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

1 Jul 2007 - News from The Link

New Chaplain for CGH

I am delighted to announce that the Reverend Katie McClure has been appointed as chaplain at Cheltenham General Hospital with effect from Monday, 16th July 2007. Katie is currently a curate in Cirencester but is well known to many in the Cheltenham area where she was involved in local churches before entering the priesthood. She is married to Edmond and their family home is in Staverton.

Katie did a placement with the chaplaincy team in 2006 and her ministry at that time was greatly valued by staff and patients alike. I am quite sure that she will be "good news" for the hospital community and I am thrilled that she is joining the chaplaincy team.

Please give thanks for this progress in the chaplaincy situation and keep Katie and the chaplaincy team in your prayers as she prepares to join us.

Every blessing,

Mark Read, Chaplaincy Team Leader

LICENSING OF REVD KATIE McCLURE - Monday 30 July at 5pm

Katie spent her final year as a theological student on placement at St Luke's in 2002-3. She will be licensed by the Rt Revd John Went on 30 July in St Luke's Church. We are looking for a strong team to welcome Katie and our many guests and to provide refreshments.

Revd Robert Pestell writes

It is hard to believe that we are in the final week of June (as I write) for it has been so wet and cold despite earlier assurances that we were in for a hot summer. It has been a distressing time for some of our parishioners who have had homes flooded and property and personal possessions damaged and lost.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, especially in College Road and Bath Parade. Do let me know if there is any practical help that we can offer to residents and families and we will try to respond.

The recent exceptional rains remind us that we cannot tame the natural elements and, despite our desire to be in control of all aspects of our lives, we have to recognise that the forces of nature are unpredictable and that we are unable to prepare for every eventuality. At the same time, however, we have to accept that climate change is taking place and that our actions do have an influence upon the balance of nature and the well being of the planet. God calls us to care for His creation and to be good stewards of the world we inhabit. Each of us has a part to play in reducing our energy consumption and increasing the levels of recycling for the benefit of our own generation and for those who come after us.

As Christians, we need to take seriously the message to 'go green' and I hope that, as a church family, we will take the lead in encouraging others to be energy efficient by setting a good example in our homes and church buildings.

Despite the weather it is meant to be the holiday season and whether you are going abroad, somewhere in this country or staying at home I hope that you will find some time to 'recharge the batteries' before the onset of winter. There are times when we need to give ourselves time and space to find both physical and spiritual refreshment and I hope that you will create the opportunity to relax and spend time with God away from the normal routine of life.

Don't forget the Children's Holiday Project 'Junior Heroes' which takes place from 30th August - 2nd September at Highbury Congregational Church. Booking forms are available in church and we welcome anyone who is able to help, just let Wes or myself know if you are available. The Project also includes a family evening on the Saturday (1st September) at 6 p.m. when the film 'The Incredibles' will be shown.

I wish you all a relaxing and enjoyable summer,

With best wishes,

Robert

St Luke's PCC Meeting held on 11th June 2007

Thanks to Dave Johnson for organising the lettering for the external Church noticeboards. Work was carried out by David Palmer. The timer for the floodlights has been adjusted and enquiries are to be made about energy-efficient bulbs.

Prayers were said following the death of Alan Pearce, Chair of Governors at St John's School, for the continuing work at St John's and the gap he has left behind. Revd Robert Pestell will visit the school to discuss Christianity and how it is expressed within the curriculum.

The church central heating system is to be drained and refilled as part of this year's maintenance to remove a build-up of sludge. It is hoped that the improvement in efficiency will offset some of the cost.

Toilet and Tea Station projects: Final drawings have been received from the architect and have been displayed in church. The Diocese had questioned the arrangement of the area for tea and refreshment etc. The PCC passed a resolution supporting the proposed layout and confirming that it met our needs, taking account of health and safety, particularly for Toddlers, and disabled access. It was agreed that a fridge wasn't desirable in the circumstances.

It was agreed that PCC members should have an away day to discern what it is that God is calling us to do as a church and how we can move forward. Robert and Rob would produce aims and objectives for the day. It was hoped that we would then be able to review and restructure the existing church groups. It was agreed that we would pray together as a church family for this day and it should be included in intercessions.

Youth Worker Report: It was agreed a change was necessary. There had been a review of how best to use the time of our Youth Worker, Wes Bell, and it was agreed that the existing children's evening activity groups would be changing. It was felt that Wes should focus on links in school with years 5 and 6 with the aim of re-establishing a Christian foundation within the school and in hope that this would lead to an increase in numbers in the future.

Hope 08 Project: A CD was shown about this new project. The vision of Hope 08 is to share the Christian message with the community and for the church to get involved practically / ecumenically with the local community, to commit to local projects to help and support those around us.

Michelle Porter-Babbage

Changes to services during the Summer

The Wednesday Communion Service has been suspended until September in order to allow the clergy to have the space for a complete break. There will, however, be a special Communion Service on Wednesday 8th August at 10 a.m. to celebrate The Transfiguration when both Robert and Rob intend to be present.

The Thursday Service of Evening Prayer is also suspended until September.

Robert

Please bring back a gift!

If you are fortunate enough to be going away on holiday this summer please would you consider bringing back a gift from your holiday that might go on a stall at one of our sales. It doesn't need to cost a great deal but the more unusual the gift is then the more likely it is to create interest and raise funds. Perhaps you would also like to send a postcard to the church to help decorate the stall!

If we all contributed a small gift we could fill a stall that might help with Christmas presents and assist with finding the funds for the Toilet for People with Disabilities and the Tea Station. Over to you..........!

Thank you, Robert.

Fundraising for the Toilet for People with Disabilities and Tea Station

Kathleen Young wondered what she could do to raise funds for this project. As she is already well known for her hospitality at New Year, Burns Night, Curry Evenings for VSO, etc, she thought she would invite people to her home for a meal. Little did she know that the date would coincide with flooding - almost to her door. Nevertheless, she was able to welcome 15 intrepid (crazy?) guests to share a hearty meal - and to date has raised at least £150.

Fundraising continues - and the PCC hopes to approach external charities for support. The project is likely to cost over £20,000.

St John's Primary School - Where Children Flourish

The summer holidays are approaching fast and the year seems to have flown by. However, this is one of the busiest times in the School calendar as we prepare to wave goodbye to all of our Year 6 leavers. This year they are going to many different schools including Winchcombe, Cleeve, Balcaras, Pittville, Bourneside and St Edwards. Before the children leave us they will be treated to a special Leavers Dinner which is a delicious buffet kindly laid on by the PTFA. They will also be sharing their memories with us at the Leaver's Church Service which the children prepare themselves. On the flip slide we are also preparing to welcome the new intake into the Reception Class. They spent 2 afternoons in School and I am busy visiting them all at their respective nurseries and playgroups.

The Summer Fayre was a great success with almost £650 raised. Many thanks to all who supported the event and especially thanks to the PTFA committee for all of their hard work, many of whom were at School at 8am to set up. Unfortunately we were a little let down by the weather and held the event inside. Entertainments included Country dancing, a cello recital and the Reception class danced the 'Magic scarf dance'!

The weather also ruined our Sports Day with both the set day and the reserve being rained off. Surely this rain can't last forever!

Finally, we wish you a lovely summer holiday and we are looking forward to recharging the batteries before the start of the new academic year!

Fiona Hadden (Reception class teacher)

So You Think You Know How to Pray!

But do you? Is there a right or a wrong way? Come and find out! Geoff Cox will be sharing his thoughts with us on this subject on Monday 3rd September at 7.30-8.30pm in the side chapel in church (put this in your diary now!). If you were encouraged by the ?Why Pray?? evening with Rob back in May, then come again for this one which promises to be equally stimulating!! A 'Connect' Special

Information not enough

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you .. Acts 1.8

The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people ..Acts 5.12

Why is it that we celebrate Christmas, Good Friday and Easter much more than we do Pentecost? Is the incarnation - God with us - more important than God IN us - the indwelling Spirit? The danger is to view the Holy Spirit as a doctrine rather than a dynamic, when the truth is had not the Holy Spirit moved into the lives of the believers with the empowerment they needed to make known the good news, we at St Luke's would not be here now.

Even after the resurrection the disciples remained behind locked doors. No amount of good information could produce transformation. Only when the Holy Spirit came, a new power moved into them, cleansed them, reinforced all their natural faculties, co-ordinated them and made them complete people.

Until the day of Pentecost they experienced disappointment, inadequacy, quarrels, misjudgements, disillusion, weakness. Then the divine reinforcement took place. The Holy Spirit filled them and took up residence within them; overnight they became new men doing a new work. The rest is history.

From Selwyn Hughes' ? Emblems of the Spirit? (the dove, the oil, the water, the breath, the wind, the fire, the rain, and the pledge)

Heather Barton

Thanks from Argentina

Dany Lescana and Priscilla Breekveldt have written from Salta, Argentina, asking me to pass on their gratitude for the gift they received for their work, via Latin Link. Both say it was a great encouragement and much appreciated.

They are especially involved in youth work and have recently organised a weekend for about 30 young people. The popular, regular football sessions also continue. Dany says he is busy look after a STEP (short term) team of 12 young people from UK as well as 10 STRIDERS (mid-term individual volunteers). Priscilla is expecting 3 STRIDERS from Switzerland.

They send their greetings and thanks to all of you.

Sue Garcia

Artists Open House at St Luke's Church

9 - 17 June 2007

This biannual event was an unprecedented success for St Luke's Church and the exhibiting artists with nearly 300 visitors viewing the artwork. The visitors were not only full of enthusiasm for the artwork, but the unique venue and studio space. Comments such as ?amazing, inspirational and fascinating? highlighted the visitors' enthusiasm. I had a very busy time and interesting discussions with the many visitors while I showed them my wonderful studio space.

I should like to take this opportunity to express thanks on behalf of myself and the other artists, Annette Harrod, Pam Chapman, Joanna Stuart-O'Connor and Jake Lever, to our Vicar Revd Robert Pestell and members of St Luke's Church for their continued support of art in St Luke's Church.

Sylvia Lauder

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust

(Reg. Charity No. 280879)

SPONSORED RIDE AND WALK

On Saturday 8th September, the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust will be having its Annual Sponsored Ride and Walk.

Every year the Trust makes awards to church communities to maintain their buildings for worship and a significant amount of money awarded is raised through this sponsored event. We are appealing to you to help us give money back to communities which desperately need it in order to keep their churches open.

You can do this by taking part in our Ride/Walk or by sponsoring a participant.

Further information, together with sponsorship forms, is available from your Local Organiser, details of whom are given below. Each participant can nominate a church/chapel of their choice to receive half of their money.

The cause is a good one and, although good weather cannot be guaranteed, those who have taken part have an excellent day. Please consider how YOU can best support the event.

The Local Organiser for St Luke's is Simon Barton tel: 01242 515890, email: wardens@stlukes-church.org.uk

Simon Ridley

County Organiser

Hope 08.

Dear Friends,

We would like to invite you to join us in praying together for Hope 08. The prayer meetings will take place at the Salvation Army, 39 Bath Road, Cheltenham starting at 7.30pm on Thursday 13th September, Thursday 18th October, Thursday 15th November. After prayerfully seeking God's guidance it is our hope that we can reach out to the community of Cheltenham where needed in unity. If you would like to discuss Hope 08 or would like to arrange a meeting then please do not hesitate to contact me either via the Citadel phone number, 01242 523412 or my home 01242 244509

Yours sincerely,

Fran Martin

The Salvation Army,. Cheltenham