St Matthew’s NewsThe Parish of Edgeley and Cheadle Heath

April 2014Issue 25

Sunday Service Times

Sunday 6th & 20th April

10:30am Whole Parish Worship

All Other Sundays

9:30am Formal Service

11:15am Less Formal Service(with children’s groups)

Image: prozac1; FreeDigitalPhotos.net

links to Facebook and Twitter can be found on our home pagewww.edgeleyandcheadleheath.org.uk

Julie Johnson

Musing on Waiting…For God alone my soul waits - from Him comes my salvation.

Psalm 62It’s sometimes said that we are the have it now generation: those folk who haven’t learnt the art of waiting patiently, in the knowledge that, as the old adage goes, good things come to those who wait.

As I write, in mid-March, we have just entered a time of waiting, the time of Lenten abstinence and inward journeying to discover more of our relationship with God. Some of us have received the symbolic mark of our willingness to accept that waiting in the form of an ash cross on our foreheads.

In the natural world around us we are also waiting for the full force of springtime to burst upon us in extravagant and profligate bursts of joyful colour. As this magazine comes to print I hope that the radiantly glorious

blossoming of nature will be dispelling the darkness of winter, but we will still be in that period of obedient - albeit impatient - waiting for the end of Lent and the Easter Joy to come.

It has long been a church custom to take the opportunity of renewing our baptismal promises at Easter, reminding us of that moment when a less visible cross was marked upon our forehead and Christ claimed us for His own; when the I of self was crossed out and we first began our journey of faith, discovery and service.

May Easter - when it comes - find you revelling in the sights and scents of spring, well refreshed and prepared, through your waiting, to receive all the blessings that our bountiful and loving God longs to shower upon us.

Tiny ThingsGive Blood - We all know we should. Don’t wait another dayto register. Sessions are often held

at Stockport County - only a stroll away! www.blood.co.uk or phone 0845 7 711 711

~

Team Talk news from the ministries

Children and Young People: Excitingly, Pam arranged for some of our church children to be filmed for a diocesanpresentation - how does she do it?

The away day organised for 15th

March for all of those involved in our children’s ministry had to be postponed because of diary clashes; but will be rescheduled. Expect a bit of a coffee trail, but a time for fellowship and reflection, too!

Coming Up: Easter Unwrapped: a follow up from Bubblegum Christmas. Year 6 pupils. Dispelling the myths. Easter Eggstavaganza - a one-day fun club at Stockport Baptist, exploring the Easter story.Good Friday Crafts - a relaxed couple of hours spent creating, followed by a short family-friendly Good Friday service.

We are also drumming up ‘trade’ for kids interested in attending SPREE camp in Cheshire at the beginning of July.

Communications: The display stand for leaflets is proving popular. If you have leaflets you wish displayed, please leave them on the leaflet table and Linda will add them to the stand.If you find it necessary to move the stand, please ensure two people share the load: it is not particularly heavy but it is rather unwieldy.

The Team is looking for a volunteer to take over the indoor notice boards. Please speak to Linda if you are interested.

Prayer: We have not met this year yet as we have a couple ofmembers who are not too well at the moment. We hope to meet soon to discuss our Prayer Life.

The Prayer Tree in the Lady Chapel is being used quite a lot, so that is encouraging. The Prayer Chain is very well used.

We could do with a few more people to train for Healing Prayers, as our Team is small and if a couple are not available it makes it difficult.

Social and Community: We are really pleased with how well our new venture @Saturday Café

is going! We are now hosting regular surgeries with Greater Manchester Police, and our first monthly community session was held on 8th March with Healthy Stockport. We have slots booked for a number of different groups right up to the summer - people are getting in touch and asking if they can be involved, which is very encouraging!

We had a Table Top Sale on 29th

March and plan to have more. We are always looking for volunteers so please speak to me (Pam) if you are interested.

We had a community first aid course in February, with 16 attendees from the community, some of whom have signed up for regular updates about church activities.

Please get involved by helping out on Saturday mornings, at our Table Top Sales or at Good Friday Crafts (18 April) - sign up sheets in church.

Community in action

It has been great to see the different officers coming along to our Saturday Cafe and meet with

local people. This is a great opportunity for us to explore new ways of working with the police to help people prevent crime and keep their community safe. We look forward to welcoming the team to our Fun Day! Here is some feedback from PCSO Carolyn Gillott:Everyone at St Matthews has been very welcoming and helpful in assisting us in building on existing and new links within our community and making these surgeries successful and enjoyable.

Are you catching?

Hmmm… strange question, you might think; but think again. We are called to share our faith, to let people know about this amazing, wonderful God of ours, to share with others the incredible love and compassion of our Lord Jesus. But do we? Honestly? Ask yourself this - if you had just one minute to explain your faith to a stranger, what would you say?

If you are like me, and get completely tongue-tied or end up giving such a complicated explanation that you feel you do more harm than good, then do not despair! I can recommend agreat book called Becoming a Contagious Christian, by Bill Hybels, Lee Strobel & Mark Mittelberg (published by Zondervan and available in Christian bookshops and on Amazon). It is a fun read and

helps us to see that sharing our faith does not have to be complicated or scary! And the best news is, we can do it by just being ourselves. This book helps you find ways of sharing biblical truths in everyday language, and to see that sharing our faith should be the most natural thing in the world.

And yes, you can borrow my copy! Pam Robinson

~What happens at… General Synod?What is General Synod?General Synod is the meeting of both the clergy and the lay representatives of all the Church of England dioceses in England. The Synod generally meets twice a year. It is divided into three ‘houses’: The House of Bishops, The House of Clergy and The House of Laity.

On important issues each ‘house’ votes separately and a motion has to be passed in all three houses.

What do we discuss?Debates cover a wide range oftopics and include pastoral (Safeguarding issues and Gender

Based Violence), financial (budgets, fees, clergy stipends,pensions and church investments),liturgy (new wording for the Baptismal Service and Eucharistic prayers for children), legislation (to allow women priests to be ordained bishop and to clarify who qualifies to be married in our church).

How and when will it affect me?It takes a little time to trickle down to the parish but we could have the announcement of the first woman to be ordained bishop by Christmas 2014.

Lois Haslam

Introducing... Shum Goodwin I was born in Tower Hamlets, East London; part of a vibrant, large Bangladeshi and Muslim community. As a child, I enjoyed those cut-out-yourself dolls and clothing, I think in Twinkle. I had hours of fun choosing different outfits. My favourite subject at school was English. My teacher was helpful and kind and that’s why when I get the chance I love reading a variety of books.

I came to faith when I was eleven years old after being brought up a Muslim. The thought of eating bacon which I saw and smelled at my friends’, and not having to cover my arms and head made the Christian faith quite appealing. I hasten to add this is NOT one of my main priorities anymore. I have come to church in the parish for nearly twenty years. I moved from London to Manchester and was looking for a church. I found on my own street a lovely little church called St. Mark’s where I was greeted by the smiling faces of two lovely ladies - Lavinia and Nan. St. Mark’s has a special place in my heart because of all the lovely friendships and fellowship that I had there.

I don’t have an actual role in church but I am involved with intercessions, communion, healing prayer, readings and helping out where I can.

I like listening to Michael Buble, much to my son Josh’s annoyance. I like dramas such as DCI Banks or Downton Abbey. I’d love to visit Italy with my husband Mark. I have been on a previous visit and would love to share and see it it again with my Mark. If my house was on fire, the one thing I would save is the beautiful canvas photo collage that Mark designed for me, of our mums and family life.

The last thing I would give up is my faith with my dear Lord and special friend JESUS. I would like to be remembered for being a good mother to Josh and being a faithful servant to God. I feel closest to Jesus when I come in prayer and talk to my father God.

Diocesan Lay Conference: If you are interested in attending, there are bursaries available. Please speak to David.

What’s on this monthTuesday, 1st

8:30am Lent Group1:30pm Socially Yours @

the Farmers Arms

Wednesday, 2nd 10am Holy Communion 11:15am Lent Groups7:45pm Lent Groups

Friday, 4th 9:30am Toddle Time @ St Matt’s7pm Choir Practice in church

Saturday, 5th 8:30am Prayer Breakfast10am Saturday Café

Sunday, 6th 10:30am Whole Parish Worship

Lead: Sue ~ Preach: Davidwith Prayer for Healingfollowed by our APCM

Monday, 7th 1pm Stockport Sling Meet

& Library in church

Tuesday, 8th 8:30am Lent Group1:30pm Socially Yours7:30pm Confirmation Service

@ St. Saviours, Great Moor

Wednesday, 9th

10am Holy Communion 11:15am Lent Group7:30pm Lent Group

Eggstravaganza at Stockport Baptist Church see Karen Bailey for details

Magazine Articles Due

Thursday, 10th 7:30pmMother’s Union in church Lent Meditation with Sue Mayo Saturday, 12th 10am Saturday Café including

scouts@saturdaycafe11am Bishop Robert’s Farewell

Service at St George’s

Palm Sunday, 13th 9:30am Holy Communion

Lead: David ~ Preach: Peter

11:15am Morning Worship Lead: David ~ Preach: Lucy

1pm Baptism Services3pm Christians Together

service at Morrisons

200 Club – Subs Due

Tuesday, 15th

1:30pm Socially Yours

Wednesday, 16th 10am Holy Communion

Maundy Thursday, 17th 7:30pmMeal with Communion8:30pmWatch of Prayer

Good Friday, 18th

10:30am Easter Crafts2pm Hour at the Cross

Saturday, 19th 10am Saturday Café in Church10am Hard Labour

Sunday, 20th ~ Easter Day5:30amChristains Together

Sunrise Service10:30am Holy Communion

Signed Servicefollowed by an Easter Egg Hunt

Lead: David ~ Preach: Sue

Tuesday, 22nd 1:30pm Socially Yours

Wednesday, 23rd 10am Holy Communion

Thursday, 24th 1:30pmTwins and Multiples

Support Group in church

Friday, 25th 9:30am

Toddle Time @ St Matt’s7pm Choir Practice in church

Saturday, 26th 10am Saturday Café in church

Sunday, 27th

9:30amTeen Breakfast at the Vicarage

9:30amHoly CommunionLead: David ~ Preach: Peter

11:15am All Age Communion Lead: Sue ~ Preach: Julie

Tuesday, 29th

8:30am Home Group1:30pm Socially Yours

Wednesday, 30th

10am Holy Communion 7:30pm Mothers’ Union

Deanery Festival at St. Matt’s7:45pmHome Group

Looking aheadSaturday, 3rd May 8:30amPrayer Breakfast10am Saturday Café

March FuneralsEddie Hough, Barbara Steele

March BaptismLenayha McKee, Oscar Morrison, Frankie-Joe

Fitzpatrick, Roxanne Briggs