Thank you Bob!
In March, Bob Lyle stepped down as Churchwarden after over forty years'
service to God and to the Church in this parish of Prestbury. We owe an
enormous debt of gratitude for all the faith, care, time and love which Bob
has given as Churchwarden. Throughout his long service, Bob has been loyally
and generously encouraged by Barbara.
You are invited to a tea party
on Sunday 23rd June at 3.00pm
on the Vicarage lawn
when there will be a presentation to Bob
as a token of our love and thanks for his
distinguished service as Churchwarden.
If you wish to contribute towards this gift please be in touch with any
of the four Wardens - Ken, Jerry, Eileen or Peter. We do hope that you will
be able to join us on 23rd June.
The Queen's Jubilee
On Sunday 2nd June at 6.30pm there will be a Service to mark the Queen's
Golden Jubilee. All are very welcome to join us, and you might like
especially to encourage friends and neighbours who are not Church members to
come on this occasion.
St Nicolas'
The PCC recently agreed with the architect his latest plans and costings
for the church renewal. We hope work will commence this month. Thanks be to
God for His blessings - all the work attempted is dedicated to His greater
glory. During the work, the church will be completely out of use for three
months. Sunday Services will usually be in the Hall, and weekday Services in
the Church Room. It will be something of a squash but worth it in the long
run!
With love to you all,
Fr Stephen
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Does it all seem to have gone quiet?
Quiet yes, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. The meeting on
17th April to talk over ways forward was well attended. People had been
thinking hard about how the video 'Jesus Today, Tomorrow, Forever?' could
best be used in their own situation.
Between us, we are making plans for:
- an evening for a group of friends, with supper + video;
- inviting a group of young mothers for 2 or 3 evenings to view and
discuss;
- lending the video to a neighbour;
- inviting one or two neighbours to watch part of the video;
- display boards based around the video, for the 'Open Churches' weekend
at Pentecost.
Think about what you might be able to do to tell someone about your faith
in a simple way - perhaps over a cup of coffee while watching an extract
from the Passion Play video. Requests for a tape or practical help with an
idea you have can be made to the Parish Office and someone will get in touch
with you.
Above all, we need to keep praying:
- for those embarking on a new step
- for our own friends and neighbours who might welcome a brave approach;
- for ourselves, that we may be ready to take the opportunity when it
comes.
You will probably have noticed that the weekly intercessors in church are
including the various Springboard initiatives in their prayers. This is
important because God says: 'While they are still talking to me about their
needs I will go ahead and answer their prayer.' (Isaiah 65:24b). Do please
remember it in your prayers too. You can look for the brightly coloured area
on the prayer boards for specifics - near the door in St Mary's and in the
foyer at St Nicolas'. Or glance at the pew sheet.
Beryl Elliott & Sue Read
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'Everyone got on well and worked together as a group in a wide range of
activities.' (Leader)
'The activities were all group orientated so you got to know people
really well.' (Young Person)
'There was also lots of free time so you could have heart to hearts
with people you wouldn't normally hang around with.' (Young Person)
'I loved staying up until 2 o'clock.' (Young Person)
Yes, the Parish Youth Residential was a fantastic weekend. Young People
from Twilight Zone and Synergy combined with a fab team of leaders for an
activity weekend (April 19-21) at the Diocese's Viney Hill Centre in the
Forest of Dean.
Activities included a night hike, rope bridge building, a low ropes
course, raft building, bonfire building and burning, cooking and clearing
up, rounders, paper making and using the 'sanctified chill out room'.
The weekend posed questions such as: 'How can we work together more
effectively?', 'Is it possible to both build a raft and then stay on it?',
'What happens if the leaders get stuck in the low ropes tunnel?' and 'What
is the world record for filling shopping trolleys at Tesco?'. Most of all I
was struck by God's challenge of all being unique but needing to include,
support and encourage each other. The journey goes on ...
Thanks to all those young people and leaders who made it such a great
weekend!
Andy Macauly
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Our pilgrimage to Walsingham proved to be a wonderful, peaceful and
spiritual experience. We had made a quick two-hour visit the previous year
and knew then that we would just have to return and spend longer. The four
members of the Lees family, ranging in age from 17 to 92, set off on
Saturday (a day later than planned) but the travelling was good, the roads
clear.
We arrived just in time for Dinner - our group had been very anxious for
us and we were greeted very warmly. Straight to Dinner and our son George,
who must be nearly 6 feet, was spotted by Father Stephen as being a very
suitable candidate to help carry the Image of Our Lady in the Procession
that evening! The Procession wound its way throughout the Shrine grounds,
which includes Calvary and the Stations of the Cross, and then back into the
Shrine Church for Benediction. This was a deeply moving start to our
pilgrimage.
Later that evening, in our secular apparel, we decided to 'hit the town'
and by a remarkable coincidence chose a hostelry, where our leader,
organiser and many from our group had retired to an inner room to discuss
important issues! There was much humour, too, to enliven the proceedings. We
even learnt from Fr Stephen that there were operatives who specialised only
in twisting the little blue bags of salt that hide in Smiths Crisps! We were
suitably intrigued by Fr Stephen's comprehensive knowledge of working
practices!
Sunday, although rather cold and windy, was very full and rewarding.
After breakfast we rushed off to buy our Pilgrims' Manuals and soon were
able to take part in a number of the services.
We spent some of the afternoon visiting Binham Priory, where, as we
opened the doors, we were greeted with 'Zadok the Priest' sung with great
gusto by the Anglia Chorale, accompanied by an uplifting brass ensemble. The
acoustics are quite remarkable - the building is a very effective amplifier.
We then drove through Blakeney on to Salthouse where its huge church rests
atop a hill commanding spectacular views of the countryside and the sea. The
church is very light and spacious and is full of history - well worth a
visit.
Back to Walsingham, where we took part in our own Stations of the Cross,
Marsha reading the passage for the Station of the Resurrection. We then
entered the Holy House for our Intercessions, where David read the prayer
for those in need. We were pleased that we had all been able to contribute
in the various ceremonies.
On Monday we went to the Holy House for our Last Visit and Eucharist. Our
Mum, Marjory, came with us and was blessed. Afterwards we drank the blessed
water and, full of peace and contentment, we wandered back though the
grounds, reluctant to depart. We felt renewed and thankful for what we had
received.
Our Pilgrimage to Walsingham coincided with the Russian Orthodox Easter,
so there was an added dimension to our weekend. We went to the Orthodox
Chapel in the Shrine Church as well as the Orthodox Church (the old railway
station) in the village. Topped by a gilded onion dome the church is small
but inviting and comforting.
In addition to our superb spiritual nourishment we were very impressed
with the physical nourishment of the meals which were excellent - such a
selection and so much available - and the accommodation in Richeldis House
was comfortable. I wish, though, they could get the doors to close that last
inch gently!
Finally, our thanks to our leader, Fr Stephen, and our organiser, Colin
Holman, for making such a Pilgrimage possible. Also our thanks to our group
who were so kind and helpful to us. Our warm wishes to everyone. We carry
the essence of Walsingham within us.
David Lees including Marsha, Marjory and George
Walsingham
Walsingham is a totally unique experience. You step right back in time to
when the shrine was first built. The hopes, prayers and dreams of thousands
of pilgrims hover about the site. It's astoundingly relaxing; days can feel
like you've been there weeks. You're free to do as many or as few services
as you wish. I recommend the 7.30 Mass!
Clare Wood
Walsingham May 2002
Until we came to Prestbury St Mary's we had not heard of Our Lady of
Walsingham, so to be able to visit was a very new experience for us. We went
with open minds, not knowing quite what to expect. What we found was a place
of quiet reverence, which was spiritual, serene, and full of pilgrims who
all had the same purpose as we - to take time out from the troubles of this
world and spend some quality time with God. We returned refreshed, renewed
and with a feeling of having been uplifted. We are already looking forward
to being able to go again. If you have not experienced Walsingham, then do
try to make the next pilgrimage - it is a wonderful place of Peace.
Alan & Marion Beagley
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Please pray for
the young people who are preparing for Confirmation
Jonathon Allen, Jack Fagan, Simon Langley,
Jon Lyle, Alex Powell, Amy Slade, Andrew Wood
You are all warmly invited to attend the confirmation service
on Friday 7th June 2002
at 7.30pm
in Gloucester Cathedral
Please do come and support our confirmation candidates!
William Hazlewood's Ordination to the
Priesthood
William Hazlewood is to be ordained Priest by the Bishop of Ebbsfleet in
Bristol Cathedral on Monday 1st July 2002 at 7.30 pm.
He will celebrate his first Mass at the Parish Church of Holy Nativity,
Knowle, Bristol on Tuesday 2nd July 2002 at 7.30 pm.
All are very welcome to attend both services and William and Sophie hope
as many as possible can join them. It might be possible to organise a coach
if there is sufficient interest, as was the case last year. I can supply
directions for those who wish to make their own way. Please contact me for
further details.
Michael Brick
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Dates for your diaries:
Sunday 2nd June 2002
Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Service
St Mary's at 6.30pm
A service to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of HM The Queen
and to give thanks for her 50 years of service.
To be followed by wine and snacks.
Sunday 23rd June 2002
A Parish Tea Party
in the Vicarage Garden at 3pm
An opportunity to say 'thank you' to Bob Lyle
for his many years of service to the parish as Churchwarden.
Saturday 6th July
2002
A Jubilee Dance with the Blue Diamonds
St Nicolas' Hall at 7.30pm
Come and enjoy the music of our own Blue Diamonds
as we continue our celebrations of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
'Jubilee food' (!!) and bar - not at 1952 prices unfortunately!
Prizes for best 'Red,
White and Blue' costumes
All profits in aid of the Queen's Golden Jubilee charities
Watch for more details and
tickets soon
Sunday 14th July 2002
Parish Picnic
St Nicolas' Field, from 12.30pm
Bring your own lunch and then enjoy some afternoon events!
Saturday 7th September
Prestbury's Jubilee Celebrations
These are being organised by the Parish Council and will take place
on the Pavilion Playing Field. There will be stalls and side shows.
If you have any ideas or suggestions about how our churches can
participate, please speak to: John Elliott or Margaret Holman
Mid-Morning Music at St Mary's (MMMSM)
This month's recital in St Mary's again features pupils
from Dean Close School. On Wednesday 19th June we shall hear a
programme of Piano and Violin Solos. Coffee will be served at 10.30am
and the music will start at 11 o'clock. There will a retiring collection in
aid of church funds.
Christine McKelvey
Christian Aid
Many thanks to everyone involved in Christian Aid Week:
those who organised area collections, those who delivered and collected
house-to-house envelopes, all who gave money so generously, and those who
counted it up. To date the Parish Total (St Nicolas' and St Mary's) amounts
to £4930.32.
Also included in the Total is the collection taken at the
Ecumenical Evening Service at St Mary's on May 12th and proceeds from the
Sunday School Shoe-Shine at St Mary's.
Thank you, one and all!
Gill Ashman and Paddy Spurgeon
Let the Children Live!
A network of coffee mornings has been started to raise
funds. Beware - you might be invited! If you would like to know more about
the coffee mornings or about Let the Children Live! please contact
Molly Campbell.
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