BENEFICE WEEKLY NEWS

Sunday 27th November - Advent Sunday

Boys’ Brunch – Monday 5^th December

You are invited to our Boys’ Brunch in The Ark at Shiplake Church on Monday 5th December 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!

Nativity Trail 2022 - Sunday 18th December

Our Nativity Trail this year, where people can ‘walk through’ the Christmas story, will be at Dunsden Church on Sunday 18th December from 2-4pm. It coincides with a certain football event, but will go ahead as planned. Each church is supporting particular elements of the story as listed below with the name of the person co-ordinating that ‘station’. If you are available to help, either setting up on Saturday 17th in the morning, on the day, or clearing up on Monday 19th in the morning, please let us know.

Harpsden: The Annunciation and The Journey to Bethlehem - David Ward
Shiplake: ‘Where to stay?’ - Wendy Robinson
Dunsden: Refreshments - Yvonne Watson; ‘What is this news?' - Revd Pam
Welcome and signing in: Revd Robert
‘What can we offer?’ - The Ripple Effect - Revd Sarah

Ask us questions, offer ideas and help please!
Many thanks.
Revd Sarah

Phillip Needham

Pat and the family would like to thank you all for the lovely cards, flowers, kind messages and support you have given us following the death of our beloved Phillip, it has been and still is a huge comfort to me and us all. 

Also a big thank you to the choir, organist, bell ringer and the refreshment team at his memorial service. 

Thank you all so much.

Pat x

CAP Debt Centre - Vacancy

The Henley CAP Debt Centre is up and running and the Trustees have agreed that we can start a series of Life Skills courses, assisted by recruiting a Life Skills Manager working up to 8 hours a week. The deadline for applications is 10th January 2023. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Terry Grourk for details of the job description on 07768 610213.

Bishop Steven on Same-Sex marriage

You may be aware that +Steven has just published an essay ‘Together in Love and Faith’ setting out the ways his own views have changed on same-sex relationships over the last decade. It is interesting reading, in particular the depth of his reflection over the past 20 years or so. The Diocesan press release is available here and a feature in the Church Times available here.

‘On the Money’ - Diocesan Finance

The title might not sound inspiring, but this is an excellent document detailing what happens to the money you give to our churches outside of fundraising for a particular activity or charity. Please take a look. It describes clearly the importance of regular giving as part of Christian discipleship, enabling mission and ministry to be both fruitful and transformational. We are anticipating increases in our Parish Share, so before this happens (likely in 2024) it’s worth understanding where your money goes. Click here to access the document.

Do you need your Winter Fuel Allowance?

Henley Lions Winter Fuel Project has a simple purpose. Many people who receive the Winter Fuel Allowance are in a financially secure position and could afford to donate it, or part of it, to someone in real need.

People in ‘fuel poverty’, are those whose energy bills are greater than 10% of the net family income. There are, sadly, many families and individuals in such a situation, even in and around Henley-on-Thames.

Henley Lions Club works with NOMAD and Citizens Advice Henley to identify families and individuals in need of financial support because they are in fuel poverty or fuel debt (unable to pay off their entire bill).

Having determined a case is worthy of support, Citizens Advice Henley will ask Henley Lions to pay some or all of a fuel bill or fuel debt directly to the energy company involved. No monies are paid to the individual.

Please donate some or all of your winter fuel payment

Knowing there are many needy families and individuals in our district and having experience of other successful winter fuel projects, we are, therefore, inviting those for whom this payment is not essential to donate all or part of their Fuel Payment to this good cause.

All monies raised will be deposited in the Henley Lions Charity Trust Account and will be ring-fenced for the Winter Fuel Project.

Donations can be made online here. 

Winter Warm Spaces - starting soon

Given the current situation with rising fuel prices and inflation driving up the cost of living, we are planning a weekly ‘Winter Warm Space’ at Shiplake Church where everyone is welcome.

From 11.00 - 1.30 every Monday through the winter, to include hot drinks, soup and snacks, friendly conversation and generous hospitality in a warm space. We have a small team of volunteers, but would like a few more to make this viable without being onerous, also sponsorship, so if you think it’s worth doing, please step forward to help. The more helpers we have, the less often you’ll be needed.

This is not a small undertaking, so your thoughts, comments and ideas as soon as possible please to Revd Sarah (contact details at the bottom of the newsletter).

Join us to ring

Our handchimes group is open for the students of Year 2 or above. The children will have the opportunity to learn simple tunes, increase their musical knowledge, learn how to work as a team but, most of all, have a lot of fun. 

We are holding a weekly rehearsal each Friday at 4:30-5:30, starting from 9 September 2022, in The Ark (behind Shiplake Church). There are a limited number of places available; to ensure a place, please email me your child’s name and year group, and your name and contact number.

Thank you. Helen Lam