The Messenger Parish Magazine of St Michael and All Angels, Middlewich with St John the Evangelist, Byley February 2015 50p Service plan for February 2015 1st February– 4th of Epiphany 8.00 am Middlewich Communion 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich All Age Worship 11.00 am Byley Morning Praise 6.30 pm Middlewich No Evening Service 8th February– 2nd before Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Morning Praise 11.00 am Byley Communion 2.00 pm Middlewich Baptism 6.30 pm Middlewich Seminar-New Atheism-1 (Keith Ravenscroft in No. 28) 15th February– Next before Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich All Age Worship 11.00 am Byley Morning Praise 6.30 pm Middlewich Seminar-New Atheism-2 (Keith Ravenscroft in No. 28) 18th February– Ash Wednesday Communion– 7.30 pm 22nd February– 1st of Lent 9.15 am Middlewich Communion 11.00 am Middlewich Morning Praise 11.00 am Byley Communion 2.00 pm Middlewich Baptism 6.30 pm Middlewich Church @ 28 Healing Service each Tuesday and Communion Service each Thursday at 9.30 am 2 St Michael’s Church Office 28 Hightown, Middlewich, CW10 9AN 01606 738005 Office hours 10am-2pm Monday-Friday Office Manager : Beth Deakin [email protected] For further contact details please see p20 … St Michael’s Church Charitable Giving: As many will know the PCC at St Michael’s is committed to supporting four charities during the year. The PCC gave £1,000 directly to each charity from its income and an additional amount was raised through specific fundraising activities. The amounts raised and sent off during 2014 were as follows: Christ for All In Andhrah Pradesh £1,400 St Luke’s Hospice £1,874 Congo ABC Link £1,680 Save The Family £1,216 A big thank you to our charity champions; Ruth & Steve Broadfoot, Sylvia Bosomworth, Kate Smith, Thia Hughes, Elaine Reynolds and Jo Hulse. In 2015 we will support the same four charities across the four quarters, the order being as follows: Jan-March Congo ABC Link April-June St Luke’s Hospice July-Sept Save The Family Oct-Dec Christ for All in Adhrah Pradesh In addition to these four charities many church members have Children’s Society collecting boxes and last year, including the collection at Christingle, we raised £1,759 for them. Our thanks to David and Miriam Sant for being our Children’s Society champions. 3 Letter From the Rector Dear Friends, Dr Robert Seizer, in his book Mortal Lessons: Notes in the Art of Surgery, tells a remarkable true story. He had performed surgery to remove a tumour from a young woman in which it was necessary to sever a facial nerve, leaving the young woman’s mouth permanently twisted in palsy. He describes an incident shortly after the operation: Her young husband is in the room. He stands on the opposite side of the bed, and together they z seem to dwell in the evening lamplight, isolated from me, private. Who are they I ask myself, he and this wry-mouth I have made, who gaze at and touch each other so. The young woman speaks. ‘Will my mouth always be like this?’ she asks. ‘Yes,’ I say ‘it will. It is because the nerve was cut.’ She nods, and is silent. But the young man smiles. ‘I like it,’ he says. ‘It is kind of cute.’ All at once I know who he is. I understand, and I lower my gaze. One is not bold in an encounter with God. Unmindful, he bends to kiss her crooked mouth, and I, so close, can see how he twists his own lips to accommodate to hers, to show that their kiss still works. February this year contains two key dates. The first is Valentines Day on 14th February, as it is every year. It is a celebration of love and romance and a commercial gold mine for the retail and leisure trades. Everyone knows it’s arrived, even if you receive no valentines wish yourself, you cannot miss the pink fluffy heart shaped decorations and gifts that appear in our shops. The other is Ash Wednesday on 18th February. It is the beginning of Lent, the traditional time of spiritual preparation for Easter, which Christians observe, or think about at least. Ash Wednesday is a festival of penitence, a particular day to acknowledge our failures and wrongs to God and to seek his forgiveness. Outside of the church however no-one will probably even notice it pass by. Most households will gladly celebrate Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) but not Ash Wednesday. Yet there is in a sense a link between the two. We live in an imperfect world and true love must learn to adapt itself to the imperfections of humanity, as Robert Seizer’s story so powerfully illustrates. Speaking of God’s love for us St Paul says; God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were 4 sinners, Christ died for us. In the Christian experience love and imperfection are inextricably linked. On Ash Wednesday we remember that we are imperfect people. Though we are made in the image of God we have marred that image by our disobedience and failure. God however does not turn away from us in disgust, but he became like us that we might experience his love through Jesus Christ, God made man. We don’t have to be perfect for God to love us – just penitent. God will do the rest! Yours in Christ Simon Drew Parish Weekend Away 2016 – Cloverley Hall Advance notice: We have booked another parish weekend away at Cloverley Hall in Shropshire on Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October 2016. We have no further details yet but please do make a note in your diaries/planners if you want to come. Bereavement Service On Sunday 1st March 2015, at 4:00pm in St Michael’s Church we will be holding a bereavement service. This is an opportunity for people who have experienced the death of a relative, or close friend, to come and remember that person before God and to receive support and prayer. If you would like to be a part of this do come along, or if you know someone who would benefit from this invite them to come. Special Events & Services coming soon: Ash Wednesday – Wednesday 18th February 2015, 7:30pm Communion service at St Michael’s Church Bereavement Service – Sunday 1st March 2015, 4:00pm at St Michael’s Church (Please do invite friends and neighbours who you think would appreciate this) Confirmation Service – Sunday 8th March 2015, 6:30pm at St Michael’s Church This year we welcome the Bishop of Birkenhead (Keith Sinclair) to do our confirmations 5 HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE NEW ATHEISM? – A Two Part Seminar The sooner we can understand the reasoning behind the New Atheist attacks on religious belief, the better we shall be able to engage and to counter their dishonest claims with confident knowledge and fluency. This is the purpose of the two seminars we are planning to hold on; Sunday 8th and Sunday 15th February 2015 (both at 6:30pm in No28 Hightown, Middlewich). They are based on a series of workshops that have been held in the presenter’s own parish church, and also given to audiences of Readers, Pastoral Workers and Ordained Ministers throughout the Diocese. This thorough ‘road testing’ has demonstrated that confronting atheism in this way engages even the hostile, as well as doubters and enquirers, and that it can also energize existing believers into a new understanding and sense of urgency in defending their faith. The seminar leader will be Keith Ravenscroft, who some of you may remember joined us as our Church@28 interview guest several months ago. We do hope you can be a part of this initiative. Clutter (By Sam Doubtfire) My room is full of clutter And so much like my life As they’re both packed full of memories Made special with my wife. They fill the shelves and cupboards And make it hard to dust – And if one gets moved just Half-an-inch, the mark that’s left is Just like a friend Who’s there – then gone To remind us of life’s race Which always is best run With the help of God’s own grace Now seen in the Man in everyone Who carries us along That we might cross the finishing line To hear God say, ‘Well done’! 6 With Valentine’s Day and romance in mind… Marriage is…. - not always just a word; sometimes it is a sentence. - a very good way to promote civilisation – according to Socrates, if you get a good partner you will be happy, if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher. - the only permanent cure for love. ** Marriage license - the only permit taken out after the hunt is over. ** Don’t blame her! The famous author Alexander Dumas once grumbled: “Woman inspires us to great things, and then prevents us from achieving them.” 7 Christmas Concert The concert with Chris Eaton and Abby Scott on Saturday, 13th December was enjoyed by all who attended. It was a very relaxed evening with a good mix of worship, carols and Christmas songs. The Festival Choir enjoyed being part of the evening, in particular singing along with Chris and Abby to their song "1914 : The Carol of Christmas". There was very positive feedback from many of the people who attended. Chris and Abby with Josie, Neil and Jeremy Before the concert We would like to thank all those who helped, either before the concert or on the night - it was great to have such good support for this venture. With thanks Josie and Neil The duo perform! 8 The Festival choir form a backing group! The choir sings (and waves) with great enthusiasm 9 Parish Registers for 2015 Middlewich Funerals 2nd December Aaron APPLETON, Kitfield Avenue Ann THORNLEY, Long Lane South 3rd December George Sidney WASHINGTON, Newton Court Care Home 12th December Reginald MANLEY, Willow Court 22nd December Carol Helen HALL, Hubert Drive 16th January Margaret EVANS, The Manor Care Home 20th January Christine McCRYSTAL, Corbrook Court Nursing Home Byley Funerals 22nd December Kathleen COOPER, Goostrey Crematorium only Funerals 8th January Trevor GWILLIAM, Bembridge Court 15th January John BRISCOE, Elm Road Cemetery only Funerals 13th January Anita BOOTH, King Street Baptisms 14th December Madeleine Rose PARRY 2014 There were no weddings during this period 10 Lent Course 2015: John’s Gospel – Light and Life John’s gospel is a book with a message. He wrote it so that his readers ‘may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name’. Light and life are dominant themes in this gospel and the loving purpose of God in coming in person to this dark and needy world is presented and explored. During Lent this year we will be running a Lent Course on Tuesday evenings looking at John’s gospel, discovering more of how the amazing story of salvation is portrayed within its pages. The sessions will take place in no 28 on four consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm (lasting for about 90 minutes). Dates are 24 February, 3 March, 10 March, and 17 March. Do come and join us. (For further information contact Simon Drew). Lorraine Reed FUNCTIONS AT NUMBER 28 All the rooms at Number 28, which is opposite St Michael’s Church, are available for rent when not being used by the Church. The rooms seat between 8 and 60 people, are well appointed and would suit private functions or business meetings. A full commercial standard kitchen is also available. Go to the Number 28 Website www.at28.org/roomhire to see details, or phone the office on 01606 738005. The cost of heating and lighting St Michael's for a whole year is nearly £6,650: Heating alone costs about £38 per day. So please turn the lights off and shut the door after you! 11 The Normal week at St Michael’s Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 9.15am Staff Meeting at Number 28 with prayers 1.15 pm SMILERS at church (not during school holidays) 7.00 pm Rehearsals for the Festival Choir in Church 7.30 pm SMAART St Michael’s handbell ringers 9.30 am Healing service and coffee at Number 28 7.30 pm Tower ringing practice in church 7.00 am Prayer in church 9.30 am Prayer @ 28 6.00 pm Worship group 7.30 pm Choir practice 9.30 am Communion 7.30 pm Card Group at Number 28 6.00 pm BLOG (Club for Years 4, 5 and 6) not during school holidays 7.30 pm DYN@MIC (Club for Years 7, 8, 9) not during school holidays 8.00 pm AFTER DARK (Club for years 10 and above) not during school holidays Easter Flowers The churches of Middlewich and Byley always look wonderful at Easter. This great festival is on 5 th April this year, so Janet is asking for early donations. If you would like to contribute towards flowers for the churches during this season in memory of a loved one, please fill in the form on the facing page and send/give it to the Church Office (for St. Michael’s) or Glenys Richardson (for St John’s). A list of contributors and those so beautifully remembered will be published in the magazine after Easter. 12 Easter Flowers I enclose £…………………..towards the cost of Easter flowers at Byley/Middlewich Parish Church (please delete one). In Memory of …………………………………………………………………. Signed………………… Date…………………... Address………………………………………………….. Please complete in block letters and return to: Church Office, Number 28, High Town, Middlewich CW10 9AN (for Middlewich) Or Mrs G. Richardson , The Gables, Byley Lane, Byley (for Byley). 13 Future events Tuesday, 10 February Branch AGM, chaired by Rev’d Simon Drew. If any member would like to be nominated for the committee at the AGM, please let me know. Similar to other branches in our Deanery, we do not have a Branch Leader but operate with a committee and it works very well indeed. The AGM will be followed by a talk from Janet Chisholm, asking “Who would believe it?” Janet will be sharing with us the news that she had been nominated for a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List of 2013, and her subsequent visit to Buckingham Palace. Friday, 6 March Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held at St Michael’s church this year. The service starts at 1.30pm and has been prepared by the women of The Bahamas. The title is: Jesus said to them: Do you know what I have done to you? Tuesday, 10 March It is always a pleasure to welcome Joan Colwell to our meetings. She will be talking about “MUGS”. We never know what to expect from Joan, but it will be very amusing. Thursday, 19 March Hot Cross Bun coffee morning at 10.30am in No.28 following the mid-week communion service. Refreshments, table top sale and a raffle. Tuesday, 24 March Deanery Festival Service at St Mary’s, Whitegate at 7.00pm. Transport will be available. Tuesday, 14 April A visit from Heather Cable reminiscing about some very eventful days: “Call the Midwife!” Special date for your diary. On Tuesday, 12 May we shall not be holding our usual monthly meeting. We plan to attend the MU Diocesan Festival in Chester Cathedral at 2.00pm. Bishop Libby Lane, the new Bishop of Stockport and MU member will be officiating. Lynne Tembey, Worldwide MU President, will be speaking and our 14 new MU Chaplain, Canon Chris Humphries, vicar of Whitegate and Little Budworth will be commissioned. Chester Archdeaconry branch banners will be processed, which will be a first outing to the Cathedral for our own new banner. This service will be an historical and important occasion for the Mothers’ Union and we are truly thankful to the Church of England, through the Diocese of Chester for having the belief and courage to appoint a female Bishop. Please sign the sheet at our next meeting, if you require transport to Whitegate or Chester. I am hoping that Deidre Savage will be able to come to the Cathedral with us, as she designed and made our lovely banner. Jo Hulse Mothers’ Union Sunday Rota Duty February March Intercessions Susan Hawkes Pauline Ashley Banner Thelma Ashley Susan Hawkes Escorts Miriam Sant & Cynthia Sant Chris Overton & Thelma Ashley Offertory Edna Rose & Angela Tempest Susan Hawkes & Pam Dunning There is always someone available to pray with you after services. Just ask. It’s good to pray! Equally, if you would like someone to come and pray with you at any time speak to : Sylvia, Elaine or Sue Ikin. 15 Byley Community Association 1st event of 2015 80’s Night Saturday 7th February (Ticket only event from Tracy and Graham Lowe) Smash hits of the 80s Live music and disco 7.30pm in Byley Village Hall Dress to impress 80s style (prizes)! For more information ring Graham Lowe on 01505 737807 after 6.30 pm (mobile 07767640740) Bring your own drinks, glasses and nibbles. Tickets £12.50 each Miscellaneous observations on life… It's easy finding reasons why other folks should be patient. Families are often like fudge - mostly sweet, with a few nuts. Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others, whenever they go. I sat up all night thinking about the sun. Then it dawned on me. It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try to overtake them. You can't have everything - where would you put it? If the shoe fits, get another one just like it. Love is grand. Divorce is a hundred grand. Advert in newspaper: Never been figured out. Home computer, as new. Be nice to your kids. They’ll choose your nursing home. The trouble with referees is that they just don’t care which side wins. 16 Flower Festival Spectacular Visitors from across the county and beyond came to Byley on the last weekend of September to view a Flower Festival at St John's church and at Manor Farm, the home of Wilf and Pam Lomas. The festival, entitled 'Last of the Summer Wine', was organised by the Cheshire area of NAFAS and arrangers from flower clubs around the county were involved in the event. The spectacular floral displays both inside and out at Manor Farm took inspiration from popular TV programmes, past and present, including Countryfile, The Great British Bake-off, and A Question of Sport. The church was beautifully decorated to the theme of 'Songs of Praise' and arrangements depicted lines from popular hymns. The tree at the church gate was turned into a 'Tree of Blessings', where visitors could place a carnation as a symbol of prayers of thankfulness. Refreshments were served all weekend at Lowe's Farm Shop, and a 'Songs of Praise' service at church brought the weekend to a close on Sunday evening. The event saw over £7,000 raised for charity, with the money being split between the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute (RABI), and the British Heart Foundation. To visit photos from the weekend visit www.nafascheshire.org.uk and click on 'gallery'. Glenys Richardson Seen in a church notice sheet: For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a crèche downstairs. Next Friday the church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility. Do come along! Don’t forget to check out the 28 website...www.at28.org 17 Byley Notices Cleaning Rota 8th — 15th February 22nd — 1st March Glenys Richardson Christine Hankey Flower Rota 25th Jan — Feb 1st Anne Nichol 8th — 15th Caroline Oakes Lent begins on Wednesday 18th February Byley Notices Carol Singing A total of £323.25 was raised on the Carol Singing Evening; this has now been forwarded to The Childrens’ Society. Thank you to all the singers and hosts during the evening for your generous donations, and to Jonathon and Josie Trelawny for hosting the final stop. Rose Fete The date for the 2015 Rose Fete is Saturday 13th June. We have yet to fix a date for the selction of the Rose Queen and retinue, other than it will be in March. Please look out for notices giving details. Bible Study Group The February meeting of the study group will be on Wednesday 4th February at 7.30pm at Ravenscroft Hall. The March meeting will be on 18th again held at Ravenscroft Hall at 7.30pm. No dates for future PCC meetings at present, as the January event does not take place until the end of the month! 18 Byley This Month 1st February Morning Praise Readers Sidesman 8th February Communion Readers Sidesman 15th February Morning Prayer Readers Sidesman 22nd February Communion Readers Sidesman Thia Hughes Celia Wilkinson Glenys Richardson James Bennion Liz Woode James Bennion Alan Boyle Celia Wilkinson Tony Woode Jean Percival Organist Vera Farrow Simon Drew Glenys Richardson Vera Farrow Nigel Martin Home Communion If anyone in the Byley area would like Home Communion please phone Glenys on :-01606 834343 Byley Readers For those who like to prepare well in advance: the readers for March 1st are: Anne Nichol and Anita Halman 19 Rev Simon Drew, Rector– Middlewich and Byley The Rectory, Poplar Fell, Nantwich Road, Middlewich CW10 9HG 01606 833440 [email protected] Middlewich and Byley Church Staff Jeremy Coles, Director of Music & Family Work 6 Shilton Close, Middlewich CW10 0RN office: 01606 738005 [email protected] mobile:07981 051776 Rev Liz Woode, Curate & Tony Woode, Reader 6 The Grange, Hartford, CW8 1QH 01606 75030 [email protected] Rev Thia Hughes, Curate The Vicarage, 50 Norley Road, Sandiway, CW8 2JU 01606 883286 mobile 07970 734507 [email protected] Rev. Lorraine Reed, Curate 1 Douglas Close, Hartford, CW8 1SH 01606 781071 [email protected] Rev Simon Hamill-Stewart, Assistant Priest & Christine Hamill-Stewart, Reader 87 Warmingham Lane, Middlewich CW10 0DJ 01606 737329 [email protected] Steve Broadfoot, Reader Ruth Broadfoot, Electoral Roll 22 Angus Grove, Middlewich CW10 9GR 01606 738373 [email protected] Jacqui Briscoe, Reader and Alpha leader & Bob Briscoe, Health and Safety Officer 53 Lewin Street, Middlewich CW10 9BG 01606 836460 [email protected] Sylvia Bosomworth, Pastoral Care Worker 98 Sutton Lane, Middlewich, CW10 0BY 01606 737338 [email protected] Elaine Reynolds, Pastoral Care Worker 28 Westlands Road, Middlewich, CW10 9HN e,[email protected] 20 01606 832596 Sue Ikin, Pastoral Care Worker 110 West Ave., Rudheath, Northwich CW9 7ET 01606 42258 [email protected] Beth Deakin, Office Manager (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm) Church Office, 28 Hightown, Middlewich CW10 9AN 01606 738005 [email protected] Steve Bailey, Middlewich Church Warden 4 Ladies Walk, Middlewich CW10 0BH 01606 834264 Other Middlewich Contacts [email protected] Graham Ikin, Middlewich Church Warden 110 West Avenue, Rudheath, Northwich CW9 7ET 01606 42258 [email protected] Elaine Reynolds, Church Warden 28 Westlands Road, Middlewich, CW10 9HN 01606 832596 [email protected] Christine Malkin, Middlewich PCC Secretary 5 Lindisfarne Close, Middlewich, CW10 9HS 01606 833023 [email protected] Stuart Barber, Middlewich PCC Treasurer 24 Waterside Way, Middlewich CW10 9HP 01606 833161 [email protected] Jo Hulse, Middlewich Mothers Union 56 Nantwich Road, Middlewich, CW10 9HG 01606 832198 [email protected] John Briggs, Pledges Officer 85 Rolt Crescent, Middlewich CW10 0BE 01606 832810 Janet Chisholm, Middlewich Flower Guild 37 Brooks Lane, Middlewich CW10 0JG 01606 836263 [email protected] Anne Hardy, Organist 54 Westlands Road, Middlewich, CW10 9HN [email protected] 21 01606 832121 Middlewich / Byley Contacts Ian Taylor, Middlewich Bellringers 78 Long Lane, Middlewich CW10 0EN 01606 834095 [email protected] David & Miriam Sant, Children’s Society local representatives 29 King Street, Middlewich CW10 9EJ 01606 832583 [email protected] Glenys Richardson, Byley The Gables, Byley Lane, Byley, CW10 9NL 01606 834343 [email protected]/uk Anne Nicol, Byley PCC Secretary The Round House, Byley Lane, Cranage, CW10 9LW 01606 836314 annenicol@btinternet .com Frank Walton, Byley Church Warden Woodside Farm, Goostrey Lane, Cranage, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8HD [email protected] 01477 533284 Alan and Jean Percival, Byley Church Warden and treasurer [email protected] The Green,Yatehouse Lane, Byley, CW10 9NS 01606 833808 Christine Hankey, Byley Village Hall Chestnut Farm, Byley 01606 832938 If you have any articles or photographs for the next magazine, please would you e-mail them by 15th February 2015 to the Church [email protected] . You can also place articles in the pigeon hole for the Church Office. Alternatively, you can e-mail direct to Margaret English at: [email protected]. The church website address is www.middlewichparishchurch.org.uk/ St Michael’s is a registered charity, number 1127335 22 Middlewich Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Ltd CHARTERED AND HEALTH PROFESSION COUNCIL REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST “For all your aches and pains” Tel: 01606 832457 No G.P. referral required www.middlewich-physio.co.uk 1a ST MICHAELS WAY, TOWNBRIDGE, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE, CW10 9DX Alternative to Kennels Going away on holiday? Just for the Weekend? “Your dog can come and stay in my home, with adjoining fields, plenty of walks, care and attention CALL BELINDA on 01260 224722 (Somerford Booths) Middlewich Community Centre (off the Civic Hall Car Park, Middlewich) Ideal for parties, meetings etc For further information call Reg Jackson on 01606 832118 23 Peter Forshaw Ltd Funeral Services An Independent Family Business 24 Hour Personal and Dignified Service 16/18 Leadsmithy Street, Middlewich, CW10 9DF 01606 836708 CATS (Opticians) Optometrists and Contact Lens Centre Senior Citizens special package 30-32 Wheelock Street, Middlewich CW10 9AG 01606 836582 HCPC registered Chiropodist/ Podiatrist Cheshire Lasers Medical Clinic The Acorns, 85 Wheelock Street, Middlewich, CW10 9AE Tel: 01606 841255 Mobile: 07748712399 Neil Hopley, Electrical Contractors Ltd NICEIC Approved Agricultural, Industrial, Domestic Installations and Repairs Brooks Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire 01606 833993 or 07976 661061 (mobile) Byley Village Hall Bookings for family parties, receptions, meetings and groups 01606 832938 Paul Hassall Contractors (Middlewich) Electrical, Plumbing, Central Heating, Building & Joinery All new installations, alterations and repairs – No job too small NICEIC Approved for Electrical Work, Gas Safe Registered Engineers for Gas Work All aspects of building maintenance covered, Bathrooms and Kitchens fitted Freephone : 0800 9558680 or Mobile 07831 503385 e mail : [email protected] 24
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