All Saints Church Wokingham launched on Instagram earlier this month. The first images displayed were selected from this gallery of pictures of the Lady Chapel. This chapel is a small “church within a church” set aside for focused prayer, care and contemplation, with its own altar and reading lectern. It is easily reached from within the main body of the church.
The Lady Chapel gets its name from its dedication to Mary the Mother of the Lord and houses an icon and eternal flame. It also is the place where the reserved sacrament is kept, ready for distribution to the sick or those prevented by illness or frailty from participating in Holy Communion services at the church. A candle stand in the chapel allows visitors to light a prayer candle. Bible, prayer books and prayer cards are provided in the chapel to help those wanting to pray.
The Lady Chapel is also the venue for the daily services of morning and evening prayer held Monday to Friday at 9am and 5pm as well as mid-week services such as Holy Communion. It is in the Lady Chapel too that the church’s prayer and healing team offer prayer ministry after every Sunday 9.30am Parish Communion service, and prayer with laying on of hands for healing at one of the church’s monthly healing services.
Currently the 11am Family Service also meets in the Lady Chapel as its size and self-contained shape are ideal for a gathering of parents and small children. Most recently the new Book of Remembrance has been situated in the entrance to the Lady Chapel. This is the book containing the names of those departed whose mortal remains are buried in the new Garden of Remembrance.
Future plans for the Lady Chapel in the new Community Church 2020 project include glazed screening and doors to enable it to retain its quiet atmosphere when the main church becomes more frequently occupied during the week by larger gatherings and activities.
Rector, Canon David Hodgson said “I see the Lady Chapel as the powerhouse of this church’s mission and ministry in Wokingham, because it is the focus of intentional prayer every day and the place where Christ’s healing is claimed”.
Other images being posted on the church’s new Instagram feed will provide a visual record of the variety of worship, prayer and activity at All Saints Church.
To follow the church on Instagram search for allsaintschurchwokingham
