Church Officers Rector: The Revd Derek A Baines – Tel: 01772 641521; E: [email protected]Churchwardens Mr Eric Barker OBE JP – Tel: 614385; E: [email protected]Mr Robert Hawthornthwaite – Tel: 612952 PCC Secretary Mrs Andrea Susnik – Tel: 615336; E: [email protected]PCC Treasurer Mrs Barbara Wood – Tel: 617679: E: [email protected]Deanery Synod Representatives Mrs Jane Elphick & Mr John Clarkson Stewardship Recorder/Gift Aid Secretary Mr Philip Norton – Tel: 07970 798345; E: [email protected]Magazine Secretary Mrs Elsie Kirkham – Tel: 615832. Magazine Editor Mrs Erika Penrose – Tel: 613816. E: [email protected]Flower Secretaries Mrs Althea Slater – Tel: 614966, & Mrs E Wignall – Tel: 615675 Electoral Roll Secretary Mrs Julie Tanham – Tel: 612992 Verger: Mrs Irene Pickles – Tel: 615708 Assistant Verger: Mr Stuart Tighe – Tel: 612963 Weekly Giving Envelopes: Please contact the Churchwardens. Organisations Sunday School – meets 10.15 in School, first three Sundays of the month.
Transcript
Church OfficersRector: The Revd Derek A Baines – Tel: 01772 641521; E: [email protected] Eric Barker OBE JP – Tel: 614385; E: [email protected] Robert Hawthornthwaite – Tel: 612952PCC SecretaryMrs Andrea Susnik – Tel: 615336; E: [email protected] TreasurerMrs Barbara Wood – Tel: 617679: E: [email protected] Synod RepresentativesMrs Jane Elphick & Mr John ClarksonStewardship Recorder/Gift Aid SecretaryMr Philip Norton – Tel: 07970 798345; E: [email protected] Secretary Mrs Elsie Kirkham – Tel: 615832.Magazine Editor Mrs Erika Penrose – Tel: 613816. E: [email protected] SecretariesMrs Althea Slater – Tel: 614966, & Mrs E Wignall – Tel: 615675Electoral Roll SecretaryMrs Julie Tanham – Tel: 612992Verger: Mrs Irene Pickles – Tel: 615708 Assistant Verger: Mr Stuart Tighe – Tel: 612963Weekly Giving Envelopes: Please contact the Churchwardens.
OrganisationsSunday School – meets 10.15 in School, first three Sundays of the month.Leader: Mrs Kathleen Leigh – Tel: 612196. E: [email protected] Church Ladies’ Group – meets 7.30pm, 3rd Tuesday, in School.Leader: Mrs Erika Penrose. Contact details as above.St Michael’s Men’s Fellowship – meets 7.30pm, 2nd Tuesday, in School.Secretary: Mr Ted Hopkins – Tel: 617002.Friends of St. Michael’s – Caring for the fabric of our ancient churchChairman: Mr Eric Barker – Tel 614385. Secretary: Mr David Turner – Tel 617485.Social Committee – Contact: Sheila Taylor, Tel: 616850Hoole St Michael C E Primary SchoolHead Teacher: Mrs Jo Duckworth – Tel: 613219.1st St. Michael’s Hoole Scout and Guide Groups – Group Scout Leader: Mandy Clark – Tel: 617761; E:[email protected].
Church Websites: www.hoolevillage.com and www.hooleparishchurch.com1
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The Rector’s Ramblings The church’s year is coming to an end. Advent is
looming – Advent 1 is 1st December – and the preparations for Christmas will be upon us very quickly.
Between now and then we have All Souls and All Saints, Remembrance Sunday and associated with the pre-advent run down the church yard clean up and the craft fair and of course, bonfire night..
The leaves are falling now with the higher winds and trees have started to change colour. The conkers are quite big this year and beech masts seem to be everywhere, the green shoots of the winter barley are now showing in many fields around us. Cinder toffee and wood smoke beckon.
As we move towards Advent we need to look at our Christian Journey as we prepare for Christmas.
Standing at the tomb of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral in early October Sharon and I were reminded of the simplicity of his faith when he walked the hills and valleys of northern England and southern Scotland as a monk, later he was Bishop of Lindisfarne for 2 years before resigning and returning to take up his mantle of hermit on the Farne Islands. His story is fascinating, having accepted the Roman Church’s rule after the Synod of Whitby in AD 600, he continued his ascetic life – a life of simplicity praying for all who he met and sharing the Gospel across the villages and com-munities that he encountered. A true man of God who is an example to us on our prayer journeys and to help us to understand our faith.
He could be said to be a fertile field in the terms of the parable of the sower. Where do we fit in that model? I am not suggesting standing in the sea as the tide comes up to our chins and goes out again – that is real fortitude for faith! But how do we relate to God? Are we fields with small green shoots, a rough patch or a ploughed field awaiting the seed?
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Cuthbert shows us that living a straightforward life, filled with prayer and recognising God in all that we do will give us strength and compassion as His love fills us.
The poster here reminds us of Remembrance Day and puts all things material in perspective and as 2014 arrives we will get 4 years of programmes about the Great War during which so many of our families were bereaved. It is good to remember all of those young men and women who have lost their lives in the Great War and in the 26 or more conflicts that have seen English armed forces in action since 1919. War is not a good thing, killing goes against the commandment of Moses and there are many arguments about the ‘just war’. Whatever your thoughts we all recognise evil and we recognise that since Biblical times forces range against these things. And so we must say thank you to those who have died on our behalf and say thank you to God for the survivors and for the freedom to enjoy our faith.
And as Advent arrives we look to our own lives and confess sins, put right things that have gone wrong and ask God to help us to recognise all of those things that have benefitted us through his love.
Enjoy November as we clear our mental ‘leaves & stubble’ & then prepare for Christmas spiritually as well as materially.
Your brother pilgrim,
Derek
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Looking back, with a glance forward!Harvest – what a wonderful festival and THANK YOU to all of you who gave so generously for St Catherine’s Hospice and the Food bank.
The harvest supper was well attended and we had a superb evening with supper and right royal entertainment from the U3A Ukulele band and the U3A Tap Dancers. Two great acts which just show what you can get up to after retirement! Thank you to all who helped with food, the entertainment and to all of you who supported the evening.
The Men’s Fellowship shared a joint meeting with the Ladies Group hearing a talk about the Titanic.
The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Reverend Julian Henderson was inducted and installed in the Cathedral on 19th October; we look forward to meeting him on 24th October.
Our first Messy Church was held on the 19th – see page 15.
The first meeting of our new confirmands will take place this month and we will have enjoyed the professional theatre company’s play about Jeremiah Horrocks.
The last Sunday of October will have seen the new order of service for our Family Praise. I hope that the changes brought from our Liturgy Team have been accepted and that we will see a greater involvement of the children and young people in our worship.
Oct 31st should (all things being equal) see the erection of our new flagpole. Eric has launched an appeal to fund the Horrocks memorial wind vane.
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November will see the Memorial Service at All Saints on Sunday 3rd
November. The school will celebrate this in church on 6th November at 9.15 – please do join us and support the school.
The Remembrance Day service is Sunday 10th November
Hoole Craft Fair will be held on the 16th and on Sunday 17th we welcome our patron Sarah at the 10.30 service when we will baptise her son Joshua.
1st December Parish Lunch – Jacob’s Join in school when Derek, Sharon and Elizabeth will show a presentation of the ‘Africa Experience’. Volunteers please to set up and help with the lunch. All invited.
Nearly time for the Christingle Service
This year, we will be holding our Christingle service on Sunday 15th December at 4.00pm. We all know Christingle celebrations - with their oranges and candles and ribbons, they are a fun family event at our church. The money raised by Christingle this year will go towards the work the Children’s Society does to help children living in poverty in the UK.
Christingle is also a good way to help our local families with young children to think about the story of Jesus. Each part of the Christingle orange symbolises the various elements of the story of Jesus, from the love of Christ to the fruits of God’s creation. Piecing it together helps people understand the gospel. As Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14-15, NIV)
So please support our Christingle this year, and please try and bring some of your friends and neighbours with small children along!
Help in creating the Christingles would be greatly appreciated.
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Services for November:
3rd November – All Saints Day9.00 BCP Holy Communion
10.30 CW Holy Communion2.30 Memorial service
3.00 BCP Evening Prayer4.30 Holy Communion
(Old Mill Court)
10th November – Remembrance Sunday
9.00 BCP Holy Communion10.30 Morning Prayer –
Parade with Act of Remembrance
12.30 Baptism
17th November – 2nd before Advent9.00 BCP Holy Communion
10.30 CW Holy Communion3.00 BCP Evening Prayer
24th November – Christ the King9.00 BCP Holy Communion
Happy Lancashire DayLancashire Day allows us the opportunity to declare that we
are proud to be Lancastrians.
The Lancashire Day proclamation will be read out by town criers throughout the county on 27th November. And many Lancashire towns will be holding Lancashire Day events to mark the celebrations.
Lancashire Day commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first representatives to Parliament by King Edward I of England to attend what later became known as The Model Parliament.
Lancashire Day was first observed in 1996 with the loyal toast to "The Queen, Duke of Lancaster", and is open to celebration from everywhere within the county. Many towns throughout the historic county host events on the day, most notably readings of the Lancashire Day Proclamation.
All Saints’ Day – the feast day of all the redeemed All Saints, or All Hallows, is the feast of all the redeemed,
known and unknown, who are now in heaven. When the English Reformation took place, the number of saints in the calendar was drastically reduced, with the result that All Saints’ Day stood out with a prominence that it had never had before.
This feast day first began in the East, perhaps as early as the 5th century, as commemorating ‘the martyrs of the whole world’. A Northern English 9th century calendar named All Hallows as a principal feast, and such it has remained. Down the centuries devotional writers have seen in it the fulfilment of Pentecost and indeed of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and resurrection.
The saints do not belong to any religious tradition, and their lives and witness to Christ can be appreciated by all Christians.
Richard Baxter, writing in the 17th century, wrote the following:
He wants not friends that hath thy love,And made converse and walk with thee,
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And with thy saints here and above,With whom for ever I must be...As for my friends, they are not lost;The several vessels of thy fleet,Though parted now, by tempests tost,Shall safely in thy haven meet....The heavenly hosts, world without end,Shall be my company above;And thou, my best and surest Friend,Who shall divide me from thy love?*
1,255 ancient English churches were dedicated to All Saints - a number only surpassed by those dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
All Souls’ Day – a time of reckoning with the past The early Church was slow to dedicate a liturgical day to
offering prayers and masses to commemorate the faithful departed. But in time prayers were offered on behalf of dead monks, that they might attain ‘the Beatific Vision’ through purification, which the Church later described as Purgatory. Odilo, the powerful abbot of Cluny, (d 1049) decreed that All Souls’ Day should follow the feast of All Saints’ Day.
At least four ancient English dedications are known, the most famous of which are All Souls College, Oxford and the church in Langham Place in London.
In bygone centuries All Souls’ Day was certainly uncomfortable for anyone who had wronged a person who had then died. For it was believed that souls in purgatory could appear on earth on this day, in the form of ghosts, witches or toads, to haunt anyone who had wronged them in life.
On a more cheerful note, it was also believed that you could help the dead on this day by almsgiving in cash or in kind. Some of these beliefs seem to have been caught up in the popular customs of Hallowe’en.
When the Reformation came, the Protestants disregarded the idea of Purgatory, and this feast day remained with the Roman Catholic Church.
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Prayer intentions
We pray for all who have been bereaved We pray for the souls of those who have died We pray for all men, women and children who
have died in conflicts throughout the last 100 years
We pray for all caught up in conflicts throughout the world and pray for peace
We pray for the young men and women of our armed forces as they protect our freedom in combating terrorism
What is Franciscanism about?As many of you know, I am a Tertiary member of the
Society of St. Francis (TSSF). Last month we celebrated St Francis day on the 4th October and there was a piece in the parish magazine as our saint of the month. Sharon (who is not a tertiary Franciscan) and I enjoyed a fantastic day in Durham Cathedral on the 5th October with fellow Tertiarys and spouses celebrating St Cuthbert and St Francis and enjoying worship, prayer and meditation within that glorious building alongside members of the First order of the Society of St Francis and their female equivalents of the Community of St Francis. Many of you know of my fascination with Celtic saints and spirituality. I am sure that you all wonder what makes me a Franciscan, after all I am not a monk and I live in my own home and own a car and many other trappings of modern society.
Let's start at the beginning. St Francis, as you will remember, was an itinerant who tried to live the Gospel and share its message with the people he met after an encounter with Christ at San Damiano in a derelict church where the cross illustrated was seen, this is the cross that you will find on our altar to remind me of Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to him when I celebrate the Holy Communion.
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He set up the order in 1210 and the Friars Minor became an established order, the Society of St Francis (SSF) in San Damiano when Pope Innocent III accepted his rule of life and the necessary promises that go with setting up a new religious community. The community is ‘open’ which means that they were itinerant, working outwards from their monastery. Their habit is brown with a hood (my white alb is in the 'style of') and the rope cincture around their waist has three knots symbolising Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Often they wear a brown "scapular" which is a long, untied, tabard to keep the habit clean. (My ‘oatmeal’ Alb is ‘in the style of’ being designed to look as if a scapular is being worn) I am entitled to wear the brown scapular over my cassock or alb.
When the First Order – the Friars Minor - was authorised in 1210 the Pope allowed a first order women’s group known as the Community of St Francis (CSF), also an open order, and the sisters wear the brown habit.
At the same time his great friend and companion St Clare formed the Second Order of St Francis and set up a closed order in their convent close by in San Damiano. In 1216 Clare became Prioress and 10 years after her death they became known as the Order of the Poor Clares.
As the First and Second orders were established the Third order, the TSSF, was set up to include all people living in their own homes and instead of living in community they share community with other like minded believers within society. The order includes ordained as well as lay people who make up the majority. We follow a similar pathway to becoming a professed member - more of that later.
In 1934 the Anglican SSF was allowed its rule and was set up with the Archbishop's blessing. The Anglican TSSF became established in the Anglican Church in 1936.
So what is a Franciscan, what is our belief structure and how do we use this in our places of work and worship? Here is my personal journey and viewpoint. After many years of trying to
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find a spiritual 'base' to help me with my beliefs and attitudes towards the church and worship I was eventually introduced Franciscan ideals and spirituality. This came after exploring Celtic spirituality, Benedictine and Ignation spirituality and rules. What is amazing is how similar the outlook of the saints Francis and Ignatius are, an Italian and a Spaniard living 200 years apart but with a very similar conversion. Overlying that is the simplicity of the Celtic saints of Ireland, Scotland and England with their simplicity of belief of God being in everything, every person and in every action. The European saints follow very similar tenets for life.
Simply put, members of the TSSF follow the same rule of life as the 1st order Friars but it is tailored to living in secular life. Following Christ in the way of St Francis, we seek to live a simple life inspired by the Gospel, recognising Christ in all people and seeing the image of God the creator in our surroundings and in those people and accepting all as brothers and sisters.
Now this does not mean that we worship St Francis, yes some of our more catholic brethren have statues of him and various pictures, but we follow his, and Saint Clare's example in living life simply and trying to live the Gospel in our own differing situations, seeing God in everyone, including other denominations and other faiths, not just the three Ibrahimic faiths. Every person has God within them and nobody should be discounted or ridiculed for their faith or understanding of their own beliefs within the faith. God reaches everybody and is a forgiving God. The Celts have a prayer for every action of the day (just as we found in Africa) and it is humbling to recognise that He is with us at all times and in all places, supporting our every thought and action. Quiet days, such as we experienced in Durham, give us the opportunities to recognise His presence in our lives and enable us to be more Christ like in our dealings with life.
Derek’s article on Franciscanism is to be concluded next month.
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From the Parish Registers Holy Baptism “We welcome into the Lord’s Family”September:PATRICK PAUL ROSS, son of Mark James Ross and Yvonne Alison Ross of New Longton.Holy Matrimony “Those whom God hath joined together”No weddings.The Departed “Rest eternal grant unto them”No funerals.
From the Register of Services Attendance Communicants Collections
10th Mrs Aughton & Mrs Westell Altar: Mr DickinsonPedestal: The Pickles Family
17th Mrs Martland & Mrs Wilson Vacant24th Mrs Johnson Mrs Gilkes
Dec 1st Mrs Slater & Mrs Kirkham Mr & Mrs Parker
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Sidespersons’ Rota
Nov 3rd 9.00 Henry Redshaw10.30 Paul Johnson, Jean & John Aughton
3.00 Clifford Orritt
10th 9.00 Rob McMurray10.30 Jock Davidson, Norman Skellorn, Tom Wignall
17th 9.00 Mike Redshaw10.30 Ted Hopkins, Bill Carr, Peter Blakeley
24th 9.00 Charles Redshaw10.30 David Turner, Lisa Turner, Philip Wilson
Dec 1st 9.00 Jeremy Leigh10.30 Scott Eckersley, Jean & John Aughton
3.00 Sylvia Douglas
Readers’ Rota
9.00 10.30
Nov 3rd --- A Membery Isaiah 1: 10-18J Wilson J Ashcroft 2 Thessalonians 1: 1-10
10th --- T Hopkins Job 19:23-27aStuart Tighe B Wood 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5.
13-17
17th --- D Turner Malachi 4:1-2aK Leigh C Bamber 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-13
24th --- G Slinger The Barnabas Children’sM Redshaw J Elphick Bible 357 page 309/310
Dec 1st --- S Eckersley Isaiah 2: 1-5J Wilson M Kirkman Romans 13: 11-14
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Tea/Coffee Rota following our 10.30 services
Nov 3rd Beryl & Rona10th Carole & Gill17th Diane & Pauline24th Althea & ErikaIf you are not available on the dates allocated or wish
to change the published date can you please find a replacement or arrange a swap.
If you would like to join the rota of volunteers then please give Erika a call on 613816. We are now short of at least two people and it’s an easy job to do, every five weeks or so. Would you be able to volunteer? We do need you!
Ladies’ Group We were pleased to be hosts to the Men’s Fellowship
last month when there was a good attendance from both groups for Tony Maguire’s fascinating talk about the Titanic, with many photos, newspaper clippings and artefacts for us to inspect.
On Tuesday 19th November at 7.30pm, Stanley Walmsley and his hand bells are returning for “Christmas Customs with Bells on” and, judging by his first visit, this will be most enjoyable.
An Open Evening: on Tuesday 3rd December we shall be holding our Christmas Coffee Evening when the folk duo “So Far So Good” will be entertaining us. They come well recommended and we shall be giving the “takings” from the evening to a local charity, so do please come along for an enjoyable evening and bring all your friends!
Committee members, please note we have a meeting at Banks Farm on Monday 4th November at 7.30pm.
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Craft Demonstration Fair – Saturday 16th NovemberHi Folks, well it's got round to that time of year again and
the annual Craft Demonstration Fair is upon us. This year it will be on Saturday 16th November at Much
Hoole Village Hall from 10.00am till 2.00pm and I hope you will all come along and support it.
I think this will be the 5th year we have held it and it has always been a success in the past; there will be all sorts of interesting crafts being demonstrated which you can try your hand at, some things you can make and take home with you (for these there will possibly be a small charge) but the rest are free – also it is free entry.
Lunches of Jacket Potatoes with a variety of filling (by courtesy of that well known king of the baked spud, our very own Eric Barker) will be available as well as tea/coffee and cakes all for a very modest cost. So please come and join us you will have fun, meet up with old friends and have a natter.
If you would like to demonstrate your hobby or craft or know somebody who would like to, give me a call on 612963. Looking forward to seeing you there.Stuart Tighe
Thank you to our Messy Church team Thank you to Becky, Liza, Lydia, Tom, Molly, Carole,
Jean D, Jean S, Caroline, Moira, Marion, Julia, Shaun, Mark, Rie, Rev. Derek, Josephine, Val and Rona.
We all did a super job and we had a very successful afternoon. We have a strong and good core team at Messy Church, like all good teams, we look to develop and grow, meeting the needs of our Ministry, we look for more team members especially men.
If you would like to get involved and join our Messy Church team, come to the planning meeting, 7.30pm on
Monday 4th November in school.16
Food!Games!
HOOLE PARISH CHURCHST MICHAEL AND ALL
ANGELS
Messy Church
Saturday 16th November 3.30 to 5.30
St Michael’s schoolOur theme this month is
AdventJesus is the light of the world.
Family fun, crafts, activities and foodAll are welcome – hope to see you
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Fun!Crafts!
FAIR TRADE CHRISTMAS MARKETYou are invited to a Fairtrade Christmas Market with light refreshments, organised through the Preston and South Ribble Fairtrade Group, which will be held on:
Friday November 8th 10.00am-5.30pm andSaturday November 9th 10.00am-5.30pm
at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Longton PR4 5AA With a wide variety of food and crafts: chocolates, cookies,
sweets, Christmas cakes and puddings; bags, purses, scarves, jewellery, candles; small toys/children’s gifts;
Palestinian glass and wooden carvingsAdvent calendars, Christmas cards and wrapping paper;
wine-tastingChristmas cakes, puddings and wines may be ordered.
For further details, please contact Cath Greenlees,Tel: 01772 613500
CHURCH INFORMATIONInformation about opening times and other information for St Michael’s are now to be found on the following
ANNUAL APPEALBUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR…Instead of bottles, the campaign is Jars of Change into Jars of Water.Not too much of a diversification is there??? and this is what you do….Save an empty jar with lid - jam, pickles, chutney - whatever you like.Fill it with your loose change – to help you along there are a few available in the church porch.OrMake a decision. Give something up … Chocolate ? Wine? Any self-indulgence….Complete the form “I am giving up ___________ for Lent”Finally:If you wish to remain anonymous, do not complete the above form.If you pay tax, I plead with you most strongly, to complete the above form.If you have previously completed a gift aid form for Water Aid, would you still complete this form and put a little note on it to that effect.Any queries, don’t hesitate to contact me.Barbara Wood, Treasurer – see front of mag for contact details.
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A summary of the minutes of the PCC meeting held on 5th
August 2013Treasurer’s ReportMrs Wood had circulated the Treasurer’s Report and balance sheet by e-mail prior to the meeting. No donations had been received from the Parish Councils to date; however, £225 had been received from Hoole United Churches. A meeting is needed to clarify the church’s status with HMRC which would need to include a representative of the Diocese.
Stewardship Campaign 2013 A meeting is to be held week commencing 12 August 2013 to look at our own strategy on Giving with Grace, Prayer and Christian Mission. People are available from the Diocese if help is needed with this.
Churchwardens’ ReportQuinquennial Inspection – On Friday 2 August 2013 Mr Hartley and a colleague met with the Churchwardens and others to do a preliminary inspection, the detailed report will be available in 2 to 3 weeks. The initial comments were that the church was well maintained, but did look closely at previous evidence of subsidence on the Tower and Boiler Room.
Electrical Inspection – Mr Carr reported that there will be a few items requiring updating. Most of the sockets will need to be converted to RCD type and some work is needed on the switchboard in the bell tower. The estimated cost will be £500. Most of the wiring complied with regulations as it is encased in copper.
Friends’ CommitteeRev. Baines had been emailed by a Manchester Arts Group. Last year they had written a play covering the Transit of Venus, they are keen to perform this play in church and the date suggested is Saturday 26th October 2013. This event could be used as a launch appeal for funds for the Weather Vane.
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Safeguarding - Adults, Children and Young Adults Rev. Baines and Mrs Dewhurst are to attend the new training course.
Messy ChurchMessy church will be starting in October and should be seen as attracting an alternative congregation. The first theme is to be taken from St Luke’s Gospel chapter 8, the parable of the sower. The time suggested for Messy church is once a month on a Saturday, late afternoon. Some catering will be required to provide a simple evening meal for both children and adults, hopefully this will attract more families. Some interest has been shown by families visited for pre-baptism visits. The next planning meeting is on 12 September 2013. The meeting agreed that the PCC will donate £250.00 for the purchase of cooking equipment and £100.00 for craft supplies.
Events Steering CommitteeA meeting is proposed in September or October to co-ordinate diaries, representatives should attend from the Ladies’ group, Men’s fellowship, Social Committee and the Friends’ and any other interested parties.
The Notice Board is now being made, it is to be double sided so that it will be readable both going into and coming out of church.
Any Other BusinessIt was noted that the ‘non walking day’ had not been well attended by the congregation, but mostly by families of the Morris Dancers and the Scout Group. The ladies in the kitchen had not been happy and it was felt that the event had been chaotic and that it should be the last one. Only one specific hymn has been requested for the Songs of Praise. Rev. Baines pointed out that there were no traditional Walking Days across the county. Road closures have to be granted by the Courts. However, it is possible to marshal your own parade and apply for a court order, but the marshals have to be specially trained and the insurance is extortionate. It was suggested that an alternative to Walking Day could be a family barbeque or extending the Ladies’ Group Garden Party to include Band in the Park.
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Rev. Baines intends to have a Parish Lunch with the intention of showing a video of his visit to Africa.
The next PCC meeting will be held on Monday 23 September 2013. ~~~~~~~~~~
December MagazinePlease note: contributions for the December magazine should be sent or given to Erika by Friday 22nd November.
Diary Mon 4th Nov Ladies’ Group committee meeting at 7.30pm at
Banks FarmTues 12th Nov Men’s Fellowship trip to Preston Museum.
Transport by arrangement.Sat 16th Nov Annual Craft Demonstration Fair at Much Hoole
Village Hall from 10.00am to 2.00pmTues 19th Nov Ladies’ Group at 7.30pm: Stanley Walmsley –
“Christmas Customs with Bells on”
Sun 1st Dec “Africa Experience” with Derek, Sharon & Elizabeth - Jacob’s Join in school after the 10.30 service
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Editor: The Rev Dr Gary Bowness continues his tongue-in-cheek letters from ‘Uncle Eustace’… If you would like a copy of our published booklet of Uncle Eustace’s letters, please email us at: [email protected]
On using Glebe land for allotments
The RectorySt James the Least of All
My dear Nephew DarrenI hear you have joined the committee which wants to
convert the waste land between the abandoned soap factory and canal in your parish into allotments – although I would have thought there were holier sorts of conversions you could have concentrated
on. I am sure you will soon be caught up in arguments which make that little disagreement over an apple in the Garden seem quite trivial.
Some years ago, we similarly decided to let part of our Glebe land become allotments; the outcome was not wholly as may have been anticipated. Colonel Wainwright saw it as an opportunity of re-living his War years and was only just restrained from digging trenches around his plot; no doubt he would have offered to play football with neighbouring allotment holders on Christmas Day.
It caused some surprise when the Earl of Stowe applied for a plot, but it has become something of an attraction to see his daily procession, preceded by his gardener pushing the wheelbarrow, the under-gardener carrying the tools and following him, his butler with the newspaper, a deckchair and a flask of coffee. He then settles down for a comfortable hour while occasionally supervising the work, once reports on the local hunt have been read.
Miss Simpson managed to unite everyone in communal outrage by using her plot to encourage fluffy bunnies, darling foxes and sweet squirrels. She seemed to be particularly grateful to everyone else for providing fruit and vegetables for their happiness. Resolution was only achieved when she was convinced to grow potatoes, helping the Colonel in his War Effort. Fortunately, he did not ask her to arrive equipped with the regulation gas mask.
Our local architect seems to spend most of his time beautifying his garden shed, rather than growing produce. With its gothic arched windows, Norman tower and flying buttresses, I do wonder if he may have spent rather too much of his time renovating ancient churches. Neighbouring plot-holders look forward to the agricultural equivalent of the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
I am sure you will find you have committed yourself to many hours of unnecessary work. Just make sure you gather a percentage of their produce for your Harvest Festival.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
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Kids’ Corner
St ANDREW
Feast day November 30th
The Bible tells us that Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were the very first disciples to follow Jesus. They were fishermen working at their nets when Jesus called them. It was a hard thing to do, to leave everything for an uncertain way of life but Andrew knew that Jesus so special that he had to share this wonderful knowledge with others.
Andrew followed Jesus for the rest of his life. After Jesus’ death he travelled widely spreading the message and
building the early church. He was arrested for being a follower of Christ and condemned to death on the cross. Legend says that he was crucified on a diagonal cross.
St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and his cross is on the Scottish flag which is a white cross on a blue background – the blue is for the sea which seems right for a fisherman.
SAIL AWAY
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Andrew and Simon fished with nets from the shore or from small boats. You could make a fishing fleet of small boats and decorate their sales with St Andrew’s cross.
You will need a polystyrene box or tray like the ones you see at the fruit shop or supermarket.
Using a bread knife, carefully cut out several different shapes and sizes.
Find a thin stick for the masts (you could use a pencil) and cut out a sail in paper. Thread or stick the sail onto the mast.
How do fish go into business?They start on a small scale.
What day of the week do fish hate?Frydays
Why are goldfish orange?The water makes them rusty.
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Message from the landlord of The Smithy InnLiverpool Old Road, Much Hoole, Preston, PR4 4BG – 01772 619937
Come and savour the hospitality of your village pub and be assured of a warm welcome and good food, with outdoor seating for those balmy daysChris Griffiths
New Menu Coming Soon & Special OffersSunday 12pm-8pm SOUP & ROAST DINNER £7.95Tuesday to Friday 12pm-2pm 2 MEALS £6.95Tuesday Night BURGER & A PINT £4.95Friday 6pm-9pm 2 COURSES £8.00
&Saturday 6pm-9pm
TWO 8oz STEAKS plus BOTTLE OF HOUSE WINE £19.95
EntertainmentLIVE SPORTS (including 3pm kick offs)LIVE ENTERTAINMENT last Saturday every month from 9 pmQUIZ NIGHT (CASH PRIZES) every Tuesday from 9 pmDARTS NIGHT every Wednesday from 9 pm
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT OR FAMILY GATHERING COMING UP?
Flexibility to cater for your needs is our speciality
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SEE NOTICE BOARD OUTSIDE THE SMITHY FOR UP AND COMING EVENTS
And Finally!Purring
Little George was visiting his aunt. He found the cat in a sunny window purring cheerfully. “Oh Auntie, come quick,” cried George. “The cat has gone to sleep and left his engine running.Wife
A Sunday School teacher was teaching how God created everything, including human beings. One little boy seemed especially intent when she explained how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and asked him what was the matter. The little boy explained worriedly: “I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife.”Real-life notes left for milkmen... ~ When you leave my milk, knock on my bedroom window and wake me because I want to turn my mattress and you could give me a hand.~ Please knock. My TV’s broken down and I missed Coronation Street last night. Maybe we could talk about what happened over a cup of tea?~ My daughter says she wants a milkshake. Do you do this before you deliver, or do I have to shake it at my end?~ Please send me a form for cheap milk, as I have a baby two months old and did not know about it until a neighbour told me.~ Sorry not to have paid your bill before, but my wife had a baby and I’ve been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks.~ Milk is needed for the baby. Father is unable to supply it.~ Please leave no milk today. When I say today I mean tomorrow, as I wrote this note yesterday.
