Advent Reflections | Day 15 | Sunday 17th December

On Christmas Night all Christians Sing:

“All out of darkness we have light”

Written by Sam Bowden

When Christmas is coming our streets light up with the sparkle of Christmas lights on houses, some houses display so many that they drew you in wanting to get a little closer and admire them.

As a household of autistic people the start of advent brings with it many weeks of sensory overload from the lights.

For some people the sight of the lights can bring home unhappy memories, can trigger financial worry how are they going to afford gifts for there loved ones, festive treats and meals and reminder of the day they will be alone and have to see all there neighbours families gathered.

Advent season, Christmas can be one of darkness for so many.

Christmas eve 2019 a family we invited to a christingle service, they had a new baby and spent weeks in hospital with them, when we asked what will you be eating tomorrow they confessed what ever was left in the cupboard! they had no chance to shop with baby being so ill. So we invited them to spend Christmas day with us we would split the food we had to make it go round, to give them some joy and happiness  after weeks of uncertainty to fill them with love, with light.

John 8:12 Jesus said I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Knowing and Loving Jesus, who we carry with us in our hearts. We can cast out the light he gives us in our lives onto others onto our community. We can turn darkness into light with Jesus help.

This advent time what can you do to bring light to those who need it?

Advent Reflections | Day 14 | Saturday 16th December

O Holy Night:

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn  ”

Written by Brenda Knight

A thrill of Hope the weary Soul rejoices

You only have to listen or watch the News to “weary the soul” ~ climate change, war in Ukraine and Israel, cruelty to children, corruption and inefficiency from those in power~ so easy to become depressed, giving rise to feelings of despair. We can feel caught between anxiety for the present and a fear for the future. Perhaps giving a choice between putting it to the back of your mind and just cracking on with our lives and sinking further into despair.

At the beginning of Advent, where we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas and also look towards the Second Coming .It is then that I start to recall the music and carols of Christmas, one of my favourites is “O Holy Night” and so there is a particular line that encourages and aids the ability to “crack on”. That line emphasises the notion of Hope, indeed Hope is one of the three theological virtues, i.e. Faith, Hope and Love. Perhaps Hope may be said to comprise a belief that something you want to happen will Happen (Oxford Dictionary). The Hope that the coming of Chris at Christmas, demonstrates the love of God for us, enables that strength which is needed to cope with a changing world. The promise of the renewal of birth at the dying of the year.

So when we feel that love and promise demonstrated at Christmas it aids our capacity to deal with everything going on around us. The promise of Hope enables joy to come into the equation, Joy ~ the need to be joyful at this time , to feel the joy the Christ child has brought. Evoking the line that follows : “For yonder breaks a new and glorious light “

Advent Reflections | Day 13 | Friday 15th December

O Little Town of Bethlehem:`

“How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given”

Written by Mike Holmes

So beautiful and sublime for the greatest gift of all time to be bestowed on a silent night amidst a hushed fizz of excited whispers and humble pilgrimages – befitting of the suffering servant of the Lord and in such contrast with the pomp and circumstance usually associated with the birth of future King.  Curious also that this is our prevailing impression of that first Christmas, when Bethlehem supposedly played host to mayhem - its inns brimming with the clamour of census registrants.  Perhaps that’s the point.  The nativity unfolds an oasis of peace in the midst of chaos; the Word made flesh - a light that shines in the darkness (chaos) which, despite Herod’s best efforts, could not overcome it.

So it goes with the nativity in our hearts, wherein God imparts “the blessings of his heaven” (same verse of this exquisite hymn).  This sacred gift is not imposed but offered so silently that too often “no ear may hear his coming”.  Yet if we humbly choose to attune our inner ear to the silent holy of holies within, we may become the “meek souls [that] will receive Him” so “the dear Christ enters in” (same verse). 

Of course, “in this world of sin” (same verse) our heart nativity is threatened by the cacophony of our own inner chaos - egos, addictions, worldly desires, etc.  Just like Herod, this darkness will constantly seek to extinguish the light of the Christ child born within us, because they crave power.  So we can but try our best to tend lovingly to this sacred gift, which like a mustard seed can, with all the faith and willpower we can muster, grow into the largest tree so that the birds (our entire consciousness) may come (in a never-ending pilgrimage) to perch in its branches.

Advent Reflections | Day 12 | Thursday 14th December

Away in a Manger:

“I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky, and stay by my side until morning is nigh”

Written by Jo Oughton

It's Christmas morning at Church, there is a feeling of excitement and anticipation in the air as the children come to the front, dressed in their finest clothes, and holding onto their newly acquired toys from Santa. The Vicar asks them to sing ‘Away in a Manger’ and everyone holds their breath, leaning in to listen as the children's voices fill the room. For parents, this moment is very special as they watch their little ones take part in the Christmas celebration.

The line ‘I love thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky and stay by my side until morning is nigh’ from the hymn expresses our love for Jesus and acknowledges the significance of his birth. The carol takes us on a journey back to the stable where we see God in human form, symbolizing the humility of the creator of the world.

 The birth of Jesus as a vulnerable child in an unassuming stable reminds us of how God humbled himself to save humanity. The advent season allows us to reflect on the significance of the birth of Jesus, whilst awaiting the festival itself. This baby was born to overturn death and save the world, which is why this children's carol has become so well-loved. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and get swept up in the whirlwind of our luxury sparkly holiday season, let's remember the centre of the season is that tiny baby that came to a troubled world to save it.

Advent Reflections | Day 11 | Wednesday 13th December

Joy to the World:

“Let every heart prepare him room (And Heaven and nature sing)”

Written by Elizabeth Beveridge

There’s “Busy” and there’s “Too Busy”.

Busy is good.  Busy brings in money to support a family or to help those in need; it keeps the house clean or the garden tidy.  Busy looks out for friends and neighbours.  Busy helps us to sleep well at night.

Too Busy isn’t so good.  Too Busy forgets things, does things badly and makes mistakes.  Too Busy gets angry and frustrated; it has no time to stop and chat or to lend a hand.  Too Busy has us lying awake at night, worrying.  Too Busy runs out of time for God.  It will get to Christmas Day exhausted, physical preparations having shut out any spiritual ones, and will wonder where all the time has gone.

So how are we (how am I) to keep Too Busy at arm’s length?  My heart really wants to “Prepare Him room”, to be ready to meet Jesus anew.  This isn’t the hidden God that Moses knew, but the amazing miracle of God coming to share our human lives.

Maybe it’s a question of being more organised, more focused, of making a plan for each day and not getting distracted or diverted.  Some jobs can be left till another time, or done by someone else.  Sometimes it’s OK to say “No”.  In the plan there is space for God, that precious time when nothing else intrudes.

Ah yes, but I’ve tried this before.  How can I make it work?  There’s really only one way.  I know God wants this to happen, so I need to remember to rely on him.  With him I can handle Advent, so that by Christmas Day heaven and nature (and I) will indeed sing.

Advent Reflections | Day 10 | Tuesday 12th December

Hark the Herald:

“'Veiled in flesh the Godhead see”

Written by Peter Illingworth

Of all the lines, in all the carols, in all the world, this has to be my favourite!  For me it sums up what Christmas is all about: “Look and see God - hidden in human flesh”.

No one has ever seen God, but when Jesus was on the Earth, he made God known.  And what a surprise that was.  No great politician or military leader, liberating Israel from Roman occupation, just a vulnerable human.  At first, he was as vulnerable as we humans can ever be – a newborn baby.  Then, as he grew, he became a teacher who turned all our self-centred ideas on their heads.  “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”.  And he continued to be vulnerable.  Vulnerable to pain, temptation, sadness and even death.

Because he was human and went through the same highs and lows that we do, he could empathise and understand what we’re going through – the good times and the bad.  And Jesus, as part of the Godhead, still understands today.

In human flesh, Jesus practised what he preached.  Anyone who tried to smear him ended up looking foolish.  He taught us how to pray, he taught us how to live a full and meaningful life and, because he overcame death, it means that life doesn’t have to stop when our vulnerable flesh expires.

Advent Reflections | Day 9 | Monday 11th December

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen:

“Remember Christ our saviour was born on Christmas Day to save us from Satan’s power when we were gone astray”

Written by Calum Piper

The tradition of singing carols or even winter songs started wherever local communities used to gather. Whilst nearly every community in England has a parish church, the pub was probably the first building in older communities. People used to gather in taverns and pubs to be community and on the long dark nights they would sing songs to cheer them up. That's where a lot of our Christmas carols have come from.

What I love about this line from the carol is amongst the frivolity, joy and celebration of singing carols and of being community together there is a reminder that its not about the presents. It is not about the frivolity and the things that sometimes maybe our world makes Christmas about. It's not about all the shopping, the gift giving and the novelty jumpers. Christmas isn’t about the overindulgence in food and wine and whatever else.

Christmas is about Jesus who comes to save us, who comes to offer us life afresh, who comes to offer us a relationship of love.

Christmas isn't far away now. We're halfway through our Advent journey and if you are already starting to feel like the decorations have been up too long and you're ready for it all to be over, remember, that's not what it's all about.

Remember the celebration of Christmas is about God reaching down to earth to say to each and every person: ‘You matter, I care about you and I want to do life with you.’

Know that there is nothing that can get in the way of God and the people he loves. Know that there is nothing that can get in the way of God reaching out to his world because he achieved that reaching out and that offering of love through Jesus coming as a baby.

So, amid all the festivity and amid all the decorations and parties and whatever else you get up to, remember that it's all about Christ our saviour. He was born on Christmas Day.

Advent Reflections | Day 8 | Sunday 10th December

Christians Awake:

“Christians awake! Salute the happy morn, whereon the Saviour of the world was born”

Written by Jill Fairhurst

Christians awake was first sung on Christmas morning in 1750 in the parish Church of Saint Mary's Stockport.

The words were written by John Byron for his daughter Dorothy, it was originally named Christmas Day for Dolly and renamed Christians awake when the music was added by John Wainwright who was born in Stockport in 1723 and became organist at Manchester collegiate church, later cathedral. He died in 1768 and is buried in Saint Mary's churchyard. The tune ‘Stockport’ shares its name with Yorkshire and the manuscript can be found in Cheetham's library. It was traditionally sung at Saint Mary's on Christmas morning with the choir gathered at Johns grave before processing into church.

The first verse calls on Christians to join with the angels in sharing the mystery of God's love. The shepherds on hearing the good news from the angels hastened to Bethlehem to see the sign that God has given them in verses two and three, they are described as being full of joy and wonder at the news and are described as the first apostles of the infant. Some versions have up to 6 verses recalling Christ’s journey to the cross but all calling us to join in praising him.

Saved by his love, incessant we shall sing

eternal praise to heavens almighty king.

Advent Reflections | Day 7 | Saturday 9th December

Ding Dong Merrily on High:

“In heaven the bells are ringing!”

Written by Dave Walker

I feel like I am drifting, floating in an ethereal mist. I look down into a greyness surrounded by a brilliant magnesium glow. I suppose this is what is referred to as an out of body experience.  As I gather my thoughts I try to remember where I am, what I was doing, what day is it, what year, even.

Slowly, moments fleetingly flash into being and are then gone. Then, the sharp pain of clarity awakens my soul. I remember. We were singing hymns, ‘Silent Night’, ‘Heilige Nacht’. That’s German, isn’t it? I can’t speak English very well. Let alone a foreign language. What is going on?

Of course, it’s Christmas. They said it would all be over by now. Maybe it is, and this is what Peace on Earth actually feels like. If so, why am I anxious; I’m not feeling very peaceful.

The mist is now clearing and so is my mind. It is 1914. We had stepped out of our rat-infested trenches to shake hands with the enemy; we shared chocolate and cigarettes and schnapps – whatever that is. We were happy (probably the schnapps!) we were alive and agreed we were not going to fire another round.

So, why am I here on a stretcher? My tunic is torn and bloodied; ah, now I remember, it wasn’t heavenly bells ringing but the field telephone. An order was given that fraternization with the enemy was to cease immediately.

Why is stupidity common, and common sense not so common? I don’t know; but orders are orders. I recall raising my head above the parapet of our earthly ‘home’ and that’s when I was shot. Possibly, by my schnapps friend, who knows? The medics say I will live. Is that why, in Heaven the bells really are ringing?

Advent Reflections | Day 6 | Friday 8th December

Once in Royal David’s City:

“And he feeleth for our sadness, and he shareth in our gladness”

Written by Jess Piper

I don’t know about you, but for me, Christmas Day, almost feels like it’s a freeze-frame on the rest of life. For twenty-four hours, I somehow forget those things which were bothering me the day before, because everybody is happy, everybody is together, and in some small way, all seems right with the world. And that freeze-frame, picture perfect image that we have, is one which, I suspect many of us long to bottle up and take into the new year with us, and yet, is one which we find slowly dissipating a few days after the festivities are over. When our worries return, when the things we were struggling with before Christmas reappear, it’s easy for us to forget that baby, lying in a manger. And it’s even easier for us to forget who that baby would grow up to be. The part of the story which is so often unheard, is the part where everything looks like it did before the birth – where the manger is empty, the night sky is dark and silent, and the shepherds are once again on the hillside keeping watch over their flocks. Because the familiar story we tell, is just the beginning of a much bigger and broader story, which for me, is where the true power of the story lies. Since the baby lying in the manger whom we have come to celebrate this night, is Emmanuel – God with us. And that is good news for us. Because as the line of the carol we’re reflecting on today intimates, God is with us in all of life. In our joys and our sorrows.

The power of the Christmas story is the story of Emmanuel – of God who came to be with us, as one of us, so that we might know God with us every day of our lives.

Advent Reflections | Day 5 | Thursday 7th December

The First Nowell:

“On a cold Winter’s Night that was so deep”

Written by vERITY bEARDS-jONES

The Christmas Story shows God coming to Earth humbly, quietly, and softly. Emmanuel, God With Us.

Jesus’ birth ‘on a cold winter’s night that was so deep’ reminds us that in our difficulty, as well as our joy, God is present. Emmanuel, God With Us. Even when our hearts are hardened; even when the night seems dark, deep and cold, the Father of Light surrounds us. Emmanuel, God With Us. And just as Jesus came to Earth that night, so He comes to us in our times of darkness. Emmanuel, God With Us.

The festive season can be a wonderfully happy time of comfort and joy with loved ones; but for some, it can be very difficult. The Christmas Story is full of divine Love and Joy and Hope – so for some, when love, joy and hope feel distant, we feel isolated from the festivities; and God’s prevailing Love, Joy and Hope can feel so far away. In the season celebrating God’s presence coming to Earth, we can end up feeling further from God than ever.

But Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us: He comes to us in the darkness. So, when the night feels cold and deep, we don’t need to pull ourselves from Him. We don’t need to hide; in fact we can’t ever hide from Him (Psalm 139:7-12). He is the same faithful God who sees us in full and still loves us in our vulnerability: He won’t abandon us, in fact His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). He is sufficient and capable, even when it seems to us that there is no way out of the darkness we face. Praise be to God that, with Jesus by our side, we do not need to fear darkness.

‘“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honour him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

Psalm 91:14-16

Advent Reflections | Day 4 | Wednesday 6th December

See Amid the Winters Snow:

“Lo, within a manger lies, He who built the starry skies”

Written by Phil Wadsworth

People have always looked at the stars.  We gave nearby ones names and personalities – the Bible (Baruch 3:34) says ‘The stars shone in their watches, and were glad; He called them and they said, “Here we are!”  They shone with gladness for Him Who made them.’  The Magi and many others looked to them for guidance and prophecy.  They’ve always invoked awe and wonder at God’s majesty and purpose.

Today’s scientific instruments look beyond the visible stars.  The number of stars in a galaxy and of galaxies, the distances involved, the timespans, are expressed as numbers so large that they cannot be grasped.  The types of objects and processes we’ve discovered, the evolution of the Universe from the Big Bang, the laws governing everything from interactions of sub-atomic particles to the nature of space and time, continue to push against the limits of the human intellect.  Yet all of this, physical objects and laws, all the immensity and complexity, was instantaneously within the mind of God at Creation.

Then we see ourselves:  For all the complexity of mind and body infinitesimal dots on the surface of a planet which shrinks to almost nothing when considered against the Universe as a whole.  How can we even be noticed as a species, yet alone considered individually?

Yet God, Who knows everything, had, and has, each person in mind.  He knew that this was beyond us, that we couldn’t comprehend His purpose for each of us, individually, even given His words and works as recorded in the Old Testament.  So, at Christmas, He Who build the starry skies became a human baby, so that each of us might be able fully to relate personally to God and understand how to live.  A truth so profound that, like the starry skies, it defies understanding, yet at the same time is as simple as reaching out to a friend whom we know.

Advent Reflections | Day 3 | Tuesday 5th December

While Shepherds Watched:

“Fear not .. glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind”

Written by Mark Hackney

Many countries, have both a north and a south, don’t they? Obviously, geographically, but, they also have a north and a south where, between the two, lie different social and economic realities.

In England’s North, we have the endless levelling-up debate. Dare I mention: ‘Trains’? In Italy, there is the economically strong, affluent North [Milan, etc]. Yet, it is far more disadvantaged in the rural south. ... In fact, most countries in the Global South are characterized by low income and poor infra-structure.

God, of course, will have no truck with such regionalism, division – on whichever point of the compass it lies. ... As the Seraph’s words sing out: “Fear not, glad tidings of great joy I bring to you ... and all mankind”.

And, at this season, we can surely imagine, perhaps more vividly than ever, the power of hope that Jesus brings. Jesus preaches hope for the world; his constant messaging is one of unison, sisterhood and brotherhood. A good collective word for these things would be: ‘Love.’

Jesus is the enemy of tribalism, a factionalism with resources. In the Gospels, he readily criticizes an adherence to petty boundaries and parochial thinking.

Our wonderful carol declares Jesus ‘to human view displayed.’ And when I think of Jesus, see him in my mind’s eye, my hope is always restored that the last stanza of our wonderful carol will be acknowledged by peoples from any land who will listen:

‘All glory be to God on high, and on the earth be peace,

Goodwill henceforth from heav’n to all begin and never cease.’

Love is Jesus’ song. A love that is for everyone who will listen to the rhythm. We might well take our cue from the ‘shining throng of angels’ singing so fulsomely.

Advent Reflections | Day 2 | Monday 4th December

In the Bleak mid-winter:

“Yet what can I give him: give my heart”

Written by Jenny Gallimore

“In the Bleak Mid-Winter” poses a challenging question: “What can I give him?”. This could also be asking us, “How do we respond to Jesus?”.  The carol also provides us with the answer: “Give him my heart”.

Anyone who knows me at all will know that I am a perfectionist by nature, and so at times can be the (Unofficial) Queen of Anxiety.  I worry about anything and everything (and usually about whether I am doing a good enough job of things).  I used to worry that I wasn’t “good enough” to be a Christian.  The bible seemed to me at the time to have impossibly high standards which I felt I could never live up to.  In short, being a Christian seemed to be a tall order.  It wasn’t until the Christingle service in 2019 when it suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks: I don’t have to be perfect. God loves me for who I am, so much so that he sent Jesus to die for me and take the punishment for my sins upon himself.  How on earth could I have missed the point of Jesus for so long?  I thought I had to achieve some level of perfection, but in reality, I just had to have faith in Jesus and give him my heart.

But what does it mean to give our hearts to Jesus?  It could mean a number of things: Accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, turning away from sin, accepting his way of living, loving and leading our lives.  There is nothing that we can do to “earn” our salvation – it is a gift freely given to us; a gift of grace from God because he loves us so much.  There is nothing on this Earth that I could possibly give that would repay God for such a gift, and so I choose to give my heart, which is all that God wants from me.

Advent Reflections | Day 1 | Sunday 3rd December

Go Tell it on the Mountain:

“When I was a seeker, I sought both night and day. I asked The Lord to help me and he showed me the way”

Written by Calum Piper

This carol talks about the story of the shepherds in the great Nativity story. The shepherds have seen the angels, the Angels have told them to go down to the stable in Bethlehem to meet the baby Jesus. In that meeting, they discover such great news.

The experience is life changing which leads them to go and out and tell everyone that they meet, that this baby will make a difference to the world.

That baby grew up and became the man that we call Jesus. That man died upon the cross at Easter. Through all of that, that baby, that man, that person we call Jesus, changed the world and continues to offer to the world his hope, life, love, joy, even wisdom.

Jesus through his birth, life, death and resurrection reaches out to each and every person, even today. To offer comfort and hope, to offer wisdom and encouragement. And he offers that to you as well.

In revelation Chapter 3, the book at the end of the Bible, Jesus says this: “Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me”.

As we begin this journey of Advent, looking at Carols and making our way towards the great Christmas celebration, wherever you are in life, however, you might be feeling about the impending celebration of Christmas, Jesus longs to journey with you. Jesus longs to offer you hope, love and even joy.

The baby Jesus changed the life of the shepherds. He changed it so much they longed to tell everyone about it.

As we journey with them, as we journey through so many different carols, my prayer for you is that you get an opportunity to reach out to Jesus just as the shepherds did. And that in reaching out, you might find answers, but most importantly you might find hope and joy and love.

Advent Reflections - Introduction

Remembrance Sunday 2023

The Bramhall Village Service of Remembrance will take place on Sunday 12th November 2023.

The parade will form up on Holland Road and set off at 10.30am

The main service will start at 10.40am at the War Memorial

You can download a copy of the order of service here:

Remembrance Sunday 2023 Order of Service

Update - August 2023

Dear Friends,

I hope this finds you well and that you have been able to enjoy something of the typical British summer weather. This update is long overdue, so as we prepare to go into Autumn there are a few things I wanted to tell you about and ask for your involvement in.

Pastoral Care

The last couple of years has seen a big focus on getting church life back to some form of normality and recovering those things we lost because of the pandemic. One of the things I have been keen to develop within our church community is a more organised system of pastoral care. St Michael’s is a caring church, and when people are in need, the church is always good at rallying round. Sometimes however, people get missed, and we can always improve how we care for and support one another as a church family. As such I am looking to recruit volunteers to a new pastoral care team.

This team would meet together once a month with me and would oversee pastoral care within the parish. It’s my hope that a visit, where possible, could be offered to everyone on the prayer lists either weekly or monthly and that some members of the team might also be able to support Mark in the ministry we have within the local care homes.

For those who become part of the team, you would choose how much time you give to being involved in pastoral care, unlike a previous suggested system you wouldn’t be allocated a certain number of people to offer care too.

If you are interested in being involved, please would you let me know by the end of August as I hope to hold the first meeting with some training in September.

Lift Sharing Scheme

A discussion that took place at PCC recently was regarding whether we could set up a lift sharing scheme at St Michaels, noting that we have a number of people in our church family who now don’t drive or in the winter months aren’t able to attend services or events because they don’t like travelling on their own in the dark. Having done some work with the Parish Safeguarding Team we are now in a position to launch this new scheme whereby we can help link those who would like to come to church but can’t get here themselves, with those who would be prepared to offer lifts.

I am really thankful to David Walker who has offered to co-ordinate this scheme. If you would be willing to offer lifts to people for services or other events, please could you let David Walker know. The requirements for all drivers is that they are fully insured, their vehicle has a valid MOT and is taxed, and they have undertaken a DBS check along with basic safeguarding training. Thank you in advance to those who are willing to support this needed ministry.

If you are someone who would value a lift to church, or if you know of someone who might not ask, but would value it being offered to them, please could you also make contact with ???

Confirmation Service

Following our spring Alpha Course earlier this year, Bishop Sam of Stockport has agreed to come and take a confirmation service at St Michaels later this year. Unfortunately, Bishop Sam’s diary is fairly full so the only time he could offer was Sunday 22nd October at 4pm in the afternoon. Following a discussion with PCC, it has been agreed that we will cancel the 10am and 6.30pm services on the 22nd October and ask you to join us at 4pm instead as we celebrate those who will be baptised and confirmed.

If you are someone who would like to be confirmed or even renew your baptism promises, please would you get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Outreach Committee

Following the APCM this year the PCC set up a new sub-committee to oversee our outreach ministry. The group meets every couple of months and is responsible for planning and delivering events both within the church, to which we can invite people, as well as activities in the wider community. The group are looking for more people to join them and you can do this is 2 different ways. You can join in with the meetings which undertake the planning as well as delivering events, or you can just be on their team of volunteers to help make events happen. If you would be interested in either of these, please would you let the Church Office know and they will pass your name to Jill Illingworth who is chairing the group.

Finance Administrator

Last year our finance team changed with Rob Watson taking over as treasurer. Its been a good first year but the team have realised they could really do with some more help particularly in the area of administration. So, we are looking to appoint another finance administrator to work alongside Elizabeth Beveridge and Julie Bamber. If you are someone who has good administration skills, can find your way around a computer and would be willing to offer some of your time in support of the finance team please would you make contact with Sue Howgego or Julie Sweeting, our Churchwardens.

Upcoming Dates

The autumn term is always an exciting part of the year as we begin to prepare for the Christmas season and there is usually quite a lot going on. Below you will find some of the events and services that will be taking place, I thought some advanced notice might be helpful.

Friday 8th September, 7.30pm - Quiz night. Tickets available from the Churchwardens.

Sunday 24th September, St Michaels Day Bring and Share Lunch after the 10am service.

Sunday 8th October - Harvest Thanksgiving. Donations will be split between the foodbank and Wellspring.

Wednesday 11th October, 2pm - Harvest Afternoon Tea

Friday 13th October 7.30pm - Murder Mystery Night

Sunday 22nd October, 4pm - Confirmation Service with Bishop Sam

Sunday 5th November, 4pm - Commemoration Service

Friday 10th November - Motown Music Night

Thank you for taking time to read this slightly lengthy update, but what I hope you will have seen as you have read it through is we have a lot going on both to support our current church family and also grow our church family. It’s a joy to serve and minister amongst you, and I pray that we all might continue to encourage one another in our faith and shared life together.

God Bless,

Revd Calum Piper, Vicar

Update - October 2022

Dear Friends,

 A couple of weeks ago we marked Harvest Thanksgiving which for me is always the start of the run up to Christmas with all sorts of special services and events coming up thick and fast in the next few months. With this is mind I thought it might be good to share an update with a few things that are going on.

 Heating in Church

With the increased prices for gas and electricity, our bills, like everyone else’s, are going up. Every effort is being made to use the resources that we have wisely whilst also making sure that our buildings are still welcoming for people to be in. We have switched the heating on and will always aim to make sure the church is a good temperature for worship. I would however encourage you to make sure you wrap up warm too. Contingency plans have also been put in place in case the temperature in church is too cold on a Sunday morning. If this is ever the case, our worship will take place in the Parish Centre which runs on a different set of boilers. The midweek service is still taking place, but during the winter months will take place in the Lounge.

 Life Groups

In November we are launching something new at St Michaels, although some form of it has existed in the church previously. Life Groups are a smaller setting providing space for community to form and for exploration of teaching in a way that is not possible in a Sunday service. A life group, then, is a group of people choosing to grow in fellowship and community, to grow in faith and support one another in life. The strap line for this church ministry is Growing in love for God and for one another. Hopefully each group will do what it says on the tin. I really want to encourage as many members of the church to join a life group as possible. I think they will be really beneficial for each person but for us as a whole church. Attached is a digital version of the leaflet that was handed out on Sunday (with a change to one groups meeting day). If there is nothing to suit you but you want to be part of a group, let me know. There are gaps in what we are offering to start with, we might be able to set up more groups if needed. When you have decided which group you want to belong to, let the church office know and they will pass your details to the group leader who will then be in touch with you to give you more details. LIFE GROUPS LEAFLET

 Warm Hubs

The Mill is hoping to offer a warm hub for the local community over the winter. Janet Ketteringham, a trustee at The Mill writes: This winter will be challenging for us all with regards fuel prices. For some, just keeping warm will be difficult or even impossible. Stockport Council have asked communities to provide Warm Spaces from November through to March and have offered grants of up to £1000 for heating and expenses to charities and organisations who can open their hearts and doors to let people in to keep warm. The Mill, our youth centre in Bramhall, offered to open each Saturday from 10am to 4pm provided we can staff it. The trustees of The Mill felt three shifts from 10 am to noon, noon to 2pm and 2 pm to 4pm could be possible. We are asked to provide tea, coffee and biscuits (which is made easy in The Mill by us having a cafe area) and also a friendly welcome and conversation.

 If you can give some thought to being part of this massive outreach to people facing a crisis in their lives, and maybe volunteer for a shift, or two or three shifts, or even more regularly, like once a month, then we can do this. Already people are offering to help, which is so exciting and uplifting. We do need a big response to make this work. If you need more information or want to help then please get in touch with either Janet Ketteringham jketteringham43@gmail.com or the church office.

 Supporting the Mothers Union

The Mothers Union are supporting a charity called Doors of Hope with their appeal entitled ‘Bags of Education’. This charity want to give as many children as possible the opportunity to go to school in places like Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania and Moldova. Unfortunately for some families school is just too expensive. So the idea behind Bags of Hope is to put together a bag of resources to enable a child to be fully equipped to learn. You can find out more on their website www.doorofhope.co.uk. We are inviting people to collect all the items on the list and bring them to church along with a £5 donation to cover the registration fee. We will then collate all the bags and send them off to the charity. The list of items is attached and there are also printed copies in the parish centre. Should you wish to get involved please let Jill Fairhurst know and then bring your donations to the church office by 13th November. LIST OF ITEMS

 Supporting Christians Against Poverty at Christmas

Christians Against Poverty; You may recall Catherine Johnson giving a sermon during the summer concerning CAP, she has asked the St Michaels community for some help leading up to Christmas; Would ST Michaels help with Christmas hampers for Stockport CAP clients?  We put together a hamper for every client we're currently working with, which is likely to be 25 to 30 and I wondered if your church might like to help. item - would 30 people buy a selection box, for example? Other churches have also been asked to help. If anyone in the congregation would like to help please could you let Mark Sweeting (familysweetings@gmail.com) know ideally before 31 October. We are looking for donations towards a target of 24 boxes of chocolates, 24 boxes of biscuits and 20 selection packs. Thank you in advance.

 Services in November

On Sunday 6th November we will hold our Annual Service of Light and Commemoration at 6.30pm. If you wish for someone to be remembered during this service please do add their name to the list in church before Sunday 30th October.

On Sunday 13th November we will join with the nation in remembering all those who have served our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice. Our 8am service will be a service of Holy Communion and our 10am service of Morning Worship will start at 9.15am. There will be a service at the War Memorial starting around 10.45am which it would be great to see you at.

 Christmas is Coming

PCC have signed off on the plans for Christmas so you should see some Christmas publicity fairly soon. To give you advanced warning the annual Carols by Candlelight service will take place on Sunday 11th December at 6.30pm. This is slightly earlier than normal due to the Men’s Football World Cup Final taking place when our service would normally take place. Just in case England make it to the final, it didn’t seem wise to create a clash. Please be thinking and praying about who you can invite to this service.

 Thank you

Finally a thank you. Thank you to everyone that supports St Michaels so generously with their financial giving as well as their time. It continues to be such a joy to serve you as Vicar of St Michaels and despite the challenges we will face over the next few months with a hard winter, I know God will be our strength and we will only grow closer to one another and to the Lord. I also want to say a public thank you to Julie and Sue our Churchwardens. They have been doing an incredible job over the last few months doing so many things that are often unseen, from ensuring the church property register is up to date, overseeing contractors coming to service and fix things, managing staff, caring for me, representing the church on various occasions and even unclogging toilets.

 This afternoon the weekly bible study looked at the letter of Jude, I want to close using Jude’s words:

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)

God Bless,

Calum

Our Eco-Targets

The Eco Targets for each year are approved and adopted by the PCC, so that they’re ‘official’ and as such owned by us all.  We hope as many members of St Michael’s as possible will support and promote the targets and, where there’s opportunity and ability, be involved with action to further them.

The 2021 Targets, and their outcomes, were:

 (1)   Become a ‘Fairtrade Church’. 

Achieved.  St Michael’s is now a Fairtrade Place of Worship.

 (2)   Host a ‘Green Fair’. 

Not achieved.  Organisations and individuals were reluctant / would not commit sufficiently far in advance to being involved because of unpredictability of the Covid situation.  Likewise individuals locally who might have attended opined it unlikely they would want / would be able to mix in crowds.  Given the same considered were likely still to be a problem there are no plans to host a ‘Green Fair’ in 2022, but having one in 2023 will be considered in due course.

(3)   Make a wildlife-friendly pond in the church grounds. 

Not achieved.  Covid limited activity in summer; projected financial deficit precluded hiring a digger; further discussions about various aspects was on-going.

(4)   Be involved in the ‘Toilet Twinning’ charity by twinning all the toilets on the church / hall site. 

Achieved.  £725 was given, which meant we were not only able to twin all the toilets in the Parish Centre but also the toilets in the Vicarage and still have an additional amount to send to the Toilet Twinning charity for additional toilets in the countries where it operates. 

(5)   Work with SMBC to have a community clean-up campaign in Bramhall. 

Not achieved.  Covid considerations precluded this.

(6)   Compile a list of national sustainability initiatives and implement involvement by St Michael’s where appropriate and practical. 

Achieved.  A considerable number of the recommendations / suggestions in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda are in place / have been actioned.  Consideration and implementation of further items will take place in 2022.

 (7)   Review consumables used by St Michael’s, to ensure they are ‘green friendly’, and switch to better alternatives where necessary and practical. 

Achieved.

 (8)   Install fifteen birdboxes in the church grounds.

Progressing.  Sufficient birdboxes were donated to bring to fifteen those in the grounds, but when they were put up it was found those previously installed, some years ago, had not been cleaned and maintained, and had to be scrapped.  Plans to replace the latter are in hand, and cleaning and maintenance of all the birdboxes has been included in the EAG’s annual calendar.

2022 Eco-Targets

1)     Make a wildlife-friendly pond or marsh area / bog garden in the church grounds. 

2)     Install further birdboxes to bring total to fifteen. 

3)     Observe Fairtrade Fortnight (21st February to 6th March).

4)     Run clothes swap events.

5)     Hold workshops to demonstrate and encourage recycling and crafts skills.

6)     Reduce gross CO2 emissions from the St Michael’s site.

7)     Encourage green journeys to church.

8)     Target(s) asking as many of the congregation as are willing to do [various things] at home / in daily lives.

9)     Make two hedgehog ‘nests’ (or install hedgehog boxes).  Make ‘nests’ for bees of solitary species.  Plant summer-flowering bulbs.