Welcome to Brightwalton News

Extravagant Hospitality,
As I have settled into life in the West Downland Benefice I have been asked the same question
a number of times in a variety of different ways - essentially: “Are you happy here?” I can
honestly say that I absolutely am! The kindness and generosity shown by those I have met so
far has been quite incredible. This really is a wonderful community to be a part of. Thank you
to everyone who has made me feel so welcome.
There is much we need to improve on as the church, but our extravagant hospitality is the
hallmark of everything we do. Starting with the simplest cup of coffee and every bite of food we
serve through to every smile of welcome and prayer shared, we want our extravagant hospitality
to be the first thing that everyone experiences whenever they connect with all that happens in
church. There are good biblical principles for this - from the many meals and celebrations that
Jesus enjoyed to alabasta jar of perfume that anointed his feet towards the end of his earthly
life, we are encouraged to be generous. I hope that is your experience. If it is not, please let
me know!
As I write this, I am deep into the planning for Holy Week and Easter. The details about the
various services around the benefice are in the picture below but I wanted to highlight a couple
of opportunities to join in with something that might be a little different this year. On Maundy
Thursday, We will gather in All Saints Brightwalton at 7pm for a Bring and Share Supper.
Maundy Thursday is a very moving service as we move from the celebration of a meal with
friends to the silence of the Garden of Gethesemene. On Good Friday, there is an Easter “Café
Church” in St Mary’s, Great Shefford at 10:30 with activities for children and refreshments for all.
(The quiet service of “The Last Hour” is at 2pm in St Swithun’s Wickham). Then on Easter Eve,
perhaps a new experience for this benefice, our Easter Celebrations begin when the sun sets
and we have a contemporary service to bring in the Easter Light. For this we will be gathering
around a fire at St Mary’s, Fawley around 7pm for a bowl of chilli as we wait for the church to get
dark. We will then light the new Easter Candles for all of our parishes and the will be carried
back to the churches for the Easter services that follow in the coming weeks. Do keep up to
date with all that is happening via our socials (@westdownland) or the website
(westdownland.co.uk) and I look forward to welcoming you into church soon!
With my love and prayers,
Rev Mike 

Brightwalton Parish Council is supporting the Keep Britain Tidy - Great British Spring Clean Campaign - which marks its 70th Anniversary this year.
West Berkshire Council is calling for residents across West Berkshire to show their pride in their community by taking part in the mass action litter pick.
Could your household adopt an lane to regularly litter pick? Could you support us by borrowing equipment and going out one day in April?
Please get in touch at [email protected] with your offers of help
​Thanks to West Berkshire Council we have a number of litter pickers, bags, gloves and hi-vis vests available to borrow.