church letter

Dear Friends,

We are at the beginning of wedding and baptism season — one of the loveliest times of year in the life of the church. As the countryside bursts into colour and the days grow longer, we will see couples standing before God to make their vows, and families bringing children — and sometimes adults — for baptism. These are deeply joyful occasions. They are not simply private milestones, but moments when we, as a church family, promise prayer, welcome, and support. They speak of love, commitment, belonging, and new beginnings.

Alongside these celebrations come some important moments in our shared church life. In April and May we hold our APCMs — the Annual Parochial Church Meetings. The title may sound rather grand (or slightly daunting!), but they are simply our yearly opportunity to reflect and look ahead together.

At the APCM we:
*Give thanks for the year past
*Review finances and ministry
*Elect churchwardens and PCC members
*Consider where God might be leading us next

It’s about gratitude, vision, and shared responsibility. The church belongs to all of us, and this is one of the ways we shape its future together. I do hope you’ll come, take part and support the volunteers who keep the churches active.

In May we also look forward to our Rogation service — an informal outdoor benefice. This year we are gathering in the field opposite Inkpen Church. Rogation is when we pray for the land, farmers, crops, and all who produce our food. There will be activity packs for children, and plenty of space to enjoy being together outdoors. If you’re feeling energetic, you might even consider walking from your own parish to join us — a small pilgrimage across the countryside we’re praying for.

Then comes Ascension Day, forty days after Easter, marking Christ’s return to the Father — a quiet but triumphant reminder that the risen Christ reigns and prays for us.

After that we celebrate Pentecost, the Church’s birthday. This year we will gather in the car park at Combe Gibbet, with that glorious sweeping view across the valley. It’s a fitting place to remember the rushing wind and fire of the Holy Spirit — when ordinary disciples were filled with courage and sent out in hope. Do come and share in that joyful, open-air celebration.

Finally, Trinity Sunday invites us to reflect on the mystery at the heart of our faith: one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — a relationship of love into which we are drawn.

April and May are not just busy months; they are full of life and promise. Worship indoors and out, walking fields, gathering on hilltops, celebrating new beginnings — it’s a beautiful picture of a living church. So do join in where you can. Come to pray, to celebrate, to walk, to sing, to belong.

Spring is here — and God is very much at work among us.
With every blessing,
Revd Annette

PRAYERS FOR TODAY
1    Shine on us, O Son of God, with grace unfailing, granting us the gift of wisdom, the power of faith and the endurance of hope. Amen.
Ethiopian Orthodox

2    "I thank Thee, Lord, today
For Thy unfailing presence Along life's rugged way.
Guide me, O blest Redeemer,
Teach me to do Thy will,
And Thine own perfect purpose In me each day fulfill."
Avis Christiansen

3   "God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ."
Wilda English

4    The Lord’s Prayer – Gnostic Order of Christ Version:
O Giver of All Life, Who Is in Heaven and in Earth,
In Whom We Live, Move, And Have Our Being,
Holy Is Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done in Earth, as it Is in Heaven.
Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread, And Forgive Us Our Trespasses
As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us.
Keep Us from Temptation, Keep Us Ever Mindful of Thee.
For Thine Is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory,
Forever and Ever. Amen.

Church Contacts

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

Churchwardens:
Inkpen: Charlotte Bampfylde (tel. 669285), email: inkpenchurch@outlook.com.
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

LENT GIVING
Thank you to all those who have given so generously in donation envelopes, online through the Parish Giving Scheme and at collections during our services.

The best way to make donations towards the running of Inkpen Church is through the Parish Giving Scheme on www.parishgiving.org.uk Enter Inkpen in the search box, then click on Find your Church. Click on Give Now beside Inkpen St Michael All Angels and then on Regular Giving or One-off Gift (we pay a 1.5% transaction cost for one-off gifts so Regular Giving is preferable). Your gifts are enhanced by having tax refunded through Gift Aid.

The Church was packed for our Family Service at Easter and we had a lovely gathering outside on Palm Sunday with the donkeys. Thanks to everyone for coming, it means so much to those who work hard to organise the services, to decorate the Church and especially to our Ministry Team.

Thank you!

FAMILY SERVICES - coming up:

Rogation 10th May – outdoor service at Inkpen Church with activity bags for children. Parishioners from other Churches are being asked to walk to the service in Inkpen to “beat the bounds”, praying for the good care of the environment.

Pentecost 24th May – flying kites on Combe Gibbet.

Pet Service 28th June – All pets will be welcome!

Holy Communion at Home
We are now offering parishioners Holy Communion at Home. This might appeal to those who are unable to come to Church. Contact Annette 07708 823285, email: revannettes@aol.co.uk 

Please either send monies to
1. St Michael’s Church, Inkpen – Sort code - 60-11-28 Account number – 73133078. Please put ‘Bulletin’ as reference.
2. Or write a cheque made out to St Michael’s Church, Inkpen and drop into the Crown and Garter or the Bakery.

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 3rd May – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 10th May – Benefice Rogation at 9.45am
Sunday 17th May – Parish Communion at 9.45am
Sunday 24th May – PENTECOST Family Service, Flying Kites on Combe Gibbet at 10am

Sunday 7th June – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 14th June – Holy Communion at 8.30am
Sunday 21st June – Parish Communion at 9.45am
Sunday 28th June – PET SERVICE at 9.45am

COMBE
Sunday 17th May – Holy Communion at 11.15am

CHURCH SERVICES AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNGERFORD
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

BAPTISM ANNOUNCEMENT

OBITUARIES

A victorian view - now and then

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