The Green Spire

The Parish Magazine ofSt Andrew, Orford with Longford

Christmas 2015 / January 2016

School News 2Bishop Paul’s Christmas message 3Who’s On ... in January 5Certainly not little 6What’s on in January 7Posada 8A thought for Christmas 9Christmas Midnight 101 Corinthians 13 - Christmas style 11Snippets from the Church Times 12Notice Board 13Tackling Poverty Together – Church Urban Fund 15Epiphany 17Praying for the World-Wide Church in January 19The Visitor 22Epiphany Cake 23As I see it – by Churchmouse 24Nothing Wasted – Turkey Rasputin! 26How to know if you are growing old 27

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From the Registers 28Safety at Christmas time 30Prayer Intentions for January 32

The Green Spire is published monthly. Copies are 35p per month, or £3.50 for a year’s subscription – normally payable in January. Enquiries about advertisements welcome.

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School NewsChristmas is always a busy time in school – and this year seemed busier than ever!

At the beginning of December, we hosted the annual Christingle Service in church. Joined by members of the 33rd Warrington West Scout Troop, parents and congregation turned out in force and raised a significant sum for the Children’s Society. The highlight, as ever, was the moment when the children formed a huge circle around the pews in church, holding their Christingles to sing Away in a manger. Unfortunately for us, Year 2 children were at Crosby Hall though we’re told they had a brilliant time, despite poor weather.

The Infant Nativity told the story of The Hopeless Camel in which the wise men want to visit Bethlehem but the head camel has a reputation for getting lost. It was a delightful performance in which every child took part and acted and sang really well.

Children from Year 5 performed a couple of Gospel pieces at St Elphin’s Church for the Warrington Music Hub Accent’s Christmas production. They were joined by other schools that together put on an impressive evening’s entertainment. The school choir have also been working hard and took part in a special Christmas extravaganza with other schools from the Bold Group.

Governors joined staff and children for Christmas lunch. Mrs Pegg and her team excelled and we’re already looking forward to next year! There were parities for both the infants and the juniors with a surprise guest!

On the final morning of term, Year 6 put on a Christmas Carol Service. Seen through the eyes of those who were there at the birth, accompanied by traditional carols, it told the Christmas story and was a fitting way to end the term and prepare everyone for Christmas.

As soon as the children had gone home, the decorators moved in to paint the hall. School is looking much lighter and brighter – a much more conducive atmosphere in which to learn. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday after a busy and exciting term.

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Bishop Paul's Christmas Message A family flees for its life.

A family flees for its life. They have been living under the shadow of a murderous regime and they know that at any time the slaughter may reach them. They have no time. The journey is arduous and dangerous and there is no certainty of what they may find when they reach their destination.

This is a very present reality. It is the type of story we see almost every day on our news reports. The plight of the refugee, desperately crammed into boats trying to find a place of sanctuary. We feel sympathy, powerlessness, frustration. We look at the desperation and wonder how we have got to this in the 21st century. We call out and ask where God is in this suffering.

Yet this is God’s story. The family are Jesus’ family and the tale is of the flight to Egypt. In it, as we know, the Christ child is being whisked away from Herod’s pogrom. In it the only option is to travel to a strange land, a land full of potential danger and to an uncertain future.

So God became and refugee and as such is in the refugee’s story. And he calls us to follow him into that story, to get alongside those in distress and above all find appropriate ways to welcome the stranger to our door.

In many ways the welcome of the stranger is central to the Christmas story. It is a harsh story in a difficult setting and it is one we dress up to be a picture postcard at our peril. Jesus‘ parents had been immigrants in Bethlehem struggling to find a place of shelter where they could have their child. They had been turned away many times and it was left to the poorest in society to offer a true, sacrificial welcome to the Lord of all. How often is that the case? The rich turn the needy away while those who could be seen to be in need are the ones that offer most love and comfort.

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So Christ’s story compels us to offer a proper Christmas welcome this year. And Christ’s teaching reinforces that command. The command that the God of justice has echoed over the centuries. The command that is writ large throughout scripture. Jesus told us to look after the cold, the homeless, the hungry. Our neighbours. But Christ knew what that experience was like and Christ knew that all of humanity needs that love.

The media image of Christmas is one of self-indulgence. The time to spend, to party, to eat, drink and be merry. Jesus wouldn’t want to deny you pleasure – he helped one party in Cana really get swinging.

But if Christ’s story, the story of his beginnings, the story of his life is to continue to have lasting relevance and meaning then we should pause in the indulgence of our selves. And this Christmas look to indulge someone else. Support them, love them, aid them and bring them the welcome that so many denied to our Lord.

Then we can use Christmas to remind people that the birth of Christ made a bigger difference to the world than just a picture postcard story.

Happy Christmas.

St Andrew’s Charity Shopwill re-open on

Wednesday 13th January from 10am to 3pm

Drop-in for tea and toast. Carer’s advice desk

A big thank you to everyone who brought in clothes, toiletries, sleeping bags and bedding for Room at the Inn before Christmas. They were all delivered and gratefully received in the days before Christmas and will be used to help homeless people over the Christmas period and beyond.

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Who’s on in January?

2016 SIDES-PEOPLE READER INTERCESSOR OFFERTORY

27 Dec J. DevereuxM. Ellison L. Manfredi K. Rowan Volunteers please

3 Jan 2016

F. GreatorexO. Vowles A. Gorman M. Brown B. Boscoe

B. Glover

10 Jan Volunteers please W. Reddish W. McKinnon C. WorrallR. Worrall

17 Jan B. BoscoeB. Glover W. McKinnon F. Greatorex J. Clegg

M. Ellison

24 Jan M. GreatorexH. Smythe W. Forster N. Lee I. Appleton

M. Harrington

31 Jan I. AppletonM. Harrington K. Rowan D. Kirk E. Chorley

J. Stamp

7 Feb J. DevereuxM. Ellison J. Raynor Sunday School M. Greatorex

H. Smythe

2016 SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTING COLLECTIONS27 Dec No Sunday School today I. Appleton / M. Ellison

3 Jan V. Carter / J. Raynor10 Jan B. Boscoe / B. Glover17 Jan Volunteers24 Jan I. Appleton / M. Ellison31 Jan V. Carter / J. Raynor7 Feb B. Boscoe / B. Glover

2016 TEA ROTA READ ON WEDS EVE HALL CLEANING27 Dec M. Ellison/M. Harrington D. Kirk (30 Dec) J. Devereux

3 Jan F. Greatorex / L. Giblin Fr Michael (6 Jan) C. Worrall10 Jan B. Boscoe / B. Glover N. Lee (13 Jan) Fr Michael17 Jan M. Ellison/M. Harrington D. Kirk (20 Jan) J. Devereux24 Jan F. Greatorex/L. Giblin Fr Michael (27 Jan) C. Worrall31 Jan B. Boscoe/B. Glover N. Lee (3 Feb) Fr Michael7 Feb M. Ellison/M. Harrington D. Kirk (10 Feb) J. Devereux

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Deliveries

Amanda MorrisonStation Road, Great Sankey Tel/Fax: 01925

Certainly not little

WE HAVE nothing against Judy Garland, but her 1944 song “Have yourself a merry little Christmas”, written by Hugh Martin, encapsulates in its first line all that is wrong with the modern Christmas. For a start, of course, Christmas is not “little” to anyone with the slightest grasp of the incarnation. Yes, at that moment God was baby-sized, but his birth was world-changing. Our main objection, though, is to the idea that Christmas is something that you can have yourself. This is not to deny that many people can enjoy the festivities on their own; but, as at other times of the year, it is selflessness that redeems us, and opens us up to God’s generous indwelling. Wishing someone else to “have yourself” a merry Christmas misses the mutual care that the Holy Spirit desires of us.

The second line of the song (later changed to “let your heart be light”) was originally “it may be your last”. This idea certainly seems to drive the shopping frenzy in the long run-up to the festival. Everyone likes presents, but the giving and receiving of them must not distract us from the urgent care needed by those for whom those words might well be true. Christmas is not little when it prompts people to support those many charities that show God’s love in action. May it be so.

Church Times leader 18/25 Dec 2015

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MISS DAISY’S

What’s on in January ...

Sunday 27th St John the EvangelistDecember 10.00am Sung Eucharist

Monday 28th Holy Innocents10.30am Eucharist

Thursday 31st 10.30am Eucharist

Friday 1st The Naming of JesusJanuary 2016 10.30am Eucharist

Sunday 3rd The Feast of the Epiphany10.00am Sung Eucharist

with Procession of Wise Men to the stable

Wednesday 6th St Andrew’s School re-opens

Thursday 7th 9.15am School Epiphany service in church

Sunday 10th The Baptism of Christ10.00am Sung Eucharist

Saturday 16th 2.00pm Memorial Service for Denis Collins at Emmaus Church

Sunday 17th The Second Sunday of Epiphany10.00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday 19th 7.30pm PCC meeting in church (time to be confirmed – see Sunday sheet)

Thursday 21st 9.30am Ethos Committee meeting in school

Sunday 24th The Third Sunday of Epiphany10.00am Sung Eucharist

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Sunday 31st THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE - CANDLEMASS 10.00am Sung Eucharist

There are regular weekly celebrations of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm and Thursday morning at 10.30am. All are welcome. Please also see the Directory page on the back cover.

PosadaSince the beginning of Advent, children and staff in school have been taking part in Posada – a Mexican custom that follows Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem. Our Posada contained figures of the Holy Family; a donkey; a Christmas story book and a card with ideas to help those who ‘put up’ the Holy Family for the night make the most of it.

Essentially, the idea is that Mary and Joseph would have been homeless as they travelled to be registered and dependant on the hospitality of strangers as they passed through their villages. Hospitality is strong in Jewish custom and they would have been well care for, especially an expectant mother.

The Posada has been taken home by someone different each night and returned to school the following morning. There has been an optional invitation to include a small gift for the homeless this Christmas when the Posada was brought back to school.

This is the second year we have had the Posada and interest was such that we used two separate boxes. Even then, there was more interest than evenings available and we’ll probably have a third one next year!

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A thought for ChristmasA few weeks ago I was in hospital having a knee replacement. In one of the beds opposite me was an elderly gentleman (let’s call him Nigel). Nigel came back to the ward having undergone major surgery on his back and he just wanted to rest. Three hours after his return from theatre the Physiotherapy Team arrived and tried to get Nigel to start on a regime of exercising etc. Nigel was having none of it and resisted at every opportunity, saying “It’s my body and you can’t make me do what I don’t want to do. Come back tomorrow”

Eventually the Physio team left having been defeated or at least lost the first skirmish.

Next morning they returned in earnest (6 of them in fact) and approached Nigel’s bed. Nigel looked at them and said “Shall we start again?” There was an almost instantaneous lowering of tension. Four of the Physio team left and Nigel happily went off to his session of exercises etc. When he returned there were smiles all round and it was fair to say Peace had broken out.

It struck me that what could have been a nasty confrontation that no one really wanted had been avoided by those few words “Shall we start again”.

The Christmas message can be quite difficult to deliver or can it? Angels, Kings, Shepherds and a captive audience. Sounds easy, or is it? What is being described sounds totally unlikely – God comes down from heaven to earth as a tiny baby, a scrap of life and so vulnerable. So how is it possible to bring together the baby in the manger wrapped in swaddling clothes with the power that sets the stars in the sky spinning?

Christmas still captivates all sorts of people or so I thought one year when I saw a crowd around the nativity scene outside a Church in Rugby where I used to live. Still able to pull in the crowd I thought. Then I saw that whilst Mary and Joseph were there the baby in the crib was now a toy Elephant and the Three Wise Men had been replace by toy giraffes. This caused me to try to find within myself the patience the faith in God gives. We need to be patient and treat God’s grace as an unexpected Christmas present because God always wants the best for us and will always offer us a chance to “Start Again”. If this sounds odd just look from the crib to the cross and see what God was prepared to go through for us.

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When Christmas Day is finally over and perhaps you did not get the present you had been hoping for. You’re fed up with Turkey and Sprouts, had enough with this year’s repeats on the TV. If you find yourself alone perhaps both physically and spiritually remember the offer from God which has stood throughout eternity “Shall we start again?”

Don Miller

Christmas MidnightThere is a touch of perfection about midnight worship on Christmas Eve. The custom is ancient, the timing is apt, the darkness retains its mystery, the silence is eloquent.

For many, at home and abroad, the message of holy night, silent night brings home the reality of life’s wonder, life’s secret force. In Germany, the word for Christmas, Weihnacht, emphasises the night which precedes the dawn. For a whole world, the Christmas communion expresses, as nothing else can so fully express, the thanksgiving, blended with joy, which Christians at their best are understandably moved to offer.

In the darkness, at the dead of night new life is wonderfully found. At midnight, the hour strikes. Those proverbial five minutes before midnight carry the suggestion of panic and crisis. The midnight hour marks a moment of discovery and decision. A new day, a new life, a new faith coincide and launch a new era.

To watch at midnight, not at home, but in the church’s sanctuary, is an impressive way of sharing the life, the light, and the love, which uniquely entered our world in the flesh-and-blood life of a child.

The darkness of midnight shuts out the glitter and noisy chatter of the holiday, and helps us to concentrate. The worshipper, at such an hour of the night, shuts out the world and opens the heart and mind to a new age. Midnight brings us to a point of transition from yesterday to today; this 12 o’clock it neither pm nor am. For a moment, surprisingly, time seems to have a stop. There is a sense of eternity, of timelessness, here. An opportunity is given for new perspectives. In the beginning was the Word, the meaning of it.

courtesy of St Faith’s magazine

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1 Corinthians 13 – Christmas style

If I decorate my house attractively with twinkling lights, holly and baubles, but do no t show love to my family, I am just another decorator.If I slave away in the kitchen, baking Christmas treats, special meals and arrange an impressive table layout on Christmas day, but do not show love to my family, I am just another cook. If I go off to help in a soup kitchen, sing carols in a nursing home and give generously to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing. If I attend parties, visit friends, see a Christmas show and even sing in the church choir, but do not focus on Jesus, I will have missed the point.Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to care for those in need. Love is kind, even when harassed and tired. Love doesn’t envy when looking at what others have. It doesn’t tell other people to get out of their way; instead it is thankful they are there to be in the way.Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Computer games will break, clothes will wear out and gifts will get lost; but giving the gift of love will endure.Happy Christmas!

(Author unknown) From Tidings, the magazine of WMM

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Fridge and Freezers Washing Machines

Dishwashers Cookers etc

Snippets from the Church TimesThe climate change agreement secured in Paris was widely welcomed, albeit with warnings, by church leaders around the world. The Archbishop of Canterbury described it as “welcome and courageous progress” in which the global Church must be a key partner. “Every member of the Body of Christ must play a part in putting the Paris deal into action, particularly as climate change hit the poor the hardest,” he said.

More than five hundred churches, church halls, mosques and synagogues opened their doors to offer shelter for the night for homeless people last winter. A similar number or more are already opening their doors again this winter.

The Church Army has launched a new course that uses imagery and humour to prompt honest conversations about faith. ‘Faith Pictures’ was designed to have a much broader appeal than most evangelism courses. “The videos are entertaining and light-hearted,” said the Rev Mike Starkey, author of the course. “It could be used with home groups or during Lent” he added.

Prior to launching the Soyuz spacecraft that took British astronaut Tim Peake into space, orthodox priests blessed the craft that successfully took Tim and his two colleagues to the Space Station.

Is nothing sacred? Italian police seized forged papal benedictions (blessings) due to be sold to tourists. 3,500 fake copies were found in a shop inside the Vatican and thought to be worth over £50,000.

The Bishop of Manchester has written an article to help congregations welcome people who come just once a year to Carol Services (and, one assumes, Midnight Mass). In particular, he reminds the Church that these people have come to be with God and should be respected.

Neuroscientists have published a paper in the British Medical Journal claiming to have found the exact location of the ‘festive spirit’ in the human brain! Excitement, joy, expectation, nostalgia and love of all things festive were identified by brain scanning patients who were shown Christmas related images. The light-hearted study was conducted in order to help those suffering from the so-called “Bah humbug syndrome” who are prone to displaying ‘Christmas spirit deficiencies’!

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Thank youTo everyone who helped prepared church for Christmas and those who contributed to our worship in any way. Thanks to the choir, to Peter and the School Choir for the maginificent Carol Service. To servers, readers, cleaners, flower arrangers (and those who are not included but have played their part) a very big thank you.

Christmas GreetingsThe card was published on the 15th and we are grateful to everyone who placed a message in the card. Those who receive the magazine by post should find one with this month’s Green Spire. If you didn’t see a card, please ask Fr Michael as there may still be a few spare copies.

Candlemassfalls on Sunday 31st January and there will be a special service with a procession of candles to the font.

RotasThere will be a new rota drawn up in time for February’s edition of Green Spire. It covers all aspects of our worshipping life together – readers and leaders of the prayers; sides-people and Sunday School leaders; those who make the tea and those who wash up afterwards. We are always pleased to receive offers of help on any of the rotas. If you would like to know more, or offer your services, please speak to Fr Michael soon.

Our Charity ShopAfter a well deserved break, the Charity Shop will re-open on Wednesday 13 th

January at 10.00am. Anyone wishing to help – and there are lots of different tasks to suit everyone – should have a word with Jenny in the first instance. Even if you can’t commit to helping every week, extra ‘hands’ are always welcome.

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Welcometo the Reverend Tracey McLoughlin who is to be licensed as team Vicar at the Church of the Reurrection and St Bridget, Cinnamon Brow, on Sunday 14 th

February. ‘The Resurrection’ is a member of the Warrington East Team.

PCC meetingThe next meeting will be held on Tuesday 19th January at either 7.30 or 7.45pm. Please check on the Sunday sheet. Members are asked to look at and start completing the Growth Planning Framework 3 distributed at the last meeting.

ConfirmationIt’s not too soon to start thinking about confirmation. This year’s confirmation will take place at St Margaret’s (our Orford partner) on Sunday 8 th May at 4.00pm. The confirming bishop will be the Bishop of Warrington.

Christmas collectionsThe Christingle Service, held on 4th December, raised £179.56 (up on the previous year) for the Children’s Society and the collections taken at the other Christmas services raised £96.84 which will go to the YMCA’s Room at the Inn project to help homeless people in Warrington.

Christmas FairWe recorded out thanks in last month’s Green Spire to everyone who helped with the Fair but would also like to thank Joan Dutton for another wonderful Christmas cake which arrived on the day.

Messy ChurchThe next Messy Church will be held in school on Thursday 4 th February at 3pm. The theme will be connected with Ash Wednesday and Lent. Come along and join the fun. Help always appreciated. Who knows? – there may even be pancake races!

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One of the charities we regularly support in the Church Urban Fund (CUF). Included with their thank you letter is a fascinating snapshot of some of the things

they have been able to achieve thanks to donations from St Andrew’s and other churches. The full chart can be seen in church.

CUF is passionate about bringing God’s love, hope and justice to the poorest and most marginalised people in England, empowering them to transform their lives.

We believe the local church is uniquely placed to make this happen.That’s why, as the Church of England’s response to poverty, we've set up our Together Network to enhance the work of local churches, providing support so they can reach even further and change things for the better.

We have also supported local churches through grants, having provided more than £70 million in funding over our history, directing funding to where it is needed most and where it will make the biggest difference.We work at a national and local level, bringing churches and Christians together to tackle poverty where we are, right now.

Under the heading “A Harvest of Transformed Lives”, it reminds us that poverty may likened to a web which can be hard and difficult to escape. CUF has addressed poverty in different forms, the most obvious being resources but also identity and relationships.

Stevie dropped out of college, as he felt it wasn’t for him, and just wanted to get into work. He worked until last year. Then he was fortunate to get into an internship which really inspired him. He’s now looking for a full-time position.The market for jobs is not really open for everyone. The positions for young people are more and more just apprenticeships. It feels like there are not many opportunities for people growing up. But projects like this (SPEAR) can lead to people feeling like, “Oh I can do this!” There is a place for me; there is a role for me. There are options for me.”

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[Spear is a free, interactive programme to help young people from 18 to 14 enter work and progress in their careers]

Sukie had been in foster care since the age of three and had barely known her birth family. , Growing up, she never had a sense of belonging at school or with her foster parents. But when Sukie started volunteering at the Murston Community Bank all that changed.Knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life makes you feel better. It gives you the drive to carry on, to keep going and to help other people. I never really had a family, but the church has become my family.[Murston Community Bank is based at All Saints Church in Sittingbourne, Kent, is sponsored by the Diocese of Canterbury and part of Kent Savers Credit Union.]

Marcia lives with her two year old daughter. She has an on/off relationship with her daughter’s father and struggles to a lack of support and isolation, especially since giving up work to have her child. Her feeling of helplessness is made worse as the area has become quite rough with kids doing drugs and frequent drug raids.It’s been hard to find people to be around. It’s not just for her; it’s for me as well. You need that stimulation, something to look forward to. It keeps me going, so finding this was really good. I don’t know what I’d be doing. It’s hard – I’ve found it mentally hard. It can’t just be the two of you all the time, you have to have a network of people that I can talk to and share my experiences with. And I’ve found that really good.

In his New Year’s Day address at the beginning of 2014, the Archbishop of Canterbury said, “...coming her to this Church Urban Fund-supported centre, the Ace of Clubs. They care for people on the very edge. They enable people to find their way back into the mainstream of life when they want to.”In 2014, the Network Together (of which Liverpool Diocese is an active member) continued to support over 1,800 social action projects, activities and strategic partnerships across England, supported over 220 new projects and activities, took part in 400 events, workshops and training sessions sharing their vision and methodology with almost 8,000 people and submitted 77 fund-raising applications helping to raise £345,000 to fund social-action work in local communities.

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Epiphany

Much of this edition of Green Spire focuses on Christmas, whether it be serious reflections or lighter-hearted articles. The liturgical season of Christmas is relatively short, lasting just twelve days before it runs seamlessly into the Epiphany season. Epiphany isn’t a separate season so much as a continuation and development of Christmas. With that in mind, I thought I mind find a poem or two to balance the content of this edition, giving due weight to Epiphany as well as Christmas.

I turned to the internet and googled ‘Epiphany poetry examples’ hoping to find one or two poems I might include. What I actually found was rather different. I learned that Epiphany is a literary device as well as the term we use for the time when wise men came from the East to see the baby Jesus.

The definition of Epiphany in one article reads: “When used as a literary device, an epiphany is a moment in which there is a sudden realization that leads to a new perspective that clarifies a problem or situation.” It struck me that what happened when the wise men eventually found the Christ-child was also a ‘moment of sudden realisation that leads to a new perspective...’

One (perhaps the only one) such poem that I was thinking about is that of T S Elliot called The journey of the Magi which we reproduced last year. It tells of the hardships the wise men endured on their long and often painful journey to Bethlehem. It made me look again at the account of the journey that eventually brought these wise men to their moment of Epiphany, and what it might mean to us today.

The first thing to note is that it took the wise men a long time to get to the Christ-child. We don’t know where they came from, though there have been many ‘educated guesses’. What we are told by Matthew is that the wise men visited Herod in Jerusalem before finding the child, and when Herod realised he’d been tricked, ordered the massacre of all baby boys under the age of two. He may have erred on the side of caution to ensure he finished

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off a potential rival but assuming the wise men set off soon after our Lord was born, it must have taken them many months to get there.The journey must have been difficult. Finding accommodation on the way wouldn’t have been easy for three travellers, but for a whole camel train complete with servants, it would have been impossible. So they must have endured considerable discomfort on the way – and on the way home again. This for men who probably lived a good lifestyle compared to most.

Yet there was something that drew them to this venture and presumably it proved worth all the inconvenience and discomfort. They had their moment of Epiphany and I’m sure there was no going back. It changed their lives for ever. There are lots of stories which tell of the wise men, getting on in years, looking back at the moment they met the child and presented their gifts to him. They are tales of wonder and amazement. They tell of the glory of God revealed to them.

We don’t know, of course, how many wise men there were. We make assumptions – that there were three because they gave Jesus three gifts, but they may have simply been the three gifts to which Matthew attached real significance. We don’t even know that they were all men, though women didn’t have the same opportunities as men in those days, nor would it have been safe for them to travel.

It all makes me wonder whether there aren’t people searching for their own moment of Epiphany in our modern day. Apathy may be a problem for many but certainly not for all. People often experience spiritual yearning without being sure exactly what it is they are looking for.

Not only should we be alert to moments of Epiphany in our own lives, but should also help others who are searching come to their own moment of Epiphany, the moment when our Lord reveals himself to them as he has to us.

Epiphany is the time when God reveals himself to us and to all people; the time when God first revealed himself in human form to the nations of the world. These are the moments when lives are transformed, and once that has happened, there can be no going back.

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Once we have experienced the love of God at first hand, we will never want to

turn back.

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Praying for the world-wide Church

Continuing our series on the Anglican Communion, we visit three different continents in the space of a month, showing just how widespread the Anglican Communion is. The idea is that Christians around the world pray for one another over a period of two years. To inform our prayers on the Sundays of January, we have trawled the internet to find out a little more about the Churches that come to our attention this month.

Sunday 3rd January: The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia

The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia encompasses the area described by its title. In Maori this is, Te Hahi Mihinare ki Aotearoa ki Niu Tireni, Ki Nga Moutere Nui a Kiwa.

At the 2006 national census there were 580,642 Anglicans in the Aotearoa New Zealand part of this church.

The 1992 Constitution of this Church provides for three partners to order their affairs within their own cultural context: Tikanga Maori; Tikanga Pakeha; Tikanga Pasefika. Pakeha comprises seven separate dioceses and Maori another five. Pasefika encompasses Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, and is known as the Diocese of Polynesia

One of the issues facing the Diocese of Christchurch is whether to rebuild the earthquake destroyed cathedral in the same style as before or to a new design. The building was much loved by the people of NZ and a symbol of stability to the whole community. Reinstatement would not be complete until the end of 2022 and would cost around $105m. Replacement would be the cheaper option (£65m) and could be completed by 2019 providing a new design could be agreed!

Sunday 10th January: The Anglican Church in Australia

When the First Fleet was sent to New South Wales in 1787, Richard Johnson of the Church of England was licensed as chaplain to the Fleet and the settlement. In

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1825 Thomas Scott was appointed Archdeacon of Australia under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Calcutta. William Grant Broughton, who succeeded Scott in 1829, was consecrated the first (and only) "Bishop of Australia" in 1836. The Church Act of the same year established legal equality for Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Presbyterians and was later extended to Methodists. From five original dioceses, there are now twenty-three dioceses serving Anglicans across Australia. Most of the dioceses are in the south-east quarter of the country where the population is concentrated. In 2011, just over 3.5 million Australians recorded an affiliation to Anglicanism – roughly one sixth of the population. Today the church remains a significant provider of social welfare with organisations working in education, health, missionary work, social welfare and communications.

Sunday 17th January: The Church of Bangladesh

The church grew out of the work started in the late 19th century by the Church Missionary Society, the Oxford Mission to Calcutta and the English Presbyterian Society. The Anglican Church in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was under the Diocese of Calcutta until 1951, when the Diocese of Dhaka became part of the Anglican Church in Pakistan. When Bangladesh achieved its independence in 1971 the Dhaka Diocese became an autonomous church under the name Church of Bangladesh, bringing together the Anglican and Presbyterian churches.

The church understands its mission as proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, responding to human needs, striving to build a more just society and preserving the integrity of God's creation. In the aftermath of the war for independence which caused enormous damage to the country and the people, and while the nation was just starting its recovery process, the newly emerged leadership of the Church of Bangladesh had to face these realities and give shape to the solidarity and the participation of the church in the reconstruction of the country, according to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result the church started its social development service alongside the process of deepening its spiritual ministry. Relationships of cooperation were established with new partners in Europe and North America as well as in Asia. The work went beyond the church's own constituency to all people in need and became registered with

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the government as a separate entity. Today the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Programme (CBSDP) operates projects in different regions of the country, along with relief and rehabilitation activities. All the projects are situated in the rural areas and the activities are being implemented among the poorest sectors in the community, irrespective of religion, caste, etc.

The different institutions of the Church of Bangladesh include two hospitals, ten clinics, four nursery and forty-four primary schools, three junior and four senior high schools, two trade schools and a craft centre for girls. The clergy is trained at St Andrew's Theological College and the church has also a retreat centre.

Sunday 24th January: Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil

120,000 Christians spread across nine dioceses and one missionary district make up the Anglican Episcopal Church in Brazil. Dating back to the nineteenth century, it started life as a number of Church of England chapels spread across the country. It separated (amicably) from the Episcopal Church (USA) in 1965. As a Church, it preaches the social gospel, speaking out on social injustice, land concentration, domestic violence, racism, homophobia and xenophobia. It’s inclusive stance has Proved effective in attracting people of other faiths and none.

Sunday 31st January: The Anglican Church of Burundi

Burundi is located in East Africa and its neighbours include Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Congo.The Church started through missionary activity and spread through its wirk in healthcare and education. In 1965, the 'Province of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire' was formed and in 1992, each of the three countries (Uganda having already becoming independent) were given independence and each formed their own province.

There are approximately 900,000 members in a country with a population of around six million. The Church's major concerns include peace and reconciliation, repatriation of refugees and displaced people, community development, literacy and education, and fighting AIDS. It is committed to

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mission and evangelism and is concerned to support theological education and training for ministry.

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The Visitor

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or twoIf He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do.Oh, I know you’d give your nicest room to such an honoured guest.And all the food you'd serve to him would be the very best,And you would keep assuring him you’re glad to have him there –That serving him in your own home is joy beyond compare.

But when you saw him coming, would you meet him at the door With arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly visitor? Or would you have to change your clothes before you let him in? Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been? Would you turn off the video and hope He hadn’t heard? And wish you hadn’t uttered that last, loud, hasty word?

Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? And I wonder - if the Saviour spent a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing the things you always do? Would you go right on saying the things you always say? Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?

Would your family conversation keep up its usual pace?And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read?And let him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you’d planned to go?Or would you, maybe, change your plans - for just a day or so?

Would you be glad to have him meet your very closest friends? Or would you hope they’d stay away until his visit ends? Would you be glad to have him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with some relief when He at last was gone? It might be interesting to know the things that you would do If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you.

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Epiphany CakeThere are many traditional foods associated with Christmas such as Christmas pudding and mince pies but just across the Channel, the French love their Galette Des Rois with similar passion. Literally translated, it means King’s Tart, but is better known as French Epiphany Cake.

Epiphany cake will be served at the beginning of January to coincide with the Feast of the epiphany (January 6th). Tradition has it that if you find a tiny figure in your slice, you are king or queen for the day. At one time, they were always home made, but you can now buy them in supermarkets and bakeries, complete with paper crown.

The cake is, by all accounts, a delight to eat, but what makes it so special is the tiny figure and the prospect of being crowned king or queen for the day. Originally, the baker included a dried bean in the tart. The figure was a later addition. Modern figures include fairly traditional model angels or the baby Jesus. However, collectible figures now include Asterix, Mickey Mouse, the Eiffel Tower and even Madonna and Lady Gaga!

Galettes des Rois is not the only seasonal delicacy to mark the arrival of the Wise Men (or kings, in the case of this cake). In Provence, it takes the form of La Couronne, a citrus cake not unlike Panettone. In northern France, almond shortbread is traditional. Germany and Spain have a candied cake decorated with candied fruit. Further afield, in New Orleans, the king cake evolved into a huge and gaudy spice tinged sponge that can be eaten any time between Epiphany and Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday).

In most of Spain, Mexico and Latino communities in the United States, Epiphany is the day when children get presents from the three wise men. Before going to bed, children in Mexico leave a shoe outside their home, filled with hay or dried grass, and a bowl of water as a present for the animals the wise men ride, along with a note for the wise men.

Here in England, admittedly in the nineteenth century, Twelfth Cake was popular. It was packed with dried fruit and decorated with icing crowns. Guests were each given a role for the evening by drawing a card from a special pack. Along with King and Queen, they included Counsellor Double Fee (the lawyer), Miss Prittle Prattle and Toby Tipple!

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As I see it …“The best laid schemes o’ mice an men

gang aft a-gley”

“What’s that quote ‘thing’ at the top of our story?” squeaked the young mice to my wife Millicent.

“You’ll have to ask Grandma Mouse,” laughed Millicent, “she’s a rare one for quotations.”

Off they scampered and found Grandma Mouse in the Hall, with Grandpa, looking very worried. They quickly asked Grandma Mouse about the ‘thing’.

“Ah,” she said, “that’s by a man called Robert Burns.”

“But what does it mean, Grandma?” they all squeaked anxiously.

“Well, strangely enough, it’s about us.” She and Grandpa pointed to one of the heating pipes. Underneath, there was a large spreading puddle.

“We usually go to church for Christmas and the New Year,” said Grandpa, “but it looks as if we’ll have to move early or all our things will be wet and that would make life very difficult. Robert Burns, the poet, obviously knew a thing or two about mice (and men). Our best laid scheme was to move a bit later but never mind, we’ll be in church early and that’s always a good thing.”

“Let’s get ready now,” one of them squeaked and soon everyone joined in.

“Can we take our sleeping bags and camp out in the stable?”

“Only if you promise to keep still when there are people about,” said Grandpa – we don’t want to frighten anyone.

“Don’t worry,” said the youngsters, “we’ll be as quiet as ... church mice!”

Well, we all packed our bags and set off for church. When we got there, we were in for a shock. There was no tree, no crib and no decorations. Of course, it was still Advent and you know what Fr M is like when it comes to decorating the church early. “Not before the fourth Sunday in Advent,” he keeps telling us.

Fortunately, it was only a few days off and the weather was still very mild. We all trooped into the sacristy and slipped into a nice vestment draw and snuggled down under the tissue paper. When we got peckish, there were plenty of candle stubs in one of the drawers and the odd biscuit or two in the kitchen at the back of church.

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Soon, the big day came. well, I say ‘big day’ but I don’t mean Christmas, I mean the fourth Sunday. We all joined in with The Angel Gabriel and we all sang Lo, he comes with clouds descending – one of my favourites. Then we saw Ronnie and Kyle go back upstairs to the gallery to bring down the Crib. Fay started lifting down the decorations from the top cupboard.

We suddenly wondered about the tree. There were still two days school before the children broke up and we didn’t want them to go without their tree. Fr M and Wendy had a word and Wendy kindly said that the tree had to come down because the painters were starting work on the school hall the next day.

Like three wise men, Fr M, Ronnie and Kyle went round to school and bought back the tree – in four separate pieces! They quickly worked out which piece went where and before you could say ‘Rabbie Burns’, the tree was up. Branches were teased out and pulled back into shape.

After lunch, they all returned and finished off. Kyle filled the stable with nice soft hay, including the manger, and we even had a bedside

light (I think it was meant to be the star). When all the decorations were finished, we settled down into our winter home.

We were just getting comfortable when more people came in, this time

for the carol service. We all sat there and listened, joining in with our favourite carols such as ‘We three mice...’ The children from school sang two really lovely carols, one of which brought a tear to Millicent’s eye. There were also some

we’d not heard before (which is unusual for church mice as we know a lot of carols), and we particularly liked the Shepherd’s Pie Carol, though it left us feeling a bit peckish. Fortunately, there were mince pies at the end and we tucked in with everyone else.

Now we’re looking forward to Christmas. Fr M told us that we had to hang our stockings round the back of the crib so that they wouldn’t distract anyone, though the little ones will be up by seven o’clock, long before anyone comes back for the Christmas Day service.

All of us mice would like to wish you a very happy Christmas.

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Churchmouse and family

Nothing WastedLast year, Granny Mouse showed us how to use old breadcrumbs to make delicious chocolate squares. This year, she’s gone one better with a recipe called turkey Rasputin (no, not rice pudding). It serves four (or a lot of mice).

Turkey RasputinIngredients:

1 lb cooked turkey (you can use chicken if you prefer)2 sticks of celery1 large onion1 green pepper – you can make some space in the fridge this way3 oz butter3 tbsp flour¾ pint of stock (chicken or turkey)2 egg yolks2 tbsp wine or sherrybread crumbssalt and pepper to season

Method:

Clean and finely chop the vegetables. Gently fry in butter for about 5 minutes.

Mix in the flour and then slowly stir in the stock until the mixture is thick and smooth. Remove from the heat, beat in the egg yolks, stir in the sherry and season to taste. You can then either:

A. Mix in turkey and cook on a low heat for about 5 minutes. Turn into a buttered baking dish, top with bread crumbs, dot with butter and and bake in a hot oven until the top is crisp and brown, OR

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B. Omit the baking stage, heat a little longer and then thin with a little stock or milk. Serve with generous portions of boiled pasta.

How to Know if You are Growing Old

Everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work.

You feel like the day after the night before, and you haven’t been anywhere.Your address book contains lots of crossings out and names ending in M.D.

You get out of breath playing cards.Your children begin to look middle aged.

You join a health club — and don’t go.You know all the answers but no one asks you the questions.

You look forward to a dull evening.You need glasses to find your glasses.

You turn out the lights for economy, not for romantic reasons.You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going.

Your knees buckle but your belt won’t.If you manage to bend down you find yourself wondering what else to pick up now you’re down there.Your back goes out more than you do.

You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine chest.You sink your teeth in a slice of meat and they stay there.

You can remember 1940 but not yesterday, or even this morning.

And finally

You wonder why more people aren’t using this size print.

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With thanks to Sister Charity, C.H.N., late of the Chester Diocesan Retreat House, for supplying this amusing insight!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Seen on a church notice board:

Unlike the Royal Mail, we have two collections every Sunday

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Holy Baptism:6th December: Elsie Elizabeth Griffiths

Admission to Holy Communion:29th November: Sarah Louise Tina Field

Amy Marie FieldKimberley Susan Field

Funerals:1st December: Sheila Jones4th December: Nigel Graham Joynson8th December: George Hughes

17th December: Jean Bingham31st December: Margaret Scragg

Communicants and Collections: 2015 Sunday

CommunicantsMidweek

CommunicantsLoose

Collections £PlannedGiving £

6th Dec 29 12 50.16 313.33 13th Dec 32 11 25.45 91.00 20th Dec 33 11 66.08 218.50 27th Dec 26 81 10.20 186.96

D

onations

We would like to thank everyone who has made a gift or donation to our various funds this year. Our special thanks go to those who donated since the last edition:

From the Registers

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General Fund Birthday memories of Roy Gardner (12th Jan) from loving wife Gladys, Karen

and family In loving memory of my dear Mum Nellie Shaw on her Year's Mind (19th

January) from Susan and Robert With thanks for prayers - they do carry me through, from Doris Jepson In memory of Mum, Dad and brother Maurice at Christmas from Eileen and

Harry Hymn book in memory of Margaret Dunbobbin from Joyce Blyth and family In loving memory at this Holy Time of all our family who have left this life –

Renee Hollingsworth and family In loving memory of Graham Hill from Renate Hazlehurst and Veronica Hill

and family Donation for Christmas from Pauline Smith

In addition, we are grateful for all the donations towards the Christmas card.

Flower Fund

In loving memory of Gilbert Appleton. Love Irene, Carol and family Christmas Flower Donation from Lynne Giblin In loving memory of Roy Gardner (4th Jan) from Gladys, Karen and family In memory of Mum, Dad, Joanna, Edward and Paul from Faith Christmas flowers in memory of my darling husband Ron and our lovely Dad

from Renee and family In loving memory of Shaun Mullen from his Mum and Dad In memory of loved ones from Joyce Crozier In loving memory of Mum and Dad from Margaret Hatton In memory of Margaret Dunbobbin from Joyce Blyth and family

Winners of the Phoenix Club Draw Christmas Special 27th December

First Prize 146 P Thirsk 119 W DeloozeSecond Prize 129 D Crozier 102 B GloverThird Prize 109 P Worrall 108 A Yeamans

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Safety at Christmas time...1. All members of the congregation planning to dash through the snow in a

one horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are advised that a Risk Assessment will be required addressing the safety of an open sleigh for members of the public. This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered.

2. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would

request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.

3. Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection

by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally-heated shepherd observation hut, all users of this facility are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks.

4. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that, prior to shining

his/her glory all around, s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.

5. Following last year’s well-publicised case, everyone is advised that Equal

Opportunities legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr R Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.

6. While it is acknowledged that gift bearing is a common practice in

various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal

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personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded, while caution is advised regarding other common gifts such as aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions.

7. Finally, in the recent instance of the infant found tucked up in a manger

without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly!

From The Parish Window, the Parish Magazine Swap Shop

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJChristmas Past

Turkey’s down to ribs and skin,Mother’s patience wearing thin,

Dad’s fed up with fairy lights,Santa’s done with working nights.

Christmas toys have lost their glitter,Whisk away the festive litter.All worn out with having fun,

Let’s go to town – sales have begun![J.A.R.] .

JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Elle and EsseHair and Beauty Lodge

Unisex Hair SlaonLYNETTE and SUELodge Lane, Bewsey

Warrington

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Prayer Intentions for January

Fri 1st Windermere Avenue The Anglican CommunionSat 2nd Ambleside Crescent Room at the Inn homeless project

Sun 3rd THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANYMon 4th Pentland Avenue Christian AidTue 5th Buttermere Crescent St Rocco’s HospiceWed 6th Bowness Avenue The Orthodox ChurchThu 7th Borrowdale Avenue Moriting School in South AfricaFri 8th Brathay Close St Paul, PenkethSat 9th Currans Road Youth Clubs

Sun 10th THE BAPTISM OF CHRISTMon 11th Horseshoe Crescent United SocietyTue 12th Harvey Court The Diocese of Akure in NigeriaWed 13th Keswick Avenue Earthquake victimsThu 14th Sandy Lane West Bishop PaulFri 15th Bexhill Avenue St Margaret and All Hallows, OrfordSat 16th Those living outside

the parishThe Children’s Society

Sun 17th THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANYMon 18th Achilles Avenue The Unity of the ChurchTue 19th Kirkstone Avenue Warrington HospitalWed 20th Statham Avenue Syria and IraqThu 21st Chiltern Road Our Sunday SchoolFri 22nd Honister Avenue Christ Church PadgateSat 23rd Swindale Avenue Those seeking work

Sun 24th THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EPIPHANYMon 25th Cooper Avenue The Bible SocietyTue 26th Pentland Place Residential and Nursing HomesWed 27th Loweswater Close Central African countriesThu 28th Mill Farm Close Staff at St James’ HouseFri 29th Crawley Avenue Church of the ResurrectionSat 30th Birch Avenue Peace keeping forces

Sun 31st THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE: CANDLEMASS

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