St. Luke Formby November Parish Magazine 2020 Price £1 Cheaper by annual subscription May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15: 13 [NIV] Shyira Trus t Registered Charity Number 1118979 Patron: The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool Hon President: Prof Allan Hobson MBE Supporting people in North West Rwanda, Africa relieving poverty advancing education preserving and protecting good health Mothers Union Aim: To support MU members in serving their communities Achieved: Members supported with bedding and kitchen utensils Training of 25 MU trainers from all over the Diocese. Successful Revolving Goat Loan project. Challenges: To extend the MU support across Kivu diocese To work through the Gisenyi MU to help the most needy parts of the diocese Butaka Parish Church Aim: To provide a church in Butaka Achieved: Building completed Worshipping community in church Challenges: Fund windows, doors and flooring Groupe Scolaire Secondary School Continuing to support needy students in Shyira Primary Schools Aim: To support school ministry by providing equipment, school materials and evangelistic outreach. How YOU can help See our website: http://www.shyiratrust.org.uk Email us for further information: [email protected] Donations may be sent to: Shyira Trust, Secretary: Ken Davies 53 Stapleton Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 2YT Donate online: https://www.give.net/shyiratrust Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shyiratrust Vicar – Rev. Dr. Matt Davis ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. The Vicarage Dear Friends, As I write this, I’ve been Vicar of St Luke’s Church for nearly a month, but everything still feels very new: a new area, new house, new school, new nursery and of course a new church building and congregation too. Add to that the ‘new’ Covid-19 restrictions for Merseyside and life can feel bewildering at times. As I’ve been settling in and getting used to the various changes, I’ve been reminded of Donald Rumsfeld. He was President George W. Bush’s Defence Secretary who famously said: … as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don't know we don't know. Thankfully a lot of useful and important things are beginning to move into the known category as I chat with people and find things out: bin collections are on a Friday; St Luke’s services start at 9.30am and midday on a Sunday. I could have got into a bit of bother if I had forgotten to ask about that second one! But there are so many unknowns over the coming months. What will Christmas be like this year? Will St Luke’s be able to have a Christingle Service? Will we be able to see our loved ones? Will we have to do everything online? What about people with no internet access? How long will this last? And what about all the questions we haven’t even thought to ask yet? I can feel the anxiety increase as I type this! Where do you turn when life is uncertain and confusing? You’ll probably not be surprised to hear that I turn to God and his Word, the Bible. But why do I do that? Well, it’s down to what I know to be true about God. Isaiah 40:28 says this: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. God created everything we can see and everything we can’t. He’s not limited by the world the way we are. His understanding isn’t limited the way ours is. He knows everything about ……………………………................................................................................................ Editor: Margaret Cooke (e-mail: [email protected]) Illustrator: Joan MacDonald St. Luke's Web Site: http://www.stlukesformby.org.uk St. Luke’s Facebook Page: facebook.com/StLukesChurchFormby Page 1 everything. And because of all that, the very next verse encourages us: “He gives strength to the weary.” I wonder, do you know this strength? If not, I’d love to tell you more … with every blessing, Matt DATES AND NOTES PRAYER CHAIN – Please contact Philip Lowe if you know of someone who would appreciate prayer support ([email protected]). SUNDAY SERVICES – we now have a Communion Service at 9.30 am with strict social distancing and a Zoom meeting for worship at 12 noon – but please sign in by 11.50 if possible. Details are always available on the Saturday bulletin. Please note that you can join in on your phone – again details of how to do so are always included in the Saturday bulletins. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8TH will have the 9.30 Holy Communion service which will be remembrance themed and will incorporate an act of Remembrance within it. There will then be a short outdoor service in the graveyard afterwards (10:50–11:10) with a minute’s silence at 11am. This will allow more people to join, but they will be asked to socially distance with face coverings. MEMORIAL SERVICE – for those who have lost loved ones during the last 12 months - will be held on Sunday November 15th at 4pm and invitations will be sent to those families who have held funerals at St. Luke’s. Numbers will be limited because of virus restrictions so please let the Vicar know (871439 or email [email protected]) if you wish to attend. This also applies to other people who would like to come to the service. WHO’S WHO – on Page 12 – please note that the magazine was printed before the APCM took place so there may well be some changes to this page in the December issue. Joan Rimmer’s Scrapbook Memories of Formby VE Day is still available from Derbyshire’s and Formby Post Office. Price £5 USED POSTAGE STAMPS – please may we remind you that Irene and Alan Powell’s son Graham collects these for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. Please contact Margaret Cooke for their phone number. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, INDEX Page 3 – photo of Matt’s collation Page 12 – Who’s Who at St. Luke’s Pages 4 and 5 – Roy’s piece – Déjà Vu Page 15 and 16 – Parish Pump News Page 6 - Churches Together Page 17 – October PCC meeting Page 7 – Book Reviews Page 18 – Crossword Page 8 – Nativity Art Competition Page 21 – Crossword Answers Page 9 – Poppy appeal Page 22 and 23 – Holy Days in November Page 10 – God in the Sciences Page 24 – Mouse Makes for children Page 11 – A new memorial stone Page 2 Our new Vicar, Rev. Dr. Matt Davis, on the occasion of his collation on September 22nd with Rev. Anne Taylor, Vicar of St Peters and Area Dean, Bishop Beverley Mason and Archdeacon Pete Spiers. We all wish him well for his ministry among us. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, NOVEMBER – THE MONTH OF REMEMBRANCE This is the month we remember soldiers and war. So, here is a prayer written by an anonymous confederate soldier in the American Civil War. What he says applies to all of us fighting our own private battles in life. The Soldier’s Prayer I asked God for strength, that I might achieve, I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things, I was given infirmity, that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy, I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men, I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life, I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for – But everything that I had hoped for, Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed. Editor: see also Page 9 Page 3 DEJA VU Some years ago I had a desire to return to the village which over the years has meant a great deal to me. I was in Tamworth Staffs at the time visiting some long lost family members. So whilst there I drove with Barbara to the little village of Dordon some ten miles away along the Watling Street. My mother, elder brother and I had returned from India by sea at the outbreak of war. Dad I never saw again until 1946 when I was taken to the Military Hospital at Dudley and saw a man lying in bed who I was told was my father! So for ten years that village was my home until ‘invalided out’ dad came to Formby, the regimental depot of The Kings Regt where he resumed army life. So with some trepidation we drove up the long gravel path to our old house. It hadn’t changed in all those years even with its odd name 'Bissmari.' ‘I’m going to knock on the door,’ I said. So before Barbara could say anything I got out, opened the gate and rang the bell. The door was opened by an elderly lady and I gave out my name and prepared reason for knocking. The lady smiled and said ‘Welcome back Roy.’ It was the same Mrs Brown from whom mother had rented the house.