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ANNUAL MAGAZINE OF CHURCH LIFE AT ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS, BEACONSFIELD 2017/2018

www.stmichaelsbeaconsfield.org.uk

ST. MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS CHURCH

St. Michael’s Green Beaconsfield, Bucks.

HP9 2BN

Office No: 01494 676931 churchoffice@stmichaelsbeaconsfield.org.uk

Contents:

From our Vicar…Page 2 Social and Fundraising – Building a Vibrant Community…Pages 4-8 Caring & Making a difference in the World… Pages 8-11 Families, Youth & Children–Social & Faith Development…Pages 11-13 Making Disciples…Pages 14 Sustaining a Sacred Centre…Pages 14-20

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FROM OUR VICAR 2018 This Church, like all other Anglican churches, holds a formal Annual Church meeting to meet our responsibilities as Trustees of a charity. However, the

church is far more than a legal entity or a charity. A church is a collection of people trying to live Christian lives. It happens to use a building also called a church, but a church can only be present if it is shown within the actions of its members and its service to the wider community set in God’s creation.

It will be a mixture of a social club or place to meet people and a place for formal worship. It can entertain, offering concerts or social events, it can be supportive to other organisations like schools and charities. It also happens to be a business of sorts, needing to meet the demands of Government and Ecclesiastical regulations plus balancing income and expenditure. It stands alone financed by its members, giving money to the wider church to pay for clergy costs locally and in areas of deprivation and there is no magic pot of ‘central funds’ that come along to pay the gas bill.

Church is a complex place but when we set aside all the ‘headings’, what we offer here is a place to ‘be’ and not necessarily to ‘do’. To be welcomed whoever you are, to feel a part of at any age, and ability, to be able to rest as well as to take part. We will never be perfect at this but we can try to be grace-filled while trying.

I hope this informal collection of what we get up to will not leave you breathless at the busyness but instead see this community as a place where the core value is love and respect. Where inspired by spiritual contemplation, driven by compassion towards others and courageous in taking our turn to help we all find the presence of something far bigger than each of us.

Camilla Walton, Vicar St Michael and All Angels, Beaconsfield.

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Churchwarden’s Report for the St Michael’s Magazine It has been my pleasure and responsibility to serve as your Churchwarden these past 2 years. I thank God for an amazing year. I have, with Revd Walton, written the Annual Report for 2017 for our Annual Church Meeting and hope you will read it. There has been much to say thank you for. It had been decided that our Centenary Funds would be used to pay for the Audio Visual System and new church chairs. I hope you will find these changes an improvement as I do. They happen because of the team work from our District Church Council, members of our congregation and friends of our church. There have been unavoidable changes in our administrative team and we are thankful to Carly Lewis and Susie Lewis for their contribution and to Kristel Van Wauwe, who has taken on the role of Church Administrator and to Gemma Allwood, our new Hall Administrator. Christine Stewart had done sterling work setting up our original website and keeping it up to date and deserves our thanks. For some months we have endeavoured to get a new website up and running and Kristel has succeeded in doing this – a very time consuming task that she continues to work on. Graham Skinner has now retired as Honorary Treasurer although continuing to ensure a smooth transition. We have had generous help from the Team’s PCC Honorary Treasurer, Nicki Edwards, Louise Hart, Tracy Mellor and Kristel to produce the annual accounts. Chris Locket has agreed to take on the role in the coming year. I pray that someone will hear the call to be a second Churchwarden and Assistant Churchwarden. Chris Cook, Assistant Churchwarden, has worked hard monitoring the building in numerous ways together with a small team of helpers including Martyn Fuller who helps with hall maintenance. There are so many people to thank for making St Michael’s a lovely church to belong to. It is about team-work and knowing that Jesus has no hands or feet but ours to share God’s love in the world and spread his word. Please read this magazine, the ACM reports and look at the website for more information about how we try to do this – and keep us in your prayers.

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Daphne Scott SOCIAL & FUNDRAISING – BUILDING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY Church Fairs 2017 We have two Fairs every year which Dick Smith, our Town Crier, opens with great gusto giving us a happy party spirit. We have a variety of stalls for all ages, and games for the children plus the ever popular Father Christmas at the Christmas Fair. The BBQ was very popular selling hamburgers at the Spring Fair and hot dogs at the Christmas Fair, plus a variety of refreshments for all ages. Strangely it rained during the last hour at both fairs which turned out to be a good thing as no one ventured outside but continued buying and trying their luck at the games and bottle tombolas. The plant sale at the Spring Fair continues to be very successful thanks to Zoe and her willing helpers. A big thank you to all the people who organized their own stalls and games, without them the Fairs wouldn’t be possible. Because of the Royal Wedding the Spring Fair for this year has been taken back a week to the 12th May…so we hope to see you all there. Joanna Social Activities & Super Sunday Celebrations 2017/18 Xandie opens her garden every year to view the snowdrops followed by the Easter egg hunt a few weeks later, and last year she had 40 children tearing around seeing who could collect the most eggs and then they sat down and had an egg picnic, chocolate of course! The Bluebell walk followed a few weeks later.

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Graham Hine organized another Church Fun Concert where adults and children perform in a variety of ways with a lot of talent and tea and cakes to follow. The July and October Super Sundays were celebrated with brunch following the service which is a wonderful time for all ages to meet up and chat. Alan Lewis arranged a concert which promised to be excellent but unfortunately it was cancelled due to illness. After the Christingle service all the children stay for party food which is very popular and starts the Christmas festive time. The Lent lunch was enjoyed by all with Adrienne making most of the delicious soups. Mothering Sunday was celebrated with cup cakes after the service where posies were handed out. Joanna

Film Evenings The Social Committee organises a monthly film evening, which is held on the 1st Monday of each month (unless a bank holiday) at 7pm in the CCRC. We’ve shown a wide range of films this year such as Her Majesty Mrs. Brown, South Pacific, Capt. Corelli’s Mandolin and a variety of others too. If there are any films that you would like us to show (especially if you can source them), please do contact us. We always have some “yummee” refreshments during the interval and that gives an opportunity to chat, so if you’d like to join us for a pleasant informal evening please do come along. Margaret Ogborn & Zoe Cook Men’s Lunches Men’s Lunches have continued on the last Tuesday in the month with average attendance of about 8 (similar to last year) from a pool of

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about 16. For some the lunch provides a welcome break after the morning Working Party (nothing too strenuous – just routine maintenance around the church and grounds), for others it is just an opportunity to enjoy a ploughman’s lunch washed down with wine or fruit juice and share in conversation on a variety of topics including the current issues of the day. If you would like to join us or would like more information please contact Chris Cook (chrisatstmichaels@btinternet.com). Ladies Lunches If you would like to join the ladies from St. Michael’s for their monthly lunches please do contact me for more details. We normally have a buffet salad with a “seasonal extra” each month. This is a great opportunity of getting to know other ladies from our church as well as enjoying your lunch without having to get it!! Once a year we have a pot-luck which is always very interesting but most of all it’s just so good to chat to those we see but don’t always have the chance of talking to. Because this is held in a private home space is limited, so I would appreciate it if you could phone to let me know you’re coming…but please DO COME. Zoe (01494-672949) T Club Report for 2017 T Club continues to meet on Monday afternoons twice a month, either in the main hall or the CCRC. There are usually about 15 guests, mainly ladies, but we also welcome the occasional man. We sometimes are entertained by a local gentleman who comes in and plays the piano for us, which is very pleasant. Some of our members attend St. Michaels and some go to other churches or none, but all are welcome and we feel this is an outreach of St. Michaels. Our summer outing in June with a coach ride around the Chilterns and ending up at Hildreth’s Garden Centre in Prestwood was much enjoyed. Unfortunately we had to cancel our Christmas lunch in December because of the heavy fall of snow, but

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this is now to take place in March. We were all saddened by the death of Elizabeth Meredith, who had been one of our drivers for many years, often taking people to doctor’s appointments etc. as well as to T Club. We are very grateful to all our regular drivers, also those on the reserve team, but we could do with a few more volunteers please. You might only be asked once or twice a year. Please consider this, it means picking up about 2pm and bringing to the Hall and then taking home about 3.30pm. You would be welcome to stay and enjoy tea and home made cakes with the members! We know there are people out there who would love to come to our meetings, but need transport, so we cannot take them unless drivers come forward. Please contact Mary Wiles (01494 866783) or Judi Burch (01494 677406) to find out more.

All seated for the “belated” Christmas Lunch. Mary Wiles and Judi Burch

Church Coffee & Teas Coffee continues to be served on a Sunday after the 10.30 service by a small and devoted band of people. This is a very worthwhile and happy time which enables people to chat after the service. Stocks are supplied centrally, except milk. However, this is only possible through the goodwill of our volunteers, and new helpers would always be welcome! Valerie Honnigman Wednesday Drop-in for Coffee

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If you would like to come for a coffee or tea (and biscuit) at 9.45am on Wednesdays we would love to have you join us in the ccrc for both a drink of your choice and friendly chatter. If you’d like more information please contact the Church Office. CARING FOR EACH OTHER & MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD Pastoral Care The pastoral group consists of several members of our congregation who have all been DBS checked and most have been trained on the Deanery Pastoral Care programme. Confidentiality is of paramount importance and is respected at all times and we comply with Data Protection. We offer a listening ear, will bring communion to the home if someone is unable to get to church through sickness or infirmity, and bereavement care. Sometimes we can also offer a rota to bring meals for a short time during periods of sickness, after operations or other hospital treatments, and the occasional lift to hospital for appointments eg chemotherapy or radio therapy. The group consists of Hazel Chow, Joanna Liddell, Helen Baker, David Baker, Lauretta Sanders, Isola Dickson, Mary Bischoff, Xandie Butler and is led by Hazel Chow who can be contacted on 01494675832 or at hazelchow@hotmail.co.uk. Healing Prayer

Healing prayer has always been offered by the church since its’ earliest days: in the New Testament in the letter of James it reads: “are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord”. A time of prayer is offered to any individual in the Lady Chapel during the communion at the 10.30 service or by arrangement. The prayer

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team have all been trained and confidentiality is respected at all times. The team are Frances Hall, Xandie Butler, Peter Simmonds and is led by Hazel Chow who can be contacted on 01494 675832 or at hazelchow@hotmail.co.uk

St. Michael’s Prayer Group This is a long-standing group from St Michael’s congregation who meet once a week at Charlotte Moore’s house. Confidentiality is respected at all times. The group consists of Xandie Butler, Frances Hall, Charlotte Moore, Joanna Liddell, Adrienne Schnadhorst and Jackie Wyn-Rickets and Hazel Chow. If you would like them to pray for you or somebody you know please contact Xandie Butler on 01494 812121.

Outside Giving Committee The committee comprises of 9 members, 3 each from St. Mary’s, St.

Thomas’s and St. Michael’s. Representing St. Michael’s are Frances

Hall, Sharon George and Tom Holyer. The 3 churches support 5

charities viz:-

Newham (Bill Edwards) which has an ongoing link with Newham, a

multi-racial poor part of London.

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (Derek Moores) which makes many

flights /medical missions to remote parts of countries especially in

Africa.

Embrace (Rose Shinwell) which tackles poverty and Injustice in the

Middle East.

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Great Lakes Outreach – New Generation (Deborah Sanders) which has

projects in Burundi.

Sharon International Ministries (SIM) (Tom Holyer) which has built a

school and provides free education for the children (mostly

Dalit/Untouchable caste) in rural India.

The Outside Giving Committee meets twice a year when the charities’ situations are reported. Prayers are said, concerns voiced and allocation of funds is decided. St. Michael’s, as a church, also supports Baroness Cox’s charity HART as well as the Wycombe Homeless and the One Can Trust. Christian Aid

Christian Aid is a charity which provides funds, supports and fulfils

projects which help some of the poorest and neediest people in the

Third World as well as helping whenever there is a major disaster.

Awareness of the problems and hardships facing these people can be

found in their publication – ‘Count your Blessings in Lent’ which

highlights how fortunate we are in Beaconsfield compared with the

Third World. It is also a fund-raising exercise.

Money is also raised by the various churches by holding simple lunches

each Wednesday in Lent.

The main fund raising time is ‘Christian Aid Week’ which is from 13th

to 19th May. Christian Aid envelopes will be given out on Sundays, 13th

and 20th May and I sincerely hope all of St. Michael’s will donate as

generously as they have done in previous years, for the need is as

great and as urgent as ever.

Churches Together in Beaconsfield Representatives of all the different churches in Beaconsfield meet together 3-4 times a year to discuss and arrange our various ecumenical events of worship, study, witness and outreach. We sent every household a Christmas card detailing all the different services over the Christmas period, and on Christmas Day itself we held a

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Christmas Dinner (attended by over 60 people) for those who would otherwise have spent Christmas alone. In Lent we organise the Lent Lunches at a different church each week, and on Good Friday there’s a public service on The Town Hall Green. In summer we help to organise Lighthouse, a week-long Christian holiday club, which was attended by some 500 children and assisted by some 150 teenagers. We are involved in Young Life; hold a stand at Beaconsfield Now; and have a representative on the Local Area Forum. We hold joint services, such as the Women’s World of Prayer; organise the closing celebration of Lighthouse; bible studies; orchestral events; and lectures, such as the highly successful 500th Centenary series on Luther. Churches Together maintains and supports the Beaconsfield Advisory Centre, and a portion of our own ‘Team Outside Giving’ goes to that. We try to show the people of Beaconsfield that all the different churches work so well together to serve God. Frances Hall FAMILIES, YOUTH & CHILDREN – SOCIAL & FAITH DEVELOPMENT Bulrushes This Play group takes place every Friday during term-time in the hall at 9.30 to 11am. It has run for 25 years and provides the opportunity of meeting with other young mums/nannies, and for all the children to enjoy playing together with all the many toys. This group is run by volunteers, but desperately needs help with both the running and in the kitchen so if you’re interested in coming along with your child/children or helping please do let our office know. ZOE COOK Pancake Party Shrove Tuesday in February is a great hit as not only do they eat as many pancakes as they can, but Camilla organizes lots of fun races, running with a pancake in a pan, easier said than done. They end with

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Camilla telling them about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday and the real meaning of Lent. Joanna

Fun for all then a quiet time of listening.

Messy Church At Messy Church we get together and have fun with mostly younger families, encountering Jesus as Lord and Saviour through crafts, and creativity. Messy church values are showing hospitality and being Christ centred. Messy church is run throughout the world for all ages of children. We meet every month on the 2nd Sunday from 4pm -5:30pm in St Michaels Church hall , ending with a hot meal for the children and adults too if there is enough food. Please join us! Kerry Good Friday Messy Church This is a time where we can use paint, creativity and fun to look at some quite challenging aspects of the Christian faith. How do we tell children Jesus Christ died for us without it sounding horrible? So we focussed on the joy of new life, the promise from God of God’s love for the world shown by a power stronger than death. Chocolate Easter gardens always prove a success in this (don’t think about the

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theology!) followed by finger printing rainbow crosses, Easter egg decorations, story and music washed down with refreshments and Hot Cross buns. Yummy! Camilla The Early Birds Service (TEBs) This service is held on the 1st Sunday of every month (except when notified) at 9.15am in the hall. It is aimed at pre-schoolers and their families, which means that the story-time is either a “fun” bible story or playlet, often told by one of our parents. The songs are very easy to sing with actions to help for the young that are unable to read the powerpoint words. Xandie Butler, Margaret Skinner, Jane Robinson and I organize this service so if you’d like more details please do speak to us or check-out the posters. We have a small music group to play for us and if you’d like to join them please do let me know. The service lasts for 30-minutes and ends with refreshments and a lot of chatter. If you haven’t tried this service why not come along and enjoy the experience. Zoe The Family Service We have a flourishing congregation of young families (and older ones too!) at our 9.15am Sunday services. There is Early Birds in the church hall on the first Sunday of each month with songs, a story and activity. On the second, fourth and the occasional fifth Sunday we have Family Praise in church with songs and the Gospel is read and often acted out by the families. On the third Sunday we have a Family Eucharist (Holy Communion). Services are followed by coffee, tea and cold drinks too. Families can participate in readings and the prayers and we would love any family members whether children or adults who would like to give a short talk or a special reading they like to get in touch with Xandie, Peter or Camilla. MAKING DISCIPLES

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Tuesday Home Group Over the last year we have met in the evenings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays in the month to discuss and learn more about our faith in a relaxed and supportive way. The meetings start at 7pm with a time of prayer for those in need and also to give thanks for our blessings. For most of the last year we have been studying 1 Peter and 2 Peter with the aid of “Cover to Cover” Bible Study books. We have also studied the Beatitudes in relation to a Contemplative, Compassionate and Courageous Church (with feedback to Bishop Steven in response to his call for the Diocese to become a more Christ-like Church). These studies have proved to be both fascinating and enlightening. If you would like to join us or would like more information please contact Chris Cook (chrisatstmichaels@btinternet.com). SUSTAINING A SACRED CENTRE …. WORSHIP Serving in the Sanctuary This is what we call doing things at the front of church (in the Sanctuary) alongside the Vicar or other person leading our services. Things we can do range from being MC (Master or Mistress of Ceremony) at communion services, setting up, overseeing and helping with the various stages of the Holy Communion service to bearing the Chalice which means offering the wine chalice or goblet to each communicant. We would also like some trainees for duties as Acolyte. Acolytes help the MC and carry the candles in the procession of choir, Vicar and others into the church. We need servers particularly at our 1030am Sunday service as well as at the Family Eucharist (Holy Communion) on the third Sunday each month. If you could help us

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with these important and rather nice duties, please get in touch with Peter or Camilla. Peter Simmonds. Baptisms - Report 2017 During the calendar year there were 6 baptisms in church all of which were conducted by Rev Camilla Walton; four of these were individually arranged around the main font for family and friends, one was in a Family Service at 9.15am and the other was in a 10.30am Sung Holy Communion service. Camilla had the joy of baptising 2 babies for parents’ whose marriage she had officiated at earlier at St Michael’s and one baby whose parents she will be marrying later in 2018. We thank Christine Stewart who continues to send cards to celebrate the anniversary of children’s baptisms for three years after the service. We are also grateful to Jill Deakin who makes beautifully knitted teddy bears that are given to the children with their baptismal candle and religious book at the end of the service. Margaret also wishes to thank other members of our congregation who help Camilla at those baptisms when she and Graham are unable to attend. Margaret Skinner

Sides-person Report 2017/18

At most services there will be a sides-person to greet you as you come

into the church. The sides-person has a number of duties. They

interact between the person taking the service and the congregation.

They greet people as they enter the church, hand out service books

and sheets as well as a variety of papers/notices. They ensure all is in

place before the service and cleared away after the service. They are

also responsible for the collections and counting and recording the

amounts after the service. The rotas ensure that they are on duty only

“once every 6 weeks” for the 8am and 10.30am services and requires

an additional 45 to 60 minutes of their time.

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At family services usually 1 family will act as sides-persons and join

with 10.30 sides-persons for special combined services.

If anyone is interested in being a sides-person, please contact Tom

Holyer (676373).

Readers Rota Thank you to all on the St Michaels Reading Team for reading so beautifully at our various services over this past year. Your dedication and support is very much appreciated. Our team of readers has decreased year on year over a couple of years, so if reading at Church is something that you would like to do (no experience necessary), please do get in touch. Thank you all again for your service to St Michaels. Michelle Lecky - 2018 Intercessions Once again it has been my privilege to prepare the rota and take part in writing and praying the intercession prayers for the St Michael’s family. All of the members of our little group have different styles but the main thing we have in common is the awareness of the big responsibility we have in praying on behalf of other people. If anyone would like to join our little group, that would be wonderful! Do get in touch with me, Annie Bennett Choir 2018 The choir sings at the 10.30 am service on Sundays leading the sung responses, hymns and an appropriate Anthem/hymn during communion. Although very small what we lack in numbers we make up in enthusiasm. The choir meets on a Tuesday evening in Church to practise the hymns for the coming Sunday and any anthem/song which Alan has chosen. These evenings are great fun

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and Alan spends a considerable amount of time choosing and teaching us new music which we all find daunting, fun and exciting in equal measure. Alan has composed special settings for the Eucharist service, which we hope to sing again in the future. If you enjoy singing the hymns on Sunday why not come along and sing with us on a Tuesday evening. Everyone is most welcome and we would love to see you. Margaret Ogborn 2018 All Age Music St Michael’s welcomes all musicians young and not so young. We have a range of events and services which can be of interest and provide playing opportunities to the experienced and growth to budding musicians. An example is our once a month 9.15am Early Birds service in the Church Hall on the first Sunday of the month. Please contact the Church Office in the first instance. Church Linen I am very grateful to Anne McNaught for sharing with me the task of looking after the church linen. The arrangement is that we launder the cloths on alternate months, but this is flexible and can be changed if the need arises. The routine is the same as usual. We hope that the cloths have been put into soak after they have been used so that the wine stains do not dry out, which makes them harder to remove. We collect them from the vestry, take them home to be washed and ironed, making sure that they are folded according to their use. We then return them to the vestry where they will be ready for use in the church services…just another way of serving God each week. Molly Payne 2018

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St. Michael’s Flowers The flowers in St Michael’s are arranged by a dedicated and talented team of some 15 ladies. A rota is prepared and, on the whole, it works like clockwork to provide the wonderful flower arrangements which enhance the beauty of the church. We are delighted that Sooja Bennett and Sian Baynes have agreed to join us this year to fill the two vacancies. For the funds necessary to provide the flowers we rely on the generosity of the congregation with two collections, one prior to Easter and the other prior to the Christmas celebrations. This, of course, is not sufficient to provide flowers for the remainder of the year. Our flower arrangers themselves provide all of the flowers. We do have a small amount of surplus money but our generous arrangers rarely claim reimbursement. We have also relied upon donations for arrangements to commemorate a fond memory, a celebration, or an anniversary. New members of the congregation would be most welcome to help with celebration flowers or at any other time. Lorraine Johnson - 2018 Church Cleaning

We have 52 volunteers who clean the church once a year on a rota basis every 3 weeks. We also have an annual Easter spring clean where as many people as possible come to clean an area of their choice, lots of chat hot cross buns and refreshments help to make it a fun morning. We need 13 more people to volunteer to go on the rota. Do please think about helping to keep our church clean. Children are always welcome to come and help. Joanna Liddell 01753-643669 Garden of Remembrance & The Book Of Remembrance

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"Due to old bones Helen and I are no longer able to undertake physical work on the garden. Consequently we are using the two experienced gardeners who tend to our own garden. In 2017 some of the older plants and shrubs were replaced in addition to routine maintenance. The costs of the garden work are charged to the Remembrance Garden account and the balance at the end of 2017 was £2310. At some point we will need to consider fundraising to replenish the account". Iris Luff kindly checks the book and turns the pages as appropriate. David Baker Maintaining our Building & Fabric Maintenance of the Church Buildings (Church and Hall/CCRC) and the grounds (including the sheds) is undertaken by a mix of volunteers from our Church (for which we are very grateful) and contractors. It comprises routine maintenance, particular repairs identified in the Quinquennial Inspection (a legal inspection carried out by a CofE Approved Architect) and projects for the improvement of the church (with the help of our Vicar and Church Warden). Camilla and a number of other members of our Church have masterminded the installation of the new AV System and replacement of the chairs. If you feel able to help with any of the routine maintenance please contact Chris Cook (chrisatstmichaels@btinternet.com). St. Michaels' Church Hall and CCRC

Once again, we had fruitful year with our hall and CCRC as they continue to provide us with an excellent income. Both the hall and the rooms in the CCRC were used by the community and the church, with growth again in the usage of the CCRC. Thanks to Martyn Fuller, we now have a working hob in the hall kitchen and a super new supply cupboard in the disabled toilet which holds all the cleaning materials and equipment. Thanks also to Joanna for her constant tidying and clearing out of both the kitchens.

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Hall administration has had its challenges this past year, but I would like to thank Susie Lewis who ably took on the job in early 2017 and did a great job with reorganisation. With Susie having to leave the post, we are indebted to Kristel and Gemma, whose hard work and diligence has streamlined the workings of the hall. The administration, bookings and maintenance are now being looked after by Gemma. As previously stated, we are blessed to have this valuable asset and I thank all those who have helped care for the buildings. We now are looking forward to a prosperous 2018. Mary Bischoff – Hall Committee 2017