The story of Boniface and the first Christmas tree

Carving of Boniface in Crediton Parish Church, Devon.

Here is a story for children about how fir trees came to be associated with Christmas.

This version is by the Rector of All Saints, Canon David Hodgson; as told at the All Saints CE Primary School Christmas service 2015.

1300 years ago in a little town in Devon called Crediton there lived a boy called Winfrid. Winfrid wanted to learn lots of things so he could live a full and happy life. He was a kind person and he wanted to help other people too; so they could live full and happy lives.

The best way to do that in those days was to join a monastery and become a monk - because there were no schools or hospitals or any places like that  - there weren't even many churches  - but there were monasteries which used to help the people. So Winfrid became a monk. He wanted to tell people about Jesus because he felt sure that what Jesus did and what Jesus said can help people to live well and make a better world.

Winfrid was a good learner he worked well and became a really good monk;  he learned a lot about how to help people;  and how to tell people about Jesus and about trusting in God. 

Then one day he found out that there were a lot of people in the country we call Germany who did not have any monasteries or anyone to educate them and also they did not know anything about Jesus at all. They were struggling; they were often afraid of things. Winfrid was desperate to help them - in fact those people in Germany were not very different from him - they even had a similar language - so he would be able to talk to them.

First Winfrid wanted to get the support of the person in charge of the Church and all monasteries - that was the Pope in Rome in Italy - so he travelled all the way from Devon across the English Channel, through France, over the mountains the Alps, into Italy until he got to Rome and there he met the Pope called Gregory. Gregory was delighted that this dedicated monk from England wanted to go and help the people in Germany and tell them about Jesus and how loved each person is. And the Pope gave Winfrid a new name -Boniface - not because he was good-looking! - in the Latin language of Rome Boniface meant a person who is making good things happen. So off Boniface went into Germany. And Boniface went all over Germany for many years and set up many monasteries there and even as far as the country we call the Netherlands too - and many people learned about Jesus and decided to make Jesus the Lord of their hearts and be baptised  - even some of the kings of those people. Boniface did so well Pope Gregory made him the Archbishop in charge of many monasteries and churches in Germany.

What about the story of the Christmas tree? Well Boniface heard about a village where the people had very unusual beliefs.  They believed that there was a monster god in the sky called Thor; when they heard thunder they thought that was Thor being angry. In the middle of their village was a big old oak tree they believed was sacred to Thor. Every year in the middle of winter around the time we call Christmas they believed someone from the village had to be killed at the tree to keep Thor happy and they were afraid if they didn't do that the Springtime would not come back again. Boniface decided to go to that village to tell the people about Jesus, not to be afraid of Thor who isn't real, and to stop any more innocent villagers being killed. To prove his point Boniface took an axe and he went and cut down the sacred oak tree.The villagers were amazed -  because nothing happened to Boniface -Thor didn't get angry or do anything to Boniface -  because of course Thor wasn't real anyway. So, many of those villagers  decided to follow Jesus and they were baptised. But an odd thing - when Boniface cut down the big oak tree it revealed hidden behind it a new young fir tree growing up, all green of course even though it was the middle of winter. 

Then Boniface said :
“This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree tonight. It is the wood of peace… It is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See how it points upward to heaven. Let this be called the tree of the Christ-child; gather about it, not in the wild wood, but in your own homes; there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and acts of kindness."

And that is one story of how the fir tree came to be used when people celebrate Christmas the birth of Christ.

The Prayer of Boniface 
Eternal God, the refuge and help of all your children,
we praise you for all you have given us,
for all you have done for us,
for all that you are to us.
In our weakness, you are strength,
in our darkness, you are light,
in our sorrow, you are comfort and peace.
We cannot number your blessings,
we cannot declare your love:
For all your blessings we bless you.
May we live as in your presence,
and love the things that you love,
and serve you in our daily lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Church services and and closed times between Christmas Day and New Year 2015-6

Here are the details of what's happening in the church and the open and closed times between Christmas and New Year.

Saturday 26th December: church closed

Sunday 27th December: church open for 8am Holy Communion and 9.30am Parish Communion. Closed after morning services. No evening prayer.

Monday 28th December: Church open from 9am for Morning Prayer until closed locked 5.30pm after Evening Prayer

Tuesday 29th December through to Saturday 2nd January: church closed

Sunday 3rd January EPIPHANY SUNDAY: Church re-opens for 8am Holy Communion; 9.30am Parish Communion; 11am                                 Family Service; 6.30pm Said Evening Prayer

Music Festival blog; "Finest male folk singer of his generation" plays All Saints Church Wokingham this Tuesday evening

Festival blog
Excitement is mounting in Wokingham with the growing realisation that the next act of the Summer Music Festival  at All Saints Church is a folk singer rated by a Mojo magazine reviewer as "the finest male folk singer of his generation". 

Jim Causley is a five-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee specialising in West County folk songs. 

In his latest album Cyprus Well  Causley has set to music 12 poems of the highly-respected English poet Charles Causley who is a distant relative.

The concert is at All Saints Church Wokingham on Tuesday 16th June at 7.30pm. More details about Jim Causley's music and online ticket booking available here  Tickets £8 are likely to be available on the door, or also advance in person at the box office in The Cornerstone on Norreys Avenue RG40 1UE. Under 19's go free, subject to availability.

Music Festival blog: Japanese music debuts at All Saints Church

Festival blog
History was made at All Saints Church last night, with the first-ever public performance of Japanese music in the venue. In the second concert of the Church's Summer Music Festival, two of the UK's most revered specialists of the genre entranced the audience with pieces played on the traditional Japanese zither and bamboo flute.

Keiko Kitamura (zither)  and Clive Bell (flute) are the Floating World Ensemble. Used to playing in London and other larger centres, they were playing in Wokingham for the first time; notwithstanding that Japanese-born Keiko has made her home in Wokingham for some years.

Canon David Hodgson, Rector of the Church "It was my first experience of a concert of Japanese music. I was delighted and astounded by the skill and virtuosity of the players. It was breath-takingly beautiful music"

A surprise piece, saved until the encore, was Keiko's own composition of a solo piece for the koto (zither), entitled 'Find a Place' based on her experience of finding a settled home in Wokingham. 

Director of Music Richard Smith: "This festival is about bringing internationally renowned and local talent to the heart of our community. You could say we are a "real music" festival with our focus on music rooted in living cultures and communities."

Music Festival Blog: Excitement and energy of jazz for Sunday morning service

Festival blog
Sunday morning's 9.30am  congregation were treated to the excitement and energy of a jazz band and 35- voice choir leading the worship.
Bob Chilcott's Little Jazz Mass was the setting at a special service to launch the 8 day Music Festival.

A double bassist , drummer, and keyboard player accompanied the pieces.

Churchwarden Anne King said: "The Little Jazz Mass was brilliant - uplifting, well sung and a really good example of how we can vary our worship styles".

The Rector, Canon David Hodgson said: "The specially-assembled choir was truly inter-generational and community-based. It included children and young people, our trebles, some of whom are still in training, as well as the choral scholars of All Saints Church Choir, other members of the Church Choir; together with additional singers from the church and wider community who had responded to a general invitation to get involved." 

Director of Music Richard Smith welcomes all enquiries about getting involved in future similar events; including from children and young people interested in becoming choristers or choral scholars at the church. Visit http://allsaintsmusic.org.uk/

Music Festival Blog: Concert-goers transported to India

Festival Blog

Concert-goers at the first event of this year's Wokingham Summer Festival were transported to North India as the church was filled with the mesmerising sounds of ragas for Evening and for Cloudy weather.

Prahbat Rao and friends opened the Summer Festival with an intimate recital of Hindustani music on traditional instruments. There were explanations from Prahbat of the nature of this distinctive genre. A final raga, written by Prahbat's musical guru, was played in dedication to her;  she and her husband were present in the audience.

The youngest member of the audience was a six year old girl, pupil of All Saints Church School, who had asked to be brought by her parents because she'd heard Indian music before and liked it.

Prahbat Rao and friends opening the Wokingham Summer Music Festival 2015
 at All Saints Church

Music Festival blog: Making a joyful noise at All Saints Church

Festival Blog

From today and for the next eight days our news blog becomes our Summer Music Festival blog with updates on all the concerts and services as they happen.


Bob Chilcott's Little Jazz Mass will be the music setting for the Festival Eucharist service on Sunday morning at 9.30am. A jazz band and 35- voice choir is guaranteed to lift the roof; and together with the opportunity to join in singing well-known hymns there will definitely be a joyful noise in the church for this first Sunday of the Festival.

Music Festival Blog: Festival launches with fabulous Indian evening in store

Festival Blog

From today and for the next eight days our news blog becomes our Summer Music Festival blog with updates on all the concerts and events as they happen.


The opening event of the Festival sees the return of Prabhat Rao and friends after their astonishing debut in Wokingham last year. It promises a fabulous evening of ethereal Indian music. The concert starts 7.30pm; tickets will be available on the door or book online here.

Prabaht Rao and friends at the 2014 Festival

Inspiring talk on adopting children at All Saints Church

Carole Arnold attended the Parish Communion service last Sunday 7th June and spoke as a PACT Adopter Champion.

Carole and her husband have 2 children; one birth child, one adopted child; both of whom have Downs syndrome. Their son is 10 years old now but was three and a half when they adopted Libby, who was then 12 months old and is now six. Carole began work for PACT as an Adopter Champion in November 2014. She is particularly keen to help more people realise that they have the ability to parent a child with additional needs. Carole says: “It is not about making everything rosy, but about balancing the challenges with the wonderful rewards of everyday life."

Carole spoke in place of the sermon at the church service. The church had advertised the service as having a focus on fostering and adoption and had encouraged its church community to engage with the topic in advance by viewing some online TV clips that Carole had sent. (Example: http://www.itv.com/lorraine/hot-topics/i-adopted-a-child-at-51 )

Carole's talk, which was illustrated by photographs, was very well-received by the congregation. It was informative, moving and inspiring. The talk covered a range of things around her children, disability and adoption as well as her journey to faith over the past few years.

It was very interesting for church members to hear also from her about the way her church at High Wycombe has responded and developed its support for her and other families caring for children with additional needs. In effect the talk was both about adopting and also about parenting children with additional needs - so capturing the interest of a wide range of people.

After the service Carole stayed behind and over coffee in our adjoining centre she had several useful conversations with individual church members.

The Rector, Canon David Hodgson said: "We were very pleased to host Carole and we are now thinking about what the next steps are to sustain interest and develop our support as a church for adoptive parents and for the work of PACT".

Wokingham Summer Music Festival at All Saints

We're getting ready for a week packed with music at All Saints, as we host the Wokingham Summer Music Festival from 13th - 21st June.  You can see all the details on our concerts website, www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk

World-renowned hymn and spiritual songwriter Graham Kendrick, folk legend Martin Carthy, and Vivaldi's Gloria sung by our own award-winning trebles and choral scholars will be topping the bill on 19th, 20th and 21st June.  Graham's a real scoop, tickets are selling very fast, and it's a rare opportunity to hear him in concert.

The weekend kicks off with world music from some of the UK's most exciting musicians.  Prabhat Rao, who blew us away last year, is back to open the Festival with his fellow Hindustani musicians at 7.30 on 13th June, and on 14th June the church transforms into a Japanese paradise for the Floating World ensemble. You can see a clip of their koto player, Keiko Kitamura, on the front page of www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk.

On Tuesday evening we have five-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee, Jim Causley, who was described by Mojo magazine as "the greatest folk singer of his generation".  On Thursday child-prodigy cellist Katarina Davies, who is making waves all over the country, will be joining us and on Saturday lunchtime, 20th June, we've got Wokingham's own St Sebastian brass band.

Don't forget, we've got a special Festival Eucharist on Sunday 14th at 9.30 with Chilcott's amazing Little Jazz Mass.

Tickets are available from the Cornerstone, online from www.wokinghamconcerts.co.uk or on the door (if they're not sold out).  

Wokingham Summer Music Festival

Proudly supported by Michael Hardy Estate Agents

Pentecost fruit

Worshippers at today's All Together Communion service experienced the Messy Church approach as they were invited to make cut out paper fruit to hang on a potted tree. (See photo).These symbolised the fruits of the Spirit; the topic of the service for Pentecost,  when the Church celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Revd Helen Charlton introduced the activity and spoke about the importance of spiritual growth; one of the four current priorities at All Saints. A slide show illustrated the recent Parish Awayday and members of the Church,  adults and one the children,  spoke about what they had enjoyed at the day

Large audience for lecture by John Bell on Sexuality

A large audience gathered at All Saints Church last Wednesday evening to hear John Bell, international Christian speaker, writer and musician, speak on the topic of Sexuality and the Church. The topics covered by the lecture included:  What does the Bible actually teach about homosexuality? How can the church move away from its homophobic image? What are key issues for the church around same-sex marriage? Can we view gayness as a gift, rather than an issue? 

John spoke from his wide reading, deep listening and friendships with gay Christians and others. He explained how he believed that faithfulness to the authority of Scripture need not be a barrier to acceptance of gay relationships and equality because Scripture does not really address this matter.  He showed how many culturally-determined practices such as slavery and apartheid had been defended in the past by the abuse of Scripture. He called for compassion, acceptance and welcome by Christians and the Church for gay people; and that their need for fulfilling personal relationships should be recognised and celebrated by the church just as heterosexual relationships are. 

Talking about growing in mission as a church

Clergy , lay leaders and other members of All Saints Church met this morning to talk about increasing the church's capacity to make a difference in the community and people's lives.

The meeting welcomed The Rev'd Rachel Ross Smith, who is the Bishop of Reading's Co-ordinator for a process known as Partnership for Missional Church. This is a scheme to be piloted in Berkshire which aims to equip churches to develop and grow spiritually, building capacity for mission.

Rachel outlined the key features of the scheme in practice and discussed the questions that members present had about its application to All Saints at this time.

One of the main questions addressed was whether this will complement or conflict with the Mission Action Plan the parish has put in place. It was Rachel's message that she believed that use of the PMC process will  support and increase engagement of both the congregation and the community with our Mission Action Plan objectives

The Parochial Church Council will make a final decision as to whether to join the PMC scheme in early June.

Call for church to reach out to youth

Giving the main address at today's Parish Communion service was Kat Vaughan the Parish Youth Leader. Kat spoke about the motivation of Christians to reach out and support young people today; based on the need for sacrificial love following the example of Jesus. 

Kat said: "This is a commitment we've made as a church; with our vision to be a loving church, accessible to all,including children and youth". 

Kat described some of the current activities with youth including the important work at St Crispin's School, including mentoring, and the way prayer and the Holy Spirit had opened doors. A rolling slideshow with pictures before the service illustrated the main points. (Link here to view all slides).

Kat also outlined the youth objectives in the Parish Mission Action Plan (see details below) and made a call for everyone to get involved in some way.

Youth priority in All Saints' Parish Mission Action Plan

Encourage all young people to grow in faith by making it relevant to

them.

( Leaders: Kat Vaughan and Kevin Wernham)

Current specific objectives

· Raise the profile of the youth in church- to have young people stand at

the front 3 times before Christmas 2014.

· Research styles of service with the view of starting a youth friendly service at

some point in the week – complete research using visits to other churches by

April 2015.

· To have a group available for young people that is mainly social but with a

chunk of Christian input into it, in addition to the current youth social – by

end October 2015.

· Mentoring scheme for young people – details, timeline to be discussed.

Could you be a churchyard friend?

Enjoying the sunshine and fresh air today were some of the Friends of the Churchyard at All Saints.

Rector, Canon David Hodgson, said:

"Some churches sadly experience their churchyard as a burden, but the Friends we have at All Saints make it a joy. Could you be a Friend of the Churchyard at All Saints?"

Images of the Confirmation Service

Andrew, Bishop of Reading, lit the Confirmation Cake firework,  after confirming 5 candidates from All Saints and 3 from Winnersh in an Ascension Day service at All Saints Church.

Some of the young candidates from All Saints expressed their thoughts and feeling about Confirmation through the medium of art work.

Special focus on adoption planned for service at All Saints

Mother of two and Adoption Champion Carole Arnold will be the guest speaker at a Parish Communion service at All Saints Church.

Carole writes:

"My husband and I have 2 children; one birth child, one adopted child, both of whom have Downs syndrome. Our son is 10 years old now but was 3 and a half when we adopted Libby, who was then 12 months old and is now 6. I began work for PACT as an Adoption Champion In November 2014. I am particularly keen to help more people realise that they have the ability to parent a child with additional needs. It is not about making everything rosy, but about balancing the challenges with the wonderful rewards of everyday life."

Rector, Canon David Hodgson, said;

"We are a parish which supports our local adoption charity PACT (Parents and Children Together) and we wanted an opportunity to hear more about how the church is uniquely placed to help. Carole's message and experience will be an inspiration to us".

For those who want to learn more Carole has recommended two video clips from recent TV programmes as follows;

The first one is an interview with another of PACTs Adopter Champions, Jackie

Adopting a child at 51: & 39;I wanted to do it& 39; | Hot Topics | Lorraine

 the other is from a recent broadcast of The One Show (view from 32:30 for about 10 minutes)

BBC iPlayer - The One Show - 29/04/2015 

A highly recommended paperback book is

 Home for Good: Making a Difference for Vulnerable Children: Amazon.co.uk: Krish Kandiah: 9781444745313: Books

Carole will speak at Parish Communion 9.30am on Sunday 7th June.

Huge interest in forthcoming lecture on Sexuality and Church by John Bell

There is huge interest being generated by the forthcoming visit of international Christian speaker John Bell; who will deliver a lecture on Sexuality and the Church at All Saints Church next week.

Attendance registration is strong with attendees coming from Reading, Newbury and Henley as well as Wokingham.

Rector, Canon David Hodgson, said; 
"We are looking forward very much to a stimulating lecture from John Bell on this important topic. We are expecting a full church; though there is still capacity for late bookings even at this stage; and tickets will be available on the door."

Admission is free. Attendees will be asked to make a retiring donation of £3 to defray the costs.

Online registration is still open via Eventbrite

What is CC2020?

Much interest has been aroused by this special display in the church entitled CC2020. 

But what is CC2020? 

Currently it's the working name of a research project. The CC2020 group is doing the background research for one of the objectives in All Saints Mission Action Plan -  to adapt the church building into an environment appropriate for 21st century worship and other activities, making it more versatile as a venue, with things like a good welcoming area, full accessibility, and up to date AV, lighting and heating systems. 

Rector Canon David Hodgson said: "Do have a look at the display next time you are in church; it's a very good way into understanding what this part of our Mission Action Plan is all about."

Anne King, churchwarden, co-ordinating the CC2020 project said

" Do tell us if you happen to visit a church elsewhere which has been through this process already - we'd love to find out more about what other places have done -  what has worked well and what has not worked so well. Especially ask about what uses the adaptation have made possible which were not possible before".

Packed with diversity the 2015 Wokingham Summer Music Festival

Packed with diversity, the eight-day Wokingham Summer Music Festival
brings internationally renowned musicians and local talent to the heart of our community.

Full programme details are now live on the website and tickets are available for all concerts.

2014 was a year of new faces and new ventures

2014 was a year of new faces and new ventures according to the Rector, Canon David Hodgson, in his Annual Address to the Annual Church Meeting last month.

Read the full address here which contains photos of church life in the past year.

New churchwardens for the parish

Clive Charlton - one of  two new churchwardens

New churchwardens

New churchwardens were selected at the Annual Meeting last month. Clive Charlton and Geoff Davies were nominated to act as wardens alongside Anne King who was re-elected to serve again.

All Saints Wokingham is unusual in having three churchwardens - one for each of the three historic divisions of the parish: Berkshire, Town, and Wiltshire.

The Rector, Canon David Hodgson, said:

"I'm delighted to welcome Clive and Geoff as new wardens to join Anne. This is the first time we've had our full complement of wardens in the parish since 2010. Please pray for them and give them your support." 

The three wardens will be officially admitted by the Archdeacon of Berkshire to serve for the coming year at a special service at St Paul's Church Wokingham on Tuesday 19th May.

Annual Meeting 2015

The Annual Meeting takes place on 26th April at 11am in The Cornerstone

It will have 3 sections – the first will be a brief annual meeting of The Cornerstone to elect reps on its Steering Group; the second part is the “Vestry Meeting” - theoretically a meeting of all parish residents to elect our churchwardens for the coming year; and finally the meeting of church members, the Annual Parochial Church Meeting when we elect our Parochial Church Councillors and hear receive various reports about the church, including the Rector's report. 

This year we'll be talking about our new Vision and Priorities as a parish which were developed during 2014. The new Annual Report will be available, full of information about all the many different and interesting aspects of the church's life. The Annual Accounts will be presented too. There will be some challenges in them showing that we need to increase our regular income if we are to carry on supporting the activities we believe sincerely need to be done to witness to Christ and share God's love in this place. If you want to get a good picture of what your church is doing in God's service right now  – and if you are able to show your support for those who will be volunteering to stand for posts of responsibility in our church -  then come along to the Annual Meeting. It'll finish by 12.30pm. 

Not sure who to vote for...?

Your chance to quiz Wokingham parliamentary candidates at an election hustings has been organised by Churches Together in Wokingham. The event takes place on Monday 27th April at Wokingham Methodist Church in Rose Street, Wokingham. Doors open from 7pm with refreshments available. Questions are to be submitted on the night and chosen to represent a variety of topics.

Bringing Europe's finest musicians to the heart of Wokingham

Beatrice Scaldini returns with colleagues to give a concert of  pieces
for string quartet by Haydn and Mozart on Wednesday 29th April

Bringing Europe's finest musicians to the heart of Wokingham is the aim of the Candlelit Baroque concerts to be held monthly this Spring and early Summer at All Saints Church.

A new website giving full details of the Baroque concerts and online ticket booking has been launched here

Baroque concerts are one part of the concerts programme developing at All Saints Church. 

Richard Smith, artistic director of the concert programme based at the church said; "The historic town-centre church of All Saints Church, Wokingham, is fast becoming one of Berkshire's leading venues for quality music. With an emphasis on chamber, folk and world music, its fine acoustics and beautiful architecture make for an unforgettable experience"

Season tickets are available and Under 19s go free.

Growing All Saints Church's support for fostering and adoption

All Saints Church is partnering with Parents and Children Together (PACT) to raise awareness over the next few weeks of the support that churches can offer to looked-after children through church encouragement and support for fostering and adoption. 

Rector Canon David Hodgson said: "All Saints Church is proud to be a partner parish of our leading regional fostering and adoption charity PACT, which has its roots in the Diocese of Oxford. Church communities can do so much both raising awareness of the crying need for, and also supporting and encouraging, foster carers and adoptive parents. I'd like to see us at All Saints Church playing a growing and active part in that important support."

Sunday 7th June will see the Parish Communion service focussed on fostering and adoption with a visit from a PACT  Adopter Champion, Carole Arnold.  Carole adopted through PACT and now mentors other parents going through the adoption process offering information and advice. Carole is a member of her own local church.

PACT is  one of five adoption agencies now working with Home for Good - a church -based charity whose vision is a home for every child who needs one.

Parish Away Day enjoyed by all who took part

The tranquil Finchampstead setting for the parish awayday this year.

The Parish Awayday took place in March and was hugely enjoyed by all who attended. The day was held at Finchampstead Parish Centre at St James Church Finchampstead and involved activities for all ages. Many families with children were able to enjoy the day which was planned as part of All Saints' Mission Action Plan priority to "provide opportunities to learn so we may grow spiritually both personally and as a church".  One mother who took part with her husband and two children said, "It was a great chance just to have time together to meet and get to know other people in the church".

Second successful joint parishes marriage exploration day held

A joint marriage exploration day was held at The Cornerstone on the last Saturday in  March. Eight couples preparing to be married at three churches - All Saints Wokingham ; St Paul, Wokingham, St Catherine Bearwood - met together to explore issues affecting married life  as well as to start planning the big day itself. Sessions were led by the Rectors of the three parishes and The Revd Colin James. (The Revd Anna Harwood was prevented through illness on the day from taking part). Welcome coffee and lunch was provided by the All Saints hospitality team led by Jacqui Headland. Our Director of Music Richard Smith led a session playing examples of wedding music on the All Saints church organ. This was the second of two days jointly organised by the three parishes in the first half of 2015 for couples getting married this summer and autumn.

Adults and youth to be confirmed on Ascension Day

Andrew, Bishop of Reading when he opened the new building
 at All Saints CE Primary School in 2012

Adults and youth from both All Saints Church and from Winnersh parish are expected to be confirmed at All Saints on Ascension Day 14th May by the Bishop of Reading. 
A confirmation preparation group for youth church members from All Saints is currently running, led by youth leader Kat Vaughan. St Paul's parish had hoped to join too but there are no candidates from St Paul's this year.

First Pilgrim course to be run at All Saints successfully completed

The first Pilgrim course to be run at All Saints Church has been successfully completed this Lent. About 8 people with two course leaders followed a 6 week course entitled "Turning to Christ". For at least one member of the course it was part of a journey towards Confirmation which will take place at All Saints Church on Ascension Day 14th May.

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy coming to All Saints

Dame Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate, is coming to All Saints Church to give a show in December it has been announced. More details will be announced later...

Young choir members awarded medals

Seven young choir members in All Saints Church Choir have been awarded medals by the Royal School of Church Music; four candidates at silver level and three at bronze level. All passed with flying colours receiving either commendation or high commendation. At a special ceremony in the Parish Communion service on 26th April the seven will be presented with their medals and ribbons. Another three children will be presented with blue ribbons for having made excellent progress as junior choristers and the newest junior chorister will be presented with her surplice and admitted into full choir membership.

Director of Music Richard Smith said: "It's a remarkable result, and a credit to them, to their parents, and to all who support our work at All Saints in giving the best possible experience to our young people."

All Saints gets Government money towards repair of roof sections

Photo: M. Woodham

All Saints Church's application to the Government's recently -introduced church roof repairs grant scheme has been successful. The church was awarded the £19,800 asked for as a contribution to the repair of sections of the roof over the South aisle and the valley between inner (clergy) vestry and the Chancel. 

Churchwarden Anne King said: "I am delighted to report that we have been awarded the grant.Combined with the enthusiasm of the Church Commissioners to get their part of the building sorted, the East end of the church should be properly watertight quite soon."

The Church Commissioners of England, in the case of our church among some others,  are responsible for the cost of 90% of any necessary repairs to the Chancel section of the Church. This is an historic arrangement which continues to apply today.

Scenes and news from Good Friday with All Saints Church

Canon David Hodgson carries the Cross the final yards through the market place

The church may have been stripped of all colour and ornament for the solemn day but it certainly was not empty of people this Good Friday. Services and events throughout the morning were well-attended. The day began with the traditional Solemn Liturgy including the proclamation of the Cross and evocative music led by All Saints Church Choir. 


A more lively atmosphere ensued in The Cornerstone with hot cross buns and coffee as the congregation of the Solemn Liturgy mingled with those arriving for Messy Church. After coffee, families with children and young people moved into church to place in the "Easter garden" representations of the Cross and other figures from the Easter story;  and then returned to the Cornerstone for a Messy Church session of Good Friday-themed crafts and activities. 

John Boylan, Authorised Preacher at All Saints, playing the
 role of  Pontius Pilate

Later in the morning the church filled again as members of all the churches, and the Town Mayor and Mayoress Cllr and Mrs Martin Bishop,  gathered to prepare to walk in witness; processing the  Churches Together in Wokingham Cross - held this year by All Saints - along Rose Street and into the Market Square to signal the start of the Wokingham Community Passion Play.




All Saints Rector Canon David Hodgson led the procession of the Cross into the Market Square; where other members of All Saints Church were also involved in the Passion Play.

Forgiveness exhibition - new book just published

If you appreciated The F Word exhibition about forgiveness in All Saints Church last month The Forgiveness Project has now published a book about forgiveness - you can get a copy at a good price delivered free to our local bookshop from Hive.co.uk Buy The Forgiveness Project: Stories For A Vengeful Age - Book - online at Hive.co.uk http://ow.ly/L40FK

Graham Kendrick coming to All Saints this summer

Renowned songwriter and worship leader Graham Kendrick will lead an evening event at All Saints as part of the Wokingham Summer Music. Graham is the creator of such well-established worship songs and hymns as Servant King , Meekness and Majesty and many  many others. The events takes place on Friday 19th June Tickets are available now from  https://www.wegottickets.com/event/315067  Under 19s go free with an adult.

Palm Sunday procession cancelled

The Nave Altar on Palm Sunday

The annual Palm Sunday procession between All Saints School and All Saints Church planned for Palm Sunday Sunday 29th March was cancelled because of the persistent rain during the morning. Instead the Liturgy of the Palms was held inside the church. Palm crosses distributed to the congregation were dedicated and the gospel account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem was read. Members of the congregation joined the Choir in processing around the aisles singing Palm Sunday hymns and songs. An audio-visual presentation of the Gospel of the Passion followed using narration by the Riding Lights Theatre Company supplied by the Bible Society and images of famous works of art on the Passion selected by the Rector. 

Wokingham's Good Friday Community Passion Play

Scene on  in Wokingham Market Place Good Friday 2011

"You don't need to be an actor to get involved in the Good Friday Community Play  - there are lots of other ways to make the play happen without having to get up in front of the public" says the director Michael Johnson

The Good Friday Community Passion Play is supported by Churches Together in Wokingham  - which means that people from every member church are called upon to get stuck in. If it happens it will will happen in Wokingham Market Square at 12 noon on Friday 3rd April. It will be on the theme of the passion of Jesus. 

If you'd like to get involved here's a list of all the different ways you can help - your help is needed now! 

New space for silent meditation

"Come to the Source" is an hour for silent prayer launching once a month on a Tuesday evening in All Saints Church. It's open to all. 

Exciting events coming up at All Saints Church - dates to save

2015 promises to be a big year of special events for All Saints Church with an exciting list of speakers and performers coming to the church.

John Bell the international Christian speaker and renowned hymn-writer will speak on "Sexuality and the Church" on Wednesday  20th May. Free tickets are available for this event but seats are going fast - book online here and get more details.

Our Summer Music Festival is planned for  Saturday 13th June until Sunday 21st June. There will be world music, folk music and sacred music; both local and headline acts.

Confirmed festival headliners:

Renowned British folk singer Martin Carthy

Acclaimed folk singer Jim Causley

Christian singer-songwriter Graham Kendrick

Watch for further details as they are announced on our website.

Negotiations are ongoing for a major name on the poetry scene to come for an evening of poetry and music in the run-up to Christmas - watch this space!

Cornerstone partners with First Aid trainer to offer local courses

All Saints Church's community centre The Cornerstone has partnered with local First Aid trainer David Grayson and HumphreysTraining to become a venue for regular first aid training courses. 

David Grayson writes: "I offer First Aid courses in Wokingham and the surrounding areas. I operate as part of Humphreys Training group and deliver fully approved and certificated first aid training courses. Whether you need a qualification for work purposes, or just wish to learn lifesaving skills, our courses could be perfect for you."

David has received excellent commendations from staff and volunteers of the church who have recently qualified in Emergency First Aid Training At Work through his courses.

The next course runs at The Cornerstone on Thursday 12th March. For more details and to contact David see www.humphreystraining.co.uk .

Church staff and volunteers are entitled to two free places at each session - contact the Cornerstone Office for details.