SMT

Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 21st March 2020

The Presence Light in the Sanctuary at St Michael’s continues to burn day and night throughout the week.  As ever, it reminds us of God’s continual presence – not just in the church building, but with all of us, the St Michael’s Family, whether even in normal times we are able physically to gather there or not.

 The Light also reminds us that Jesus, the Light of the World, is present with us, giving support and encouragement; pushing back dark things and dark times when they press in around us.  .

 St Michael’s is open each day from 9:00am until noon, and from 3:00pm until 6:00pm.  If you wish to donate to the foodbank, please place items in the usual place at the rear of the North Aisle.

Diary

Every Day

9am - Morning Prayer

5.30pm - Evening Prayer

Readings for these services are hosted on the Daily Prayer page on our website.

Only at St Michael’s

SMT 190’s note about “Corvid-19 Precautions” (instead of “Covid-19 …”) inspired several witticisms, some perhaps not exactly “PC” as we watch the virus’ onward sweep.  Comments included that this showed the SMT staff were bird-brained (given some birds, that could be a compliment, but doubtless wasn’t meant as one), and that hopefully the precautions would enable us to crow about not catching the virus.

Green Tips – taking a lead, setting a target

Meeting a couple of weeks ago, the C of E General Synod passed a motion setting a target for all parts of the Church to work to be carbon “nett zero” by 2030.  The debate had set that “ambitious” date rather than the original proposal of 2045.  The motion noted the Synod recognises that the global climate emergency is a crisis for God’s creation, and a fundamental injustice.  At the forefront of the work will be X Nick Salisbury, the C of E lead bishop for environmental matters, and Jo Chamberlain, newly-appointed national Environment Officer for the C of E.

What happened at the PCC?

PCC Minutes have to be approved by the next meeting before they can be displayed, but they’re put up as soon as possible.  Recently, minutes of the meeting on 13th January were put up in the North and South porches. 

Among items discussed were:  Ø Our Parish Share – the amount contributed to the Diocese – for 2020 had been recalculated (by the Diocese) and was c. £2,000 less than the budgeted figure.    Ø The financial implications of focusing on growth were discussed.  The Diocese sees Bramhall as a two-clergy parish, but that would mean doubling parish share (currently £95,000); that wouldn’t apply for a curate, but it would mean paying for housing.  Part-time lay employees – a Children & Families Worker and/or a Youth Worker could be considered; one full-time appointment would cost c. £30,000 p.a. 

Ø  The Eco Action Group reported on various matters, including developing “eco” themes in Services, increasing the bio-diversity of the church grounds, and signing up St M’s as a Fair Trade Church.  Ø  The terms of reference for the Parish Development Group (Finance) were noted.  Ø  “Discipleship” – from our strapline of “Community, Inclusion, Discipleship” – was discussed, with what has worked well, what we do now, and what we could do under the headings “developing prayer”, “understanding our faith”, and “sharing our faith” being considered.  Ø  N.  Ø  N.

Update on Ailsa Whitchurch

This update is from her son, Kevin :  I visited Mum at the care home yesterday.  She’s doing well – eating well and looking much healthier.  The decline through dementia continues, but she is among nice people and stimulated each day.  She sends her best wishes to all at St Michael’s.

Green Tips – Don’t forget about the other crisis!

Necessarily, Covid-19 has taken over our thinking, planning, the “Media”, and priorities.  It may be hard to concentrate on anything else at the moment, but when it’s over we’ll be back to climate change and the eco-crisis (weirdly good and bad news at the same time).  A few “green tips” as we settle into Covid-dominated life:

Ø  It may well be a case of getting what’s there when (if) you shop, but if there is a choice, try to keep up choose less packaging, and avoid things cocooned in plastic.

Ø  If the old one is still working, do you need to rush to Amazon or e-Bay for a new one?  Save the materials and energy invested in that new whatever – not to mention saving people from not being at “social distancing” distances while they’re getting it to you.

Ø  If you feed the birds, etc – they still need it.

Soup & Roll

(Newala fundraiser) on 8th March :  A big thank you to everyone who attended this event.  We hope you enjoyed  the homemade soups and the friendship, which is the main purpose of Newala Link.  Also thank you very much to all who helped cook the soup, brought other items, and washed up. You’ll be pleased to know that we raised £170, which will go towards the projects we support in Newala Diocese - mainly being Porridge Breakfasts for school pupils and water tanks for villages.                                     Hamida Adkins

Childrens Society

The Christingle Services seem a long time ago, but we’ve finally been able to arrange to send the amount collected to The Children’s Society.  The total amount was £1,559.15, which breaks down as follows:    Donations at Christingle Services           £912.61

School Carol Service collection               £398.54

  Bramhall Hall Chapel Services                 £200.00

Sundry other donations                              £48.00  

                                                                                                             Graham Knight

Still collecting stamps

A reminder that we collect used stamps for The Together Trust (a local charity that “provides care, education and support for children and adults with learning and physical disabilities, autism, and emotional needs”).  It will probably be some time until you can put stamps (in a labelled envelope) in the W section of the letter-rack or hand them to Phil Wadsworth, but please hang on to them until you can. 

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know Your name put their trust in you, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9:9-10

Weekly News Sheet - Sunday 15th March 2020

#  Following “Thanksgiving” :  Please look in the letter-rack for a thank you letter to you following your Thanksgiving Pledge returned in the last two weeks.  Also, if you use the weekly envelope system, you’ll find a box of envelopes for the coming twelve months on a table at the back of church.              Roy Phillips

#  Easter Commemorations :  If you would like to give one or more Easter lilies in memory of family member(s) or friend(s), please fill in one of the form at the back of church.  Lilies cost £3 each, and the form and money (cash, or cheque made payable to “St Michael & All Angels PCC”) should be placed in the box alongside the forms.  All forms / money must be handed in by the end of the morning on Palm Sunday (5th April), please.                                   Val Huxley                       

#  Lent Lectures 2020 :  This year’s series is titled “Managing Change & Conflict”, and looks at some of the challenges of living in an uncertain world.  In Centrepoint, Wednesdays 2:30 to 4:00pm.  No charge, all welcome.  This week:

18th March          Mindfulness and Christian Spirituality – Revd Katy Thomas

#  Quiz Night :  Sunday 15th March, Church Hall, 6:00pm.  Fund-raising to support the members of St M’s going on next year’s trip to Newala.  £10 per person, including food and one drink.  Up to eight people per team.  For tickets e-mail newala.fundraising@gmail.com or contact the Office; also advise of any dietary requirements.

# Women’s World Day of Prayer Anniversary Coffee Morning in the United Reformed Ch, Robins Ln on Friday 20th March, 10:30am ‘til noon.  Celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the WWDP in Bramhall.  All welcome, not just ladies!

#  Mothering Sunday posies will be made in the Lounge on Saturday 21st March from 10:00am to noon.  Your help would be much appreciated - please bring scissors and/or secateurs.  We’d be grateful for ‘greenery’ – evergreens or well-budding twigs – to go in the posies; please leave any such in the buckets in the hall entrance lobby from Wednesday 18th.                               Diane Whitehead

#  The Barnby Choir’s Spring Concert is in St M’s on Saturday 21st March, 7:30pm.  CANCELLED

#  Bramhall Christian Viewpoint: Supper Evening Thursday 26th March, 7:30pm at the Deanwater Hotel, SK7 1RJ.  Speaker Dr Alex Walter (formerly a Server at St M’s), a Christian GP working with disadvantaged people in Manchester, who last year went with his family to Guinea to work on the Africa Mercy hospital ship.  Tickets £14 inc supper – Sheila Salden 0161 440 9794.  All welcome to this inspiring evening, do book early. 

#  Cake Sale – Sunday 29th March, in church hall after both Services.  Fund-raising for projects in Newala.  Cake donations very welcome – please leave in Office or Kitchen, labelled for Newala Cake Sale, from Thursday 26th; bring before Service on Sunday 29th; or contact Jill Fairhurst 0161 439 3126.

#  Mark Hackney’s Licensing as Reader will be at a service in Chester Cathedral at 4:00pm (time tbc) on Saturday 10th October.  If you would like to attend, please sign up on the sheet on the hall lobby noticeboard, also indicating whether you’d like to go by coach – if there are sufficient, we’ll hire one.

#  Green Tips :   Around 150 million tonnes of pieces of plastic are drifting in the world’s oceans; they’re estimated to cause the deaths of one million birds and 100,000 sea mammals p.a.  

#  Voluntary Site Manager :  The Churchwardens and Vicar are looking to appoint a voluntary Site Manager to work with us to develop maintenance plans and a long-term development plan for the church site.  Copies of a rôle description for the post on the letter rack.  If you’d be interested contact Calum calum.piper@bramhall.church  0161 943 5535 or one of  Churchwardens.

#  Nomination forms for the PCC and the Deanery Synod are available from the Office office@bramhall.church   0161 439 3989 or from Tricia Munn 0161 439 3583 triciamunn@btinternet.com.  Please return completed forms to either.

#  Only at St Michael’s :  You never know what you’ll find – or why it’s there:  The Sacristan was inventorying the Vestries, and so rummaging in places rarely rummaged.  Why, in a drawer in the safe, is there a tablet of cello bow rosin?  Why locked away?  Answers, as they say, on a postcard …