St Peter's Parish Church Kirk Onchan

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St Peter’s Parish Church Kirk Onchan To be central to the life of Onchan Providing a Christian Witness Worship and Welcome to all

Lent Service ( Power of Love ) and Lent Lunches in Church

2 St Peter’s Easter Services

15th March 11 am 8.45 Vigil Mothering Sunday Service for all the 9pm Compline family Good Friday 29th March 11 am 3 rd. April 10.30 Family Worship (for all Palm Sunday and procession (Weather ages) permitting) 2pm-3pm Last hour of the Cross- Tuesday 31st March 2pm Easter Day Mothers Union Easter Communion 9.00 are. Holy Communion Service 11.00 am All Age Communion and Easter Wednesday of Holy Week Egg Hunt 1st April 7.30 Tazie Service 4.00pm The launch of CAiM at Peel Maundy Thursday Cathedral. Service for all churches and 2nd April 7.30 Communion with Foot denominations on the island (No Evening Washing Service at St Peter’s)

The Way I See It: FIVE GOOD this is official! - Sundays don’t THINGS ABOUT LENT count in Lent.

In case you’re thinking at this 3. A bit of self-denial is better time of the year that Lent is (as than a lot of self-indulgence. We one writer recently described it) live in a very self-indulgent ‘all purple and prohibitions’, here society. Just for forty days it’s no are five good things about it. bad thing to deny ourselves something that is a minor luxury 1 It only lasts 40 days. Fasts, by or a bit of self-pampering - their very nature, can’t last especially if it saves some money forever, but Lent has a very which could go to people in the manageable forty days. (If you’re world who have no ‘little luxuries’. thinking at six weeks and a bit it’s longer than that, see Item 2)). 4. It’s a journey towards Easter. New Year Resolutions simply Lent goes somewhere, and that stretch off into some impossibly somewhere is the empty tomb of distant horizon, but our Lenten Easter morning. It’s daffodils in attempts at discipline (chocolate, the churchyard and new life all cigarettes, daily prayers, being around us. kind to the cat) have an end date to them. 5. The days get longer. The English word for this season is the 2. Sundays in Lent are ‘as oases’. only one that has no religious Sunday is never a day of fasting, significance at all. ‘Lent’ is simply but a weekly celebration of the an abbreviation of the Old English resurrection of Jesus. So - and word ‘lencten’, which means 3 ‘lengthen’. On these islands, Given those five splendidly where weather is always a major positive things about Lent, which topic of conversation, it’s not covers the whole of March this surprising that what people noted year, I trust readers will approach about the days of Lent was that its rigours with joyful hearts. they got longer - no more of those ghastly dark tea-times. But the ‘lengthening’ is all part of Blessings Item 4, really - moving towards new life. (Sadly, Items 4 and 5 Clive don’t apply in Australia and New Zealand. Doubtless they have compensations.)

PCC Report

The PCC met in Church on Sunday 15 February after the morning service. There were 15 attendees and 4 apologies of absence. Rev Burgess opened the meeting with prayer.

The year end account statement and 2015 budget statement had been prepared by the Treasurer and circulated prior to the meeting. The statements were discussed and agreed. They will now be sent to the auditor and will be presented at the Annual Parochial Church meeting in April. Rev Burgess thanked Steve and Liz Hull for their hard work in producing the statements.

There has been concern about the low attendance at the 9am Sunday service for some time. The attendance is generally in single figures and today was 2 people. It was proposed and subsequently agreed that from April the 9am service will take place monthly on the first Sunday of the month and on Easter Day (which this year is the first Sunday in April). The 9am congregation has been approached and is in agreement with the proposal.

PCC has been considering options for better use of the church for some time. The removal of all the fixed pews and replacing with comfortable chairs has been discussed at length at several meetings. Most people find the pews very uncomfortable and people in wheelchairs have to sit at the back of church otherwise they cause an obstruction in the aisles. In addition the recent Quinquennial report has identified that a sub floor inspection is required to

4 assess the extent of dry rot in the floor joists which will require the removal of the pews. However before we can proceed, permission is required from the Diocesan Advisory Committee and from the IOM Government Registered Building consent. A sample chair was demonstrated to the PCC and costs were discussed. PCC then agreed unanimously to request permission from the Diocesan Advisory Committee and IOM Government Registered Building consent. to replace all the fixed pews and replace them with chairs.

Onchan Burial Authority has requested approval from the PCC to replace the wrought iron hand rail on the churchyard steps and to make good the steps. The work is undertaken and paid by Onchan Burial Authority and is not charged to church. This was agreed.

The next meeting will be the Annual Parochial Church meeting on Sunday 19 April at 6.30pm in church. Lent Lunches Are Back Starting Ash Wednesday 18th February, for 6 weeks of Lent St Peter’s Church Onchan 12pm to 1.15pm

Homemade soup and roll, cake and a cuppa coffee or tea £4.50

5 Regular Services at St Peter’s Sundays: 9.00 am: BCP Holy Communion 11.00 am: 1st, 3rd, 5th Sunday: CW Holy Communion 2nd Sunday: CW Morning Praise 4th Sunday: usually Family Service unless Holy Day or a special celebration falls within the month 6.30pm: BCP Evening Prayer or (Holy Communion 4th Sunday) Wednesday: 10.30 am: BCP Holy Communion Saturday: 5.00pm: Compline Holy Days as announced Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals by arrangement- contact the Parish Clerk

RECTOR: Reverend Canon Clive Burgess VIA PARISH CLERK Tel: 675797 or Email: [email protected] Licensed Readers: Carole Bairstow Tel: 628629 Ray Platt Tel: 675362 Parish Clerk: Parish Office (rear of Rectory) Church Road, Onchan. IM3 1BF Office Hours: Weekday mornings except bank holidays & leave. Check by contacting Tel: 675797 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stpeterschurch.org.im or Facebook Team Vicar: Rev Jo Dudley Tel: 861989 email: [email protected] Young People Sunday School: Sundays 11.00 Parish Hall (age 3-10 years) Laser Group: Sundays 11.00 Parish Office (age 10 plus) Peter Bear Club: Mondays 2x month 10.15-11.15 Parish Hall (Preschool) Mums and Tots: Fridays 1.15 – 3.00pm Parish Hall Home Groups Monday Home Group: (Monday, Weekly) Elaine Litherland 673458 Home Group Three: (Tuesday, Weekly) Joan Cory 622548 Home Group Four: (Wednesday, Weekly) Wendy Allen 616039

6 FROM THE REGISTERS

Funerals Sheila Humphrey Eric Woodworth, Michael Parton, May Cowin, Percy John Morrison, Patricia Clarke Pyrah, Neil Batty, Anthony (Tony) Booth, Harvey Briggs, Myrtle Esme Crellin, Betty Smith,

General Directory Parish Clerk Liz Hull 675797 enquiriesatstpeterschurch.org.im Warden Howard Parkin 625755 howardparkinatmanx.net Warden Marcia Clague 626573 marciaclagueatmanx.net Warden Dave Jelly 676087/466430 davejelly2010athotmail.com Warden Treasurer Steve & Liz Hull 675797/410229 hullatmanx.net Social Hospitality Vacant 675797 enquiriesatstpeterschurch.org.im Choir Wendy McDowell 674865 PCC Secretary Elaine Litherland 673458 litherlandatmanx.net Flowers Christine Sanders 616125 Mothers Union Mildred Cooper 625349 Ladies Fellowship Hazel Johnson 623168 Parish Hall Rentals Elaine Cory 624910 peter.cory51atgmail.com Magazine Editor Vacant/co Rector 675797 enquiriesatstpeterschurch.org.im Magazine Distribution Elaine Cory 624910 peter.cory51atgmail.com Coffee Rota Mildred Cooper 625349 Church Linen Joan Gilbert 668011 Make and Bake /Craft gp. Joan Gilbert 668011 Brass Polishing Joan Callister 622379 Safeguarding Rep. Lisa Morris 494688 safeguardingstpetersatmanx.net Youth Coordinator Lisa Morris 494688 safeguardingstpetersatmanx.net Peter Bear Gemma Campbell 675797 enquiriesatstpeterschurch.org.im Mums and Tots Jill Dugdale 625328/413199 jilldugdaleatmanx.net Mums and Tots Claire Butler 436970

Email address: @ is written as 'at' to reduce receipt of spam

If your details are incorrect please let Clive know, in the Parish Office

New Magazine Editor Needed Help Wanted can you give a few hours a month Understanding of Microsoft Word needed Please contact Clive (training can be given)

7 A Surprising Event significance of what Jesus had ‘Fools! For I also had my done. Also the story finishes hour; One far fierce hour and in a surprising way. After sweet: There was a shout Jesus entered the temple, He about my ears, And palms looked around and went before my feet.’ (from The home (Mk 11:11)! Donkey by G.K. Chesterton). The donkey in the Palm Sunday story highlights some of the surprises in this familiar story. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a young donkey to the adulation of the crowd, ‘Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is In Mark’s account it is he who comes in the name of clear that Jesus was the only the Lord!’’(Mark 11: 8/9). one who really understood At the end of the what was happening. He passage, surprisingly we are knew where the donkey was told that the crowd and what the people would disappeared and Jesus left say to the disciples (Mark Jerusalem with just the 11:1-6). He also knew why twelve. If Jesus was truly the he was going to Jerusalem, Messiah, why didn’t the ‘We are going up to crowds follow him Jerusalem and the Son of everywhere? Secondly, there Man will be delivered over to was no evident opposition the chief priests and the from the authorities. When teachers of the law. They will Jesus was put on trial, this condemn him to death and event was not used in will hand him over to the evidence against him. Gentiles, who will mock him Alongside the crowd, they and spit on him, flog him and failed to understand the kill him. Three days later he 8 will rise.’ (Mk 10:33/34). Palm Sunday is only the So what can we learn beginning of the story! A from this story? Firstly, we week later Jesus rose from don’t necessarily understand the dead on Easter Day! all that is going on in our During dark and difficult situation! Jesus told the times, because of Jesus’ cross disciples on a number of and resurrection, we know occasions that He would die, that He shares in the yet they didn’t get it. He experience of our pain. Jesus knows what He is doing in our also offers us the hope of a lives and we can trust our secure future, as we share his circumstances to Him. resurrection life. Secondly, we know that

Pilgrim takes a different approach to other Christian programmes. It approaches the great issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers. Pilgrim is comprised of two stages: the What is Pilgrim? Follow stage for those very new to faith, Pilgrim is a major new teaching and and the Grow stage for those who want discipleship resource from the to go further. Each stage contains four Church of England. It aims to help short six-session courses which focus on a every local church create a place major theme of Christian life. where people can explore the Please speak to Clive or email Christian faith together and see how [email protected] it can be lived out each day.

Advertising If you are a NON Church group and would like a small advert, please provide typed copy for a donation of £5 per issue. This Magazine is circulated via our website and 300 printed copies distributed in Onchan and the wider island

Anybody there?!

This month - on the 15th, actually - is the thirtieth anniversary of the very first registered .com domain name. Only 30 years! The cultural revolution has been swift and overwhelming. All our lives (whether we like it or not) are to join in the plea to google now lived in the light of the their domain name and explore mighty .com. Nothing works the wonders on offer. (planes, trains, the electricity, the supermarkets, banks and There are, however, drawbacks, trading) without it, and those of which people of my ‘domain names’ are now part of generation are perhaps more most people’s everyday lives. aware than those who have And all in 30 years. grown up in the last thirty or forty years. There’s no doubt that the digital revolution has brought benefits. The one that has struck me For most people, email is a recently is the dearth of boon and blessing (apart from contact. I had a request the deluge of unwanted recently to be a Facebook messages, of course). With ‘Friend’ of someone I didn‘t regard to them, I rather liked know. I looked on his page and the order of service for a found he had 1,400 ‘Friends’. wedding recently which printed That’s not friendship, that’s out the Lord’s Prayer but stamp collecting. It’s sadly rendered the last petition as possible for the screen, the I- ‘deliver us from email’. pad or the smartphone to substitute for actual contact a Millions of people enjoy kind of fantasy electronic world. Facebook and Twitter, and the As we’ve seen, that world can internet has undoubtedly often be cruel and unthinking. helped to tear down the world- wide iron curtains of censorship It is a fact of modern life that and news manipulation. Millions people and organisations can of people shop online, and hide behind a .com privacy. It churches and charities are keen is a revealing experience to go 10 to the web-site of British Telecom - a telephone The banks now offer a company, when all is said and ‘contactless’ credit card. What done - and try to find a I’m afraid of is a ‘contactless’ telephone number to ring and society, a vast hub of digital actually speak to a human messages flying about, but being. It’s there, true, but never a smile or a human hidden away like a shameful touch. Ten minutes chat over secret. They clearly don’t want the garden fence is surely you to phone them. Go to worth a couple of hours on ‘Frequently Asked Questions‘ Facebook. (never the one I‘ve got).

Resourcing Ministerial Education report released

The Church of England published its report from the Resourcing Ministerial Education task group ahead of a discussion at the February meeting of the General Synod.

The Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft, states: “The way we encourage, prepare and form lay and ordained ministers is critical for the future mission of the Church of England…. Are we recruiting and training the right numbers of clergy and lay ministers with the right gifts for the future? Are we offering them the best possible formation and training to equip and support them in their ministry?”

In his comments in the video and blog reflecting on the task group’s report, Bishop Steven said: “We have a vision of a growing church with a flourishing ministry for the future. We asked every diocese what kind of ministers they want to see and the answers came back really clearly; ministers who are collaborative, ministers who are flexible - because the future is unpredictable - and ministers who are equipped for mission into the future, and I think that’s a fantastic vision.”

“Bishops and Dioceses have told us that they want to see all clergy equipped to work collaboratively, greater flexibility and

11 deeper effectiveness in mission. Dioceses have also told us that they want to hold the numbers of stipendiary clergy steady at around 8,000 over the next decade. That’s vital to sustain ministry in parishes right across the land.

But because of the age profile of the clergy and retirements, the current predictions are that the number of stipendiary clergy will fall to around 6,500. We need to take that gap between aspiration and reality seriously. The whole Church needs to pray for vocations and the Church needs to take action to raise the number of candidates offering for ministry over the next ten years, we suggest by around 50%.”

Individuals will have an opportunity to comment on the paper in a specially created online forum on the CofE website at: www.churchofengland.org/rmereport

Children's Society collection boxes .....Please leave at the back of Church

Archbishops propose new “programme for reform and renewal”

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to members of the Church of England’s General Synod proposing a “programme for reform and renewal” for the Church.

The statement came ahead of the publication of a series of reports and papers proposing reforms that were published on the CofE website ahead of the meeting of the February meeting of the General Synod.

The reports have been released alongside videos and blogs on the Church’s communications blog. The first paper, ‘Developing Discipleship’, was published alongside a video interview with the Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft reflecting on the vision for the Church in discipleship.

Bishop Steven said: “The Church is called to be and to become a community of missionary disciples. Discipleship is not just about learning, it’s also about service and being equipped for God’s service in the world as Christ sends us out. And growing the Church is about making disciples in obedience to Jesus’ commission in Matthew 28. Serving the common good is about equipping every Christian disciple to make a difference, in the wider world, in their workplace, in their family, in their community, so that the Church as a whole is a blessing to God’s world and a channel of His grace and love.”

The second paper published was entitled ‘Simplification’ and in the accompanying video interview, the Bishop of Willesden, Pete Broadbent introduced the work of the group:

“The remit of the Simplification Task Group has been to identify hindrances to mission. We asked bishops, archdeacons and dioceses – ‘What is it that prevents you from making changes that will enable 13 parishes, churches and congregations to flourish and new initiatives to take shape?’”

The third paper, ‘Resourcing Ministerial Education’, was published with another video with the Bishop of Sheffield who introduces the work of that Task Group: “The way we encourage, prepare and form lay and ordained ministers is critical for the future mission of the Church of England…. Are we recruiting and training the right numbers of clergy and lay ministers with the right gifts for the future? Are we offering them the best possible formation and training to equip and support them in their ministry.”

Finally, two papers were published together on ‘Resourcing the Future’; and a paper from

Andreas Whittam Smith, First Church Commissioner entitled ‘Church Commissioners’ Funds and Inter-Generational Equity’. Canon Dr John Spence, Chair of the Finance Committee of the Archbishops’ Council, explained: “We are here to help every parish, deanery and diocese achieve its goals. The totality of the reports published this week represent a coordinated response to a proven and vital need….the need to respond to those dioceses who have asked for us to help inject other expertise on strategy to help turn their ambitious plans to reality.”

All of the blogs, videos and reports can be found at: www.cofecomms.tumblr.com

You’ve heard my voice Gracious and righteous is the Lord I love you, Lord, you’ve heard my With love his heart o’erflows voice The simple heart within his hand My cry for mercy, too; His saving kindness knows. Because you turned your ear to me I’ll always call on You. From death my Lord delivers me He dries my bitter tears The cords of death entangled me And I will walk before the Lord The anguish of the grave For everlasting years! I called upon Your Holy name I knew my Lord would save! By Nigel Beeton