NOVEMBER 2016

Delivered by ………….……………………………………………………..

your pastoral visitor, who can be contacted on……………………..

The Methodist Church in Poynton

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MUMBLINGS FROM THE MANSE November 2016

Many different names or labels were attached to Jesus during his

lifetime: prophet, healer, teacher, miracle worker, rebel, rabbi and

of course the name that certainly described Jesus perfectly as a

‘man of prayer’. Reading through the gospel accounts of the stories

of his ministry one loses count of the number of different occasions

when Jesus is recorded as having prayed. He prayed often. He

prayed early in the morning, late at night, sometimes all through the

night. He used short prayers and long prayers. He prayed before

critical events in his life. He prayed as he ministered to others. He

prayed before his miracles. He prayed for others. Not only that but

he instructed people on prayer and left us with the most common

prayer that we say today.

To those who watched him, there was something about Jesus’

relationship with God in and through the act of prayer that meant

they wanted to discover the secret of this communication. And in a

nutshell that’s what prayer is, it is communication between us and

God. And not just one way communication either. Prayer is not just

a case of us expressing our Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and

Supplication to God, although I suspect in many cases we

concentrate largely on the latter of the 4 ingredients that go to

make up the ‘ACTS’ of a decent prayer life. It’s also about listening.

In fact the more I think about prayer the more I wonder if we are

actually informing God of something that God doesn’t already

know. Or are the thoughts, concerns and sometimes even joys that

we think we are presenting to God not actually God’s way of

prompting us to be channels of grace, peace and love here in this

community, to be the answer to our own prayers? After all why pray

Our Church Family encourages everyone…

To come to worship God who loves us

To follow Jesus Christ our Saviour

To grow in fellowship, joy and love, and

To go out, share the Good News and serve in the world.

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about someone who is ill or lonely or housebound if we are not

going to do something about it?

Prayer is I suspect, if we are honest, something with which we all

struggle. It is difficult to find the means, the way, the time and even

the desire. We struggle to sit still, to concentrate, to find the right

words and even to listen. We think there is a right way to do it when

in fact it doesn’t really matter how you pray as long as you do.

“Pray as you can rather than as you can’t” has always been a

good motto to follow. So this month, as we focus our activities on

prayer, let’s stop just talking about it and get practical and do it

instead.

During the first two Holy Habits of ‘Eating Together’ and ‘Worship’ I

have suggested a book for you all to read. This month I have

provided you with one. One that contains 31 practical ways to pray

through the month, any month, but starting on Tuesday 1st

November, so that every single member of the church is engaging

in the same way to pray on a particular day.

Some of the 31 ways you will like; some I suspect you won’t but I

hope and indeed pray that you will all find several perhaps new

and different ways to engage in this two-way communication with

God.

After all, if it was good enough for Jesus to spend so much time in

prayer with God, it’s good enough for us.

Love and light

Rev John

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SUNDAY SERVICES AT POYNTON

IN NOVEMBER 2016

SUNDAY SERVICES AT GREEN CLOSE

IN NOVEMBER 2016

AA All Age Worship HC Holy Communion

Lawrence House 10.30am. 13th

November David Allaby

Stepping Hill 10.00am. 13th

November Amanda Boon

Woodlands 11.00am. 13th

November Amanda Boon

Date 10.30am UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

6th

November 9.00am Meditation Chris Hawkyard

13th

Rev John Wiseman 6.00pm Circuit Service

20th

Rev Amanda Boon HC David Jones

27th

Rev Amanda Boon Toy & Gift Service

4th

December Rev John Wiseman HC

4th

December 6.30pm District Service Bramhall Methodist Church

November theme: - Worship. December theme:- Joy

Date 2.30 pm

6th

November Catharine Hughes

13th

Keith Tonge

20th

Julie Hallworth

27th

Rev John Wiseman

4th

December Rev John Wiseman HC

4th

December 6.30pm District Service Bramhall Methodist Church

November theme: - Worship. December theme:- Joy

Our Church Family encourages everyone to Come to worship God who loves us…

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PRAYER

There are many opportunities for prayer in our church and

you will be very welcome to join any of the following

groups: -

Daytime Group: - We usually meet in the church prayer

corner every Tuesday at 9.45am. (see p 7) but as part of

the Holy Habit of Prayer, Rev John has organised some ‘group

activities’ that will take place as part of the regular Tuesday

morning meeting:

† Tuesday 1st November at 9.45am, come and refresh your

understanding of the Lord’s Prayer.

† Tuesday 8th November at 9.45am, come and be part of a prayer

walk around the village.

† Tuesday 15th November at 9.00am, come and meet in the

Kingfisher pub for a prayer breakfast.

† Tuesday 22nd November at 9.45am, come and pray for the

persecuted church as part of Open Doors Day of Prayer.

† Tuesday 29th November at 9.45am, come and discover how God

sees you as opposed to how you might see yourself.

Midday prayers are said every weekday in the church prayer

corner at 12.00 noon. There is a prayer list on the cupboard door

near the front entrance. Jean Drinkwater would be happy to add

your name to our rota.

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MEDITATION There will be a time of silent meditation

on the first Sunday in each month at

9.00am. After 30 minutes of reflection,

we share our thoughts if we feel able.

We invite you to come along to a

different experience of God’s

presence. All are welcome. Next time it

will be on 6th November.

The first Tuesday in November is 1st. There

will be a service at noon on that day followed by a simple lunch. All

are very welcome to this 30min service that caters for shoppers,

passers-by and everyone who is available and wishes to take this

extra opportunity to worship.

PRAISE, PRAYER AND PUDDING THURSDAY

October gave us a time for worship, a

time to eat, a time to listen to Helen

Holmes who spoke so well about

worship she had enjoyed in York and

a time to pray.

On 8th November, as the Holy Habits

theme is prayer, we will again worship and eat together and share

our experiences of prayer. You are most welcome to join us.

THURSDAY COMMUNION

This is always on the third Thursday of the month

at midday – 17th November is the next time. It is

followed by a light lunch in the foyer. Why not

come a little early and enjoy a coffee before

the service?

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On the afternoon of Saturday 19th November

there will be an opportunity to come into the

worship area of the church and to engage

with some of the 31 practical ways to pray we

have been following during the Holy Habit of

prayer.

This is an opportunity to explore again some of the ways you have

already encountered, to get a sneak preview of ones that still lie

ahead of you, perhaps even to discover some additional ways for

you to pray. Come and be still. Come and be creative. Come to

adore, to confess, to give thanks, to petition. Just come and join

with others in seeking to develop your relationship with God!

Rev John

WEEKLY PRAYER GROUP

Our prayer group meets every

Tuesday morning at 9.45am in the

prayer Corner in Church. (Please

see the note on p 5).

On the third Tuesday in October

we again met at the Kingfisher for

breakfast and Marie went to all

the other diners to see if they

wanted us to pray for anything in

particular. She came back with a fair sized list.

Then one of the guys she had spoken to came across to us before

we started to pray and asked if he could pray with us after the

death of a friend, a regular at the Kingfisher. We were only too

delighted to pray with him. We asked him to tell his friend’s widow

that we were thinking of her.

Please join us on the third Tuesday in November (15th) – 9.00am at

the Kingfisher. The more the merrier!

Mandy Hawkyard

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‘A Spirituality of Peacemaking - Putting Biblical Principles into

Action’ by Elfrida Calvocoressi

Published by Grove Books limited at £3.95

Do you like CHIPS? I do, that is I like the UK charity CHIPS which

stands for Christian International Peace Service. As Christians we are

called to be peacemakers and bring the love of God into every

situation. The late Roy Calvocoressi OBE founded the charity and

this booklet written in 2015 by his widow describes the last fifty years

of peacemaking by CHIPS.

CHIPS style of peacemaking is not based on conferences or talks

about peace but on practical activity in the field with both sides

contributing to long term peace by initiating projects which meet

common needs. CHIPS always goes to the people rather than just

expecting them to join a programme and they don't give out

handouts but they do encourage the local people to work to

achieve the changes they want and need.

Roy Calvocoressi died in 2011 but CHIPS lives on and with new

vigour. The Ghana project goes from strength to strength, the

Uganda project surpassed all expectations and a new project to

address gang conflict and violence has started in Brixton, in the

most deprived ward of South London. The booklet ends with these

words by Roy Calvocoressi:

Every act of love, every good deed

Every work of righteousness done in the name of Jesus

Sown in the soil of conflict; is a seed of peace.

Let us sow them with wisdom, out of a heart of humility.

Our Church Family encourages everyone to Follow Jesus Christ Our Saviour…

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HYMNOLOGY ON A MONDAY MORNING - 16 ‘Love divine, all loves excelling’, words by Charles Wesley.

Tunes: - 'Blaenwern' by W.P. Rowlands; 'Love Divine' by John Stainer

Charles Wesley's inspired writing is in one of the best known and

best loved hymns, found in hymn books of all denominations.

Reverend Rosemary Wakelin, a Methodist Minister and Religious

Broadcaster says that she remembers receiving a call to the Ministry

at the age of seven when she was in her Stockport Church, as the

congregation were singing ‘Love Divine’. After the service she told

her mother, who pointed out that, "they don't have ladies for

ministers." Her son Michael Wakelin, also a religious broadcaster, is a

series producer of BBC's ‘Songs of Praise.'

In Wesley's time it was common for Methodists to carry a small

pocket volume of his hymns. The 18th Century Methodist Magazine

often carried stories of dying Christians, seemingly close to death,

rallying to its sound.

Bronwen Douse and her fiancé chose this hymn for their wedding.

The last verse and especially the last two lines, sum up the faith that

helped them through some very dark days. In 1982 Bronwen, a

midwife spent a frightening ninety three days in the Falkland Islands.

Immediately after the Argentine invasion, she continued to worship

in the little Anglican Cathedral in Port Stanley, until the Argentines

enforced a curfew. At first she could reach the Catholic Church,

but as the British task force fought their way into Port Stanley the

friendly fire of their rescuers became as terrifying as any enemy

action. She remembers delivering a baby whose future home was

being destroyed in the fighting. She says “they could just get out to

a nearby shop, that sort of became our church, and each morning

we would meet there and hug each other, thankful that they were

still alive.”

Theo Eaves

This article contains extracts from ‘The Nation’s Favourite Hymns’ 2004 by Andrew

Barr published by Lion Publishing. Used with permission of Lion Hudson plc.

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MISSION STYLES

There’s a joke about families: ‘I shook my family tree, and a bunch

of nuts fell out!’ It’s an old joke, but the message behind it rings true

– we’re all different. Each family, friendship and community is made

up of different people who have different talents, different opinions,

different likes and dislikes, different personalities… the list goes on.

It’s therefore quite easy to see someone doing something in a

different way to us and automatically dismiss it, or even judge it to

be ‘weird’ or ‘wrong’. Sometimes I feel that as Christians, especially

in church, we forget to celebrate the fact that we’re all different.

We’re often expected to have the same ways of worshipping, the

same opinions on Christian issues, and the same relationship with

God. But as Catharine mentioned in her service on 16th October,

worship is not a one-size-fits-all exercise. One type of worship

doesn’t suit everyone. We all have different relationships with God,

as parents have differing relationships with their different children.

That doesn’t mean that God loves some people more than others,

or that he appreciates some forms of worship more than others.

Parents love their children equally, although they may interact and

show their love for each child differently, and so it is with God. We

are so fortunate to be able to have individual, unique relationships

with a God that we interact with in our own special ways.

In the light of this concept, a Christian company called Fusion have

recently released a questionnaire and many resources, entitled

‘Mission Styles’. This, to me, sounded like something for worship

leaders only when I first heard about it. I assumed that it would be

resources helping leaders of worship to find out what their style was,

and then that it would give them the resources to lead worship

within church services.

But it’s so much more than that. I had forgotten that worship applies

to everyone, not just the leaders of our church services. The

questionnaire actually asks the questions: how do I learn best about

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God? How do I experience God? How do I best share my faith with

others? It’s personal and it offers a great deal of helpful insight into

our style, and how we might use this in a mission-based context. In

much the same way that some people in our congregation might

prefer rock music to country (or even heavy metal – you never

know - there might be one hidden among us!), we all have

individual styles of worship that suit us best.

The quiz by Fusion generalises them to four categories: Show me,

Convince me, Talk with me and Let me experience. I was (some say

unsurprisingly, to whom I say – hey!) classified by a quite high margin

into Talk with me, meaning that I learn most about God by talking to

other people, asking questions and developing relationships with

people.

Apparently our special skills include the ability to speak Jesus into

people’s lives through listening to them and getting to know them

first. Our growth areas concern being more spontaneous – some of

you will excel at that, I know.

Anyway, the point is that we should (and can) be aware of our own

personal styles, and should learn to appreciate and accept the

styles of other people. We are all a community of God, and

perhaps the key to worshipping together is not just in accepting our

differences, but in celebrating them.

If any of you are interested in the mission styles quiz (it takes about

10 mins), the link is: https://www.missionstyles.org/. You do have to

put in your name and email, but they only send you a link to the

resources for your type. Wouldn’t it be great if we could set up a set

of one-off house groups, one for each of the styles?

Helen Holmes

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YOUNG CHURCH Young Church staffing is problematic; even with limited numbers of

children, the fact that currently the only leaders for this group are

Rachel and Ian means that we have no cover for the inevitable

times that personal commitments have to take priority.

Can you help? Rachel and Ian would welcome you with open arms

and provide you with all the help and information you need to

equip you for this important work. You would need to set aside

some time for preparation and then take some Sunday sessions in

turns.

You would be making an important contribution if this note moves

you to take the first steps by talking to them. Will you be the one to

say, “Send me!”?

CIRCUIT CHOIR SERVICE On Sunday 13th November at 6.00pm

(Remembrance Sunday) The Circuit Choir

will be offering to the Circuit the Choral

Suite from “The Armed Man” by Karl

Jenkins, soloist Catharine Hughes (Cello),

Organist John Ramsbottom.

Stella Molton

FREEDOMS TO SHARE – the 2016/2017 prayer handbook

Pray with and for the worldwide family of the

Methodist people. Be connected to Christians

from different times, places and walks of life

through Freedoms to Share. Classic prayers are

interwoven with new contributions from Methodists

across the districts and around the world.

Arranged as a 31-day prayer cycle, the handbook

also includes a daily lectionary to guide you

through the year.

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Eminently suitable for individuals as well as groups, Freedoms to

Share looks at how we find freedom in Christ and share the

freedoms he gives us with others, by listening, learning and

responding. We remember not only those fragile lives crying out for

shelter from persecution, fear and suffering, but also those ensnared

by materialism, selfishness and sin.

NEW YOUTH PRESIDENT: TIM ANNAN

Tim Annan is the 2016/2017 Methodist Youth

President.

He was inducted during a service in August

held in Grantham, and presided over by the

Rev Dr Roger Walton, President of the

Methodist Conference, and the Rev Helen

Cameron, Assistant Secretary of the

Conference. This was streamed live over the

internet to churches and to youth groups

across the country.

Tim takes up his role following an election that took place at last

year’s 3Generate, the Methodist Children and Youth Assembly,

taking over from the previous Youth President, Craig Gaffney.

As well as hymns, prayers and Bible readings, part of the induction

ceremony saw the President of the Conference anoint Tim with oil,

a practice that has “a long tradition in the Scriptures of anointing

people for special service in God’s world.”

Tim Annan is a youth worker from Grantham and has spent four

years completing a Youth Studies degree. He knows today’s

challenges for both young people and youth workers – including

care for youth workers, bullying and global issues – and hopes to

speak for the young people of the Church as a result.

Discover more at http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-

events/news-releases

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BONFIRE WORSHIP

Tired of being able to sit down for worship? Fed up of a nice warm church

building? Feel that worship nights aren’t the same without the risk of

torrential rain? Then our up-coming Bonfire Worship night sounds perfect

for you!

This November, we are holding an evening worship service outside,

around a bonfire (/campfire!), which will include worship songs,

some active prayer and some toasted snacks! The idea behind the

‘campfire approach’ to worship is all about releasing the gospel

from the confines of the church building.

It’s about remembering that our church is not our building, but our

community, and that we can worship anywhere. It’s essentially

smaller group worship, with a chance of rain! Carrying out a worship

service outside also means that, because we don’t have to engage

with any technology, we are free to fully engage with God in our

praise and prayer. It may seem daunting to be singing ‘without

backup’ for those of you who feel that their voices are not quite up

to Adele-like standards, but don’t let that stop you – to God, every

voice is equal!

The idea is to praise God as a community with one voice, and to

focus on what we’re singing. For those who might be wondering,

the worship songs chosen will be mostly songs that we sing often,

with one or two new songs (but words will be provided for all). We’ll

be hosting this in mid/late November at Christine Ding’s (Hill Top

Farm, Poynton). If you’d like to come, but are not sure you’ll be able

to get there, please contact me and I’ll try to arrange a lift for you.

We’d love you to come and praise God under an open sky and

experience worship free from the walls of our building!

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, pray for good

weather and keep an eye on the notices for a date (coming soon!).

Bonfire snacks will be provided! If you have any questions, please

email me at: helenbeth@hotmail.co.uk. We’d love to see you there!

(If you’d be interested in being able to practice singing the songs

beforehand, please email me and I’d be happy to send you some

links on YouTube, but no pressure!) Helen Holmes

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THANK YOU LETTERS

Following the death of her daughter Carol, Janet Jones wishes to express her thanks for the love, prayers and support offered by the people of Poynton Methodist Church at this very difficult time. It was greatly appreciated by Janet as she grieves the loss of her daughter.

Thank you so much for the beautiful flowers that we received recently,

following Eleanor's return to University to begin her PGCE and

Charlotte's departure to commence her first year at Birmingham. We are

adjusting to a quiet house but look forward to having them home again

soon! It is lovely to know that everyone has been thinking about us.

With love,

Rachel and Ian Hall

To all the friends at PMC: Thank you for all the beautiful flowers given to me recently and your love and prayers. Love and best wishes to you all. Dulcie Linnell

My daughters and I wish to thank our friends at PMC for their support, cards, visits, prayers and offers of help during this difficult time. We have been overwhelmed by the response to our loss and were especially touched by the number of people who attended the Thanksgiving Service for John. God bless you all. Joyce Deighton

Thank you to The Church for the lovely flowers I received after I had my operation. Love, Maureen Downing

Hilda Hallworth sends a great big thank you for the flowers recently

sent for her 89th

Birthday. She sends her love to everyone.

Our Church Family encourages everyone to Grow in Fellowship, joy and love…

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Thank you for the lovely colourful flowers I received after a recent operation on my foot. They have given me a lot of pleasure and I'm grateful for the good wishes of you all. Margaret Meekley

Thank you so much for the pretty flowers I received from church following

my recent eye surgery. Your kind thoughts and best wishes are very much

appreciated.

Sincerely, Mary Thorp

I was at the top of a ladder, and before I knew it, I was at the bottom of the

ladder and adjacent to it.

Although it was painful I knew I would live, but the floor was extremely

hard with very little give.

During the week I slowly recovered, and the extent of my injuries was

slowly discovered.

Then last Sunday while hobbling around Judith came with flowers abound.

It made me feel better, so I wrote this ‘letter’.

Thank you. Derek Garner

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

Birth Announcement Sarah and Chris Hall are delighted to

announce the birth of their son - Walter

Masaya Hall. He was born on 25th July

2016 at 06:17, weighing 8lbs 5oz. His

middle name is of Filipino descent and

means "Happy". Walter looks forward to

meeting you all again soon!

Congratulations to Olive Haygarth who will be 90 years old on the

28th November. When I visit she is always interested in knowing what

is happening at church, although she is not able to attend these

days. Olive lives in Prestbury House, Macclesfield.

Jean Drinkwater

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Peter and Rowena Thorp are very pleased

to announce that their daughter Fiona

married Peter Geary on Saturday 8th

October at All Saints Parish Church,

Ecclesall, Sheffield. A large number of

friends and family from near and far

gathered to support the couple and

celebrate the day. It was a very happy

occasion and the bride and groom smiled all day long!

This was the church in which Fiona was Baptised and where we

were married 39 years ago.

Church Christmas Cards Yes, it’s that time of year again

when Advent will be upon us and

we will be advised to post early for

Christmas.

With that in mind our Christmas

Cards will be on Sale at the Charity Market (Saturday 12th

November) and thereafter will be available in the church

coffee area. Single cards are £1.00 each or 5 cards for £3.00.

Hilary King & Linda Grant

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Family Committee

Christmas Craft Market

In conjunction with

Poynton Fest

Here at the church

Tuesday 6th December, 7- 9pm

Stalls, refreshments &

entertainment!

Hope you can join us

CHILDREN AND FAMILY WORKER – update

We are now in the process of actively recruiting a new Children and

Family Worker to build on this important aspect of the life of the

church. We are anticipating that this will be a permanent

appointment of up to 18 hours per week. Our current financial

arrangements, including congregational giving and a generous

grant from the Circuit for this specific purpose, secures the post for

the next three years, which is as far ahead as we feel it prudent to

commit.

Following our recent advertising of the vacancy, we are now in the

process of short listing and planning interviews and we hope to

have the post filled early in the New Year.

Jane Robson

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HOLY HABITS MONTH ONE (EATING TOGETHER) Has it borne any fruit?

I’ve been asked to write up this story told in Church on 11th September, the

second week of Eating Together.

Samantha walks along a row of collard seedlings that promise new

life. The late summer sun glints on the razor wire curling on top of the

high chain-link fence.

Samantha smiles as she comes to the watermelon patch at the end

of the row. “I look at the watermelons and think, “I did this,” she

says, “the ground was hard like a road. But I turned the soil, I added

manure. I had a migraine, and my back hurt for a week. But look

what happened.”

Hope and watermelons grow together in the garden at the Suffolk

County Correctional Facility in Riverhead where Samantha and

nine other inmates are finishing a course called “The Kitchen

Garden”. Samantha is 26, a single mother with a 10-year-old

daughter. She's been in jail for the last four months, awaiting trial on

a conspiracy charge involving a drug bust. “Sure, I look up and I see

the razor wire,” she says. “But I also see birds and blue skies. When I

was home, I didn't notice nature. I do now.”

The article goes on to describe the graduation ceremony for the

women who have completed their course. Samantha stands at the

podium. “I've never spoken in public,” she says, “but I want to tell

you that I learned something through weeding. The weeds run really

deep, but the roots of the fruits and vegetables can get pulled out

so easy.”

“That's the way it is out in the world. Negativity runs deeps. The good

things need to be tended daily. The weeds will take over if you let

them. You can't let them or there goes your garden of life. I learned

this here, in this garden.”

Negativity runs deep. The good things need to be tended daily.

Eating Together has thrown up many challenges and it’s great to

be able to say so many positive things have flowed from them –

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watch out for news of a Traidcraft stall opening here after

Christmas;

one person responded to the request for help with food at

toddlers (we could do with more help PLEASE);

the prayer group took the plunge and took the group to the

Kingfisher for a prayer breakfast as described elsewhere and

a fellow diner came to pray with us;

a group went to the Clink for afternoon tea and were very

impressed by the standard of food and service;

many of us enjoyed a stroll in Lyme Park before sharing tea;

Praise and Prayer tried eating together during their worship

and felt that the whole format of the evening had changed

for the better;

and last but certainly not least around 40 people have

attended a variety of house groups.

I call that A RESULT! (P.S. It’s not too late to join in.)

Mandy Hawkyard

HOLY HABITS HOUSE GROUPS

We’ve now had two months of Holy Habits House groups and all of

the feedback I’ve heard has been positive. The future dates are:

Group Prayer Joy (provisional)

Monday evening (7:30, Bakers’) 14/11/16 28/11/16

Monday evening (7:30, Lunt’s) 7/10/16 28/11/16

Wednesday afternoon (2:00, Church?) 2/11/16 30/11/16

Wednesday evening (7:30, Hawkyard’s) 2/11/16 30/11/16

Friday morning (11:00, Church) 4/11/16 2/12/16

Richard Baker

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WE’VE BEEN TO CLINK!

On Monday 17thOctober, a group of sixteen people from our

Church went to The Clink Restaurant at Styal Women’s Prison for

afternoon tea.

Styal is the fourth prison in Britain to recruit prisoners who still have six

to eighteen months of their sentence to serve for a full-time training

programme in catering, working towards a City and Guilds NVQ

qualification. The training programme comprises Recruit, Train,

Support, Employ and Mentor. The project has over 200 employers

across the UK who are willing to give a Clink graduate a job.

Nationwide the scheme has achieved a reduction in reoffending of

over 70% for people who complete their course.

Our group thoroughly enjoyed the visit. The restaurant was

beautifully presented, the sandwiches and cakes set out on three-

tiered stands were delicious and the atmosphere was warm and

friendly. Some of us would have liked to have some of the recipes

to take home – particularly the carrot cake!

Thank you to Helen Ives for arranging this uplifting experience.

Christina Thompson

LEARNING DISABILITY FRIENDLY CHURCH

“PROSPECTS” seeks to help churches offer accessible worship and

Bible teaching for people with learning disabilities. To promote

churches that have taken positive steps to welcome and include

people with learning disabilities, they have launched a new

initiative to share the good work.

For more information see http://www.prospects.org.uk/churches

E News

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FINANCE MATTERS

I have set out below the figures for the financial year ended 31

August 2016 and, whilst not quite as high as last year, they still

remain very positive.

Income:

Collections 46820

Room Lettings 32323

Donations & Memoria 400

Tax Refunds 9893

Interest and Trust Income 651

Coffee 1112

Feed in Tariff 4031

Fund Raising Activities 4128

Printing 2073

Sundries 777

______

102208

Expenditure:

Church Running Costs 84954

Provision for Repairs 3000

FIT Donations 400

Other Donations 1241

CTiP Payments 864

______

90459

______

Surplus for the Year £ 11749

======

We have also had some generous donations and a grant from

Cheshire East (not shown in the above figures) for designated

projects. The work done in Rooms 1 and 2, the work in the Church

foyer and the purchase of new wireless microphones for use in the

services, have all been funded in this way. We are truly blessed and

I would like to say thank you to everyone for all your giving.

23

Something to consider, if you gift aid your donations, is to pay your

coffee money by way of your regular giving instead of putting this

into the donation pot on a Sunday morning. It may be that you only

increase your standing order or envelope giving by a small amount,

however this would enable me to claim gift aid on the donation.

One other point to be aware of is the introduction from April 2016 of

the new Personal Savings Allowance, enabling basic rate tax payers

to receive up to £1000 in savings income without any tax being due.

Please do let me know if this affects you and means that you are no

longer able to gift aid your donations.

Jane Robson (Church Treasurer)

LADIES’ FELLOWSHIP

6th October, Rev. Amanda Boon gave us a very interesting talk

about her experience of becoming a Minister. She gave us an

insight into how her path led from "mixing paint with children" in

Lichfield, and how she came to live in Hazel Grove.

20th October, we welcomed Gary Rainford, who showed slides of

"Lyme Park Gardens". The meeting was led by Anne Hindle.

On 3rd November Chris Hawkyard will be giving us a talk on "Textile

Printing", and this meeting will be led by Brenda Oakley starting at

the usual time of 7.45pm.

On 12th November we will be having a table at the Christmas

Charity Market in the foyer, where we will be selling cakes. Our

charity for 2016/2017 is Seashells, Cheadle Hulme,

Then on 17th November our own Minister, Rev. John Wiseman, will be

coming along to give us a talk about, "A Man of Mystery". Marjorie

Harrop will be leading the meeting.

Sandra Townsend

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PROPERTY UPDATE

Two new VAILLANT boilers have been fitted in the plant room to

replace the old ones previously installed. (Outside contractors)

Repair to church vacuum cleaner.

Utility tap fitted in flower cupboard to accommodate a power

washer.

We have fitted a new wall mounted electric water boiler in the

hall storeroom to supply all hall sinks/basins with hot water, and to

replace the old one which was seriously leaking.

New signs have been fitted on the church and hall exterior to

advertise the Preschool.

Repair to oven door in church kitchen.

Repair to gutter outside Room 4.

Repair to cables attached to wall outside Room 4.

A new notice board has been built onto the wall in Room 3.

The end wall in Room 3 has been repainted.

We have fitted updated and more reliable light units to the

church kitchen.

NOTE: We are aware that the LINCAT water boiler in the kitchen has

a defect. We are working to resolve this.

As a temporary measure the ‘old’ water boiler will be used for larger

gatherings. A chain and shackle has been provided to ensure the

old boiler is attached to the wall at the bracket provided. (This is an

insurance requirement.)

Anyone using the old boiler must take extra care with filling and

emptying and ensure the chain is in place to prevent the boiler

from falling off the work surface.

(A kettle is available for smaller amounts of water.

Derek Garner for Property Committee

25

EXPLORING FAITH THROUGH FILM

On Saturday 12th November we shall be showing

our next film, “War Room” in the Holy Habits

series. It is a film that should be of interest to

anyone who has ever prayed. It will begin at

7.30pm. The discussion will take place on Tuesday

15th November.

Filled with heart, humour and wit, ‘War Room’

follows Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, a couple who

seemingly have it all: great jobs, a beautiful daughter and a dream

home. But appearances can be deceiving as husband Tony flirts

with temptation and wife Elizabeth becomes increasingly bitter,

crumbling under the strain of a failing marriage.

In reality, their marriage has become a war zone and their daughter

is suffering collateral damage. Their lives however take an

unexpected turn for the better when Elizabeth meets her newest

client, Miss Clara, who encourages Elizabeth to start fighting for her

family instead of against them.

In putting that plan into action Elizabeth builds a ‘war room’ at the

centre of her house and her life as she prepares to battle the real

enemy armed with the power of prayer.

Rev John

Calling all Parents and

Grandparents

Baby Boot Sale - Saturday

19th November

9.00am – noon

You may not have the need to look at children’s toys but everyone

loves a bacon butty and coffee on a Saturday morning

Please come and support our Preschool

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WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT SO FAR?

I refer of course to our 10-month journey, our Holy Habits odyssey,

our stepping stones towards becoming, being and behaving more

like an ideal Christian community.

Each stepping stone, you will remember, is inscribed with a word or

phrase which we ‘in-habit’ as we pause on it in our monthly journey:

Eating Together; Prayer; Worship; Biblical Teaching; Sharing

Resources; Breaking Bread; Fellowship; Gladness and Generosity;

Service to others; and Making Disciples (but as Eric Morecambe

may have said, ‘not necessarily in that order’!).

So, to answer my own question, I might say that it depends on how

we view the process. Do we see it as something that is being done

to us, or do we see it as an opportunity to develop our discipleship?

Are we passive spectators, or are we active participants?

We started with an easy one, because we all like a good nosh.

‘Worship’ can also be easy, because many regard it as a spectator

sport and it is possible to watch others worship without really

participating and giving glory to God.

Next will come prayer, and although we can get someone else to

do it for us once a week, for the rest of the time we have to do it

ourselves or not do it at all. That’s a bit harder, especially if we’ve

got out of the habit.

We’ve shortened ‘Gladness and Generosity ‘to ‘Joy’ and put it

next, to fit in with the Christmas celebrations. For many, it will be

more about office parties, family get-togethers and lavish presents

than celebrating the most important birth so far in the history of the

world. But I know we’ll get that one right, and our ‘joy’ will be about

God’s love, our hope in his forgiveness and the coming of his

Kingdom.

So how do we view the process?

27

I pray that we have all by now, whatever our initial reactions when

we first heard the phrase ‘Holy Habits’, come to realise what a

powerful path we’ve started to travel. And that we’ve also come to

realise that our spiritual muscles will not grow unless we exercise

them. You don’t exercise your leg muscles by sitting on the back

seat of a tandem with your feet on the handlebars!

So let me suggest some ‘exercises’:

† Find out in advance the Habit for each remaining month.

† Think of some effective way of presenting that Habit.

† Offer to lead it or help.

† Join in.

† Think especially about ‘Service to others’ and ‘Making disciples’

- Don’t wait until that month arrives.

† Join a House Group.

† How can you help to fill the gap when it’s John’s Sabbatical?

† Write something that can be used for the Habit of the month.

† Write for The Herald about a Habit or your experiences.

Don’t ever think ‘I’m no good at doing this’; ‘I never have any

ideas’; ‘I’ll just leave it to others’; there are many others more able

than I am’; ‘someone else will do it’.

Use the rest of this page to add some ideas of your own:

Arnold Samuels

28

HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Thank you to everyone for your incredible generosity in providing

knitted goods and clothing for International Aid Trust at the Harvest

service. We sent 30 bags of knitted goods, soap and flannels.

We also sent £223.00 towards transport costs.

Many thanks, Liz Baker (403787) and Hilary Parry (873674)

CAROL SINGING

Carol singing to the care homes etc. will take place on Thursday 8th

December, meeting at church at 1.25pm. If you can come, please

give your name to Hilary Parry (873674)

Our Church Family encourages everyone To go out, share the Good News and serve in the world.

29

MAMA’S LITTLE BABY GOT NONE!

On Friday 23rd September, wrapped up against the early morning

chill in our red church fleeces, Gill Oldham and I headed out as part

of the Holy Habit of 'Eating together' mission and outreach. Our

simple aim was to hand out home-baked shortbread biscuits to any

Mums, Dads, Grandparents or Carers dropping their little ones off at

Worth Primary School.

As I already go there to do assemblies, and having obtained the

permission of the head Mr Taylor, it seemed the obvious place to

hand out our free gifts. I don't think either of us was sure of the

reaction we would receive but after a slow start our freezer bags of

shortbread were quickly snapped up, each one containing a little

slip of paper telling folks what and why we were doing it.

In fact to be honest we could have given

away twice as many samples. In the end 58

people went home happy to have a little

something to enjoy with their mid morning

cuppa. Mission accomplished.

Thanks to all those who mixed and baked.

Rev John

EMBRACE THE MIDDLE EAST

After supporting the Osteoporosis Society last year

my stall at the Christmas Market this year reverts

back to ‘Embrace the Middle East’.

I have chosen a range of alternative gifts – food,

warm clothes, school books, maternity care,

bedding, nappies and milk at prices ranging from

£6 - £19. They all come with a card bearing the message ‘a gift to

bring a smile’ and a fridge magnet, and hence can be used for all

occasions, not just Christmas.

I also have a card to support peacemaking initiatives between

Palestinians and Jews. Hope to see you on 12th November!

Mandy Hawkyard

30

TOY GIFT SERVICE SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER

This service kicks of our Holy Habits theme of

Gladness and Generosity (which we have

shorted to ‘Joy’) A time when we will be

being glad for all that we have by being

generous to others. Not many of our

children or grandchildren will struggle this

year to have anything to open on Christmas

morning, yet for many families in the

Manchester area this is not the case. I have

taken this off the Wood Street Mission

website on 19th October.

“We need your donations of clean, good

quality, used and new items to help us offer support to struggling

local families. All suitable donations go directly to families who need

them.

Currently we are particularly in need of:

new or good quality second hand non-branded school uniforms,

stationery and sports kit

children’s clothes ages 3 years upwards

children’s bedding (quilt covers and pillow cases, new or

laundered duvets, towels)

baby equipment (e.g. prams, cots, Moses baskets) and baby

items (e.g. disposable nappies, bottles and formula milk)

toiletries suitable for adults (including sanitary products) and

those suitable for children

children's books and toys”

Rev John

Charity Christmas Market Sat 12th November 10.00am – 12.30pm Come and support your favourite charities Bacon Butties – Coffee - Cake

31

*I couldn’t find my luggage at the airport baggage area and went

to the lost luggage office. He clerk smiled and asked me, ‘Has your

plane arrived yet?’

*Can you cry under water?

THE DECEMBER/JANUARY HERALD Closing date for submissions will be 16th November (or earlier if

possible). Please place articles in the Herald pigeonhole or

preferably send them by e-mail to: herald@poyntonmethodist.org

TO ALL HERALD DISTRIBUTORS

The December/January Herald will be available for you to pick up

from 25th November. There are sometimes events taking place in the

first week of each new magazine and we hope that as many as

possible receive the details in time.

To all those who are listed as contacts on our back page

Please tell us via a note in the Herald pigeonhole whenever there

are changes to times or contacts. We only know when we are told.

Copyright

Many thanks once again to all our contributors. We have no

problem with those that are the work of the sender, but sometimes

we receive pieces for inclusion that have appeared elsewhere.

These too are welcome. If you wish to contribute in this way, please

obtain permission and let us know the source so that due

acknowledgement can be made.

The back page contains a list of useful contacts. You will find others in the

Church Contact List, the Circuit Plan and the Circuit Directory. Our website

is: http://www.poyntonmethodist.org, find us on Twitter by searching for

@PoyntonMC or on Facebook via facebook.com/poyntonmethodist

The connexional website: http://www.methodist.org.uk contains a wealth

of useful and interesting information including President and Vice-President

blogs about the visits they are making.

To donate furniture or arrange a house clearance and help Romania and

other countries, contact Jeff Stoker, LIM Distribution Manager on 0796

7751494.

32

Our Minister, Rev John Wiseman, is available in the church office (871592) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The light by the door shows red when he is engaged. You can leave messages for him in the Minister’s pigeonhole, or please call him or leave a message at home on 261769 or via his email jwiserev@hotmail.co.uk If there is no reply and there is an immediate emergency, phone Rev John Payne 0161 483 4952. The church office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.00am until 1.00pm. For Church Notices and office queries please contact: office@poyntonmethodist.org EVERY WEEKDAY

9.00am-3.00pm Preschool. Single sessions available. (Sarah Parker 871115)

#Kids Zone – (Pam Dowd 07717 003 322)

7.30am and 3.00pm - Before & after school club

7.30am to 6.00pm - Holiday care

10.00am to 12.30pm #Open Hands Room 4 (878589) Coffee in the Lounge

MONDAY

10-11.00am Discussion Group/Bible Study (Theo Eaves 875162)

TUESDAY

9.45am-10.45am Meeting for Prayer (Mandy Hawkyard 875032)

12.00 noon *Service and Lunch 1st Tuesday (Mandy Hawkyard 875032)

7.30-9.00pm 3rd Poynton Guides and Rangers (Lyndsay Lamb 07950 187 480)

WEDNESDAY

5-6.00pm #2nd Poynton Rainbows (Sue Dyson 07515 883 585)

6.00-7.30pm #2nd Poynton Brownies (Catherine Potts 07979 955 804)

7.00-9.00pm Art Relax (Linda Grant 879663/Hilary King 877051)

7.30-9.00pm #4th Poynton Guides (Alison Southern 07905 133 073)

THURSDAY

9.30-11.30am Parents & Toddlers (Judy Gibbons 878016/Margaret Martin 874883)

12.00 noon *Communion and lunch 3rd Thursday (Rev J Wiseman 871592)

7.30-9.00pm #1st Poynton Guides (Georgia Eyre 07989 360 850)

7.30-9.30pm *Ladies’ Fellowship (Sandra Townsend 878563)

7.30pm *Prayer and Praise 2nd Thursday (Mandy Hawkyard 875032)

SUNDAY

10.30am Crèche – 0-3 years (Denise Reid 871961)

10.30am Young Church – 3-11 years (Rachel/Ian Hall 872062)

10.30am Evolve – 11-18 years (Sally Holmes 260451/Jane Robson 879998)

6.00pm *+FoB School Years 6-13 (Judy Gibbons 878016/Christine Ding 859438)

All the activities listed here take place weekly on Church premises except for:

*fortnightly or monthly +not on Church premises #not PMC organised

(Please see the weekly notices or the notice board in the corridor for details).

ROOM BOOKING APPLICATIONS – Helen Ives (872465) 14 days notice requested if possible.