Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
NEWSLETTER
Come and See John 1:39
Go and Tell Mark 16:15
March 2018
Chapel Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1PR
Church Office Telephone: 01625 532600
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Web Site: www.wilmslowurc.org.uk
2
Wilmslow United Reformed Church
A warm welcome is given to all those who worship with us and are friends of this community. If you normally worship
elsewhere, please give our greetings to your home Church.
Services during March 2018
Sunday March 4th 10.30am Morning Worship led by our Minister
Revd Dr Kirsty Thorpe and Minister in Training John Grundy
4.00pm Messy Church
Sunday March 11th 10.30am Mothering Sunday.
Worship led by our Minister and Minister in Training
Sunday March 18th 10.30am Morning Worship with Communion led by our Minister
and Minister in Training
Sunday March 25th 10.30am Palm Sunday led by our Minister and Minister in Training
Thursday March 29th
8.00pm Communion and Tenebrae Service led by our Minister
Friday March 30th 10.00am Good Friday joint service with Water Lane at Water Lane
led by Revd Katy Thomas and our Minister
Sunday April 1st 10.30 am Easter Sunday Communion led by our Kirsty and John
for enquiries contact Kirsty on 415281 or [email protected]
3
Bible Readings - Sundays in March
As we move through Lent towards Palm Sunday our readings encourage us to make space for God and accept his gift of living in the light.
Both the readings for the first Sunday help us to reflect on the wisdom that will provide the key to a good life. In the New Testament Jesus goes to Jerusalem for the Passover and causes uproar when he attacks the lawful business going on in the Temple. His words and actions suggest that, through his cross, he will replace the Temple. In the book of Exodus the Ten Commandments are seen as a moral code for an ethical life.
The readings for Mothering Sunday compare Jesus’ crucifixion to the serpent that Moses raised up before the people. The strong focus on God’s grace and the gift of his Son to bring light to our world are recurring themes in both the gospel and the reading from Numbers.
On the following Sunday we explore God working through our struggles as we are reminded that Jesus is for all people. There is a recurring theme of God choosing to forgive his wayward people so they will have a chance to know him afresh.
On Palm Sunday we read the familiar words of Jesus arriving in Jerusalem on a donkey with the crowds waving palm branches and shouting ‘Hosanna’. It is interesting to think how the disciples envisaged serving Jesus? Possibly not by providing him with a donkey! This helps us to understand how sometimes discipleship consists of simply carrying out the ordinary tasks with love.
At home, or during the quiet time before worship, it may be useful to read the passages and reflect on what they mean for us and follow the Bible as they are read for us during the service.
March 4th John 2: 13-22 Exodus 20: 1-17
March 11th John 3: 14-21 Numbers 21: 4-9
March 18th John 12: 20-33 Jeremiah 31: 31-34
March 25th Mark 11: 1-11 Psalm 118: 1-2, 14--24
Fiona Wood
4
Dear Friends,
In the days when ships were launched into a river in the traditional way, I am told there would be a tense ‘will she-wont she move?’ moment between the bottle of champagne smashing onto the newly built hull, and the ship starting the slow slide down the slipway into her new environment as a floating, ‘living’ thing.
Of course, the truth is that the launch of a ship is only the beginning. For the ship builders, the business of completing the new vessel isn’t completed at the launch. That event marks the start of the fitting out work - adding the machinery, the decks, cabins and equipment for the life of the ship - all the parts which are necessary for her to become a waterborne home for those who will live and travel on board.
Only once all that work is done can the real life of the ship begin. Then comes the moment when those for whom the ship was built can start their hard work.
In the life of any church, I wonder if we live for those champagne-smashing moments. It can be very easy to miss seeing the work which has been going on before the celebration. We may also fail to recognise the work which is needed to equip and run the great ship when it is out at sea. Without all of this commitment the champagne bubbles would be pretty pointless.
Here at Wilmslow URC, we have been in the position of being shipbuilder, ship owner and also the ship’s new crew. In the week that I am writing this, we have just had our champagne moment as the launch of the Undercroft has just happened. Now we are moving into being the crew of this ship. As we do so the celebrations need to become a marker point for us as we start the work of taking this ship where we are led to go.
One of my favourite Gospel passages is John 21. In this story, the men who thought they knew best struggled at working away doing the things they always did. Jesus challenges them to look at their work in a new
5
way, to put the nets out on the other side, and the outcome is greater than they could ever have hoped. Maybe, in our new ship, we will hear Jesus calling us to try something we ‘have always done like this’ in a different way? Wishing you every blessing,
John Grundy (Minister in Training)
Wilmslow Historical Society
FEBRUARY 1918 THE GERMANS RACE AGAINST TIME
Both sides this month prepared for the offensives which were to come. The armistice with Russia and the prolonged, bitter negotiations culminating in the imminent Brest-Litovsk Treaty enabled Germany to transfer troops from the Eastern Front giving them a brief superiority in the war. Leaving behind second rate infantry to garrison the enormous territories conceded by the Bolsheviks, the Germans brought 44 elite divisions to France and Belgium. Determined to strike before the Americans could introduce their vast manpower and resources to bear, they practised in secret the techniques that had proved so successful at Riga and Caporetto. Amassing over half of their heavy guns against the British and using Bruchmuller's proven technique of horrendous,
concentrated and varied artillery just 6 hours prior to an assault they aimed to deploy highly trained, well equipped ‘stormtroopers’.
Equipped with submachine guns, trench
German Stormtroopers
6
mortars and flame throwers they were expected to achieve the breakthrough that so far had eluded everyone on the Western Front.
Lloyd George, appalled by the terrible casualties at Passchendaele and Cambrai, held back many thousands of replacements in Britain. This was unfortunate because it came at the moment when we had to take over a further 25 miles of front from the French in the old Somme battlefields. We had also just begun a process of reorganization reducing the strength of divisions from 12 battalions to 9. Put simply we were running short of men. The Cabinet estimated we would need 620,000 in 1918 simply to make good our losses, but we had only 100,000 available despite conscription. A quarter of our battalions (there were 800 - 1,000 in a complete unit) were to leave their division and move to unfamiliar commanders and groups. Morale thus sunk low in many units. What was worse, unknown to us, the enemy was planning to attack Gough's battle-weary, under-strength and over-stretched 5th Army near St Quentin. Haig had decided to leave the bulk of his forces further north in Flanders and north of Arras to protect the Channel ports. Never known for outstanding efficiency, Gough was to lead an army that was to face near destruction in the weeks to come.
As there were no major offensives in February itself we suffered no fatalities in the battle zones. Sadly, however, we were to lose one young man who was to die at home. Private John Charles Bell passed away on the 20th. He was a member of the 540th Home Service Employment Company of the Labour Corps (497737). This corps was made up of men who were deemed unfit for active service but who performed important duties in servicing military bases and establishments like hospitals here and across the Channel. They carried out basic labouring tasks such as construction, maintenance and clerical duties. John, born in 1887 in Hulme, was in 1911 employed as a butler at Alleston Tower, the home of the calico print owner, Charles J Caulfield. John is remembered on the Wilmslow war memorial and is interred in Alderley Edge graveyard.
The community must have been relatively glad that we lost only one young man this month, in March we were to be devastated by 19 deaths
Jon Armstrong and Alan Cooper (and Michael Scaife)
7
Newsletter Report from the Elders’ Meeting in February
Ken Wallace reported on the work of the Outreach Team. In a busy year their tasks have included redesigning the website, preparing a soon to be launched welcome pack for new attenders and continuing to update the photo booklet.
Our secretary Liz McGuire was pleased to announce that our newest elder Carol Carne will serve as Youth and Children Elder.
She also updated us on progress with keeping church volunteers’ DBS checks up to date under the stewardship of Val Searby and herself.
Martin Duguid was pleased to report that the Undercroft was now operational. Inevitably, there were numerous snags to be resolved over the next few weeks, but Property Team will endeavour to minimise disruption to booked activities. There had been many enquiries about bookings and it was agreed that to ensure consistent approach and correct priorisation of bookings these would be overseen by Elders via Michael Williams for the next few months.
Church Treasurer Steve Wood reminded us of the need for a sustained programme of fundraising to meet the total costs of the redevelopment project. It was agreed that a small team was needed to oversee fundraising initiatives by groups both within and without the Church.
John Grundy our minister in training leaves us in May and his farewell service will be on Sunday May 20th.
Martin Smith was currently down at Penrhys helping our partners there with improvements to the flats where Sharon, Rebecca, Miara, Hannah and Seren live.
North Western Synod had agreed to run more Missional Partnership road shows in March.
All agreed that the Launch service for Undercroft on 4 February was very successful with many visitors and positive feedback. 1st drop in community café sessions took place Monday 5 and Wednesday 7
February. Martin Duguid
8
Christian Aid Week 13 - 19th May 2018
During Christian Aid week, people come together from all walks of life to step out in support of the world’s poorest communities. Together we can raise money to help our needy brothers and sisters around the globe. Christian Aid (CA) supports people of all faiths and none, and we would love it if you could join us in this special week. We raise money in three ways:
1) By having a house - to - house collection - and we would be grateful if you could volunteer a few hours of your time to help.
2) We also have a Church collection on the Sunday of Christian Aid week
3) And lastly, don’t forget that Lent Lunches are being held in Dean Row Unitarian Chapel on Tuesdays at 12.00 in March.
Our focus this year is on Haiti, which was devastated by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Many homes were destroyed and livestock and possessions were lost. CA is working with local partners, helping rebuild broken communities and to better prepare for future disasters. Before 2016, dozens of new homes were constructed with the help of C A and after Hurricane Matthew struck, only one house had lost its roof during the storm. A great result!
Please write the CA week dates in your diary and sign up to the street collection when the board goes up next month. Thanks for your support.
Dorothy Duguid and Carolynne Powell
9
Reading Mark’s gospel Join us to read the story of Jesus at one sitting and start Holy Week with the drama of Mark ringing in your ears.
Tuesday March 27th at 7pm in the vestibule.
And now for something completely different: Tenebrae...
The service of Tenebrae is completely different from any other that we hold through the year, and it provides a truly powerful experience on Maundy Thursday.
The late Malcolm Lovibond introduced it to us in the early 1990s having discovered it while researching the beginnings of the Reformed movement in Europe. The Catholic Church had held a form of the service for hundreds of years, but Heidrich Zwingli, a leading reformer described the way they did it as "a serious abuse". The first reformed Tenebrae was in 1525 in Zurich.
Tenebrae is Latin for darkness or shadows, so we gather in church during twilight on 29th March and find the chairs in concentric circular form with subdued lighting and a number of candles. The form of the service is to start with communion and then twelve readings with different readers following the bitter sequence of betrayal, prosecution and execution recorded in the gospels. After each reading the reader distinguishes a candle, so the darkness steadily deepens. At the end the lights are restored at a subdued level. There is no benediction and we all depart in silence, out into the dark having relived the great human tragedy that is the betrayal and death of Jesus. It is a powerfully moving experience. Why not see for yourself and invite a friend to come?
Derek Torrington on behalf of the Worship Team
(with the help of Sheila Lovibond)
10
Oberammergau Passion Play 2020
Yes! It really is true, plans are underway for the 2020 Performances of the Oberammergau Passion Play, last performed in 2010.
My wife Muriel and I were asked by McCabe Travel if we were interested in leading a group to see the Play whilst, at the same time, having a holiday in Austria. So we have agreed and McCabe have confirmed our booking. We fly from Manchester 3rd June 2020. Prices are approx. £1545 (half board, first class tickets for the play, and three excursions).
Those who were with us in 2010 will agree we had a splendid holiday and a moving experience at the play. The plan is to use the same format as last time, staying again at the Arzlerhof Hotel in Imst, and spending
one night (following the performance of the play) in Oberammergau.
We are currently asking if you would like to join us. We have
reserved up to 35 places but require a minimum of 22. At this stage, no ‘commitment’, just an indication of interest. Around Easter this year, the Brochures will appear with all the details of the tour. Based upon that information you will be asked to make a booking with a returnable deposit. But at this stage all we need is an expression of ‘interest’, so we have some idea if our tour will be viable. Even if you are only just interested, why not reserve a provisional place and wait for the full details, then make your mind up.
Please contact Revd Arnold and Mrs Muriel Harrison, 0161 980 4008 or [email protected]
Revd & Mrs Harrison
Image from Hotel website
11
A work in progress…
When I began to worship at Wilmslow URC last June, I felt I was doing so under false pretences. Although regarding myself as a person of faith, my understanding of the underpinnings of that faith was very rudimentary. How could I re-build my faith knowledge after years of absence from formal worship? How could I start to fill those gaps?
Since joining the congregation, I have discovered a patchwork quilt of activities/readings offered by Wilmslow URC to support me as I progressed from a non-worshipper to a place where I now feel incomplete without weekly worship. There is a richness of support within our church which has helped me on my faith journey.
I’d never attended a church where scripture explanations were an integral part of worship. Now, for the first time, selected scriptures became accessible through Kirsty’s and John’s explanations. I soon realised that progress would be slow if I relied solely on Sunday services for explanations! So, to learn more, I started attending Modern Believers and Mid-Week Reflections – both gave opportunities to hear the faith reflections of others and to raise my own faith and worship questions.
With limited knowledge of the church calendar, I struggled with the contexts of Sunday services. Pentecost was the first service I attended at Wilmslow URC; how grateful I was for Kirsty’s explanation! The Prayer Handbook is providing additional weekly signposts and guidance. As well, I have been able to go back and walk the church calendar, so to speak, by reading past sermons on the church’s website.
Now a new group – Any Questions? – is offering a monthly opportunity to talk with Kirsty and John about recent sermons and scriptures and probe their relevance for today’s world. It provides a space to explore anything that is exercising our faith and to share personal struggles with beliefs, faith, prayer and formal worship. I’ve gained so much from the group’s informal explorations which are challenging and informative, but not without many light-hearted moments! A direct question from one of the participants at Any Questions? helped me to decide to join Wilmslow URC in December. When asked whether I felt ‘empty’ during
12
the years that I searched for a church that suited me, I realised that the answer was ‘Yes’ and that the emptiness disappeared when I found my way to Wilmslow URC!
For the first time, I am beginning to understand what collective worship can and should be about and the comfort and joy of that togetherness. I am beginning to learn, through examples of prayers said in our church, of ways to talk to God. As explained at Any Questions? a prayer can be a passing thought to God as I go about my daily business. I had never thought of that as prayer!
My heartfelt thanks to everyone for welcoming me with such warmth, fellowship and friendship to Wilmslow. I truly feel that I’ve found my
spiritual home. My faith journey is still very much a work in progress…
Peggy
Undercroft Bookings
The Elders have agreed that until a clear policy has been
formulated, all bookings for the Undercroft should be agreed
by the Elders. Anyone wishing to make a booking should do so
via Michael Williams who will obtain the necessary approval.
Gwen and Brian Owen continue to manage the bookings for the
Church and the Halls. The Elders
Freewill Offertory Envelopes
The envelopes for the new financial year will be available in the church vestibule from Sunday 4th March. Will those members who take part in the envelope scheme please ensure they have collected their envelopes before the beginning of April.
Colin Shepherd
13
Saturday 3rd March Wilmslow Wells for Africa Souperday
It's nearly March, so almost time for our next Souperday! There will be a choice of four delicious soups served with bread, all homemade, plus a hot drink. All included in the entry price of £4 (children half price). You can also choose to buy from a wonderful array of cakes as well as preserves, textiles etc.
For just £3 per person helped, a community will have the chance to live a healthy life, gain an education and earn an income. Do come and enjoy the homemade food at Souperday and at the same time help us bring about positive changes in lives.
All contributions of cake will be gladly received!
Wilmslow Methodist Church, Kings Close, Wilmslow SK9 5AR 11.00 am to 2.00pm
A Little Fund Raiser for the Undercroft
Quilting and Art Exhibition Saturday 10th March 2018 10:30 to 2pm In the Church
Entrance Fee £2.00 (Includes Coffee and Biscuit)
Lunch (Soup and a roll in the Undercroft) 11.30am onwards
Other Stalls will include
Gwen’s goodies
Stuart’s plants
Plus a super dooper raffle
Please put the date in your diary and give us your support
14
Ten-Pin Bowling Easter Saturday, March 31st
We will meet at Macclesfield Bowling Alley at 11.20am for one game of ten-pin bowling and afterwards enjoy lunch at the Brocklehurst Arms, Tytherington. If you wish to join
the group, please sign the sheet which will be at coffee after worship and indicate your choice from the menu.
Cliff and Pat Crewe
Book Club
The next meeting will be held on, Monday March 12th, we will discuss Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood. This book is the true story of one of the most notorious women of the 1840’s. It is a story of sexuality, cruelty, murder and mystery. As you turn the final page you are still posing the question: Is she innocent or guilty? What will we think?
At the following meeting (May 14th) we will discuss ‘The Wonder’ by Emma Donoghue. Most of Donoghue’s books are historical novels based on true cases, but this novel is based on her fasination for the Fasting Girl phenomenon. An English nurse goes to a small Irish village to observe what
appears to be a miracle, a girl said to have survived without food for months. Tourists and journalist also arrive. It is a tale of two strangers who transform each others lives.
Pat Crewe
Wilmslow Methodist Church - Film Nights 7.30 pm
MARCH 11th – Goodbye Christopher Robin
True story of WW1 veteran AA Milne and his son Christopher.
APRIL 8th – Breathe True story of pioneering polio survivor Robin Cavendish played by Andrew Garfield. New Director – Andy Serkis.
*** Films are followed by a short time of discussion ***
Invite a friend. All are welcome! Liz Mair
15
Church Diary March 2018 Mar 1st 2.00pm Thursday Tots Mar 4th 4.00pm Messy Church Mar 5th 2.00pm Monday Fellowship – Bin Bag Baby, Judith Townsend Mar 5th 7.30pm Elders Meeting Mar 7th 7.30pm Lent Discussion Group Mar 8th 2.00pm Thursday Tots Mar 10th 10.30am - 2pm Quilting and Art Exhibition Mar 12th 2.00pm Property Team Meeting – Church Vestibule Mar 12th 2.00pm Book Club, Room A Mar 13th 2.30pm Service of Thanksgiving for Marianne Black Mar 14th 11.45am Mid-week Reflections Mar 14th 7.30pm Lent Discussion Group Mar 15th 2.00pm Thursday Tots Mar 18th 12 noon Church Meeting Mar 19th 2.00pm Monday Fellowship – Crystal Palace & The Great Exhibition, David Hill Mar 20th 7.30pm Modern Believers Mar 21st 7.30pm Lent Discussion Group Mar 22nd 2.00pm Thursday Tots Mar 27th 7.00pm Reading Mark’s gospel Mar 29th 2.00pm Thursday Tots April 2018 Apr 9th 7.30pm Elders Meeting Apr 11th 11.45am Mid- week Reflections
Copy for the April 2018 edition of the Newsletter should be emailed to
Juliet Harris (editor) and Trudy Shepherd (sub editor) at
before Saturday 10th March
The Newsletter will be available on Sun 25th March 2018
