The Parish Magazine October 2024

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4 The Parish Magazine - October 2024 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement The French Horn, Sonning. Quality. A continuing commitment to wonderful food and wine. 0118 969 2204 www.thefrenchhorn.co.uk 313 October 2024.indd 4 12/09/2024 09:38:44
The Parish Magazine - October 2024 5 The vicar's letter D e a r F r i e n d S, In 1996, as a 22 year old, I was fortunate to spend time in the USA as an intern in three churches, in Arizona, San Diego and New York. It was excellent preparation for me starting Theological College later that year. One thing that struck me in all three churches, and it was in stark difference to what I had up until then experienced in English churches, was the warmth and generosity of their hospitality. These churches were intentional about providing decent refreshments, congregational socials, good coffee after services and a warm quality of welcome and inclusion to newcomers. Something of this has stayed with me over the years and I hope that some of what we now see at our own church has resulted from this formative experience. One of the delights of seeing our Ark building come to life has been our regular Rendezvous lunches, and a positive development in recent months has been Kathy Wright of the Village Hamper taking on the catering, ably assisted by Vickie. It is an excellent example of partnership in the parish, and we all enjoy working with them. The £12 cost simply covers the expense of labour, food and VAT, and in return we get an excellent home cooked two course lunch with filter coffee and good conversation and company. All are welcome and I greatly enjoy welcoming new faces, which seems to happen most weeks. We even lay on Bertie the golf buggy to transport the less mobile from the church carpark! My great grandfather, Charles Wood, was a publican, and I have often joked that if I gave up the priesthood, I would follow in his footsteps into the hospitality industry. I was particularly pleased when appointed to this parish to discover that, since the Reformation, the vicar and wardens owned the excellent Bull Inn, and although we don’t get any personal benefits, the rental income is ploughed back into service of this community, particularly in the field of youth work. I have watched with interest the recent opening of the ‘Farmer’s Dog’ in Burford by Jeremy Clarkson, having been a fan of his ‘Diddly Squat’ tv show and I have been particularly impressed at his commitment to only sell British produce and drinks, thereby giving much needed support to our farmers. At this Harvest time, as well as giving thanks for good food, such as that shared at Rendezvous lunches, we also give thanks for our farmers, and as well as being grateful, perhaps we could be more proactive in supporting them by buying British produce. Mr Clarkson’s programmes have powerfully illustrated the struggles and hardships faced by the farming community, not least the crippling rules and red tape imposed upon them. We need farmers to prosper as we all know that food doesn’t grow on shelves! In addition to expressing gratitude to our farmers and all involved in the food chain, including all who stack those shelves, we also will be remembering those less fortunate than ourselves. We shall therefore be collecting items for the Woodley Food Bank at the 10.30am service and there will also be a cash collection at each of our Harvest Festival services on Sunday 6 October. Warm wishes. Jamie HOSPITALITY BRITISH PRODUCE Come, ye thankful people, come, Raise the song of harvest home; All is safely gathered in, Ere the winter storms begin. God our Maker doth provide For our wants to be supplied; Come to God's own temple, come, Raise the song of harvest home 313 October 2024.indd 5 12/09/2024 09:38:44
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Page 33 and 34: FASHION BY HARRIET NELSON The Paris
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The Parish Magazine October 2024

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