St Luke's School, It Has Been a Challenging, Difficult and Exhausting Time

Home , Morecambe

August - September 2020

News from the churches

St Luke’s Church of England & Hest Bank United Reformed Church

www.stlukes-slynewithhest.co.uk www.nlancsurc.org.uk

1 HEST BANK

Home & Garden Services

Painting and decorating Lawn mowing Hedge trimming Power washing Guttering, etc, etc

Local, reliable and friendly service Tim Wilkinson 07989 962 399 01524 822 482

Note from the Editor Thanks to everyone for their contributions. If you have anything to include, or comments on what you would like to see in our future issues, please let me know. Steve [email protected]. Tel: 822177

2 Reverent Reflections The world is a very different place since I last wrote for 'The News from the Churches'. The Covid -19 pandemic has caused us to live through a truly extraordinary time, a time which has taken us all out of our normal routines and social interactions. Many have suffered through bereave- ments, isolation, and separation from family and friends. It has been a challenge for our national life, and for people around the world.

Our experience of the lock down has varied tremendously. For NHS and care staff and for other key workers, including the staff at St Luke's School, it has been a challenging, difficult and exhausting time. For others it has been a time to slow down, a chance to discover skills and talents and an opportunity to get some of those unfinished jobs done in the home and garden. There has been a greater care for neighbours and it has been wonderful to see people in our local community supporting others by doing shopping, picking up prescriptions and donating food for the Food Bank.

I recently listened to a Sunday service broadcast on Radio Four, led by John Bell of the Iona Community. He described how in both ancient and modern times, the growth and betterment of society depends on the ability of people to learn from their past mistakes. If we learn from the past, we can move to a different future. If we deny the past, we repeat the mistakes. Over the last few months we have all become aware of many new things, for example, the debt we owe to undervalued and underpaid NHS and care workers, many from outside the United Kingdom. People have commented on how this year, the bird song has seemed so much louder, and we all seem to have a heightened awareness of the beauty of nature around us. We have come to a new realisation that the wellbeing of animal, bird and plant-life had been compromised by our reliance on practices that pollute. The 'Black lives matter' campaign has also helped us to perceive that racial injustices still continues in our society. We cannot move forward unless we acknowledge the mistakes of the past – real or unintentional.

3 As the lockdown is gradually relaxed, there is much talk about what the 'new normal' might be like. Are we going to go back to the 'old normal' with all its defects, or are we going to envisage a world that is radically different? John Bell in the broadcast I listened to asked some provoca- tive questions:

· Do we want children in the future to be as ignorant of the past as many or most of us adults have been? · If we know that poverty has grown in our nation, and that people living in poor neighbourhoods are far more likely to die from Covid 19 than the wealthy, are we prepared to identify the root causes, and to treat those who are economically disadvan- taged with dignity in the future? · When we know that in the world everything from the Australian coral reef to the Amazon rain forest to the Arctic Pole and even the humble bumble bee are all threatened by human failure to respect the integrity of creation, are we going to continue living so irresponsibly. · Are we going to live in the expectation that huge pharmaceuti- cal companies and better medical technology will come up with the solutions? Or should we at least consider personal responsi- bility and preventative rather than responsive medicine? · If we know that the causes of crime are very often rooted in childhood trauma or deprivation, are we just going to build more prisons, or look at what can be done to prevent vulnerable people becoming potential offenders? · If we believe from the evidence of the gospels, that Jesus spent a hundred times more of his life on issues of healing, teaching, evangelism, engaging face to face with people, than he ever did on bricks and mortar, are we going to shape the future of the church according to his priorities or remain obsessed by the up- keep of buildings and structures some of which have long been obsolete?

4 These are very thought provoking questions, and some of us may not agree with all the statements John Bell makes. I certainly wouldn't regard the beautiful Churches in our villages as being obsolete, but the number of engagements we’ve had when live streaming our services is certainly making me re-think how we may use technology in the future to engage with people.

Now is a good time for us all to reflect on the lessons the last few months have taught us, and to consider how we might try to live our lives differently in the future. With this in mind I would like to share with you a poem called 'And the people stayed home' by Kitty O'Meara.

And the people stayed home. And read books and listened, and rested and exercised, and made art and played games, and learned new ways of being and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.

5 St Luke's - Church Update

Services have now re-started in the Church building. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and we have cleaning, hand cleansing and hygiene procedures in place, in line with government guidance. All reasonable steps have been taken to help everyone maintain a 2m distance between different users of our church.

It is now possible to hold a Christening, wedding or funeral in a church, but with a maximum of 30 people.

We are continuing to live stream our services onto Facebook and they are also available on Youtube. They can be found at 'St Lukes Church Slyne'

We are here for you!

If you have any requests or questions about Christenings, Weddings or Funerals, have any requests for prayer, or would like to explore your faith ….Just Ask!

Contact Revd Susan Seed. Tel 01524 822128 Email: [email protected]

Resources for Children

St Luke's Virtual Sunday school

St Luke's have produced a weekly Sunday School which is available on YouTube. Go and meet the 'Virtual Vicar' and find out how you can join in with the crafty activities. To find the channel, type 'St Lukes Church Slyne with Hest' into the search bar of YouTube.

6 Blackburn Diocese Indoor and Outdoor Summer Activity sheets

These are free downloadable activity sheets for families to complete in what ever order they like. Each sheet contains 10 activities, that's 10 for outdoor and 10 for indoor. Creating memories and sharing our faith together at home. How many can you complete? www.bdeducation.org.uk/product/indoor-summer/ www.bdeducation.org.uk/product/outdoor-summer/

Weekly@ We're All in This Together Home Version The Diocese have a Weekly@ Summer special. www.bdeducation.org.uk/product/weekly-summer-were-all-in-this- together/

BiblePodlets: https://www.bdeducation.org.uk/podcasts/bible-podlets/ Bible Podlets is a Bible study and discussion podcast for primary aged children to do with adults. Each episode has fun games/activities, an engaging Bible reading in the form of a news story and deep discussion with places to pause and talk together about the topic.

Faith at Home #faithathome resources can be found at: https://www.churchofengland.org/faith-action/faith-home

7 8 Secretary: Mrs. Val Gill Tel: 824089 Treasurer: Mr. J. C. Fox Tel: 822779

Serving Elders: Mesdames J. Fox, V.Gill, B. Mills, L. Etherington, H. Byrom, Helen Bennett

Freewill Offering Sec: Mr D. Ruddick Tel: 824243 Newsletter Rep: Mrs Lena Etherington Tel: 824287 Flower Rota: Mrs B. Mills Tel: 822984 Reform Magazine: Mrs J. Fox Tel: 822779 Church Transport: Mr and Mrs C. Fox Tel: 822779

URC Zoom services The United Reformed Church continues to hold weekly “Zoom” services at 10.30 am. each Sunday. All are welcome to worship. If you would like to join us please phone, Val, the church secretary on 824089. We shall be reviewing all our activities at the beginning of Sep- tember. Due to the fact that most of the volunteers running the Shining Stars toddler group fall into the “over 70s” category, it is unlikely that we will be running it again until the present situation improves. Weekly thoughts Our local URC minister, Irene John, sends her thought for the week each Saturday. If anyone would like a copy, please phone Val on 824089, and the thoughts will be forwarded to you. Best Wishes

9 I have recently been introduced to some quotes from Sam Levenson, who was an American humorist. I rather enjoyed the following, I hope you do too, Val Gill

Sam Levenson quotes For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.

We leave you a tradition with a future. The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete. People even more than things have to be restored, re- newed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands: one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Your “good old days” are still ahead of you, may you have many of them.”

Sam Levenson, In One Era & Out the Other

10 We have been invited to take part in becoming more eco friendly as churches, and it is something we can do as two churches working together. A “zoom” discussion is to be organised shortly for representatives from our churches. Please read the invitation below.

Dear Churches in the NW Synod

Are you passionate about the environment? Would you like to make some sort of difference to the way we treat our planet-home? Are you up for exploring how we can tread more lightly on the earth? Do you see that as something connected to following Jesus and making a Jesus- shaped difference to the world? Did you know that the 5th Mark of Mission is: ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’?

We can support you to become an Eco Church.

At the recent Synod Meeting, the North Western Synod adopted the 'Environmental Charter' set out below, which encourages each congrega- tion to embrace it in all they do and agrees to bring a similar resolution to the next General Assembly for adoption by the whole United Reformed Church.

We believe that creation reveals the glory of God. That we are called to be stewards of God’s creation working with all people of good will to make sure that His earth remains a beautiful place full of wonder, worship, love, justice and peace by respecting the environment and all creatures.

We challenge ourselves to live simply and in solidarity with the poor not taking unfair amounts of the world's resources or creating waste and pollution.

11 We commit ourselves to safeguarding life and living sustainably by taking our environmental impact fully into account. To find out more about the ECO Church Award, visit ecochurch.arocha.org.uk. and contact the Green Apostle Team or your Missional Discipleship Mentor. We can walk alongside you to do an Eco Church Audit in order for you to look through an Eco lens to the following aspects of being church: Worship and Teaching

Management and Church Buildings Management of Church Land Com- munity and Global Engagement Lifestyle

Looking forward to hear from you ,Blessings, Green Apostle Team Rev’d Kate Gray: [email protected] Rev’d Daleen ten Cate: [email protected] Rev’d Dr. Rosalind Selby: [email protected]

Something fun to do: There are names of sixteen (16) books of the Bible hidden in the paragraph below. Let's see how many you can find:

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. A certain luke, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others, it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of our readers. To others it was a job. We want it to be a most fascinating little moment for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help find them. I will quickly admit it usually takes the preacher to find one of them, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how you will compete. Relax now, for there really are sixteen books of the Bible in this paragraph.

Happy searching!!

12 Peace Poles

During lockdown we have been introduced to the idea of a ‘Peace Pole”, and a number of us think it would be a great idea to place one in the church grounds.

A Peace Pole is an internationally- recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages on each of its four or six sides.

Perhaps this would be a project we could work on as we get back to some sort of normality.

13 Food donations There are boxes in the porches of the Church to put food donations in. Urgently needed food items are: · fruit Juice · Long Life milk · Sugar · Instant mash potato · sponge puddings · Wrapped biscuits · Coffee · Pasta sauce · Soap and shower gel · Loo roll · Toothbrushes and toothpaste · Feminine hygiene items · Baby milk The food bank have currently got plenty of: · Beans · Pasta

Monetary donations can be made to Morecambe Bay food bank via their website. Revd Susan is able to make referrals to the food bank if anyone is in need.

URC BOOK GROUP The groups meetings remain cancelled for the time being. We will review plans in September.

If you would like more information please contact Helen Byrom on 822916.

14 Please only ring between 7pm—9pm if possible

The groups meetings remain cancelled for the time being. We will review plans in September. For further information ring Val on 824089.

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Tel: 01524 727877 Fax: 01524 730421

Email: [email protected]

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Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm

Saturday: Closed Customer Parking for Easy Access

16 Slyne-with-Hest Church Hall

The new Church Hall has been closed since the 21st March due to Covid-19.

We are now permitted open for some activities now. We welcomed the leaver’s year from St Luke’s School for their assembly. We opened the screen and provided sufficient space for the whole year group to meet together while maintaining social distancing.

As of 25th July indoor exercising is possible and we are able to welcome back the Zumba group to the hall. Yet again we will be using the full hall for one group in order to ensure the space is available to meet the legal requirements. In order to meet limits on numbers a pre- booking is required with the hirer before attending sessions. We hope to gain experience In making the necessary arrangements to meet the requirements before we welcome a wider return, with a number of groups hoping to return in September.

From September we hope to be able to return to the multiple spaces we have enjoyed in the early days in the hall. We anticipate some further adjustments will be made in the regulations by that time. We will be giving priority to former hirers when we return but may be able to accommodate additional lettings. Also included in our schedule are the reservations for the use of the churches. At this stage the churches are not restarting their previous activities as many involved were in the vulnerable and over 70 groups. We hope they will soon feel confident to return in safety.

17 Village Newsletter

We are sad to hear that the Parish Council have decided that they will no longer sponsor the Village Newsletter in printed form. They are hoping that the legally required information and community news can be disseminated by the website.

Thank you Susan!! I would like to publish a big 'Thank You' to our Rector, Revd Susan Seed who has worked tirelessly to ensure that Christian spiritual care and support has been available as widely as possible during this challenging time. In doing this, she has provided weekly readings, reflections and benefice newsletters, circulated by e-mail or as print copies for those who do not use e-mail; she has live-streamed regular services (and organised others to contribute also) and saved them on church Facebook pages and on u-tube for people to view later; she has convened a Zoom Coffee Club for parishioners to chat on Sunday mornings and a Bible study group on Thursday evenings; she has ensured that all regular members of our congregations who are shielding or isolating are kept in touch with by phone or other means; and has provided the best possible care in the circumstances for bereaved families. As our churches gradually reopen for private prayer and communal worship she is being very thorough in following government and Church of England guidance and ensuring that Revd Pauline Nixon and I, as assistant priests in the benefice, are also fully briefed to conduct services in a 'Covid-secure' manner.

THANKS ONCE AGAIN, REVEREND SUSAN

18 Registers

The following Baptisms and Funerals took place at St Luke's Church before the lock down and were not recorded in the last Magazine:

Baptisms: 16th February - Luie Benjamin Nicholson 15th March - Sienna Rose Ava Ann Hartley

Funerals: 19th February - David Hartwell 9th March- Dorothy Cottam 11th March- Mary Dixon 13th March - Edward (Ted) Shackleton

During the lockdown no Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals were able to take place at St Luke's Church.

However the following funerals have been conducted by Revd Susan:

24th March - Arthur Bagshaw 2nd April - Dr John Dyer 26th May - Eric Cocker 3rd June - Tony Espley 9th July- Kenneth Eyre

19 Friday nights - ZOOM night!!

Urban Saints has continued to me each week since April. Although we have not been able to go to Mexico or Spree it has still be good fun and hopefully supportive. We have looked at a a wide variety of subjects using the on line Zoom Urban Saint Pick "n" Mix sessions. Subjects included - Light in times of darkness, Justice (around the issues raised by the death of George Floyd) If you have time have a look at this short video as an example of what we have looked at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEfpD1PzDWs&feature=youtu.be

Last week we talked about belonging and how we are part of the same family even if at times we feel the odd one out.

In between all of these we have played virtual tennis, on line rock paper scissors and rummage around the house. Please remember the Teens in your prayers - this has been a difficult time for them being away from schools and friends, not doing GCSEs and other exams. We still hope to build the house in Mexico sometime next year. If there are any new year 7s' who want to joint next term please email Andy Craven ([email protected])

Remember in all these times of change and difference Hebrews 13 v 8 - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever If you want to know more about Urban Saints here is the link https://www.urbansaints.org Andy 01524 409111

20 Mothers Union My beloved MU Family across the oceans, and from near and far, I greet you with the love and courage of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour because He is our strength, our hope and our solid rock. So much has been happening recently as COVID-19 is declared a pandemic and governments are advising that we take the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of the virus. There is so much we have to come to terms with in such a short time. One of our faithful members, Dianne, went to deliver groceries to her mum who is self-isolating after recent travel. She was in tears as she dropped the groceries at the doorstep and watched her mum through the window with no chance of a hug. There are so many similar stories including those of people who are ill or afraid, lonely or isolated. And in times like these I encourage you to take heart and do not fear because the Lord, your God is by your side - an ever present help in times of trouble. In the book of Joshua Chapter 1 verse 9 we read, I hereby command you: be strong and courageous; do not be fright- ened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Amen. As members you are bold and brave, full of courage and compas- sion, and so very loving and just like Esther you stand daily on the frontline calling for an end to injustices and advocating for all that supports stable families and communities. You have been busy in these acts of love but now many of you are being called to be quiet and to self-isolate in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. You will discover there is still so much we can do as members because as a movement we are ideally placed to support and act in this time, but only within the health advice given by your respective governments.

21 Now here are a few practical ideas to start with: 1. Pray and intercede for everyone including the health care professionals, the sick, the isolated, the bereaved and all those directly involved in finding a cure for this coronavirus. 2. Pray and spend time listening to God, strengthening your relationship with him, reading his word and sharing it with others. 3. Families Worldwide is an excellent resource to guide your prayers for members across the globe and the stories in Families First can open a good conversation. I can assure you that using these two resources will give the feeling of love and togetherness. 4. Our trustees have been using WhatsApp to encourage, support and pray for one another – you can use it in the same way and additionally even share a new recipe, prayer requests and messages of encouragement.

As I close, I leave you with the encouraging words from 2 Corinthians Chapter 12 reading verse 9 and 10. Such reassuring words. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Brothers and sisters let us pray together Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples, I am with you always, even to the end of time Be with me today Lord, as I offer myself to you. Hear my prayers for others and for myself, And keep me in your tender loving care always. Amen.

A message of encouragement from Mothers’ Union Worldwide President Sheran Harper Extracted from the MU website. Ed. https://www.mothersunion.org/

22 Sadly our next meetings have been cancelled. When the situation is clear we will arrange these again.

Further information from Emma Cafferty or Revd Helen Leathard

An Easy Way to Raise Funds

With so much ordering now moved on-line to reduce peoples movements, this is an even better time to try to support this fund-raising activity.

St Luke’s church has its own account where most major retail- ers will give a donation to us when you make a purchase from them Via the internet. Sign up today at

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stlukesslynewithhest/

For further details or help with setting up you registration please contact Jonathan on 824029.

23 August Calendar

Services at St Luke's Church

Wednesdays - 9 am - Morning Prayer at St Luke's

Sunday 26th July - Seventh after Trinity 10 am - Holy Communion at St Luke's

Sunday 2nd August - Eighth after Trinity 8 am - Holy Communion BCP at St Luke's

Sunday 9th August - Ninth after Trinity 10 am - Morning Worship at St Luke's

Sunday 16th August - Tenth after Trinity 8 am - Holy Communion BCP at St Luke's

Sunday 23rd August - Eleventh after Trinity 10 am - Holy Communion at St Luke's

Sunday 30th August - Twelfth after Trinity 10 am - Holy Communion at St Luke's

Cafe Church Sunday 16th August 6.30 pm on Zoom. Please email [email protected] for the link.

24 Live streamed services:

These services are on St Luke's Facebook page, except for Morning prayer on Tuesdays and 10am Sunday services at St Wilfrid's - which are on St Wilfrid's page.

All 10am Sunday services are also available on Search: 'St Lukes Church Slyne'

Sunday 10am - Morning Service Monday - 7.30 pm - Compline Tuesday - 9am - Morning Prayer Wednesday - 9am - Morning Prayer Wednesday - 7.30 pm - Evening Prayer Thursday - 7.30pm Bible Study & discussion group (On Zoom) Friday - 7.30 pm - Compline

Coffee Fellowship If you would like to join us on 'Zoom' on Sundays at 11 am, please send your email to Revd Susan

Bible Study & discussion Thursday at 7.30 pm Everyone is welcome to join in with this informal time of deepening our Christian knowledge and faith. We meet on Zoom which is easy to access if you have an email. Please contact Susan for details. September Please check the Church website for details of services in September. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11646/ Open Church The Church will be open for Private prayer between 9am and 5 pm on Wednesdays and on the first and third Sundays of the month.

25 Who’s who in St Luke’s Slyne With Hest

RECTOR Revd Susan Mary Seed 822128

Associate Priests Rev’d Helen Leathard 849495 Rev’d Pauline Nixon 07511 935860

Readers Martin Wakelin 07740 933463 Churchwarden Andrew Worgan 07901 522443 [email protected] Assistant Churchwardens Maureen Shackleton 823018 Emma Cafferty 824596 PCC secretary Emma Cafferty 824596 PCC treasurer Nicola Carruthers 824053 Bible reading notes Dawn Hayhurst 824118 Electoral roll TBC Gift aid secretary & FWO recorder Alan Hipple 823328 School Head Teacher Paul Bowden 823505 MU enrolling/sec Maureen Shackleton 823018 Altar flowers Carol Shortland 822913 Magazine adverts Jonathan Dixon 824029 Magazine Editor Steve Woodland 822177 Magazine distribution TBC Christian Aid Rep TBC Church Army Martin Wakelin 07740 933463 Children’s Society Julie Mitchell 389344 Laura Mitchell 846560 Sunday School rep Jill Turton 831683 Church Hall enquiries David Ruddick Church cleaning rota Jocelyn Hipple 823328 Transport assistance Contact Churchwardens Child Welfare Officer Andy Craven 409111

All copyrights & articles etc., from any source, acknowledged. Any views expressed are those of the article writer and, unless otherwise stated, not the PCC or editor.