church letter

Dear Parishioners
Before I was ordained, I taught in further education and sixth forms. I loved the vocation, but particularly teaching young adults. There was such a change in the students from the age of 16-18 years. Their confidence grew, they became emotionally more mature, they articulated their thought processes with greater confidence and inhabit their personality more comfortably. It was such a privilege to teach - even the more rebellious ones.

I was always very touched by the class messages and gifts I was given at the end of the course. These included over the years, a homemade book of humorous ‘Shazza’s Freudian slips’, a T- shirt with a photograph of me surrounded by students, and a ‘We love you Shazza Song’ that the class sang to me at their leavers' service! Shazza was my nickname among the students. I always felt bereft when the A’ level examinations arrived, and I knew my time with my upper sixth was coming to a close. Every September I’d worry that the experience with my new class would not be as positive and question my ability to teach.

The results day was emotionally draining. I would not be able to sleep the night before arriving at school early to scan the grades. I would anxiously check which students I would be congratulating and any who would need support and encouragement having missed the grades they needed to get into their chosen universities. I wanted them to have done their best.

It was a wonderful school to teach in because students had realistic but high expectations, but more importantly, pastoral care was a high priority. I quickly discovered that one of the consequences of girls all being high achievers was that some struggled to deal with any imperfection or criticism in themselves. I had students who would be hysterical when they realized that they had given the wrong response to an exam question even if it was only worth one mark, and they were to achieve the highest grade! So, I learned quickly to foster a sense of fun in my lessons. Tests became quizzes when students would win ridiculous gifts to carry around for the day, much to their delight. We would have chocolate cake on Friday if they were all up to date with their assignments. I spent a great deal of time looking for creative ways to engage them in learning rather than just handing them information and testing its retention. I hoped that they would enjoy the journey as much as the result. I started to encourage students to write to the authors of research papers related to their coursework to engage them in serious dialogue. My experience at school taught me that striving for perfection can hinder the joy of learning and cause us to underestimate others. Focusing too much on flawless outcomes can turn the learning process into stress and frustration. Growth at any age is a journey, not a destination.

This message is reflected in the Bible. Romans 12:2 encourages us to be transformed through learning, which involves mistakes and growth. The Bible calls us to strive for excellence, not perfection (Colossians 3:23) and emphasizes that God values our efforts, not our flawless performance. Christianity teaches us to embrace humility, love, and grace, as we’re all imperfect (Romans 3:23). Instead of expecting perfection, we’re called to encourage and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

It was such a privilege to have taught. I often wonder what all my previous pupils are doing now. I owe them a great deal. With love and prayers. Revd. Annette

PRAYER FOR TODAY
Hidden God, you are known to me as absence more than presence
yet just occasionally the point of a needle breaks through the fabric of my life,
makes one perfect golden stitch and disappears again into the depths.
It’s not much, but enough to know that the thread is unbroken and for that I thank you.

Rachel Parkinson, District Chair, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District

Church Contacts

Benefice Administrator: Tamara Laing, part-time at the Benefice Office Email: wbboffice@gmail.com 07359 327072.

Churchwardens:
Inkpen: Charlotte Bampfylde (tel. 669285).
Combe: Tina Fiertz (tel. 668529), Katherine Astor (katherine@kirby-house.co.uk).

Inkpen graveyards on-line

For anyone wishing to view the details of Inkpen's graveyards, including burial details, grave stone inscriptions and the location of the graves, please click here.  Inkpen Burial, Marriage, Baptism and Birth records covering the period 1607 to 1837 can be found on the Inkpen history website, here.

NEWS FROM ST. MICHAEL'S

Christmas was a joyful and heartwarming experience. As always, the Church was beautifully decorated, the Christmas tree shone, the candles glowed and the numbers who came were exceptional. Indeed, in over 50 years of worship, the writer has never known more - over 160 for the Carol Service and 220 on Christmas Day. Wonderful all round.

For February our service pattern returns to normal. Our evening service of Compline is on the 2nd at 6pm, Holy Communion using the Book of Common Prayer is at 8.30am on the 9th and Parish Communion is at 9.45am on the 16th. But given the number who came to Christingle who might be particularly interested, advance notice of the Mothering Sunday Service now follows as Meg Atkins writes: "Mothering Sunday falls on the 30th March and it will be lovely to invite all families with children to come to St Michaels for a Family Service at 9.45. Also, I shall be making posies on Saturday 29th and invite children with or without parents to come and help me make them. Alison, from the church, will be here at my home which is White House in Heads Lane, to help me. More details next month. Coffee and refreshments will be available".

CHURCH FUNDING
We are again appealing to the many people who have given generously in the past and to others who would like to support the upkeep of our church. If you would like to donate to St. Michael's Church Inkpen, please do so using the secure website www.parishgiving.org.uk.

Your donations are vital to the upkeep of our beautiful church which so many rely on for weddings, baptisms, funerals and memorials as well as regular services. Thank you.

church services FOR INKPEN, COMBE and West Woodhay

Other Services in the Benefice are on the Website which is www.walburybeaconbenefice.org.uk

INKPEN
Sunday 2nd February – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 9th February – Holy Communion at 8.30am
Sunday 16th February – Holy Communion at 9.45am

COMBE
Sunday 16th February – Holy Communion at 11.15am

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 9th February – Holy Communion at 11.15am

The first Christmas in Inkpen Church


“During the major rebuilding of Inkpen Church which began in 1896, and which gave us most of the beautiful layout and decoration that we have today, medieval paintings were revealed but were too decayed for any attempt at restoration to be contemplated.

The wall paintings executed in 1910 by Miss Ethel King Martin include this one on the north wall of the chancel of the First Christmas depicting the appearance of the Angel Gabriel to the shepherds.”

catholic services

Our Lady of Lourdes, Priory Road, Hungerford RG17 0AF Parish Priest - Fr Zbigniew Budyn 01635 40332

Sunday Mass - every Sunday at 9.00am
Weekday Mass - every Wednesday at 10.00am

CAROL SINGING ON THE GREEN - Lower Green 10th December 6.30pm
Join us for Carol singing on the Green at Lower Green on December 10th at 6.30pm. Mulled wine and alcohol-free hot toddy to keep throats lubricated. We'll collect in aid of Inkpen School's Outdoor Play Area project. Look forward to seeing you on the 10th.

OBITUARIES

A victorian view - now and then

The images of St. Michael's past and present are shown here