Newsletter: April, 2003

Joint Statement from Religious Leaders

We have gathered against the backdrop of military action in Iraq involving British forces. They, their families and everyone caught up in this conflict are in our thoughts and prayers — especially those whose lives or loved ones have been lost.

As religious leaders from several faiths, we are here to signal the common ground on which we stand and to reaffirm the values we share at this time of tension, conflict and discord.

We pray that almighty God will grant wisdom, judgement and compassion to the political and military leaders who carry the immense burden of responsibility for the way this war is prosecuted.

Respect for every human being in times of armed conflict, as set out in the Geneva conventions and protocols, must be guaranteed on all sides. The rights and needs of civilians innocently affected by the conflict must be fully protected.

This is a conflict neither about religion nor between religions. We completely reject any attempt to misrepresent it in this way. As Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders in this country, we believe that it is vital, amid so much uncertainty and turmoil, to resist any attempt to drive our communities apart.

We commend the continuing efforts being made in Britain to build a society in which different faith communities can flourish side-by-side in mutual respect and harmony.

We urge all communities to maintain their commitment to this goal, at a time when it may come under strain. We commit ourselves fully to strive to that end, for the sake of our shared well-being and as a mark of our commitment to a more harmonious, less conflict-ridden world.

Although, sadly, the diplomatic road is currently blocked, military action can only be a limited means to an end. We pray that early efforts to achieve a just, lasting and secure peace both in Iraq and throughout the Middle East may follow swiftly in the footsteps of war. We urge those with the power to help make real this vision, to remain true, amid the clamour of conflict, to that noble and vital purpose.

It is a vision which we commend in the confident belief that by so doing we are acting in the true interests of our God given humanity.

This joint statement has been issued by: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams
The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor
The Free Churches Moderator, Revd David Coffey
The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks
Chairman of the Council of Mosques and Imams UK, Shaikh Dr Zaki Badawi
Co-President of Churches Together in England, Revd Esme Beswick

All of us are living in difficult times, but our churches must be a reminder of love and support for all who are bewildered and perplexed. Our faith teaches us that through all things, God reigns. As God's children, we must actively work for reconciliation, for peace and for justice. We are still in the time of Lent, when we reflect upon Jesus' walk toward the ultimate sacrifice of death on the cross, we also know that "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness is unable to overcome it."

The Gospel dispels fear not only when we hear it, but also when we live it day by day. Yes, This is the season of Lent, but Easter is on the horizon with its glorious news of the Resurrection of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. God reigns. We are assured of the future. On Easter Day may we join together and say "Alleluia, God reigns over sin and death".

In the meantime we must reach out to and find new ways to reaffirm our solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. We all are descendants of Abraham and Sarah. It will not be known by some that the original home of Abraham and Sarah was in Ur — part of modern day Iraq. I am asking that we all pray for the people of Iraq, especially the women and children.

Lorna Smith

NEWS IN BRIEF
Bishop John will officiate at the next Deanery Confirmation which will be in St Jude’s Church on Wednesday 14th May at 8.00pm. Anyone who is interested should give their names to the Vicar soon.

We were very sad to hear of the death of Mrs Lilian Searle last month. Many long-term residents of Englefield Green will remember her for her long service as a teacher in St Jude’s School.

The second Lent Lunch will be at the Vicarage on Tuesday 8th April at 12.15pm. Please let the Vicar know if you would like to attend.

CONGRATULATIONS
Not only did Lorna, our Vicar, achieve her 60th birthday last month, she also raised around £1100 for the Parish Centre Appeal. This came from a Coffee Morning at home and various gifts. Many thanks to all those who were able to support this.

WORKAID
Workaid is a charity which collects together various handtools and other equipment which is refurbished and then sent to some of the poorest countries in the world. At the moment they are in desperate need of chisels, planes, hacksaws, leatherwork and shoe repair tools, garden hand tools, construction & maintenance tools and Singer manual and treadle sewing machines. If you have any of these items which you would like to donate, please bring them along to St Jude’s between 1.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturdays..

ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be in St Jude’s Church on Sunday 6th April following the 9.30am Eucharist service. This is the occasion when the Churchwardens are elected, accounts and annual report are presented, members of the PCC are elected and everyone has an opportunity to review the events of the previous year and look forward to the forthcoming events.

FROM THE REGISTERS
Holy Baptism:
(2nd March) Jonathan Charles Boxer; (9th) Clara Josephine Fraser McKee.

Holy Matrimony:
(8th March) Graham Padfield and Sandra Lawrence.

Funerals:
(3rd March) Anthony Guy Codling (Tony); (6th) Winifred Brown; (17th) Alice Nash; (18th) Lillian Martha Searle.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION

MANY HANDS
On Thursday 24th and Friday 25th April, Geoff, Liz and Catherine Chew will be playing music for four and six hands on one and two pianos. This will be at 8.00pm at The Mount, Malt Hill, Egham. The programme will include music by Bach, Schubert and Tchaikovsky, and there will also be some lighter moments. The admission price of £5 will include wine and/or soft drinks, and all proceeds will go to the Parish Centre Appeal. More details from any member of the Chew family on 01784 435664.

COFFEE MORNING
After a break of several months, the Coffee Mornings outside St Jude’s start up again in April. The first one of the new year will be on Saturday 12th April starting at 10.00am and finishing by 12 noon. It will be inside the Church if the weather is wet.

The money raised at this event will be sent to the Barnabas Trust which is working for Christians in Iraq. Offers of cakes, biscuits, preserves, etc will be very welcome. Please come along and have coffee and a chat.

EGVRA TABLE TOP SALE
There will be an EGVRA Table Top Sale in the Social Hall, Harvest Road on Saturday 12th April from 10.00am– 1.00pm. Entrance 20p. To book a table (£5), contact Jo Curran on 436003.

GARDEN PARTY MEETING
This year’s Garden Party will be on Saturday 12th July at the Vicarage in Willow Walk. We need to start planning for this now and would welcome anyone interested to come along to an informal chat about the event. This will be on Tuesday 8th April at 8.00pm at the Vicarage.

CAR BOOT SALE
St Jude’s School will be holding a Car Boot Sale at the School in Bagshot Road on Sunday 6th April from 1.00pm to 3.00pm. £5 per car or pitch, £7 for small vans, tables (for hire) £1. Set up 12.30 to 12.30pm. Gates open 1.00pm entrance 50p. Earlybirds entrance 12.30pm to 1.00pm £1.50. Cakes and refreshments available. Information 477922/433869.

CALENDAR FOR APRIL
6 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP)
9.30am Youth Eucharist followed by the Annual Vestry Meeting
and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting 3.00pm Holy Baptism
7 Monday 8.00pm Compline and Prayer time
8 Tuesday 12.15pm Lent Lunch at the Vicarage
8.00pm Meeting at the Vicarage to discuss the July Garden Party
9 Wednesday St Jude’s Players Annual Meeting in the Social Hall at 8.00pm
12 Saturday 10.00 to 12 noon Coffee Morning outside St Jude's Church
13 PALM SUNDAY 9.30 Liturgy of the Day starting at the Cemetery Gate
11.30am Holy Baptism, 6.30pm Evensong and Sermon
Monday 14th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Holy Communion
Tuesday 15th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Holy Communion
Wednesday 16th April
9.00am Morning Prayer
10.00am Holy Communion
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Compline
Thursday 17th April (Maundy Thursday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Liturgy of the Day followed by The Watch until midnight
Friday 18th April (Good Friday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
12 noon Good Friday Liturgy
5.00pm Evening Prayer
Saturday 19th April (Holy Saturday)
9.00am Morning Prayer
5.00pm Evening Prayer
8.00pm Lighting of the New Fire and the Pascal Candle, Holy Baptism
20 EASTER SUNDAY 8.00am Holy Communion, 9.30am Sung Eucharist and Holy Baptism
21 Monday of Easter Week 9.15am Holy Communion
22 Tuesday of Easter Week 9.15am Holy Communion
24 Thursday Musical Evening at The Mount, Malt Hill, Egham
25 Friday Musical Evening at The Mount, Malt Hill, Egham
Symonds Stage School Enrolment Evening 6.30–9.00pm Church Hall
27 SECOND SUNDAY OF