The Green Spire
The Parish Magazine ofSt Andrew, Orford with Longford
May 2015School News 2From the Vicar 3What’s on in May 5 Who’s On in Who 7East Read Bible 8Annual Meeting Report 9The story of Psalm 8 11Snippets from the Church Times 13The Gang Show 14Notice Board 15May Saints 17As I see it – by Churchmouse 19Time for a laugh 20Mariapolis 2015 comes to Liverpool 21Granny’s Yummy Recipes 22From the Registers 23Christian Aid Week 24Intentions for May 25
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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 NewsSummer Term already – how time flies when you’re enjoying yourself!
Just before we broke up, we had a good Holy Week. Starting on Monday, we shared an Agape with the theme “I am the bread of life”. On Tuesday, after a brief introduction to Stations of the Cross, each class went away to write their own station before presenting them to the rest of school later that morning. There was a tremendous variety of ways in which the children related their understanding and their feelings of each station. One class even had video interviews!
On the Wednesday, visitors from the Barnabas Project of Scripture Union came to school and worked with individual classes on the meaning of Easter and on Thursday, the whole school came to church where Year 4 and Reception children led an excellent Easter service. This was followed by a thank you and farewell (or should it have been au revoir?) to Mrs Roberts who returns to Bewsey Lodge after a two-term secondment. Sandra has given a great deal to school and will be missed, though we’re sure she will return from time to time to see everyone.
At the beginning of this term, we welcomed Cathy Foster, our new Deputy Head, whom some of you will have already met on her visits to church. Cathy comes from St Elphin’s School, has taught across the whole age range and has a passion for school improvement.
Class visits are important in giving children new experiences which they then use to talk and write about. Year 2 children went to Crosby Hall at the beginning of term and had a wonderful time. There’s always plenty to do there, and it’s a chance to make new friends as well as strengthen existing ones. Reception children have just been to Jodrell Bank, their earlier trip having been cancelled. Mrs Gorman missed the trip having hurt her shoulder over the holiday but the children wasted no time in telling her all about it when they returned.
May 10th marks the beginning of SATs week, always an anxious time for Year 6 children (and staff). Please remember them in your prayers that week. We wish them well.
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From the Vicar:This year, May will be memorable for at least two reasons – our confirmation and the General Election.
On the 7th, the country goes to the polls to elect a new government. It has been interesting to watch the various parties, and it’s no longer a two party, or even three party, race any more. There are seven ‘main parties’ to choose from, making the choice even more difficult.
The pre-election campaign has clearly shown the main issues and each of the parties have tried to show that they are the ones who will make the difference. Whether they have convinced the electorate or not is another matter.
The Church Times ran a reader’s poll recently asking how many people trusted manifesto promises and of the ninety-one who responded (yes, it is a very small sample) 95% said they didn’t. That is quite a shocking result. It could simply be that most people recognise how hard it is to honour those commitments, especially in the days of coalition government, or it might be a more general cynicism with politics, but the message, if the poll is reliable, is
that we don’t believe every word we are told any more.
However, we need to keep this in context. As we look around the world, our system has much to commend it. There are countries that haven’t had elections for decades; others where one ruling family makes all the decisions, not always to the advantage of the people they supposedly serve; places where corruption runs high and self-interest dictates policy. Individuals who disagree with their rulers can find themselves in great danger. By comparison, we are fortunate indeed.
Just days after the Election, we will host the confirmation for candidates from St Barnabas, St James and St Andrew’s. Once again, promises will be made but this time, there’s a greater chance that they will be kept. There is a real sense in which the candidates have already honoured the promise they are about to make having already ‘turned to Christ’. If they’d not, they wouldn’t be there in the first place.
What follows is the opportunity to grow in faith; to live out the promise they have made in a practical way.
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Confirmation is important for those who are taking part, but it is equally important for the rest of us.
At most confirmations, I find myself looking back to my own confirmation almost fifty years ago. It was a very important day and one that I remember well. It was conducted by the then Bishop of Warrington, Lawrence Brown, and there were quite a few of us confirmed at the same time. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people present didn’t look back to their own confirmation at some point during the service and remember the promise to turn to Christ they first made on that occasion. Spurred on by the memory, we are encouraged to renew our commitment and even think of new ways to strengthen it. Confirmation becomes not just an historical event, but something to live by.
Secondly, being there is a tangible sign of our support for those who are taking the next important step in their spiritual journey. It shows that confirmation really matters and that they have taken a really significant step – significant because it is important to others as it is to them. Let me encourage you to come along at 3 o’clock on the 10th to support our candidates.
There is also a sense of encouragement when members of different churches come together to worship God and confirmation is a prime example.
I have an abiding memory of going to my first big diocesan-wide service at the cathedral and being ‘blown-away’ by the enthusiasm and collective strength of the gathered congregation. The singing and the prayers said by everyone lifted you to another level. I realised that the ‘church’ was much bigger than the building I attended and the people who made it their spiritual home. I caught my first glimpse of the Church with a capital ‘C’, and through it the majesty and the glory of the one true God we all came together to worship.
I’m looking forward to the Election, praying that those who are elected will serve their people faithfully and serve the common good. And I’m looking forward with even greater enthusiasm to the confirmation and praying that this will be the start of something really big in the lives of those who are confirmed, and the rest of us who will support them.
Michael Raynor
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What’s on in May...
Sunday 3rd The Fifth Sunday of EasterMay 10.00am Sung Eucharist
12 noon Holy Baptism 3.00pm Set up for Car Boot Sale tomorrow
Monday 4th 10.00am Car Boot Sale – helpers from 8.45 please
Tuesday 5th 7.30pm Archdeacon’s Visitation service at St Barnabas
Thursday 7th Election Day – don’t forget to vote! 9.15am Resources Committee meeting in school
Friday 8th 1.00pm Marriage of Geoff Picken and Nicola Teague
Sunday 10th The Sixth Sunday of Easter10.00am Sung Eucharist 3.00pm Confirmation and Sung Eucharist
10th – 16th May: CHRISTIAN AID WEEK
Monday 11th Thursday 14th: SATs testing in school
Tuesday 12th 8.00pm PCC meeting in church
Thursday 14th ASCENSION DAY10.30am Eucharist (said) 5.00pm Full Governing Body meeting in school 7.30pm Sung Eucharist, followed by Thursday Ladies' Club
Friday 15th 9.00am Distinctiveness and Ethos Committee meeting12.30pm Prayers for Unity and lunch here at St Andrew’s
Sunday 17th The Seventh Sunday of Easter10.00am Sung Eucharist
Monday 18th 12.30pm Prayers for Unity and lunch at St Benedict’s6
Tuesday 19th 12.30pm Prayers for Unity and lunch at St Margaret’s
Wednesday 20th 12.30pm Prayers for Unity at St Stephen’sPlease note: The Charity Shop will not open today
Thursday 21st 12.30pm Prayers for Unity and lunch at St Ann’s
Sunday 24th The Day of Pentecost10.00am Sung Eucharist
Wednesday 27th 9.30am Church Maintenance Training Event to be held at St Andrew’s. Finishes about 3.30pm
Sunday 31st Trinity Sunday10.00am Sung Eucharist
Thursday 4th June Corpus Christi – Day of thanksgiving for the institution of Holy Communion
10.30am Eucharist
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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What is the Archdeacon’s Visitation?Traditionally, the Archdeacon visits every deanery in his care once a aear, and these days, it usually happens at a special service (known as the Visitation Court) held in a churchin the Deanery in May, following the Annual Meetings held in every church.
This year, Archdeacon Peter will be at St Barnabas’ Church on Tuesday 5th May and churchwardens are required to attend, along with members of the PCC and sidespeople who are also invtied to attend. During the service, office holders are formally ‘sworn in’ by the Chancellor or legal representative, though the archdeacon can stand in.
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Who’s on in May…2015 SIDES-PEOPLE READER INTERCESSOR OFFERTORY
3 May I AppletonM Harrington F. Greatorex Don Miller I. Appleton
M. Harrington10 May10.00am
J DevereuxM Ellison O. Vowles D. Yeamans E. Chorley
J. Stamp
10 May 3pm
L. GiblinP. Smithand 4 vols
Confirmees Confirmees Confirmees
14 May7.30pm Volunteers please M. Harrington M. Brown Volunteers please
17 May F. GreatorexO. Vowles Don Miller W. McKinnon M. Ellison
P. Smith
24 May A. YeamansD. Yeamans M. Brown K. Rowan D. Miller
Z. Zahorcova
31 May B. BoscoeB. Glover W. Reddish M. Harrington M. Greatorex
H. Smyth
7 Jun M. GreatorexH. Smyth A. Gorman F. Greatorex J. Brookman
C. Muir
2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTING COLLECTIONS3 May J. Raynor B. Boscoe / B. Glover
10 May J. Raynor D. Miller / P. Smith17 May J. Raynor I. Appleton / M. Ellison24 May J. Raynor V. Carter / J. Raynor31 May L. Giblin B. Boscoe / B. Glover
7 Jun L. Giblin D. Miller / P. Smith
2015 TEA ROTA READ ON WEDS EVE HALL CLEANING3 May F. Greatorex / L. Giblin Fr Michael (6 May) Fr Michael
10 May10.00am
B. Boscoe / B. Glover Don Miller (13 May) J. Devereux
10 May 3pm Help with refreshments
17 May M. Ellison / P. Smith D. Yeamans (20 May) C. Worrall24 May M. Harrington / D. Miller N. Lee (27 May) Fr Michael31 May F. Greatorex / L. Giblin D. Kirk (3 Jun) J. Devereux
7 Jun B. Boscoe / B. Glover Dot Miller (10 Jun) C. Worrall
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Easy-read BibleOne of the earliest ‘modern translations’ of the Bible came in 1961with the publication of the New Testament of the New English Bible (NEB). The Old Testament and Apocrypha followed in 1970. There had been previous translations, including the English Revised Version, but the main text, used in most churches and study groups, was still the Authorised Version (the King James’ Bible). The NEB spawned a wealth of modern translations, some scholarly and others that took a more liberal approach to encourage people to read the Bible regularly.
The latest translation uses just 1200 different English words to cover the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation! Compiled by a dedicated group of volunteers, it has taken twenty years to prepare and was launched online in early April under the title Easy English Bible. It is free to use and there’s a commentary to help make the most of the text. The target audience includes people with English as a second language, those with literacy problems or learning disabilities and multi-lingual communities. There is a second level translation that uses an expanded vocabulary of 2,800 words, designed for intermediate readers.
Since it was launched, the site has registered around 100,000 users a week. “People are using it for their own benefit and for their ministry” John Williams, a founding member of the project, said at the launch. “We haven’t tried to be trendy, but it is in modern, simple English.” 1 Corinthians 13 begins, “If I do not have love, I am nothing. I may be able to speak different languages that people use. I may be able to speak languages that Angels use. But that is worth nothing unless I love. It is only like someone who is making a loud noise. It is like someone who is hitting a loud bell.”
The Bible Society has already produced a printed copy of St Luke’s gospel and plan to print the other three gospels. The Easy English Bible is available online at www.easyenglish.info
Ascension DayThursday 14th May – services at 10.30am and 7.30pm. DO come to one if possible
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The Annual Meeting
This year’s Annual Meeting took place after the Eucharist on Sunday 19 th April and was attended by twenty or so people. The first meeting (because technically there are two separate meetings) was held specifically to elect two churchwardens and anyone living in the parish or on the electoral roll can take part and vote. Churchwardens are ‘bishop’s officers’ and have particular responsibilities with regard to the building and holding of services. Fr Michael thanked Faith Greatorex and Ronnie Worrall for their endeavours over the past twelve months and then invited nominations. Both Ronnie and Faith had been nominated and there were no further nominations. They will serve as churchwardens (and ex officio members of the PCC) for a further twelve months.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting followed the first meeting and only those on the electoral roll for at least six months can participate. The agenda covers a number of important areas in church life and offers an opportunity for questions from the floor and other business providing it is notified in advance.
Having adopted the minutes, the only matter arising was to confirm that the external auditor’s certificate had been received and displayed for the 2013 accounts. Copies of the Annual Report were circulated at the meeting and details of the Electoral Roll are included. (Anyone not present at the meeting who would like a copy of the Report should contact Fr Michael). The Roll was compiled afresh in 2013 and revised in 2014. There are seventy-one on the Roll, of whom thirty-eight are resident within the parish (and a fair proportion of ‘others’ live just outside the boundary).
Fr Michael presented the Accounts with the help of the Treasurer. The notes can be found in the Annual Report. The headline points were the introduction of Gift Aided Small Donations Scheme which lifted out tax refund by approximately £500 from April to December; an increase in income from the Charity Shop of £1,300; a net surplus of £830 from the Hall (though no allowance is made for depreciation) and reduced repair costs for both the church and the Hall in 2014. The Accounts were accepted and Fr Michael thanked everyone who supports the church financially, those who play a part in financial management on our behalf, and in the various day-to-day tasks that are done quietly and faithfully. Mr Timmis was thanked for examining our 2014 accounts and will be asked to examine the accounts for 2015.
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Reports on the fabric (buildings etc) and Deanery Synod appear in the Annual Report. Those attending were invited to take the Report home and return with questions if they had any.
Elections to the PCC followed and the new PCC will consist of:Irene Appleton Aaron Ashbrook Joyce BlythBarbara Boscoe Lynne Giblin Beryl GloverMarilyn Harrington David Kirk Wendy McKinnonJenny Raynor Kathy Rowan Pauline Smith
Sidespeople for the coming year are:Irene Appleton Barbara Boscoe Joan DevereuxMargaret Ellison Lynne Giblin Beryl GloverFaith Greatorex Marion Greatorex Marilyn HarringtonPauline Smith Hazel Smythe Owen VowlesAlbert Yeamans Doris Yeamans
Mrs Dot Miller was elected to serve as a Trustee on the Warrington Church of England Educational Trust for twelve months.
The Archdeacon’s Visitation will be held at St Barnabas’ Church on Tuesday 5 th
May and the first meeting of the PCC will be Tuesday 12th May at 8.00pm. The vicar thanked everyone for attending and participating.
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St Andrew’s Charity Shop
every Wednesdayfrom 10am to 3pm in the Hall
(NB Closed Wednesday 21st May for one day)
Drop-in for tea and toast. Carer’s advice desk
What happens when you immerse the human body in water? The phone rings!
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The Story of Psalm 8
Following the publication of the Easy English Bible (see page 8 above), the following is taken from the website of Mission Assist, formerly Wycliffe Associates (UK), as an example of the Easy English Bible. The psalm is in Easy English. The website also offers a commentary, also in Easy English, to accompany this beautiful psalm.
“When he was young David kept sheep. He was with his sheep on the hills at night. The sheep were safe with him. David saw the moon and the stars in the sky. God made them all. God was strong and powerful. But God had enemies. These enemies fought God. They also hurt the people of God. David felt very small when he looked at what God had made. David felt that he was not important. But David also knew that God would make people strong. As Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth, 'God said, My power works best when you are weak'. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Later David wrote Psalm 8. Perhaps it was when he lived in Gath. Gath was a Philistine city. It was 30 kilometres west of Bethlehem. David came from Bethlehem. In the psalm David remembered:
the sheep, the hills and the wild animals the moon and stars at night
David also remembered that he felt very small. David put all that he felt into Psalm 8. Perhaps he used music from Gath.
The New Testament of the Bible tells us that David was a prophet. A prophet speaks for God. He also says what will happen in the future. In Psalm 8 David said that God would visit the earth. He came as Jesus.”
Word listGittith - something from the city of Gath, perhaps musicavenger - someone that hurts the people of Godmonster - a very large animal
The music leader must use Gittith:Psalm 8 (in Easy English) (This is) a song of David.
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v1 LORD, you are our most powerful king. Your name is famous in all the wide world. Your glory is over the skies.
v2 From the mouths of children and babies at the breast you show (what it is to be) strong. This is because you have enemies. You will beat your enemies and the avenger.
v3 When I look at your skies that your fingers made: I see the moon I see the stars You gave them all a place
v4 Then I ask: why do you remember men (and women)? what makes you visit them?
v5 You made their place a little below God. You made them feel as kings.
v6 - v8 You made them to rule everything that your hands made. You put everything under their feet: sheep and cows wild animals in the fields birds in the air fish in the waters monsters in the deep seas
v9 LORD, you are our most powerful king. Your name is famous in all the wide world.
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Snippets from the Church Times
£1 a day is classed as the international poverty line. Tearfund has encouraged its supporters to try living on that meagre sum for five days to experience at first-hand what two thirds of the world live on day in, day out. The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Hancock has taken up the challenge, living on a vegetarian diet consisting largely of bananas, onions and beans. Though feeling the pangs of hunger at the midpoint, he said, “I’m much more aware of how privileged we are in this country. It is much more difficult ... than you expect. Most people also have to buy clothes, housing and fuel on their £1.”
Following much criticism of the proposed Reform and Renewal programme, the Secretary General of the General Synod has mounted a robust defence, warning the Church against ‘fatalism’ that he feels pervades so much of the Church today. General Synod will revisit the programme in due course.
A new system designed to protect lead roofs on churches has been launched recently. It consists of microdots, applied to the lead, revealing the postcode of the church where it was used. The microdots infuse into the lead and are not damaged at the sort of temperatures used to melt lead. The roof on one of two churches in Lincolnshire had been treated with this revolutionary new system and police hope to be able to find the thieves through the microdots.
The triforium (ceiling) above the chancel of Westminster Abbey is to be restored and opened to visitors. Used originally by monks for use as chapels and for worship, the new space will be known as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries and is due to open in three year’s time.
In Out of the Question, in which readers both pose questions and offer answers, an obviously enraged parishioner was asking whether it was appropriate for members of the clergy to display election propaganda in the parsonage garden. In the interests of fairness, two answers were given. The first took the line that the conventional answer is no, but the second, written by a clergy daughter, told of her father’s Liberal poster in the vicarage study and her mother’s competing Labour poster in the vicarage kitchen window – “an example of marital tolerance and respect!”
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The Gang Show
Everybody’s heard of the Gang Show but its origins are less well known. In 1931, a 28 year old Rover Scout by the name of Ralph Reader was asked to help raise funds for a swimming pool. Reader was trying to break into the entertainment world and came up with the idea of a Scout-based Variety Show. Rehearsals began the following year, though the show didn’t have a name. During a rehearsal break, Reader asked if everyone was ready and they all replied “Aye, aye Skip, the gang’s all here.” The Gang’s all here ran for three nights at the Scala Theatre in autumn 1932, and raised enough money for the pool.
Baden-Powell was impressed and asked for another show in 1933. It was called The Gang comes back and ran for a full week. A tradition was born. In 1934, still under the direction of Ralph Reader, the show became The Gang Show and the song Riding along on the crest of a wave was first performed. It was to become the anthem of the Gang Show and is still used in the finale of every Gang Show up and down the country.
To much acclaim, the 1937 Gang Show was by Royal Command, an honour repeated in 1957 and 1964. Today, the Gang Show continues to be an opportunity to show yet another side of the many gifts that are nurtured in Scouting. Regional Gang Shows still have to meet the highest of standards, are registered with the National Scouting body and have to reapply for accreditation every five years, ensuring the high standard is maintained.
We, in Warrington, are lucky because each year the Show is produced and performed in the Parr Hall. It is always a good night out (unless you go to the matinee), but more to the point, it uses the gifts and talents of a great many young people and gives them a chance to grow in confidence.
Here at St Andrew’s, we are very proud of the involvement of our young people. Our Scouts and Cubs are encouraged to take part and this year, once again, contributed almost a third of all performers. Two members of our Sunday School, David and Emma, took part, along with Dylan from school. It was a great night out, and we are proud that they continue a time-honoured tradition.
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ConfirmationWill take place her at St Andrew’s on the afternoon of Sunday 10th , starting at 3.00pm. We will be joined by candidates from St James’ Westbrook and St Barnabas’ Warrington and Bishop Stephen Lowe will be the confirming bishop.
Confirmation is not only about the candidates, important though they are, but about the whole church. Everyone is invited (and encouraged) to attend the service, whcih will be followed by refreshments and a chance to meet the bishop.
Car Boot SaleThank you to everyone who helped and supported the Bank Holiday Car Boot Sale at the beginning of the month. It was well attended and raised £375.80 – a laudable achievement, especially as income from these sales has declined in recent years.
Phoenix Club subscriptionsThanks to everyone who supported the Phoenix Club this year.If you intended to join and haven’t got round to it yet, it’s not too late. Have a word with Don Miller for further details.
Annual ReportCopies still available if you’d like one. Please ask the Vicar. Insomniacs may find it particularly helpful!
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St Benedict’s Church is 100and is celebrating its Centenary this year. As part of their programme of activities to mark this auspicious occasion, there will be a ‘Pentecost celebration evening’ on Friday 22nd May and they have generously reserved ten tickets for members of St Andrew’s (and also for St Ann’s and Margaret’s). If you would like to join the celebration (it’s the evening we return from the parish holiday), please speak to Fr Michael.
Sunday RotaWe will be preparing a new rota for June to September in the next week or two and would welcome volunteers for any or all of the tasks on the list. So whether you are an aspiring reader, someone who brings up the bread and wine at the offertory, makes tea or any of the other jobs on the monthly rota, we’d like to hear from you.
Some people have got onto the rota after being tapped on the shoulder by the vicar, but most are willing volunteers!
We are also looking for help with cleaning church. This small and faithful band usually meets on Thursday morning at 9am for an hour or so each week but if that doesn’t match up with your other commitments, it may be possible to clean ‘your part’ at another time. If you’d like to know more, please consult Fr M or one of the cleaning team (Beryl Glover, Barbara Boscoe, Carolyn Worrall or Hazel Smythe.
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May Saints
In many and varied ways, the saints illuminated the world in which they lived, filling it with goodness and truth. We continue our series on greater and lesser saints who have brought the light of God into people’s lives in special ways:
2 May – Athanasius, Bishop of AlexandriaAthanasius was born in about the year 296 of Christian parents and educated at the Catechetical school in Alexandria. He was present at the Council of Nicaea as a deacon, accompanying his bishop Alexander, whom he succeeded as Patriarch in the year 328. Athanasius held firmly to the doctrines of the Church as defined by that Council, and became the leader of those opposed to the teachings of Arian, which denied the divinity of Christ. He was deposed from -- and restored to -- his See several times because of his uncompromising faith. In or out of exile, Athanasius continued his writings, ever the proponent of orthodoxy over heterodoxy and the essential need for the Church to teach the true doctrines of the faith rather than watered-down versions of it. He was a strong believer in asceticism as a means of restoring the divine image in humanity and thus a supporter of monasticism, which was in its nascent state at that time. He was a friend of Pachomius and wrote the Life of Antony of Egypt, which showed the cenobitic life as holding a balance between things earthly and heavenly. He died on this day in the year 373.
8 May - Julian of NorwichOn this day in the year 1373, when Julian of Norwich was thirty years old and suffering from what was considered to be a terminal illness, she experienced a series of sixteen visions, which revealed aspects of the love of God. Following her recovery, she spent the next twenty years of her life pondering their meaning and recorded her conclusions in what became the first book written by a woman in English, The Revelations of Divine Love. At an unknown point in her life, she became an anchoress attached to the Church of St Julian in Norwich. She died around the year 1417.
23 May – Petroc, Abbot of PadstowOften known as 'the captain of Cornish saints', Petroc seems to have been the son of a Welsh chieftain who, on arrival in Cornwall, founded a monastery at Lanwethinoc, now called Padstow (from Petroc's Stow), and later on another at
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Bodmin. Most of his life, however, seems to have been lived as a hermit, though he travelled regularly to visit monasteries. He died at Treravel and was buried at Padstow. Many churches in Devon and Cornwall are dedicated to his memory.
25 May – The Venerable BedeBede was born in Northumbria around the year 670. When he was seven years old, his family gave him to the monastery of St Peter and St Paul at Wearmouth. He then moved to Jarrow, where he lived as a monk for the rest of his life. Although it seems he never travelled further than York, his monastery -- first under Abbot Benet Biscop and then Abbot Ceolfrith -- was a centre of learning, and Bede studied extensively. He used all the resources available to write the most complete history of Christian England up to the year 729, as well as commentaries on books of the Bible. He was renowned for his monastic fidelity and his love of teaching, and was fondly remembered by his pupils, including his biographer. He died peacefully in 735.
28 May – Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of CanterburyLanfranc was born in Pavia, Italy, around the year 1005. At the age of thirty-five, he became a monk of Bec, in Normandy, where he founded the school which rose rapidly to renown throughout Europe. In 1062 William of Normandy appointed him Abbot of Caen, then in 1070 Archbishop of Canterbury. Lanfranc was a great ecclesiastical statesman, overseeing administrative, judicial and ecclesial reforms with the same energy and rigour that the Conqueror displayed in his new kingdom. Lanfranc did not forget his monastic formation: he wrote Constitutions for Christchurch, Canterbury, based on the customs of Bec, and appointed many Norman abbots to implement his vision in the English abbeys. He died in 1089.
30 May – Apolo Kivebulaya, Evangelist in Central AfricaApolo Kivebulaya's first contact with Christian teaching was in 1884 and he was baptised the following year, becoming a teacher in the Church of Uganda. He went as an evangelist and catechist to Boga in the Belgian Congo and was ordained priest in 1903. He built many churches and prepared countless catechumens for baptism. He spent the rest of his life at Boga, training teachers, supervising the school and evangelising the people of the forest. After his death on this day in 1933, the Church Missionary Society sent British missionaries to carry on his work.
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As I see it …by Church Mouse“Wee, sleekit, cow’rin’, tom’rous beastie”
I’m sure you’ve realised that Robbie Burns is my favourite poet, and as I might have explained, one reason is that he is one of the very few poets who write about mice. But I also like quoting him just to watch Fr M trying to type it! Does he get confused! There’s nothing quite like it.
Only a day or two ago, Grandma Mouse suddenly looked up and said, “Oh dear, that Robbie Burns made us all out to be ‘cowardy custards’” before putting down the poetry book she’d just found in the Hall.
“Don’t worry,” said Grandad Mouse, “we mice have the power!”
“What do you mean?” asked all the mice. “Have we got power?”
“Ha, ha!” said grandma, “the only power we’ve got is when they put on the electric in the Hall.”
“Not at all,” said Grandad, “we’ve certainly got power. Just wait till Monday afternoon and run across the floor when the Dance Class are in. That’ll get them moving – just by ‘mouse-power’”.
“That’s quite enough of that, Dad,” I said. “We are CHURCH mice and not in the frightening game. We are an
essential part of the life of St Andrew’s and we certainly don’t want anyone thinking of getting rid of us!”
By now, I was warming to my task, and one or two of the little ones, having seen the signs before, were trying to quietly slip away before I got into my stride. “And besides, if they got rid of us, heaven forbid, there’d be an empty page in the magazine each month. No, our job is to help Fr M.”
“Anyway, I’ve just had a great idea. You’ve heard of ‘bring a friend to Church Sunday (and if you haven’t heard of it before, you have now). Perhaps we could ask Fr M. to have a ‘bring a mouse to church Sunday”. Can you imagine? I bet that would stir things up a bit. Mind you, it might reduce the congregation.
Do you know the one about the bishop visiting the church? The service was very poorly attended and after the service, the bishop took the vicar to one side and asked if the congregation had known in advance that he was coming. The bishop replied, “No, my Lord. But word
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seems to have got out!” So just think what a church full of mice might do.
Having said that, we’ve heard that some churches have “pet’s services”. It sounds right up our street. Can you imagine? Dogs and cats; cats and goldfish; lizards and stick insects! You’d be lucky if half of those attending survived to the end, while the other half went home and refused anything more to eat for the rest of the day.
Apart from singing “For what we are about to receive”, I wonder what else they might sing. Apart from “All creatures of our God and King” and “Make me a channel of your peace”, supposedly written by the patron saint of animals, Saint Francis but not actually sung until five hundred
years after his death, the cat’s choir might do a rendition of “Angel voices...” Dyslexic dogs might think their big moment had come singing hymns to God (Dog?). And there might be a conflict of interest in the hymn “Ye choirs of new Jerusalem” that talks about “how Judah’s lion burst his chains crushing the serpent’s head”. But on the whole, hymn writers mention us animals about as often as poets mention mice! You know, I don’t think Fr M would even consider a pet’s service, so I guess we’ll simply have to continue joining you all on Sunday morning to sing our own praises with you.
Churchmouse
Time for a laugh – withthanks to Tidings, the magazine of Workingmen’s Mission.
Teacher: Thomas, do you think it is important to say a prayer before eating?Thomas: I don’t have to sir, ‘cos my Mum’s a good cook.
Teacher: Thomas, your composition called ‘My Dof’ is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy his?
Thomas: What did you expect, sir, it’s the same dog!
Teacher: What is the chemical formula for water?Thomas: H I J K L M N OTeacher: What are you talking about?Thomas: Yesterday, you said it was H to O sir.
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Mariapolis 2015 - Signs of Hope
If you are looking for a different kind of experience this summer, something which is not simply a retreat of a holiday, then this just might be for you.
It is a place where people come to explore and live out the Gospel message of love.
Mariapolis is an annual event organised by the Focolare Movement in UK and Ireland. The venue moves from year to year, and 2015 sees it coming to Liverpool Hope University. While those taking part normally live-in for the week, local people can buy in for a day or longer, returning home at the end of the day. This makes Mariapolis 2015 unique for those living in this area.
Mariapolis 2015 is also special as it marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Movement coming to the UK
The event takes place at Liverpool Hope University in Childwall. Hope University was formed from two teacher training colleges on opposite sides of Stand Park Road – the Church of England’s St Katharine’s College (originally founded here in Warrington) and the Roman Catholic Christ’s College, which united with Notre Dame College based in central Liverpool. Liverpool Hope is described on Wikipedia as the only ecumenical university in Europe, a fitting venue for such a special occasion.
The programme is a full one with lots of different activities catering for all ages. . According to the brochure, “among the activities to be enjoyed during these days by adults, young people and children, are talks, time for reflection, games, workshops and outings.
If you are interested, whether attending the whole event or simply visiting for the day, Norma Lee has all the information and programme and would be willing to share the details with those who would like to know more.
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Granny’s yummy recipes
I’m sure you’ll be pleased to see that I’ve turned my back on bread crumbs this month and thought I’d suggest something different.
Have you ever wondered why cats love fish (to eat, I mean)? Not only do most cats live miles from the sea, or even a well-stocked river, but they positively dislike getting wet in any shape or form! Well, I’ll let you into a secret: we mice don’t like getting wet, either, which is why we moan so much when the roof in the hall leaks, but we too like fish. So this month’s recipe is for sardine paté, and please don’t write in asking how we open the tin!
Sardine Pâté
Ingredients:1 x 125g can of sardines in oil
1 hard boiled eggJuice of ½ lemon – to get more juice from your lemon, warm it before squeezing. I do mine on the radiator in the Hall, but don’t tell Fr. M)
Freshly ground pepper (and salt) to taste
Method:Drain the oil from the sardines and set aside. (Do I sound like Mary Berry?)
Mash the eggs and sardines together to a smooth paste
Stir together 1 tablespoon of the oil, the lemon juice and the pepper until blended. Add salt to taste.
Divide into four portions in ramekins or similar containers and chill. Serve with hot buttered toast – delicious and quick!
Serves 4 (or more if you are only our size).
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Holy Baptism:
12th April Charlotte Louise FellowsEmily May FellowsPaige Jane FellowsPoppy-Mai HughesGeorgi-Belle Whitmore
Funerals:
28th April: Staney Ernest Brandwood29th April: Eric James
Communicants and Collections: 2015 Sunday
CommunicantsMidweek
CommunicantsLoose
Collections £PlannedGiving £
5th Apr 45 70 17.20 350.08 12th Apr 33 8 77.09 171.60 19th Apr 39 13 26.20 194.60 26th Apr 42 14 7.24 215.50
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 Donations from Malcolm Brown (3) Coppers with thanks for prayers said for Jacqueline from Barbara Boscoe Returned Phoenix Club winnings - Doris Jepson Loving memories of a dear son, Neil, whose year's mind falls on 18th
May. God bless and keep you safe for me till we meet again, from loving Mum, Barbara Boscoe
With gratitude for continued prayers from Bob Birbeck
Winners of the Phoenix Club Draw
From the Registers
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26th April 2015First Prize 116 S. Miller Second Prize 114 Dot Miller Third Prize 106 M. Giblin
Elle and EsseHair and Beauty Lodge
Unisex Hair SalonLYNETTE and SUELodge Lane, Bewsey
Warrington
Tel: 01925 232282
Christian Aid Week10th – 17th May
Please remember the work of Christian Aid; those who collect from house to house; those working overseas with local groups to provide for some of the neediest people in our world and those organising Christian Aid Week in this country.
God of love, who is love, Melt my indifferent heart of stone. Open my eyes to your children’s suffering And lift my head to see your perfect love again.Work a miracle in my lifeThat through your SpiritAnd my softened heart’s obedienceI might give my very self to keep hope alive,And to be the change you require. Amen.
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Prayer Intentions for May
Fri 1st Foxfield Close Church of the ResurrectionSat 2nd Northway The Banking Industry
Sun 3rd THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMon 4th Sandy Lane The Children’s SocietyTue 5th Poole Crescent Warrington Deanery of ChurchesWed 6th Ajax Avenue The people of NepalThu 7th Winwick Road Those standing for election todayFri 8th Elm Road St Ann’s Church, OrfordSat 9th Fisher Avenue Those with mental illnesses
Sun 10th THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMon 11th Eskdale Avenue Christian Aid week supportersTue 12th Mendip Avenue Members of the PCCWed 13th Buttermere Avenue Farmers and farm workersThu 14th Ascension Day The Mission of our ChurchFri 15th Grasmere Avenue St Barnabas’ ChurchSat 16th Petworth Avenue Diplomats
Sun 17th THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTERMon 18th Sinclair Avenue The Bible SocietyTue 19th Lancing Avenue Our Choir and OrganistWed 20th Keswick Crescent IndonesiaThu 21st Marron Avenue Our School – its staff and pupilsFri 22nd Dean Crescent Holy Trinity Church Sat 23rd Cleveland Road St Benedict’s centenary celebrations
Sun 24th THE DAY OF PENTECOSTMon 25th Kentmere Place Mission Aviation FellowshipTue 26th Poole Avenue Home Care staff working locallyWed 27th Seaford Place North and South KoreaThu 28th Armour Avenue Bishop PaulFri 29th Cartmel Avenue St Elphin, WarringtonSat 30th Densham Avenue John, Archbishop of York
Sun 31st TRINITY SUNDAY
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