Church buildings are opening, please see below for forthcoming services on Sunday 9th August.
8.00am BCP All Saints Church, Swallowfield
9.30am on Zoom
10.00am Family service on Zoom
11.00am CW, Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church, Shinfield – Booking through the office (0118 988 5923 or ) is required, limited 30 spaces. This service will also be live streamed on Zoom for those wishing to join from home.
Please note that it is now a requirement to wear a face mask in a place of worship. All services are subject to change in accordance with current Government guidelines.
Churches open for Private prayer:
All Saints’, Swallowfield – The church will not be opening, but as of Sunday 5th July, there will be the opportunity to visit the Churchyard to talk and pray between 2pm and 3pm. If the weather is summery, please bring your own garden chair. The church porch will be useful if the weather is inclement.
St Mary’s, Shinfield – The church will be open each Wednesday from 10am-12 noon. Two volunteers will be in attendance to facilitate and guide.
St Mary the Virgin, Beech Hill – Should anyone desire to access the church for Private Prayer, please contact Rev David Little 0118 988 3858 to make arrangements.
Benefice Newsletter
The 32nd Newsletter for Sunday 25th October follow this link
Resources
10.00am Sunday worship from the Oxford Diocese
9.00am Sunday worship from the Church of England
There's Diocesan Worship on Sundays and Holy Days on 01865 920930. You need to dial 0 for the short service or 1 for the full Church at Home
Daily Hope offers music, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind.
For anyone caring for someone in a care home or elsewhere, please click here for Visual Prayers at the bedside.
If anyone wishes to follow a liturgy for a funeral service they are unable to attend please click here
Reflections from Bishop Steven
The first reflection Like a tree planted by streams of water
The second reflection You are my Son
The third reflection The Lord sustains me
The fourth reflections Commune with your heart and be still
The fifth reflection I will come into your house
The sixth reflection Lord heal me
The Seventh reflection God is a Righteous God
The Eighth reflection What are human beings that you are mindful of them
The Ninth relection A more Christlike Church
The Tenth reflection The River of Life
The Eleventh reflection Living is Christ and dying is gain
The Twelth reflection How to Face Enormous Problems
The Thirteenth reflection Finding Strength from the Centre
The Fourteenth reflection Rejoice in the Lord always
Bishop Steven has begun a new set of podcasts for the Autumn
Those who wait for the Lord will renew their Strength
Living well through the next six months
When you pass through the waters I will be with you
Prayer Resources
Daily prayer online
Daily prayer app Apple or Android
Lectio365 daily devotional prayer app Apple or Android
Bible app on your phone, click here or the Bible in one year are some examples
Wellbeing
Family life during lockdown This helpful guide has been put together by a range of agencies including the local NHS, local authorities and the Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership
Church of England supporting good Mental Health
Soul time Christian meditation & Mindfulness app for Apple or Android
3 minute retreat app Apple or Android or online
Sacred space online or Apple or Android
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time as we come together to work out how to do things differently but still staying connected.
Exploring Christianity
There are many ways to explore Christianity, but perhaps the best way is to simply come along to church. Here you will find a group of people who haven’t got all the answers, but are seeking after God and discovering together the joys and challenges of the journey of life and faith.
Study groups can also be helpful and we hold these regularly in the Benefice. We will advertise the next course in ‘Activities & Events’ page and also on the Benefice Calendar, so please do feel welcome to join us.
The following links to other websites provide information about the Christian faith:
At Loddon Reach Benefice we are exploring Christianity with the help of the Pilgrim Course:
What is Pilgrim?
Pilgrim is a major new teaching and discipleship resource from the Church of England. It aims to help every local church create a place where people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day.
Pilgrim takes a different approach to other Christian programmes. It approaches the great issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers.
Pilgrim is comprised of two stages: the Follow stage for those very new to faith, and the Grow stage for those who want to go further. Each stage contains four short six-session courses which focus on a major theme of Christian life.
The dates of the next course will be advertised on our ‘Activities & Events’ page and also on the Benefice Calendar.
Beech Hill Bible study group
On Thursday mornings there is a Bible study group in the village – please contact Penelope Carter, tel 0118 988 3714 for more information.
St Michael's Library
A Christian library is available upstairs in the gallery for your use.
