delighted that Gavin has accepted the invitation to be the next Bishop of Dorchester. Gavin is known for his warmth and approachability, and he is passionate about the mission of the church. He’s experienced in bringing churches, local authorities and civil society organisations together for the good of all, and is clear about the issues rural communities and towns face. I am very excited about what Gavin’s appointment means for the .”

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SEASONAL COOKING – FELICITY COOPER Some hae meat, and cannae eat, And some wad eat that want it, but we hae meat and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit. Selkirk grace attributed to Robert Burns born 25 January 1759

The baptism of Christ is the feast day celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. Originally celebrated on 6 January it is now a distinct feast celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany. Pope John Paul II started the tradition of baptising babies in the Sistine chapel during the Mass celebrating the Baptism of Christ.

In the Ukraine craft fairs are held with traditional food, drinks, and entertainment. Across southern and eastern Europe Orthodox Christians jump into freezing cold lake water to retrieve a wooden crucifix! practising Catholics often re-affirm their faith on this day.

In the city church of St Magnus the Martyr the feast of the baptism of Christ is celebrated in a rather unusual fashion. On a freezing January day, clergy, and members of the congregation process onto London Bridge to meet with the clergy and congregation of Southwark Cathedral. A service is held on the bridge and a wooden cross is dropped into the Thames. The Port of London Authority and City police are pre warned so there is no risk of the cross causing a concussion to occupants of passing boats.

You might recognise a familiar face in the photograph alongside.

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Vegetarian Scotch Eggs

Ingredients 5 large eggs (at room temperature) 8 vegetarian sausages (Cumberland or Lincolnshire work well) 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1 clove of garlic (crushed) A pinch of chilli flakes (optional) Plain flour Panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tbsp of finely grated parmesan cheese Vegetable cooking oil (I use rapeseed oil)

Instructions

Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and carefully lower four eggs into it. Boil for 6½ minutes. This results in a soft yolk and set white. Add extra time if you like your yolk well cooked. Remove the eggs and place in a bowl of iced water. When completely cool remove the shells and set aside. Break up the sausages and mix with the parsley, garlic, and chilli flakes. Beat the remaining egg and if the sausage meat is too dry add a little to the mixture to bind. Mix thoroughly and divide into four balls. Flatten a ball of sausage meat onto a piece of cling film and wrap one of the hardboiled eggs ensuring an even, smooth covering with no gaps. Roll into the flour, then the beaten egg and finally the breadcrumbs and parmesan Repeat with the other eggs Put into the fridge for at least 2 hours to set.

Heat about 5 cm of oil in a wok or deep frying pan to 160°C/320°F and fry the scotch eggs for 6-7 minutes until the breadcrumbs are light golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper and put into a hot oven for 2 minutes to finish cooking. Serve hot or cold with mayonnaise. Pork sausages may be substituted. A substantial meal to enjoy after your dip in an ice-cold lake!

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FEAST DAYS AND OTHER COMMEMORATIONS IN FEBRUARY The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, often referred to as Candlemas, falls on 2 February but it may be marked on Sunday 31 January. As previously mentioned, Ash Wednesday falls on 17 February marking the start of Lent. The Book of Common Prayer has a feast day for St Mathias on 24 February although the Common Worship Lectionary marks the event on 14 May.

The Queen’s Accession may be marked on 6 February and George Herbert, poet and priest, 1633 is marked on 27 February.

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK’S SUNDAY REFLECTION ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT In this liturgical year, which has just started, most of our gospel readings through the year will be from St Mark’s Gospel. And today we get the very opening and you’ll notice straight away that unlike Matthew and Luke and to a certain extent John there’s no real mention of the birth of Jesus, the story

5 of the incarnation, at all. In Mark’s Gospel Jesus arrives on the scene of human history being as a grown man. And we get straight into the action of the story. Mark’s Gospel is an action-packed gospel. It’s the shortest of all the gospels, probably the earliest and we begin with Jesus’ baptism. Which is a bit odd in a way because we might think that Jesus is the one person who doesn’t need to be baptized. But straight away what Mark is demonstrating is that God has come to us in Jesus Christ first of all to show complete solidarity with us. The one person who doesn’t need to be baptized is baptized and that person is Jesus who is on our side. But in this Advent season the other person who ‘carols’ across this part of the story is John the Baptist himself, the forerunner of Jesus. John the Baptist is like the last character in the old testament and the first character in the new testament, the last of the prophets the one who directly points us to Jesus.

So what I have been thinking about as I read this passage is what to share with you in this Diocese. There is two things; first of all, who was it that pointed you to Jesus, and, how can you point others? And let me just tell you a quick story from my own experience in life. I wasn’t brought up in a church as some of you may know. Its quite a long, complicated story how I got drawn into the orbit and life of the Christian Church. And lots of people showed me the way in different ways. But the key person was my RE teacher at school, Mrs Rouse, I recall it was. And Mrs Rouse was a jolly teacher and she was obviously a committed Christian as well. You could tell that from the way she taught us RE. And she had a huge impact on me when I was about 13 or 14. But I never told her, in fact I never told anyone. At the school I went to you didn’t do stuff like that. But she was someone who pointed me to Jesus.

Let me tell you another story about Mrs Rouse. Years, years later when I was a bishop – you know 30 or 40 years later, I was taking a service and there, sitting in the congregation, was a very elderly lady – it was Mrs Rouse. I recognized her immediately even though I hadn’t seen her for 40 years. And after the service when I am doing that thing we bishops and clergy do – I am standing at the door shaking hands with people, Mrs Rouse comes out, a very frail lady holding the arms of – it turns out - her daughter and I greet her. And I said, “Mrs Rouse, you taught me RE in Southend at that pretty average secondary school I went to. And you were one of the first people who showed me that the Christian faith mattered because it was so obvious when you

6 talked about it. You, as it were, pointed me to Jesus.” Mrs Rouse being a good person paid me the great compliment of pretending that she remembered me. But, of course, she didn’t – she was a jobbing teacher who had taught thousands and thousands of oiks like me through a lifetime of teaching. But what God gave me in that moment was the gift of opportunity to say thank you to one of the people who helped me find Jesus.

So today as we travel through this Advent season who were the people who pointed you to Jesus? Give thanks to them, and, if you are able to, give them a ‘ring’ and say thank you. And how can we be that person to others? How might God weave us into other people’s stories so that we are not only preparing ourselves for Jesus to come into our own lives as we get ready for Christmas, and in this Advent season for that day when we shall see Jesus face to face, but we’re saying, “God, how can you use me to show Jesus to others?” Amen.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? (LESTER AMANN CONSIDERS THE VISIT OF THE MAGI) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding….and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Perhaps ‘where do we go from here’ was a question the Wise Men asked after seeing the infant Jesus. They had come from a distant land to Jerusalem. They had followed a star and expected to see a royal child. Now in Bethlehem, they saw things differently. No doubt, Mary and Joseph shared with these men their recent experiences and knew God was with them. Now the Magi had to have eyes of faith to recognise that this child was God in the flesh.

On 6 January many churches will celebrate Epiphany. On this day we remember the Eastern Men bringing their gifts to Jesus. The word ‘epiphany’ describes their ‘revelation’ or ‘insight’ that this was no ordinary baby. Who could they tell? Not King Herod. They had a dream warning them to return home a different way. Their return to familiar surroundings was going to be different. They couldn’t be silent about what they had experienced. Their lives were now changed. On returning home they faced new circumstances and challenges.

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Doesn’t this sound a bit familiar to us today? The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us in one way or another. Where do we go from here? We have celebrated our Lord’s birth, but now we are returning to our previous activities. The festive break is over, and we are returning to changed, very difficult circumstances.

We go into a New Year that is so different from this time last year. While we might be downcast with all the upsets around us, there is one thing that has not changed. It is almighty God! He is our rock. We can look to Him in this world of confusion and uncertainty. Perhaps, from now on, we shall be worshipping and serving Him in different ways. So, with the challenges that lie ahead, let’s continually seek His guidance.

THE CONVERSION OF PAUL – 25 JANUARY January is a month of the beginning of great things! As well as the naming of the Son of God, we celebrate the conversion of the greatest ever apostle of the Christian faith. Many books have been written on Paul, and here is the briefest of introductions.

He was a Jew, born as ‘Saul’ at Tarsus, and brought up by the rabbi Gamaliel as a Pharisee. A devout, fanatical Jew, Saul persecuted the Christians, and watched with satisfaction the first Christian martyrdom, the stoning of Stephen. Then, on his way to Damascus, Saul had a vision of Christ that stopped him in his tracks. He realised that this Jesus whom he was persecuting was in fact the Messiah for whom he had longed.

Saul changed overnight. He was given a new name, Paul, and became an evangelist for the cause of Christ. He became a leader in the early Church, and his special calling was as an apostle to the Gentiles. He wrote epistles to the young churches that he founded – and thus, inadvertently, wrote a great part of the New Testament.

Life as the greatest apostle was hardly full of perks: Paul was stoned, beaten, mobbed, homeless, hated, imprisoned, and finally martyred. Tradition has it that he was beheaded in Rome during the persecution of Nero in 64AD, and buried where the basilica of St Paul ‘outside the walls’ now stands. His

8 mighty faith in Christ has kindled similar belief in many hundreds of millions of people down the centuries.

ARCHBISHOPS CALL FOR A ‘SIMPLER, HUMBLER, AND BOLDER CHURCH’ The momentous events of 2020 will have a “profound effect” on the future of the and our wider society, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have said.

In a recent joint address to the General Synod, Archbishops Justin Welby and Stephen Cottrell said the Church of England must adapt and put its trust in God to become a “simpler, humbler, bolder Church.”

The archbishops’ comments came as they addressed the first online sitting of the General Synod following a legal change to enable it to meet remotely amid the coronavirus restrictions. They outlined how the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout are providing the backdrop to huge social changes – here and around the world. They also singled out how the Black Lives Matter movement and the publication of the IICSA report on abuse had exposed the Church’s own failings and the need to change.

Archbishop Justin told Synod: “2020 will be a year that registers in memory and in history. It can be compared with 1929, with 1914, with 1989. “We are aware that this is a year in which huge changes are happening in our society and consequently in the Church. For let us be clear, there is no possibility of changes in society failing to have a profound effect on the shape, calling and experience of mission in the Church.”

Outlining the dramatic events of 2020, he added: “These crises are not signs of the absence of God but calls to recognise the presence of the kingdom and to act in faith and courage, simplifying our life focusing on Jesus Christ, looking outwards to the needy and renewing in our cells our call to wash feet, to serve our society and to be the Church for England.”

Archbishop Stephen went on to outline the work of groups set up to discern how the Church of England might respond and change in light of the recent challenges. He told Synod: “If we put our trust in God, and if we learn to

9 love one another, then I believe we can become a simpler, humbler, bolder Church, better able to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

MESSAGE OF THANKS TO OUR SCHOOLS Just before Christmas, the , the Rt Revd Dr , Chair of the Diocesan Board gave a very appropriate message of thanks to headteachers, staff, and governors for their unswerving commitment and dedication in an extraordinary year.

2020 has shown just how vital our schools are; they are the lynch pin of our villages and communities and countless examples of selfless, community spirited acts of kindness have their roots in schools across the Diocese. As well as this, staff at our 300 schools have kept the spirit of education alive, putting their children at the heart of everything they do. Staff have had to turn their hands to numerous new tasks and rethink their teaching methods to ensure that students have been able to continue their education, despite the pandemic.

Bishop Alan was keen to point out that the long hours and unremitting hard work have not gone un-recognised and that as educators and as an organisation more widely, 2021 and beyond will be used to address and adapt to the ‘new normal’.

Bishop Alan concluded his message by saying, “I really want you to know, going on all my experience of ODBE’s interactions with over 300 schools in the Thames Valley whom we serve in one way or another, you have been amazing.

“This Christmas won’t feel like any other, but I hope and pray it will bring some comfort and joy, along with time to rest, recharge and refresh with family and friends. Now’s a time to share the people we love best, and remember always, as St John tells us, The Light Shines on in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

“Happy Christmas, and every good wish for the new year to come! God bless”.

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CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AT ST JOHN’S The flower arrangers did much to lift our spirits during 2020. Here are some images of their Christmas arrangements outside St John’s at the Well and inside on the window ledges. Our warmest thanks again to everyone involved.

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RECORDING A CAROL SERVICE By the time you read this we hope you will have taken part in our carol service online. This is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2WdvmwdVJU

We hope you enjoyed it and sang lustily in your own homes, since congregations are not allowed to sing in church.

It was with excitement but some trepidation that singers from St John’s and Christ The King gathered on Saturday morning 19 December to record the service. The singers were arranged well distanced in the nave while the readings were made from near the altar. Graham Edwards lit the candles to create the right atmosphere and the flower team had placed beautiful arrangements of candles, holly and Christmas berries in the windows.

Sheila recorded the Bidding Prayer and final reading, followed by Jonty, Val, Joss, Graham, Joan and Richard with the other readings. The choir then sang its own carols and finally we recorded the congregational hymns and carols.

The onerous task of editing all this into the right order falls to Matt Eustace, to whom, with his assistant Mark, we are enormously indebted. His microphones and cameras moved all round the choir area as he endeavoured to find the best place for each. Thank you, Matt and Mark, for your skills and endless good-humoured patience!

The choir has been restricted in what we could achieve by the requirement to keep rehearsals short and well ventilated (brrr!) But we have enjoyed our preparations very much and we hope that our efforts brought you some Christmas joy, as they did to us. F Brewitt-Taylor

REVISED COVID GUIDANCE – 19 DECEMBER The and welcomed the government’s decision that places of worship should remain open for services. However, they said that those who are clincially vulnerable might wish to refrain from attendance for the time being and neither clinically vulnerable clergy nor lay should not feel any compulsion to attend services.

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CENTRE SPOT FOR CHILDREN

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WHERE DID THE HYMN, BETHLEHEM OF NOBLEST CITIES, COME FROM? This is one of a number of familiar Epiphany hymns. The lyrics originated in works by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius. Although we can’t be sure it is thought that he was born around 348 and died around 410. He lived in northern Spain, and spent much of his working life as a magistrate. Coming to religious leanings late in life he wrote several personal sacred texts which were not intended to be sung. For translation we can be for ever thankful for the work of Edward Caswall (1814 – 1878). Caswall was born not too far from here in Yately and read classics at Brasenose College, Oxford. Although he was ordained deacon in 1838 and priest in 1839, he resigned his living and later joined the Church of Rome in 1847. His gift to us is a wider range of high quality translations of Latin hymns than any other person apart from John Mason Neale.

This hymn tells the wondrous story of the visit of the Magi to the stable at Bethlehem and the gifts which they brought to the new born baby. It appeared in the very first Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861, The music setting adopted by Hymns Ancient and Modern is Stuttgart composed by the German Christian Friedrich Witt (1660 – 1716). The tune first appeared in Witt’s Lutheran book, Psalmodia Sacra in 1715 and it has found use with other hymns including, Come, thou long expected Jesus.

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO TAKE A SABBATICAL AND STUDY LEAVE LATER THIS YEAR The Archbishop of Canterbury will be taking a sabbatical from May until early August. He will return to work in early September after some leave.

He will spend the majority of the time in Cambridge and in the USA doing further study on reconciliation - one of the priorities of his time as Archbishop and area he has worked in for many years. Throughout his time away he will be in direct touch with colleagues, and the and the Bishop of London will take on some additional duties.

All clergy are entitled to apply for a sabbatical every seven to ten years. The principle taken directly from the Bible. The Archbishop last took study leave in 2005.

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BISHOP OF CHELMSFORD Succeeding Stephen Cottrell as is the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehquani, currently .She has held this post since 2017.

Bihop Guli said, “It is a great privilege to be appointed as the next Bishop of Chelmsford. I know there are many challenges ahead both in the church and wider society, not least as a result of the pandemic. However, I am hopeful about the future. As Christian communities, I believe our task is to be faithful; to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to continue serving the world; to work well together and in partnership with others. In doing this, we’ll discover the extent of God’s love.

“I want to thank my friends and colleagues in Leicester Diocese where I have been very happy. I will be sad to say goodbye, but at the same time I am very excited about this next chapter in my ministry.”

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BISHOP FOR PRISONS AND DEPUTY CHAPLAIN- GENERAL WELCOMED BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND THE CHURCH IN WALES The Bishop for Prisons and Deputy Chaplain-General were commissioned in a service of evening prayer led by the Archbishop of Canterbury on 10 December. Taking on the Bishop for Prisons role as an additional responsibility is the , the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek. Licensed as Deputy Chaplain-General of Prisons was the Revd Helen Dearnley. Commenting on her new role, Helen Dearnley said, “My role is to equip and support all Anglican Prison Chaplains, to pray for all those who work and live in prison, to support the Through the Gate provision for those released from custody and to be a link between the Church of England, Church in Wales and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).”

Bishop Rachel has campaigned on criminal justice issues, including domestic violence, sentencing reform and the treatment of women in the justice system. In recent years, she has worked with the her predecessor, Bishop James Langstaff, as Bishop for the women’s prison estate. Rachel commented, “Our prisons and chaplains encounter people at the most critical moment of their lives. Their work can transform lives – not just for individuals but for whole communities. It is an honour to be appointed as Bishop for Prisons.”

PLANTS IN YOUR FRONT GARDEN What’s in your front garden? If it is sparse, why not consider adding some plants this year? Apparently, the presence of greenery can lower your stress levels as much as two months of mindfulness sessions. Plants can also help you to feel happier.

A recent trial study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that people who introduced ornamental plants such as juniper, azalea, clematis, lavender, daffodil bulbs and petunias had a significant lowering of the stress hormone, cortisol, and many reported that they felt ‘happier’.

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WHY PARKING YOUR CAR IS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT Have you noticed that it is getting harder to park your car? And that when you finally do get parked, you can barely get the door open enough to squeeze out? It is not your fault. Modern cars have grown so big that many drivers now have as little as 21cm of room to spare in a parking space.

A recent study has found that the country’s most popular cars are as much as 55 per cent larger than they were in the Seventies, while the standard parking space has not grown at all. No surprise, then, that millions of drivers scrape their cars each year trying to park in cramped spaces.

The biggest grower is the Mini Hatch, which is now 55 per cent bigger and takes up to 22 per cent more of a parking space that the original did, back in 1959. The Honda Civic of today is 1.8m wide, an increase of 44 per cent. It now takes up nearly three quarters of a standard parking bay.

CarGurus, who carried out the research, has urged the authorities to update the guidelines for parking bays. The current size of a parking bay is 2.4m by 4.8m, and has not changed in 50 years.

A CARTOON’S POWER TO DELIVER A THOUGHT- PROVOKING MESSAGE The satirical magazine, Private Eye, had a small but effective cartoon in its pre-Christmas edition. Two small children find themselves in the presence of a suitably plump Father Christmas, just arrived carrying a heavily laden sack of presents. The children’s comment to Father Christmas is that they would have preferred a visit by Marcus Rashford. And, Father Christmas has a suitably deflated expression on his face. Very perceptive children perhaps!

Drawing on his own childhood experiences, Marcus Rashford, the Manchester United and England footballer campaigned successfully to get the government to ensure free school meals during holidays for children in low income families. He also helped with deliveries in his local area.

FINALLY - A HAMPSHIRE CHURCH MAGAZINE APPEAL We badly need sinners for our choir.

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ADVERTISING SECTION

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PILATES ABC HENLEY

Sonning Common Wednesdays, 10 am + 11 am Shiplake Wednesday 6.30 pm + 8 pm

Pilates is an excellent way to unwind, improve your flexibility, muscle tone + posture. We work hard + have fun. Come + join us!

Booking essential. For more details contact Alyth Yealland [email protected] 07521699265 www.pilatesabc.co.uk

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CHURCH FABRIC FUNDS ------CHRIST THE KING ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

Are you making a will? Have you had a windfall? Wish to show gratitude for a special event? Want to see the church building preserved? Or just feeling generous? ------Then make a contribution to one or other of these Funds. Your money will be used ONLY for the preservation of the buildings. Contact the churchwardens

Nick Room – 0118 972 2258 or Richard Walker – 0118 327 6107

Advertising in this Contact for anyone interested in Neil Scott – 0118 972 magazine advertising in this magazine 3890 Church Fabric Funds Help preserve our churches for Nick Room – 0118 972 future generations 2258 Richard Walker – 0118 327 6107 Hiring Christ the King Lettings by arrangement – may Rosemary House – 0118 Hall be hired for moderate charges 972 2632

Hiring the Parish Room For hire at reasonable rates – Guy Johnson – 07920 children’s parties, small 100065 meetings/functions, baptism parties etc. Magazine articles Please send to Jenny MacGregor [email protected] – the deadline is 22nd monthly. Magazine delivery To arrange delivery of this Please contact one of the magazine to your home churchwardens. .

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SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Where services are held in the benefice churches there are restrictions on numbers able to attend. Please be guided by the stewards on arrival at St John’s and Christ the King.

A text version of the service will be distributed with the bulletin which includes details of the readings and Collect.

LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS For those able to access online services the Diocese of Oxford has a dedicated page on their website giving details of services at various times on a Sunday. https://www.oxford.anglican.org/coronavirus-covid-19/livestream/

Principal Diocesan services are usually streamed at 10am and the service order is posted on a Friday.

For those without internet access the Diocesan service can be heard by telephoning 01865 920 930. Select 0 for the whole service or 1 for a shorter version. Standard call rates apply.

However, there are other services throughout the Diocese by parishes at other times of the day. Do take a look at what’s available.

PARISH DIRECTORY As this magazine is being delivered principally through on-line channels the directory has been removed to comply with data protection regulations. The benefice office is closed until further notice

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PRINCIPAL SERVICE LECTIONARY

Date St John’s Lessons Christ the King

3 January – 11.00 Eucharist Jeremiah 31. 7 – 14 09.30 Morning Second Sunday Ephesians 1. 3 – 14 Worship of Christmas John 1. (1 – 9) 10 - 18 6 January – The Isaiah 60. 1 – 6 Epiphany Ephesians 3. 1 – 12 Matthew 2. 1 - 12 10 January – 11.00 Private Genesis 1. 1 – 5 09.30 Eucharist The Baptism of Prayer Acts 19. 1 – 7 Christ (First Mark 1. 4 - 11 Sunday of Epiphany) 17 January – 11.00 Morning 1 Samuel 3. 1 – 10 (11 – 20) 09.30 Private Second Sunday Worship Revelation 5. 1 – 10 Prayer of Epiphany John 1. 43 - end 24 January – 11.00 Eucharist Genesis 14. 17 – 20 09.30 Morning Third Sunday Revelation 19. 6 – 10 Worship of Epiphany John 2. 1 - 11 25 January – Jeremiah 1. 4 – 10 The Conversion Acts 9. 1 – 22 of Paul Matthew 19. 27 – end 31 January – 11.00 Private Deuteronomy 18. 15 – 20 09.30 Eucharist Fourth Sunday Prayer Revelation 12. 1 – 5a of Epiphany Mark 1. 21 - 28 Planned services at All Saints’ are Morning Worship on 10 and 31 January and a Eucharist on 17 January at 10.30 on each Sunday.

Please check the weekly bulletins for updates on church services as what is outlined above is subject to change.

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