Welcome to
St Mary Magdalen
Church Services and Events
Communion Services
Sundays - 10:00 a.m.
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Wednesdays - 10:00 a.m.
both services are followed by refreshments
​ALL WELCOME
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February Events
March Events
Sun 2 at 10:00
Intergenerational Service for Candlemas
Mon 3 at 5.30 p.m.
Parochial Church Meeting
Tue 4 at 8.00 p.m.
Music Committee Meeting
Tue 21 at 6.30 p.m.
Youth Club, St Mary Magdalen’s.
Wed 5 at 10:00
Ash Wednesday Service
Tue 11 at 6.30 p.m.
Handbell Club, St Mary Magdalen's.
Mon 17 at 5.30 p.m.
Parochial Church Meeting
Tue 25 at 6.30 p.m.
Youth Club, St Mary Magdalen’s.
Sat 29 at 2.00 p.m.
Post-making social
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. And God saw that the light was good.
Genesis 1: v1-4
A letter from
Revd Dr. Adam
to download the latest Benefice News click on the PDF
link here
Revd Anupama writes...
23 February 2025
Dear Friends,
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I wish to make a personal announcement my retirement.
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Following my sabbatical in 2023, I returned to parish ministry with every intention of staying until October 2029. However, following developments in my family circumstances and an increasing sense of being unable to fulfil my ministerial obligations to my personal standards, I will be bringing my retirement forward by several years. The timescale is unclear at present but I plan to resign my position at St George's and St Mary Magdalen's some time in 2026 and possibly as early as January of that year.
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With this shorter timescale in mind I have consulted with Reading's Area Dean, Canon Mike Smith, and the Assistant Area Dean for West Reading and Tilehurst, Revd Liz Ratcliffe, in order to begin the standard process of consultation about the ministry needs of the Benefice and its context in the wider area. Liz will work with the four churchwardens on this, enabling a full consideration of all possibilities before the vacancy begins.
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Rita, Sue, Carl and Anne have already begun work on some aspects of preparation, although, until recently in ignorance of my change of timescale. They met on 22nd February with the Berkshire Parish Development Advisor, Rhodri Bowen, who's job is to work with vision-development processes in parishes across the area.
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I hope that my giving advanced notice of my intentions will enable a smooth process of preparation and discernment to take place that will lead to exciting next steps for both churches.
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I will keep you informed of any material developments in the timetable, and, of course, I will continue to work as hard as I can in the meantime.
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With love and best wishes,
Adam
God Bless
Lent is a time to draw closer to God with a more focussed and reflective purpose. This Lent, our Lenten spiritual journey will begin with the 10am Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday 5th March at St Mary Magdalen church.
Our focus for Lent will be reading the four Gospels during the entire period of Lent with an in-depth weekly bible study every Wednesday and Thursday.
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Everyone is encouraged to engage with daily devotional reading from the assigned Gospel sections for the day at your own pace from anywhere you might be. We’ve done the hard work for you - there is a sheet at the back of church with allocated gospel sections for your daily devotional reading. Do sign up so we can ensure all sections have been read everyday.
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This simple midweek Lenten discipline will enable us to participate and engage with the scriptures in a more meaningful and prayerful way. You may wish to read the gospel sections throughout the day or with family and friends - it is entirely up to you. Should you need large printed copy of certain gospel sections for your daily devotional reading, then please do not hesitate to contact a member of the staff team.
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A more in-depth discussion on the Gospels with reflective questions from everyday examples will take place in the Bible study groups on Wednesdays and Thursdays focussing on each gospel. So please make use of the Lent activities and study material. God bless and keep warm.
Safeguarding
This parish is committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children and people of all ages in our church community. The parish Safeguarding Policy can be seen here. Further information and contact details are on our Safeguarding page.