church letter

Generations Together: Learning God’s Wisdom Across the Ages

One of the Church’s greatest gifts is its ability to bring together people of all ages—babies to great-grandparents—under one roof, singing the same hymns, sharing the same prayers, and holding onto the same hope.

Each generation brings something precious to our life of faith. Children remind us how to trust simply and deeply. I remember a little boy who, when his grandfather was very ill, folded his hands in church and whispered, “I know God hears me, even when I don’t know what to say.” His quiet confidence was a powerful reminder that prayer begins with presence.

Young people often see truth with rare clarity. One shared during youth group, “I don’t know all the answers, but I know Jesus stood with people who felt left out. That helps me get through the week.” Her words reminded us that theology lives not just in books but in school corridors and daily struggles.

Adults often carry heavy loads—caring for others, managing work, and holding families together. One young mother told me, “I don’t get much time to pray, but I talk to God while doing the washing up, in the car, and worrying about my children.” In her honesty, she showed how faith can be woven into the everyday.

Our older generations bring the quiet strength of lived experience. One man nearing the end of his life said, “I’ve had times I didn’t feel God at all. But looking back, I see His footprints through it all.” His assurance, born of a lifetime of walking with God, was deeply moving.

When we gather across generations, we become more than a congregation—we become a living body, rich in memory and full of promise. As it says in Joel 2:28: “Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” No voice is too small, no story too old, no person without something to teach or learn.

To truly live this out, we must be intentional. Here are some simple ways we could aim to grow together as a church:
• Invite young people to read or lead in services alongside elders.
• Pair different generations as prayer partners.
• Host story-sharing evenings where older members reflect and younger ones ask questions.
• Involve elders in children’s groups to share their faith journeys.
• Create skill-swaps—young teaching old and vice versa.
• Visit the lonely in mixed-age pairs.

Let us not only share space, but share life—learning, listening, and walking together as one people of God.
With every blessing,
Rev. Annette Vicar of Walbury Beacon

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)

Church Contacts

Benefice Administrator: Tamara Laing, part-time at the Benefice Office Email: wbboffice@gmail.com 07359 327072.

Churchwardens:
Inkpen: Charlotte Bampfylde (tel. 669285).
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

Rogation Service at Highwood Farm Sunday 25th May
At least 75 adults and 30 children enjoyed a joyous outdoor Rogation Service with activity bags for the children, thanking God for the gifts of the land and those that work so hard in farming and conservation. This was followed by barbequed lamb buns from the Estate and tractor tours explaining the Regenerative Agricultural regime in use and its positive impact on the ecosystems. Many thanks to Harry Henderson, Stuart Cath and others for their hospitality.

Lent Giving
Thank you again to all those who have given so generously during Lent in donation envelopes and online through the Parish Giving Scheme which amounted to £2,000 on top of recurring donations of £2,500. This is a significant contribution to our annual fundraising to pay for the upkeep of our beautiful Church and for our Ministry Team. We also received a donation of £500 from the Foxglove Farm Care Project. Thank you to Kathe Davies and Simon Bastable for their generosity.

Sponsor the Church Noticeboard
We are still hoping for someone to come forward with a donation for a noticeboard outside the Church lych gate which will cost of about £1000. Please contact the Church Wardens, inkpenchurch@outlook.com

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 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
Sunday 1st June – 6pm Compline
Sunday 8th June – 8.30am Holy Communion and at 11.00am Pentecost, Benefice Family Service on Combe Gibbet
Sunday 15th June – 9.45am Holy Communion
Sunday 6th July – 6pm Compline
Sunday 13th July - 8.30am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 20th July - 9.45am Holy Communion

COMBE
Sunday 15th June – 11.15am Holy Communion

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 22nd June – 11.15am Holy Communion

READING MINSTER
Saturday 28th June – 11.30am Alison Dean’s Ordination

KINTBURY
Sunday 29th June – 4.30pm Pimms & Hymns, Kintbury (Choir meet at 3pm)

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