Stranton and Burbank Community Church SIGNPOST

God’s Light on a Hill in the Heart of the Town

40p May 2015

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, STRANTON CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday 8.30am. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30am. Service (with children’s groups for 3-14s)

1st Sunday of the month will be Holy Communion 2nd Sunday of the month will be Morning Worship 3rd Sunday of the month will be Holy Communion 4th Sunday of the month will be Lighthouse Service

11.00am. Morning Worship at Burbank Community Church, at Ward Jackson School.

7.30pm Youth Fellowship (14 years +)

On the Third Sunday of each month, Messy Church takes place at St Matthew’s Community Centre at 4.00pm. This is a time for parents/ carers and children to have fun together, doing crafts and various activities, based on a bible theme.

Occasionally, (2 or 3 times a year) the congregations at Stranton and Burbank all come together for the 10.30am service, and this is followed by a bring and share meal.

Wednesday Morning 10.00am. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at St Matthew’s Community Centre.

Please note that the next Messy Church will be on 17th May and will continue to take place on the Third Sunday of each Month

2 Dear friends, A few months ago I wrote an article about Stranton 20:20 vision, a period of time where we reflect as a church about what God is calling us to be and to do as a church. This began with our sermon series last term when we explored our identity as the church, living as the body of Christ. We then considered our mission as God’s people. Over 4 weeks we were reminded that we are to: 1. Love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength 2. Love our neighbour as ourselves 3. Make disciples 4. Seek God’s Kingdom We also spent some time reflecting on our context reminding ourselves about the parish and town of which we are part.

Since Easter I have begun the next part of the process seeking to discern our shared values as a parish community. There is a great variety of people linked with our parish. This is something to be celebrated. However this also means we rarely if ever all meet together and at times we can appear to be fragmented. However I do believe that as a parish we share common values and if we discover those values it will be in these that we find a greater sense of unity and cohesion.

To do this I will be visiting as many groups as possible across our church community. This will include groups like the Mothers Union, home groups, the pastoral group and so on. The aim is to listen. To listen to what those who belong to our church really value. No one group will come up with all the answers. The things you value are really important. Do please make sure that if you are reading this you make a contribution to this process.

As things stand I am aware that some who belong to our church community may not be in one of the groups I am visiting, simply because they are not in a group. If that is you, I would love to hear from you. Perhaps we could set something up to meet with a few people and ensure your opinions contribute to this process. Once the listening process is over we will all have the opportunity to come together and agree on our shared values. These values will then be used to express our vision, the direction in which we believe God is calling us as we look to 2020 and beyond. Grace and peace,

Norman 3 M O T H E R'S U N I O N Dear Friends, Stranton Mothers` Union welcomed St Luke's to join us for our Lady Day Service. Rev Andrew Craig kindly led a quiet thoughtful service and Julie provided the music for our singing. It was good to catch up on each others news over tea and biscuits. As a church we interact with other denomination through Churches together, but very little, if any, within the Church of England. So M.U. tries to make those opportunities. At our April meeting we welcomed Rev Norman Shave and enrolled Sue Coates into the membership of M.U. during our short service. We divided into small groups and were asked to share a memorable time of going to church, and what we thought was good about church. As you can imagine there were many different beginnings, but the majority of experiences were of Stranton. Being welcomed, who led them, praying with them and of faith always strong no matter what they have, or are going through, God still loves them. A lady was visiting us who said she still had to find God. An addition to our prayer list - that she may find the way, for it is already open and waiting for her. Each season of the church life is so important to remember in our walk with Jesus. At Easter He took our sins and shame and died for us. Then He rose and brought new life, spiritually born afresh. So Pentecost brings the fulfilment of Jesus` promise to be with us and in us through his Holy Spirit. “Ask and you shall receive, knock and the way will be open for you”. Please don`t forget to let Ann or myself know if you are going to the Festival Service on the 1st June as we need to arrange transport. Date of the next meeting - 11th May. Kathy

St Matthew's Community Centre - Stranton's Centre - Your Centre

The latest plan for the Community Centre includes adding a canopy to the cellar stairwell in order to stop litter from collecting in the stairwell

Also the paving is now being weeded on a regular basis to give a more pleasing sight to the passing community.

Signs have been placed around the Community Centre so that all users know exactly which part of the building they require.

St Matthews Community Centre Committee

4 From the Home Front We had driven alongside the meandering river as we made our way up the Dales and parked in the village at the head of the valley. As we walked through the village we saw the babbling stream as it rushed through the streets on its way to join the river. We walked up the sides of the valley on the old pack horse route following the stream. Initially there was a wide flat area of stones at the bottom of a steep gorge which, in heavy rain, accommodated the influx of water from the surrounding hillsides. As we climbed the steep path we could hear the fast moving water across boulders and over waterfalls, but we could not see the stream as it tumbled downwards. However the path was frequently muddy as it was crossed by water which gurgled out from between stones at the side of the path and found the shortest route to cross the pathway to make its way to feed into the stream. As we struggled up the steep rugged pathway the number and size of these rivulets decreased and the rushing stream had changed into a bubbling brook, until, when we reached the summit, the land was quite dry and covered with short rough grass and heath plants, there were no trees growing due to the shallow soil with underlying rock and the exposed nature of the land, open to the blasts of wind, cold and sun. What little grass grew was well nibbled by the sheep left to roam over the vast hillsides. The brook had narrowed and become shallower as we had struggled up the steep hill and eventually it had just disappeared underground into the rocks.

In the peace and quiet of the hilltop we reflected on how we had traveled back along a timeline of growth and how it reflected the walk of a believer. The top of the hill was the empty place where experiences are extreme and life is about survival of the harsh testing and excesses of everyday life. Then the knowledge of 'another way' bubbles to the surface and we become aware of a new direction. As we move along other Christian influences cross our path and extend our knowledge and understanding, we become filled with life, fellowship and joy. But at times the way can be difficult with trials and challenges – however the outside influences are there and continue to develop our characters, give knowledge and support all our needs. We become part of a wider community – Parish Church, Diocese, Worldwide Church - and along the way we join in praise, participate in prayer, study and mission. Yet we need to be aware of droughts, dams, irrigation channels, holes and rocks which continue to affect our Christian life path until we flow with all those before and after us into the sea of our Salvation... J.A.R. 5 A plea from Kilimatinde

Dear Friends Please pray for our region in Tanzania and also Dodoma region, we have been waiting for rain since the beginning of Feb and it still hasn't come in any great quantity. Crops that were planted in Dec and started to grow have all been burned by the sun. The price of rice, maize, sugar and wheat flour has gone sky high and the price of meat and other commodities has sunk too low. There is no grass for the cows to eat, so the next fear is that people will face large cattle loses. People are selling all they have to buy staple foods, including houses and land. Festo says if they could have even 3-7 days of good heavy rain it would be enough to make the grass grow and keep the cows going, they could then be sold later in the year to buy food when the price for them rises again.

This problem effects so many people including all of Festo's family and all our friends. Can we join together to pray for rain......

Thank you. Happy Easter Love Festo, Grace, Zeph, Kv AND bump

Grace Kanungha St John's Seminary PO BOX 104 Manyoni Tanzania [email protected] 15 Bethel Road St. Austell Cornwall PL25 3HA

We think particularly about Kilimatinde as Jill Barrett left on 12th April to spend six months working and helping in the hospital there. Please pray for Jill’s health and safety during her time in Tanzania. Ten facts about - William Paul Young writer of The Shack 1. His father was a missionary and he grew up in New Guinea. 2. As a child he was abused by the tribal members where he lived and at boarding school. 3. The Shack was written at the end of an eleven year dismantling process of the dark pains and sins in his life as he tried to save his marriage. 4. He wrote The Shack as a Christmas gift for his six children in 2005. 5. The Shack sold 20 million copies provoking deep discussions and changing the lives of many of its readers. 6. The Shack is being made into a movie with Oprah Winfrey playing God. 7. His follow-up book is called Crossroads. 8. He believes that fiction finds a way into the precious places of our hearts without asking permission. 9. William believes that only the Holy Spirit knows how to bring about healing in individuals and that may include spiritual and secular expertise. 10. William believes that there is no created thing that can separate us from the love of God – nothing future, nothing present, not death, not life. That love will continue to pursue us. He trusts the one that loves us. (Extracts from an interview in New Wine issue 61) 6 Passover Meal

Instead of the usual Maunday Thursday Service around 50 parishioners of all ages and length of time as members of the congregation gathered in the Fulthorpe Chapel to partake of a Passover Meal. The room was set with two long side tables with seating down both sides and a table across the top with seating looking down the room.

The tables were furnished with a lamb bone (representing the Passover lamb slain in the place of the Israelite first born), plates containing, boiled egg (representing second offering brought to the temple and a symbol of mourning in the light of the Temple’s destruction), lettuce (representing karpas – the arrival of Spring, new growth and hope), horseradish (representing maror the bitterness of the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt) and apple puree (representing charoset the mortar the Israelites used to make bricks in Egypt), matzah (representing the unleavened bread); bowls of of salted water (representing the tears shed in Egypt) and bowls of water with lemon slices plus red wine, soft drink and jugs of water, also candles.

Nick led us through the act of the Passover Meal with all its symbolic food and drinks to remind us of the Israelites, slavery and their fight for freedom under Moses. The lighting of candles, breaking and hiding the matzah, symbolic drinking and hand washing plus eating the various food representations to recall the stages of the fight and Passover and later flight from Egypt. We sang and prayed.

A delicious meal of meat balls in sauce with pitta bread and salad was followed by apple crumble and custard (all with connections to the traditional food of lamb, unleavened bread and fruit of the Jewish Passover Meal). The room was filled with conversation and enjoyment as the evening progressed. Finally the wine and matzah became the bread and the wine as we proclaimed the death and resurrection of our Saviour.

A memorable evening bringing to life and tying together the final night of Jesus in the Jewish tradition of Passover with His death and rising in the Christian Easter story.

A big thank you to all those who organized, prepared, cooked, served and led the evening.

J.A.R. 7 Mark 14.53–65: Jesus before the Sanhedrin

Everything is wrong. It’s all back to front, upside down. It’s not meant to be this way. A court represents justice, and right. It tries a man, and if he is innocent it justifies him; if he is guilty, it condemns him. And yet here we have a man who has never done any wrong, standing in the dock. He should never even have come to trial, but now he’s here, well, they must find him innocent… surely? Witness after witness comes forward, bringing falsehood after falsehood – the falsity lies in the supposedly just system, and not in the supposedly unjust de- fendant. Witnesses that do not agree even in their untruths, and yet a judge who is determined to condemn. He presses the defendant again and again, fur- ther and further, but receives no response. Until, at last, one question hits the spot: “are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” And the man in the dock breaks his silence and say “I am, and you will see me sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Wisdom personified, he embodies the truth that there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak”. He speaks the words that God spoke to Moses: I am who I am, Yahweh, Lord. He speaks with the voice that spoke the world into existence. And the perversity of the whole situation is revealed in a flash – this is none other than God himself. Creator is judged by creature, the eternal by the mortal, innocent by guilty, pure by defiled, the righteous one is accused of blasphemy as the self-righteous un- wittingly blaspheme. And our astonishment increases, because he takes it, he remains silent, and still; the innocent in court normally protest and proclaim their innocence. But this man willingly submits himself to the greatest injustice. Why?

In this trial, he exposes human sin. As we read this passage we realize that we ourselves are on trial before our maker. By our sin we reject him, we accuse him falsely and incoherently, we seek to condemn him and justify ourselves. But if we let the Spirit expose our hearts as we read this passage, we realize that we stand condemned. Like Job when he was confronted with God, we cover our mouths. We have nothing to say, all protest and self-defence must cease. Yet this man does not simply expose our sin to shame us and to leave us wal- lowing in it. No, by submitting to human sin and evil, to the very point of death, he in fact overcomes it. Through the greatest injustice he justifies the unjust. In his crucifixion he dies the death our sin deserves and makes it possible for us to be right with God.

In the silence, let us reflect on our Lord condemned, our sin exposed, and our forgiveness won. Nick 8 MARK 14: 66 -72

Good Friday is a day on which we try as much as we are able to look directly at the darkness of our world and at our own darkness.

It is the day in which we confront the human tendency to kill others, in any multitude of ways, instead of dying to ourselves – to our own illusions, pretences and self- defeating behaviours. Before we embark or even continue with this daunting task we need to remember as Julian of Norwich tells us that God looks on us with pity not with blame so as we look at the darkness let’s try to do so with honesty but also with compassion and gentleness towards ourselves and our world.

Peter was always the disciple who was in it – he was the one out of the boat trying to walk on water, he was the one who suggested building booths at the transfiguration he was keen, enthusiastic, quite often missed the mark, quite often getting it wrong! I wonder how he thought of himself, maybe he saw himself as the ideal, perfect disciple, self- confident, self- willed- the one who was close to Jesus the one who got the answers. Maybe in his mind he was hanging around outside waiting for an opportunity to rescue Jesus – after all he had his sword hidden under his cloak- maybe he saw himself as the hero of the moment. But far from heroism he was overwhelmed with fear, fear of being hurt, fear of being killed and that fear, that desire to preserve himself caused him to betray his friend and to run away from him in his hour of greatest need. I wonder how he felt after that third No – sick, ashamed, with that huge knot in his stomach that you get when you know you have let someone you love down. It is always in our closest relationships with our family, our friends, God that both our greatest strengths and our greatest weaknesses are revealed – our ability to love and our ability to betray as Peter does here and the opportunity to see ourselves as we really are and not as we would like to be. We human beings have great capacity for self- deception – perhaps we like to define ourselves by external things our body image, our education our clothes, our money, our car, our success our spiritual gifts. Perhaps these are the things that make us feel good about ourselves When we fail as Peter did in a particularly painful and crushing way God invites us to let go of those illusions about ourselves invites us to surrender the little life that we can concoct for ourselves by our own energies and our own efforts. Today gives us a chance to take a hard look at our flaws our weaknesses and our biases our fears – those things that cause us to run, to betray those we love, to betray ourselves, to betray our God and in doing so to let go of some of our illusions about ourselves.

Sarah

9 What an eggcellent week!

Eggheads this year was eggtastic! We ministered to 59 primary school children throughout the week and had a great time doing it. During the week the children (and adults) enjoyed team games, bible themed crafts, watching the Miracle Maker (a fantastic animation taking us though the betrayal, trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus), Mr B’s quiz – it’s getting harder every year – and great talks about the real Easter story. Many of our regular children who come year after year attended, along with lots of new faces. This year we said a sad goodbye to two of our children who have been with us since they were tiny. Now they are both taller than me it’s time for them to move on. Thankfully, they are now old enough to come to Befree and we are looking forward to seeing them there! So many thanks go out to everyone who gave up their evenings to help out this year. It can be a long and exhausting week but it brings with it so many rewards. At the end of the week it was great to be told by a number of the parents just how much their children had enjoyed the Eggheads, how impressed they were with the crafts made and by how much the children now know about Jesus. Please pray for the children we have been with during Eggheads, that what they have heard and learned grows in their hearts. Pray for leaders that they are well rested. Finally, please pray for the future of Eggheads and our children’s ministry at Easter. We had a cracking time! Mary Robinson

‘I have been going to Eggheads since I was little and I really enjoy it because you meet new friends. There are lots to do like crafts and games which are really fun and free! All the people who help out are really nice too.’ Ellis, age 11.

‘Me and my brother, Henry, really enjoyed Eggheads, it was our first time at it and we learned lots of things and had lots of fun. We watched a DVD about Jesus too.’ Jenny, age 6.

10 Persecuted Church Kenya Leader: Uhuru Kenyatta Population 46.7 million (34 million Christians) Main religion: Christianity Government: Republic World watch list rank, 19 Source of persecution: Islamic extremism Christians and Moslems used to coexist peacefully, but Islamic extremism dramatically increased in 2014, spilling over from neighbouring Somalia. In the areas of Kenya where Islam is dominant, over a hundred Christians have been killed, and nine churches attacked. Some churches have installed metal detectors for fear of suicide bombers or have hired armed police to guard their services. Church attendances are diminished, not only because of the fear of attack, but because individuals have been warned by Extremists not to go. There are also more subtle forms of persecution; in the Moslem majority North East, Christians are denied burial spaces. One of the biggest media houses is owned by Moslems and used to portray Christians negatively and promote an Islamic agenda. Christians feel that they are being silenced by an increasingly secular government, forcing through policies on education and gender which force the Church to bend or break. More than 80% of Kenyans are Christian, but in north-eastern Kenya, 90% are Muslim. Garissa College massacre. On Thursday 2nd April, Al-shabaab gunman attacked a college in Garissa in North-Eastern Kenya, killing 148 people. The attackers separated Christian students from Moslem ones and slaughtered the Christians. The victims were mainly students between the ages of 19 and 23. Reuben Mwavita, 21, a student, said he saw three female students kneeling, begging the gunman for mercy. 'The mistake they made was to say, "Jesus please save us!" He said 'that was when they were immediately shot." A student said she initially mistook the armed men for police. "All of a sudden I saw them throw explosives...where the Christian Union members were praying," she said. Twenty-two members of the Christian Union were killed at morning devotion when grenades were thrown into their makeshift chapel. The four gunmen were eventually cornered by Kenyan security forces after a day long siege. They reportedly killed themselves by detonating suicide vests. The attack was clearly timed to coincide with Easter; at churches throughout Kenya, Easter began a three day period of mourning for those killed in the attack. Please pray: *For the families of the victims as they mourn their loved ones *For the embattled Christians in North East Kenya who live in fear of militant attacks * The government of Kenya would be able to bring security to this region.

Mary Tones

11 ANGELA HALL: YFC Leader Last year I was the Team Leader for Hartlepool YFC. This year I have the privilege of supporting the wider Gap Year YFC team by meeting with Gap years one to one, visiting their projects, and supporting in any way I can. I have worked with YFC for nearly two years, but the funding is running out for me. I feel God is calling me to continue the work I am doing with YFC across the Teesside and in Hartlepool. In January, I attended a Youth for Christ Conference in Manchester and I felt God confirm to me that I need to step out and use my facilitating skills. In February, along with Bethany, we have been trained and licensed to be a Romance Academy Facilitator. This 10-12 week course can be run in schools, youth groups, and in any youth programs the city runs. This course is for students over the age of 14.

The topics include:

 Health and Well-Being

 Communication

 Confidence building

 Emotional intelligence within relationships

 Building and sustaining healthy relationships

 Coping with peer pressure

 Drugs and alcohol Romance Academy is a nationally recognized course and has impacted on many young people’s lives across the United Kingdom. This is something I am very passionate about, our young people are constantly being bombarded with unhealthy messages and images about sex and relationships and they need to have a safe place to be able to talk and discuss what they are struggling with. I feel this course will enhance the work Youth for Christ team is doing in Hartlepool and the Teesside area. I am sharing this with my supporters to firstly pray, that I will be able to build up a number of organizations where I can go and teach this course. Secondly, the funding support is running out soon. It may be possible to charge for doing the course, but it will not be enough to keep me fully employed. So I am asking my supporters to please consider financially giving to YFC so that I can continue to work for them. You can do this by going online http://www.tvyfc.co.uk/contact-us/ and click on the giving page. I really appreciate your prayers and support!

12 What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare, Church History No time to stand beneath the boughs Can you help? Over the last year And stare as long as sheep or cows. or so I have been volunteering at No time to see, when woods we pass Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass. Stranton on open days - mainly No time to see in broad daylight Tuesday afternoons with Kath Streams full of stars like stars of night. Webster.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance We have had quite a few people in And watch her feet how they can dance. to view the church and ask about No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich the smile her eyes began. its history. We have shown them A poor life this if, full of care the church history pamphlet but We have no time to stand and stare. through research I have found the odd discrepancy and it is now William Henry Davies rather dated.

Receiving and Giving Now this is where you may be able I’m a novice when it comes to receiving, to help - do you have any old Giving has become my expertise. booklets, photos or other material But giving alone without getting that would help us write a more up Becomes a fatal disease. to date booklet about All Saints, Stranton? If the intake valve is not opened there’s no way to maintain a supply. Please note that all material will be There comes a point in the cycle of life scanned and returned and no when the outgoing stream runs dry. photos or drawings will be reproduced without copyright Straining out love from a vacuum consent. This is mainly to gather is like drinking from a heart of stone. information. Try as we may, at the end of the day, we’re exhausted, frustrated, alone. If you have any material please contact me: “Better to give than receive”, we are David House Tel 01429/276064 taught, Yet another truth I’ve learned just by liv- or email: [email protected] ing: only the soul with the grace to receive, You can see me at the 8:30 excels in the fine art of giving. service, most Sunday mornings.

Rev Dr James A Forbes Jnr. Alternatively why not come along any Tuesday afternoon 2-4pm and have a chat.

13 LINENS Fabric and Design

Adam Barton Dress, bridal and dance Joiner & Carpenter fabrics Rhinestones, machines and haberdashery.

Help and advice with your Time served joiner, sewing projects. Shop in Maintenance work carried out, store, telephone or on line. Internal replacement doors a speciality

Linens, Fabric & 07877 316030 Design [email protected] 97 Park Road Hartlepool TS26 9HP

Tel: 01429 891755

Steven McConnell Roofing Contractor

37 Greta Avenue Hartlepool TS25 5LE

Tel: 01429 221784 Fax: 01429 281609 Mobile 07850 925183

Member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors

14 Hartlepool & District Hospice

Provides free palliative care for patients. Offers of voluntary help are always welcome , as are donations. Please contact us at:

Alice House Wells Avenue Hartlepool. TS24 9DA Tel: 01429 855555

Stranton Business Centre

Colin B Griffiths, FBII 49 Stockton Road Hartlepool TS25 1TX

Telephone: 01429 280444 Mobile: 07932333779 Email: [email protected] www.strantonbusiness.co.uk

Joanna’s Poochies K. W. Monkman Paradise Building Services 147 Elwick Road

Hartlepool Joinery, Glazing,Property TS26 9BW Repairs & Building Work

Pet Shop & Reg. Office: Dog Grooming 104 Elizabeth Way Telephone: 01429 270056 Hartlepool 01429 277385

15 BRABINER CARPETS

249 – 251 YORK ROAD HARTLEPOOL TS26 9AD

TEL: (01429) 272298

LET US HELP YOU GET THROUGH YOUR LOSS John Harrington We’ll guide and assist you through all the funeral arrangements. BRICKWORK AND BUILDING Call us 24 hours a day. New Builds, Alterations MASON & GERALD MARTIN & Extensions FUNERAL DIRECTORS 01429 862021 Tel: 01429 420019 Mobile: 07960381258 129 Park Road, Hartlepool. TS26 9HT Free Estimates

Keith Walker Ophthalmic Opticians

28 Victoria Road, Hartlepool Tel: 01429 275551

16 The Legacy Spirit in Stone On Thursday 19th of March an artist led workshop was held at All Saints Church Stranton as part of the Spirit in Stone outreach project. This was a free art session to people from around the town to encourage them to come into our church and enjoy the building inside and out, including the church yard, as a source of inspiration for drawings and painting.

The day started with coffee and introductions at about 10:00am, led by Paul Judson. Paul asked everyone to consider and reflect on the art and East of South aisle by Audrey Levelle architecture of the church and its environment before creating there own art in response to the building.

The group was then given a short talk about the church and its many features by me as a volunteer guide.

Paul has vast experience of teaching and working with a range of creative media including; photography, drawing, painting and ceramics. Paul is a retired Anglican vicar (you may remember him at St Luke’s with his wife Revd. Mary Judson) and was a former Director of Communications for Durham Diocese.

We were blessed as the sun came out and enhanced the interior of the church no end and made it a very colourful experience for the artists. We had a very good buffet lunch around 1:00pm and finished with coffee and cakes at 3:00pm with some discussion as to how good a day it was. If the comments in the visitor’s book are anything to go by it was a memorable day for all.

The day was attended by twelve people and photos were taken by Paul for a future travelling exhibition of the art from Spirit in Stone in the North East. We may be lucky to have it visit us sometime soon.

I would like to thank Ann Courtenay, Carol Lund and Kath Webster for the excellent buffet, and tea and coffee through out the day. David House.

17 A Blast from the Past! Recipes from Mary Baines

From the magazine - 1986 - Carrot, Banana and Walnut Loaf Apple Drop Scones 4 oz wholemeal flour 1 sweet apple 4 oz plain white flour 4oz wholemeal flour 2 teasp baking powder 4oz plain flour 1 teasp bicarb soda ½level teasp bi-carb. Soda 1 teasp cinnamon 1 level teasp cream of tartar 7oz carrots – washed and grated ½ pint low fat milk 4 oz walnuts – chopped 1 egg 4oz soft brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 large ripe banana ½ teasp cinnamon 2 eggs 1 tablespoon corn oil 1 orange – rind and juice 4 tablespoons corn oil Coarsely grate apple including skin 4 tablespoons water Make a batter with all remaining ingredients & oil Grease a 2lb loaf tin and line with paper Heat a heavy frying pan and brush with a Mix flours, baking powder, bicarb, little oil cinnamon, carrot, walnuts and sugar in a Pour about one teaspoon batter into the large bowl pan and cook until holes appear and the In a jug mash banana and whisk with eggs, scones look brown when eased up. orange juice and rind, oil and water. Pour Turn over and cook on the other side. on dry ingredients. Keep warm and serve at once. Beat all together to form a softish batter. Pour into loaf tin Cottage cheese scones Bake for 50 – 60 minutes until firm. Gas mark 6/200C 4oz wholemeal flour Cool in tin and allow to become cold before 2 oz plain white flour slicing. 1 teaspoon dry mustard ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Tuna Pate 3oz marg. 1 large tin tuna fish 8oz low fat cottage cheese 2 tablespoons sherry or brandy 1 egg yolk 1 small onion grated a few chopped chives or spring onions 2 tablespoons top of milk or cream Gas Mark 6/ 200C 6 oz melted butter or marg. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl and rub 4 tablespoons olive oil in fat Rind and juice of 1 lemon Mix half the cottage cheese and egg yolk Seasoning together and add to dry ingredients to Drain and flake the fish and to it add the form a smooth firm dough. Leave to rest butter and oil, lemon, onion and sherry and for 30 minutes. blend together till very smooth Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface Add cream and seasoning and pack and using a ½ inch plain cutter cut out 30 into a soufflé dish or small individual – 40 biscuits. dishes and serve with fingers of Place on a greased baking sheet and brown bread for a starter to a meal or cook 8 – 10 minutes until golden with crisp green salad and crusty Add chives to remaining cheese and bread for a main meal. sandwich the biscuits together.

18 Boys Brigade We are now heading towards our Summer Programme.....

Anchor Boys - Highlights include A meeting with PC Coggins the Community Policeman, also visits to Seaton Carew, and the Wacky Warehouse.

Juniors - include visits to the swimming baths, Crimdon Dene, the Blue Lagoon, sand castling, swimming gala and lots more!

Company - highlights include visits to the Police Station, a BBQ with 17th Teesside, visits to Blackhall Rocks, ice skating and much more.

In addition every Tuesday Night Year 6 Lads and Company Lads are having extra activities such as 5 a side, snooker and pool plus social oc- casions.

Fund raising: on Saturday June 13th we are holding our Summer Fayre at St Matthew's Community Centre. We are now starting to collect bric a brac - if you need any collecting please ring George Bainbridge on 263149

If you want the latest information on the Company, why not try our Face- book page?

Burbank Easter Fun

All who attended Burbank’s Family Social evening on March 27th at the Havelock Centre had an evening of fun and silliness. It is good to connect with your inner child at times!

We had an Easter mini quiz, Easter themed games – pin the beak on the chick, an egg hunt, knock over the Easter Bunny, plus a coordination challenging game of Splat! The Centre provided a delicious buffet which was enjoyed by young and old, as adults indulged in some catch up chats and the children continued to exhaust themselves playing with balloons.

A big thank you to Clive and Angela plus helpers for all their hard work and a relaxing and enjoyable evening. J.A.R. 19 This is a poetic ditty about the St George or St Margaret debate Statue Decision - Choice time for the Reader

It’s a tricky decision to be made, Is it St George the dragon’s killer Or St Margaret a dragon’s dinner? One rescued a damsel in distress, The other tortured under duress. Both many an artist has inspired, But which saintly one must be fired, Or as Lord Alan positively says ‘hired’? St Margaret a lady of strong faith St George St Margaret Refused marriage for the ‘Word’, Whose story the Crusaders heard. Yet they learnt of St George too And history has not given us much of a clue, Other than Cromwell’s men had a smashing time It can add no more information to this rhyme So is it St Margaret or St George That dear reader is up to you?

The Fallen of Stranton - One Hundred Years On Fallen in May 1915

Sadly we are now coming to the time when the centenary of individual Strantonians lost their lives during the Great War:

Lance Corporal Robert Henry Robson – came from a large family of 10 brothers and sisters and lived at Catcote. Robert served with the Durham Light Infantry and he was awarded three medals (he was one of the ‘Old Contemptible’) but sadly he died of his wounds on the 4th May 1915.

In the Fulthorpe Chapel a tribute plaque to Robert and his elder brother John (who died in the Boer War) can be viewed.

Private John Kneebon Morris – lived at 15 Benson Street and was killed in action on the 13th May 1915. He is remembered on the Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium. He served in the East Lancashire Regiment.

20 Dates for the Diary Dates for May

Tues 5th 7.30pm New Beginnings, Fulthorpe Chapel Wed 6th 7.30pm Standing Committee, The Vicarage Thurs 14th 7.30pm Ascension Day Holy Communion Mon 18th 5.15pm Pastoral Group, St Matthews Community Centre 7.30pm PCC Fulthorpe Chapel Tues 19th 7.30pm Lighthouse Planning, The Vicarage Sun 24th 10.30am Adult Baptism, Stranton Church Thurs 28th 7.30pm SMDT, The Vicarage Wed 3rd 6.00pm Ward Jackson CE School concert with Pop UK, (open to all).

Thought for the Day…

Let us open up ourselves to one another without fear of being hurt or turned away. For we need to confess our weaknesses, to be governed by our brothers love, to be real and learn our true identity.

21 Celebrate!

May HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Many Happy Returns to Josh Blenkinsop Sarah Cartwright Elspeth Craig Kath Harkness Mike Peacock Eve Rogers Kath Weimer Janice Young

A special Happy 60th Birthday to Andrew Rogers

Happy Wedding Anniversary

Andrew & Louise Robertson

If you have something to celebrate we would love to share it - email [email protected] or phone 864006. All entries to be in22 by the 16th of the month. Sidespersons

8.30am 10.30am

3 May M Hutchinson S Shepherd K Shepherd

10 May I Walker J Young Volunteer

17 May P Porritt A Craig F Endean

24 May P Thompson S Shepherd K Shepherd

31 May B Butcher A Craig F Endean

Baptisms

12 April Evie Elizabeth Todd Sonny Ian Todd

26 April Jacob Robert Hornsey Ellen Louise Hornsey Anna Marie Hornsey

Funerals 9th April Matt Waugh

10th April Haydn Austin

13th April Ethel Morfitt

16th April Sheila Mordue

21st April William Picken

22nd April John Moon

23 Who’s Who

Church Office St Matthew’s Community Centre Arncliffe Gardens TS26 9JF Administrator Trish Playfor 01429 894006 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.stranton-church.org.uk

Vicar The Revd. Norman Shave 34A Westbourne Road 233609

E-Mail: [email protected] Associate Minister The Revd. Andrew Craig 25 Egerton Road 422461

Burbank Community Church Worker Clive Hall 161 Burbank Street 278504

Curate The Revd. Nick Moore 40 Browning Avenue 597284

Curate (MSE) The Revd. Sarah Jay C/O Church Office 894006

Readers Alan Robertson 2 Northbrook Court 276926

St Luke’s Revd. Linda Butler 5 Tunstall Avenue 272893

Ecumenical Partners Revd. Michael Griffiths St Joseph’s RC 272985 Revd. Barrie Morris Methodist 0191 587 0427 Grange Road Methodist 890803 St George’s Church Office 425847

Authorised Pastoral Assistants Patricia Vaughan 144 Elwick Road 429178 Barbara Butcher 55 Arncliffe Gardens 298241

Church Wardens Kathy Webster 38A Lane 265798 Alan Robertson 2 Northbrook Court 276926

Music Group Kevin Tones 40a Blakelock Road 265625 PCC Secretary Maureen Anderson 22 Thetford Road 871266 Treasurer David Craig 57 Claremont Drive 234279 Asst. Treasurer Maureen Anderson 22 Thetford Road 871266 Loyalty Treasurer Peter Anderson 22 Thetford Road 871266 Notice Sheet The Office (Notices by the preceding Wednesday) Signpost Editorial Jacqui Rogers 19 Trentbrooke Avenue 265527 Signpost Advertising Maureen Anderson 22 Thetford Road 871266 Signpost Subscription Maureen Anderson 22 Thetford Road 871266 St Matthew’s Booking Trish Playfor Church Office 894006 24 25 26 27 28 29