HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 1
Page 2
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
John's Final Jotting One of the frustra ng things about Bri sh weather is its unpredictability. Like a sullen teenager, one can never second guess it! Other words to describe it might be annoying (what do we wear?) or even cantankerous (a er deciding what to wear, the weather changes and catches you out!) I am forever changing the heat controls in my car from hot to cold and back again, even on the same day. Just when you think summer has come with a couple of warm days, we experience a winter chill. Perhaps teenagers have an excuse
for their mood swings due to biological changes but adults - no, certainly not to that extent. We can all have our grumpy moments but not like inconsistent Bri sh weather.
Pg
Content
3
John’s Jo ngs
5
Go Girl, Go!
6
Flix Annual Report
7
Community Cinema
8
Guild’s Gallivan ngs
11 Tools for Self Reliance 12 Come Rain or Shine
Revd John Buckley
13 Recipe of the Month
In general we depend on others to be reliable and consistent with a tude and behaviour. We like to know where we stand with people. Thank God that He is unchangeable, reliable in love, mercy and pa ence. The same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13v8) We also rely on His many promises, especially His forgiveness. With the beginning of the interregnum, it is crucial that the members of St Christopher’s reflect upon the characteris cs of Jesus with a commitment to maintaining the momentum of church life. Everyone should play their part. People tend to dri during interregnums - PLEASE don’t let that happen at St Christopher’s. con nued →
HotPo - Summer 2015
This Month
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
14 Saint Christopher 15 Climbing 15 Home Wanted 16 Missionaries Ma er 19 New Atheism Is Not New 20 Cricket Club Capers 23 Coffee Break 24 A Day in the Life 27 A Le er from the Rectory 28 The Suffering Church 31 From the Register 32 Chores and Chains 33 Sidespeople Rota 34 Summer Services 35 Regular Ac vi es
Summer 2015
Page 3
Scripture tells us, “Do not neglect to meet together but encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10v25)
As I said in my le er last month, “No one likes change.” However, we look to the Lord, with prayers, to provide a suitable successor. Chris ne and I will con nue to pray for the church (which we love dearly) and hope you will too. Our dependency is ul mately on the Lord, His provision and His guidance. Our season at St Christopher’s has sadly come to an end but we have so many wonderful memories. The life of the church will s ll con nue including, we hope, the friendships we have made. Love,
John & Christine.
It is becoming clear that the interregnum is an opportunity for a lot of changes!
Wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of the 100 or so people who turned out to celebrate the crowning of this year's Rose Queen.
Page 4
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Go Girl, Go! This April I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to run the London Marathon. A er receiving my ballot place in the post, I was ini ally apprehensive. However, I am now really pleased to have run it as it was such a great experience.
and prayed for a sense of calm... The race started at 10:10am but it took 10 minutes before I crossed the start line as there were over 50,000 runners taking part.
I was amazed by the huge numbers of people specta ng along the en re 26.2 mile course. I I followed a 16 week training plan and I began had headphones playing music but I could my training a er Christmas. It involved running barely hear my music because of the crowds five mes a week with a long run at the cheering. Water, Lucozade and energy gels weekend. The furthest distance were handed out at every mile I did before the big day was 20 along the route which were a miles. A er each run I would real help. I managed to see my treat myself to a Cadbury's Mum, Dad and my younger brother, James, chocolate bar! suppor ng me at miles 12 and 24. I completed On race day I was extremely nervous and the race in 3 hours 39 minutes which I was barely slept really pleased with. the night A er the Race I had a surprise mee ng with before. I my godfather who was in London from his travelled on home in New York and I was treated to the my own to most delicious a ernoon tea! the start at I raised over £650 for the mental health charity Blackheath Mind.
Beth Chasty
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 5
Flix in the Stix - Annual Report Annual Report Year ending June, 2015 First and foremost a large thank you to the club’s commi ee who work hard behind the scenes and between features to make the club the success it is today. Without their dedica on and enthusiasm, none of this would be possible especially this year when, due to expanding business commitments, Home Aspect Cinema advised us they would like to curtail their sponsorship. Having supported us since well before our first screening three years ago (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) we could hardly complain and have a huge debt of gra tude for their help, pa ence and exper se.
Mike North Faced with this news, the commi ee knuckled down and applied for a lo ery grant of almost £10k, which, as you know, was ul mately successful. This grant has allowed us to permanently install equipment and made our roadies, who used to install and remove a temporary cinema each month, redundant! The new installa on seems to work well and con nues to meet the benchmark laid down by Home Aspect Cinema.
bad film choice! We seem to have honed our film selec on process such that we cater for most tastes most of the me, whilst s ll having a spectrum of genres: our season started with Non Stop, followed by Last Vegas, Lone Survivor, The Book Thief, The Railwayman, What We Did On Our Holiday, Mr. Turner, The Imita on Game, Paddington and concluding with the Theory Of Everything. Even if every film is not to everyone’s taste, I hope the atmosphere and the licensed bar compensate. Finally, we need to record too our thanks to the Village Hall Commi ee who con nue to waive hire charges for the hall and have been suppor ve in all we do; including being ‘super cool’ when we caused the ceiling to flood when carrying out the installa on of our cinema. And not forge ng the volunteers who man the bar, again for our benefit. Here’s to next season and please enjoy the summer recess. We recommence screenings on Wednesday, 2nd September with “The Hundred Foot Journey” starring Helen Mirren.
I’m par cularly pleased that we are regularly packed to capacity and that the Village Hall are in the process of replacing the chairs in the hall so those on the front row no longer have to sit on infant’s sized (or which I call naughty) seats. The good a endance means we are slowly building up a small surplus to cover any unexpected equipment failure or Page 6
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Never visited before? Why not come and enjoy our wide screen, high definition projection with 5:2 surround sound coupled with easy parking, friendly atmosphere and licenced bar. HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 7
Guild’s Gallivantings Georgina Wray opened our June mee ng with a prayer and then introduced our speaker Mr Raymond Acton. The talk was en tled “Wilmslow Moves South” and Raymond solved the mystery, giving us a fascina ng history of the development of Wilmslow from its beginning as a small village with a church and one main street, bordered by the river Bollin.
area. Rich merchants from Manchester moved to the area and began to buy large houses and
Eileen Stratford develop land, reaching into the east and the south. Part of the boggy area of Lindow Moss was drained and houses built there.
With the aid of maps and photographs, he Among the more well known names that came explained how the surrounding land was split to Wilmslow at this me were the owner of into hamlets called ‘Greens’ and, how, in the the Manchester department store, Pauldens, early 1840s, with and Henry Boddington of the weaving of We were intrigued by the title brewing fame. cloth transferring Al this encouraged the of the talk promised for to the mills in building of larger houses for our June meeting : Stockport, many the middle class. people became Green Hall was eventually des tute. bought by the Council so Salva on came with the coming of the railway preserving part of the parkland, the hall being to Wilmslow and the sta on was opened in used for Council offices. 1842. This brought great improvements in the
“Wilmslow moves South!”
Green Hall, Wilmslow Page 8
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
In 1901 the popula on of Wilmslow was 8,000 growing to 27,000 by 1966. The mee ng was well a ended and we all enjoyed Raymond’s informa ve and enjoyable talk. th
Next Mee ng : Wednesday 8 July, meet at 3pm for 3:15pm at The Coffee Tavern, Shrigley Road.
Future Meetings Aug 12th
Brian Greene. Disney & THE MUSIC.
th
Coach Trip.
th
David Frith. The Goyt Valley (slides.)
Sept 9
Oct 14
What is the Guild? The Church Guild is open to all. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month in church, at 2:30pm unless otherwise stated. The mee ngs usually end with tea and cake at around 4:30pm. We have two coach trips each year and enjoy a Christmas lunch together. The remaining months we have speakers and slide shows. The mee ngs are very informal with lots of fun and cha er. So come along and join us, you will be very welcome.
Gary sang the verse “The purple headed mountains ....” as a solo!
Weekly Newsletter If you wish to have an item put in the newsle er, please call Jenny on 07715 408704 or email jennywood2010@live.co.uk
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 9
07954 572339
Page 10
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Please Can U Help? Fund raising by selling refurbished tools, Ken Osbourne is seeking volunteers to help serve the public on the ‘long marque stall’ at the following weekend events:
The Cheshire Steam Fair, Daresbury, Warrington July 10th, 11th and 12th
(8am - 1pm on Friday, 8am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday)
Astle Park Steam Rally, Chelford August 7th, 8th and 9th
(8am - 1pm on Friday, 8am - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday)
Disley Hor cultural Show Saturday, August 15 th (8am - 4pm)
All items are priced. Benefits include free entry and a chance to visit other a rac ons. Help is most needed on the Sundays but all and any offers are warmly received. For more informa on, please call Ken on 01625 433357.
Flowers in church Anyone who would like to contribute flowers (or money towards flowers) in order to celebrate an anniversary or remember a special occasion, please contact Gillian Mosley, Parish Assistant on 01625 829819 HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 11
Come Rain Or Shine This weekend they are going to hold Our local country show. Everyone who lives round here Is making plans to go. There's something there for everyone We’ll all be entertained. Last year was fun, although it's true, On that weekend it rained. But this year I am sure that we Will bask in lovely sun. But we'd enjoy it anyway When all is said and done. The bun ng will be strung around The brightly coloured stalls, With health and safety measures In case anybody falls. Displays of local cra for sale Will tempt us all to buy. And local food and drink on show Will make us stop and try. A class for local pets is fun
Though well trained they are not. The tricks they learned in private But in public go to pot. Young girls, on well-trained ponies, In new jodhpurs gleaming white, Parade before the judges, Trying hard to get it right. The flowers look a picture All displayed to be assessed The lady of the manor looks To see which ones are best. A show of country dancers In their costumes, made by hand, Perform what they have prac sed To the sound of a live band. It’s not sophis cated. It's just simple country fun. It’s the highlight of our summer, And we love it, rain or sun! By Judith Blatherwick
(submi ed by Rita Bun ng)
Jenny & Tim Kendal warmly invite you to their
“Open Garden Afternoon” in aid of
The Children’s Society (guaranteed to rain, shine or both!) Spuley Co age, Spuley Lane, Rainow, SK10 5RR
Saturday 4th July, 2015 2pm - 4pm
£3.50 per person including refreshments More informa on : 01625 574615
Page 12
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Recipe Of The Month Christine Buckley - Thai Salad This is an easy recipe and very tasty. I vary the 2 red onions finely diced quan ty of ingredients depending on what I ½ a cucumber diced have to hand but to make it authen c you do Bunch of spring onions cut into small pieces need to use the marinade, the dressing and on a slant the mint, coriander and red onion. 1 small punnet of small tomatoes cut in half S r fry beef (enough for 4 people) 1 packet of mangetout cut into small pieces Marinade in the following: Handful of peanuts crushed with a rolling 2 tbsp fish sauce pin 2 tsp sesame oil 2-3 limes cut into wedges to serve 1 tbsp dark soy sauce Bunch of mint and bunch of coriander Marinade for at least an hour. Salad dressing 2 tspb fish sauce 1 tbsp sesame oil 2 tsp caster sugar 1-2 tsp lime juice 1 finely chopped clove garlic 1 chopped chilli (op onal) Method Put all the prepared vegetables in a dish. Mix together all the salad dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. Vegetables S r fry the beef in a li le oil and sca er over Meanwhile prepare the vegetables : the salad. 2 carrots cut into ribbons with a potato Sprinkle over the mint and coriander leaves peeler and crushed peanuts. 1 red pepper cut into strips Serve with wedges of lime. Enjoy!
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 13
Saint Christopher Our church at Po Shrigley is the only one within the Diocese of Chester solely dedicated to St Christopher. But who was St Christopher? As with many early Chris an martyrs there are a number of versions of his life and death. It is generally accepted that he died in the 3 rd/4th Century AD. Legend suggests that he was ini ally called Reprobus and in view of his reputed size he decided to serve Christ by carrying travellers across a dangerous river. A er he had performed this service for some me, a li le child asked him to take him across the river. During the crossing, the river became swollen and the child seemed as heavy as lead so much so that he could scarcely carry him and found himself in great difficulty. When he finally reached the other side, he said to the child: “You have put me in the greatest danger. I do not think the whole world could have been as heavy on my shoulders as you were.” The child replied: “You had on your shoulders not only the whole world but Him who made it. I
tradi on and did not become widespread in the Western Church un l the late Middle Ages. He is widely known as the Patron Saint of travellers but also of archers, bachelors, soldiers, epilepsy and bookbinders. He is also the Patron Saint of toothache so on your next visit to the den st you will be reminded of our church!
Mike Akerman am Christ your king, whom you are serving by this work.” The child then vanished. Christopher later visited the city of Lycia and there comforted the Chris ans who were being martyred. Brought before the local king, he refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods. The king tried to win him by riches and by sending two beau ful women to tempt him. Christopher converted the women to Chris anity having already converted thousands in the city. The king ordered him to be killed. Various a empts failed, but finally he was beheaded. His venera on appears late in the Chris an Page 14
Above: the earliest known woodcut (1423) held in the John Rylands Library, Manchester On offer : Encyclopaedia Britannica for sale. £200 ono. Mint condi on. No longer needed as my new wife thinks she knows everything.
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Climbing
by Sandy Milsom Once I walked the upland way. I climbed the rugged mountains high. On heathered turf my feet would stray. Where curlews trill their rippling cry Sure footed on the jagged rocks, and reaching up to touch the sky. Peak once conquered there I stood, into the far distance I could see. I felt a ngling in my blood. Descending then with youthful glee, I sprang from rocks, the grass slid on With leaps and bounds jumped down the scree. Today my climb is a gentler one My hills don't have a steep ascent. I stop at mes to feel the sun, to take a breath and view, a moment spent in joy at gazing from on high. This pleasure lasts though back is bent. A feast for every hungry eye, the rolling hills and ancient stone shaped by me as the years roll by. On heathered turf my feet s ll stray, where curlews trill their rippling cry.
Bollington Well Dressing Festival To be opened by the Town Mayor at the Greg Fountain, Flash Lane (opposite The Cock and Pheasant,) on Saturday 4 th July at 11:30am. The well dressings will be on display around Bollington un l Sunday 12th July and a Trail Leaflet is available. Further details : 01625 574208 HotPo - Summer 2015
Wanted
A Loving Home All black Dolly, about 2yrs old, was found abandoned in a cardboard box in deepest Macclesfield. She has been neutered, micro-chipped and has finished her vaccina on course. During the day, she loves to sleep in her bed in front of the radiator or in the sun (well who doesn’t like a warm bed?) Between naps, she does come to you for a fuss and loves lots of ckles and head rubs; she is a proper li le talker, although it is more a squeak than a meow which is adorable; she is a lovely gentle girl. Dolly wakes up more in an evening and plays with her toys and runs through her cat tunnel and bats her mouse toys and balls around. She likes to be brushed and we think she will make a great addi on to a quiet home with someone who can give her the me to se le in her own me. She is a lovely character and is a very pre y girl. For more informa on and to meet Dolly, please ring Carmen on 01625 669620. There are more photographs of her at h p:// ny.cc/dollycat
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 15
Missionaries Ma er Our church directly supports two overseas missionary families. Here is our regular update on their work.
McClean family - Thailand No news again from Johnny and Ann McClean in Thailand. I guess life is so hec c for them. Pray for them - and for more workers to share the burden in the large number of universi es which there seem to be in Bangkok.
Fazakerley family - Malawi Megumi and Helen Fazakerley have booked to fly back to Malawi with Ethiopian Airlines from Manchester on September 17th - without the children for the first me; there’s no news of their work permits yet, so please pray about that. Joshua has reportedly done well in his 2nd year exams at university and has a job as a team leader with the Na onal Ci zen Service for the summer holidays; no news as to whether he will take a year out from university before his final year. Elizabeth seems to be OK
outlets for their theological training, and for the new students who will be star ng at EBCoM when Megumi returns. Megumi and Helen have just completed a six week course “Bible in History and Today” at a local Anglican church, which I personally enjoyed very much last year when it was given in Winsford. For the latest news on our missionaries: bangkokmosaic.wordpress.com www.fazakerley.org.uk
Christian Concern As part of our ‘charitable giving’ we are now suppor ng Chris an Concern, an organisa on which exists to help Chris ans who have got into trouble at their place of work or with the authori es because of their Chris an beliefs. Here are three examples of people they have recently helped:
When a co-worker suggested to Sarah Mbuyi that God would approve her lesbian rela onship, Sarah felt with her nursing, and Mary will be relieved to compelled to finish her A level exams this week. She has explain that offers from 5 universi es; pray she may get whilst God loves results that meet some of them, and for everyone, He is wisdom to choose where to go. Helen finishes opposed to her counselling course this week; pray she will homosexual be of real help to members of the team in prac ce. The colleague complained and three Malawi when they need it. Final year students days later Sarah was sacked. We praise God at EBCoM (Evangelical Bible College of Malawi) that, supported by CLC (Chris an Legal Centre graduate on July 3 rd. Pray they will all be able part of Chris an Concern), Sarah won her claim to find churches to pastor or other useful for wrongful dismissal.
Dr John Ryley
Page 16
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
With help from CLC, senior occupa onal therapist Victoria Wasteney is to appeal an Employment Tribunal ruling that her employer was jus fied in disciplining her for sharing her faith with a Muslim colleague. Interest in the case has already provided opportuni es for Victoria to talk about Jesus in media interviews.
You Stole It? No, it’s a gift!
In a remarkable decision in March, street preacher Mike Overd was convicted of a public order offence and told to pay £1,450. Whilst preaching in Taunton, Mike had answered a ques on from a man claiming to be a homosexual Chris an. The judge told Mike he was wrong to make reference to Levi cus in his answer. CLC are suppor ng Mike in his appeal.
Thinking of getting married at St Christopher’s?
Picture: Chris ne Buckley thanks the congrega on for the gi of a new coloured stole. The green, gold and white clerical scarf Please contact was bought with money contributed by the Audrey Meecham congrega on and presented to her at the Rose who will be pleased to Queen Service in June by Church Warden advise. David Garton. The stole was given to Chris ne audrey.meecham@alexlive.com to mark her ordina on which takes place at 01625 575921 Chester Cathedral on Sunday, 5 th July 2015. Steve Murphy
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 17
Page 18
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Vicar John’s Monthly Extract:
The New Atheism Is Not New My debate with Christopher Hitchens, which opened the Edinburgh Fes val in August 2008, was on the mo on "The New Europe Should Prefer the New Atheism”. In my final contribu on to that debate I said something like the following:
If I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous Revolu on that swallowed up some sixty million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to say: Men have forgo en God; that’s why all this has happened... if I were There is actually nothing new about the New called upon to iden fy the principal trait Atheism. For over forty years a version of it of the en re twen eth century, here dominated Eastern Europe. And Eastern too, I would be unable to find anything Europe decisively rejected it in 1989. Far from more precise and pithy than to repeat Chris anity hindering the forma on of the once again: Men have forgo en God... New Europe, as our mo on suggests, it played To the ill- considered a crucial role in crea ng the hopes of the last two New Europe. President of centuries, which have the Bri sh Academy, Sir reduced us to Adam Roberts, Professor of Professor of Mathematics, Oxford insignificance and Interna onal Rela ons at brought us to the brink of nuclear and Oxford, is a world authority on the Cold War non-nuclear death, we can propose only and the role of religion in resistance a determined quest for the warm hand movements. in a public lecture in Oxford that of God, which we have so rashly and self a ended, he pointed out that in 1989 the -confidently spurned. Only in this way Chris an churches in Leipzig played a crucial can our eyes he opened to the errors of role in preven ng the violence that would have this unfortunate twen eth century and given the German Democra c Republic an our hands be directed to se ng them excuse to send in the troops and thus threaten right. There is nothing else to cling to in Gorbachev’s policy of allowing peaceful the landslide: the combined vision of all democracy to have its way. Sir Adam the thinkers of the Enlightenment emphasized that if the churches had not acted amounts to nothing. as they did the outcome might well have been
John Lennox
disastrous — there would have been no New Europe.
It is only because the wall created by the previous version of the New Atheism was The very crea on of the New Europe is thus an pulled down that the New Europe exists today. Do we really want to build another wall? example of how genuine Chris anity, in its insistence on the dignity of human beings made in the image of God, brings freedom. The New Atheism threatens to undermine those freedoms, as its communist predecessor did. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn puts it well: HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 19
Pavilion Grand Opening At first there was a sense of disbelief that a small cricket club in the hamlet of Po Shrigley had been given a huge boost in the guise of a grant from The Heritage Lo ery Fund to upgrade our 1950s pavilion. The commi ee swung into ac on (Yes, Ac on!) and several events were arranged to fund our part of the project.
last as our Local MP, Mr David Rutley, performed the opening ceremony by cu ng the ribbon along with a somewhat relieved Chairman Michael Hart. We even had a new flag hoisted to celebrate the day. Juniors played Kwik Cricket then the seniors played a 20-20 game against a touring side from Devon. A mammoth effort from members and supporters has seen a large improvement in our playing facili es. We hope that this will also be reflected in much more use by the rest of the local community in the most picturesque of se ngs. On a less happy note: It is with much regret that we pass on the sad news that Margaret Hart, wife of our Chairman Michael Hart, has died a er a long ba le with cancer. Margaret has been a long me supporter of the Club a ending func ons, making The first cut was made and then the worst countless cricket teas and cakes for our weather for years arrived and the builder fundraising events. She will be greatly missed. retreated. Three months later the build Another past Club member, Jim Berry, has also con nued in fits and starts and dragged on all recently passed away. Jim was an outstanding season long. Another winter set in which saw all- rounder on the field and who off the field acres of paint being applied inside with snow was always a great helper working many hours all around outside. on several joinery and pain ng projects in the Finally the opening day arrived on a dull dismal pavilion. Again our thoughts and sympathy go day but this was all pushed aside with smiles at to his wife Beryl.
Graham Hackney
Page 20
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
2015 Fixtures 1:30pm start unless otherwise stated July
th
4 11th 18th 25th August 1st 8th 15th 22nd 29th Sept 5th 12th
First XI Saughall Holmes Chapel Trafford MV Wistaston Groves Glazebury Appleton Tranmere Vics Westminster Park Stalybridge SP Stre on
Home Away Away Home Away Away Away Home (1pm) Away (1pm) Home (1pm) Away (1pm)
Second XI Har ord 1 Mossley 1 Wistaston 2 Groves 2 Heaton Mersey V 1 Appleton 2 Trafford MV 2 Capenhurst 1 Westminster Park 2 Knutsford 2 Kerridge 1
Away Home Home Away Home Home Home Away (1pm) Home (1pm) Away (1pm) Home (1pm)
Funny, Isn’t It? Funny how a £10 note "looks" so big when you take it to church, but so small when you take it to the shopping centre. Funny how long it takes to serve God for an hour, but how quickly a team plays 90 minutes of football. Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray, but don't have any trouble thinking of things to say to a friend. Funny how we get thrilled when a football game goes into extra me, but complain when a sermon is longer than the regular me.
no ce to fit a church event into our schedule, but can adjust our schedule for other events at the last moment Funny how hard it is for people to learn a simple gospel passage well enough to tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and repeat gossip. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but ques on what the Bible says. Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, or to think, or to say, or do anything.
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding Jesus, people think twice about sharing. Funny how people want to get a front row seat at any game or concert, but scramble to FUNNY, ISN'T IT? are you laughing? are you get a back seat at church services. thinking? spread the word and give thanks to the Lord for He is good. Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks advance
Funny how hard it is to read a chapter in the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a best selling novel.
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 21
Page 22
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Coffee Break Across 1 Rela ng to the Jewish day of rest (10) 7 Point of view (Ma hew 22:17) (7) 8 20th-century Brethren philanthropist whose construc on company became one of the UK’s biggest, Sir John — (5) 10 Girl’s name (4) 11 Peter was accused of being one in the courtyard of the high priest’s house (Luke 22:59) (8) 13 The fi h of the ‘seven churches’ (Revela on 3:1–6) (6) 15 ‘Now the famine was — in Samaria’ (1 Kings 18:2) (6) 17 Banned by the seventh Commandment (Exodus 20:14) (8) 18 Insect most closely associated with itching (1 Samuel 24:14) (4) 21 Bantu tribe which gives its name to ny landlocked country in southern Africa (5) 22 Familiar material in churches that use an overhead projector (7)
3 Once yearly (Exodus 30:10) (6) 4 Milled it (anag.) (3-5) 5 Region north of Damascus of which Lysanias was tetrarch (Luke 3:1) (7) 6 Comes between Philippians and 1 Thessalonians (10) 9 Lake where the first disciples were called (Luke 5:1–11) (10) 12 Abusive outburst (8) 14 Are loud (anag.) (7)
23 Last book of the Bible (10) Down
16 Prin ng errors (6)
1 The young David’s favourite weapon (1 Samuel 17:40) (5)
19 ‘Take my yoke upon you and — from me’ (Ma hew 11:29) (5)
2 ‘Your vats will — over with new wine’ (Proverbs 3:10) (4)
20 Jacob’s third son (Genesis 29:34) (4)
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 23
A day in the life of a ....
Financial Adviser and Borough Councillor
Jon Weston is a regular member of the St Christopher's congrega on and can be seen in church at Po Shrigley with his wife Helen on most Sundays. Helen and Jon were married at Po Shrigley 10 years ago and Jon's son Mathew was married to his childhood sweetheart Lisa, two years ago. (Mathew is a pilot and featured in a recent HotPo magazine.)
A typical day for Jon, starts with making a cup of tea and breakfast for Helen at 7 o'clock waving Helen off to work in Manchester and then an hour's walk with his dog Megan - an elderly Jack Russell with a tude! He may even squeeze in half an hour with the paper - the Sunday Times lasts all week!
Jon Weston Jon owns a financial planning business in Macclesfield, called Chestergate Financial Services. He is a Chartered Financial Planner and Chartered Insurance Prac oner and has worked in the financial services sector for 34 years in various roles for some of the world's largest firms of consultants. These days, his clients are mostly private individuals who want advice on how to invest their pensions or investments for income or simply to protect their savings from infla on. He starts work in the office at about 10 o'clock a er a leisurely start to the day. ( As Jon says, now that he's the boss, he chooses what me he wants to start work! ) Normally he will have reports prepared for his clients and might meet with a client in the morning then perhaps another in the Page 24
a ernoon in a restored old coach house in Macclesfield, behind the Bate Hall Pub. In between client mee ngs, he will catch up with his prac ce manager and financial paraplanners1 to make sure the work that they have been asked to do is progressing. Lunch might be a bowl of soup in the office or a sandwich with a solicitor or long term client. A flow of around 100 emails per day tend to dictate what Jon is working on at any par cular me - there will be requests for informa on from the 700 clients that he and his firm act for or prepara on for mee ngs, advice to his more junior financial adviser colleague or providing feedback needed by administrators and paraplanners.
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
In his role as a Borough Councillor, o en there will be Cheshire East Council ma ers that need Jon's a en on at some me during the day and these also tend to come through as emails ( perhaps around a dozen per day) invi ng Jon to a end commi ee mee ngs, comment on planning applica ons, help cons tuents to find the right person/department in Cheshire East to deal with their concern, etc. Some mes Jon has what he describes as “a two briefcase day” where he is juggling his me to fit Cheshire East and Bollington Town Council work with business ma ers and he may need to visit Council offices in Macclesfield or Sandbach with his second “Council briefcase” containing Council IPhone and IPad. The business working day normally ends at around 6 o'clock and Helen and Jon sit down together to eat at around 7pm. “We chat about everything and anything - how the day has been, what the children have been up to, who has popped up on Helen's Facebook page, what has been going on at work, etc.”
lives by prac cal example and show those who are not Chris ans what it means to believe in Jesus Christ.” (Ma hew 10:29) 1
paraplanner - a person who works with a Financial Planner or Financial Adviser and completes a number of the non-client facing tasks involved in preparing and administering a Financial Plan or Report for a client.
Brain Basher Last month’s basher As I was going to St Ives, I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven sacks, Each sack had seven cats, Each cat had seven kits. Kits, cats, sacks and wives, How many were going to St Ives? And the answer, of course, is one as the rest were leaving St Ives.
This month’s basher Holiday season is upon us so one for the eyes Once or twice a week, Jon and Helen might have a Bollington Town Council mee ng and so rather than the brain! Using your best judgement, are the squares labelled ‘A’ and ‘B’ dinner is a li le earlier and they are off to a the same colour or different? 7pm mee ng at Bollington Town Hall. Jon has always tried to support his local community and believes that as part of his Chris an faith, he has a duty to try to bring his management skills to help make sure that his community runs smoothly. He has been a Cub Leader, a Group Scout Leader, a Youth Church helper and is now a Trustee of a Development Trust, a Town Councillor and a Borough Councillor.
Turn to page 31 for the answer.
Jon says, “I think every Chris an should give something back to their community. Vicar John has been very suppor ve and encouraging of my efforts to put my faith into prac ce in the best way I know. He has shown me that we should all try to live out our HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 25
Page 26
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
A Letter from the Rectory St. James the Least July, 2015 My dear Nephew, So, you have received your first le er of complaint. I am not wholly unsympathe c with your complainant, as a emp ng to marry the bride to the best man would have created havoc with the sea ng arrangements at the recep on. However, you must learn that receiving le ers of complaint is an integral part of the ordained ministry. A er 50 years of parish life, the number of such le ers I have received are now held in bound volumes. The anonymous ones you will receive, invariably wri en in green ink on lined notepaper, can be safely consigned to your waste paper basket, along with all mail, from whatever source, labelled “Urgent.” You will receive le ers complaining that you did not pray for someone who was in hospital, regardless of the fact that you knew nothing of it. Probably by the next post, you will receive a le er complaining that you did pray for someone in hospital – when they had wanted to keep their cosme c surgery secret. Those who regard themselves as guardians of doctrinal purity will write complaining of the heresies contained in the previous Sunday’s sermon. These can be filed with those le ers that complain that your sermons are too short, along with those who complain that they are too long. The hourly striking of the church clock is a perennial favourite for complaints. I usually reply by saying that we are currently exploring the possibility of ge ng it to strike the quarters too. Le ers of complaint will arrive in November, complaining that the church is too cold, so making prayer impossible. Others will drop on the doormat in April saying that it is too hot, so making prayer impossible. In Spring, some will write that the churchyard should be mown more o en, while others will complain that it is mown too o en and ruins it as a habitat for wildlife. The annual Summer procession of witness generates complaints that the brass band ruined the slumbers of parishioners having a Sunday lie-in. Then come Harvest, there will be the le ers complaining that they did not receive a Harvest gi , which was par cularly unforgivable, as their grandmother had once sung in the choir. Thus the annual round is accompanied by reams of notepaper. The only le er of complaint I have really treasured came from the bishop, rebuking me for never having a ended any mee ng when he was present. I have had it framed and hung on the study wall. Your loving uncle,
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 27
The Suffering Church European Chris ans.
Nepal
Dr John Ryley Residents flee Tel Tamar in fear of Islamic State
As today the advancing forces of Islamic State menace the Chris ans of Syria, threatening their very existence, once again Poland has led the way in decisive ac on to save Chris ans. The Polish government has agreed to give visas to Syrian Chris an families so they can rese le in Poland.
And last week Syria's President Assad announced that, sad though he would be to Syria see the departure of Syria's Chris an community, he would not stand in their way if In the summer of 1683 the O oman army was they wished to leave their homeland. besieging Vienna and Chris an Europe Barnabas Fund is working with the Polish trembled in fear of a Muslim invasion and government, the Polish charity Esther take-over. But the Polish army, led by their Founda on, and local Polish King John III Sobieski , joined churches to rescue Syrian with the forces of the Holy Chris ans. Through their Roman Empire to defeat the Opera on Safe Havens, they O omans in ba le on 11 September. The ba le is noted for the largest are flying them to Poland and paying for their basic needs for one year, while Polish churches cavalry charge in history, in which the Polish Hussars had a major role. A erwards King John welcome them, and help them to find accommoda on and jobs. III Sobieski, who had had overall command of
Dr John Ryley
the European forces, adapted Julius Caesar's famous words, saying, “Veni, vidi, Deus vincit” [I came, I saw, God conquered.] The Ba le of Vienna marked the end of the O oman expansion into Europe and is considered a turning point in history. It was the interven on of Poland that saved the day for Page 28
India According to a report published by the Evangelical Fellowship of India on 19 May, four Chris an families in the Indian village of Charama, Kanker, in Chha sgarh state, were
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
summoned to appear before a public mee ng on 7 April where the village leader declared that these Chris ans are outcasts. Announcing a social boyco , he warned that anyone who spoke to, gave water to, or sold any goods to them would be punished.
group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, does not feature in this latest video. Some church leaders es mate that since its incep on in 2009, Boko Haram has killed around 20,000 people and forced almost 1.5 million more from their homes.
Similarly, in Mokhpal, Dantewada, also in Chha sgarh state, Hindu radicals have said that anyone who men ons the name of Christ will be banished, socially boyco ed, and their farmland will be seized. The local church, they said, would be burned down if anyone con nued to worship Jesus.
In his inaugural speech on 29 May, President Buhari announced that the command centre for the country’s security forces would be moved from the capital city Abuja to Maiduguri un l the group is defeated. Labelling Boko Haram “a mindless, godless group”, the new Muslim President said that the country would defeat the group and do everything possible to rescue all of its hostages, including the Chibok girls. Recent news suggests that the Nigerian army, with help from the armies of neighbouring countries, is at last making some headway against Boko Haram. Pray!
Nigeria Horrific violence has followed the inaugura on of President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday 29 May, as Boko Haram militants a acked the city of Maiduguri, capital of Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state and birthplace of the Islamist insurgency group Boko Haram. Gunfire and explosions reverberate through the city and scores have been le dead. “We don’t know what happens next,” a church leader told Barnabas. “Pray for the believers in the city of Maiduguri. Pray for God’s special interven on.” On the night of Friday 29 May, militants launched more than 50 rockets into the town, killing scores of people. On the Saturday, a suicide bomber killed several people as he detonated himself in a mosque. On the Sunday, a bomb went off near the Gomboru market, killing scores more. And on Tuesday 2 June, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Gomboru market, killing at least 20 people. Boko Haram released a video on 2 June showing masked gunmen declare that “the army of the caliphate in West Africa” is s ll in control of its territory. Boko Haram declared its allegiance to the Islamic State group in March this year and has since changed its name to Islamic State in West Africa. Unusually, the HotPo - Summer 2015
Iraq One year a er the fall of Mosul to Islamic State (IS), militants posted no ces around the captured city announcing that the Syriac Orthodox Cathedral Church of St Ephrem, seized a year ago, is to be turned into the “mosque of the mujahedeen” (jihad fighters). Elsewhere in Iraq, only four miles (six km) from the frontlines of Islamic State (IS) fighters, three monks and six students have determined to remain in St Ma hew’s ancient monastery in Iraq’s Nineveh province un l there are no Chris ans le in the country. “We can see the ba les and the airstrikes from here in front of us,” says Yousif Ibrahim, one of three remaining monks living in the monastery. “The sky lights up at night, but we of course are not scared. God protects us.” With only the Kurdish Peshmerga military le to protect a monastery that has withstood the conquests of the O oman and Persian empires, the nine Chris ans who
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
con nued →
Page 29
We are pleased to remind you of our popular
2nd Friday of every month, 6pm ‘til 9.30pm
Serving Locally Brewed Real Ale & Speciality Lagers Easy parking, comfortable surroundings and good company.
Page 30
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
have chosen to stay are only too aware that IS could reach St Ma hew’s at any moment. “We are not scared, because our teachers give us a feeling of peace here,” says student Sahar Karaikos, “but we know we are on the frontlines… I don’t even want to think or speak about the destruc on the Islamic State would cause if they took our monastery.”
Kenya Almost 100 schools have closed in northern Kenya with teachers, many of them Chris ans, too afraid to work in the light of recent al-Shabaab a acks against educa on ins tu ons. Their fears are far from
unfounded. For the second me, Islamist militants have taken over a village in northern Kenya, this me in Mandera county which borders Somalia. In their deadliest a ack to date, al-Shabaab militants massacred 148 students at Garissa University in April, singling out the Chris ans from the Muslims. And last November, 28 people were killed on a bus a ack in Mandera a er the Chris ans were separated from the Muslim passengers. Many of those killed were teachers on their way home for the Christmas holidays. Less than two weeks later, 36 nonMuslims were separated from their Muslim colleagues at a stone quarry in Mandera county and shot dead.
From The Register Bap sms We welcome into our family: May 24th Annabelle Elenny Loydon May 31st Joseph William Selwood June 14th Liliana Francesca Gibson June 14th Rosabella Florence Gibson (blessing) Weddings Congratula ons to: May 29th Andrew Pye OO Lucy Noble Funerals Our thoughts are with the family and friends: June 4th Roger Hunt (crema on) June 19th Margaret Hart
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 31
Chores and Chains Cleaning Eve e 0161 439 9979
July 3rd July 10th July 17th July 24th July 31st
Mr & Mrs Ferguson Mr & Mrs Currell Mrs. Benne , Mrs. Ward Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Plant Ms. Bun ng, Mr. & Mrs. Stra ord
Aug 7th Aug 14th Aug 21st Aug 28th Sept 4th
Mrs. Meecham, Mrs. Winstanley Mr. & Mrs. Akerman Mr. & Mrs. Ferguson Mr. & Mrs. Currell Mrs. Benne , Mrs. Ward
Flowers Gill 01625 829819
July 5th July 12th July 19th July 26th
Wedding Wedding Gill Mosley1 Mike & Sue Akerman2
Aug 2nd Aug 9th Aug 16th Aug 23rd Aug 30th Sept 6th
Wedding Wedding Wedding Wedding Wedding Vacancy
1
In memory of Dad, Freddie and Granny, Elsie In memory of Sue’s parents
2
Tea & Coffee Jenny 07715 408704
July 5th July 12th July 19th July 26th
Peter & Eileen Jenny & Pauline Ros & Sheila Rita & Carol
Aug 2nd Aug 9th Aug 16th Aug 23rd Aug 30th Sept 6th
Margaret & Doreen Peter & Eileen Jenny & Pauline Ros & Sheila Rita & Carol Margaret & Doreen
Weddings Audrey 01625 575921
Fri 3rd July Fri 10th July Fri 31st July Sat 1st Aug Fri 7th Aug Thu 13th Aug Fri 21st Aug Page 32
Dave Franks OO Karen Downer (1:30pm) David Roberts OO Leanne Kivell (12:30pm) Adam Sholes OO Nicola Ha on (1pm) Paul Webster OO Gemma Lane (3pm) Michael Norton OO Rebecca Cross (1pm) Gary Yoxall OO Claire Biggs (12:30pm) Gareth Lord OO Louise Ru er (3pm)
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
HotPo - Summer 2015
Summer Sidespeople (readers in bold)
July 5th. 8:30am Morning Prayer 10:45am Morning Worship
Extra Readers
Mr. K. Ardern Mrs. E. Harper + Mr. I. Malyan
12th. Leavers’ Service 8:30am Morning Prayer 10:45am Family Service
Miss G. Mosley Mr. S. Heathcote + Mr. I. Currell + Mr. I. Malyan
19th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am Morning Worship
Mr. & Mrs. R. Stra ord Mr. & Mrs. S. Po s
Dr. J. Hu on + Mr. G. Parker
26th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am Morning Worship
Mrs. C. Bowes Mr. R. Gem + Mr. D. Gem
August 2nd. 8:30am Holy Communion Mr. K. Ardern 10:45am HC & All Age Worship Mrs. E. Harper + Mr. & Mrs. P. Frecknall
9th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
Miss G. Mosley Mr. C. Po er + Mrs. C. Taylor
16th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
Mrs. C. Bowes Vicky & Daniel Smith
23rd. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
Mr. & Mrs. J. Arrowsmith Mr. R. Lo house + Mr. D. Davie
30th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All age worship
Mr. & Mrs. C. Testa Mr. & Mrs. I. Clarke
In this time of change : “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” — William Arthur Ward
Proof Reading
Sept 2015 Vicky Shelly (25th August) Oct 2015 Mary Currell (22nd September) Thanks to Audrey Meecham for poof reading this issue and to Mike Akerman for prin ng it.
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 33
Summer Services Prayers
July 5th. 8:30am Morning Prayer 10:45am Morning Worship
John 6:1-15; John 6:25-35 Bread - The Staff of Life
Gartons
Genesis 1:26-28; John 10:7-10 Abundant Life
Children
Acts 12:1-11; Acts 12:12-19 A God of surprises
Pam Cooke
Acts 13:1-3; Acts 13:4-12 A team effort
Steve Murphy
12th. Leavers’ Service 8:30am Morning Prayer 10:45am Family Service
19th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am Morning Worship
26th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am Morning Worship
August 2nd. 8:30am Holy Communion Gala ans 10:1-10 10:45am HC & All Age Worship One Gospel
Mathesons
9th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
Luke 7:1-10 Jesus - surprised by faith
Ivy Mosley
Luke 8:1-3 Jesus’ supporters
Ivy Mosley
Luke 9:1-6 On teaching prac ce
Gartons
Luke 9:46-48 Who is the greatest?
Pam Cooke
16th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
23rd. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
30th. 8:30am Holy Communion 10:45am All Age Worship
“Your magazine needs you. ”
hotpo @gmx.com no later than midnight on ...
Sunday, 23rd August Page 34
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
@PottMag
Please send your contribu ons to
HotPo - Summer 2015
HotPo - Summer 2015
**** PROOFER’S EDITION****
Page 35