From the Rector:

Down and out in Sandwich - Is that a contradiction in terms? It may be from the comfort of our homes and as you look around our delightful shops with their well dressed windows, but my door bell rings on a regular basis with people who are homeless and needing help.

Deciding what to do and doing it is a difficult part of my ministry. These callers don't arrive at "convenient" moments but the question which rings through my mind as I open the door or meet them on the bench outside my house is: How can I show the love of God to this person?

Perhaps I need to explain the question so you can understand my struggle: How can I show the love of God with the limited resources and time and expertise that I have? People who are homeless come to Nantwich because they perceive that it to be a safer place than Crewe. At the centre of our town is the impressive church building of St Mary's which is obvious place to head for - but how can I (and indeed how can you) reflect the love of God given the complicated backgrounds that these characters come with.

This last weekend I had two homeless men call at my door looking for help - one who'd recently been beaten up and had only the clothes he stood up in. He badly needed some medical attention not just for his recent battle but also in regard to some long term health problems. Tragically he is only 26 years old and had been rejected by his mother's new partner when he was 15 and went to live in "care". The other older man was a self-confessed alcoholic who needed some food but admitted that if I'd given him some money he'd probably just spend it on booze. Their stories are not uncommon but their circumstances are pitiful and not simple to resolve.

On the face of it, they both needed proper shelter and around here there are some options: the YMCA in Crewe for those under 30s and alternative hostels in Chester or Stoke for the older man. But what can they do if they have lost trust with those options?

It's easy to say that if they have, it's their own fault and they have to face the consequences but that is no answer and surely there must be a way through.

Living in Nantwich it's easy to think that these things don't happen around here - the truth is that they do. Therefore a request: any unwanted sleeping bags please leave at the Rectory!

Peter Chantry

From the Rector:

Do you ever come into church wanting to pray but not quite knowing what to pray about? Well if you've ever found yourself thinking this then please may I commend to you our new Prayer Walk around St Mary's.

Everyone agrees that St Mary's is a wonderful and inspiring place of worship. The Prayer Walk is designed to encourage us all to pause for some moments and engage with God as we explore this holy space.

To get you going on St Mary's Prayer Walk there will be a leaflet at the back of church to guide you to one of the eight Prayer Stations dotted around the church.

At each Prayer Station, you will be invited to look and wonder and (in your own way) to pray. There will also be provided for you a written prayer which you are invited to use.

St Mary's has so many beautiful things to sit and ponder and each of them gives us an insight into God's character and work in our world. I hope that through the Prayer Walk that you'll be able to reflect on your own life's journey and to bring to God which is inspiring or challenging you now.

We look forward to dedicating the Prayer Walk at our evening service on Sunday 13th July at 6pm. You are warmly invited to come and find out more.

Please pray for God's blessing on this new venture that through it visitors and locals alike will come to experience God's love for them.

Peter Chantry

From the Rector:

At this stage of the year, I am always very conscious of our young people taking their exams - whether that be SATS for the younger ones or GCSE's, AS levels, A2's or even University exams. It's a demanding time for them and just when they need to be getting their heads down, the sun seems to come out to tempt them away.

Young people often get a bad press in the media, but those of us who live and work with them know what great qualities and potential they have. Indeed, when it comes to sorting out my computer, I'd be lost without Matt or Kate to help me to know what to do!

It is true that young people have never had so much, in terms of opportunities and possibilities but alongside that, the world continues to be immensely overwhelming. Life can be confusing especially as they try to decide in what direction their lives should go, what they should be doing with them and what courses they should study in order to go onto the next thing.

Which is why, I am delighted to announce the arrival of a new member of staff at St Mary's: Andrea Cozens (along with her husband Richard and children Joseph, Kimberley and Alfie) are coming to work and worship with us. Andrea is to be our Youth and Children's Minister, which means that her remit is to help us to develop our work with young people and their families.

Andrea and Richard come from a Salvation Army background and until recently have been working up in Durham in the North East. The Salvation Army has a proud tradition of working in social outreach and evangelism. Andrea over this last year has been working with youngsters who have been excluded from mainstream school because of behaviour problems.

I am really looking forward to introducing Andrea to you all and to our partnership with her. She and Richard want to worship together and to get to know other families both within and beyond the church family. They both believe strongly in the importance of supportive families whilst recognising that families are under pressure and sometimes need extra support.

Andrea says she is passionate about God and passionate about young people. She comes with some great experience and enthusiasm but she will also need our prayers, our encouragement and our continued team working. Thanks be to God for enabling us to appoint Andrea and please be praying for God's blessing on her family and our partnership together.

Peter Chantry