St Catherine’s Youth Group ‘Sleep Out’ 2016

launchpad-logo-hq2St Catherine’s Youth Group are going to ‘sleep out’ in the church hall for Launchpad Reading because they help vulnerable single homeless people.

Please sponsor one of them, or visit their ‘Just Giving‘ page to donate.

Launchpad Reading give people in Reading a second chance… it’s something everyone deserves.. We’ve all made mistakes. But it’s not always easy to get back on a stable path. That’s where Launchpad help providing a place to live, skills to live independently and the confidence to get into employment.

This takes place on the evening of Friday 4th through to the morning of Saturday 5th. Click here for their Just Giving page.

Farewell message from Denis

Editors note : Denis formally left our parish on 14th October.  Here’s his farewell message which appeared in the magazine.

denis-twitter-photo-psI have been doing a Farewell tour of all the local schools that I have regularly visited in Tilehurst and Calcot. We have been thinking about Goodbyes and Farewells. Apparently centuries ago the two greetings went together “Faren Well” to the person departing, and the response “Good bye”, which of course came from the phrase “God be with you”.

In the School Assemblies our song to finish has been, “God has put a circle round us” by my friend Jenny Dann – which has been sung many times in all the schools. That song is really an “encircling prayer” emphasising the reality of God sending Jesus to be with us, and Jesus seeing the Holy Spirit is sent.

When Jesus left this earth he promised the Holy Spirit, and his followers were told to get on with living and stop staring up at the sky. God would provide a new way. Life with God would go on, as it will still go on in the years to come here in Tilehurst and Calcot.

Priscilla and I are not going far, only to Basingstoke, from there I will still help in the Diocese of Oxford by Coordinating their “Conflict Transformation Team” and do similar work outside the Diocese. I will also be involved in helping the various Christian Healing organisations I have supported over the years, Crowhurst in Sussex, Harnhill near Cirencester and CHM in London. So I’ll be working in the power of the same Holy Spirit in new ways.

So to all the people of faith here, may you be encircled with the presence of God and carry on doing the job of being the people of God in this place. It has been a privilege to serve the community for 14 years, a time of many changes and many blessings. When a new person arrives there will be changes again, and new things will become important. Be an encourager of one another, and welcome and encourage your new minister.

I hope that some of the things I have done and said have made you think about Jesus and helped you on your journey of faith.

So as you say Farewell – I say Good bye. May the love of God encircle us all, and the Holy Spirit empower us in Jesus’ name.

Denis

Messy Church : 1st October – Farewells

messy-church-oct-16They say “All good things must come to an end” and after 14 years, Denis’s time with us as Vicar is indeed coming to an end as he moves onto pastures new.

Please come and join us at Messy Church on Saturday 1st October to hear Denis reflect upon “Farewells”.  While there’ll be a hint of sadness in the air, we’ll still have our usual mixture of Fun, Faith and Food.

So please join at St Catherine’s on Saturday at 3:30 pm.  Bring a friend !

 

 

Harvest Special Lunch – Friday 23rd September ’16

harvest-2016-v3St Catherine’s Café is serving a Harvest Special Lunch on Friday 23rd September at 1:15pm.

Two courses, consisting of :-

  • Cottage Pie with Vegetables
  • Apple Pie & Cream or Ice Cream

for only £5.50.

There is also a special combined deal of £7.50 for those also attending the Friday Friends talk on the “Changing Face of Reading”.

To book a place ask at the Café, Friday Friends or see one of the Churchwardens or email info@StCatherines-Tilehurst.org.uk

Being the People of God today – Saturday 17th September

People 1          People 2

This event, led by the new Bishop of Oxford, aims to help us explore what it means to be God’s people today.   It will address such questions as:-

  • How can we, as church gathered and church dispersed, respond to the world’s hunger for justice, relationship and love?
  • Where do we see God at work?
  • How do we pay attention to it?
  • How can we support one another to respond?

The organisers’ vision is “to gather 200 people from across the Berkshire Archdeaconry who have:

  • a passion for the gospel
  • a longing to see change – in both world and church
  • a commitment to struggle for it“

Might you be one of those “200 people”? If so, please see the attached flyer (click on the images above) and go to:
http://www.beingpeopleofgod.eventbrite.com