1 Mar 2006 - <b>News - from <i>The Link</b></i>
| The Story So Far... |
| The Diocesan Synod on 14 February resulted in an overwhelming endorsement of Bishop Michael's plan for the Cheltenham Deanery, including the formation of an East Cheltenham Mission Area. The St Luke's representatives voted against (see Notes from the PCC inside). Bishop Michael has offered to meet us again to review the position and the wardens will be going to see him in the near future. |
| One of the questions raised at the Synod was whether a vicar looking after St Luke's and St Michael's should live at the St Michael's Vicarage; we suggested that it might be more advantageous to find a new vicarage in a better position. Bishop Michael offered to consider this. |
| Earlier in the year there was discussion whether St Luke's and St Michael's should commit to forming a single parish sooner rather than later. The current view is that any decision on union should be left until after the appointment of the new vicar who would seek agreement whether or not this should be taken forward. |
| St Michael's, understandably, are keen to move forward to an appointment. We, on the other hand, still want to be sure that we have explored all the options. For example, we consider that the Deanery has not taken proper account of its responsibility to support the Hospital Chaplaincy, and the opportunities presented by St Luke's Church on its doorstep. |
| We also wish to ensure that we preserve and develop our relationships with St John's Primary School and Highbury Congregational Church. |
| Simon Barton |
| ANNUAL MEETINGS - 3 April at 7.30pm |
| Please plan to come along. There are two meetings: the first is a short Meeting of The Parishioners when we elect churchwardens and receive a report from the trustees of the Church Hall. This is quickly followed by the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM), when we hear from the various groups involved in the life of the church and hold our elections. |
| Are you on our Electoral Roll? (You can check the list in the porch). If you would like to join, please have a word with Pete Burke as soon as possible. |
| We want everyone to have a chance to read the reports before the meetings so we can use the meetings to ask important questions, discuss any issues, and then have a cup of coffee and a chat! |
| The other important thing that we all have to do before the meeting (now!) is to look on the noticeboards, to see who is doing what now, find out whether they want to carry on, whether they need support, etc. And whether you could join in. |
| SPECIAL FILM SHOW - at Highbury Church |
| Tues 21 March at 7.30pm |
| Highbury Congregational Church are showing the film Bonhoeffer - Agent of Grace (2000) to mark the centenary of Bonhoeffer's birth. This is a very powerful film, the true story of a Christian theologian who gave his life to save Jewish people. It is intended to spark group discussions. Preceding the film, at 7.30pm, Revd Dr Richard Cleaves will be in conversation with John Sutcliffe, President of a Congregational Church college and something of an expert on Bonhoeffer. |
| An Evening With Martyn Joseph And Stewart Henderson - Highbury Church, Saturday 1 April at 8pm |
| Martyn has been hailed as an astonishing singer/songwriter of 'depth and resonance', 'a Welsh Woody Guthrie', and 'the only troubadour for our troubled times'. Poet and broadcaster, Stewart, has his work set for GCSE and has been described in the Sunday Times as 'essential reading'. Tickets: Adults £10, Under 15 £5 from Jenny Bartlett 20 Withyholt Park Charlton Kings, GL53 9BP. (231644). |
| Notes from PCC Meeting |
| Due to Bishop John's visit on the 16th January and the necessity to concentrate on the proposed future plans for the church during that meeting, a further PCC meeting was held on Monday 30th January; to discuss normal business. |
| It was confirmed that Michael Lyons had agreed to be the official church cleaner. He will work for two hours a week. The PCC noted and expressed the thanks due to Sue Garcia and her band of helpers for all the unofficial cleaning that they do in the church and to those who help with the 'deep clean' sessions on a regular basis. |
| The Deanery Reps were asked by the PCC to vote against the Bishop's proposals at the Deanery Synod Meeting due to be held on 14th February. The PCC realised this would not achieve a lot, but felt our concerns with the Bishop's proposal should be officially noted. |
| It was agreed that we would put in applications for possible funding grants in order to continue with the work on the Disabled Toilet. This is going to be an expensive project, but is very necessary. |
| The APCM will be held on Monday 3rd April. It is hoped that the congregation will make a big effort to attend this meeting as it will give the Churchwardens the opportunity to fill the church in on the future plans for St Luke's. |
| Sign up sheets are on the notice board for people to volunteer to join the various Church Working Groups for the year. There are also vacancies on the PCC. Please prayerfully consider whether you can be involved in this way. If in doubt ask someone who's already in the group what it involves. |
| Hello! Molweni! Dumelang! Goeiedag! |
| Women's World Day of Prayer |
| Rainbow Nation, Rainbow Service |
| prepared by Christian Women of South Africa |
| Seven different churches took part in the WWDP service at St. Gregory's on 3rd March, mirroring the myriad variety of constituent services taking place that day all over the world. |
| Scripture passages from Luke, Ezekiel and Matthew were cleverly linked in a talk by Sister Carol, exhorting Christian women everywhere to fulfil our special nurturing role, or ?ubuntu?, sharing and caring in our communities in order to transform our suffering world. |
| Prayers, hymns and readings focussed on current issues of South African life - poverty, HIV/Aids, unemployment, violence, but it was ultimately a message of hope that participants would take away with us. We can make a difference when we act as signs of hope, love and care, through prayer and the gifts God has given us, just as God breathed life into the bare bones in the desert. |
| Christ enough to break all barriers, |
| Christ enough in peace and strife |
| Christ enough to build our nation |
| Christ enough for death, for life |
| Christ enough for old and lonely |
| Christ enough for those who fall |
| Christ enough to save the sin-sick |
| Christ enough for one - for all? |
| ?Let us join with our sisters in South Africa by marking a cross on the palm of the hand of the person next to us, symbolising that we are signs of hope, love and joy in the world?. |
| Fairtrade Fortnight - 6 - 19 March |
| Buying Fairtrade products is a commitment everyone can make to challenge unfair international trading rules. With the increased awareness of issues surrounding trade, aid and debt following Make Poverty History, this is an ideal opportunity to tell consumers of what Fairtrade means to the 5 million people - farmers, workers and their families - who benefit from it. The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight 2006 is MAKE FAIRTRADE YOUR HABIT. Buy Fairtrade products and adopt a Fairtrade lifestyle in order to bring even greater benefits to farmers and workers around the world. |
| St John's Church of England Primary School |
| Despite the cold and somewhat snowy weather, here at St John's Primary School we are convincing ourselves that it is Spring with some very colourful Hall boards filled with daffodils, trees with blossom on, chicks and lambs! We have recently celebrated a very successful Art Day with an interesting and varied timetable. The Reception class experienced colour, texture, shape, form and space in both 2 and 3 dimensions. They made collages, paintings and made clay models, working creatively on a large and small scale. Year 1 continued with their topic on weaving, weaving a basket of daffodils for our entry to the Art Gallery's Exhibition. They also celebrated the Chinese New Year making dragons and paper masks. Years 2 and 3 painted Spring themes on pebbles and experimented with a simple form of batik. They also created Spring pictures printing with sponges, using mosaics and collage. Year 4/5 produced some interesting pictures using the art of quilling and Year 5/6 produced class collages in the style of Aboriginal art. At the end of the day we gathered together for each class to describe their activities and show their work. The Reception Class celebrated Pancake day by making and eating pancakes cooked by the children. A most entertaining and enjoyable afternoon. The Year 6 children are experiencing the most exciting science lessons. Their theme is change and they have been experimenting with everyday products such as vinegar and bicarbonate and watching the mini eruption as they are mixed together! They have found this fascinating. The Country Dance Club thoroughly enjoyed an evening of barn dances at St Gregory's Primary School. They were totally worn out by the end of the evening but had fantastic smiles on their re, hot faces. Tesco supermarket are issuing vouchers for computers again this year. We would be extremely grateful if you could drop in any vouchers you have been given. Many Thanks Fiona Hadden (Reception class Teacher)" |