St Mary's Nantwich

Rector’s Letter December ’11

Martin — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:36:24 +0000

People sometimes say to me: Christmas is for families – meaning that Christmas is a time for families to get together and have a great time.

It sounds like a good idea and I hope you and your family do have a great time together. But in truth, family Christmases aren’t easy and can often be quite strained – especially if Uncle Philip turns up on Christmas Eve unable to say thank you and never buying anyone else a present yet still expects one himself!

But is the assumption right? Is Christmas for families?

The first Christmas, Mary and Joseph were a very long way from home and Mary’s mother couldn’t lend a helping hand to her pregnant daughter. True, Joseph was in his family home but the relatives he looked for were all far too busy to welcome them– no room.

If Christmas is meant to be a jolly time, I don’t suppose you’d count desparately trying to find somewhere to stay in a strange town when you’re nine months pregnant, “jolly”!

In stark contrast to the TV adverts of laden tables and beautiful trees, Mary and Joseph’s first Christmas was incredibly basic – some might say terrifying. But it wasn’t the surroundings that made that first Christmas wonderful – it was the truth that God was there – in the midst of the desparation and vulnerability – a young woman gave birth to the very presence of God – Immanuel (God with us).

As we revisit the Christmas story, I hope and pray that the vulnerability of the story and God’s plan to come in humility quietly and unnoticed will inspire you because it wasn’t about a nice happy family time – quite the contrary. It was about the presence of God in the midst of a stressful and potentially dangerous time – God with Mary and Joseph 2000 years ago and by extension – God with us whatever our circumstances in 2011.

So as you prepare to celebrate Christmas this year, don’t get too absorbed with trying to do the perfect family Christmas – you’ll never make it! Instead take moments out of the business of preparation to be still and to sense the Spirit of God helping you to cope and to be aware of the needs of others this Christmas.

Rector’s Letter – October ’11

Caroline — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:10:18 +0000

Rector’s Letter - October 2011

Death is often the greatest taboo subject – we don’t like to talk about it or even to think about it unless we really have to. Much attention is given to living the good life but what makes for a good death? Is such a thing possible?

We may say that all death is bad but surely that’s wrong – we all have to die – one of the two certainties in life: death and taxes!

Certainly death is hard for all concerned; death can still be painful (despite advances in medical science and pain relief); death, like birth, can be messy and exhausting; but surely there are good ways to die especially where there is time to prepare (a luxury that not all of us have).

Might I suggest some of the things that might help us to die with dignity – a good death:

To make peace with God in the belief that He knows us and loves us and wants to forgive us our sins and welcome us into His heaven.
To address unfinished business especially in our key relationships.
To be creative about the time left to us on earth (trips we like to make and people we’d like to see).
To think about which key family and friends you’d like to have around you when you are near to death and where, if possible you would prefer to be when you die.

The Mother’s Union have written a great little booklet called: “When I die” which helps any of us to address the issues around our dying. In believing in life after death we have so much to lok forward to within God’s love but don’t leave this important subject untouched for your own sake and the sake of your loved ones.

This Week – 11th September

Caroline — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:05:00 +0000

This Week – 11th September

Today is our Patronal Festival when we celebrate the ministry of Mary the mother of Jesus. This afternoon there is a piano concert in church given by Robert Sword (Grandson of Joan Preston) at 3pm – you are warmly invited to attend – all proceeds in aid of St Mary’s Appeal.

Monday
- Thanksgiving Service for the life of Valerie Pimlot 12.30pm
- Consultation regarding the future of Nantwich 12.30pm-7pm in the Civic Hall (to be confirmed)
Tuesday
- Pastoral Group meet in the Parish Office 9am
- Branch Group Launch: Come and find out more at 8pm in the Parish Hall (see This and That)
Wednesday
- Holy Communion 11am
- Nantwich Merged Churchwardens’ Charities 7pm
- Standing Committee 8pm
Thursday
- Praise & Play 10am in Church
Friday
- Soup Lunches 12 noon in Parish Hall
- Mother’s Union meet in the Parish Hall: “Now and Then
Saturday
- Rector’s Surgery 9.30-10.30am

Today there will be an opportunity at each service to hear about St Mary’s Branch Groups: What are they? Who are they for? How can someone get involved? These and other questions will be answered today.

Next Sunday:

10.45am Service of the Word and 6pm Holy Communion with the Laying on of hands

Coming Soon:

St Mary’s Challenge – Are you competetive? Would you like to spend a great afternoon out in the company of others? Do you enjoy a challenge? Then why not sign up for the Orienteering Challenge at Delamere Forest on Sunday 25th September. A flier is available at the back of church. You can come on your own and join a team or make one up (4 people) on your own. All welcome! No previous experience required. Prizes!

This and That

Are you looking for a lively group to belong to? Do you value good company and lively conversation? Would you like to grow in your faith? Then why not consider joining one of our Branch Groups? Come and find out more this Tuesday evening at 8pm in the Parish Hall.
This Month Magazine for September is now published and has some super articles including one about our senior Reader: Harold Foster, and a feature on each of our Branch Groups – Do buy one at the back of church.
Steve Clapham’s All Saints Church ArtsFest – Friday 30th Sept and Saturday 1st Oct: Drama, Music, Fine Art, Crafts, Workshops, Demonstrations, Refreshments and more!
Welcome back to our Choir after their summer break and Thank You to our Bell Ringers, Servers, Holy Dusters, Flower Arrangers and Sidesmen Teams and others who continue to serve us and enhance our worship throughout the year – we do appreciate you and what you do for us.

Prayers

Give thanks to the ministries of all involved in leading worship including our Choir, Holy Dusters, Servers, Bell Ringers, Sidespeople, Flower Arrangers and Welcomers
For Lee and Lindsey and Darren and Laura married here in church yesterday
For schools during their first full week back
For all our church groups which begin again today and this week including our Sunday Club, Next Doors and Branch Groups

Rector’s Letter – September ’11

Caroline — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:22:04 +0000

Rector’s Letter – September 2011

I don’t know about you, but most of us have a phrase which we pepper our speech with. St Paul and St John are signatories to some of the greatest letters in the New Testament and both of them pepper their letters with the phrase: one another!

Neither of them use it as a cliche or turn of phrase but out of a passionate belief that stems from their grasp of God’s love – so wide and deep and high and long.

St Paul’s use of “one another” is for him an obvious follow on from all belonging to God’s family and therefore belonging to one another.

Here in St Mary’s (one small part of God’s church in the world) I sense that “one another” in very many and varied ways: the team work for the Festival of Flowers; the partnership between choir, servers, sidespeople and coffee makers on a Sunday; the pastoral care of our youngsters in Church Mice, Sunday Club and Next Doors and of the elderly in the ministry to the residential homes. All of these reflect a commitment to “one another”.

As we begin activities after the summer break there are many opportunities for growing in our grasp of “one another”. For example our Confirmation and Branch Groups begin soon (Launch on Tues 13th), we look forward to a Church Weekend Away in March next year (11th-13th- please put the date in your diary and start saving up now), we are planning various social events like a St Mary’s Challenge (Sun 25th Sept) at Delamere Forest, a Bible Party (Sat 15th Oct) and of course our Autumn Fair (Sat 12th Nov).

For St John and St Paul “one another” didn’t have a fixed boundary but his passion was for steadily expanding “one another” as others saw the love, support and care and wanted to be a part of that too. As Rector, this is my longing for us that we too may grow in our love for God and for each other.

“Let us consider how we can spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, but let us encourage one another.” (Hebs 10: 24)

Rector’s Letter – August ’11

Caroline — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:16:29 +0000

Rector’s Letter – August 2011

As I write the last of the arrangements have been tidied away, the floors swept, the church restored to its usual way. The Festival of Flowers has been a wonderful experience, as we have welcomed so many visitors and regulars into our building and I hope their spirits, like mine, have been inspired by the beauty.

“You must be tired” I said to one of the team of many hard workers after the weekend. “Its been worth every moment – it’s been so good to get to know more of our church family that I don’t normally meet, and to work together”

And I think that, for me, has been the added bonus of this Festival, as so many people have been knitted toegther into the body of Christ as we focussed on this task which welcomed people into our building. Although our building was even more impressive than ever during the Festival, it is the warmth of welcome that will make a long term diference as we continue to work together.

This being part of the body of Christ, as we put aside personality, or differences over styles of worship, is part of what we were created for. Our society encourages individualism with so much choice, even with us never needing to share, or sometimes learning to compromise for the sake of other people. It separates us from one another, rather than bringing us together to form a community where we belong and are able to care for one another and support each other through all that life brings. This is an important part of being the church together – family at its best – loving, not necessarily because we like each other but because we are family – belonging to God and all bearing the family image.

It is great to welcome into our new family Tim, Clare and Evie. They have lots of us to get to know, so forgive them if they don’t get your name straight away, but it is a delight to have them, not as my curate and family, but as part of OUR family here at St Mary’s.

So let us rejoice in the creativity of the team who have so wonderfully reflected God’s creativity. But let us also conintue to work together as the family of God in this place, that as we do so, we reflect more strongly His love for His world.

Rector’s Letter – July ’11

Caroline — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:36:41 +0000

Rector’s Letter – July 2011

“When I’m washing dishes, I hear music in the air!” – so went the song that eight of us from St Mary’s sang during the Wednesday night concert at the Abbey Church on the island of Iona. We’d gone to join the Iona Community for a week – to share the rhythm of their life (chores, prayers and eating together). Iona is a modern day place of pilgrimage and we met people from Paraguay, Australia, the US and Holland.

The theme of our week was “Colonies of Heaven!” – so what’s all that about?

Life on Iona is striking – for its beauty and its vulnerability – we got very wet on a walk around the island – but that’s nothing to the storms that can blow up! Equally we bathed in lovely sunshine during a trip to neighbouring Staffa Island to see the puffins and the seals.

There has been a Christian Community on the site of the Abbey we stayed in since 563 when St Columbus first came to the island. The community that he established was multi-faceted: a hospital, a school, a centre for worship, a hostel, a prison, a counselling centre … to name just a few of its functions. Not only did it serve the people of the island, it also welcomed visitors from far away places who came seeking help, guidance, safe refuge and meaning to their lives.

The character of the community was profoundly hospitable but also deeply spiritual – rooted in prayer and worship. Our week away challenged us to think about how St Mary’s can be a “Colony of Heaven” – a place which reflects God’s kingdom – a place of welcome and hospitality, a place where people honour God and each other, a place where those in need can find assistance, a place of love and kindness.

We eight visitors found this on Iona but came to realise that pilgrimage is not just about going on a faith-inspiring journey but about treating every day where we are as an opportunity to journey with God and to share His love with those we meet. As we welcome many visitors to our Festival of Flowers this month, let us ask God to give us His generous heart of welcome and hospitality so that our Festival may point our visitors to their loving Heavenly Father.

This Week – 12th June

Caroline — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 21:55:52 +0000

This Week – 12th June

Monday
- Friends of Historic Houses Assoc. church visit at 10.30am
- Welcome to Baptism Evening at the Rectory at 8pm

Tuesday
- Pastoral Group meet in the Parish Office 9am
- Mums & Tots 10am Parish Hall
- Highfields School visit to St Mary’s
Wednesday
- Holy Communion 11am
- Funeral of Margaret Pepper in church at 1.30pm

Thursday
- Praise & Play 10am in Church
- Summer Lunchtime Concert featuring young musicians from Malbank School. Admission free with retiring collection
Friday
- Nantwich Festival of Arts begins today
- Holy Communion 8am
- Pear Tree School visit St Mary’s
- Soup Lunches 12 noon in Parish Hall
- Mother’s Union meet in the Parish Hall. Speaker: Miss Mary Charlesworth “My life as a Nanny”

Saturday
- Rector’s Surgery 9.30-10.30am
- Wedding of Ross Sullivan & Lynn Williams

Coming Soon:

Tim Watson’s Ordination on Sunday 3rd July 10am – please let Peter know if you plan to attend
Flower Festival 14th -17th July – “Hordes of Helpers” needed for stewarding, catering and cake-baking. Please indicate willingness to help on sign-up sheets at back of Church
Tilston Garden trail – Saturday/Sunday the 25/26th June, 10.30am – 5pm in aid of St Mary’s Church, Tilston near Malpas. Visit 12 private gardens, purchase plants, produce, cakes etc. Refreshments and Art display – see notices in our Church porch

This and That

6pm Service: Vacancy for Sidesperson. If you are interested in offering this service or would like more information before deciding, please ring Michael Walden (627905)
Reserve Stewards Needed: Do you have an occasional hour to spare on weekdays and would enjoy greeting visitors? The contact Penny Smith on 611227 for more details.

Prayers

Ross and Lynn married here on Saturday
Peace in all the troubled areas of the world
Servicemen and women serving abroad
For our new curate Tim and his wife Clare and daughter Evie as they move to Nantwich on Tuesday

This Week – 15th May 2011

Caroline — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:27:35 +0000

This Week – 15th May

Welcome to Christian Aid Sunday: The start of Christian Aid Week and the collection around the town; Evening Service tonight at 6.30pm at Market Street.

Monday
- Peter and David Maidment take assemblies at Wyche, Pear Tree and Millfields
- Nantwich Town Council’s Mayor making ceremony at Brookfield Park Offices
Tuesday
- Pastoral Group meet in the Parish Office 9am
- Mums & Tots 10am Parish Hall
- Branch Groups Together 8pm in the Parish Hall – MeetGod, meet friends, live life better
Wednesday
- Holy Communion 11am
- Flower Festival Committee 2pm Rectory

Thursday
- Praise & Play 10am in Church
- Deanery Synod 7.30pm at St Margaret’s Wrenbury
Friday
- Soup Lunches 12 noon in Parish Hall
- Choir Practice 7.30pm

Saturday
- Rector’s Surgery 9.30-10.30am

Next Sunday – New Horizons at 8pm

Coming Soon:

Archdeacon’s Visitation: Thursday 26th May at 7,30pm at St Mary’s Astbury

This and That

In church today you will find plans of the Parish Hall in respect of improved access to the 1st floor. The Parish Hall Trustees invite you to sign a petition in support of the proposed improvements in order to look for funding.

Prayers

Our newly elected Town Council and our new Mayor: Councillor Arthur Moran – for wisdom and good vision
Gareth and Danielle married here on Saturday
For preparations for our Festival of Flowers 14-17th July

Rector’s Letter – June ’11

Caroline — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:46:14 +0000

Rector’s Letter – June 2011

“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena quoted at the recent Royal Wedding of William and Katherine.
It’s a fine quote – not just for a wedding couple on their wedding day, but for all of us in our lives. And the implication of the Bishop who quoted it is that we all have a part to play in helping one another to discover and grow into what God wants us to be.
Very often we can be unsure what we want to do in our lives. It is difficult for youngsters with so many subjects and potential careers to choose from to know precisely what area to focus on. In later life we can come to a crossroads and wonder, what next? So what does God mean us to be and to do?
Well surely the answer is in the question – listen to God and allow Him to prompt you. For William and Kate much of their lives are mapped out now for them – not the detail but the direction. For us we may be in employment, in education, retired or home based – but the question we should continue to ask ourselves is how can I use my gifts and talents, my passions and the things that inspire me, to serve God and my fellow human beings.
And this isn’t just a question for ourselves but also for those we love and care about – how can we help and encourage one another (for sometimes that’s what it takes) to find direction and focus in life?
In love, we can recognise and appreciate the gifts and strengths of those we care about and encourage them to use those gifts – whether they be: artistic, scientific, practical, people-orientated or intellectual. As people created by God – we all have gifts and talents. One of the most crucial opportunities we each have is to encourage one another to fulfil our God given potential – to help our children, our friends and those we meet to believe in themselves and in God’s purposes through them.
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” On Sunday 12^th June we celebrate Pentecost Sunday when we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. In partnership with Him, those disciples were going to set the world on fire with the news of His love.
God’s Spirit at Pentecost is still with us today. He is still prompting us to use our gifts in His service. So let’s keep asking how we can serve and let’s keep encouraging others to be the people that God always intended them to be.

This Week – 17th April 2011

Caroline — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 23:06:04 +0000

This Week – 17th April

Monday
- Holy Communion 11am
Tuesday
- Pastoral Group meet in the Parish Office 9am
- Mums & Tots 10am Parish Hall
- Evening Communion
Wednesday
- Holy Communion 11am

Thursday
- Servers Dedication 7pm
- Maundy Thursday Communion with footwashing and followed by Vigil 7.30pm
Good Friday Service
- 9.30am All Age; 11am Witness on the Square, 12 noon-3pm In the Shadow of the Cross; 7.30pm Music and Reading for Good Friday
Saturday
- Rector’s Surgery 9.30-10.30am

Next Sunday – Easter Sunday: Service of the Dawn 5am (followed by breakfast in the Parish Hall); 8am Holy Communion; 9.30am Family Communion; 10.45am Parish Communion; 6pm Evening Easter Praise

Coming Soon:

Thursday 28th April – Briefing Day at St Mary’s for the Festival of Flowers
Sunday 8th May New Horizons Testimony Evening 8pm

This and That

St Mary’s Young People’s Work – a big THANK YOU to all of you who help with our Sunday morning work with Sunday Club and Next Doors. On May 8th, we plan to have a briefing and planning session during the 9.30 Service – please make this a priority. Anyone interested in being involved in helping with these groups, please see Peter
Art Work – The art work around the walls of St Mary’s has been done by young people from our local primary schools as part of their preparations for Easter
Last call for our Lent Appeal 2011: Practical Action - technology challenging poverty – bringing inventive solutions to the problems experienced by the poorest people in the world – please return your envelopes this week
Congratulations to Hugh and Jean Gardner and Keith and Rita Johnson who are all celebrating significant wedding anniversaries
Christian Aid Week -calling all collectors – extra help for this year’s collection (WB 15th May) greatly appreciated. Please see Pauline Beeby

Prayers

For the work of Practical Action around the world
For the preparation of worship leading up to Holy Week
For all those living with the fear and chaos following the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disasters
For a peaceful transition to the political situation in Libya and other states in the Middle East