3rd March 2019

Sunday next before Lent

First time? Welcome! Make yourself at home.

Need anything? Ask one of our

welcome team who’d love to help.

Stay for a chat! There are

refreshments after the main services,

served at the back

Toilets? Can be found on the right at

the back of church

Giving? There’s no collection during

services. Please place any gifts in the box near the main door. Standing order

and gift-aid forms are available.

Young children? Use our sound-

proofed Tower Room if they get

restless, or join in 9.30 Sunday clubs at Upper Room

Deaf? An induction loop is available.

Mobiles? Turn OFF, unless on call

Prayer? There is prayer support after

9.30 & 6.30 services, and during communion, at the front of the church

The Moveable Feast Sunday 10th March 1pm

There’s still time to join in

with this great event! All details are on

ChurchSuite and you can sign up there too, or

on the sign-up sheet in church. Jan Mealand

and Sarah Steele-Corfield are the main

organisers so they are also able to answer

any of your queries or email the office.

Church Weekend at Quinta 21st - 23rd June 2019 DO NOT miss this great event.

It is now official, Nick & Georgina Frost are catering for our ‘church weekend at home – away’ at Quinta. This is great for 2 reasons, the food will be fantastic AND the cost is now reduced to £65 for adults, £35 for children.

This is for 2 days FULL BOARD of fantastic teaching and fellowship!! (half the price of our normal weekend away at Swanwick). Day visitors cost £20.00 a day for Saturday (incl 3 meals), Sunday is £15.00 (incl 2 meals).

Teaching will be led by Tim Davies, Bekah’s dad. Quinta is a Christian conference centre in 50 acres of beautiful Shropshire countryside.

Because we’ve booked this quite late, at this price, the only accommodation available is bunk rooms- however, we will create rooms for families, and rooms for couples. If you are going on your own, we can arrange a room for you to share with someone.

Don’t miss this chance for growing our fellowship, and growing in faith.

Lent Courses Begin Tuesday 5th March (St Cuthbert’s)

& Wednesday 6th March (St Mary’s)

A series of short courses covering a wide

range of subjects, to give the whole church

family a chance to grow in their faith, to

learn about something new, or just to try

something different. There are three-week

and six-week courses hopefully giving

everyone the chance to join in.

You can sign up by filling in the leaflet and

handing it in to one of the clergy THIS

SUNDAY; sign up on Churchsuite (of

course!) or contact the office.

(NOTE: The ‘Art of Faith’ on Tuesdays at St

Cuthbert’s has now moved to weeks 4-6)

You will receive an email or phone call

confirming your course details —and this

information will be available on the

Welcome Screen in the entrance hall on the

night. However if you have any queries

please do not hesitate to contact the office

on 0161 428 8050

Feedback from PCC-Thanksgiving, rolls, and APCM The PCC met on Monday and discussed...

We confirmed the budget for St Mary’s following the generous response from the congregations at Thanksgiving. There is still time to return pledge forms if you have not quite got round to it yet!

We made permanent Liz Woods’ role as PA to the Rector and communications officer

We read and accepted Jon Drayton’s report as Operations Manager

Fiona Goode gave an excellent presentation about the new national church safe guarding policy which we agreed to adopt and formally appointed Fiona as Parish Safeguarding Officer. We thanked Fiona for her excellent work and she included Sheila Collins, Ruth Ormiston and Penny Evans as also deserving thanks

Mike Newman showed us the plans for the Pure Innovations Café at St Cuthbert’s which the PCC approved subject to seeing some financial projections and confirmation of the building work required

Trish Wells advised that a full renewal of the Electoral Roll was required – look out for electronic versions of the forms on ChurchSuite and hard copies in church. All completed forms need to be returned to the church office by Sunday March 31st

The Annual Parish General meeting is on Wednesday 24th April when we elect church wardens for the year and also new members for the PCC. If you are interested in standing for election, please speak to Steve Mealand, Anthony Holmes or Trish Wells – and don’t miss out by forgetting to join the Electoral Roll as all PCC members must be on the roll before it is published in early April. Trish Wells, PCC Secretary

Is St Mary’s your church? If it is, the way we can

show it is on our ELECTORAL ROLL (which we manage through Churchsuite), but is the way the Church of England organises its membership. Over the next month we need to renew our roll from scratch, EVERYONE needs to sign up again! You can do it electronically via Churchsuite or on forms at the back of church. Joining the roll means you will get church information regularly, be prayed for personally every month and you can vote at APCM.

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Announcements and Church News NEXT WEEK & BEYOND …! Special meetings or events which don’t

happen on a weekly basis are listed below:

Monday 11th March

4.30pm Dangerous Boys Bible Study

6.00pm Juice Puppets meet

Tuesday 12th March

3.45pm Dynamos KS1 meeting

7.30pm Café Church (Consumerism)

7.45pm Lent Courses at St Cuthbert’s

Wednesday 13th March

7.45pm Lent Courses at St Mary’s

Thursday 14th March

7.30pm HBC Training Evening

Saturday 16th March

10.30am Coderdojo meet in UR

Quiz Night Imperial Chinese Restaurant

Thursday 21st March 7.30pm

We are running another quiz night at the Imperial Restaurant in Cheadle. There will be a 3 course meal and quiz followed by a short talk.

Our speaker this year is Rev Mike Newman from St Cuthbert's who has chosen the title "Marching to the beat of a different drum".

We can cater for teams of up to 8 people, but if you just want to book 1 or 2 places, we can add you to a team.

This is an ideal opportunity to invite friends not just for a good night out, but also to hear a gospel message. Tickets are £14 per person and can be booked and paid for via churchsuite. Tickets must be bought in advance and dietary requirements advised at the time of booking.

Information flyers are available in church and the Upper Room Café. For more information contact Trish Wells, Sarah Holmes or Liz Woods in the parish office.

URGENT NEED Holiday Bible Club (HBC) ‘Jesus the Game Changer’

It is only 1½ months to this year’s HBC ‘Jesus, the Game Changer’ as we follow the Easter story.We have made good progress in finding the vast team needed to deliver such a comprehensive and exciting programme.

However, we have an URGENT NEED for one or two people to run our sports / games slots. This involves planning and delivering appropriate sport and games for the different groups. Each slot is about 10/15 minutes long and will probably involve about 12-18 children max. We would need you around from 10.45am - 12.15pm if you couldn’t make the whole morning. The HBC truly is one of the ‘WHOLE CHURCH FAMILY’ events of the year and no matter what your age or experience, we NEED YOU!

Also a reminder that the key dates for this year’s HBC are as follows:

• Thursday 14th March at 7.30pm – Training Evening for all those getting involved in the week - SIGN UP ON CHURCHSUITE;

• Thursday 11th & Friday 12th April – Holiday Bible Club Set-up – Moseley Hall – PLEASE LET MARK OR SARAH KNOW WHETHER YOU CAN HELP;

• Monday 15th to Thursday 18th April from 10am – 12.30pm – Holiday Bible Club – BOOKINGS NOW OPEN;

• Friday 19th April at 2pm – Good Friday HBC All Age Service;

• Sunday 21st April at 9.30am – Easter Sunday All Age Service.

For more information email holidaybibleclub@cheadle.org.uk or speak to Mark or Sarah.

Easter On The Green 2019

Easter Saturday 20th April 11am—3pm

This is now a reality.

We are going ahead with a reduced budget following Thanksgiving pledges.

It is primarily a music event - we are inviting local bands and artists to play live on a stage in the marquee on the Green. Already confirmed are Grace Notes and our very own Ben Attfield & his band!

There will be activities for children including the famous Bible Encounter Easter Egg Hunt. Hot food and refreshments will also be available

We want this to be another opportunity for us to reach out to the community, to bring the church closer to the centre, and a chance to witness the Gospel to those we live and worship among.

If we can get just 30 volunteers, this will help the event to happen, if we get more, everyone has less work to do! If you are willing to help for an hour on the day, or with set up and pack down, please speak to the organisers or contact Jon or Liz.

Andy McCormick is heading up this event with help from Peter & Julie Fraser. If you need more info; wish to make suggestions, or know of musicians who would play, please contact one of them. Thank you

DECKers Thursday 7 March at 1.15pm

Our next meeting is at Iris’ home. Perhaps you have intended to join us in the past but never quite made it. This Thursday is a good time. We meet to do a variety of crafts or just sit and chat. There is always a short talk and, of course, refreshments! For more details or help with transport contact Vera (via the Parish Office) and she will be delighted to help.

Tuesday 12th March at 7.30pm

Upper Room Café - Topic: Consumerism

Café Church is open to everyone to enjoy

an evening of coffee, cake, live music and

chat. Each week there is a theme, we

watch a video, followed by discussions in

small groups. The discussion is guided

by questions about how the theme

affects our lives and how the bible can

help us to understand the difficult topics

we face. Open to people of faith or none

everyone is welcome and there are drinks

and cake available all evening.

Bible Encounter Trust

Help Required The Easter Story Trail

organised by Bible Encounter Trust will

be held this year at Hazel Grove Baptist

Church from the 26th March to the 5th

April – Van loading will take place on the

23rd and initial set up on the afternoon of

the 24th with the major completion

taking place all day on the 25th March.

Many helpers will be needed on each day

so if you can help please do contact

Peter and Julie Fraser direct or contact

them via the Parish Office.

The Baptist church have lots of connections with the many schools in their catchment area so there is usually a very full programme of visits – pray for them as they finalise these and for Peter and Julie as they prepare for the Trail

Page 3

GET IT IN THE DIARY … !

For Church Family Rose Betts at home

Peter Fraser ongoing treatment

Tom Harper at home

Norman Jones at home

Aileen & Tom Latham on-going health issues

Sean McCausland In nursing care

Alma Mealand in care

Peggy Mountford in care

Mary Robertson at home

Andrew Smith ongoing care

Naida Thompson in nursing home

Collect for The Sunday next before Lent Almighty Father, whose Son was revealed in majesty before he suffered death upon the cross: give us grace to perceive his glory, that we may be strengthened to suffer with him and be changed into his likeness, from glory to glory; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

PRAYER

Monday 15th - Thursday 18th April

10am — Holiday Bible Club in UR

Saturday 20th April — Easter on the

Green

Sunday 28th April 2pm — Newcomers

Tea in UR Cafe

Tuesday 7th May 7pm — Restored Lives

Course starts in UR Cafe

Sunday 12th May 6.30pm —

Confirmation Service in church

Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd June —

Church Weekend away at Quinta

If you have any queries please contact the

parish office on 0161 428 8050

MARCH 2019 Tuesday / Wednesday, 5th & 6th March

— Lent Courses start St Cuth’s & UR

Sunday 10th March — Moveable Feast

in homes throughout the parish

Thursday 14th March 7.30pm —

Training Evening for HBC

Sunday 17th March 10.30am — UR Café

Refreshments

Thursday 21st March 7.30pm — Quiz

Night at the Imperial Restaurant,

Cheadle

send requests to prayer@cheadle.org.uk or

ring the Church Office on 428 8050.

The Message Trust begins a new Higher Tour over the next few weeks – this week it will centred on the Doncaster area – Pray for the many schools that will be contacted during the week and pray for a final large event next Friday 8th March at the Legacy Centre in the centre of Doncaster.

Christians in Schools Trust are looking for temporary office accommodation from the middle of next month – pray that a suitable place might be found very quickly.

Pray that Paul and Grace Robinson along with 400 plus delegates will have had a great time of learning and fellowship at the OMF conference at Swanwick this weekend.

For The Bereaved Please pray for the family and friends of Jack LIvesey. His funeral will take place in church on Monday 4 March at 1.15pm. Also please pray for Jeremy & Dina Harris, their son’s and the wider family as they mourn the loss of Jeremy’s father who died last Friday. Funeral details have not been finalised as yet.

FURTHER AHEAD On Elsewhere?

The Persecuted Church This week please pray for Pakistan.

Prime Minister Imran Khan is the leader of Pakistan. Official figures show there are just 3.9 million Christians in Pakistan - they make up about 2% of the total population. Pakistan is a strongly Islamic society. Radical Islamic groups are increasingly influential and are courted by political parties, the army and the government. Christians are the targets of violent attacks by extremists, and are treated as ‘unclean’ by society in general. Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws are frequently abused to target Christians – accusations lead to believers being imprisoned or killed. Christians are afraid to express their faith freely in case something they say is misinterpreted as blasphemy. An estimated 700 Christian women and girls are abducted every year and often forced to marry Muslim men. If their families complain, they are accused of harassing the ‘voluntarily converted’ girl. Christians face discrimination in work and education, and jobs that are considered ‘unclean’ are officially reserved for Christians.

Focus Weekend Away Please see our ‘Extra’ pages for a full

report on their weekend away.

“It’s OK Club” Wednesday 13 March 2-4pm

St Cuthbert’s Church

This group is for all who would enjoy a relaxing afternoon especially those who have depression or anxiety problems.

We meet fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons from 2-4 pm at St Cuthbert’s Church. Dates until the summer break are as follows:

March 13th & 27th; April 10th & 24th;

May 8th & 22nd; June 5th & 19th;

July 3rd, 17th & 31st

Lent Lunches start Wednesday 6th March

Everybody is welcome to a series of talks across Lent looking at the life of Abraham, starting with a bowl of soup and bread. There’s no charge but there will be a collection for a nominated charity. Dates and Locations as below:

March 6th: St Chads

March 13th: St James, Gatley

March 20th: Bethany Church, Gatley

March 27th: Gatley URC

April 3rd: Trinity Church April 10th: St Mary’s April 17th: St Cuthbert’s

Partnering with Parents Luke recently hosted our Partnering with Parents Event aimed at exploring the question: ‘How do you get your kids engaged with Church?’

It was really well attended, and we thought through and discussed three stages of engagement: Interested, Involved and Invested for the whole range of children and youth.

Thanks to all who came and ‘engaged’, and we hope to see even more of you at the next Partnering with Parents event on Wednesday 12th June! So get it in your diary and watch this space for more details.

If you weren’t there and you want to know more, please speak to Luke after a service or email: luke.blakeley@cheadle.org.uk.

This is the start of ‘Even More In Touch’ Where articles and information we couldn’t fit on the basic printed sheet will be available

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In Touch Extra

Celebration of Different Abilities Services

Saturday 9th March 2019 at 2.30pm

The Diocese of Chester and Chester Cathedral are delighted to invite you to a service with one simple aim: to celebrate the abilities of all people. Organised by the diocesan Disability Forum, the service is designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible. Reverend Zoe Heming, Enabling Church Adviser in the Diocese of Lichfield will be the speaker.

To cater for all abilities, on the day there will be: A BSL signer / Hearing loop / Signing choir / Large print and Braille service sheets / Sensory prayer stations / Wheelchair access

Everyone is welcome to attend the service, but booking is essential to be able to offer the very best welcome to all.

For more information or assistance with registering your attendance, contact Vanessa Layfield: T: 01928 718834 Ext 232

https://chestercathedral.com/event/celebration-of-different-abilities-service/

Science and Faith in the Local Church / The Faraday Institute 13—14 March 2019 Church of the Nazarene, Didsbury This two-day workshop is for lay and ordained church leaders and

for those in training from all denominations to enrich their

understanding of the science-faith dialogue.

In recent years, as the UK has become more secularised, science is

no longer perceived as a religious activity. Further, for many the

Church is looked at as a community who no longer value the role of

science.

This course is for both those who have a background in science and for those who have

none. It is specifically designed to provide a deeper understanding of the diverse themes

within science and faith, and equip Christian leaders to address these themes in teaching,

preaching, group study and in pastoral care.

For more information, visit:

Www.faraday-institute.org./Courses

Save the date:

Newcomers Tea Sunday 28 April 2-

3.30pm

We will be holding a

Newcomers Tea in the

Upper Room Café on

Sunday 28th April, 2-3.30pm. If you

know anybody who would like to

attend or if you would like to come

and meet people who have recently

joined our church family, please

contact either Lesley Gribbin or the

office: 428 8050.

Daily Readings for Lent

The Ten Commandments are featuring

in sermon series at both St Mary’s & St

Cuthbert’s over the next few weeks.

They are foundational, and Jesus

made clear that far from seeking to

abolish them he wanted his followers

to think through much more

thoroughly what each brief

commandment meant for daily living.

So, to enable us to do this, various

members of both churches have

contributed daily thoughts on each of

the Commandments to take us

through from Ash Wednesday to Palm

Sunday.

Booklets are available at the back of

church for you to take away—or else,

the readings will be sent out

electronically via ChurchSuite each

week—beginning in March.

Printing—Please contact the church office

if you need anything printing on behalf of church

(including any groups, activities or events) .

We have the facilities to print internally but also

have ability to negotiate deals for external

printing. If you present expense claims to the

office for printing without prior consent , or it is

part of a pre-agreed budget then we cannot

guarantee that they will be reimbursed. Many

thanks for your cooperation.

Page 5

In Touch Extra

Restored Lives

Restored Restored have produced a handbook aimed

at supporting female survivors of domestic

abuse as they journey towards recovery.

The inspiration to publish this handbook

came out of Restored's Online Survivors’

Network when it became clear that women,

who have experienced domestic abuse in

the past, were faced with very similar chal-

lenges in a variety of areas and there were

no comprehensive resources to point them

towards.

The handbook is free for survivors of do-

mestic abuse. To receive your copy please

send us an email to in-

fo@restoredrelationships.org indicating

your postal address. We also have a copy

available from the Parish Office. Just ask a

member of clergy if you would like to bor-

row it. Further information can be found at:

www.restoredrelationships.org/

survivorshandbook

Gospel Flourishing in a Time of Confusion— including a chapter from Rob Munro

Gospel Flourishing in a Time of Confusion addresses key questions facing Anglican

Evangelicals at this moment of disorder and uncertainty. Should we stay in the Church of

England, and make use of the many gospel opportunities it affords? Or should we leave for

pastures new, since things within the established church have become so difficult? What

does it mean to be a“righteous remnant”in an apostate church, when everyone seems to be

doing “what is right in their own eyes”? And are there lessons we can learn from how our

ancestors handled these sorts of questions, not just in recent times but in the very earliest

days of the church?

Our newest book is a fruit of the recent merger between Church Society and the Fellowship

of Word & Spirit and Reform. It originates in papers given at an FWS Study Day and at the

CS Conference last year, and contains chapters by Bishops Rod Thomas (a former Chair-

man of Reform) and Wallace Benn (a former President of Church Society and FWS), Rob

Munro and James Hughes (members of FWS who are now on Church Society Council), and

myself as Director of Church Society.

“A cogent and concise book which brings much needed clarity for those swimming in the

muddy waters of the Anglican Communion.” — Jon Tuckwell

“This pastoral, historical, and biblical call to contend for the truth from within the Church

of England deserves to be heard. It is a call to remain, but not at any cost.” — Ed Moll

This book is available to purchse from the Church Society—http://churchsociety.org/product/gospel-flourishing-in-a-time-of-

confusion at cost of just £5.00 (discounts available to orders over 5)

Foxhill House & Woodlands Foxhill is the Diocese of Chester centre for prayer, study and mission. These retreat

days and short stays offer the change to take a break from the rush of daily life and

draw closer to God. For 2019:

’By Still Waters’ is a series of reflections on the Psalms. They are held on separate days

throughout the year, each one based around a specific Psalm. Each day costs £23.00

and includes lunch and refreshments.

Retreats—starting in March there are short stay retreats available ;

‘How Then Shall We Live?’ - 11-13th March—cost £170.00

‘Art of Prayer’ - 15-17th April—cost £170.00

‘Icon Painting Retreat’ - 29th April—3rd May—cost £490 (includes all art materials)

‘Thy Kingdom Come Prayer Retreat’ - 29th—31st May—cost £170.00

‘Living in the Spirit 7 Days a Week’ - 11-13th September—cost £170.00

‘Creative Pathways to Wholeness’ - 30th Sept—3rd Oct—cost £220 (includes painting

and craft materials)

‘Encountering the Kingdom’ - 5-8th Nov - cost £220.00

‘The Wildernexx Will Rejoice’ - 29th Nov—1st Dec—cost £170.00

For more information and to book visit https://

www.foxhillchester.co.uk/ or call them on 01928 733777.

Or contact the office for more information.

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In Touch Extra

Focus weekend away Last weekend 16 teenagers and a ragtag team of leaders descended on Yorkshire Camps for our annual Focus Weekend Away.

There were Wide Games (exhausting), Dorm Room Bible Studies (rewarding), Ar-chery Tag (painful but so fun), Campfire Songs (silly) and good food (better than expected!)

We believe weekends away are a key part of bonding the group together in fellowship, and it was great to see us all gelling as a group as we looked at the book of Ruth. Ruth and Boaz are both examples of people living for God in a culture that just wasn’t, and that resonated with us as we thought about what it’s like to follow Jesus in a world that tries to ignore Him.

Please pray for us as the wisdom gained sinks in, and help us to know that as we seek to grow into men of standing and women of noble character, God will help us to do that as it’s what he wants for us!

Thanks. The Focus Team

Page 7

In Touch Extra

Access to Upper Room & Office

The key has been changed to the office

as well as the mag’ lock key codes for

the building. If you need access please

contact the office on 0161 428 8050

Rental House/Flat required

Can you help?

We have members of our congregation look-ing for properties to rent in the Cheadle area.

One person is looking for a 1 bed flat, and one couple is looking for a 2/3 bed house.

If you know of someone who may be able to help, please contact the office, Thanks

Tuesday @ Two A group for ladies and gentlemen to which all are most welcome.

We meet most Tuesday's in the Mosley Hall on the first floor of the Upper Room.

Starting at 2 pm, our meeting finishes about 3.30- 3.45 pm.

We begin with prayer, hymn, birthday wishes and announcements, another hymn, a speaker, re-freshments and chat! This format can vary.

Our ages vary from 60+ but all are welcome

A small charge of £1.50 is made.

Our Programme for March:

5th: Brenda Lowe with a title of Pancake Day—We provide the pancakes, would you like to bring your memories of any amusing or special pancake days.

12th. Andrew Dyer: 50 years a Church Army Evangelist

19 th. Janet Hiles: Mercy Ships

26 th. Howie Pickering: Families Church Worker, St Cuthberts.

Please do join us but, If you would like to come yet feel a bit uncertain please contact one of the leaders- Peter Dooley or Brenda Lowe via the Parish Office 0161 428 8050.

We look forward to seeing you and promise you a warm welcome!

British Heart

Foundation

Collections Free and Fast collection from the British

Heart Foundation for your unwanted fur-

niture and electrical items.

You may not want your old sofa, TV or

fridge—but they do. They’ll collect them

from your home and find them a new life.

The funds raised will help save countless

lives.

Book a collection on : 0161 8259260

Or go to their website at

www.bhf.org.uk/collection

Rector: Rob Munro 428 3440

rob.munro@cheadle.org.uk

Associate Minister Stan Tomalin 491 6939 stan.tomalin@cheadle.org.uk Associate (St.Cuths) Mike Newman 428 5212 mike@stcuthberts.org

Youth Pastor Luke Blakeley luke.blakeley@cheadle.org.uk Operations Jon Drayton 428 8050 operations@cheadle.org.uk

Finance Jo Davids 428 8050 jo.davids@cheadle.org.uk

PA/Comms Liz Woods 428 8050 liz.woods@cheadle.org.uk

On This Week! Note unusual events in Bold

Church Office, The Upper Room,

11 Wilmslow Road, Cheadle, SK8 1DW

www.cheadle.org.uk

Today’s Bible Readings

8.00am No HC until 24 March

Morning Services - 9.30 & 11.15am

Mark 2:23-3:6 (p1004)

@11.15 Ezk 20:10-20 (p830)

Evening Service - 6.30pm

Luke 3:21-38 (p1030)

FOCUS ON… Community & Social

Next week

The Bible readings being

preached are (to prepare for):

Morning Services

Eph 6:1-9 (p1177)

Evening Service

Luke 4:1-13 (p1030)

Sunday

3rd March

First Sunday

before Lent

8.00am

9.30am

11.15am

2.00pm

5.00pm

6.30pm

8.00pm

No Holy Communion until 24th March

Nine-thirty Service (Mike Lowe)

with Sunday School Groups

Morning Worship (Mike Lowe)

Harvest of Nations Outreach in UR

Rooted meet before evening service

Communion Service (Stan Tomalin)

Focus meeting in Upper Room

Monday

4th March

9.00am

1.15pm

4.30pm

6.00pm

Staff prayers/meeting in UR

No open Church

Funeral of Jack Livesey in church

Primary Saints Sports Club in UR

Juice Puppets meet 2nd floor UR

Tuesday

5th March

9.30am

2.00pm

3.45pm

7.30pm

7.45pm

TESOL lesson 2nd floor UR

Tuesday@2 in UR (see full notice in the

extra pages of the noticesheet)

Dynamos KS2 meeting

Christianity Explored in UR Cafe

Discipleship Course 2nd floor UR

Lent Courses start at St Cuthbert’s

Wednesday

6th March

10.00am

12noon

7.45pm

Mustard Seed in UR Hall

Lent lunch at St Chad’s, Cheadle

Lent Courses start at St Mary’s

Thursday

7th March

8.00am

9.30am

10.00am

1.15pm

8.00pm

Deadline for In Touch content to office

Bible study/Bright Start crèche in UR

TESOL conversation 2nd floor UR

DECKers meet at Iris’ home

Men’s Pub night at Platform 5

Friday

8th March

10.00am

10.30am

10.30am

1.00pm

7.00pm

Café Crafters in Moseley Hall

Noah’s Ark in church

Keep Fit Keep Young in Sports Hall

No Limits Friendship Group meet

Forge meeting in UR

Saturday 9.00am

9.30am

Prayer Meeting in the Upper Room

Cheadle Board Room

Sunday

10th March

First Sunday

of Lent

8.00am

9.30am

11.15am

2.00pm

5.00pm

6.30pm

8.00pm

No Holy Communion until 24th March

Communion Service (Stan Tomalin)

with Sunday School Groups

Morning Prayer (Stan Tomalin)

Harvest of Nations Outreach in UR

Rooted meet before evening service

Evening Service (Rob Munro)

Focus meeting in Upper Room

Community and Social encompasses everything from Swanwick, The Big Lunch, Safari Suppers and Bring and Share lunches, to the Bell-ringers, No Limits, DECKers, Third Age, Netball, Cheadle Board Room, Coderdojo, many more and everything in-between! Every one of these groups gives us two wonderful opportunities: to build lasting friendships and introduce those who don't yet know Jesus to life in the kingdom of God.

If you're not yet part of a group, why not join one, and bring a friend! And if there's a group you'd love to be part of but which doesn't yet exist, why not start one yourself :)

CLERGY

CHURCH OFFICE

Transformation not just Affirmation! At the heart of our culture and our national church is a

debate about what people most need for a fulfilled and healthy life.

Nationally, mental health issues, particularly among young people, are

increasing each year—while the rhetoric that is used to address them is,

“Be who you are!” But no wonder so many struggle when culture and

experience tells you that who you are is not really that significant, and

only offers ‘salvation’ by being a celebrity, by finding significance in the

fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying quest for five minutes of fame.

Even in the Church, there is a similar narrative around—the so-called

gospel of “inclusion”—which takes a deep truth, that ‘God loves you

whoever you are’ and twists it to the idea that ‘God affirms you as you

are’ - as though faith is just an affirmative therapy—a way to boost your

self-esteem and legitimise your personal choices, whatever they are.

But Jesus’ good news is not focussed on affirming us, but transforming

us. It is a gospel of REPENTANCE and faith, of the turning around of life

from the ways that lead to self-harm (because sin ultimately does that!)

and eternal judgement, and instead finding a narrow path that leads to

life in its fullness (Mat.7:13-14). As Paul says, we are to be ‘..transformed

by the renewing of our minds” Rom 12:2, and “...transformed into his

(Jesus’) image with ever-increasing glory which comes from the lord,

who is the Spirit” 2 Cor.3:18. Jesus’ way for our lives is not an

introspection that can lead so many into depression, but a renewed

vision of our true glory, to which we are working and which will be

realised in his presence when we see him face to face. It is our

transformation, not affirmation, that is the good news!

That is the challenge we are called to face as a church, because a

commitment to gospel transformation rather than personal affirmation,

means being less bothered about ‘what can I get out of something?’

and more with ‘how I can be part of changing something for the better?’;

less on ‘does it make me feel good?’ and more ‘is it doing others good?’

God has called us here together to make a difference, to see things

change—in us by grace, and in our community by serving them. So if

you are not sure how you can be part of changing things, have a word

with one of our leaders, join in with one of our areas of service, and help

us change the world by sharing Jesus! Yours in His service, Rob