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I cross St Mary's churchyard, go into the porch and lift the latch. Down
two steps, and I am in a special place, far away from the noise and rush of
the world outside. It is darker than outside, cooler. It speaks to me of
centuries of prayer, tradition, a place of refuge and reassurance. A holy
space, where it is easier to bring my concerns into the light of God's
presence.
I walk across the car park into St Nicolas'. Through the swing doors,
into a place of stillness. Daylight floods across the floor. Only thin wood
and clear glass separate me from the world outside, traffic, houses and
people, the view of Cleeve Hill. A fragile holy space, where God's presence
welcomes me in the middle of the everyday world.
In a few months' time, we shall move back into a transformed St Nicolas'
church, with a new ceiling, new windows and new flooring. It will feel very
different, and though we have seen plans and models the reality is sure to
take us by surprise. The building will have grown another layer of history.
But above all it will remain a holy space, made for the worship of God and
the nourishment of his people.
* * * * *
The holiday season will find many of us worshipping in unfamiliar
buildings. Cathedrals or simple village churches, ancient, modern or 'just
Victorian', smelling of incense, flowers, or damp. Each of them is there for
us, each of them speaks of God with its own voice. Pay attention to the
messages of your senses, and give thanks for that particular sacred space.
As visitors, we miss the traditions of home, the warm support that comes
from worshipping among friends. But it is good to have a break from regular
responsibilities, from other peoples' expectations of us. We might even
learn something new. Enjoy your holiday.
Beryl Elliott
Ministry Leadership Team
We are very pleased to be able to announce that Canon Paul Iles will join
us as House-for-Duty priest within the projected Prestbury and All Saints'
Team Ministry.
Fr Paul is currently Precentor and Vice-Dean of Hereford Cathedral. He
was previously a parish priest in Bristol and Oxford. With a strong musical
background, he has written several books on liturgy and prayer including
'Approaching Light', 'Walking with Praise', 'Touching the Far Corners' and
'The Pleasure of God's Company'.
He will live in Willowherb Close, Prestbury, in a house which the
Diocesan Board of Finance has purchased to replace Oak Cottage. Discussions
have been taking place with Fr Paul for some time; he was unavailable at
first but we felt he was worth waiting for! His arrival is a significant
step forward in the formation of the Team Ministry.
Fr Paul will be fully involved in all aspects of parish ministry,
including visiting and pastoral work. He will be fully involved in the
Sunday duties at all three churches. In addition his pastoral duties will
cover not less than two and a half days and not more than three days per
week.
Fr Stephen
A Letter from Canon Paul Iles
Dear Friends,
You will probably know by now that Fr Stephen has kindly offered me a
House-for-Duty post in the Team Ministry which is being established at
Prestbury and All Saints' and I am very happy indeed to accept the offer.
After a fulfilling and varied time in full-time Ministry (over forty years
now) the age of 65 has crept up on me! Although I have decided to retire
from my present appointment, I feel I would prefer not to retire completely
but to look for a suitable post which provides an opportunity to continue
working in ministry.
Very fortunately for me, Fr Stephen and Fr Michael are including me in
future developments at Prestbury and All Saints'. I have met the clergy
several times and also, informally, the Churchwardens. I can only say how
grateful I am to have been given such a warm and generous welcome by them
all. I am really looking forward to moving into this new sphere of ministry
and working with them in your new Team Ministry.
Actually arranging to leave Hereford is proving rather more complicated
than I had thought it would be, primarily because, unexpectedly, the
Cathedral staff is undergoing a complete change at the moment. Our new Dean
only arrived last month - my colleague, Canon John Tiller, has been
appointed Archdeacon of Hereford - and the newly appointed Canon Pastor is
not being installed until October. Therefore, although I had hoped to move
sooner, it is taking longer than anticipated to dovetail these moves,
especially so that others can fit in their annual holidays. But at last I am
able to say I will be available to join the Team after 1st October and then
to start work in Cheltenham.
I am sure the clergy will explain to you what exactly is entailed in this
new appointment. It will be unusual for me because I shall be living on a
pension and not expected to work full-time (!) but I do want to make as full
a contribution to the life of the Team as I can and I am certainly looking
forward to meeting you and getting to know everyone at Prestbury and All
Saints'.
Meanwhile, I should like you to know that I shall be praying for my new
friends and colleagues and for God's blessing on the life of your churches,
and I do hope you will include me in your prayers as well.
With my thanks and good wishes,
Paul Iles
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| Everyone's away in August, and nothing
happens.
But if you are not away for the whole month, consider an evening or
two taking a leisurely look at some well-known figures from the Old and
New Testaments. Short Bible readings tend to concentrate on high spots
(or low spots) in the career of patriarch or saint, at the expense of
the bigger picture. This summer we can take time to look more closely at
some very human stories. What would we think of such people today as
neighbours or public figures? Why are they remembered, and honoured? Can
we find points of contact in our own situation?
Come to one evening, or more: Tuesdays August 6th, 13th and 20th at
7.30-9.00pm, in St Nicolas' church room. If there is a heat wave we'll
provide cold drinks!
Beryl Elliott |
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The illustration shows a window dedicated to St Paul in
the Perambulatory at St Nicolas'
A successful initial meeting was held on May 21st to discuss the
launching of the above scheme. Twenty-three people have expressed a
willingness to take part and by now should have received copies of the
minutes of the meeting together with an information sheet on Code of Conduct
and Safe Practice and a questionnaire for database information. A training
evening led by Accord will take place on Tuesday 10th September at 7.30pm
in St Nicolas' Church Room (to be preceded by coffee at 7.15pm). In order
for this scheme to be a success we ask everyone to be our eyes and ears and
to bring to our attention anybody who is hospitalised and who may require a
visit. Please contact either the clergy, John Elliott (St Nicolas' contact),
Di Petchey (St Mary's contact) or Margaret Holman (Coordinator).
Margaret Holman
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Following the Parish visit to Llandaff Cathedral last year to see the
Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham, I wanted to make the pilgrimage myself.
On Friday we had a very pleasant cross-country journey, driven by Gill,
and arrived late afternoon. We received a warm welcome from the Staff and
were shown to our rooms in the new wing of Richeldis House.
A very full and varied programme had been arranged for Saturday and
Sunday, but there was time to explore the Grounds and Buildings, and between
services the Shrine and its Holy House and Well within the main Church. By
contrast the Guild of All Souls Chapel in the Grounds is a simple building
with a peaceful atmosphere.
Each morning after breakfast we had a meeting with Father Stephen to
discuss the programme for the day, some services were just for ourselves
when we all joined in with Readings and Prayers. The main services with the
rest of the community were both impressive and moving. Sunday Mass was at
the Parish Church of Saint Mary and All Saints, a church with a long
history, sadly burnt in 1961 but beautifully restored.
On Saturday afternoon we had the traditional walk along the beach and
back through the pinewoods, with time for an ice cream. During the weekend
Julie and I found time to walk round the village with its cobbled paths and
ancient buildings.
We all travelled home on Monday, a little tired but spiritually
refreshed; we met people from other parts of the country and got to know our
fellow parishioners a little better and agreed that a return visit is a
must.
Sue Bolton
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I can't believe that it is almost 4 years now that I left Cheltenham to
begin work as a community development worker based at Woodley Baptist Church
near Reading. For those of you who don't know me, I grew up in Cheltenham
and attended Cambray Baptist Church from a young age. I worked for about a
year as part time youth worker at St Mary's and St Nicolas's in 1997-8.
So what does a full time community development worker do? In the past few
years, we have begun to focus primarily on family/relationship support and
support for isolated/elderly people (Isaiah 61 being a key motivation).
Relationship/Family Support
Based on a model being developed in Totnes known as Community Family
Trusts, we are working together with other local Christian groups to offer a
comprehensive package of support for people in their relationships at key
stages. This focuses on the following:-
- Mentoring young people in need of guidance at key stages in their lives
- Marriage Preparation - In liaison with the Registrar we aim to offer
marriage preparation to all local couples
- Couple Support Groups - These are being run on a regular basis and are
designed to develop and encourage communication skills within relationships
- Parenting Programmes - We are working with local health visitors to
offer support to all 'first time parents' through a workshop, and also a
full parenting programme next year. At present there are around 120 parents
on a waiting list for parenting programmes throughout the district!
We are about to launch a project called the Family Link Scheme in which
volunteers from local churches will befriend and support parents/families
under pressure for varying reasons. Referrals will be taken from agencies in
the area and there is a considerable demand for such a role to be taken on.
Also, once a month we run a special event called 'Saturday Morning Live
for Dads'. This is a focussed group targeting fathers and offering an
opportunity for them to attend an informal gathering with their children and
enjoy some quality time with other Dads as well. This is held in a newly
built youth facility at the church, where the Dads can enjoy pinball, pool
tables, computer games, internet café ... and so can the children!!
Support for Isolated/Elderly People
As in most communities, there are a considerable number of very isolated
and lonely people in Woodley. Three years ago we set up a project called
'The Link' Visiting Scheme in which volunteers visit and befriend - mainly
elderly - local residents. Since we began, we have received 75 referrals,
and of these we are currently visiting 27 on a regular basis. Volunteers
mainly come from local churches. Through this scheme, we have set up regular
'Afternoon Teas' at the church for those we visit, and recently begun a
series of Summer Day Trips to encourage them to get out.
I regularly visit a man who has not been outside the end of his road
since 1986 and could only be classed as a recluse. He sits and sleeps in the
same chair, and the house is waist high full of rubbish. He still has a 1986
calendar on his wall. Please pray for wisdom for us as we seek to
demonstrate God's love to people such as this.
New Developments
We will be running a series of Family Fun Days in parks throughout
Woodley during the week beginning 22nd July. These will be aimed at young
families and we hope to build relationships with those from outside the
church. We will take a 20' trailer equipped with coffee bar, computer games
and music, and provide face painting, children's games, crafts and other
activities.
We are also looking at the possibility of running 'Business Ethics'
Workshops for those involved in local companies. We are discussing this with
a representative from the International Christian Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like any further information and/or a regular prayer card,
please do contact me on email:- jeremywbc aol.com;
website:-
www.woodleylookout.com.
You are also very welcome to visit at any time.
Jeremy Sharpe
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Dear Hosts,
Bishop David has asked me to write to you to thank you for all the hard
work you did in hosting our visitors from South India. You will be pleased
to know that all of them enjoyed themselves on their visit to the diocese,
and all their words of appreciation were surrounded with a deep affection
for the people who had looked after them and made their stay such an
enjoyable one.
The development of the link will, in no small measure, be in a large part
thanks to your willingness to participate and by being such enthusiastic
hosts for our visitors. THANK YOU.
Adrian Slade,
Social Responsibility Officer, Gloucester Diocese
Contents
| June was a busy month for us. We rang three
quarter peals in celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee. At 11
o'clock on the morning of Monday June 3rd a band of eight of us gathered
to ring a quarter peal of Plain Bob Triples, which came round
successfully in 43 minutes. We had a celebratory drink of Coca-cola
(honest!) together afterwards. At 3 o'clock on the same afternoon a band
of six different people assembled at the tower, where they successfully
rang a quarter peal of Plain Bob Doubles in 44 minutes. Later, at 5
o'clock, the final quarter peal band gathered to ring Grandsire Doubles.
Again, this was successful. In all, fourteen different ringers were
involved on the day. Many of them had also rung quarter peals on other
days at other towers to help them celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Jenni Scruton |
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Dates for your diaries:
Sunday 14th July
Parish Picnic
St Nicolas' Field, from 12.30pm
Bring your own lunch and then enjoy some afternoon events!
Thursday 15th August
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary
Sung Eucharist, St Mary's, 7.30pm
Followed by refreshments
Saturday 31st August
All Saints' Summer Fair
1.00pm - 3.30pm
In and around All Saints' Church
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
Sunday 8th September
St Mary's Patronal Festival
on the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary
11.00am United Parish Festival Eucharist at St Mary's
Preacher: The Archdeacon of Gloucester
Followed by a 'bring and share' picnic lunch
in the grounds of St Mary's Infant School.
(there will be no 9.30am service today)
Saturday 14th September
Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust
Annual Sponsored Ride and Walk -
The 20th Sponsored Ride/Walk will take place on Saturday 14th
September. Churches and chapels of all denominations will be open across the
diocese between 10am and 6pm, so you can plan your route through the town or
across the countryside, visiting as many or as few as you like. If you are
unable to participate, then please consider sponsoring someone else. Half
the money raised goes to our own churches, the other half to the Trust to
help any church in the diocese. Further details are available from
Bob Lyle or Nigel Woodcock.
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Christian Aid
The final total collected in Prestbury is £5074.08. Very
many thanks, again, to all who helped in any way.
Gill Ashman & Paddy Spurgeon
Children's Society Boxes - St Mary's
Box opening time is with us again. If possible, could box
holders please bring their boxes to the 11am service on or after Sunday July
14th for counting? Alternatively, please contact me to make arrangements for
collection. If anyone would like to become a box holder please contact me.
Margaret Holman
St Mary's Sunday Morning Refreshments
Thank you for all who continue to support this aspect of
fellowship. A cheque for £100, the profit for this quarter, has been donated
to St Mary's Church Heating Fund. The rota for June 30th to September 15th
is now on the notice boards in the kitchen and porch. Thank you to everyone
who gives a helping hand, both on the rota and as extras. If anybody else is
willing to join this band of helpers, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Margaret Holman
St Mary's Church Cleaning
A big 'Thank You' to the willing hard-working band of
helpers who managed to free the church of cobwebs and the resulting dust.
Suggestions as to the best time of year and day on which to carry out this
activity next year would be welcomed. Thank you.
Margaret Holman
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Rockers Half-Hour
Term ends on July 11th with a garden party from 2-4pm. (If
wet, we shall have Rockers in church as usual.)
Some of us will continue to meet informally on Thursday
afternoons through most of the summer. Usual time, usual place: 2pm in St
Mary's. If you would like more details of these summer meetings, please
contact Andrea Jackson or Frances Murton. Or just turn up.
Next term will start formally on Thursday 12th September.
Frances Murton
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Bible Study
From July we shall revert to the format of a single
session per fortnight. The day will alternate from a Wednesday to a Thursday
at 8pm to allow people with other regular commitments the opportunity to
come along when they are able. The next few dates as we continue our travels
through Acts are:
Wednesday 3rd July
Thursday 18th July
Wednesday 31st July
Thursday 15th August
Wednesday 28th August
Please speak to Sue Read if you have any questions about
this.
Mid-Morning Music at St Mary's (MMMSM)
This month we shall hear an organ recital performed by
Malcolm McKelvey. The concert will be in St Mary's on Wednesday 24th
July. Coffee is served at 10.30am and the music starts at 11 o'clock.
The retiring collection is in aid of church funds. There will be no concert
in August.
Christine McKelvey
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Please note that the initial training session being run by
ACCORD will now take place on Tuesday 10 September at 7.15 for 7.30pm in St
Nicolas' Church Room and not on 17 September as given in the July/August
Magazine.
Margaret Holman
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