Spring newsletter 2019

Message from the Chair
‘Pray to the Lord…’ for the place where you live
Welcome to the latest CTW newsletter. We hope you find it informative and helpful in letting you know about the various joint initiatives that Christians and churches across Windsor are working on together in the coming months.
The Bible often uses the language of ‘exile’ to describe what it’s like to try and live as Christians in a broken world. The apostle Peter writes to the church in exile, calling it to live counter-culturally (1 Peter 1:1, 2:11). Paul challenges us ‘If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.’ (Romans 12:18), and Jeremiah, writing to the exiled nation of Israel, goes so far as to say ‘…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’ (Jeremiah 29:7)
Many of the activities mentioned in this newsletter seek the welfare of the various communities where we live in Windsor. And in addition to all the existing initiatives, it has been fantastic to see the way that people have worked together to ensure the success of the recent Night Shelter project for the town’s homeless community.
As churches working together in Windsor, it is important that these activities are underpinned by our prayers for the town, which is why the work of Churches Together in Windsor involves creating opportunities for joint worship and prayer, such as is seen at Carols on the Hill at Christmastime, the Good Friday act of witness at Easter, and our involvement in the international ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ prayer initiative at Pentecost.
We do all these things because Jesus Christ chose to be exiled from the riches of heaven to become part of our human race, so that we in turn could become members of God’s family. That is the Good News of the Gospel; it’s the good news of Easter – and it is good news worth sharing in our prayer and care for our town.
Rev Matthew Scott
Chair, Churches Together in Windsor

News:
“More than a shelter”
Emilie writes: More Than a Shelter has now closed its doors. Just to say a big thank you to everyone for all your support, hard work and commitment to this important ministry. The churches, supporting charities, parishioners, volunteers and guests ‘our friends’ made this pilot project a wonderful success. It has been a truly remarkable, inspirational, humbling and enjoyable experience to have had the opportunity to work on this pilot project with our wonderful community. Thank you so much.

World Day of Prayer
This was held as usual on the first Friday in March, this year hosted by All Saints’, Frances Road, and we raised £250 for charitable projects. Many thanks to all who participated and donated so generously.

For your diary: Easter services:
Christ Church URC:
A joint service for Maundy Thursday will be held at 7pm at the United Church of Egham led by Revd. Alan Wickens
Good Friday 10.30am; Service, prior to the Town Centre act of witness, led by Scott Wheeler
Easter Sunday 10.30am; Morning Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Alan Wickens

Dedworth Green Baptist Church:
Maundy Thursday 18th April 7:30pm communion service
Good Friday 19th April 10am combined service with All Saints Dedworth and Kerith Church at All Saints Dedworth
Easter Sunday all age service 21st April 10:30am

Windsor Fellowship:
Good Friday 10am – All Age retelling of the 1st Good Friday
Good Friday 11am – An hour at the cross – quiet reflection
Easter Sunday 4pm – All Age Easter celebration

Catholic Windsor: St Edward’s & St Mark’s
Holy Thursday 18th April: Mass of the Last Supper 19.30 St Edward’s
Watching at Altar of Repose from 21.00 – 23.00 St Edward’s
Good Friday 19th April:
Children’s Good Friday Service 10.30 St Edward’s
Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday 15.00 St Edward’s
Solemn Liturgy of Good Friday 15.00 St Mark’s
Holy Saturday 20th April: Easter Vigil 20.00 St Edward’s
Easter Day 21st April: Mass 9.30 St Mark’s and Mass 11.00 St Edward’s

Methodists
18th April Maundy Thursday: 8.00pm – Service of Holy Communion with Rev Sonia Hicks
19th April Good Friday: 10.30am Worship with Rev Sonia Hicks
20th April Holy Saturday: 8.30pm Joint Service at St Edward’s
21st April Easter Day: 10.30am Morning Worship with Holy Communion. Led by Rev John Hellyer (Chair: South East District of Methodist Church)
6.30pm Circuit Service with Holy Communion at Eton Wick

For further information about local services, consult the church websites:
www.allsaintswindsor.org.uk
http://www.allsaintschurchwindsor.co.uk/
www.holytrinitywindsor.org.uk
www.windsorparishchurch.org.uk

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Windsor Christian Aid reports a fantastic response to the Cyclone Idai Emergency Appeal – over £2100 has already been raised, plus more church collections are scheduled for this Sunday, plus the Catholic appeal which went via CAFOD.

Christian Aid Week 2019 – a new red envelope to deliver but not collect!

Ever wondered how to help out in Christian Aid week but not sure how? This year Christian Aid have produced new envelopes for delivering to our streets which have a ‘no-reply’ option: you don’t have to go back and collect them but they have a local address or church to which they can be returned if people would like to give. In some towns they have successfully covered many more streets with red envelopes than ever before – a great Christian witness – and a new way of reaching new people.

So we are hoping that we can cover more streets in Windsor, as many of you might be willing to just deliver envelopes to your own street, or one or two nearby, without any obligation to go back and knock on the door and collect them, as has traditionally been the need.

If you would like to do this, please contact your church representative (see below) or contact Tracy Tickle on [email protected] or 07773 997716. It would be great to double the number of streets we cover!

Look out for more information in your churches about events in Christian Aid week – 12-18 May– Big Brekkies, quizzes, plant and cake sales, sponsored runs, Messy Church and toddler group fun – all coming to a church near you!

Local Church Representatives:

Windsor Methodist Church – Susy Shearer, Graham and Mary Brown
All Saints Church, Dedworth – Ruth Norris
St Edwards and St Marks RC Church – Sarah Gardner and Noel Lobo
Dedworth Green Baptist Church – Janet Dent
URC William Street – Anne Montminy
St Andrew’s Clewer – Mulle Price
Windsor Baptist Church – Sue Goode

“Thy Kingdom Come” is an ecumenical prayer initiative during the period between Ascension Day (May 30th) and Pentecost (June 9th). Look out for details of services and prayer initiatives taking place in different churches and at different times of the day during that period, which will be advertised in due course.

The local Carers Support Group meets at Dedworth Green Baptist Church on the 2nd Monday of the month 10.30am – 12.00 noon. We are supported by Signal and representatives from Signal attend the sessions. The group is open to anyone who is in a caring role.