HotPott October 2023

Pott Shrigley Bonfire night

Cricket Field, Pott Shrigley

Sat 4th Nov 2023

Gates open at 5.30pm

Fire lit at 6.30pm

Fireworks at 7.30pm

Admission: £22 Family (2 adults 2 children)

£11 adult, child £5, under 5s free (Pay at gate)

Fireworks, Bar, Real Ale, Mulled Wine, Glowsticks, BBQ, Games

Anyone bringing their own fireworks/sparklers/alcoholic drinks to the event will not be admitted

Dear friends,

As the trees change from greens to reds and golds, we are being reminded in the shops and elsewhere that Christmas is coming. I wonder what you are thinking about putting on your Christmas wish list this year…

Well, what I long for, beyond any trinket, is for the wars being raged in Ukraine and in other parts of the world to cease; for leaders to see sense and think about the devastation to human lives and to the planet that has resulted from their actions.

we hear him encouraging us not to be passive. He says in Chapter 2:1-4:

‘First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.’

With this in mind, let me tell you about a unique service being Lynn Caudwell continued →

I’m sure that I am not alone, and that many of you would happily give up some of your little luxuries if it meant we could see peace beginning to be negotiated in some of the intractable conflicts we hear about day in, day out.

So, what about giving up just one hour of your precious time to come together with others to pray. It is tempting to feel helpless, and to think there is nothing we can do as ordinary individuals to cause change to come. However, in the apostle Paul’s first letter to his friend Timothy,

organised locally to pray for peace. It will take place on Tuesday October 10th at 7.30pm at St Gregory’s Church Bollington. All the local churches have been invited to participate, so along with folk from St Gregory’s, we hope that people from St Oswald’s Bollington, St Christopher’s Pott Shrigley, St John’s Adlington and the Life Church Bollington will come to the service.

Everyone from the wider local community is invited to join us as we take time to be led in silent prayer, Bible readings, intercessions and simple mediative songs around the subject of peace. There will be time to express sadness, repentance and longings, and to light candles of hope as we come together in solidarity.

We can trust that as we gather, Jesus will be there in our midst, for as Jesus promised in Matthew 18:20: ‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.’

Let us come together and be strengthened by His presence as we gather from across the community.

This is the first event of its kind to be held in Bollington and the surrounding area for a long time. My hope is that this service could be the first of other ecumenical times of prayer for the world and for our local community.

Anyone who would like to learn some of the simple meditative songs we will be singing in the service is most welcome to come to a singing practice on Monday 9th October at 7pm at St Christopher’s Pott Shrigley. Please do come along, not only will it be fun, but singing is a great way to improve health and wellbeing. You do not have to be a church member to join in. Bring a friend!

With God’s Blessings, Lynn.

Taize music, prayer and reflection

St Gregory's Church

Wellington Road Bollington

Tuesday 10th October, 7.30pm to 8.30 pm

Organised by Churches Together Bollington ALL WELCOME

PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE

Cover story: God’s Wonderful Harvest

Those of us who were privileged to be there enjoyed a wonderful time of praise, fellowship and fun when we gathered to celebrate harvest at St Christopher’s on September 17th.

As the main crop gathered in Pott Shrigley and the surrounding hills is hay, Lynn decided we should have a competition: The Great British Bale Off. It bore a certain resemblance to the Antiques Roadshow’s basic, better, best game too. And that is what’s happening on the front cover… we were told to feel, smell, and look carefully at each bale before deciding which was the best specimen, though those of us hay fever sufferers sensibly didn’t stick our noses in the hay – at least that’s my excuse for plumping for the second-best bale. Skilfully umpired by David Garton, there was no peasants’ revolt –instead we thanked God for His bounty, whilst remembering those farmers both here and around the world who have not been able to gather good crops this year. And so to the inside back cover… and a reprise of the Harvest Samba so ably performed (or so Sheila, Mildred, Rebecca, Jimmy, and Stevie thought) by the Pott puppets at our 2021 harvest celebrations. This time we had real live vegetables and their humans doing the honours, and they did pretty well too. And another person who did extremely well was Tyler, who read us a

story involving a tree who was generous to others at the expense of itself, reminding us all not only of our bountiful God, who always goes ‘above and beyond’ in His mercy and love, but also prompting us to remember that being generous to others brings us great benefits too.

Thank you to all those who donated food, and who contributed to the service in any way. Reg & Jean took it all to the Silklife Foodbank in Macclesfield, where it was very gratefully received; we hope to learn more about their work in the near future.

If you missed it, the service can be found online at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=R4oMBoX6Qs4

The end is in sight: the Trans Pennine Trail – Hessle to Hornsea

The previous instalment of Lydia and Simon’s tale of crossing the Pennines finished at the spectacular Humber Bridge. We re-join them as they move towards the North Sea…

The final leg of our coast-to-coast journey began beneath the Humber Bridge and followed the Hessle shoreline towards the city of Kingston upon Hull. The rough and undulating path ran scarily close to the A64, being separated by just a flimsy and sometimes broken fence.

Lydia and Simon Potts

After a mile or so we began to hit the industrial areas to the west of the city. At St Andrews Quay, the brownfield site has now been turned into a shopping area, but on a small peninsula a little further towards the city, St Andrew’s dock itself was eerily quiet and derelict. Opened in 1883 and named after the patron saint of fishermen, it was once home to the world’s largest deep-water trawler fleet, but now the graffiti-covered buildings stand silently staring over the Humber. The trawlers from this port fished the deep Arctic waters around Iceland, Greenland, and even as far as Arctic Russia. Their work was very profitable, but also extremely dangerous. It is estimated that a staggering 6,000 trawlermen from the city perished between 1835 and 1980, and a memorial stands on this bleak spot to commemorate them.

Half a mile further on, the contrast was striking as we passed through jetties with dozens of millionaire yachts. We had reached the marina and waterfront in the city centre, bustling with cafes and bars; it couldn’t have been more different to the derelict, deserted docks we had passed through earlier.

Moving through the waterfront hustle and bustle we came across a tiny, almost dried up rivulet which our map told us was the River Hull from which the city took its name. The name King’s Town or Kingston was given to the settlement of Wyke when Edward I bought the land to form a new port on the site. The locals have always preferred to call it simply Hull due to anti-Royalist feelings in the town, which weren’t helped when Charles I tried to take the city’s arsenal during the civil war. Although much of Hull was flattened by the Luftwaffe during the Second World

St Andrew's Quay

William Wilberforce

War, several old streets survived and this area to the east of the city centre was both atmospheric and fascinating. Perhaps Hull’s most famous son was William Wilberforce, who was one of the main figures in the drive to abolish slavery. His birthplace, the 17th century Wilberforce House, is now a museum. As we left the city centre following the River Hull, we passed a brightly painted bridge covered with intersecting circles. This was the Drypool Bridge, which was redecorated as part of Hull’s City of Culture celebrations in 2017 in honour of another of Hull’s famous sons, John Venn, the mathematician who

invented the Venn diagram. A stained-glass window in similar style is found at Venn’s alma mater, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Readers may remember the Venn diagram David Swales used in his sermons sometimes! Editor.

The final leg of our journey followed the straightest disused railway track we’ve ever walked upon. The countryside was flat and very sparsely populated for around 13 miles until we reached Hornsea, the seaside town most famous for its now defunct pottery factory. In 1949, Hornsea Pottery was founded by two brothers to produce seaside trinkets. It grew rapidly, due to its widespread popularity and unique designs, and became the largest studio pottery business in the world, employing 700 people at its height.

The walk ends as it began in Southport with a large sculpture of the Trans Pennine Trail logo. In Southport we started in the scorching heat of a bright summer's day but we ended in Hornsea on a clear autumn evening with a spectacular fiery sky over the North Sea. Very many thanks to Lydia and Simon for letting us share in their walk; it’s been a fascinating series, bringing us to many hidden corners of Britain that most of us will never see.

I’m so pleased they have embarked on another trek, and have yet another in mind! Editor.

Hornsea

Drypool Bridge

Disused railway

The Ultimate Job Description…

Jewish carpenter seeks committed, enthusiastic amateur for communications exercise.

No knowledge of working with wood needed. No references required. Previous history and experience completely irrelevant.

Past integrity and morals also unimportant. Full job description currently unavailable but likely to unfold as the work progresses. Applicant will almost certainly be required to travel,

May have to leave behind the known, the familiar and must be prepared to take risks. Helpful if able to leave at short notice.

The job will almost certainly require skills that are outside the candidate’s current experience, but everything that is required will be provided.

Salary cannot be guaranteed and on occasions may be below the statutory minimum, but applicants are assured that any reimbursement will be sufficient to meet their basic needs.

Discernment and listening skills are desirable for this post, But on the job training will be available. The job is likely to be unpredictable and challenging and to take the successful applicant in new directions. This is a highly rewarding position for which the only essential attribute required is an ability to believe wholeheartedly in the project.

All applicants welcomed with open arms.

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

Pat Marsh

Sad news…

Many folk at Pott will remember Reg Russell who, with his lovely wife Brenda, attended St Christopher’s for many years; they were married here in the early 1960s and served as sidesmen at the 10.45 service for at least a couple of decades to my knowledge –probably longer!

Kath Matheson

We have received the sad news that Reg died in early August after experiencing memory problems for some years, though his trademark good humour and smile stayed with him till the end. And that is one of the things I remember about Reg – on walking into church, he (and Brenda!) would greet us with a smile and a question about how we both were, and how

A message from Liz Arrowsmith…

Thank you to all our family at St Christopher’s for their support, both spiritual and practical, over the last seven months. It has meant so much to John and I and we have appreciated everything that was done.

the children were doing, always immaculately turned out with his silk tie straight and his silk handkerchief in his top pocket, and frequently with a dry observation about some current affair or other – he had a great sense of fun. Reg worked in banking, and after retirement travelled to many parts of the world – Nepal, India, the West Indies and eastern Europe –voluntarily teaching banking skills to those who needed them.

Reg was a true gentleman, kind and considerate. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brenda, daughters Sara and Janine, and the rest of Reg’s family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

The Christmas Wreath Workshop will be back…

Victoria is in the process of organising another excellent evening of festive wreath making; those who were lucky enough to go last year had a wonderful time, and it’s likely that places will go quickly.

We don’t have the details yet but watch this space… and the SPICE WhatsApp and the pew sheet too.

Class 3 study David & Goliath…

Class 3 are studying David and the Psalms. We looked at the Bible story of David & Goliath to consider what this teaches us today. We focused on God being all powerful and understood that He will help us however and whenever we need it. In the words of Eden: ‘this proves that we all can face our fears and that God is always with us. We shall all be brave like David.’

GOLATH THE LOOSER by

Sophie

Supprisingly littel David beats Golif with a tiny stone and the lord God! Golith was a masiv man but this just proves how strong God is. David was a sheped and Golith was a huge waria. How is this posibal?

David collected the stones from a nebey river and got his sling shot and got ready to fight! He slung a stone at Goliths head and knouced him out.

Then he got his soud and cut his head of and tuck it back to his vilag.

This proves that we all can fase our fears and that God is allways with us. We shal all be brave like David!

Thank you to Sophie, Sienna, Grace & Eden for letting us publish their insightful accounts of the David & Goliath story, and what it means for us today…

GOLIATH THE LOSER by

Eden

Shockingly a 22 year old boy defeats a 34 year old man on Saturday evening, he has surprised the world with this spectaculer event! He had said himself that he believed God was on his side and had helped him win.

This is honestly a shocking resault as Goliath was an experienced warrior whilst David was just a shephard looking after his sheep. David was determined to save the Israelites from the Philistines so much that he put his life on the line and risked it all.

On the day of the battle, David grabbed 5 smooth stones from the river Nile to use with his slingshot for against Goliath. Once he stepped onto the battle grounds, without giving Goliath a chance, David swung his slingshot round and let go and boom! Right in his forehead a stone lay. Goliath fell straight to the ground! David had be-headed him and began to walk around and show everyone that he had defeated the huge beast!

This proves that God is always on our side and will help us get through anything.

VICTORY FOR DAVID

by Grace

Shockingly dwarf beat giant with a single stone. If you want to find out more read on. Young sheperd David the yongest of eight brothers aggreed to fight the phillstines giant warior. Acording to Samuel he was chosen to be the next king by God. This is the story of the battle. While taking food to the battlefield for his brothers. He heard the yell of the experienced warior. Suprisingly the sheperd whent to the king to ask if he could fight golith. The king aggreed and gave him his armour but it was to big for him. David decided to go into battle just in his normal clothes. Remember Goliath was huge and David tiny so all the odds say David would not win but no defying all odds he won. Before David was sent to battle he went to the nearby stream and took three stones from it and got his slingshot. He went to battle and before Goliath could raise his saud David had fierd his slingshot and Goliath was killed. So this teaches us that God will always protect us.

DAVID WIN!

GOLIATH NIL!

DAVID WIN GOLIATH BIN

by Sienna

Last Sunday the unexpected happened! David the dwarf beat Goliath the giant! David is the youngest of 8 brothers and he was only a shepard, according to Samuel, God wants David to be King. Here is a quote from Samuel: “God chose David to be King, and in the name of God he saved us, so all hail David the new King!” Shocking I know. Lets hear a quote from David “I may only be small and young, but the power of God is stronger than all!” It’s incredible! especially because of the difference Goliath was a middle aged man with weapons and armour and he was a fully trained warrior, David was a young boy, he was only a shepard and all he brought a sling and 5 stones to battle. THATS how much he trusted God. He swung a stone at Goliath and he died, and the philistenes ran away.

To conclude, David was a shepard, he brought lunch for his brothers, he saw Goliath and went to fight him, he didn’t want armour, just a few stones. He fired one at Goliath and Goliath fell down and David became King all because God was with David and with the israelites so what this has tought us that God loves and cares for us and helps us stay happy so I guess you could say…

DAVID WINS GOLIATH NIL or… DWGN? oh never mind.

A Pott Shrigley Late Summer

Summer in Pott Shrigley has been rather funny, A mix of rain, drizzle and sometimes sunny!

We have walked and talked along the Middlewood Way, And ridden our bikes along the canal on each fine day. As autumn appears in the gardens and meadows, We see the last blooms and blackberries fill hedgerows. The leaves may soon fall, all crispy and red, The colours of autumn will emerge and spread.

By Emily Bartle (aged 9)

Don’t forget the Tearfund Big Quiz…

Enthusiastic TBQs (Tearfund Big Quizzers) will already have Friday 13th October in their diaries as the date for this year’s night of fun whilst incidentally raising money for Tearfund. The excitement will begin at 7.30pm in the village hall, an excellent addition to the usual entertainment of the village hall bar open evening. Who knows? Perhaps we can persuade some to drag themselves away from the bar to come and join us…

Kath Matheson

There is no charge for the evening, but we do ask that you donate to Tearfund, a great Christian charity. Last year, we raised nearly £700 here in Pott Shrigley; 38 of us quizzed, and many more gave donations. Tearfund’s mission is ‘to follow Jesus where the need is greatest, responding to crises and partnering with local churches and organisations to help people lift themselves out of poverty.’ Tearfund’s work really does enable the poorest of the world to be able to feed

themselves, have clean water and access education and health care.

The quiz will have questions suitable for all ages and teams, large or small, so if you are very bad at quizzes, this does not excuse you from attending – you can’t be as bad as us at the music round. We are still intending to answer ‘Taylor Swift’ to each music question – it will probably earn us more points than we got last year…

Please book your seats with Anne Murphy (0789 1953 919). And even if you really can’t come and join the fun, please donate either via the JustGiving link below, or give a contribution at the event. Good luck!

Pott Shrigley’s own ‘Emerging’ art market…

For the first time local artists around the village of Pott Shrigley are collaborating to host a diverse art market of beautiful and lovingly created unique pieces. Emerging from the invisible into the seen, eight ceramicists and painters offer their work for sale in the collaborative art market named Emerging.

Sam Fairbrother-Barke

‘Emerging’ is coming to Pott Shrigley Village Hall in October. Even better, it’s a free entry event!

A private view on Friday evening will be followed by an open market on Saturday and Sunday when all lovers of art and ceramics are welcome to view the most recent work of our talented local artists. These creative, oneoff pieces of ceramics and art will be available for purchase, the perfect gift for your loved ones or yourself.

Come and support your local artists as they showcase their work and raise their profile.

Private view:

Friday 27th October by invitation only.

Contact Sam Fairbrother-Barke – 07967157377.

Open market:

Saturday 28th October 10am – 5pm.

Sunday 29th October 11am – 3pm.

More information available on Insta and Facebook @emergingartmarket

Artists include:

Jane Ewington, compassionate tutor and ceramicist of Bolli Pots, is based at the Old Brickworks here in Pott.

Jane focuses on handmade ceramics and uses inspiration from local landmarks such as White Nancy to influence her work.

Jane’s work is sold here in the UK and abroad. More of her work can be seen on Instagram @ bollipotts_at_the_brickworks

Antoniela Ginourie, an abstract local painter, is a printmaker and ceramic artist. Her work is inspired by her love of the sea and nature, and this is reflected in her work. Toni has exhibited and sold in England and abroad. More of Antoniela’s work can be found at www.antoniela.co.uk

Mary Fitton is a local watercolour artist and tutor of ceramics based in Poynton. Mary specialises in beautifully hand thrown individual pieces and sets for the home using coloured glazes inspired by the sea and coastal landscapes. Mary sells here and abroad.

Sam Fairbrother-Barke, a creative based in Pott Shrigley, takes her inspiration from nature and local landscapes, translating form and colour into her ceramics and paintings. Sam works out of Poynton pottery studio and Pott Shrigley, supplying the UK and overseas with her work. Sam’s work can be seen on Insta @samartpotts

Katie Diana Nelson, a ceramicist and tutor at Poynton pottery, is passionate about keeping the human touch visible in everything she creates, believing it’s the small ‘imperfections’ that make something treasured, unique, and truly special. Katie sells to the UK and Europe. Her work can be seen at www.kdnceramics.com

Claire Woolliscroft, Poynton-based ceramicist and tutor, explores ideas of beauty, balance and simplicity in her work. Claire aims to capture the life and vigour of thrown clay in her textured porcelain vases and tableware. Find more of Claire’s work at https://www.clairewoolliscroft.co.uk/

Your Vote Your Council

• Repair of collapsed wall Bakestonedale Road.

• Damaged fencing at back of layby near West Park Gate.

Defibrillator/phone box

No further information about training in the use of the defibrillator has been received.

Pott Shrigley website

A new village website is currently being created by Parish Online Websites, who offer good service and value for money. Cllr Lancaster will continue to liaise with them.

Lych gate

Hadfield

New councillor

Jo Hadfield, who was unanimously co-opted to the parish council to fill the vacancy resulting from Cllr Meredith Barlow Walsh’s retirement, was welcomed. The council would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Barlow Walsh for her hard work and commitment over the last nine years’ service as a member of the parish council. Cllr Barlow Walsh was given a signed card and small gift as a token of appreciation.

Highways

Pending

• Short extension to kerb by village hall: meeting to be arranged with the highways officer in the new financial year.

• 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.

The church architect, Graham Holland, has visited and advised that it would be possible to splice in new timber to replace only the badly decayed parts of the bottom bearer timbers rather than completing more substantial repairs. Having discussed this, the council decided unanimously to go ahead with the full repairs rather than making piecemeal repairs as has been done in the past, thus ensuring that the lych gate is secure and future-proofed whilst retaining its integrity.

Village green

The update of the ‘Use of Village Green’ guidelines is now complete. A copy is available from the parish clerk: pottclerk@ btinternet.com

Green Waste Subscription Scheme

From January 2024, garden waste collections in Cheshire East will become a subscription service. Residents will need to opt into Cheshire East’s Garden Waste Recycling Scheme if they wish to continue to use their garden bin to recycle their green waste; an annual subscription fee of £56 will be payable. Residents can apply for a

Jo

subscription from the week commencing 2nd October 2023. Residents not wishing to sign up to the scheme do not need to contact the council and should keep their garden bin at their property.

Fibre Broadband

The council is investigating the sporadic provision of ultra-superfast broadband in the area and trying to ascertain when the whole village might benefit from full access to fibre.

23/1419M MRI Polytech, Nab Works, 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.

NP/CEC/0323/0337 Lyme Park

Relocation of car park, restoration of swine ground, visitor access improvements and new hall and garden entrance.

Next meeting

The next council meeting will take place at 8pm on Monday 2nd October 2023 in the village hall.

A huge thank you…

to Councillor Alison Greenwood who, after eight years in the job, has handed her pen/keyboard/whatever to Councillor Jo Hadfield. Alison has written Your vote, Your council for HotPott with diligence, putting up with the editor’s questionings and badgerings with good humour. Your vote is an important part of the parish magazine, relaying as it does what the parish council is doing on our behalf. I am so grateful to Alison for all her hard work since October 2015, and to Jo for taking the task on.

Kath Matheson

Planning

Pending

NP/CEC/0723/0800 Dingle Side, SK10 5RT

Application: demolition of existing dwelling; construction of a replacement dwelling, detached garage and alterations to the existing access and associated works.

Coffee Break

Across

1 He must be ‘the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well’ (1 Timothy 3:12) (6)

4 ‘For we must all — before the judgement seat of Christ’ (2 Corinthians 5:10) (6)

7 ‘They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their — end’ (Ps 107:27) (4)

8 See 19 Across

9 It concerned who among the disciples would be the greatest(Luke 9:46) (8)

13 Formed by the Jews in Thessalonica to root out Paul and Silas (Acts 17:5) (3)

16 ‘He has sent me to bind up the — ’ (Isaiah 61:1) (6-7)

17 Moved rapidly on foot (Matthew 28:8) (3)

19 and 8 ‘ — a great company of the — host appeared with the angel’ (Luke 2:13) (8,8)

24 Hindrance (Romans 14:13) (8)

25 Comes between Luke and Acts (4)

26 Empower (Acts 4:29) (6)

27 ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a — !’ (John 2:16) (6)

Down

1 Sunrise (Psalm 119:147) (4)

2 The part of the day when Cornelius the Caesarean centurion had a vision of an angel of God (Acts 10:3) (9)

3 He was one of those who returned with Zerubbabel from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:7) (5)

4 ‘No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born — ’(John 3:3) (5)

5 Animal hunted or killed as food (Ezekiel 22:25) (4)

6 ‘He encouraged them — — remain true to the Lord’ (Acts 11:23) (3,2)

10 Ruses (anag.) (5)

11 Jewish priestly vestment (Exodus 28:6) (5)

12 Visible sign of what had been there (Daniel 2:35) (5)

13 This was the trade of Alexander, who did Paul ‘a great deal of harm’ (2 Timothy 4:14) (9)

14 ‘This is my — , which is for you; do this in remembrance of me’ (1 Corinthians 11:24) (4)

15 One of Noah’s great-great-grandsons (Genesis 10:24) (4)

18 Traditionally the first British Christian martyr (5)

20 Relationship of Ner to Saul (1 Samuel 14:50) (5)

21 Jacob had one at a place he named Bethel while on his way to Haran, fleeing from Esau (Genesis 28:12) (5)

22 Bats (anag.) (4)

23 ‘You strain out a — but swallow a camel’ (Matthew 23:24) (4)

The Suffering Church

Two awful disasters in the space of a few days – the earthquake in Morocco, and then flooding in Libya! My son and I visited Morocco some years ago and particularly enjoyed our visit to the High Atlas bordering Algeria and the Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs; it’s so dreadful to see the villages in the Atlas Mountains at the epicentre of the destruction today. There are few Christians in either country, and life for them is difficult. In Morocco most Christians are converted Berbers. Besides praying about the results of the earthquake, remember these believers. Barnabas Aid says: ‘The Christian community in Morocco is small but determined to help. Believers have rushed to donate blood to help the injured. Our Christian project partners in Morocco want to take food, blankets, clothes and medicines to the affected areas.’ The King and the authorities seem to have become a little more lenient in their attitude of late; please pray the little Christian minority will gain official recognition, will be allowed to build churches, and that they may receive much encouragement from outside. The political situation in Libya is utterly chaotic, which hampers rescue efforts considerably. Most Christians there are migrant workers from Egypt and elsewhere, or refugees from

Sahel countries trying to get to Europe; all are at increased risk of violent attacks and death. Please pray for their safety.

In Algeria, where there is an appreciable number of Christians, particularly among the Berbers, the situation is deteriorating as the government continues to close and seal church buildings. Imagine trying to minister to a congregation of around 1,000 outside in all weathers, as is the case in Tizzi Ouzou, near where I and a group of Crusaders spent a week in 1953 with an Anglican missionary family. In July Pastor Hamid was released after two and a half years’ imprisonment; latterly Barnabas Aid helped support his family, who were struggling financially. He reports: The support from Barnabas Aid is a huge relief and took away a big burden from

Moroccan earthquake; Al Jazeera

Libyan flood; New York Times

Algerian christians worshipping outside their church, sealed by the authorities; Barnabas continued →

my shoulders.’ Pastor Ahmed’s family has also received financial aid from Barnabas after his income ceased following the Algerian authorities closing his church in October 2020. Concurrently, Pastor Ahmed’s congregation needed increased pastoral care, many of them 'struggling with their faith’ as pressure on Algerian Christians grew. Pastor Ahmed visited his church members in their homes but found it hard to focus while his own wife and children were struggling to survive financially. Barnabas Aid’s financial support has been really helpful, and a great answer to prayer. Pastor Ahmed reports: ‘our ministry is revived. We have started six house groups and visited many believers, for pastoral care, training and discipleship. Thank you for your care.’ At the time of writing, at least 49 church buildings have been forcibly closed by the Algerian authorities, leaving no more than seven remaining open, so most believers now gather in small groups in homes. The pastors of the closed churches, like Pastor Ahmed, are going discreetly from home to home to minister to them. Please do pray!

Do you ever fear for your life when we recite the creed in church? Eleazar Sidhu (aka Pastor Vicky), a pastor in Punjab, Pakistan, required admission to hospital after being shot in the shoulder by an Islamist extremist on the evening of Sunday, September 3rd as he returned home after leading a service. The gunman asked Pastor Vicky to recite the Islamic declaration of faith (which would

have been considered a conversion to Islam) and shot him when he began reciting a declaration of faith in Christ instead. Islamist slogans and threats against him were painted on the walls of his church too. The shooting follows widespread anti-Christian violence in the area last month. Give thanks for the faith of our Pastor Vicky. Pray for his recovery and the wellbeing of his family. Pray also for the Lord’s hand of protection over Pakistan’s vulnerable Christian community.

And now for some positive news… Police in Uganda have foiled an attack in Kampala planned for September 3rd. Kintu Ibrahim was arrested as he was about to enter a church carrying an improvised explosive device. He confessed that three other men had also been sent to carry out similar attacks. Praise God that the police were able to intercept the terrorist and prevent loss of lives. Pray that any other planned attacks will be thwarted. Uganda has a very large and vibrant church which is very active in the Anglican Communion.

Thanks to Barnabas for the information contained in this article.

Church in Kampala where bomb attack was foiled, Uganda; AA

Pastor Vicky, Punjab, Pakistan; Kross Konnection

Missionary Matters

At the time of writing, the plan is for Megumi and Helen Fazakerley to fly from Malawi to the UK on September 17th, but Megumi has developed an infection so we’re praying that it doesn’t delay their travel.

John Ryley

Their priority will be preparing for the wedding of their daughter Mary to Trevor on October 6th. Their other daughter Elizabeth and her husband Joshua have to travel from Australia for the event; son Joshua and Nadine just have to come up from London. Pray they may have a really great day, and that Mary and Trevor may be richly blessed in their life together. St Christopher’s is high up on the Fazakerley priority list, and Lynn tells me they are coming to our 10.45 service on October 29th. Helen and Megumi will be in the UK till the end of March 2024, spending time with family and supporting churches as well as attending to all the usual professional and personal ‘housekeeping’ duties!

Johnny and Ann McClean don’t always have the time to write newsletters, but I’ve participated in virtual prayer meetings run by their mission (UFM Ireland), in which Johnny gets up at 3am to give news and to pray. On August 31st, however, we had a treat – a lunchtime (UK) meeting was arranged so both

Johnny and Ann could join us from Bangkok, where it was evening time. They spoke of their commitment to God’s word for the long haul, but the focus was mainly on Ann’s new school, the International Community School (ICS), which began in 1993 as a cooperation between a missionary school and the Network of International Christian Schools; they moved to their current campus in Bangkok in 2003 and opened another school in north-east Thailand in 2020. The school is owned by the International Community School Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation registered in Thailand; they seek to share the love of God

Megumi & Helen

Ann at work

Pott Shrigley Village Hall Bar

using the platform of an excellent Christian education with students and families. They provide discounted education to missionary children. Ann wants us to pray for the school leadership team led by Stephen, for continued adjustment to the curriculum, timetable, and USA culture, for wisdom in ministering to students inside and outside the classroom, and for a good balance between ministry at the school and the New City Fellowship Church.

Days begin early in Thailand! Joshua needed a new visa: ‘Arrived at immigration by 5am. Admitted inside by 6am. Got queue number 38 and 39. Went for coffee and breakfast and waited until opening time at 8.30. Praise God everything went smoothly and we were finished by 9.45am.’ Johnny has written to the Australian Embassy to try and expedite refugee family A, S and M’s move to Australia as there are concerns about S’s health; please pray for an early resolution to this. Johnny recently ran a workshop at the Bangkok base of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) on the nature and character of God and is doing Langham training with a group of pastors in Chang Mai in October. Remember to pray for the McClean children - Joshua at ICS Bangkok, Matthew somewhere in London and Beth at university in Norwich. The next lunchtime prayer update will be on November 30th.

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Don’tforget

Please send your contributions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk no later than midnight on.....

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Proof reader next month is Sandy Milsom

From the Registers

Weddings

Congratulations to: 15th September Mark David Egerton & Sarah Elizabeth Blair

International Community School

On

Christmas

We will be holding our Carols by Candlelight services at 4pm and 6.30pm on Sunday

17th December, at 6.30pm on Thursday 21st December and at 10.45am on Christmas Eve.

If you enjoy singing, you are most welcome to join the singing group to help lead the carols – no previous experience needed.

The rehearsals will be in church at 8pm on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:

is coming

Tuesday 24th October

Thursday 2nd November

Tuesday 7th November

Thursday 16th November

Tuesday 21st November

Thursday 30th November

Tuesday 5th December

Thursday 14th December.

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Recipe of the Month

Chris Bowes sends lots of delicious recipes for HotPott, and this is no exception: Chris makes it often, and it’s always a hit. It comes from Slimming World, so light on the calories… It‘s also quick and easy to do.

Serves 4.

Chris Bowes

Ready in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients:

200g green beans

60g rocket

2 little gem lettuces, shredded

½ cucumber, halved lengthways, seeds

scraped out with a teaspoon and then sliced

6 spring onions, sliced

1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated

2 large sirloin or rump steaks, visible fat

removed

20 raw king prawns, shells on or off

Low-calorie cooking spray

For the dressing:

2 tablespoons fat-free vinaigrette

Juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon mustard powder

Method:

1. Boil the beans for 3 – 4 minutes until tender, then drain and refresh under cold water. Tip onto a platter with the rocket, lettuce, cucumber, spring onions and carrot.

2. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together, season to taste and set aside.

3. Season the steak and prawns. Heat a griddle or frying pan until hot and spray with lowcalorie cooking spray.

Griddle or fry the steaks for 2 minutes on each side for rare, 3 minutes on each side for medium, or 4 minutes on each side for well done. Leave to rest on a chopping board while you griddle or fry the prawns for 1 – 2 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked through.

4. Thinly slice the steaks and arrange over the salad with the prawns. Pour the dressing over it all and serve.

Thank you to Slimming World for the recipe.

CROSSWORD SOLUTION

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• 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 *

Church (at 6pm) ** Youth Church (at 10.45am)

Church

Pam Cooke, weddings@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

head@pottshrigley.cheshire.sch.uk Website: Tess Phillips, 26 Hurst Lane, Bollington, SK10 5LP info@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk

(please prefix numbers with 01625)

PCC Members: 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, Annie Palace, Kath Matheson, Chris Day, Reg Ferguson. This directory was updated on 25th August 2023.Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk