£1 October 2021
Pott Shrigley’s Church & Parish Magazine
David’s Deliberations Dear friends, Of the many things we clergy get to do, perhaps the greatest privilege is to stand in front of groups of people who listen to what we have to say! This happens multiple times, most weeks: in school, at special occasions such as weddings and funerals, and, of course, in church every Sunday. After 37 years, my astonishment at being allowed to do this remains undimmed. You may think, though, that I’d also be running out of things to say: and, if it was down to me, I certainly would have – long ago! But the Bible is an inexhaustible treasure chest, and my job is simply to lift the lid and point to the riches within.
lived so long ago that even in Jesus’ time he was ancient history? In September I started an eight-part series on Moses. You may think that my choice fails on all the criteria I just suggested! But in fact the world of Moses is very recognisably our own world, and the story of his life and of God’s dealings with him, can, I believe, help and guide us today. We see a world in which horrific oppression and violence cause a whole people to migrate; yet we see God siding with them against their oppressors. We see a very flawed character, Moses, lead an even more flawed people, the Israelites; yet God uses him and them to achieve great things.
David Swales
Still, Sundays have to be planned and decisions taken about what themes to follow, what parts of the Bible to explore. I wonder what you would decide, if you started with a blank sheet? You would surely want to connect God’s Word to the challenges in people’s own lives, to the terrible situations in our world, or to the complicated issues of modern life. I wonder if you’d have thought of a series on an individual who
We see a world in which all manner of immorality, violence and injustice are accepted as normal; yet God, through Moses, gives His people His Law (including the Ten Commandments), enabling them to navigate through the moral confusion and live lives worthy of Him. Above all, in the story of Moses we see God not only high and mighty, but also coming close to His people, forgiving them, assuring them of His promise, protection and provision; calling continued →
HotPott - October 2021
This Edition Pg
Content
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David’s Deliberations
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A local hymn rediscovered
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It’s great to be back…
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‘Escaping’ Irmagedden & Cruising the Seven Seas
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Flix is back…
10 Where’s Geoff? 12 Your Vote, Your Council 14 Making Music in Lockdown 16 Men’s Mental Health and the Poynton Area Community Partnership 18 Mouse Makes 19 Coffee Break 20 Missionary Matters 22 Suffering Church 27 From the Registers 31 Treacle Market Outreach 33 Recipe: Gluten free French Chocolate Cake 34 Services
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them into a relationship of love and trust. It is the same God who today assures and calls us into relationship with Him.
you can; and, if not, view all our services – and sermons – via the links on the ‘Sunday Services’ section of our website.
So, I hope the series ‘Travelling Hope-fully: Moses and the People of God’ will speak to us all. Have a look at the ‘Services’ page near the back for more details. Join us if
Your friend and vicar, David.
A local hymn rediscovered During the summer I was delighted to resume my involvement with two nursing homes: Prestbury House, Macclesfield and Mount Hall, Bollington.
David Swales At Prestbury House myself and Rev James Gibson of Hurdsfield co-lead a service, which involves much singing, along with prayer and a word from the Bible. The residents seem to love it. At Mount Hall I mainly do singing – both of hymns and old community songs. On the last occasion I was delighted to be part of another ‘double-act’ as I was joined by Rev Nancy Goodrich, the new Vicar of Bollington: she sang, and even danced, for the residents, with great energy! While I was there, I was told about a former owner of Mount Hall, mill owner Samuel Greg (d. 1877). Inspired by the views from
Prestbury House Garden Service
the eponymous mount, Samuel wrote the following hymn – which can be found in hymn books to this day. His own ‘mount’ clearly made him think of the mount in the Gospels where Jesus’ transfiguration took place, and especially of St Peter, who wanted to cling on to that wonderful exalted spiritual vision. If you can get past the Victorian language the hymn does express a profound truth for us all:
The Mount (Mount Hall), Bollington; happyvalley.org.uk Page 4
This hymn is sung to the tune ‘Yorkshire’ – the tune of ‘Christians, awake!’. HotPott - October 2021
1 Stay, Master, stay upon this heavenly hill; A little longer, let us linger still; With all the mighty ones of old beside, Near to God’s holy presence still abide; Before the throne of light we trembling stand, And catch a glimpse into the spirit land.
3 ‘No!’ saith the Lord, ‘the hour is past,’ we go; Our home, our life, our duties lie below. While here we kneel upon the mount of prayer, The plough lies waiting in the furrow there! Here we sought God that we might know His will; There we must do it, serve Him, seek Him still.
2 Stay, Master, stay! we breathe a purer air; This life is not the life that waits us there: Thoughts, feelings, flashes, glimpses come and go; We cannot speak them, nay, we do not know; Wrapt in this cloud of light we seem to be The things we fain would grow eternally.
4 If man aspires to reach the throne of God, O’er the dull plains of earth must lie the road: He who best does his lowly duty here, Shall mount the highest in a nobler sphere: At God’s own feet our spirits seek their rest, And he is nearest Him who serves Him best.
It’s great to be back… We’ve loved welcoming back our older children and also our new starters here at Pott School – it’s great to be able once again to welcome parents into the school playground at the beginning and end of the day. We’ve had a great start to the year, focussing on topics as diverse as ‘The Romans’ through to ‘The Victorians’ and are looking forward to getting out on some trips later in the term to further our knowledge. We’ve already started back to Forest School at New Hey Farm – a huge thanks to Sheila & David for accommodating us again – we all love our Friday afternoons at the farm. Rev David led worship in the playground to take advantage of the September sunshine.
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‘Escaping’ Irmagedden & Cruising (some of) the Seven Seas Many readers will remember Julie’s fascinating (and at times horrifying) accounts of the havoc wreaked in September 2017 by Hurricanes Irma and Maria on the British Virgin Islands, and on her and Stephen’s home in particular. Amazingly, we’re now four years on and this is Julie’s latest instalment…
Julie Cooper I've been asked by a few to do another update, but little did I know what content it would have. Seriously folks, you really couldn't have made the last 18 months up, except of course in some horror sci-fi novel. We'll start off on a positive note though. Our continuing difficult life of living post Irma, and also on a building site, made us take stock and plan a trip of a lifetime. It certainly turned out that way but not quite as intended. With our wonderful house/menagerie sitters agreeable, we booked an incredible world cruise on board a small, beautiful Silversea ship. Just over five months, sailing all oceans and visiting all seven continents, it was billed as Legends of Silversea and we were hooked and booked. We set off on January 4th, 2020, managed all South America, the
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Antarctic, Easter Island and the Falkland and Pitcairn Islands but as we were getting into the South Pacific by mid-February it all started to go awry. One by one the islands were closing; we managed a few exotic ones but ended up wandering around for 14 days on the high seas looking for somewhere to take pity on us. On March 13th the captain announced it was the end and we had to sail through a cyclone to reach Sydney, Australia. I have never felt such a palpable collective sadness amongst a group of people. In true style however we ate, drank and partied until the end. We sat in Sydney Harbour for four days waiting to dock; the ship had a 24 hour slot to disembark all passengers. Stephen and I made a very sad walk down the gangway at three o’clock in the morning and stepped onto Australian soil to be greeted by a very effusive and entertaining taxi driver. He was certainly the stereotypical Aussie male and of course this new word, COVID, was at the forefront of his forthright opinions. ‘The worst thing HotPott - October 2021
safe COVID free bubble with not a care in the world to an alien world. Once on the plane though everything was normal; back on the ground in Dubai and the alien world kicked back in. We landed at an alien Gatwick and stayed in a favourite hotel until our morning flight to Antigua. Luckily we were booked on the last Virgin flight out to Antigua, the airport was eerily empty, the plane too. Going back to London it would be full of repatriating Brits.
about this Corona was that it had annihilated the Australian sex industry and was named after a beer.’ A happy hour was spent in his company but then reality hit as we arrived at the airport: not only was it very busy but everyone was wearing masks and eyeing each other up suspiciously. We had come from a
Before & after Irma HotPott - October 2021
Because of having to wait for connecting flights to Tortola we overnighted, again at a favourite hotel. And that's when the fun started: we landed on March 22nd and the BVI closed its borders on the 23rd. What was supposed to be a few days in Antigua turned into a four and a half month stay in Antigua. I'm not saying we were there a long time but we got residency. Twice we had to move hotels as each one closed but we ended up like the guest who came to dinner and stayed. And do you know, we had the happiest of times, no responsibilities at all, the biggest decision was where to go for dinner that evening. Very fond memories indeed. The BVI Government, bless them, agreed to us travelling back at the end of July even
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though the BVI was still closed; a classic case of who you know not what you know. And that's where we've been ever since, COVID free, a virtually normal life except for having to wear a mask in the supermarket. Sadly, this is now changing as we open up to travellers but vaccinations, courtesy of the UK, are available for all even though the majority won't take them. April 2021 and on the house front we decided that we were near enough finished and could live without the builders. We still have work to do but I had to make a stand or else they'd be here for ever and my sanity would be sorely tested. As you can see from the ‘before and after’ photographs we are very nearly there; the house looks the same but as yet doesn't feel the same: it's still a house not a home, but that will come with personal touches. In all this our constant has been our wonderful animals, they have certainly been my rock
and purpose in life. I look at what's happening around the world and especially follow the UK in its COVID struggle; I am very grateful that here we are sheltered from the outside world to some extent. We do have immense problems at the moment with an unstable political situation and trafficking of drugs through the BVI, but we also have what's known here as ‘the Mother Country’ so are confident that the UK's Commission of Inquiry, who are here at the moment, will actually find enough to enable a forced direct rule by the UK, for an interim period at least, in order to secure a better future for us all. There's certainly never a dull moment in our lives here. Julie’s correct. You couldn’t make it up… Editor.
Flix is back… That’s the good news… less good is the impossibility of adequately COVID proofing the bar area and therefore necessitating it remaining closed, but that’s a minor detail. For the next few screenings (at least), there will be 50 seats available – at the usual bargain price of £4 if pre-booked or £5 on the door. The hall will be well ventilated and touch points sanitised before doors open at 7pm; windows and doors will remain open throughout the film, so wear your winter woollies if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Mask wearing is required when entering, leaving or moving around the building but not during the film. All customers are expected to be 'double jabbed' unless medically exempt. When booking as a group it will be assumed that you are in a bubble with all your fellow groupies i.e. happy to sit next Page 8
to each other without a gap; if this is not the case please say when booking so that seating can be organised accordingly. Hand sanitiser will be available on the desk, together with sweets, and we ask that social distancing be observed where possible. Of course, any guidelines issued by the government or local authority in the future will be observed. And now for the most important information – dates and titles: 6th October: The Father 3rd November: Nomadland 1st December: Dreamhorse
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Autumn&Winter 2021
F LIX I N THE STIX
Pott Shrigley Community Cinema
At Pott Shrigley Village Hall SK10 5RT
DOORS OPEN 7.00pm FILM STARTS 7.30 pm
We proudly present :
6th October – The Father (cert 12A) 3rd November – Nomadland (cert 12A) 1st December – Dreamhorse (cert PG)
Tickets are limited to 50 as part of the covid precautions So advance booking is recommended.See website for details.
Ticket agents: - Anthea Wilkinson (01625 573538) (and St Oswald’s church, Bollington)
- Peter M Boulton (01625 876646)
E-mail pottflix@gmail.com Website sites.google.com/site/pottflix/ Tickets : in advance £4.00 : ‘chance it’ on the door £5.00 HotPott - October 2021
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Where’s Geoff? So they came back again. I thought they would. After five years of touring around Britain, and it probably takes five years to get round all the roads in the country, they had to go home sometime. Last time, in 2016, they cycled up Bakestonedale Road, so now they cycled down again, and then right, past Shrigley Hall; well, you couldn’t expect them to go up again, could you?
Duncan Matheson This stage of the 2021 Tour of Britain started at Alderley Park and finished at Warrington, a distance of 20 miles as the Google flies. They must have thought it was going to be a doddle, those who know the Cheshire plain, not a hill in sight; drop off for a pint on the way, maybe a quick nap, and still get to Warrington inside the allotted three and a half to four hours. I know it would take you and me a lot longer than that (unless you ride a Brompton bike), but you must remember these guys are professional cyclists and can go really fast. What a shock it must have been when they had to veer off into the Peak District. In fact the climb up from Macclesfield
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through Rainow to the top of Bakestonedale Road was their third King of the Mountains section. With all their detours they cycled 94.6 miles that day, not as far as last time we saw them, but after five years they must have been tired. The Tour was due to get to Pott Shrigley around 1.30 to 1.50pm. I was determined not to miss it this time (last time I blinked at just the wrong moment) so I took up my position in plenty of time. I thought Geoff would be there too, as I think he missed it last time (everyone kept standing in front of his seat and blocking his view). But where was he? The school children had the prime seats, all set up in the churchyard, just above the wall, banners welcoming the riders behind them. But no Geoff! I thought he would be in the midst of them, making sure no one taller than a grasshopper’s knee was in front of him. Plenty of HotPott - October 2021
familiar faces: Meg and Roger were sat on the wall, Sandy behind them (I hope she could see!), Ed and Keith snapping away, Rick (with Jo) taking a totally different class of photo from those I manage. Even your editor took a few moments off from editing to watch it. But no sign of Geoff. At 1.26 the action started: policeman number one took up position on his motorbike at the junction. I thought he must be on point duty, to direct the cyclists to turn right along Shrigley Road, but he was soon replaced by number two, and so on up to twenty. Number four sounded his siren for the children and got them all up and cheering. Then came the race marshals on their motorbikes; safety bikes; more policemen with sirens blaring – they certainly know how to get a crowd going before roaring off into the blue yonder, or at least up Shrigley Road! And then the cars: organisation cars (grey Skodas), official cars (red Skodas), police and ambulance cars, support cars and team cars (red, white, blue and black, not necessarily Skodas) with spare bikes on the roof. And finally, at 1.47, the leading group of five cyclists. My eyelids were
taped open so I wouldn’t blink, and this time I saw them flash past. TV bikes, more cars, more motorbikes, then two minutes later came the peloton, several abreast and nose to tail, strung out a bit at the back. Fast and furious, surely our newly rebuilt churchyard wall was in danger of being flattened, or at least there would be damage to various dangling limbs. Not a Brompton among them. In forty seconds the last rider was through and it was all over bar more team cars from Belgium, France, Spain, Israel, South Africa and anywhere else you can name. The razzmatazz had lasted no more than twenty five minutes, but what fun! But where was Geoff?
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Highways
Your Vote Your Council on the left is awaited.
New/Updated/Completed
Village green maintenance
• Report of accident at the chevron bend (near Shrigley Hall) which resulted in two large holes in the wall.
Cllr Basford has mowed the village green several times this year with an ordinary domestic mower. It was agreed that more people were now using the field, and that a ride on mower is required. Discussion took place about
• Gully blocked by debris resulted in the collapse of the pipe emptying into the brook across Shrigley Road from the entrance to the field just below the village hall and belonging to Mr. Simcock. • Traffic lights near Cedar Lodge: Highways assures the council that the engineer will be on site and will meet with the resident of Cedar Lodge. He assured the clerk that this is a priority for this year. • Cllr. Saunders, having been contacted by a resident, made an enquiry to Cheshire East Council (CEC) about the road collapse north of Brooklet Cottage and was told it would be dealt with at the same time as the above. Pending • Remedial resurfacing of Shrigley Road from Green Close to the aqueduct. • Modifications to the ‘chevron bend’ Project 1421 (PACP list) • Double yellow lines on Pott Hall bend: deferred. • Stones are missing from the base of the wall at the side of the bridge on Bakestonedale Road. This may have been done now.
• funding: possibility of a grant or raising the precept, •
where it will be kept and
•
insurance requirements
No conclusions were reached. Action: The clerk will investigate sources of funding such as the lottery and CEC’s crowd funding (see below) and Cllr. Basford will produce some mower specifications and prices. Poynton Area Community Partnership Meeting 21st July Attended by Cllr. Boulton. • Cheshire East Council has promised £100,000 to a crowdfunding scheme, Cheshire East Crowd, run by Spacehive, where community projects may be supported up to 50% of their cost to a maximum of £10,000. This initiative will encourage, support, and help create, fund and deliver project ideas.
• Repair of fingerpost at junction of Street Lane and London Road: Adlington Parish Clerk has no further information about this. Action: The clerk will write to the Chair of Adlington PC. • Road surface of Long Lane between Nab Quarry and Shrigley Road: a response about whether there are plans to fill in the potholes Page 12
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Action: clerk to investigate. • The issue of men’s mental health was discussed. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 50 and a leading cause of death in young men. In England, three out of every four suicides are committed by men. Please see article on page 16 Footpaths Jackson Brow Steps: the Peak & Northern Footpaths Society contacted the clerk to ask for the specifications of the handrail needed. She is waiting for an updated estimate. Village green oak tree plaque The negotiations about the inscription, position and material for the plaque, which will explain the provenance of the village green oak tree, are now complete and the plaque is being manufactured. For more details, please see the article in last month’s HotPott written by your parish clerk, Joyce Burton. Hornbeam tree from Delville Wood
Hornbeam tree that survived the Battle of Delville Wood; pinterest
outcome. However, the council abides by its previous comment that although this application will probably meet all planning laws, the conversion of steel agricultural barns into residential buildings is destroying the character of this rural area.
Planning
21/4345M Wood Lane End Farm, Wood Lane End, Adlington Proposal: Erection of a detached dwelling with associated access and landscaping following the partial demolition of existing outbuilding. The council had no comment to make as this property is situated outside the parish boundary.
Applications
Pending
21/4435M Heatherdale Farm, Moorside Lane, SK10 5RZ Proposal: Conversion of an existing agricultural barn to a single dwelling (resubmission of 20/3710M) It is obvious from the comments in the application that resubmitting this planning application after making the amendments suggested by the planning officer, the applicant is likely to receive a favourable
NP/CEC/0621/0623 Pott Mill Farm, Bakestonedale Road, SK10 5RU Proposal: Erection of agricultural building to store fodder and implements. Enforcement Officer is waiting to see outcome of planning application so there is no conflict.
The clerk has grown a hornbeam tree from a seed collected from the only tree left standing after the fighting in Delville Wood, one of 12 battles on the Somme in 1916. Permission to plant it on the village green was given and the clerk offered to pay for an appropriate plaque.
20/2413M Proposed Poynton Relief Road Modification of Condition 41 of the decision notice was discussed by the Strategic Planning Board on 16th June and the minutes continued →
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show RESOLVED but the planning application shows not decided. (Further detail in last month’s HotPott.)
warehouse storage buildings and demolition of existing shed and replacement with two storey office building.
NP/CEC/0720/0690 Pott Hall Farm, SK10 5RT Proposal: Sub-division of dwelling to form two dwelling units Plans amended but no decision.
21/1283M Separate application for warehouse for MRI Polytech.
20/4189M near Wood Lane, Adlington Creation of glamping site.
20/4535M Nab Quarry, Long Lane Proposal: Extension to side elevation of existing warehouse. Approved.
21/0256M Needygate, SK10 5SG Proposal: Change of use of existing garage to holiday let and Inclusion of open lean-to extension and external alterations to existing garage doorway to form walling and window. Nab Quarry, Long Lane: 21/1251M Resubmission for the regularisation of
Decision
Next meeting The next meeting will take place at 8pm on 4th October 2021 in the village hall.
Making Music in Lockdown
We have been blessed at St Christopher’s by having, since the earliest days of lockdown, our Sunday services online. Even now, unless we are worshipping outside, we are not able to sing the hymns and songs which play such an important part of our worship. David explains how our ‘home-grown’ musicians have been making their recordings…
David Garton As services went to being streamed only, we quickly found difficulties in finding recordings of hymns which we could use during online services without infringing copyright rules. Some are available – thanks to St Martin’sin-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square and a company called The Worship Zone – but often what they had available didn’t fit with the theme for our service. Hence we decided to try making our own recordings. After some trial and error, we arrived at the following process which usually ran on a weekly cycle: Someone (usually David S, Mary, or Sheila and Page 14
I) records a basic music part on their phone or computer and sends an electronic copy to Sheila and me. Sheila and I separately record ourselves singing the hymn (while listening to the music track on headphones). I load the separate music and the singing recordings into a computer programme called Audacity and use it to mix the two recordings together. Audacity is like the control room/ mixer desk you might have seen in a recording studio; it lets you cut, copy and paste snippets of each track, move them in time relative to each HotPott - October 2021
other to synchronise them, alter the volume of each one to balance the sound, and much more (lots of which I haven’t yet understood how to use!). I download a basic mixed version of the hymn (usually one musical instrument and two voices) and we send this out to the group of virtual musicians and singers. They record their parts on their phones or computers and send it back. I load all the tracks into Audacity and balance and synchronise them together, then make any other necessary adjustments. Finally, I download the final version and send it to Andy ready for inclusion in the service on Sunday Audacity is a great piece of software – and it’s free! Each recorded track is shown in its waveform (see picture), and can be moved and edited just like many other computer programmes (e.g. cut, paste). From experience, it’s more accurate to use the visual waveform to find the right point to make an edit rather than listening to the track and using a clock. If necessary, you can change the pitch of individual notes (if someone plays a wrong note), speed up or slow down the tempo of parts or the whole of a track, transpose everything to a lower or higher key to make it easier to sing, edit out the bit where someone’s mantelpiece clock chimes in the background, and much
more. Of course, the quality of our musicians and singers means that these features are seldom, if ever, used! As well as learning how to use the technology, I think we have all learnt musically during the process and improved as a result. It’s very revealing to listen to a recording of yourself playing or singing! One major lesson has been that all of us are a bit variable when it comes to keeping strictly in time, such that we have moved to using a metronome or computerised drum beat when making the recordings. I decided not to try to name all the people who have contributed to our recordings as there are a lot of them and I would almost certainly forget someone, but a big thank-you to all concerned. The feedback suggests that they have all enjoyed being involved in this venture, and we hope that the recordings have appropriately supported our Sunday worship together. Speaking personally, good as the outside recordings are, there is something I think rather special about having our own musicians producing the songs and hymns we listen to in church, or sing along to at home… so a huge thank you to all of them! Editor.
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Men’s Mental Health and the Poynton Area Community Partnership (PACP) We often hear of the work of the PACP in the parish council report ‘Your vote…’, so it’s good to hear a little more about the organisation and, in particular, its role in raising awareness about men’s mental health…
Peter Boulton I represent Pott Shrigley Parish Council on the PACP, which forms part of a wider network of partnerships across Cheshire East and is an independent group made up of like-minded volunteers who understand and represent the interests of Poynton, Adlington, Bollington, Disley, Mottram St Andrew, Prestbury, Kettleshulme, Rainow and Pott Shrigley. PACP’s vision is to make its residents and neighbourhoods better connected, to promote a strong sense of place by supporting civic pride projects, to promote health and wellbeing and to reduce social isolation. Voluntary groups and organisations in the PACP area can apply for modest grants; these have funded transport to enable residents to attend falls prevention classes and room hire for a care group’s singalong sessions. The grants have also helped to fund a community minibus and a local youth club and some of the Pott Shrigley Village Hall chairs were bought with money from the PACP! PACP is seeking to address the growing issue of mental health difficulties, particularly among young males, and a few months ago they viewed a presentation which outlined the need to make residents more aware of mental health issues in their community, particularly as we emerge from the grip of COVID restrictions. In July 2021, a steering group of four was formed to explore how best to achieve greater awareness; they identified at least 4,000 people locally in need of more information about mental health matters. Subsequently, the four group members have liaised closely with the ‘12th Man Campaign’, Page 16
and with ‘Mentell’; both organisations provide opportunities and help for men to talk openly (and without being judged) about mental health in a safe and confidential space, free from unwanted advice but with unconditional support when it's needed most. In addition, all steering group members have undertaken training; the session is online, open to all and free of charge via https://12th-man. org.uk/training. Consider doing it yourself! Mentell ran a week-long programme – Mental Health Awareness for Men – in early September. Alongside this, PACP steering group members aimed to visit over 70 locations in Poynton, ranging from pubs, cafes and restaurants to sports clubs to barbers and tattooists and many others: in each place they visited they asked for help in raising awareness of mental health issues and they left a contact list, prepared by the steering group, outlining where help may be obtained. The list was separated into four categories (mental health support services for adults; young people; social isolation; domestic abuse) and provided contact information for over 20 organisations, including those such as the Samaritans and the Cheshire East ‘Live Well’ scheme as well as more local groups such as ‘You and Yours’. The Mentell programme of raising awareness will be repeated in both October and November 2021: do look out for it! HotPott - October 2021
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Coffee Break Across 1 ‘Those who were standing near Paul said, “You — to insult God’s high priest?”’ (Acts 23:4) (4) 3 They were assigned to guard the tree of life (Genesis 3:24) (8) 9 ‘Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the — of — , the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite’ (1 Samuel 1:1) (3,4) 10 Surrender (Joshua 24:23) (5) 11 Where American livestock can be reared (5) 12 Listen (anag.) (6) 14 Alternative name for Kiriath Jearim (2 Samuel 6:2) (6,2,5) 17 He founded Westminster Abbey, — the Confessor (6) 19 Hebrew word for the place of the dead (5) 22 Allies of Persia in the fifth century BC (Esther 1:3) (5) 23 Where John Wesley was forced to preach a lot (4,3) 24 Rebellion against God; abandonment of religious belief (8) 25 Note (anag.) (4) Down 1 Give an account of (Mark 4:30) (8) 2 ‘I — — the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free’ (Psalm 119:32) (3,2) 4 ‘He took the ephod, the other — — and the carved image’ (Judges 18:20) (9,4) 5 ‘You are a chosen people, a — priesthood’ (1 Peter 2:9) (5) HotPott - October 2021
6 The meek, the merciful and the mourners are all this (Matthew 5:4–5, 7) (7) 7 Musical Instrument Digital Interface (1,1,1,1) 8 He was the son of Nun (Deuteronomy 34:9) (6) 13 ‘Let the little — come to me’ (Matthew 19:14) (8) 15 ‘About three thousand were — — their number that day’ (Acts 2:41) (5,2) 16 In John’s vision, the wall of the new Jerusalem was made of this (Revelation 21:18) (6) 18 ‘Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly — a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 3:20) (5) 20 ‘Glorify the Lord with me: let us — his name together’ (Psalm 34:3) (5) 21 Young Men’s Christian Association (1,1,1,1) Page 19
Missionary Matters
More gleanings from the Facebook group of Johnny and Ann McClean in Thailand. Afghan refugee ‘A’ has been released from the International Detention Centre after just over a year’s incarceration; pray he may be able to rebuild relationships with his three-year-old daughter Mayah and wife Sarah who have not seen him for so long.
John Ryley Fellow refugee ‘K’ has also been released, and they all have been allocated asylum in Australia: pray for this to become a reality soon. Thailand has been observing ‘anti corruption day’; bribery of the police could, apparently, have got ‘A’ out of detention much earlier! Their lawyer, Kuhl, who has been so helpful in getting ‘K’ and ‘A’ released, has just lost her mum, one of the church grannies, to diabetes and COVID, so please pray for comfort for her as she grieves. Son Matthew got back to Northern Ireland just before Thailand was added to the red list; pray for him as he moves into digs and starts his second year at Queens University – that
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he may do well with his studies, may make good friends, and get really involved with the university Christian scene. Even though COVID is rife in Thailand currently the government is considering easing restrictions; please pray for wisdom in this and give thanks that Pastor Pramote is fully vaccinated. Church and school are operating digitally; please pray for Pramote and Johnny as they record sermons and services, and for the church members to be able to access these on a Sunday. Several of the congregation, including a senior member, P’Corne, have COVID. Johnny and Pramote are delivering food to those affected and to others in the slum areas around the church – Johnny gets the supplies from Makro with the help of donations from supporters. Johnny is still able to run his Langham preaching club meetings on Zoom, helping young pastors with their ministry. Pray for Ann as she tries to get to know new students on Zoom, and as she teaches digitally, and for children Bethan and Joshua as they study online. Megumi and Helen Fazakerley have just written from Malawi. Helen is very busy with the arrival of two new missionary HotPott - October 2021
families. As health co-ordinator she checks their health status and vaccination history with the country they call home, and after seeing what health needs a person may have, she then advises SIM (the missionary organisation, Service in Mission) that they can safely live in Malawi. After their arrival, Helen checks they’ve had all relevant vaccinations, including COVID, introduces them to the various challenges of avoiding the diseases prevalent in Malawi and then treats them to a medical tour of Blantyre (hospitals, pharmacies, and GP family clinic). And finally, the really fun bit: team-building social gatherings! After all that activity, plus all the other usual meetings, Helen deserves a bit of a break, so slips off to the local swimming pool to relax, cool off a bit, and take a breather! She also takes the opportunity to read: currently 'The Shack', which is helpful for a counsellor as it covers several issues in a story-telling mode, using faith and the Bible as a strong foundation for seeking recovery and healing. Back to the new families, and the challenge of language learning; that's where Megumi, as language learning coach, comes in with his fluency in Chichewa. He’s had fun spending time with each group; some of the learners said they had fun too. Megumi hopes they were not just being polite! Megumi opines that language learning is a daunting challenge for most, but it forces everyone, including him, to be mindful of HotPott - October 2021
the basics. Why bother to learn this 'strange' language of these 'strangers'? Because they are our 'neighbours' and we have something important to communicate to them. The Fazakerleys gave no news of the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi, where Megumi used to teach, and which has had many problems with its funding. I’ve just read today of the rapid growth of the church in Africa and the need for trained pastors which is what Megumi regards as his ministry. I will be writing to the Fazakerleys to enquire further!
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The Suffering Church Another depressing article near the end of the magazine; I think I’ll give it a miss! But remember the people we mention here are members of the body of Christ, the body to which we belong. And when one part of the body gets hurt and suffers, it affects all the body – which includes you and me. So read on! Pray fervently! And send support to Barnabas Fund and/or Open Doors if you can! In Nigeria’s Northern and Middle Belt states, Amnesty International report that intercommunal violence and retaliatory attacks continue. ‘Our findings show that despite clear signs that there will be retaliatory attacks, enough is not being done to prevent the bloodshed, thereby fuelling the ongoing circle of violence. Beyond issuing statements and condemning attacks after they happen, government needs to rein in on attackers and bring suspects to justice,’ said Osai Ojigho, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria. Barnabas Fund received a report of an Islamist attack which left 35 people in a Christian community dead. In another incident 1,500 Christian households (approximately 11,000 individuals) were displaced after their homes were damaged; 150 Christians were injured, 17 seriously, with gunshot and machete wounds but were unable to afford the professional
Lady with broken arm, Nigeria; barnabas Page 22
medical assistance they needed. Many of the displaced are sheltering in schools: ‘I feel so helpless and deeply depressed looking at these families sleeping on bare floor in a classroom with months-old babies in the cold and rains. I could do so little,’ said a church leader caring for these displaced Christians. Barnabas Fund is providing medical aid and other practical support, including helping families to resettle in safer areas. Many incidents of anti-Christian violence go unreported, so estimating the total death toll over time is hard. Mike Pompeo, former US Secretary of State, has cited a figure of 1,500 Christian deaths in the first half of 2021. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has warned of a potential ‘Christian genocide’. We’ve been praying for the five Afghan refugees being helped by Johnny McClean in Bangkok. But just think of the Afghan Christians who remain in Afghanistan and who are now at risk of being hunted down and killed by the Taliban. The Christians of Afghanistan are first-generation converts who, along with their children, will be considered apostates from Islam and therefore, according to the strictest interpretations of Sharia (Islamic law), liable to the death penalty. Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has no formal government role but is the Taliban Supreme Leader, is reported as saying: ‘in the future, all matters of governance and life in Afghanistan will be regulated Mawlawi Hibatullah, by the laws of the Holy Sharia.’ Afghanistan; daily times HotPott - October 2021
Church service in India; barnabas
Clothes & books scattered in Taal, Myanmar; chin journal
Christians must either convert back to Islam, leave Afghanistan, or be killed. Although the right to freedom of conscience, including the right to choose and change one’s religion, is taken for granted in the West it is alien to classical and conservative Islamic thought: people are free to convert to Islam but not to leave it.
the entire population of Taal village in Chin State (a largely Christian region, with the Chin population of Myanmar thought to be at least 90% Christian) was forced to flee after the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) paid them a visit. A local church leader said that when the soldiers came 'all the villagers fled into the mountains and forests. The soldiers entered the village, ransacked the houses, and killed all the poultry and pigs.’ The Tatmadaw also occupied a church, throwing away Bibles and hymn books and leaving the building full of rubbish. This behaviour has been repeated in other villages. Taal’s residents have since remained in hiding, with many sheltering in a local town; the Institute of Chin Affairs, an India-based group of ethnic Chin people, estimates that the residents of Taal suffered total losses in these raids of almost 30 million kyat (£13,000). They also report that at least 108 ethnic Chin people have been killed by the Tatmadaw since the February coup. The Institute has called for an end to the Tatmadaw's acts against international humanitarian and human rights law: the Tatmadaw has for many years persecuted the Christian-majority Chin, Kachin, and Karen ethnic groups as well as the Muslim-majority Rohingya.
A Barnabas Fund contact reports that violence and persecution of Christians across India is increasing; the Evangelical Fellowship of India documented 145 such incidents in the first half of 2021, including three murders, 22 attacks on churches and 20 instances of ostracism in rural areas for those refusing to give up their faith. An acid attack, perpetrated after a teenage Christian pastor refused to stop conducting daily prayer meetings at his home, left the boy with 60 per cent burns; his family, who converted to Christianity two years ago, believe that radical Hindutva nationalists carried out the attack. In India such young pastors are not unusual: there are so few Christian workers, especially after approximately 2,000 Christian leaders died in the pandemic, that as soon as a leader is trained he begins his ministry. An Indian church leader told Barnabas Fund that the state in which this attack was carried out is not known for anti-Christian violence, adding: ‘I am worried that this will become a model of attack for others to follow.’ And so to neighbouring Myanmar, where HotPott - October 2021
The Rohingya hit the headlines in 2017 when around one million of them fled from Myanmar to the sprawling Cox’s Bazaar refugee camp in Bangladesh to escape
continued → Page 23
genocide at the hands of the Tatmadaw. Some Rohingya – around 60 – are Christians – and they suffer persecution by an extremist minority of the persecuted Rohingya Muslims! The body of a Christian Rohingya refugee was left unburied for 30 hours because of a protest by Rohingya Muslims. Mohi Uddin was eventually interred at the Baptist Church of Patiya. Please pray for all our persecuted brothers and sisters, for peace between faiths and for governments to rule wisely and with compassion. Sources acknowledged with thanks: Barnabas Fund; Amnesty International; Human Rights Watch; Punch. *** The shin bone is a device for finding furniture in the dark.
HotPott - October 2021
Refugee camp at Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh; UNICEF
*** Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren’t they just stale bread to begin with? *** If people from Poland are called Poles, then why aren’t people from Holland called Holes?
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From the Registers Forthcoming Weddings
We wish them joy in their preparations: 23rd October 13:30 David Adamson & Helen Jackson 26th October 13:00 Connor Stubbs & Sarah Jones
Weddings Congratulations to: 28th August Connor Dennison-Stevenson & Heather James 11th September Michael Ripper & Helena Mankki
Burial of Ashes Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of: 17th July Jocelyn Carole Tunstall 28th August Winifred Joan Matheson AIDEN'S JOKES Where do you learn to make banana splits? Sundae school *** What do you call a chicken looking at a lettuce? Chicken sees a salad. *** What do you call a cold that comes back? Deja Flu
n’t Do get r fo
“Your magazine needs you.”
Church Cleaning Rota 1st Oct
Mike & Sue Akerman
8th Oct
Mary & Ivan Currell
15th Oct
Joy & David Whitehead
22nd Oct
Shirley Plant & Christine Bowes (wedding 13.30, Sat 23rd)
29th Oct
Sally Winstanley & Yvonne Foster
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
Please send your contributions to
magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk no later than midnight on.....
Sunday, 17 th October www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk HotPott - October 2021
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HotPott - October 2021
Treacle Market Outreach Some of you may remember that I spoke about the ‘Treacle Market Outreach’ over the summer. This is an initiative by members of the Macclesfield Churches (known as Hope in North East Cheshire) – of which we are a part. The outreach was preceded by a training afternoon led by Rev Steve Parsons on ‘Sharing our Faith’.
David Swales On 29th August people visiting the Treacle Market were invited to a number of free activities and games in St Michael’s churchyard just by Market Square near the town hall. They were also invited to answer a questionnaire about their experiences in the pandemic and, where appropriate, were signposted to their local churches. Organiser Michelle Mason writes: ‘We spoke to several hundred adults and children, and prayed with tens of them. The kids’ tattoo parlour was really popular; a close second was Splat the Rat. We were a bit disappointed with uptake with the Hightower game. It became more popular when we had some very loud encouragement to get people involved (thanks Brian!).’
The next Treacle Market – and outreach – is on October 31st. Michelle says they particularly need helpers in the busy period from noon to 2pm: so you don’t even need to miss church! If you’d like to be involved I can put you in touch with Michelle.
*** The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. HotPott - October 2021
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HotPott - October 2021
Recipe of the Month Gluten free French Chocolate Cake
This recipe is a firm favourite with the Meecham and Winstanley families. It comes from the WI Book of Home Cooking dated 1995, when gluten free cake recipes were not
Audrey Meecham as common as they are now. It is described as ‘small, rich and utterly French’. It can be eaten plain, or covered in whipped cream or chocolate icing.
Turn onto a wire rack and leave to cool.
Ingredients:
Marquise icing
50g (2oz) unsalted butter 100g (4oz) good quality dark chocolate 3 eggs, separated 50g (2oz) caster sugar 2 teaspoons cornflour or gluten free flour 50g (2oz) ground almonds Method:
Ingredients:
Heat oven to 180°C or 350°F or gas mark 4 Oil a 15 – 18cm (5 – 6ins) round cake tin; line with baking paper and oil again. Soften the butter; melt the chocolate in a basin over hot water.
150g (6ozs) good quality dark chocolate 2 – 3 tablespoons warm water 15g (½oz) unsalted butter Few drops vanilla Method: Melt the chocolate in a basin over hot water. Stir in water, followed by butter. Flavour with vanilla. Pour over cake.
Separate the eggs. Beat the butter and egg yolks into the melted chocolate. Fold in the sugar, ground almonds and cornflour/gluten free flour. Whisk the egg whites until very stiff and fold into the chocolate mixture with a metal spoon. Turn into the prepared tin and cook for about 45 minutes.
Thinking about advertising in this magazine?
For commercial or private advertising, please contact us for free advice and very reasonable rates: magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk HotPott - October 2021
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Services 3rd October. Moses at The Burning Bush; ‘I’m Hopeless!’ 8.30am 10.45am
Morning Prayer Holy Communion‡
Exodus 2.23-3.14;4.1-5,10-17
David Swales
10th. Moses: The Great Escape 8.30am 10.45am
Holy Communion Exodus 13.1,14-22 Morning Worship‡**
David Swales
17th. Moses: Feed the World 8.30am 10.45am
Morning Prayer Family Service
Exodus 16.11-26
David Swales Anne Murphy & David Swales
24th. Moses: It's the Law 8.30am 10.45am
Holy Communion Morning Worship
Exodus 19.1-9,16-20
David Swales
31st. Moses: Faithless people, faithful God 8.30am 10.45am
Morning Prayer Morning Worship*
Exodus 32.1-14
David Swales
7th November. Moses: Farewell 8.30am 10.45am
Morning Prayer Holy Communion‡
Deuteronomy 32.48-52;34.1-8
Lynne Bowden
•
‘Moses’ is short for the series’ full title: ‘Travelling Hope-fully: Moses and the People of God’, as mentioned in David’s Deliberations on page 3.
•
If you would like to attend any of our services in person, please let Duncan Matheson know.
•
All 10:45am services will be streamed live - visit our website for direct links.
•
A recording of each live-streamed service will be available from the services page of the church website: http://www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk ‡ Junior Church * Youth Church (during 10.45 service) ** Youth Church (at 6pm) Prayers
Readers
Sidesmen at 8.30
3rd October
Sandy Milsom
Richard Chasty
Sue Wardle; Mathesons
10th October
Pam Cooke
Jon Weston
John & Liz Arrowsmith
17th October
Children and Young People
Tony Close
24th October
Chris Day
Carole Taylor
Clare Chasty
31st October
The Mathesons
Jean Ferguson
Keith Ardern; Mathesons
7th November
The Gartons
Mike Akerman
Gill Mosley; Sue Wardle
A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, “Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?” There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. “Sin?” Page 34
HotPott - October 2021
HotPott - October 2021
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Directory Priest-in-charge:
Rev. David Swales, The Vicarage, Spuley Lane, SK10 5RS
575846
vicar@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk Readers:
Dr John Ryley (Reader Emeritus), 2 Wych Lane, Adlington, SK10 4NB
Parish Assistant:
Gillian Mosley, 129 St Austell Avenue, Macclesfield, SK10 3NY
Churchwardens:
Andy Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP
829595 829819 07881 358976
andyphillips@totalise.co.uk David Gem, Ridge Hall Farm, Ridge Hill, Sutton, Macclesfield, SK11 0LU
01260 252287
davidgem@gmail.com Verger:
Situation Vacant
PCC Secretary:
Chris Day pccsecretary@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
PCC Treasurer:
Peter Kennedy, kennedyp@tuckerssolicitors.com
Gift Aid & Planned Giving:
Sally Winstanley, 3 Green Close Cottages, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SG
07850 740335
Organists:
Mary Currell, 61 Crossfield Road, Bollington, SK10 5EA
574545
sjwinstanley.ps@gmail.com 573735
marycurrell61@btinternet.com David Garton, davidgarton2020@gmail.com
573492
Andy Phillips, as above
07881 358976
Weekly Bulletin:
David Gem, as above
01260 252287
Electoral Roll and Safeguarding officer:
Kath Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA
Tower Captain:
Duncan Matheson, Church View Cottage, Pott Shrigley, SK10 5SA
Pastoral Care Team:
Kim Swales, The Vicarage, Spuley Lane, SK10 5RS
575846
Church Guild:
Georgina Wray, 14 Paladin Place, Bank Close, Macclesfield, SK11 7HE
615547
Children's Ministry
Situation Vacant
Youth Ministry:
Anne Murphy, 14 Silver Street, Bollington, SK10 5QL
574983
kmmpott@yahoo.co.uk 574983
dmmpott@yahoo.co.uk
georginawray@btinternet.com 575768
annemurphy1214@gmail.com Praise and Play:
Situation Vacant
Parish Council Clerk:
Joyce Burton, pottclerk@btinternet.com
Wedding Coordinator:
Pam Cooke, weddings@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Head Teacher:
Joanne Bromley, Pott Shrigley Church School, SK10 5RT
Website:
Tess Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP
573260
head@pottshrigley.cheshire.sch.uk 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 24th August 2021. Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk