The Parish Magazine February 2022

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24 The Parish Magazine - February 2022 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements Pearson Hall Sonning is an ideal venue for your parties, regular classes or meetings Complete Pest Solutions WASPS • RATS • MICE • SQUIRRELS BED BUGS • FLEAS • BIRDS & RODENT PROOFING Leslie Parker parkerleslie65@aol.com 0125 624 2135 0799 081 4143 PROFESSIONAL PEST CONTROLLERS REGISTER 2 Vyne Lodge Farm Cottage, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 5EA 24 hours service | Private client parking | Private chapel of rest Free home visits | Pre-paid funeral plans | Full written estimate Woodland funerals | Religious and non-religious services Find out more and check availability using our online booking system www.pearsonhall.org.uk Tel: 01491 573370 www.tomalins.co.uk tomalin@btconnect.com Anderson House, 38 Reading Road, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 1AG A Family Run Independent Funeral Service YOUR HOME FROM HOME THIS WINTER reception@thegreathouseatsonning.co.uk 0118 969 2277 l www.greathouseatsonning.co.uk
feature — 4 The Parish Magazine - February 2022 25 A revitalised Church for the world ahead? Dr Peter Brierley, a church statistician, considers what 2022 may hold for the Church The Beijing Winter Olympics begin on 4 February Towards the end of every year 'The Economist' publishes a comprehensive paperback looking at the year to come. For 2022, 'The World Ahead' looks at 10 main issues, and while these reflect a commercial and financial viewpoint, they are also areas of concern to Christians. The main issues are: DEMOCRACY VERSUS AUTOCRACY The tensions between the rival political systems of America and China will continue to involve trade, technology regulations, vaccinations, and space stations. PANDEMIC TO ENDEMIC New treatments are coming, but unless more people can be vaccinated globally, Covid-19 will become yet another endemic disease, affecting the poor more than the rich. INFLATION WORRIES The supply chain interruptions and increased energy demands have pushed up prices. Will that affect charity and church finances? The UK also has an acute labour shortage. THE FUTURE OF WORK The work-from-home syndrome will probably mean more ‘hybrid’ workstations. Women are keener to work from home. Could this impact church life, and, if so, in what ways? Mirko Kuzmanovic, dreamstime.com NEW TECHLASH Techlash is a backlash against large technology companies that dominate a market. American and European governments have been trying to rein in these technology giants. Meanwhile, China is demanding they focus on geo-strategic advantage, not 'frivolities like games and shopping.' CRYPTO GROWS UP The new crypto-currencies are being domesticated. A cryptocurrency (or crypto) is a form of payment that can circulate without the need for a central monetary authority such as a government or bank. Where will the future standard of finance fall? The central banks or somewhere else? It is still to be determined. Such issues may affect the Church Commissioners, but probably not the local church! CLIMATE CRUNCH This affects us all but still 'a striking lack of urgency prevails among policymakers.' And global success, if it can be achieved, will require co-operation between the West and China. TRAVEL TROUBLE The transition to an endemic from a zero-Covid suppression (as in Australasia) may be difficult. Future business travel is likely to be much less, for example, Zoom is taking over and holiday travel could cost more. What will this mean for international Christian gatherings? SPACE RACES '2022 will be the first year in which more people go into space as paying passengers than government employees.' China will finish its new space station; NASA is crashing a probe into an asteroid. POLITICAL FOOTBALLS The Beijing Winter Olympics and the football World Cup in Qatar will show just how far sport can bring nations together. THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD Such is the global perspective, as seen by economists. What difference would Christian leaders bring to the table? Among the greatest needs are to encourage dispirited Christian people; to strengthen and empower children's and youth work; to decide the best way forward for congregations whose churches are no longer viable; to develop a vision to meet national spiritual need; to enable leadership to focus on the top priorities without distraction on lesser things; and finally, to revitalise faith in the inspiration, authority and power of God’s Word.
Page 1 and 2: The Parish Magazine - February 2022
Page 3 and 4: Serving the communities of Charvil,
Page 5 and 6: The vicar's letter DEAR FRIENDS, I
Page 7 and 8: the parish noticeboard — 1 Notice
Page 9 and 10: the parish noticeboard — 2 Christ
Page 11 and 12: the parish noticeboard — 4 The Pa
Page 13 and 14: the parish noticeboard — 5 On ref
Page 15 and 16: the parish noticeboard — 6 Even s
Page 17 and 18: the parish noticeboard — 7 Dr Her
Page 19 and 20: feature — 1 For Christians throug
Page 21 and 22: feature — 2 The Panda Flower Farm
Page 23: The Parish Magazine - February 2022
Page 27 and 28: around the villages — 2 A picture
Page 29 and 30: History Was it really . . . ? . . .
Page 31 and 32: HEALTH —1 Dr Simon Ruffle writes
Page 33 and 34: HEALTH — 2 Dr Simon Ruffle writes
Page 35 and 36: HOME & GARDEN — 2 Saving our plan
Page 37 and 38: the ARTS — 2 Promise of a future
Page 39 and 40: CROSSWORD 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 7 9 10 11 1
Page 41 and 42: CHILDREN'S PAGE The Parish Magazine
Page 43 and 44: Please mention The Parish Magazine

The Parish Magazine February 2022

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