East Widnes Team Team Rector Reverend Helen Blackburn Team Vicar and Cronton contact Reverend Lyn McIver Team Curate Reverend Laura Leatherbarrow St. Luke’s Lay reader Sue Smither 01514206643 www.st-luke.co.uk Team Office St John’s Church Centre Greenway Road Widnes WA8 6HA Monday 10am to 2pm Tuesday 10am to 1pm Wednesday 1pm to 3pm Thursday 1pm to 3pm Friday 10am to 1pm Team Administrator Lesley Howell [email protected] 0151 423 4311 Weddings and Baptisms contact East Widnes Team Administrator 0151 423 4311 Funerals Parish Review St. Luke’s Church & Cronton Mission At our Harvest Festival Sunday 12th October 1030am Donate a breakfast to FOODBANK Milk (UHT) Cereal Sugar Coffee Fruit Juice Your donations will help to provide 3 days of emergency food and support for local people in crisis. Please make arrangements with a funeral director October 2014 50p 40 BOLD FARM SHOP MILL LANE BOLD 01514202047 [email protected] OPEN Mon Tues Thurs Fri Sat 0830-1700 Sunday 0930-1600 Closed Wednesday JM GARDENING SERVICES 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE PROFESSIONAL AND RELIABLE ALL ASPECTS OF GARDENING WORK UNDERTAKEN GRASS CUTTING & PRESSURE WASHING TURFING, FENCING, PAVING, DECKING REGULAR GARDEN MAINTENANCE LAWN CARE & TREATMENT SERVICE CALL TODAY FOR A FREE QUOTE 07749661523 0151 424 4547 2 39 Claire’s Barbers Farnworth Parish Established Gents Barbers Churchwardens Margaret Campbell 114 Coroners Lane 01514246039 Barry Ingram 286 Upton Lane 01514232492 George Telfer 8 Wentworth Close 01514234640 Barry Horabin 12 Buckingham Ave 01514249887 Lay Chair Barry Ingram 01514232492 Verger Mike Dodd 1 Clarence Ave 01514247691 Roof work Project Manager Barry Horabin 01514249887 PCC Secretary Sandra Lacey 07761672030 Asst PCC Secretary Pat Johnson PCC Treasurer Ian Taylor 01514244487 Asst PCC Treasurer Yvonne Horabin 01514249887 Safeguarding Officer Margaret Campbell 01514246039 Sunday School 1030am in the Bridewell most Sundays Sunday School Leader Lynn Keeling 01514243142 Choir Practice Thursdays 6.30pm in church Tower Captain Mrs E Dodd 01514247691 Bell ringing practice Tuesdays 6.30pm Schools Farnworth C.E. Primary 01514243042 Cronton C.E. Primary 01514243881 165A Peel House Lane Opening times Mon to Thurs 09.00—5.30pm Friday 09.00—6.00pm Saturday 09.00—5.00pm £1.00 off a haircut on production of this advert [email protected] No appointment necessary Loyalty scheme Oh So Gorgeous Beautiful MEMORIAL STATIONERY INCLUDING WEDDING STATIONERY CELEBRATION SATIONERY TABLE PLANS FAVORS and GIFTS ORDER OF SERVICE MEMORIAL CARDS BOOKMARKS THANK YOU CARDS AVAILABLE FROM The Print Concierge 108 Bancroft Road Widnes WA8 3LL t: 0151 420 2714 [email protected] www.theprintconcierge.co.uk AVAILABLE FROM PRINTIQUE CREATIVE BOUTIQUE By The Print Concierge 108 Bancroft Road Widnes WA8 3LL t: 0151 420 2714 printique@the printconcierge.co.uk 38 Editor Philip Lacey 07710030973 Kebbs Farm Clock Face Road Bold Widnes WA8 3XH Pease submit any material, articles or adverts, via email to [email protected] with attachments in Word, Arial font 12 Bold. Deadline for articles noon on 18th of each month. The Editor, the Team Rector and the Churchwardens reserve the right to omit or edit material provided for inclusion in this magazine. BOOKINGS The Bridewell is available for use for small groups. Charges are £10 for first two hours and £2.50 per hour thereafter. To book please contact Barry Ingram 0151 423 2492 3 New Kitchen, Bathroom or Bedroom? The Ring O Bells - Pit Lane, Widnes WA89HU 0151 424 6330 www.ringobellswidnes.co.uk WHY CHOOSE US? • For our Custom built full Kitchens, Bedrooms & Bathrooms • For our made-to-measure door replacement service to refurbish your existing kitchen • For our personal service & fitting www.flagship-kbb.co.uk Tel: 0151 495 1100 4 Sundays Quiz free entry 9pm Wednesdays Accoustic Jam Night 37 Colin George Roofing Pendlebury Farm South Lane Widnes WA8 3UB Slating, Felting, Tiling Guttering & loft insulation We give free estimate service FOOT CARE THERAPIST without obligation Carol Griffiths M.B.Ch.A. Widnes 0151 424 2586 Mobile 07831 169384 ********************** Reduced rates for pensioners Domiciliary Visits 12 Alder Avenue, Telephone Widnes, Cheshire WA8 6QG Surgery: 0151 423 2651 Mobile: 07802 426050 36 5 Moss House Caravan Storage Rainford, Nr. St.Helens, Merseyside Domestic Electrical Installation & Maintenance (Part P Registered) Plus General House Repairs & Refurbishments Call 07595 761 364 for free estimates Or E-mail [email protected] Established 1969 run by caravan club members. Inside & outdoor high level security storage. CCTV monitored & electronic recorded access. Up to 20% discount available on caravan & motor home insurance when you store on a CaSSOA Gold Super Secure site. Telephone: 01744 850 963 Mobile 07974651159 Visit WWW.DHHomeSolutions.co.uk [email protected] www.mosshousecaravanstorage.com Est. 1998 HND STRUCTURES 14 CLAREMONT DRIVE WIDNES WA8 9LX OLD POCKET WATCHES (working or not) wanted Also LP records John 0151 424 9189 Joinery and Building, Maintenance and Alterations Fencing Works Insurance Works For Free Estimate or Quotation Ring 0151 424 9707 6 35 RSPB Liverpool Liverbirds Wildlife Explorers Helping children (aged 6-12) explore the wonders of nature, birds and wildlife and encouraging their passion for the outdoors, the environment and conservation. Where? Pex Hill Visitor Centre, Pex Hill Ave, Cronton WA8 5QW When? Saturday 18th October 2014 at 10am -12 noon Topic: THINGS THAT GO SCREECH IN THE NIGHT! Discover the secrets of bats and owls and how we can help these mysterious mammals. Stories, games, crafts – and maybe a friendly visitation from a mystery guest! (TBC) For more information and current programme, please visit our web page: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/liverpoolwex/, or contact group leader Nic Hawkes on [email protected] Admission charges: child £2/adult 50p/family of 3 children or more £5. Includes drink and biscuits/fruit. We deal with all accountancy and taxation matters associated with limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, employees, as well as people in receipt of pensions and investment income etc. If you would like friendly, confidential, and yet very professional advice please contact either Ray Musker or John Garrett. 23 Farnworth Street, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 9LH Telephone: 0151423 5434 Facsimile: 0151 495 2994 E-Mail:[email protected] 34 7 P.K. JOINERY & Dear Friends CONSTRUCTION Its lovely when we receive an invitation whether its to a wedding, a christening, a special party orEXTENTION even a humble & LOFT luncheon. It makes us feel we matter to whoever has invited us. CONVERSION SPECIALIST It gives a warm glow to realise that we are noticed and wanted GARAGEis CONVERSIONS, PORCHES, and loved. The pleasure of our company required. Most people are good at replying to invitations, especially if there is an RSVP by a specific date. But there is the odd person who simply doesn’t reply. This happened recently to me for my daughter Emma’s wedding. Despite texts and e mails, no reply was forthcoming. FLAT ROOF PITCHED. ALL JOINERY WORK This got me thinking about how people respond &toBUILDING invitations. UNDERTAKEN In particular how people responded to Jesus when he invited them to be alongside him and grow in their CLASS awareness of God FIRST TRADESMAN in their lives and the world. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said. This was 32 UPTON BRIDLE PATH WIDNES the direct invitation to the fishermen, Peter and07957760515 Andrew who, TEL: we’re told, left their nets immediately and joined Jesus on his journey. There were other times when the invitation was less direct. It was then through the way in which Jesus lived his life and what he was saying and what he was doing that seemed to draw people from miles around to join him and be alongside him. Jesus could then in effect be seen to be the visible living invitation from God to which people responded in their own ways. This autumn we are embarking upon a season of invitation in the church. A time when shall be actively inviting everyone to come and be part of the Church family across the whole East Widnes team. Whether you come to church already, came to church in the past and for whatever reason stopped coming, or if you are completely new to attending church, the invitation is for you. Back to Church Sunday on 28 Sept was the first of these invitations. 8 Music Tuition Piano, Keyboard, Electronic Organ Studio lessons at the Ring O’Bells Hotel,(opp St Lukes) Home Visits by arrangement. All ages and abilities, beginners welcome, every enquiry acknowledged. Derek, 01744 616430 (Quals 5 ) Michelle, 0151 5101186 (BA Hons) Queens Avenue Pets Animals and Accessories 29 Queens Avenue 0151 420 4566 [email protected] www.buypetfoodonline.co.uk Family run business who stock a wide range of pet supplies for many different types of pets including food, beds, treats and toys. We have a large selection of different brands available. We can have your goods ready to collect or we can deliver to your door just give us a call to arrange delivery. FREE delivery to Widnes and *other local areas. We have also have small animals, birds, reptiles, coldwater and tropical fish in our shop so pay us a visit. 33 P.K. JOINERY & CONSTRUCTION EXTENTION & LOFT CONVERSION SPECIALIST GARAGE CONVERSIONS, PORCHES, FLAT ROOF PITCHED. ALL JOINERY & BUILDING WORK UNDERTAKEN FIRST CLASS TRADESMAN 32 UPTON BRIDLE PATH WIDNES TEL: 07957760515 The second is our new ALPHA course which begins on Thursday 2 October and the third is the Bible Readathon also in October. All these activities are part of our desire to help us all deepen our relationship with Jesus and God. We all have a hunger to discover the meaning and purpose in our lives and the ALPHA course will help us all discover answers to many of our questions as we listen to talks and engage with each other in conversations and discussions. Why not take a few moments to reflect upon how you might respond to these invitations to be a visible part of the Church family. You might also like to think and pray about who you can invite to come with you. For all are welcome to come to church and to meet with God. I am inviting you personally to be a part of the growing church here in all our churches and congregations in the East Widnes Team. Love & prayers Revd Helen BIBLE ALIVE 2014 Reaches its climax in October with our Bible Alive Readathon, when every word of the bible, from Genesis to Revolution will be continuously rad aloud across our diocese. This will conclude with a grand celebration at our cathedral at 3pm on Bible Sunday 26th October. Joining together to read God’s word aloud and proclaim that the Bible is Alive today will be a fitting end to Bishop Richard's challenge. Each deanery has allocated approximately 8 hours of the bible which contains Law, History, Wisdom, Prophets, Gospel & Epistles. The readings are in 15 min sections. If you would like to take part in this exciting venture contact a Churchwarden (details on page 3). 32 9 East Date Widnes Team Time Bible passage BIBLE READATHON Location 15-Oct 1015 Psalms 106-117 incl. St Luke's Church Ephesians 4-6; 15-Oct 1030 Colossians 1-4 St Johns Church 16-Oct 1045 Deut.1-4 St Johns Church Numbers 32-36; 21-Oct 930 Philippians 1-4 22-Oct 1015 Jeremiah 43-46 St Ambrose Church St Luke's in Bridewell Oct Matthew 1-4 Farnworth CofE School Oct Matthew 5-6 Cronton School + Mission MOTs HORNS GARAGE MOTs ESTABLISHED 1980 QUALITY USED CARS VEHICLE SERVICING from £79 REPAIRS and MOTS Lunt’s Heath Road Farnworth Widnes Cheshire WA8 5RZ Telephone 0151 424 9011 EMAIL: [email protected] www.hornsgaragecarsales.co.uk MOTS MOTS Domino Drive (with cards) Meeting in the Bridewell – 130pm Thursdays 16th October, 20th November and 20th December Saturday 4th October in Farnworth School 3pm to 5pm 10 31 & Saturday 22nd November 2014 Moon Meadow Scout & Guide HQ, Farnworth Street, Widnes 3pm — 5pm Come alone as a family or group (Children, please bring an adult) Join us for Fun, Fellowship, Food, Crafts, Music & Worship - No charge (free event) WE’D LIKE TO ENSURE WE HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE SO PLEASE COMPLETE A REGISTRATION FORM AND RETURN IT TO CHURCH, SCHOOL or EMAIL: [email protected] or call the PARISH OFFICE; 0151 423 4311 30 11 BRIDEWELL LUNCH CLUB Mondays Oct 27th XMAS LUNCHES Nov 17th & 24th Bookings contact Sue Smither 0151 420 6643 BOOKSALE in the Bridewell first Sat each month. 11am – 3pm Refs. Fixed Fees Personal Professional Free Initial Consultation AFTERNOON TEA in the Bridewell Every Tues 2.30pm to 4pm Why us? Because we like to keep things simple but effective whilst providing a personalised service to local business owners and individuals. OPEN CHURCH Church will be open on Wednesdays 10am to 4pm. Please visit to enjoy the beauty of our church. Volunteers are on hand to chat about the history of the building. Tea and biscuits served. If you would like to be a steward for Open Church please contact Church Warden Barry Ingram 0151 423 2492 CHURCH GUILD—September meeting Our first meeting was a social when we were entertained by the Knowsley Community Ladies Choir, accompanied by Mike Smith on the piano. The choir sang a range of numbers from various shows and singers, and the whole audience were able to join in. Their conductor, Alex, interspersed with corny stories and anecdotes, and the moans and groans told of the audience reaction. Following the entertainment we enjoyed another excellent buffet provided by Iris, assisted by Jinny. The raffle followed with the monies raised going to Guild funds. Thanks to Mary for ticket sales and all members who provided the prizes. Next meeting 2nd October—Michael Murphy will be our speaker. His talk will be ‘1947, What a winter that was’. Self Assessment Our Services: Payroll Company Accounts Company Secretarial Tax Advice Company Incorporations VAT Management Accounts We can also provide online bookkeeping services. Our aim: To make the complicated understandable, to help put you in control and to be there to help you meet your compliance needs. Simply put: we listen to you, we learn about your business and we give you professional and expert advice. So for help with any of your accountancy and tax needs, please get in touch. t: 0151 230 8369 or 01744 742318 m: 07759 980820 @: [email protected] w: www.jennionsmacken.co.uk Registered in England Co Number: 8210210 Mike Dodd 12 29 A Time of Reconciliation and Healing St. John's church 3pm Sunday 12th October Healing ministry is an important part of a Christian’s life, sometimes things can affect us mentally, physically and emotionally. Reconciliation is also an important focus of this ministry. In light of this growing need within the community, the East Widnes Team is holding a special service looking at reconciliation and healing. This will include the laying on of hands and anointing for those who wish to receive this ministry. There will also be space to recollect, worship, and pray at various stations. Maybe you or somebody you know has been ill, and you need time and space to pray. Maybe you’re aware of the situation in Iraq, or even something closer to home, which is continuing to hurt or concern you. Then come along, have a time, and space to receive Gods peace for the situation. All are welcome. Reverend Laura Greenalls Brass Band Saturday 6th December 730pm in church raising funds for restoration work 28 13 MOTHERS’ UNION Our first meeting of the new term was Communion in church. Thanks go to Revd Helen who lead us through the service. The aims and objectives of the MU were read out as a reminder of what the Mothers’ Union stands for. Thank you Colleen for typing and printing out the service sheets for the meeting. Two new members were enrolled, Val Park-Furnell and Dorothy Wall. We were all able to affirm our commitment to the Mothers’ Union along with Val and Dorothy, we welcome both of them. Eileen Lynn was presented with a bouquet of flowers and happy birthday was sung to celebrate her 90th birthday. We were all asked to continue praying for Sue Connolly hoping for a speedy recovery. It was so sad to hear of Norah Wrights death. Norah was a long and loyal member of our branch and will be sadly missed. Sept 12th was the annual rally held at the Widnes Rugby Stadium. Sowing for the future was the theme so we were all given a bulb to plant and told to wait and see what appears. Music was supplied by Tony Currie and members of St Paul’s band. The event was well attended. We sang, prayed and had reports from many speakers. The MU is involved in many things and we were encouraged to help in any way we can, no matter how small. We were told a story about a boy who saw hundreds of star fish stranded on a beach. He started to throw them back into the sea. A man approached him and said ‘you are wasting your time because you can’t save them all’. The boy picked up a star fish and threw it into the sea ‘it wasn’t a waste of time for that one’. Our guest speaker was Barbara Taylor President, Province of York. She was a very quiet serene lady who spoke about her life in the MU. Her grandmother was a member and she has always been part of the church. There wasn’t any major event or divine awakening, God has just always been there. She wasn’t always ready for the things she was asked to do but she believes God has always helped her to overcome any difficulties that lay in her path. I’m sure she has inspired many people along the way. It was lovely to see Revd Jeff Engel who was part of the closing worship and as always has wonderful things to say about the MU. October 8th is our next meeting with Rev’d. Pauline Makin November 12th is crafts and display with Carol Mather December 1st Deanery carol service All Saints Childwall December 10th our carol service in church. Rita Poole 14 Dress code for services will be school uniform and eventually cassocks. Rehearsals will also include some secular pieces. A merit system will be in place to reward achievement and attendance. A register of attendance will be kept and regular attendance will be expected. The children will learn a variety of hymns, anthems and secular songs. A church, or a school, without a choir is like a body without a soul. Singing lies at the heart of worship and education.’ John Rutter, Composer & Conductor If you would like your child to join but cannot come to the ‘taster’ evening please contact Mrs Sue Smither e mail: sueandjohnsmitherlk21.com tel. 0151 420 6643 If you would like to advertise in this magazine please contact the editor Philip 0770030973 Adverts £60 full page £30 1/2 page £15 1/4 page for 10 editions in a year. 27 Aladdin’s Cave Friday 10th & Saturday 11th OCTOBER 10am to 2pm in the Bridewell. ST LUKE FARNWORTH New Children’s Choir at St Luke’s led by Director of Music, Daniel Rathbone Objectives: for children to make new friends to give enjoyment singing in a choir to improve individual voices to learn new songs some opportunity for singing solos to build self confidence Objectives: for parents to learn some music theory – staves, dynamics, note length to open new vistas for your children to enhance church worship to aid general reading and concentration The Children’s Choir will be open to all children aged 7 and above. A ‘taster’ open meeting/rehearsal is proposed for Thursday 9 October 2014 from 5.30 to 6.15pm in St Luke’s Church. Parents are invited to remain in church during the ‘taster’ rehearsal. The Children’s Choir will sing for the first time at Christmas 2014 specifically at the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols (21/12) and the Christingle Service (24/12). The children will then sing one or two items at a Sunday morning service once a month during term time. Rehearsals will be held every Thursday during term time from 5.30pm to 6.15pm. 26 Sale of good quality nearly new and used clothing, household goods & bric-a-brac. If you could take donations to the Bridewell on the Thursday before sale between 10am and 4pm this would be appreciated. Iris and her team would like to thank all attend and especially all who donate items. If you require items to be picked up please ring Mike 07763413732. English Heritage Day . Saturday 13th September 2014 As part of the requirements to be in receipt of a Heritage Grant , as we are here at St Luke's, all listed buildings have to open their doors to the public. This year we had an exhibition of Wedding dresses through the decades. How styles have changed from the styles of the sixties and seventies to the elaborate and more expensive styles of today. My wedding dress from 1972 was hand crocheted by my mother and cost £5 for the wool whereas one of my daughters dress cost over £2,000. The oldest items on display were the Victorian veils, they were beautiful and would have been worn with a very plain dress. We had tours of the church and the village during the day and even the scaffolding didn't put people off. More than 50 visitors enjoyed the beauty of our church. Thank you to all who helped make this another successful Heritage Day . Yvonne Horabin 15 This Harvest we’re asking you to help feed local people in crisis by donating breakfast for Widnes Foodbank. We are asking everyone to rally round to give one small breakfast item such as cereals, UHT milk, long life fruit juice, a small jar of coffee and a small bag of sugar. We all understand how important breakfast is and especially in the case of people who are struggling. The Foodbank helps local individuals and families in crisis through the provision of emergency food supplies donated by churches, schools, businesses and the general public. The circumstances surrounding a crisis are unique to every individual, so the Foodbank partners with frontline care professionals, such as health visitors, social workers and other community-based support workers, who are able to identify and refer people facing hunger to the Foodbank. As well as receiving nutritionally-balanced 3 day food parcels, people are welcomed with a cup of tea, listened to and signposted to agencies that are able to help resolve the underlying cause of the problem. {So far Widnes Foodbank distributed over 35 tonnes of food to 3909 people, of which 1625 were children.} The demands on the Foodbank are as strong as ever and this is where we can help. Please join with us by giving food so that local people in need don’t go hungry. Thank you. October Flower Rota 5th Mrs S Tuson 12th Mrs L Gregson 19th Mrs E Lynn 26th Mr P Herriman 16 Our church has a duty of pastoral care to all who live in our community and as PCC members we take the lead in demonstrating this care. As PCC members we are Trustees of a charity and are responsible for managing the Church’s finances. This means we support fundraising and giving, whilst ensuring that all funds are properly accounted for, the books properly maintained, and the PCC annual accounts inspected or audited, and formally approved by the PCC, prior to the Annual Parochial Church Meting. We need to be aware of any issues relating to the care and maintenance of the fabric of the church and we have the responsibility of deciding on them and voting on items of expenditure. At St Luke’s the Friends of St Luke Farnworth Committee support with this mammoth task, especially over recent year as we undertake the urgent and important work of restoring the church roof. PCC meet regularly to consider and discuss, and if appropriate vote upon, matters concerning all the above as well as matters relating to the wider Church of England What skills do I need to be a member of the PCC? ‘Skills’ may be too prescriptive, it is better perhaps to say that someone interested in becoming a member of the PCC should be: A committed member of the congregation Interested in and involved with the life of the church and the local community Willing to learn and to share ideas, experience and gifts Caring Able to listen to another’s point of view. Please continue to pray for and support St Luke’s PCC members and perhaps consider whether God is calling you to get more involved in the work of the church and local community as a PCC member or in other ways. If you would like to chat more about PCC or about how you can get involved in other ways then I would be delighted to hear from you! 25 Why I Joined Parochial Church Council (PCC)? by Clare Liptrott I have been a PCC member now for a long time! In fact it must be more than 5 years. Initially it was Sandra Lacey (who is currently PCC Secretary) who asked me to consider standing. At that time I had been a regular congregation member at St Luke’s for probably 2-3 years and when asked, having given the matter thought and prayer, felt that it was the right thing to do, that it was time that I gave back to the church and community as it had given much to me, cared for me and supported me, during my time at St Luke’s and since I had come to live in the area. I can’t say that I really knew what I was letting myself in for but just that God was directing me to take the next step and get involved. I have found my time on PCC to be very rewarding and it has definitely given me ample opportunity to give back to the church and community, as well as to support my own spiritual growth and bring me closer to God. I have been involved in many pieces of work and undertaken many roles over the time; from being a member of the Leading Your Church in Growth Group, to a member (and for a time Chair) of Friends of St Luke Farnworth focusing on restoration of the church building, facilitating workshops on Growth Planning, for a time being Lay Chair of the PCC and also a Church Warden for a year. As my journey in faith continues I remain a member of the PCC whilst also now responding to God’s call again as I am now training to become a Lay Reader. The Role of the PCC The PCC is a team made up of members of clergy and lay members of the church. Together we are responsible for the overall wellbeing, practical as well as spiritual, of the church, the church members, and the church buildings. We also have a duty to promote the mission of the church within the wider community. Prayer and worship is at the heart of all the work of the PCC, ensuring arrangements are in place for public worship and providing an opportunity for people of all ages to meet for prayer and worship. We aim to support the clergy both prayerfully and personally as well as supporting all members of the congregation and extending welcome to all who visit the church. 24 East Widnes Team Worship Rota October 2014 Date 5 Oct St Ambrose St John 9am HC (CW) St Luke Cronton 1030am AAW 1030am 1030am no service 1230pm 630pm ES TRINITY16 12 Oct TRINITY17 1030am HC 19 Oct 1030am HC 1030am HC 6.00pm EP 845am HC 1030am 1030am no service 630pm HC (BCP) 1030am SOW 6pm HC 1030am HC TRINITY18 26 Oct Last after TRINITY 8am HC 1030am MP HAR- 1030am VEST CAFÉ 9am HC (BCP) 1030am MP 1030am HC Wednesday Services in October 1st St Lukes Holy Communion 8th St Lukes Morning Prayer St Ambrose Holy Communion 15th St Lukes Holy Communion 22nd St Lukes Morning Prayer St Ambrose Holy Communion 29th St Lukes Holy Communion 17 East Widnes Team Alpha Course starts Thurs 2nd Oct Every Thursday for 8 weeks 1.30pm – 3pm in St Ambrose Church Hall 6.30pm – 8pm in St John’s Church Hall Everyone is welcome to attend which ever session suits you best Why not join us on this eight week journey to explore Christianity and what it is all about? What is Alpha? The Alpha Course is an opportunity for us to explore the Christian faith. It’s relaxed, low key, & friendly. It’s a place where we can come and ask questions, delve into issues and look for answers together. Extracts from the Diocesan Bulletin St Luke’s Parish Registers Parish Share is important. It is the way we fund our mission and ministry across our diocese. It is an expression of our togetherness as a diocese mutually supporting each other. Yet as it is about finance it is inevitably contentious. It is the single biggest expenditure item for most PCCs and DCCs so it is bound to receive attention. It could be argued we don’t have to change. At 98%+ our collection rate is rightly the envy of other dioceses. And the amount we are asking is based on a realistic assessment of our ministry costs. Our diocese has made great strides to eliminate waste and focus expenditure where it matters – on the mission and ministry work of our parishes, chaplaincies and priests. But the fact that we are in a strong position means this is a good time to review the options open to us. Doing this from a position of strength means we are more likely to make sound, principled, reasoned decisions. There are two options being discussed by Synod. · Option 1 – Updating the current system · Option 2 – An alternative deanery based system Option 1 – Updating the current system Currently Parish Share is calculated by essentially using two factors Adult attendance at Sunday services The Socio economic condition of the parish The Socio economic condition of the parish. What’s Involved? The Alpha Course consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as “Who is Jesus?” and “Why and how do I pray?” After each talk there is a time of discussion. Option 2 – alternative deanery based system The aim for this is a flexible system which enables deaneries to decide how many stipendiary clergy they wish to deploy and how much each parish would contribute to the cost. It is still a system of mutual support with the contribution required for an incumbent linked to the socio economic information about that parish. This system is based on 3 pieces of information Deanery decision on the number of clergy they deploy Socio-economic conditions of the Deanery Read more on the Diocesan website [email protected] 18 23 Also, being a visitor gave me time to ‘be me’ and take part in worship with no distractions or responsibilities. In fact, the whole year provided a weekly journey into understanding and deepening my faith that ‘Bible study’ groups can’t provide in quite the same way. We all learned a great deal – and not just knowledge through study. It’s as though I have ‘filled out’ spiritually, ‘grown up’ in faith, settled into a confidence in mission (the teacher in me judges this as ‘still emerging’). It has been a really tough year in terms of doing the work… but not once did I think of giving up, not once did I contemplate not rushing back down the M62 to get to the cathedral on a Tuesday night after a long day. The course, the tutors and the other students have fed, nurtured and supported me every step of the year and I can’t wait to start year two. Halfway! – I might just make the grade… and what sums it up? Psalm 139 (most of it) Yaweh, I know you are near, Standing always at my side. You guard me from the foe, and you lead me in ways everlasting. Lord you have searched my heart, And you know when I sit and when I stand, Your hand is upon me protecting me from death, Keeping me from harm. Where can I turn from your love? If I climb to the heavens you are there; If I fly to the sunrise or sail beyond the sea, Still I’d find you there. Marvellous to me are your works; How profound are your thoughts, my Lord. Even if I could count them, they number as the stars, You would still be there. 22 St Luke’s Parish Registers Holy Baptism September Date 07/09/14 Name Maisy Grace Moss Thomas James Golden Funerals August Date 20/08/2014 Name Margaret (Peggy) Wood Age September 01/09/2014 John Hartley Sanders 78 09/09/2014 17/09/2014 18/09/2014 Ruth Eleanor Leigh Baby Riley Taylor-Ogden Norah Wright 83 Date Names Weddings October 4 th 10th 18th 88 Matthew Benjamin Farrell & Rebecca Anne Perkins Thomas James O’Hanlon & Emily Anne Curran Neil Fox & Victoria Jayne Walton Robert Fitzsimon Rob, our resident quiz master passed away on Monday 1st September. His sense of humour and his smile will be sadly missed. His quizzes were always well thought out and made us think. He helped to raise lots of money over more than 20 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially Lynn Keeling, his sister our Sunday School Leader. 19 Cronton Mission News Café Style Church The end of summer and the start of the autumn have seen ongoing changes at Cronton Mission. The Cafe Style Church continues to grow in enthusiasm and increasing numbers of new families have joined us. The informal style of worship lasting 45 minutes enables adults and children to worship together around tables and chairs with bible reading and prayers using Lectionary Themes. The worship is developed by a planning team and led by readers Spen and Dave from St Ambrose. Church members have seen how the Holy Spirit has moved in this type of service and in the leader’s enthusiasm and commitment. An example of the craft used in a service about the parable of the forgiving servant was where the children decorated a flower whose petals spelt forgive, one letter on each petal. Money granted from the Deanery Mission and Growth Funds has enabled musical instruments to be purchased for the children. Hartley Sanders Sadly we have seen the loss of a dear friend of the Mission Hartley Sanders who had lived in the village most of his life and worshipped at the Mission. His life and work was dedicated to the well being of children and families as a Commissioner in the Scouts. Hartley will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family at this time. School Life in the school continues with the staff and children returning from the summer holidays and Collective Worship is held at 11.15 each Monday morning. The school said a sad farewell to Miss Comber the RE lead as she prepares for her marriage and a new post nearer home on the Wirral. Miss Comber has been an enthusiastic and committed RE lead in the school and our partnership continues to deliver collective worship with involvement of the children. The commitment by the school in the life of the Mission is strong and valued. . 20 What has Lesley Wright been doing? On Palm Sunday 2014 I started my ten week external placement as part of the Lay Reader Training that Claire and I are embarked on. How would I cope with being away from everyone at Cronton for so long? Revd Lyn put me forward for St Brides in Liverpool – and I trust her implicitly so I wasn’t nervous … and I wasn’t disappointed. The external placement comes at the end of the first year so that we are sent out of our comfort zone to a place where we are only known as ‘the lay reader’ (trainee). We get to experience a different style of worship, a different ‘organisation’ and people. It helps us reflect on worship, mission, faith and belief and it’s true - you need to be somewhere new and different to be able to see where you are and who you are – to put the learning journey into practice, to challenge yourself – and enjoy the experience. St Bride’s is part of a team just as we are – the mother church is St Luke’s (the bombed-out church in Liverpool, so not a place of regular worship). There are four churches with a roof in the team… St Bride’s on Catherine Street that looks like a Geek temple from the outside; St Dunstan’s in Picton, St Michael’s in Chinatown and St Stephen’s next to the new Women’s Hospital. What a variety of styles they represent! St Stephen’s was traditional high church (‘was’ because it has closed through falling numbers – I preached at the last service). St Dunstan’s is high church, but a VERY modern version (and very exciting – lots of getting up and moving about during the service). St Michael’s was very similar to Cronton. St Luke’s is truly as advertised – a creative, progressive, inclusive church. A significant proportion of the congregation lead worship and preach on Sundays and/or run/lead other worship groups and activities during the week. Godly play with the children is well developed and everyone participates in most services. On my placement I had to lead worship, preach and take part in other activities (Celtic worship, Christian meditation, community meals) and learned much about what different forms and styles worship can take and how these can lead you to a greater connection with God and the Holy Spirit. 21
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