2pm Sat
Dear friends,
As I write I am hoping that these verses from the Song of Solomon 2:11-12 might start to become our experience this Maytime:
‘For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;’
Some appropriate weather would be welcome as we have some things to look forward to this month.
We have two much anticipated bank holiday weekends at the beginning and the end of the month. With the days getting longer each day my hope and prayer is that we can all get out and about and enjoy being with God in the beautiful surroundings we have the privilege to live amongst.
Some dry weather would also help with the Bollington
Festival, which will take place over the last bank holiday weekend with a special festival service happening on Sunday 26th May at 9am. It will be a great opportunity for us to gather in worship and prayer for our wider community. The churches in the area will also be offering hospitality by providing refreshments in the tea tent. I hope and pray that we will enjoy giving something out to all those who attend the festival whilst also experiencing fellowship with people from other churches. Please do look for the sign-up sheets that will start to appear in due course.
In terms of the church calendar, on Sunday 19th May at 10:45am we will be holding an all-age worship service celebrating Pentecost (or what is sometimes referred to as Whitsun). There will be an interactive drama suitable for anyone who wishes to join in. There will also be a celebration afterwards with cakes and balloons as we remember the beginning of the church worldwide. Please do come along and bring the whole family. Everyone will be welcome.
God calls us all to come out of our winter hibernation and find our hearts warmed with gratitude for what He has given us, so let us continued →
Lynn's letter
4 236 (Bollington) Squadron comes to St Christopher’s 5 Bollington Festival Diamond Jubilee Jamboree
6 A wonderful way to spend a wet, cold morning…
8 Your vote, your council
An excellent outcome at Pott Shrigley School
Service of Remembering
Cover story: A blessed Easter
praying & blown along by the wind
Flix in the Stix
The new Pott Shrigley website
respond to more words from the Song of Solomon as God invites us to join in with the celebration of life in community.
‘The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.’ (Song of Solomon 2:13)
With love
On Monday 25th March 236 (Bollington) Squadron held their annual presentation evening at St Christopher’s Church.
Each cadet was presented with their badges and certificates of achievement from 2020 to 2024; some trophies were also presented. As this was the first postpandemic presentation evening for 236,
there was a lot to give out! Rev. Lynn Caudwell has recently joined 236 as the squadron padre and it was the perfect opportunity to welcome her to the 236 family. She also conducted an enrolment ceremony for our newest cadets. Each cadet made their cadet promise and were presented with copies of the New Testament. There were approximately 100 people in attendance and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
We have been asked to join forces with other local churches to help run the Bollington Festival Diamond Jubilee Jamboree tea tent, as an act of hospitality to the local community. The tea tent will be open on the Bollington Recreation Ground on Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May from 11:00am – 4:00pm daily.
We need lots and lots of cake! Please bring your cakes to the rec. at any time from 10:30am, on any of the three days. We are also asked to supply volunteers to help out for a couple of hours (or more) in the tent.
If you (and your friends and family) are willing to help, ideally on Monday 27th May, do please email Rebecca beccacourtney@gmail.com or call her: 07391 811330. We will also put a signup sheet at the back of church. Many thanks!
Do please join us on the Bollington Recreation Ground on Sunday 26th May at 9:00am for an open-air community thanksgiving service to celebrate 60 years of the Bollington Festival. We will be joining forces with congregations from other local churches and hope to entice plenty of non-churchgoers too.
Rev. Nancy Goodrich is leading the planning in her capacity as vicar of Bollington and local school children will also be involved. It is sure to be an engaging, uplifting, one-of-a-kind event, and there is the promise of refreshments afterwards in the tea tent!
NB: to allow everyone to attend the service on the rec. there will be no 8:30am Communion service at St Christopher's on this day. Instead, there will be a simplified 10:45am service of Communion, using the Book of Common Prayer format, for all those who wish to attend.
Some of our church children seemed to enjoy the painting session at the church awayday and they showed themselves to have an abundance of talent. As a result, Irene North suggested we have a crafting session in the village hall during the half term holiday. Irene donated cards and craft paper and I brought along the paints. It was cold and pouring down with rain as I arrived, a good day for indoor crafting! David Garton kindly came to open up the hall and show me around. We set up the tables and eagerly awaited to see if anyone would actually turn up. Looking out of the window I saw the removal men carrying Meg and Roger's sofa to their new home just a few yards away.
The children arrived, 10 in all, and after having an introduction and prayer, settled down to their art. Simon played the piano and Lynn sang softly whilst painting alongside her grandson. The atmosphere was mellow and relaxed.
Halfway through the morning Mollie, my granddaughter, gave out the little muffins she'd made and we stopped for refreshments. We continued with our artwork until lunchtime, whereupon we had an indoor picnic, sitting around the room in small groups before going home. The children had each made an Easter card and a written prayer to create a prayer tree in church. What a lovely way
to spend a cold, wet, February half term. Once again it was wonderful to see the children express themselves through art and have fellowship together.
Thank you, Irene, for the inspiration. It was obviously a very special morning to spend together. Apologies to Lydia & Simon for the late publication of this article.
“There will be a meeting of the Board immediately after the service,” announced the minister. And so, after the close of the service, the Church Board gathered at the back of the church for the meeting. But there was a stranger in their midst – a visitor who had never attended their church before. “My friend,” said the minister gently, “Didn’t you understand that this is a meeting of the Board?”
“Yes,” said the visitor, “and after today’s sermon, I suppose I’m just about as bored as anyone else who came to this meeting.”
* * *
Adam and Eve had an ideal marriage. He didn’t have to hear about all the men she could have married, and she didn’t have to hear about the way his mother cooked.
* * *
Seen in a church magazine: The church hall is available for hire for groups and parties. There is a wellequipped kitchen and disabled toilet facilities, with the capacity to seat up to 80 people.
* * *
“Well, well,” said the old gentleman to some boys who were playing cricket. “I wish I could join your game, but I’m too old.”
“Not at all,” replied one of the boys politely. “In fact, we need you. Our ball has just gone through that window. You can go and ask for it back.”
Pending
• Repair/replace culvert under Shrigley Road outside Pott Hall.
• Remedial resurfacing of Shrigley Road from Green Close to the aqueduct.
• Modifications to the chevron bend by Shrigley Hall. Cllr Boulton continues to press for this longstanding issue to be actioned.
• Repair of collapsed wall on Bakestonedale Road still awaits repair.
• Damage to the signpost by the church wall still awaits repair.
• Broken fence at West Park Gate car park reported to CEC and awaiting repair.
• Modifications to pavement outside the school awaiting contractor feedback.
necessary repairs is still awaited.
The closure of both Bollington and Poynton tips has been deferred, but is still scheduled to happen within the next two to three months. The council urges all residents to voice their opinions on the closures to Sam Corcoran, the leader of Cheshire East Council (CEC) by email to sam.corcoran@cheshireeast.gov.uk
• Awaiting redesign of the work required on the kerb by the village hall.
Completed
• Damaged chevron post on grass triangle repaired by Cllr Boulton.
• Brookbank: Cllr Lancaster met with staff from highways to agree some improvements to the bend to reduce the risk of further accidents.
The parish council has recently created a new website at www.pottshrigley-pc.gov. uk. Please see the separate article on page 17, for more information. Please visit the website and suggestions on how you can help us to improve the site.
The archdeacon’s approval for the
New bus timetables for the reduced frequency of the 391/2/3 are available online. Poynton Parish Council and CEC have agreed to a meeting to discuss these changes. Cllr Lancaster intends to attend the meeting so that residents' feedback will be heard by CEC.
Thank you to the 16 residents who took part in the successful litter pick on Saturday 6th April. One even found a car door! The village looks much tidier for their hard work.
Residents are reminded that elections are to take place on 2nd May to vote for the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
Pending
23/1419M Nab Works, (MRI Polytech) SK10 5SD
Application (retrospective) for a storage building and an additional area of car parking, including associated engineering works, with a proposed comprehensive landscaping scheme and biodiversity enhancements.
24/0806M Gibhill Cottage, SK10 5SE
Construction of two extensions to existing dwelling.
24/0982M Blakehey House, SK10 5SE
Proposal: extension on the north gable to replace an existing extension on the south gable which is to be demolished.
NP/CEC/0324/0285 Keepers Cottage, SK10 5RZ
Proposal: Replacement dwelling.
24/1173M Lyme View, SK12 1TF
Proposal: Two storey rear infill extension and internal remodel, including a new front porch and an additional canopy roof structure to the rear. The existing front
Fully License(\
bay window is to be modified and the external building fabric is to be upgraded and insulated for improved thermal and weather performance.
NP/CEC/1223/1523 Nab Cottage, SK10 5RT
Proposal: two storey rear and single storey side extension.
Approved.
The next council meeting will take place at 8pm on Wednesday 8th May 2024 in the village hall.
The annual parish meeting will take place at 7:30pm on Wednesday 8th May before the May meeting of the parish council, which is scheduled to begin at 8pm. The annual parish meeting is an open meeting for the residents of Pott Shrigley. Everybody is welcome to come along and raise any topics they wish to discuss.
The last weeks of the Easter term were especially busy at Pott Shrigley Church School, not least because we had a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) to prepare for and get through!
A SIAMS inspection focuses on the impact of a church school's Christian vision on its pupils and on the adults connected with the school. This involves looking at the school’s Christian vision, the provision the school makes because of this vision, and how effective this provision is in enabling all pupils to flourish.
We are thrilled that the inspection findings at Pott Shrigley School indicate that the school is living up to its foundation as a church school and is enabling pupils and adults to flourish.
We are delighted to share some quotations from the report:
‘The Christian vision and values run as a golden thread throughout the life of the school.’
‘The curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of all and is driven by Christian vision.’
‘Leaders ensure vulnerable pupils and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are supported effectively. As a result they succeed.’
‘Collective worship is engaging and welcoming. A highly effective partnership with the clergy and active pupil involvement significantly enhance this.’
‘The curriculum encourages pupils to ask big questions. As a result pupils
demonstrate a deep understanding of Christianity and readily articulate their learning.’
Congratulations to all involved; it’s good to have excellence recognised. Editor.
On Sunday 17th March St Christopher’s held an afternoon Service of Remembering for those who mourn.
In our time together we brought to mind those we know who have died and included them in our prayers, recognising that grief, and the process of adjusting to life without someone we love, can take a considerable time. During the service attendees were invited to light a candle in memory of those they were remembering.
The service was sensitively led by the Reverends Lynn Caudwell and Lynne Bowden, with support from the Pott Shrigley Pastoral Care Team.
Tea, coffee and cakes were served at the end, which provided an opportunity to chat or pray with one of the pastoral team.
If you would like someone to pray with following a bereavement, or any other support, please contact a member of the pastoral care team.
For pastoral support, a listening ear, a home visit, Holy Communion at home, prayer support or if you have a baptism enquiry
please contact the pastoral ministry care team via Anne Murphy.
email: pastoralteam@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
telephone: 07891 953919
* * * Kids' exam answers * * *
Name one of the early Romans’ greatest achievements. – Learning to speak Latin.
Name six animals which live specifically in the Artic. – Two polar bears. Four seals. What is the meaning of the word varicose? – Close by.
What is a fibula? – A little lie.
Once again the St Christopher’s Church family spent some precious time together over the Easter weekend. Rev. Lynn led our service of reflection on Good Friday, using Philippians 2: 6-11 and the practice of Lectio Divina (prepare, read, meditate, pray, contemplate) to help us remember and consider how Christ took the path of humble service, unselfish love and sacrifice, even to death on a humiliating cross before His heavenly Father exalted Him to the highest place. We were invited to consider how this should influence how we live our own lives.
Hot cross buns were guzzled by some (thanks to the Gems for providing and buttering them!) as a prelude to the customary Good Friday walk. A goodly crowd, plus their hounds, set off towards Jackson Steps and toiled (in my case) up the public footpath towards the top of Bakestonedale Road, where a collective sigh of relief was heard as we thought we had done our uphill bit for the day, but no – past Further Harrop Farm, down into the valley, negotiate Black Brook and its accompanying expanse of mud, to notice that the contours suddenly got very close together as we climbed up to Harrop Fold Farm.
New Hey and its barn were a very welcome sight as, after a lovely period of sunshine, rain threatened. We had a chat to the sheep; our youngest ‘walker’, three-monthold Thea, and the sheep sharing long and hard stares as they encountered each other. Revived by a rest and a hot drink kindly provided by Sheila (sure she was already busy enough!), off we set back to St Christopher’s. Despite Will Gem’s excellent organisation, and all the extra miles he walked going from the front to the back of the straggle of walkers to ensure no one got
lost, the walk was not without its incidents. Sally had an argument with some sheep poo and fell; Will’s expert strapping helped get her to New Hey, but it wasn’t quite enough to treat her broken leg. And the spectacular hail and thunderstorm, that fittingly began at exactly three o’clock as we climbed back to Beristall saw people scrabbling for waterproofs – not least to ensure little Thea didn’t get soaked.
In the evening a beautiful rainbow greeted us as we got to The Viceroy, where once again the staff did us proud; around 50 people sat down to an excellent variety of curries.
Easter Day was a joyous occasion, a true celebration of our Lord’s resurrection.
Pott Puppets enjoyed themselves, as did all those chasing around the churchyard looking for the Easter eggs Rev. Lynn had cunningly concealed there.
Give thanks for the very many blessings of Easter!
A poetic prayer for Pentecost
Happy Birthday to all Christians, This is where it all began; Out from here went the apostles, Taking Christ to everyone.
Able now to speak to nations, With the good news to proclaim; Crucified for our salvation, Hear His message, learn His name.
Out they went to every corner, Fearless as they spread the word; Bringing light to those in darkness, Giving hope to all that heard.
So must we with every blessing, Follow in the steps they trod; Showing love and help and kindness, All come from the breath of God.
By Alan Millichip From Parish PumpOur walk began with a prayer, I was very eager to get on our way. I have never walked this way before, we headed towards Rev Lynns house but then ended up going up a huge staircase before getting to Rev Lynns house, the staircase was massive
and it was so hard to get up, as we were going up tho a huge gush of wind came and pushed us up, this helped, I believe this was God helping us out.
I saw a Hawthorn tree and a holly bush
on the way up. At the top it was amazing the view was beautiful, we could see Rev Lynns house and we stopped to pray.
We continued our walk and got to a field that was very windy, we could see David & Sheila’s farm and stopped to pray for them and prayed there lambing goes well.
We Eventually came to the road, and we all had to go single file to make sure none of us got ran over. We stopped at the brickworks for a prayer, and I found a snail, I love snails!
We saw some funny statues with faces on them, these were so cool.
The adults nearly stopped to get coffee because they could smell it in the air, but they didn’t.
We then headed back to the church and saw some ewe’s with lambs, this was the best part of the walk, the lambs were so cute.
When we got back we stood on the school playground and we prayed for all my friends at school.
The weather is making my mum happy cause we didn’t get muddy!
Another great walk, see you on the next one.
“Your magazine needs you.”
Thank you to Brandon for this wonderful account of our April prayer walk. It was a joy to have our young people walking with us oldies (speaking for myself), though none of us joined in the fun of rolling down the steep hill towards Bakestonedale Road!). Editor.
Please send your contributions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk no later than midnight on..... Thursday, 16th May www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Proof reader next month is Mary Currell
1st May: The Old Oak
Drama starring Dave Turner; Director : Ken Loach
5th June: One Chance
Comedy/Musical – James Corden, Alexandra Roach & Julie Walters.
July/August – Summer Recess
4th September: The Holdovers Comedy/Drama – Paul Giamatti.
The parish council has recently created a new website that not only gives useful and interesting information about our small parish, but is compliant with all the statutory requirements for a council website (accessibility/transparency etc).
Costs of setting up the site have been kept to a minimum by using a template specially created for local councils. In addition to the information required by law, Joyce, the parish clerk, has already created numerous additional pages covering topics from the history of the village, the school, the lychgate and the village hall to information on village activities and amenities.
As the new Pott Shrigley website is still a work in progress, and we would like it to have a village feel, it would be helpful to have your comments on what already exists on the site and your ideas on what other information you would like to see. We have access to the web company's free digital mapping service which means maps can be added. There are around 100 map layers to choose using this software (take a look at Parish Online https://www.parishonline.co.uk/ for more information). Maps can be uploaded to the new website so that they are interactive (you can select layers and zoom in/out) or they can be added as an image.
Cllr Beki Lancaster has already added a series of map pages which point residents in the direction of where to find the defibrillators or green belt, conservation and flood risk areas etc. If there is something that you would like to see added, please let the clerk know. (pottclerk@btinternet.com).
By sharing your ideas, you can help us to evolve and improve the site. Your feedback will be instrumental in creating a site which is the first stop in the search for information about Pott Shrigley.
The new website can be found at: www.pottshrigley-pc.gov.uk.
1 One who owes money, goods or services (Isaiah 24:2) (6)
4 ‘A good measure, pressed down, — together and running over’ (Luke 6:38) (6)
7 Continuous dull pain (Proverbs 14:13) (4)
8 This bread contains yeast (Amos 4:5) (8)
9 ‘But take heart! I have — the world’ (John 16:33) (8)
13 And the rest (abbrev.) (3)
16 What Paul was accused of by Tertullus, the high priest’s lawyer, in his trial before Felix (Acts 24:5) (13)
17 Rap (anag.) (3)
19 Founder of the Jesuits in 1534 (8)
24 ‘For where your — is, there your heart will be also’ (Luke 12:34) (8)
25 The first word written on the wall during King Belshazzar’s great banquet (Daniel 5:25) (4)
26 ‘We all, like sheep, have gone — ’ (Isaiah 53:6) (6)
27 One was given in honour of Jesus in Bethany (John 12:2) (6)
1 ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the — hear, the dead are raised’ (Luke 7:22) (4)
2 Conduct (Colossians 1:21) (9)
3 In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the body of a saint or his belongings, venerated as holy (5)
4 ‘Like a — of locusts men pounce on it’ (Isaiah 33:4) (5)
5 Very old (Genesis 44:20) (4)
6 In Calvinist theology, one who is predestined by God to receive salvation (5)
10 How Nicodemus addressed Jesus when he visited him one night (John 3:2) (5)
11 Sea (Psalm 148:7) (5)
12 ‘I will — you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever’ (Psalm 145:1) (5)
13 One of the groups of philosophers that Paul met in Athens, who disagreed with his teaching about the resurrection (Acts 17:18) (9)
14 Barred enclosure (Ezekiel 19:9) (4)
15 ‘Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in — with the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:25) (4)
18 Cares (anag.) (5)
20 Garish (Ezekiel 16:16) (5)
21 ‘So God said to Noah, “I am going to put — — to all people”’ (Genesis 6:13) (2,3)
22 Just (2 Corinthians 6:13) (4)
23 ‘The — of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7) (4)
Jesus never promised the Christian an easy life; He warned His followers that they would be persecuted, just as He was. And so for many believers, as we record from month to month, this is their experience. Christians are persecuted by those of other faiths – for example Muslims in Nigeria and elsewhere, Buddhists in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, Hindus in India, animists in Vietnam – and those of no faith in totalitarian states such as China and North Korea. The question is why? Certainly not to fulfil Jesus’ prophecy! Some interpret the Quran as encouraging violence against Christians; other motives may be economic, jealousy, or a desire to recruit believers to their ideology. Thus the Fulani herders in West Africa, whose grazing land is becoming desert through climate change, kill Christians in order to seize their land for their cattle. So don’t be weary in your praying for our fellow believers who are suffering.
In Burkina Faso at least 15 worshippers were killed and two others injured when suspected Islamists opened fire during a
church service in February. The incident happened in Oudalan province, close to the border with Mali and Niger and is the latest atrocity in a nine-year campaign of violence in Burkina Faso, much of it targeted against Christians. More than two million people have been driven from their homes and thousands have been killed during the insurgency, which began when Muslim extremists in Mali and Niger began moving into the north of Burkina Faso in 2015. Jihadists now control more than 40% of the nation. Leaders from the most recently affected church have asked: ‘In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for those who died in faith, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolidation of grieving hearts.’
In Buddhist Myanmar Pastor Jaw Li was killed in his shop in Kachin State by armed men on 18th March. Pastor Jaw Li was a Christian and community leader, being active in the war against drugs (Myanmar is allegedly the world’s leading opium producer) and against the ruling
military junta. He is survived by his wife and three children; please pray for them. Also in Kachin State in March, a pastor and 16 youths were arrested when the Myanmar military raided a shelter camp run by the Kachin Baptist Convention. The victims were reportedly taken to a local military base, but at the time of writing their whereabouts is unknown.
In Faisalabad, Pakistan, two Christian sanitation workers died after being sent into a sewer without any protective equipment, despite this being illegal since 2015. Cousins Shan and Asif Masih suffocated on 17th March after inhaling poisonous gases while attempting to clear a blockage in the sewer; they each leave a wife and three children. This is a longstanding problem: Christians are marginalised in Pakistan, and often forced to take the lowest paid, dirtiest and most dangerous jobs, frequently without essential equipment such as masks and protective clothing. Muslims comprise 97% of the population of Faisalabad; 90% of the sanitation workers are Christian. Mariam Nawaz, Prime Minister of Punjab, has ‘taken note’ of the incident, and government help for the bereaved
Umar
families is promised, but please pray that working conditions for sanitation workers are improved, as has been previously promised.
But some better news from Pakistan.
Christian brothers Umar and Umair
Saleem were acquitted of all the charges brought against them in August 2023 under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. These charges precipitated anti-Christian riots which resulted in 24 churches, several dozen smaller chapels and more than 100 Christian homes being burned. A police investigation subsequently exonerated both brothers, reporting that they had not defiled the name of Muhammad, nor had they stirred up sectarian hatred. The police confirmed that two Muslim men had plotted to implicate the brothers because of a personal grudge; these men are now in jail. Praise the Lord for the acquittal and release from prison of Umar and Umair, and pray for their physical, emotional and spiritual recovery from this ordeal. Pray too for healing for their traumatised families. Give thanks for the courage of the defence lawyer and the judge in standing up for the rights of the Christian minority.continued
1 Henshall Road, Bollington.
Tel: 01625 572110
Est since 1890
Pray for protection for the brothers and their lawyers against further attacks. Ask that the court’s decision will serve as a powerful deterrent against unfounded blasphemy allegations against Christians.
Thank you to all those who prayed for the house church in Laos mentioned in the April edition of HotPott. After the attack by village leaders and residents during a Sunday service in February, the church is now reopening under the protection of the district authorities. Ministry of
Public Security officials have promised to guard the Christians’ right to worship. The church continued to meet for worship whilst the building was undergoing repair, but one member warned: ‘… the village authorities and other nonChristian villagers are still threatening us, threatening to tear down our place of worship again. But we are getting stronger now. We’re not afraid to get together at that house anymore.’ Praise God for the swift answer to prayer as the district authorities upheld the law that gives Christians in Laos the right to conduct services. Give thanks also that our brothers and sisters have felt God’s encouragement in maintaining their faith and rebuilding their church. Pray that they will continue to stand firm in their faith without being frightened by their opponents and that regular worship will continue. Pray that their steadfastness will encourage Christians throughout rural Laos, and that there will be no further evictions of Christians from their villages.
Sources acknowledged with thanks: AsiaNews, BaptistStandard, Barnabas, The Economic Times.
We wish them joy in their preparations:
25th May (1pm) William Hicks & Hannah Bridger
27th May (1pm) Matthew Anderson & Amelia Clapson-McBride
We welcome into our church family:
7th April Isla Susannah Lawton
13th April Pippa Anna Lynne Bowden
Funerals
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of: 17th April Brian Charles Reed, aged 92 years.
At 47.5°C, Johnny and Ann McClean’s area of Bangkok recently registered the highest heat index in Thailand! Pray for them as they serve the Lord in these extremes of heat. At New City Fellowship (NCF) Pastor Pramote and his family are recovering from flu, and although Pramote was the least affected it still meant that Johnny had extra duties at church. Ann, and other church members Ling and Neen, shared the story of Jesus’ death at their Good Friday service and of His resurrection on Easter Day. Recently the church food bank, which holds the supplies they take when visiting the neediest people living close to NCF, needed restocking. Please pray that these supplies will bless those who are unloved and feel valueless, and pray too that those who visit from NCF can share about Jesus' love for them. The NCF church building is requiring attention: there are issues with the safety of the mezzanine floor and the projector they use in services is on its last legs. Some help has been forthcoming, but more is needed. You may remember that son Joshua attends a Christian school, the International Community School, Bangkok (ICS). Before graduating from ICS, all students must complete a Capstone Service Project. Joshua’s involved raising £750 and using it to build three concrete paths over a swamp in a slum community and to install lighting, making it safe for people going in and out of their homes. Students present their projects and make a booth where other pupils can see what they have done and ask questions. An external committee also examines their work, and Johnny has been asked to be part of one examining another group of five students. We have not heard the outcome of Josh’s presentation yet – but if you are on Facebook, look at
transforming communities and exposing students to a world needing love, care and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for Ann as she teaches in this Christian school, and particularly for opportunities to point students to Jesus. Pray Joshua may find faith in Jesus in this situation.
Helen and Megumi Fazakerley are back in Malawi after their home assignment. Their last few days in England were difficult as Helen’s elderly father became ill and was admitted to hospital,
continued
Helen & Megumi back in Malawi making the decision whether to delay their flight back to Malawi a difficult one. Thank God for His guidance during that time, and for Helen’s Dad’s recovery. The Fazakerleys were greeted with heat of 28ºC and a two-hour power cut on their first evening, which hampered their attempts to unpack, shower, make up their bed etc. etc. They have now had the opportunity to charge their back-up generators! On a more positive note, it was special to be welcomed back by their friends and mission colleagues, who supplied them with meals and company in the first few days. On Easter Day they enjoyed fellowship over a meal and on Easter Monday a games afternoon; this really helped them to settle back into life in Malawi. They also met up with Yuki, their church friend and Japanese development worker, and were delighted to see how she is becoming ever closer to the international Christian community, where she can be nurtured and grow. Please pray for her continued growth, and for her friend and colleague, a new intern from Japan, that she too would learn more of Christ. The theme for 2024 at Blantyre Baptist, the church Megumi and Helen attend, is: Equipped for Service, though they are not quite sure what this entails yet. Megumi is pleased to be leading an introductory session for the series on
Easter welcome meal
Romans their house group is embarking on, and to recommence working on the Bible study guide on Matthew he started before the home assignment. Helen has returned to her service role for the SIM Malawi team, and as medical coordinator has just received some files for the potential missionary candidates to be sent from Malawi. She has reconnected with her friendship counselling buddy and is pleased to be part of the international ladies’ Bible study group as they start meeting again after the school holiday break. Megumi reports: ‘We both have been finding this transition quite hard. Physically we get tired faster, emotionally on a roller coaster, mentally confused and forgetful, but the Lord has made it possible for us to be here again, so spiritually we are at peace to see how He will use us.’ Please pray for them, that the Lord’s will for them in Malawi would continue to be made clear.
More kids' exam ansers... State three drawbacks of hedgerow removal. – All the cows will escape. The cars drive into the fields. There is nowhere to hide
What is a vibration? – There are good vibrations and bad vibrations. Good vibrations were discovered in the 1960s.
Full & part home renovations
Project management
Joinery Plastering
Heating/plumbing & electrical
Kitchens & bathrooms
Painting & decorating
Wallpaper hanging
Venetian plastering
Tiling
Hand painted kitchens
“Incredibly pleased with the renovation work by Spring Decorating. The work involved the replastering of several rooms, replacing internal doors, bannisters, spindles, radiators and then redecorating. All finished to a very high standard, which I am delighted with. The team was professional, efficient and friendly. I wouldn’t hesitate to have them back in the future.”
Review verified by Which? Trusted Traders
0161 439 9195
info@springdecorating.co.uk
www.springdecorating.co.uk
17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook
Exterior painting & decorating
Rendering & K Rend
Joinery
uPVC window spraying
Scaffolding
“We are delighted with the work by Spring Decorating. The response to our query was quick and a quote followed promptly. Work started a couple of weeks later on the outside of our house. The team always arrived exactly when they said they would and were totally reliable, pleasant and courteous. The work was thorough, with excellent preparation and looks very good. We will certainly use them again for more work.”
0161 439 9195
info@springdecorating.co.uk
www.springdecorating.co.uk
17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook
2nd
14th10thMay
June
Our daughter Alex has two wonderful housemates, Emily and Ellie.
Not only do they join Alex in her wild swimming in the North Sea exploits, being a sociable trio they are always entertaining friends at home or cooking en masse for various church events. It’s a largely glutenfree household, so this delicious, quick and easy cake is often made.
The recipe comes from Emily’s Nana.
Ingredients:
225g (8oz) dark chocolate
125g (4oz) cherries
225g (8oz) caster sugar
225g (8oz) coconut
2 eggs
Method:
Melt the chocolate and use it to line a swiss roll tin.
Mix all the other ingredients together and cover the chocolate with the mixture and press it down in the tin to get a more even bake.
Cook at 180°C. It takes around 20 minutes, but keep your eye on it and take it out when it starts to go brown.
Allow to cool, and enjoy!
5th May.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Holy Communion‡
Eph. 1:9-10.
Mark 1: 1-18
Lynn Caudwell 12th.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship‡*
Acts 1:1-8
Matthew 28: 17-20
Lynne Bowden 19th.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion All Age Worship
Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Lynne Bowden 26th. Bollington Festival
8.30am 9.00am 10.45am No Service Festival Service with St Oswald's on the Rec Holy Communion (using Book of Common Prayer) 2nd June.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Holy Communion‡ TBC
Lynn Caudwell & Paul Bowden
• 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 6pm) ** Youth Church (at 10.45am)
Readers Prayers Sidesmen at 8.30
5th May
Anne Murphy & Jean Ferguson
12th Reg Ferguson & John Ryley
Sally Winstanley
Liz Arrowsmith, Nigel Heathcote & Annie Palace
Anne Murphy Gill Mosley
Sidesmen at 10.45 Coffee
Mike & Sue Akerman
Lydia & Simon
& Rachel Witkowski Gill & Victoria
19th Hannah & Paige Pam Cooke Jim Curtis Joy & David Whitehead Caroline & Steve
26th N/A N/A N/A TBC Ros & Madeline
2nd June Judy Keeling & Rebecca Roth-Biester
Sally Winstanley Clare Chasty Jean & Reg Ferguson
Church Cleaning Rota
3rd May David & Joy 24th May Caroline & Jean
10th May Shirley & Christine 31st May
Reg & Jean
17th May Sally & Yvonne 7th June Mike & Sue
Yvonne & Annie
Gillian
2
14 Silver Street, Bollington, SK10 5QL
129 St Austell Avenue, Macclesfield, SK10 3NY
26
andyphillips@totalise.co.uk Jean
, 17, Poplar Grove, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5LS
jeanfergusonuk@msn.com
Verger: Situation Vacant
PCC Secretary: Rebecca Roth-Biester pccsecretary@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
kennedyp@tuckerssolicitors.com
Gift Aid & Planned Giving: Sally Winstanley, 3 Green Close Cottages, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SG
sjwinstanley.ps@gmail.com
Mary Currell, 61 Crossfield Road, Bollington, SK10 5EA
marycurrell61@btinternet.com
davidgem@gmail.com
Electoral Roll officer Kath Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA
kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk
Safeguarding officer: Kath Matheson, safeguarding@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Tower Captain: Duncan Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA 574983 dmmpott@yahoo.co.uk
Pastoral Ministry: Anne Murphy, pastoralteam@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Anne Murphy, annemurphy1214@gmail.com
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 573260 head@pottshrigley.cheshire.sch.uk
Website: Tess Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP info@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
PCC Members:
Duncan Matheson, Sally Winstanley, Peter Kennedy, Jean Ferguson, Andy Phillips, Pam Cooke, Mary Currell, Mike Akerman, Ang Davies, Simon Caudwell Rebecca Roth-Biester, Sheila Garton, David Garton, David Gem, Annie Palace, Kath Matheson, Reg Ferguson, Anne Muprhy.
This directory was updated on 21st April 2024.Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk