Hot Pott June 2024

Queen

Lynn's letter

Dear friends,

Summer is a time to notice what we have been given and to give thanks for all of God’s gifts to us. We read in Psalm 145:9-10: ‘The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all He has made. All your works praise you Lord; your faithful people extol you.’

This psalm is about praising God. It tells us who God is calling to praise Him and about when He expects to receive that praise.

Whom and what does God expect to praise Him?

This psalm is strikingly universal. The choir that is praising God here is not limited to human beings. All creatures (v.14), everything that eats (v.15), everything that desires (v.16) are all there. The blessings are not restricted to a small group, they are for everyone. Blessings are given in order to be given away. We are blessed in order to bless.

Human beings tend to draw the circle tightly and assume blessings are for us, not for others: my side, my tribe, over against my enemies. This is why God comes among us to disrupt our narrow vision. The psalmist attempts to alter our view of who and what is included: everything that is fallen and low, everything with eyes and need, those who call, cry, desire, and fear, everything that praises, everything in pain – God bends low, listens, and watches over. This psalm acts as a rebuttal to the instinct in us that says faith is for me and those like me. No. It is for everyone and everything who knowingly and intentionally offers praise, forever and ever

When does God expect to be praised?

Not only is God to be praised by everything but the psalmist also insists that God is to be praised every day (v. 2). It is, of course, easier to praise when things are going well, but we must praise when we would rather not, when the result is not what we want. The result of praising this way, with determination, is to notice God’s allencompassing goodness, even amidst difficulty. The great early-church theologian St John Chrysostom describes how those who continued →

train themselves to pay attention to God constantly will notice they are ‘adrift in an indescribable ocean of blessings’. This way of seeing things takes some practice. Thus, if we count our blessings, we too will notice just what we have been given.

These two maxims of blessing for everything and praise every day could help us as we think about what church is for during these trying times. Our gathering and worship in these days acts as a sign to all whom God wants to include in the great choir. It is tempting when things get tough to stop praising and become more protective of our blessings, but God does not want us to do that. In fact, it seems that in tough times our praise and sharing of our blessings becomes even more important. With this in mind we are in the process of thinking about how we in

St Christopher’s can praise even more and give away some of our blessings. Please watch this space as we go through the discussions about adding a variety of services and styles of worship to help us reach out to the wider community. Whatever lies ahead for us in the next few months we need to look for a sure guide to lead us. Historically the pathway to freedom has been found by acknowledging God’s blessing upon us, through good times and bad, and being willing to act as a channel for others to come into that blessing. May God give us all the grace to find this path and so to live up to our true calling.

With love from Lynn

Cover story: Congratulations to Audrey Meecham…

...on her 90th birthday! This wonderful milestone was reached on 22nd April – and should have been celebrated by cruising with Sally down the River Moselle, but Sally’s slip and ankle injury on the Good Friday Walk put paid to that! Typical of Audrey and the rest of her family’s positive approach to life, they soon set to and organised a party instead, and a wonderful party it was – good company and good food. And a fabulous cake!

Thank you for inviting your church family to share in the fun, and also to Strawberry Charlotte Catering for providing such a delicious spread.

And on the subject of Audrey M – we’re so glad that she’s out of hospital and feeling better. Thank you Lord for answered prayers.

Audrey at 90

The joys and blessings of the prayer walk in May…

Good company, good conversation, fine weather.

The songs of the chaffinch, chiffchaff, blackbird and skylark.

Forget-me-nots, cowslips, green alkanet along the way and yellow gorse on the moor.

Yvonne Foster

God and man’s handiwork everywhere in abundance.

What a privilege to live in such a beautiful part of the country and have the gifts of prayer, health, time, sight and hearing to enjoy God and His creation.

Praise the Lord of heaven and earth!

Thank you to Anne Murphy for the photographs.

The vicar at our local church experienced some technical problems with the sound system one Sunday. Instead of starting the service as usual with ‘The Lord be with you’, he said: “There’s something wrong with the microphone.”

Not hearing this, the congregation responded: “And also with you.”

Wild flowers

Man's handiwork Birds

Remembering Rhona Jean Melville

Rhona Jean Ludlain was born at her grandparents’ and parents’ home in Brookfield Lane, Macclesfield, on April 22nd 1941; a birthday she shared with her dad, which delighted him.

Kath Matheson

Both Rhona’s parents worked in the silk industry, her father being a silk printer, though as he served in the Second World War Rhona saw little of him in her early years. Rhona’s brother David was born just after the war, and Rhona adored him. They both attended St Paul’s CofE Primary School, but one dreadful day the infants were allowed home early without their parents being informed; after failing to find the aunt who usually picked him up, David wandered into Buxton Road and was killed. Unsurprisingly, the whole family was devastated, and Rhona’s mother became overprotective, trying to guard Rhona against any risk, so she never learnt to swim or ride a bike. David’s photograph stood in Rhona’s lounge; she said ‘Hello’ to him each morning as she drew the curtains. As she had no cousins, David’s death left Rhona as the only child of her generation in the family.

From an early age, Rhona wanted to be a teacher. Her mother told her that she lined up her dolls in front of a blackboard to teach them. Rhona passed her 11+ exam and went to Macclesfield High School for Girls, where she was in the same class as Rita Bunting. Rhona’s head teacher told her she wasn’t good enough to go to the college of her choice, City of Leeds Training College, but the head reckoned without Rhona’s steely determination and indeed Rhona went off to train in Leeds!

After qualification, Rhona returned home, where Cheshire Education Authority allocated her a post at Adlington Primary School. She subsequently moved to Beech Lane Primary School, where she met Dorothy Stewart, a lady who was ‘Pott Shrigley’ to her bones; they became lifelong friends. Rhona enjoyed teaching in these relatively small schools and considered herself very blessed in her early work experiences.

Rhona also considered herself very blessed to marry Dennis shortly after she returned to Macclesfield from Leeds. The wedding was on September 29th 1962 in St George’s Macclesfield; Rhona had attended St George’s London Road Sunday School from a young age, and although St Paul’s was much closer to home, St George’s was much closer to her father’s billiard hall and that’s what swung it!

Rhona 2005

Rhona and Dennis bought a house in Swettenham Street, just a stone’s throw from her childhood home. Elizabeth, their only child, arrived a few years later and although Rhona had intended to take a career break, shortly afterwards the same head teacher who had taught Rhona and David at St Paul’s knocked on the door one evening and bluntly announced: ‘There’s a job for you if you want it.’ Somewhat surprisingly, Rhona agreed and from 1968 taught at St Paul’s, which is where Richard Heathcote first met her. She made him stand in the corner once for talking too much, and when he became Rhona’s dentist they laughed at how the tables had turned! When St Paul’s closed, Rhona transferred to Puss Bank, but was unsettled there so retired early when aged 48. However, she tutored many children at home, taking on those with special needs as well as those sitting entrance exams for competitive schools like Manchester Grammar. Lessons were fun: Auntie Rhona was kind, an excellent teacher and stood no nonsense in a gentle way. She remained interested in her pupils and was delighted when they achieved their potential, whatever that might be. Rhona also gave ‘starter’ piano lessons to some pupils before they moved up the road to her great friend and super piano teacher Joyce Bailey.

Rhona and Dennis were extremely proud of Elizabeth. She and Rhona enjoyed playing piano duets together, and Elizabeth considered a career in music but ultimately pursued her dream of nursing children, training at the Westminster Hospital and latterly working at Birmingham Children’s Hospital as resuscitation officer. Elizabeth married Andrew at St Christopher’s in 1991, settled in the East Midlands and had three children, Matthew, James and Chloe, whom Rhona and Dennis adored. It was a

severe blow when Elizabeth was diagnosed with, and later succumbed to, breast cancer. Rhona and Dennis negotiated this enormously difficult period of their lives with faith, dignity and steadfastness. Throughout that harrowing time they derived confidence and comfort from the knowledge that lots of people were praying for the whole family. Rhona remained close to her beloved grandchildren; Matt lived with her and Dennis for a while during his time at Manchester University and he describes Rhona as a mother figure to himself and his siblings, particularly after Elizabeth died. Rhona loved to see them, but never expected visits – she wanted them to feel free to live their own lives, and not to grieve for her – she was not a selfish person at all.

Rhona enjoyed company and saw the best in people. She was a hospitable and loyal friend, keeping in touch with school and college friends as well as those she and Dennis met on the wonderful holidays they had cruising in the Arctic and other

Rhona & Dennis 1988

fabulous places. Rhona was always neat and tidy, as was her house, but she wasn’t materially ambitious and loved living in the home she and Dennis shared all their married lives. They enjoyed doing things together, particularly going to the Hallé, where they were season ticket holders, and to the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. Rhona and Dennis’ faith was central in their lives. Initially they attended St Paul’s but in the late 1980s, possibly through knowing Dorothy Stewart, Rhona’s friend and godmother to Elizabeth, they came to St Christopher’s and remained faithful worshippers until frailty prevented them, Rhona subsequently watching services online. Dennis was persuaded by tower captain Brian Schofield to learn to ring too, and he did this for several years.

Although Rhona muttered about Dennis’s obsessive tendencies, she plainly loved him dearly and, before his frailty necessitated his admission to Priesty Fields, cared for him devotedly. They supported each other through the difficult times and celebrated their Diamond Wedding in September 2022.

As Rhona’s health declined, she spoke more of God, heaven, and how she knew and felt that God knows and cares for us in all our difficulties as well as in good

times. She had great confidence in heaven. Being human, and with the losses she’d experienced, I suspect Rhona got cross with God sometimes, but she never voiced that to me and rarely complained; she felt down sometimes, but it was striking how positive she remained throughout life and in her last illness, accepting that this too was part of her story and her death. Rhona continued to pray, not so much for healing but thanking God for the life she’d enjoyed, for her marriage to Dennis, for the gift of Elizabeth and her grandchildren, and for the beautiful world God had made and enabled she and Dennis to enjoy together.

Rhona 2010

Rhona & Dennis 2008

Rhona & Dennis 2008

Rhona was looking forward to heaven, to seeing David and Elizabeth and other family again, to being restored, and to living without sadness and pain.

Rhona was a lovely lady who was always gentle but who knew her own mind and had a keen sense of right and wrong. She had more than her fair share of sad times but remained grateful for all her blessings. The more we chatted, the more I appreciated that her faith really did underpin her life. I learnt so much from Rhona, not least to be thankful for what we have rather than hankering after what we’ve lost or never had. It was, as Richard says, such a privilege to have known her. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. With many thanks to Richard Heathcote for his help with this tribute.

Rhona & Dennis 2022 Diamond wedding

Your Vote Your Council

Highways

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 Cheshire East Council (CEC) and awaiting repair.

• Modifications to pavement outside the school awaiting contractor feedback.

• Awaiting redesign of the work required on the kerb by the village hall.

• The hole caused by an accident at the chevron bend has been reported.

Completed:

• Mud on the road about 50m north of the Coffee Tavern cleared.

Jo Hadfield

Pott Shrigley website

The parish council has recently created a new website at www.pottshrigley-pc. gov.uk. Please visit the website and make suggestions on how you can help us to improve the site.

Lychgate

The archdeacon’s approval for the necessary repairs is still awaited.

Household waste recycling centre closures

CEC are reviewing what long-term household waste recycling centre provision (the tips!) in Cheshire East should look like. All residents are urged to give their views on this vital service by:

• completing the online survey at https:// surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/HWRC24, scroll to the bottom of the page and click ‘Next page’ to see the first question.

• completing the paper version of the survey available at local libraries. These can also be obtained by contacting CEC or by emailing ceconsultation@cheshireeast. gov.uk.

• phoning CEC Customer Services on 0300 123 55 00, who will send your feedback to CEC on your behalf.

Bollington library

CEC are reported to be looking to close four libraries, including Bollington, with effect from January 1st 2025. A group, Friends of Bollington Library, has been established to promote the benefits Bollington Library brings to residents. To find out more about the campaign to save this local essential service go to www. facebook.com/groups/1488218492076526/ The Mersey Forest tree planting scheme

Bollington tip

Cllr Chong is investigating the possibility of getting some more trees to plant on the village green. The Mersey Forest, a charity which enables communities to ‘green up’ their environs, may be able to help.

Parish council chairman

Cllr Basford agreed to remain in the roll for the next six months when Cllr Wray will take over for the rest of the year.

Planning Applications

Pending:

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

The Coffee Tavern

Fully License(\

Shrigley Road, Pott Shrigley, Macclesfield 01625 576'90

Setving Daily, Breakfust, Main Meals, Snacks etc

Available (or Functions etc.

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 bay window is to be modified and the external building fabric is to be upgraded and insulated for improved thermal and weather performance.

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.

Decision:

24/0806M Gibhill Cottage, Shrigley Park, SK10 5SE

Construction of two extensions to existing dwelling.

Approved.

Next meeting

The next council meeting will take place at 8pm on Monday 3rd June 2024 in the village hall.

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Bollington library

10,000 Reasons…

The children of Pott Shrigley Church School had the honour of singing at the welcome service for the new Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Jane Proudfoot, at St Paul’s Macclesfield on Sunday 12th May.

The children, led by Reverend Lynn and Simon, worked really hard to learn the words and actions to 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord), one of our favourite songs, and delivered a beautiful performance in front of a full church.

One of my favourites too – well done to the children and staff of Pott Shrigley School, and of course to Rev. Lynn and Simon. It’s wonderful to see how Christ is honoured there.

Thank you to St Paul’s for the photo of the welcome service. Editor.

Fundraising news - Mary Currell

Thank you to all those who helped in any way to make the Epiphany concert such a great success, to those who came along to support us and for the many generous donations received. It was a fantastic evening with a brilliant performance by Epiphany. The wonderful sum of £415 was raised for our church funds.

Well done to everyone!

Our next fundraising event will be a Jazz evening in church on Saturday 6th July by the ever-popular Darren Lloyd quintet. Tickets will cost £15 including a glass of wine or soft drink and will be on sale very soon.

Thank you to Mary and all the members of the team for all their hard work in raising money for church funds.

Pott Shrigley schoolchildren at St Paul's

Welcome service at St Paul's

Rev.Lynn leading the schoolchildren

Birds of a Feather in the belfry

In March Birds of a Feather, a new allwomen group, joined the bellringing team from St Christopher’s to find out more about this fabulous hobby and important part of church life and worship.

Ang Davies

We began with a fascinating talk from Duncan on the history of bellringing and indeed our own bells – which date back to the 1400s.

We then had a tour of the bell tower and watched the ringers perform several sequences. Who knew bellringing was all about remembering number patterns and learning sequences - for those with a mathematical brain I encourage you to give it a go!

Thanks to all the team and especially Duncan for arranging this.

We are more accustomed to jackdaws in the belfry, but it was wonderful to welcome Birds of a Feather to St Christopher’s, and we’re glad they enjoyed themselves. All are welcome to visit us, and although we are always in need of new recruits (who don’t have to be mathematical to enjoy ringing!),

we are equally pleased to welcome anyone who just wants to see what we do up there each Thursday and Sunday. Best to contact Duncan (07854 884145) before you come.

St Christopher’s Pastoral Ministry

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

Watching the ringers

Birds of a feather

Caleb the Midnight Milkman

Readers with long memories will recall that last summer I promised to bring you more details of the intriguingly named Caleb the Midnight Milkman, a gentleman mentioned in the eulogy at Rita Bunting’s funeral. With the help of many who have lived in Pott Shrigley far longer than we have, this is what I learned…

Kath Matheson

Caleb was born on Sunday 14th April 1889 to Joseph and Elizabeth Jodrell, probably at Billingeside Farm, Rainow, which sits on the north slopes of Billinge Hill above the far reaches of Hedge Row. Caleb’s older sister, Ellen, had been born in 1887; census information and St Christopher’s burial records show she remained unmarried and was living at Hedge Row Cottage with her mother when she died in October 1946 aged 59 years. She had been listed as ‘Incapacitated’ in the 1939 census, but I have no other information about her.

Caleb was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Rainow on 5th February 1893 when he was nearly four years old, quite an advanced age for baptism in the 19th century. By the 1911 census, the family had moved to Bower Clough Farm, which is sited at the apex of Hedge Row, and had been joined by Caleb’s great uncle, another Caleb and possibly the person our Caleb was named after. Caleb’s father Joseph is still listed as a farmer, but Caleb is now a collier and heyer, a hay maker in other words; great uncle Caleb, aged 79, was also a farmer, but now retired and a widower.

Caleb was of an age to serve in the First World War, but as a miner and a farmer was exempt from conscription; I have no information regarding any army career he

may have had. In 1918, his father Joseph is listed as the owner of Harrop Mine; Percy Hammond was the undermanager, as he was of three other coal mines owned by the Hammond family. No mention is made of Caleb, so perhaps he was away from the area at that time. However, Caleb certainly helped his father with the mine thereafter, and within living memory local children ventured into the drift mine worked by the Jodrells. Sacks of coal were placed near to the entrance to the mine, with an honesty box for people to use to pay for the sacks they took.

Caleb married Nancy Barton of Spuley Cottage on 4th May 1921 by special license at Macclesfield Registry Office. They lived in Verona on Spuley Lane, the house they built next door to Spuley Cottage sometime in the 1930s. Although Nancy’s brother Edward (Ted) inherited Spuley Cottage after their parents and brother all died within two years of each other in the late 1930s, he lived with Nancy and Caleb at Verona – at least he did when not away shepherding or inspecting pubs(!). Tony Plant’s family rented Spuley Cottage when he was a child. He remembers it being extremely cold, with ice on the ceiling in the bedroom in the winter, the only heat

Caleb Jodrell and his Dad at their drift mine

coming from the light bulb! Tony reports that the Jodrells rarely had visitors and didn’t approve of having a television, but Caleb was known to enjoy visiting The Cheshire Hunt most nights. Caleb supplemented his income by continuing as a heyer. His ability with a scythe was legendary and his slim and sinewy figure was seen scything grass verges, their own and other local farmers’ fields, the cricket outfield and anywhere else that needed doing; John Rose reports that Caleb’s scything stroke was memorising. The scythe was sharpened on a whetstone and the results were

perfect. John remembers helping Caleb to rake the hay, which was then stacked on a cart and pulled back home by Caleb’s pony – possibly a pony with a temper as Tony remembers him kicking the wall of Spuley Cottage! In all the hours John worked alongside Caleb, Caleb never acknowledged John’s presence or spoke a word to him; Caleb had a reputation for not liking children very much and he and Nancy never had any. Mrs Jodrell was more forthcoming, and John remembers one day after school seeing her walking across the cricket field when Caleb was scything; she was carrying two bags and a big tin of tea. They had a picnic under the oak tree on the cricket field and John was so hungry he ate the tomato sandwiches, even though he hated tomatoes at that time!

Tony Plant outside Spuley Cottage

Spuley Cottage and Verona

Caleb & Nancy's grave

So why the Caleb the Midnight Milkman? He and Nancy grazed milking cows on the land they owned adjacent to Verona and sold the milk. Local information has

it that Caleb never started his milk round until he returned from The Cheshire Hunt, sometimes rather tipsy. Using his pony and cart, he often delivered the milk at midnight…

Caleb died on19th November 1960 aged 68 years and is buried in St Christopher’s church yard; Nancy died in 1979 and is buried in the same grave. Caleb’s parents, sister and paternal grandmother and Nancy’s parents and two brothers are also in St Christopher’s churchyard.

Thank you to Tony Plant, John Rose, Peter Frecknall and Stan Heathcote for their help with this article.

Bollington Festival 2024

St Christopher’s was delighted to be part of the 2024 Bollington Festival. A request made by Rebecca Roth-Biester several weeks ago for volunteers to help stock and woman/man the tea tent did not go unheeded: there were plentiful supplies of delicious cake and tea, all served beautifully from vintage china cups and saucers in a tent decorated with bunting and large, brightly coloured tissue paper flowers.

The festival was a mixture of free and paid-for events, which made for a cracking festival with activities for all ages throughout our community. Oasish were brilliant and Flash, a Queen tribute act, were amazing, with a huge amount of energy; the Rev. Lynn Caudwell danced the night away! The much-loved local group, the Screaming Beavers, on Saturday sang favourite hit songs from the 60s and 70s. Rev. Nancy Goodrich led the Trinity Sunday Service on the recreation ground; mercifully it stayed dry. Despite the 9am start and slightly chilly weather,

approximately 60 people attended, several dog walkers stopped to observe too. Bollington school children had been practising the songs, including He’s got the whole world in His hands, complete with

Rev. Nancy

The Cheshire Hunt

actions and beach ball globes. On Saturday, Rev. Nancy had asked for prayer – for the Holy Spirit to be dancing in Bollington, looking back, looking around and looking forward.

• Looking back with thanksgiving: what has been great about Bollington?

• Looking around with prayer: what and who needs love, compassion, action today?

• Looking forward with hope: what could the best Bollington be? How can we be part of the answer?

The service was both a joy and a blessing. The lovely Trinity symbol made with coloured streamers and hoops during the service was displayed in the tea tent afterwards. The congregation also enjoyed the dares the children had written: ‘Be kind to someone’, ‘Smile at someone you don’t know’, ‘Help someone who

is struggling’, ‘Say a prayer while on a trampoline’.

The wonderful work of Bollington Yarn Bombers was on display: the White Nancys on the headbands the children were sporting were much admired, as the post box toppers have been.

Thanks to all who contributed to the success of Bollington Festival, particularly to Rebecca for the amazing work she put into organising the tea tent, and to all her helpers too. And let’s not forget to continue to pray for our communities.

“Your magazine needs you.”

Please send your contributions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk no later than midnight on..... Thursday, 13th june www.pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

Proof reader next month is Caroline Booth

Rebecca with helpers

Pillar box top

Across

1 Military tactic used by Joshua to attack and destroy the city of Ai (Joshua 8:2) (6)

4 Place of learning (6)

8 ‘When Moses’ hands grew — , they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it’ (Exodus 17:12) (5)

9 Unpleasant auguries of the end of the age, as forecast by Jesus (Matthew 24:7) (7)

10 Stronghold to which girls in King Xerxes’ harem (including Esther) were taken (Esther 2:8) (7)

11 Where Saul went to consult a medium before fighting the Philistines (1 Samuel 28:7) (5)

12 Propitiation (Hebrews 2:17) (9)

Coffee Break

17 Turn away (Jeremiah 11:15) (5)

19 So clear (anag.) (7)

21 ‘I have just got — , so I can’t come’: one excuse to be absent from the great banquet (Luke 14:20) (7)

22 Long weapon with a pointed head used by horsemen (Job 39:23) (5)

23 Musical beat (6)

24 What the Israelites were told to use to daub blood on their door-frames at the first Passover (Exodus 12:22) (6)

Down

1 Fasten (Exodus 28:37) (6)

2 Art bite (anag.) (7)

3 ‘The people of the city were divided; some — with the Jews, others with the apostles’ (Acts 14:4) (5)

5 Contend (Jeremiah 12:5) (7)

6 Possessed (Job 1:3) (5)

7 Sheen (Lamentations 4:1) (6)

9 ‘You love evil rather than good, — rather than speaking the truth’ (Psalm 52:3) (9)

13 Large flightless bird (Job 39:13) (7)

14 They were worth several hundred pounds each (Matthew 25:15) (7)

15 ‘A — went out to sow his seed’ (Matthew 13:3) (6)

16 How Jesus described Jairus’s daughter when he went into the room where she lay (Mark 5:39) (6)

18 The part of the day when the women went to the tomb on the first Easter morning (John 20:1) (5)

20 Narrow passageway between buildings (Luke 14:21) (5)

The Suffering Church

We often report on Christians suffering from persecution by adherents of other faiths, but currently Christians in southern Brazil are suffering along with everyone else following horrendous floods. ‘The waters have risen again, causing a lot more damage, a lot of harm and taking what was left in many places,’ said Daniel, a church leader in Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. When water levels started to fall after the recent record-breaking floods, people returned to their property to assess the damage and salvage what was left; many of them succeeded in making their properties habitable again but shortly afterwards more rains came, causing the Taquari River to rise to near-record levels of 28m above normal. ‘People are tired and exhausted, because many of them had already managed to set right their property. They had started organising their lives again,’ continued Daniel. This is the third flood Brazilian Christians have endured since September 2023. They must start again, in many cases without even the simplest of needs met. So, how can you help? Daniel has earnestly asked for prayer above all else, saying: ‘We really need the prayers of all the brothers and sisters …

that God can keep us encouraged so that the Church can be firm in doing what only it can do – to provide spiritual assistance to all these people.’

Iran’s support for various Islamic terrorist groups throughout the Middle East is consistently reported worldwide, but they are also notorious for their attitude towards Christians. Please pray for Laleh Saati, an Iranian Christian convert from Islam, who has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for ‘acting against national security by connecting with “Zionist” Christian organisations’. Laleh had lived for some time in Malaysia, where she converted to Christianity and applied for asylum, only returning to Iran in 2017 both to care for her elderly parents and because the asylum process was taking a long time. Laleh has been interrogated by intelligence agents on several continued →

Rio Grande do Sul floods, Brazil; AP News

Laleh Saati, Iran; Barnabas

Nigeria’s Middle Belt where Fulani Islamist extremists killed 25 Christians and caused the displacement of more than 3,000 people during night-time attacks on four communities in mid-April 2024. Barrister Farmasum Fuddang, chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council, reported the terrorists ‘set fire to homes and a place of worship, mercilessly gunning down fleeing civilians’. Many others sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment.

occasions since her return to Iran, but in February 2024 she was arrested at her father’s home in Tehran and interrogated for three weeks at the infamous Evin Prison. A search of the family home allowed intelligence agents to confiscate several Christian books and Laleh’s laptop and mobile phone, which had a video and photographs of her baptism in Malaysia on it. These, together with her involvement in house churches in Iran and Malaysia were considered to be evidence of her alleged criminal actions against national security. On 16th March, Laleh appeared before Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, she was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and banned from leaving the country for a further two years when she is eventually released. And, sadly, the slaughter of black Christians by black Muslims continues in Nigeria. Please continue to pray for Christian communities in Plateau State in

North Korea tops the OpenDoors World Watch List of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. In a recent article in NK News it was reported that some of the more than 200 defectors repatriated from China to North Korea last year are being held in political prison camps, including all those who tried to reach South Korea or interacted with Christians while in China. 10 of those forcibly repatriated suffered three months of intense interrogation by state security services. Defectors were automatically sent to the camps if there was any evidence in the files supplied by Chinese police to North Korean officials that they had contacted Christian groups in China, read the Bible or heard Christian doctrine. Any North Korean who encounters Christianity in any form, even once, risks being sent to a political prison camp, which is tantamount to a life sentence. According to the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom released by the U.S. State Department last year, an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 North Koreans are in political prison camps simply for

Farmasum Fuddang, Boccos, Plateau State, Nigeria; Truth Nigeria

North Korea; Open Doors

being Christians. Defectors with Christian connections, however tenuous these connections may be, are rarely released. A few of the other defectors repatriated from China are released, sometimes as a result of their families paying bribes to the police. Please pray for Christians in North Korea, that they would be steadfast in their faith, and kept safe from the state.

Thanks to Barnabas and NK News for the information in this article.

Missionary Matters

News from our missionaries is very sparse this month.

John Ryley

Megumi and Helen Fazakerley in Malawi have had a string of family birthdays, Helen’s father John joining me at 95, while the most important was Megumi’s 60th, which was celebrated by sharing a meal with friends and enjoying a splendid cake made by the 12-year-old offspring of one of the Service in Mission (SIM) staff.

Helen is busy with her responsibilities as health coordinator for SIM Malawi and is currently getting to grips with a new intranet system, not easy as the health section is still a work in progress. She is also updating the all-important folder which contains personnel details of every team member should they ever need to be evacuated in a medical emergency. Helen is researching the cost-of-living issues in Malawi for the leadership and operational services team, and running the International Ladies' Bible Study group, who are currently studying 2 Timothy. Megumi doesn’t seem to have returned to teaching at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi yet, but is involved in the ministry in their church where he is leading a study on Romans. Helen and Megumi are also continuing to build friendships with the Japanese group in their neighbourhood.

Johnny and Ann McClean continue with their roles in Bangkok. The New City Fellowship Church, where Johnny works and where they both worship, was planted in 2007 by the Presbyterian Church of America, who later planted Grace Community church, also in Bangkok. The two churches are now working together, so that Johnny McClean and Pastor Pramote are now working with three other men, all of whom have a heart for gospel outreach and Christ-centred preaching. The two churches seem to be

Megumi's 60th continued →

Joshua McClean graduating

following the same schedule of teaching and share preachers; the same goes for Sunday School. The two churches have just celebrated Songkran (Thai New Year) – the hottest time of year. There seems to have been a nationwide water fight and the two churches had a party. David and Karen Morrow, the area directors of their mission (United for Mission Ireland) are currently spending the first part of their sabbatical with the McCleans.

Songkran Day

Pray for Ann teaching in the American Christian school, and for Joshua, who recently graduated from there.

A minister’s advice to a deacon about to be ordained: “Remember: the longer the spoke, the greater the tyre.”

Funerals

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of: 7th May Rhona Jean Melville , aged 82 years.

Pott Shrigley

5th

4th

INTERIOR SERVICES

Full & part home renovations

Project management

Joinery

Plastering

Heating/plumbing & electrical

Kitchens & bathrooms

Painting & decorating

Wallpaper hanging

Venetian plastering

Tiling

Hand painted kitchens

EXCEPTIONAL FROM START TO FINISH

“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.”

0161 439 9195

info@springdecorating.co.uk

www.springdecorating.co.uk 17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE

EXTERIOR SERVICES

Exterior painting & decorating

Rendering & K Rend

Joinery

uPVC window spraying

Scaffolding

PROMPT AND EFFICIENT

“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.”

info@springdecorating.co.uk www.springdecorating.co.uk 17 Earle Road, Bramhall, SK7 3HE

Review verified by Which? Trusted Traders

Pott Shrigley

Village Hall Bar

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

14thJune

12thJuly

Recipe of the Month Portuguese tarts

Many of us have sampled the delicious cakes and pastries which Madeline so expertly (and generously) produces for many church events.

Madeline Punch

Here’s another one of her mouth-watering favourites…

Ingredients:

250ml milk

100ml double cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 large egg plus 2 egg yolks

115g (4oz) castor sugar

4 teaspoons cornflour

1 packet ready rolled puff pastry

You will also need:

12-hole deep muffin tin

10cm cutter

Method:

Make custard:

Put milk, cream and vanilla into a saucepan. Place over a medium heat until hand hot. Meanwhile break the egg into a heatproof bowl and add the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour; whisk by hand until combined. Pour the mixture into the hot milk and cream, then whisk again until smooth. Pour the custard back into the saucepan, place over a medium heat and whisk to a thick custard consistency. Be careful not to over-heat. Spoon the custard into a bowl. Set aside to become cold.

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas mark 6.

Unroll pastry, cut in half lengthways to make two strips and sit the strips on top of each other, press down and then cut the pastry in half widthways. Roll one of the pastry pieces thinly to create a piece big enough to cut six 4-inch discs. Repeat with the other pastry piece to make 12 rounds in total. Put the rounds in the muffin tin, press down firmly and up the sides of the tin. Prick the base with a fork.

Spoon the cold custard into pastry cases. Chill in fridge for 30mins.

Bake in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes until pastry is golden and custard is set. Remove from oven to allow to cool slightly.

These tarts are best eaten fresh on the day, but can be made up to one day ahead and reheated in the microwave.

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For commercial or private advertising, please contact us for free advice and very reasonable rates: magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

2nd June.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Holy Communion‡

Services

Genesis 1:27-31, 2:8-15 John 1:1-5

Lynn Caudwell & Paul Bowden 9th.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship‡*

Deuteronomy 10:12-21 Luke 10:25-37

Lynne Bowden 16th.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion All Age Worship

2 Kings 5:1-15 Luke 8:43-48

Lynn Caudwell 23rd.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship**

Amos 5:21-24 Luke 4 16-21

Lynn Caudwell 30th.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship Psalm 130 Mark 5:21-end

7th July.

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Holy Communion‡ 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13

Lynn Caudwell & Anne Murphy

Lynn Caudwell

• 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)

Directory

Priest-in-charge: Rev. Lynn Caudwell vicar@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

Readers: Dr John Ryley (Reader Emeritus), 2 Wych Lane, Adlington, SK10 4NB

Licensed Pastoral Worker Anne Murphy, 14 Silver Street, Bollington, SK10 5QL

Parish Assistant: Gillian Mosley, 129 St Austell Avenue, Macclesfield, SK10 3NY

Churchwardens: Andy Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP

andyphillips@totalise.co.uk

Jean Ferguson , 17, Poplar Grove, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5LS

jeanfergusonuk@msn.com

Verger: Situation Vacant

PCC Secretary: Rebecca Roth-Biester 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

sjwinstanley.ps@gmail.com

Organists: Mary Currell, 61 Crossfield Road, Bollington, SK10 5EA

marycurrell61@btinternet.com

Garton, davidgarton2020@gmail.com

Phillips, as above

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

dmmpott@yahoo.co.uk

Pastoral Ministry: Anne Murphy, pastoralteam@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

Children's Ministry Situation Vacant Youth Ministry: Anne Murphy, annemurphy1214@gmail.com

Doves: Victoria Price

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 Murphy. This directory was updated on 21st April 2024.Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk