BENEFICE WEEKLY NEWS

Sunday 1st May - Easter 3

The Big Hymn Sing 2 - Sunday 1st May

After the success of our first Big Hymn Sing, we are pleased to offer another evening of favourite hymns and poetry on Sunday 1st May at 7pm at All Saints Church, Dunsden. Accompanied by Bournemouth organist Seán O’Connell and introduced by Adrian Vernon Fish.

Morning Prayer - Monday 9th May

Morning Prayer on Monday 9th May will be held at Shiplake Church at 9am, not on Zoom.

If you can't get to church, don't forget you can access Morning, Evening, Night Prayer and Prayer during the day, all in either contemporary or traditional language, via the Church of England website here, every day. Morning Prayer is also available as audio, which sometimes includes some beautiful music.

Boys’ Brunch - Monday 9th May

You are invited to our Boys’ Brunch in The Ark at Shiplake Church on Monday 9th May (second Monday of the month due to the Bank Holiday) from 10.30-12 noon. Join us for friendship and fellowship, bring a friend or come on your own. Let Paul Barrett know if you’d like to come, or just turn up!

Bishop Steven - Open Forum Q&A - 18th May

You are invited to meet your bishop on Wednesday 18th May for a question and answer session.

Bishop Steven is taking time during this year to visit all the deaneries in the diocese, offering a chance “to listen and to encourage the Church to be the best we can be in this time, for the sake of God’s world”.

The meeting is at 7.30pm in The Ark at Shiplake Church, you are all invited to participate to offer your views and hear the bishop’s responses.

Harpsden Garden Party - 26th June

Hi lovelies,

I hope everyone is keeping well and last year's postponed Garden Party  will now be held on the 26th June from 2pm - 5.30pm, by our very kind hosts Tracey and Jeff Ellis.

Tickets have been held over but could you please 'Save the date' and also, hopefully, () be happy to take a turn on the 'Cream Teas' rota or 'Treehouse' rota - keeping kiddies safe for max 30 mins.

All hands very, very welcome to make this a wonderful afternoon with all proceeds going to our beloved St. M's 

All love and blessings, 

Jo Taylor   xxx

Handchimes group
I am very pleased to tell you that a new handchimes group will be starting at Shiplake church after Easter. I'm planning to hold a weekly rehearsal each Friday at 4:30-5:30 for the group, starting on Friday 29th April 2022 in the Ark. If your child would be interested in this opportunity to play handchimes, and have fun too, please send an email to imhelen@gmail.com to book a space. Remember to include the following details:

• Child’s name and year group
• Parent’s name, contact number and email address

Thanks
Helen Lam

Praying for peace in Ukraine

Bishop Steven joined the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in calling for parishes and churches across the Church of England to pray for peace in Ukraine. Read the full message and find a prayer and resources for churches

Aid agencies are asking for donations rather than for us to collect and send things. If you want to donate, we would suggest the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) who are supporting local partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries with food, water, shelter and medical assistance. You can donate here. Obviously there are other options available.

Managing increasing energy bills

Caroline Griffiths (Harpsden), has offered to help if you are worried about increasing energy costs and wondering if it might be a good idea to switch to save money on your bills. She is a partner with Utility Warehouse, but there is no obligation to use their services and Caroline is happy to chat and answer your questions. You can contact Caroline on 07854 635203 and find out more about UW here.

Spring Flowers and their meanings

Anemone
One of the loveliest popular spring flowers is called Anemone. This particular flower represents “expectation” or “anticipation,” which is why it’s so popular among people who are anxiously anticipating and expecting springtime! Historically thought to ward off illnesses and protect against evil, the anemone flower is known as a powerful flower. There are also speculations that this flower grew under the cross where Jesus hung. According to Greek mythology, however, the anemone sprang from Aphrodite’s tears as she mourned the death of Adonis.

Lilacs
Lilacs are most commonly known for their beauty and pleasant scent, which is why they are the most common flowers used in perfumes and other scented products. According to Greek mythology, a nymph named Syringa (which is actually lilac’s botanical name) captivated Pan, who was the god of the forests and fields. To escape his affections, she turned herself into a flower. The purple lilacs symbolize the first emotions of love and the white lilacs symbolize youthful innocence.

 Carnation
The origin of the flower's name is derived from the Latin word “carnis” because of the flower's pink color. Carnations are typically worn on Mother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day, as well as used in weddings. Similar to some of the other flowers in this list, the carnations have different meanings according to their colors: whites signify pure love and luck; light reds symbolize admiration; dark reds symbolize deep love and affection; and pinks are believed to have first appeared on Earth from the Virgin Mary’s tears – making the carnation the ultimate symbol of a mother’s undying love.

Join the Greenshoots Network

As part of the Environment Action Programme in the diocese, we are forming a network for all those engaged in environment action in their church, to share and exchange ideas and learn from each other. The aim is to link parishes together as we respond to the environmental crises facing our planet and work towards the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2035.
 
If you want to be part of the network and help build a more environmentally sustainable church, get in touch.