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.