St Michael's - Patronal Festival

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Some details of our recent patronal festival...

Patronal Festival 2009

St Michael's Church Tilehurst welcomed people to its Festival Weekend

Friday 25th - Sunday 27th September 2009

We had a great success in 2008 with our festival weekend which welcomed many visitors and raised almost a thousand pounds for the Restoration fund. It was a great opportunity to welcome more people into our church - to let people know that the church is here to support them and to live out part of our mission - to be a friend to all.

In 2009 we tried to make the festival even better, with lots of activities planned for the weekend. Our theme was Connections with St Michael's - not only individual connections through baptisms, weddings and funerals, but also wider connections with the community, including links with various groups and firms in the local area.

St Michael's Church During the festival weekend, the Church was open for everyone to view displays at the following times...

Friday 25th: 2pm - 5pm

Saturday 26th: 10am - 6pm

Sunday 27th: 2pm - 5pm

Entry to the church was free, but there was a small charge for a printed programme.

Refreshments:
Light refreshments were available throughout the weekend, with cream teas served on Sunday afternoon.

Displays: There were flower displays from: British Legion, The Link, Thames Valley Flower Club, St Georges, St Catherine's, Tilehurst Horticultural Association, St Michael's Pastoral Visitors Group and many more. The organisers helped those at church who wished to sponsor some flowers for a particular event, reflecting their connection with St Michael's.

Music:
- On Friday 25th, Park Lane School sang in church in the afternoon. In a separate event, the Folk Group Scratch Band performed in the evening.
- On Saturday 26th, organists played throughout the day. We also had a quarter-peal of bell-ringing between 4 pm and 5 pm, performed by our own band of ringers.
- On Sunday 27th, background music was played during the afternoon.

Services:
- On Saturday 26th, there was a period of music and meditation from 6 pm to 6:30 pm - "Sowing the Seeds".
- On Sunday 27th, there was a Eucharist Service at 8 am and a child-friendly Family Service at 9:30 am with the Archdeacon of Berkshire preaching.

St Michael's is your parish church and we are here always to support you throughout - not only births, marriages and bereavement but all the other ups and downs of modern life. If you want information, advice or support, please contact the Parish Office.

Some details from our festival in 2008...

Patronal Festival 2008

Saint Michael is viewed as:
- the main adversary of Satan, the angelic prince of evil
- God's vice regent
- the heavenly high priest
- the keeper of the keys of heaven
- the protector of Israel.

The name Michael comes from the Hebrew language, meaning "who is like God".

The annual feast day of St Michael - Michaelmas - is 29th September. In 2008, the members of St Michael's church celebrated with a Patronal Festival over the weekend of 26th - 28th September.

The new Rector had issued an invitation to all the residents of the Parish to visit our historic church over the weekend and join us on the Sunday to celebrate the festival. Assistance was given with transport to church, where this was a problem for visitors.

St Michael's has been a focus of life in Tilehurst for hundreds of years. Residents were encouraged to take the opportunity to look around the church, to see the results of the first phase of our current renovations - the beautifully restored Lady Chapel - and also the painting of the Nativity which was installed last year. In addition there was a large number of displays of work by various individuals and groups - see below for details.

Friday afternoon - Open church and displays, plus a performance by a choir from the Highlands School.
Friday evening - 'Old Tyme Music Hall' Concert.
Saturday morning - Open church and displays, plus a performance by the church's organist.
Saturday afternoon - Open church and displays, plus a performance by the church's former organist and a Quarter-Peal attempt by the bellringers.
Sunday morning at 9:30am - Service of Celebration and re-commissioning of the church's Area Contacts, with preacher Michael Piret, Dean of Divinity, Magdalene College, Oxford and, in attendance, the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading and the Lady Mayoress.
Sunday afternoon - Open church and displays.

The Displays There were extensive, themed flower arrangements throughout the church. The church's set of clergy robes were on display. An informative booklet was available which included descriptions of the historic church, short résumés of previous Rectors, and explanations of which clergy robes are used at which time of year. There was a competition to find hard-to-spot locations in church from their photographs. Members of the Sparks Group (Sunday School) had produced large posters on the theme of St Michael. A number of local artists displayed some of their paintings in the Parish Centre.

'Old Tyme Music Hall' Tickets - at £5 including refreshments - are available in advance. Everyone attending was invited to wear 'Victorian' period costume. The proceeds from this concert on Friday evening went to our restoration fund.

The Restoration Fund There is still much work to be done to restore the church fully. Upkeep of historic buildings does not come cheaply and funds have to be found locally. If you wish to make a contribution please ask for a Gift Aid envelope or use the envelope which is being distributed with the invitations. The envelopes can be handed in at church. Our volunteers at the Triangle shops on the Saturday morning of the festival also were able to receive envelopes.