church letter

As we enter November, our thoughts turn naturally to remembrance — to honouring those who have gone before us and reflecting on the values they stood for. This month, our benefice churches will host services for All Saints, All Souls, and National Remembrance Day, moments when we come together to remember lives lost, sacrifices made, and the importance of community.

Sadly, in our village of Kintbury, red crosses have recently appeared, painted on roads and pavements in an attempt to intimidate immigrants and refugees. These cowardly marks of hate stand in stark contrast to the Christian symbol of the cross, which represents love, sacrifice, and hope for all people. While we may never fully understand why people choose to make such marks, we know that their actions spread fear rather than love — and that God calls us to respond differently.

The Bible reminds us: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) Even in the face of hatred or exclusion, God’s light shines. As a community, we can live into that light by:
1. Teaching our children that everyone is precious and valued.
2. Countering fear and hate with acts of kindness and inclusion.
3. Supporting those in need by volunteering, offering friendship, and listening to the vulnerable.
4. As we remember this November, may our actions honour those who gave their lives for peace, and may our light shine brighter than any symbol of cowardly hatred. Let us teach our children that hope, courage, and love are stronger than fear, and that community is built through care and compassion.

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    Grant to those who seek you, O Lord, the gift of your kingdom, the comfort of your grace and the vision of your glory. Amen.
Book of Common Order (1562)

3    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

Remembrance Service 9th November 9.45
Looking forward to November, an early reminder that Remembrance Sunday is on the 9th with our service starting at 9.45. This means there will be no 8.30 Holy Communion in November. Also, the Compline Service which is usually on the first Sunday of every month will be at the earlier time of 4pm after the clocks go back for the winter months.

Other News
There was a lot of fun when we celebrated Harvest Festival on 19th October and children handed out bread, butter and jam to the congregation in a full Church, beautifully decorated by the wonderful and largely unseen flower arranging team to whom we are enormously grateful.

All the produce was taken by Meg to the Newbury Soup Kitchen.

Compline is on 2nd and 30th and will be at the earlier time of 4pm for the winter months.

Clear your diary for our Advent Services which begin with Christingle and Puppets at 4pm on 7th December. This is a candlelit service where the promise of oranges, sweets and puppets ensures a Church packed with children. Meg kindly invites any children (and adults too) to her house in Heads Lane to make the Christingles at 10 o’clock on Saturday 6th. Drop Meg an email to let her know you are coming megandtonyatkins@googlemail.com

The Carol Service is on Sunday 21st December at 6.30. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served from 6 o’clock to warm everybody up.

On Christmas Day we have our usual two-part service starting at 9.45 with a Family Service, followed, after a short break, by Holy Communion.

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 revannettes@aol.co.uk

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

DONATIONS URGENTLY REQUIRED TO COVER BULLETIN COSTS
Each year it costs c. £1,200 to print the Bulletin and even with Elon Musk’s chainsaw methods, it’s hard to cut them further. The Parish Council contributes £400, the Church £250 thus, c. £550 per annum is required. I won’t labour the fact it would make our job (and the distributors) infinitely more efficient if residents could consume the bulletin via email, this website or Facebook as it would cost, give or take, a tarriff busting £0. We will continue to print assuming funds roll in from this appeal.

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 2nd November - Compline at 4pm
Sunday 9th November - Remembrance Service at 9.45
Sunday 16th November - Family Service and Baptism at 9.45
Sunday 30th November - Compline at 4pm

Sunday 7th December – Christingle with Puppets at 4pm
Sunday 14th December – Holy Communion at 8.30
Sunday 21st December – Carol Service at 6.30 pm with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies from 6pm

Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day Service at 9.45, Family Service followed by Holy Communion

COMBE
Sunday 16th November – Holy Communion at 11.15am

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 9th November – Remembrance Service at 11.15am
Sunday 23rd November – Holy Communion at 11.15am

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

OBITUARIES

A victorian view - now and then

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