The Parish Magazine July and August 2021

the parish noticeboard — 1
Notices
Hold the front page!
As we put the final touches to this issue of The Parish Magazine for July and
August, there was increasing speculation that the end of the Covid lockdown
planned for 21 June was to be delayed because the threat of the Delta variant
of the virus was increasing. There were also concerns about the early signs
of infection rates in the Wokingham area increasing. Because of this the
Churchwardens and the Ministry Team have had to delay the plans to restart
normal services and other regular events. The latest thinking is outlined
below, but as always please check on the parish website, the weekly service
newsletter, or the parish office for the latest information.
Songs of Praise
The celebration Songs of Praise
planned for Sunday 4 July is postponed
until Sunday 12 September at 5pm,
subject, of course, to any further Covid
restrictions.
Regular Worship Services
It is hoped that the regular pattern of
worship listed on page 3 of this issue
will continue to be possible but please
always check on the parish website or
with parish office for the very latest
information. Services that are currently
broadcast online will continue as
planned until further notice.
Messy Church
After a long break due to Covid-19,
Messy Church at St Andrew's will relaunch
this September.
The first session will be on Sunday 19
September from 3 - 4.30pm in The Ark
when the theme will be 'Hope'. Messy
Church will then run every third
Sunday of the month.
Rev Kate said, 'The Messy Church
team is very excited about restarting
and we can't wait for us all to be back
together again. More details will follow
in September's edition of The Parish
Magazine and all plans are subject to
Covid restrictions.'
Thursday at Eight on Zoom
The Thursday 8pm Zoom fellowship
and prayer meeting restarts on Zoom
on 22 July. More details from Westy.
Rendezvous Lunch Club
The plans to restart Rendezvous in
the Ark for senior members of the
community remains the second
Tuesday of July at 12pm. This assumes
that any extension of the end of
the Covid lockdown will end before
that date. Please check on the parish
website or with the parish office to
confirm nearer the time that we will
be able to hold this popular fortnightly
event once again.
For your prayers in
July and August
— For our Churchwardens
and Ministry Team as they
seek to appoint a new
director of music
— For all people around the
world whose lives are still
seriously affected by Covid
— For all those who are
unable to take a holiday this
summer
— For the work of Samaritans
and all in need of their
listening service
The Parish Magazine - July/August 2021 7
STAY
St Andrew's Youth
By Westy
Everyone who answers a question gets a
stress ball to stay calm and carry on.
STAY in Schools
There have been quite a few recent
assemblies delivered at the four local
schools: Wargrave Piggott, Reading
Blue Coat School, Charvil Piggott and
Sonning Primary. The most exciting
news was that we have returned to
‘in person’ assemblies.
We have been able to cover
some amazing topics, including the
generosity of God and when Jesus
meets the wedding guests at Cana in
Galilee. In God's economy we are all
welcome, he gives us what we need
and he never embarrasses us.
We have also worked successfully
with the Piggott ‘advocacy group’
looking at kitting out and advertising
the school's reflection room which
is a quiet space for pupils to sit, pray
and find space during the business of
a school day.
We have also continued
mentoring over 25 boys a week
in both senior schools and offer
support, someone to chat to, advice
in how to deal with tough situations
and we’ve been handing out infinity
loop sensory toys to help with
concentration in lessons.
Summer sunset at Mudeford, Christchurch
Nick Fewings on unsplash.com
Infinity loop sensory toys.
turn to page 9