Part of East and

Borders Missional Partnership (United Reformed Church) Dear Friends,

As I write I have been with three of our congregations as they meet again for the first time in such a long time, and by the time you read this perhaps all of our congregations will have met - and it will have felt strange and uncomfortable, full of rules that might seem unnecessary or pernickety. I hope that it will also have felt comforting and strengthening - for those of you who were able to attend - and that all those who are not able to attend may know that we remembered them in our prayers and we are not forgetting them as we strive to return to some sort of normality in our church life together. It has been a long 6 months, and there is a long 6 months ahead of us, so now is not the time to let go of all the very intentional pastoral care that has been going on within our fellowships and beyond our fellowships within our communities.

Every year at Christmas time I write a letter to my Grandchildren, a REAL letter with pen and paper, a letter that will not be given to them until they are much older, in which I share something of my memories of the year and the things that we have shared together. This Christmas, the letter will either be very long or very short - I can’t decide yet. But as I was thinking about it I thought of Paul and all the other letter writers whose epistles we have in the Bible, and I thought of the turbulent times that they were living through and the dangers and the conflicts. I thought of the way that those letters must have brought comfort and challenge and encouraged a sense of belonging and hope. May we, all in our speaking and our caring for each other, bring that comfort and 2020 challenge that sense of belonging and hope to each other as the months go by. Every blessing Alison

"The East Cheshire and Derbyshire Borders is a Christian Church, living out the love of God by reaching into the heart of each community and responding to its needs"

Prayer and Sunday Service Phoneline: 0161 509 4264 Why not give people a break and stop demanding something from them that they have no ability to give you? The apostle James said we all With apologies to those of you who are phoning in every day, I have decided that with Annette going and many ministers busy getting their churches stumble, fall and offend in many things. So if we all make mistakes – and reopened after lockdown I am going to change the phoneline pattern. Now we do- learn to accept that it’s all part of the human experience, and relax! the prayerline will be refreshed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with a Question: in what specific ways do you need to be more accepting of the short service being offered over Saturday and Sunday. I would like to “imperfect areas” in your own life, or in the way someone else’s imperfect thank all our regular contributors, especially Tim Ashworth and Margaret areas affect you? And before you answer, think about this: “Love is Dexter-Brown and hope they will continue to send us patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13 v4) reflections as the months go on. Alison

Taken from the UCB Word For Today, written by Bob and Debby Gass. Free copies are available in the UK from United Christian Finding God in Scripture Broadcasters, UCB Operations Centre, Westport Road, Stoke-on- Trent, ST6 4JF or at ucb.co.uk. Used with permission.

TRY TO HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS We all stumble in many things: James 3 v2

Striving to do better is a good thing, but try to have realistic expectations. I thought 2020 would be the year Everything in life isn’t black or white: there are grey areas and some in- I get everything I want, betweens. Everything can’t be perfect all the time, and everything isn’t now I know 2020 is the year horrible all the time. Deciding to skip a meeting or social event because I appreciate everything I have you’re running five minutes late or have a blemish on your face, or cancelling an entire trip because a flight is delayed, or feeling like a terrible human being over one innocent mistake, is sometimes referred to as “polarising”. This leads to frustration and negativity. To maintain your joy in life, you must accept that you won’t be perfect all the time, and neither will the people or things around you. When you expect perfection from life, you tend to expect the same from other people. And that kind of unrealistic thinking not only meets with a great deal of disappointment when your expectations aren’t met, it puts unbearable pressure on the people you care about and can eventually destroy those relationships.

Missional Partnership Support If the book was published in the 1950s, then whoever wrote it would have been born, at the latest, in 1920. I feel it is most likely that they What’s on in October? were born between 1900 and 1920. They would also have had a Using Zoom standard of education accessible only to the very rich, or the aristocracy. At that time, was a very different country. Most married women did not have paid employment. This changed in • Discerning the way workshop, Thursday 8 October, we about 1938 when able-bodied men were expected to join the armed will be discussing working together with God? 2.00pm forces and their jobs were taken on by women. It was implicitly repeated 7.30 pm assumed that when the men came back, the women would go back to being housewives. The men would return to their jobs. However, it • Mission Wise Workshop, Thursdays 29th, we will be didn’t work out that way. exploring together the mission imperative to teach about Jesus 2.00 pm repeated 7.30pm Families became used to having money coming in from both the husband and the wife. Husbands wanted better-paid jobs for JOIN IN AND HAVE FUN! themselves, and didn't particularly want the jobs they had left. Mostly, the wife would be paid significantly less than her husband, so For more info: email [email protected] her job could be done without – at least financially – if necessary.

The author of this book would have grown up in an affluent household. Married women with jobs were looked down on. In the “idealised” household this book is built on, the housewife would have nothing much to do except look after her husband and family. Reflections from the Missional Partnership … My grandmother was very much this sort of person. I remember her telling me that she had finished her housework by two o’clock in the afternoon. From John Reynolds Looking after a husband as suggested by the book would not have Tips to look after your husband (The Link, August 2020) been too onerous.

I found this piece quite fascinating, but I think it would be better I can’t see any chance of a return to this sort of life – and I very much understood if it were put into the context of the time, or, more doubt if many women would be keen on losing a lot of their current importantly, the time of the person (or persons) who wrote the book. way of life. John

From Sue Ardern (Marple) The two service sheets are from recent Tintwistle outdoor services – one is crumpled from a very wet half hour I was there, the other is from a dry

day. I felt drawn to go to the services, as I’d missed the Thursday My Prayer Focus or ‘Prayer Station’ has changed – Pastorate zoom hour for a few weeks. I am glad to have shared worship has yours? time with different people. Have you seen the YouTube recordings – via

the Pastorate website? How much have you changed in 2020? For me it has meant having The mask is one of a variety of shapes I have sewn, (when elastic became different considerations, on a daily basis. We need to keep abreast of the available again) but reminds me of the care we should all take of ourselves news, and shift our focus and our plans, sometimes at very short notice. as well as others, when we go out mixing socially, in shops and other

places. So, to explain my current Prayer focus – in the photo: The Link is open at the back of my focus, to nudge me to write my piece

before the deadline date (!) and to remember all the variety of church- The candle remains (Light of the world) with praying hands image; there related activities which are continuing, often unseen - with Pastorate church are now so very many global issues made known through news media, and congregations and friends. our local Covid19 situation, churches, friends and family. Have you found more time for prayer? The candle is on top of the interlaced ‘triquetra’ – the 3 in 1 motif, and accompanies a golden gift box, which is for me also a reminder of gifts at Jesus’ birth. Giving and receiving of gifts can be really meaningful. What have you given or received lately? My peace lily has grown – living things develop and sometimes flourish unexpectedly! Have you noticed when it has rained lately? I’m sure local allotment holders will be pleased. My flower card disc remains too – a link with lasting nature and the beauty of the earth.

This is from Julie Curran’s father, Keith Whiting Don’t let them take your temperature when going into a store! It’s a scam! They are In Manus Tuas Domine erasing your memory! I went in for bread (Father into your hands) and milk and came out with six bottles of wine. It has been said that a picture can say a thousand words. I thought this picture might say something to us all as we head for possible further restrictions to our way of life.

WORD OF THE MONTH …. DYSANIA (noun) A word used to describe the state of not wanting to or finding it extremely difficult

to get out of bed in the morning

Books of the Bible Apologies to everyone - due to a typing error (by me) I omitted to put ‘a’ at the front of the words ‘most remarkable puzzle’. Sorry, you should all have 30 now!! The painting by Briton Riviere 1879 (This is a most remarkable puzzle etc. (Barbara) can be seen in Manchester Art Gallery.

From Chris Lomax (MB) MARPLE NEWS AND NOTICES I have just read part of a prayer from ‘Prayers From the Heart’ which seemed so relevant with Covid that I thought I would like to share it with everyone. It is based From the Eulogy by Rev Alison Termie on Exodus 16 v 2-15 A Tribute to Wynne

In the wilderness nights When we hunger for the past Wynne Kenna was a remarkable woman and a huge force for good in And fear for the future the lives of her family and many others. You are our present She left school at 14 to pursue her dream of becoming a Hairdresser, In the wearisome days much to the annoyance of her Headteacher. She continued this work, When we wake up complaining even after leaving the Salon in Fog Lane, Burnage to have her And feel the grumbling of anxiety children, Ian and Alison. She did friends’ and neighbours’ hair in the You bear with us front room and also worked for some clients in their own homes. She And in the aching desert cut Ian’s hair regularly until she was 88! Your beauty will break through the clouds Your sure and certain hope will reach us Wynne and husband Jack became members of the Church of Christ, And you will give us sustenance Burnage, serving in many ways: they were both elders, Wynne For the journey ahead organised the flower rota and helped Jack as an officer in the Boys’ Brigade company which Jack started. She baked Flapjack for the BB Stay safe and in God’s hands every Friday for 40 years! She ran a Cookery class for many boys, teaching them to make a variety of cakes and meals...indeed one boy Lots of love Chris still makes scones for his family following her recipe. Wynne had a lovely singing voice and the house was always full of song and laughter. She sang in concerts and pantomimes at church A huge thank you to all who and her cousin’s amateur dramatics group and even impersonated so kindly donated food to the Hilda Baker, having collected jokes from radio and TV. Wellspring at the beginning of September. Martin and I loaded the car with a mass of bags and boxes of food for which they were extremely grateful. With many churches and schools missing Harvest collections this year we know it will be well used.

Thank you again for your generosity. Lynne Cruickshank (MB)

As a mother Wynne was strong, like her mother Martha before her, The Power of Your Prayers tough but fair. She hated to see injustice and was very protective of Ian when a bigger boy picked on him and stole his badge. Wynne was It is with considerable relief we are able to report that Laura is making a round there like a tornado, pinning him up against the railings until satisfactory recovery following surgery for the removal of a brain tumour. the object was returned. She is delighted to be home from hospital and to be playing with her friends She was a great baker of bread and cakes and Alison particularly once more in familiar surroundings following almost 5 weeks in hospital. remembers the smell and taste of warm bread, ready the minute she She will continue to make occasional return visits to hospital for got home from school. Wynne also baked apple pies for one physiotherapy and routine checkups and, as her condition improves, hopes neighbour and gave all the children in the road 50p and a Mars Bar to return to school as soon as she is able. every Christmas and a crème egg every Easter. The above is the opening paragraph of an article that I submitted to She enjoyed Camping with the BB, caravanning with Jill and Ian be published in the June 2010 issue of “Link”. Those were dark days (until nearly 90) and holidays abroad with Alison and Paul. She was indeed. Our granddaughter Laura, then aged just six, had been hospitable and generous at home, never minding surprise visitors diagnosed with a rare type of brain tumour, cancerous and occurring who were treated to her adventurous cooking, beautifully presented. predominantly in children. Following removal of the tumour, and In her last few difficult years, she never lost her patience & sense of following a period of recovery from the surgery, Laura went on to humour, never complained and was a joy to care for, both by her endure a six-week course of radiotherapy at Christies Hospital, thirty family and the Care Agency. She maintained her favourite hobby of visits in all. The staff were wonderful and a bond was formed. eating, especially chocolate and made us all laugh with her funny sayings such as “I know what you’ll get, a doll and a drum and a kick The article continued…… up the bum!” We are pleased to report that, despite spending such a long period in A wonderful life, very well lived with a great legacy of care, love and hospital with all that this involves, Laura still managed a great big smile – laughter. even on the darkest of days. (Just see the photos displayed in our Marple Church!) Perhaps we can all learn an important lesson from this? We believe that your prayers and kind support have played (and continue to play) an important part in Laura’s treatment and future recovery. We are Message from Molly Fowler … aware that many people, individually or in groups, known to us or not known, have been including Laura and our families in their prayers. For Pauline and I have now cleared the this we are most thankful. We cannot express how important your support is Amazonian Jungle … So watch this for us all at this most difficult time. Please continue to include Laura in your space!! prayers during the coming weeks and months.

The article goes on to express particular thanks to Reverend Jane Baron and all those who attended the prayer vigil held at our Marple church on the day of Laura’s surgery.

It is just over 10 years since that article appeared in the Link and, SHOE BOX UPDATE thanks to your prayers, the skill of the surgeon and radiotherapy teams, loving family and the grace of God, Laura made a complete Thank you for all the knitted items, which recovery. She has enjoyed all the fun of being able to grow and we have been notified about for the develop like any other child and is now a happy 16 year old ready and shoeboxes. We still need more of all the well equipped to face the challenge of further education and future other items such as soap, toothbrushes, career having just enrolled in 6th form college at Hazel Grove. Being a small toys and stationery. Even though we very accomplished dancer she helps teach at a local dance academy do not know when the warehouse will be reopened we are continuing and even has her own (private) dance studio! to collect so that when it is safe for the boxes to be packed and delivered we will be ready. It should come as no surprise then to learn that Laura’s early childhood experience has had quite an impact on her life. She is now much more aware than most, of the needs of those children currently undergoing treatment for illness, particularly cancer treatment and Things children say …. its side effects. She has held a number of fund-raisers for charities and is currently supporting The Little Princess Trust which funds Teacher: Peter why are you late? research into cancer treatment and provides funding for the making P: Class started before I got here. and fitting of real hair wigs for children. The charity also accept Teacher: Joe why are you doing you maths multiplication on the floor? donations of hair for making the wigs and to this end Laura has just donated 14 inches of her hair which she has been growing specially J: You told me to do it without using tables. for months and months, not cutting but piling it up on top in a fancy Teacher: George, how do you spell crocodile? “hairdo”. Thanks to generous donations her sponsorship has reached G: K R O K O D I A L £1125 and is still growing (like her hair!). You too can help swell the Teacher: No, that’s wrong. funds, just call me and I can provide the link to the website. My G: Maybe it’s wrong, but you asked me how number is 07929583481 my email is [email protected]. I spelt it. Donation is straightforward and it is such a worthy cause as I’m sure Teacher: Susan, name one important thing you will agree. we didn’t have 10 years ago.

But, most of all, just remember, the power of prayer! S: Me. Teacher: David, what is the chemical formula for water? Chris and Irené Taylor and Families (M) D: H I J K L M N O Teacher: What are you talking about? D: Yesterday you said it was H to O

MARPLE BRIDGE NEWS & NOTICES Marple Bridge Church opened its doors on Sunday 13th September and these are a few comments from the congregation who attended the Service …. Happy birthday to the following people who celebrate their birthdays in October: “Lovely to get back in church this morning. Thank you Alison, Paul and Chris for the service and to everyone who made it Wilma Barber (4th), Tim Brown (10th), Paul Frampton (10th), possible” (Janet Jones) Phil Bellamy (19th), Penny Abraham (22nd), Martin Cruickshank (29th) “It was lovely to meet up with a small congregation this morning. Thanks to everyone for your hard work and a lovely service” (Penelope Abraham) Message from Linda Frost “It was lovely to have some of my church family around. I missed Sharon, our church cleaner, has given up work and sent the following in hugs of course, but restrained myself. We were also fortunate to thanks for our small gift to her: have Paul there with us who made it extra special and added to Alison’s excellent service” (Chris Lomax) Hi Linda, I have just found the most wonderful bunch of flowers on my doorstep! Thank you so, so much. It really is very unexpected and kind of “We really loved being back with people in church” (Wendy you. Would you please pass on my best wishes and thanks to everybody at church. I wish you and everybody at church all the best. Mowl and Jean Filkins)

Thank you again, Sharon xx." “I enjoyed the singing, which I did quietl,y but I would have liked the words on the screen larger. I really enjoyed being back in church” (Mollie Watterson) “A police officer called the station on his radio “I have an interesting case here. An old lady shot her husband for stepping Others who were there said they also enjoyed the Service. on the floor she just mopped”. “Have you arrested the woman” “Not yet, the floor’s still wet”

PROVIDENCE NEWS & NOTICES

A poem chosen by Marina Cooper A Covid 19 Quiz …

My God is No Stranger 1. In 1991, according to Paul Hardcastle, what was the average age of a combat soldier in the Vietnam War? God is no stranger in a faraway place, 2. Which famous nurse brought together a team of female volunteer nurses to care to British soldiers fighting in the Crimean War? He’s as close as the wind that blows ‘cross my face. 3. Which Mexican beer is often served with a slice of lemon in the It’s true I can’t see the wind as it blows – neck of the bottle? I feel it all round me and my heart surely knows 4. Which institution did the Labour MP Nye Bevin launch in 1948? that God’s mighty hand can be felt every minute, 5. What is made from: finely ground cow bones, quartz and kaolin there’s nothing on earth where God isn’t within it. clay? The sky and the stars, the waves and the sea, 6. Where do bluebirds fly, according to Dorothy in the film “The the dew on the grass, the leaves on the tree, Wizard of Oz”? are constant reminders of God and his nearness, 7. Which film starring Jim Carrey was released in 1994? proclaiming his presence with crystal-like clearness. 8. Originally released in 1977, which Meatloaf album has sold over 43 So how could I think God was far, far away, million copies? when I feel him beside me each hour of the day?

And I’ve plenty of reasons to know God’s my friend and this is one friendship that time cannot end. Answers on last page.

Part of East Cheshire and Derbyshire All weekly regular Church events in the buildings are Borders Missional Partnership currently cancelled, but you can find out on the Pastorate website all the events which are happening. Please check Web: www.ecdbmp-urc.btck.co.uk online at: www.ecdbmp-urc.btck.co.uk and scroll down the Minister: page. The website is frequently updated! Rev’d Alison Termie 0161 427 7624

The Manse, 14 Hollins Lane, Marple Bridge. SK6 5BB Please could you send all items for the [email protected] November edition of the Link to (Alison’s day off is flexible). Barbara Northover (email: [email protected]) By SUNDAY 18th OCTOBER (clocks go back on the 25th) Hatherlow Thank you. Otterspool Road, Romiley, Stockport. SK6 3DR Secretary: Mr Bob Clarke 0161 494 9048

Marple Thank you so much to everyone who Hibbert Lane, Marple, Stockport. SK6 7NN contributes to the Link. Your articles are Secretary: Mr George Kynaston 0161 285 3372 very much appreciated and everyone enjoys Marple Bridge reading them. If anyone else would like to Hollins Lane, Marple Bridge, Stockport. SK6 5BB send an item to me, that would be fantastic – however small! Barbara Secretary: Mrs Alison Hunter 0161 427 7462 Providence, Mellor Road, New Mills, High Peak. SK22 4DP And finally .. Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Secretary: Mrs. Val Dangerfield 01663 747462 Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now, Tintwistle and otherwise you will run out of time! Old Road, Tintwistle, Glossop. SK13 1JY Secretary: Mr Keith Brierley 01457 862032 The Missional Partnership now includes Hazel Grove (Short Street), Answers to quiz: (Uniting Church) and Woodley (George Lane). To find 1) 19, 2) Florence Nightingale, 3) Corona, 4) NHS, 5) Bone China, out more about each church and its activities, please see the new 6) Over the Rainbow, 7) The Mask, 8) Bat out of Hell website (address above).