I’m delighted to introduce myself as the new Rector for the Ridgeway Benefice. So what does a Rector do? Leading worship, visiting the sick, offering spiritual counsel, walking alongside people through difficult times, doing rather more administration than you might imagine, being a visible Christian presence in the community... And, underpinning all that: prayer!But the most important job for me will be listening. I've already heard that people would value more opportunities for the Rector to be present and involved in worship across the villages. We won't be making any changes to the existing pattern of services before we've had time to discern our needs, our strengths and our hopes. That way we can discern what God is calling us to be. How can you help? When I was a very new curate, in my very first week of ordained ministry, I asked my bishop if he could give me one sentence to take away to my new parish. He said (rather gruffly) “Pray - and be bold!”. So that's the favour I'll ask from you as I settle in over the next few months. Pray for God's guidance. Ask God what we're being called to be together. And be bold!
If you are looking for old records then please note that our old registers have been deposited in:The Berkshire Records Office9 Coley AvenueReadingBerksRG1 6AFTelephone: 0118 937 5132Please contact them for further information.
A long-cherished ambition to restore the three ancient bells of St Michael and All Angels is now being realised. It is nearly 100 years since their last full overhaul and the Tenor bell in particular has become difficult to ring. However, until recently, restoration and fund-raising efforts have necessarily given priority to repairs to the church building itself. In June 2016 Whites of Appleton (https://www.whitesbellhangers.co.uk/) carried out a detailed inspection of the bells and made recommendations for work needed. The estimated costs would be in the region of £15,000. The work can now take place thanks to a very generous gift from the family of the late Mrs Anne Shone, and grants from: the National Churches Trust; the Oxford Diocesan Bell Fund; the Church Buildings Council; and the Sharpe Trust. Extensive repairs, maintenance, and updating will be carried out on the mountings and fittings. The major work on the bells themselves involves removing the cast-in staples and replacing them with new fittings to attach each bell to its frame. The cast-in staple is a piece of wrought iron shaped like three sides of a square and cast into the crown of the bell when it was made. However, in time, an iron staple can rust, expand, and crack the bell. The bells may not be tuned because of their historical importance. The restoration work, which will take about four months, involves removing the bells from the tower, transporting them to Whites' workshop and subsequently rehanging them. On Thursday, 5th September, the restoration commenced with the bells and fittings being taken down from the tower. Here is a short video. More photos of the bells and removal can be found in our photo gallery
