Holy Trinity Church District
We were able to keep Mark Ackford during part of the interregnum, but had
to say goodbye to him, Suzanne, Catherine and Joshua in February, when they
moved on to Aylesbury. Before leaving us they gave the church a beautiful Icon
which is on the wall near the prayer corner. Many of us travelled to
Mark’s licensing to wish them all well in their new Parish.
March saw the licensing of our new Priest in Charge, Nick Parish, by The
Bishop of Reading, Stephen Cotterill. It was a very uplifting Service with the
promise of good things to come. It was nice to see so many visitors, and meet
them in the Hall over refreshments.
On Palm Sunday we started in the Langley Hall with a reading and prayers,
then processed around and into the Church. During the following week we had
various forms of services. On Maundy Thursday we had the Washing of the feet,
and on Good Friday a very moving service taken by Nick and Margaret Clarke. We
joined St Andrew's for the Easter Saturday Vigil. The Easter Sunday Service was
beautiful.
Children were admitted to communion before confirmation, and we took part
in a Confirmation Service at St Andrew's.
We have held various fund raising events: The May Fair, a Pampered Chef
evening, a Weekenders Party, all raising money towards the funds.
In June, Nick, Yvonne, and the family invited us all to their home for
tea and cakes. It was a lovely afternoon, with the opportunity of meeting up and
talking to people from the other churches.
Our Harvest Festival Service had the theme of Fair Trade, the Church was
beautifully decorated as always, and various families had decorated the windows.
In October we had the pleasure of being entertained by the choir of St
Georges School Ascot, and hope they will come again.
The Memorial Service and tea were held in November for relatives and
friends of people whose Funeral Services we had officiated at during the year.
This is always a very well attended Service and greatly appreciated by the
families.
The Civic Service for Remembrance Sunday was led by Nick, and attended by
The Mayor, MP, other local dignitaries. Youth organisations, and others, packed
the Church. It was a very moving Service.
At Christmas time we enjoyed our Sunday school Nativity Play, Carol
Service, Crib Service, Midnight Communion, and Christmas Day Services
During the year we have appreciated more involvement from our Lay
Ministers at various Services and realise we are very blessed with the talented
people we have in our Team Ministry.
There have been discussions during the year of how to reach people that
do not attend our Church. It has been decided to have a trial period of 6
months, when we will have different forms of worship. This will involve changing
the time of the Formal Service, to enable us to fit in another service on a
Sunday morning. We look forward to this opportunity to increase the growth of
our congregation.
Our thanks go to all the people who contribute in various ways, enabling
us all to enjoy the Worship, and Building, at Holy Trinity.
Malcolm Taylor. Paul Byron
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St Andrew’s Church District
This has been a year of growth, change and
new initiatives for our church. While we were unable to go on our annual
pilgrimage to Walsingham this year, Andrew has shared with us his love for and
deep knowledge of the Celtic tradition, thus enabling us to experience an aspect
of worship and spirituality that has struck chords with many people. One
innovation introduction was walking the Labyrinth, a new experience for many of
us which we will continue to use in 2008.
Study groups such as Our Life in Film, have
been very well attended. On April 30th, we hosted a wonderful Team Confirmation
Service which was led by Bishop Stephen, who was most impressed by the layout of
the church. The new arrangement of the chairs has provided us with a useful
liturgical space with the font as a focal point. As some of those confirmed came
from St Andrew’s Mothers’ and Toddlers’ group, we subsequently started a crèche
which takes place at the same time as Junior Church. We are most grateful to all
who contribute to both activities on a Sunday morning.
Our annual fund-raising event for St Andrew’s
is the railway afternoon at Jock’s Lane - this year the rides raised £200.
Finally, our thanks to Andrew and Lynn for
their wonderful hospitality at a number of events they’ve hosted this year and
our congratulations to Len and Frank both of whom celebrated their 80th
birthdays in 2007.
Maureen Beadsley & Simon Sellick
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St Paul’s Church District
This has been a further year of reflection for St
Paul’s, assessing where we are and where we want to go. Therefore, the DCC has
focused on specific areas:
w Our relationship with
the United Reformed Church;
w Our role within the
Bracknell Team Ministry;
w Prayer life and bible
study groups;
w Outreach;
w Provision for
children’s worship;
w Money.
During the year, an approach was made by the District Ecumenical Officer
to St Paul’s, mainly to clarify the situation we find ourselves in as “lodgers”
within a URC church (but, in many ways, partners in worship and social
activities). Following discussions, both congregations agreed that we are not
part of a Local Ecumenical Partnership, although we will look forward to
continuing our tradition of occasional shared services and shared social events,
such as Quiz Nights, Christmas Fairs, Musicals and so on.
With Tom Albinson taking on Parish Warden duties and Catherine Blundell
providing heroic levels of coverage, it is clear that St Paul’s continues to
have a large part to play in the life of the BTM. Concerns were raised about the
ability of Catherine (or a successor) to continue to give as much time to both
the BTM and our colleagues within the URC, leading the DCC to consider how best
St Paul’s should prepare for the future. Our ideas are being introduced into the
Bracknell Review Process.
The monthly prayer groups on the 1st Saturday of the month have continued
and show signs of developing reasonable stability in numbers coming along.
Additionally, the Monday bible study, run by Steven and Jenny Colby has
continued and has been hosted from a number of homes over the last few months.
As with last year, we have struggled to launch an active outreach
programme, being caught somewhat between the activities of the BTM and our
brothers and sisters in the URC who had also approached us to form a joint
evangelical team. We have been fortunate to continue to attract some new members
from our local area but feel that there may be opportunities in the numerous
housing developments taking place.
Children’s Club continued to benefit from last year’s workshop with a
general sense of a better spread of time and responsibilities for the age range
of children attending. As ever, we could do with more volunteers, but overall
the feeling was that progress had been made.
The money discussion was the last on the agenda, and concentrated on
supporting and complementing “Giving in Grace”. Again this will be a focus of
work in the coming year.
Amongst the highlights of the year was a fine musical evening with our
friends in the URC to prepare for, and present, “The Prodigal Daughter”. Another
high spot was the now traditional Caroloke during which members of the
congregation choose which Carol should be sung next, compared with gusto by MC
Catherine. Yo!
However, we were also greatly saddened by the loss in close succession of
two of our stalwarts -Doris Tibbett and Ena
Cole. They are greatly missed.
So we have had a year where we have concentrated on some difficult topics
and, hopefully, are now better prepared than we were. Thanks in particular to
Catherine, the DCC, Children’s club leaders and the congregation for their
commitment and enthusiasm.
Adrian Ball and John Synge
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Team Clergy
During the year, the ministry team has been expanded,
and an additional five people have been authorised by the Bishop to lead
services of the word and preach. A full range of seasonal services and other
activities have been provided and innovations in worship and Christian
discipline have included a Labyrinth prayer walk at St Andrew's, healing
services for St Luke's tide and a service of remembrance for children, as well
as adults, at All Saints tide. During the year, an assistant curate was
appointed, who will take up her post later in 2008. One change to the services
provided has been an experimental addition of a second service according to the
Book of Common Prayer each month at 8am.
During the experimental period average attendances at this service have
risen. Consultation with church members on the future strategy for the parish
has been achieved through a 'Saturday Synod', with the clergy giving
presentations on Ministry and Mission.
The clergy team have met regularly for worship and study, and have, this
year, incorporated regular away days for reflection and preparation together. We
have also begun a monthly meeting of all authorised ministers to assist our
communications, planning, and team working.
Rev'd Canon Nicholas Parish, Priest in Charge
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PCC Report
The PCC met 6 times over the past year. There is a
standard framework for the PCC agenda ensuring focused discussion, leading to
directed action, on the three key areas called out in the Parish General Meeting
2007: Ministry, Mission and Resources and Finance. DCC reports are received and
appropriate direction given when asked. Specific details will be included in
other reports.
Communication of discussion topics, recommended actions, forthcoming
change and the invitation for input, to the wider Parish congregation continues
to be a challenge for the PCC. Pew sheets on critical happenings have continued
this year in an attempt to keep everyone informed. The PCC is very open to
suggestions on helpful communication modes that touch and include more of the
congregation.
Lesley Ann Johnson
BTM PCC Secretary
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