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IN MAY this year there are two significant events with the same message.
Christian Aid Week (13 - 19 May) focuses attention on the needs of the whole
human race and our mutual responsibilities. Second, this year’s prestigious
Reith Lectures, given by Professor Jeffrey Sachs, an
internationally-renowned economist and advisor to many governments around
the world, takes the theme that because of vastly increasing numbers and
complexity, our global society desperately needs to discover new ways of how
we live together and care for one another.
Christian Aid Week centres on El Salvador, a part of the world with
extreme poverty and the constant threat of hurricanes and natural disasters.
Details of some of the projects there to provide wells and clean water were
included in last month’s magazine. El Salvador is also remembered as the
place where archbishop Oscar Romero was martyred in 1980. He called the 80%
of El Salvadoreans living in poverty a crucified people. He was fearless in
giving a voice to the voiceless in his country which brought him into
conflict with the government and the military and was why the army
assassinated him.
Christian Aid has never been only about money (though during the week we
are invited to give generously and consider what we do with our money and
whether we use our financial resources selfishly or to help others). We know
the huge contrast between rich and poor, affluence and the third world, what
we have received and what we have to give. Christian Aid also underlines our
interconnected global economy. The week raises the age-old question,
Am I my brother’s keeper?
to which the answer has to be Yes.
Mutual responsibility across the world is no longer optional in the 21st
century. It has to be a primary perspective which none dare ignore. Jeffrey
Sachs uses the title Bursting at
the seams for his lectures and focuses on the immense population
explosion which presses on us all raising the urgent need to find new ways
of living together on a planet with finite resources.
In his first lecture, he warns that if we are to avoid a path of
self-destruction we need a global conversation. He quotes words of President
John F Kennedy: Let us not be blind to our
differences but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the
means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end our
differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity, for in
the final analysis our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this
small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children’s
future, and we are all mortal.
 Fr
Paul
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MANY CONGRATULATIONS to Fr Grant who has been appointed Chaplain to
St John’s College, Cambridge, a very
prestigious position. Fr Grant takes up his
new
post on 1st September and so the family anticipate moving during the
summer. Please keep Fr Grant, Chris, Bethany and Sarah very much in your
prayers as they sort out housing, schooling and so on in preparation for
their move. We will, of course, make ample opportunity to express our thanks
and say our farewells nearer the time.
At the Annual Meeting of Parishioners on 25 March, Jerry Porter and
Margaret Holman were elected as Churchwardens for Prestbury and Sue Bolton
and Margaret Compton were elected as Deputy Wardens with responsibility for
St Nicolas’. We congratulate them on their appointment and assure them of
our prayers and support during their term of office.
At the meeting very grateful thanks were expressed to Marion Beagley who
stood down as Churchwarden after three years in office. Marion has made an
enormous contribution to the life of the Parish since joining us and has
been a very active and dedicated Churchwarden (wonderfully supported by
Alan). Marion assures us that she will continue to offer her skills and her
time and was later elected to serve on the PCC for a three-year term.
 Fr
Michael
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WE ARE MOVING FORWARD on the recruitment of a new Team Vicar. The post
was advertised in March and interviews will take place on Thursday 17 May.
We hope someone will be in post by September! The new Team Vicar will live
in Prestbury Vicarage and will be Team Vicar in the North Cheltenham Team
Ministry (when it is legally formed). He will be working mainly with the
9.30am Celebrate! congregation and the 11am congregation at St
Mary’s; however, he will also have a Team-wide role, which will depend on
his particular gifts and skills. Please pray for all those who will be
involved in the interview process on the 17th and pray that God will guide
us to make the right appointment.
Things are moving slowly towards the creation of the new North Cheltenham
Team Ministry. A draft Scheme (the legal document which sets up the new
Team) has been circulated to all the concerned PCCs as well as Parish
Patrons and clergy. We are expecting this to come back to the PCCs for a
second ‘informal consultation’ following an amendment before it is sent to
the Church Commissioners. They will then send it out to all relevant parties
for a ‘formal consultation’ and approval before it goes to the Privy
Council.
This means that we are still not in a position to give a date for the
closure of St Peter’s, Tewkesbury Road, or the commencement of the new Team
Ministry. However we are taking lots of opportunities to meet together
across the parishes of the North Cheltenham area. At the end of March the
Clergy, Readers and Wardens all met at Glenfall House for an evening which
was both a sociable ‘getting to know you’ occasion and also an opportunity
to talk together about the future.
Fr
Michael
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VERY MANY THANKS to all those who worked so hard over the Easter period
to prepare our churches for the festivities. A great deal of work goes into
preparing for and running the different services and we greatly appreciate
the contribution of flower arrangers, sacristans, servers, musicians,
readers and intercessors, sidespeople and welcomers, those who serve
refreshments, and those who produce the service material. There are also
people who faithfully clean our churches (more people are required please!)
and those who this year organised the different crosses which were put up on
Palm Sunday and then ‘dressed’ with crowns of thorns and then garlands of
flowers.
This year, for the first time, we travelled together as a Team Ministry
through the Triduum – the three great services of the Christian year. I have
been very encouraged by the number of people who have told me how positive
the experience has been for them this year. The contrast between the
intimacy of St Nicolas’ on Maundy Thursday, the starkness of St Mary’s on
Good Friday and the richness of the ceremonies in All Saints’ on Holy
Saturday certainly made this a very memorable Holy Week and Easter.
Always there is the sadness that more of our congregation do not join us for
these unique services. I was especially disappointed by the poor attendance
of members of the host church for the Easter Vigil and we will have this in
mind when we plan for next year. I appreciate that the Easter Vigil starts
late, but then it has to be dark, and I cannot help reflecting that at
Christmas Midnight Mass starts even later. I also realise that it is a long
service, but then cannot help thinking that two hours just once a year is
surely not too much time to offer to God as we celebrate, in a service which
dates back to the time of the early Christian church, the joyful truth of
our risen Lord Jesus.
Fr
Michael
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ON WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH children from the Junior School came to St Mary’s
church for a Prayer Maze. The previous day the Infant School had experienced
a slightly different Prayer Maze, with stations more suited to their age.
Some stations from the Junior Maze were set up again on Palm Sunday
afternoon.
These comments are from Junior School children aged eight to nine years:
- I think the Prayer Maze was very enjoyable and
would do it again next year. It made me think, that why would you betray a
friend for money? James W
- I thought the activity where you had to make the
rainbow with the crystals and the torch was the best but I also enjoyed
the one where you got to eat chocolate mini-eggs. I really enjoyed waving
the flags while singing Our God is a great big God. Amelia M
- My favourite was the fossil one because it shows
that we are all different. Overall it was great. Samuel E
- My favourite Prayer Maze station was the one
that had bread because it reminded me of the last supper. (no name)
- My favourite prayer maze station was the one
where you got to write down something then stick it on the road, because
you get to know who other people could be having feelings for. Overall I
thought it was brilliant, because it really brought over the real meaning
of Easter. Christopher
- I really enjoyed shredding my bad thoughts away.
It felt really good getting them out of my head and into the shredder and
making a fresh start. Kirsty W
- My favourite station was the one where you had
to wash someone’s hands because we got to think what it was like to be
Jesus and how he felt washing somebody’s feet. Overall I thought it was
amazing. Kathryn
- I liked everything because I don’t normally go
to church. It made me think about Jesus on the cross and when he rose.
Chloe L
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Nineteen members were present on Wednesday 28th March with eighteen
apologies.
Margaret Waker gave her financial report and it was noted that there was
a deficit of £110.30 on the year. Noel Brick had audited the accounts.
Everyone was thanked for their efforts in the past year and a special
thanks to Lindsey McGowan, who oversees the weddings, and the ladies who
help her. Lotte Rule was thanked (in her absence) for organising the
Mothering Sunday Posies. There was a profusion of posies on that day to
which many people had contributed.
Sadly three members have had to retire owing to family commitments or
failing health. Cards and thanks had been sent for their service and hard
work over many years.
Some discussion took place on whether the donations for a lily at Easter
should be recognised in a book or cards. It was thought this would be
difficult to manage and it was decided that the present mention in the
Magazine should continue. Various members agreed to say a few words at all
the services a week or so before any Festival reminding the congregation of
the beautiful arrangements and the cost involved and especially as there had
been a deficit in this year’s accounts. Easter was a trial run and the
personal approach worked wonders.
A flower pedestal was gratefully received from Clare Hutchings, which was
in a better condition than some already in our possession.
 Sheila
Beer
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We held our Tower AGM at 2030 on Tuesday March 20th, after a shortened
ringing practice. Fr Michael was in the chair. The meeting thanked Mary
Lynch for her five years’ service as Tower Captain and welcomed David Lynch
as the new Tower Captain. Mary now becomes the new Quarter Peal Organiser.
Jenni Scruton remains Tower Secretary and Treasurer, Jonathan Sweetman
remains Steeplekeeper and Anthony Smith continues to be Quarter Peal
Secretary.
The bells of St Mary’s were used on the afternoon of Saturday March 17th
for the teaching of ringing as part of the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan
Association Training Day. There were four learners and six helpers from
towers within the Association. The method being learned was Plain Bob
Doubles. Those who were learning the method made good progress and everyone
enjoyed the afternoon.
 Jenni
Scruton
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Classes for children who would like to receive communion start on Tuesday
5th June 4.00 to 4.45pm at St Nicolas’ Church. As was mentioned in March’s
magazine, there is now no age limit and we are expecting at least a few
pre-school children. Parents are encouraged not to think of Communion as
something we ‘get ready for’ as we grow older and more mature but rather as
a wonderful free gift from God that he gives to all who want to follow him.
There will be four sessions (5th, 12th, 19th and 26th June) with the
children making their First Communions in their own church on Sunday 24th
June. We hope to have a number of groups all meeting at the same time, so
that children can be prepared with those of a similar age.
To book a place or find out more, contact
 Fr
Grant
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IT IS PALM SUNDAY in Prestbury United Reformed Church with just the quiet
murmur of pre-service chat, when Celebrate! bursts in, having held up the
traffic and frightened a horse with their hallelujahs through the village.
Revd Maz and Fr Michael dedicate a large wooden cross, adorn it with palm
branches and then erect it outside the chapel. Some of us move on to St
Mary’s, others head home and the URC regulars continue their service.
In the afternoon I have tea and cakes in St Mary’s and try out some of
the Prayer Maze. That evening I don a cassock for the first time to join the
choirs in Stainer’s Crucifixion at All Saints’. By the end of the final
tenor recitative the conductor has laid down his baton, congregation and
choir are standing in readiness for the last hymn, and as those immortal
words ‘he gave up his spirit’ die away the conductor drops on one
knee, head bowed. For a few moments this vast church is filled with total
silence.
Holy Week, and I attend Morning Prayer and the Eucharist each day (my
first visit to the Tuesday morning service at St Nicolas’ – thank you for
your friendly welcome!) and Stations of the Cross on Wednesday. Then the
Triduum, where I find the services make more sense as a progression than
when previously attended in isolation.
I experience the full roller-coaster of emotions, starting with an
exuberant Eucharist on Thursday at St Nicolas’, seated in the round, each
administering communion to our neighbour, followed by the sadness of moving
to the ‘garden’ as the lights gradually go out. I forgo a lift home because
I want to sit here on the floor just a little longer… Later I go to St
Mary’s and stay till midnight.
On Good Friday we congregate outside the URC again, and the phrase ‘is
it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?’ becomes so real as we sing and
pray while the traffic drives past. I cannot stay for all the readings and
music in St Mary’s but I return for the Liturgy. How different from my
previous experience! No, I still cannot bring myself even to touch the
cross, let alone kiss it, but somewhere beyond the symbolism there has to be
meaning: perhaps the realisation that I can never repay God for what he did
that day so long ago.
I emerge into the sunshine feeling quite light-hearted, full of that
incongruous sense of relief and completion which sometimes comes when one
has been waiting for a death which has now finally happened. It is as if one
is suddenly free to get back to ‘normal’ now that the waiting is over. I
enjoy the rest of Good Friday and all of Saturday with no lingering sadness.
And so back to All Saints’ on Easter Eve for the Vigil Mass – what a
wonderful service and what a superb building to hold it in! The following
morning it is equally stirring to hear the singing from Celebrate!
sound out across St Mary’s churchyard (yes I am deliberately a few minutes
late!), and then to join in praising God with jumping and flag-waving.
Briefly I return to the URC where a garland of flowers replaces the
barbed-wire crown on the cross, before completing my Easter Experience with
the Easter Day Eucharist in St Mary’s.
 Frances
Murton
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I AM SURE that anyone who attended some or all of the services at any of
the churches in our Team throughout Holy Week would like to join me in
thanking Father Michael and his colleagues for their preparation and
leadership.
It was certainly a Team journey as each church hosted a service on each
day during Holy Week. The seating and ceremony was different at each one,
which stopped us sitting in the same place as Sundays. There were people
from other congregations in ‘our’ church.
What a great experience it was and I am only sorry that more didn’t
attend. Those who didn’t attend for whatever reason missed out on a
wonderful shared experience of a Team journey.
 Simon
Taylor, All Saints’
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The 2007 Prestbury and Pittville Youth AGM on 25 March did not quite
follow the Parish AGM this year as it has done in the past. There was a
pause while members joined the Executive Committee for a glass of wine and a
showing of highlights of the young people’s video film ‘Our Voice’.
The Annual Report and Accounts were circulated and the Treasurer, Gill
Wood, explained that most of the balance of £44,218 being carried forward
was allocated to particular areas of work with young people and to support
employment costs. The Chairman stressed that the level of financial support
from grant-making trusts was an acknowledgement of the very high quality of
the youth work provided by Andy Macauly, Youth Development Worker, and his
teams of volunteer workers and young leaders.
Andy Macauly presented his report on their work highlighting the need to
be creative to keep PPY running well and describing the projects being
offered to all groups. Most young people had contributed to ‘Our Voice’ in
2006. Under the project ‘Challenge ’07’, everyone was being encouraged to
set a personal target and, with support, work out how to achieve it. In
2008, an Art and Music Project would be run.
All the places on the Executive Committee were filled. The Revd Michael
Cozens continues as the Chairman and Tricia Wilson as Hon. Secretary. Gill
Wood was re-elected Treasurer for three years. Linda Biggs, Charlie Chan,
Julia Hook, and Daphne Philpot were re-appointed and Julie Lane and Liz
Greenhow were elected.
 Tricia
Wilson
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On 17th March Sarah Lyle gave a very inspiring talk on her expedition
from the Dead Sea to Mount Everest, illustrated with many slides.
Two things which moved me were Sarah’s ability and humility to appreciate
what she was experiencing, sometimes not quite believing she was there, and
her description of the generosity of the people she met, who gave them
hospitality along the way, a generosity we in the west seem shy of showing.
In a materialistic world where we read of people seeking fame it is
refreshing to see a young lady doing good deeds for the benefit others. We
in Prestbury can be proud of Sarah.
 Colin
Gay
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Do you search on-line? Did you know that if you do your searches through
www.everyclick.com you can
raise money for Prestbury and Pittville Youth at the same time? This website
gives half the revenue it makes from advertising to charity. All you have to
do is register PPY as your nominated charity and they will give local young
people 1p for every search you make. It is very easy to register. You just
put in the full charity name, Prestbury and Pittville Youth, when asked.
Apparently, about 50% of people who use the site do not register a
specific charity and their share of the funds is divided between the
charities that have been registered, so even if you don’t use everyclick.com
very much, if you register on it, PPY will qualify for a bigger share of the
unallocated funds. It is possible to see how many people have registered and
how much has been raised by clicking ‘charities’ at the bottom of the site
front page.
Some of the bigger websites give even more generously to everyclick.com.
If you access ebay through the site then PPY can earn approx 5p for every
bid you make. Access Amazon, Expedia and Hertz through everyclick.com and
they will pay 2.5% of each sale they make.
Please consider making www.everyclick.com your search engine and help
Prestbury and Pittville Youth raise funds.
Tricia
Wilson
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IT IS JANUARY and the evening is cold and wet. In the centre of
Cheltenham people are hurrying towards St Mary’s Church. As we enter we are
met by the warm glow of thousands of candles, lighting the building. We are
directed to the back of the church and as our eyes become accustomed to the
candle light we realise that it is very full.
This was one of the services organised by Churches Together for the Week
of Prayer for Christian Unity. The form being used was based on that of the
Taizé Community, which crosses the
boundaries of our different Christian traditions so easily. The distinctive
character comes from the chants with their attractive simplicity. When they
are used at services in church or heard on the radio we may not know that
they come from Taizé. However, a number of chants are familiar to many
Christian worshippers. ‘O Lord hear my prayer, when I call answer me’ is
used as a refrain to intercessions; ‘Bless the Lord my soul’ may have a
familiar ring and ‘Eat this bread, drink this cup’ is used at the time of
receiving Communion. Though some chants are widely known a Taizé style
service, such as the one in January, is not often to be found.
These chants are very short, consisting of a few words which are usually
taken from the Bible. They are sung over and over again to music which is so
attractive and may be sung unaccompanied. We are drawn in to the meaning of
the words as we sing them and the repetition becomes a form of meditation.
Take for example the words, ‘Jesus remember me when you come into your
Kingdom’. They are the words of the penitent thief on the cross next to
Jesus. They can help to concentrate our minds on the crucifixion and Jesus’
suffering. Other chants express the joy of the Resurrection, or the presence
of the Holy Spirit in our lives. ‘Veni Sancte Spiritus’ (Latin for ‘Come
Holy Spirit’) is like a pulse as we repeat it insistently, daring to believe
that the Spirit is among and within us.
There is no set liturgical form to Taizé worship. It will usually include a
reading from Scripture which sets the theme for the service; a psalm or
canticle, eg Magnificat, may be used. There will be a time of intercession,
but no preaching – no sermon nor address!
Always an essential part of Taizé worship is Silence. Chants and silence
together create Stillness – Stillness which we sometimes long for and all
need. Even if we only find ourselves thinking our own thoughts at least we
are doing that in the presence of God. Towards the end of the service
everyone has a lighted candle and all sing with the Joy of the Resurrection
‘Jubilate Deo’ or some similar chant.
We may ask ‘How do we pronounce that word Taizé?’ I suppose most people
would say something like tezzay. It is a small village in France,
where the Community has its home. It was founded by Brother Roger, who was
tragically killed in 2005. But its international work goes on and I hope to
give more of that inspiring story in another issue of this magazine.
 John
Gann
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As part of the Bishop of Gloucester’s initiative to raise the profile of
Easter, St Mary’s and Prestbury URC jointly raised a Cross on Palm Sunday
outside the URC in Deep Street where it could be seen by the many people
passing along the busy street. Both Churches are extremely grateful to Mike
Aldridge for making such a fine Cross.
Celebrate! sing their way across St Mary's
churchyard
heading for the United Reformed Church
picture by Stephen Murton
Before our Palm Sunday Service, palm-waving children and adults from
Celebrate! at St Mary’s walked in noisy procession to the URC where they
were joined by about 20 or 30 other members of St Mary’s. In front of a
packed church Maz and Fr Michael Cozens led a short service where the Cross
was dedicated and decorated. Before the Cross was taken outside and fixed in
position the congregation was invited to come up and touch it.
 On
Good Friday Fr Michael conducted a
short service at the foot of the Cross where a barbed-wire circle
representing the Crown of Thorns was hung on it. As before, the congregation
of about 40 was invited to touch the barbs and pray for victims of
suffering.
On Easter Sunday members of the congregation of St Mary’s were again
present in the URC. A garland of flowers (made by Lindsey McGowan of St
Mary’s) was carried out by four of the children and placed at the foot of
the Cross. After another prayer, the garland was hung on the Cross as a
symbol of the Resurrection. This service was led by Revd Ernest Marvin and
Fr Paul Iles.
The Cross remained outside the URC until the following weekend. The Cross
is not only a reminder of the Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, but it is
also a symbol of the friendship that exists between Prestbury URC and St
Mary’s and St Nicolas’.
 Fiona
Hall, URC
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Some of you will know that I am currently under taking a two-year course
called Training for Learning and Service. Four times a year I attend a
residential weekend with fellow students. The last weekend was based on
meeting the needs of Society and evangelism. Part of our time was spent
preparing presentations on how we would engage with a typical family who
thought Christians were “Godbotherers”. How would we help this family to see
that we are ordinary people like them, however we have a faith, a belief and
most importantly a special relationship with God which we wanted to share
with them.
This exercise made me realise how alien the world of church is to most
people: all the traditions which we follow – standing up, sitting down,
singing hymns which are very different from pop music, reading the bible and
then a sermon. In the end it became very clear that we would need to do
something that provided the typical family and the community with something
which it wanted – not what we thought it needed.
Interestingly, Prestbury URC held its AGM and meeting on the future of
the church the same weekend. The building is riddled with damp and over
£100,000 needs to be spend to repair it; 70% of this money needs to be
raised by the membership i.e. £70,000! Seven options were placed before the
church meeting:-
1) Go for it!
2) Go for part of the project
3) Rent worship-space elsewhere
4) Integrate with St Andrew’s and Warden Hill
5) Form a Local Ecumenical Partnership
6) Disband
7) Do nothing
Every member and adherent or friend has been given a pledge form and
asked to consider what they are able and willing to commit to financially.
The aim is not to put a price tag on coming to church but to understand what
money we will have to make a decision about the future. We need to be
realistic.
In June the church meeting will make a decision. We ask that you will
hold the church and its congregation in your prayers.
What will happen? One hundred and forty one years ago Highbury felt that
Prestbury needed an alternative to the then very high Anglican Church. It
built a chapel as its witness and mission to the community. What do
Prestbury village and the people of Prestbury need now? What is the mission
of Prestbury URC? These are the important questions which need thoughtful
prayer.
 Julie
Jefferies, URC
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The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah
son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah,
kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has
spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled
against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but
Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah
1:1-3 (NIV)
Beginnings and Endings are important. They are what you tend to remember
– how you first met a dear friend, a prospective boss at your job interview,
the joke at the opening of a sermon. You only get one go at a beginning.
In this opening passage the scene is set for the whole book. We learn of
Isaiah’s mission, the prophet himelf, the setting of the historical context
and the Israelites’ situation and problem.
Isaiah had a vision – a message from God to His rebellious people – a
calling, an inescapable task. Individually you or I may or may not have a
clear and specific vision like his. However, for us corporately, vision is
important since ‘Without vision the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18). What is
our vision?
We discover Isaiah’s name, meaning ‘Yahweh is salvation’. He lived and
prophesied through the turbulent times of four kings of Judah, a period of
some forty years, approximately 740 - 700 BC. A number of other Old
Testament prophets, for example Amos, Hosea and Micah, also lived at that
time and together bore witness to the decimation of the ten tribes of the
northern Kingdom of Israel.
With King Uzziah’s death a two-generation period of peace came to an end,
and the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel were
harried and dominated by kings from Assyria bent on expanding their empire.
There are similarities between Isaiah’s time and ours. The influence of
individual countries continues to wax and wane. Powerful rulers still seek
to expand their territory. People are downtrodden and moral values falter.
For Isaiah verses 2 and 3 set the scene of a crisis situation brought
about by the rebellious choices made by the Israelites. Further into the
book are more familiar verses: the moving and inspirational passages we hear
at Christmas, ‘The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son
and will call him Immanuel’ (7:14) and the words we hear at Easter about the
Suffering Servant, ‘But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed
for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and
by his wounds we are healed’ (53:5).
These are familiar passages, yet so very hard to get our human minds
around the meaning of the depth and breadth of the love of God contained
within them.
Lord, forgive my rebellion, help me to hear, and begin to understand your
love for me. Amen.
 Sue
Read
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I stayed before the Altar of Repose in St Nicolas’ until about half past
nine. As I walked home past the racecourse the funfair was in full swing,
and I thought how apt it was – life goes on around us even while we struggle
with deep sadness.
And surely that is how it must have been that night in Jerusalem: most
people who were there to celebrate the Passover were doing just that –
celebrating, having a party with friends and family, some of whom they had
not seen since last year. They were completely oblivious to what was
happening in the Garden of Gethsemane, just as the people enjoying the
funfair were oblivious to the sad quietness in the darkened church barely
ten minutes’ walk away.
Editor
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Bible Study and Hospitality
The Bible Study Group will be continuing to explore St
Matthew’s Gospel at 7.00pm on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month
and look forward to welcoming new members. Study guides are still available
from Jennifer Swinbank.
In the week after Easter members of the group met together
and enjoyed a wonderful evening of good food and good company. Many thanks
to John and Anne for their generous hospitality.
 Jennifer
Swinbank
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PLANT SALE
Saturday 12th May 2 pm
St Nicolas’ Church, Swindon Lane
In aid of Church funds
Plant Sale at St Nicolas’
Please remember the Plant Sale on Saturday, 12th May, 2.00 pm in aid of
Church funds.
We hope to have all sorts of plants on sale, and will be
grateful for donations of bedding plants, herbaceous perennials and
vegetable and herb plants. If you are able to supply anything, please ring
me by 10th May and I will collect, or deliver to St Nicolas’ on 12th May
between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.
 Janet
White
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Parish Quiz Night
St Nicolas’ Hall
Saturday12th May 7.15pm
Teams of 4 maximum at a price of £2 a head
Come and enjoy the occasion!
Questions suitable for all ages
See pictures
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Ecumenical Service
Do join us at the United Reformed Church in Deep Street on
Sunday 13th May at 6.30pm for an ecumenical service celebrating Christian
Aid Week. The service will be followed by refreshments and a time of
fellowship.
Christian Aid Week May 13th-19th
We shall need many volunteers to help with the house-to-house collection. We
hope that most of our usual faithful helpers will be available, but some
will be away and some others are unwell. Do consider giving up a little time
if you possibly can. No-one need spend more than two or three hours. Please
get in touch with us.
Gill Ashman for St Mary’s
Paddy Spurgeon for St Nicolas’
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Church Cleaning and Churchyard Tidy-up
Thank you to the small but enthusiastic band of helpers
who turned out to spring clean St Mary’s and tidy the churchyard. In spite
of numbers of volunteers being down,
 a
good job was done. Mid-morning we enjoyed coffee and biscuits together with
large hot sausage rolls courtesy John Fogarty at the Bakery Stores.
Matthew and his barrow were invaluable, clearing up for us
all.
Photo by Nigel Woodcock
more pictures ...
Skip & Chips
At the churchyard tidy-up in March there was no
opportunity to clear the heap, so members of Celebrate! have
organised a skip on Saturday 19th May. If you can come and help from 10
o’clock you would be most welcome. At least there is no clash with the
football this time! The more hands the merrier, particularly as we would
like to be finished well before the wedding at 3.30pm. Oh, and there are
chips at lunchtime!
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St Mary’s Bakestall
This month’s bakestall at St Mary’s is on Sunday 20th May
with contributions from those with surnames N-Z. Do contact one of us if you
would like to join the rota.
Margaret Waker & Linda Matthews
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Mothers’ Union
Our speaker on Tuesday 29th May will be Mr Nicholas Clark
who will show slides of ‘Beyond Bangkok’. We meet in St Nicolas’ Church at
7.30pm and all are welcome.
Marion Beagley
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Prestbury Open Gardens
Saturday, 16th & Sunday, 17th June 2 – 5 p.m.
With Cream Teas available in St Mary’s Church, 3 – 5 p.m.
All proceeds to Church funds
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Glastonbury Pilgrimage 2007
The next pilgrimage at Glastonbury Abbey is on Saturday
16th June, at which the intention will be for those without water and for
the work and partnership with ‘Water Aid’. The principal celebrant at the
Eucharist will be the Bishop of Plymouth and the preacher will be the well
known Anglican catholic evangelist Lindsay Urwin, Bishop of Horsham.
Jen Swinbank
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Parish Fete – Date for your Diary!
This year’s Parish Fete will be held at St Nicolas’ on
Saturday 30 June at 2pm. PLEASE sign up to run a stall – don’t just assume
someone else will do it! We would like donations of items for sale –
bathroom treats, books, CDs, bottles, cakes, white elephants(!!?) and more.
If you can help, please contact a member of the fete committee: Janet Ford,
Jeanette Behenna and Hazel Langley.
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Education and Nurture across the Team
Those who joined us at St Nicolas’ in Father Paul’s Garden
of Delights experienced a combination of food, fellowship, worship and a
presentation on a seasonal theme. Thank you to Father Paul and to all whose
efforts helped to make this a success.
Jennifer
Swinbank
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Going Up
Exploring the Ascension through
workshops and worship for
8-14 year olds
Sunday 20th May
3pm to 6pm
Ss Philip and James Church
Up Hatherley, Cheltenham
For further information and a registration form contact:
Carol Raven 01242 699846
email: frraven.ssc blueyonder.co.uk
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