The Real Advent Calendar
Traidcraft at St M's is taking orders for “The Real Advent Calendar”, made by the Meaningful Chocolate Company (Lymm-based local, ethical enterprise). Each has a 24-page Christmas Story activity book for every day in Advent and 25 Fairtrade chocolates. Box & tray recyclable, no palm oil used in making the chocolate, charity donation with purchase. £3.30 (20p cheaper than last year!). Available on Traidcraft stall today, or sign-up on sheet above letter-rack. Also catalogues available for other ethical Christmas gifts etc. Traidcraft orders & queries: Tina Reid 0161 439 8989 reidtina5@gmail.com
Church – Not As You Know It
Sunday 10th November, 4:00 to 6:00pm in and around St M’s. A relaxed and ‘free-form’ two hours for families and individuals. Food, crafts, fun and games, informal Christian content and comment; come along and join in: Building Community, Exploring Faith, and Having Fun.
By Still Waters
The 2019 monthly “mini-retreat” days at Foxhill are on the theme “‘By Still Waters: A series of reflections on the Psalms”. These days “are a chance to step back from your busyness, and listen to what God is saying to you”. Each is led by a speaker, includes quiet time, and group discussion; and costs £23, including lunch and refreshments. 9:30am to 4:00pm, second Monday of each month. The next one – 11th November – concentrates on Psalm 63. For more information see Foxhill’s Website www.foxhillchester.co.uk ; to book ‘phone 01928 733777 or e-mail foxhill@chester.anglican.org .
Concert by Living Water Ministries
Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ. Thursday 21st November, 7:30 for 8:00pm, a Bramhall Christian Viewpoint event. LWM is an international group from Lighthouse Christian Centre, Eccles that brings hope and life-transforming love through song in Gospel outreach events in a wide variety of venues including theatres, prisons, homeless shelters, and churches. This promises to be a popular event, so contact Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794 asap to book a place (£10). Please note there is no meal at this event.
Christmas Card Competition
Design the St M’s Christmas Card for 2019, based on one of the themes St Michael’s Church, Follow the Star, Christmas. Prize – apart from seeing the card printed – a £50 Amazon voucher. Submit entries by noon on Sunday 24th November accompanied by the entry form, copies of which are on top of the letter rack in the church hall entrance lobby.
Christian Aid Collection
Thank you to all those who helped with the Bucket Collection at Tesco, Handforth Dean to raise funds for Christian Aid. Despite floods, all collectors made it. We raised the magnificent total of £1151.87 (£32/collector/hour, best result yet) towards Christian Aid’s work to help the world’s poorest escape poverty. Keith Fenwick
Green Tips
McDonalds UK gives out small plastic toys with its children’s meals. There’s currently a campaign (under ‘change.org’ umbrella) to stop this wasteful use of plastic. McDonalds has agreed to run a trial at some of its cafés to offer a toy, fruit, or a book. Meanwhile, if you take children to a McDonalds (and pass this info to anyone you know who does/might, please), please refuse the toy – and tell them why.
The Produce Stall
The produce table in the hall entrance lobby raises funds for projects in our linked Diocese of Newala, Tanzania. If you can contribute anything from garden or allotment, please leave it on the Produce Stall. When you take items please leave a proportionate donation (guide – at least what you’d pay in the shops) in the box on the stall.
Donating electronically at St M’s
We now offer the option to donate via our Tap & Go contactless card reader (it can also process non-contactless cards). It is situated just inside the church by the North Porch entrance. It’s set for £5, but the amount one wishes to donate can easily be changed. Should assistance be required, please ask a Sidesperson, Churchwarden, or the Verger, who will be happy to help.
New Website for St M’s
www.bramhall.church. Thank you to Mike Holmes and Phil Ketteringham who have worked hard over a number of years to build and maintain our previous Website. Their technical knowledge is a wonderful gift to St M’s. If you have any thoughts about anything that is missing from the new Website please let me know. Revd Calum
Check your cheque
If you write a cheque to St M’s, please ensure it’s made payable to “St Michael & All Angels PCC”. Our bank isn’t happy if it is just written to “St Michael’s” or similar.