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News, Updates, Thoughts

The Spread of Christianity

Last week at a gathering I was privileged to meet a young radiologist working in the Health
Service living in Newbury from Kerala, South India. She was a Christian in that largely Hindu
and Muslim country but she reminded me that the church in South India had early
beginnings and was started by the Apostle Thomas (him who said “I will not believe. …unless
I put my finger into the marks of the nails and my hand into his side” John 20: 25). Meeting
her was a reminder to me of how quickly Christianity spread after the resurrection.
This time of year, after Pentecost and Trinity Sunday, the Sunday readings are concerned
with the spread of Christianity. Indeed, the Acts of the Apostles record some of the
preaching of the Apostles as told by Luke in the second volume of his work in the New
Testament. At the beginning of Acts, Jesus tells his disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes
upon them, they will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the end of the
world (Acts 1: 8). This is what happened: firstly, in Jerusalem and then, when the disciples
were persecuted, further afield in Judea, Samaria, Antioch (Acts 11: 19ff) and lastly in the
missionary journeys of Paul into Europe, eventually reaching Rome. Sometimes, as in Rome,
churches began not primarily through Apostolic missions (ie led by one of the Apostles) but
through ordinary Christians travelling on business, to relatives or just re-locating.
The Church also spread east to Syria, south into Africa via Ethiopia (Acts 8:26ff) and Egypt,
and north into the Roman Empire, eventually reaching Britain by the late third century. I
read recently that Christianity reached the court of the Emperor of China about the same
time as the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumberland, ruled by King Edwin, accepted
Christianity from Paulinus in 627AD.
However much Christianity spread historically throughout the world, Christianity does not
exist territorially but must live in the hearts and lives of men, women and children in every
generation. Indeed, as someone has said, the church is only ever about two generations
away from extinction. In other words, our faith must be handed on. The challenge for us
today is to take the same message of God’s grace and forgiveness to all, so that they may
know in truth the grace of God. May God grant us success in doing this in our own
communities!

When I was born mum and dad had a beloved boxer called Susan. I was only a toddler when she had a litter of puppies, mum told me later I would crawl into the bed and snuggle up alongside her puppies. I am still drawn to the friendly faces of Boxers. We always had a dog at home from a Corgi called Jane to cross breeds like Nikki and Rusty. 

It was not long after we were married that I persuaded Dave that we really needed a puppy. A rough collie called Gemma joined us. She was our baby. Totally spoilt but incredibly well trained; we could leave her sitting in the front garden watching the world pass by and we could trust her not to wander. She was frightened of cats and would try to leap into our arms if one came towards her. Her loyalty was incredible and she was amazingly gentle with our young family. I watched once as my son, experimenting as a baby, hit her nose with his wooden hammer. It must have hurt but she just shook her head, got up from where she was lying beside him, and moved away. 

We have had a number of dogs since then. Each with different personalities and loveable behavioural quirks that have brought us so much joy. They have given us so much love and made our home complete. 

We now have two exuberant Labradors, Daisy who is brown, rather laid back, extremely friendly but selectively deaf with commands.. not invitations, and Yukki who is white coated, slim, hyper active, slightly neurotic, incredibly attentive and easily trained. Yukki copes with fireworks but will squeeze under our tiny coffee table if it thunders and look out pathetically. Daisy sees nothing as a threat; she has very inflated self-esteem which protects her. 

I love my dogs. I learn much from watching the way that they deal with life. They live in the moment and provided their basic needs are met are very content. When Daisy’s girth grows from stealing treats from an open store cupboard, she does not feel any shame or self-loathing. But then she does not stop to anticipate the discomfort that follows an illicit binging session.

My dogs are resilient and deal well with changes in their circumstances. It is a good lesson. Life is a twisting, turning road and the more adaptable we are, the more easily we bend to allow life to work with us, not against us and the more content we can find ourselves. Pets, as long as they feel safe, nourished, and near you, can find peace. 

Studies have shown recently that living with an animal companion improves a person's physical health and well-being. Having a pet can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and release endorphins. Many people also believe that connecting with animals improves their spiritual health. Animals with their seemingly boundless capacity to offer spiritual qualities such as unconditional love, gratitude, patience, and joy.

Daisy and Yukki have overflowed with affection for us without testing our characters first. They are always happy, rain or shine unless they are ill. They hold no grudges whatsoever, no matter how they are treated. 

If God taught an animal to live that kind of life, how much more should we feel ashamed that even with the Holy Spirit we struggle to do those things? 

Love

Revd. Annette

Please send me stories of how you are blessed by the animals in your life.

There was gentle excitement in the senior Shannon household this week, and several WhatsApp videos received, as we charted our youngest granddaughters first steps; watching her develop in confidence from being firmly balanced when standing and crouching down, to those two wobbly steps into the delighted arms of her 3-year-old sister.  Her proud sister’s words said it all. “She’s done it”.

It was whilst I was staying with my daughter, during the final week and birth of her second baby, that I applied for the position in this benefice, along with several others.  I received an invite for interview from all four, but Walbury Beacon was the first interview and I accepted.

This year there have been so many changes for both my granddaughter and me.  She has changed and grown from a helpless, vulnerable, tiny, baby to a strong-willed toddler. She refuses to be fed insisting on doing that herself, she is a pro in getting people’s attention, whether face to face or on WhatsApp, she giggles loudly and very infectiously, but does not like car journeys raspberries. She has had to learn so much.

There has also been a lot of new learning for me as I settle into a new role in a new area of the county, and I have also had to learn to adapt.

I am conscious of actions that I used to do without any thought at all. I reflect on when I could flip my body into a handstand, cartwheel, or backflip, when I would run with ease (if never with enthusiasm) and would have been horrified if I had developed any aches and pains that restricted my actions.  I was determined in my 30s, fuelled I must confess by a few glasses of wine, to recreate that sense of freedom and produce a cartwheel.  It was not very successful; I nearly broke my wrist and certainly strained a muscle in my upper thigh! 

As a young adult, armed with a degree, having given birth to a couple of children, I thought I knew lots and was eager for change.  It is only as I look back with more years and hopefully more wisdom that I realise how much I am still learning, and sadly also recognise for me change no longer feels so easy. 

Perhaps our relationship with God is the same. 

I have just returned from a long journey or road trip from Kintbury to Marrakech with five others.

The journey by road was 3,500 miles with another 900 nautical miles from Portsmouth to Santander. The ferry-ride across the Bay of Biscay, with my Peugeot 207 on board, was calm and there were a few dolphins along the way accompanying the ship in places. I estimated we stayed in seventeen places along the route with special times in Salamanca, Cordoba, Seville, Granada, in the mountains of Aragon, Zaragoza and Pamplona.

Spain’s scenery was impressive, its history complicated and riveting, its roads wonderful and free of traffic, with twice the space of the UK and 2/3rds of the population. And then crossing the Straits of Gibraltar precipitated a dramatic change of culture: from Christian to Muslim, from Europe to Africa, from fixed prices to bartering, from shops to souks and from paella to tagines.

Standing on the mountains of Southern Spain looking across the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa was an unforgettable moment, what a difference a short stretch of water can make! Ahead of us was Tangier, Fes, Marrakech and Casablanca all fascinating in their ways. Beyond them the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara which we didn’t quite get to.

Life in a broader sense is like a journey and indeed our faith can also be construed as one. God’s people in the Old Testament journeyed from Egypt to Canaan, with forty years in the desert en route, and also from Palestine or Jerusalem to Babylon and back. These journeys helped shape, discipline and form their faith and their understanding of God and their calling. In the New Testament Jesus was frequently travelling by foot with his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem and in and out of Jerusalem. As they went, things happened to form the disciples as well. And in a memorable journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, Jesus drew near and talked to two disciples, revealing to them his resurrection and its meaning.

In any journey you need a destination, a map or satnav to get you there, a mode of transport, food along the way, a place to rest each night and companions to talk and reflect with. We might ask ourself the questions: where do we find those things in our faith-journey. What is the destination? How do we get there? What is the map or satnav? Who are our companions? What food do we need and where do we find rest? All questions to ponder and, in answering them, our own journeys may become enriching, joyful and fulfilling.

At this point in the Church’s year, we look back on the great festivals of Christmas, Easter and Pentecost speaking as they do of incarnation, redemption, resurrection and the gift of the Spirit. Equipped with the reality of these events in our own lives, we travel on in what is called “ordinary time” and do those good works which have been prepared for us beforehand (Ephesians 2:9). Let’s make the most of the opportunities en route, and let’s travel further towards our destination.

Good travelling!

Last Sunday my grandsons aged 4 and 6 years joined in the worship in Kintbury, sitting in the children’s corner at the back of the church with Grandad who was babysitting.  Our son and his wife, like so many couples have taken second jobs through the summer, in response to the rise in the cost of living. It was the first time our grandchildren have been to a Communion service.   

The theme for the sermon was prayer based on the Gospel which was John 17.1-11 which is Jesus' prayer for his disciples. 

Hoping that some children might join us I had left some colourful paper chains in the corner with an instruction sheet saying, ‘Praying is talking…and listening! God hears our prayers and cares! Jesus comforts us with His presence! Prayer changes things. Pray always! Think about things you could pray for. Draw a picture of them on the paper links, or ask someone to help you by writing them, join them together to make prayer chains.’

Dave told me that our grandchildren Isaac and Ezra were initially far more interested in the exciting array of toys available to play with, but after a bit of encouragement, they set to work thinking about all the things that they could pray for from plants to mums and dads.

At various moments in the service, Isaac’s face popped up over the pew to listen intently to what I was saying.  Isaac was particularly excited about being invited to help with the collection; he told me discreetly with some wonderment afterward, that it was heavy because there was a lot of money. His bow at the altar was rather theatrical (a Megan Markle moment perhaps). But he took it all very seriously.

Neither grandson has ever been up to the altar rail for a blessing but when invited were both keen to be involved even though grandad, who is not confirmed, does not come forward. They looked intently at me as I crouched down to say a blessing over them, something along the lines of, ‘May God fill your life with lots of love, adventures, and happiness. And may the light of Christ shine through the things you say and do’, Ezra, the youngest, unsure of what to respond looked at me, nodded, and replied with such sincerity ‘Ok thank you’. 

They really enjoyed coming forward at the end of the service to explain what they had been doing with the paper chains; I think being able to talk into a microphone would have enhanced the experience and enabled them to explain to the congregation in their own words what they had decided to pray for and why.

I reflect on what they had learned from that one service, that all the people in Church are very nice to you, welcoming, and listen to you.  That the music can be very loud but also softer at different parts of the service. That there are pretty decent biscuits and toys. That there is a rhythm to the liturgy. That adults receive something to eat at the altar rail and each person is spoken to individually. Several people are involved in leading the service. That people listen politely to what granny, dressed in a long white dress and a colourful stole, and other people are saying at the front and at the back of the church. People gather together to do something special and serious but there are lots of smiles and even some laughter. 

I think they learned quite a bit to encourage them to ask questions and it was lovely to see what a warm welcome they received.

Annette

Did you know that the word sing appears in the scriptures over 400 times and at least 50 are commands?

There was a very gifted music teacher in one of the schools in which I taught. 

The school had several troubled young students and a high number of looked-after children.  (I was shocked to discover that one 12-year-old girl had moved families 11 times). These confused, emotionally vulnerable, and angry young people were resistant to being taught.  We noticed how many loved being taught by this teacher; they would happily join her at dinner time for choir practice, and sullen behaviour transformed. They would beam with joy and enthusiasm as they sang together. 

She provided these young people with a sense of belonging.  She cared for them, set high standards of behaviour, and expected the best from them. They delivered.  She worked them hard to reach their potential.  It was enchanting to watch.  Achieving in music raised their self-esteem, often changing their attitude to other subjects and areas of their school life.  They became more positive.

Singing in the choir built a sense of support and community for the young people—in turn, it helped to reduce their stress. The group acted like a family. Lifting their voices helped any who were depressed or struggling with other issues without being intrusive.

The choir and us teachers were heartbroken when she moved on to another school, but they gave her such a beautiful farewell. I hope that sense of belonging, and achievement helped to increase the pupils' resilience and her love reminded them of how every one of them was important.

Recent research has shown that regular singing can lift your spirits, increase your immunity, and provide a workout for your brain and your lungs. These benefits are significant for everyone including those experiencing mild to moderate dementia.

On Wednesday, May 24th we are hosting our first Scones and Song in Kintbury Church at 3 pm It is an opportunity to gather informally to sing some of our favourite hymns and secular songs in church, accompanied by a piano. There will also be some light refreshments.  Please do come and may the singing help to lift our spirits and send us out with inner joy and filled tummies!

Annette

Songs & Scones

Hello Everyone, 

We have had some lovely weather this week, I hope everyone has been able to enjoy it, and have a lovely weekend. 

We have just added some more photos to the Photo gallery in the About us section, we will keep  this up to date with all the wonderful photos that get taken in & around our Beautiful Churches. 

If you have any photos you would like to share of special services, flowers, groups or bell ringing we would love to see them. 

/about-us#photo-gallery

Have a lovely weekend & Bank Holiday.

Tamara

It was a busy week / weekend, wasn’t it?

All through Friday the results from the local elections were trickling in and making their way on to frequent news updates, interspersed with regular reports on the final preparations being put into place for Saturday’s big national event.

Local elections are important – well, all elections are important in differing ways.  The point of local democracy is to give communities some control over the matters which particularly affect them; to give them a say in the direction and ethos and accountability they want for their own neighbourhood.  Of course, the national parties also try to use them as predictors for what may happen at national level – although that seems to me to be an inexact science comparable perhaps to Old Moore’s Almanack – if you have ever encountered that wonderful work of creative imagination.  But that doesn’t inhibit the pronouncements of the pundits and prophets.

And then what to say about the events of Saturday 6th May – which has not already been said over and over again?  I’m afraid I’m also going to repeat myself, so apologies to those who were at Inkpen on Sunday morning for our Coronation Celebration.

There were a few takeaways for me from the service in Westminster Abbey.  The one which I particularly remember, and which I would pray to be absorbed into national, political and personal conscience was a short sentence from Archbishop Justin’s sermon. 

This should be inscribed on the hearts of all who enter public life in any form:

“With the privilege of power, comes the duty of service.”

If every politician, every ruler, every president and prime minister, every peer, every leader of industry, every chief executive, every NHS manager, every union chief, every bishop, every education leader, every “influencer”, (whatever exactly that is), every chair of every board, every civil servant, every police officer, every employer, every parent – in fact every one of us, because most people exercise power in some form or other – signed up to that, how would the world look in a few years’ time?

This coming weekend, our Rogation Service at West Woodhay, offers another occasion to reflect on our inter-connectedness; we shall celebrate the little and local, represented by the smallness of a seed and a sprinkling of soil; and pray for the great and global, our wonderful, fragile, God-given planet.  Against our present privilege of daily sustenance, stands our double duty: care and compassion for the disempowered of today and sustainability for the children of tomorrow. 

We shall be judged by our response. 

Services for this Sunday 14/05 & next Sunday, 21/05

14/05

10:30am West Woodhay    Rogation Service, This service will be held in the Memorial garden adjacent to the Churchyard. See below for more service details.

21/05

8:00am Kintbury                   Holy Communion-BCP

9:45am Kintbury                   Eucharist

9:45am Inkpen                      All Age

11:15am Combe                    Holy Communion-BCP 

18:00pm Zoom                      Compline

Dear Parishoners,

This coming weekend we celebrate King Charles III Coronation. Some may remain at home watching events unfold on their television, others will gather in small social groups or journey out to celebrate in larger organised events such as community street parties. Most people in the United Kingdom (and many across the world) will share in the experience.

King Charles said on the death of his beloved mother: “The role and the duties of Monarchy remain, as does the Sovereign’s particular relationship and responsibility towards the Church of England – the Church in which my own faith is so deeply rooted.” The King has a role of Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a title dating back to the 16th century and has responsibilities for supervising those who run the church, both in terms of its administration and its pastoral care.

Thus, the Coronation is an opportunity to highlight Christian values that underpin that faith, thankfulness, compassion. endurance, creativity, justice, peace, and wisdom, and to remind ourselves of our calling to reflect those values in the way we live our lives. Our late Queen Elizabeth demonstrated these throughout her reign; we hope and trust that Charles will continue to live into that legacy.

But there is more to the occasion. Whenever I preside over pastoral gatherings baptisms, weddings, or funerals, I am conscious of how important memories are, and that within the event itself sacred memories are being created. Memories are so important in helping us to maintain a bond with our loved ones, reminding us of the impact they’ve had and are having on our lives, and bringing to light what is truly important in life.

The Coronation can help us to come together as a community and as the United Kingdom. Those bonds can be strengthened by positive memories. I pray that we will work to create some very special memories this weekend that will unite us as families, as a community and as the UK and that we will all share joy and peace as we celebrate the Coronation of our new King!

Thank you to all whose hard work and generosity are making our community celebrations possible.

Join us in a special Coronation service, Celebrating King Charles III