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What’s on in
January 2016
Our verse of the year
God is our refuge
and strength.
Psalm 46 Verse 1
GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH
Happy New Year to you! Are you excited about what
2016 may have in store for you? Or anxious about
what the future may hold? It seems to me that
approaches to a new calendar year vary enormously -
for some a New Year is a clean sheet of paper waiting
to be written on and you just can’t wait to get started; for others a New Year
is approached with caution and even anxiety…what will happen in the
future? - will this year bring new opportunities? Or new challenges? The
answer is that it will almost certainly bring both in some form or another -
so how should you and I respond?
Our verse for the year this year is Psalm 46 v 1 “God is our refuge and
strength”. The person who wrote Psalm 46 knew what it was to face
challenges beyond his control. This person’s life journey seems to have
included some particularly challenging events which are symbolised in the
Psalm ( see centre page of what’s on) by references to earthquakes, to
mountains tumbling into the sea and roaring foaming oceans. These events
were beyond his control, but the writer of Psalm 46 recognises that even
when changes to his circumstances take place which leave him feeling
unsettled, even disturbed and distressed – God is with him as his refuge
and his strength. God is the Psalmist’s place of safety - his refuge - and
God is the Psalmist’s source of ability to endure - his strength - so he is
able to proclaim “We will not fear”.
Whether we are thinking globally, locally or even personally the first words
of Psalm 46 “God is our strength and refuge” are good words to meditate
upon as we move into a new year. Whether we are approaching a new
year with excitement or a degree of anxiety, the first words of Psalm 46,
“God is our strength and refuge”, are good words to take to heart - solid
words which remind us to root our plans for the future in Him. So if you
haven’t made a resolution yet for 2016 here’s a suggestion - resolve in
2016 to grow a closer relationship with the Lord - for he is always our
refuge and strength
God Bless you, Christine
The Rector Writes
Worship Times:
Sunday 9.30 am Sunday Service
(Sunday 17th January 9.30 am family service)
Monday 9 am Morning Prayer
Thursday 10 am Eucharist
Church Wardens: Vacant Contact A. Paterson (07890833176) or R. Smith (07718648934)
Every Tuesday from 12.30 to 2 p.m. Luncheon Club. Why not
come and join us for a hot three course lunch . Only £3!
The Church is open for prayer, companionship, and craft on
Wednesdays from 11 a.m. til 1 p.m.
Thursdays after the Eucharist, the community of St. Chad prayer
group meets from 11 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. led by Gloria.
Every Friday 10 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Open Door group. Everyone
is welcome to drop in for a chat and a cuppa. See page 8.
Every Monday Cobridge Community Choir meets at 7 pm
Wednesday 6th January 7 p.m. DCC meeting
First contact minister: Revd. Sally Smith Tel: 01782 266066 [email protected]
Songs Of Praise at Camoys Court
Sunday 31st January 3 p.m. til 4 p.m. Songs of Praise takes place at
Camoys Court on the last Sunday of every month. Everyone welcome.
We welcome back Shelley after time out for her operation.
SATURDAY 9TH JANUARY AT 7.30 P.M.
STOKE-ON-TRENT MALE VOICE CHOIR ARE
PERFORMING A CONCERT IN MEMORY OF
CODY COLLAS RAISING MONEY FOR THE
BUBBLE FOUNDATION. GUEST SOLOIST
JANE JOHNSON.TICKETS FROM LINDA AND
ALAN COLLAS OR PAY ON THE DOOR £6.
Worship times:
Sunday: 11 am Sunday Service
Wednesday: 11 am Eucharist (Reginald Mitchell Court Jan 20th)
Saturday: 9 am Morning Prayer (check with minister)
Contact ministers: Enquiries to Revd. Christine Broad (852280) or Revd. Sally Smith (266066)
Church Wardens: Norman and June Tatton Tel: 01782 657060
Prayer Gathering. Please join us for prayer before the Sunday
service at 10.45 a.m. Contact Mary (271262) with prayer requests.
Book library. We have a library of books for people to
borrow. Come and have a look!
Tuesday 12th January JET club returns every Tuesday after school.
Sunday 17th January 11 a.m. Summer Glover-Jones’ baptism
Thursday 21st January 7 p.m. DCC meeting
Fr. Tommy took a group of 13 members of the JET club with parents to
Nottingham Ice Rink. Despite a wet day, everyone had a great time.
Three of the JETs are pictured with Tommy preparing to skate.
Worship times:
Sunday 11 am Sunday Service with Sunday School
Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer 10 am Eucharist
Thursday 5.45 pm Evening Prayer
Tuesday at noon. Community lunch only £2. All welcome
Wednesdays 1.45 til 3.30 p.m. 55 club meet
Every Thursday at 5.45 p.m. Evening prayer. All welcome.
Monday 11th and 25th January 7.30 p.m. The Beta group meets for
fellowship, prayer and bible study. Details from Rev’d Karen.
Wednesday 6th January 7.30 p.m. Messy Church planning meeting
Thursday 21st January 3.30 pm til 5.15 pm. Messy Church
Monday 1st February DCC 7 pm prayer 7.30 pm meeting
First contact minister: Rev Christine Broad(852280) [email protected]
Church Wardens: Brenda Hughes 01782 212198 Nick Broad 07795 683686
Come and join us for the first coffee morning of 2016
on Saturday 16th January from 10 a.m. until 11.30 am.
Please come and join us for coffee, biscuits, raffle and
good company.
Saturday 5th March Coach trip to
Southport. Depart Janet Place at
9 am, Northwood Co-op 9.05 am., St
Matthew’s 9.10 am. Back by 7 pm.
Also visiting ‘Another Place’ on the
way—100 lifesize sculptures in the
sea. Adult £15, child £8. Contact Nick
(07795 683686) to reserve a seat.
Our Verse of the Year is Psalm 46 verse 1
Here is the Psalm from which it is taken.
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the
mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its
tumult. Selah
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy
habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when
the morning dawns.
6The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the
earth melts.
7The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought
on the earth.
9He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and
shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
10“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am
exalted in the earth.”
11The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
SANCTUS ON SATURDAY 12.00-2.00 pm
Saturday January 9th
2016
at St Mark’s Church Shelton.
EVERYONE WELCOME
OPEN DOOR AT CHRIST CHURCH IS
CELEBRATING ITS FIRST ANNIVERSARY
Open Door at Christ Church is
coordinated by Fran Bridgewater. Fran
writes “Vanessa Renshaw had been
organizing Open Door at St. Mark’s
Church and approached me in
November 2014 and asked if I would be
interested in managing the new Open
Door Friday morning drop in at Christ
Church, Cobridge. At the time, I worked
on a Friday so thought that I would have
to say sorry but no I couldn't do it. After spending some
time praying about the situation I decided to ask my work manager if I
could possibly swap my day off from a Thursday to a Friday,
expecting him to refuse, but God answered my prayers and my
manager agreed to changing my day off. Since January 2015 it has
been a privilege to serve God and the more vulnerable members of
society that call into Open Door on a Friday morning for a breakfast,
warm drink or just to sit down and have a chat in a safe and non
judgmental environment. We have been blessed with a small team of
committed volunteers, and have been complimented on the friendly
and family atmosphere that prevails during the drop in. I would like to
take this opportunity to thank everyone at Christ Church for allowing
Open Door to use your beautiful Church building. Without your
support we would not be able to offer support to the vulnerable people
that so desperately need our help. We regularly serve 40 cooked
breakfasts, and provide packed lunch bags for those with no cooking
facilities of their own. My prayer is that one day there will be no need
for Open Door to provide this service but until that day comes could
you please hold us in your prayers, that God continues to bless us
with his provision and grace”.
God Bless you all.
Fran Bridgewater
Post-Christmas Blues
It’s a few weeks after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I’d nibbled, the trifle I taste
And the holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk, more a lumber)
I’d remember the marvellous meals I’d prepared:
The gravies, the sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I’d never said “No thank you, please”
As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt,
I said to myself, as only I can
“You can’t spend a Winter disguised as a man!”
So away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick,
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick,
I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore,
But isn’t that what February’s for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet.
SOUTHPORT AND ‘ANOTHER PLACE’
A coach trip to Southport will depart from St Matthew’s and Northwood
Parish Hall on Saturday 5th March at 9 a.m., arriving back at 7 p.m. A visit
to Anthony Gormley’s modern sculpture of 100 statues in the sea will also
take place. Adults £15, children £8. Contact Nick to book a place.
Worship times:
Sunday: 9.30 am Sunday Service
Thursday: 9 am Morning Prayer 10 am Eucharist
Wednesday 27th January 7.30 p.m. DCC meeting
Mondays 4th and 18th January 7.30 p.m. Cash Bingo
Sunday 10th January 6 p.m. Parish ‘all Praise
Wednesday 13th January 3.30 p.m. til 5.15 p.m. Messy Church
Saturday 30th January 7.30 p.m. General Knowledge Quiz
Only £3 per person including buffet
Saturday 6th February 2pm til 4 pm Table Top Sale. Contact Bee to
book a table
NORTHWOOD PARISH HALL
First contact minister: Revd. Christine Broad 852280 e mail address on back page Church Wardens: Paul Sherratt Tel: 01782 868157 Claire Harmon Tel: 07979 776203
Saturday 23rd January 7.30 p.m. BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATION
Please join us for our Burns themed night
with Scottish quiz, Scottish music, and
HAGGIS
Contact Angus on 07890 833176 for more
information and to book a place.
Sunday 24th January 6 p.m. Please join us for
Evensong. Future Evensong dates are 28th
February and 27th March after which evensong
will be reviewed.
Church Wardens: Mark Sherratt Tel 07968 300484
First Contact Minister: Rev’d. Sally Smith Tel: 01782 266066 [email protected]
Worship times:
Sunday: 9.30 am Sunday Service with Sunday School
Wednesday: 9 am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 6th January 10 a.m. The midweek Eucharist at the Locks
Sheltered Housing Complex, Etruria as we meet with the residents.
Monday 1st February DCC meeting 7 p.m.
Every Monday Open Door 10 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Please drop in for a
drink and chat.
Every Wednesday 10.30 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Sanctus St. Mark’s Sup-
port for asylum seekers.
Saturday 9th January Midday until 2 pm
Sanctus on Saturday. Please join us at our
new Winter time to pray, worship, share,
then eat a World Café meal.
Starting in February, the Sunday worship will start at 10 a.m. for a trial
period. There will be a few alterations to the style of some of the
services.
MUSICIANS NEEDED FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP
We are looking for competent musicians to volunteer to improve and
support our Sunday worship at St. Mark’s. We wish to retain some
traditional hymns but want to increase the use of modern and gospel
style music to enhance our worship. Contact Rev Sally if you can help
SUNDAY READINGS FOR JANUARY 2016
CLERGY CONTACT DETAILS
Rector Revd. Christine Broad 19, Widecombe Road, Birches Head, ST1 6SL
Phone 01782 852280 email [email protected] Day off Friday
Team Vicar Revd. Sally Smith (Diocesan Advisor for vulnerable adults) Day Off Friday
35, Harding Road, Hanley ST1 3BQ Phone 01782 266066 email [email protected]
Parish Creative Missioner Frank McGregor Phone 07952 318685 email [email protected]
Assistant Curate Revd. Tommy Merry 18, Cromer Road, Northwood, ST1 6QN
Phone 01782 267828 email [email protected] Day off Monday
Assistant Curate Revd. Karen Petherick 80, Birches Head Road, ST1 6LQ Phone 01782 865240
Day off Saturday
Assistant Curate Revd. Shelley Billington Phone 07411 992565 e mail [email protected]
Day off Monday
Readers: Roy Smith, Marg Collin, Kath Boyce
Local Lay Minister for Pastoral Care Mary Chanot
What’s On editor Nick Broad (07795683686) [email protected],
assistant editor Revd. Tommy Merry
web address http://hanleyteamministry.btck.co.uk
DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD 3rd Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12 10th Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17,21,22 17th Isaiah 62:1-5 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11 24th Nehemiah 8:1-10 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Luke 4:14-21
31st Ezekiel 43:27-44:4 1 Thess 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36
If you, or anyone you know, would like to speak to a member of the
staff team, or would like someone to visit them, please let us know.
FANTASY LEAGUE 2015-16 UPDATE
The HTM fantasy league is starting to take shape. At the time of going
to print, 4 - 4 The Saints lead the way, closely followed by Rosie’s Costa
Fortune. Bishops Boys, last year’s league winners, are starting to hit
form and climb the league, while The Heavenly Queens are playing like
a bunch of women. League coordinator Graham Foxley reminds
managers that team changes can be made at any time.
