key messages  · web view2020. 7. 24. · the word ‘lent’ is of course like so many other...

38
Astley, Tyldesley and Mosley Common Team ‘ATMC Messenger’ A trial title! February 2020

Upload: others

Post on 14-Feb-2021

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

2

Astley, Tyldesley and Mosley Common Team

‘ATMC Messenger’

A trial title!

February 2020

Key Team Contacts: for local contacts please see notice boards

Team Rector:Rev. Martin B Cox01942 883313

[email protected]

Team Vicar: Vacant0161 790 2957

St. John’s Vicarage, Mosley Common

Ordained LocalRev. Angela J Dand01942 879608

Minister:

Honorary Curate:Canon Michael Williamson01942 870274

Ordinands:Debbie Clarke 07824 326007

[email protected]

Cath Eccles07425 760255 [email protected]

Reader: Mike Stuckey0161 357 0155

Reader: David Kendrick01942 882854

Reader in training:Shane Hopkins07889 050757

Readers Emeritus:Keith Revill01942 874367

Jean Williamson01942 870274

Churchwarden:Elaine Dickinson (St S) 01942 895007/

07926 698 719

Churchwarden: Iain Hodcroft (St G)07976 314012

[email protected]

Churchwarden: Marjorie Owen (St J)0161 790 7177

Churchwarden: Andrea Taziker (St J)01942 878546

Team Clerk:Susan Mallon 07873 149627

[email protected]

Contents

Pg1 Monthly Cover

Pg2 Key Contacts

Pg3 Key messages/Prayers

Pg4 Lent Course/Reflection

Pg5 Features – Socks and House Group

Pg7/10 Team Services

Pg10/13 Astley

Pg13/17 Tyldesley

Pg17/22Mosley Common

Pg23/24 Prayers for creation

Key Messages

More than Sunday - a year of discipleship. For monthly inspiration and ideas, sign up at: www.manchester.anglican.org/more-than-Sunday/

Friday morning prayer time at 9.30am each week at St George’s is for EVERYONE … not just for clergy, not just for parishioners … but a TEAM INITIATIVE for EVERYONE!

Prayers:

· For all those survivors of the Holocaust and those intent on educating children and young people of its horrors with the intent of preventing anything like it happening again.

· For all other survivors of warfare, conflict, genocide or other atrocities; particularly those who have escaped and seek asylum and refuge locally.

· For our churches as we wrestle with conflicting demands, trying to balance church for a different world with meeting the needs of those clinging to church as it used to be.

· For Christian Unity.

· For our nation as we realise the implications of leaving Europe.

**************************************

Home insurance?

A reminder of the ‘Ecclesiastical offer! … now extended through 2020

Ecclesiastical Trust 130 home insurance offer

For a couple of years, for every new home insurance policy taken out with Ecclesiastical , they’ve donated £130 to a church or cathedral of the policyholder’s choice through their ‘Trust130 promotion’,

Ask for your own quotation – you may be pleasantly surprised; and you may be able to add significantly to your church’s income!

**************************************

For Diary of Services, please see pages 7-10

LENT COURSE 2020

‘Though we are many we are one body, because we all share in one bread.’

This year in our Team Lent Course we will be using the themes of the Holy Communion Service, with which we are familiar, to draw closer to God and to each other both spiritually and socially.

Wednesday, 26 February – Ash Wednesday

9.30am at St George`s Morning Prayer

11.30am at St Stephen`s Holy Communion

7.30pmat St John`s Holy Communion with Ashing

Tuesday, 3 March, 7.00pmat St George`s Central School,

Darlington Street, Tyldesley M29 8DH

We gather from scattered lives to meet with God.

A social event providing an opportunity for us to gather to know each other more. An evening of Games with refreshments from 7.00pm.

Tuesday,10 March, 7.00pmat St Stephen`s

We say sorry to God for the sins that separate us from God and neighbour.

An evening of quiet reflection and atonement in the penitential season of Lent. Refreshments from 7.00pm.

Tuesday,17 March, 7.00pmat St John`s.

We are a believing people and affirm our faith.

An evening of sharing our faith stories. Refreshments from 7.00pm.

Tuesday, 24 March, 7.00pmat St Stephen`s.

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

An evening of Taize prayer and praise. Refreshments from 7.00pm.

Tuesday, 31March, 7.00pmat St George`s.

It is right to give you thanks and praise.

An evening of giving thanks to God for our blessings. Refreshments from 7.00pm.

Thursday, 9 April (Maundy Thursday) at St Stephen`s – time to be confirmed

Do this in Remembrance of me.

An Agape meal with Holy Communion, followed by a vigil.

Reflection by Keith Revill

REFLECTIONS BY MARK DAVIES, BISHOP OF MIDDLETON

REFLECTIONS BY MARK DAVIES, BISHOP OF MIDDLETON

To be honest, I couldn’t think of a theme to base my reflections on this month until I was in the middle of decorating our lounge the other week.

The lounge at first did not appear to want much attention until I took down the mirror and the pictures and discovered how the paint on the walls had faded and become marked since we last painted the room. Certainly it needed to be refreshed and spruced up. This job, together with a meeting we had in church earlier that week gave me the clue as to what I should write this article about and that was on the subject of Lent which starts on the 26th of February.

Lent, as we know, is the penitential season before Holy Week and Easter when we Christians can take the opportunity to prepare ourselves so that we may be ready for the coming seasons. The word ‘Lent’ is of course like so many other words we use in the church derived from a Latin source, in this case it’s the word ‘Lentus’. It also comes to us from the Old German / Old English word ‘Lenten’ which means ‘Spring’. This fact fits in nicely with my thoughts whilst I was repainting our lounge which is part of our efforts to spring clean our home.

Lent or Spring is an ideal opportunity to clean up our own hearts and minds to prepare ourselves for the Easter season so that we will be more ready and open to be with Jesus, firstly during his own period of self-examination, but also his death on the cross and be ready to receive him afresh on his glorious resurrection on Easter Day.

A lot of thought and prayer has gone into the preparation of our Lent Course this year and I would recommend it to you all. Details can be found in this magazine or in a separate Team booklet.

Keith Revill

**************************************

Sock it to ’em?

On a recent visit to the old Magistrates Court in Leigh, now the home of our closest homelessness project; the shift manager explained how ‘pre-loved’ items of clothing with a good life left in them are dealt with.

Storage in the centre is very limited, so they have an arrangement with their charity shop in Railway Road, that items of clothing specifically given for vulnerable people will not be put on sale in the front of shop area; rather, there will be rails kept in the rear of the premises that those in need can be given access to and choose from the garments left for them. This seemed to me to be a good compromise!

Additionally, our conversation turned to items of clothing of a more intimate nature – particularly socks and underwear. Managers at “The Brick” would be very pleased to receive gifts of such items – new of course – directly into the shelter. So I guess its over to us ?? … I have already intimated in church notices at St George’s that a box will be at the back of church during Lent to receive gifts; and I am more than happy for others to join in! I’d be happy to collect and take to those in need.

IH

**************************************

‘House Group’ @ Jean & Michael

Here are the February dates for this long established house group. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings at 8.00pm in each month.

We think the effort to meet is thoroughly worthwhile and invite anyone to contact us if interested. We usually start with a cup of tea and then move on to study a passage from the Bible (occasionally we have attempted a Pilgrim course or others) and then we have a time of prayer.

We use requests from Mission Societies as well as local needs, world issues and of course we pray for our Team.

Our next dates are:

Tuesday, 11 February @ 8.00pm

Tuesday, 25 February @ 8.00pm

For further information, please contact Michael … 01942 870274

I am hopeful that we will have details of other house-groups connected to St John’s church next month!!

Diary of Services

St Stephen

St George

St John

Sun 26 January

4th Sunday of Epiphany

Isaiah 9:1-41Corinthians 1:10-18Matthew 4:12-23

Holy Communion

8.00am

Rev Martin Cox

Holy Communion 9.30am

Rev Martin Cox

Morning Prayer

8.00am

Iain Hodcroft

Sung Eucharist

10.30am

Rev Dan Conolly

Evening Prayer 4.00pm

Iain Hodcroft

Morning Praise

10.00am

David Kendrick

followed by

Holy Baptism 11.30/11.45am

Rev Martin Cox

Tue 28 January

Place of Welcome

10.00am-12.00

Wed 29 January

Holy Communion

11.30am

Rev Martin Cox

Fri 31 January

Team Prayer 9.30am

Place of Welcome

10.00am

Sun 2 February

Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Candlemas

Malachi 3:1-5Hebrews 2:14-18Luke 2:22-40

Morning Prayer

8.00am

Shane Hopkins

Holy Communion 9.30am

Rev Angela Dand/ Rev Martin Cox

Feast B4 Fast

12.30pm

St Thomas CE School

With +David

Holy Communion

8.00am

Rev Martin Cox

All-Age Morning Praise for Candlemas

10.30am

Shane Hopkins/

Cath Eccles

Feast B4 Fast

12.30pm

St Thomas CE School

With +David

Morning Praise

10.00am

David Kendrick

Feast B4 Fast

12.30pm

St Thomas CE School

With +David

Tue 4 February

Place of Welcome

10.00am-12.00

Wed 5 February

Holy Communion

11.30am

Rev Martin Cox

Fri 7 February

Team Prayer 9.30am

No Place of Welcome due to Funeral

Sat 8 February

Stepping-Up

Check time

Rev Angela Dand & Team

Sun 9 February 3rd before Lent

Holy Communion

8.00am

Rev Martin Cox

Worship Together

9.30am

Keith Revill

Praise On

6.30pm

Morning Prayer

8.00am

Cath Eccles

Sung Eucharist

10.30am

Rev Dan Connolly

Holy Communion

10.00am

Rev Martin Cox to preside, Debbie Clarke (officiate), David Kendrick (preach)

Tue 11 February

Place of Welcome

10.00am-12.00

Wed 12 February

Holy Communion

11.30am

Rev Martin Cox

Fri 14 February

Team Prayer 9.30am

Place of Welcome

10.00am

Sun 16 February

2nd before Lent

Morning Prayer 8.00am

David Kendrick

Holy Communion

9.30am

Rev Paul Brody

Holy Baptism

2.30pm

Rev Angela Dand

Morning Prayer w/Healing

8.00am

Keith Revill/Iain Hodcroft

Sung Eucharist w/Healing

10.30am

Rev Martin Cox

Holy Baptism

12.15pm

Rev Martin Cox

Families@4

4.00pm

Cath Eccles

All Age Worship

10.00am

Mike Stuckey & Sarah Hughes

Tue 18 February

Place of Welcome

10.00am-12.00

Thurs 20 February

Meeting Point

11.30am

Rev Michael Williamson

Fri 21 February

Team Prayer 9.30am

Place of Welcome

10.00am

Sun 23 February

Sunday next before Lent

Holy Communion

8.00am

Ven David Sharples

Holy Communion

9.30am

Rev Paul Brody

Holy Baptism

2.30pm

Rev Angela Dand

Morning Prayer

8.00am

Debbie Clarke

Sung Eucharist

10.30am

Ven David Sharples

Holy Communion w/Healing

10.00am

Canon Tony Butterworth & Mike Stuckey (to preach)

Tue 25 February

Place of Welcome

10.00am-12.00

Wed 26 February

Ash Wednesday

Holy Communion (said)

11.30am

Rev Dan Connolly

Morning Prayer

9.30am

Iain Hodcroft

Holy Communion (@The Rowans) 4.00pm(tbc)

Rev Martin Cox

Holy Communion w/Ashing

7.30pm

Rev Martin Cox

Fri 28 February

Team Prayer 9.30am

Place of Welcome

10.00am

Sun 1 March

1st Sunday of Lent

Morning Prayer

8.00am

Holy Communion 9.30am

Expected pattern – to be confirmed

Holy Communion

8.00am

Morning Praise

10.30am

Expected pattern – to be confirmed

Morning Praise

10.00am

Expected pattern – to be confirmed

Please forward information for March 2020 to [email protected] by Mon. 1oth February 2020

**************************************

Mainly for Astley

**************************************

A DAY OUT AT BELLE VUE

written in the Lancashire dialect by the mum of Jenny Evans

Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, wot a very grand soundin’ name,

Un wen it wer in it’s hey day, from far un near, folk came

To see the marvellous sights the’er o’t th’animals, monkeys un such,

Bright coloured parrots on perches sat, which sometimes yo’ cud touch.

An elephant on which us kids cud ride, a feart death o’ fallin’ down,

A fella dressed up in a turban un robe, gently leadin’ it round un round.

Wot delusions o’ grandeur wi o ‘ad as we sat the-er on tharr elephant’s back.

Princesses un Maharajahs we’d be, un fer nothin’ we would lack.

Roarin’ lions in their cages, pacin’ endlessly to un fro,

Big tigers with their piercin’ stare seemed to watch wherever yo’d go.

Monkeys ud bi loudly chatterin’, chimps with their sad white faces,

Gibbons in a cage that wer out ov doors ud bi ‘oldin’ swingin’ races.

A remember ther wer a hippo, wi’ its big mouth oppen wide,

Waitin’ fer t’kids us they stood round its pool ta throw butties and apples inside.

A rhinoceros too ther wer in a pen, un wi’d stare at it long un ‘ard.

It wer a symbol o’ mighty power un strength, a fearsome, immovable guard.

Fun Fair wer a big attraction, wi’ rides ov evr’y kind,

Nowt in comparison to t’rides of today, they can really blow yer mind.

Ghost train wer terrifyin’ to us young kids, ther wer Dobby Horses un t’Bumper Cars,

But the one to test yer courage, the biggest un best by far

Wer t’Belle Vue’s Bobs, ther very own, it ud mek yo’ wish yo’ wer dead.

Guaranteed to scare yo’ out o’ yer wits un rattle teeth reet out o’ yer ‘ead.

Ther wer rowin’ boats yo’ cud hire on t’lake or a launch to tek yer round,

Ice cream un pop un cups o’ tea cud all be bought in t’grounds

Yo’ cud also see a boxing match, er watch the greyhound races,

Un Belle Vue speedway ‘ad one o’ t’best teams, they wer simply known as Th’Aces.

Un then us twilight ud softly fall, un th’animals ud settle down,

Th’anticipation ud bi ‘ard ta bear from everyone in t’crowd.

Fireworks ud be about ta begin, un wot a display thurred be,

Scenes unfoldin’ before yer eyes, great feats from ‘istory.

Yo’ could watch the Relief o’ Mafeking er see Wolfe scale the Heights o’ Quebec.

Follow t’trail o‘ t’rockets us ‘igher they flew, ‘til yer gorra pain in yer neck.

Then it wer o’er, un t’fireworks wer done, on mi Father’s shoulders A’d climb,

Un wi’d queue up fer t’tram ta tek us back ‘ome, wi’d ‘ad a wonderful time.

These mem’ries of mine must not bi lost amongst all t’other things we o do,

Cos in them I can go along any owd time un ‘ave a great day out at Belle Vue.

Sheila Evans (1929-2006)

**************************************

From the registers - St Stephen’s

BAPTISMS:We welcome into the family of the Church:

15th Dec – Alice Tonge , Edward Richard Tonge and Louie Lucas Walker

FUNERALS:We offer our sympathy and support to the family and friends of:

St Stephen, Astley – Church Flowers – January

Harold Corns – in memory of Irene Corns

Sandra Thorne – remembering Bill Thorne’s birthday

Len and Joyce Speakman – in memory of their grand-daughter, Grace Alice

… … … … …

If anyone would like to contribute towards flowers please enter your name onto the chart on the notice board at the back of church. Please pass any donations to either Enid Gallimore or Jenny Evans. Thank you - Jenny

Mothers Union

Wednesday February 7.30pm

in St Stephen’s Vestry

Guest:

All welcome

++++++++++++++++++++++

Men’s Group

Meet at Union Arms, Tyldesley

Tuesday February @7.30pm

++++++++++++++++++++++

Mainly

for

Tyldesley

Tyldesley Historical Society

This reformed group has been meeting since September 2017 at St George’s Central CE Primary School & Nursery, Darlington Street, Tyldesley M29 8DH.

Meetings are the last Monday in the month other than May, August and December starting at 7.30pm with refreshments available from 7.00pm. There is no charge as such, but contributions towards refreshments (that go to school voluntary funds) are always welcome.

Monday 27 January 2020 will see Tony Stanton talking about an Astley family and a property used for many years as a surgery! Everyone is welcome

Churchyard – will you help to improve it?

A series of conversations and meetings have been going on behind the scenes with both Wigan Council who maintain the grass cutting around church, a couple of parishioners and a noted local prize-winning gardening enthusiast.

This has culminated in a tentative agreement to start small, but aim to gradually improve our churchyard – clearing graves of moss and soil/grass ingress, look to plant slow growing trees and shrubs, and perhaps plant vegetables etc.

I believe that a pack of trees will be donated by the Woodland Trust and other ways of funding new plants are being explored.

It is hoped that this will grow into a real community project with a charismatic leader prepared to donate time, ideas and energy.

IH

An evening with Alan! (28 February)

Most of us know him as that tall bloke that comes in on a Friday with Tony to blag coffees and crumpets!!

Now a gentleman of leisure, there is little that he doesn’t know about mining after a career that includes practical experience at all levels in the coal industry, being curator of the old Lancashire Mining Museum at Buile Hill in Salford, and being a member of Wigan Archives management.

Alan Davies (for tis he) is also a noted author on local mining history, an expert on the Pretoria Pit Disaster, a Tyldesley resident and after some gentle arm twisting and the promise of an extra slice of spicy fruit bread he has agreed to give us a presentation on ‘Children in the coal mines’.

This will take place in St George’s Church on Friday 28 February … look out for the flyer with more details! Everyone welcome

St George, Tyldesley – January Flower List

'We thank the following members of our congregation for Altar flowers in February”

2nd FebruaryMrs Alma Sherratt

9th February‘Open for Offers’

16th FebruaryIn Memory of Mr & Mrs T A Leonard

23rd February‘Open for Offers’

Many more people contribute to our flower displays in church on a regular basis. We wish to thank the following for additional flowers through January 2020:

12th January: Mrs Jean Wilcock and family In Loving Memory of her dear husband Tom and Auntie Emm.

19th January: In Loving Memory of Katie Gallagher a very much loved daughter, from mum and family.

19th January: In Loving Memory of Mr Clifford Cook; from his legacy

‘Thank You’s!!

Everyone who supported the Flower Fund during January.

Lynne Fearick

From the registers - St George’s

Welcome to the Family …

8th DecIsaac Thomas Haslam

15th Dec Thomas Joseph Eccles

‘Newly Baptised.’

Christian Burial and Cremations

We offer our sympathy and support to the family and friends of:

‘… rest eternal grant them O Lord …’

December Information

Date

Service

Commun - icants

Children

Adults

1st

Holy Communion

7

7

Sung Eucharist

26

3

26

Families@Four

4th

Lilford Scouts Carols

100

190

5th

Community Carols

6th

Team Prayer

7

8th

No 8.00am

Sung Eucharist

32

3

34

Holy Baptism

23

87

Fairey Band

16

257

9th

Funeral

4

31

11th

Prayer for nation

1

FLHS Christingle

230

22

15th

Holy Communion

8

8

Sung Eucharist/Bap

34

8

4

17th

Funeral

120

22nd

Morning Prayer

6

Sung Eucharist

32

7

34

Crib & Carols

13

102

24th

1st Eucharist/Xmas

34

41

25th

Christmas Praise

4

21

29th

Team Eucharist

59

11

63

Finances

INCOME (December)

Cash (now all eligible for Gift Aid)£536.40

Planned Giving£tba

Planned Giving (Gift Aid) £tba

Restoration£

Organ£

Community Fund£20.00 per week

Sundry Donations£tba

Sum passed to Lilford Scouts £117.95

Sum passed to Rotary Club £223.67

Final offerings for our Christmas Appeal in aid of the Booth Centre and their work with homeless people need to be made asap!!

The collection at the Community Carol Service was £223.67; this has been passed to Tyldesley with Atherton Rotary Club for Rotary charities.

The Fairey Band donated £200 to church following their recent concert.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped remove the Christmas decorations – especially those who came in after the Sunday service to help

I am repeating the notice printed last month …

Service pattern: It appears that there has been some criticism of the range of services offered in recent weeks.

The pattern for Christmas was negotiated and proposed by churchwardens in all three churches and backed by PCC members at the November meeting. It was not as the result of a whim of our team rector.

Parishes have a duty of care to incumbents and the established clergy; this was at the heart of decision making. Further changes are expected as work load and other commitments are continually examined

… it has now been decided that we can no longer sustain the number of Holy Communion services at our three churches. A consultation period will now take place regarding 8.00am services at both St Stephen’s and St George’s. One view is to stop holding these services completely; another is to alternate between the two churches (one HC, one Morning Prayer in each church), and a compromise 3rd option to keep a service in each church – but to reduce the HC services to one in each church. This may be only a temporary solution as the demands on all members of the worship leadership team are becoming challenging.

Pink envelopes: These will no longer be left on pews where so many get damaged and have to be disposed of rather than being used. Instead, a stock will be kept on the table at the back of church, and laminated cards will be left on the pews informing visitors where they can be found.

Seating at 10.30am services: Please can we consider a new system of ‘filling’ church from the front and using the first 6 pairs of pews nearest the communion table.

St John, Mosley Common …

Services & other information

Church Services: There is a service every Sunday morning at 10.00am. Other services are held at various times and various days according to season. Details are given in this magazine.

The Rowans: There is a regular Holy Communion service in the Rowans Lounge on Lindale Road. For details see the Diary Dates page in this magazine.

Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals: These can be arranged by contacting for baptisms and weddings the Team Rector or for funerals contact the Team Clerk Susan Mallon on 07873 149627.Prayer Chain: For urgent prayer requests contact Glennys Worthington on 0161 702 8566 or Nick/Adele Hardman on 01942 888786

Music: Our Organist is Alan Wood (0161 790 7544) and the leader of the Music Group is David Barnes (0161 702 8104)

World Mission: We support several societies working at home and abroad, especially Stephen and Tabita Bell working with the European Christian Mission in Croatia.

Magazine: This is now combined with other team churches and has changed size and frequency. It is published every month throughout the year. The Magazine Secretary is Glennys Worthington (07743 271141) and the editor is Andrea Taziker (01942 878546) email; [email protected] We will deliver a copy to anyone who places a regular order.

P.C.C. Secretary: Sarah Hughes 

St. John's CE Primary School: Commonside Rd, Tyldesley, Manchester M28 1AE, 0161 790 2195

Headteacher:Miss A Heaton

Activities

Brownies: The 4th Tyldesley Brownies meet in St. John’s School on Tuesdays at 6.30pm. For information contact Kathryn Clare (01925 763799)

CYPEC: This is the name given to our children's and young people's groups which meet in Church on Sunday mornings.

Women's Fellowship Group: This meets in the Church Lounge on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. The Leader is Ann Haigh (0161 799 6672)

Fellowship Groups: There are several groups meeting regularly in members' homes and the Church Lounge for Bible Study, Fellowship and Prayer. For the latest information, contact Mike Stuckey (0161 357 0155).

Toddler Group: A Toddler Group meets in St. John's Church Lounge from 9.30am until 11am on Thursdays during school term time. For more information 'phone is Glennys Worthington (07743 271141).

Coffee Morning: Informal meeting for coffee/tea and a chat. Light refreshments available. In the Church Lounge every Tuesday 10.00am-12.00. For more information contact Joan Taylor 01942 870095

Women’s Fellowship

Women's Fellowship's last meeting of the Year will be on Wednesday 11th December.

Watch out for new dates in the New Year.

Service at the Rowans – February 28

St John, Mosley Common – Church Flower Rota

2nd FebruarySusan and Ann Howarth

9th FebruaryAnn Hilton in memory of Roy and Ida

16th FebruaryMarian Blundell in memory of Jinnie Walker

23rd FebruaryChristine & David Barnes in memory of Ann & Alf Barnes

1st MarchMarjorie and Barrie Owen in memory of her father

AT

Sidesperson’s Rota

Feb 2ndAnn Hilton and Marian Blundell

Feb 9thGraham Ridge and Marie Stuckey

Feb 16th Leah Bezeck and Sue Bloor

Feb 23rd Joan Taylor & Mavis Wright

March 1st Jean and David Kendrick

Bible Readers

Feb 2ndAdele Hardman

Feb 9thNick Hardman

Feb 16thDavid Kendrick

Feb 23rdVic and Gladys Jackson

March 1stCarol Priesstly

Coffee Rota

Feb 2nd Sue Bloor and Mavis Wright

Feb 9thJean Kendrick and Joan Taylor

Feb 16th Ellen Fenwick and Diane Leakey

Feb 23rdCarol Priestly and Janet Lee Taylor

March 1stChristine Barnes and Marie Stuckey

Lay Assistants Rota

Feb 9th David Kendrick and Marie Stuckey

Feb 23rdGladys Jackson and Marjorie Owen

Feb 28thVolunteers

Intercessions Rota

Feb 2ndSue Bloor

Feb 9thNick & Adele Hardman

Feb 16th Vic Jackson

Feb 23rdDavid Kendrick

March 1st Diane Leakey

Women’s Fellowship

Watch out for new dates in the Spring.

Reverend Jack Bell.

David Bell, Jack’s eldest son, has sent this message;

"Jack would like to thank the many people who sent messages of sympathy after Elsie’s death and also the Christmas cards. It has been very comforting to know that so many people think of him. He is sorry he cannot reply to all of you."

Many of the cards were sent to his old address and had to be forwarded. He would like people to know his present address. This is……….

The Chimes Residential Care Home

6 St Christopher Avenue

Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 5NA.

Thank you

Bram Taylor and Friends

Next concert at St. John's Church, Mosley Common

7.30pm on the 28th March

Refreshments and raffle!

Donations £8 to the Restoration Fund

Pancake Day – Shrove Tuesday 25th February

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – is traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday, Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). It was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.

Many towns used to hold traditional Shrove Tuesday "mob football" games, some of which continue today in places such as Alnwick in Northumberland where it is called Scoring the Hales,  Ashbourne in Derbyshire and St Columb Major in Cornwall.

Pancake races are also held a tradition that is said to have originated in 1445 when a housewife from Olney, Buckinghamshire, was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake, tossing it to prevent it from burning!

In Iceland, people traditionally gorge on salted meat and peas on the day illustratively called Sprengidagur (“Bursting Day”). Green pea soup and a whipped-cream-filled pastry are the orders of the day in Finland.

Personally I think I prefer pancakes and here are a few suggestions for a delicious Pancake Day;

Free-From: The Fluffiest Vegan Pancakes

Makes 8 pancakes Ingredients: • 125g flour • 2 tbsp sugar • 1 tbsp baking powder • ½ tsp salt • 240ml almond milk • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 tsp vanilla essence

· Mix the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl

· In a jug mix together all of the wet ingredients.

· Pour the wet mixture slowly into the dry mixture, stirring as you go. Keep stirring until the mixture is smooth. Leave the batter to rest for 5 minutes.

· Pour a small amount of batter into a non-stick frying pan on a medium heat.

· When the top of the pancake begins to bubble, flip the pancake and cook until golden.

Serve with: Berries, yoghurt and drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm.

China: Cong You Bing (Spring Onion Pancake)

Makes 8 pancakes

Ingredients: • 250g plain flour • 160ml water • 2 tablespoons sesame oil • ¼ tsp Chinese five-spice • ¼ tsp salt • 6 spring onions • Oil for frying

· In a bowl mix the flour, water, five-spice and salt. Knead together until combined.

· Cover and set aside to stand for 15 minutes. If the dough is wet and sticky add a little more flour.

· Divide the dough into 8 even pieces and roll each piece into a strip about 20cm long and 5cm thick. Brush with the sesame oil.

· Finely chop the spring onions and scatter over the rolled dough.

· Roll each strip of dough into a spiral, pinching the end to make sure it doesn’t unroll, and turn on its side an flatten the spiral to create a round pancake about 12cm wide.

· Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry each pancake for four minutes each side until golden.

Prayers for the Planet

Heavenly Father,You have taught us, through your servant St Francis,That all creation is your handiwork.Grant us your grace that we mayExercise wise stewardship of this Earth;Tread lightly upon it;And cherish its resources;That our children may enjoy its riches, throughout all generations,And your name be glorified through all that you have made.Amen.

(Rt Revd David Walker. Bishop of Manchester)

Eternal God,whose Spirit moved over the face of the deep bringing forth light and life; by that same Spirit, renew your creation, and restore your image in your people.Turn us from careless tenants to faithful stewards,that your threefold blessing of clean air, pure water and rich earthmay be the inheritance of everything that has the breath of lifeand one generation may proclaim to another the wonder of your works;through Jesus Christ, your living Word, in whom the fullness of your glory is revealed.Amen.

(Rt Revd Libby Lane Bishop of Stockport)

Creator God,Thank you for the waters of the earth,for the life-sustaining rains,lakes, and deep oceans.Keep us mindful of how precious these are,and how vulnerable they are.Help us to work together for clean water,and for the sharing of it with those who have need of it today.Amen.

(Rt Revd Christine Hardman Bishop of Newcastle)

Creator God,We acknowledge that as your handiwork,we stand alongside all that you have made.Trees and rivers, mountains and valleys,soaring birds and scuttling creatures,all are held within your care.May we grow in our love and appreciationfor the fabulous variety around us;and may our awe and wonder draw us closerto the natural world, and through it to you,the God of all things.We pray in Jesus name,Amen

(Revd Cate Williams, Mission and Evangelism Officer,Diocese of Gloucester)

This new magazine continues to be a work in progress. Help it to improve, month by monthby passing your comments to local contacts or Iain Hodcroft – [email protected]

Team Rector: Revd Martin B, Cox, The Rectory, 7 Holbeck, Astley, Tyldesley, M29 7DU Telephone: 01942 883313 Email: [email protected]