Church Blog
News, Updates, Thoughts

Last Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent began. The ashes from burnt Palm Crosses from the
previous year’s Palm Sunday are often applied (imposition) to the forehead of a recipient in
the form of a cross as a sign of their repentance before God, in a service called commination
which announces God’s judgment of sin but his love for the repentant sinner. Repentance
may sound rather forbidding, but it means a willingness to turn away from what is damaging
and wrong and turning instead towards God himself through Christ, seeking his forgiveness
So, Lent began and it coincidentally and meaningfully coincided this year, as Easter is so
early, with St Valentine’s Day! Meaningfully, because we may celebrate God’s redeeming
love not simply human, romantic love and coincidentally as Ash Wednesday and St
Valentine’s Day do not often come together. Lent is the (almost) six-week period which
precedes Easter. Easter as we know is a movable Feast determined by the Lunar calendar,
the first Sunday after the Full Moon following the Spring Equinox, or in Jewish terms the first
Sunday after the 14th Nisan, the date when Passover is celebrated. If that hasn’t confused
you….
But what is the purpose of Lent, this gift of six weeks. Yesterday, I was listening to the radio
and a piece on the importance of queueing in order to build expectation eg. like queuing for
a ride at Disney World or more significantly queuing for eight hours to see the lying-in-state
of Queen Elizabeth II. Waiting in a queue builds anticipation and is very much part of the
experience! Is Lent therefore a spiritual queueing system for the celebration of Easter – a
device for highlighting this great festival? Well, it may have that effect; but it is very much
more.
In the early church, probably from the late second century onwards the church used it to
prepare candidates for baptism who were baptised in large numbers on Easter Eve in a river
or lake or in civic baths. By the fourth century, and when Christianity had been accepted in
the Empire (313AD), bishops prepared candidates for baptism with a series of catechetical
lectures like those of Cyril of Jerusalem (c313-386). These were wonderful explanations of
the Christian faith into which a person was to be baptised but then Lent also became a fast
or time of preparation for the whole church for Easter, in which people would renew their
baptismal vows. This did include an element of fasting, giving up some foods, of spiritual
exercises like reading the scriptures or special times of prayer. The intent was on re-
ordering the focus or priorities of lives, or we might say today of de-cluttering, simplifying
and letting go of unhelpful practices as well as taking on a positive commitment to pray or
to give.
It is a manageable period neither too short nor too long – and in the northern hemisphere
co-coincides with the lengthening days (hence Lent)- leading to both a great celebration of
Easter proclaiming the Resurrection and also the annual recollection of the crucifixion on
Good Friday, by which Christ procured forgiveness for us. It is a gift of time which we are left
to use how we wish, but well used it can be, and should be, a real blessing. Happy Lent!
Patrick Whitworth

What do Lady Gaga, Prince Harry, Demi Lovato, Jim Carrey, and Adele have in common?  They have all struggled with mental health.  1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience a period of major depression in their lives. This miserable winter weather can help to exacerbate negative feelings.  January is my least favourite month when I feel my most despondent and would much prefer to escape to a sunny country.  

Some individuals find attending church or engaging in other religious activities helpful for their mental health, it can provide social support, a sense of community, and opportunities for spiritual reflection and growth. On the other hand, some may find that religious activities trigger anxiety, distress, or other symptoms, and may choose to avoid them.

But what can we do as a church to support those who are facing mental health issues?

·       We can educate ourselves on when and how to signpost people to mental health professionals, and the variety of support groups and classes that exist locally for those who support them.  We have several free fliers and booklets in the porch at Kintbury Church but I hope that we will be able to expand on that provision.

·       We can offer friendship. I know that there are members in the congregation who stay in touch with those they know who are struggling mentally and with their families. They provide ongoing support offering visits, telephone calls, cards, cakes, and even casseroles. It is a valued but often invisible ministry.

·       We can focus on mental health.  We are hoping to repeat the successful mental health awareness evening that we held as part of the Angel Festival in collaboration with Mind and a mental health coach, in the Spring.  It is a wonderful way to pick up some tips on encouraging good mental health.

·       We can make an intentional decision to talk about illness and help to erase the stigma and discrimination around mental health. When we talk openly about mental illnesses it reduces the grip of stigma. Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, religion, or income, and is not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing.

·        

I hope in time we will be in a position to offer a spiritual support group in Church and regular healing services.

I found a pertinent list of tips for improving your mental health and am trying to put it into practice as part of my New Year Resolutions, perhaps you would like to join me….

·       Stop lying to yourself.

·       Create a space from friendships that you have outgrown.

·       set fire to the labels that you think define you.

·       set a bedtime and stick to it.

·       say yes to interests - even if you must go alone.

·       seek out prayer and spiritual nourishment.

·       exercise to feel good and not to lose weight.

·       explore your relationship with alcohol.

·       have those really, hard conversations that you have so far avoided.

·       grieve the loss of the life you had envisioned.

·       pay more attention to what is working. 

Let’s support each other and be kind as we await the coming of Spring!

Rev Annette

King Charles has been very candid about his medical condition and his enlarged prostrate much to the surprise of many.  He took the view that he might be able to “do some good” by being open about his diagnosis. Researchers have reported that online searches for prostate treatment went up by 139% in the week following his announcement.  So many celebrities now are sharing their personal stories and inspiring others facing similar diagnoses.

I am hoping that the days when people were rather embarrassed or frightened to admit when they were unwell, either physically or mentally, have started to disappear.  Instead of people worrying that they are alone, we support, reassure, and inspire each other through our health challenges.

I must confess when I attended church in my 30’s I was rather taken aback by how often conversations strayed into topics around health, with people comparing endless stories about their procedures, tablets, and prognoses. It all sounded so depressing.  I am starting to realise now that generally for those involved is quite the opposite.

Most of you know that I was expecting to have a replacement knee operation in January.  Four days before, just after I had completed all my checks and preparation and finally accepted it was going to happen, it was cancelled.  It was not because of the doctor’s strike but because my hemoglobin level was down by 0.7 on the recommended level for an operation!  The iron level in my blood is fine but a chronic but managed health condition, now means that I need iron tablets to maximise my uptake.  I am on a watch list trying to wait patiently for my blood to catch up. 

It is very unsettling not having control over how things pan out.  I relentlessly quizzed my son who is a surgeon over Christmas and still spend my spare time surfing the web looking for any new insights on my medical condition, hoping to find intellectual reassurance. It is not overly encouraging as you get the full spectrum of possibilities rather than just the most likely. 

But I am suddenly so appreciative that I appear to have joined a special, genuinely caring, and implicit club in church.  Those who have had a knee replacement have instinctively drawn alongside me and shared their wisdom.  They have reassured me by their stories of similar delays, eventual operations, and their recovery. I have been lent and even gifted equipment for use when I am rehabilitating.  I have had tips on things that might help my recovery and a willingness to chat through any concerns. Prayers have been said for and even over me in church. I feel humbled and very loved.  People could have just been frustrated by my anticipated absence, and the inconvenience of sudden rota changes, particularly as we are without an assistant priest, but I have met only with understanding and patience.  It has made me even more determined to return as soon as I am able, even if I may need a perching stool to keep me upright!   And it has given me an exquisite taste of what it can mean to be truly part of a church family.  I do encourage people to trust the love that is on offer in being a member of the church and you discover you will never be facing anything alone.

I am so very grateful,

Rev Annette

SUMMARY OF MAIN PROVISIONS OF DRAFT SCHEME
This draft Scheme provides for:
• the union of the parish of Kintbury with Avington and the parish of Hamstead
Marshall, being two of the six parishes within the area of The Walbury Beacon
Benefice;
• the parish church of the parish of Kintbury with Avington and the parish church of
the parish of Hamstead Marshall to be the parish churches of the new parish;
• the transfer of the parish of Enborne in The Walbury Beacon benefice to the
benefice of Newbury Saint George and Saint John where it shall continue distinct;
• the consequential amendment of benefice names;
• the transfer of the parsonage house of The Walbury Beacon Benefice to the
Oxford Diocesan Board of Finance for diocesan purposes; all within the Diocese of
Oxford.

Please see the more details and information in the documents below. This is a small extract from the Extract & Summary document. 

Anyone may make representations for or against all or any part or parts of the draft Scheme
(please include the reasons for your views) by post or, preferably, by email to reach me no
later than midnight on Monday 19 February 2024.

If we do not receive representations against the draft Scheme, we will make the Scheme
and it will come into effect as it provides. A copy of the completed Scheme will be sent to
you together with a note of its effective date.

Please contact 

Archdeacon Liz Jackson

Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 Diocese of Oxford The Walbury Beacon Benefice; and the Benefice of Newbury St George and St John

Extract & Summary

Church Door Notice

Some of you will have already heard the great news that the Newbury Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre has reopened, and is ready to help people escape from the overwhelming impact of personal debt.

They offer a completely free, face-to-face service, covering Newbury and the surrounding areas (RG14, RG17, RG18, RG19 and RG20). See the press-release below for further information.

Thank you for supporting them in the past, with your time, prayers, donations and involvement. It is vitally important, and we pray it will continue. CAP is a front-line ministry in which you can demonstrate the love and kindness of Jesus to people who are suffering under the overwhelming effects of debt.

Cap Press Release

Get involved with your CAP Debt Centre

One of the joys when I do not have several services on a Sunday is being able to stay and talk with
the congregation. I believe churches grow through relationships they form not just with God but also
with each other. We can all be uplifted by fellow believers as much as by the opportunity to serve
and worship. I feel very rude when I must rush off to get ready for the next service particularly when
there are new people to meet. I am not sure the impression is good for visitors even if I do explain
my exit.
We are very fortunate to have a growing Ministry Team, but it is still a struggle to manage all the
services requested by churches, particularly at busy festival times. In our smaller churches, there has
been a natural reduction in the congregation numbers over the years. The populations have
remained static with house prices making migration back into the area virtually impossible for young
people. And so many of the wedding couples do want to move into the area. The older generation
who values their church connection are now becoming frailer. Many houseowners live away from
the village for portions of the week or even year so you no longer have a core of regular worshipers.
Some of our churches are largely dependent on pastoral services weddings, baptisms, and funerals,
plus the gathering of residents, their guests, and other visitors at festival occasions throughout the
year for survival. The model of ministry then becomes that of a chaplaincy. It is a ministry with
significant potential for growth if we can accept and work with that model.
We have limited resources so it can be very sad for Church Wardens, the organist, and the service
leader to meet at a church to prepare the building for worship only to discover there is no
congregation to welcome in a small church. We have decided to be strategic and creative with
service provision so that we can ensure there is a congregation (it only needs a small gathering) to
create a positive energy, and we will also be looking at developing the pastoral service links, and
building on additional benefice services when we can gather to remind us of the full size of the
benefice family.
We are in danger of wanting to allocate blame for any reduction in the life of the church, naming the
diocese, the clergy, or locals when nobody is really to blame. It generates feelings of guilt and
frustration which is very de-motivating for everyone and can put off potential volunteers.
National resources are being used to try and alleviate any decline, but society has changed, and I
don't think we have adapted and responded quickly enough. We may throw lots of money into
keeping our church buildings, and that is wonderful as it shares the huge burden of fundraising with
those who look after the ministry of the church, but without a living ministry, the building is in
danger of becoming a historical monument that stands unloved and slowly declining within its
community.
The packed Christmas services across the benefice churches showed that they are so much more
than just a building to our communities. I am passionate about sustaining the life of each one. I
would love us to work together with generosity to secure the future of our much-loved Churches.
Please look out for and support the new ideas being produced by your hardworking PCCs,
Churchwardens, and Ministry Team as we seek to reach out to new people in our communities. And
do let us know when we have got it right!
If you have a skill that you may be willing to share within the church, please do get in touch there is
room for everyone in this family.
Rev Annette

On the 12 th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . .12 drummers drumming, etc. A noisy gift.
You may have come across one of the spoof versions of that well-known song, written from the
perspective of the increasingly exasperated recipient, and concluding with a tersely worded
communication from her lawyer. Depending on whether you count from Christmas, or Boxing, Day,
the 12 th day is either January 5 th or 6 th . Eve of Epiphany, or Epiphany itself. And the day by which,
traditionally, Christmas decorations should have been taken down.
But when should the Crib be put away? For Christians, when does the Christmas Season end? It’s a
good question, which was raised in the Church Times recently, with responses from two parish
priests. For the last few years, in Kintbury Church, we have left the Crib in place until Candlemas –
2 nd February. This Church Festival celebrates Joseph and Mary, in accordance with Jewish Law and
Tradition, bringing their firstborn son to the Temple to be presented to the Lord. But, we do have a
little notice to put beside the Crib, to explain to visitors that we have not just forgotten or neglected
to remove our Christmas display!
So what were the responses to the question of when the Crib should be removed? As it happens,
and probably unsurprisingly, the two respondents felt there to be reasonable arguments both for
removing it after the 6 th and for leaving it in place.
Rev’d Dr D Trott goes into some detail explaining what he describes as having “a sense of what
[Christmas and Epiphany] are about”. He divides this period of 40 days (a Biblically significant
number) into two sections: Christmastide, which focuses on the Incarnation and Birth, and
Epiphanytide which is all about Revelation. This culminates in Simeon’s recognition of the identity
and significance of this Baby, and his great proclamation: “. . my eyes have seen your salvation – a
light to lighten the Gentiles . .”
As we move from the darkness and long nights of the Solstice through the lengthening days towards
the Light of Easter, let us value this period of Revelation, and take it with us through the coming
months.
Jenny

Two Epiphany images from Kintbury:  

   Hard to read, but the Epiphany Blessing: Christus Mansionem Benedicat (Christ bless this building) or the initials of the Magi: Caspar, Melchior, Balthasar on the door frame at St Mary’s.                

  Each star describes a gift the Kintbury All Age congregation would offer the Baby

I wonder what the word stretch conjures up for you. It might be the distant memory of a
gym class at school or a more recent Pilates exercise class to keep those muscles and joints
in trim. What is abundantly clear is that after the feasting of Christmas, the newspaper
colour supplements are full of articles about losing weight, getting fit and generally toning
up the body to get it match fit, or life fit. For instance, last week there was an article in the
Saturday Times supplement about a seventy-seven-year-old fitness Guru called Joan
MacDonald who has two million followers! She spends hours in the gym stretching pretty
much everything! She lifts weights for ninety minutes four times a week (Times 06.01.2024
p 38). It is amazing what people will put themselves through for health, fitness and looks.
Well, if we will do that for the body, what will we do for the soul! Perhaps there should be
some soul-stretching too, and what would that look like?
As it happens the word stretch is no stranger to the Bible or to the saints. One of my
mentors from the past is a group of leaders from the fourth century called the Cappadocian
Fathers (in fact – surprise surprise - I wrote a book about them called, The Three Wise Men
from the East (2015, Sacristy Press) and interestingly they are getting a lot of head-space
these days. In fact, I read an article about Basil of Caesarea only this morning by a Devon
vicar. One of those three wise men or Cappadocian Fathers was called Gregory of Nyssa and
he took up this idea of stretching based on the Apostle Paul’s phrase in Philippians 3: 12 in
which he says, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me …
forgetting what lies behind and stretching towards what lies ahead”. The Greek word for
this stretching used by Paul and Gregory is epectasis. Stasis is the root word for a state of
being; so that ecstasy which shares this idea of being is an out of the body (ex) sensation.
Gregory put it like this, “the soul moves in the opposite direction (upwards) once it is
released from the sensuous and earthly attachments, soaring from the world below, up
towards the heavens ….. stretching with its desire for heavenly things” (Gregory of Nyssa
Life of Moses PG 44:400-401). Well, you say that sounds all well and good but to stretch
muscles you go the gym and move weights or ride a bike, run etc. How would you stretch
your soul? The answer must lie in reflection, prayer, exercising faith in a difficulty, studying
the Scriptures, drawing close to Jesus, meditation and when we come to Lent fasting in
some way. At its root this stretching must mean going beyond what you would normally do.
So good stretching; not of your body alone, but of your soul too. After all, we are soul, mind
and body. Each of us could do with a bit of stretching! We say something is muscle-
stretching or mind-stretching ,what about a bit of soul-stretching in 2024!
Patrick Whitworth

There is a deep puddle in the gravel road into Elizabeth Gardens. I love watching the birds bathing in it with their unbridled enthusiasm. Sometimes as many as fifteen tiny birds are excitedly washing themselves in the water—innocently and joyfully embracing the opportunity to immerse themselves.  I feel guilty as I nudge the car forward to gain access. They wait until the very last minute to scatter determined to savour every moment. The birds know the water will cleanse and refresh them. The birds instinctively recognize the value of the puddle for their well-being.
This Sunday we remember the Baptism of Christ and reflect on the meaning of our baptism into the Christian faith. Through it, we are invited to trust in the cleansing power of the living water—Christ and that Jesus promises us a wellspring of water flowing to eternal life.

May we acknowledge the immeasurable value of our faith in Christ for our spiritual nourishment and cultivate a faith that bathes in the depths of God's love with as much unreserved enthusiasm as those tiny birds.

Happy New Year!

In Christ's love,

Revd Annette

Dear All

Another year begins and I resolve, like many others, to make improvements to the way I live my life.  Alas, actually living out various pledges is not quite as easy.  As a Christian, I am fortunate to have additional help to affect that transformation through my relationship with God and with other Christians.  That does not mean I do better than anyone else but that I have a model of the way Jesus lived his life and can gain insights by reflecting on the stories and passages in the Bible. Worship, particularly Communion services, also helps in guiding me in that transformation.

I have been approached by individuals who would like to know what happens during a Eucharist, (also known as Holy Communion, the Lord’s Super, or the Mass). I have taken this opportunity to describe what happens.  The 8 am Holy Communion is slightly different in order, but I am going to describe the general format of a mid-morning service across the benefice and in most Anglican churches. 

The word Eucharist (Holy Communion) means “to give thanks” and is the service at which Christians obey Jesus' command to remember him in bread and wine.  Jesus gave this command at the last meal he had with his followers before he died, the bread and the wine represented his body and blood about to be offered as a sacrifice for them.  

Children in the Anglican churches generally wait until being ‘confirmed’ in their faith before taking bread and wine themselves but the move towards communion before confirmation is gaining ground. This policy is in place in several churches in this Benefice although it does not happen in practise.  Baptised adults can receive as soon as they are undertaking training for confirmation.

There are set words for the service said by the priest but various parts where responses are said together by the congregation. 

The service starts with a warm welcome and an invitation to worship. This is followed by an opportunity to reflect on and say sorry to God and each other for the wrong things that we have thought said and done.  After this, the priest announces the absolution or forgiveness from God.

This is followed by a special summarising prayer called the Collect. After this is the Gloria which is a song of praise for God.  We hear the set Bible readings for the day; one of these will always come from a Gospel, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

A priest or Reader may deliver a sermon which is usually an explanation of the meaning of the readings and what they may show us about how God wants us to live. Then we say the Creed. This lists the Christian beliefs that unite us.  This is followed by prayers for God’s world.  Because we believe that all Christians are members of God's family and therefore brothers and sisters in Christ before we celebrate his holy meal, we remember we are a family by shaking hands with each other and wishing each other peace. A collection is gathered from the congregation and brought forward to the altar

The bread and wine are prepared at the altar for communion.  The Bible teaches us that even though we are many people we are all members together in the body of Jesus when we share in this Holy fellowship meal.  Everyone is welcome at the table.

The priest says a special prayer reminding everyone of the significance of the meal and blesses the bread and wine.  The people are invited to the altar rail to receive bread, which is normally a small circular wafer, and a sip of wine.  Those who are not baptised and confirmed receive a special individual blessing from the priest.

After communion, the priest blesses the congregation and sends them out to love serve in God’s world.  If the service is a sung Communion it will also include a number of hymns and in some churches the Gloria and the Sanctus (a special prayer that happens during preparation at the altar) is sung.

There will always be a warm welcome for you at any of the parish services.  If you have never been to a Communion service please come and gain that experience in 2024. If you are interested in attending but would like someone to guide you through the service ask the person handing out the hymn books or the service leader.  They can arrange that for you.

May God bless you in 2024!

Revd. Annette