St Andrew, Orford with Longford s1

The Green Spire The Parish Magazine of St Andrew, Orford with Longford

November 2015

School News – from our junior correspondents 2 From the Vicar – lest we forget 3 What’s on in November 5 Who’s On in November 7 Will Aid 2015 8 Our Church-School Partnership 9 Musings 10 Snippets from the Church Times 11 The Christmas Fair 12 Thoughts on prayer 13 Notice Board 14 United Society’s David Brand visits Lesotho – finale 16 WAC attack 2015 19 Working together with school – this month 19 Audrey Kirk RIP 20 As I see it – by Churchmouse 21 Praying for the world-wide Church 23 From the Registers 26 Prayer Intentions for November 28

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.

1 From our junior correspondents!

“ Every Tuesday morning, this half term, the children who are not confident in water have been going swimming at Orford Hub. This is very important because one day we may need these skills to keep ourselves safe!!! It is a great experience and we are all improving in every group. My group have even been into the deep end because we were all becoming so much stronger in the shallow end. Although I was scared at first, now I feel confident. Since I have started these swimming lessons I can now tread water and do a pencil-jump in to the deep end. However the best thing of all is that it is FUN!” By Graham and Madison Yr6

“This year I have really enjoyed having Miss Breathwaite and Mrs Latimer as my teachers because they are lots of fun and make things easy to learn. My favourite part of the Anglo Saxons topic has been learning about how the Anglo Saxons became Christians. In Maths, I have enjoyed finding out whether numbers up to 100 are Prime. Although it was confusing, it was a lot of fun! Throughout the term, we have been learning about Forces and my favourite force was Gravity. In R.E. we have been learning about the different Bibles that people use. All of this has been very fun and interesting!” by Tanatswa in Year 5

“For hopes and dreams week we went to Tesco and the girls got a Minnie Mouse hat and the boys got a Mickey Mouse hat. We split up into different groups and went around the shop to learn new things. I enjoyed when we went to the Travel agent, who said that she makes everyone's dreams come true. I had a think about what I would like to do and I would like to be a travel agent.” Stephanie.

“ As a class we went to Tesco to ask the employees about their jobs. I enjoyed finding out why people wanted to work at their jobs in Tesco it was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it didn't give me any ideas for my future since I have already made my decision that I want to be an interior designer and a part time video game/anime developer. I really enjoyed going to Tesco, it was a lot of fun.” Amelia. From the Vicar:

Why would anyone want to study history? I had a At a national level, a major factor in the First friend at school who was good at history and World War was the complex of treaties and wanted to study it at university, but first he had to alliances that countries had entered into, and convince his parents that it was a good choice. honour dictated that those treaties should be honoured, no matter what the cost. What started I suspect his parents were simply looking at their out as a relatively local incident, the assassination son’s job prospects and couldn’t see how it might of Prince Ferdinand, soon involved much of the help him, unless he wanted to teach and I seem to so-called civilized world. Hopefully, nations that remember that they didn’t think much of that court one another do so in a more liberal and just either! I believe he did go off to study history at manner to ensure that they are not drawn into Keele though I lost touch at that point. conflict as readily as former generations.

History, though, is important. It’s not just about History affects each one of us, too. We don’t battles and wars but encompasses the way always call it history but think of it as experiences humanity has developed over time. As we start to and memories. November is a time when we are unpack events in history, we begin to understand given the chance to reflect on some of those the causes of those events and can use our memories that have undoubtedly shaped us and understanding to build on those valuable lessons made us who we are. from the past. All Saints’ tide used to be the time when the 2 Church celebrated all the saints, both those who God for their influence on our lives. But if we also have feast days of their own and those who are ask ourselves what difference they have made, we relatively minor. But people started to question might be pleasantly surprised by the influence why we should revisit those saints again. Thinking they have actually had. And having recognised the about Saint Paul, who repeatedly said that specific ways they have helped us, we might be everyone who trusts in the Lord and does his will spurred into action to be shining examples to are saints, chose to focus on ‘everyday’ saints; the others. people we have known and loved who have inspired us on our journey in faith. In many We often speak about shining out as lights in the churches up and down the land, All Saints’ Day is world but it helps to have something concrete to now a celebration of followers of Christ who do aim for. their best for others. Most of us will readily be able to bring some to mind and probably see how There was a time when churches often ran Advent they have helped us to become followers too. courses, but lately, people have shied away from them. That, I feel, is a pity. I realise only too well Among those saints are people who have now the pressures of Christmas and making sure passed into the closer presence of God and, to use everything is done on time. But the danger is that a lovely Scriptural phrase, share the heavenly we lose sight of what it’s really all about. Maybe, banquet with all God’s saints. All Saints’ and All over the next few weeks, we should try to find a Souls’ blend seamlessly together and we realise little time to reflect on the past and the people that we truly are surrounded by a great cloud of and events in our lives that have been so witnesses. important to us. What was it that meant so much, and what did someone say that changed our lives? On November 11th, and in many churches, the Having recognised these things, we are then in a Sunday before (the 8th), we particularly remember better place to build on them and, at the same those who have fallen in conflict, sacrificing their time, to play our part in the world in which we live lives for the good of future generations. Their and to pass on the baton that has been handed to example of selfless service is an example that we us. St Paul says that we are all called to be saints. rightly hold dear. Do we shine out as lights in the world as our predecessors did? Do we give glory to God in our This month, we will spend some time reflecting on everyday lives as others have glorified him in their the past, both as a nation and as individuals. And lives? They are interesting questions. I wonder if if we are to make the most of those reflections, it the answers are equally interesting. will be to use those memories as stepping off points for growing in faith and life. We may think Michael Raynor about the people we commemorate and thank What’s on in November...

Sunday 1st All Saints’ Day November 10.00am Sung Eucharist Commemoration of All Souls 6.00pm Requiem Eucharist

Tuesday 3rd 8.00pm Planning meeting for the Christmas Fair

Sunday 8th The Third Sunday before Advent – Remembrance Sunday 10.00am Sung Eucharist and Act of Remembrance

Tuesday 10th 7.30pm Deanery Synod meeting at St Mary, Great Sankey

Thursday 12th 5.00pm Full Governing Body meeting in school 3 8.00pm Thursday Ladies' Club meet at the vicarage

Sunday 15th The Second Sunday before Advent 10.00am Sung Eucharist

Tuesday 17th 8.00pm PCC meeting in church

Friday 20th – 22nd Scout Group Winter Camp

Sunday 22nd The Sunday next before Advent 10.00am Sung Eucharist

Thursday 26th 7.00pm Accent Schools’ Concert in church (please confirm time on Sunday sheet)

Saturday 28th CHRISTMAS FAIR 9.30am onwards: set up for Fair 1.00pm Doors open

Sunday 29th St Andrew’s Day – Patronal Festival 10.00am Sung Eucharist: Church and School together Monday 30th St Andrew’s Day 9.15am School celebration service – all welcome

Thursday 3rd 6.00pm Christingle Service in church December

Sunday 6th The Second Sunday of Advent 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. Celebrations on Saint’s Days are published on the Sunday sheet. All are welcome.

St Andrew’s Charity Shop every Wednesday from 10am to 3.30pm in the Hall Drop-in for tea and toast. Carer’s advice desk

4 Harvest Appeal

Out grateful thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s Harvest Appeal. We raised £117.51 through the Harvest Supper and the collection in church. A cake sale in school raised a further £83. At 8th October, the amount raised nationally in the last ten years amounts to £990,000. That million pound target is tantalisingly close!

5 Who’s on in November…

2015 SIDES-PEOPLE READER INTERCESSOR OFFERTORY 1 Nov M. Greatorex C. Worrall J. Raynor M. Brown 10.00am H. Smythe R. Worrall 1 Nov Volunteers please B. Glover Fr Michael Volunteers please 6.00pm I. Appleton J. Clegg 8 Nov D. Yeamans F. Greatorex M. Harrington M. Ellison J. Devereux I. Appleton 15 Nov D. Kirk N. Lee M. Ellison M. Harrington F. Greatorex E. Chorley 22 Nov B. Boscoe Sunday School O. Vowles J. Stamp 29 Nov A. Yeamans N. Lee J. Raynor School S Andrew D. Yeamans B. Boscoe M. Greatorex 6 Dec F. Greatorex Don Miller B. Glover H. Smythe

2015 SUNDAY SCHOOL COUNTING COLLECTIONS 1 Nov L. Giblin I. Appleton / M. Ellison 8 Nov J. Raynor V. Carter / J. Raynor 15 Nov J. Raynor B. Boscoe / B. Glover 22 Nov J. Raynor Volunteers please 29 Nov J. Raynor I. Appleton / M. Ellison 6 Dec J. Raynor V. Carter / J. Raynor

2015 TEA ROTA READ ON WEDS EVE HALL CLEANING 1 Nov B. Boscoe / B. Glover Fr Michael (4 Nov) C. Worrall 8 Nov M. Ellison / P. Smith N. Lee (11 Nov) Fr Michael 15 Nov F. Greatorex / M Harrington D. Kirk (18 Nov) J. Devereux 22 Nov B. Boscoe / B. Glover Fr Michael (25 Nov) C. Worrall 29 Nov M. Ellison / L. M. N. Lee (2 Dec) Fr Michael 6 Dec F. Greatorex / M Harrington D. Kirk (9 Dec) J. Devereux If you change your turn on the rota, please remember to mark the rota on the notice board. Thank you Will Aid 2015 November is Will Aid month! In last month’s magazine, we gave an overview of the scheme and asked everyone to consider including St Andrew’s Church when deciding how to apportion your estate.

Some people may say that they’ve already drawn up their Will and obviously don’t want to start from scratch again. It is possible to add what’s called a codicil to an existing Will that varies the contents of the earlier Will without invalidating it. It would be a wise move to use a solicitor to make the addition (the cost is significantly reduced), especially if the original was drawn up by that person. It just takes a couple of lines and a couple of signatures!

There is also a degree of suspicion about drawing up a Will. Most of us have seen films in which people draw up a Will when they are ill. However, the truth is that once it’s drawn up, you can forget about it and get on with life, knowing that if anything were to happen, maybe twenty or fifty years in the future, your wishes have been written down and will help your family at a stressful time.

6 So please think seriously about making your wishes known. If you’d like more information or an opportunity to chat about it, please have a word with Fr Michael. Thank you.

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Our Church-School partnership - November Harvest Thanksgiving was very much a joint one this year. We worked together to raise funds for the Lawrence’s Roundabout Well Appeal and the results are reported elsewhere in the magazine. Children (and their families) joined us for the Sung Harvest Service in church on the Sunday and a few of us from church attended the school service the Friday before. The afternoon with children in Reception, together with parents, also went well, especially as this is the first time we’ve ever tried anything like this. The children sang and wathced some photos of them in class before helping us to eat our way through a mountain of cake and tea. There was time to mingle and chat and it has been suggested that we repeat the invitation next term to parents of Year 1 children. Messy Church, our other venture for October, gets a mention elsewhere. What has November got in store for us? November is a time ofpreparation for what will certainly be a very busy December! The Ethos Group (with Fr Michael as guest and Mrs Hatton, and later Mrs Gorman) are planning the Christingle Service for early December. Peter Thirsk’s hymn practice resumes after major remodelling of the Hall last term and St Andrew’s Day and Christmas music are high on the list of items to be refreshed or learned. The PCC will be given an update at their next meeting on 17 th – something that will be a regular item on the agenda in future. Towards the end of the month, children, staff and parents will attend our celebration of St Andrew’s Day ad we sincerely hope members of the congregation will join us on the 30 th as the rest of school celebrates the feast of St Andrew n church.

7 Musings... November seems to be the start of the ‘dark time’. Night falls earlier once the clocks change and the weather gets colder. As nature ‘battens down the hatches’ for winter, the trees change from green through the amazing patterns of reds, yellows and orange before falling in pools of colour that rustle under our feet. As ‘people of light’, we ward off the darkness in numerous ways. The Act of Remembrance is brightened up by the scarlet poppies, and in the celebration of All Saints, we remember the people we see in stained glass windows that let the light of God into our lives. At All Souls’, we remember those special people who have shown us the way on life’s journey. Seasonal hymns, of course, reflect the theme of light. “For all the saints” stirs us to remember the ‘one true light’ and another begins “Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom”. Though not as popular as it once was, and rarely sung in church these days, the piece Nightfall in Camp, which we use on Remembrance Sunday is a blend of that hymn with Last Post played on a trumpet. In more modern terms, we sing “Shine, Jesus shine” with its request for God to repeat his act of creation and ‘send forth your Word and let there be light’. The last hymn I have chosen for mention is Abide with me. A favourite to be played at big sporting occasions, it reminds us of one of the resurrection appearances when Jesus, unrecognised, walked to Emmaus with two of the disciples. When they arrived at their destination, they said to the Lord, “Abide with us, for the day is far spent” and the author of that well loved hymn is none other than ... Henry Francis Lyte.”

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In a detailed feature, the Church Times looked at the relationship between faith and longer life expectancy, and came to the conclusion that “those involved in religious communities tend to live longer”! Of course, the phrase ‘on average’ pops us more than once, recognising that it’s not always true individually, but does seem to hold across the larger faith community. The value of hospital chaplaincy is also examined. Although the “actual cost of chaplains compared to the cost of the NHS is minute” many trusts seem to undervalue its contribution to patient well-being.

The financial world came under scrutiny again. The Church Times looked at some of the problems facing investors and charted the rise of the ethical investment movement which started as recently as the 1970s following the Vietnam War. In 1989, it was still relatively small but 25 years later, it was a force to be reckoned with. The Church of England is now a fully signed-up ethical investor with considerable power.

The marriage of Rebecca Floate and Jack Tavenor was unusual not just because two priests shared the privilege of conducting the service, but also because both were grandfathers – one to the bride and the other to the groom! Their combined age is 188 and they have been in ministry for a total of 124 years.

Aficionados of choral Evensong will be pleased to hear that there will soon be a new app (a programme on 8 smart phone) to help them locate a church at which it will be sung. The app will be launched on 22 nd November, appropriately St Cecilia’s Day (Cecilia is the patron saint of music) and can be found at www.choralevensong.org

The debate over Christmas postage stamps, whether they should be religious or not, is well rehearsed each year, but what do you make of this year’s offering by the United States Postal Service? They commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas in which Charlie Brown learns the meaning of Christmas through a weedy sapling and Linus’s recitation of the Biblical first Christmas!

And finally, eleven clergy, stout and true, are off to Rome – to play a return cricket match against Vatican representatives, having won at home last year.

9 Christmas Fair

All is now set for a ‘cracking good’ Fair. The date has been set – it’s Saturday 28th November and the doors open at 1pm.

A planning meeting earlier this month was particularly well attended and, combined with other ideas that have come in since, there will be lots for everyone to do and provide a most enjoyable afternoon.

Building on the success of a new menu last year, the kitchen will be offering a selection of pies to complement seasonal balms. There will be cake and freshly- made waffles and a range of drinks, including a deluxe hot chocolate!

There will be some of the most popular stalls – gifts, the bottle tombola and prize tombola, the Grand Draw, children’s books and toys – and the will be Santa’s Workshop, an exciting place to help Santa get ready for Christmas! In the specially constructed workshop, children (and adults) will be able to make a variety of items to take home ready for the festivities.

More than anything, we need to publicise the Fair. There will be glossy posters available. Please take one or more, especially if you can pursausde someone to display it in a shop or club. Ask people, too. They are much more likely to respond to a personal invitation. Tell them you’ll see them on the day.

Sales of Grand Draw tickets have started and it is hoped that everyone willtake some to sell. It’s a good way of advertising the Fair as well as bringing in some cash before the doors open.

There are a few things we would still appreciate: small and medium bottles for the bottle tombola, prizes for the prize tombola (and maybe a couple more for the Grand Draw) and a few offers of £5 towards the first prize. In the next week or so, we’ll be asking people to look after stalls, but please don’t wait to be asked. Volunteers are worth their weight in gold! Thoughts on Prayer

Praying for other people, especially when they are people we don’t know, can be quite challenging. We occasionally hear how grateful they are for having been remembered in our prayers on Sunday morning and at the weekday Eucharists, and in our private prayer at home.More often than not, when they have improved, they simply ‘drop off’ the list leaving us none the wiser. Here is an account that shows just how valuable prayer can be for someone who is ill: “My cousin’s daughter’s name has been on our prayer list for some years. She has a tumour which grows on her brain and because the surgeons cannot go too deeply into the brain they are unable to completely remove the tumour. She has had to have it ‘removed’ about four times. She lives on her own in a flat in Liverpool and the last time she had her operation, when she was deemed fit to go home, she went home to an empty flat with no one to support her. For some time Lynn has been aware that the tumour was growing back again but she was determined that she would not have treatment again until she was assured that she would be given support when she came out. The hospital staff were insisting that she should have a scan first. Lynn’s condition continued to deteriorate.

She has become friendly with a couple, Sylv and H, who live near to her. At 5 o’clock one morning she was feeling so ill that she phoned Sylv who immediately went to her flat. Sylv phoned for an

10 Ambulance and Lynn was taken to the hospital. She has been in there for about eight weeks now and has had excellent treatment, including an operation and has been assured that she will be going to a Rehabilitation Centre when she is fit to leave the Hospital.

Throughout this time Sylv and H have been visiting her almost every day and ensuring that she has had everything that she needed. They do not go to church although I think they would describe themselves as Christian. It has made me think and it seems to me that they have been God’s answer to all the prayers that have been offered for Lynn. THANKS BE TO GOD for that.”

Norma Lee

11 Late Night opening Not exactly, but the Charity Shop will remain open an extra half hour on Wednesdays for November. Several parents have dropped in just as the Shop was closing and it is hoped they will come back on their way home from school. It successful, we will probably continue with our ‘late-night opening!’

Will Aid Just a reminder that November wis Will Aid month. You can ask a solicitor to write your will, or a joint will, in return for a donation to the Will Aid charities which include Christian Aid, Save the Children and others. The donation is equivalent to the amount it normally costs and for a single will is around £70 and £110 for joint mirror wills.Further information from Fr Michael or the internet.

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Church library Some months ago, we suggested the idea of a lending libraary in church. We have had some donations of loved and recommended books which can be found on the table at the back of church. Do have a look when you’re next there. It would be helpful if those borrowing books simply made a note of which one(s) they are borrowing in a notebook on the table and crossed them off when they are returned. There’s no time limit – just bring them back when you’ve finished.

12 Christingle Service This year’s Christingle Service will take place on Thursday 3rd December at 6.00pm in church. It is always a well-attended, popular service. Everyone is welcome – church, scouts, school and anyone else. Parish Christmas card This is advance notice to say that we will again be producing a Christmas card for members of St Andrew’s to greet one another. You might like to decide whether you will include Christmas greetings of your own and the words you’d like to use. More details in December’s Green Spire. Accent concert The Warrington and Halton Music Hub, known as Accent, will be at St Andrew’s on Thursday 25 th November for their termly concert. It is a showcase for musical talent in Warrington and will include beginners and seasoned musicians. They are always good value – tickets are normally £4 and can be bought at the door. The concert begins at 7.00pm. Tea Rota There has been one new volunteer since last month but we could do with a couple more to spread the load. If you think you could help, please have a word with Fr Michael. Thank you. St Andrew’s Day Our plans to celebrate St Andrew’s Day take place on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th November. On the Sunday, we have invited staff and children who have prepared the content of the school celebration to join us in church, along with their parents. St Andrew’s Day is always a very special day as we give thanks for St Andrew and try to follow in his footsteps. It is hoped that everyone will make a special effort to worship with us on the 29th. Do make it a special day.

On Monday 30th (which is actually St Andrew’s Day,the children from school will led a special service to which everyone is invited. Do please come along and support them. Us (United Society) ‘I was challenged to be salt and light in my community.’

In the last of a series of three articles, Us Community Fundraising Manager David Brand reports on a church-led community development in Lesotho supported by Us.

The community of Ha Mafa in Lesotho is remote, very remote. We are travelling there in a battered 4x4 from St James’ Mission Hospital in Mantsonyane, high in the mountains of this beautiful kingdom, landlocked within South Africa.

Around two-and-a-half hours later, we reach Ha Mafa. The beauty of the environment is matched by the level of difficulty in reaching it. The road to Ha Mafa was strewn with boulders and deeply rutted where winter streams have eroded or washed away the track.

13 Church-led community development

This is a place where salt and light are transforming the community. But this salt and light isn’t coming from outside the village, but from deep within the community itself; from a committed hard-working nucleus of villagers who are working tirelessly to bring improved health and wellbeing to Ha Mafa.

This beautiful warm morning, under cloudless skies, I’m privileged to be meeting with the Local Facilitation Team (LFT) – a group of people, supported by Us, who have become catalysts for change in their village. My ever-present ebullient translator and guide Thabiso Nyapisi introduces me and Mapaseka, who is the finance officer at St James’ Hospital, which has a satellite clinic in Ha Mafa.

The LFT keenly engages with a question and answer session set up so I can learn more about the work they are undertaking. I listen as they tell me about the challenges they face.

After every few questions, I’m taken aback when we all stand up to sing songs of praise and worship. Mapaseka leads the singing, which is designed to bond the group together, bring joy and unite them behind their common goal. Initially, I feel a little out of place as the group sing, clap and dance in a language unknown to me. Soon, though, I’m clapping along, learning first-hand how music is able to cross language and cultural boundaries and bring a group together.

The LFT outlines their goals for the community and explains what they are doing to fulfil their vision. They tell me how they want to see the community using their own hands and becoming less dependent on external support. They aspire to see the community recognise their own assets and strengths, and capitalise on these to improve their own lives.

The people use the phrase ‘spicing the community’. They see their role within their society as salt: something to care for, preserve and improve the taste of the community for all. Although the LFT is modest in number – 15 people – they can see that just as a little salt has a big effect, so they can have a catalytic impact in improving health for everyone.

The LFT is utilising a process known as SALT, which stands for ‘Strengths, Appreciation, Learning, Transfer’, but the acronym is also a description of the healing effect on their community.

The SALT process involves visiting villagers in their homes to build trust and long-lasting relationships by coming alongside them in conversation. Through engaging in this way, the LFT is educating villagers and, most crucially, helping to change attitudes and mindsets.

Through the SALT process, villagers are encouraged to recognise what assets they already have locally, and build upon these assets to develop sustainable healthy ways of living. The enthusiasm of the LFT motivates everyone they come into contact with, and changes have been seen as a result. Villagers have improved their circumstances through a range of initiatives, such things as farming fallow agricultural land, attending HIV testing clinics, and providing structure and instruction for children and young people in the community.

One LFT member said: ‘Now is the time to take charge of our lives. We meet people in their homes and motivate them to do just that’.

It’s clear that the team is having an impact, and will continue to do so over the long-term as mindsets continue to change. Sometimes this can be difficult to quantify, and the team is working on ways to record the evidence of change.

14 My time in Lesotho has been life-changing for me personally. Superlatives fall short of describing the work I have seen undertaken by local people, St James’ Mission Hospital and the NGO Hope Africa, which is supporting the process.

Like the people in Ha Mafa, I have also undergone a shift in mindset: I saw first-hand how people in Lesotho are being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ himself. They are embodying practical love; they are rolling up their sleeves and being the change they want to see in their own communities. And they are part of the same worldwide Anglican Communion as me.

My church in the UK is a branch of the same tree that reaches to Lesotho and beyond. What I’ve observed during this visit has challenged me to roll up my own sleeves and get involved in mission where I am by embodying and exemplifying love through practical action. The challenge for me is to be salt and light wherever I am, and to support my brothers and sisters in the world church to be salt wherever they are.

Messy Church

Just before the half-term holiday, we ran the latest Messy Church. It was well attended – children and parents – and the theme was ‘Saints in Light’. After a short talk about Hallowe’en in which Fr Michael reminded everyone that ‘hallows’ is the old English word for ‘saints’ and that they are the people who let in God’s light, the children moved on to the craft workshop. On one table, the children stuck coloured tissue paper on a cut-out Saint Andrew window which we hope to display in church on St Andrew’s Day. There were candle haloes, traffic light biscuits (with black icing backgrounds) and coloured lanterns. The afternoon finished with a choice of hot and cold food, and everyone seemed to go home happy, taking their light with them as dusk fell.

15 WAC attack

As predicted, WAC attack was a great success. We arrived early, though there were already other people there, and over the next hour, the cathedral gradually filled up. WAC attack was, of course, the day that Warrington Archdeaconry went to the Cathedral.

In front of the nave altar, a stage had been built and after a brief welcome by Archdeacon Peter, the Golborne Brass Band struck up with some lively melodies. They were followed by a Worship Group who sang spiritual songs while everyone went around the various areas in the cathedral, taking part in an imaginative series of activities for all ages. To the left of the High Altar, there was a bowling main and in the Lady Chapel, a fine display of birds of prey. Unlike the normal displays, this one included a bald headed eagle (no, I don’t mean the retiring archdeacon). There were several owls from the tiniest to one that must have been almost two feet tall.

There was a Farmer’s Market and a range of art and craft tables. There were puppet shows and displays of church banners; a helium prayer balloon stall (all the balloons were let off at the end of the day) and giant floor games.

About mid-morning, the Rev Chris Stafford took the stage to do a science demonstration with plenty of pops and bangs. The seats in the nave quickly filled as Chris used carefully chosen experiments to explain aspects of faith. There were even pyrotechnics with smoke rings rising to the high ceiling. Strangely, when Chris finished and a Churches Together Choir took over, the crowd dissipated! Golborne Brass Band rounded off the morning with some sterling playing. Old friends were delighted to meet up and new friendships made. There was real warmth throughout the day.

After lunch – most people took a picnic and sat in the nave listening to the band – there was a short interlude before the final Eucharist at which the Archdeaconry said thank you and goodbye to Peter and Pat Bradley. It was a grand occasion in which lots of individuals and churches took part. The choir were from Christ Church Padgate and the intercessions led by students from Boteler High School – Lucia and her friend Caitlyn. The singing was powerful and Ian Tracey finished with an impressive rendition of Widor’s Toccata, a piece well suited to the magnificent organ and the occasion.

16 Audrey Kirk RIP Audrey has been part of St Andrew’s from the very beginning. Sadly, she died suddenly at the end of September and will certainly be missed.

Audrey lived a full life and was involved in many different activities, not all of which were church-based. She held the title of Miss Personality Queen of Warrington in the late forties – something that has long gone but was typical of the time. We’re not sure how she came to win the title but looking back, it goes with the sort of person she was.

Audrey worked for much of her adult life. I may not have them in the right order but Audrey worked as a typist in the typing pool at the American Burtonwood Base. She took her office skills to Long Lane Primary School where she was the school secretary. She also worked as a ‘Unit Aid’, again doing administrative tasks, at Winwick Hospital and had oversight of eight wards in the days when the population at the hospital was huge. Audrey also worked for an American firm in the Town Centre and occasionally complained that being a ‘foreign’ firm, their employees were not given Walking Day as a holiday. Instead, she would watch the parade go past her office through the window!

In the early days of the Labour Party in Warrington, operations centred on Audrey’s house from where areas would be leafleted and campaigns organised. Though less active in later life, she had been a force to be reckoned with politically at that time.

Audrey, with her friend and compatriot, Fran, were inveterate travellers, especially when Nigel and Geoff were serving with the Forces. They went to Germany and Cyprus at the drop of a hat and had a marvellous time.

Audrey brought up David, Nigel and Geoff in a loving home and rejoiced when she became a grandmother. Her grandchildren brought home their friends and often popped in to see her. The friends soon became Audrey’s friends, too. In later years, this became increasingly important.

From the Girls’ Corps fifty years ago to the Thursday Ladies’ Club latterly, Audrey was involved in the life of St Andrew’s and was well-known and much loved. She helped at the Charity Shop on a Wednesday and, I believe, had seen all the vicars come and go! We pray that she might now rest in peace and be raised to glory.

As I see it …by Church Mouse “Glitter on the floor, glitter on the floor, Sweep it up, sweep it up, glitter on the floor.”

So sang the young mice one Wednesday evening Granny Mouse giggled. “Oh, so it wasn’t you who after Lily had packed away her Christmas stall as tied together the tails of those two little girl mice the Charity Shop closed for another week. who sat just in front of you in class?” “ Now what are they up to?” grumbled Grandpa “ How did you know about that?” said Grandpa Mouse as he was nearly knocked over by a group indignantly. of footballers hurtling past. They had found a “How about because I was one of them,” smiled crystal bead that must have dropped from Joyce’s Granny Mouse. jewellery stall and set up an impromptu game. At that moment, my wife Millicent came in, out of “Nothing but noise and chaos,” he grumbled, even breath as usual. “We’d better get the mouselings louder than before. “Wasn’t like that when I was a to bed early tonight,” she said, “they’ll want to boy.” stay up and watch the fireworks tomorrow, and

17 it’s school the day after that. from her faith, no matter what they said to her. In the end, they tied her to a cartwheel, lit the straw “Are you making bonfire toffee?” asked Grandpa tied to it and rolled her down a hill. Not very hopefully, a smile returning slowly to his face. nice.” “Heavens,” said Granny Mouse, “you eat that and The mouselings didn’t think it was very nice, you’ll lose your few remaining teeth.” either, but he went on to tell them about Roman Grandpa’s frown returned as he muttered Candles, which represented Christians burnt at something about a spoil-sport as he left the room. the stake for their faith. “ He’ll be back” said Granny Mouse, knowing all “ You’ll be giving them nightmares,” complained too well that Grandpa wouldn’t miss out on Granny Mouse, who insisted he stop at that point. fireworks. Sure enough, he soon returned, full of Grandpa took the cue (well, he knew better than stories about fireworks. to cross Granny Mouse when it came to her “ You know,” he started, “that many of the precious mouselings) and changed the subject. fireworks are named things that happened to the “ Has anyone heard that Santa’s bring his saints.” workshop to the Fair this year?” he asked. There The mouselings gathered round. They knew when were delighted squeals from all directions. Most Grandpa was about to tell them stories and they of the mouselings wished they could be elves for waited with bated breath. the day and now they would get their wish. “All a bit gruesome, really,” he said. “Do you know “ Oh, it’s going to be so exciting” they all said. why they call this one a Catherine Wheel?” he “We’ll have the best decorated mouse-hole in any asked, as if by magic producing a firework that church in Warrington.” was coiled up like a snake. “ Well, this lady called Catherine wouldn’t budge Churchmouse Santa Dash Warren Forster is taking part in this year’s Liverpool Santa Dash on Sunday 6th December. He is running on behalf of Macmillan, the cancer charity. Offers of sponsorship will be gratefully received. There is a sponsor form in church.

In a Dash! A well-known, high ranking person in the Anglican Church was due to make a speech in the north of England. He turned up late at the airport and noticed the check-in desk was about to close. He went to the front of the short line of people and explained that he must get on the flight. The attendant told him that other people also wanted to get on the flight. He was twice told to wait his turn. Agitated, he said to the attendant, “Do you know who I am?” whereupon the attendant picked up the microphone and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please? This gentleman at the desk does not seem to know who he is. If anyone can identify him, we would greatly appreciate your assistance.” He returned to the back of the line!

Courtesy of Tidings, the magazine of Workingmen’s Mission Praying for the world-wide Church

Recently, we started a series on the Anglican Communion. Each day over a two-year cycle, everyone (eighty million members) around the world focuses their prayer on one diocese or province. In our worship in church, we join with other Anglicans in praying for the people of those dioceses. Here are the dioceses that come up on the Sundays in November:

18 Sunday 1st November: Diocese of Truro

November begins in the UK with the Diocese of Truro, the country town (or is that city?) of Cornwall. Their vision, or mission statement, is “Discovering God’s Kingdom and Growing the Church’. Like most dioceses in the UK< they have experienced a drop in church attendance. Many churches serve small communities so a fall in attendance can have serious consequences. But Truro is not giving up – quite the opposite. They are equipping their members for discipleship, developing the talents of those in ministry and involved in mission across the diocese. The Rt Rev Tim Thornton is the diocesan bishop, assisted by Chris Goldsmith, the suffragan bishop of St Germans. Bishop Tim has just returned from the Roman Catholic Synod on the Family in Rome where he represented the Anglican Church. While there, he met with the Pope. The bishop is also president of the Association of Interchurch Families.

Once a year, in the autumn, the Diocese puts on a road show. This year, the theme is ‘Walking the Walk’ focussing on the importance of discipleship and faith and what that can mean for individuals, their communities and churches.

The diocese is actively involved in the community and one of its initiatives, in conjunction with the Foodbanks, is to provide meals for 250 families of four and presents for 350 children aged between 0 and 14.

Sunday 8th November: Diocese of Upper Shire in Central Africa

There is no website for this diocese, but it is linked to the Diocese of Birmingham which gives a brief insight to the diocese which is located in Malawi. The partnership was founded in 1966 and so celebrates fifty years next year.

In 2002 the Diocese of Southern Malawi divided into two and the Diocese of Upper Shire came into being with is headquarters at Malosa. The Right Reverend Brighton Vitta Malasa, became Bishop in 2009 and has his diocesan offices at the foot of the mountain. It is one of the youngest dioceses in the Anglican Communion. Malosa Secondary School is under the Anglican Diocese of the Upper Shire and is a National Grant-Aided Boarding School. It was built in 1928 in the grounds of an old tobacco farm and was initially a teacher training college. The school has a capacity for 700 students.

At the beginning of this year, Malawi suffered devastating floods, particularly in the southern end of the country. Thanks to a rapid response from Birmingham and others, farmers were able to grow a crop as soon as the floods subsided. There is also a long-term commitment to reconstruction of churches, rectories and community facilities.

Sunday 15th November: Diocese of Venezuela

The Diocese of Venezuela is part of the Fifth Province of the Episcopal Church in the United States. The principal denomination is Roman Catholic. The diocese is represented by 10 churches, 14 missions, and 4 preaching stations, which are served by the bishop (the Rt. Rev. Orlando Guerrero), nine priests, three deacons, and seventeen lay ministers. Its headquarters are in Caracas.

The Diocese has strong links with other parts of the Episcopal Church through the Mission Society, the staff of the Episcopal Church wherever they work in the world, and there are strong links with the Church beyond Venezuela.

Sunday 22nd November: Diocese of Wangaratta

If this sounds vaguely familiar, take a look at the foundation stone outside the mani entrance of school. It

19 was laid by the then Bishop of Wangaratta who was on furlough in the UK. He returned to Orford where he served his title (curacy) at St Margaret and All Hallows.

It is located in Victoria, the south eastern most territory of Australia just north of Tasmania. There are twenty-four parishes with seventy-nine places of worship in the diocese and the cathedral is to be found in Wangaratta. The diocesan bishop is the Rt Rev John Parkes who regularly visits the parishes in his care. The diocesan magazine rejoices in the title The Advocate. The times of services in every parish in the diocese are listed in this interesting online magazine – worth a look if you go on the internet.

In terms of churchmanship, it seems to be a fairly catholic diocese, somewhat unusually so in Australia. The vision for the diocese is ‘to proclaim the good news of the kingdom; to baptise, teach and nurture ne believers; to respond to human need by loving service; to seek to transform the unjust structures of society; and to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

The diocese is largely rural, made up of small communities in attractive surroundings. Many of those communities are declining in number and about one in five professes to be a member of the Anglican Church. The southern part of the diocese is becoming a dormitory area for Melbourne and so changing rapidly.

Sunday 29th November: Diocese of West Malaysia

This again is a fairly new diocese, resulting from a reorganisation of the diocese of Singapore and Malaya in 1970. The Diocese of West Malaysia covers the entire West Malaysia.

As a diocese, they are very proud of their Anglican roots and everyone already in ministry or contemplating it is required to take part in a course which teaches what makes being Anglican so special.

The diocese is split into six archdeaconries (and we are just expanding from two to four in Liverpool Diocese). The centre of operations is Kuala Lumpur.

Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church

Once a year, on the Sautrday before Advent Sunday, the Church invites its members to pray for the missionary work of the Church. This year, it falls on Saturday 28th November. While most of us will be involved in the Fair, please take a few mintes to remember that we are part of a much bigger organisation, the world-wide Anglican Church – for which we pray week by week. Please pray too for the Church in this country, and in our own parish , that we might reach out to people locally and reveal the love of God to them.

20 Holy Baptism: 4th October Jacob John Ireland Charlie Andrew Christopher Risley

Holy Matrimony: 3rd October Sean Daniel Gallagher and Rebecca Louise Smith

Funerals: 1st October James William Stephen Cleaveley 2nd October James Webster 8th October Audrey Kirk 8th October Ann Moran 9th October David John Gamble 23rd October Philip Kelly

Communicants and Collections: 2015 Sunday Midweek Loose Planned Communicants Communicants Collections £ Giving £ 4th Oct 33 11 126.21 288.33 11th Oct 36 12 58.17 202.00 18th Oct 38 11 8.20 144.00 25th Oct 32 7 3.75 165.70

Donations

We would like to thank everyone who has made a gift or donation to our various funds recently. Our special thanks go to:

General Fund  Donation from Ted and Lily Heslop  In memory of Audrey Kirk (Alan and Sheila)  Donations in loving memory of Audrey Kirk from family, friends and neighbours  Verger's fee (2)  In loving memory of my Joyce from Wilf (Delooze)  B Richards  In loving memory of Ron Sankey, love Mike, Lynne and Andrew

Flower Fund  Wedding flowers

Winners of the Phoenix Club Draw Sunday 1st November (for October) First prize: 123 Second prize: 118

21 Third prize: 151

Elle and Esse Hair and Beauty Lodge

Unisex Hair Salon

LYNETTE and SUE Lodge Lane, Bewsey Warrington Tel: 01925 232282

External Examiner’s certificate Our thanks to Bob Timmis for examining our accounts for 2014 (it cannot be called an audit for legal reasons). By law, they must be ‘examined’ and a certificate given if they are acceptable. The certificate is pinned to the notice board in church.

22 Prayer Intentions for November

Sun 1st ALL SAINTS’ DAY Mon 2nd Toll Bar Road Samaritans and ChildLine Tue 3rd Brandwood Avenue Earthquake victims Wed 4th Poplars Avenue Our Scout Group Thu 5th McKee Avenue GPs and their staff Fri 6th Appleby Road St Ann, Warrington Sat 7th Wansfell Place Children in care

th Sun 8 THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT – REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY Mon 9th Gough Avenue United Society Tue 10th Bentham Avenue Justice in Syria Wed 11th Locker Avenue Bishop Richard Thu 12th Foxfield Close The Foodbank Fri 13th Northway St Barnabas, Warrington Sat 14th Sandy Lane Shops and businesses in Warrington

Sun 15th THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT Mon 16th Poole Crescent The Children’s Society Tue 17th Ajax Avenue The Philippines Wed 18th Winwick Road Our Choir and Organist Thu 19th Elm Road Those with mental illnesses Fri 20th Fisher Avenue Holy Trinity, Warrington Sat 21st Eskdale Avenue Musicians and composers

Sun 22nd THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE ADVENT Mon 23rd Mendip Avenue The Bible Society Tue 24th Buttermere Avenue Israel and Gaza Wed 25th Grasmere Avenue Archdeacon Roger Thu 26th Petworth Avenue Home Care staff working locally Fri 27th Sinclair Avenue St Elphin, Warrington Sat 28th Lancing Avenue Our Christmas Fair

Sun 29th SAINT ANDREW, OUR PATRON Mon 30th Keswick Crescent Our School – staff and children