The Parish of Burchetts Green
The Parish of Burchetts Green
St John's Catch Up
Dear All,
Although I am looking out on a somewhat wet day, the last few weeks have seen some wonderful weather so this picture conjures up the thought of Summer and warm days to come. To help lift our spirits, the church yard has received it’s first cut, leaving patches of wild flowers to admire for a few more weeks. If you visit the churchyard you will see that the Remembrance garden has had a make over. Last year the Box hedging was attacked by Box caterpillar which left most of the hedge dead.
This has been arranged and paid for by Ann Todd and Family, in remembrance of Alan who died last month. We are very grateful to them for making this possible. To avoid a return of the caterpillar, we have chosen to replace the hedge with Euonymus Japonica...Green Spire. This is also an ever green and can be grown to any height to suit us. It will be cultivated to a similar height as the old hedge. At the same time The waste behind the cabin has been removed and the garden tidied up all ready for the internment of Alan’s ashes tomorrow(12th) A really kind donation and many thanks.
Alan Todd’s Memorial Service.
There will be a memorial service in memory of Alan this Saturday at 1pm. Ann has been a stalwart of our congregation for many years, being responsible for the Altar right up to Covid, she was ably assisted by Alan. He was a true Gentleman and will be missed by us all. Our thoughts go to Ann, Ian David and family , at this difficult time. He was also a very, very keen and accomplished gardener, hence the garden make over!
Sunday Club this coming Sunday. 15th May 9.15am.
Sally has sent out some information regarding the Sunday Club this Sunday 15th, The theme is THE GOOD SAMARITAN and remembering that God loves everyone no matter who they are. The children will also be sowing some forget-me-not seeds. There is also a game that Sally remembers that shows that no matter what choices we make or how different we are, we need to be kind and helpful to everyone. Biscuits come next so it should be great fun. If your child/children have not yet joined in the fun, just come, they will be very welcome.
Other Services in May.
There is no service at St John’s on the 22nd being the fourth Sunday. On the 29th Tom has arranged for a Parish service to be held at St James the Less Stubbings at 10.30 am. If the weather is kind we may well have the service outside!
Stonework Repairs.
The stone work repairs commenced this Monday. We are having some Ashlar facing stones cut out and replaced as well as some Bath stone Replacements on the South gable near the vestry. I am delighted with the work so far and the meticulous approach to the work. Some of the Bath Stone is being carved in situ. The cost of this work is nearly £9,000. Looking around the church, it is clear that we will need to carry out more of the same, particularly in the case of the facing Ashlar stones, as many have ‘blown’ over the years. I have asked for a detailed report so that PCC can digest and start planning for the on going restoration works. I should just point out that our church is in great shape and these works will ensure that we keep it so going forward. I will investigate the chance of seeking some grant funding to help. More about this later.
Flower Group and Demonstration Evening.
Yvonne tells me that the evening was a great success and we now have a few more to willing to help with the decoration of our lovely church. I am sure that any one else, who would like to join would be very welcome.
Cleaning and Coffee Rota’s.
Talking of help, I now have a few volunteers who have joined the cleaning rota. There are still a few months not covered so if you think you could spare a few hours a month I would love to fill another month or two. Viv could also do with a few more to join the coffee rota, usually this is covered by two people at each service. We have enjoyed getting back to normal after these last two years and to have the opportunity to chat and have a coffee after our services ,has been wonderful . Please do contact me if you can help us with either the cleaning or coffee.
Maidenhead Food Bank.
The news is full of the economic pressures on families whether it is food or fuel....the choice sometimes is ‘Eating or Heating’ There is a real pressure on the Maidenhead food bank and I know that they could do with many more donations . We have acted as a drop off point for some years and as the church is open each day, you can drop off any donations in the porch. I will make sure it gets to Annie in the village.
That’s it for now
God Bless.
Richard.
St John's Catch Up
Dear All,
This Sunday will be the Third Sunday after Easter. We celebrate with our Family Eucharist at 9.15. As mentioned before, as this is also a bank holiday weekend, Helen, Sally and Vicky have moved our Sunday Club to the 15th May. This will also replace the Sunday Club planned for the 5th June, also a bank holiday weekend.
The tomb is open in our own garden, which is laid out in front of the altar. The flowers have been refreshed and will be there to see on Sunday. Sandra and I will be removing the garden next week and will leave the small glass containers on the piano for you to collect if you brought in your own. Those left will be stored back in our cupboards.
Our other services for May are as follows:
8th May. 4pm. All Age Service. This is becoming a very well supported service, it’s short and Tom plans around the little ones.
15th May. 9.15. Family Eucharist with Sunday Club. Tom will lead us and Nigel will be playing for us. I know Helen , Sally and Vicky have planned some lovely ideas for the children.
22nd May.........NO Service.
29th May. 10.30am. We are holding a Parish Service with Communion, at St James the Less Stubbings. If the weather is kind, I am told Tom may well hold the service outside!
PRAYER CARDS.
Whilst visiting Norwich Cathedral last week, we came across a display of prayer cards, each with a theme. These were available for anyone to use or take home. We thought that to have these in St John’s, which is visited by so many for private prayer, would be very good. I have placed the set of 12 in their stand , on our table at the back of church. I hope you find them helpful.
MORE TEA VICAR!
We are all pleased that refreshments have started again. Viv has been putting together the Rota for many years and again has prepared the rota for the months ahead. During lock down, we lost a few of our helpers and this places more work on the shoulders of those still on the rota. I know Viv will be having a knee opp shortly and we may well find our selves with empty cups!! So, I have been asked to mention in the hope that a few more will offer to help her. With enough volunteers, it usually means helping every few months. If you would like to offer, or find out what is involved, please contact Viv... viv.molyneux@btinternet.com Usually there are two on for each service.
BLOOMING MARVILIOUS!
As mentioned last time, and on posters on our notice boards, Yvonne is holding a flower demonstration evening tomorrow night at 7.00 pm in the village hall, with wine, I am told. Please do come along and see what is involved in dressing our village church.
CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE.
I am please to report that Braywick Nurseries will start the grass cutting on the 6th May. They will then attend once a month up to and including October. Although the churchyard is now looking a little untidy, we leave it over winter and early spring whilst the spring flowers are in bloom.
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.
I have pinned up a poster that tells you the plans for the village celebrations, to be held on the 5th June. As I mentioned before, the village, through the Littlewick Green Society, has been awarded a £2,000 lottery grant to be spent on the celebrations. As part of the day, we will be dressing the church in the original blue silk material that was used in Westminster Abbey on Coronation day. We have a beautiful Altar frontal and Pulpit silk. I don’t think they have see the light of day for many years.
STONEWORK REPAIRS.
The stonework repairs will start on Monday 9th May with the work scheduled to complete within the week. As well as replacing some Bath Stone on the South gable including coping stones, we are also starting the process of replacing ‘blown’ Ashlar facing stones. I have 15 being replaced this time but fear that the process of repairs to the facing stones may go on for a few years. With the costs involved we just cannot afford to do all of them now. I have asked the Stone Masons to provide me with a cost report to cover the rest of the works. The PCC will need to discuss this work and we will only be able to proceed as funds become available. For now, having started the works we are attending to the urgent category 1 requirements of the Quinquennial report, prepared last year.
That’s it for now.
GOD BLESS
Richard.
St John's Easter Catch Up
Dear All
What a busy Easter we have had. The services around the parish would have catered for all. At St John’s we started with a lively All Age Palm Sunday service and it was great seeing so many children with us. This 4pm service is really catching on and this time we had 12 children and 19 adults join us. Our Maundy Thursday service was very moving with the church lights dimming as the altar is stripped and the Garden candles lit. With the last light out, the vigil started and the church remained illuminated by only the candles in the garden and the side aisle, until 10pm. Our thanks must go to Teresa for building the garden and for all of you who brought the little pots of flowers.
The flowers were then moved to the sanctuary and the Easter garden complete with the empty tomb, built Infront of the altar. During our very well attended Easter Sunday Eucharist, Tom called the 17, yes 17 children up to the garden and told them about the crosses and the empty tomb. He then spoke to the rest of us whilst the children raced around the church on their Easter egg hunt. With 62 in church our Easter celebrations were made really special. The garden will be left there for a week or two, so do please pop in any time. You will enjoy the music. The church is open from 11am to 4pm every day.
Earlier on, on Easter Sunday, at 6.30 am, 18 enjoyed our first Dawn service for many years. Only a heavy cold prevented me joining them and thanks to John for stepping in at the last moment, and Lynn who supplied them all with Bacon Butties! Oh..and the hot cross buns for after the Family Service.
Our flower girls Yvonne, Lesley and Gail, with some additional helpers, dressed our church with fabulous arrangements...as always we are so grateful to you all....................
Flower arranging work shop Friday 29thApril 7.30 Village Hall.....with wine!
Looking forward, Yvonne has her Flower arranging evening in the hall on Friday 29th. It starts at 7.30 and wine is provided. Do please come along and see how Yvonne and the flower girls prepared the flower displays for St John’s. Yvonne, who has been doing the flowers for more years that she wishes to mention, would love to have some younger volunteers. It was nice that a few joined Yvonne last Saturday and helped to dress our church ready for Easter.
A Word about the Music.
Our services would not be the same if we did not have Nigel playing for us. We are so fortunate to have Nigel as our organist. He has been playing for us for, I think around 40 years!! You arrive and he is playing, you sing and he is playing and as you leave he is still playing. He then slips away like a cloud on a sunny day. NIGEL ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US...THANK YOU. Your service to St John’s is never taken for granted.
Sunday Club
As the first Sunday in both May and June...the latter the Jubilee weekend, falls on Bank Holidays, Helen, Sally and Vicky have decided to combine them and hold the next Sunday Club meeting on Sunday 15th May at the 9.15 family service. I have heard about the proposed fun to be had and I think they have also emailed the families to let them know. As I always say, if your child/children have not yet tried the Sunday Club, and they are aged 3-10, they would be very welcome. Each session involves stories/themes from the bible. Parents can enjoy the service knowing that the children are well looked after in the Cabin.
(There is much work involved in being a Church Warden and the reward comes when you hear the laughter and noise of children enjoying being in our village church. I am very grateful to all of you that make this possible and ensure that your young ones come along....never ever worry about the noise!)
Annual Parochial Church Meeting. 12 pm 15th May at The Saltau Centre Stubbings...all welcome.
We hold an annual meeting each year during which the PCC members and Church Wardens are elected to serve for the next 12 months. I have placed nomination forms at the back of church. If you are interested in either post please take a form. As for the PCC I have always been pleased that our church is well represented and Joleen has been nominated to serve again. I would be delighted if we could encourage new PCC members, and would be pleased to chat through , answering any questions. There is generally only 6 or 7 meetings a year so it does not take up much time but the contribution you would make to Parish life, and to St John’s is invaluable. Just let me know?
Jubilee celebrations
I mentioned the Annual meeting and AGM of the Littlewick Green Society held on the 8th April in my last Catch Up. A new committee has been voted in and with three new committee members, Matthew, Lisa and Rob. At the same time a sub group was formed and has since met, to plan the village celebrations for the Jubilee. More about this later. We also presented a new Constitution that was accepted and that now acknowledges that every one who lives in Littlewick Green will be a member..no more subs!
At St John’s on the Sunday the 5th June, the Jubilee weekend, we will be dressing the Altar with silks made from the those that adorned Westminster Abbey on Coronation day! I will leave the church open throughout the day so that you can pop in and see them if you are not able to join us for the service in the morning.
Church Yard maintenance.
This time last year we looked forward to Braywick Nurseries taking over the maintenance of the churchyard, and what a good job they did. We contract them for the months of May to October, leaving the winter months so that the spring flowers pop up in their hundreds. I was grateful for the many donations we received towards the £1,500 it costs. They should be starting again in May, so, if any of you would like to help with a donation, we would be very grateful, particularly as we start stone work repairs on the 9th May, costing almost £9,000.
This is the first Catch Up on my new laptop....so I hope it reaches you!
God Bless.
Richard.
St John's Easter Catch Up
Dear All
We are now almost through Lent and looking forward to our Easter services.
PALM SUNDAY this Sunday, 10TH APRIL 4pm.
This coming Sunday is Palm Sunday, which commemorates the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path. We are celebrating Palm Sunday at St John’s at our 4pm All Age service. Tom is going to slightly change the service to appeal to all of us , young and old. During this service a dramatic reading of St Mark’s Passion will take place with a narrator and three readers .The congregation will play the Crowd!
MAUNDY THURSDAY 14TH APRIL 7.30pm...followed by the vigil.
Maundy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet and the Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles. Our service starts at 7.30 pm and finishes with the stripping of the Altar. Teresa Kennard will again be building the fabulous Garden of Gethsemane full of tea lights. Once the Altar has been stripped and the church bare of any ornamentation, lights will be turned off and we will be left with just the candles lighting our church. Those who want to can stay a while and contemplate. Others will visit the church over the next couple of hours. The Vigil will close at 10pm. This is a very moving service.
GETHSEMANE GARDEN.
Teresa Is again building her wonderful garden in the side chapel. She would like as many little pots of flowers as possible to enable her to make up the garden. We have many small glass jars in church which I will leave out on the Piano on Monday. Please leave your jars of flowers on the Piano on the Wednesday morning as she would like to construct the garden in the afternoon. If you use your own jars we will make sure you get them back afterwards.
DAWN SERVICE EASTER SUNDAY 17TH APRIL 6.30am.
It was dawn when the first believers-in every gospel account, women- went to the tomb of Jesus, found the rock rolled away from the entrance and the body of Jesus gone. Jenny tells me that we used to always celebrate with a dawn service. Tom has reintroduced it this year so please do come and join us. The service will be short and will be held outside near the cabin, weather permitting.
EASTER SUNDAY FAMILY EUCHARIST SERVICE 17TH APRIL AT 9.15am
Easter Sunday celebrates the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb, an angel told her that Jesus had risen. Our service starts at 9.15. For Easter Sunday, and thanks to Yvonne and her girls, our church will once again be decorated with lovely flowers and with candles illuminating the church. I am told that Easter eggs will be hidden around the church for the little ones...and perhaps not so little ones... to find!
So, as you can see we have a wonderfully full Holy Week, hopefully with something for everyone. Other services in the parish will be found on the parish web site : burchettsgreenparish.org
OTHER NEWS.
Last Sunday our children enjoyed their Sunday Club and heard the story of Easter and decorated their own Easter eggs to take home.
On behalf of Berit Madland, who lives next to Tina and lost her husband recently, she would like to express her thanks to all of you who sent messages of sympathy and good wishes.
Sandra is still collecting cameras, phones, jewellery, computers and other items for recycling on behalf of Traidcraft. Over the years the money raised has helped the Traidcraft Charity to help so many less fortunate than ourselves. Please keep things coming, we are about to send another sack off in the next few weeks.
Yvonne will be holding a FREE Flower arranging workshop...with wine... on 29th April at 7pm in the village hall. She is hoping to encourage others to join and keep our church so beautiful. RSVP: Yvonne 07974725417 yvonnetomlinskern@gmail.com
The littlewick Green Society is holding their Village meeting tomorrow night, in the Gilchrist Hall at 7.30. We want to discuss our plans for the village Jubilee celebrations and we have some exciting ideas to share. So please do come along. This is a chance for you let us know what you would like to do...a truly village occasion.
It is with sadness that we learnt of the death of Alan Todd last week. Our thoughts go to Ann, Ian, David Helen and all of the family at this difficult time. We have also leant of the Death of Daphne Beer this week. She was a regular member of our congregation until she moved into a Residential Home in St Albans. May they both Rest in Peace.
God Bless,
Richard.
St John's Catch Up and Mothering Sunday
Dear All,
It’s that time when we all think of and thank our Mothers for all they have done and do for us. I too think of my mother at this time, and am so grateful for the sacrifices she made for me. At St John’s we are celebrating our Mums next Sunday the 27th March at 9.15. Don’t forget to put your clocks forward!! Tina will be taking this service and I know it will be very special for all the mums with us. So, please do come and fill our church with the love and laughter of children. I will make sure the Cabin is open for anyone who needs a quiet space. Our children’s corner at the back of church is open as well with a little desk, crayons and paper...those are for the children not the dads!
ST JOHN’S ORCHESTRA CONCERT.
Looking back, On Saturday 12th March we were privileged to have the St John’s Orchestra in church for a memorial concert in memory of Alison Bowler. There are a few photo’s on the web page under St John’s. Yvonne prepared the flowers and catering. The programme was lovely and Nigel played the Piano with much gusto. Tim tells me that £700 was raised for two charities as well as a donation to the parish. Bearing in mind the Nigel started the St John’s Orchestra in our church many years ago, putting on regular concerts, with Alison and Yvonne catering, it was wonderful having them playing in church again. Here’s to the next time!!!
ALL AGE SERVICE SUNDAY 13th.
Our second All Age with Tom was another success with 8 children joined by 18 adults. With the cakes and biscuits afterwards..oh and by the crumbs on the carpet, I could tell that once again this service was enjoyed by all, particularly the little ones!
APRIL and EASTER SERVICES.
I am pleased to confirm our services in April, so please do pop into your diaries.
Sunday 3rd April: 9.15 am. Family Eucharist and Sunday Club. With Tom and Nigel.
Sunday 10th April: 4.0pm Palm Sunday. We will have a lovely family Palm Sunday service. Not quite an All Age but a mix of all ages so should be fun and inspiring.
Thursday 14th April: 7.30pm Evening Eucharist, with the stripping of the Altar, followed by the Vigil.
Sunday 17th April : 6.30am! Dawn Service....not sure yet what Tom has in mind.
Sunday 17th April : 9.15am Easter Eucharist.
In between Tom will say morning prayers on a Thursday at 9.15 ( except 21st when he is away) and our church will be open every day between 1am and 4 pm.
THE CHALISE IS COMING BACK
We have been without the chalice for almost 2 years. Rev. Tom and the Church Wardens have discussed the possibility of returning to a full communion. The decision has been taken to return to a full communion at our Easter Sunday services. In the case of St John’s this will mean that the chalice will again be offered to communicants who wish to take wine. We are aware that some of you may not yet be ready to do so and that’s fine. On Easter Sunday, we will kneel at the rail as we used to- please stand if you cannot kneel- and those who are not yet happy to receive the wine, should just bow their heads and the chalice will pass them by. The one way system is also being stopped and you should return to the pews down the middle of the Chancel. I am sure this will take us all a few weeks to get used to but to just be able to receive a full communion again will be so good for many of you, and to restart on Easter Sunday really symbolic. If you have any questions or concerns please do contact me.
CHURCH YARD.
Looking round the churchyard, we have daffodils , snowdrops and crocuses out. The bulbs planted last spring around the Cabin are now in full bloom. What a sight. However, the recent winds have resulted in branches and small twigs falling everywhere. Our contractors are not booked to return until May, so could I please appeal to anyone who would like to spent an hour or so, tidying this up. Any branches can be put either behind the cabin or In the Green bin behind the church. If you are able to help us, just turn up when it suits you.
FLOWER ARRANGING WORKSHOP. 29TH APRIL 7PM IN THE VILLAGE HALL.
We are blessed with having Yvonne, Lesley, Gail and friends dressing our church with the most wonderful flower presentations throughout the year. Having done so for many many years they, would like to introduce others to the wonders of flower arranging, in the hope that they can at some point hand over the baton, to the younger generation. Yvonne has arranged a work shop. I understand that there will be wine for all so should be an interesting evening. It would be such a shame if we were to lose the flowers that all of us admire during the year. If you are interested in coming along, please ring Yvonne: 07974725417 yvonnetomlinskern@gmail.com
Gail: 07748824852 gail.fuller@btinternet.com or Lesley: 07759392561 lesleyhing@gmail.com
I will be reminding you all again and you will find a notice at church. As Yvonne says “ the more involved the better”
A CHAIR FOR TOM! and A NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR.
I am informed that the office chair is broken. Tom wants to use the office once a week so can I ask if anyone has an office chair or a suitable chair that Tom can have. Whilst on the subject of the office, I am pleased to confirm that we have a new Office Administrator. Clare Jackson started this week and we wish her every success. She will be in the office for 3 hours each day between 9am and 12 pm. Tuesday and Thursday will be closed to visitors unless by prior arrangement, to allow Clare to work uninterrupted.
LITTLEWICK GREEN SOCIETY ANNUAL MEETING. GILCHRIST HALL. 8TH APRIL 7.30PM.
With my other hat on as Chairman of the Littlewick Green Society I am pleased to announce that we will be holding the AGM and Annual Village Meeting on the 8th April details will be placed around the village and on the various chat rooms. We will explain some of the ideas for the Jubilee celebrations and want to involve the whole village. Nominations to the committee should be sent to ajames1705@gmail.com our secretary.
PLEASE KEEP THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE IN YOUR PRAYERS.
God Bless.
Richard.
St John's CatchUp HELP UKRAINE
Dear All,
The events in Ukraine are just heartbreaking. The Ukrainian people are standing up for their own freedom and that also of the rest of us!
There are a number of local initiatives collecting items for both those who are now in Poland and for those now hiding and fighting in Ukraine. The following items are urgently needed:
Baby food and formula.
Nappies
Sanitary pads
Torches and batteries
Tinned food
Dry food
Candles
Toothbrushes and toiletries
Warm socks and underwear....and much more.
There are a number of drop off points a few of which are as follows.
1.Iwana. Fern Cottage at the bottom of the village is collecting on behalf of her Ukrainian friend in Marlow. They plan to send a lorry over the weekend. Iwana will take donations to Marlow or you can deliver to 50 The Croft Marlow SL7 1UR.
2.The united Reform Church in Maidenhead is collecting and will be sending a number of lorry loads over to Poland and the Ukraine.
3.Carli, The old Chapel can take in donations and will take these to White Waltham School.
4.And finally, if it is helpful you can leave donations in the Church Porch and I will make sure they get to one of the many collection points.
Thank You.
Richard.
