The Cookhams: Holy Trinity Church Cookham / St John the Baptist Church Cookham Dean

Pew News and other recent events

Apologies to those of you who have been expecting weekly updates. We have a bumper crop of items to make up for our absence:

Pew News for 29 June

PewNews290608.PDF

Pew News for 22 June

PewNews220608.PDF

Michael's podcast from 15 June

Matthew 9.35-10.8 [9-23]

Come_holy_ghost_to_cookham.mp3

Cookham.com has details of what our parishoners have been up to during June.

There are details of the service on the moor, and photos of the helpers at the Whitechapel Mission.

Video: Meet the People of Holy Trinity Church, Cookham

We've a video giving you a brief introduction to the ministry team and members of the congregation here at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham. As the video says, Holy Trinity is what we make it.

It can be found by clicking here, or by clicking on the Meet the People link in the sidebar.

Farewell, Terrie

During our 1830hs Eucharist Service on 27th January we said farewell to Terrie, who will soon be taking up her role as non-stipendiary priest in the parish of St Luke’s, Maidenhead.

This was an opportunity to give thanks for all that Terrie has given us over many years and to send her off with our love and blessings.

You can see photos of this service here.

Cookham bellringers triumph!

It's official: The bellringers of Holy Trinity are the best in Berkshire (as if you needed telling)!

The proof came when they won the prestigious Lorna Newton Bellringers cup, which is awarded to the best tower in the regional striking competition, featuring the towers of East Berkshire and South Bucks.

The competition was held at Winkfield on Saturday 13th October and Cookham, ringing last, beat off stiff opposition from the ringers of Beaconsfield, Lane End, Bray and Chesham, to name but a few. The annual test of skill is a knockout competition that involves ringing perfect rounds and 120 changes on 6 bells.

The winning team featured tower Captain Marcia Dieppe, Janet Gillard, Andrew Mckerlie, Timmy Mallett, Claire Fisher and Mandy Salter.

Father Ryan writes...

‘It was amazing to share with you all the exciting events of last Sunday. The ordination in the morning was incredible, especially when I had to turn to face everyone and saw that the majority of the congregation was made up of you guys! I don't think I've ever felt such support and love. Celebrating with you at my first mass on Sunday evening was something that I will certainly remember for the rest of my life. I felt totally at home with all of you, and again deeply moved. Thank you so much for all your kindness and generosity over this last year – I am looking forward to sharing my life with you all over the next couple of years, and to being drawn ever deeper into the love and worship of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I must give a special thank you to Sara and the choir who worked so hard to produce such beautiful and worshipful music both in the morning and in the evening. St Augustine said that the one who sings prays twice, and I certainly got that feeling on Sunday!

In case you were wondering who all the people in black were, here we go: Fr. John Salter - the Dean of Wantage - was preaching (I spent two years in Wantage as a Pastoral Assistant, and yes he is an Anglican!); Fr. James Wilkinson, a vicar in Oxford; Fr. Mark Birch, Chaplain at Exeter College (and my spiritual director); Fr. Simon Jones, Chaplain at Merton College (and a former liturgy tutor of mine); Fr. David Cherry from St. Cyprian's in London, Fr. Ainsley Swift from Windsor, and of course our very own ministry team. The one in the cope was Fr. Michael!’

Refugee Season Continues

We were delighted to welcome Tim Finch, Communications Director of the Refugee Council, to our 9.30am Service at Holy Trinity on Sunday morning. Tim gave an incredibly passionate speech about the plight of refugees and talked about how we can help make a difference.

The Refugee Council is the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. They give help and support and also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed.

To find out more, go here.

Fr. Michael's Sabbatical

Click 'continue reading' to read about Fr. Michael's sabbatical during April, May and June this year.

Faith at Work: Finding God in the day

To help us to get ready for Christmas we have produced an Advent Diary with readings, prayers and reflections for each day of the seaon of Advent. The reflections have been written by different members of the congregations at Holy Trinity Church and St John the Baptist. Each contributor has offered a personal insight into where, in their own particular context, they find their working relationship with God. Sometimes it’s in a moment, sometimes in an overarching ‘bigger picture’. Sometimes it is easily found and sometimes it is heart-breakingly difficult. We are very grateful to everyone who has shared their stories with us – they will inspire and often move us as we prepare for the coming of the Christchild.

Copies of the Advent Diary can also be collected anytime during daylight hours from the back of the church. Or call the Parish Office, tel 01628 529661.

A Pilgrim's Diary

A large group from Holy Trinity and St John the Baptist went on Pilgrimmage to Rome and Assisi from 12th - 20th October. John Sykes, Churchwarden at St. John the Baptist kept a diary of the trip - Click 'continue reading' to read his 'Pilgrims Diary'.

Seen and heard

We've added a couple of new photos to the site - Martin and Billy's picture is in the 'Worship' photo album, and there's a new picture of our bellringers ringing a special peal in the Bell ringer's album too. You can see the full list of photo albums in the left hand column.