St Elphin’s Chronicle
November 2019
Vol 131
Price 30p
Saturday 2nd November
7.00pm Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed
Sunday 3rd November, All Saints Sunday
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Sung Eucharist
3.00pm Confirmation Service with the Bishop of Warrington
6.30pm Annual Memorial Service
Wednesday 6th November
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 10th November, Remembrance Sunday
9.00am Holy Communion
11.00am Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph – all welcome
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesday 13th November
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 17th November, 2nd Sunday before Advent
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Sung Eucharist
12.30pm Holy Baptism
4.00pm Together@4 Service (St Elphin’s Community Centre)
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesday 20th November
10.00am Holy Communion
Sunday 24th November, Christ the King
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Sung Eucharist
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesday 27th November
10.00am Holy Communion
St Elphin’s Church Services
November 2019
Worship in the Parish
Sundays:
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
12.30pm Holy Baptism (1st & 3rd only)
6.30pm Evensong
Wednesdays:
10.00am Holy Communion
Saints’ Days and other Holy Days
7.30pm Holy Communion (unless stated otherwise)
Morning and Evening Prayer are said daily in Church at 8.00am and
5.00pm respectively Monday, Tuesday (Evening Prayer only),
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, (unless stated otherwise on the
weekly notice sheet or in the magazine).
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
Acting Rector Reverend Stewart McTaggart [email protected]
07540-344870
Reader Mr L Marsh
14 Queens Avenue
WA1 3BP
Reader Emeritus Mr R Whitticombe
3 Franklin Close
WA5 8QL
01925-564408
Church Wardens Mr A Wright
5 Kinsale Drive
Locking Stumps
WA3 6LX
01925-821048
Miss K J Hayes
8 Charlton Street
WA4 1LX
01925-656790
Organist and
Choirmaster
Nigel Kirk
Websites:
St Elphin’s: http://www.warringtonparishchurch.org
Diocesan Website: http://www.liverpool.anglican.org
Cathedral Website: http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
www.facebook.com/warringtonparishchurch
Please do visit and ‘Like’ our Facebook page so you can keep up to
date with events and services in our church and ‘share’ this with
others whom you connect with on social media.
Do carols playing in the supermarket in October upset you? Do you
shake your head in wonder when Hot Cross buns appear in the same
supermarket on Boxing Day? If so, it is most likely that you are a person
who regards themselves as a Christian.
I recently observed a fellow Christian in a supermarket get a bit annoyed
when the wider community in their opinion got things wrong, playing
Carols in October. They should know, they argued, it’s not even Advent,
and even if it was, Advent is a time of mindful and prayerful preparation
and that carols only really have a place on Christmas Eve and Christmas
Day.
But I thought to myself, we can be accommodating when pressed, and we
can enjoy a service of Carols even if it takes place a couple of weeks
before Christmas. In these events there is, however, a certain amount of
eye-rolling and head-shaking when we hear school choirs singing
‘Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ or ‘Jingle Bells’.
While there can be a certain amount of comfort about having superior
knowledge, it can come across as being a bit smug and superior when
watched from afar. I am also reminded of a passage from St Paul’s letter
to the Roman’s 12:2 ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of
God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ That being the case, I want
to offer another way of responding, one that is grounded in our own
lives rather than in observing the lives of others.
The seasons of the Church year have not grown out of a desire to
regulate the rhythms of nations and individuals. The origins of festivals
and fasts are to be found in the desire of the people of faith to embrace
the fullness of life. In liturgy, the Lectionary guides us through the
Scriptures, ensuring that our reading does not dwell solely on those parts
which we find most edifying, but includes the more difficult aspects of
God’s word. The festivals and fasts perform the same function, at times
bringing us to our knees in confession, and at other times, raising our
hands to the heavens in celebration. The seasons of the Church function
to bring each of us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and should not be an
invitation to look elsewhere in judgement.
So I offer two suggestions. The first is to rejoice wherever and whenever
you hear a carol or see a hot cross bun. Rejoice, for somehow the
rumour of God has not departed from the people. If you are able, talk
about what the people sing, see and eat. These things offer invitations
that might bring some closer to Jesus. But rejoice, for signs of God and
sacrifice are still in our community!
The second is to make these moments opportunities for prayer and
reflection. How much better it would be if every sight of a hot cross bun
invokes in each of us a simple prayer acknowledging and thanking God
for the Cross and the promise of Resurrection. And how much better it
might be if that prayer starts the moment after we affirm the birth of
Jesus. How might it be if the sound of a carol in a supermarket in
October or November brought not annoyance, but thanksgiving for
Jesus’ birth?
I do not imagine that these suggestions will be easy to follow, for there is
a great weight of ‘rightness’ that resists such ideas. After all, what is going
on with chocolate flavoured hot cross buns? However, it does seem to
me that showing our heart toward others and challenging ourselves is a
good approach to every season of the year and especially as we move
from autumn and prepare for the season of Advent.
Lee
St John’s Court
The next service of Holy Communion at St John’s Court
will be on Tuesday 5th November at 11.30am.
All are welcome.
Please use this prayer as the Church seeks to appoint a new Rector.
Faithful God, you guide your people and raise up leaders in every
generation. We seek the person you are calling to be the next Rector of
Warrington and St Elphins. By your Spirit, give to all those involved in the
appointment good counsel, holy insight and sound judgement. Keep the
person you are calling under the shadow of your wing, and teach us all to
trust in the guidance, which is yours alone, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed
Saturday 2nd November at 7.00pm.
Please see one of the wardens if you want loved ones names adding to
the list. Please do attend if their names are being read out.
Confirmation 2019
Our Confirmation this year is on Sunday 3rd November at 3.00 pm. The
Bishop of Warrington, the Right Reverend Beverley Mason will officiate
at the Service.
If you would like to be confirmed this year please complete the green
application form at the back of church and return to Rev. Stewart or the
Churchwardens as soon as possible.
Advance Notice
There will be a parish trip to see Peter Pan at Liverpool Empire on
December 28th. Tickets will be about £11.00. More details to follow.
Christingle is coming…
Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December at 3.00pm
The cardboard candles for collecting donations for the Children’s Society
will be available in Church at the end of the month. Please take one, fill
with coins and return at the service.
All are welcome.
Church Finances latest update Over several years many people have left money and given donations to help with
maintaining the fabric of St Elphin’s parish church. This money is gratefully
received and has allowed us to build up a pot of money to keep the church in
good order. These funds are restricted for maintenance of the building and
cannot be used to meet monthly outgoings. These regularly outgoing include:
Parish Share - which pays for our clergy, monthly salaries, training and pension
Gas / Electricity
Insurance - almost £1,000 per month
General / water rates and maintenance on clergy housing
Secretarial and other administrative expenses including printing
Other expenses relating to parish business
I intend to provide brief details of the monthly income and expenditure in the
magazine but if anyone would like more details please see me.
Month Income Expenditure
January £4,774 £7,619
February £4,042 £6,457
March £10,807 £7,812
April £9,368 £7,340
May £5,808 £8,960
June £9,279 £8,740
July £9,230 £7,397
August £4,523 £7,587
Sept £10,857 £ 7,037
Total £68,688 £69,988
Wedding Deposits: £5,000 March: £1,158, June: £1,896, July: £1082 August, the
expenditure for which will occur when the wedding takes place. Only a small
portion of wedding receipts are available to the church the rest are payable to
Organist, choir, and Diocese depending what the couple have paid for. £3,884 of
the balance held in the general account are wedding deposits for future dates.
Tax reclaim from inland revenue April £3853, July £1943. Please remember if you
pay tax and give your details to Dianne Rothwell the church can reclaim the tax
you have paid with no additional cost to you.
£4078 from Autumn Fayre in September income
Wendy Bailey, PCC Treasurer
Your Church
needs Funds Four simple ways to donate
Cash on Plate
Weekly Envelope Scheme
Please speak to Arnold Wright if you
would like a box of envelopes
Bank Transfer
Please speak to Wendy Bailey for our
bank details
Parish Giving Scheme Please ask Wendy Bailey for more
information or a starter pack
Please speak to Dianne Rothwell if you
are able to gift aid your donation
St Elphin’s Church
Christmas
Craft Fayre
Saturday November 23rd
11.00am – 3.00pm
Grand Raffle to be drawn at 2.30pm
Hand-made Crafts
Christmas Gifts
Jewellery
Fancy Frames
Cakes
Refreshments
Hand-made Cards
Face Painting
Tombola
and much much more!!
Start your Christmas shopping early!!
Christmas Raffle Tickets for the Christmas Raffle are now available in church. This year
we have decided not to go for pre-printed books as last year they cost
more than the first two prizes added together!!
Please do take as many packs as you can to sell to your friends and
neighbours. Tickets need to be returned to church by 17th November at
the latest please.
This year as well as the usual cash prizes the rest will consist of various
hampers. A list of items required will appear at the back of church – if
you are able to donate one please sign the list.
Thank you
Quiz Night In St Elphin’s Community Centre
Friday 29th November 2019
at 7.30pm
Please note change of time
Tables of 4
£4.00 each including refreshments
Bring your own drink
Completed boxes need to be returned to church by Sunday 10th Nov
November sees Mothers Union challenging gender-based violence with
16 days of activism including a service in Liverpool on 29th November.
Members in Scotland have been highlighting the horrific impact of
domestic abuse through a powerful shoe exhibition. Hilary Moran
represents Mothers’ Union in Scotland on the Inter-Faith Anti Trafficking
Group produced a display called, “The Souls of our Shoes – A journey
into and out of Domestic Abuse.”
“Its primary purpose is to raise awareness of domestic violence. We do this a
number of ways through talks, workshops, conferences and the shoe
exhibition,” said Hilary. “Our recent ventures have been into secondary schools
and I have taken it into prisons. They asked for workshops for the prisoners
and staff,” she continued. The exhibition was shown at Mothers’ Union’s
General Meeting in Edinburgh in September 2017 and is now being used
throughout the UK and Ireland by other members.
Lord, we pray for strength and support for all who experience gender-
based violence, those who feel frightened, alone and friendless. May they
know your love and feel your presence at this time. We pray for
volunteers and staff at refuges and all who work to counteract gender-
based violence. Empower them to foster love, peace and reconciliation
in their communities. Speak up for those who cannot speak for
themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13th November 7.30pm at St
Elphin’s Community Centre. Our speaker for the evening will be Chris
Waddleton. All welcome to join us for this meeting
Diocesan Events
Friday 29th November 12.00 Liverpool Cathedral – service to mark 16
days of activism against gender - based violence
Saturday 30th November – Advent Carol service All Saints Rainford
2.00pm.
If anyone is interested in the above events please see Wendy Bailey.
November 2019
Baptisms in November
17th - Sandra Kirk and Margaret Dolan
Tea / Coffee in November
Usual helpers please see list in the kitchen
There will be no cake sale in November, but any cakes not sold at the
Christmas Fayre will be available to buy on 24th November.
If anyone would like to order an individual home-made Christmas
pudding please put your name and the number required on the list at the
back of church. Available early December cost £1.80 and all proceeds to
church funds
St Elphin’s Ladies Group
Future Dates:
November 6th
Crafts with Mara
November 20th
Trebaron Garden Centre, 1.00pm
December 4th
Christmas Carols with Bob
December 18th
Christmas Lunch, 1.00pm – names to Margaret as soon as possible please
All Ladies are welcome to join us at 7.30pm in St Elphins Community
Centre. The cost is £4.00 which includes tea/coffee and a raffle.
Pause for Thought…with Norma Fox
The Lord is my light, my light and salvation: in God I trust. from Psalm 27
How cold and damp the days have become, full of mists, and darkness even
before we’ve eaten our evening meal.
November, a time when nature takes a well-earned rest from its vigorous
efforts of growth and beauty. A time when my hedgehogs seek out their
winter home to hibernate from the cold in their little house amongst the
dying ferns at the back of my old shed. The birds that are leaving have left.
Winters dark moodiness sets in.
So, you can imagine my surprise when I walked through my garden on such a
damp dark day and noticed that the winter jasmine climbing up the fence was
already coming into flower. Soon there would be a cascade of bright winter
flowers to brighten the view from my sitting room windows.
It seems strange that such spring-like flowers should begin to bloom in the
darkest of months when most plants are resting. They seem to bring a ray of
hope at a time when the days are at their shortest and dullest. I was
reminded of something I read recently: ‘Even in darkness, light dawns for those
who believe.’ It’s something positive for us to hold on to and take comfort in.
The light that always shines is the Christ light illuminating our lives and
overcoming the darkness and filling us with His living care.
During baptism services a candle is lit and given to the parents of the child, a
symbol of light, and words directed to the child ‘Shine as a light in the world, to
the glory of God the Father.’
Jesus bids us all to shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in
the night, and in this world of darkness so we must shine, you in your small
corner, I in mine. Opening our hearts and minds to the light of Christ’s love
will change our lives in so many ways and we in turn will draw others from
darkness to light.
On Monday He gave me the gift of love,
Tuesday peace came from above.
On Wednesday He told me to have more faith
Thursday He gave me a little more grace.
On Friday He told me to watch and pray,
Saturday He told me just what to say,
On Sunday He gave me the power divine
TO LET MY LITTLE LIGHT SHINE verse from a child’s hymn
Readers and Prayer Rota for November
8.30am 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm
Reader Prayers Reader Reader
3rd Susan J Thelma W Barbara E Memorial Service
10th 9.00am Rev Stewart Chris Bean Barbara Eden
17th Susan J Thelma W Barbara E SW / AW
24th Sue Burke Barbara Eden Margaret G SW / AW
Communicants and Collections
Week ending Collections
22nd September 68 502.73
29th September 87 658.65
6th October 72 711.60
13th October 81 1097.80
20th October 91 743.45
Donations:
General Fund
In memory of John Marley 1th November, a much loved
Husband, Dad and Grandad, from Ann Marley 50.00
Warburton - In loving memory of my brother Harry, who
passed away peacefully at home on 5th 0ctober from Mary 100.00
Happy memories of Uncle Harry Lots of Love from Sue,
Sandie and Amy 60.00
Anniversary memories of Arthur Cresswell from Dianne 10.00
Birthday memories of Marjorie Cresswell from Dianne 10.00
Anniversary memories of John Rothwell from Dianne 10.00
Parish Registers
Holy Baptism
20th October
Declan Verdon
Sophie Charnock
Mila Kathy Verdon
Jack David William Berry
Gracie Mai Daniels
Sophie Louise Daniels
Shine as lights in the world to the Glory of God the Father
Holy Matrimony in October
4th Jonathon Leslie Brown and Jane Elizabeth Pownall
Those Whom God Hath Joined Together
Let No Man Put Asunder
Christian Burial & Cremation in October
15th Norman Wilford Age 94
Rest Eternal grant unto them O Lord.
And let light perpetual shine upon them.
Social and Group Activities
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.
Tuesday
7.30pm St Elphin’s Church Choir Practice in Church
Wednesday
6.45pm St John’s Brownies – Smile Centre, Sandy Lane
7.30pm St Elphin’s Ladies Group (1st & 3rd only) meet in the
St Elphin’s Community Centre
7.30pm Mothers’ Union – St Elphin’s Community Centre
(2nd only)
Thursday
5.15 –
6.15pm
9th Warrington Rainbows – St Elphins Community
Centre
6.30pm St Elphin’s Brownies – St Elphin’s School
6.30pm St Elphin’s Guides–St Elphin’s Community Centre
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
School
St Elphin’s (Fairfield) CE Primary School
Head Teacher: Mrs Allison Bennett
635143
Bookings: 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.
AB Electrical Plumbing and
Property Maintenance
All trades covered Commercial & Domestic
Plastering, Plumbing, Hard & Soft Landscaping,
General Garden Upkeeping,
Painting, Roofing,
Pointing, General Building Maintenance,
Wall & Floor Tiling
Any odd jobs
over 20 year’s experience
Tel 07960 862315 Tony Blakeman
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]
We clean your oven……
so you don’t have to.
Call today to have your
oven, hob, extractor or
Aga professionally cleaned
Steve Webster contact details:
Tel 01925 816748, Mob tel. 07988 594770
www.ovenwizards.com
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
Shelley’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop
8 Bold Street, Warrington
01925 654000
Bewsey Road, Warrington, WA2 7LW
01925 445555
Funeralcare
Cheshire Funeral Services
Park View Funeral Home
57 Gorsey Lane, Warrington
01925 571048
‘Caring for our Community’
part of the Co-op Funeralcare group
Hospice Shops
Birchwood 01925 825561
Bridge Foot (Furniture) 01925 650800
Golden Square 01925 575780
Hood Manor 01925 629494
Latchford Village 01925 415414
Longford Street, Warrington 01925 411626
Lymm 01925 758057
Stockton Heath 01925 602932
Readers are encouraged to support our Sponsors
who have given generously towards our costs.
Thursday’s 9.30am, 11.30am
5.30pm & 7.30pm
Friday’s 9.30am & 11.30am
The Grange Social Club
Grange Avenue
WA4 1QH
Tel Mike 07867 531764
slimmingworld.co.uk
0344 897 8000