Parish Jottings

Expanding Diocese

The population of the diocese is forecast to rise by over half a million people over the next fifteen years, due to new housing developments. The Right Reverend Doctor Steven Croft, the Bishop of Oxford, says that as a Christ-like church we are called to be present and engaged in every community, and that we now have new opportunities to reach out to those newcomers who are untouched by the traditional church, because they are physically, or culturally distant to our country’s institutions. He said that if every church began to plan for at least one new congregation or missional project in its locality, then we could see as many as 750 new congregations inaugurated in the diocese. To undertake this task, the Reverend Will Donaldson has been appointed as the Director of New Congregations for the Diocese of Oxford. Currently, there are 815 churches in our diocese, more than any other diocese in the Church of England.

Double 50^th Anniversary

After the morning service on Sunday 25^th August, Peter and Barbara Williams celebrated their 50^th anniversary of coming to Henley, and of their Holy Trinity church membership. Over those 50 years, there have been three vicars: The Reverend John Clarke (1953-77), The Reverend Paul Le Sueur (1977-1990), and our current vicar, The Reverend Duncan Carter. The congregation duly joined in the celebration held in typical Peter and Barbara style, with glasses of sparkling wine. Three cheers for Peter and Barbara!

Jumbo Knitting

The “Little Chimes” toddlers group has been given a Noah’s ark playset and a collection of knitted wild animals to add to their play box. The knitted animals have been made by, Maureen George, Jean Smith, and Rosemary Woodroffe, members of the church ‘Knit and Stitch Group’. The Noah’s ark playset was given by Mary Burton.

The eastern end of Friday Street on the Holy Trinity church parish boundary (Both sides of Friday Street are within the parish)