church letter

My dear friends,
As we gather around the manger this Christmas, I’m struck by just how much has unfolded in 2025. We are all a year older (some of us more willing to admit it than others!), yet with that passing of time comes a deeper sense of who we are as a church and as a community.

Across our country, we’ve seen moments of change. A new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally D.B.E., brings a fresh voice of faith and encouragement to the Church of England. Here in our diocese, our new Bishop, Mary Emma Gregory, guides us with wisdom and care, supporting parishes like ours as we grow in faith and serve our communities.

Here in our parish, we’ve seen signs of renewed life. New faces have joined us, familiar ones have stepped into new roles, and long‑prayed‑for ministries have begun to take shape. In our homes, life has unfolded in its own beautiful way: grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even furry companions have brought fresh joy. These arrivals remind us that love is always coming into our lives, renewing and sustaining us.

Christmas itself brings a similar gift. The glow of lights, familiar carols, and well-loved traditions remind us of stories, people, and moments that shape us. Yet Christmas is not just about looking back—it’s about Emmanuel, God with us now. In a world that often feels uncertain, the birth of Jesus anchors us in hope that does not fail.

As we step into January and the season of Epiphany, that hope invites us to journey further. Just as the wise men followed the star, we are called to follow the light of Christ into the world—bringing love, kindness, and hope wherever we go. This is a season of discovery, of noticing where God is at work, and of joining in that work with courage and joy.

So, as we enter 2026—older, perhaps wiser, and hopefully a little kinder—may we carry with us the message of the stable: that light shines in darkness, love is stronger than fear, and God’s future is always bigger than we imagine. May our parish continue to grow in faith and community, and may God bless you and your loved ones abundantly in the year ahead.

Wishing you a peaceful, joyful Christmas and a bright, hope-filled Epiphany.

With love and prayers, your vicar, Annette

PRAYERS FOR TODAY
1    Shine on us, O Son of God, with grace unfailing, granting us the gift of wisdom, the power of faith and the endurance of hope. Amen.
Ethiopian Orthodox

2    "I thank Thee, Lord, today
For Thy unfailing presence Along life's rugged way.
Guide me, O blest Redeemer,
Teach me to do Thy will,
And Thine own perfect purpose In me each day fulfill."
Avis Christiansen

3   "God grant you the light of Christmas, which is faith;
the warmth of Christmas, which is purity;
the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;
the belief in Christmas, which is truth;
the all of Christmas, which is Christ."
Wilda English

4    The Lord’s Prayer – Gnostic Order of Christ Version:
O Giver of All Life, Who Is in Heaven and in Earth,
In Whom We Live, Move, And Have Our Being,
Holy Is Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done in Earth, as it Is in Heaven.
Give Us this Day Our Daily Bread, And Forgive Us Our Trespasses
As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us.
Keep Us from Temptation, Keep Us Ever Mindful of Thee.
For Thine Is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory,
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

We are very grateful to lay reader Andy Pain who led our Remembrance Service in November and to John Seabridge who preached with great emotion about memories of his grandfather’s experiences in the First World War. The service was, as always, very moving as a candle was lit by Wilf Webb during the playing of Elgar’s Nimrod. Thanks to David Thomas who lent the 1914/18 soldiers’ candle holder which belonged to his grandfather while serving with the Royal Surreys. The First Christmas by Ethel King Martin 1910, Inkpen Church .

Our Advent Services begin with Christingle and Puppets at 4pm on 7th December. This is a candlelit service where the promise of oranges, sweets and puppets ensures a Church packed with children. Meg kindly invites any children (and adults too) to her house in Heads Lane to make the Christingles at 10 o’clock on Saturday 6th. Drop Meg an email to let her know you are coming megandtonyatkins@googlemail.com

The Carol Service is on Sunday 21st December at 6.30. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served from 6 o’clock to warm everybody up. There will be a small choir for this service and if anyone would like to sing in it, please contact Christopher Sears at treasurer.inkpenchurch@outlook.com

On Christmas Day we have our usual two-part service starting at 9.45 with a Family Service, followed, after a short break to release cooks and over-excited children, by a short service of Holy Communion.

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

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
December
Sunday 7th December – Christingle with Puppets at 4pm
Sunday 14th December – Holy Communion at 8.30
Sunday 21st December – Carol Service at 6.30 pm with Mulled Wine and Mince Pies from 6pm
Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day Service at 9.45, Family Service followed by Holy Communion
January
Sunday 4th January – Compline at 4pm
Sunday 11th January – Holy Communion at 8.30am (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 18th January – Holy Communion at 9.45am

COMBE
Sunday 21st December – Carol Service at 3pm Thursday 25th December -
Christmas Day Service at 11.15am

WEST WOODHAY
Thursday 25th December – Christmas Day Service at 11.15am Holy Communion
Sunday 11th January – Morning Prayer at 11.15am
Sunday 25th January – 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