The Green Spire

The Parish Magazine ofSt Andrew, Orford with Longford

September 2015

School News 2From the Vicar – come to the festival 3What’s on in September 5 Lawrence’s Roundabout Well Appeal for harvest 6Who’s On in September 7160 year’s service to Warrington 8What the PCC decided... 10Macmillan Coffee Morning coming soon 11Snippets from the Church Times 12Meet our new Archdeacon designate 13General Synod 14WAC attack 2015 15Notice Board 16Mariapolis 2015 17As I see it – by Churchmouse 19Praying for the world-wide Church 20United Society’s David Brand visits Lesotho 22From the Registers 25Sing with the heart ... and with understanding 28Prayer Intentions for September 29

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The Green Spire is published monthly. Copies are 35p per month, or £3.50 for a year’s subscription – normally payable in January. Enquiries about advertisements welcome.

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School News

At this time of year, you’d expect there to be little to report, but you would be wrong!

The Summer Fair went well, just a week before the end of term. There were lots of stalls run by staff, parents and helpers and parents and grandparents turned out in force to support the school. The weather was good and everyone seems to have enjoyed it.

Year 6 children went off to Robinwood in the very last week of term and came back weary after having a great time. Next (school) year, children from Year 6 will go away together at the beginning of the school and are going to the Activity Centre at Menai for a residential where they will take part in a series of team building activities. Most are already signed up for it and really excited about it.

On the last day of term, the whole school came into church for what used to be known as the ‘Leavers’ Service’. This year, it was a celebration of some of the many thing s that each of the different classes had achieved over the year. The choir sang, the different year groups all did something, including Year 6 who have now moved on to high schools around the town. It was a splendid occasion and we were glad to see so many people come to church to support the school.

Over the ‘holidays’, contractors have moved in to undertake a number of major refurbishments. The entrance and corridors have been decorated giving them a light, airy feel. A new suspended ceiling has been installed in the kitchen, completing refurbishment in there for the time being and making it fit for purpose once again.

Possibly the most exciting innovation comes in the form of a new nurture room in the area that was once the sanctuary when St Andrew’s Church worshipped in the school building (some of you will remember it). It will be a special place for learning, especially for those children who need a bit of space for whatever reason. The PE store will be moved and that area will be a room for teaching staff to prepare away from the hustle and bustle of the classroom. Who says nothing happens over the summer?

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From the Vicar:I hope you’ve had a good summer and found a little time for yourself during August.

September is just about on us and there’s always a feeling that it marks the start of a new year. For those in education, whether as pupils, students or teachers, this is quite obvious. Classes change and so do teachers. Some children move to new schools and older students move on to higher education. For the rest of us, not directly involved, there is still a feeling that a new year is just about to begin.

In some parts of the Church, New Year (1st January) is an important festival in its own right. Many Free Church denominations have Watch Night services (though not quite as many as once did) and the many Methodist churches hold their all-important Covenant Service.

In the Anglican tradition, we do not have anything quite like that, although Times and Seasons, the book specially designed to help us celebrate special occasions in the life of the Church, does have a service for New Year.

Here at St Andrew’s, we are fortunate in that we have our Dedication Festival at the beginning of September.

Many of you will know already that our church was consecrated (dedicated) on St Andrew’s Day (30th

November) so that day was both our Patronal Festival and our Dedication Festival. When the work on the church, following the fire in 2009, was completed, we moved back into church at the beginning of September and this seemed a good reason to celebrate our Dedication Festival on the first Sunday of the month. Not only is it an opportunity to give thanks for the church, building and people, but it nicely marks the beginning of the ‘new year’ in a similar way to the Methodist Covenant Service.

Our thoughts often start with the building and we are indeed fortunate to have what I consider to be one of the finest modern churches in the diocese. It is light and airy; its generous proportions speak of the majesty of God and there is an atmosphere of faithful worship that spans more than fifty years.

But it’s not long before our attention turns to the people who make up St Andrew’s – the true church of God in this place. Without the people, the building would be no more than an empty shell. But once you consider the people, the worshipping congregation, it becomes a house of

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prayer and fellowship in which we try to live out our daily commitment to God our Father.

Over the summer, we have been growing a new variety of cucumber in the greenhouse. From the very beginning, it was a vigorous strain, soon outgrowing its first pot and then a larger one. Firmly rooted in grow-bags, it has blossomed. It grew at quite a rate and was prone to branching. Now, the side-shoots seem to be everywhere. They’ve got between the tomatoes; they are running round the frame and climbing up the canes I put in to support them. They are producing handsome fruit, too.

The Church of God, the true Church, should be like that cucumber. Rooted in the church, we should go out into the world and spread our influence in every place we go – in clubs and classes, with friends and neighbours, at home with our

families or when we meet new people. And it should be a joy rather than a drudge.

Do come along to the Dedication Festival this year. It falls on Sunday 6th September. My hope is that everyone will make a special effort to be there and I invite you to our ‘new year party’. It’s not often that we all get together on the one occasion. I know there are all sorts of reasons which make it difficult, but if we could all worship together on that Sunday, I’m sure it would set us up for the coming year I look forward to seeing you on the 6th.

Later in the magazine, I’ve reproduced the Methodist Covenant Prayer. It is a beautiful prayer and a fitting one at this time.

Michael Raynor

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St Andrew’s Charity Shop

every Wednesdayfrom 10am to 3pm in the Hall

Drop-in for tea and toast. Carer’s advice desk

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What’s on in September... Sunday 30th The Thirteenth Sunday after TrinityAugust 10.00am Sung Eucharist

12 noon Holy Baptism

Monday 31st 10.00am Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale – helpers from 8.45am please

Wednesday 2nd Sept School re-opens

Sunday 6th THE DEDICATION FESTIVALSeptember 10.00am Sung Eucharist

Thursday 10th 8.00pm Thursday Ladies' Club meet at the vicarage

Sunday 13th The Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday 15th 8.00pm PCC meeting in church

Sunday 20th The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist

Monday 21st 6.15pm Parish reps. meeting at the cathedral

Thursday 24th 8.00pm Thursday Ladies' Club meet in the vicarage

Saturday 26th 10.00-12 noon Macmillan Coffee morning in the HallNB. Wedding cancelled

Sunday 27th The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist12 noon Holy Baptism

Sunday 4th The Eighteenth Sunday after TrinityOctober 10.00am Sung Eucharist

12 noon Holy Baptism

There are regular weekly celebrations of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm and Thursday morning at 10.30am. Celebrations on Saint’s Days are published on the Sunday sheet. All are welcome.

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Harvest AppealWe are delighted to report that the PCC approved Lawrence’s Roundabout Well Appeal for this year’s Harvest project. There will be a collection in church on Sunday 11th October and there will be a fund-raising supper on the Saturday evening (10th).

This is an exceptional charity doing really important work at minimal cost. Whole communities benefit from a readily available and reliable source of clean water. Women and children no longer have a long walk each day to fetch water that is often unfit for human consumption and vulnerable people in the community, whether young, old or ill don’t risk their lives every time they take a drink. Children have the fun of riding the roundabout while pumping water from deep in the ground. There are public health notices on at least two sides of the tank with life-giving messages. Revenue from these notices pays for routine maintenance to the pumps and other equipment. The impact of each of these wells is hard to over-estimate.

Having already raised £926,000, Virginia Prifti, the founder of Lawrence’s Wells is hoping to reach the £1 million mark before the end of the year, which also marks ten years since the charity began.

Tickets will be available shortly for the supper. Do come and support it – it will be good fun and we also hope it will raise a lot of money for the Well Appeal.

Professional Floristry for All Occasions

Soft Toys, BalloonsPlants and Cards

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MISS DAISY’S

Station Road, Great Sankey Tel/Fax: 01925 728973

Who’s on in September…

2015 SIDES-PEOPLE READER INTERCESSOR OFFERTORY

6 Sep B. BoscoeB. Glover A. Gorman W. McKinnon Sunday School

13 Sep M. GreatorexH. Smyth M. Harrington J. Raynor J. Brookman

C. Muir

20 Sep I AppletonM Harrington Don Miller Sunday School M. Ellison

M. Loughead

27 Sep J DevereuxM Ellison M. Brown D. Kirk A. Yeamans

D. Yeamans

4 Oct L. GiblinP. Smith W. McKinnon Don Miller B. Boscoe

B. Glover

2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTING COLLECTIONS

6 Sep L. Giblin I. Appleton / M. Ellison13 Sep L. Giblin V. Carter / J. Raynor20 Sep J. Raynor B. Boscoe / B. Glover27 Sep J. Raynor P. Smith

4 Oct I. Appleton / M. Ellison

2015 TEA ROTA READ ON WEDS EVE HALL CLEANING

6 Sep M. Ellison / P. Smith Don Miller (9 Sep) Fr Michael13 Sep M. Harrington N. Lee (16 Sep) J. Devereux20 Sep F. Greatorex / L. Giblin D. Kirk (23 Sep) C. Worrall27 Sep B. Boscoe / Glover Fr Michael (30 Sep) Fr Michael

4 Oct M. Harrington Don Miller (7 Oct) J. Devereux

We really need at least one volunteer to help make and serve tea once a month. If you think you could help, please speak to Fr Michael. Of course, a couple more wouldn’t go amiss!

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Please look at the new rota and check that you can do your allotted duties. If you are not available, please arrange a swap and mark it clearly on the rota displayed on the notice board. Thank you

160 years of the YMCA in Warrington

At the beginning of this year, we published an article about the Warrington YMCA who had launched an appeal for financial help to continue what is some of the most important social work done in Warrington. Veside their excellent work done with young people, they have been major players in initiatives such as WODAC (Warrington Open Door at Christmas, now Room at the Inn) and the Night Shelter. They have helped homeless people back into accomodation and fed them until they got back on their own feet.

Su Blyth, the local Director of YMCA, is the most amazing and tireless worker for the cause and also an inspirational leader. Recently, one of her helpers came to collect sleeping bags and blankets from our Charity Shop and I asked how the appeal was going. “Not well,” she said, “in fact, we are really struggling. There are still many people sleeping rough in Warrington and we need help withour young people’s work too”.

The original appeal was for groups or organisations to donate £160 (for the 160 th

year of the ‘Y’). It doesn’t seem a lot, especially if you are part of a group of people. As a church, we will ask the PCC to consider supporting the ‘Y’ as part of its annual giving but I wonder if you belong to a group, or would be willing to get together with friends, to send £160 to support this worthy cause? Would you be willing to contribute towards a gift of £160? Please don’t let this be the last year of the ‘Y’

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The Covenant PrayerThe traditional Covenant prayer used in the Methodist Church makes it very clear that this affirmation is a serious one that embraces the whole of our life, in all its parts. Most people find it quite tough to say, and really mean it. But the prayer is so central to the Christian life that other Churches have also adopted it.

In our culture we tend to prize our ability to make decisions and choose our own path in life. It can feel very hard to give that up. But this prayer is like a love poem. It is about surrendering to God in love and joy.

'I am no longer my own but yours.Put me to what you will,rank me with whom you will;put me to doing,put me to suffering;let me be employed for you,or laid aside for you,exalted for you,or brought low for you;let me be full,let me be empty,let me have all things,let me have nothing:I freely and wholeheartedly yield all thingsto your pleasure and disposal.And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it.And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.'

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What the PCC decided...At the July meeting, the PCC focused its attention on finance, but not before dealing with matters arising from the previous meeting. It was noted that the Summer Fair had exceeded last year’s total, though there was a marked drop in the number of people attending. A number of suggestions were made and it was agreed that there would be an open invitation to a meeting a couple of months before the Fair to plan and involve as many people as possible.

Walking Day went well, with a good turnout from School and Scouts contributing to one of the longest contingents of the day. The new marshalling pan seemed to work well. There was nothing to report from the Bishop’s Growth Conference held at Aintree in May, though it was noted that the Church Times did a big spread on the event.

After a summary of our current financial position, which is satisfactory at the moment, the PCC looked at a completed budget for 2015. Having supplied figures for some of the key headings, the rest had been filled in and showed a shortfall of approximately £2,000 which would be met from the Shop takings. The meeting was reminded that it was our intention to use the Shop money largely for the Hall refurbishment. Attention was drawn to the envelope giving. If it continues at the present rate, it is anticipated that there will be a drop of almost £3,000 in gift-aided giving, and over £2,000 in the non-gift aided section.

This led to a discussion of one of the priorities for 2015, namely to address giving across the church. Fr Michael reminded members that there had been two campaigns, the first of which was fairly successful and that this was due to the fact that the committee visited everyone in the giving scheme. The second, which failed to visit, produced only small increases. There was general agreement that a campaign should be considered and a small group of people agreed to investigate materials available and plan for a campaign which would probably take place after Easter 2016.

Kathy Rowan was re-elected as a Foundation Governor for school and the PCC also elected Mrs Tracy Robinson, the School’s Business Manager. Both will serve as governors for four years.

Finally, it was agreed to support Lawrence’s Roundabout Well Appeal at harvest-time and members were reminded of WAC attack at the cathedral on 31st October. The next meeting of the PCC will be held on 15th September.

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Do you want to do something amazing? Come and support the World’s Biggest Coffee morning by taking part in the event to be held on Saturday 26th September in the Hall.

Some of you may have come along last year. It was a wonderful occasion and we hope to make this year’s even better. We’ve moved to Saturday in the hope that more people can come along. It will be held in the morning and everyone will be made welcome.

There will be a delicious selection of cakes and coffee and tea. If you did come last year, you will remember the amazing cup cakes and other fancies that were made especially for the occasion. This year promises even more delicious, ‘gooey’ cakes to tempt the palate. It will be like more like a ‘show-stopper’ from the Great British Bake-Off. So please don’t miss it. Whether you can come for the whole morning or just want to drop in for ten minutes, we’d love to see you.

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Last year, the Macmillan Coffee Morning raised a staggering £25,102,796 to provide specialist nurses to care for patients and their families. This year, they hope to top that figure.

Snippets from the Church Times

The Archbishop of Wales, along with leaders of the Baptist Union, Methodist Conference and United Reformed Church condemned a recent leaflet issued by the Department of Work and Pensions. The leaflet includes the testimony of ‘Sarah’ who claimed to have improved her CV once her benefits had been cut. A freedom of information request showed that Sarah was fictitious and testimony made up. In a letter to the Telegraph, the church leaders said that the stories they had heard from claimants was very different. To the leaders, “the system has been described as ‘unjust’, ‘brutal’ and ‘encouraging a culture of contempt’ towards sick and disabled claimants.”

In a dramatic and romantic gesture, Dave Wilson proposed to his fiancée Clare Bevan, half way down an abseil of the tower of Liverpool Cathedral! After asking if he was joking, Clare said, “We had been away walking in the Peak District the week before ... and I would have thought he’d have asked me there, not when we were trussed up like chickens, harnessed, and hanging in the air from a rope. But it means I won’t ever forget it.” It seems that lots of proposals of marriage have been made on the top of the tower, but this could be the first half-way down it.

A man who planned his funeral service at his local church having been diagnosed with advanced cancer recently married his fiancée after his illness went into remission following a bone marrow transplant. The vicar, who conducted their marriage, described it as a ‘wonderful occasion’. Sean McCabe, who married Lisa Williams, said, “It went from a day of mourning and misery to one of absolute joy... I was trying to hold back the tears but I did have a little cry. It was so emotional.”

In a ‘summer special’ the Church Times investigated the growth of the flower festival. They focused on cathedrals and large minster churches and described the meticulous planning that goes into some of the biggest festivals. The often employ an artistic director to help develop the theme. Salisbury Cathedral’s Magna Flora will display 25 twelve-foot high barons as the culmination of 800 years since the signing of Magna Carta! Some of the biggest festivals will attract up to 30,000 visitors and raise around £85,000.

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Meet our new Archdeacon designate

In late August, Bishop Paul announced the first stage in the proposals of his paper ‘Fit for Mission’ being implemented – the appointment of three new Archdeacons Designate. Diocesan Synod unanimously endorsed Fit for Mission earlier this year, with the proviso that the new Archdeacon appointments are done in a way that is budget-neutral – i.e. that it does not mean an overall increase in the Diocesan budget. The Pastoral Scheme to make them full Archdeacons will begin its process soon. In the meantime, for all practical purposes, the three will function as Archdeacons alongside Archdeacon Ricky, who will continue as Archdeacon of Liverpool.

We are in the St Helens and Warrington Archdeaconry, which means we have a new Archdeacon, the Rev Roger Preece. Pete Spiers has been appointed to Sefton and Knowsley and Jennifer Mackenzie (formerly from our partner diocese of Virginia in the United States) will be the new Archdeacon of West Lancashire and Wigan.

Roger Preece [St Helens and Warrington]

Roger joins us from the Diocese of Chester where he is currently Vicar of Bowdon, a church that has been held us as a model of good practice by the Church Growth Team of the Church of England. With a number of congregations that worship in different ways, from formal cathedral-style choral evensong through to "cafe church". It also has invested in youth and children's work with over 200 teenagers connecting to different parts of church life. Roger has a strong interest in

leadership and has worked with Revd. Dr Simon Walker's teaching material on "Undefended Leadership" nationally and internationally. This stems from a business career that spanned senior roles in a range of international banks as well as being one of the founders of international management consultancy firm Capco. Inspired by Fit for Mission and our diocesan growth agenda saying "There are many challenges in being a parish priest and I want to do all I can to help

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clergy in their roles as leaders in their local communities. I also want to help encourage really good ideas to spread across parishes. "Because of the pressures of parish life, we often end up reinventing the wheel, because we don't have time to find the resources we need. I am also interested in the way in which church communities make a real contribution to their local areas through providing services such as youth work, children's work, food banks and care for the elderly." Roger achieved local and national fame as the "roller skating vicar" following his first Easter all age worship at Bowdon where he roller bladed in the church. His unusual approach, designed to stimulate thinking about the importance of the witness accounts of the Resurrection, gave him the opportunity to talk about his faith on ITV's This Morning. He is excited by the challenges the new role offers saying "I am looking forward to getting to know the clergy and parishioners of the proposed archidiaconal area around St Helens, Widnes and Warrington. I was born in the North East and as a child lived in Lancashire, but have not yet spent much time in what is the north of historic Cheshire. I am also looking forward to learning about the Diocese of Liverpool and its strategy to encourage growth in all areas of church life."

General SynodPreparations are well under-way to elect representatives to the new General Synod. Elections will take place in September, with the closing date for nominations being 1st September.

General Synod is the ruling body of the Church of England and is made up of representatives of all forty-three dioceses, along with bodies such as Religious communities and those representing universities and colleges of further education. A Synod runs for five years, meeting twice (or occasionally three times) a year.

General Synod is divided into three Houses – bishops, clergy and laity. Many votes have to be passed in all three houses, though the majority can vary. Business is wide-reaching. Some of it is purely internal while other items concern the relationship of the Church to Parliament and society at large.

Please pray for those standing for election, that they might be faithful in this calling and representative of the whole Church. Results will be published when they become known.

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The first WAC attack took place in 2009 and was a most enjoyable day out. A party from St Andrew’s took part and there was something for everyone. We were well on our way to the finals of the bowling tournament before time rudely interrupted the competition!

There was something for everyone in 2009 – and there will be something for everyone again this October when WAC attack makes a welcome return.

Archdeacon Peter has asked that every parish in the acrchdeaconry sends at least fifteen people to waht will also include his farewell service at 2.00pm.

We hope to take more than fifteen and there will be a list posted shortly in church inviting everyone to join us on this special day.

WAC attack is not limited to members of the congregaton, either. Please invite friends or family who you think might enjoy it too. The day starts at 10am so we will probably leave soon after 9am Once we know who would like to take part, we’ll make sure everyone has transport to and from the cathedral.

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Fridge and Freezers Washing Machines

Dishwashers Cookers etc

Christian Aid Sponsored Walk Joan Devereux and Lynne Giblin wish to thank everyone who supported them on the Christian Aid Walk at the beginning of July. Together they raised £80.00 towards the total of £430. Given that only five people took part this year, that’s quite an achievement.

The Electoral RollSeptember may seem a slightly odd time to mention the Electoral Roll – until you remember that anyone wishing to stand for election to the PCC or as church wardens has to have been listed on the Roll for a minimum of six months. A copy of the current Roll can be viewed on the notice board at the back of church. Please check that your name appears on it and that your address is up to date. If you are not on the Roll, please have a word with Kathy Rowan, our Electoral Roll Officer, who will give you a form. Once completed, please return it to Kathy in the next couple of weeks so that you can take a full part in the Annual Meeting in the spring.

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Car Boot Sale

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Thanks to everyone who helped and supported the Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale. We raised £420 (though there may be a couple of expenses to deduct). An

excellent result.

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THE MARIAPOLIS 2015 –Hope University

The Word Mariapolis means City of Mary and it is the name given to the summer gathering of members of the Focolare Movement. It first came about when a group of girls, who lived in Trent in northern Italy amid the destruction of the Second World War, wondering if anything was permanent and believing that only God is permanent started to put the Gospels radically into practice. Highlighted for them was Jesus’ words “Love one another as I have loved you”. They did this practically and so well that other people began to join them helping one another in the distress and deprivations of war. One year they decided to have a holiday together in the Dolomites and that was virtually the first Mariapolis. They now take place all over the World.

This year ours was held in Liverpool at Hope University and so the theme was Hope. Over 700 people came from all over this country and from Northern Ireland. I spoke to a woman and her son who were from Holland, and I know they came from as far afield as Slovenia, Italy, and Sardinia. We were also from various denominations and religions. There was a very varied programme which started with everyone together for prayer; the children then went to their own groups for their own programme. For the adults the theme of the day was presented which included keynote speeches. The first given by Professor Pilay, the Chancellor of Hope University was very well received. In his welcome to everyone it was very clear how impressed he is with Focolare spirituality and how delighted he was to have us all there. Another was given by Dr. Mohammad A Shomali a Muslim who spoke about love and was also well received. People then went to streams of their choice.

After lunch there were trips out to various places including a Tour of Beatle land or a trip to the two Cathedrals and workshops as varied as making cards or learning to meditate using the Bible called Lection divine. One afternoon some young people went to a nearby church to clear the overgrown graveyard while another group went to help The Sisters of Mercy make sandwiches for the homeless. Hopefully bringing hope in those areas. In the evening there were Services for the various denominations include Mass and Holy Communion. After Supper there were “House Groups” for sharing how they had tried to live the Gospel that day and also a Ceilidh one night and a concert called a Mariapolital on another..

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All this gives the overall picture but of course each individual experiences it for themselves and I can only “speak” for myself. I had chosen to be on the team welcoming people and giving experiences of how we met the Movement and how we tried to live the Gospel in our own life but somehow something went wrong and I was just helping people when they arrived. I was disappointed. I noticed that there was a group I could go to about sharing how we live among others and decided to go to that. When I got to the meeting I found there were about 60 teenagers and only about half a dozen adults. As I could not get out I had to stick with it. Two young adults were teaching us how to give an experience by reading a short story and then we had to say to the person next to us what we remembered were the main points of the story and then the other person said how they thought the person in the story was feeling. I joined in but I felt I need this like I needed a hole in the head.

I was sitting with two young men. One was ready to go to University in the autumn and the other was going to do some other form of training. We were then asked to share something from our own experience and both young men simply spoke about holidays they had been on. One of them said he had a fall beside the pool and ended up in hospital. When my turn came I shared an experience from working as a Personnel Officer in Industry. I told them that I had understood that I had to try to love whoever God put in front of me but that did not mean so people would think how good and loving I was but I had to remember that they were infinitely precious to god. One day a man arrived for interview for a vacancy as a machine setter. He told me he had just come out of prison for grievous bodily harm. I knew that I had to love him but also love the Foreman who would be responsible for him and for the machine operators who could have been badly injured if he had become aggressive and pushed them into a machine. I could see the two young men were listening to me carefully and I thought that perhaps they had learned something that they would not have done if I had not been there. Perhaps it was the will of God for me to be at that place and at that time. If so…I was content.

The Mariapolis went so well that it has been suggested that it be held at Hope again next year

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As I see it …by Church Mouse“Tis the last rose of summer

Left blooming alone. All her lovely companions

Are faded and gone.”

“Oh dear”, said granny Mouse, “the summer’s nearly over. It’s so sad.”

“No it’s not” said Grandpa Mouse, “you’re just not thinking straight. Just one more week and all that lot” – he pointed to a group of mouselings charging around and squeaking loudly – “will be back at school and we can have a bit of peace.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” said Granny Mouse. “The summer holidays are rather long. I found a few grey hairs the other night. It will be nice to have a bit of peace and quiet.”

Later that day, Granny and Grandpa went for a troll round the gardens. “Well,” said Granny Mouse, pointing up at the fence at the back of church. “It looks like we’re going to have a very big crop of blackberries this year.” Sure enough, the bushes were heavily loaded with the still green fruit. She could already imagine pots and pots of lovely jam and jelly, pies and tarts.

“Of course, you’re not the first to notice,” said Grandpa. “Ronnie was round here last week and he said it’s a sign of a long, hard winter. I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet!” But then he remembered this time last year when Granny Mouse got out all her jam making paraphernalia. He could sense the sticky mess, the hot steamy kitchen and the nights when the young mice complained of upset stomachs for eating the berries before they were properly ripe and prickles in their paws.

Granny and Grandpa smiled at one another. They both really loved the autumn with its fruits, vibrant colours and preparations for a cosy winter.

“Let’s go for a blackberry picnic at half-term” said Grandpa. “I’ll get the baskets ready.”

“And I’ll get the jars ready for the jam,” said Granny Mouse. “You know, I will miss the mouselings when they are back at school.”

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Churchmouse Praying for the world-wide Church

The Church of England is part of the Anglican Communion, a grouping of Churches that hold the same basic doctrines in common. It is led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and made up of Provinces.

One of the visible signs of unity is the Anglican Cycle of Prayer in which, over a period of two years, every member diocese is held in prayer on a particular day by the rest of the Communion. In our worship on Sundays and midweek, we usually join our voices with the rest of the Communion in praying for a member diocese.

Some of the dioceses will be known to us but the majority will be totally unknown. With that in mind, we will find out more about the dioceses for which we pray that month and produce a series of short articles about each of them, if the information is available.

Sunday 6th September: Diocese of Sialkot

According to Wikipedia, the Diocese of Sialkot is a diocese in the Church of Pakistan. The Church in Pakistan is relatively young, being established in 1970 following a union of Anglicans, Scottish Presbyterians (Church of Scotland), United Methodists, and Lutherans. It is the only united church in the South Asia which involves the Lutheran Church. Sialkot Diocese is part of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC). Though united, it is mainly Anglican in theology and outlook, since from the beginning Anglicans formed the bulk of the 800,000 strong membership and most of the important sees. The stated aim of WCRC, and therefore Sialkot, is to be "called to communion and committed to justice”.

The church has two theological seminaries: the Gujranwala Theological Seminary and the St Thomas' Theological College, Karachi.

Sialkot Diocese has more than 40,400 members in 45 congregations and 28 house fellowships.

Sunday 13th September: Diocese of South Dakota

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South Dakota is part of the Sixth Province of the Episcopal Church - the “Land of Mountains, Lakes and Plains”. The Province consists of eight dioceses in the north-west United States. It is surrounded by Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.

The Mission of the Episcopal Church in South Dakota is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ through the ministry of all”.

The Diocese of South Dakota is comprised of 80 churches in South Dakota (and including 2 churches in Nebraska and 1 church in Minnesota) in 7 Deaneries. Diocesan Offices are in Sioux Falls.

Sunday 20th September: Diocese of Southern Brazil

The Anglican Church in Brazil can trace its roots back to 1810 when a number of chaplaincies were established for expatriates. A new constitution in 1890 saw the Church and State formally separated and a year later, the Church began missionary work in earnest. Two presbyters, a teacher and two missionaries worked together to found what later became the Episcopal Church in Brazil. The Province is widely known for its liberal views. The majority of its priests are women thought there are no women bishops at this time.

In 1965, it became the nineteenth Province of the Anglican Communion. The Diocese of Southern Brazil is a coastal diocese serving the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Sunday 27th September: Diocese of Spokane (United States)

Spokane is located on eastern side of the United States and serves the states of Washington and North Idaho. From the website, it appears to be a lively diocese specialising in youth work and social action. On the home page, there are a couple of letters from senior clergy about how the diocese is helping those affected by forest fires. These are fairly regular events and last year’s was the largest fire in state history.

The diocese covers 35,000+ sq. miles of Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Our 38 congregations range from urban to rural, contemporary to traditional. A photo of the diocesan clergy shows about 50 people. During the summer, the

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run summer camps for young people called “Friendships, Fun and Faith” at Camp Cross.

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Us (United Society) Us Community Fundraising Manager David Brand reports on a trip to Lesotho to see first-hand a pioneering church-led community development programme.

It’s hot in Lesotho this April. A dry heat, the kind that grates on the back of your throat and makes your lips crack. I should have brought Vaseline for my lips, as was recommended before I left the UK.

It’s currently autumn in Lesotho. Soon, the warmth will give way to another freezing winter. The sky is the bluest I have ever seen it, due to the altitude and the clear air, and the brightness hurts my eyes, so different from the grey London I left.

Flying in a tiny jet aircraft into Maseru, the capital of the landlocked Mountain Kingdom, reveals just how remote most settlements in this country are, set among rugged flat-topped mountains and steep valleys.

The slopes of the mountains are grooved with parallel lines – like the contours on a map – and between the lines are agricultural terraces growing maize and sorghum.

Maseru airport is a 12-hour flight from London via Johannesburg. The Kingdom of Lesotho, roughly the size of Belgium, is surrounded by South Africa on all borders.

Lesotho’s only airport has one tarmac runway, accommodating two daily flights from Jo’burg.

When stepping onto the tarmac, myself and the other 30 or so people – businessmen and tourists, I assume – are greeted by the tiniest of terminal buildings and a team of two immigration officers.

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Having negotiated passport control, I walk through the frosted-glass automatic doors into the foyer and I’m greeted by a smile and African-style handshake that will become familiar over the next week.

The grin belongs to Thabiso Nyapisi, a Mosotho [the people of Lesotho are called Mosotho (singular) or Basotho (plural)], who works for the Cape Town-based Anglican NGO Hope Africa.

We are going to drive from the airport into the centre of Maseru (population 250,000) to buy food and provisions before we begin a three-hour drive east into the mountains. We’ll ascend to around 2,800 metres above sea level on the twisting winding pass that leads to St James Mission Hospital in Mantsonyane.

It feels familiar to step into the passenger seat of a right-hand-drive car, a surprisingly powerful Ford Fiesta. The radio is on. I ask what language the presenter is speaking in. ‘English,’ Thabiso laughs, ‘you obviously need to get used to our accent!’

In addition to English, people in Lesotho speak Sesotho, and Thabiso will be my translator in the rural communities I am here to visit.

We drive into the centre Maseru. The main roads are in decent condition: wide with a yellow line down the centre and white lines at the edges. Suddenly, it hit home that I’m in Africa! The speed of our car is in sharp contrast to the people and livestock strolling along and across the road we’re driving on. White taxi vans, crammed full of people, also lurch along slowly, precariously.

My reaction, probably similar to many people visiting from the UK, is that Africa a place of contrasts. Some things look uncannily familiar – the billboard adverts; the supermarket shopping centre with its high street names from the US.

Other things look alien to my eye – the extreme poverty; the people in corrugated-tin huts by the roadside selling fruit and other produce; the police roadblock checking the taxis. The scene bombards the senses and I sit quietly in the air-conditioned car observing the everyday life surrounding me. I catch my breath, probably a combination of the altitude and the fact I am out of my comfort zone.

As if to emphasize what a small close-knit society Lesotho is, we bump into three people Thabiso knows in Maseru: we meet one of his cousins in bureau-de-change, a friend in the supermarket, and, most oddly, the Bishop of Lesotho, who is chatting to a political minister in the car park of the shopping centre.

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Lunch eaten, the drive begins to Mantsonyane. Our little car works overtime, engine revving as we head into the high mountains. The road is good and wide and with a crash barrier at the edges to prevent vehicles from tumbling down the ravines. The scenery is stunningly beautiful, and below the tree line the yellow-green foliage is lit up by the bright sunshine. There is almost no motorised traffic on the road; about every ten minutes or so we’ll overtake one of the white-van taxis, as always packed to the gunnels with passengers.

‘How long will it take to get to St James?’ I ask.

‘Just relax, Dave,’ says Thabiso, sensing I’m tense. ‘We get there when we get there!’

About two-and-a-half hours is the answer. The 120km road to the hospital is tarmac to within about 500m of the hospital site. En route we have seen herdsmen driving sheep, goats and cattle to pasture, green-uniformed children walking their 15km journeys to school (there and back), and donkeys carrying firewood or bags of maize on the way to town market.

Thabiso points out the traditional colourful felt-like blanket that many are wearing, together with headwear, such as a grass hat. Many of the herdsmen wear balaclavas, an indication of how cold it will get during the winter.

Thabiso estimates around half the population here relies on subsistence farming, while the other half tires to make ends meet selling produce at market.

This part of Lesotho is remote and inaccessible and the new road has helped movement of goods.

Housing is mostly round mud-walled buildings, with thatched or sometimes corrugated zinc roofs.

From what Thabiso says, and what I’ll observe over the coming days, the culture here is traditional, with defined working roles for men and domestic roles for women. A respect for hierarchy, authority and formality is clear.

Over the next few days, I’ll come to love this country and the people who live here. I’ll encounter hospitality, positivity, innovation, resilience and some life-changing work.

David Brand continues his fascinating trip in next month’s Green Spire.

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Holy Baptism:

27th July: Lucas Gary HodgsonOlivia Nikita HodgsonDestiny May HughesMadelyn Frances MillsRhia-Mae Roberts

30th August: Omolola Rose ArifayanLewis Peter CurrieAlfie James HarrisonLuke Micheal HorneHarrison Matthew Olsson

Renewal of Marriage Vows:6th June Kevin and Christine Walters (renewal of vows on their

eighteenth anniversary of marriage) 1st August Ken and Ann Chadwick (renewal of vows on their thirtieth

anniversary of marriage)

Holy Matrimony:18th July James Batley and Vicki-Marie Whitworth

8th August Jamie Lee Poulton and Emma Louise Kinghorn21st August Steven Martin (Teddy) Jones and Joanne Stokes

Funerals: 9th June Mark Charles Lewis (at St Margaret’s)17th June Olive Holmes (at St Barnabas) 1st July Kenneth Arnold21st July Audrey Lawless (at The Church of the Ascension)28th July Eunice Ann Rose

4th August David John Hardy 5th Aug Maud Agnes Williams

From the Registers

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7th August Gary John Green19th August Anthony Arthur Bretherton27th August Michael (Mike) Shawn Stamp28th August Alan Pucill

Communicants and Collections: 2015 Sunday

CommunicantsMidweek

CommunicantsLoose

Collections £PlannedGiving £

5th July 34 12 58.79 306.83 12th July 31 0 95.63 169.50 19th July 37 11 56.17 172.50 26th July 40 9 16.80 96.50 2nd Aug 27 24 116.01 183.50 9th Aug 25 0 66.42 288.33

16th Aug 36 0 14.00 135.00 23rd Aug 38 10 35.01 119.20

Donations

We would like to thank everyone who has made a gift or donation to our various funds recently. Our special thanks go to:

General Fund Walking Day money (Jenny Raynor) Donation from First Prize in Grand Draw (Paul) In memory of loved ones from Rose Crozier Verger's fee (9) Barbara Richards Remembering Harry Burrell (31st July 2003) from his wife, Beryl In loving memory of Bert Lee from daughter Norma In loving memory of my Dad's birthday, Robert Cook (17 June) and also

my Mother's birthday, Elizabeth Cook (22 May) from Val Carter and family

James Brian Harrison (baptism donation) In memory of Ann Riley from Pauline Smith Coppers from Eileen Whitehead In memory of those who died in the explosion in Macclesfield from

Renee Hollingsworth Fr John Hilton

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Mr Jamie Poulton

Hall Fund In loving memory of Derek Bibby on his Year's Mind from Pauline

Flower Fund Wedding flowers (3)

Winners of the Phoenix Club Draw Sunday 26th July

First prize: 150 M. HarringtonSecond prize: 143 R. WorrallThird prize: 106 M. Giblin

Elle and EsseHair and Beauty Lodge

Unisex Hair SalonLYNETTE and SUELodge Lane, Bewsey

Warrington

Tel: 01925 232282

More tea, vicar?

On Sunday mornings, after the service, we always offer tea and coffee. Perhaps it’s just because it has been the summer holidays, but we’ve noticed that fewer people are staying. Not only is it a time to have a drink before going home, but a chance to talk to one another and meet new people when they come to worship with us. It is a simple, but effective way, of being ‘the Body of Christ’.

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Sing with the heart – and with understanding

The choristers’ prayer contains the lines: Grant that what we sing with our lips, we may believe in our hearts, and what we believe in our hearts, we may show forth in our lives. But in order to ‘believe in our hearts’, we have to understand the words and ideas that we are singing about.

How well do you understand the hymns we love to sing? Some of the ideas behind the images contained in our best loved hymns can be a little obscure, yet once you know what the author is referring to, it all makes perfect sense. There is a real beauty in hymn writing because it voices some of our innermost thoughts in a memorable way.

Most people, when they arrive in church and pick up the Sunday sheet, look first at the hymns and think, “lovely – it’s my favourite...” or sometimes, “I’m not really keen on that one” and even “This one is boring.”

In the last fifty years, many new hymns have been written, and some have stood the test of time to become firm favourites. I well remember singing I, the Lord of sea and sky for the first time at a friend’s wedding and it has become a regular choice here at St Andrew’s.

Some hymns have been written for special occasions or to commemorate important events. Who is not moved when we sing O valiant hearts on Remembrance Sunday or Abide with me, still a popular choice at funerals?

Some hymns that we sing regularly contain quite difficult ideas in them. Recently at choir practice, someone had the courage to ask “What exactly does that mean?” (They could have said “that’s utter rubbish” but they are very polite and considerate).

In the next few months, we hope to pick some of the ideas in popular hymns that we sing here at St Andrew’s and throw a little light on them: how they came to be written and what they are trying to add to our worship. Watch this space!

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Prayer Intentions for September

Tue 1st Seaford Place John, Archbishop of YorkWed 2nd Armour Avenue Our School – its staff and pupilsThu 3rd Cartmel Avenue Iraq and her neighboursFri 4th Densham Avenue St James, WestbrookSat 5th Newton Road The mission and ministry of our church

Sun 6th DEDICATION FESTIVALMon 7th Ulverston Avenue United SocietyTue 8th St Stephen's Avenue Home Care staff working locallyWed 9th Hunter Avenue Financial institutionsThu 10th Thirlmere Avenue Our ecumenical partnersFri 11th Chiltern Place St Philip, WestbrookSat 12th Crowe Avenue Our servers

Sun 13th THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 14th Hastings Avenue The Children’s SocietyTue 15th Toll Bar Place HaitiWed 16th Grisedale Avenue Archdeacon PeterThu 17th Cotswold Place Christian Aid projectsFri 18th Howson Road St Mary, Great SankeySat 19th Clough Avenue Transport workers

Sun 20th THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 21st Chiltern Crescent The Bible SocietyTue 22nd Patterdale Avenue Hollins Park HospitalWed 23rd Newhaven Road Peace in the Middle EastThu 24th Cotswold Road The Diocese of VirginiaFri 25th Windermere Avenue St Paul, PenkethSat 26th Ambleside Crescent Sportsmen and women

Sun 27th THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 28th Pentland Avenue Mission Aviation FellowshipTue 29th Buttermere Crescent Our CathedralWed 30th Bowness Avenue Social workers

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