HotPott April 2023

Easter Weekend at St Christopher's

Good Friday (April 7th)

Service at St Christopher's (10am)

Service of reflection to remember Jesus' death on the cross. The service starts at 10am with hot cross buns served afterwards

Good Friday Walk (after the service)

Join us for a walk and a picnic after the morning service. Bring your own bite to eat and we'll enjoy it together in the beautiful Pott Shrigley countryside.

Curry at The Viceroy (5.30pm meet, 6pm eat)

Selection of curries, rice & naan bread at the Viceroy, 22 Ingersley Road, Bollington. Everyone welcome! Booking essential – limited places (first come, first served). Prices: Adults £16, Children £8. Please contact Kath or Duncan Matheson (574983 or 07944 624832, email kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk) by Palm Sunday (April 2nd).. Payment on booking please – cash only.

Easter Day (April 9th)

Come and help us celebrate the wonderful news of Jesus’s resurrection.

Holy Communion (8.30am)

Family Communion (10.45am)

I am writing this to you on the morning after the service where I was licensed and installed by Bishop Mark Tanner as the new priest-in-charge at St Christopher’s Church. It was such a privilege to gather with people from across the parish, deanery and diocese, along with our family and friends from far and near, with some watching online from all over the world. The music was brilliantly led, the singing was full of passion, the sermon given by Bishop Mark was challenging and the welcome, from the various parts of the community, was warm and genuine. The overall response as people were leaving was that it was a beautiful service and that they were uplifted and encouraged to be there. If you were not able to attend, please look for the link at the bottom of this letter as you will be able to access the online recording. A big ‘Well done’ for everyone who took part in whichever way, not forgetting those who baked and served outstanding cakes afterwards. The hubbub in the hall as people mixed and chatted with new friends was like music to my ears.

Lynn Caudwell

the one who sends us, who goes ahead of us and equips us. My husband Simon and I believe that God has indeed sent us to Pott Shrigley and the welcome we have received has been very confirming. However, whilst it is easy to consider that those who move physically from one place to another are the ones who are sent, Bishop Mark’s message reminded us that even if we stay living and worshipping in one place, it is important to realise that God wants to send us all. He wants us all to be willing to take a few risks and consciously step out towards the unknown, and encounter situations and people that take us beyond our comfort zone.

As we begin our ministry here with you in this new place, we trust that together God will help us to treasure what we have been given, whilst also helping us to being open to new possibilities for St Christopher’s and the wider community.

In amongst the celebration there was a clear message that God is

Finally, we want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped to get the vicarage ready for us to live in. We are now feeling very much at home, and we would love it if people felt free enough to knock on our door

and have a cup of tea or coffee with us. This invitation is given to all in the community who pass our door.

With gratitude, Lynn (and Simon)

Link for the licensing service. https://youtu.be/pi3_7Qv87gw

And we, the community of St Christopher’s and Pott Shrigley, are delighted to welcome Lynn and Simon to our midst. Bishop Mark’s sermon was indeed a challenge to all of us to look out for, and take up, every opportunity we can to bring the Good News of Christ to all those who are unaware of His saving power, and perhaps

particularly to those on the margins of society, those we would not ordinarily meet perhaps…

Electoral Roll Revision…

Every year, we are legally obliged to review the church electoral roll to ensure it remains an accurate reflection of those who attend church regularly (by person or virtually), or who would attend if they were well enough. Anyone who lives in the parish is automatically eligible to be on the roll, but their name won’t be entered on it unless they complete an application form – available at the back of church, or from me. By law, the roll is revised in the weeks before the annual parachial church meeting (APCM) so, as the 2023 APCM is happening after the 10.45 morning service on 21st May, the roll will be

revised between 24th April and 5th May 2023. Please note this is not a new roll, so if you are on the church roll already there is no need to fill any forms in.

Kath Matheson

A notice about this will be posted in church by 9th April 2023 and the revised roll, together with a list of names of those added or removed from the roll since the last annual meeting, will be put up on the noticeboard at the back of church on 6th May 2023. If you have any questions about this, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kath Matheson, Electoral Roll Officer

01625 574983/07944 624 832

kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk

Thank you…

to all those who made the Chocolate Bingo night such a success. An excellent evening’s entertainment was had by all and, as a bonus, £555.50 was raised for school funds.

Thank you so much to everyone who came or donated money, chocolate or cakes (or all).

The best is yet to come…

On the cold and wet night of 27th February 2023, many of the St Christopher’s family were privileged to walk into the warmth of St Peter’s Prestbury to join Steve Murphy at the service when he was made an associate minister of St Peter’s with special responsibility for St John’s Adlington. Bishop Sam (Stockport) introduced the service as one in which Steve would have his L plates removed; his training would be complete (as much as anyone’s ministry training is ever complete!) and he was to be let loose on the unsuspecting public. Bishop Sam didn’t quite say the last phrase, in fact both he and Archdeacon Ian Bishop acknowledged what a huge difference Steve’s warmth and evident joy in Christ Jesus has already made as he ministers at St John’s. Steve chose John 2:1-13 – Christ turns water into wine – as the reading. Bishop Sam spoke compellingly about this passage, and how it illustrated not only God’s free-flowing, new-every-day, abundant love and grace but also how the

best is still to come, that the future with God is always bigger than the past and just keeps on improving into eternity.

Congratulations Steve, and every blessing as your ministry continues in our neighbouring parish…

If you missed this wonderful service the link is: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7U57IuSi-yU

Rev. Patrick (Vicar of Prestbury), Bishop Sam, Rev. Steve, Archdeacon Ian

It was lovely to see multiskilled Tom contributing to the bellringing and the music at his Dad's service

Anne, Steve & Tom Murphy, Bishop Sam

Onward along the Trans Pennine Trail: Warrington to Broadbottom

In last month’s HotPott Lydia told of our journey from Southport to Warrington. The next part of our route followed the Manchester Ship Canal to Grappenhall. Unlike the other waterways we encountered on our journey, this part of the ship canal was unused and virtually unreachable through dense brambles, fencing and high, steep, perilous banks above the brown and uninviting water.

Simon Potts

At Latchford we passed the immense locks that are rarely used these days; Mersey Ferries operate a tourist boat that turns at this point. There is a larger lock for ocean-going vessels and a smaller lock towards the south bank for barges and smaller craft. The canal widens here to allow vessels to moor and pass. There was very little bird or animal life, and it was with some relief that we veered away at Grappenhall onto the Bridgewater Canal.

Following the canal through Lymm, we next joined the disused Warrington to Altrincham railway line (formerly Ditton junction), now a nature reserve, and into the familiar

territory of Dunham Massey. This stretch traverses arable farmland with low hedges and patches of denser scrub and is probably the most reliable place to hear and see yellowhammers locally, with their distinctive call ringing out in the spring and early summer: Enid Blyton described it as sounding like ‘a little bit of bread and no cheese’.

We skirted the western edge of Altrincham and headed northwards to Sale Water Park before picking up the River Mersey once again. At West Didsbury the river had recently burst its banks and we saw signs of the flooding. One of the advantages of such a local walk was the opportunity it gave to call on family. Accordingly, we left the river at the Didsbury junction to visit our sister-in-law for a cup of tea, albeit sitting on the outside of the open patio doors because of Covid. Suitably refreshed, we proceeded onwards towards Lydia’s hometown of Stockport. Heaton Mersey had a pleasant promenade leading into the town. The river cuts its way through the red sandstone and at this point the Brinksway Caves could be seen high up on the cliff face. The caves were dug out in

Latchford locks, Manchester Ship Canal; marinas.com

Yellowhammer

around 1670, possibly by the workforce that widened the river at this time. Throughout the years many poorer mill workers have lived there, as did the navvies who built the largest brick-built structure in Western Europe: the famous Stockport Viaduct.

Heading eastwards we passed through Reddish and the hat-making town of Denton. At its height there were over 80 hat-making firms, employing over 40 percent of the population. Hyde followed and the scenery started to get less industrial. At Broadbottom we dropped down through the steep village and found two amazing eateries. The one at the little garden centre produced fabulous food for us whilst we sat on the decking overlooking the valley; the second

was a unique pub, the Harewood Arms. Although the pub itself did not serve food an independent local Italian family business worked from a shack next door. Giordano took our order and made our fresh pizza, which was then served at our table in the pub.

Pizzas happily consumed we now looked towards our next stage across the Longdendale Valley, the Pennines and into Yorkshire.

I’m surprised Lydia and Simon could move after all that delicious food! We look forward to the next instalment… Editor.

Q: Where does Christmas come before Easter? A: In the dictionary.

Q: Where does Easter take place every year? A: Where eggs marks the spot.

Garden Centre at Broadbottom; Manchester Evening News

Pizzas at the Harewood Arms

Brinksway caves; Derelict Manchester

Wilsons hat factory, Denton; Tameside local studies & archives

Inquisitions, Wills and more chantry tales

In the previous series of HotPott articles on the chantry at Pott Shrigley we explored the influence of the chantry on religious and social life in the late-Middle Ages and the enduring legacies it left for our community today. In that rich history we discovered unexpected and remarkable connections between the chantry chapel in this then remote part of the Macclesfield Forest and major national personalities and events of the times. These connections were made through Geoffrey Downes and Lady Joan Ingoldesthorpe, who together founded the Pott chantry.

Lady Joan Ingoldesthorpe died in 1494 and Geoffrey Downes, it is believed, died some months later in early 1495. In the last-butone article in the previous series we noted the complex, and perhaps suspicious, circumstances in which they both passed away. Since that article appeared further historical sources and evidence have come to light. This article below explains this new evidence and how it starts to build a clearer picture of Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s and Geoffrey Downes’ final years. But there could be more evidence to come … and this may not be the last word. Final trusts, tangled webs and more Cheshire careerists…

The relationship between Geoffrey Downes and Joan Ingoldesthorpe came sadly to its close (at least in this life) on 21 June 1494, the date of Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s death according to the ‘inquisitions post mortem’ (IPMs) that followed her passing. IPMs were the official legal process by which certain types of old feudal landholding were assessed, taxed and the heirs to that property identified after the person who had held the land during their lifetime had died; IPMs were quite separate

from what happened to other property that might be passed on under that person’s will.

Lady Ingoldesthorpe had, of course, also made a will, and in it Geoffrey is named as one of her two executors; the other is William Sutton, Doctor of Divinity, then rector of the important parish of St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London. The overseer of the will is Dr William Rochford, the head of the Dominican Order in England, in whose friary of Blackfriars at Ludgate the body of Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s brother, John Tiptoft, Earl of Worcester, had been buried after his execution at the Tower in 1470. (As we discovered in an earlier article, Joan specified in her will that she should be buried alongside her brother in the Lady chapel of Blackfriars.)

Returning to Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s IPMs, they confirm that she had had very extensive landed interests in the form of manors or shares of manors (around 20 in total), mainly in the east of England. Although comparisons

Paul Bowden

An illustration of an inquisition post mortem; Mediaevalists

with today’s prices are difficult to make, the total asset value of this land is probably the equivalent of hundreds of millions of pounds in modern money. Before her death Lady Ingoldesthorpe followed the usual practice of the time in making provision for all this real estate by establishing a number of trusts, or uses as they were then called. Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s self-declared heirs at the IPM hearings were her four granddaughters (all daughters of her deceased daughter Isabel, Countess of Northumberland) and her great-grandson, a boy called John Stonor, who was the son of her fifth granddaughter, Anne, who had also predeceased Lady Ingoldesthorpe. This group benefitted from some of these lifetime trusts of land which their grandmother had set up, but not in any substantial way from Lady Joan Ingoldesthorpe’s will itself as we will see later. What is most revealing about these trusts, as recorded at the IPMs which took place during 1494 and 1495, is the identity of the individuals whom Lady Ingoldesthorpe chose to act as her trustees. In addition to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Ely, five

others were a trustee of more than one of Lady Joan’s several trusts: Sir Reginald Bray, William Sutton D.D., Richard Sutton, Rev. James Downes and Geoffrey Downes himself. At that time Sir Reginald was King Henry VII’s closest advisor and, indeed, second in power to him; Sir Reginald was connected with Geoffrey through Sir Edmund Shaa (London goldsmith, Lord Mayor of London, native of Cheshire and cousin of Geoffrey) and the redevelopment of Cripplegate in the City of London.

Geoffrey and three of the other four key trustees, William and Richard Sutton and James Downes, were each Cheshire careerists (the successive generations of men from Cheshire who in the late Middle Ages moved to London and made successful careers in Royal service, the Army, the Church, the Law and the City of London). More than that, all three of them, like Geoffrey himself, came from Prestbury parish.

As already noted, William Sutton was the rector of St. Stephen Walbrook and an executor of Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s will. In addition, he is almost certainly the Dr William Sutton who in the 1460s and ‘70s had been the Principal of Brasenose Hall (the forerunner to Brasenose College, Oxford), and for a time Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University

Brasenose College, Oxford, founded by Sir Richard Sutton; Wikimedia

St Stephen Walbrook, where William Sutton was rector; Buffaloah

until he left the University in about 1490. William was a member of the Sutton family of Sutton in Prestbury parish. The Suttons, in gentry terms, were, literally, the next-door neighbours of the Downes family of Shrigley and Worth.

Although their relationship is not certain, William Sutton was probably an older second cousin of Richard Sutton, who was born at Sutton Hall, around 1460. Like Geoffrey Downes before him, Richard left Cheshire for London to train as a barrister, eventually becoming one of the most successful practising lawyers of his generation (which was the generation below Geoffrey). Richard was appointed a Privy Councillor in 1498 and was knighted. It was as Sir Richard Sutton that he became co-founder (with William Smyth, Bishop of Lincoln) of Brasenose College,

Oxford, Sutton providing the money to buy the old Brasenose Hall (previously run by his kinsman William) and drafting the new college’s constitution.

Earlier family pedigrees show Rev. James Downes as Geoffrey Downes’ brother but a later, more reliable, chronology makes him Geoffrey’s nephew. James would have been born at Shrigley Hall or the family house at Worth in the late 1450s or early 1460s, making him a direct local contemporary of Richard Sutton; it is extremely likely that, even if not playmates, James and Richard had known each other during their childhoods. James was for many years, and until shortly before his death in 1528, the rector of Wickhambreux, a parish a few miles to the east of Canterbury. The manor of Wickhambreux (which included Trenley Park, once the largest deer park in the country) was one of those owned by Lady Ingoldesthorpe. James undoubtedly owed his appointment to the rectorship there to Lady Ingoldesthorpe (and Uncle Geoffrey).

These men were the core trustees of the scheme of lifetime trusts of Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s landed interests. Some of them were also beneficiaries of these trusts. In the 1490 trust deed relating to the manor of Wickhambreux William Sutton (who was a trustee) was also given a lifetime annuity of five marks (about £2,000 in modern money) from the income of the manor after Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s death; the Dominican William Rochford of Blackfriars received the same amount. On a much larger scale, the IPMs reveal that in 1490 Lady Ingoldesthorpe had also transferred under trust an immediate beneficial interest for life of her two manors and all her other properties in Wiltshire to Geoffrey Downes.

William Sutton and Richard Sutton were not national figures in the way Sir Reginald Bray was, but they were both individuals of very high standing and repute, and the sort of people who in any circumstances would make

St Andrew's Church, Wickhambreaux, Kent, where Rev. James Downes was rector; National Churches Trust

Sutton Hall, birthplace of Dr William Sutton & Sir Richard Sutton; Visit Macclesfield

appropriate trustees for Lady Ingoldesthorpe. It cannot, however, pass without comment that this is a tangled web of relationships –the two Suttons, William and Richard, and the two Downes , Geoffrey and James, all coming from the same parish and community in the Macclesfield Forest, all likely known to each other in childhood and youth, all later labelled as Cheshire careerists – and that it is to this odd, very close-knit group that Lady Ingoldesthorpe, before her death, gave guardianship of, and entrusted, a great part of her enormous landed wealth.

Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s will

Lady Joan’s will contains numerous bequests to charitable causes in London and elsewhere, including to ‘the chapel of which I am founder’, which is probably a reference to the chantry at Pott Shrigley. However, there are few specific bequests to individuals so it is notable that included amongst them are three bequests of 10 marks each (about £4,000 today) to Joan, Margery and Maude Downes. These three women, of whom no other historical record can be found, must be relatives of Geoffrey Downes. Were they three unmarried daughters of Geoffrey from

an earlier marriage? Might they have been left this money because they had become stepdaughters of Lady Ingoldesthorpe? This notion that Geoffrey may have become Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s (secret) husband in later life receives just a little more support from her will. Lady Ingoldesthorpe not only bequeaths Geoffrey an interest in the income from the manor of Oakley in Essex, one of her former estates, but also leaves him ‘ … the residue of all my singular my goods, chattels, debts and jewels not bequeathed’. In short, Lady Ingoldesthorpe intended to pass to Geoffrey most of her wealth that was not tied up in land in addition to her properties in Wiltshire that she had already provided for him under trust in 1490. But Geoffrey never saw any of it. We know from government records that Geoffrey was alive in early January 1495; after then we find no mention of him. It seems that, little more than six months after Lady Ingoldesthorpe’s death, Geoffrey himself was dead. We do not know where he died, how he died or where he is buried. There is more we may yet discover…

Joan Ingoldesthorpe, north aspect of east window, St Christopher's

Geoffrey Downes, south aspect of east window, St Christopher's

My Life in Books

I have been a book lover ever since I learnt to read and haunted the children's section of Stockport Library every Saturday morning. Even now I am at a loss if I don't have a couple or three books on the go at once.

Jean Ferguson

Over the course of my working life I was employed in a variety of libraries, beginning in the branch libraries of Manchester, Stockport and Trafford before moving on to the local history and Jewish departments in Manchester Central Library, followed by a frenetic spell in the commercial department there. Indeed, I first met my husband whilst in charge of two branch libraries in East Manchester. He was a young policeman anxious to pop in on the evenings when the libraries were open until 8 or 9pm to make sure I wasn't being harassed by the local ne'er do wells. The cup of hot coffee and biscuit that we library staff were able to provide had nothing to do with it!

Later I moved into education and helped establish new libraries in two east Manchester schools before joining with Sister Aileen, the principal of Loreto Independent Grammar School in Altrincham, to plan and manage a brand-new school library in the beautiful converted chapel. Here it was a joy to teach the year seven girls to love reading for pleasure, as well as how to research topics in reference books instead of just believing and downloading everything they found online. The library provided a study space for the sixth form too where I strove to keep a calm and serene environment. (Unlike in many of today's libraries, but don't get me started on that!)

Now my aim is to get you interested in our little book corner in St Christopher's, where there are books on all sorts of topics connected to our faith. Some of the things I struggle with are how to pray and how to understand the Holy Bible. Praying became a lot easier when I discovered Eddie Askew. He had worked in both India and London for the Leprosy Mission, and when he retired he devoted much of his life to writing and painting. Eddie produced many best-selling Christian books in which he chats to God about everything. His easy style of prayers

Manchester Central Library; Wikipedia

Book corner books

inspires us to talk and listen to God. He voices his doubts, hopes, joys, faith (and sometimes lack of faith) in a way that helps us voice our own prayers; beautiful watercolours accompany each prayer.

Until recent years, my knowledge of the Bible was very sketchy as most of my childhood was spent in being taught the Catechism, which is full of rules and regulations, whereas the Old Testament and many of the later books of the New Testament were not mentioned. I bought a Bible written in chronological order – that helped sort the who, where and when, particularly of the Old Testament. And when I came across Never Mind the Reversing Ducks by Adrian Plass I began to understand more of the life of Jesus as a man as well as our God. The Church Times describes this book as: 'Perfect for those five minutes when you feel you ought to read the Bible but don't know

where to start. Plass brings his own unique perspective to this meditation on Mark and gives a challenging, witty and often poignant look at the life of Jesus.'

There are many more interesting books hidden away in our little book corner. Why not come and have a rummage, take some home and keep them as long as you like before popping them back on the shelves. No ticket, no fines, just return them when you have finished with them for others to enjoy.

There are a few Christian music CDs and tapes there too for you to borrow. And if you have any up-to-date books you would like to donate, just leave them at the back of church or give them to me – I’m at the 10.45 Sunday service most weeks.

Happy rummaging!

God rescues the Children of Israel…

In class three of Pott Shrigley Church School we studied the story of Exodus and talked about God rescuing the children of Israel from Egypt and forging a special relationship with them. We studied the story of Moses’ early life, the burning bush, the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea and the Ten Commandments and why they are important to our lives today. We focussed on justice and how Moses was an example of this. We explored God’s love for His people and how it teaches us His love is unconditional and everlasting.

The story of Moses by Toby

As a baby, Moses was born in a tough environment where all baby boys were sent to death. His mother sent him down a river in a basket as it was the best chance of him surviving. A couple days later he was found by a princess and treated like a king.

One day he lost his temper and murdered an Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew. He was so scared of getting killed that he ran away and found a humble place to live. He lived there for 40 yers when god talked to him from a flaming bush. “Help the Hebrews” God said. Immediately he dropped what he was doing and started to travel.

It took him many days to get back to his childhood place (Egypt.) God had told him to ask: Can you release your slaves? ‘No” said the pharoah, ‘I must keep them.”

God got angry and released a plague where water turned red, full of blood.

Moses by Grace

Moses was born in Egypt and he was a Hebrew they were the Egyptians slaves. The pharoah was worried that the Hebrews would outnumber and overpower the Egyptians. He ordered that every baby boy was to be killed at birth. When Moses was born his mother put him in a basket covered in tar and placed him in the river Nile. One day the pharoah’s daughter came down to the river to bathe she found the basket with Moses in it and raised him as her son. When Moses was an adult and had been raised as a royal prince he lost his temper and killed an Egyptian soldier .Moses went to the desert and was a shepherd for 40 years until God spoke to him through a burning bush.

God said to go back to Egypt and free the Hebrew people ,Moses went to the pharoah and asked him to free the Hebrew people but the pharoah said NO! So God sent 10 plagues: The plague of water to blood ,frogs, lice , flies ,livestock died ,boils ,storms , locusts ,darkness and the first born son died .Even after that the pharoah said no so Moses took the Hebrews and helped them escape .

The story of Moses

by Sienna

Egypt was a horrible place for Hebrews, because Hebrews would be sent to Egypt to be slaves. One day pharaoh grew worried and feared that the Hebrews would take over “The next born boy to Hebrews will be killed!” he declared “to keep down the population”. Moses was the first born boy and his mother wanted her baby top live, so she rapped him up and sent him down the Nile to keep him safe. However the princess spotted him! But she liked him and decided to raise him as her own! He grew up as the glorious prince of Egypt! When Moses was older one day he went outside and saw a man beating a slave Moses thought this was awful and ran to stop him. But he accidentally killed him and when he realised what he had done he decided to run away as word would eventually get to the king.

When he was on his journey he saw a burning bush, but the burning bush was god and god spoke, “I need help freeing the Hebrew slaves” God said. Moses did as god has asked and talked to pharaoh and pharaoh said no god was angry and sent 10 plagues he sent 1.rivers turned to blood 2.desease carrying frogs at this point Moses went back to ask pharaoh and got the same response so go sent more 3. Lice, flies, ticks and gnats 4. All live stock died but he still said no! 5. Boils

6. hail lightning and thunder 7.locsts

7.darknss and sill no! Finally the eldest son in every family died but Hebrews painted their doors with lamb’s blood so that god would pass by. Finally Moses went up to pharaoh, asked if he could set them free and pharaoh said yes. They were free.

Thank you to the children of Pott School, who have produced some excellent work about Moses. This month we are including three pieces on Moses’ early life, but watch out next month for five more, covering other exciting Moses’ stories.

Easter Story

Amazing love how can it be

As helpless Babe from heaven He came Walked our earth as Light descending To our world engulfed in pain. How marvellous, how wonderful His loving kindness as a flood, Taking all our sin and sorrow

As He shed His precious blood.

The rugged cross was a battle ground

As the Father’s face turned from His Son Darkness engulfed the whole of the land ‘Finished!’ – the cry as victory was won.

We stand now amazed in the presence Of the Man that came from above, The Crucified One – but living again, Who kissed our guilty world in love.

Coffee Break

Across

1 Relating to the whole universe (6)

4 The disciple who made the remark in 8 Across (John 20:24) (6)

8 ‘Unless I see the nail marks — — hands, I will not believe it’ (John 20:25) (2,3)

9 He urged King Jehoiakim not to burn the scroll containing Jeremiah’s message (Jeremiah 36:25) (7)

10 Baptist minister and controversial founder of America’s Moral Majority, Jerry — (7)

11 ‘Look, here is — . Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ (Acts 8:36) (5)

12 Repossessed (Genesis 14:16) (9)

17 Port from which Paul sailed on his last journey to Rome (Acts 27:3–4) (5)

19 ‘Moses was not aware that his face was — because he had spoken with the Lord’ (Exodus 34:29) (7)

21 Roonwit, C.S. Lewis’s half-man, half-horse (7)

22 Grill (Luke 24:42) (5)

23 ‘The lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the — apostles’ (Acts 1:26) (6)

24 ‘I was sick and you looked after me, I was in — and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25:36) (6)

Down

1 Coastal rockfaces (Psalm 141:6) (6)

2 Academic (1 Corinthians 1:20) (7)

3 Publish (Daniel 6:26) (5)

5 For example, the Crusades (4,3)

6 11 Across is certainly this (5)

7 He reps (anag.) (6)

9 Liberator (Psalm 18:2) (9)

13 Man who asked the question in 11 Across was in charge of all her treasury (Acts 8:27)

(7)

14 They must be ‘worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine’ (1 Timothy 3:8) (7)

15 The human mind or soul (6)

16 ‘O Lord, while precious children starve, the tools of war increase; their bread is — ’ (Graham Kendrick) (6)

18 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not — ’ (Matthew 11:17) (5)

20 Bared (anag.) (5)

The Suffering Church

Nigeria is one of the countries which has suffered so much over recent years from persecution by extremist Islamic sects like Boko Haram. The life of Isaac Achi, a Nigerian church minister in Niger State, epitomises the struggles and suffering of the Nigerian Church. On Christmas Day 2011, he survived a Boko Haram bombing on the church he then pastored in Madalla, near Abuja, though 45 others were killed and 73 wounded in the blast. Also in Madalla, Reverend Achi was shot in the jaw during an attack on the Christian community, and in February 2013 he was abducted and spent several days in captivity before being rescued. Reverend Achi died in January 2023 when his home was set alight by suspected Islamists, a violent end to a life of suffering and hardship, and symptomatic of the perpetual anti-Christian violence that plagues northern and Middle Belt Nigeria. It was hoped that Nigeria’s recent presidential elections would mark a new start, with new strategies to tackle the seemingly intractable persecution of Nigerian Christians, but the Christian-Muslim divide in Nigerian society has widened with no obvious path towards

restoring peace and overcoming Islamist extremism. The 70 people killed recently in Christian-majority areas of Benue and Kaduna states demonstrate that anti-Christian attacks have continued since election day. Please pray that our sovereign Lord will raise up wise and just political leaders who can lead the nation to a better future, and that the Church will continue to speak the truth in love and bear Gospel witness to those desperately searching for hope. Above all, pray that the Lord will sustain the faith of His people in Nigeria as they endure such trying and difficult times.

Persecution is not the only problem facing Christians. One Christian mother, whose family had been living in a car since their home in Aleppo was destroyed in the devasting earthquakes in southern Turkey and northern Syria in February, expressed her thanks: ‘Thank God for Barnabas Aid. They gave us some money and we feel we are secure.’ Praise God for all those who donated funds to enable charities such as Barnabas Aid to buy food and other items the devasted population so badly needed. Three days after the first quake hit, Barnabas’

Food distribution in Aleppo, Syria; Barnabas

Rev. Isaac Achi, Nigeria; Barnabas

local project partners began distributing 1,500 boxes containing ingredients for several nutritious meals to Christian families in desperate need in Aleppo; several hundred pairs of new shoes were also given out. A second consignment, containing more food parcels as well as blankets, health kits and coats, was distributed to a wider earthquake-affected area of Syria, with aid being given preferentially to the neediest female-led families and those who were poor, marginalised or suffering even before the quakes hit. In the Turkish city of Antakya (previously Antioch) Barnabas Aid has rented accommodation for the family of the pastor we mentioned last month whose church and home had collapsed; another Christian family whose home was also destroyed lives there too. 30 large, heavy-duty tents are sheltering Christians in Turkey from the bitterly cold winter weather; wood burning heaters are helping too. Further provisions of food and other daily necessities are on

their way to Syria and Turkey. ‘God is already doing miracles,’ project partners in Turkey have said. Praise God for them, whose hard work has ensured crucial aid has reached our brothers and sisters in greatest need. Pray that the Lord will draw close to His people in the earthquake-affected areas and fill them with His joy, peace and hope as they face the difficult days ahead.

More than 200 people are now confirmed dead in Malawi after tropical storm Freddy tore through southern Africa for the second time in a month, destroying homes and causing landslides and flooding. Malawi's commercial hub, Blantyre (where the Fazakerleys and many other SIM workers live), has recorded most deaths, including dozens of children; densely populated, poorer communities living in brick and mud houses are most affected. More than 20,000 people have been displaced, with the situation likely to deteriorate as high winds and heavy rain

Mudslide, Blantyre, Malawi; CNN

Cyclone Freddy, Malawi; Unicef

Tents provide shelter in Turkey; Barnabas

continue. The current cholera outbreak will probably worsen too. The collapse of roads and bridges has hampered rescue operations; workers are overwhelmed and using shovels to try to find survivors buried in mud.

Official mortuaries are full to overflowing. Malawi's already-creaking power supply has worsened as debris at the country’s hydropower plant caused it to fail, leading to even more power outages. Freddy is one of only four storms in history to traverse the entire Indian Ocean from Australia to mainland Africa; it has broken records for the strength it accumulated as it journeyed across the sea and could also be the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record. Please pray for all those affected by Freddy, that relief would be swift and effective in the long term.

So why does God allow Christians to be persecuted by non-Christians? Why does God allow Christians to suffer – and die – in earthquakes, in tropical cyclones and other disasters? There’s no easy answer! Steven and Jo Wheatley (missionaries in Malawi) have written to say: ‘Some have been asking: “Was this cyclone sent by God or Satan?” How do you answer that one, other than we live in a fallen world, and the amazing thing is that God hasn’t wiped us all out long ago! Only by grace…’

With thanks to Barnabas for the information in this article.

For

Missionary Matters

Johnny McClean’s job includes training pastors and preachers in Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. Recently he travelled to Chiang Mai for the first North Thailand Langham Training Week; it was evidently a blessing.

John Ryley

Johnny wrote: ‘Praise God for the 36 participants at this workshop. This is one of the highest quality groups we have trained. They are working very hard on studying their Bible passages in their small groups. It is wonderful working with Off (a student from our days in Phitsanulok 20 years ago) and seeing the Chiang Mai Langham Committee doing so well. There are 3 Langham scholars (who have studied PhDs overseas and come back to teach in Thai seminaries) in the group. Please pray that we will be able to find possible local facilitators in this group who we can train, and that the participants will grow as preachers and will join local preaching clubs to continue to grow together.’ Johnny trained another group of pastors in Bangkok later in March. Each week up to five new people come to the church Johnny and his wife Ann attend in Bangkok; pray many will stay and come to faith in Jesus. The practical

help the McCleans gave to the community during Covid ensures a good welcome as they go out on outreach; they have a men’s Bible study group in their home each Wednesday and a care group on Thursday. The Covid baby boom means Ann’s Sunday School class has grown! Ann asks for prayer as she says her goodbyes at St Andrew’s International School (where she has taught for 12 years) and moves to International Community School (an American school with a Christian curriculum) at the end of this term. Eldest son Matthew will graduate from Queen’s University Belfast this summer, and Johnny and Ann hope to be in the UK for June and July. Pray for Pramote, the pastor at their church, and his wife Ling, who recently gave birth to their third child, Praise.

As mentioned in Suffering Church (page 21) Malawi, the home of the Fazakerleys, has been devastated by tropical storm Freddy; Mozambique and Madagascar have been severely affected too. Many lives have been lost and people made homeless; Blantyre is at a standstill, with schools and businesses closed. The power outages are reducing the water supply, so the Fazakerleys are collecting the too plentiful rainwater. Much of Malawi’s annual maize harvest has been washed away, so the future food supply looks

Johnny with 7 others

Relief Centre, Blantyre, CNN

Pott Shrigley Village Hall Bar

2nd Friday of every month, 6.30 'til 10.00pm

14thApril

12thMay

Although the SIM missionary team is well, everyone is close to someone who has suffered some form of serious loss, and all will be variously involved in the community's effort to face the aftermath. SIM Malawi is providing care for victims by working with local partners to provide a coordinated response including provision of food, basic utensils, clothing, temporary shelter, counselling, and transport. Donations can be made to SIM Malawi’s Disaster Relief project 96759. Please pray for the people of Malawi and for all those demonstrating the love of Christ at this difficult time, and that post-disaster health hazards (e.g. cholera) will be managed well to limit the harm to the minimum.

Amid the chaos, Megume has been developing some Bible study notes for Blantyre Baptist Church; he hopes to complete a guide to Romans shortly, then plans to do one for Matthew. Although plenty of good Bible study notes exist already, Megume is trying to produce some contextualised to Malawi. Language is the most obvious part, and he tries to write in Chichewa (and produce an English version too, if necessary). But context involves many more things. For instance, when explaining something, an example from the Ashes cricket series, Tour de France or Super Bowl may be a brilliant illustration of what he is trying to clarify, but it will do absolutely no good if his readers are not familiar with those things. Megume needs to know what his readers both know and don’t know; in short,

he needs to know his audience well before he can explain something appropriately. As Megume is familiar with his audience, having lived and taught in Malawi for many years, he feels he is in a good position to produce something which helps Malawians to learn more of God. He says: ‘I know that you sent us out to Malawi, not to say something no-one else has ever said before, but to communicate an old familiar story (which other more brilliant people have already spoken about many times) in such a way that people I meet can make sense of it and obey. I am trying to do just that.’

Relief buckets ready for delivery; SIM

Broken Wall, SIM campus; SIM

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Save the Date: the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 21st May

Our annual opportunity to meet as a congregation to review the life and mission of St Christopher’s, and to contribute to its future plans, is happening after the 10.45 morning service on 21st May. Please put the date in your diary and make every effort to attend. Following Bishop Mark’s challenging

Many congratulations…

sermon at Lynn’s licensing service, both as individuals and as the family of St Christopher’s we all need to get out of our comfort zones and bring the good news of Christ to those who are yet to meet Him. So… there is plenty to talk about, and your views need to be heard! Please do join us.

to Reg & Jean Ferguson, who celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary on 17th February 2023. We wish you many more happy years together, and thank you for the cakes! Snazzy sand boots Reg, though not sure about the plum suit…

Get your skates on if you want to become a parish councillor…

On 4th May 2023 all the parish and borough councillors in Cheshire East are up for reelection. Pott Shrigley is entitled to have the minimum number of seven parish councillors, so unless there are more than seven applicants, there will not be an election. Anybody interested in becoming a councillor can obtain an application form, which comes complete with guidance on how to complete the form and what becoming a councillor entails, from Macclesfield Town Hall. However, you will have to hurry: the closing

date for applications, which must be taken personally to Sandbach, is Tuesday 4th April.

Hand Painted Pet Portraits

Recipe of the Month

The not-so-humble stir-fry

When Annie cared for Duncan’s mum, the food she prepared looked so appetising, so I was delighted when she submitted this recipe for HotPott…

Annie Palace

The humble stir-fry elevated to heights of deliciousness! Quick and economical to prepare, easy to cook in a pan or wok, this dish provides a clean, fresh flavour with vibrant colour and contrasting texture.

Suggested Ingredients for two:

Two cups of spinach leaves

Half cup of spring onions

One cup of pak choi

4 garlic cloves (chopped)

One cup of mushrooms

One cup of courgettes

One cup of asparagus tips

Extra virgin olive oil

Freshly squeezed lime juice

Apple cider vinegar

One tin of chick peas

Freshly grated ginger

Protein of choice, pre-prepared

Method:

If time is on my side, I like to prep some of the ingredients separately, rather than mixing everything into the pan togetherthis intensifies the different flavours but is a matter of individual preference and by no means essential. For example, I slice the mushrooms, cut the courgettes into fat matchsticks and simmer them together in oil and garlic until al dente. This combination is simple but truly mouth-watering and smells divine. Roughly chopped pak choi, spinach leaves and spring onions is another winning mix, particularly when flavoured with freshly

squeezed lime juice and lightly tossed in oil with some cumin seeds and chopped herbs for added interest.

For a little bit of luxury, when available I throw in some asparagus tips or a handful of glistening pomegranate seeds.

Crumble some walnuts for a satisfying crunch.

A tin of chickpeas makes the dish more substantial… the possibilities for different combinations are endless.

When the prep is complete, gently combine all the ingredients; add a splash of apple cider vinegar and some freshly grated ginger for a real zing.

Ensure everything is cooked before adding the protein. My current favourite has to be tender slices of duck breast roasted in the pan but chicken works equally well, as does beef, pork fillet, tofu, prawns and a variety of sea food. Pretty much anything you fancy.

A side of Greek yoghurt sprinkled with sweet paprika perfectly complements this dish.

• All services underlined in blue will be streamed live on our Facebook Page & YouTube channel.

• A recording of each live-streamed service will be available from the services page of the church website:

Junior Church * Youth Church (at 10.45am)

Church Cleaning Rota

7th April David & Joy

21st April Sally & Yvonne

28th April Caroline & Jean H

5th May Reg & Jean

Directory

Praise and Play: Situation Vacant

Parish Council Clerk: Joyce Burton, pottclerk@btinternet.com

Wedding Coordinator: Pam Cooke, weddings@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

Head Teacher: Mrs Anne-Marie Willis , Pott Shrigley Church School, SK10 5RT

head@pottshrigley.cheshire.sch.uk

Website: Tess Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP info@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

PCC Members:

(please prefix numbers with 01625)

Dr John Ryley, Duncan Matheson, Sally Winstanley, Peter Kennedy, Jean Ferguson, Andy Phillips, Pam Cooke, Ian Clarke, Mary Currell, Mike Akerman, Rebecca Roth-Biester Sheila Garton, David Garton, David Gem, Anne Murphy, Kath Matheson, Chris Day, Reg Ferguson. This directory was updated on 19th March 2023.Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk