A young girl is engaged to be married, when a mysterious stranger – later thought to be an angelic visitor – tells her she is to give birth to a child who will change the world ! More than that, this child will be the King of kings, God’s own Son. And he will be born in the back of beyond, in a cattle trough surrounded by farm animals. In addition he would later be sought out by wise men from the east who came asking ‘Where is the child who has been born to be king of the Jews?’* And he was subsequently hunted by a ruler who wanted him killed. All this is just the start of the story. Want to know more about the Child born to be King? You can come and find out more as the greatest story ever told unfolds at our Christmas services this year. It’s a blockbuster – don’t miss it! Our Carols by Candlelight service – always a highlight at Christmas – is on Sunday 23rd December at 6.30pm. On Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of the Child born to be King with a traditional said Communion service at 9am (Book of Common Prayer) and Christmas Communion for all the family at 10.30am. If you are looking for something a little bit different from ‘normal’ church, why not give our mid-week a try on Monday 10th December starting at 3.30pm. More details about all of these services can be found on the back page. You’d be most welcome to join us for any of these occasions [* Matthew 2:2 in the New Testament] Building bridges between church and community
Or Manchester for that matter? After all, the a suitable male bishop could step in instead as and Bishop of Manchester retires from office in just a when required. Over several years, this legislation few weeks’ time. has been reviewed at all levels in the Church of At the time of writing, the press is full of headlines England. Here in the Heaton Deanery, to which relating to the General Synod vote against the draft Burnage belongs, the vote was unanimously in legislation to have women bishops in the Church of favour – a very decisive ‘yes’. Across the Church England. It’s hard to turn on the TV without seeing of England, 42 of 44 dioceses voted in favour, with someone talking about this, the hashtag #synod was 77% of individuals polled saying ‘yes’. Even the vote on Tuesday was a very positive ‘yes’ vote with trending on Twitter this week, and, as a woman priest in the Church of England , my own phone has 72% of all those voting saying ‘yes’. However, and this is where the complication arises, the General been a constant flurry of calls, texts, emails and Synod does not vote as one whole group but as three tweets. And people have stopped me to ask quesseparate ‘Houses’. The House of Bishops said yes tions and to try to understand it all for themselves. (93% in favour), as did the House of Clergy (77%). Archbishop Rowan Williams noted in his first But in the House of Laity, representing all regular speech after the result that we in the church ‘have a but not ordained church members, only 64% were in lot of explaining to do’. So, here’s my own attempt favour. Although this is still a very clear ‘yes’ vote, to explain what happened on Tuesday . . . it had to be a minimum of two-thirds in favour to be carried through. It failed by six individual votes. Let’s first clarify what Tuesday was not. Tuesday Some people voted ‘no’ because they didn’t think was not a vote not to have women bishops in the there was enough protection for the conscientious Church of England. The debate has gone on for objectors, and some voted ‘no’ because they thought years but the decisive vote on the basic yes/no it discriminated too much against women bishops question took place in 2006. It was a ‘yes’, so the Church of England will have women bishops. The who would not be equal to their male colleagues. It is not entirely clear yet how quickly this discussion question now is when and how? And that’s where can come back to the General Synod, and questions the confusion starts to arise. are also now being asked about how to make sure It seems it should be simple – just appoint a woman the General Synod represents the views of the wider if she meets the criteria and interviews well, as with church membership. any other kind of job. However, the legislation I hope that explanation helps people in this parish being voted on this week was more complicated than that. And that’s because there are people in the who were wondering what it’s all about. And, as a woman priest here in Burnage, I’d just like to finish Church of England who cannot accept having a by saying how grateful I am for all the support for woman as a Bishop. It simply ‘goes against their my ministry from people right across the parish and religion’, so to speak. This is either because they from colleagues and friends in the other churches in believe priests and bishops can only be men like Jesus and the first apostles, or because they interpret our community. Regardless of what happens at the national level, we are still here to serve this the Bible as telling us that women cannot be community with Sunday services, Messy Church, teachers and leaders over men. For these reasons, baptisms, weddings and funerals and a wide range and because the church has chosen to pursue unity in all things wherever possible, the legislation made of midweek activities and groups for all ages and different interests. Revd Caroline Throup provision for those people who could not accept having a woman bishop, by offering a way in which * Headline in The Independent newspaper 21/11/12)
Funerals Sep 12 Sep 19 Nov 5 Nov 8 2
Mary Saxon Louise Bryant Kathleen Corrigan Ronald Land
Weddings Sep 22
Stephen Maxwell & Helen Hughes
Baptisms
None this quarter
Curate’s Corner
(see the list printed on the back page of this copy of In-Touch). Oh, and “Christians Together in Burnage” will be singing carols at Tesco on Saturday 15 December from midday. This year, we will also be celebrating Christmas at our monthly Messy Church.
It’s absolutely pouring with rain as I write, and I nearly got blown away as I came home from the city centre today. It’s dark and cold, and I’m reliably informed there are only 33 sleeps to go until Christmas Day – apparently there’s an App I could get for my phone for this! We’re almost in the church season of Advent. That’s the season of waiting and preparation – getting ready to celebrate again the amazing story of the baby Jesus, born in Bethlehem, born to be King, born for each and every one of us. Even as someone who’s ordained and works full time for the church, it can still be difficult to mark the Advent season of waiting and preparation. The December weeks are full of Christmassy things in church and the wider community, as well as getting ready for Christmas at home with my family and friends. But it can be so good to try to find time to step aside from the busyness for a while, and to take some time out to hear again the nativity story and to sing the old, familiar carols. At St Margaret’s, you can enjoy Carols by Candlelight (Sunday 23 December, 6.30pm), Christmas carols round the tree – especially, but not only, for older members of the community (Tuesday 18 December, 2.30pm), and Christmas services on Christmas Day. There are also lots of opportunities to celebrate Christmas with others elsewhere in Burnage
Messy Church is for everyone, though most of those who come along each month are families. You are invited to join us for an hour of crafts and activities all connected with the Christmas story – it will all be wonderfully messy as usual (so don’t wear your best Christmas clothes!). Once we’ve had plenty of time for being messily creative, we will go into church and have a Christingle service. This is a Christmas tradition involving oranges, red ribbon, sweets and candles. Yes, really! If you’ve never experienced it, come along and give it a go – it’s a very special way of getting into the Christmas spirit. After we’ve sung carols and heard the Christmas story again, there will be a delicious meal (main course and pudding) for all the family to eat together. Please note: All children attending must be accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for them at all times. If you want to know more, ring 0161 445 8874 or email: caroline.throup@ntlworld.com. 3
Messy Church at St Margaret’s on Burnage Lane is church with a difference for all ages. So come along and bring your family and friends to enjoy crafts and activities on our theme for the day, a short celebration in church with action songs, a story and prayers, and a yummy family tea with a main course and a pudding! And it’s all free (donations very gratefully accepted). NOTE: Children must be with an adult. NEW YEAR 2013:
Messy Church Dates Monday 14 January Monday 11 February Monday 18 March
Other services Mothering Sunday: Sunday 10 March Good Friday: 29 March
Invite you to join in Christmas Carols round the tree in St Margaret’s Church, Burnage Time:- 3.00pm Contact Sheila Brown for Information Help with transport welcome
Easter Sunday: Sunday 31 March Contact: Revd Caroline Throup 0161 445 8874 caroline.throup@ntlworld.com www.stmargaret.co.uk
Occasionally, when it is school holidays, we move it to the second Saturday. Look for the board outside the lych gate and pop in for a cup of tea / coffee and biscuit. Our next date is Saturday 12th January, 9.30 -11.30 am. Have a chat with someone or simply sit and relax and enjoy the peace and some time away from the hustle and bustle of life. Building 4 bridges between church and community
If so, then read on because St Margaret’s Church may be able to help you. Few
of us are taught how to handle our money and, in these days of credit cards and borrowing, buying now and paying later, it’s no wonder that so many people are struggling to control their finances. If this sounds like you or someone you know and you would like the opportunity to hear about a simple, but effective, money management system then why not join a CAP Money Course. The CAP Money Course has been developed by Christians Against Poverty, a national UK debt counselling charity, who offer this facility, free of charge, through local Christian churches, such as St. Margaret’s. The course is a comprehensive, yet astonishingly simple, money management course to help you gain control of your finances. It involves one 2 hour session a week for 3 consecutive weeks. The course is entirely free and will provide you with a Money Management Pack and an on-line personal budgeting tool.
The course is not just for those who are struggling. If you simply want to manage your money better, make it go further, make wiser choices about how you use your money and plan for a brighter financial future then this course will really help. Across the 3 weeks you will:
St.Margaret’s Church has 3 qualified CAP Money Coaches who will be running a course of this nature on:Thursday Evenings 17th, 24th & 31st January 2013. 7.30 pm ( prompt) to 9 pm Advance registration is essential and delegates must undertake to attend all three sessions of the course. If you would like to know more and/or enrol on the course then contact either, Ian Thompson – Rector Tel No:0161-432-1844
E-mail: iandthompson@talktalk.net Or directly via the St.Margaret’s Church website www.stmargaret.co.uk Click on the Community Link page for an on-line enrolment form
This is a simple money management course which works. Please take this opportunity to give yourself a belated Christmas present and a brighter financial future. Building bridges between church and community
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On Saturday 20th October, members of good if I do say so myself, as a Ranger! It Guiding past and present, joined by friends was a lovely service, shared by all. and family, met at Ringways Restaurant at Manchester Airport Viewing Park for a funfilled night of chatting, Ceilidh dancing and tours of Concorde, until the early hours! It was fantastic to chat to different members and hear people’s experiences of Guiding, as well as look at pictures from the past 100 years. Also, we had a birthday celebration which included a cake, (favoured by many!). Overall, it was a brilliant night which was most The weekend as a whole was a great time to r definitely enjoyed by all. reflect for the past 100 years we've celebrated Sunday 21st October was the Guiding together at St. Margaret’s. Personally, I’ve Centenary Service, which many people also found it such a privilege to be a part of such a attended. It was a lovely reflection of the past, great group of people, having seen myself showing what we do presently as members of develop and grow through the kindness of Guiding and a great look into the future. A others within Guiding. Thank you to everyone highlight of the day was the giving thanks for for the past 100 years from all at St. the past 100 years, and hearing shared Margaret’s and here’s to the next 100! memories by many, through readings and a Emma Coyle song which was written by the Rangers – very
December 02/12/12 09/12/12 16/12/12 23/12/12 30/12/12
Here’s a list of streets for the next 4 months February 2013 Southholme Gdns, Northolme 03/02/13 Errwood Rd (from Crossley Rd to Gdns. & Edgedale Ave. Avon Rd) Arbor Drive, Arbor Ave Westville Gdns & Overlea Drive 10/02/13 Hawthorn Drive, Redthorn Ave, Angleside Ave and Heathwood rd. Whitethorn Ave and Blackthorn Ave Holmdale Gdns, Lansdale Gdns. & 17/02/13 Errwood Rd, (from Avon Rd. To Eastville Gdns Shawbrook Rd.), Guernsey Close & Burnage Lane (from Barcicroft Rd. to Watford Rd, Green End Roundabout), & Carrgreen 24/02/13 Eastern Circle, (East side), Enfield Close Ave, Ealing Place & Harrow Ave
January 2013 06/01/13 Barcicroft Rd. (Burnage Lane to Brassington Rd.) 13/01/13 Mauldeth Rd. (Green End ` Roundabout to Whitehurst Rd.) 20/01/13 Errwood Rd (from Crossley Rd to Milwain Rd) 27/01/13 Kempton Rd., Crompton Rd and Ranford Rd., 6
March 2013 03/03/13 Eastern Circle (West side), Henley Place, Pinner Place & Amersham Place. 10/03/13 Errwood Rd (from Shawbrook Rd. to Green End roundabout) 17/03/13 Burnage Lane (Green End Roundabout to Shawbrook Rd.) 24/03/13 Green End Rd. 31/03/13 Fairoak Rd.Dernford Rd, WoodviewRd. Building bridges between church and community
Building bridges between church and community
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Messy Christingle Monday 10th December, 3.30pm-5.30pm Carols round the tree, Tuesday 18th Dec 3pm Carols by Candlelight Service, Sunday 23rd December ,6.30pm Christmas Day Communion, 25th December, 9 am (BCP) Christmas Day Family Communion 25th December, 10.30am Christmas Eve Children’s Mass, Monday 24th December, 6pm Christmas Eve Solemn Mass, Monday 24th December, 8pm Christmas Day Family Mass, 25th December, 10.30 am Carol Service, Sunday 9th December 6.30pm Christingle Service, Tuesday 11th December 6.30pm Midnight Service, Monday 24th December 11.30pm Communion and Carols, Sunday 16th December, 6.30pm Christingle Service, Monday 19th December 5.30pm Christmas Day Service,, 25th December 10.30am Carol Service, Sunday, 16th December, 3pm Christingle Service, Sunday 23rd December 10.30am Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, 24th Dec 11.30pm Christmas Day Holy Communion 25th December, 8.30 am Christmas Day Carols and Communion 25th December 10.30am Carol Service, Sunday Dec 16th 10.30am Followed by hog-roast at Kingsburn Hall, Burnage Lane at 1pm
Got a problem? Like someone to talk to? In spiritual help or advice? For pastoral help and support, telephone our Helpline and someone will get back to you Total confidence guaranteed 8
Building bridges between church and community