Christmas at Christ Church

For the first time on 25th December 2019 about 40 people (including volunteers), who would otherwise be on their own, sat down for Christmas lunch at Christ Church. A vast amount of food was prepared by the Winnersh Scouts and enjoyed by all, which was followed by a social afternoon including games and the Queen's Speech.

Holiday Bible Club 2019 - Guardians of Ancora

2019's title was "Guardians of Ancora" and the club ran from 5th to 9th August, from 10:00-12:30 daily, with up to 38 children. Five lost story treasures were found which enabled five stories about Jesus to be told, and then recreated in art and craft. The puppets danced to gospel songs and the Guardian of the Keys read out the jokes. Joke of the week was: "A man got in a car accident and lost his left arm and left leg. He's all right now!" Group Art Gallery

Church Charity Project 2019

It was decided that our Church Charity Project for 2019 was Sue Ryder - Duches of Kent Hospice in Reading.

The first fund raiser as ever was Pancake Day on Tuesday 5th March and then there was Countdown on 20th April. The church "Concert of the Seasons" on 28th April and the Spring Fair on Saturday 11th May both raised large amounts, as did a Reading Male Voice Choir concert on Saturday 29th June, the Autumn Craft Fair and the Christmas Concert. The total raised was £6014.

About Church Charity Projects

Paddington's Pilgrimage

From 2017 to 2019 Paddington is making his way around the churches in the URC Wessex Synod. We had him visit us and Woodley Airfield Church for the week starting 1st July 2018. He was visiting as many groups as he could, especially youth groups, and was asking the churches two questions about how young people are welcomed and nurtured in the church. You can read his blog of the week.

Church Charity Project 2018

It was decided that our Church Charity Project for 2018 was CBM (Christian Blind Mission) - the overseas disability charity.

The first fund raiser was Pancake Day on Tuesday 28th February and then there was Countdown on 31st March. The church "Concert of the Classics" on 21st April raised about £500. The Spring Fair was the next big event on Saturday 12th May. Later in the year the main event was the Christmas concert.

In their 2019 news email CBM wrote:

Huge thanks to our churches Trinity Methodist Church, Congleton and Christ Church Woodley made CBM their Church Charity of the Year for 2018 and each raised over £6,000. Their hard work and generosity will make a life-changing difference for people living with disabling conditions in the poorest countries of the world. To find out how you can get your church involved visit our website.

Holiday Bible Club 2018 - Mission Rescue

In 2018 "Mission Rescue" was back, on a secret agent theme, looking at the story of Moses and its relevance to life today. It ran from 6th until 10th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for up to 40 children, aged 5 to 10. The children enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music based on material from Scripture Union. Jokes were supplied by the children and read out each day by Agent S (S for Smiley - if you see him smile you know you're in trouble). Joke of the week was: "Where does a spy sleep? Undercover!" Group Art Gallery

Church Charity Project 2017

It was decided that our Church Charity Project for 2017 was Alzheimer's Research UK

You may like to watch their Christmas Advert.

The first fund raiser was Pancake Day on Tuesday 28th February and then there was Countdown. The Spring Fair photos on Facebook show some of the activities on Saturday 13th May raised that over £1000. The Reading Male Voice Choir concert on 3rd June raised £800. In the autumn the Church Charity Concert on 16th September, hosted by members and their friends, raised £700 and the silent auction raised more.

At the service on Sunday 4th March 2018, we presented the final cheque of the money raised for Alheimer's Research UK to Lindsay Gray, Regional Fundraising Officer. In return she gave Patricia Postles a certificate for the £8542.32 we had raised for them in 2017, shown here with Revd Martyn Neads.

A440 Choir - Concert 9th December 2017

Local choir A440 gave a charity concert in aid of the Mityana Charity at Christ Church at 19:00 on Saturday 3rd December 2016 to a packed house. The programme was a mix of their normal songs with Christmas songs in the second half. It also featured a spot by our own trio of Steve, Ann and Steve.

A440 were back on 9th December 2017 for another sucessful Christmas concert which was in aid of Alzheimer's Reseach UK.

Holiday Bible Club 2017 - Mega Makers!

Holiday Bible Club ran from 7th until 11th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for over 60 children, aged 5 to 10. The children enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music based on material from Scripture Union covering various stories from the Bible, all set in an engineering context. This included the Mega Machine that made things bigger!

Pictures and jokes were supplied by the children and read out each day by Brainwave (Boffin's assistant). Joke of the week was: "What's the difference between a soldier and a policeman? You can't dip your policeman in your boiled egg!" Group Art Gallery

Holiday Bible Club History

Children's Art Club

In winter 2016, on six Saturdays art sessions for children were run, split into two sessions by age. Leading the group was artist Lisa-Marie Gibbs and our own Will Green. The art produced was shown at a short exhibition in the library and at church on the weekend of our Spring Fair (illustrated). A new Art Club was run on Saturday afternoons, during school terms from 14th May, for children 5-12 and any church members of any age who are arty.

More pictures of the art on the Art Club page.

Church Charity Project 2016

It was decided that our Church Charity Project for 2016 was the Mityana Charity who are a locally based charity that works through the churches in Mityana, a poorer area of Uganda that other charities have largely been unable to support. The provide educational support, water solutions, community building and training. At our service on 17th April, World Church Sunday, Revd Hugh Wakeling told us more about the important work of the charity and invited members to join him on his autumn trip to Uganda.

The Countdown in Reading tournament on Saturday 26th March raised about £200 from the 16 players; winner was Thomas Cappleman, formerly of Bracknell.

The Spring Fair on Saturday 7th May raised nearly £1400.

Early in the year £2000 was transferred to the charity and they were able to start work immediately in July on building much-needed latrines for Mpiriggwa C/U Primary School (see photos below). At the A440 concert a further £1400 was donated which will be used to replace the water tank at Myanzi Prison.

Holiday Bible Club 2016 - Champion's Challenge

Holiday Bible Club ran from 8th until 12th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for over 60 children, aged 5 to 10. The children enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music based on material from Scripture Union covering various stories from the Bible, all set in a sporting context.

Pictures and jokes, mostly sport-related, were supplied by the children and read out each day by basketball ace Slam Dunk. Joke of the week was: "Why were four five and six scared? Because seven ate nine!" Group Art Gallery

Holiday Bible Club History

Royal and Messy Church Celebration

Sunday 12th June 2016 was a double celebration as we celebrated both the Queen's 90th birthday and that Messy Church has been running at Christ Church for five years.

After a special royal-themed service, with members of Pastoral Group 12, we had a lunch with music from the 1940s and dancing. Later messy church continued the celebration. Much red, white and blue cake was eaten at both events, plus a Messy Church cake!

Our New Stained Glass Symbols

In Spring 2016 the five south-facing windows of the worship centre were replaced with double glazing in memory of Jim Will. The five opening lights were filled with Christian symbols designed by our own Mary Nash. These were paid for by other bequests and donations to the church, including one in memory of Irene Riglen. More

Church Charity Project 2015

Our Church Charity Project for 2015 was Christians Against Poverty, who work through churches against poverty, especially through their debt advice centres.

The Countdown in Reading tournament on 11th April raised £255 from the 24 players; winner for a second time in a row was Jack Worsley from Blackpool.

The Spring Fair on 9th May raised over £1100, the summer concert by Woodley Concert Band on 6th June over £580 and there was a concert by Revd David Jenkins, called "Music to Discover" on 5th December.

Harvest 2015

Our Harvest Festival for 2015 was held on Sunday 27th September, with a service led by Mr John Phillippo. As usual the church was decorated and the Girls' Brigade made a display for the vestibule. All food products were donated to Woodley Food Bank and flowers and plants were passed to members of the congregation who were unwell or bereaved.

Holiday Bible Club 2015 - Polar Explorers

Holiday Bible Club ran from 3rd until 7th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for over 60 children, aged 5 to 10. The children enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music. The club this year was called "Polar Explorers", based on material from Scripture Union covering the stories from the Bible of Peter, Stephen, Philip, Paul and Timothy.

Pictures and jokes, mostly polar-related, were supplied by the children and read out each day by former intrepid explorer Mr Bear Feet. Joke of the week was: "What do penguins order for lunch? Ice-Burgers!" Group Art Gallery

Holiday Bible Club History

New Basingstoke and Reading Circuit

The new Basingstoke and Reading Circuit was launched at the "Making A Day of It" gathering at Sherfield School on 31st August 2014. At the Circuit Celebration service in the afternoon, each church hung leaves on a tree with illustrations of the life of their church on. They received in return a certificate showing the new circuit tree logo, a thank you letter from the pilgrimage walkers (who walked around every circuit church over nine days) and a sapling to be planted at the church (ours is a service tree). Each of the 500 or so attendees received a card showing a tree of churches (illustrated) on one side and the new circuit logo and some challenging words on the other side. Various aspects of the day were run by members from Christ Church, including the service projection and a very successful games tent. Xn's Report on YouTube

Linda Retires From Boys' Brigade

One of our church members, Linda Harland, was rewarded with a bunch of flowers and a long service certificate when she retired from running one of the Boys' Brigade sections recently. Linda had been looking after the youngest, Anchor Boys, for 14 years, having started after seeing the benefits her four sons received from being in the group. As well as running the section she also acted as their treasurer. A report was included in the Chronicle on 22nd January 2015.

Holiday Bible Club 2014 - Showstoppers!

It ran from 4th until 8th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for 65 children, aged 5 to 10, who enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music. It was called "Showstoppers!", based on material from Scripture Union on various stories from the Bible.
Best joke of the week in Sid the Stage Manager's bucket was:
"Why didn't the two worms go into Noah's Ark in an apple?"
"Because everyone had to go in in pears."
Holiday Bible Club History

Woodley Poverty Forum

The first session of the Forum, "Truth and Lies about Poverty", was on Thursday 5th September 2013. The debate continued at the second session, "Experiencing Poverty", on Thursday 3rd October 2013. The final session on Thursday 7th November 2013 was "What can we do about poverty?", a "Question Time" panel session. On the panel were Rob Wilson MP for Reading East and the representatives of various charities. They successfully fielded questions from a keen audience of some 60 local people.

Holiday Bible Club 2013 - Space Academy

It ran from 5th until 9th August from 10:00 to 12:30, as usual, and was free for about 70 children, aged 5 to 10, who enjoyed games, art, crafts, cookery, stories, jokes, puppets and music. It was called "Space Academy", based on material from Scripture Union on the story of Daniel.
Professor Buzzbrain's Space Jokes
Holiday Bible Club History

Snedrick

Our evening worship on 7th April 2013 was "Snedrick: The Graham Kendrick Musical". It was performed by High Spirits, enhanced by a couple of extra singers and musicians. Playing the lead, and writer of the script, was Tony Atkins. The story of Jesus's life, from calling the disciples through to the resurrection, was told through 18 songs of Graham Kendrick and as seen through the eyes of Snedrick, a first century song writer and disciple. It also raised money for the church project.

Countdown in Reading 2013

The second Reading Countdown competition raised £400 (plus tax refunds) for our Church Charity Project for 2013 (the Reading Branch of The Samaritans) on Saturday 30th March. The results show that the best of the 34 players was Mark Deeks from London, who beat Giles Hutchings in the final, watched by a crowd of players, spectators and pirates!

Christmas Tree Festival 2012

Our first Christmas Tree Festival was held on Saturday 15th December from 10:00 to 16:00 and Sunday 16th from 14:00 to 17:00. Donations were collected in aid of Tools for Self Reliance. As well as the church's own tree and one for the 2012 Church Project (Tools for Self Reliance), trees were displayed by the following church groups: Junior Church, Bible Study Group, Pastoral Groups 1 and 12, Network and Guild, High Spirits, Girls Brigade, Brownies, Rainbow Cafe, and also by Lacewood Circle, Woodley Town Council, Southlake Primary School, Woodley Day Services, Oxfam Bookshop, St. John Bosco Church and Woodley Airfield Church.

Church Charity Project 2012

Our charity project for 2012 was Tools for Self Reliance and over £4400 (including tax refunds) was raised and a cheque was presented to Bob Brown of the Reading group at the morning service on 27th January.

Pancakes were being served on the evening of Shrove Tuesday, 21st February, before the Woodley Lent Group launch service, which started at 20:00 at Christ Church. £265 was raised which paid for seven kits of tools to be shipped to Malawi.

Countdown came to Reading! On Saturday of Easter weekend, 7th April, there was a Countdown in Reading competition at Christ Church. It was won by James Robinson from Huddersfield and raised over £350 for the project. Results

The big event as always was the Spring Fair, on Saturday 12th May, and this raised over £1000 in cash on the day, through sales, refreshments, games, singing, car wash and so on.

There was a concert with the Thames Valley Barberettes on Saturday 14th July which raised over £310 and on 8th December a concert by Reading Male Voice Choir, with a choir of girls from St Joseph's School, raised another £750.

In recognition of 50 years since the laying of the foundation stone for the buildings, the morning service on 30th September 2012 was a special songs of praise service organised by Senior Worship Steward Mrs Ruth Taylor. The order of service

Also on the 30th September, in the evening, was New Beginnings, a new service for the young at heart. This was led by Nancy Quinnell, Brenda McIntosh and the band, and was preceded by pizza at 17:00.

New Sanctuary Furniture

Following various kind bequests and donations, we decided to replace our sanctuary furniture and purchased a matching set of communion table with adjustable height pulpit and lectern. They were dedicated on Easter Sunday 2012.