Welcome to St. Luke's Church, Cheltenham - a living expression of the love of God in Christ.

1 Feb 2007 - News from The Link

Vocation - the V-word?

In his letter to churches some six months ago, Bishop Michael asked us all to take up the challenge and put vocation high on our agenda. At a time when we are still rejoicing in the novelty of not one but two new priests in our parish, the need to think long and hard about vocation may seem somewhat reduced. The truth, however, is quite different.

Much though we might like to sit back now and let 'someone else' worry about the direction and undertaking of our church life, it is up to us all to be involved in our present and our future. Robert and Rob both have other responsibilities, and we need to be maintaining and growing the church - our church - just as we have done through the interregnum.

We should not be scared by this. There are many ways in which we can get assistance in achieving our desire of a church thriving in its spiritual and community life. These include the Diocese, our clergy, and most importantly each other. Services such as SundayONE have shown how we can find ways to explore our calling and our gifts, but this is just one of many opportunities.

The church may be a congregation - a body of people - but it is made up of individuals and, as St. Paul tells us, every part of the body is important to maintain a healthy life. None of us is expected to sacrifice everything to support the church, but there should be a sense of sacrifice in the time we devote to our work for Christ.

So we should all take time in prayer, listening to the Lord and asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to consider how God might be calling us to serve Him. Bishop Michael was keen to stress the need for more ordained clergy: this is indeed something that some of us may need to consider, but there are many ways to serve Christ in our community, and particularly in our church. Any extra help that each one of us can give to our church will make a difference.

Please contact Robert, Rob, Pete Burke or a churchwarden if you would like to discuss any of the aspects raised here.

Jonathan Chestney

The Revd Robert Pestell writes

Lent Looms!

As I write this it seems that we are in for a cold spell. Winter seems to have arrived, at least for a while, after all the mild weather we have been experiencing. February can often be a cold month and yet the signs of new life are there to be seen and spring is not too far away. New life is found in the natural world and revealed in the resurrection of Jesus and it should also be found in the ministry and mission of the church. New life is about growth and our task as churches is to grow both numerically and in the deepening of our relationship and understanding of God.

Lent is one of the times in the churches calendar when we are encouraged to find time to examine our relationship with God and to seek to become a little more like the holy people that he calls us to be.

We are like the green shoots of new life and we need to be nurtured and fed in ways that enable us to grow into maturity with Christ setting aside those things that draw us away from God

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 21st February, and you are invited to come to one of the two services taking place that day - 10 a.m. at St. Luke's and 7.30 p.m. at St. Michael's. Do try to come and mark this important occasion.

During Lent there will be a series of sessions taken from the Emmaus Course for Christian Growth to which everyone is invited. These will take place on Wednesday afternoons at the Cornerstone Centre at 2.30 p.m. beginning on the 28th February and at St. Luke's Church Hall on Thursday evenings at 7.30 p.m. starting on the 1st March.

Members of both churches are encouraged to take part in the sessions, which will have plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions and answers.

May this Lent be a time of growth for us all, both as individuals, as churches and as we seek to strengthen the links across the Parishes.

With every blessing for a Holy Lent,

Robert.

Vague Memories of a St Luke's PCC Meeting held on 15th January 2007

Watch out for pictures of Soul Survivor 2006 at selected services in February.

Robert is looking for representatives from our PCC to join the St Michael's PCC meetings as observers, and vice versa, so that we can grow our understanding of each others' activities and needs.

The Communications Working Group will be looking at improving the signage outside our church.

A group is to be set up after the next APCM to review the structure of our committees and working groups, hoping to ensure that we can move forward effectively in accordance with God's Will without spending all our time in meetings.

Can you help? Wes and Becca still need some adult assistance with Mettle on Sunday evenings. Wes assures us that nothing strenuous is involved, although there are plans to attend a national Mettle weekend at Evesham in May where putting the tent up is understood to be quite hard work.

Turning to financial matters, we managed to complete 2006 with a slight surplus. We thank God, and all who have contributed during the year, for this blessing.

More good news from the Fabric Working Group: the church roof isn't as bad as was feared, with only minor repairs required for the next year or two.

The church has some un-used assets that will be passed to Mallams for auction in the near future. We are assured that the assets will not include any members of the congregation.

This year sees the complete renewal of the church Electoral Roll - watch out for forms and make sure you are a fully recognised member of our congregation. The process must be complete before our annual meeting in April, and numbers are strictly unlimited.

Robert and Rob outlined exciting plans to introduce the Emmaus course into the life of our church, starting with a series of evenings in Lent forming this year's common Lent course. Everyone will be welcome to join in; more information will be available very soon.

There is a clear need for an administrator within the church to ensure effective communication and co-ordination of activities. An advisory group will be set up to consider the scope of this rôle.

Jonathan Chestney

St John's Primary School

The windy weather seems to be continuing which is not terribly pleasant when standing out on Playground duty! This month has been a very busy time in School.

The whole School has thoroughly enjoyed the 'Juggling with numbers' workshops exploring mathematical problems with drama, games and fun activities.

Barnabas Live also enthralled the children bringing the Bible to life with dance, drama and songs.

We took delivery of our new digital piano, which was very kindly bought for us by the PTFA. Our School Hall looks very smart now with the new style radiators which were fitted over Christmas.

All in all a very exciting time.

Fiona Hadden (Reception Class teacher)

Dates for your diaries

Saturday 3 February - 7.30pm - Cotswold Savoyards - Gala Concert - St Luke's Church

Saturday 10 February - 7.30pm An Evening Of Magic And Mirth - Highbury Church Hall

A supper evening with a magical difference! Richard Cleaves with friends from Cotswold Magical Circle. Tickets £5 from Rev Robert Pestell. Proceeds to be shared between Samaritans and Cotswold Magical Circle.

Wednesday 21 February - Ash Wednesday - Services at St Luke's (10am) and St Michael's (7.30pm)

Wednesday 28 February - Emmaus afternoon course starts (Cornerstone)

Thursday 1 March - Emmaus evening course starts (St Luke's Church Hall)

Saturday 3 March - Mammoth Sale - St Luke's Church Hall

In aid of the Disabled Toilet Fund. This will include bric-a-brac, small items of furniture, pictures, books, toys, good quality clothes (men's, women's and children's), curtains, etc.

MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP.

Before the taking on the role of Sacristan I was St. Luke's representative for the Mission Aviation Fellowship.

M.A.F. operates a fleet of light aircraft in various parts of the third world. They offer a magnificent service by reaching, inhospitable, areas where other means of transport are not possible. A lot of people are dependent on them for the excellent service that they provide. They are a Christian based charity number: 1064598.

I have received a letter from the Mission Aviation Fellowship informing me that they have a new local contact in Gloucestershire. The new contact details are as follows: Mr. Philip Tory, 79, Partridge Way, Cirencester, GL7 1BH. Tel: (01285) 656709.

If anyone would like to take on the role of St. Luke's representative for M.A.F. then please get in touch with either the Vicar or Church Wardens.

If you would like more details about the work of the Mission Aviation Fellowship their details are as follows: Mission Aviation Fellowship. Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent. CT20 2TN. Tel: 0845 850 9505. email: supporter.relations@maf-uk.org; website: www.maf-uk.org

Howard Marshall

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH

In 1913 Canon Philip Johnstone, the Incumbent of All Saints Church learned that it was proposed to build an estate in Whaddon. He expressed concern to the Parochial Church Council that all too often the church is dilatory in being involved in new communities. He proposed that All Saints Church should consider placing a missionary church in Whaddon as soon as possible. A Sunday School had already been established in a house in Cleeve View Road in the 1900's.

In 1915 a small wooden building, which had previously served as a gymnasium for a boys school was set up in Whaddon Lane (now Whaddon Road), and leased from the Skillicorne family for an annual rent of one pound and one shilling. This building was later licensed as a Mission Church and received the dedication of St. Michael. It was served by clergy from All Saints. There was a regular congregation and a Sunday School of more than 300 children.

The church stood amongst green fields until building on the Whaddon estate commenced in the 1930s. At that time Canon Johnstone saw a need for a new church to hold the anticipated congregation and in 1935 land was bought from the Council for around £300 - £500 and a wooden church was constructed for about £2000 by many men who would otherwise have been unemployed. The new St. Michael's Church was dedicated by the Bishop of Gloucester and opened for worship in January 1937.

It could be used as a church on Sundays and as a church hall during the week. The previous Mission Church was moved and became a licensed surgery and infant welfare centre.

During the Second World War the whole Parish of All Saints came to St. Michael's for Evensong as it was the only church that could be blacked out successfully.

(To be continued)