Renowned hymn-writer and theologian John Bell will speak on ‘Sexuality and the Church’ at All Saints Church.
The questions he will look at include:
What does the Bible actually teach about homosexuality?
How can the church move away from its homophobic image?
What are the key issues for the church around same-sex marriage?
Can we view gayness as a gift, rather than an issue?
The lecture will take place on Wednesday 20th May at 7.30pm in the church.
Admission is free by ticket or at the door; with a suggested donation of £3. More details and tickets may be booked here.
This is one of a series of public lectures at the church. The first was by Michael Northcott, Professor of Ethics at Edinburgh University, who spoke on ‘The Politics of Climate Change’ in September 2014.
Rector Canon David Hodgson said: "We want to explore key issues for the church and society and we invite everyone - whether church-goer or not - to these sessions."
The ancient ceremony of ashing will once again mark the start of the season of Lent at All Saints Church; at an evening service of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) on Ash Wednesday (18th February).
Canon David Hodgson, Rector of All Saints said: " Many Christians use Lent as a time of spiritual discovery and growth. The imposition of ashes is the custom from which the day gained its name. It is a voluntary practice in our church. It offers a symbolic acknowledgement of our mortality and frailty as creatures and affirms our dependence on God and the grace of God for our life and salvation".
All Saints will resound to the music Shakespeare listened to when Lynda Sayce visits to perform. Lynda is one of the foremost players of the lute in our time; principal lutenist with the King's Consort, Ex Cathedra and The Musicians of the Globe. She has more than one hundred recordings to her name. Her concert will feature music associated with the Bard.
Linda Sayce's concert wil be the first one in the next 4 concert season of Baroque music to be held in Spring and early Summer at All Saints. Concert details and online booking here.
All ages will find something for them at the Parish Away Day coming up in March.
Set in the delightful surroundings of St James Church and Hall in Finchampstead there will be a whole range of both active and quiet things to do either in groups or singly. There will be special children's and youth activities. A relaxed programme is promised with plenty of time to sit and chat and enjoy the surroundings.
The Revd Helen Charlton , a member of the Away Day planning group said: " We are excited about this and encourage you to come. We aim to have fun, to get to know each other,to allow God to challenge us. Please come along and join this opportunity for us to grow spiritually as individuals and as a church."
The theme of the day will be "Push the Boat Out".
The Parish Away Day initiative is one of the projects inspired by the new Parish Mission Action Plan which includes as a priority for the church "To provide opportunities to learn so we may grow spiritually both personally and as a church".
Details: Saturday 21st March 2015 8.45am - 8.45pm. St James Parish hall, Finchampstead More details and online booking here. Booking forms also available in church
The popular annual quiz with fish and chip supper in aid of the Children's Society takes place at The Cornerstone on Saturday 31st January at 7.30pm.
Tickets £12 available from Dickon Snell.
All Saints is one of the Wokingham churches involved in the Churches' Welcome Project. The project is committed to engaging with new residents of the town by giving them a good welcome.Current activities include offering a welcome gift in the shape of a home-baked cake; and a welcome card which links to a website of useful local information and links to local churches.
If you'd like to help with this project please contact The Rev'd Anna Harwood Associate Priest at All Saints. Cake bakers and cake deliverers needed.
A major new course - Pilgrim - opens at All Saints in February. Pilgrim is a new resource from the Church of England that explores what it means to travel through life with Jesus Christ. It's described as a course for the 21st century. It offers an approach of participation, not persuasion.
Enquirers will be encouraged to practice the ancient disciplines of biblical reflection and prayer; to explore key sections of the Bible that have helped people since the early Church.
Archbishop Justin Welby says: "The Pilgrim Course is a journey to the heart of God and to a living, personal relationship with Jesus Christ".
The first course in the series is "Turning to Christ" and will take place on 6 consecutive Mondays in Wokingham commencing on 23rd February from 7.30 - 9.30pm.
For more details and to express interest in signing up please email Rosaline here
The F Word is coming to All Saints Church this month. It's an exhibition of images and stories of Forgiveness from around the world. Canon David Hodgson says: "Like its title, it's provocative."
Coming from The Forgiveness Project the exhibition comprises "a collection of arresting images and personal narratives exploring forgiveness in the face of atrocity”.
Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, the exhibition has been displayed in over 300 venues worldwide. Voices from South Africa, America, Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland and England are included. These extraordinary stories present “forgiveness as a healing process, a journey out of victimhood and, ultimately, a journey of hope.” The exhibition will take place in All Saints Church Wokingham from Friday 27th February until Thursday 5th March.
More information
