Welcome
Welcome to the September / October 2024 edition of Speak magazine.
Well October marks the end of an era! A massive thank you to David and Kate for proof-reading Speak and so much more.
Also August marks another special retirement more information on Pages 12 & 13.
Vision statement
We are committed in love to worshipping God:
· By proclaiming the Gospel in word and action
· By encouraging growth
· By serving others
· By leading people into a personal relationship with Jesus.
Contact
Vicar: Revd David Page 01270 762415 vicar@stpeters-elworth.org.uk
Associate Minister: Revd Anthony Rigby anthony@stpeters-elworth.org.uk
Church Office: 01270 766557 office@stpeters-elworth.org.uk
Magazine deadline
The November edition of Speak will be an information sheet.
Articles for the December 2024 / January 2025 edition need to be submitted no later than Monday 11th November 2024. Prompt submissions by this date are requested via email to editor@stpeterselworth.org.uk.
Thank you.
Bethany Jones Editor
One Gospel Always
As I write this, my last SPEAK article for St Peter’s Church, I am reminded of my first letter for the Parish. It was much shorter! Twenty-five years ago, the main communication with the Parish was a four-sided, single sheet publication focussed on church events. Much has changed since then; for one thing, today more people will read this article on an electronic device rather than as a paper copy.
So, what should I write? What message do I want to leave with you? It is simple; that although the world has changed and the way that we are church has changed, there is only one unchanging Gospel and one unchanging task for us as disciples of Jesus, ‘The Church’.
The Gospel writer John captures the essence of the unchanging message of God to us in these two famous and pivotal verses:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16, 17
If this is true, why isn’t the world saved (a place of peace, love and truth) 2000 years later? Because, like Adam, we often don’t trust God, we seek something different to what God promises and trust ourselves (inspired by something or someone else) rather than in Jesus’ redemptive act of self-giving love. Also, as Paul, in his final instructions, reminded Timothy (his successor in many ways):
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3, 4
David’s Page Continued...
In a world that is always encouraging us to obtain an upgrade, the Bible reminds us that there is no Gospel Model 2 or 2.0 edition. God’s message is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And, even when we fail, God never gives up on us. He is with us always (Matthew 28 : 20b) calling us to Him.
One Gospel always means that our mission is also unchanging. Jesus’ command to his first disciples is the same charge for us, the Church, today.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19, 20a
Yes, how we share the Gospel may change as our culture changes, but the message that we share doesn’t. We are not God, it is not our Gospel to modify as we see fit, but the historic, eternal truth of our loving Creator that we are called to bear witness to. I am sure that the new Vicar at St Peter’s will change many things in the years to come (and many of you may struggle with those changes). However, the Church will continue to grow, if it but only stays true to the message of Jesus and the teaching of the Bible, even when it is unpopular in a continuingly “me” focussed culture.
I end with words of thanksgiving to a faithful God who through His Word, Spirit and the church here has made the last 25 years a time of great blessing to me, my family and the wider community. My prayer is that you will all, remembering His faithfulness to us during those years, continue sharing the One Gospel Always in the name of Jesus.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
Ladies Summer Evening
What a lovely way to spend a warm summer's evening.
On Friday 19th July, 43 ladies arrived for a relaxed evening together. We began with Human Bingo which got everyone mixing and chatting together.
This was followed by a fun quiz punctuated with strawberries, cream and shortcake. A range of fruit punches were served throughout the evening.
We are looking forward to welcoming you all to the Christmas craft morning on Saturday 7th December.
We would like to say a huge thank you to Kate for being on this team from the very beginning. We will miss all she has done and wish her well as she moves onto a new stage in her life.
The Ladies Team
Operation Christmas Child
As a church we have been supporting this venture for many years and it would be great to continue to do so this year. I know many of you have been collecting items throughout the year which is really fantastic. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to show God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, more than 208 million children in over 160 countries have experienced God's love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child.
We know that we will not witness the individual impact that our gifts and prayers have but we are reminded that every shoebox makes a difference in the life of a child, their families and their communities. Every shoebox is so important. The purpose remains the same - to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ through a gift filled shoebox. Through prayer, through the gift of their shoebox and through the opportunity of children participating in a bible study called “The Greatest Journey” the word of God is shared.
Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week is 11-18 November, 2024! This year we plan to collect the gift filled shoeboxes on Sunday 17th November 2024 at the 10.30am service. If you are unable to come along to the service then please do bring your box to the church office no later than Friday 15th November 2024. As in past years we will then arrange safe delivery to our local collection centre which is the New Life Church in Congleton from where they will be sent onto a regional collecting centre which is yet to be confirmed.
Year on year we never fail to be moved by the generosity of all who support this campaign. Many of us are familiar with the Shoebox Appeal but if you are new to it and wish to be involved there are a number of ways to participate.
1. Find an empty medium sized shoebox and wrap the box and lid separately or collect one of the campaign boxes available from St Peters Church Office, School Lane, Elworth; attach the appropriate boy / girl label and mark the correct age category that you are buying for. Fill your shoebox with a variety of new gifts that will bring joy to a child - gifts they can love, gifts they can learn from and play with. There are a wealth of gift suggestions and exclusions at www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. We are asked to add a suggested project donation of £5. If you are able to donate the suggested £5 donation on line you will be able to print off a barcode and will be able to place the printed barcode inside the top of your box which will make it possible for you to be notified electronically of the country to which your box has been sent. Most importantly please pray for the child who will receive your gifts.
Shoebox Appeal 2024
2. Pack a shoebox on line simply follow the instructions on https://www.samaritanspurse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/online-shoebox-packing/
3. Weekly collection of individual donated items to commence Sunday 11th August 2024. We remain very aware of the economic challenges facing us all and appreciate that filling a shoebox with a selection of age appropriate fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies can be costly. For this reason we are suggesting a repeat of last year’s collection where over the course of 13 weeks you are invited to drop of an item or two into the church hall or into St Peter’s Church at one of the weekly services. On a date (to be confirmed) we will then enjoy an afternoon making up the boxes with the donated items supplied. This will take place in St Peter’s Church hall.
The following is a list of suggested items. Please keep an eye on the church weekly news sheet:
Week 1 stationary books / note books
Week 2 pens /pencils/ crayons
Week 3 pencil cases
Week 4 tennis ball / skipping rope
Week 5 bars of wrapped soap / flannel
Week 6 hats / gloves / scarves yes it even gets cold in Africa
Week 7 brush, comb, or hair accessories
Week 8 toothbrushes
Week 9 solar powered calculator or wind up touch
Week 10 a cuddly toy
Week 11 a deflated football and pump or a toy truck
Week 12 a small doll or a musical instrument
Week 13 £5 monitory donation to help towards transportation
Over the coming weeks we also hope to have a cake sale to help us raise the £5 suggested donation to accompany each box. Further details to follow so please keep a look out.
As always, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, your generosity and of course your prayers for the children who will be in receipt of your gifts.
Thank you and God bless you all.
For further information please contact Denise Shone via St Peter’s Church Office.
Harvest
This Harvest we will be again collecting for Sandbach Food Bank and the Sandbach Pantry. Below is some information received from the Food Bank and Pantry:
The cost of living shows no sign of going down the number of referrals in to the food bank is at an all time high and shows no sign of reducing (currently between 6 and 10 referrals a week). Similarly the number of members utilising the Pantry is also at it's highest since opening (total active members is 89). At the same time the amount of donations we are getting in has reduced dramatically and we are having to apply for funding in order to stay afloat.
Services for September and October
Church
Sundays 1st, 15th, 29th September Sundays 6th, 20th October
Elworth Pre-school Group
In the Spring of 1990, a notice appeared at Elworth Playgroup to say that Sue (Meadows), at that time the manager and owner, would be leaving for pastures new the following year. If anyone was interested in taking over her role they should contact her for further information. Glenys Smith and I thought this would be something we could do and the rest as they say is history! Earlier than Sue had planned, but with her blessing, we took over in September 1990 with the existing staff helping us in our new roles, as this was something neither of us had done before.
As a packaway setting, Glenys and I set up the two rooms every evening, often after dark to ensure that everything was ready for the next morning. Looking back we wonder how we did this for over two years but at the time we had the opportunity for lots of chatting as we prepared, cementing our friendship which continues to this day. There were large rolls of carpet, an indoor climbing frame, sand and water play plus all the other toys you would expect – all needed moving from the store cupboard ready for the children to play.
Just four years later, Glenys left to take on her new role of the secretary at Elworth CofE School and I was unsure how I would cope as we were such a great team together. However, after just one year as a business, I decided that we would become a Voluntary Managed Charity with a committee of parents as the trustees. This was also the time that the Playgroup changed its name to Elworth Pre-school Group and it continues to operate in this way still today.
For many years we were concerned about the redevelopment of the Church Hall and how this would affect the day-to-day running. There were a couple of incidents which gave us an insight into preparing for unexpected events, including locating to Wesley Avenue for a couple of weeks. Nothing, however, could have prepared us for the devastation of the fire. God certainly had a plan for us though and enabled the Pre-school to be up and running within one month of the fire at Newark House (now La Maternelle). So many things fell into place to enable that to happen – it truly was amazing. St. Peter’s Church has been a constant support throughout the life of the Pre-school and none more so than when the new Church Hall was built and a specific room was designed to be used solely for the Pre-school during the week. I am truly thankful for this provision and care, without which I think the Pre-school would have closed.
Whilst there have been challenges, there have been so many highlights over the years. Each child has their own personality which emerges as time passes and they have created those special moments to treasure. The children have been able to develop and learn through a wide range of activities both indoors and outside, ably assisted by the staff team. This team has changed over time understandably, but many started work after their own children had been a part of the group and remained for many years. I am grateful for all those who have been a part of this time in my life.
It has been a privilege to serve the community of Elworth over so many years, often welcoming families again when a new child has arrived. In more recent years, I have been delighted to have the children of the first children from the early 1990’s come to the setting – this has been truly special.
I know that Elworth Pre-school is in good hands as it celebrates being open for 50 years in September and many more children will have the opportunity to learn through play in a safe and caring environment.
Helen Jones
From the registers
We welcome through baptism: Ivy Joy
(Daughter of Russell and Lorna Ballard)
Delilah Elizabeth Faith and Theodore (Teddy) Donald James (Daughter and Son of Shaun Bearder and Kelly-Anne Higgins)
We join in sadness with the family of the late: Ros Bloor; Brian Elsby Roger Mason; Peter Noden Adris Visan; Bryan Williams
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. The Editors are responsible for content selection and reserve the right to amend articles and withhold items as deemed necessary. Articles submitted after the deadline date may not be included in that edition of the magazine and the Editors’ decision is final. Should you have any concerns regarding the content in the magazine or wish to submit an article for inclusion, please contact us by phoning the Church Office on 01270 762213 or email editor@stpeters-elworth.org.uk.
Bethany Jones, Editor
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