Bramhall Parish News | February 2022
Welcome to the newly relaunched Bramhall Parish News.
This publication will be sent out each month via email. For those not on email a printed copy will be included in their weekly Home Pack.
Printed copies will also be made available at church for visitors and those not on our mailing lists.
To read this months edition please continue down the page. If you struggle to view the document in this email you can download it here:
Update 27
Good Afternoon Friends,
I said I would write following yesterday’s PCC meeting to share with you the decision made about resuming Public Worship at St Michaels.
It has been agreed that St Michaels will reopen for Public Worship fully from Sunday 21st March. This reopening will see our pattern of services return to what happening before Christmas with services at 8am, 10am and 6.30pm on a Sunday with a midweek service on Wednesdays at 10.30am.
It has also been agreed that we will continue to follow the pattern where the celebration of Holy Communion will rotate around the various services.
The reason for looking to reopen fully on Sunday 21st March is to allow time for rota’s to be developed and service plans created whilst also giving time to observe what is happening with the local infection rates as schools return.
The PCC and I are very aware that there are members of our church family who have been shielding and who have been and continue to serve on the front line of the covid-19 response. For these people, whilst they long to return to church to worship with our community in person, they may be feeling slightly more anxious and cautious than others, which is completely understandable. I have always said I want our reopening to be done in a way that includes as many people as possible, which is why the livestreaming was set up and why I always try to make sure that it works as well as possible. Please don’t feel pressured to return straightaway if this is you, but also please don’t feel like you aren’t welcome and like you have been forgotten. You haven’t been and you are still very much a loved member of our church family.
This Sunday the church marks Mothering Sunday, and whilst we are aiming to reopen next week there will be a service at 10am on Sunday 14th March. This will be a service of Holy Communion and there will be flowers available, as is custom for Mothering Sunday. Leftover posies will be available from outside church after the service. Should you wish to be present for our service on the 14th, booking will open on Wednesday morning (10th) at 9am. Those who are unable to use our online booking system should contact the office which is open between 9.30am and 1.30pm.
Going forwards there will be a service on Wednesday 17th March at 10.30am and then on Sunday 21st March the 8am, 10am and 6.30pm services will resume.
I look forwards to welcoming many of you back into our building as we resume worshipping together. As we do this, we all need to remember the public health guidance about wearing mask, keeping 2 metres apart and not mixing with people from outside our households/bubbles.
In the next few days I will be able to share more information about how we will celebrate Holy Week and Easter together but the PCC have agreed to my suggestion that we aim to celebrate Easter Sunday with one service at 10am outside on the front church field. Obviously, this will be weather dependent and a wet weather plan will be put together, but I am excited at the prospect of the whole church joining together to celebrate the joy of the resurrection on Sunday 4th April. More details to follow.
If you have any concerns or questions about St Michaels reopening please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Calum
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 21st March 2020
The Presence Light in the Sanctuary at St Michael’s continues to burn day and night throughout the week. As ever, it reminds us of God’s continual presence – not just in the church building, but with all of us, the St Michael’s Family, whether even in normal times we are able physically to gather there or not.
The Light also reminds us that Jesus, the Light of the World, is present with us, giving support and encouragement; pushing back dark things and dark times when they press in around us. .
St Michael’s is open each day from 9:00am until noon, and from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. If you wish to donate to the foodbank, please place items in the usual place at the rear of the North Aisle.
Diary
Every Day
9am - Morning Prayer
5.30pm - Evening Prayer
Readings for these services are hosted on the Daily Prayer page on our website.
Only at St Michael’s
SMT 190’s note about “Corvid-19 Precautions” (instead of “Covid-19 …”) inspired several witticisms, some perhaps not exactly “PC” as we watch the virus’ onward sweep. Comments included that this showed the SMT staff were bird-brained (given some birds, that could be a compliment, but doubtless wasn’t meant as one), and that hopefully the precautions would enable us to crow about not catching the virus.
Green Tips – taking a lead, setting a target
Meeting a couple of weeks ago, the C of E General Synod passed a motion setting a target for all parts of the Church to work to be carbon “nett zero” by 2030. The debate had set that “ambitious” date rather than the original proposal of 2045. The motion noted the Synod recognises that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation, and a fundamental injustice. At the forefront of the work will be X Nick Salisbury, the C of E lead bishop for environmental matters, and Jo Chamberlain, newly-appointed national Environment Officer for the C of E.
What happened at the PCC?
PCC Minutes have to be approved by the next meeting before they can be displayed, but they’re put up as soon as possible. Recently, minutes of the meeting on 13th January were put up in the North and South porches.
Among items discussed were: Ø Our Parish Share – the amount contributed to the Diocese – for 2020 had been recalculated (by the Diocese) and was c. £2,000 less than the budgeted figure. Ø The financial implications of focusing on growth were discussed. The Diocese sees Bramhall as a two-clergy parish, but that would mean doubling parish share (currently £95,000); that wouldn’t apply for a curate, but it would mean paying for housing. Part-time lay employees – a Children & Families Worker and/or a Youth Worker could be considered; one full-time appointment would cost c. £30,000 p.a.
Ø The Eco Action Group reported on various matters, including developing “eco” themes in Services, increasing the bio-diversity of the church grounds, and signing up St M’s as a Fair Trade Church. Ø The terms of reference for the Parish Development Group (Finance) were noted. Ø “Discipleship” – from our strapline of “Community, Inclusion, Discipleship” – was discussed, with what has worked well, what we do now, and what we could do under the headings “developing prayer”, “understanding our faith”, and “sharing our faith” being considered. Ø N. Ø N.
Update on Ailsa Whitchurch
This update is from her son, Kevin : I visited Mum at the care home yesterday. She’s doing well – eating well and looking much healthier. The decline through dementia continues, but she is among nice people and stimulated each day. She sends her best wishes to all at St Michael’s.
Green Tips – Don’t forget about the other crisis!
Necessarily, Covid-19 has taken over our thinking, planning, the “Media”, and priorities. It may be hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment, but when it’s over we’ll be back to climate change and the eco-crisis (weirdly good and bad news at the same time). A few “green tips” as we settle into Covid-dominated life:
Ø It may well be a case of getting what’s there when (if) you shop, but if there is a choice, try to keep up choose less packaging, and avoid things cocooned in plastic.
Ø If the old one is still working, do you need to rush to Amazon or e-Bay for a new one? Save the materials and energy invested in that new whatever – not to mention saving people from not being at “social distancing” distances while they’re getting it to you.
Ø If you feed the birds, etc – they still need it.
Soup & Roll
(Newala fundraiser) on 8th March : A big thank you to everyone who attended this event. We hope you enjoyed the homemade soups and the friendship, which is the main purpose of Newala Link. Also thank you very much to all who helped cook the soup, brought other items, and washed up. You’ll be pleased to know that we raised £170, which will go towards the projects we support in Newala Diocese - mainly being Porridge Breakfasts for school pupils and water tanks for villages. Hamida Adkins
Childrens Society
The Christingle Services seem a long time ago, but we’ve finally been able to arrange to send the amount collected to The Children’s Society. The total amount was £1,559.15, which breaks down as follows: Donations at Christingle Services £912.61
School Carol Service collection £398.54
Bramhall Hall Chapel Services £200.00
Sundry other donations £48.00
Graham Knight
Still collecting stamps
A reminder that we collect used stamps for The Together Trust (a local charity that “provides care, education and support for children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, autism, and emotional needs”). It will probably be some time until you can put stamps (in a labelled envelope) in the W section of the letter-rack or hand them to Phil Wadsworth, but please hang on to them until you can.
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name put their trust in you, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.
Psalm 9:9-10
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 15th March 2020
# Following “Thanksgiving” : Please look in the letter-rack for a thank you letter to you following your Thanksgiving Pledge returned in the last two weeks. Also, if you use the weekly envelope system, you’ll find a box of envelopes for the coming twelve months on a table at the back of church. Roy Phillips
# Easter Commemorations : If you would like to give one or more Easter lilies in memory of family member(s) or friend(s), please fill in one of the form at the back of church. Lilies cost £3 each, and the form and money (cash, or cheque made payable to “St Michael & All Angels PCC”) should be placed in the box alongside the forms. All forms / money must be handed in by the end of the morning on Palm Sunday (5th April), please. Val Huxley
# Lent Lectures 2020 : This year’s series is titled “Managing Change & Conflict”, and looks at some of the challenges of living in an uncertain world. In Centrepoint, Wednesdays 2:30 to 4:00pm. No charge, all welcome. This week:
18th March Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality – Revd Katy Thomas
# Quiz Night : Sunday 15th March, Church Hall, 6:00pm. Fund-raising to support the members of St M’s going on next year’s trip to Newala. £10 per person, including food and one drink. Up to eight people per team. For tickets e-mail newala.fundraising@gmail.com or contact the Office; also advise of any dietary requirements.
# Women’s World Day of Prayer Anniversary Coffee Morning in the United Reformed Ch, Robins Ln on Friday 20th March, 10:30am ‘til noon. Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the WWDP in Bramhall. All welcome, not just ladies!
# Mothering Sunday posies will be made in the Lounge on Saturday 21st March from 10:00am to noon. Your help would be much appreciated - please bring scissors and/or secateurs. We’d be grateful for ‘greenery’ – evergreens or well-budding twigs – to go in the posies; please leave any such in the buckets in the hall entrance lobby from Wednesday 18th. Diane Whitehead
# The Barnby Choir’s Spring Concert is in St M’s on Saturday 21st March, 7:30pm. CANCELLED
# Bramhall Christian Viewpoint: Supper Evening Thursday 26th March, 7:30pm at the Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ. Speaker Dr Alex Walter (formerly a Server at St M’s), a Christian GP working with disadvantaged people in Manchester, who last year went with his family to Guinea to work on the Africa Mercy hospital ship. Tickets £14 inc supper – Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794. All welcome to this inspiring evening, do book early.
# Cake Sale – Sunday 29th March, in church hall after both Services. Fund-raising for projects in Newala. Cake donations very welcome – please leave in Office or Kitchen, labelled for Newala Cake Sale, from Thursday 26th; bring before Service on Sunday 29th; or contact Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126.
# Mark Hackney’s Licensing as Reader will be at a service in Chester Cathedral at 4:00pm (time tbc) on Saturday 10th October. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the sheet on the hall lobby noticeboard, also indicating whether you’d like to go by coach – if there are sufficient, we’ll hire one.
# Green Tips : Around 150 million tonnes of pieces of plastic are drifting in the world’s oceans; they’re estimated to cause the deaths of one million birds and 100,000 sea mammals p.a.
# Voluntary Site Manager : The Churchwardens and Vicar are looking to appoint a voluntary Site Manager to work with us to develop maintenance plans and a long-term development plan for the church site. Copies of a rôle description for the post on the letter rack. If you’d be interested contact Calum calum.piper@bramhall.church 0161 943 5535 or one of Churchwardens.
# Nomination forms for the PCC and the Deanery Synod are available from the Office office@bramhall.church 0161 439 3989 or from Tricia Munn 0161 439 3583 triciamunn@btinternet.com. Please return completed forms to either.
# Only at St Michael’s : You never know what you’ll find – or why it’s there: The Sacristan was inventorying the Vestries, and so rummaging in places rarely rummaged. Why, in a drawer in the safe, is there a tablet of cello bow rosin? Why locked away? Answers, as they say, on a postcard …
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 8th March 2020
Weekly news sheet for Sunday 8th March 2020.
Lent Lectures 2020
This year’s series is titled “Managing Change & Conflict”, and looks at some of the challenges of living in an uncertain world. In Centrepoint, Wednesdays 2:30 to 4:00pm. No charge, all welcome. This week’s lecture is:
11th March - Fleeing for your Life: How conflict results in the mass movement of people – Revd Cathy Bird
Quiz Night
Sunday 15th March, Church Hall, 6:00pm. Fund-raising to support the members of St M’s going on next year’s trip to Newala. £10 per person, including food and one drink. Up to eight people per team. For tickets e-mail newala.fundraising@gmail.com or contact the Office; also advise of any dietary requirements.
Women’s World Day of Prayer Anniversary Coffee Morning
Taking place in the United Reformed Ch, Robins Ln on Friday 20th March, 10:30am ‘til noon. Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of WWDP in Bramhall. All welcome, not just the ladies!
The Barnby Choir’s Spring Concert
Taking place in St M’s on Saturday 21st March, 7:30pm. Bach, Magnificat; Haydn, Nelson Mass. Tickets: £12, concessions £10, students £5 from 01625 520193 or at the door. www.thebarnbychoir.co.uk
Bramhall Christian Viewpoint
Supper Evening Thursday 26th March, 7:30pm at the Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ. Speaker Dr Alex Walter (formerly a Server at St M’s), a Christian GP working with disadvantaged people in Manchester, who last year went with his family to Guinea to work on the Africa Mercy hospital ship. Tickets £14 inc supper – Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794. All welcome to this inspiring evening, do book early.
Cake Sale
Sunday 29th March, in church hall after both Services. Fund-raising for projects in Newala. Cake donations very welcome – please leave in Office or Kitchen, labelled for Newala Cake Sale, from Thursday 26th; bring before Service on Sunday 29th; or contact Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126.
Mark Hackney’s Licensing as Reader
Mark will be licenced in a service in Chester Cathedral at 4:00pm (time tbc) on Saturday 10th October. If you would like to attend, please sign up on the sheet on the hall lobby noticeboard, also indicating whether you’d like to go by coach – if there are sufficient, we’ll hire one.
Thank you
> to Calum for my Communion and to so many of the St Michael’s family for their prayer cards and messages of encouragement after my fall. With this help I’m getting there, albeit slowly. Dorothy Preston
> to John Hanlon for all his help and support while on the Silver Cleaning Rota, which he’s now leaving.
Green Tips – a motto for every day?
The Diocesan Environment Forum was looking for “strap lines” to use on its (upcoming) Website and elsewhere. One that struck a chord was “Plastic pollution is mostly made up of lots of tiny bits; the solution is mostly made up of lots of tiny actions”. Something to remember at one of those “there’s nothing I can do that’ll make a difference” moments.
Nomination forms
Nomination forms for the PCC and the Deanery Synod will be available from the Office office@bramhall.church 0161 439 3989 or from Tricia Munn 0161 439 3583 triciamunn@btinternet.com from Monday 9th March. Complete forms should be returned to either.
Bookstall Report
In the year March 2019 - February 2020, book sales totalled £285.50, which has been passed on to the Children’s Society, and acknowledged with sincere thanks. My thanks also to our donors and book-buyers for supporting a very worthy cause and sharing the pleasures of books. (We raise even more by passing on surplus stock to the Heaton Mersey Children’s Society Bookshop.) Jean Fenwick
Greetings from Newala
Revd Canon Jackan Waweru, Dioecian Information Officer for Newala, passed his greetings to St M’s this week. Calum has decided he wants to be a Bishop in Africa as Bishop Oscar is currently on vacation ‘til Maundy Thursday. (Six weeks vacation during Lent!)
Children’s Ministry
Would you, once a month, help develop our ministry to children? It would be great to build a rota of people willing to lead a small activity with children in the children’s area in church each week. Ideas would be provided from the “Roots” children ministry resource. If you’d help, please speak to Calum calum.piper@bramhall.church 0161 943 5535 or Jo Oughton.
Voluntary Site Manager
The Churchwardens and Vicar are looking to appoint a voluntary Site Manager to work with us to develop maintenance plans and a long-term development plan for the church site. Copies of a rôle description for the post on the letter rack. If you’d be interested contact Calum calum.piper@bramhall.church 0161 943 5535 or one of Churchwardens.
Sending Emails
When sending emails to a group at St M’s, or one connect to St M’s to a a number of people, please ensure you blind copy (bcc) e-mail addresses. This is a requirement under data protection laws, and failure to do so may result in a complaint which could lead to St M’s being fined. If in any doubt – “this is to several people, does that make it a group …?” – then blind copy.
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 3rd November
Notices from the weekly St Michael’s Today notice sheet on Sunday 3rd November 2019
The Real Advent Calendar
Traidcraft at St M's is taking orders for “The Real Advent Calendar”, made by the Meaningful Chocolate Company (Lymm-based local, ethical enterprise). Each has a 24-page Christmas Story activity book for every day in Advent and 25 Fairtrade chocolates. Box & tray recyclable, no palm oil used in making the chocolate, charity donation with purchase. £3.30 (20p cheaper than last year!). Available on Traidcraft stall today, or sign-up on sheet above letter-rack. Also catalogues available for other ethical Christmas gifts etc. Traidcraft orders & queries: Tina Reid 0161 439 8989 reidtina5@gmail.com
Church – Not As You Know It
Sunday 10th November, 4:00 to 6:00pm in and around St M’s. A relaxed and ‘free-form’ two hours for families and individuals. Food, crafts, fun and games, informal Christian content and comment; come along and join in: Building Community, Exploring Faith, and Having Fun.
By Still Waters
The 2019 monthly “mini-retreat” days at Foxhill are on the theme “‘By Still Waters: A series of reflections on the Psalms”. These days “are a chance to step back from your busyness, and listen to what God is saying to you”. Each is led by a speaker, includes quiet time, and group discussion; and costs £23, including lunch and refreshments. 9:30am to 4:00pm, second Monday of each month. The next one – 11th November – concentrates on Psalm 63. For more information see Foxhill’s Website www.foxhillchester.co.uk ; to book ‘phone 01928 733777 or e-mail foxhill@chester.anglican.org .
Concert by Living Water Ministries
Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ. Thursday 21st November, 7:30 for 8:00pm, a Bramhall Christian Viewpoint event. LWM is an international group from Lighthouse Christian Centre, Eccles that brings hope and life-transforming love through song in Gospel outreach events in a wide variety of venues including theatres, prisons, homeless shelters, and churches. This promises to be a popular event, so contact Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794 asap to book a place (£10). Please note there is no meal at this event.
Christmas Card Competition
Design the St M’s Christmas Card for 2019, based on one of the themes St Michael’s Church, Follow the Star, Christmas. Prize – apart from seeing the card printed – a £50 Amazon voucher. Submit entries by noon on Sunday 24th November accompanied by the entry form, copies of which are on top of the letter rack in the church hall entrance lobby.
Christian Aid Collection
Thank you to all those who helped with the Bucket Collection at Tesco, Handforth Dean to raise funds for Christian Aid. Despite floods, all collectors made it. We raised the magnificent total of £1151.87 (£32/collector/hour, best result yet) towards Christian Aid’s work to help the world’s poorest escape poverty. Keith Fenwick
Green Tips
McDonalds UK gives out small plastic toys with its children’s meals. There’s currently a campaign (under ‘change.org’ umbrella) to stop this wasteful use of plastic. McDonalds has agreed to run a trial at some of its cafés to offer a toy, fruit, or a book. Meanwhile, if you take children to a McDonalds (and pass this info to anyone you know who does/might, please), please refuse the toy – and tell them why.
The Produce Stall
The produce table in the hall entrance lobby raises funds for projects in our linked Diocese of Newala, Tanzania. If you can contribute anything from garden or allotment, please leave it on the Produce Stall. When you take items please leave a proportionate donation (guide – at least what you’d pay in the shops) in the box on the stall.
Donating electronically at St M’s
We now offer the option to donate via our Tap & Go contactless card reader (it can also process non-contactless cards). It is situated just inside the church by the North Porch entrance. It’s set for £5, but the amount one wishes to donate can easily be changed. Should assistance be required, please ask a Sidesperson, Churchwarden, or the Verger, who will be happy to help.
New Website for St M’s
www.bramhall.church. Thank you to Mike Holmes and Phil Ketteringham who have worked hard over a number of years to build and maintain our previous Website. Their technical knowledge is a wonderful gift to St M’s. If you have any thoughts about anything that is missing from the new Website please let me know. Revd Calum
Check your cheque
If you write a cheque to St M’s, please ensure it’s made payable to “St Michael & All Angels PCC”. Our bank isn’t happy if it is just written to “St Michael’s” or similar.
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 20th October
Notices from the weekly St Michael’s Today notice sheet on Sunday 20th October 2019
Chester Cursillo
Please pray for the staff and participants Chester Cursillo No 59, 24th to 27th October at Foxhill, as they withdraw from daily routines and wait with expectation on the Lord. Moyra Cryer
Service of Commemoration and Light
Please add the names of those you wish to remember at this Service to the list that’s in the Tower until Thursday 31st October. Please write names carefully so there’s no doubt about them!
Mothers Union Provincial Service
Mothers’ Union members wishing to go to the Provincial Service in Leeds Minster on Thursday 7th November please let Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126 know as soon as possible, as numbers are required for seating and travel arrangements.
Feast of Ss Simon & Jude AA
Our Eucharist at 7:30pm on Tuesday 29th October, celebrating the Feast of Ss Simon & Jude AA, will include the use of incense. If you’re someone who finds the use of incense enhances your worship experience, or you’d like to try it and see, this service is for you.
Taste of Tanzania
Delicious supper with fun, games, prizes. Sat 2nd Nov, church hall, 6:30 for 7:00pm. Selection of Tanzanian stews and mild curries, with side dishes. Vegetarian options. Please come to this fund-raiser for projects in Newala. To assist catering please sign up asap on sheet on hall lobby noticeboard. £12 adults, £5 under-18; pre-pay or at door. Raffle prizes welcome. Further info Hamida Adkins 0161 485 4566, Janet Ketteringham.
Concert by Living Water Ministries
Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ. Thursday 21st November, a Bramhall Christian Viewpoint event. LWM is an international group from Lighthouse Christian Centre, Eccles that brings hope and life-transforming love through song in Gospel outreach events in a wide variety of venues including theatres, prisons, homeless shelters, and churches. This promises to be a popular event, so contact Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794 asap to book a place (£10). Please note there is no meal at this event.
Thank you –
> to Betty Scott for her time and effort as a member of the Sunday Morning Coffee rota, from which she’s now retiring.
> from Dianne Goodwin : To all my friends at St Michaels, a great big Thank You! You have been so wonderfully supportive in your Prayers, and in contacting me, following my accident, and I am truly grateful. Your support has been a great comfort to me, and I am pleased to report that yesterday the Hospital told me I am making good progress. Love, Dianne
> to everyone who baked for and patronised the cake stall last Sunday. We raised £220.25 for the work of the Church in Newala. Jill Fairhurst
Green Tips : Go for bulk
If you have the means to buy, transport (or you could have delivered), and store consumable items in bulk, do so. It cuts down on energy use as there are less trips to supply and obtain; and (often) has less packaging over-all – so less materials (often single-use and/or plastic) used. Oh yes – and you usually save money, too.
Not paid for by “the church”
I’d like to say a big thank you to all Flower Club members for their hard work in making the church look so amazing for our Patronal Festival. I’d like to add that the flowers were – as always - bought out of Flower Club funds; St M’s doesn’t pay for any flowers, except when they’re given to someone for a special occasion. We raise our money from weddings, when a small amount is added to the couple’s bill. If the weekly flowers at the altars are in memory of a loved one, the requestor pays the Flower Club £15 minimum. If there’s no request for flowers on a particular week the Flower Club member on our rota pays for the flowers. I hope this makes everything clear, should anyone think St M’s is funding the flowers. Val Huxley
New Website for St M’s
www.bramhall.church. Thank you to Mike Holmes and Phil Ketteringham who have worked hard over a number of years to build and maintain our previous Website. Their technical knowledge is a wonderful gift to St M’s. If you have any thoughts about anything that is missing from the new Website please let me know. Revd Calum
Changing e-mails
During wk/comm 11th November we’ll be upgrading some of our IT systems. This will mean anyone with a bramhall.church e-mail may be offline for a few days, and if you e-mail them that week your message might get lost. If you need to contact the Office, Vicar, Churchwardens, etc that week try another method – ‘phone, letter, visit, carrier pigeon (or bat) .....
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 13th October
Notices from St Micheal’s Today Notice Sheet published on Sunday 13th October 2019
Mothers Union Provincial Gathering
Mothers’ Union members wishing to go to the Provincial Service in Leeds Minster on Thursday 7th November please let Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126 know as soon as possible, as numbers are required for seating and travel arrangements.
“How might science affect the way we pray?”
Saturday afternoon events at Bramhall Methodist Ch. At each, a leading scientist will give a keynote talk, followed by various interactive workshops. Very accessible for non-scientists. The next is on 19th October: Revd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt (Ripon College, Oxford) - “The psychology and neuroscience of prayer”. More details and booking information on posters and leaflets in the hall foyer. Any questions, please ask Bob Munn or Phil Wadsworth, project advisory group members.
Church – Not As You Know It :
Sunday 13th October, 4:00 to 6:00pm in and around St M’s. A relaxed and ‘free-form’ two hours for families and individuals. Food, crafts, fun and games, informal Christian content and comment; come along and join in: Building Community, Exploring Faith, and Having Fun.
Harvest Thanksgiving
Our Harvest thanksgiving is on Sunday 20th October. As usual, harvest gifts will be divided between The Wellspring, Stockport and Chelwood Foodbank. A ‘flyer’ – headed ‘Harvest’, unsurprisingly – that lists the items which Wellspring and Chelwood would be particularly grateful to have donated has been handed out; if you’ve not received a copy, please ask a sidesperson for one.
Harvest Afternoon Tea
Our annual Harvest Afternoon Tea for residents and staff of local care homes and the community is on Wednesday 23rd October at 3:00pm. All the congregation is more than welcome, and please bring a friend or neighbour. Please let the Office know if you intend to attend, for catering purposes. Donations of cakes will also be very welcome – please bring them on or from Sunday 20th, leaving them in the Office or Kitchen, clearly labelled that they’re for the Harvest Tea.
Christian Aid ‘Bucket Collection’
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 10:00am to 7:00pm. If you would give an hour to do this either day, please contact Keith Fenwick fenwickk41@gmail.com 0161 439 2960. Well worth the time and effort – this usually averages c. £25 / person / hour. Still a considerable portion of Saturday to be filled – please contact Keith urgently if you can do an hour!
Feast of Ss Simon & Jude AA
Our Eucharist at 7:30pm on Tuesday 29th October, celebrating the Feast of Ss Simon & Jude AA, will include the use of incense. If you’re someone who finds the use of incense enhances your worship experience, or you’d like to try it and see, this service is for you.
Taste of Tanzania Evening
Saturday 2nd Nov. Fund-raiser for Newala projects. All welcome; please put in diary. More details soon. Hamida Adkins
Ceilidh with “Haycorn”.
A fun evening, organised by Helen Russ and a friend. Woodford War Memorial Hall, Saturday 2nd November, 7:30 – 11:00pm. Raising money for The Toy Appeal charity (info at https://thetoyappeal.com/ ). Ticket £15 inc hotpot or pie supper. Ticket orders, food choice, more information at file:///C:/Users/phil/Documents/St%20M's/St%20Michael's%20Today/Miscellaneous/190918%20%20Ceilidh%20191102%20-%20flyer.pdf or contact Helen Russ helen-russ@live.co.uk
Green Tips - what to do with really old clothes :
If you’ve clothes that aren’t good enough for to a charity shop, surplus pieces of fabric, etc put them in a bag labelled ‘clean rags’ and take them to Centrepoint or the Cancer Research shop. They can sell them to raise funds. If you’ve time to remove buttons and hand those in in a separate packet, that’ll increase the amount they can raise.
What happened at the PCC?
PCC Minutes have to be approved by the next meeting before they can be displayed. A long gap between meetings because one was cancelled meant the 5th June minutes were put up in the porches just recently. Among items discussed were: ⮚ Holy Week was reviewed: This had gone very well, providing a complete and connected narrative from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. Mothering Sunday & Palm Sunday attendances were strikingly increased. ⮚ £5,187 2018 operational surplus allocated as missionary giving, to recipients previously reported in SMT. ⮚ Statistics of attendance at various Services were discussed, and some coming year priorities identified. These included outreach to the housebound, to thirty to forty-year-olds, and into the community; building on Baptism contacts; mission to the over-sixties; and thinking creatively about crossing boundaries within our parish.
A foundation for your day
Getting your day off to a good start helps. If it’s at a time that’s convenient, you may find joining – either occasionally or more regularly – other members of St M’s in Morning Prayer gives your day that extra boost. Morning Prayer is said at 9:00am on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; and on Wednesdays at 10:00am before the Eucharist at 10:30am.
Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 6th October 2019
Notices from St. Michael’s Today notice sheet for Sunday 6th October 2019
The Lord’s Prayer each day
Have you taken up Calum’s invitation to join him each day at midday, wherever you are and are doing, in praying The Lord’s Prayer? Focusing on what Jesus has done for us and given to us is an effective counter to the seemingly endless negativity and divisiveness of “the news”.
Traidcraft Stall
The stall will be open after the 10:00am Service today. Do have a look and, hopefully, buy. In addition to what’s on display, the Traidcraft catalogue – there’s a copy on the stall – has a wide range of products, any of which we’ll be happy to order for you. For more information contact Tina Reid reidtina5@gmail.com
Mindful Space
Space to be still, to think, and to be. We’ve re-launched a time for meditation. A half hour of space and quietness which we hope will encourage and complement personal prayer life and which will cater for the experienced and the beginner, providing both guidance and space & silence. Second & fourth Tuesdays, 7:00 – 7:30pm in St M’s, next one 8th October.
Cake Sale
Sunday 13th October, in church hall after both Services. Fund-raising for projects in Newala. Cake donations very welcome – please leave in Office or Kitchen, labelled for Newala Cake Sale, from Thursday 10th; bring before Service on Sunday 13th; or contact Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126.
Church – Not As You Know It
Sunday 13th October, 4:00 to 6:00pm in and around St M’s. A relaxed and ‘free-form’ two hours for families and individuals. Food, crafts, fun and games, informal Christian content and comment; come along and join in: Building Community, Exploring Faith, and Having Fun.
Harvest Thanksgiving
Sunday 20th October. As usual, harvest gifts will be divided between The Wellspring, Stockport and Chelwood Foodbank. A ‘flyer’ – headed ‘Harvest’, unsurprisingly – that lists the items which Wellspring and Chelwood would be particularly grateful to have donated has been handed out; if you’ve not received a copy, please ask a sidesperson for one.
Harvest Afternoon Tea
This annual event is for residents and staff of local care homes and the community is on Wednesday 23rd October at 3:00pm. All the congregation is more than welcome, and please bring a friend or neighbour. Please let the Office know if you intend to attend, for catering purposes. Donations of cakes will also be very welcome – please bring them on or from Sunday 20th, leaving them in the Office or Kitchen, clearly labelled that they’re for the Harvest Tea.
Christian Aid ‘Bucket Collection’
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 10:00am to 7:00pm. If you would give an hour to do this either day, please contact Keith Fenwick fenwickk41@gmail.com 0161 439 2960. Well worth the time and effort – this usually averages c. £25 / person / hour.
Taste of Tanzania Evening
Saturday 2nd Nov. Fund-raiser for Newala projects. All welcome; please put in diary. More details soon. Hamida Adkins
Thank you
Further to the ‘thank you’ in last week’s SMT regarding the Quiz Evening on 21st Sept, thanks from the Newala Link Group to Georgie Elston & her family for a marvellous and very enjoyable evening. Hamida Adkins
Green Tips : St M’s, Eco-Parish
On 26th Sept, the PCC voted for St M’s to register to be an Eco Parish; you’ll be seeing a lot more about this. A Rocha UK is a charity that helps Christians to care for the natural world. It runs the Eco Church award scheme, which parishes join by sending a completed Eco Church questionnaire to A Rocha; the church then works towards the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Eco Parish awards through an agenda of actions and adjustments.
The incentive to join the Eco Church scheme is the range of resources and information that A Rocha provides to help churches, and the focus and incentive boost given; also, the Eco awards agenda provides a check-list of things which might otherwise be overlooked. The reward is that, communally as a church and individually as its members, we continue to take action and make progress on ‘green’ issues. Additionally, we make a statement and provide a lead to the community around us, part of our mission and ministry as a parish church.
Anyone who’d like to be a member of St M’s Eco Action Group which is co-ordinating this, or would like to consider joining it, please contact Phil Wadsworth phil@uibhist.plus.com 0161 439 5496 (under-18s contact on parent’s e-mail or copied to parent).