Contents

Contents

Services

Minister’s Letter and Article about Vision

Flowers in Church

Music Evening

Appointments

Finance Update

When Times are Bad, Readers turn to a Good Book

A Modern Parable:

Easter Journey

Thank you

Sunday Fellowship Lunches

Chalfont Club

Earley Youth Net

Days of Encouragement for Women at Highmoor Hall

Nursery Service

The Wednesday Group

Reel Issues

Monday night Service

Church Walk

URC Wessex Synod – Challenge and Choice

News in Brief

Deadline for May Diary and Magazine

Pastoral Pages

Prayers for the Parish

Prayers for those who live outside the Parish

Diary

Services

Minister’s Letter and Article about Vision

Firstly, I’d like to thank all those of you, and it’s been so many, who’ve been so kind in expressing your love and concern about Jo and her breast cancer.  She and I have felt wonderfully supported.  We’ve been inundated with cards and flowers and offers of help, for which we are extremely grateful.  We certainly won’t be able to accept all the help that has been offered because you’ve offered so much.  We also feel extremely supported in prayer too which is very important to us.  We have many friends dotted around the world too who are praying.  As I write this, we don’t know the results of Jo’s operation.  It is an anxious and, in many ways, an unreal time, but we are peaceful and positive and trust God for the future.

It’s Easter, already!!!  It’s come round really quickly for me.  Lent seems to have flown by.  If you’ve been in a group during Lent, I hope it has been a good time.  I shall be interested to hear how you’ve found the range of material we’ve used.  We’ve got the usual array of Easter services.  Do come along.  It’ll be wonderful to celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice, made for us all and everyone through history – how amazing is that?! - and rising again to be with his and our Father in Heaven.  I feel somewhat duty bound to sound a cautionary note, in the best possible way, about the 10am Palm Sunday Service which is being planned and run by the older Junior Church group, called SOS (Something on Sunday), which includes both my daughters.  They’ve all been having great fun planning it with Kay, Sarah, Joanna and Cathy’s help.  Do come and join in!

Moving on, I want to include some of what I shared at the last Church Meeting about refreshing our vision at Trinity.  I’ve been here over 18 months now and believe it is time to look in some depth at what God wants us to be focussing on over the next few years, and how we should be organised to do this.  In these 18 months we’ve done some turning of the soil and I believe God is saying we need now to be really addressing the way forward, building on what we’ve got, but asking ourselves some challenging questions about what now.

At the moment, not everyone will be happy.  They never will be.  Some may feel confused.  BUT, from talking with a variety of you who are most involved, there is a clear sense that God is at work and his Holy Spirit is beginning to move in new ways and is wanting to challenge us to move on, building on what we’ve got but definitely wanting us to move on and dig into his purposes.

We are already doing some self-examination with our finances (this will be ongoing, and PLEASE do read Gordon’s update in this magazine) but I want to encourage us to focus on vision and the future and what God wants us to be doing rather than on the fact that our finances are problematic.  Let’s seek out what God’s priorities are for us and seek the funding for them.

Part of the exploration of vision and the way forward will mean asking ourselves a whole load of questions.  These should include (but these are not exhaustive and reflect my initial brainstorming):

·         What does it mean to be a committed Christian today and how is this reflected in commitment to the church, ie attendance on Sundays and participation in other ways?  Lifestyles are very different from even 10 years ago.  We don’t want to compromise Scripture but we might need to recognise that the way we do church might need to change, and perhaps in ways that make us feel uncomfortable (to start with at least)!

·         How can we encourage stronger faith in God, and deepening relationships with him, and greater ownership of our faith, and not just either the same or greater levels of commitment to church?  Is there a difference?

·         Is what we do at the moment good enough at making disciples?  How can we become better disciple makers?

·         What do we really mean by evangelism and outreach?  Can we be honest? Do we really know?  What can we learn from others about this and then apply here?

·         Do we need to promote more of a sacrificial approach to being a Christian and member at Trinity, based on a more developed understanding of the sacrifice Jesus made for us?  So our approach to what takes place isn’t so much about what I want but what Jesus wants?

·         How do we belong?  Can we improve how we help people belong at Trinity?

·         How do we participate and what do we participate in?  Can we improve how we participate and do we need to be developing and changing what we do? 

o    How we worship?

o    How we build relationships?

o    How we develop our intimacy with God?

o    How we better develop the gifts of the Spirit?

o    How we produce the fruits of the Spirit?

o    How we encourage each other?

o    How we challenge each other?

o    How we love each other?

o    How we care for each other?

o    How we reach out?

o    How we’re led?

o    How we build on what we’ve got on the table at the moment?

·         In light of all these kinds of questions and the answers that are generated, do we need to change how we’re organised and structured, to be better able to achieve our purpose and objectives?

We’ve got a range of activities going on at Trinity.  We need to appraise them, to help us as we work out what our key priorities into the future are, and check out how relevant they are in light of what we feel our priorities are.  We will then need to be prepared to add additional support to those that we believe are still an important part of the way forward, and be prepared to make changes to them if necessary, and equally stop anything we feel is not relevant or isn’t working.  We’ll need to check out their purpose, who’s involved, does the end justify the means, and how much development has taken place in recent years? 

Are the different activities on the go producing the goods for a church that is on the move for God?  This goes for our committees too.  We’ll always need committees but how many and what should they be focussing on now and over the next few years?  And to what extent do they hinder relationship building and deepening intimacy with God? 

Another important question, I believe, is where is our OVERALL spiritual and strategic focus generated from, given the way we’re structured at the moment?

At the Church Meeting, I proposed that we spend the rest of 2009 really getting to grips with the way forward and taking an honest, in-depth, realistic, challenging but fair look at who we are and where we and what we should be focussing on.

The meeting was supportive of what I shared, which I was really pleased about, and it agreed that I should form a “Vision Team 2009” made up of some Church Council members and some other people at Trinity I believe are the right folk to take part in this.  This team would put in the leg work and consult widely (internally and externally) and would report to the Church Council and ultimately the Church Meeting with proposals.  The December Church Meeting would be the first such meeting at which I would hope the team would have something to really report on but it would definitely provide updates before then.  I shall be approaching some of you about getting involved in this team and will expect everyone to have opportunities to input ideas and thoughts.  Please do pray about this process.  If you feel God is suggesting something, either about this process, or the future, then please do share it with me.  Email or ring.

Happy Easter to you.  I’ll make sure I keep you all posted about Jo’s progress.

Every blessing,

Jon

Flowers in Church

Do you like to see flowers in church?  I do.  For me, flowers represent God’s amazing creation – the range of colours, delicate scents and intricate designs of both the flowers and foliage show me a snippet of God’s glory, and looking at the arrangements in church often makes me smile and want to give thanks to God for the beauty and wonder of his creation.

There are a few of us who enjoy “arranging flowers” and are happy to do this in church but find that we can’t perhaps do this as often as we might like to because of the cost of flowers as, apart from on special occasions, flowers are usually supplied at the arranger’s expense.  If you like to see flowers in church but perhaps don’t feel confident enough to do them yourself, there are a few things that you might be able to do to help:

If you are keen to have a go but don’t know where to start, one of us might be able to help you.  I don’t have any formal training and picked up what I do from watching my parents, who both used to arrange flowers.  I used to “have a go” with flowers and foliage that were left over and gradually picked up what worked and what didn’t.  I am happy to help you, so leave me a note with a contact number in my pigeonhole and we can have a chat about where to start.

Jean Crawley co-ordinates the flower rota, which is on the board in the church hall near the kitchen, so if you have any questions, please give her a call or leave a note in her pigeonhole.

Anita Stubbs

Music Evening

Music Evening

in aid of Trinity Church

Saturday 9 May 7pm

at Trinity Church

Please save the evening of Saturday 9 May in your diary and come to support our Music Evening.  The event is intended to be:

·         A chance of sharing and having fun at a Trinity social evening.

·         An opportunity to share your talents.

·         An initiative to raise money for the church (which needs financial help at the moment).

A small number of people from Trinity went to a music evening at Woosehill Church in Wokingham last October and had a wonderful evening, listening to music and sharing a meal in the interval.  That sparked the idea for this music evening.

It is intended to be an evening in three parts:

·         In the first part, individuals and groups of people are being invited to perform pieces of music or to sing something of their own choice.  So, there should be a lot of variety – and I’m hoping this will stretch across different types of music and instruments and voices!  If you think you would be able to perform something, or can persuade someone else to perform something with you on the evening, please do volunteer.  (Please talk to me if you are even remotely considering offering your musical talents.  There are volunteer forms around the church which can be returned to the XYZ pigeonhole by Easter Sunday.)  While it can be daunting to do something like this, it will be to the church family and therefore a supportive audience – and it would be lovely to hear some of you who have musical talents but to whom we don’t normally get to listen.

·         In the middle part, we’ll share a meal together.

·         In the third part, Peter Whiteman and the Trinity Band will be performing a selection of music from across the decades – and if we can get the projector to work, you’ll have a chance to sing along!

Tony Bonnett has reserved the whole church for us for the evening.  Gordon Guile has kindly agreed to be our Compère for the evening.  Tickets will be on sale shortly and the price will include a meal.  I hope to also run a small raffle during the evening.

I already have a number of people who are willing to perform – which is wonderful.  The more people who attend and take part, the more exciting the evening will be.  There are lots of ways you can become involved – so you don’t have to be musical to support the event.  You could:

·         Be a door steward

·         Help with the food

·         Help setting up tables, chairs, etc

·         Help sell event tickets in advance of 9 May

·         Help sell raffle tickets on the night

·         Donate a raffle prize

·         Help in any other way

There are forms available in the church for volunteers to perform and help.  I’d welcome any ideas for the event and for ways in which we can involve everyone and make this a really enjoyable evening.

So, please save the evening of Saturday 9 May in your diary now – and please encourage someone else to come along and make this event special and successful.

Sandy Catchick

Appointments

At the Trinity Church AGM on Monday 16 March 2009, the following people were appointed for a further term of 3 years:

Joan and Mike O’Callaghan as Communion Stewards

Alison Travers as Manse Steward

Tony Bonnett as Property Group Member (Health & Safety)

Janet Whiteman as Staffing Committee Member

The following people were appointed for a first term of 3 years:

Joanne Allum as Education and Nurture Group Member

Joanna Hassan as Junior Church Co-ordinator

Richard Cocks as Church Steward

Catherine Jackson as Friends of Trinity Co-ordinator (from May)

There were 4 nominations for the post of Church Council member.  Following a two stage election, David Brayshaw was appointed to serve for 2 years.

Senior Steward

There have been two nominations for the post of Senior Steward.  It was decided to defer the appointment to give adequate time for discussion and prayer over this important decision.  It is hoped to make the appointment at an extraordinary Church Meeting following a Sunday morning service before the next Church Meeting but, failing that, the appointment will be made at the Church Meeting in June.  At least 14 days’ notice will be given. 

In the meantime, Richard Cocks will continue to cover the post of Senior Steward.

Thanks to all those standing down from posts, especially Richard Cocks as Senior Steward, for all his hard work and dedication.  Thanks also to everyone willing to stand again or for the first time for their service to Trinity.

Finance Update

If you came to the AGM on Monday 16 March, you may have heard some of this before.  During the meeting, I gave an update on our financial situation.  In the February magazine, I said “On this basis, we will virtually run out of money by the end of August 2009”.  Well, the update gave a slightly improved position but not much.  I now feel our bank balance will be a little over £3,000 at the end of August.

The improvement is due to 9 people starting new Standing Order payments, and 10 others increasing their Standing Orders.  The forecast I gave still gave the church a deficit at the end of the year of £14,588, this after deficits of £6,279 and £2,646 in the past two years.  The deficit this year should be reduced by £6,000 from rent from the Manse at 1 Strand Way .  Unless we can further increase our income, we must make a decision about how we can cut our spending. At the next Church Meeting on 15 June 2009, I will be presenting a further update and a budget for 2009/10.  At that time, the meeting must make a decision - do we increase God’s work here in Lower Earley or reduce our spending and therefore reduce the work we are able to do?  The Church Meeting is the main decision-making meeting at Trinity and must take the responsibility for the cost of the work we are able to do in Lower Earley .

There is no doubt in these troubled times that there is a lot we can do in Lower Earley and we should all look forward to Jon’s team looking at Trinity’s Vision for the future (agreed at the AGM).  What is the future?  We were very successful setting up the church here in Lower Earley but where do we go now, what is your vision?  How do we get there?  Is there a cost in time, energy, and of course money?  I’m sure we will all hear more on “Developing a Vision” in the weeks ahead and at the next Church Meeting.  Book the date in your diary now!

Gordon Guile

Collections September 2008 to August 2009

When Times are Bad, Readers turn to a Good Book

[This was taken from an article written in “The Times” on 21 March 2009.]

Times are hard and the sales of the Bible are booming.  The online bookseller Amazon recorded a 25% increase in Bible sales in the UK in the year to February 2009.

Amazon reports the keenest Bible-buyers live in the north, closely followed by London.  The largest chain of Christian bookstores in the UK , Wesley Owen, reports The Bible has probably been the most positive area of growth in the past 12 months.  It sells, through its 40 outlets and online, several versions of the Bible with the “New International Version” being the most popular.  (Is it because this version is used in Alpha I wonder?)

The report goes on to say that 27 million Bibles were distributed by the United Bible Societies in 2007, up from 25.5 million in 2006.  One of the largest areas for growth was the Americas , where 11 million Bibles were distributed last year.  For more good news, see inside for more details - the Bible of course.

Gordon Guile

A Modern Parable:

The Greenhouse and the Vine

There was a master growing vines in greenhouses.  In one rather dilapidated greenhouse, there was a very vigorous vine on which there was much fruit.  In another very beautifully maintained greenhouse, there was a very weak vine bearing little fruit.  In one case, the workers had been focussing on the house, whilst in the other they had been tending the vine.  Which is more important, in the eyes of the master – the greenhouse or the vine?

Beautiful buildings serve no purpose unless they are enabling the “vines” inside to prosper and grow.  If the building falls down, what will happen to the vine?

·         How vigorous is our church vine?

·         Do we as a church community focus more on our buildings .... or on God’s mission?

·         How much of the time in our meetings is given to each?

Peter Pay

URC Wessex Synod Clerk

Easter Journey

Procession

Acclamation

Demonstration

Preparation

Celebration

Instigation

Prediction

Supplication

Accusation, Desertion

Incarceration, Interrogation, Confession, Adjudication, Execution

Inscription, Humiliation, Absolution, Benediction, Isolation, Expiration

Crucifixion

Inhumation

Resurrection

Apparition

Recognition

Explanation

Revelation

Proclamation

Commission

Salvation

by Kay Slack

Thank you

A Big Thank You to Ruth Bainton and her team

A big thank you goes to Ruth and her team of helpers at the Coffee Mornings for raising £200.00 for church funds.  This is one of the many activities at Trinity that reaches out each and every week.  Well done to all who give their time and support to Ruth.  I’ve asked Ruth if we can use this money to buy items required by our music team.  This is a good way to meet special needs by special efforts and we can all enjoy this money in our worship at Trinity through the music we hear.

Gordon Guile, Treasurer

Sunday Fellowship Lunches

You are once again invited to have Sunday lunch with one of the hosts.   During April and May, the hosts are:

12 April             EASTER SUNDAY

19 April             Jill & David Ramsden

26 April             Joan & Gordon Guile       

10 May              Corinne & Gareth Rees**

17 May              Joy & Phil Hooper**

24 May              Bank Holiday Weekend

31 May              Pam & John Medcraft

To accept one of these invitations, simply sign up on the sheet on the notice board at the back of the church.

There is no charge; you don’t have to bring anything; there is no expectation of a return invitation.  If you feel uncomfortable accepting a free meal, you can always give a little extra to the church in your offering.

** If you have young children, Corinne & Gareth and Joy & Phil would love to welcome you as a family.

In fact, there can be few reasons not to try a Sunday Fellowship Lunch, and so I hope you are able to accept one of these invitations.

If you would like to host a Sunday Fellowship Lunch, or would like to know more about the scheme, please feel free to contact me.     

Phil Hooper

Chalfont Club

Thursdays from 2.00pm until 3.30pm

Trinity Church Hall

Everyone welcome.

Entrance:  £1

(includes raffle ticket and cup of tea)

Summer Programme 2009

30 April             Humorous Rhymes                                  Freya Basson

                        written and read by a Berkshire poet     

7 May                Action for Children                          Madelaine Clarke                                  the new name for NCH

14 May                          More true stories to inspire you             Sandy Mathieson

                   (Postage stamps will be given to Sandy )

21 May              Travels with ’Auntie’                        Tony Holland

                      an illustrated talk from a retired BBC man

28 May             to be confirmed                   

4 June               Outing  

                        A Variety Show in the New Forest

11 June              The Crusades                                        Colin Mitchell

                        a light, illustrated talk about these little-known events

18 June             Keep active -                                 Andrea Ford

                   gentle, seated exercise and advice on keeping mobile

25 June             Kagando                                       Andrew Holt

                   the latest news from the hospital in Uganda  

2 July                Another opening, another show            Wendy Carne

                   a talk and songs by a Sainsbury Singer

9 July                Face to Face                                        John Lee

                        life in India in words and pictures

16 July              Garden Party

Restarts Thursday 10 September 2009.

All are welcome at 2pm in Trinity Church Hall.

Please bring a friend or neighbour.

Contact Rosemary Reece for more details.

Earley Youth Net

Youth Net is for anyone aged between 11 and 18. 

It is a chance to explore Christianity and what it means to you.

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month from 7.15pm to 9.00pm during term time.  A typical evening involves games, worship and small groups to explore the theme of the evening in more depth. 

For more info, talk to Mike Bushnell, Martin Carrick, Bethan Jones, Laura Brannelly, Gemma Keeley or Gemma Whiteman.

Days of Encouragement for Women at Highmoor Hall

Nursery Service

Nursery Service

For 0-5s,

parents & carers

at Trinity Church

Chalfont Close, Lower Earley

A short, interactive pre-school service with songs, stories, music & games

followed by craft, toys, action songs, fellowship and refreshments.

Every Wednesday

Term time

2pm - 3pm

Dates:

22 & 29 April

6, 13 & 20 May

[Half Term Break: 27 May]

3, 10, 17 & 24 June

1, 8 & 15 July

Come and join the fun!

Everyone welcome.

Trinity Church Office  0118 931 3124.                  Ann Baker

The Wednesday Group

INGS I

Reel Issues

The Passion Of The Christ

Saturday 11 April 7.30pm

Trinity Church

For more information, speak to

Laura Brannelly or Gemma Keeley

etc.trinity(at)yahoo.co.uk

Monday night Service

If you missed church on Sunday, there’s always ………

Monday night Service

Couldn’t get to church on Sunday?

In need of a spiritual boost after the 1^st day of the week?

Join us in the Trinity Chapel at 8pm on the 2^nd and 4^th Mondays of most months

during school term time for a short informal service,

followed by tea and coffee.

We are meeting once this month:

Monday 27 April

Church Walk

Saturday 25 April

Morning walk with pub lunch

Led by Pam & John Medcraft 

Meet at Trinity at 10am.

URC Wessex Synod – Challenge and Choice

Challenge and Choice

Saturday 2 May 2009

10.00am to 4.30pm

at Leighton Park School

Shinfield Road , Reading , RG2 7ED

A day of physical and mental activities

to stretch participants and enable them to reflect

upon the challenge and choice associated with

God’s call upon their love.

There is no charge and lunch is provided.

Come and explore challenge and choice!

News in Brief

Your Kingdom Come

Sunday 26 & Monday 27 April 2009

The Globe, 12 Portman Road , Reading , RG30 1EA

Reading Christian Network would like to invite you to this exciting two day conference with Bill and Beni Johnson.  Bill and Beni are the Senior Pastors of Bethel Church in Redding, California .  Together they serve a growing number of churches that have partnered for revival.  This apostolic network has crossed denominational lines in building relationships that enable church leaders to walk in both purity and power.

The conference starts on Sunday at 3pm.

Cost: £10.00 p/p for one day; £15.00 p/p for both days.

Packed lunch bags available, must be ordered in advance: £5.00 p/p.

Please make cheques payable to: “RCN”.

Space is limited, so if you are interested, please call for more information and a booking form.

Midsummer Party

Saturday 20 June

In the last two years, we, as churches, shared as a sign of unity to our Saviour, a March of Witness in the town on Good Friday.  This year, Churches Together and RCN have agreed that we do something totally different.  Reading Borough Council has given us the use of the whole of the Forbury Gardens on Saturday 20 June.  We plan to hold a Midsummer Party from 12 noon to 6pm.  On the same day, Waterfest have their annual event on the other side of the Abbey ruins, down by the Kennet, which attracts up to 8,000 people.

It is hoped to include:

Bouncy Castle, Ball Pond, Children’s Slide, Face painting, Balloon modelling, Puppet workshops, Clay modelling, Craft Tent, Prayer Tent, Youth Tent (for the young people to “chill out”), stands for Christian organisations to publicise their work and a Church Information Point.  The Salvation Army Band will play a selection of popular hymns and songs.  There will be a Children’s Show/Entertainment and a Family Event.

Hermitage Ensemble

Easter Monday 13 April at 7.30pm

Waltham St Lawrence Church

This performance by The Hermitage Ensemble from St Petersburg is a “must hear” for choirs anywhere in the vicinity.  The performance of music of the Russian Orthodox Church is compelling, especially as it was censored in Soviet Russia after the 1917 Revolution for a period of almost 70 years.  Today this music is experiencing a new birth, allowing everybody to re-open forgotten pages of world culture.  In spite of the fact that the performers are few in number, the sound produced is that of a complete choir.  Those who form the Ensemble are actually soloists in operas or concerts in Russia and are all at the peak of their performance skills.  The Russian bass voices are well known for their extremely low register and the ensemble sing unaccompanied.

Tickets £10 (£6 concessions in advance) – or £1 extra on the door.

Re:Creation

Wednesday 22 April 2009 at 7.30pm

St John’s , Smith Square , London

A new biblical oratorio for soloists, chorus and orchestra

Music by David Perkins, Music Director of Guildford ’s Yvonne Arnaud’s Youth Theatre.

Libretto compiled by Derek Wensley, a recently retired URC minister.

The 24 voice professional choir Consortium and Chameleon Arts Orchestra present this new choral work tracing the biblical story of creation and its restoration.

Tickets £20 & £15

Box Office:  020 7222 1061  or www.sjss.org.uk

Deadline for May Diary and Magazine

Pastoral Pages

Wedding

Anna Cocks and Steve Blower are getting married at Trinity Church on Saturday 18 April at 1.30pm. 

Richard and Margaret Cocks would like to invite everyone to the service. 

Congratulations and best wishes for the future to Anna and Steve.

Congratulations

to Doreen & David Newell who celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in March,

to Helen & Andrew Rixon who celebrate their 30^th wedding anniversary in April

and to Jon & Jo Salmon who celebrate their 20^th wedding anniversary this month.

Thank you

Thank you for all your prayers and caring support during the last 12 months.  The prayers are of immense value and encouragement to Nicky, Daisy and myself.  We are assured of God's love and guidance for us and, in His strength, we will continue on the path He desires us to travel.  As a friend said, "I don't know how people manage without God".  He is our Rock.

Circumstances drastically change but He is with us always.  May God bless, comfort and guide you.

Rosemary Reece

Please pray for

·         Jo Salmon, following surgery for breast cancer.

·         Anita Prince, who also has breast cancer.  (Anita is the wife of Steve Prince, the pastor at Brookside Church ).

·         All those who are fighting cancer.

·         Jonathan, Jack, Lily and Nancy Salmon.

·         John Hill, who is still unwell.

·         The present economic situation and all those affected by it, especially those who have lost their jobs or whose jobs are at risk.

·         Anna Cocks and Steve Blower, as they prepare for their wedding on Saturday 18 April.

Prayers for the Parish

Please pray this month for those who live and work in these parts of our parish:

Area B

Prayers for those who live outside the Parish

Please pray for those who live outside our parish in these streets:

Area B

Diary