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.

All Saints Church launches "Willing Spirit Exercise"

"If your spirit is willing these classes are for you.." that's the message at Willing Spirit Exercise - a new initiative of All Saints Church to provide exercise opportunities for all in the local community.

Led by qualified gym instructor Jo Asplin (who also happens to be the Parish Administrator) the new exercise classes launch on 18th March in The Cornerstone. There will be a 30 minute lunchtime "Work that Tummy" session and also a  Simple Circuit class every Wednesday afternoon. All ages and abilities will be catered for.

Jo Asplin said; "I feel this is an opportunity for All Saints Wokingham to support the wider community and show that All Saints is not only somewhere people go on a Sunday but nurtures the bodily and emotional needs of individuals as well as their spiritual needs. I feel passionately about guiding others towards a healthy lifestyle which they in turn can pass on to their families and future generations.” 

Full details on the church website www.allsaintswokingham.org.uk/willingspirit

Concert series to bring Europe's finest musicians to the heart of Wokingham

All Saints' Spring series of Baroque concerts launches on 25th March with "Shakespeare's Musick" by Lynda Sayce. She is the principal lutenist with the Kings Consort, Ex Cathedra and The Musicians of the Globe.  The concert will feature music associated with William Shakespeare. Richard Smith Director of Music at All Saints Church writes: 
"The bard clearly had an ear for a good tune; his plays mention many of the best melodies of old England. Hear them juxtaposed with music written by or for his colleagues, his patrons and his next door neighbour!"

Details and tickets available for this and all concerts  - save money with a season ticket for all 4 concerts: online here

Exhibition found to be deeply moving

The provocatively titled exhibition on forgiveness staged last week in All Saints Church was found by its visitors to be challenging and deeply moving  Visitors were asked to write comments about what they had experienced. One visitor wrote: "From the stories I read I felt deeply humbled. I think I've learned something about myself; that through choice one can forgive.I was deeply touched by all I have seen in the exhibition and I will pass the word on..absolutely wonderful!  Thank you."

Groups of students from three of Wokingham's schools attended the exhibition. Thirty-five volunteer stewards from the church membership took part to ensure the exhibition was open for 7 days.


Those who missed the exhibition this time have a second local chance to see it at Woodley Baptist Church 23rd - 29th March  More information can be seen at The Forgiveness Project.

All Saints Church and St Paul's with Woosehill publish joint Easter leaflet

All Saints and St Paul parishes, including Woosehill Church and St Nicholas Emmbrook,, have joined together to produce an attractive magazine-style leaflet publicising all their Holy Week and Easter services and events in Wokingham.The leaflet includes information about the meaning of the Easter story. It will be delivered to over 6000 homes in both parish areas during March.
To see the leaflet click here.

Celerating Mothers at All Saints Church

Mothers will be celebrated in special services for Mothering Sunday on Sunday 15th March  - the 9.30am All Together Communion and the 11am Family Service. At 9.30am Junior Church children will be singing the special song they have been practising. Flowers will be distributed in the services.