Lynn's letter
Dear friends,
Autumn is a time of transition from the slower rhythms and longer days of summer to the busy gathering in of harvest. During this period of change we are told to pause and to be grateful. In Exodus 23:16 we read: ‘Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the first fruits of the crops you sow in your field. Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.’
Being grateful for what we’ve been given is an important principle in a world where it is tempting to feel there is not enough to go around. God knows what we need, and telling us to develop an attitude of gratitude is not just for His sake: He knows that as we count our blessings we will gain strength for what is ahead. It’s as we pause and make a list of what God has given us that we can walk through life with a light step and be generous to others.
Ingratitude leads us into a world where there seems to be insufficient, where we feel the need to hoard things because we may not get any more. But this is not God’s way. In Leviticus 23:22 He gives another command about harvest time: ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.’ God is telling us not to extract the maximum from what He has given us just to serve our own needs, but to ensure we leave something for those who don’t have as much as we do, and to remember those foreigners who come amongst us. We need to share with those who are not like us.
These two principles of gratitude and sharing are things we need to teach our children from a young age. They are not just good manners, they help to make the world a better place for everyone including ourselves.
With these principles of gratitude and sharing in mind, in September we will hold two special services. The first, a Welcome Back service, is on 15th September when we will welcome both those who have been away continued →
and those who are new amongst us. There will be children and teachers starting at new schools and universities across the country, including at Pott Shrigley Church School. We will give Bibles to new pupils and to those entering Year 3. We will pray for teachers, especially those starting at Pott School this term, and for those who will be leaving us for university. There may be others who have been away from church for a while, and we will be encouraging people to come along to this service and join in. Then on 29th September we will hold our annual Harvest Service to celebrate what we have been given with some fun activities for all the family. We will also remember to share what we have by collecting donations of food for the Silk Life Foodbank.
Giving thanks for what I have been given and for each of you, with love Lynn.
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Delighting in God’s creation
Wait, sorry, what, a pet service? I must admit I had no idea…!
Simon Caudwell
A beautiful sunny Sunday morning in Pott Shrigley saw many from the local community gathering in the churchyard at St Christopher’s. On 28th July 2024 regular church members and visitors alike took up the invitation to bring pets to our openair service and so a tortoise, a goose in a harness, a lamb with its mother and a couple of dozen devoted dogs joined the usual congregation and sunned themselves on the church lawn.
Rev. Lynn was ready to cut short the sermon if pandemonium broke loose – but she didn’t need to. Sheep in the neighbouring field joined in gently with the music and the pets relaxed contentedly as we sang, prayed and listened.
All in all, I think everyone felt welcome. The purpose of it all was to join together, in our corner of the Cheshire Peaks,
to celebrate the richness of creation. Right from the beginning, God placed us along with all the animals in a common home, giving human beings the special responsibility, as stewards, to know and name the animals and to care for all that He has made. Lynn reminded us that, as creatures ourselves, we too can depend on God’s caring provision for our needs.
God still takes delight His creation, and we felt some of that delight too as the collection of animals in the churchyard put a smile on our faces!
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
20 years of bringing hope
Back in the 1940s, Caroline, a small girl affected by the story of the young Samuel in the Old Testament, knelt and prayed to God: ‘If you want me, send me – where you want.’ Later, when she was confirmed at the age of 11, she was given Joshua 1:9 as her verse. It reads: ‘Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ (King James Version.)
Glen Gem
At the age of 18, Caroline began nursing training at The London Hospital in Whitechapel, East London, despite gaining a scholarship to read English at Cambridge University. After becoming a State Registered Nurse, she married and had three children. Along the way, she gained a first-class honours degree in Sociology and a Master’s in Economics. She wrote and co-authored many books and in 1982 was created a life peer and became a baroness. She often says that she became a nurse and social scientist by choice and a baroness by astonishment. In 2004, Baroness Caroline Cox of Queensberry, as she now was, founded a small charity called Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART).
HART works through local partners on the frontline of humanitarian aid
in isolated communities, often behind closed borders and unreached by major organisations or the media. At the launch of HART, Baroness Cox gave the charity a motto: ‘We cannot do everything. But we must not do nothing.’ HART has a very small administrative staff and they were all on hand to welcome us to the 20th anniversary celebrations on the evening of 4th July this year. David and I were invited partly because I was in the same nurse-training set as Caroline, but mainly because a few years ago St Christopher’s donated a Roads to Hope education van to HART’s partners in the Anglican Diocese of Jos, Nigeria, where armed militia have targeted schools for many years, killing students and teachers, and carrying out mass abductions for ransom. Families are displaced by violence and children are unable to travel to school, so the vans bring school to the children. St
Baroness Cox 2020
Christopher’s also donated enough money to operate the van for a year.
This special celebration was to have been hosted by Caroline in the House of Lords but as 4th July unexpectedly became the eve of the General Election, it was held in Westminster Hall instead. A cheerfully festive atmosphere greeted us in the elegant room set aside for the celebrations where, after drinks and refreshments, Sam Mason, HART’s CEO, introduced Caroline. She thanked everyone and said that the true heroes and heroines are the local partners with whom HART works and that three of them were there with us.
The first to speak was Hassan John, an archdeacon in the Diocese of Jos where he has visited over 100 villages which have been attacked by Fulani militia and Boko Haram in ever-escalating waves of violence. He spoke movingly of the support given to vulnerable families by providing food, medical supplies and farming materials as well as helping to
Ven Dr Hassan John
repair homes and of course, the Roads to Hope vans. He said that the delight on the faces of the children when the van arrives would more than thrill us. It was exciting to learn that the Roads to Hope programme was being expanded to include emergency health care. Two mobile health clinics have been commissioned to help victims of attacks and local villagers are being trained to give first-aid treatment whilst waiting for assistance. They are provided with emergency health packs and managed to reach 2,500 villagers in the autumn and winter of 2022.
I remember particularly two things Archdeacon John said. Firstly, he told us that from time-to-time Baroness Cox accompanies him on visits to the villages which have been attacked. She puts her arms around those suffering the aftermath of massacres and prays with each of them. Often, he said, he needs to encourage her quite strongly to leave as delay puts them both in danger, but nevertheless she goes back to comfort ‘just one more’. The other thing he said to those of us who support HART was: ‘When you are on your knees, we can stand!’ Prayer works!
Girl smiling, getting supplies from mobile educational van
Raymond Okot, our next speaker, was working with local peacebuilders in the town of Patongo, Uganda, in 2005, during a time of fierce fighting between the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels and the Ugandan Army. As Raymond put it: ‘HART dared to reach us during the 20 years of war.’ Together, they launched Patongo Orphan Infant Health Rehabilitation (PAORINHER) where orphaned children who were dying as a result of hunger and disease could be cared for. They also established a life-saving clinic for children with HIV and an outreach education programme to promote the reintegration of previously ostracised families back into the community. Originally, 33 orphans were supported but within 10 years 700 children from across the local community were receiving high-quality care and education and over 300 families had had agricultural training and nutritional support, helping them to become self-sufficient. PAORINHER’s Soccer Academy is now well-known across the country. Orphans, street children and young girls are helped to excel in sport and are given hope. As Raymond finished speaking, there
seemed to be a slight sense of tension among our hosts but suddenly the door opened and Dr Sasa, our next speaker, burst into the room; his arrival from Geneva had been delayed by all kinds of difficulties along the way. Dr Sasa, a Christian doctor from Chin State, Myanmar (formerly Burma), has a remarkable story which is much too detailed to go into now, but here he was at the celebration, full of energy and joy. Baroness Cox had written previously: ‘He studied medicine in Armenia, learning his sixth language and script. That’s where I had the privilege of meeting Sasa.’ One of the outcomes of that first meeting, when Dr Sasa returned to his people soon after qualifying, was the building of the Health and Hope Centre where hundreds of students were trained as community health workers able to help treat and prevent diseases. Other health initiatives and an educational scholarship programme were also established but following the military coup in February 2021, the centre was forced to close. However, through a network of partners, support is still reaching these remote
Dr Sasa
Raymond Okot
communities although Dr Sasa would be arrested if he returned to Myanmar at the moment.
Dr Sasa calls Baroness Cox ‘Mama Caroline’ and he made us laugh by telling us about the time, soon after meeting her, he was invited to London for Christmas. On arrival at Heathrow, he was arrested and detained despite showing them his letter of invitation: they couldn’t understand how he would know Baroness Cox. She rescued him from immigration but later took him on London Underground. He was so scared – it seemed like a jungle – that he didn’t follow her onto the train before its doors closed and it left without him. He couldn’t speak much English all those years ago and didn’t know what to do. Mama Caroline asked the police to find her boy but when they did, he didn’t trust them, imagining that the whole police force had been informed about him after his experience at Heathrow. Eventually, he agreed to let them take him to her.
The next presentation was in the form of a letter read by David Thomas, project logistics manager for HART, but written by Vardan Tadevosyan, the director of The Lady Cox Rehabilitation Centre, an internationally recognised centre of excellence in the heart of war-torn Nagorno Karabakh. This rehabilitation centre had speech and physiotherapists, a hydrotherapy pool and provided day care for children with autism. It treated 1,500 patients annually and undertook home visits to patients who were severely ill and housebound. Azerbaijan’s blitz oneday military offensive in September 2023 resulted in a lot of injuries, including many people seriously injured when a gas depot exploded. It also left the health facility without electricity or internet connection. The war made it too dangerous for ethnic Armenians to stay in Nagorno Karabakh
so the rehabilitation centre was forced to close. Vardan took the staff and patients across the border into Armenia and was able to transport the most seriously injured by helicopter and car, but most escaped on foot and with few belongings. Vardan was the last one to leave the centre and after 25 years of building it up, everything was left in perfect condition. The doors were left open so that they wouldn’t be broken down, the lights and water were turned off; any specialist could walk in and use it. Vardan told us that he left his heart there. He is now working to establish a new rehabilitation centre in Armenia. Meanwhile, he and the team are resuming home visits and providing essential medical supplies. Some of his specialist staff go to the Burns Unit to help with the treatment of the survivors of the gas explosion. As he finished reading, David said that a local partner had said to him that Baroness Cox was a fairy godmother. We listeners were a little surprised by this until he added: ‘... she gives us wings so that we can fly.’
Looking back to that evening, I can’t help thinking that God certainly heard young Caroline’s prayer and responded – as He always does. And that He’s been true to His confirmation promise – as He always is.
Lady Cox Disability Rehabilitation Centre, Nagorno Karabakh; HART
Translating the Church Awayday ideas into action…
In our April issue, we described what had happened to all those Post-it ideas generated at our church awayday in January.
Sheila Garton
We explained that during May and June, specific recommendations for each of the four themes would be developed by groups of volunteers. Here’s a reminder of the themes:
• Engage with children, young people, families and school(s).
• Extend pastoral care beyond the church family into the community.
• Advertise and communicate details of our services and events more widely within our community.
• Worship: ensure that all that we do is for God, through God and for His glory.
So, early in July the volunteers met together in their groups and shared their recommendations with each other. Wow!
A lot of insight, thought and common sense had been woven together into practical proposals that complemented each other really well. The PCC supported all the recommendations and the speedy implementation of many of the quick wins. The next steps for each theme were agreed, in particular to identify someone to take the lead for each action.
Thank you to everyone who took part in one (or more) of the groups to work up the ideas into recommended actions. You have done a fantastic job!
Come and see the display at the back of church, which shows the top three recommendations for each theme, an
estimate of the effort and financial resources needed, the quick wins and the suggestions to come back to in the future. Highlights from the presentations can also be found on the next page.
It’s for real! Some of the ideas have already started to happen:
• A pet service and an outdoor service took place in the summer holidays.
• A service of favourite hymns on 18th August.
• Announcing the notices before the children/young people leave the service for their own sessions.
• Refreshed toy bags and activity packs to keep children engaged during services.
• The first midweek service is planned for 11th September.
Be involved by looking at the display and continuing to pray that we follow God’s guiding in what we do, when we do it and how we do it. Please also prayerfully consider whether God could be calling you to take the lead for, or get involved in, one of the specific actions. If you sense His nudge, have a quiet word with Rev. Lynn; she will be delighted to hear from you.
* * *
A small boy asked his mother for a cucumber to take to Junior Church. A slightly puzzled mother complied. Later she asked what it had been used for. “Sorry, mum,” he confessed. “I got it wrong. We were supposed to bring a newcomer.”
* * *
Walking the spiritual journey together
In spring this year, we launched a book group. We met at the vicarage and studied a well-loved book called Sensible Shoes, which aims to provide spiritual guidance for the real-life challenges we all face.
Lynn Caudwell
On the first day 24 women turned up, filling the vicarage drive with bumper-tobumper cars. It was wonderful to see so many deciding to meet in this way, coming from different local churches and some from no church. To make sure everyone could join in easily, we split into two groups meeting on Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings for a period of about four months.
Sensible Shoes is a novel that explores the lives of four women from very different backgrounds and we are given an insider’s view into the way their lives are interrupted and enriched by God. Here are some of the quotes captured at our final social gathering last month:
‘I have learned how to talk to God in the midst of ordinary life.’
‘I have been comfortable with the group even though I don’t come to church.’
‘It has been good to get to know people from other church backgrounds.’
‘I have been able to identify with each character in the story.’
‘I have learned so much about myself and feel much stronger to face challenges, knowing God is with me and also know that I have some new friends to share the journey with.’
‘The book is so well written, and I look
forward to reading each chapter.’
‘I was nervous the first time, but the group was so welcoming. I’ll definitely be continuing.’
‘I have stopped being so judgmental about my own life as I sense just how much God loves me.’
‘I can't wait to start book two.’
Having had such a positive experience, both groups voted to continue in the autumn, and we plan to hold two groups studying book two of the series (Two Steps Forward). We will meet at the vicarage on Monday afternoons at 2pm and Thursday mornings at 9.30am.
However, as many people are unable to join daytime sessions, we have decided to launch an evening group to study book one and we will meet at the vicarage on Mondays at 7.30pm. Several people have already expressed an interest, but we would be delighted to welcome others. If you would like further information please contact me via email (vicar@ pottshrigleychurch.org.uk) or text (07824 558 350).
Not Just Sunday
Worshipping God is an activity that honours Him every day, during every season and on every occasion – not just on Sunday.
Lynne Bowden
Mindful of one of the suggestions coming from the awayday earlier in the year, a mid-week opportunity to gather for Morning Prayer will begin weekly at St. Christopher’s on Wednesday 11th September. Each Wednesday we will use one of the Celtic forms of Morning Prayer from A Wee Worship Book produced by the Wild Goose Worship Group, the Wild Goose being a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The introduction to this worship book tells us that because the word ‘liturgy’ originally meant ‘the work of the people’ this is a people’s rather than a priest’s or minister’s prayer book. It isn’t intended to replace denominational service books but to enable people from a diversity of backgrounds to share sensitive, topical and beautiful forms of prayer. There will be shared leadership and everyone is encouraged to contribute to the readings for the day and share thoughts about them. All are invited for a cup of tea or coffee at the end of Little Doves at 11am and we will then gather in the chancel to start at 11.15am. We will finish around midday. Come – ‘taste and see’ – whenever you can. Everyone is welcome.
A bishop visited a primary school in his full episcopal attire – with his mitre, robes and bishop’s crook or crozier. A little lad’s mother asked him later what he had thought of the bishop’s visit to his school. The little boy replied: “It was great – now I know what a real crook looks like!”
Costly service in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Many of the St Christopher’s church family support Tearfund individually, and as a church in previous years we have raised funds by enjoying Tearfund Big Quiz nights and by donating harvest gifts. We have learned how valuable the work of Tearfund is to the communities they empower, through working through the local church, to lift themselves out of poverty. It was therefore extremely sad to read that two of Tearfund’s longstanding workers in the DRC, Jonas and John, were killed when the convoy of five Tearfund vehicles they were travelling in was attacked on 30th June. Just a couple of days before the incident, Jonas and John had been asked how they felt about working in such a dangerous place. Jonas responded: ‘ … we are here because this is where the need is greatest. We know the issues, the security situation, and the challenges that are there. We do everything … to stay safe … but we can't run away from it.
‘This is the time when we are needed the most in this place. This is the time where we are needed, and therefore we will continue to serve. We follow Jesus where the need is greatest. This is the time when Jesus wants us here.’
Both Jonas and John worked to help people access clean water and sanitation. Jonas was the elder in the team – the man people looked up to, the guy who people knew had a lot of experience, had worked in many provinces and had a lot of expertise in managing sanitation projects, but more than that he was a wise counsellor, the person people went to for comfort and guidance. John was full of energy, the humorous one who lit up the room and brought life to it. He was an extremely skilled water technician who was determined to finish the job and committed to helping people get clean water, often having to be forced to stop working at the end of the day.
Jonas Masumbuko; Tearfund
John Amahoro; Tearfund
Please give thanks for the 12 Tearfund workers who survived the attack, and for the courage of all those whose desire to love like Jesus, to go where the need
is greatest, to serve, means that they continue to work in such challenging circumstances to alleviate the suffering of others. Please pray for Jonas and John’s families, friends and colleagues as they mourn – for comfort, strength and courage to carry on serving Christ.
Hebdavi Kyeya is the director for Tearfund East and Central Africa region, and he wrote the tribute to Jonas and John that the above article is taken from. He said: ‘God is with us. His presence is still with us. He's still holding our hands.’ Praise God for those who serve, and please pray for the safety of Tearfund workers, both in the DRC and wherever they are called to serve.
Thinking about Confirmation or Baptism?
I received a welcome email from Bishop Sam’s office informing us that we could hold our own confirmation and baptism service at St Christopher’s on Sunday 16th February at 10.45am.
Lynn Caudwell
In a confirmation service you make the promises your parents made on your behalf at your baptism, for yourself, thus making public your commitment to a journey of faith. The bishop will then lay his hands on your head and bless you. Being confirmed requires some preparation, and for this to be meaningful the person making this commitment needs to be old enough to understand what they are committing to and so currently we ask that candidates are year six and older. I have already been approached by several people, including some adults, so will be running confirmation/baptism preparation classes to suit various age groups in January (dates and times to be arranged).
If you are interested in being confirmed or having a child baptised or being baptised yourself, please do get in touch with me. If you are unsure about what is involved, please just ask and I would be delighted to have a conversation with you.
I realise that this is the first Sunday of half-term week and so some may be away. The bishop’s office has now agreed to offer a further, as yet unspecified, date later in the year.
John, water technician; Tearfund
Confirmation St Christopher's, March 2022
Cover story: Walking, talking and praying
‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.’ (Numbers 6:24-26)
Anne Murphy & Kath Matheson
We’ve had a couple of prayer walks since the last edition of HotPott hit the streets – walking and praying in the glorious summertime (?) through the amazing countryside St Christopher’s is surrounded by is a blessing and a privilege. And in fact the weather wasn’t too inclement…
In June, with Yvonne leading, four walkers set off at 10.30am from St Christopher’s, turning left out of the churchyard and along to Shrigley Hall Hotel for the first prayer stop. Then up to Long Lane to take in the great views of Alderley Edge, the Cheshire Plain and the ground towards Manchester and Liverpool. The walkers
August prayer walk
stopped to admire and give thanks for the beauty of all the wildflowers and hedgerows and for the kestrel that was spotted hovering nearby. Cutting across the field track leading to Cocksheadhey Road, and up to The Nab for super views over Bollington; the fields looked stunningly green from all the summer rain we’ve been experiencing. The final stop and closing prayer happened at the corner of Nab Lane.
In July, after initial prayers at St Christopher’s, five walkers strode out –again led by Yvonne, but this time turning right out of the churchyard and towards Jackson Steps, which for the less fit among the walkers proved a somewhat slow climb. Relief came at the top, with a stop for prayer for all those whose homes we could see from that vantage point, including for Rev. Lynn and Simon. Upwards and onwards up the track past Beristall Farm to halfway to Brink Farm; more prayers for farmers and good weather to enable them to get the hay in! And thanksgiving for the panoramic views of the countryside, which are such a joy to behold. With the pavilion in sight and the noise of the game getting started, prayers were said for the cricket club too. Along the field and down the hill, there was some
debate about stopping at Kickback Coffee; we didn’t indulge in coffee and cake but we did pray for the businesses at the Old Brickworks site. Then back down to Pott Shrigley School, and more prayers for good holidays, rest and recuperation for everyone – pupils, staff, parents, helpers and governors – associated with the school.
It is a blessing and a joy to have the opportunity to walk and chat, to stop and pray – prompted by things we saw or came to mind through our conversations. Thank you, Lord!
Thanks to Yvonne for leading and to everyone who joins our prayer walks. All are welcome – usually first Saturday of the month, 10.30am meet, but to find out more about prayer walking, please contact Yvonne.
Apologies…
…from the editor, who forgot to submit the collage of Rose Queen photographs for inclusion in the summer edition of HotPott! Enjoy them now on pages 18-19.
Old Brickworks
Jackson Steps
Across
8 Where the ark of the covenant was kept for 20 years (1 Samuel 7:1) (7,6)
Coffee Break
9 One of the parts of the body on which blood and oil were put in the ritual cleansing from infectious skin diseases (Leviticus 14:14–17) (3)
10 Uncomfortable (3,2,4) 11 ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have — ’ (Malachi 1:3) (5)
13 Where Paul said farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus (Acts 20:17) (7)
16 ‘Jesus bent down and — to write on the ground with his finger’ (John 8:6) (7)
19 Prophet from Moresheth (Jeremiah 26:18) (5)
22 Comes between Exodus and Numbers (9)
24 and 2 Down ‘Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under — the — ’ (1 Samuel 2:11) (3,6)
25 There was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7) (4,3,6)
Down
1 Rough drawing (2 Kings 16:10) (6)
2 See 24 Across
3 Underground literature (including Christian books) circulated in the Soviet Union (8)
4 Lo, mash (anag.) (6)
5 The Bible’s shortest verse: ‘Jesus — ’ (John 11:35) (4)
6 ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her — and have no compassion on the child she has borne?’ (Isaiah 49:15) (6)
7 Can be seen in a dying fire (Psalm 102:3) (6)
12 ‘Send me, therefore, a man... experienced in the — of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem’ (2 Chronicles 2:7) (3)
14 Second city of Cyprus (8)
15 United Nations Association (1,1,1)
16 One of the women who first heard that Jesus had risen from the dead (Mark 16:1) (6)
17 Braved (anag.) (6)
18 — of Evangelism, outreach initiative in the 1990s (6)
20 ‘Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and — in their own sight’ (Isaiah 5:21) (6)
21 ‘Neither — nor depth... will be able to separate us from the love of God’ (Romans 8:39) (6)
23 What Jesus shed in 5 Down (4)
Flix in the Stix, another entertaining year
The days were getting shorter and autumn was just around the corner as we gathered for our committee meeting in August 2023. Roger and Sheila Jenkins kindly hosted us as we worked through not only their tea and cake but also the agenda and shortlisting films for September voting. The success of the Paddington Bear commemorative coin raffle for Project Peru (a charity near Lima offering practical support to children living in extreme poverty) prompted us to arrange a photo shoot with David Rutley, who with his links to Peru had shown interest in developing the story. Although David was the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Americas and Caribbean, we required emphasis to be on Flix in The Stix. The article, Cinema’s 50p bid to boost charities, featured in a September edition of the Macclesfield Express and a variety of media outlets.
Peter Boulton
purchase of a school i-pad. Of course, it’s paramount we retain sufficient funds to cover a replacement projector and ancillaries if required. We therefore opened a business reserve account to attract a modest rate of interest.
Sept 2023 AGM
There was good news and bad to follow. September’s AGM was completed within an astonishing 49 seconds! However, our choice of a film starring Nicholas Cage sadly fell short of expectations
As a result of our healthy bank balance, it was suggested that perhaps a PTA match funding for equipment would benefit the school, Flix and the village hall. As a result, we donated £279 towards the
Having the benefit of defibrillators on site, we considered it necessary to attend an in-house training session by Macclesfield First Responders during October. In appreciation of their service, we donated accordingly. The frequency of our meetings is generally dictated by the need to select the next films. Our November meeting, held once again at Roger and Sheila’s, was no exception although our much-valued film critic Ann Gregory was unable to attend. ‘To be or not to be’ was the question! Should we screen an additional film in December and could it be Love Actually? Regrettably, the popularity of the film’s 20th anniversary rendered it temporarily unavailable. As an alternative, David Garton enthusiastically recommended we screen the foot-tapping Sunshine on Leith. Flix is always mindful of its audience, and you may have noticed the extra guard rail we purchased for the side of the staging. Possibly even more important to the audience were the amazing Belfield’s Bakery mince pies we served warm with festive paper napkins during our first screening in December. A temporary issue involving the link to our website was
Project Peru in the Andes
successfully resolved. Additionally, we liaised with the parish council to include Flix on the front page of their new village website.
The fury of January’s storm Henk damaged one of our advertising banners. I Am Print in Bollington came to the rescue and repaired it and we are considering replacing all three banners. The second day of February is associated with the annual celebration of Groundhog Day and is deeply rooted in folklore and tradition. It centres around the idea that a groundhog’s behaviour can predict the weather: if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat into its den and the winter weather will persist for six more weeks. I clearly recall that this year, 2nd February was bright and mild, reason enough for Roger and Sheila to avoid risking adverse conditions by returning to Oz for three months. Our February meeting was therefore hosted by David and Sheila Garton.
We try hard to please, but to quote Robert Burns: ‘the best laid schemes o’mice an’ men gang aft agley’, and we apologise for the confusion by there being two/too many versions of Ferrari. We got the wrong one. Unlike the proverbial green hill, Easter was not far away and a selection of
Cadbury’s Cream and Caramel Eggs were sourced by Anthea Wilkinson in time for the March screening.
I recently read that human beings love a great narrative. Our June film title, One Chance, screened on the eve of the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the General Election in July provided an appropriate segue. What a year it’s been!
Our service to Junior Flix continued throughout the season with screening of The Little Mermaid, Elf and Wonka. Meanwhile, for the most part we hope you enjoyed the variety of films throughout the season; these included The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, A Man Called Otto, Empire of Light, Sunshine on Leith, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation Part 1, Allelujah, The Great Escaper, One Life, The Old Oak and One Chance. We continue to afford you, our loyal viewers, the opportunity to vote for your choice of film.
We can’t wait for our autumn season and we hope to welcome you back to Flix in The Stix very soon.
And thank you to the Flix committee who work so hard throughout the year to entertain us, though we’re grateful Peter’s Elvis costume remained at home this year. Do come along on the first Wednesday of the month for a convivial evening of great entertainment.
A very varied existence…
...is one way to describe Johnny and Ann McClean’s life in Thailand. Their church, New City Fellowship, is located near a slum district in Bangkok and many of their members live in extreme poverty.
John Ryley
The accompanying photographs show the difficult conditions people live in. You may remember Auntie Lek, the McCleans’ dear friend and helper from church. Her daughter, Somo, lives across the street from Lek in a house in need of repair and an 80-year-old gentleman known as Uncle Somsak lives in a hut by the sewerage works canal, which he uses as he has no
toilet; he doesn’t have mains water or electricity either and his roof has rusted out so he has to sleep in the corner of his bedroom during the monsoon rains. Uncle Somsak has a large lump on his neck but cannot go to the hospital as he lost his Thai citizen ID and he lost contact with his family so long ago they had him declared dead. Thus, he has no family to help him and his lack of ID means he cannot get the basic state pension to which he is entitled so he subsists on recycling rubbish. Before the McCleans met with him Mr Somsak had heard about Jesus but didn’t know any Christians. Johnny and Ann prayed with him and told him they would try to help him. Please pray for wisdom for the McCleans to know how best they can practically help Lek’s family and Uncle Somsak. Pray too that Somo and Uncle Somsak will learn more of Jesus as the McCleans seek to help their physical needs. The McCleans also ask that we pray that they would remain thankful for what they have in the face of the poverty they see around them.
Ann writes: ‘There is something so precious about taking away 65 12- to 14-year-olds [from her school] for a weekend of Bible study, small group studies and prayer. Crazy games, laughter, worship and amazing food were also a part of the weekend. Late last night I sat with a small group of girls talking about what it means to really know Jesus, how God is always good, kind and generous, how our service flows from our love and gratitude for what He has already done for us. What a privilege! It’s 30 years since I first visited Thailand and the Lord called me to serve in student ministry, 26 years since my first student camp with Thai Christian Students.’ For the last 10 years Ann has worked in a secular school so was unable to
Auntie Lek's daughter Somo's house
Uncle Somsak
open scripture and disciple students in her school life. She now teaches in a Christian school, and the weekend away with the students felt like coming full circle, and she praises God for the privilege of being His ambassador where He has placed her now and gives thanks for every gospel conversation, every relationship deepened, every student encouraged over the weekend away. She also asks for prayer for her teaching and discipleship over the new school term, which started in early August. The Langham Foundation helps to train and equip pastors in places where preaching the gospel is new, or difficult. Johnny is now their East Asia coordinator. He recently met the leaders from 23 preaching movements in Asia and started to get to know leaders from some of the countries he will be supporting. Highlights from his first leadership team meeting for Asia-Pacific include hearing of training taking place on a lake with Muslim background believers and meeting leaders from a country where the gospel is spreading despite huge government opposition, including church leaders being arrested. This second country would like to hold some Langham training at the McCleans’ home in Bangkok, as would a bordering country where there is civil war; although preacher training has continued
there despite the war, it is increasingly dangerous for facilitators to fly to different regions to provide training and many have fled across the border to Thailand. Please pray for the right decisions to be made about how to use the McCleans’ home for training. Next month Johnny is helping with the modules Basic Preaching and Preaching New Testament Letters in another nearby country and will meet leaders there to see how the movement can be expanded; please pray for this to be fruitful. Johnny is concerned that another country in the region, where the communist government puts restrictions on Christians, has no preaching movement. Johnny and the Langham Thailand leader are meeting with the leaders of that country’s church. Please give thanks for the provision of the necessary travel visas and pray for the church in that country and for a way forward for Langham to support it. The McCleans’ life is varied indeed!
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Ann with small study group
Asia-Pacific leadership team meeting
News from Malawi
We have two months’ worth of news from Helen and Megumi Fazakerley in Malawi. Sadly, Helen’s father died on 30th June after a long period of deteriorating health; he had received excellent, loving care from his family over the years and is now with the Lord. Helen spent three weeks in the UK around the time of the funeral and thanksgiving service and was blessed to be joined by her and Megumi’s children, Elizabeth, Josh and Mary. Helen says it was really special being together with her three siblings and her three children, as she felt she had such quality time with every one of them, with meaningful conversations and lots of hugs and tears.
Kath Matheson
Shortly after Helen left for the UK, SIM Malawi's annual retreat, the Spiritual Life Conference, started. The whole team stayed together for five days of sharing, praises, prayers, learning and fun. An Australian missionary came from South Africa to lead Bible sessions on the theme of Growing a Heart to Last the Distance. They reflected on a selection of Bible passages on topics such as a heart that is constantly nourished; a heart that is focused on Jesus; a heart of a pastor and a heart that never gives up.
One of the difficult things about missionary life is the coming and going of people. Saying hello is easy, but saying goodbye isn't. The conference provided the opportunity to say goodbye to two missionary families, one to return to India after two and a half years in Malawi and the other to Germany after 23 years. During the retreat they were saddened to learn of the death of the previous pastor of Africa Evangelical Church in Lilongwe; he and his late wife really helped Megumi and Helen to learn how to live and serve in Malawi when they first arrived there 31 years ago. His son, Wadi, currently serves as a missionary on the SIM Malawi team.
Helen at her father's thanksgiving service
SIM Malawi annual retreat
Awayday, Malawi style
The Fazakerley’s young Christian friend Yuki has now gone home to Japan. Helen and Megumi spent some time talking with her about how different it will feel to live as a Christian, i.e. as a member of a tiny minority, in Japan; she will face many
challenges. Please pray for her as she continues her walk with Jesus.
All these losses have signalled changing times for the Fazakerleys, adding to their sense of their time in Malawi drawing to a close. They think they will leave in autumn 2026 when their current term of service ends. Until then, they will continue to serve the Lord who sent them there.
Meanwhile, Helen and Megumi have continued to pack up their house in preparation for them moving closer to the SIM guesthouse, which Helen is now managing. As they are downsizing, some of the possessions they no longer need – textbooks and a couple of laptops for example – have gone to good homes. It seems many students have to manage without equipment that we take for granted. They are glad that their house move, and the necessary sorting of possessions resulting from it, can be God's answer to someone's prayer.
Please pray for Helen and Megumi as they continue their work in Malawi, and discern what God has for them to do in the future.
From the Registers
Burial of Ashes
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of:
17th July Brian Reed
19th July Hilda Shrigley
25th July Carole & Brian Taylor
5th August Helen Carroll
25th August Beryl Heathcote
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14thSeptember 11thOctober
Recipe of the Month
Victorian Chicken Pie
This is another of Christine’s delicious recipes – quick to make and good to eat.
Christine Bowes
I think the Bowes household must eat very well!
Serves 6
Ingredients
50g (2oz) butter
50g (2oz) mushrooms sliced
1 green pepper sliced
50g (2oz) plain flour
150ml soured cream
120ml chicken stock
2 tablespoons sherry
½ teaspoon chilli powder
1kg (2lb) cooked chicken cubed
Salt/pepper
220g puff pastry
1 egg beaten
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the mushrooms and green pepper, and fry gently until soft. Stir in the flour then gradually add the soured cream, stock, sherry and chilli powder, stirring constantly. Bring to the boil, stirring, then fold in the chicken. Season to taste with
salt and pepper and transfer to a 1.5 litre pie dish.
Roll out the pastry thinly to 5cm larger than the dish. Cut off a narrow strip all round and use to cover the dampened rim of the dish. Brush with water.
Cover the dish with the lid, sealing the edges. Make a hole in the centre and decorate with leaves cut from the pastry trimming. Brush with beaten egg and bake in oven for 30 minutes until golden.
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6th Sept Reg & Jean
13th Mike & Sue
20th Ivan & Mary
27th David & Joy
4th Oct Shirley & Christine
Services
1st Sept.
8.30am 10.45am
8th.
Holy Communion Holy Communion
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship‡*
15th.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion All Age Worship
22nd.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship**
29th.
8.30am 10.45am Holy Communion Morning Worship
6th Oct.
8.30am 10.45am
Holy Communion Holy Communion‡
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
Lynn Caudwell
Lynn Caudwell
1 Corinthians 1:18-24
John 3:13-17
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
Lynn Caudwell
Lynne Bowden
Psalm 1
Luke 15:3–7
Genesis 2:18-24
Mark 10:2-16
Lynn Caudwell
Lynne Bowden
• All services underlined in blue will be streamed live on our Facebook Page & YouTube channel. During the summer (including 1st September) the streaming team will be taking a break so no services will be online.
• 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)
1st Sept
8th
David Gem &
Mike Akerman
Paige Price & Paul Bowden
15th Tom Murphy & Victoria Price
22nd David Gem & Paul Bowden
29th
6th Oct.
Anne Murphy & John Ryley
Reg Ferguson & Jean Ferguson
Sheila Garton
David Garton
Pam Cooke
Sally Winstanley
Annie Palace
Mathesons
Liz Arrowsmith & Nigel Heathcote
Jim Curtis
Anne Murphy Mathesons
David Garton
Clare Chasty
Reg & Jean Ferguson
Tony & Rachel Witkowski
Simon & Lydia Potts
Joy & David Whitehead
Mike & Sue Akerman
Reg & Jean Ferguson
Gill & Victoria
Caroline & Steve
Ros & Madeline
Yvonne & Annie
Malyan family
Frances & Meg
Directory
Priest-in-charge: Rev. Lynn Caudwell vicar@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Assistant Priest Rev. Lynne Bowden a.curate@btinternet.com
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 David Garton, davidgarton2020@gmail.com
Electoral Roll officer 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 574983 dmmpott@yahoo.co.uk
Pastoral Ministry: Anne Murphy, pastoralteam@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk
Children's Ministry Situation Vacant Youth Ministry: Anne Murphy, annemurphy1214@gmail.com
Little 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
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 25th August 2024. Please give corrections and additions to magazine@pottshrigleychurch.org.uk