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New Vicar Licensed
Bishop Stephen,Rev Lisa Cornwell
and husband Mike
On Tuesday 5th September Bishop
Stephen, together with the Archdeacon and the Area Dean led the
Collation and Induction of the Revd Lisa Cornwell as Vicar of
Crowthorne.
Bishop Stephen preached and spoke of his vision for the church
in Crowthorne. Having described Crowthorne's many qualities he
suggested that if the Church of England can't work here, we may
as well pack up! He went on to say that he dreamt of a church
were ministry does not simply belong to the minister but belongs
to all. He called on Lisa to model this in her life and facilitate
it in the people she led. He advised her that she keep her heart
right with God. He told the parish that there will be change,
challenging occasionally, but we had sought this and reflected
this in our parish profile. Together we must seek God's vision
for God's church.
The service was splendid and very inclusive. The church was full,
including representatives of civic authorities, town organisations,
fraternal clergy and other local churches. We were also able
to welcome Lisa and Mike's families and also a coach of former
parishioners from Newport Pagnall.
The choir (together with organist and other musicians) excelled
and there were colourful floral displays. The Churchwardens'
and Lay Ministers' careful planning of all aspects of the service
was evident. Afterwards the social committee provided enjoyable
celebratory refreshments.
The Vicar's Column
October is upon us and the
Confirmation service is going to following hot on the heels of
Harvest. Is life at St John's always this exciting?!
The confirmation candidates
have been a long time preparing for this big event and considering
what it means to be a Christian. This year the service will include
a baptism, which will make it a double whammy extra special day
for Rory. Whilst we support the candidates, it is also an opportunity
for us all to take stock of our own Christian journey and reaffirm
our own baptismal and confirmation promises.
And so for a little bit of
last minute advice from the Lutheran Handbook's chapter on "How
to Stay Alert in Church", thinking especially of Oct 8th
when the service may be a little longer than usual!
- Get adequate sleep.
- Late Saturday nights are Sunday
morning's worst enemy.
- Drink plenty of water, though
not too much. One quick bathroom break is considered permissible.
Two or more are bad form.
- Arrive early and find the
coffee pot. If you don't drink coffee, consider a caffeinated
soda.
Good posture will promote an alert bearing and assist in paying
attention, so you'll get more out of worship.
- Occupy your mind, not your
hands. Look around the worship space for visual stimuli. Keep
your mind active in this way while continuing to listen.
Stay alert by flexing muscle groups in a pattern. Avoid shaking,
rocking, or other movements that attract undue attention.
- If all else fails, consider
pinching yourself. Dig your nails into the fleshy part of your
arm or leg, pinch yourself, bite down on your tongue with moderate
pressure. Try not to cry out.
Well, it may be worth a try!
Do continue to keep all the confirmation candidates in your prayers.
Rev'd Lisa Cornwell
The MU meeting on Tuesday 3rd
October 8 pm will be the Women's World Day of Prayer Ecumenical
Meeting. The Speaker will be Nigel Chapman
On Wednesday 11th October 2.15 pm we welcome Mr Mike Hilman with
his Nature Slides - The Countryside in Crisis.
Monday 16th October 9.30am in the Lady Chapel - Prayer Group.
Tuesday 17th October Worship Workshop at St Michaels Tilehurst
l0am for 10.30am - l pm
Sunday 22nd October Meet the Diocesan Member at Holy Trinity
Bracknell, Primrose Gallimore will be present. 2pm for 2.30pm.
Wednesday 24th October l0 am in the Lady Chapel MU Corporate
Communion.
ST JOHN'S CHRISTMAS FAIR
Saturday 2nd December 10
am to 12 noon
Crowthorne C of E Primary School,
Dukes Ride
St John's Christmas Fair has now been booked for the above date,
so please make a note of this in your diaries. There will be
lots of stalls such as toys, books, face painting, jewellery,
lucky dip, cakes, refreshments, raffle, biscuit decorating, guess
the weight of the cake, a colouring competition (with the winners
to be judged by Father Christmas himself) and more besides!
Helpers are urgently needed
to man some of the stalls - these will be organised in advance
and volunteers only need to turn up on the day. Please contact
us if you can help in any way, even for just a short time.
Any contributions for the raffle
would also be very welcome indeed - bottles of wine, chocolates,
toiletries etc - as well as unwanted toys and books. Please let
us know if you have anything suitable.
Thank you.
GOD@WORK
On Saturday 30th September
John Edwards, on behalf of the Deanery, facilitated a breakfast
on the subject of GOD@WORK. Many of us regard work as a major
part of our lives and also see our faith as an important part
of ourselves. Do we, however, allow ourselves to make the connection
between the two? In church we pray for many of intentions that
we traditionally see as Christian 'territory', often this does
not include the world of work. This breakfast marked the start
of a Deanery project, to run through to next July, to explore
how our churches can encourage or help those who work. For many
Christians and their churches this is a difficult subject, perhaps
we let stained glass get in the way of looking out to this important
side of our lives?
Mark Payne, a finance Director
with Honeywell, made some suggestions from his experience. It
was easy to compartmentalise and treat secular activities as
having nothing to do with our Christian lives. But work offers
many opportunities to behave in a Christian manner and thereby
help others. We could live and work in accordance with the commands
of God, we could behave with honour and integrity, and we could
treat others with respect. Work offers us an opportunity to spread
the good news of God, as long as we are sensible in how we do
it. Don't hide your faith but don't force it on others either.
Seek out or start fellowship groups, share the bible (perhaps
you could use the daily bible reading fellowship notes that some
at St John's use). We could pray during the working day and not
isolate our prayer life from our work life. Remember the bible
is the sword of the Spirit and can support us through the day
(there might be new opportunities to 'read' the bible: CD's in
the car, on the ipod or Podcast).
Whilst there was only a small
attendance, the discussion was lively. This is a vital subject
to our Christian lives. The subject is going to be taken forward
though a monthly email. You could still sign up for this (with
john.edwards@fish.co.uk). As St Paul wrote we "must not
muzzle the threshing ox"! Why not join this important project? |
Our thanks to all who supported the
interregnum
The Licensing marked the end of what could have been a difficult
period for our church. However we are deeply grateful to all
whose extra efforts kept the church functioning over this prolonged
period. After the licensing Bishop Stephen wrote to say:
Dear Parishioners,
Can I thank you and members of the PCC in Crowthorne, clergy,
lay ministers and people for all that you did during the vacancy
to support and sustain the witness and ministry of the Church.
Lisa's induction last night was a splendid occasion; but I did
not want the moment to pass without formally acknowledging my
thanks for all who continue to work for the Gospel in Crowthorne.
Please be assured of my prayers and very best wishes
Yours sincerely,
+Stephen, Bishop of Reading
CONFIRMATION 2006
This will take place
on Sunday October 8th at the 10 am Parish Eucharist with the
Bishop of Reading, Bishop Stephen presiding and preaching.
Please pray for all our candidates.
Defend O Lord these thy servants with thy heavenly grace, that
they may continue thine forever: and daily increase in thy Holy
Spirit more and more, until they come unto thy everlasting kingdom.
Amen
Open event to meet
the new Vicar
There will be an "open session"
for
the village to meet Lisa
21st October from 10am to noon, Church Hall
Light Refreshments
Please tell friends and neighbours
who
may not normally come to St John's of
this opportunity to meet their new Vicar |
Sonning Deanery Training Consultant
Sonning Deanery has introduced a new initiative to provide training
to lay people in the Deanery. To facilitate this, they have appointed
Phillip Dixon as Deanery Training Consultant. The initial phase
of the process is to understand what is required from each of
the parishes in the Deanery. This phase is expected to be completed
shortly, after which training events will be held across the
Deanery and, where appropriate, for individual parishes.
Events being planned will include
courses for PCC and church governance, developing spiritual life
(such as through prayer), developing lay leadership (in such
areas as children and youth work) and assistance in practical
problems that face church members (and the wider community) such
as preventing drug use amongst youth.
As courses are developed and
planned, they will be advertised via posters, email and church
newsletters.
If you have any suggestions for what you would like to see, please
contact Phillip, via email, sonningdeanerytraining@eml.cc
Phillip has a background in
management consulting, having worked for Oracle (software and
services company), Coopers & Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers)
and Deloitte Consulting. He holds degrees in business and psychology.
He is an active member of his local church, St. Michael and All
Angels, Sandhurst and is a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM).
ST. JAMES' HOSPITAL,
LESOTHO
The Parish contributes to USPG and part of this support is to
St. James' Hospital in Lesotho. Here is an update on what is
happening there. The hospital is in a very remote part of South
Africa and has neither a phone line nor satellite facilities.
Keeping in touch with the outside world is challenging, however
communications inside the hospital are also problematic.
The hospitals intercom system
has not worked for a year. At night the resident doctor keeps
her wellington boots nearby as she is contacted by the nurse
who also trudges in the marshy land in her wellington boots to
ask the doctor to come to the hospital. When the doctor enquired
what was needed to repair the intercom, the doctor was informed
by the administrator that the gentleman who helped install the
intercom was due but he was waiting for permission to visit the
site from his employers! However there are signs of a communication
mast being set up as a struggle continues to obtain information
about a satellite phone, this would greatly benefit the work
at St.James'.
Please pray for:
All the care staff at the hospital.
An efficient communication system
HIV/Aid workers and missionaries serving in Lesotho.
USPG Missions Rep
HEDGE CUTTING
Once again we are looking
for volunteers for Churchyard hedge cutting. Can you help smarten
up the Church, particularly for Remembrance Sunday. Please come
down for 9am on Sat 28th October and, if necessary, Sat 4th November.
PATHFINDERS
Pathfinders is back in full swing and has welcomed many new members
to its rank and files. We already have a packed programme planned
for this term including a bike ride to the Look Out and a chance
to meet Lisa over a shared lunch (dates of both of these to be
confirmed). Due to our growing numbers we are exploring the idea
of forming a breakaway Pathfinder group, maybe once a month,
to cater specifically for our older members (years 10 and above),
and are anxious to get feedback from those in this age category.
You don't have to already be a Pathfinder to come along, all
are welcome. Please contact us with any thoughts or views.
Finally, watch this space for
news of our attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest
secret santa ever...
PS: At September's Deanery
Synod, our leaders gave an excellent presentation about Pathfinders
at St John's. This was to enable other deanery parishes to get
ideas about how they too could engage with their youth members!
Fair Trade
Please note that during October, the Fair Trade stall will only
be available for purchases on the 15th October. Additional dates
have been included in November and December in order for you
to stock up for Christmas! |
Churches Together in Crowthorne News
The AGM was on Sunday
the 3rd September at St James, Finchampsted. David Greenwood
from the RC Church is the Chairman, Heather Noel-Smith, minister
at the Methodist Church, is the vice-chair, Rosemary Chapman
is secretary and Jenny McKeever (from St John's) is treasurer.
A new Christian Aid co-ordinator for Crowthorne is required.
Could you help with this task? Christian Aid week will be 13-19
May 2007
Crowthorne Good Neighbours was started by CTC and there are vacancies
for a committee member representing St Johns. Could you help?.
CTC Carol singing will take place on 16th December from 10 to
11 am outside Sommerfield.
Theatre
Outing
Weds 1st Nov, 7.30pm, to South Hill Park for the EBOS production
of the the Musical Spend Spend Spend. Tickets £13.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
A very successful 10 meets 8 @ 9 breakfast was held on 17th September.
It provided an opportunity for many parishioners to meet their
new Vicar.
Harvest Supper was held on
30th September.
In November there will be a
Beetle Drive and Quiz night (dates to be confirmed shortly).
The Family Fun Afternoon is
on Saturday 20th January 2007.
Our thanks for those who organised
the Licensing refreshments, the breakfast and the supper.
Flower Festival
Following the successful flower festival that was held in Church
during Crowthorne Carnival, the organising committee were able
to invite Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust to
St John's to present a cheque for £2,500 raised from the
festival. Many of the committee were drawn from St John's and
the festival served as valuable outreach to draw many to visit
the church. |
