Church Blog
News, Updates, Thoughts

I’m writing this on the date that was (?still is) my father’s birthday. He was born in 1912 – which
seems like a whole history book ago. In fact he was never very good at remembering family
birthdays – including, he insisted – his own. So it meant that my sister and I could always “surprise”
him on July 20 th .
For decades, of course, according to my internal calendar, Dad’s birthday always coincided – more or
less – with the end of the academic year and the blissful opening up of weeks of summer idleness.
Or that’s how it was meant to be. It didn’t look quite like that from the perspective of a busy
teacher – time to get the classroom really cleared, sort out this year’s curiously eclectic mix of items
that have been mysteriously missing for months, and a golden opportunity to plan all those lessons
for the next 12 months, which really, really, really will go entirely as expected this coming year.
Time to bring all those records up-to-date; time to review progress; time to reflect on achievements
– and inevitably – the occasional failure. Why did that lesson project go so well – while that, despite
all the effort and planning, was frankly a disaster?
Endings – and beginnings. Beginnings – then endings.
It doesn’t matter where we are on our journey through our allotted lifespan – we all really need
those spaces and opportunities for rest and reflection; and we must find, or create, them in our
different and individualistic ways and places.
For Gareth Southgate and the England footballers, the Spanish team and all those who took part in
the Euros; for the winners and losers at Wimbledon and the Olympics; for orchestras, maestros,
soloists and their ever-enthusiastic audiences at this year’s Proms; for the different political parties
and politicians; there must be time to pause, think, rebuild or celebrate, to learn from the past,
acknowledge the present and prepare as best as possible for the future before they and we can
expect to grow and move on.
I hope that you, and I, in whatever way is right for each of us, will find such an opportunity during
the next few weeks to pause, look around, take a breath and enjoy the moment. Whatever it may
be.

Losing well.

Losing gracefully, accepting defeat without bitterness, respecting the effort of the winning team, and maintaining composure are important principles for us all to learn.

The different responses to losing games by the prayers at Wimbledon were very evident.  Some begrudgingly offered a dismissive handshake, whilst others made eye contact, and shook their opponent’s hand whilst offering words of congratulations. I know who I would rather my grandchildren model.

Handling loss with a positive attitude and viewing it as a learning opportunity rather than a setback is important and can be more valuable than the victory itself. Showing respect to opponents by congratulating them highlights good sportsmanship, and acknowledging their skills and efforts fosters mutual respect and camaraderie. Observing the strategies and strengths of the winning team can be a learning experience.

Good team players support and encourage teammates, especially after a loss, and building each other up rather than assigning blame strengthens team unity. That a team effort involves both victories and defeats helps young people understand the importance of collective responsibility and collaboration.  They can also learn the importance of bouncing back from setbacks, continuing to strive for improvement, and not giving up after a defeat.

Adhering to the rules and playing fair, even in the face of defeat, is fundamental to sportsmanship but not always witnessed yet integrity and honesty in sports are as important as winning. Whilst, respecting referees and their decisions, even when disagreeing, is a lesson to young people in respecting authority and maintaining the integrity of the game.

Sport encourages a sense of community and mutual support, beyond just the game. It teaches young people to value relationships and collective well-being. Emphasizing the importance of effort, dedication, and hard work over just the outcome helps young people understand that the journey and the process are as important as the result.  We must all strive for our personal best but measure our success by our progress rather than just by winning.

The Bible does not directly address sportsmanship but provides principles that can be applied to it. Key biblical teachings emphasize integrity, humility, perseverance, encouragement, respect for authority, fairness, self-control, love, and striving for excellence.

Integrity and honesty are highlighted in Proverbs 11:3, emphasizing fair play. Humility is encouraged in Philippians 2:3-4, valuing others above oneself. Perseverance and resilience are taught in James 1:2-4, seeing trials as growth opportunities. Encouraging and supporting others, central to sportsmanship, is emphasized in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Respect for authority is underscored in Romans 13:1, as important for respecting referees and rules. Fairness and justice are called for in Micah 6:8. Self-control is crucial, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:25, reflecting discipline in sports. Love and kindness in interactions, as taught in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, are fundamental. Philippians 4:12-13 teaches humility in victory and defeat. Lastly, striving for excellence is encouraged in Colossians 3:23, promoting wholehearted effort!

If we follow these Christian principles, we learn to handle victories and defeats with grace, respect our opponents, support our teammates, and value ethical behaviour. These lessons extend beyond sports to shape our character and behaviour in all areas of our lives.

Have a wonderful week ahead.

Revd Annette

Political change can happen dramatically, rapidly and significantly; and it did so last week in
the 2024 General Election. It will go down as one of the historic changes of power in the last
century; on a par with 1906 when the Liberals ousted the Conservatives, 1945 with the
Attlee post war government, 1979 and the start of the Thatcher government, 1997 and the
Blair government. And now this one. Each represented a significant re-orientation of
political parties as they all involved large majorities for the governing party, in a fresh
political landscape. Since then, the new government has announced a blizzard of policies
and ideas. There has been a major international conference in Washington remembering 75
years of NATO and preparing to face a dangerous world once again, and the feel-good-factor
with England winning, so far, in the European Championships with all to play for on Sunday.
A win then for a football-playing Prime Minister would be “manna from heaven” indeed!
But what we can be thankful for is that these changes, and the change that occurred last
week, in the quiet British way of people entitled to vote exercising their democratic right
and with a pencil (no hanging chads here!) putting a cross next to their choice was exercised
freely and peacefully. The result in the Newbury Constituency has been a change: we are
grateful for all that Laura Farris did to serve her constituents and we will now pray for our
new MP Lee Dillon, as he takes office.
But there is a connection to be made between the voting in Election booths up and down
the United Kingdom and the events of the 80th D Day Commemorations earlier last month.
The fact that we can take up our pencils and vote is linked to those who laid down their lives
in conflicts throughout the word, and not least on the beaches of Normandy. I remember a
veteran who was in the Coldstream Guards, and also served the early version of the SAS in
Africa under David Sterling, saying that there were only two things worth fighting for: love
and freedom. The two are connected: true freedom means choosing to love who or what
you wish. At the heart of the Christian faith was a God-man who choose to love us so much
that he gave up his freedom that we might be empowered to love him and our neighbour.
Patrick Whitworth

Parish Picnic, To celebrate St. Mary's Church Hamstead Marshall becoming part of the new Parish of Kintbury with Avington & Hamstead Marshall. Held on the 21st July between 4pm & 6pm, at Barton Holt in Kintbury. You DO need to reserve your space by contacting parishpicnic2024@gmail.com and copy in wbb.office.contact@gmail.com or alternatively contact Liz Barnett, Assistant Church Warden for St. Mary's Kintbury. 

Dear Friends,
The voting is over and today we start a new government term; you may be delighted
with the election results, disappointed, or just uninspired by the whole voting
process.
As Christians, we are reassured even if we are concerned about what may lie ahead
by reminding ourselves that our ultimate hope lies in the eternal kingdom of God.
Colossians 3:2 advises, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Whatever concerns we have going forward our faith and the everlasting hope in
Christ, lie beyond the temporal outcomes of any election.
So, I invite you to look at the general election from a Christian perspective and…
1. Begin today with prayer, asking for God’s guidance. and expressing trust in
His plan regardless of how you feel about the outcome. God is in control.
2. Pray for the newly elected leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom,
compassion, and integrity.
3. Incorporate prayers for the political leaders into your prayer routine, regardless
of whether you agree with their policies.
4. Reach out to friends or family members who may feel distressed or jubilant
about the results, offer a listening ear, and seek to understand their
perspectives without judgment.
5. Be respectful in any dialogue on social media and personal conversations.
avoiding inflammatory language and encouraging constructive discussions.
6. Commit to remaining informed about local and national issues and
participating in efforts to improve your community. Encourage others to take
positive, proactive steps as well.
7. Engage in self-reflection and prayer, asking God to help you exhibit humility,
patience, and love in all your interactions, especially when discussing politics!
By taking these steps we will be navigating the election outcomes with faith, hope,
and a commitment to positive action. We will be good witnesses reflecting God’s
love and purpose in our communities while maintaining faith and integrity.
God of all nations, we lift up to You our newly elected leaders and government
officials. Grant them wisdom, integrity, and a spirit of service as they undertake their
duties. May they be guided by a commitment to the common good, justice, and the
welfare of all citizens. Amen
With love and prayers
Revd Annette

'A huge thank you to everyone for making Mike and I so welcome at Inkpen on Sunday.  It was lovely to be with you.  The food was delicious, and the flowers are absolutely beautiful!  I am very much looking forward to being with you over these coming months, as I get to know you and your communities.  Alison'  

Dear parishioners
I suppose Midsummer is an appropriate time for us finally to see the sun! I was lucky enough to be
away for a few days with my sister, staying the other side of Chichester. We had a list of places we
thought we might visit – but ended up enjoying the sun, sand, sea, (which certainly suited the dog),
catching up with each other and chatting.
My sister is a Ward Councillor in the borough where she lives, and Chair of the local Children’s
Services and Education board. She is also heavily involved with her chosen national political party.
So – quite busy at the moment, and it was hard to avoid discussing that current, forbidden topic, the
G…… E…….!
It was very interesting hearing her views on educational policy and resourcing from the perspective
of a Local Authority – so often perceived somewhat negatively by struggling and underfunded local
schools. In fact, I’m always impressed by the in-depth knowledge our own LA (West Berks) officers
display about our specific school circumstances and issues, in Kintbury.
At school level, we are always agonising over how to achieve maximum benefit for all the children
entrusted to us, with what always seem like minimum resources. My sister on the other hand, was
describing the constant difficulties of balancing the inadequacies of a Local Authority education
budget amidst the conflicting demands of all their schools – walking the tightrope between
important, sometimes urgent and essential immediate needs and longer term, more visionary
projects for the future . . . while always trying to maintain an effective and accurate overview of the
whole educational picture both within her patch and nationally.
Parliamentary, as well as local, politicians, at their best, care about these matters, and about the
people whose diverse needs and interests they serve. At their best, they work hard and long to
bring about improvement in all the necessary, mundane routine elements that comprise our daily
lives, while also dealing with national and international policy and occasional huge emergencies – all
the time striving to maintain the vision that originally led them into politics. At their very best – they
are drawn to the concept of service, rather than power. Of unity and sacrifice for the greater good,
rather than party divisiveness for personal gratification.
I wonder why that thought turns my mind to the description in Acts 2 of the Early Church in
Jerusalem: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their
possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
A Utopian ideal – a completely impracticable and totally unsustainable fantasy – decidedly not
headline (or even small print) material for a party manifesto. And yet – just imagine . . . .
Would that party get your X?

Dear Parishoners

On 30th June our curate, Alison will officially join our benefice and preach at a 10am Communion service in Inkpen Church.  The service will be followed by celebratory nibbles. Please do come and welcome her.
I have no doubts that her presence will bring immense joy and energy to the ministry of the Benefice. I hope we will build a dynamic partnership, where ideas and responsibilities can be shared. I have always found it deeply fulfilling to mentor aspirants, ordinands, and curates, guiding them through their early years of ministry, witnessing their growth and development, and learning alongside them.

However, this also presents its challenges. One of which is the time and effort required for effective mentoring. Providing guidance, feedback, and support while managing my responsibilities will be demanding. There is also the possibility that navigating the enriching differences in approach and perspectives within the Ministry Team could lead to disagreements requiring patience and understanding. Alison’s learning opportunities must be carefully balanced between the needs of the parish, her secular employment, and her ongoing diocesan support so she is not overwhelmed.

As a training incumbent (TI), we receive lots of resourcing from the diocese. This week I spent Tuesday at Oxford House with a group of other TIs.  It was reassuring to note the wealth of experience and skills held between us.  We were asked to consider what a curate needs to learn through this pivotal period to shape their development and prepare for the broader responsibilities of ministry ahead.  The frightening long list of proposals we generated was then compared with the top five suggested by the Bishop of Oxford:- 

1)      Spirituality that maintains a healthy relationship with God. 

2)      Experience of Evangelism

3)      Experience of Discipling

4)      Experience in leading and or growing lay teams.

5)      Living with and leading in conflict and differences.

We had expanded on that list with specifics such as

·         Understanding the importance of self-care and maintaining healthy boundaries to avoid burnout.

·         Developing the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain resilient in the face of challenges with faith, flexibility, and a sense of humour.

·         Display listening skills, empathy, and the ability to offer spiritual support effectively.

·         Be able to craft sermons and lead Bible studies that interpret Scripture, engage with theological texts, and communicate the message in a way that is accessible and relevant to the congregation, including developing a personal preaching style and understanding the dynamics of delivering sermons.

·         Mastering various aspects of worship, from planning services to understanding liturgical seasons and rites, including the nuances of different forms of worship, adapting services to the needs of the congregation, and ensuring that liturgy is both meaningful and inclusive.

·         Proficiency in the administrative aspects of parish life, such as managing budgets, organizing events, and maintaining church records. Developing good organizational skills.

·         Understanding the community’s needs and finding ways to engage with and serve them.

·         Learning how to mediate disputes, handle disagreements constructively, and maintain peace within the parish is an essential skill for a curate.

·         Working effectively with other clergy, church staff, and volunteers is crucial. A curate must learn to navigate church politics, build collaborative relationships, and lead teams while fostering a spirit of unity and shared vision.

It was perhaps rather too revealing about our current ministries!

Fortunately, Alison has a wealth of relevant skills and experience that she will bring to her curacy, plus three years at theological college; But it will still be an intense journey, particularly as she must fit her training alongside her secular work as a psychotherapist.  Her first few months will be used to get to know you better. A curacy is a time of intense learning and growth so please be gentle, supportive, and encouraging!  

I am grateful for the opportunity to mentor and support our curate through this transformative journey. I pray that it will be an exciting and rewarding time for Alison as I am sure it will be for us.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

In Christ

Revd. Annette

Dear Friends
Last Sunday I was delighted to meet several new people at the 9.45 am
congregation in Kintbury. One of these was a sprightly 80-year-old, musician who
had been raised in Kintbury, visiting her past haunts with her daughter. After the
service, I had a very interesting conversation with her about church life. I valued her
insights on music, and worship, and her considerable passion for mission.
I had preached about defeating the devil but also about family. Being part of a
church can give people a warm feeling, a sense of belonging, and mutual support.
But there can also be a sense of belonging in being part of a congregation because it
feels comfortable and persists with old patterns and habits in an ever-changing
world.
I also mentioned that as a church congregation, we can resemble families in less
positive ways. Hard to get into. Unwilling to adapt to new ways of doing things. And
mostly interested in taking care of ourselves.
The choice of music has always been a contentious area in the Church. Traditional
hymns due to their length, often explore God’s character and our relationship with
Him in greater depth than contemporary songs, which are not necessarily inaccurate,
but because contain few words. Plus, many contemporary songs are designed to stir
emotions and awaken a desire for God, and it doesn’t take theological depth to
accomplish this.
Recently Rowan Williams a Former Archbishop of Canterbury claimed that ‘Hymns
we sing today are 'primary school level’. He went on to say, “Many of the hymns
sung at weddings and funerals today are “bland” songs chosen because people
remember them from primary school” comparing them to “baby food”. But maybe
rather than criticise modern songs we should view them as an opportunity at times to
open the church doors a little wider so that those who are not so familiar with church
life can feel more comfortable. I would love to see and hear a worship band or
instrumentalists alongside the organ a few times a year.
Some churches have embraced new styles of worship music while others have held
firmly to the old way. In this Benefice, whilst we have hymn books published in the
80 or 90s the congregations are not averse to accommodating new hymns or even
worship songs if appropriate for the occasion. We just have to print the words and
practice the songs if they are not already known. Some songs like ‘In Christ Alone’,
or Stuart Townsend’s version of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’, are already part of many
people's conscious, or unconscious musical repertoire. It was interesting to see how
the mix of hymns at the recent Rogation service was embraced.
I enjoy both styles and see a place for both in church services, after all the Psalms
speak often about “singing a new song”.
But I was not surprised when our visitor said that the church and worship in Kintbury
had not changed. I believe it is important and look for possible ways to bring both
traditional and contemporary music into services, without losing an atmosphere of
reverence and celebration.

Traditional hymns can inspire deep spiritual reflection and cerebral engagement with
God’s word through the theology they present in the lyrics and evoke memories of
the previous contexts in which they have been sung. At the same time,
contemporary songs can bring God’s presence into our lives in a fresh, relevant way
engaging with our emotions and our hearts.
There are some very good ‘new songs’ that could be included in our services without
alienating people who may feel uncomfortable with unfamiliar styles of music. We
can help people accept new songs by giving them some context and by explaining
why the song was chosen, what themes it contains, and how it relates to the sermon
topic. I think even introducing one of the Rogation hymns as ‘a bit funky’ helped to
still any objections.
I appreciate that different generations prefer different types of music and that
currently, our congregations are more comfortable singing traditional hymns, but
perhaps those less familiar with the church may enjoy listening to more modern
worship songs. I may want to nudge people into new directions on occasion but don’t
be alarmed, I am not planning a revolution! I love my traditional hymns.
As one website wisely commented: As church leaders, it is our job to ensure that all
people feel welcomed into our services regardless of their musical preferences. The
secret to bringing balance between traditional and contemporary music is to create a
mix of both styles in a way that appeals to all members of the congregation.
If you have any contemporary hymns or songs that you would particularly like to hear
us sing in Church, please let me know….. We may be able to produce the Walbury
Beacon top 10!

Love and prayers
Revd Annette

Alison Dean is being ordained at 2pm on Saturday 29th at the Cathedral and that anyone from the benefice is warmly invited to come and support her.  It would be a lovely opportunity to visit Oxford and soak in its history, as well as encourage Alison Dean on the start of her new journey with us.

Since moving to West Berkshire some seventeen years ago, I have often enjoyed exploring on foot the beautiful hills and villages which are home to you, rambling along the Wayfarer’s Walk and the Kennet and Avon canal.  It never once crossed my mind that I would be joining you here at Walbury Beacon as curate, after my ordination at the end of June.  But God is indeed a God of surprises, and this is a surprise that I am delighted to embrace!

By means of introduction….I live in Thatcham with my husband Mike.  My roots are in the Midlands, but I moved south in the 1980s to do a degree in Fine Art at the University of Reading.  Fifteen years ago, I retrained as a counsellor, and since then have been counselling in a variety of settings including university, drug and alcohol services, and a family counselling service.  I also have a private practice, which I will be continuing part time alongside my curacy.   I have a real concern to see individuals – and their families and communities – flourish and grow into all that God has created and called them to be.   There is much in life that can wound us, and get in the way of this, and ‘Jesus’ intention is to give us “life in its fulness”.  Part of our faith journey, I believe, is working out what that might mean for each of us, and I count it a privilege to walk alongside others who are asking that question.

My own faith journey began in childhood, with some twists and turns along the way.  I have worshipped in a variety of churches and traditions and this has given me an appreciation of the richness of different expressions of prayer and worship, the differences which reflect, I believe, the creativity of God.   As I have a love of the outdoors and often find it easier to pray outside and up in the hills, I find Celtic liturgy, such as that of the Northumbria Community, a particularly engaging way to worship.   Over the years much of my involvement in the life of the church has focused around small groups, and building relationships that stimulate spiritual growth and emotional well-being.  I have a particular passion for reading the Bible with others, chewing it over to see what it has to say to us, wondering about how God wants to speak through it, and how it might make a real difference to how we do life. 

When I join you in the summer, I am really looking forward to getting to know you and your communities, your shared life of faith, and hearing about what makes you ‘tick’.  Do expect that I will be hanging around wanting to hear your stories over a cuppa, or even taking a stroll with you!

To those of you I have already met, thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Alison