church letter

Dear friends,

As you may have heard, our church roof had some very unwelcome visitors during the night of Friday, 5th September. Thieves tried to remove lead from the roof, but thankfully, the alarm system worked exactly as it should. The police were alerted quickly, and the culprits left in such a hurry that they abandoned the lead! The police helpfully moved the material into the porch so it couldn’t be collected later – a rather undignified end to the thieves’ efforts.

Of course, the incident has left us with repairs to make, but here’s the good news: the church has already been made waterproof, thanks to some wonderful people. Enormous gratitude goes to Pauline, who answered the alarm call in the small hours and calmly met with the police, and to Gill Guy, who immediately arranged for a temporary cover to be placed on the roof. Because of their quick action, the church remained ready for worship, prayer, and community life without interruption.

This might feel like a setback, but let’s see it in the light of Scripture. In Genesis 50, Joseph – who endured betrayal and hardship – says to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” What was meant for damage and loss has, instead, become a moment that shows the strength, resilience, and care of this community. The thief came to steal, but God’s people came together to protect, repair, and encourage.

So, what now? We will need to make sure the roof is secure for the long term, and there may be costs involved. But I am confident that, as we have done so often before, we will rise to the challenge together. If you can support financially, or lend practical help, your contribution will be a real blessing.

The church is not defeated – far from it! Our building still stands strong, our community even stronger, and our faith strongest of all. What could have been a story of loss has become one of resilience, gratitude, and hope. With thanks for each of you, and with every blessing, Yours in Christ, Revd Annette

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

Harvest Festival Sunday 19th October 9.45
The Church will be beautifully decorated with all sorts of produce for our Celebration and Thanksgiving Service for Harvest Festival. This will be a Family Service with we hope lots of children participating and bringing their gifts to be blessed.

All kinds of groceries are welcome, not just fresh fruits and vegetables, and everything will be taken to the Newbury Soup Kitchen where it is always gratefully received. This marvellous charity strives to help people who are marginalised and experiencing poverty in Newbury and West Berkshire by providing healthy food provision and outreach.

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.

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

BELL RINGING AT ST. MICHAEL'S
Along with the beacon system - ours was on Walbury Hill - church bells were a critical part of England's defence against the Spanish Armada in 1588 when they were used to signal the approach of the fleet and to summon the militia to arms. Following this, smaller churches including ours here in Inkpen were required to have at least one bell. So, two years later in 1590 our first bell was cast and, since most church bells are given a name, it was called John after John Wallis who made it.

Well, we now have six, all finely tuned and in perfect working order. In addition to John, we have William in 1659 and Thomas in 1734. Then a long gap to Hilary in 1988 and Barbara in 2000. Our sixth is the Millennium Bell with the inscription on it reading "Given by the people of Inkpen in the year of Our Lord 2000, it was named Michael: Joy to the World".

All the bells are fixed for statutory chiming which makes them easy to ring. It also has the added benefit that we can undertake 'change ringing' by varying the sequence which is comparable with that achieved by the much more difficult 'swing ring' method which is more normal. We ring twice a month before a church service and then for celebrations such as weddings, Royal events and commemorations such as those for VE and VJ Days.

Currently we have a team of 9 regular ringers with 4 others who give occasional help, but we are always looking for more. So if you think you might be interested contact Elsa or Gerald Atkinson on tel. 01488 668375 and we will arrange a time when, with others, you can try it and see. Surprising as it may seem, most people find it quite easy to learn and a good ring is very satisfying. You would be part of a long village history indeed.

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 5th October – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 12th October – Holy Communion at 8.30am
Sunday 19th October – Harvest Festival - Holy Communion at 9.45am

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

COMBE
Sunday 19th October – Combe Harvest at 11.15am

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 12th October – Morning Celebration at 11.15am
Sunday 26th October – 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