Building bridges between church and community

A young girl is engaged to be married, when a mysterious stranger – laterthought to be an angelic visitor – tells her she is to give birth to a child whowill change the world !

More than that, this child will be the King of kings, God’s own Son. And he will be bornin the back of beyond, in a cattle trough surrounded by farm animals. In addition hewould later be sought out by wise men from the east who came asking ‘Where is the childwho has been born to be king of the Jews?’* And he was subsequently hunted by a rulerwho 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 Christmasservices this year. It’s a blockbuster – don’t miss it!

Our Carols by Candlelight service – always a highlight at Christmas – is onSunday 23rd December at 6.30pm. On Christmas Day we celebrate the birth of the Childborn to be King with a traditional said Communion service at 9am (Book of CommonPrayer) 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 giveour 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 mostwelcome to join us for any of these occasions

[* Matthew 2:2 in the New Testament]

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Or Manchester for that matter? After all, theBishop of Manchester retires from office in just afew weeks’ time.At the time of writing, the press is full of headlinesrelating to the General Synod vote against the draftlegislation to have women bishops in the Church ofEngland. It’s hard to turn on the TV without seeingsomeone talking about this, the hashtag #synod wastrending on Twitter this week, and, as a womanpriest in the Church of England , my own phone hasbeen a constant flurry of calls, texts, emails andtweets. And people have stopped me to ask ques-tions and to try to understand it all for themselves.

Archbishop Rowan Williams noted in his firstspeech after the result that we in the church ‘have alot of explaining to do’. So, here’s my own attemptto explain what happened on Tuesday . . .

Let’s first clarify what Tuesday was not. Tuesdaywas not a vote not to have women bishops in theChurch of England. The debate has gone on foryears but the decisive vote on the basic yes/noquestion took place in 2006. It was a ‘yes’, so theChurch of England will have women bishops. Thequestion now is when and how? And that’s wherethe confusion starts to arise.

It seems it should be simple – just appoint a womanif she meets the criteria and interviews well, as withany other kind of job. However, the legislationbeing voted on this week was more complicatedthan that. And that’s because there are people in theChurch of England who cannot accept having awoman as a Bishop. It simply ‘goes against theirreligion’, so to speak. This is either because theybelieve priests and bishops can only be men likeJesus and the first apostles, or because they interpretthe Bible as telling us that women cannot beteachers and leaders over men. For these reasons,and because the church has chosen to pursue unityin all things wherever possible, the legislation madeprovision for those people who could not accepthaving a woman bishop, by offering a way in which

a suitable male bishop could step in instead as andwhen required. Over several years, this legislationhas been reviewed at all levels in the Church ofEngland. Here in the Heaton Deanery, to whichBurnage belongs, the vote was unanimously infavour – a very decisive ‘yes’. Across the Churchof England, 42 of 44 dioceses voted in favour, with77% of individuals polled saying ‘yes’. Even thevote on Tuesday was a very positive ‘yes’ vote with72% of all those voting saying ‘yes’. However, andthis is where the complication arises, the GeneralSynod does not vote as one whole group but as threeseparate ‘Houses’. The House of Bishops said yes(93% in favour), as did the House of Clergy (77%).But in the House of Laity, representing all regularbut not ordained church members, only 64% were infavour. Although this is still a very clear ‘yes’ vote,it had to be a minimum of two-thirds in favour to becarried through. It failed by six individual votes.Some people voted ‘no’ because they didn’t thinkthere was enough protection for the conscientiousobjectors, and some voted ‘no’ because they thoughtit discriminated too much against women bishopswho would not be equal to their male colleagues. Itis not entirely clear yet how quickly this discussioncan come back to the General Synod, and questionsare also now being asked about how to make surethe General Synod represents the views of the widerchurch membership.

I hope that explanation helps people in this parishwho were wondering what it’s all about. And, as awoman priest here in Burnage, I’d just like to finishby saying how grateful I am for all the support formy ministry from people right across the parish andfrom colleagues and friends in the other churches inour community. Regardless of what happens at thenational level, we are still here to serve thiscommunity with Sunday services, Messy Church,baptisms, weddings and funerals and a wide rangeof midweek activities and groups for all ages anddifferent interests. Revd Caroline Throup

* Headline in The Independent newspaper 21/11/12)

Funerals Sep 12 Mary Saxon Sep 19 Louise Bryant Nov 5 Kathleen Corrigan Nov 8 Ronald Land

WeddingsSep 22 Stephen Maxwell & Helen Hughes

Baptisms None this quarter

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Curate’s

It’s absolutely pouring with rain as I write,and I nearly got blown away as I camehome from the city centre today. It’s darkand cold, and I’m reliably informed thereare only 33 sleeps to go until ChristmasDay – apparently there’s an App I couldget for my phone for this!We’re almost in the church season ofAdvent. That’s the season of waiting andpreparation – getting ready to celebrateagain the amazing story of the baby Jesus,born in Bethlehem, born to be King, bornfor each and every one of us. Even assomeone who’s ordained and works fulltime for the church, it can still be difficultto mark the Advent season of waiting andpreparation. The December weeks are fullof Christmassy things in church and thewider community, as well as getting readyfor Christmas at home with my family andfriends. But it can be so good to try to findtime to step aside from the busyness for awhile, and to take some time out to hearagain the nativity story and to sing the old,familiar carols. At St Margaret’s, you canenjoy Carols by Candlelight (Sunday 23December, 6.30pm), Christmas carols roundthe tree – especially, but not only, for oldermembers of the community (Tuesday 18December, 2.30pm), and Christmasservices on Christmas Day. There arealso lots of opportunities to celebrateChristmas with others elsewhere in Burnage

(see the list printed on the back page of thiscopy of In-Touch). Oh, and “ChristiansTogether in Burnage” will be singing carolsat Tesco on Saturday 15 December frommidday.This year, we will also be celebratingChristmas at our monthly Messy Church.

Messy Church is for everyone, though mostof those who come along each month arefamilies. You are invited to join us for anhour of crafts and activities all connectedwith the Christmas story – it will all bewonderfully messy as usual (so don’t wearyour best Christmas clothes!). Once we’vehad plenty of time for being messilycreative, we will go into church and have aChristingle service. This is a Christmastradition involving oranges, red ribbon,sweets and candles. Yes, really! If you’venever experienced it, come along and give ita go – it’s a very special way of getting intothe Christmas spirit. After we’ve sungcarols and heard the Christmas story again,there will be a delicious meal (main courseand pudding) for all the family to eattogether. Please note: All children attending mustbe accompanied by an adult who will be responsi-ble for them at all times.If you want to know more, ring 0161 445 8874 oremail: caroline.throup@ntlworld.com.

Corner

4Building bridges between church and community

Occasionally, when it is school holidays, we move it to the secondSaturday. 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 sometime away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Messy Church at St Margaret’s on Burnage Lane is churchwith a difference for all ages. So come along and bringyour family and friends to enjoy crafts and activities on ourtheme for the day, a short celebration in church with ac-tion songs, a story and prayers, and a yummy family teawith a main course and a pudding! And it’s all free(donations very gratefully accepted). NOTE: Childrenmust be with an adult.

NEW YEAR 2013:

Messy Church Dates

Monday 14 JanuaryMonday 11 FebruaryMonday 18 March

Other servicesMothering Sunday:Sunday 10 March

Good Friday: 29 March

Easter Sunday:Sunday 31 March

Contact: Revd Caroline Throup0161 445 8874

caroline.throup@ntlworld.com

www.stmargaret.co.uk

Invite youto join in

Christmas Carolsround the tree in

St Margaret’s Church, Burnage

Time:- 3.00pm

Contact Sheila Brownfor Information

Help with transport welcome

5Building 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 bor-rowing, buying now and paying later, it’s no wonder that so many people are strugglingto control their finances. If this sounds like you or someone you know and you wouldlike the opportunity to hear about a simple, but effective, money management systemthen why not join a CAP Money Course.

The CAP Money Course has been developed by Christians Against Poverty, a national UK debtcounselling 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 helpyou gain control of your finances. It involves one 2 hour session a week for 3 consecutive weeks. Thecourse is entirely free and will provide you with a Money Management Pack and an on-line personalbudgeting tool.

The course is not just for those who are struggling. If you simply want to manage yourmoney better, make it go further, make wiser choices about how you use your money andplan for a brighter financial future then this course will really help. Across the 3 weeksyou will:

St.Margaret’s Church has 3 qualified CAP Money Coaches who will be running a course of this natureon:Thursday Evenings 17th, 24th & 31st January 2013. 7.30 pm ( prompt) to 9 pmAdvance 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 contacteither, 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.

6 Building bridges between church and community

      On Saturday 20th October, members ofGuiding past and present, joined by friendsand family, met at Ringways Restaurant atManchester Airport Viewing Park for a fun-filled night of chatting, Ceilidh dancing andtours of Concorde, until the early hours! Itwas fantastic to chat to different members andhear people’s experiences of Guiding, as wellas look at pictures from the past 100 years.Also, we had a birthday celebration whichincluded a cake, (favoured by many!). Over-all, it was a brilliant night which was mostdefinitely enjoyed by all.      Sunday 21st October was the GuidingCentenary Service, which many people alsoattended. It was a lovely reflection of the past,showing what we do presently as members ofGuiding and a great look into the future. Ahighlight of the day was the giving thanks forthe past 100 years, and hearing sharedmemories by many, through readings and asong which was written by the Rangers – very

good if I do say so myself, as a Ranger! It was a lovely service, shared by all.

The weekend as a whole was a great time to rreflect for the past 100 years we've celebratedtogether at St. Margaret’s. Personally, I’vefound it such a privilege to be a part of such agreat group of people, having seen myselfdevelop and grow through the kindness ofothers within Guiding. Thank you to everyonefor the past 100 years from all at St.Margaret’s and here’s to the next 100! Emma Coyle

December02/12/12 Southholme Gdns, Northolme Gdns. & Edgedale Ave.09/12/12 Westville Gdns & Overlea Drive16/12/12 Angleside Ave and Heathwood rd.23/12/12 Holmdale Gdns, Lansdale Gdns. &

Eastville Gdns30/12/12 Burnage Lane (from Barcicroft Rd. to

Green End Roundabout), & Carrgreen Close

January 201306/01/13 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.,

February 201303/02/13 Errwood Rd (from Crossley Rd to Avon Rd) Arbor Drive, Arbor Ave10/02/13 Hawthorn Drive, Redthorn Ave,

Whitethorn Ave and Blackthorn Ave17/02/13 Errwood Rd, (from Avon Rd. To Shawbrook Rd.), Guernsey Close &

Watford Rd,24/02/13 Eastern Circle, (East side), Enfield

Ave, Ealing Place & Harrow Ave

March 201303/03/13 Eastern Circle (West side), Henley

Place, Pinner Place & AmershamPlace.

10/03/13 Errwood Rd (from Shawbrook Rd. to Green End roundabout)17/03/13 Burnage Lane (Green End Rounda-

bout to Shawbrook Rd.)24/03/13 Green End Rd.31/03/13 Fairoak Rd.Dernford Rd, WoodviewRd.

Here’s a list of streets for the next 4 months

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Margaret’s and here’s to the next 100!

Building bridges between church and community

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Messy Christingle Monday 10th December, 3.30pm-5.30pmCarols round the tree, Tuesday 18th Dec 3pm

Carols by Candlelight Service, Sunday 23rd December ,6.30pmChristmas Day Communion, 25th December, 9 am (BCP)

Christmas Day Family Communion 25th December, 10.30am

Christmas Eve Children’s Mass, Monday 24th December, 6pmChristmas Eve Solemn Mass, Monday 24th December, 8pm

Christmas Day Family Mass, 25th December, 10.30 am

Carol Service, Sunday 9th December 6.30pmChristingle Service, Tuesday 11th December 6.30pmMidnight Service, Monday 24th December 11.30pm

Communion and Carols, Sunday 16th December, 6.30pmChristingle Service, Monday 19th December 5.30pm

Christmas Day Service,, 25th December 10.30am

Carol Service, Sunday, 16th December, 3pmChristingle Service, Sunday 23rd December 10.30am

Christmas Eve Midnight Mass, 24th Dec 11.30pmChristmas Day Holy Communion 25th December, 8.30 am

Christmas Day Carols and Communion 25th December 10.30am

Carol Service, Sunday Dec 16th 10.30amFollowed 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 guaranteedBuilding bridges between church and community