church letter

Dear Friends

Most of you will already know that after four years of ministry here, and now at age 65, I will be retiring as your vicar in five months. Serving alongside you has been a privilege, and I am deeply grateful for the care, energy, and commitment you bring to your parishes.

When I arrived, I saw evidence of the struggles and dysfunction left by the previous interregnum. The vicar had left under difficult circumstances, and the house-for-duty clergy had been expected to carry far too many responsibilities. Covid added further pressure. Despite this, the PCC, churchwardens, and ministry team worked tirelessly to keep the churches running, often under great strain, and I want to acknowledge the dedication that made continuity possible.

Since then, together we have built a stronger, healthier benefice. Leadership is secure, the ministry team is larger and well-supported, and the churches are full of energy and potential. We have explored imaginative services—outdoor celebrations, festivals, and events that have drawn swelling all-age congregations—and seen parish life grow in exciting ways.

As I prepare to retire, the diocese is leading the process to appoint a new vicar. The post may be filled as one role or split between two people, but either way, the aim is to ensure every parish continues to receive strong, reliable leadership and support.

I pledge to do all I can in the coming months to support the ministry team, churchwardens, and PCC, to ensure the benefice is as ready as possible for the next chapter, and to leave it in a healthy, confident position for the future.
During the interregnum, there are practical ways everyone can help and show appreciation for those who keep the churches running:
Please....
• Encourage and thank churchwardens, PCC members, and the ministry team—even a kind word makes a difference.
• Volunteer for practical tasks such as opening or closing the church, cleaning, preparing for services, or helping with events. It reduces the pressure on the few.
• Attend services and activities when you can; your presence strengthens the community and lifts those who are working so hard.
• Be patient and flexible, understanding that the team will be working hard to maintain everything.

As Scripture reminds us: “So we rebuilt the wall…for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6) and “Just as a body has many parts…so it is with Christ’s body” (1 Corinthians 12:12). Every contribution and word of encouragement matters.

Thank you for all you do to sustain your churches and for valuing those who serve them. I leave confident that the benefice will continue to thrive and serve everyone in our communities: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

With warmest wishes, Revd 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

LENT GIVING
We are appealing to everyone here in Inkpen to make a donation towards our running costs for the St Michael and All Angels Church, the graveyards and the Bulletin.

Please pay online through the Parish Giving Scheme on www.parishgiving.org.uk
Enter Inkpen in the search box, then click on Find your Church. Click on Give Now beside Inkpen St Michael All Angels and then on Regular Giving or One-off Gift (we pay a 1.5% transaction cost for one-off gifts so Regular Giving is preferable). Your gifts are enhanced by having tax refunded through Gift Aid.

Otherwise, there is a secure bucket in the Crown & Garter Café using the available Gift Aid envelopes. Mark the envelope “Bulletin” if that is what you prefer your donation to be used for.

Thank you!

PALM SUNDAY
The donkeys will be making the symbolic journey to the Church from Totterdown via Sadlers Road and the Drove in time to start the Palm Sunday service outside the Lych Gate.

GOOD FRIDAY
There will be a quiet service of readings and meditation from 1130hrs to 1215hrs. Please feel free to come and go during that solemn time for reflection.

EASTER
The Church will be full again with families and children for a short Easter Family Service followed by Holy Communion.

OTHER FAMILY SERVICES
Alongside our more traditional services, we try to provide opportunities for the Church to reach out to our community and especially families and children in a less formal way. Come and enjoy the occasion:

Rogation 10th May – outdoor service at Inkpen Church with activity bags for children. Google says “Rogation is an ancient church festival to seek blessing for a community and its sustenance. The word rogation comes from the Latin verb rogare, meaning “to ask”, which reflects the beseeching of God for protection from calamities”! Parishioners from other Churches are being asked to walk to the service in Inkpen to “beat the bounds”, praying for the good care of the environment – a very contemporary prayer and aspiration.

Pet Service 28th June – Bring all pets – potential for glorious chaos!

Meg would like to thank everyone who came to her Lent Lunch today and gave so generously. We raised £150 for Loose Ends in Newbury. All the money will go towards clothing and meals for the homeless in Newbury.

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
Friday 3rd April – Good Friday at 11.30
Sunday 5th April - EASTER DAY Family Communion and lots of eggs at 9.45am
Sunday 12th April - Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at 8.30 am
Sunday 19th April - Parish Communion at 9.45

Sunday 3rd May – Compline at 6pm
Sunday 10th May – Benefice Rogation at 9.45am
Sunday 17th May – Parish Communion at 9.45am
Sunday 24th May – PENTECOST Family Service, Flying Kites on Combe Gibbet at 10am

WEST WOODHAY
Sunday 5th April – Easter Sunday Family Communion at 11.15am

COMBE Sunday 5th April – Easter Sunday Holy Communion at 11.15am
Sunday 19th April – Service Cancelled.

CHURCH SERVICES AT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HUNGERFORD
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

BAPTISM ANNOUNCEMENT

OBITUARIES

A victorian view - now and then

The images of St. Michael's past and present are shown here