HotPott October 2024 by Pott Shrigley Parish Magazine

Lynn's letter

Dear friends,

In John 15:5, Jesus says: ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.ʼ

This month we will be aware of an abundance of fresh autumn produce in the shops as the harvest has been gathered in and we benefit from the work of farmers and gardeners alike. I am hoping that I will find time to turn the bags of blackberries in my freezer into enough blackberry jelly to get us through the winter months. I am grateful to my neighbour who has

given me a promising recipe! (Try it for yourselves – see Recipe of the Month on page 33. Editor.)

Jesus used the image of the vine, laden with grapes, to remind us that we are all called to bear fruit. However, in order to produce a good crop, vines need to be pruned, and even branches with fruit on them cut off, to enable the remaining branches to thrive and produce more fruit.

Jesus also said that the only way to produce a good crop is for us to remain in Him, or in other words, to depend on Him to sustain and guide us.

With these thoughts in mind, anyone who would like to hear more about the ‘fruit’ of our awayday discussions back in January is invited to a ‘bring and share’ indoor picnic in the village hall on October 20th. This will follow our all-age worship service where we will be focussing on how we can become a more fruitful church. continued →

When we consider our church being fruitful, we must think about how we learn to depend more upon God, our sustainer, so that we can grow in our spiritual lives. It’s as we look to God to provide, that He will enable us to reach out more to those around us. This might include dropping some good things that we do currently to allow our fruit to multiply.

Please pray that we will be open to finding the best way to become more welcoming and accessible as a church, not just for this generation but for the generations to come. Pray that we will have courage to ask God to prune us and change us. And pray that we will do this in His strength alone. Amen.

With love, Lynn.

Cover story: the much-anticipated barbecue.

We loved having everyone over to celebrate a few things with us. We were celebrating mum’s 40th birthday, saying thank you to everyone who helped us decorate the house for us to move into, and lastly we added Elsa’s birthday in there as well.

Paige Price

It was such a special day spending time with family and friends. Having the feeling that we belong to such a special community.

Next time though, Elsa has insisted the bouncy castle slide has a pool at the bottom.

Thank you to everyone who came and to all who brought food.

By all accounts, the event was amazing. Postponed at least twice due to our glorious English summer, it finally happened on 24th August at the Price’s farm in Adlington. The food, expertly barbecued by Chris, was delicious, as were all the salads, puds and cakes. Even the weather behaved beautifully. Not sure that applies to Rev. Lynn on the slide however… though she was certainly enjoying herself!

PCC Ponderings… and an invitation

Are we a welcoming church? Are we a worshipping church?

At our September PCC meeting we touched on themes that came up at our January awayday. Rev. Lynn highlighted our desire to be a welcoming church, looking to include those dipping their toes into church life for the first time as well as those who have been at St Christopher’s for a lifetime. We are privileged to have families as part of our congregation, and we want to do as much as we can to meet their needs.

Simon Caudwell

We also want to be a worshipping church, one where we can approach God and find a closer walk with Him. Although the available records suggest the layout and floor levels at St Christopher’s date from the 1850s and later, we recognise that they are of a pre-Reformation style where God was often seen as more distant. This is reflected in the ‘high’ position of the communion table at the far end of the sanctuary, which doesn’t really match us as a church in the 21st century. Today’s clergy want to face the congregation as communion is prepared, creating a sense of welcome and involvement.

Another point we addressed is how, for safety reasons, we have recently switched to standing rather than kneeling when

taking Communion. While this does avoid the need to climb up and down the steps to the communion rail, for many of us it can now feel that taking Communion is rushed rather than reflective, and some of us would still prefer to kneel. What do you think?

We are also conscious that space is at a premium in St Christopher’s, particularly at busy services, and also, with an expanding music/singing group (the numbers not the musicians!), we need to consider how best to use the space we have at the front of the church (the chancel). With these points in mind, we began to talk about the layout of the church, and in particular the design of the chancel.

Change – but not for change’s sake

Over the coming weeks, the PCC wants to involve the whole church in considering and discussing what changes may be desirable and appropriate. Ultimately, any alterations we wish to make will have to be approved by the diocese, who will have a particular eye on the appropriateness of any proposed modifications.

We are still measuring, and working on some ideas to share, but we want to hear everyone’s voice and suggestions before starting to move towards making any decisions.

There will be an opportunity to discuss early ideas on 20th October from 12:00 noon, after the Sunday service that day. Please come ready to ask questions and add suggestions if you can. You’ll find a warm welcome!

Learning about St Cedd

February 2024 saw Duncan and me on a bellringing trip to Essex, where we were intrigued to spot a sign to one of the oldest churches in England – St Peter-on-theWall, Bradwell-on-Sea. It was a beautiful, crisp winter’s day, so having a little spare time after lunch we wandered down to investigate. The church was built by St Cedd, an Anglo-Saxon monk who in AD 653 had landed on the quay of the old Roman fort of Othona. The first church Cedd built at Bradwell was probably wooden, but with so much stone from the deserted fort lying around, Cedd replaced the original wooden structure in 664 with the stone chapel that stands to this day.

Kath Matheson

There are many Celtic saints I haven’t heard of and Cedd is one of them; like many of the others, Cedd’s story is interesting. All the information we have about him comes from the third book of Bede’s Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, perhaps better known as the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which Bede completed in about AD 731.

The formative years

Cedd had three younger brothers: Chad (or

Ceadda in Bede’s Latin text), Cynibil and Cælin. All four were priests and the oldest two became bishops. The first datable reference Bede makes to Cedd indicates he was a priest by 653, which means he was probably born in the early 620s. Cedd and his brothers, despite having Celtic names, were born in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria and brought up on the island of Lindisfarne by the Irish monk Aidan, the founder of the monastery there. Aidan was well known for his personal austerity and disregard for the trappings of wealth and power. He had previously lived in the monastic community of Iona and followed Celtic practices of abstinence from worldly pleasures to pursue spiritual goals (asceticism), studying and explaining the Bible (exegesis) and thinking about the final destiny of the soul (eschatology). Bede stresses several times that Cedd and Chad followed Aidan’s example and

Saint Cedd

traditions, being equally abstemious in their lifestyles. When Aidan died in 651 Chad and many others from Northumbria went to study with the Irish, but Cedd is not mentioned as one of these wandering scholars. Bede portrays him as very close to Finan, Aidan’s successor, so he probably owed his entire formation as a priest and scholar to Aidan, Finan and the monastery at Lindisfarne.

The Mercian years

The Celtic church was organised around monasteries, and these supported peripatetic missionary bishops. The church appeared to need the active support of royalty too. At a time of growing power, King Oswiu of Northumbria reunited and consolidated his kingdom following its earlier (641/2) defeat by Penda, King of the Middle Angles, one of the main ethnic groups of Mercia based on the mid-Trent Valley. Penda’s son, Peada, travelled to Northumbria to negotiate his marriage to King Oswiu’s daughter Alchflæd; the marriage

settlement included Peada agreeing to become a Christian. In 653, Cedd and three other priests, Adda, Betti and Diuma accompanied Peada and Alchflæd back to the Trent Valley to evangelise the Middle Angles. Bede relates that although many converts of all classes were won, the mission was less successful amongst

Lindisfarne

St Aidan

King Oswiu

wider Mercian society. King Penda, a renowned pagan, reportedly did not obstruct preaching, Bede portraying him as generally sympathetic to Christianity during this period, but he may not have actively encouraged it as Oswiu did in Northumbria. Bede credits Cedd's brother Chad with the effective evangelisation of Mercia more than a decade later. Chad founded a monastery in Lichfield and has a shrine in the cathedral there.

The East Saxon years

Cedd only remained in Mercia for a short time. Sigeberht the Good, King of the East Saxons, asked Oswiu to send priests to reconvert his people, who were originally evangelised by missionaries from Canterbury. Their first bishop, Mellitus, arrived in Essex in 604 but was driven out of the area 10 years later, leaving the royal family divided between Christians and pagans. Bede tells us that Sigeberht's decision to be baptised and to reconvert his kingdom was at the initiative of Oswiu. Sigeberht travelled to Northumbria to be baptised by Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne and Cedd’s mentor. Cedd and another priest went to the East Saxons partly as an emissary of Oswiu. Their mission was aided by the military and political dominance of Northumbria, and the final defeat of Penda in 655. In practical terms,

Northumbria dominated the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. After converting many, Cedd returned to Lindisfarne to give Bishop Finan a progress report. In recognition of Cedd’s success, Finan ordained him bishop and appointed him as Bishop of the East Saxons. As a result, he is generally listed among the bishops of London, then a part of the Kingdom of the East Saxons.

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People portrays Cedd as a man who demanded personal commitment and who was unafraid to confront the powerful. He excommunicated a thane (an aristocratic landowner) who had made an unlawful marriage, and forbade Christians to accept the thane's hospitality. According to Bede, when Sigeberht persisted in visiting the man's home, Cedd denounced the king and foretold that he would die in the thane’s house. Bede also opined that Sigeberht’s subsequent death in battle in 660 was his penance for defying Cedd's injunction. After Sigeberht’s untimely demise, Cedd’s position became more precarious. Sigeberht’s son, Swithhelm of Essex, succeeded him and Swithelm was a pagan. However, after some persuasion from Æthelwold, another East Anglian king, Swithhelm accepted baptism from Cedd, the ceremony being conducted at Æthelwold’s home, and the East Saxon kingdom remained Christian for a time afterwards. Bede considers Cedd's work was instrumental in the conversion of the East Saxons, although it was preceded by other missionaries and eventually followed by a revival of paganism. Christianity in the Dark Ages required constant nurturing, as it still does.

Monastic foundations

Cedd made a major contribution to the Christian church of his time. In addition to establishing many churches, Cedd founded monasteries at Tilaburg (East or

King Sigeberht

West Tilbury), Lastingham in Northumbria (now North Yorkshire) and, of course, at Bradwell-on-Sea (previously known as Ithancester). Bede records the founding of Lastingham monastery in detail. Cedd was appointed as abbot of Lastingham at the request of the sub-king, Œthelwald of Deira, through the offices of his brother Caelin, who was on the king's staff. Cedd undertook a 40-day fast to purify the site, although urgent royal business took him away after 30 days, so one of his other brothers, Cynibil, took over the fast for him. Although Cedd remained abbot of Lastingham till his death, he continued to travel long distances in his capacities as missionary bishop and diplomat, with the daily care of Lastingham being delegated to other priests. His brother Chad, who succeeded him as abbot, did the same.

Final years

Cedd is also remembered for his role at the Synod of Whitby (see HotPott November 2020 & March 2023), which met in 664 to decide, among other things, how the date of Easter, which had been a source of contention between the Roman and Celtic churches, should be calculated. The proceedings of the council were hampered by the participants' mutual incomprehension of each other's languages, which probably included Old Irish, Old Welsh, Old English and Frankish

as well as Latin. Bede reports that Cedd acted as interpreter; Cedd’s linguistic skills, which were taken as a sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and his status as a trusted royal emissary, made him a key figure in the negotiations.

A short time after the Synod of Whitby Cedd returned to the monastery at Lastingham where he succumbed to the Yellow Plague, the first known epidemic in Britain, on 26th October 664. Bede records that when Cedd’s people at Bradwell-on-

Crypt at Lastingham church, probably the site of Cedd's monastery

St Chad

Whitby Abbey continued →

Sea learned that he had died, 30 of them journeyed up the coast to do homage. All but one of them, a small boy, died there, also of the plague. Cedd was initially buried in a grave at Lastingham but later, when a stone church was built, his body was moved and re-interred in a shrine inside the church of the monastery.

The Yellow Plague of 664 lasted for over 20 years, causing widespread mortality, social disruption and abandonment of religious faith. This was seen in Essex where King Swithhelm died around the same time as Cedd and was succeeded by joint kings Sighere and Sæbbi; many people reverted to paganism, which Bede attributed to the effects of the plague. Wulfhere, Christian king of Mercia and dominant force at that time south of the Humber, took prompt action, despatching Bishop Jaruman of Mercia to take over Cedd's work among the East Saxons. Jaruman, working (according to Bede) with great discretion, toured Essex and after negotiating with local magnates, soon restored Christianity.

As St Cedd is credited with converting the East Saxons he is named as the patron saint of Essex and remembered each year with a service on October 26th, St Cedd’s Day, also known as Essex Day, at the chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall, Bradwellon-Sea. In July the Bradwell Pilgrimage sees an ecumenical gathering of people predominately from across Essex and East London coming together to walk from St Thomas' Church, Bradwell-on-Sea to St Peter's, the chapel by the sea. And God continues to be glorified and worshipped 1,361 years after Cedd founded his church and monastery on the Blackwater Estuary, Essex.

Sources acknowledged with thanks: https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedd, https://www. essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/just-who-isst-cedd-essex-day-2023/, https://www.

bradwellchapel.org/, The fort of Orthona and the chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall Bradwellon-Sea Essex, H Malcolm Carter. Photographs Duncan Matheson. St Cedd at the foot of the Cross, St Peter-on-the-Wall

DOVES

KEFKESHMENTS AND SNAGKS AKTS AND GKAFTS FKEE fLAY AND SONGS

AGES 0-5 9:15-11AM WEDNESDAY DURING TERM TI ME

COME JOIN US AT ST CHRISTOPHER'S CHURCH FOR I liTTLE

Pott Shrigley

2nd

6th

4th December : Thelma - action/comedy

18th December : Next Goal Wins - sport/comedy.

Lots of chatting and praying on the September prayer walk

‘May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Romans 15:5-6

Anne Murphy

Sally kindly volunteered to lead our September prayer walk, which began at St Christopher’s Church. Four intrepid walkers set off, stopping to pray on the cobbles for some cyclists who were visiting the Peak District from Warrington. They couldn’t delay their ride to join us for the

Catherine, Sally, Kath and Anne

walk but said they would welcome us praying for them.

Our route took us right out of church towards Spuley Lane, and chatting as we walked, we nearly missed the gate near the vicarage that opens onto Jackson Steps and up towards Charles Head – oops!

We stopped to pray at the top of the steps – always a good place to catch your breath before the next climb. The summer leaves rather obscured the view of the vicarage, but nevertheless we asked, amongst other things, for blessing on Rev. Lynn and Simon as they work so hard in the village and further afield. After passing Berristall Dale Farm, we joined the Gritstone Trail and headed uphill again, coming to a halt just through the next gate where the path levels out, and admiring the spectacular landscapes stretched out before us in every direction. Remembering all those who work on the land, or in the towns we could see, we felt blessed to be able to give thanks in such a beautiful place. Then downhill towards Bakestonedale Road. The footpath across the vibrant green, lush pasture reminded us of God’s abundant provision where we can find rest and

In complete contrast Bakestonedale Road was extremely busy, with lots of cars, vans and cyclists going very fast. We carefully made our way down the road to the Old Brickworks Industrial Estate, where we stopped to pray for the local industries and all those who work there, and all whom they encounter.

Our final stop and closing prayer were at Pott Shrigley School and Village Hall, where Rev. Lynn joined us before she headed across to church for a wedding.

Thank you, Lord, for the support and encouragement we experienced prayer walking with others. It was a real privilege and blessing to have the opportunity to walk, chat and pray for our local area and community.

Thanks to Sally, Catherine and Kath for

Kath, Sally and Catherine

your conversation and prayers.

Everyone is most welcome to join the prayer walks, which happen at 10.30am on the first Saturday of the month, sometimes from St Christopher’s, sometimes from The Coffee Tavern. Please contact Yvonne (07842428496) for more details or ask in church.

Christmas is on its way ...

... and so is the opportunity to sing carols!

We will be holding our Carols by Candlelight services at 4pm on Sunday 15th December, at 6.30pm on Thursday 19th December and at 10.45am and again at 6.30pm on Sunday 22nd December. If you enjoy singing, you are most welcome to join the singing group to help lead the carols – no previous experience needed and a lot of fun to be had. The rehearsals will be in church at

8pm on the following Tuesdays, with the last rehearsal on a Thursday:

Tuesday 29th October

Tuesday 5th November

Tuesday 12th November

Tuesday 19th November

Tuesday 26th November

Tuesday 3rd December

Thursday 12th December.

Come and join us to have some fun!

News from the Chalkface

Hello everyone! My name is Helen Kennedy and I have joined Pott Shrigley Church School this year as the Class 3 teacher. I teach a team of 15 delightful children from years 4, 5 and 6.

Helen Kennedy

This year, I have decided to ask the children from Class 3 to take responsibility for this news column in HotPott as part of their journalistic learning.

Over the next few months, they will be learning to interview, photograph, draft, edit and design a piece of news to share with the community at St Christopher’s. They will be introducing the full teaching team within the school, sharing the work we are doing and how being part of a church community helps us all feel a sense of belonging and faith.

We hope you enjoy our column and that it helps bring our church and school closer together.

Welcoming the new academic term

Sunday 15th September saw us giving thanks for our church school and all the other educational establishments the St Christopher’s family are associated with, including other local primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities.

Kath Matheson

It was lovely to welcome lots of people associated with education, both formally – pupils, teaching and ancillary staff, governors – and informally, such as our youth and junior church leaders.

The reception and year three pupils present from Pott Church School were each given a Bible suitable for their age, and all the children who wanted one were given a prayer wheel and a rainbowcoloured pen to use with it, and a St Christopher’s Church mug filled with sweets (healthy living strikes again!) – all the children wanted one of those, and a few fully-grown children did too.

Prayer was the subject of a short drama production and this, and the Lord’s Prayer, was the subject of Rev. Lynn’s talk; we were all reminded of God’s constant willingness to listen and of the need for us to spend quiet time with Him, asking for forgiveness (clean slates are always good) and putting our requests before Him.

Significant amounts of exercise were taken during the singing of Hallelu, Hallelu (have your knees recovered?) and even the most reluctant were seen joining in the actions to Our God is a great big God.

A life-changing message can be fun too…

Your Vote Your Council

Highways

New/Updated/Completed.

• The sunken grid south of the Shrigley Road/Spuley Lane junction is now repaired.

• A deep pothole under the aqueduct on Shrigley Road has been reported by Cllr Boulton on Fix My Street.

approval for the work left current quotes out of time with significantly increased costs.

Mersey Forest Tree Planting Scheme

Jo Hadfield

• The hole in the wall caused by an accident at the chevron bend is now repaired.

Pending

• Repair/replace culvert under Shrigley Road outside Pott Hall.

• Broken fence at West Park Gate car park on list for repair.

• 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 awaited.

• Damage to the signpost by the church wall still awaits repair.

• Work to modify the pavement outside the school was scheduled for week of 12th August. Cllr Whitaker to ascertain why the work did not happen.

• Improvements to bend at Brookhouse (see summer edition of HotPott): the design for the work should start shortly. Lychgate

The clerk will seek new quotes for the necessary repairs. The process of applying for, and receiving, the archdeacon’s

Cllr Chong has contacted an officer involved in the scheme. A site inspection of the village green to be made to suggest the number and type of trees which would be suitable for the site.

Public right of way (PROW) markers

There is a request for help with repairing the PROW marker posts which are down at Simpsons Lane, just past Berristall Dale Farm, and at the junction of Birchencliffe and Moorside Lane.

Action: Cllr Basford has agreed to repair the post on Moorside Lane, David Garton will examine the post at the end of Simpson Lane and the clerk will contact the landowner to see if he is willing to reinstate the post east of Berristall Farm. Black bin collection

Cheshire East Council’s Environment and Communities Committee are considering a potential move to three-weekly residential black bin waste collections. This change, together with the recent closure of the local household waste centre, could have a significant effect on many residents. A government directive requires food waste to be collected by councils every week by April 2026, which, for those who wish to dispose of their food waste in this way, would necessitate caddies containing food waste being left outside for collection at least one week in three; for those who subscribe to the green bin scheme they can empty their food waste directly into the green bin, which will continue to be collected every fortnight. Those who wish

CEC to recycle their food waste but who don’t have a green bin will have to leave their caddies out every week. This risks wildlife enjoying the contents of the food caddies by eating some of it and spreading the rest around the area, which in turn is likely to attract rats and other vermin. Residents are encouraged to share their views on this at this short survey: https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/ HouseholdWaste2024/ Your views can also be expressed by emailing ceconsultation@ cheshireeast.gov.uk The consultation will run for six weeks, closing on Sunday 20th October

Planning applications

Decisions

NP/CEC/0324/0285 Keepers Cottage, SK10 5RZ

Proposal: Replacement dwelling. Refused.

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.

Approved with conditions.

Pending

24/1173M Lyme View, SK12 1TF

Proposal: Two storey rear infill extension and internal remodel, including a new front porch and an additional canopy roof structure to the rear. The existing front bay window is to be modified and the external building fabric is to be upgraded and insulated for improved thermal and weather

performance.

24/1251M (Sent to Bollington Town Council) Nab Quarry, Unit 1, Long Lane, SK10 5SD Lawful development certificate for proposed use of a light Industrial building as a small workshop or storage unit.

24/3155M 1, Normans Hall Mews, SK10 5SE

Proposed demolition of garage and the construction of a new garage with workshop and storage areas on the ground floor and a first-floor home office above.

Next meeting

The next council meeting will take place at 8pm on Monday 7th October 2024 in the village hall.

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’ (Psalm 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 avision of an angel of God (Acts 10:3) (9)

3 He was one of those who returned with Zerubbabel from exile inBabylon 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)

Dangers and encouragement in the worldwide church

Christians and other religious minorities in Bangladesh face increased persecution as political instability and social upheaval there worsens, enabling criminals and extremists to attack with impunity. OpenDoors, a charity which helps persecuted Christians, has local partners in Bangladesh who are actively contacting pastors, evangelists and others to find those affected: many have had their houses and farms destroyed and possessions and livestock looted, others have been beaten, threatened with death and pressured to abandon their homes. Food and emergency shelter is being provided to help people survive.

Kath Matheson

Salma (a Christian since 2005), her elderly mother and her teenage daughter were attacked on 5th August, the day Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned. Against her brother’s advice to leave, the three of them stayed in their home, but a group of extremists approached her home during the night, forcing Salma and her mother to hide in the nearby jungle, whilst her daughter stayed with her brother. From their hiding place, Salma and her mother witnessed the extremists destroying their

home and everything inside it, including her daughter’s schoolbooks. Salma and her mother, helpless and frightened, prayed for God’s protection. As they deal with the trauma of the attack, Salma’s mother has found comfort in Job’s story: ‘I heard about the story of Ayyub [Job]. He went through immense suffering and loss but remained steadfast in his trust in God. Maybe this is also a test in our life. Pray for us so that we can be faithful like him during this hard time in our lives.’

Ranji Kisku also ignored advice to flee after the prime minister resigned: ‘I never hurt them nor spoke negatively or offensively of them, so I am not their enemy.’ However, that evening a group of extremist Muslims broke into his house and demolished everything they found: doors, windows, refrigerator, rice cooker, glasses, basins –everything. They stole the loan he had for his fish farm, and the following day they took the fish from his pond.

Protestors storming the residence of the Bangladeshi prime minister after she resigned; Barnabas

Salma, Bangladesh; Open Doors

‘Neighbouring people were watching everything, but nobody stopped them. Now, I cannot go out of home for fear of further persecution.’

Unfortunately, many Christians and others from different religious minorities have similar experiences to relate. Evangelists and converts from Islam are at particular risk. On 5th September, two evangelists were visiting a local house church when a group of Muslims stormed the meeting. Both were severely beaten, before one of them, Mizanur, was asked if he was formerly a Muslim, Mizanur being a Muslim name. His injuries prevented him answering, so his wife was asked to confirm that he was a convert. The evangelists were detained overnight in the police station, without receiving treatment for their wounds. Mizanur is now on bail and at home, but traumatised and in physical pain. There is no information about the fate of other evangelist. OpenDoors local partners are trying to help the victims: ‘Our local sources are regularly sending us updates. Right now, they need our prayers and emotional support.’ Many believers are living in fear, church activities have been disrupted, and evangelists and pastors are under threat, especially in rural areas. Please pray for healing, protection and strength for everyone affected by this surge of persecution in Bangladesh, that they, their families and their churches will be comforted in their pain, guided in their response, and strengthened in their faith

In China, being a Christian is costly for every believer, but OpenDoors partners there are seeing transformation, so please continue to pray. All religious practice is closely monitored; Christians are frequently arrested and imprisoned for running house churches, but converts from other faiths are especially vulnerable to persecution. Hollace, a local

OpenDoors partner in north-west China, has a ministry to believers from a Muslim background, who face persecution both from the Chinese authorities and from those who feel they’ve betrayed Islam. In a recent letter to OpenDoors supporters, Hollace shared praise and thanksgiving: ‘I am grateful that our work is not in vain. Leaders I paid visits to previously were afraid of being tracked and monitored, so they laid low, and we did stop meeting each other. But God is not a God of disappointment, and everything happens according to His time.’ His ministry is showing fruit: local leaders of the underground church now want to meet with him again. Domestic violence is rife in the area, and commonly regarded as acceptable. Praise God that local believers are increasingly keen to equip themselves to speak and act against this, using Biblical knowledge to empower them. Hollace reports: ‘Three pairs of couples whom I used to visit regularly have come to me to

OpenDoors partners in China are seeing a transformation

Hollace, OpenDoors

express their interest lately! They want to be trained and equipped to serve in the family and marriage field.’ Yingfei, another OpenDoors local partner, notes: ‘As the Bible says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, and it has a living power in it.’

Meanwhile, in central China, OpenDoors partners recently provided three-day persecution survival training to about 50 church workers. Many believers in China are unaware of how widespread persecution is and don’t know how to respond when it happens to them. One of the participants in the training said: ‘Learning ways of responding to persecution resonates with me a lot and is essential to believers. It’s also crucial to learn about who God is, the position of His church, and the divine resources

He has given to His children. We need to equip ourselves well with His word, so we can take up our spiritual weapons to fight the spiritual battles.’ Other comments included: ‘In the midst of persecution, we particularly need to depend on His love to endure, persist, and forgive,’ and ‘I was particularly reminded of the significance of watching and praying so that we will not fall into temptation.’ As this training is adapted to relate even more closely to the experiences of Chinese believers’ everyday lives, please pray that it will bring transformation to Chinese society. Praise God for the blessings He is pouring on His children in China, as they face opposition, surveillance and persecution. Please ask that increasing numbers of people will hear, and be transformed by, God’s word and that the attempts to stifle the Chinese church would be thwarted.

With thanks to OpenDoors, who provided the above information. Names have been changed to protect identities.

From the Registers

Weddings

Congratulations to: 24th August John Shirt & Naomi Thornhill 7th September Thomas Clancy & Hannah Pearson

Forthcoming Wedding

We wish them joy in their preparations: 9th November Christopher Burke & Rebecca Capper Burial

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of: 19th September David Anthony Bomford Burial of Ashes

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of: 19th July Hilda Sigley(correction)

Missionary Matters

Just a few gleanings from the McClean Facebook offerings this month. By the time you read this Johnny will have been to the UK and returned to Thailand after installing Joshua in Liverpool Hope University to study Music Education.

John Ryley

Praise God, after many appointments at the bank and a lot of paperwork, their church, New City Fellowship Church (NCF) in Bangkok, finally has a bank account in its name. Before, it just had three names, which made online banking tricky. Please pray as Pastor Pramote has applied to have road signs installed to help direct new people to their church. Pramote and Johnny are covering ministry both at NCF and their nearby sister church, Grace Community Church. Johnny is also very active with his Langham Preaching ministry, which seeks to encourage folk who are already pastoring churches, and to help them become more knowledgeable and effective. The Langham movement has spread to North Thailand and is expanding around Bangkok and Central Thailand as well as to other countries in South-East Asia. Johnny has recently been teaching

groups in two of these countries. Please pray that as the participants go home, they will continue to practice preaching that is faithful to the text, clear in its structure and delivery and relevant to people’s lives.

Helen and Megumi Fazakerley in Malawi have moved to live next door to the missionary guest house that Helen now manages. Aided by five young strong men and a small truck, and negotiating a police barrier, after four trips the move was done in three hours. Just the sorting out in their new home remained. I hope they’ve managed to reconstruct their bed!

Meanwhile amid all the busyness of packing, and then trying to unpack when you have no idea what's in the box – a bit

Reconstructing the bed

Johnny with a group

Moving to the new house

like Christmas present unwrapping – Helen has been very occupied with her new job. When the guesthouse ministry was handed over to her in May, she was told that there would be quiet times when it's not busy and no guests are booked in. Not so far! And there are guests booked until mid-October. However, it’s slightly easier to manage now she lives closer.

Helen is pleased that the Wednesday Ladies’ Bible Study group has recommenced after the long school holidays. One or two members are still

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away on ministry trips, but it was good to catch up on news.

Despite their house move, Helen and Megumi can meet in the same care group (house group) as before; they continue to study Romans. Please continue to pray for discernment for Helen and Megumi as they plan their retirement.

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8th11thOctober

November

Recipe of the Month Blackberry Jelly

This recipe was given to Rev. Lynn by one of her neighbours, Dilys Potts.

Dilys Potts

It makes about one kilogram of a dark, fruity, softly-set jelly. Given the abundance of delicious blackberries in the hedgerows of Pott Shrigley, it’s time to start gathering and making jelly.

Ingredients:

1kg blackberries

1kg preserving sugar Juice of 3 large lemons

Method:

Place blackberries in a colander and wash thoroughly under cold running water. Tip the fruit into a large heavy-based pan or preserving pan. Add 400ml cold water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer very gently for about 20 minutes until the fruit is soft and pulpy. Add the preserving sugar and lemon juice. Heat gently whilst stirring frequently until all the sugar has dissolved; this usually takes 4 – 5 minutes. Meanwhile place 2 or 3 saucers or small plates in the fridge to cool.

Remove the lid from the pan, increase the heat to bring the mixture to the boil and cook rapidly for 8 minutes. The mixture should bubble vigorously but not so close to the top of the pan that it is in danger of boiling over.

Remove the pan from the heat and test the mixture to see if it will set by spooning a little onto one of the chilled plates/saucers. Allow to cool for a few seconds then push the syrup with your fingertip. If the surface of the jelly wrinkles slightly, it has reached

setting point. If not, boil for another 2 minutes and test again. Repeat the process until setting point is reached.

Place a large metal sieve over a large mixing bowl. Fill the sieve with some of the blackberry mixture and, using the back of a large metal spoon, push the blackberry mixture through the sieve. When you have extracted as much juice as you can, discard the seedy pulp remaining in the sieve into the compost or the bin. Repeat the process until all the blackberry mixture has been strained through the sieve.

Ladle the strained jelly into clean sterilised jars. Cover the surface of the jelly with waxed discs and lids or jam pot covers. Label and store in a cool dark place. Once strained, the jelly starts to set fairly quickly, so make sure you are poised with the sterilised jars before you start to strain the blackberry mixture.

Enjoy on toast, or scones, or roast chicken!

6th Oct.

8.30am 10.45am

13th.

Holy Communion Holy Communion‡

Services

Genesis 2:18-24

Mark 10:2-16 Lynn Caudwell

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship‡*

20th.

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-31

Lynne Bowden

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion All Age Worship TBC Lynn Caudwell

27th.

8.30am

3rd Nov.

Communion

Worship

8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship TBC Lynne Bowden

• All services underlined in blue will be streamed live on our Facebook Page & YouTube channel.

• A recording of each live-streamed service will be available from the services page of the church website: ‡ Junior Church * Youth Church (at 6pm) **Youth Church (at 10.45am)

13th Paige Price & Rebecca Roth-Biester

20th Mike Akerman & Tom Murphy

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Milsom

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Witkowski Lydia & Simon

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