St Elphin’s Chronicle November 2014 Lest we Forget

St Elphin’s Chronicle
November 2014
Lest we Forget
Vol 126
Price 30p
Warrington Parish Church
St Elphins School
Farrell Street
Saturday 1st November 2014
11.00am – 4.00pm
Grand Raffle Draw at 3.30pm
1 Free Tea or Coffee on production of this flyer
Available 11.00am - 12.00pm and 3.00pm – 4.00pm
Worship in the Parish
Sundays:
8.30am
10.30am
12.30pm
6.30pm
Holy Communion
Parish Eucharist
Holy Baptism (1st & 3rd only)
Evensong
Wednesdays:
10.00am Holy Communion
Saints’ Days and other Holy Days
7.30pm Holy Communion (unless stated otherwise)
A Loop System is in operation in the Church to assist hearing aid
users. Please switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position for it to be
effective.
There are large print copies of the Hymn Book and the
Communion Service.
Please ask the Church Wardens or
Sidespeople if you would like a copy.
Special Services are announced through Church Notices, the Parish
Magazine and the Website as necessary.
Holy Communion is taken regularly to the Sick and Housebound by our Clergy and
Team of Licensed Eucharistic Ministers. Please inform the Clergy when
parishioners are ill, either at home or in hospital.
The Parish Staff
Rector
Reverend P D Wilson
The Rectory
129 Church Street WA1 2TL
01925-635020
email: [email protected]
Assistant Priest (NSM) Reverend C Waddleton
Readers
Mr R Whitticombe
3 Franklin Close
Old Hall
WA5 8QL
Mr A G Dunn
56 Orford Green
WA2 8PL
Church Wardens
Mr A Wright
5 Kinsale Drive
Locking Stumps
WA3 6LX
Miss K J Hayes
8 Charlton Street
Latchford
WA4 1LX
Organist and
Mr A Thornecroft
Choirmaster
Websites:
St Elphin’s:
http://www.warringtonparishchurch.org
Diocesan Website:
http://www.liverpool.anglican.org
Cathedral Website:
http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
0161-962-0062
01925-564408
01925-630417
01925-821048
01925-656790
01925-413744
November, a time for ‘re-membering’
How’s your memory? Can you remember with great clarity and
detail the events of something ten or fifteen years ago, but not
whether you’ve locked the door before leaving the house? Can you
remember what it is you are allowed to put into your green bin,
black bin or green box, but not your PIN number, telephone
number or your age when put under pressure? Psychologists and
psychiatrists tell us that our memories are failing us because of the
hectic pace of modern life and the need to cram so much
information into our brains, but they also tell us that they’re being
stretched in completely new ways through acquiring new skills and
learning and experiencing new things. So it’s not all bad!
Sometimes it’s good and important to remember. At other times
it’s crucial to forget. How are you at remembering what’s good and
reminding others of that, keeping a healthy, loving thing alive and
well? And how are you at remembering those things which need to
be let go of and forgotten and not to keep reminding others of; reopening the wound, re-igniting the hurt and pain, pointing the finger
of accusation and reminding people of their faults, mistakes and
guilt?
To ‘re-member’ literally means to piece back together again. This is
good when it’s a broken, shattered life or relationship we’re ‘remembering’, but not so good when it’s petty hurts or personal
grievances with others that we’re ‘re-membering’. This isn’t the
kind of remembering God expects of us.
November is traditionally a time to remember; remembering those
from our parish who have been bereaved during this last twelve
months, remembering Guido Fawkes, his colleagues and the
gunpowder, treason and plot, remembering those who have fought
for the freedom of this country and paid the ultimate price. We also
remember what we have gained and welcomed and what we have
lost and said farewell to through this year.
We remember because it’s good to remember and not to forget.
We remember because we can always learn something in our
remembering – we can learn to remember the right things and let
go of all that binds us, imprisons us and prevents us from being free.
We can’t always choose what happens to us, but we can choose
what we will remember and what we will forget. We can choose to
have long memories or short memories
Even though our memories may fail us from time to time, God has
the long memory/short memory thing just right. When he says that
he’s forgiven us and our sins are forgotten – he means it. And he
loves nothing more to keep on remembering and reminding us just
how much he delights in us and how much he loves us.
If only we could do the same – we would remember just what a
much better world this would be for everyone.
Best wishes
Paul
Rector of Warrington
Special Services in November
Sunday 2nd November, Patronal and Dedication day
8.30am
Eucharist
10.30am
Festival Eucharist
6.30pm
Service of Commemoration for families and friends
of those whose funerals have taken place during the
past year
Monday 3rd November, All Soul’s Requiem
7.30pm
A Eucharist to remember departed relatives & friends
Thursday 6th November, Confirmation Service at 7.00pm
Please come along and support the candidates and their families
Sunday 9th November, Remembrance Sunday
Services as usual
Sunday 23rd November, Christ the King and St Clement
8.30am
Eucharist
10.30am
Parish Eucharist
6.30pm
Cluster Service at St Barnabas Church
Please join us with the congregations of St Barnabas & Holy Trinity
Please note there will not be an Evensong at St Elphin’s
Harvest Gifts
Thank you to all who brought gifts for the Harvest and to those
who took out parcels to the sick and elderly in the Parish. They
were all much appreciated.
St Elphin’s (Fairfield) School held their own harvest service in
Church and there many generous donations of produce brought by
the children.
Their gifts and the residue of those brought on the Sunday were
donated to the Warrington Food Bank.
A message from Bob Birbeck
Heartfelt thanks to all at St Elphin’s for the wonderful service to
mark my retirement held last month, and for all the cards and good
wishes, plus many gifts given to me.
My time at St Elphin’s has been truly happy and memorable and I am
grateful for the friendships which have developed over the years.
Again, many thanks to you all.
A Prayer for Stillness
God of stillness and creative action
Help us find space for quietness today
That we may live creatively,
Discover the meaning of silence
And learn the wisdom that heals the world
Send peace and joy to each quiet place,
To all who are waiting and listening.
May your still small voice be heard
Through Christ in the love of the Spirit. Amen.
Christingle 2014
Collecting candles for the work of the Children’s Society will be
available in Church from Advent Sunday. Please take one and return
it at the Christingle Service or at any time during the Christmas
Season.
The Christingle Service is on Christmas Eve at 3.00pm
US Missionary Boxes
Please can you let Dianne have your House box by December 16th.
Quiz Night
In St Elphin’s Community Centre
Friday 28th November 2014
at 8.00pm
Tables of 4
£3.50 each including refreshments
Bring your own drink
St Elphin’s Ladies Group
Dates for your diary
Wednesday 5th November
Planning meeting and Domino Drive instead of speaker
Wednesday 19th November
Crystal Hand Bell Ringers – this meeting will take place in the
Community Centre and is open to everyone. Admission £4.00
including Cheese & Wine, tickets available from Margaret, Gill or
Dianne
Thursday 27th November
Christmas Fayre with the Brownies and Guides
Wednesday 3rd December
Christmas Lunch at Trebaron Garden Centre – names to Margaret
as soon as possible please
Pause for Thought…with Norma Fox
My voice you will hear in the morning Lord; in the morning I will direct it
to you.
Psalm 5:13
Because we are granted a new one every 24 hours the gift of
another day can sometimes be taken for granted: but when you
think of all the possibilities a new day brings it really is a wonder we
can sleep through the night.
Abbie Graham’s book ‘Ceremonial of Common Days’ is not so
familiar to readers these days but the idea behind it was to find a
little extra in the day, a few miracles in the ordinary happenings.
For instance, how many of us have complained about having to get
up in the morning? It can be tempting to sleep just that bit longer:
this author’s view was somewhat different. ‘What happiness there is
when I awake to find near me the gift of a new morning’ she wrote.
With that attitude there surely can be no such thing as a ‘common
day’.
I have always been thankful at the prospect of a new day – a new
beginning, a fresh start to show God’s love in caring for those I
come into contact with. If we let prayer unlock the gates of day, the
ensuing hours are more likely to be filled with spiritual usefulness
and blessing.
Prayer is not a burden to be borne, an obligation to be fulfilled,
something that is due to God and must be paid. Prayer is a privilege,
like friendship and family love and laughter, great books, great music
and great art, it is one of life’s opportunities to be grasped
thankfully, and used gladly. The person who misses the deep
meanings of prayer has not so much refused an obligation; they
have robbed themselves of life’s supreme privilege – friendship with
God.
In the 1840’s a young man who was an earnest Christian found
employment in a pawn shop. Although he disliked the work he did
it faithfully until a more desirable opportunity came along. He made
some resolutions that he would get up early each day and spend
some time in prayer and that he would endeavour to live his life
with love and compassion as a faithful witness to Christ’s love for all
creation. That young man was William Booth who later led
thousands to Christ. The Salvation Army which he founded stands
as a monument to his faithfulness in preparing himself each morning
in prayer to serve the Lord.
Let Christ be first in your thoughts in the morning and He will last
in your thoughts all day.
I woke quite early this morning
and paused before going my way.
There was so much to accomplish
I had to take time to pray.
St Elphin’s 50/50 Club
The results of the October draw are as follows:
1st
Nell Flanagan
2nd
Geoffrey Delooze
3rd
James Waddington
4th
Alan Card
£140.00 went to church funds
The next draw will take place on Sunday 23rd November and
payments must be made by Sunday 16th to be included in the draw.
Any payments made after that date will be assumed to be for the
following month. Any cheques should be made payable to ‘St
Elphin's 50/50 Club’.
New members are always welcome. You could be in line for a prize
and money is raised every month for church funds.
Remember, you've got to be in it to win it.
Maasai Warriors
On Thursday 2nd of October we were privileged to be able to host
a concert by the Osiligi Troupe of Maasai Warriors. Over 200
people attended the event travelling from various parts of
Warrington, from Liverpool, the Wirral and even Cumbria! The
evening was both entertaining and informative and an experience
many of us will never forget. The Troupe of 8, in their vibrantly
coloured traditional dress, explained aspects of their culture in both
music and words and even invited some members of the audience
to join them in Maasai Jumping….a talent we didn’t know our
Rector had!
During the interval there was an opportunity to buy refreshments
and peruse the stunning beadwork and other jewellery the Maasai
produce. Very few of us were able to resist a purchase or two.
Then Jim, a Trustee of the Osiligi Charity, gave a brief talk about
the aims of the charity and we watched a short video of what has
been achieved so far…clean water sources, composting toilets,
classrooms with solar powered internet connection, allotments
where agricultural skills are developed and food is grown to provide
food for the children’s midday meals and for other tribal members.
The latest project is the building and equipping of a clinic to provide
medical treatment in the local area.
After a little more of their mesmerising music, members of the
Troupe answered questions from the audience before heading back
to their hotel and the next stage of their two month tour. We wish
our new friends well in their fund raising efforts and hope that
someday they will return to St Elphin’s!
Ticket sales for the event
totalled over £1000.
November 2014
Lord Jesus, your light is the only light I need to follow you each day.
Lead me to the place where I should go to serve you, and thank you
that your presence is with us as we offer our hands and hearts to do
your will. Lord grant us the strength of body and spirit to offer you the
sacrifice of our lives. In times of weakness, yours is the strength by
which we carry on as your disciples. Help us to learn from our
mistakes and to walk faithfully in your footsteps each day.
Our next meeting will be on Wednesday12th November 7.30pm in St
Elphin’s school, when our speaker from Christian Aid will tell us about
some of the work being undertaken by Christian Aid throughout the
world.
Diocesan Events for the remainder of the year please let Wendy know
if you wish to attend and need transport.
20th November
Cathedral Day 10.30am – 3.00pm
1st December
Diocesan Carol Service 7.30pm All Saints Childwall
7th December
Cathedral Evensong with guest speaker Lynne
Tembey Worldwide President
Baptisms in November
2nd Wendy Bailey & Margaret Gurney
16th Margaret Sefton & Doreen Ross
Tea / Coffee Rota
2nd Barbara & Chris
9th Julie & Linda
16th Sue & Lesley
23rd Wendy & Barbara
30th Julie & Linda
Wendy Bailey (on behalf of the branch)
The Christian Aid Autumn Fayre will take place
at Bold Street Methodist Church on Saturday
November 8th, 10.30am – 1.30pm.
All are welcome.
Many thanks to everyone who supported our WaterAid Harvest
Appeal. We raised a total of £300 which is enough to purchase a
Rope Pump to supply clean water to a village. The money has been
sent off to WaterAid and we hope to hear from them soon as to
where the pump has been installed.
Advance Notice
St Elphin’s Brownies, Guides and Ladies Group invite you to their
Thursday 27th November, 6.30 – 7.30pm
Christmas Gifts
Toy Tombola
Refreshments
Raffle
All Welcome
Cake Stall
Readers and Prayer Rota for November
8.30am
Reader
10.30am
Prayers
10.30am
Reader
6.30pm
Reader
2nd
Kathryn H
Gill W
Beryl Dell
Memorial Service
9th
Pauline B
Sue W
Chris Bean
PW
16th
Dianne R
Janet Cliffe
Barbara Eden
GW & DR
23rd
Sylvia W
Gill W
Beryl Dell
no service
30th
Kathryn H
Thelma Walsh
Albert Froggatt AW & SW
Communicants and Collections
Week ending
21st September
Communicants
78
Collections
886.73
28th September
107
764.20
5th October
44
838.80
12th October
168
1470.82
Donations:
Fabric Fund
In memory of Roy & Ivy Jones (USA) from Dot & Len
Loving birthday memories 5th November of a much loved
Uncle, Sydney Warburton from Barb, Jimmy and family
In loving memory of a much loved Uncle Sydney
Warburton from Barb, Jimmy and Family
Treasured memories of my dearly loved husband,
Charles Richard Collins 1987, from wife Olga
For the blessings of true friendship, given and received
from Albert and Ada Austin
20.00
20.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
Choir dates in November
Sunday 2nd
Patronal Sunday
10.30am
Sunday 16th
Parish Eucharist
10.30am
Saturday 22nd
Wedding
Parish Registers for October
Holy Baptism
19th October
Tilly Grace Evelyn Carter
Mia Lucy Linaker
Layla Rae Roberts
Noah Samuel Ralphs
Holy Matrimony in October
18th
Anthony John Harrison and Sarah Jane Blackburn
2.00pm
Christian Burial & Cremation in October
1st
Susan Armstrong
Aged 62
7th
Joseph Hill
Aged 77
9th
John Edmund Lupton
Aged 81
10th
Joseph Pucill
Aged 70
15th
15th October
Aged 77
20th
Alfred Brian Hough
Aged 87
24th
Dennis Bradley
Aged 62
Kenneth Furby
Aged 63
Edward Hayes
Aged 69
31st
Lest we Forget
Although there were no more casualties from the
Parish and Mission Churches during 1914 we still
remember the countless others who lost their lives
during the first few months of World War 1.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam
Laurence Binyon
Social and Group Activities
Tuesday
6.30-7.30pm
Wednesday
6.45pm
7.30pm
7.30pm
Thursday
6.30pm
7.30pm
Kids Club (term time only) – Elmwood Avenue
United Reformed Church
St John’s Brownies – Scout HQ, Vale Owen Road
Mothers’ Union – St Elphin’s School (2nd only)
St Elphin’s Ladies Group (1st & 3rd only) meet in
the Community House next door to St Elphin’s
Community Centre
St Elphin’s Brownies – St Elphin’s School
St Elphin’s Guides – St Elphin’s School
Men’s Group (1st only)
Friday
6.30-7.30pm
Beavers - (Boys/Girls aged 6 – 8)
6.30 – 8.00pm Cubs - (Boys/Girls aged 8 - 10)
6.45 – 9.00pm Scouts - (Boys/Girls aged 10 - 14)
At Howley Fairfield Neighbourhood Project,
Fairfield Street. For more details contact Debbie
(Group Scout Leader) on 07804 267310
All members of the Church and local community are welcome to
come and join with us in these and any occasional activities which
are announced in Church or advertised on the Church Notice
Board.
School
St Elphin’s (Fairfield) CE Primary School
Head Teacher:
Bookings:
Mrs Mary Cummings
635143
made with the Head Teacher
St Elphin’s Junior Church
Sundays at 10.30am in the Choir Vestry
Occasional Services
Holy Baptism
1st and 3rd Sundays in the month at 12.30pm
Arrangements to be made with the Rector or Church Wardens
Holy Matrimony and Banns
Arrangements to be made with the Rector or Church Wardens
Funerals
Arrangements are usually made with the Rector by the Funeral
Director who has been engaged.
The Church Wardens hold a surgery in Church on Saturdays from
10.00am to 11.00am for Applications for Baptism, Holy Matrimony
and Banns.
The Clergy are available at any time in cases of emergency.
Readers are encouraged to support our Sponsors
who have given generously towards our costs.
For that Special Occasion
The Winmarleigh Rooms
Large and small licensed Function Rooms available for:
Wedding Receptions, Christenings, Birthdays etc
For further information and bookings please contact:
The Winmarleigh Rooms, Winmarleigh Street, Warrington
01925 651468 Email: [email protected]
Bewsey Road, Warrington, WA2 7LW
01925 445555
Michelle & Co
Ladies and Gents Hairdressing
4a Bold Street, Warrington
01925 630714
Knox & Son Ltd
Independent Family Funeral Directors
• 24 Hour Personal Care • Private Chapels of Rest
• Pre-Paid Funeral Plans • Horse Drawn Hearse Available
• Religious and Non Religious Ceremonies
43-45 Orford Road, Warrington
01925 633388
Proprietor Betty Mercer
Manager Harry Taylor
Shelley’s
Restaurant & Coffee Shop
8 Bold Street, Warrington
01925 654000
Cheshire Funeral Services
Park View Funeral Home
57 Gorsey Lane, Warrington
01925 571048
‘Caring for our Community’
Hospice Shops
Birchwood
Bridge Foot (Furniture)
Golden Square
Hood Manor
Latchford Village
Longford Street, Warrington
Lymm
Stockton Heath
01925 825561
01925 650800
01925 575780
01925 629494
01925 415414
01925 411626
01925 758057
01925 602932
Readers are encouraged to support our Sponsors
who have given generously towards our costs.