| LOOK LIVELY - Thursday 1 December at 7.30pm |
| The Look Lively meeting will be an opportunity for us to hear about and discuss the latest plans to re-equip the church in Cheltenham for mission. |
| As you should know, the Cheltenham Deanery has been working together for some time to develop a new Mission Plan, which was made public on 20 October. Bishop Michael received this on 8 November and, following discussions, has developed refined proposals on the way forward as he sees it. He will be explaining his thoughts to Cheltenham clergy on 29 November and will then be talking to Simon Barton and Pete Burke about them (Pete Ralphs will be away on business). It is hoped that the Deanery Pastoral Group will be able to discuss the proposals at a special meeting in December, leading eventually to their endorsement by the Deanery Synod on 14 February. |
| The Cheltenham Deanery Mission Plan set out the concept of Mission Areas across the town, including an East Cheltenham Mission Area comprising St Michael's (CofE & Methodists), Holy Apostles and St Luke's, plus Highbury Congregational Church, and suggested that this 'area' could assume pastoral responsibility for the Battledown area (now part of St Mary's, Charlton Kings). |
| The Plan also recommended the appointment of Local Ministry Teams in each parish/benefice to strengthen their ministry and mission; that the deanery should aim to deploy inter-church regeneration teams to act as encouragers and enablers; and that we consider the possibility of "Fresh Expressions" of church (possibly shared between churches) into areas or networks where there is new development and/or little visible Christian presence. |
| The Plan made two alternative recommendations for St Luke's, Holy Apostles and St Michael's, firstly proposing that, while remaining as discrete parishes, we should form a "robust unit", which would have a rich ecumenical dimension with the Methodists (St Michael's) and Highbury URC. As part of this, it proposed the early appointment of at least a part-time Priest in Charge at St Luke's and a fresh and radical view of mission in St Luke's and St Michael's area. The alternative was to look at creating a single parish of Holy Apostles and St Luke's, "given the existing good relationship and natural synergy between these two churches. The new parish could then assess its building plant to good effect." |
| COFFEE MORNING - Saturday 3 December from 10am in Church |
| The Wednesday Home Group will be holding a Christmas Coffee morning on Saturday 3rd Dec 2005 from 10am to 12noon in church to raise funds for the church. There will be Christmas craft items and cards for sale. If anyone has any items to donate for sale, please leave them in the box at the back of church. Homemade cakes would also be very welcome, please speak to Linda Ralphs if you can help in this way. |
| 'CHRISTINGLES' - For Sunday 11 December |
| We are having our Children's Society Christingle Service on Sunday 11 December at 4pm. Monetary donations would be gratefully received towards the purchase of the oranges and sweets - it costs about 30p to make each one. A bowl is in church for your gifts. If you would like to help make the Christingles, this will take place on Saturday 10 December at 10.00am in Church - all very welcome. With many thanks in advance. |
| ANNUAL SPONSORED WALK/BIKERIDE - for Historic Churches Trust |
| 10 September was a very wet day. Many thanks and congratulations to our volunteers: Sue Garcia, Sam Rogers, Pauline Bewsher, Hellen Harrison and Heather Barton who raised a total of £360 in sponsorship, half of which comes to the church. In addition the Historic Churches Trust will be claiming back Gift Aid on many of the contributions. |
| Sam Rogers (83) collected £172.50 in sponsorship. He started walking at 9am and returned home at 5pm. Sam writes: "I had a welcome bowl of soup at St Andrew's Refectory where I met up with a couple from Ashton under Hill who kindly donated a further £5. I was completely soaked by the time I walked along Princess Elizabeth Way, but decided that, as I could not get any wetter, I might as well continue. I stopped for a cup of tea at St Peter's Church Hall and eventually finished up at Cheltenham College Chapel where I was escorted by the Bursar." |
| Thank you walkers, rider and sponsors! Next year's event is on Saturday 9 September, when we hope for better conditions. Simon Barton. |
| INSPIRING |
| A day in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside as part of a LATIN LINK conference weekend called Inspire lived up to its name. There was wonderful witness from "missionaries" of all ages and experience and it was pointed out in any case we are all missionaries wherever we are. |
| The Bible teaching from Manuel Reano, a Peruvian pastor in Colombia, gave fresh insight into the role of Mary, using the familiar passage of the annunciation and her Magnificat. She was not perfect but a perfect example of how to respond when called despite the difficulties. The story of Joshua echoes this as he was challenged to claim the promised land against all the odds. A task may seem impossible to our human eyes:-"but I am a virgin", - "but Canaan is heavily fortified and they are huge", but if we are willing to cooperate in God's plan for our lives He will enable us to claim His promises.Are we ready to leave our comfort zone? |
| There were so many interesting areas of mission in Latin America to learn about- a clean water project amongst a remote tribe in northern Peru speaking only Aguaruna, interpreted via Spanish to English, was a fascinating tale of healing and spreading the Gospel. There are very different problems in Cuba where religion is officially discouraged. Cuba Para Cristo cannot send supplies of books to a theological college but tourists are allowed to take in Bibles or any books: anyone travelling to Cuba?! |
| We found heartwarming the number and calibre of young people dedicating their lives in the face of hardship, even danger, in the LATIN LINK field. The Holy Spirit was truly present during the worship and activities - love, peace and above all joy were everywhere. |
| Heather |
| CHELTENHAM OPEN DOOR - Christmas Shelter |
| Cheltenham Open Door are running their shelter for the homeless again this Christmas, in St Luke's Church Hall. Can you help by donating a gift? They especially need men's clothing, especially warm things, men's shoes or boots in good condition, towels, and toiletries suitable for men, pillows and duvets with washable covers. There will be a box in church until 18 December. Many thanks in advance. There will be briefings for volunteers at 3pm and 7 pm on Tuesday 6 December in St Luke's Church Hall. Details: 01242 577418 (Grosvenor St). |
| CAROL SERVICE MINCE PIES - Sunday 18 December |
| Our Carol Service will be followed by hot mince pies and punch. If you are able to make some mince pies these will be gratefully received. There is a list in church for you to sign. |
| ST JOHN'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL |
| The new term is now in full swing and the recent holidays seem a distant memory. We are very pleased to welcome back |
| Mrs Dot Seabrook to Year 6 after her maternity leave. The children and staff said farewell to Mrs Williams with a lunchtime party and we wish her well in her new job. |
| It may only be November but this is the busiest time of year in School. The junior pantomime rehearsals are now in full swing. This year we are performing Cinderella and there were many children who jumped at the chance to audition for the part of an Ugly Sister! The corridors are alive with the sound of Music as the Infant classes are preparing for their Christmas show and the Reception class get ready for the Nativity. |
| The Reception Class performed a little show at the end of last term with songs, action rhymes and puppets illustrating different areas of the curriculum and what we have learnt so far this year. We had many positive comments from parents, Grandparents and Nurseries who thoroughly enjoyed it. |
| Many thanks for all of your Echo tokens that you handed in to school. We now have fingers crossed for the results as £10,000 would be a very welcome prize. We managed to collect a massive 3000+ tokens with the class which collected the most having class party. Year 3 are the lucky ones. |
| We invited the Reception class parents to a curriculum evening where we explained about the Foundation Stage curriculum and the 6 areas of learning. The parents were able to play with the various class resources including the Interactive White board, the Roamer which is a programmable robot and the various games that we play at school. |
| Finally, our Christmas Fayre is on Saturday 26th November from 11am-1:30pm. Please come and support us. You will be able to watch the Country Dance club perform some of their dances and the children sing some of the songs from their Christmas Shows plus many great stalls and, of course cakes! |
| Parish Prayers - A Meditation for Christmas |
| Even at Christmas, as we celebrate God's extravagant and deep love for us, there is always the painful reality and desolation that awaits this promised child. His arrival may have seemed dismal and depressing. Today, those circumstances are echoed by too many people who are homeless, malnourished and with little to look forward to. |
| If we too learn to walk with this divine child, to encounter bruises and perhaps know the pain of others, then Christ is born again. We can attempt to live together in tolerance, harmony and peace, revealing God's all-embracing love. |
| R.S. Thomas called God, "the fast God", perhaps not there when we arrive but waiting ahead of us. We do not need to run to catch up with God, but can rest assured in faith, that God's patience is inexhaustible and will wait for us. |
| "Come and bring light where there is darkness,and love where there is hatred,faith where there is doubt,and life where there is death.Lord in your mercy,Hear our prayer" |
| Amen |
| HOSPITAL CAROL SINGING - On Christmas Eve |
| Lots of people are needed to sing carols for an hour in Cheltenham General Hospital on Christmas Eve (24 Dec!). Please look out for details. Everyone very welcome. |