church letter

Dear friends,

Now and then, someone will quietly say to me, “I’m not sure I believe in God… but I can see the value of church.” It’s usually said a bit nervously, as if they’re expecting me to look disappointed or launch into persuasion. But I always smile — because actually, that’s one of the most honest and hopeful things anyone can say.

Let me say this clearly and gladly: the church is not just for people who’ve got it all sorted. Most of us haven’t! Church is for people who are searching, wondering, doubting, questioning, and sometimes just coming along for the companionship and coffee. That’s not only okay — it’s welcome.

If you’ve ever thought about coming into church but held back because you weren’t sure what you believed, please know that the door is still very much open. Church is not a club for the convinced. It’s a family of ordinary people who walk together through life’s joys and muddles and sometimes discover God walking with us.

Here are just a few reasons why it might be worth giving church a go, even if your faith is uncertain:
1. You don’t have to believe everything to come. You won’t be handed a test or asked to sign on the dotted line. Faith isn’t a switch you flick on — it’s more like a journey, with plenty of pauses, hills, doubts, and surprises along the way. You’re welcome to walk it at your own pace.
2. Church can be a breathing space. In a noisy world, the church can be a place to be still, sing, think, belong, or just sit with a cup of tea and not have to explain yourself. It offers gentle rhythms and familiar faces, and that can bring deep comfort, even if you’re not sure about God.
3. It’s a place of real community. At its best, the church is a group of people who look after each other — bringing meals when someone’s unwell, phoning when someone’s lonely, helping practically when life gets heavy. In our villages, that kind of care still matters deeply.
4. You might just find something more. Many have come along just for the community and found themselves quietly moved by something deeper. And even if you don’t, being among people who try (however imperfectly) to live by love, kindness, forgiveness, and hope is never a bad thing.
5. You don’t have to pretend. If you’re not sure what you believe, just say so. I promise no one will mind. In fact, we might just say, “Yes — me too, some days.”

So, if you’re curious, unsure, hopeful, lonely — or simply wondering what church might offer — come and see. There’ll be a warm welcome, a cup of tea, and no expectations.

With every blessing, Rev. Annette Vicar of Walbury Beacon

PRAYERS FOR TODAY
1    Help me to be mindful of your presence throughout the day, to make choices that align with your will, and to treat others with kindness and compassion. May I find joy in the simple moments and strength to overcome challenges. Amen.

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    Prayer of the Apostle Paul (Excerpted Modern English Translation) , based on the translation by Dieter Mueller:
You are my mind; bring me forth.
You are my treasure house; open for me.
You are my fullness; take me to you.
You are my repose; give me the perfect thing that cannot be grasped.

I invoke you, the one who is and who pre-existed,
In the name exalted above every name, through Jesus Christ,
The Lord of Lords, the King of the Ages.

Give me your gifts, of which you do not repent,
Through the Son of Man, the Spirit, the Paraclete of Truth.

Give me authority when I ask you.
Give healing for my body.
Redeem my eternal soul and spirit.

Reveal to my mind the First-born of the Pleroma of Grace.
Grant what no angel’s eye has seen,
What no archon’s ear has heard,
What has not entered into the human heart.

For yours is the power, the glory, and the greatness 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

The Benefice Ministry Team and a large congregation of adults, children and dogs again took their Sunday Service outdoors by celebrating Pentecost up on Combe Gibbet overlooking the beautiful countryside in glorious sunshine.

Pentecost marks the Holy Spirit's descent upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus in Jerusalem and is celebrated 50 days after Easter. The event involved a sound like a rushing wind, visible tongues of fire, and the apostles speaking in different languages. Our event involved singing hymns, waving coloured streamers, blowing bubbles, the banging of cymbals and flying kites. All of this was observed by some very surprised occupants of camper vans.

Thanks again to Annette and Alison for their creativity in bringing this service out of Church and into the community.

Lent Giving
Thank you again to all those who have given so generously during Lent in donation envelopes and online through the Parish Giving Scheme which amounted to £2,000 on top of recurring donations of £2,500. This is a significant contribution to our annual fundraising to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful Church and for our Ministry Team. We also received a donation of £500 from the Foxglove Farm Care Project. Thank you to Kathe Davies and Simon Bastable for their generosity.

Sponsor the Church Noticeboard
We are still hoping for someone to come forward with a donation for a noticeboard outside the Church lych gate which will cost of about £1000. Please contact the Church Wardens, inkpenchurch@outlook.com

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

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 7th September – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 14th September – Holy Communion at 8.30am
Sunday 21st September – Holy Communion at 9.45am

COMBE
Sunday 21st September – Holy Communion at 11.15am

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 14th September – Morning Celebration at 11.15am
Sunday 28th September – 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