What a weekend was enjoyed across the three churches of the South Newbury benefice last week! The Flower Festival drew many visitors to the beautiful church of St Michael’s resplendent with over twenty floral displays. The mini pilgrimage and Wash Common Community Festival on Saturday offered great opportunities for fellowship and making new connections. The packed church on Sunday morning at St John’s lifted our hearts as we worshipped together as one benefice. Then we had the hugely enjoyable lunch at St George’s with the fantastic Sea Cadets doing the cooking and InCantata choir entertaining us so well. Finally, and to draw all the threads together, the weekend closed with a very special Evensong (with Forest Church elements!) at St Michael’s where the church was full to bursting.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to the weekend in so many different ways; it has helped to set the stage for an exciting and fruitful next chapter for our churches. Thanks be to God for blessing us so richly.

There will be services for Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 6th October at both St George’s, Wash Common (9.30am) and St John’s, Newbury (10am), with donations of non perishable foodstuffs requested for West Berkshire Foodbank and Newbury Soup Kitchen. All welcome.

Flower arrangers from across the three churches of the South Newbury Benefice have been busy creating a stunning display of over 20 floral arrangements, filling St Michael’s Church, Enborne for a flower festival which starts tomorrow and ends on Sunday. This is part of a weekend of celebrations for the three churches of St George’s Wash Common, St John’s Newbury and St Michael’s Enborne. All are welcome to pop in to the church at any time during the day, and the weekend culminates with a service of evensong on Sunday at 6pm. Further details for the weekend can be found by clicking here.

To mark the addition of St Michael and All Angels Church, Enborne joining the South Newbury Benefice of St George, Wash Common and St John, Newbury, a weekend of celebrations is taking place between 27th – 29th September (which falls on the feast day of St Michael & All Angel’s).

Events include:

Flower Festival at St Michael’s, Enborne, RG20 0HD. Open all day from 27th – 29th September with over 20 floral displays.

Songs of Ascent mini pilgrimage on Saturday 28th September, from St John’s and St George’s to St Michael’s. Departing 9am, returning by 1pm. More details from the church office on 01635 41249.

Wash Common Community Festival, Falkland Cricket Club, RG14 6TW. 28th September from 1 – 5pm. The benefice will have a stand, come for a chat!

Benefice Celebration Service Sunday 29th September, 10am at St John’s RG14 7PY . A single service on Sunday morning for all three churches will celebrate the new benefice.

Benefice lunch Sunday 29th September from 11.30am – 2.30pm at St George’s. BBQ provided by Newbury Sea Cadets, salads and desserts by members of all three churches and musical entertainment from Incantata.

Evening choral evensong service Sunday 29th September, 6pm at St Michael’s. The weekend culminates with a choral evensong service to mark the Festival of St Michael and All Angels.

All are welcome to any or all of the events over the weekend. Further details are here.