The Green Spire

The Parish Magazine ofSt Andrew, Orford with Longford

June 2015School News 2From the Vicar 3What’s on in June 5 Who’s On in June 7Summer Fun Day and Fair 8What the PCC decided... 9Bag-packing – the Scout way 11Priesting at Liverpool Cathedral 12Snippets from the Church Times 13Archbishop encourages ethnic vocations 14WAC Attack returns 15Notice Board 16Christian Aid – The Sponsored Walk 17June Saints 17As I see it – by Churchmouse 20Fit for Mission – four archdeaconries 22A shrewd investor – the Church Commissioners Report 24Granny’s Yummy Recipes 25From the Registers 26Keeping in touch 28Intentions for June 29

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

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School NewsLast month, we announced the start of a new term and this month sees the half-term break. The summer term is relatively short but there’s a lot to pack into it.

This is the time of year when tests abound, the most obvious being SATs. No matter how hard we try, there is an air of tension, especially for Year 6 children. Fortunately for Year 2, the assessments are teacher-led so the children are less aware of the scrutiny they are under. The results are important for the children and often determine which set they are placed in when they move to secondary school, but they are more important for the school, particularly in the light of increasingly demanding Ofsted inspections. Be that as it may, the statutory testing is over for another year and we can concentrate on the task in hand.

Children in other classes will be tested shortly to ensure that they are being taught well and aspiring to greater things. There may have been a temptation to coast, particularly in the early years of the juniors, but not anymore!

The Ethos Committee (what makes a Church School distinctive group?) met recently and has set its sights on the next level of the Church-School Partnership Award (see also the article on What the PCC decided...). The Stakeholder Group is hoping to increase parental involvement and has already seen some promising signs as parents come in to school to help.

And what of the children? There was a very successful film night recently. Everyone was invited to watch How to train your dragon and was allowed to wear pyjamas and slippers, and chill out with popcorn and juice. The proceeds were donated to St Rocco’s Hospice. The School’s “7s tag rugby team’ took part in a tournament at the Halliwell Jones stadium before the game on Sunday 9 th

May.

Not everything is aimed directly at the children! Starting after the holiday, Calm Kids, Relaxed Families will be held in school for parents, carers and grandparents will illustrate methods of keeping calm at home, offering common sense and using a range of techniques to get the most out of family life at home.

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From the Vicar:The grass is growing well. You may have noticed in your own gardens just how quickly plants grow at this time of the year. You go out one day and there are the first signs of growth; you go out the following week and that tiny plant is now almost as tall as you are! Around church, we are cutting the lawns every couple of weeks, though it probably should be more frequently. Even then, it’s a struggle to keep up with them.

Looking back to last month, I wrote about the general Election and the Confirmation. I find it amazing how quickly time has gone, and how both those things seem to have happened a long time ago. The pace of life, like the growth in the garden, often catches us out.

Trinity Sunday, which we celebrated this year at the very end of May, is the last major festival for some time and it’s tempting to think we can take a breather and relax. There is something comforting and reassuring about the Trinity season, which lasts until late October.

The hangings in church, on the altar, lectern and pulpit, and the wall hanging behind the altar, are all green for the Trinity season, and I remember it was said that ‘green is for growing’. It was a phrase

designed to remind us that we can use the next few months to grow in faith rather than fritter them away!

It comes shortly after Bishop Paul, our recently installed bishop, launched his new Church Growth Framework at a conference at Aintree Racecourse. The Church Growth Framework isn’t particularly new – we were working on it in Bishop James’ time as Diocesan Bishop – but it builds on what we have done so far and helps us take the next steps in building up the Church of god locally.

All too often, we think of Church Growth, increasing the number of people attending and belonging to the church, as something clever and beyond our reach. In truth, the very opposite is the case. It is all about simple things we can all do to help others think about what the church stands for and about wanting to be part of it.

Possibly the best thing we can do is to invite come one to come along with you, either on a Sunday morning, or to a social, the Shop or other activity during the week. It seems to me important to meet them in advance, whether on the corner of the road, or even better, calling for them. I remember someone coming to church for the

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first time and saying that she had got as far as the corner of Howson Road before turning back and had done this regularly for a couple of years before having the courage to come in! Because we come to church week by week, and know exactly how it works and recognise lots of people as friends, we forget how difficult and off-putting it can be to take that first step. It’s much easier to come in with someone who ‘knows the ropes’ and will look after you. If everyone in church brought just one person with them, the effect would be spectacular. Even if only some people brought another person, it would make a big impact on the life of St Andrew’s – but don’t let the word ‘some’ give you an excuse for thinking it’s someone else’s responsibility. We all should try to bring someone, and Trinity season, the time for growth, seems particularly appropriate.

Once new people appear in church, and I’m always pleased to see new faces, it’s up to all of us to make them feel welcome. Again, it’s easy to think it’s someone else’s role to go and speak to them, or to think that others are better at it than you are. Most visitors are only too pleased for anyone to come and say hello, rather than stand there alone, and will make that conversation easy.

I remember visiting a church while on holiday some years ago. It seemed very friendly. Someone came up and said hello before the service began and someone else asked us to stay for coffee. But what then happened was that everyone ‘needed’ to see someone and we were left standing at the back holding a coffee and wondering how quickly we could escape without being thought rude. When we left, no one batted and eyelid!

Apart from Church Growth, Trinity is a good time for personal growth. The Church generally encourages us to use Lent, and occasionally Advent, for spiritual growth, but why not Trinity? Green is for growing, not just plants, but Christians.

Again, it doesn’t have to be rocket-science. There are lots of good books about if you enjoy reading, and they don’t have to be deeply theological. My final anecdote is of a trip I made to a course at Windsor some years ago, and we had to read four books in advance. Most on the list were novels and all they asked was that we look for some Christian themes in them – forgiveness, healing etc. So don’t be put off by the task – just enjoy it. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.

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Michael RaynorWhat’s on in June...

Thursday 4th June Corpus Christi – Day of thanksgiving for the institution of Holy Communion

10.30am Eucharist

Saturday 6th 4.00pm Renewal of marriage vows – Kevin and Christine Walters

Sunday 7th The First Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist12 noon Holy Baptism

Wednesday 10th 7.00pm Second Zumba class begins 7.30pm Clergy Chapter meeting in church

Thursday 11th St Barnabas, Apostle10.00am Eucharist 8.00pm Thursday Ladies' Club meet at the vicarage

Sunday 14th The Second Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist

Wednesday 17th 9.30am Stakeholder Committee meeting in school

Saturday 20th 2.00pm Afternoon Tea (tickets available shortly)

Sunday 21st The Third Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist

Thursday 25th 4.00pm Vision and Strategy meeting in school

Saturday 27th 9.30am Set up for Summer Fair in Hall 1.00pm Wedding of Patrick Joseph and Kerry Graham 2.00pm Summer Fair opens (please note opening time)

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Sunday 28th The Fourth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist

Friday 3rd Warrington Walking DayJuly Bus times to be announced

Saturday 4th 4.00pm Blessing of the Marriage of Frank and Angela

Sunday 5th The Fifth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Sung Eucharist12 noon Holy Baptism

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

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Corpus Christiis the popular name for the Day of Thanksgiving for the Institution of Holy Communion and comes from the Latin which means ‘The Body of Christ’. Only Anglicans could come up with such a long-winded name for a very important festival, though the Roman Catholic Church now calls it ‘The Most holy Body and Blood of Christ’. It is normally celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday and emphasises the joy of the institution of the Eucharist.

In many ways, it reflects the events of Maundy Thursday, though the atmosphere tends to be different as there is a solemnity to Maundy Thursday which is immediately followed by the events of Good Friday.

The feast of Corpus Christi is a relatively recent addition to the calendar, largely attributed to St Juliana of Liege in the 13 th century. Juliana was a Norbertine sister who lived in a community at whose heart lay the Eucharist. In visions over a period of twenty years, our Lord instructed her to plead for a celebration of his body and blood. It was nearly fifty years before the Church made the celebration

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part of its calendar and thought the date has cahnged from time to time, the feat in honour of the presence of Jesus Christ has never faltered. It falls this year on June 4th and there will be a clebration of Holy Communion at 10.30am in church.

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Who’s on in June…

2015 SIDES-PEOPLE READER INTERCESSOR OFFERTORY

7 Jun M. GreatorexH. Smyth A. Gorman F. Greatorex J. Brookman

C. Muir

14 Jun I AppletonM Harrington W. McKinnon N. Lee M. Ellison

M. Loughead

21 Jun J DevereuxM Ellison W. Forster Sunday School A. Yeamans

D. Yeamans

28 Jun L. GiblinP. Smith K. Rowan D. Kirk J. Blyth

L. Giblin

5 Jul F. GreatorexO. Vowles L. Manfredi B. Boscoe K. Rowan

P. Smith

2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTING COLLECTIONS

7 Jun L. Giblin P. Smith14 Jun L. Giblin I. Appleton / M. Ellison21 Jun J. Raynor V. Carter / J. Raynor28 Jun J. Raynor B. Boscoe / B. Glover

5 Jul L. Giblin P. Smith

2015 TEA ROTA READ ON WEDS EVE HALL CLEANING

7 Jun B. Boscoe / B. Glover Fr Michael (10 Jun) C. Worrall14 Jun M. Ellison / P. Smith Don Miller (17 Jun) Fr Michael21 Jun M. Harrington / N. Lee (24 Jun) J. Devereux28 Jun F. Greatorex / L. Giblin D. Kirk (1 Jul) C. Worrall

5 Jul B. Boscoe / B. Glover Fr Michael (8 Jul) Fr Michael

There is a new rota for the months of June to September displayed on the notice board in church. Anyone willing to help make tea once every four weeks is asked to speak to Fr Michael. With the holiday season approaching, please look at the new rota and check that you can do your allotted duties. If you are not available, please arrange a swap and mark it clearly on the rota displayed on the notice board. Thank you

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Summer Fun Day and Fair

Saturday 27th June at 1.00pmRoll up! Roll up! The Summer Fair is coming!

This year’s summer fair is only a matter of weeks away and there’s plenty still to do.

GRAND DRAW TICKETS are now available for sale. Please help us by taking some and selling them to friends and family. Not only does it bring us some much needed income but it also advertises the Fair. When you sell a ticket, why not invite that person to come along? Remind them that the Draw takes place at the

end of the afternoon.

ADVERTISING is also vitally important. Word of mouth is the best way of all. If you invite someone, they are more likely to come along. There will also be posters and handouts in a couple of weeks’ time. Please display them at clubs and shops – and in your front window too.

PRIZES: unusually, we are short of prizes for the Prize Tombola and bottle for the Bottle Stall. We could do with some larger, crowd-pulling prizes – bottles of wine and the like – for the bottle stall. The Prize Tombola accepts a variety of gift-type prizes – if you’d like to win it, so will other people! Please bring prizes and bottles in as soon as possible to allow those running the stalls time to label them.

FIRST PRIZE in the Grand Draw is £50 in cash and we invite donations of a fiver to make it up. There will be a list in church for contributions.

CAKE STALL. Nearer the day, we would appreciate cakes to sell. Homemade are always popular though some people go for boxed cakes. All will be gratefully received!

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STALLS: we need lots of help to staff the stalls. Please offer your services early.

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What the PCC decided...

Following the Annual Meeting held in late April, the newly elected PCC met in mid May. Before electing office holders for the coming year, there were a few small items of business to be considered. Minutes were approved and it was reported that the Archdeacon had now signed the Baptism Register, a follow-up to his visit earlier this year. It was noted that the date set for the Summer Fair (27th June) is the same as that chosen for a wedding at St Andrew’s and it was agreed to delay the start of the Fair until after the wedding. There was an opportunity to gather together reflections on the Confirmation which had taken place the previous weekend. It was agreed that all the candidates would remember it as a very special day.

The vicar then gave a brief update of our financial situation. Much of our funds are set aside for particular needs such as repairs that may be necessary following the architect’s visit to inspect the building next year and a possible replacement of the heating system in the fullness of time. (The present system, though reported by visiting engineers to be in good order, is now approaching the end of its useful life. We are reminded that it is only run for about fifteen hours a week during the winter while commercial systems may run seventy or more hours a week. Regular maintenance will also help prolong its life.)

The PCC made a start on the budget for the present year and it will be brought back to the PCC for approval at its next meeting (along with a half-year summary).

Officers for 2015-16 were elected from the gathered body. The Lay Chair is again Mrs Dot Miller and the Treasurer is Mr Aaron Ashbrook. Mr Don Miller is the Secretary to the PCC and Mrs Wendy McKinnon the new representative on the Standing Committee. Mr Yeamans, who had previously filled this position, was thanked for his services. Miss Kathy Rowan is the Electoral Roll Officer and Mrs Lynne Giblin the Gift Aid Secretary. Mrs Margaret Ellison continues as Gift Aid Recorder.

The PCC started to set objectives for the coming year and ideas were sought from members present. Church growth (numbers attending services) was thought to be a high priority. Children’s work figured among our main priorities and we intend to see what other churches are doing, to consider a story-telling

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service and visit the Cafe church at St James’ Church. It was agreed that we need to review our giving scheme during the coming year. Working with school, we look to continue to grow the church-school partnership, which we hope will lead to the second church-school partnership award. Each of these four objectives will be discussed in details at coming meetings of the PCC and actions planned to ensure they are successful.

Mention was made of the Bishop’s Growth Conference. Don and Dot Miller are attending in behalf of the PCC and we look forward to their report in due course. There was to be a Celebration at St Benedict’s Church on the evening before Pentecost (was, because it was cancelled due to poor take-up of tickets) and every church is encouraged to take at least fifteen people to WAC attack, a gathering of churches in the Warrington Archdeaconry in the cathedral. School families will be invited to come with us and join the event which will also be Archdeacon Peter’s farewell service on Saturday 31st October. (Please make a note on your calendar now – we are looking into transport).

Walking Day is fast approaching and we are delighted that school will be sending a full contingent, together with our Scout Group. We need to provide marshals to ensure the safety of the procession.

Dates for coming meetings were set: Tuesday 21st July; Tuesday 15th September; Tuesday 17th November; Tuesday 19th January 2016 and Tuesday 15th March. The Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday 17th April. Where did that year go?

The meeting finished in prayer.

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St Andrew’s Charity Shop

every Wednesdayfrom 10am to 3pm in the Hall

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

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Bag-Packing – the Scout Way

The Scouts have come a long way since the days of Bob a Job Week. You might just remember that scouts went out to do jobs for family, friends and neighbours once a year, around Easter time, for the princely sum of a shilling (5 pence) for each job completed. As with the rest of us, inflation has taken its toll and 5p doesn’t go very far any more!

Nowadays, Scout Groups have to do a variety of things to raise money so that none of the less-fortunate members miss out on camps and other activities. Packing bags in local supermarkets is just one of many ways that they raise cash, so I wasn’t surprised when I found them “bag packing” in the Hall recently (and not even in the Charity Shop).

This was an entirely different exercise. Each scout had been given a list of things they would need to take for a weekend camp and they had to pack it all into a rucksack!

When I arrived, the young people were sitting on the floor unpacking their bags. They were then told to re-pack them and that’s when the fun began. Packing while a loving parent helps is one thing, but trying to get it all back into the bag on the Hall floor is quite another matter. The art of rolling things tight, or folding them neatly, is a skill that comes with age and in no time at all, there were cries of desperation as they tried to stuff it all back, not to mention rolling up the essential sleeping bag.

At last it was done – and then the hard-hearted leader made them empty the contents into the middle of the floor. His excuse? “Now we will see if they recognize their own stuff, or if a parent packed it for them!”

The final word came from a wise (elderly?) parent and grandparent who said, “Just remember, when they pack after camp, most of it will be wet, filthy and unwearable. I only sent old stuff, and binned it when they came home, in case it clogged up my washing machine!”

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Priesting at Liverpool Cathedral

Congratulations to the five men and five women who were ordained to the priesthood at Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday 6th June. They are the Reverend: Paula Bridson, Dave Collier, Dr Anne Kazich, Dan Langdon-Griffiths, Laura Leatherbarrow, Dave Lowrie, Jane Morgan, Ashley Ross, Greg Sharples and Ray Whitby. The Rev Daniel Howard was also ordained priest at St Columba, Anfield. They will continue to serve in parishes across the diocese.

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Snippets from the Church TimesThe Church Growth Conference held at Aintree Racecourse and hosted by the Bishop of Liverpool, Bishop Paul, was reported in the Church Times recently. Bishop Paul was national adviser on mission and evangelism. He introduced the Growth Planning Framework, building on initiatives by Bishop James before him and commended it to the diocese. The emphasis, he said, was on discipleship and the diocese was in a state of ‘confident urgency, but not anxiety’. “We want a bigger church so that we can make a bigger difference.”

The Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Stephen Conway, the Church’s spokesman on education, told an education conference that “we [the Church of England] want more C of E schools, not fewer”. He made the distinction between faith schools (which describes all schools with a religious designation) and church schools because church schools are run for the benefit of all. “They are not exclusive, they are inclusive,” he told delegates. Since the Dearing Report of 2011, C of E provision has increased by 35,000 places – and many schools are still oversubscribed.

Attempts to find the next Bishop of Oxford failed recently when the Crown Nominations Commission could not agree on a suitable candidate. Archbishop Welby wrote, “I am writing to advise that the Commission has been unable to discern the candidate whom God is calling at this stage to be the next Bishop of Oxford.” The Commission will resume again in February or March of next year.

A recent survey addressed a number of issues around death and dying. In response to the debate, the Church has launched GraveTalk, a project which provides resources to encourage discussion and help people plan ahead. More details for those online can be found at www.gravetalk.org

Lichfield Cathedral hosted a vigil gathering to mark the first anniversary of the death of Stephen Sutton. Stephen set out to raise £1m for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The total raised to May this year stands at over £5m – a terrific achievement.

Under the headline “The Lion, the Stitch...”, the Church Times tells the remarkable story of Margaret Pollard who embroidered a tapestry 1600 feet long recounting the famous story. Margaret was extremely talented, an academic, a late convert to Christianity – and keen needlewoman. The tapestry is held at Holy Trinity, Cuckfield.

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Archbishop calls for more minority ethnic vocations The Archbishop of York has called for more minority ethnic Anglicans in ordained ministry in the Church of England.

In a foreword to a new booklet on minority ethnic vocations, Dr John Sentamu said there has never been a better time for Christians from minority ethnic backgrounds to respond to God’s call to ordained ministry in the Church of England. “There is a greater need than ever for minority ethnic Anglicans to respond to God’s call to ministry and servant leadership - we need people who are equipped for cross cultural ministry in our increasingly diverse society,” Dr Sentamu said. “We need more minority ethnic clergy as deacons, priests and bishops. We need ethnic diversity at all levels in the Church’s ministry. This booklet shows how crucial it is for our ongoing vocations work in the Church of England. We need to see more minority ethnic Anglicans if we are to serve effectively and see churches grow, and to do that we must make and nurture disciples in diverse communities across England today.

“Everyday People, God’s gift to the Church of England” from the Vocations Strategy Group, a working group of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, and the Ministry Division of the Church of England, features the life stories of seven ordained clergy and one Anglican who is currently exploring her vocation. All are of minority ethnic heritage.

Dr Elizabeth Henry, the Church of England’s national adviser on minority ethnic Anglican concerns, said there are “significant” numbers of minority ethnic Christians in Anglican churches but minority ethnic clergy make up less than 3% of serving clergy. “Working to increase representation and inclusion of minority ethnic Anglicans at all levels in the Church is not about redressing an imbalance, it is essential to church growth,” she said. “We hope this booklet will provide insight and inspiration for a positive impact on the number of minority ethnic Anglicans coming forward for ordination.”

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When did you last visit your cathedral?

It may be hard to believe, but Liverpool Cathedral has been short-listed as the Visit England ‘large visitor attraction’ for 2015.

Even if you are not a ‘large visitor’ you are, as members of St Andrew’s Church, a stakeholder in this amazing building. It is the mother church of everyone in the diocese, whether it be Warrington or Widnes, Liverpool or Southport.

Not only is it an attraction, it is first and foremost a place of worship where people of all faiths and none can experience God’s love in this sacred space.

In the autumn, we will all have the opportunity to visit the cathedral as a group and join in “WAC Attack”, which stands for Warrington Archdeaconry day at the Cathedral. Those of you who went some years ago to the first WAC Attack will remember it as a fun-filled day, with lots of interest and something for everyone to do no matter what their age or physical ability.

October 31st, the day chosen for this year’s WAC Attack, will also be a chance to say ‘goodbye’ to our Archdeacon, Peter, and his wife Pat as they retire from full-time ministry. Both have worked tirelessly over many years, first in parishes and more recently as ‘archdeacon and wife’, serving the diocese in many ways! When we had the fire, they were here that same day (the fire took place in the early hours of Saturday morning) to offer support and help. They have been an amazing pastoral team and will be greatly missed.

Come with us to WAC Attack and have a fun day out, and help us to wish them a happy retirement. More details about transport, and what’s actually planned for the day, in due course. The date, though, is fixed – please reserve it on your calendar.

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GreetingsFrom the Rev. Judith Cooper who has just been made vicar of St Peter, Westleigh after three years as priest-in-charge. The parish was being considered for pastoral re-organisation, hence the spell as priest in charge. Greetings too from the Rev Jan Ainsworth, who was also a student at St Andrew’s for a while before moving into full-time ministry. It was good to catch up recently at Judith’s installation.

New Zumba ClassMandi Jane, who runs the class on Monday evenings, is starting a second class on Wednesday evenings in the Hall, from 7.15 to 8pm. The class is a fitness class, tailored to its members, and aeveryone is weolcome to attend.

Afternoon Teawill be served on Saturday 20th June at 3.30pm in the Hall. Tickets are available – adults £3 with children and family tickets also on sale. Please book early to ensure there are enough people attending to make it viable.

Walking Dayfalls this year on Friday 3rd July and we will once again be taking a contingent to take part in it. Arrangements will be advertised on the Sunday sheet. If you’d like to travel on the buses, please speak to Fr Michael.

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Christian Aid: Warrington GroupWith Christian Aid Week now complete, the local committee turn their minds to other fund-raising events, and one of the most popular in recent years has been the Sponsored Walk.

This year’s walk will take place around Appleton and Grappenhall on Saturday 4 th

July. It is five and three quarter miles in length and will follow mostly footpaths. Joan Devereux and Lynne Giblin have both volunteered to take part in the walk and would be happy for any others who wish to join them.

The aim of the walk is to raise funds for Christian Aid and this will be done through sponsorship. Sponsor forms are available in church and all offers will be welcomed. All the money raised will go to help people like those in Nepal; recently affected by earthquakes. Since the first earthquake struck, local partners have worked tirelessly, reaching more that 50,000 with vital emergency supplies in the worst affected areas of Gorkha and Kathmandu Valley. Alongside medical care and first aid, they’ve distributed blankets, tarpaulins, food, water purification equipment and water purification tablets to communities struggling to rebuild their lives. The money for the first payments of this work would have been provided from the emergency fund, meaning Christian Aid could respond immediately, even before the Nepal Emergency appeal was announced.

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June Saints

The modern Church calendar celebrates the lives of some of the less well-known saints. Whether greater or lesser saints (the Church makes no distinction), they have brought the love and the light of God into people’s lives in special ways, fulfilling their calling to be witnesses to the love of God. Exciting Holiness, the book of Collects, Epistles and Gospel for Saints’ Days, describes them:

5th June - Boniface of Crediton, Apostle of Germany

Born at Crediton in Devon in about the year 675, Winfrith took the name Boniface when he entered the monastery in Exeter as a young man. He became a Latin scholar and poet and was ordained when he was thirty years old. He rejected a safe career in the Church in England and became a missionary in the year 716 to Frisia, following in the steps of Willibrord. He eventually was commissioned by the Pope to work in Hesse and Bavaria where he went after consecration as bishop in the year 722. He courageously felled a sacred oak at Geismar and, since the pagan gods did not come to the rescue, widespread conversion followed. He was the founder of a string of monasteries across southern Germany and made sure that they were places of learning, so that evangelising could continue. He was made Archbishop of Mainz in the year 732. He crowned Pepin as the Frankish king in 751 but was already very old. While waiting for some new Christians to arrive for confirmation, he was murdered by a band of pagans on this day in the year 754. He has been judged as having a deeper influence on European history than any other Englishman.

16th June – Richard of Chichester

Richard de Wych, or of Droitwich as it is now known, was born there in 1197 and worked hard for his yeoman father to restore the family fortunes. Later he studied at Oxford and Paris and then in Bologna as an ecclesiastical lawyer. When he returned to England in 1235, he was made Chancellor of Oxford and eventually Chancellor to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Edmund of Abingdon. When Richard eventually became Bishop of Chichester, he was seen as a model diocesan bishop: progressing around his diocese on foot, visiting and caring for his clergy and people, generally being accessible to all who needed his ministry. He insisted that the sacraments be administered without payment and with a

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proper dignity. Whilst on a recruitment campaign for the Crusades, he fell ill at Dover and died there on 3 April 1253 and his mortal remains were translated to Chichester on this day in the year 1276.

The Prayer of St Richard is still a firm favourite of many Christians today:

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ,for all the benefits which you have given us,

for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,

may we know you more clearly,love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,day by day. Amen.

18 June – Bernard Mizeki, Apostle of the MaShona

Born in Portuguese East Africa, Bernard Mizeki went to work in Cape Town and there he was converted to the Christian faith by the Cowley Fathers. He then gave his life as a translator and evangelist among the MaShona in what is present-day Zimbabwe. He was murdered on this day in 1896 in a tribal uprising and is revered throughout Central Africa as a witness to the gospel of Christ.

19 June – Sundar Singh of India, Evangelist

Born of wealthy Sikh parents, Sundar Singh was converted to Christianity after experiencing a vision. He was baptised in the Anglican church at Simla in 1905. In an endeavour to present Christianity in a Hindu form, he donned the robes of a 'Sadhu' or holy man and travelled much around the Indian sub-continent. He even made a visit to Tibet, where he persisted in strenuous work, despite ill health. He went missing there, presumed murdered, in April 1929.

This series on saints of the Church will finish next month having covered most of the people commemorated year by year. Ideas for a ‘new series’ would be welcomed!

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As I see it …by Church Mouse“What’s brown and carries a suitcase?”

“A mouse coming back from the Parish Holiday”

Just before I give you an intimate account of happenings on the parish holiday, let me ask your support for a campaign that is dear to my heart. I have decided to raise funds for the Distressed and Homeless Pigeon Society. You see, I knew nothing about the society until just days before we were due to catch the coach when I came upon a pigeon, sitting on the wall just outside church, weeping into its feathers. After I’d had a word and calmed her down, it turned out that she’d been roosting on the top bar of the west window, far out of harm’s way. It was comfortable and warm up there and out of reach of cats and the like.

Just as she was making it feel like home (a few pictures, comfy nest etc), Fr M, Chas, Faith and Ronnie came along and started putting up the scaffolding tower. She went in search of breakfast and came back to find nasty, long spikes sticking up all along the window bar. No wonder she was upset.

The Distressed and Homeless Pigeon Society aims to re-house refugee pigeons for life. I thought I’d take

part in a sponsored eat-in. If anyone wishes to sponsor me (all manner of food accepted), please drop me a line.

Now, you really came to see what happened on our recent trip to the south coast, didn’t you? Once again, Millicent and I took the opportunity to stow away in Fr M’s hand luggage (that’s where he keeps his sandwiches). The coach arrived just before 8 (that’s right, there are two 8 o’clocks each day) and we loaded the hold underneath. I’ve never seen such an impressive array of scooters and mobility aids in all my life, even though we’ve gone every year since the holiday re-started. We set off under a cloudy, grey sky, full of hope that the forecast was a good one.

The traffic was something else. The driver said it was nearly always like that. There were road works on the M6 and an accident on the M5. We stopped to pick up other passengers en route, first in Dudley (what a nice place) and then the service station. The journey was long and orchestrated by the gentle hum of charging batteries (also known as

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snoring) as everyone prepared for the coming days.

When we arrived, we found a clean, bright hotel and a welcome cup of tea. After being told we had to behave ourselves (actually, the manager told us about breakfasts and other important things like that), we went up to our rooms. You’ll never believe it, but when Fr M looked out of his bedroom window, all he could see was scaffolding, and a pigeon gently cooing at him to make him feel guilty about displacing the pigeon’s friend! (It’s true; there was a pigeon outside the window).

The food was wonderful and the menu like something out of Masterchef. On two evenings, there was confit of duck along with a variety of classic meats and sauces. For breakfast, the choices included kippers, and smoked haddock with a poached egg. We were just a touch disappointed that there were no devilled kidneys! Hey ho – we both came back ounces heavier than when we went.

Quite a few of our people went to the evening Bingo, and did remarkably well – just like the first holiday all those years ago. We scooped up a good number of prizes over the four days, and had a good laugh about it too. Mind you, we had one or two moments of panic,

usually when someone shouted “house” because Millicent thought we had been spotted and someone was shouting “mouse”!

There was entertainment every evening and our lot more than held their own. Those who went to the Monday Dance Class were soon ‘shaking a leg’. It only took one of them to move and there was a rush to the dance floor.

On Wednesday, there was an alternative trip to the Theatre at Babbacombe to watch a variety show. Most of our people stayed in the hotel, which was a blessing for the entertainer that night. He had a lively conversation with Pat, Beryl’s sister, the full length of the main ballroom, and spent the evening getting to know everyone that was there, including a lady who came every year to watch him, despite staying in another hotel

We were sorry that a few of our people were not well enough to join us this time, but we hope that they will come with us if we go somewhere next year. Mind you, this year will take some beating. Thanks, Hazel for organising another superb holiday.

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Fit for Mission – new Archdeaconries

Bishops’ Council has agreed an innovative scheme that will result in the creation of four new Archdeaconry areas to enable a greater focus on mission, pastoral and strategic engagement. The changes will take effect later this year after Archdeacon Peter retires.

Inevitably there are certain complexities around what we are trying to achieve. The role of Archdeacon carries legal burdens and responsibilities enshrined in canon law. This is not something we can brush aside and we will want to carry out wider consultation before we can formally create the new Archdeaconry areas. But the leadership challenge is more pressing so we cannot afford to wait.

We are understaffed. Compared to every other diocese we have a poor ration of Archdeacon to Deanery. It creates burdens on our Archdeacons, it increases the burden on our bishops and it creates a situation where increasingly our Archdeacons’ time is spent tackling emergencies. Through sharing the ministry we will have a greater ability to support clergy, Area Deans and parishes in their work to grow a bigger church to make a bigger difference.

“I have been increasingly frustrated by not being able to be as proactive as I would like, and I know Peter feels the same” explains Archdeacon Ricky. “By bringing about these changes we will have a greater opportunity to get alongside clergy and key lay people and through mechanisms such as the Archdeacon’s Parish Reviews get to encourage, support and develop the mission of the church.”

At first Archdeacon Ricky will be sole Archdeacon for the whole of our diocese while we sort the legalities out. But in the next couple of weeks we will be advertising nationally for three suitably qualified clergy to have the role of Archdeacon - carrying out the function on the clear basis that they will legally be installed into the role when we have sorted the formalities. Our aim is to have the three new Archdeacons designate in place by November - after Archdeacon Peter's retirement - so they can start work as Archdeacons on the ground even though they won’t by then have the formal title of Archdeacon.

This will mean the creation of three new Archdeaconry areas. Alongside

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Archdeacon Ricky as Archdeacon of Liverpool (a smaller Archdeaconry than at present) we intend to have an Archdeaconry of

Knowsley and SeftonSt Helens and WarringtonWigan and West Lancashire

In organising the boundaries we are looking to base them on local authority areas as this will make much more sense for the wider public. To do this may involve some parishes moving from one deanery to another but we will be carrying out the appropriate consultation before making any changes. Our aim is to create more manageable areas which can then become places where the Archdeacons can form and support good and close relationships.

In agreeing to the creation of the new Archdeaconries both the Bishop’s Council and the DBF were adamant that they should not represent an additional charge on Parish Share. The Finance Committee is confident that it can work on that basis.

In his paper – Fit for Mission – which Diocesan Synod approved in March, Bishop Paul wrote: “I want to ensure our archdeacons are able to respond not only as an ‘emergency service’ in a crisis but also as a resource in the routine life of the parishes, giving quality and quantity time to their people and congregations”.

This is a first significant step on this journey, a journey to make us all fit for mission.

We need a college of Archdeacons with the time and capacity to smooth the way to growth, so that parishes are able to get the things done quickly and easily that they need to get done to be fit for mission.

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A shrewd investorThe Church Commissioners are one of the big institutional investors. Their Annual Report, recently published, shows that you can be a successful investor in the stock market without giving way to ethical principles.

The Church Commissioners have used their substantial investment power to oppose two-thirds of the executive pay deals where they felt they were undeserved. They have adopted a strongly ethical approach to investment, avoiding arms manufacturers, the tobacco industry and many more. Not so long ago, they sold their holding in a major excavator manufacturer whose machines were being used to bulldoze dwellings in Gaza. Despite, or perhaps because of, their ethical approach, their return on investment is the envy of many City investors. In 2014, they managed a return of 14.4%, just failing to top their return in 2013 of 15.9%. A typical equivalent fund managed just 11.7% last year.

Of course, the aim of the Commissioners is not simply to make money but to fund the work of the Church. Last year, the Commissioners spent £215m, which accounted for a sixth of all the Church’s expenditure. £123 was spent on pensions, £46m on parish ministry and mission grants and £32.3m on archbishops and bishops. A further £9m was spent on cathedrals. Without the significant resources of the Commissioners, the person in the pew (you and me) would finish up funding all these things. As it is, not one penny is spent on church buildings; a common misconception held by many people who think that we get government money to maintain and run our churches.

These are big numbers, but they translate into life-changing projects that make a real difference in the lives of ordinary people. Andrew Brown, Secretary of the Church Commissioners, said: “Through continued strong ethical and sustainable financial performance we help provide for the spiritual and numerical growth of the Church of England. “We continue to identify and help fund the Church’s work and mission in communities Rachel Hepburn, Community Link Worker on the Cheswick Estate in Bristol is funded by a grant for mission in new housing and other development areas. Through the funding, Rachel is able to live in the local community and make vital links with other residents. Pioneer curate the Revd Jimmy Rocks said it was the grant that put the final piece in place in the church’s community outreach. Rachel, Jimmy and the team are meeting the community need by running a variety of events, along with an Alpha group and informal Sunday worship throughout England.”

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Granny’s yummy recipes

“Food, glorious food,Cheese butties and toasties...”

So sang the lady mice as they gathered up the crumbs from the Hall kitchen after a busy day in the Shop.

“Why don’t you leave that to be swept up? said a cheeky mouseling, “Nobody needs crumbs.”

Unfortunately for him, Granny Mouse had heard what he said and grabbed his tail. “Come here,” she said.

“Haven’t you heard about ‘waste not, want not’? If we all used crumbs and oddments, there would always be enough to go round. Come with me tomorrow and I’ll show you something...”

The next morning, Granny Mouse took the young mouseling, along with several other young mice, to a thing called a ‘Foodbank’.

“Why are all these people here?” said the mouselings in chorus.

“These are people who, for lots of reasons, haven’t enough money to buy food for their families. They can come here and get food, but the Foodbank depends on gifts of groceries from others. It’s all about sharing.”

The young mice were very quiet on their way home. The next day, they called on Granny Mouse with a bag of crumbs they had collected.

“Can you use these in one of your recipes, Granny?” they asked.

“Yes, of course I can,” she said, “but you must help. Then, being Granny Mouse, she told them one of her favourite sayings, “A little help is worth a deal of pity.”

The School GardenThe front gardens of school have had a dramatic makeover, thanks to the sterling efforts of Lisa and Diane. They have replanted the St Andrew’s cross, tidied all the beds, put up hanging baskets and there’s now even a seat for parents to sit on while waiting for school to finish. If you are passing, do have a look.

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Holy Baptism:

3rd May: Louise Paul Michael EdwardsAidan Keith JohnsonRiley James SnutchJake Upton-RedmanDenny Junior Wells-Brown

24th May: James Crawford Milsom

Weddings:8th May: Geoff Picken and Nicola Ann Teague

Communicants and Collections: 2015 Sunday

CommunicantsMidweek

CommunicantsLoose

Collections £PlannedGiving £

3rd May 42 12 10.40 346.33 10th May 36 14 225.39 167.00 17th May 46 121 9.72 226.50 24th May 38 3 232.06 166.00 31st May 45 10 18.30 291.83

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 In loving memory of my dear Dad, James Philburn (20th May) from Jean

and Mike Stamp From Fr Alan Rabjohns Donation towards refreshments for confirmation Verger's fee - wedding In memory of Jim Blyth from Joyce and family - Band Fund Mr Malcolm Brown Mrs Yvette Chamberlain

From the Registers

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In loving memory of my husband Bill (Year's Mind 21st May) and Birthday memories of my Mum, May Hinton (25th May) from Margaret Ellison

Flower Fund Wedding flowers 8.5.15

Winners of the Phoenix Club Draw Sunday 31st MayFirst prize: 139 C. MuirSecond prize: 148 J. Raynor (EM)Third prize: 138 J. Brookman

Elle and EsseHair and Beauty Lodge

Unisex Hair SalonLYNETTE and SUELodge Lane, Bewsey

Warrington

Tel: 01925 232282

Changing the settingObservant members of St Andrew’s may have notice that the setting (the music that accompanies the sung parts of our service) changed on the Sunday after Trinity and may be wondering why.

We have three different settings in use currently, two of which were written by Peter. The idea is that there is some variety in our worship musically as well as in the prayers we say. We aim to change the settings when the Church’s season changes. So, the period that is Easter (from Easter Day to Pentecost) constitutes the season and we have one setting for the whole period. From Trinity Sunday (the start of the Trinity season) we change the setting, just as we change the colour of the hangings. We change again for Advent and for Lent. And because Trinity season is so long, we usually change half way through simply for a bit of variety!

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Keeping in touch:

The Church of England hasn’t let the grass grow under its feet when it comes to electronic communication! While recognising that not everyone has access to mobile phones and computers, there are lots of people who do. The Church wants to speak to people of every generation, and has chosen electronic methods specially for teenagers and younger adults who are very conversant with phones and computers, though they only make up a relatively small proportion of the Church at present. For those who don’t have or don’t like electronic methods, there are other ways of finding out what’s going on so nobody should feel left out. Here are some of the ways of keeping in touch electronically:

The Church of England’s weekly podcast is available now on Soundcloud and on the iTunes podcasts - featuring interviews and features from around the Church. All of the audio on Soundcloud is available at: www.soundcloud.com/the-church-of-england

Other ways to engage with us online include:

Follow us on Twitter: @c_of_e or at www.twitter.com/c_of_e Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechurchofengland Watch us on Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/ArchbishopsCouncil Follow our Pinterest boards: www.pinterest.com/

It is interesting how many initial requests for baptisms and weddings come in via the internet, and it’s easy to see why. You can make contact 24/7, so when the thought comes to mind about having the baby christened, you can send off an email while the idea is still fresh in your mind. If the vicar’s not in, the message is there waiting for his or her return. Often, there is basic information on the website telling you when baptisms are held and answers some of the questions you want to know about straight away.

Of course, those contacting the church electronically will get to meet the vicar (or parish clerk in some cases) and maybe even get a visit from someone from church. But all of that is easier when you’ve made that all-important first contact.

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Prayer Intentions for June

Mon 1st Newton Road Mersey Mission to SeafarersTue 2nd Ulverston Avenue Hollins Park HospitalWed 3rd St Stephen's Avenue Central AfricaThu 4th Hunter Avenue Our serversFri 5th Thirlmere Avenue St Elphin, WarringtonSat 6th Chiltern Place Our ecumenical partners

Sun 7th THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 8th Crowe Avenue Church Urban Fund projectsTue 9th Hastings Avenue Social workersWed 10th Toll Bar Place Christians in Iraq and SyriaThu 11th Grisedale Avenue Bishop RichardFri 12th Cotswold Place St James, WestbrookSat 13th Howson Road Warrington Councillors

Sun 14th THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 15th Clough Avenue Guild of Church BraillistsTue 16th Chiltern Crescent Local residents’ groupsWed 17th Patterdale Avenue PakistanThu 18th Newhaven Road Moriting School in South AfricaFri 19th Cotswold Road St Philip, WestbrookSat 20th Windermere Avenue The Diocese of Virginia

Sun 21st THE THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 22nd Ambleside Crescent Christian AidTue 23rd Pentland Avenue St Rocco’s HospiceWed 24th Buttermere Crescent The United Nations OrganisationThu 25th Bowness Avenue Archdeacon PeterFri 26th Borrowdale Avenue St Mary, Great SankeySat 27th Brathay Close Musicians and Artists

Sun 28th THE FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITYMon 29th Currans Road Samaritans and ChildLineTue 30th Horseshoe Crescent Those serving in the armed forces

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