St Elphin’s Chronicle

November 2019

Vol 131

Price 30p

Saturday 2nd November

7.00pm Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed

Sunday 3rd November, All Saints Sunday

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Sung Eucharist

3.00pm Confirmation Service with the Bishop of Warrington

6.30pm Annual Memorial Service

Wednesday 6th November

10.00am Holy Communion

Sunday 10th November, Remembrance Sunday

9.00am Holy Communion

11.00am Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph – all welcome

6.30pm Evensong

Wednesday 13th November

10.00am Holy Communion

Sunday 17th November, 2nd Sunday before Advent

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Sung Eucharist

12.30pm Holy Baptism

4.00pm Together@4 Service (St Elphin’s Community Centre)

6.30pm Evensong

Wednesday 20th November

10.00am Holy Communion

Sunday 24th November, Christ the King

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Sung Eucharist

6.30pm Evensong

Wednesday 27th November

10.00am Holy Communion

St Elphin’s Church Services

November 2019

Worship in the Parish

Sundays:

8.30am Holy Communion

10.30am Parish Eucharist

12.30pm Holy Baptism (1st & 3rd only)

6.30pm Evensong

Wednesdays:

10.00am Holy Communion

Saints’ Days and other Holy Days

7.30pm Holy Communion (unless stated otherwise)

Morning and Evening Prayer are said daily in Church at 8.00am and

5.00pm respectively Monday, Tuesday (Evening Prayer only),

Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, (unless stated otherwise on the

weekly notice sheet or in the magazine).

A Loop System is in operation in the Church to assist hearing aid

users. Please switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position for it to be

effective.

There are large print copies of the Hymn Book and the

Communion Service. Please ask the Church Wardens or

Sidespeople if you would like a copy.

Special Services are announced through Church Notices, the Parish

Magazine and the Website as necessary.

Holy Communion is taken regularly to the Sick and Housebound by our Clergy and

Team of Licensed Eucharistic Ministers. Please inform the Clergy when

parishioners are ill, either at home or in hospital.

The Parish Staff

Acting Rector Reverend Stewart McTaggart stewartmctaggartis@hotmail.com

07540-344870

Reader Mr L Marsh

14 Queens Avenue

WA1 3BP

Reader Emeritus Mr R Whitticombe

3 Franklin Close

WA5 8QL

01925-564408

Church Wardens Mr A Wright

5 Kinsale Drive

Locking Stumps

WA3 6LX

01925-821048

Miss K J Hayes

8 Charlton Street

WA4 1LX

01925-656790

Organist and

Choirmaster

Nigel Kirk

Websites:

St Elphin’s: http://www.warringtonparishchurch.org

Diocesan Website: http://www.liverpool.anglican.org

Cathedral Website: http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

www.facebook.com/warringtonparishchurch

Please do visit and ‘Like’ our Facebook page so you can keep up to

date with events and services in our church and ‘share’ this with

others whom you connect with on social media.

Do carols playing in the supermarket in October upset you? Do you

shake your head in wonder when Hot Cross buns appear in the same

supermarket on Boxing Day? If so, it is most likely that you are a person

who regards themselves as a Christian.

I recently observed a fellow Christian in a supermarket get a bit annoyed

when the wider community in their opinion got things wrong, playing

Carols in October. They should know, they argued, it’s not even Advent,

and even if it was, Advent is a time of mindful and prayerful preparation

and that carols only really have a place on Christmas Eve and Christmas

Day.

But I thought to myself, we can be accommodating when pressed, and we

can enjoy a service of Carols even if it takes place a couple of weeks

before Christmas. In these events there is, however, a certain amount of

eye-rolling and head-shaking when we hear school choirs singing

‘Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ or ‘Jingle Bells’.

While there can be a certain amount of comfort about having superior

knowledge, it can come across as being a bit smug and superior when

watched from afar. I am also reminded of a passage from St Paul’s letter

to the Roman’s 12:2 ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of

God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ That being the case, I want

to offer another way of responding, one that is grounded in our own

lives rather than in observing the lives of others.

The seasons of the Church year have not grown out of a desire to

regulate the rhythms of nations and individuals. The origins of festivals

and fasts are to be found in the desire of the people of faith to embrace

the fullness of life. In liturgy, the Lectionary guides us through the

Scriptures, ensuring that our reading does not dwell solely on those parts

which we find most edifying, but includes the more difficult aspects of

God’s word. The festivals and fasts perform the same function, at times

bringing us to our knees in confession, and at other times, raising our

hands to the heavens in celebration. The seasons of the Church function

to bring each of us closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and should not be an

invitation to look elsewhere in judgement.

So I offer two suggestions. The first is to rejoice wherever and whenever

you hear a carol or see a hot cross bun. Rejoice, for somehow the

rumour of God has not departed from the people. If you are able, talk

about what the people sing, see and eat. These things offer invitations

that might bring some closer to Jesus. But rejoice, for signs of God and

sacrifice are still in our community!

The second is to make these moments opportunities for prayer and

reflection. How much better it would be if every sight of a hot cross bun

invokes in each of us a simple prayer acknowledging and thanking God

for the Cross and the promise of Resurrection. And how much better it

might be if that prayer starts the moment after we affirm the birth of

Jesus. How might it be if the sound of a carol in a supermarket in

October or November brought not annoyance, but thanksgiving for

Jesus’ birth?

I do not imagine that these suggestions will be easy to follow, for there is

a great weight of ‘rightness’ that resists such ideas. After all, what is going

on with chocolate flavoured hot cross buns? However, it does seem to

me that showing our heart toward others and challenging ourselves is a

good approach to every season of the year and especially as we move

from autumn and prepare for the season of Advent.

Lee

St John’s Court

The next service of Holy Communion at St John’s Court

will be on Tuesday 5th November at 11.30am.

All are welcome.

Please use this prayer as the Church seeks to appoint a new Rector.

Faithful God, you guide your people and raise up leaders in every

generation. We seek the person you are calling to be the next Rector of

Warrington and St Elphins. By your Spirit, give to all those involved in the

appointment good counsel, holy insight and sound judgement. Keep the

person you are calling under the shadow of your wing, and teach us all to

trust in the guidance, which is yours alone, through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen.

Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed

Saturday 2nd November at 7.00pm.

Please see one of the wardens if you want loved ones names adding to

the list. Please do attend if their names are being read out.

Confirmation 2019

Our Confirmation this year is on Sunday 3rd November at 3.00 pm. The

Bishop of Warrington, the Right Reverend Beverley Mason will officiate

at the Service.

If you would like to be confirmed this year please complete the green

application form at the back of church and return to Rev. Stewart or the

Churchwardens as soon as possible.

Advance Notice

There will be a parish trip to see Peter Pan at Liverpool Empire on

December 28th. Tickets will be about £11.00. More details to follow.

Christingle is coming…

Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December at 3.00pm

The cardboard candles for collecting donations for the Children’s Society

will be available in Church at the end of the month. Please take one, fill

with coins and return at the service.

All are welcome.

Church Finances latest update Over several years many people have left money and given donations to help with

maintaining the fabric of St Elphin’s parish church. This money is gratefully

received and has allowed us to build up a pot of money to keep the church in

good order. These funds are restricted for maintenance of the building and

cannot be used to meet monthly outgoings. These regularly outgoing include:

Parish Share - which pays for our clergy, monthly salaries, training and pension

Gas / Electricity

Insurance - almost £1,000 per month

General / water rates and maintenance on clergy housing

Secretarial and other administrative expenses including printing

Other expenses relating to parish business

I intend to provide brief details of the monthly income and expenditure in the

magazine but if anyone would like more details please see me.

Month Income Expenditure

January £4,774 £7,619

February £4,042 £6,457

March £10,807 £7,812

April £9,368 £7,340

May £5,808 £8,960

June £9,279 £8,740

July £9,230 £7,397

August £4,523 £7,587

Sept £10,857 £ 7,037

Total £68,688 £69,988

Wedding Deposits: £5,000 March: £1,158, June: £1,896, July: £1082 August, the

expenditure for which will occur when the wedding takes place. Only a small

portion of wedding receipts are available to the church the rest are payable to

Organist, choir, and Diocese depending what the couple have paid for. £3,884 of

the balance held in the general account are wedding deposits for future dates.

Tax reclaim from inland revenue April £3853, July £1943. Please remember if you

pay tax and give your details to Dianne Rothwell the church can reclaim the tax

you have paid with no additional cost to you.

£4078 from Autumn Fayre in September income

Wendy Bailey, PCC Treasurer

Your Church

needs Funds Four simple ways to donate

Cash on Plate

Weekly Envelope Scheme

Please speak to Arnold Wright if you

would like a box of envelopes

Bank Transfer

Please speak to Wendy Bailey for our

bank details

Parish Giving Scheme Please ask Wendy Bailey for more

information or a starter pack

Please speak to Dianne Rothwell if you

are able to gift aid your donation

St Elphin’s Church

Christmas

Craft Fayre

Saturday November 23rd

11.00am – 3.00pm

Grand Raffle to be drawn at 2.30pm

Hand-made Crafts

Christmas Gifts

Jewellery

Fancy Frames

Cakes

Refreshments

Hand-made Cards

Face Painting

Tombola

and much much more!!

Start your Christmas shopping early!!

Christmas Raffle Tickets for the Christmas Raffle are now available in church. This year

we have decided not to go for pre-printed books as last year they cost

more than the first two prizes added together!!

Please do take as many packs as you can to sell to your friends and

neighbours. Tickets need to be returned to church by 17th November at

the latest please.

This year as well as the usual cash prizes the rest will consist of various

hampers. A list of items required will appear at the back of church – if

you are able to donate one please sign the list.

Thank you

Quiz Night In St Elphin’s Community Centre

Friday 29th November 2019

at 7.30pm

Please note change of time

Tables of 4

£4.00 each including refreshments

Bring your own drink

Completed boxes need to be returned to church by Sunday 10th Nov

November sees Mothers Union challenging gender-based violence with

16 days of activism including a service in Liverpool on 29th November.

Members in Scotland have been highlighting the horrific impact of

domestic abuse through a powerful shoe exhibition. Hilary Moran

represents Mothers’ Union in Scotland on the Inter-Faith Anti Trafficking

Group produced a display called, “The Souls of our Shoes – A journey

into and out of Domestic Abuse.”

“Its primary purpose is to raise awareness of domestic violence. We do this a

number of ways through talks, workshops, conferences and the shoe

exhibition,” said Hilary. “Our recent ventures have been into secondary schools

and I have taken it into prisons. They asked for workshops for the prisoners

and staff,” she continued. The exhibition was shown at Mothers’ Union’s

General Meeting in Edinburgh in September 2017 and is now being used

throughout the UK and Ireland by other members.

Lord, we pray for strength and support for all who experience gender-

based violence, those who feel frightened, alone and friendless. May they

know your love and feel your presence at this time. We pray for

volunteers and staff at refuges and all who work to counteract gender-

based violence. Empower them to foster love, peace and reconciliation

in their communities. Speak up for those who cannot speak for

themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13th November 7.30pm at St

Elphin’s Community Centre. Our speaker for the evening will be Chris

Waddleton. All welcome to join us for this meeting

Diocesan Events

Friday 29th November 12.00 Liverpool Cathedral – service to mark 16

days of activism against gender - based violence

Saturday 30th November – Advent Carol service All Saints Rainford

2.00pm.

If anyone is interested in the above events please see Wendy Bailey.

November 2019

Baptisms in November

17th - Sandra Kirk and Margaret Dolan

Tea / Coffee in November

Usual helpers please see list in the kitchen

There will be no cake sale in November, but any cakes not sold at the

Christmas Fayre will be available to buy on 24th November.

If anyone would like to order an individual home-made Christmas

pudding please put your name and the number required on the list at the

back of church. Available early December cost £1.80 and all proceeds to

church funds

St Elphin’s Ladies Group

Future Dates:

November 6th

Crafts with Mara

November 20th

Trebaron Garden Centre, 1.00pm

December 4th

Christmas Carols with Bob

December 18th

Christmas Lunch, 1.00pm – names to Margaret as soon as possible please

All Ladies are welcome to join us at 7.30pm in St Elphins Community

Centre. The cost is £4.00 which includes tea/coffee and a raffle.

Pause for Thought…with Norma Fox

The Lord is my light, my light and salvation: in God I trust. from Psalm 27

How cold and damp the days have become, full of mists, and darkness even

before we’ve eaten our evening meal.

November, a time when nature takes a well-earned rest from its vigorous

efforts of growth and beauty. A time when my hedgehogs seek out their

winter home to hibernate from the cold in their little house amongst the

dying ferns at the back of my old shed. The birds that are leaving have left.

Winters dark moodiness sets in.

So, you can imagine my surprise when I walked through my garden on such a

damp dark day and noticed that the winter jasmine climbing up the fence was

already coming into flower. Soon there would be a cascade of bright winter

flowers to brighten the view from my sitting room windows.

It seems strange that such spring-like flowers should begin to bloom in the

darkest of months when most plants are resting. They seem to bring a ray of

hope at a time when the days are at their shortest and dullest. I was

reminded of something I read recently: ‘Even in darkness, light dawns for those

who believe.’ It’s something positive for us to hold on to and take comfort in.

The light that always shines is the Christ light illuminating our lives and

overcoming the darkness and filling us with His living care.

During baptism services a candle is lit and given to the parents of the child, a

symbol of light, and words directed to the child ‘Shine as a light in the world, to

the glory of God the Father.’

Jesus bids us all to shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in

the night, and in this world of darkness so we must shine, you in your small

corner, I in mine. Opening our hearts and minds to the light of Christ’s love

will change our lives in so many ways and we in turn will draw others from

darkness to light.

On Monday He gave me the gift of love,

Tuesday peace came from above.

On Wednesday He told me to have more faith

Thursday He gave me a little more grace.

On Friday He told me to watch and pray,

Saturday He told me just what to say,

On Sunday He gave me the power divine

TO LET MY LITTLE LIGHT SHINE verse from a child’s hymn

Readers and Prayer Rota for November

8.30am 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm

Reader Prayers Reader Reader

3rd Susan J Thelma W Barbara E Memorial Service

10th 9.00am Rev Stewart Chris Bean Barbara Eden

17th Susan J Thelma W Barbara E SW / AW

24th Sue Burke Barbara Eden Margaret G SW / AW

Communicants and Collections

Week ending Collections

22nd September 68 502.73

29th September 87 658.65

6th October 72 711.60

13th October 81 1097.80

20th October 91 743.45

Donations:

General Fund

In memory of John Marley 1th November, a much loved

Husband, Dad and Grandad, from Ann Marley 50.00

Warburton - In loving memory of my brother Harry, who

passed away peacefully at home on 5th 0ctober from Mary 100.00

Happy memories of Uncle Harry Lots of Love from Sue,

Sandie and Amy 60.00

Anniversary memories of Arthur Cresswell from Dianne 10.00

Birthday memories of Marjorie Cresswell from Dianne 10.00

Anniversary memories of John Rothwell from Dianne 10.00

Parish Registers

Holy Baptism

20th October

Declan Verdon

Sophie Charnock

Mila Kathy Verdon

Jack David William Berry

Gracie Mai Daniels

Sophie Louise Daniels

Shine as lights in the world to the Glory of God the Father

Holy Matrimony in October

4th Jonathon Leslie Brown and Jane Elizabeth Pownall

Those Whom God Hath Joined Together

Let No Man Put Asunder

Christian Burial & Cremation in October

15th Norman Wilford Age 94

Rest Eternal grant unto them O Lord.

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

Social and Group Activities

All members of the Church and local community are welcome to come

and join with us in these and any occasional activities which are

announced in Church or advertised on the Church Notice Board.

Tuesday

7.30pm St Elphin’s Church Choir Practice in Church

Wednesday

6.45pm St John’s Brownies – Smile Centre, Sandy Lane

7.30pm St Elphin’s Ladies Group (1st & 3rd only) meet in the

St Elphin’s Community Centre

7.30pm Mothers’ Union – St Elphin’s Community Centre

(2nd only)

Thursday

5.15 –

6.15pm

9th Warrington Rainbows – St Elphins Community

Centre

6.30pm St Elphin’s Brownies – St Elphin’s School

6.30pm St Elphin’s Guides–St Elphin’s Community Centre

Friday

6.30 -

7.30pm

Beavers - (Boys/Girls aged 6 – 8)

6.30 –

8.00pm

Cubs - (Boys/Girls aged 8 - 10)

6.45 –

9.00pm

Scouts - (Boys/Girls aged 10 - 14)

At Howley Fairfield Neighbourhood Project,

Fairfield Street. For more details contact Debbie

(Group Scout Leader) on 07804 267310

School

St Elphin’s (Fairfield) CE Primary School

Head Teacher: Mrs Allison Bennett

635143

Bookings: made with the Head Teacher

St Elphin’s Junior Church

Sundays at 10.30am in the Choir Vestry

Occasional Services

Holy Baptism

1st and 3rd Sundays in the month at 12.30pm

Arrangements to be made with the Rector or Church Wardens

Holy Matrimony and Banns

Arrangements to be made with the Rector or Church Wardens

Funerals

Arrangements are usually made with the Rector by the Funeral

Director who has been engaged.

The Church Wardens hold a surgery in Church on Saturdays from

10.00am to 11.00am for Applications for Baptism, Holy Matrimony

and Banns.

The Clergy are available at any time in cases of emergency.

AB Electrical Plumbing and

Property Maintenance

All trades covered Commercial & Domestic

Plastering, Plumbing, Hard & Soft Landscaping,

General Garden Upkeeping,

Painting, Roofing,

Pointing, General Building Maintenance,

Wall & Floor Tiling

Any odd jobs

over 20 year’s experience

Tel 07960 862315 Tony Blakeman

For that Special Occasion

The Winmarleigh Rooms Large and small licensed Function Rooms available for:

Wedding Receptions, Christenings, Birthdays etc

For further information and bookings please contact:

The Winmarleigh Rooms

Winmarleigh Street

Warrington

01925 651468

Email: enquiry@winmarleighrooms.co.uk

We clean your oven……

so you don’t have to.

Call today to have your

oven, hob, extractor or

Aga professionally cleaned

Steve Webster contact details:

Tel 01925 816748, Mob tel. 07988 594770

www.ovenwizards.com

Knox & Son Ltd

Independent Family Funeral Directors

• 24 Hour Personal Care • Private Chapels of Rest

• Pre-Paid Funeral Plans • Horse Drawn Hearse Available

• Religious and Non Religious Ceremonies

43-45 Orford Road, Warrington

01925 633388

Shelley’s Restaurant & Coffee Shop

8 Bold Street, Warrington

01925 654000

Bewsey Road, Warrington, WA2 7LW

01925 445555

Funeralcare

Cheshire Funeral Services

Park View Funeral Home

57 Gorsey Lane, Warrington

01925 571048

‘Caring for our Community’

part of the Co-op Funeralcare group

Hospice Shops

Birchwood 01925 825561

Bridge Foot (Furniture) 01925 650800

Golden Square 01925 575780

Hood Manor 01925 629494

Latchford Village 01925 415414

Longford Street, Warrington 01925 411626

Lymm 01925 758057

Stockton Heath 01925 602932

Readers are encouraged to support our Sponsors

who have given generously towards our costs.

Thursday’s 9.30am, 11.30am

5.30pm & 7.30pm

Friday’s 9.30am & 11.30am

The Grange Social Club

Grange Avenue

WA4 1QH

Tel Mike 07867 531764

slimmingworld.co.uk

0344 897 8000