July 2009

What is on Offer? | Village Centre | 150th Anniversary | Pictorial Exhibition | Boys' Brigade

2010 Calendar | Crusaders | Methodist building | From the Registers | Calendar for July

Confessions | Stamps | Evensong | Tabletop Sale | Summer Fair

What is on Offer?
When you take a walk around our village you cannot help be aware of the various buildings which are quite significant in our lives, such as the schools and the grand College building, symbols of learning. Then we have the variety of pubs where we can choose to socialise, the village green for sport, the shops and restaurants and of course the houses, great and small that make up the whole picture of where we live.

There is one building right in the centre easily passed by, yet it has stood for 150 years, St Jude's Church. This building although surrounded by symbols of death is in fact a symbol of hope. It is a place where we see new beginnings, mums and dads bring their infants for baptism and years later see them walk down the aisle to be married.

In an uncertain and changing world, with the foundations of government and finance not seeming so firm, and the future of our planet threatened by so many environmental disasters, there is a need to pause in the mad rush of our lives and to ask ourselves where is it all leading to?

Strangely enough the people who have entered St Jude's over the 150 years have all been through a crisis or two, wars, recession, redundancy and many more disasters. So we are not alone in this generation. They came and still come to meet with a God who cares. Some strongly believe He does, others are searching. Many have found peace and hope even if they don't fully understand. What they do find is that the other people they meet there are normal, with similar ambitions, joys and cares, people of all ages and colour united under the one roof seeking to meet with the Living God.

There is a powerful verse in the Bible that is read at Christmastime but applies to all the year, it says "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light: and those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." The light mentioned in the sentence refers to Jesus Christ and as a light lights up the way ahead and can give a person confidence to carry on, so Jesus offers that same hope and assurance. He has said "I am the way, the truth and the life", this is quite a statement for those seeking to find their way through the labyrinth of life and are concerned about truth, let alone life.

We are bombarded by offers, from Asda, Sainsburys and the like, great if you want the things on offer. We have to go and get them to benefit (forget the on line bit). You don't have to come to St Jude's to find out more about Jesus' great offer, but it helps to talk to people who are on the same road of enquiry and are able to help with some answers. Could you be missing out by not coming?

Roy Gouriet

What is a Village Centre?

The heart of the village? The centre of the village? A place for people to meet, have a relaxing cuppa and chat over light refreshments? Maybe the village centre is the church or the village green. What would YOU like it to be?

Coming soon - Englefield Green Village Centre

After years of jumping through legal hoops, planning applications and so forth we are pleased to say that our vision to turn the Methodist Church (a Grade two listed building) in Victoria Street into The Village Centre is drawing nearer.

The rear of the premises will be rebuilt and together with the front part of the building will offer:

Somewhere for everyone to meet, chat, drink tea/coffee/ soft drinks enjoy cakes etc; a general meeting place which will aim to become the 'hub' of the village. Meeting rooms will be available for hire, as well as having a new kitchen and toilets.

As well as being a place to meet and rooms for hire, our vision is that it will be somewhere where you can find a listening ear (in confidence), find advice on a whole range of issues, make new friends, feel wanted...almost a second home.

We can have film nights, quiz nights, dancing (sorry no alcohol!) children's parties and much more. We feel that Englefield Green has lost out in so many ways over recent years and it's about time we had some good news.

It is hoped that phase one (the rebuilding of the rear of the premises) will start late summer and phase two (the refurbishment of the interior at the front) will follow as soon as we can raise the rest of the money.

If you would like to support The Village Centre appeal, then please send your donations, of whatever size, to Mrs D. Lewis, 17 Beauforts, Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey TW20 0DW. Cheques should be made payable to "Englefield Green Methodist Church" but earmarked The Village Centre Appeal. Please enclose a SAE if you would like a receipt.

Thank you in anticipation of your support.

Linda Ashford, Methodist Pastor and the Village Centre Development team

BOYS' BRIGADE
The Boys Brigade has expressed an interest in setting up a unit in Englefield Green, based at St Jude's Church. To do this they need a team of local adult volunteers to run it. If anyone is interested in getting involved please would they contact the Vicar. All volunteers will need to undergo normal child safety checks.

CRUSADERS (Urban Saints)
Crusaders' Camp at the end of May was deemed 'one of the best'. The weather was marvellous, the fun and fellowship great and both children and adults moved on in their journey of faith.

CONFESSIONS
Following a request which came out of discussions at the Alpha course, Mark wishes it to be known that he is available to hear confessions by arrangement.

EVENSONG
There is a service of Evensong according to the Book of Common Prayer in St Jude's Church at 6.30pm on the second Sunday of each month. In June this will be on the 14th. Although Evensong in larger establishments with big choirs can leave the congregation with little to do except listen, here in Englefield Green we have three or even four hymns and the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis to sing as well as join in with the said passages. The congregation is small but regular and it would be so good if more people came along to ensure that this old traditional service can continue to be conducted in our Church.

150th ANNIVERSARY
On 28th October 2009, St Jude's Church will be 150 years old. To celebrate this anniversary throughout 2009, there will be regular events of many kinds. All free admission with donations welcome!

Saturday 4th July 2009 4.00pm, in church: Song recital, programme to be announced (Lieder, opera, show songs) (Ruth Hopkins and Geoffrey Chew).

Sunday 12th July 2009 11.15am, in church, after the 9.30 morning service: St Jude's School presents their annual show, "Hoodwinked" (a take on the Robin Hood story), It's lively and tongue-in-cheek, and there are some catchy songs and it will last no longer than an hour.

Saturday 18th July 2009 afternoon, in the churchyard around the church: St Jude's Summer Fair, with announcement of results of local art competition for children.

Saturday 1st August 2009 4.00pm, in church: Piano recital with solos and duets mainly by Chopin and Schubert (Catherine Chew and Geoffrey Chew).

Friday 7th August to Sunday 9th August 2009, during the day: Runnymede Art Society exhibition in church (some pictures will be on sale, a proportion of the proceeds to go to church funds).

Plus exhibition of pictures illustrating the life of the church and the community during the 150 years since the church was built, in church, at all times when the church is open, including Saturday afternoons 2.00-4.00pm.

Details of the concerts recitals may be found on a link from the home page.

PICTORIAL EXHIBITIONS
As from Saturday 31st January, there will be pictorial exhibitions at St Jude's on Saturday afternoons, with reproductions of documents and historic images illustrating events and personalities in the life of the church and the parish over the past 150 years. These will change from time to time during the year. Some of them may need the help of the public in identifying people shown in them, so we hope for your contributions!

SUMMER FAIR
With this Newsletter comes a sheet listing all the shops and businesses which have kindly advertised in our Summer Fair Programme. Do come along on the day (18th July) to get your copy of the full programme and please support the advertisers.

There is also a short local Quiz - do have a go. Instructions on how to enter are on the Quiz sheet itself.

At the Fair, there will be the Grand Draw which is your opportunity to try to win £100 and other prizes and all the usual stalls. There will also be the announcement of results of a local art competition for children and local accordionists will play for us during the afternoon.

Tickets for the Grand Draw are available in Church (Saturdays 2.00pm-4.00pm and after the normal services).

TABLE TOP SALE
If you have items to sell and would like to make some money, why not take part in our tabletop sale. £10 a pitch, but please bring your own table and waterproofing if weather is wet. If you would like to reserve a pitch, please leave a message on 01784 434254 or email: tabletop@stjudeschurch.info.

CALENDAR 2010
Given the popularity of the calendar produced last year in recognition of 150 years of St Jude's Church, we will produce another one featuring the Church and the surrounding area, for sale in about October. If you have any photographs that would make a good scene for the calendar please speak to Louise Bunce or email them to L.Bunce@ brookes.ac.uk.

STAMPS
Rita Berry on 433560 would be pleased to hear from anyone who collects stamps for a charity.

METHODIST BUILDING
Please note that the Methodist Church in Victoria Street is now called The Village Centre.

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Baptism:
(14th June) Freddie Dickens, Stanley Brookes; (21st) Mia Meacher.

Holy Matrimony:
(29th May) Colin Bruce and Alla Isakovskaya; (13th June) Neal Brookes and Michelle Edser.

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CALENDAR FOR JULY 2009

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