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In a vivid adage, coined I think by the Swiss theologian Karl Barth, the
life of the Christian community is perfectly defined - The Church gathers
for worship and scatters for mission.
The picture described by Barth is worth remembering. Week by week
Christians meet together to worship God and then go their various ways both
to tell others the good news of the kingdom and to serve them in whatever
way God calls. Thus, in George Herbert's poetic phrase, we offer God praise
'Seven whole days not one in seven'. I hope, such a sketch of how to be a
Christian is not new to you and already second nature to all who are reading
this magazine. Many folk have passed on this vision of the Church's life
faithfully in every generation.
At the heart of discipleship, often going without being noticed, there
has to be a regular pulse and rhythmic beat. The gathering and scattering of
Christian people is like breathing in and breathing out and is like the work
the lungs do (which also we take too much for granted) which sustains life.
Nor can worship and mission ever be separated. They stand and fall
together. Worship without mission is not just lame and watered down, it is
not the genuine article. Nor can mission without worship ever be effective.
Too often we mislead ourselves and think mission is an optional extra for
the minority, but it is not. It is not a dimension artificially added to a
Christian life from time to time when occasion demands. No, it is an
indispensable part of the inner structure of the life of every disciple
every day.
What is true, though, is that unless both worship and mission are strong
and equal partners in the enterprise of Christian witness then our
discipleship will be too weak to share in the Easter victory. Which points
us to the heart of the matter, especially during Lent, which is the cost of
discipleship. Being a follower of Jesus is a way of living and loving - God
and others - but always with a cost to self. To be a Christian is morally
challenging but also demanding in total commitment. So in the weeks ahead we
hear Jesus saying again, 'take up your cross and follow'.
Just as the continuity between worship and mission must never be broken
or separated nor must the continuity between Jesus' resurrection and his
death. Ultimately Good Friday and Easter are not two separate events in
Jesus' life but together the single unifying centre which gives meaning and
power to everything he did and continues to do. That is the truth for our
own lives and the truth we long to share with any who will listen and hear.
Fr Paul
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... take time to reflect
... examine our priorities
... hope to
grow in faith
Throughout Lent, sermons at the main Sunday Eucharist will explore the
theme Acknowledging our hunger for God ...
Lent 1 ... within ourselves
Lent 2 ... within our local church
Lent 3 ... within our varied communities
Lent 4 ... within our family (Mothering Sunday)
Lent 5 ... within our world
In Lent you could also ...
Join one of the Lent groups, either Christ and the Chocolaterie or
the ecumenical one, Faith in the Fire. For details refer to the
February magazine or contact me or Fr Peter Brown. You will find the
Chocolate group on Wednesdays at 7.45; or ask for details of the group at
All Saints'. In Prestbury there is one Faith in the Fire group at St
Nicolas' room on Tuesdays at 7.30; there are also daytime groups at venues
throughout Cheltenham, times and places listed on our church notice boards.
All these groups start in the week beginning 1st March.
If you missed the Lent bookstall, drop into Wesley Owen, and see what is
on offer for reading in Lent. Ask to see the selection of day-by-day
reflections for Lent, or if you are looking for something different, two
(very different) authors to consider are Henri Nouwen and Philip Yancey,
both in stock.
Set aside a regular time for the Bible. Read through one of the Gospels,
or start at the beginning with Genesis, or whichever book you like. Any part
of the Bible has a different impact when you read it several chapters at a
time. This might be the time to equip yourself with a new Bible in a modern
version. In church we use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), or if you
would prefer a more colloquial translation look at the Good News Bible. For
the best selection of Bibles go to Wesley Owen in Winchcombe Street or
Ottakar's in the Promenade (escalator to top floor, comfortable chairs).
Beryl Elliott
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In previous years young people have taken part in the all-night Maundy
Thursday Vigil at St Nicolas' Church. The focus has been spending time in
quiet prayer-slots of half an hour in small groups throughout the night.
This has been an exciting and rewarding challenge, which we have undertaken
creatively. The night has included a range of activities - a shared meal,
craft, video, drama, aerobics. These activities have served to motivate but
also to bring alive the idea of what that special night is about; certainly
the sense of togetherness and of meeting with God was very powerful.
This year we are planning to open this experience to people of all ages,
we will be starting after the moving Maundy Thursday service with various
activities while there is a chance for other members of the congregation to
undertake the vigil. We will then carry on the baton through the night,
finishing at 8am on Good Friday.
Please get in touch with Andy Macauly if you are interested - it would be
great to have a real range of ages there! We will also be holding a planning
meeting on Tuesday 7 April from 7pm - to get people's ideas for the vigil.
There will be a cost of £2 per person to cover materials, forms (available
from Andy) will need to be filled in by children or young people under 18.
Andy Macauly
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Sunday February 8th was Stewardship Sunday in the parish and everyone
should have received an envelope with details of how they can give to the
church. Thank you to all those who responded to our appeal, at a time when
our churches are financially, precariously balanced. House keeping at home
is delicate enough, but in order to keep both our fine churches in good
order, it is a constant headache to keep our church finances solvent. If, by
some slip of the computer, you did not receive an envelope, please accept my
apologies. I sent out 350 but suspect I may have lost some through the net.
Do ask me for the information if you missed it and I will happily provide
you with the relevant forms. As an experiment, you will find a Stewardship
envelope within (the paper edition of) this magazine, so that anyone
who feels they would like to make a one-off donation can do so. We are
always happy to receive your gifts, and rest assured, they are used wisely
by our Treasurer.
God's greatest gift to us was Jesus, and our Stewardship is just one of
the gifts we can give back to the church, as a means of thanks for this, the
greatest gift of all. Many thanks for your continued generosity.
Marion Beagley - Chairman of Stewardship Committee
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Thank you to David and Mary Lynch for giving us an opportunity to visit
St Mary's tower during the Open Day on Saturday 31st January.
My six-year-old granddaughter, Lois, was thrilled at the idea. Together
we climbed the stone steps, opened a wooden door, and were surprised to
discover we had to go even higher. Having carefully accomplished the steep
ladder ascent we were welcomed by Mary and David, two of our regular bell
ringers. With enthusiasm they explained how the bells worked and helped
every visitor to have 'hands on' at pulling the ropes. We were astonished to
realise how little strength is required. A big thank you to our regular
happy band of bell ringers who welcome the people of Prestbury to St Mary's
each week with the joyful sound of bells.
Lois thought it great fun watching the bell ropes with a coloured grip
(known as a 'sally') disappear through small holes in the ceiling and then
re-appear. When we arrived home Lois wrote a few words about her visit,
which I should like to share with you: 'Me and Granny went out to the church
tower and it was great! I went to the top of the church tower and I got to
ring the bell. I did very well with David but then Granny joined me. The
bell rope had to go really high so I had to jump.'
Ann Cole
Snippets from the Tower
We are grateful to the seventeen visitors who came to our tower open
morning on 31st January. Everyone had a go at either ringing or chiming a
bell, and most of the adults climbed two steep ladders to see the bells. The
children learned how to ring Rounds, Queens and Kings changes on handbells.
We are still looking for new recruits to join the band, so if you are
interested please get in touch with the Tower Captain or Secretary at
bells prestbury.net
Jenni Scruton
Pictures ...
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Most of you will remember that, until 1998, St Mary's had an active
Mothers' Union group. Sadly it closed, but many members have stayed on as
Associate Diocesan members. Recently, several ladies have expressed an
interest in reforming the group. There is a large group of potentially new
members in our current congregation, some with young families, who might now
be interested in joining. It would be good if we could reform the group and
include ex-members together with new ones. Perhaps some ex-members would
feel happy to rejoin if they didn't have to be on the committee! I have
spoken with the clergy, who would be very pleased if we were able to get the
group up and running again and they would support our efforts
whole-heartedly.
To get some idea of what enthusiasm there would be among our
congregation, I have arranged two meetings, one at each end of the parish.
The first will be on Wednesday 24th March at 10.30am at St Mary's, where we
will have facilities for a crèche, if necessary. The second will be at St
Nicolas' on Wednesday 31st March at 7.30pm. This would enable most
interested parties to attend and we could air and share ideas on the
feasibility and logistics of putting a plan into action. I would appreciate
your prayerful thought as to whether we should go ahead and look forward to
seeing lots of you at one or other of the meetings.
Marion Beagley
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It is a sad fact that whether a crime is committed against a person or
property, someone suffers. Each year in Cheltenham, Victim Support contacts
about 3,600 victims of crime. This independent national charity helps people
in need cope with the effects of crime. Trained volunteers offer free,
confidential support and practical advice to those who seek help.
This might be just lending a listening ear to someone who has experienced
a burglary; it could extend to negotiating with other agencies to find help
for a family suffering harassment, helping with the after-effects of an
assault, or the family consequences of a sudden and unnatural death.
Victim Support also has a Witness Service to help victims, witnesses and
their families before, during and after a trial, with trained volunteers
based on all Crown Court centres and magistrates' courts.
If you feel you could help with this work please ask me for further
details or phone Victim Support on 01242 577476.
Above all come to the concert to be given by Musica Vera in All Saints'
in aid of Victim Support on Saturday 13 March at 7.30 p.m. (details below).
Peter Attwood
Concert in aid of Victim Support
Musica Vera's Spring concert will this year be given in All Saints'
Church under their conductor, Claire Alsop, on Saturday 13 March at 7.30pm.
Proceeds from this concert will be given to Victim Support. The programme
will consist of German Baroque music, including the Motet Jesu, meine
Freude, and other choral music by Bach, Buxtehude and Heinrich Schutz,
with Andrew Kirk, Director of Music at St Mary Redcliff, Bristol, on the
organ.
Tickets £7, to include a glass of wine after the concert, are available
from Jill Yates (St Mary's), Peter Attwood (St Nicolas') or at the door.
Jill Yates
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Parish Quiet Day - Coming Home:
Reflections on the Prodigal
Saturday 6 March at St Mary's Infants School
If you are looking for a chance to snatch a few hours of
peace away from the daily grind, then make sure you put this date in your
diary. Although this year we are staying close to home, otherwise it is very
much the mixture as before. The day will be arranged around some short
reflections on the story of the Prodigal Son considered from different
points of view. There will also be a range of other activities: your chance
to try your hand at some arts and crafts, take a walk, listen to some music,
explore a labyrinth or simply sit in peace and quiet with a good book
(perhaps the good book?). The day will finish with the Eucharist. All the
sessions and activities are optional, so you can pick and mix to create the
sort of day you want. You will need to bring a picnic lunch but tea, coffee
and soft drinks will be provided. Look out for details of how to sign up in
church soon. (We will try to provide a crèche if there is enough demand - if
you think you might use it, or could help to organise it, pleased get in
touch with one of the MLT.)
Jerry Porter on behalf of the MLT
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Worship Group
If you would like to be involved in the planning of the
'Eucharist with a Difference' services at St Nicolas' please speak to Fr
Michael. We are looking for lots of different input so that we can include
drama, readings, music, instruments and so on. We would also like to
represent the variety of age groups who worship with us.
During March you might notice a different pattern to the
clergy rota at 9.30am and 11.00am. Until now, Fr Stephen and Fr Michael have
tried to alternate on a fortnightly basis between the main Sunday services
in the two Prestbury churches and All Saints'. During March, Fr Stephen will
be in Prestbury on most Sundays and Fr Michael will be in All Saints'. In
April they will swap round. This is partly a response to points raised
during the St Mary's consultation and also following enquiries made to
colleagues as to how they run their Team Ministries. Fr Stephen, Fr Michael
and Fr Paul will continue to preside at the 8 o'clock services in St Mary's
and All Saints' on a regular basis.
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St Mary's Bakestall
The next Bakestall will be held on Mothering Sunday, 21st
March, with contributions from members with surnames A - F.
Linda Matthews and Margaret Waker
St Mary's Flower Arrangers
St Mary's Flower Arrangers and Friends are warmly invited
to the Annual Meeting and Demonstration by Ron Middleton on Tuesday 30th
March at 7.30pm at the kind invitation of Sheila Beer.
Barbara Lyle
Churchyard and Church Annual Spring Cleaning Days
Friday 2nd April from 4.00pm and Saturday 3rd April from
9.30am
Please support this project if you can, even if it is only
for one hour. More hands make light work. We will again have a Fish and
Chips Lunch together. It was great fun last year and we all like to take a
pride in the upkeep of our Churchyard and beautiful old Church. Let's see
you there, particularly the younger people. Bring necessary equipment if you
can.
Doreen and Henry Morris
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University of Gloucestershire Orchestra comes to St Nicolas' Church
We are delighted to welcome the University of
Gloucestershire Orchestra, conducted by Ian Higginson, to St Nicolas' Church
on Tuesday 30 March at 7.30pm. The Orchestra will present a programme of
popular music including: Music for the Royal Fireworks by Handel,
Pavane by Faure and Symphony No 100 by Haydn.
Tickets priced £5 are available in advance from Ian and
Janine Higginson or Maltby Books, Regent Street, Cheltenham, or at the door.
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