Bowdon Church News

Can science and religion The installation of Bishop Libby Holy Week: co-exist? The Rt Revd Libby Lane—the first church. Bishop Libby wove this into Special services in Recently, I met woman bishop in the history of the her sermon as well, emphasising the St Mary’s and St Luke’s Church of —was formally fact that we all have a role to play in John Lennox Regular services are in the Calendar. installed as the eighth Bishop of building the kingdom of God. She at the Ministry Sunday 29 March, Palm Sunday at Chester Cathedral on preached with authority, wisdom to Business 10.45 am International Women’s Day, Sunday and humour about confidence, (M2B) dinner Holy Communion. We meet in the Parish 8 March 2015 in a service of choral concluding that we can be confident and lecture in Centre and process to St Mary’s with palm evensong. During the wonderful in ourselves because Jesus loves us . He is crosses. a mathematician service Bishop Libby was installed by and has confidence in us. She said and philosopher the Bishop and the Dean of Chester that this knowledge can have a Monday 30 March, Tuesday 31 March, of science, who and welcomed by other local Bishops transformational effect on people’s Wednesday 1 April is professor of and civic leaders. lives, which is something that many 7.00 pm The Stations of the Cross, St Mary’s maths at Oxford As a sign of her office Bishop Libby of us have witnessed in our church Professor John Lennox University. He is in community at St Mary’s. (photo: John Cairns) was presented with robes—a cope Thursday 2 April, Maundy Thursday demand around and a mitre with a blue bar—and a As well as profound joy there seemed 8.00 pm the world as a speaker and has debated with crosier or pastoral staff. The symbolism to be a huge feeling of optimism Holy Communion (The Last Supper) followed famous atheists such as Richard Dawkins. He of this was made clear as Bishop Peter radiating from those present at the by Vigil, St Mary’s sees no conflict between science and religion. instructed her to ‘keep watch over the service—for the whole Church and its Friday 3 April, Good Friday The issue is not to do with the scientific whole flock of which the Holy Spirit future, as well as for the ministry of 9.30 am method but the world view that we have. Do has appointed you shepherd’. Bishop Libby and subsequent bishops, Meditations on the Cross of Christ, we believe that everything can be reduced to One of the themes that recurred in priests and deacons, whatever their St Luke’s the interaction of physical particles and that the words of several speakers was the gender. 10.30 am there is no intrinsic meaning in the universe? role of the laity as ministers in Christ’s Catherine Smith Hot cross buns followed by All Age Worship, Or alternatively, do we believe that there is an Parish Centre intelligence at the heart of the universe and 2.00 pm that human beings are here on earth with Liturgy of the Cross, St Mary’s. The choir meaning to our lives? Both positions require will sing motets by Bach, Brahms, Bruckner, faith and are effectively a belief system. Casals and Tallis. People often don’t understand that science Saturday 4 April, Easter Eve and religion can look at the same situation 9.00 pm but from different perspectives. If you were to Easter Vigil and first communion of Easter ask why the water in a kettle is boiling, you Sunday 5 April, Easter Day could be given an explanation of the energy 10.45 am levels of the molecules causing a transition Sung Eucharist, St Mary’s from liquid to gas at the surface boundaries. The choir will sing movements from Haydn’s Or the answer could simply be, ‘The water ‘Nelson Mass’, with chamber orchestra and is boiling because I would like a cup of tea.’ organ. Both answers are correct but from different 10.45 am perspectives. Zone2: Contemporary worship, with Holy Professor Lennox explained how the big Communion, Parish Centre bang theory of the origins of the universe, Bishop Libby with parishioners from her former parish of (photo: Diocese of Chester) which is widely held by most cosmologists, Noticeboard posits that there was a point in time when the universe came into being from nothing. Congratulations to Rob Frier, whose This is exactly what Christians believe. For Bowdon Parish’s Easter holiday club 2015— garden design practice, Charlesworth him, the incredible complexity of the simplest Design, has won a top international living cell that contains the DNA code with 3 Pyramid Rock award, Best of Houzz 2015. Houzz is ‘the billion letters points to an intelligent creator leading platform for home renovation and rather than a chance collision of particles. Our holiday club for 5-11 year-olds The club, led by staff and volunteers will run this year for five mornings from St Mary’s and St Luke’s, will design’. To see his designs, go to www. Evolutionary theory can help explain the charlesworthdesign.com. progression and development of life; it has from Monday 13 to Thursday 17 include pyramid base building, code little to say about the origins of life. April, with a finale on Friday evening. breaking, drama, singing, film clips, The Annual Meeting of Parishioners will Bowdon Parish Centre will be craft and games. It is open to all be held on Wednesday 22 April at 7.30 If you are interested in thinking about such transformed for the week into the primary school children regardless of pm in Bowdon Parish Centre. It is open topics, Professor Lennox has a web site full of sweltering, colourful and intriguing faith, although the content of the to anyone who is on the electoral roll of interesting material: www.johnlennox.org. If world of Ancient Egypt. We will use week is Christian in focus. St Mary’s, or who is a registered voter in anyone would like to meet to discuss these the biblical story of Moses—a man For further details or to book a place, the parish of Bowdon. At this meeting the questions, I would be pleased to host an who stood up to a powerful bully and contact me at churchwardens for 2015-16 will be elected. evening at the Griffin, when we could explore persisted when the odds were stacked [email protected]. It is immediately followed by the Annual ideas about the origins and meaning of life. against him. Parochial Church Meeting, which can be Julia Dow, Parish Development Roger Preece, Vicar of Bowdon attended by anyone on the electoral roll.

Parish and LettingsAdministrator Kay Holt 929 1537 [email protected] Editor Katharine Perera [email protected] www.bowdonchurch.org

Bowdon Parochial Church Council, a charitable body registered in England and Wales with the Charity Commission—registered charity number 1133830; registered office address: Bowdon Parish Centre, Stamford Road, Bowdon, , WA14 2TR. Quite a party for a 5-year-old Afraid, alone and in pain As the technicians built the lighting when they could be over there with rig, they were reminiscing about them’. Loko’s choice in life is simple: ‘If I can’t collect the opening of Bowdon’s Street firewood to sell, my children will die’. Four times a Academy five years ago, with its A number of pupils from Altrincham week, in a remote corner of Ethiopia, Loko makes ambitious vision of introducing Girls’ Grammar School had come to a back-breaking eight-hour trip to gather wood. It’s a task she dreads but she steels herself to do it more young people to the informal see Brightline, a rock band that had because if she doesn’t, her family of eight will starve. creativity of street-dance, drums, been leading their school assemblies that week. Gathering and chopping firewood on her own, up a pop-vocals and music production in mountain, is a hard, dangerous job but it is her only an environment led by professional Soon it was time for the cake (made source of income. She receives just £1 for her heavy musicians role-modelling good by Laura Blanksby) to be given to load. She prays to God as she walks. ‘I ask him to Christian character. With support the Message Trust, who—with change my life and lead us out of this’, she says. from Christian charity The Message my help—returned the favour by Just £5 could Trust, hundreds of young people presenting our vicar Roger Preece have learnt new skills since then, at give Loko a Revd Roger Preece receiving his music award with a music award, in recognition loan to start her just £6 per session. from Jo Oughton and Emma Owen. of the part he played in establishing own business (photo: Will Sudworth) There was a particular buzz among this new venture. buying and Have you heard about the Parish the tutors because of Twelve24’s There are a few places still available selling tea and Centre birthday party in February recent success on MTV (an American at Street Academy, open in the coffee, freeing for a 5-year-old, where there was TV channel), with their new music Parish Centre from straight after her from her desperate task not just a cake with candles, but video being played every day to school on Wednesdays, with the and allowing her rock bands, hip-hop, rap and around millions of US students and climbing workshops running from 4.30 - 5.30 a hundred teenagers? So whose up the iTunes charts. One of our to spend more pm. Please contact Emma Owen for time caring birthday was it? A 5-year old called young people commented, ‘It’s more details on 07974 079 353. for her family. Bowdon Street Academy amazing that they are here with us Jo Oughton, Parish Development Giving Loko a cow would allow her to Regular Sunday Services Local Business Corner: sell milk and (purple boxes) butter as well Loko with her heavy load of firewood Ayuda House as improving (photo: Christian Aid/M. Gonzalez-Noda) St Mary’s 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Within six months of opening the diet of her Ayuda House, Melinda 8.00 am Holy Communion (BCP) family. Beckett-Hughes has been From 10 -16 May, Christian Aid Week, churches 9.30 am Matins (BCP) awarded a four-star rating by throughout Britain will come together to pray, Visit England for her guest Holy Communion (CW) campaign and raise money to improve the lives of accommodation. Situated in people like Loko. Every year, 100,000 volunteers Holy Communion (BCP) a peaceful corner of Bowdon demonstrate God’s love for the poor by taking part in Vale, the spacious detached 10.45 am Zone2 (SW) and Trekkers, Christian Aid’s house-to-house collection. In Bowdon, house provides ‘a home Parish Centre our team of collectors aims to visit every home in the from home’, as one clearly All Age Worship followed parish. contented guest commented. by Communion Melinda Beckett-Hughes Looking at the personal The money we raise for Christian Aid benefits people 6.00 pm Café Sundae, Parish Centre touches in the beautifully furnished lounge—interesting of every faith—it is not about giving to Christians Evensong (BCP) ornaments, family photos and lovely flowers—I could or trying to convert people to Christianity; it is see what he meant. our Christian response to the needs of the world. 6.30 pm Choral Evensong (BCP) Christian Aid works to relieve need, in people of It was a grey day in January when I visited but as I any faith or none. Through partner organisations Sacred Space enjoyed a cup of tea with Melinda, I could imagine how in Ethiopia, Christian Aid can offer loans or provide pleasant it would be on a warm, sunny day to have St Luke’s cattle to enable women like Loko to support their breakfast on the patio in the secluded garden. I spotted Holy Communion (CW) families. Please respond generously to Christian a tree house, a large trampoline and a barbecue area 9.30 am Children’s Church Aid Week, by volunteering to collect or by giving too and Melinda told me that families with children whatever you can. All Age Worship could enjoy these facilities in fine weather. Kate Stross, There are just five bedrooms, two with en-suite Christian Aid Parish Co-ordinator Regular Weekday Services bathrooms, which contributes to the homely feel. It is St Mary’s obvious that Melinda enjoys meeting the wide range of people who come to stay. Already she has had visitors 8.30 am Morning Prayer Monday to Friday from France, Russia, the US and Australia, as well as all 5.00 pm Evening Prayer Monday to Friday over the UK. Some have stayed more than once and you can sense that they are on the way to becoming not just 11.30 am Holy Communion (BCP) Forthcoming Events Every Wednesday guests, but friends as well. 8.00 pm Silent Meditation St Mary’s open for visitors 1.30 pm First Steps, Parish Centre Every Thursday As I finished my tour of Bowdon’s newest guesthouse, it occurred to me that families and friends visiting the Every Sunday from 29 March, 2 pm to 4 pm St Luke’s parish for a baptism or wedding in St Mary’s would Explore the beauty of the building or just enjoy the peace. 7.00 am Morning Prayer Every Tuesday find here accommodation that is both convenient and Contact: Ann Ford, 928 0996 congenial. Men’s Breakfast Ayuda House, 1 Dean Drive, Bowdon, WA14 3NE Saturday 11 April, 8 am - 9.30 am 07701 226 224 www.ayudahouse.co.uk ‘Staying sane in business’, Chris Welford Bowdon Parish Centre Katharine Perera Contact: Mark Oakes, [email protected] Sundays in April - May Wednesday Lunch Wednesdays from 15 April to 27 May at 12 noon 5 Apr 1st Sunday: Easter Day Bowdon Festival at St Mary’s Homemade soup and tasty dishes, in friendly company Bowdon Parish Centre 10.45 am Holy Communion (CW), Oblations: Coffee, cake Saturday 16 May, 7.30 pm and conversation group Contact: Margaret Sykes, 928 9191 Ladies’ Continental Breakfast 12 Apr 2nd Sunday: 2nd of Easter Vivaldi’s Gloria and other choral favourites Saturday 18 April, 9 am - 10.30 am 6.30 pm Choral Evensong, Dyson in D and ‘Ye Choirs of Bowdon Church Choir directed by Michael Dow ‘Prison visiting’, Ann Ford New Jerusalem’, Stanford St Luke’s, Vicarage Lane 19 Apr 3rd Sunday: 3rd of Easter St Mary’s Church, Stamford Rd, Bowdon WA14 2TR Contact: Sue Coles, [email protected] Tickets: Adults £8, Children and students free 26 Apr 4th Sunday: 4th of Easter Eugene Halliday Society www.bowdonfestival.co.uk Sunday 19 April 2015, 2.15 pm 3 May 1st Sunday: 5th of Easter ‘The Lord’s Prayer’, Zhu Hennessy 10.45 am Oblations: The Bible reading groups £6, including refreshments Each week we pray for people Contact: Eugene Halliday Society, 07917 406 689 Bowdon Conservation Group living in the Parish Monday 20 April, 7.30 pm Registers Wk/begin We pray for: Annual General Meeting, followed by ‘Victorian and Edwardian trees—a legacy for the future?’ Baptisms: We welcome into God’s church family: 5 Apr Fletcher Drive, Weaver Close and Les Round Harrison Kristian Leitch Jasmine Alice Lord Thatcher Close Bowdon Parish Centre Sophie Isabelle Rory Duncan Charles Sanderson 12 Apr Huxley Terrace, Vale View, Brickkiln Row, Contact: Christine Bainbridge, 941 2006 Jenny Perls Samuel Ray White Edale Close and Court Coffee, Cake and Conversation Leonora Sennen Wood 19 Apr Primrose Cottages, Primrose Bank, Tuesday 21 April, 2 pm - 3.20 pm Weddings: We congratulate: Robinsway and Bailey Walk Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and friendly conversation Craig Lynch and Georgina Livesey 26 Apr Vale Road, Ledward Lane and Bowdon Parish Centre Sandra Pope and Matthew Kelly Contact: Christine Barrat, 928 4048 Funerals: We commend to God: Ashworth Close Harry Halsall Ronald Nicholls 3 May Apsley Close, Apsley Grove Designed by bdzine, www.bdzine.co.uk Printed by County Print, Altrincham, 928 5333