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St Chad’s: A Community building Communities

November ‘09 edition

building community Blessing the Community Christmas 2009 News

A mixed blessing Mixed feelings I have to confess to having mixed feelings about Christmas! I love the celebration of Christ’s birth and telling the story afresh. I love explaining how God sent his Son to rescue us from darkness and death, to give our lives significance and purpose. I love the timeless carols and Christmas readings. I love the simple white lights, candles and log fires. I love the special times with family and friends – that special meal with all the trimmings. But already I feel the pressure beginning to bear down on me. Will I manage to write a Christmas letter or send out cards? And why do we cram all our token communication with lost family and forgotten friends into a crazy annual event rather than keeping in touch over the year? The sad fact is that because of Christmas, more marriages will break up than at any other time of the year. Because of Christmas, levels of domestic violence and drunkenness will rise. Because of Christmas, more and more people will find themselves in the grip of impossible debt. Because of Christmas, many will feel even more acutely the pain of their aloneness. This is not why Jesus came. And yet the way so many celebrate His coming is in so often the complete opposite of the abundant life he came to bring. Wonderful opportunity But what a wonderful opportunity Christmas gives to share God’s love and bless the people around us! The baby who was born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem grew up to be a man who stunned the world with the quality of his love, the power of his word and the authority of his teaching. He was executed and three days later rose from the dead. By His Spirit He lives on in us. And we are commissioned to continue and extend His rescue strategy for the world He loves. So how will God’s Kingdom come to Romiley this Christmas? It will come through acts of generosity

and kindness. As we help someone who is struggling financially or sponsor a Christmas hamper, God’s kingdom gets a little closer. As we bless neighbours with a nice meal or spend time with the lonely stranger, God’s kingdom becomes more real. As we slow down and have time to kick leaves with our children, God’s kingdom takes shape. As we volunteer to work for a homeless charity or in our own Lifecentre, God’s kingdom breaks in. As we visit the elderly, maybe offering to shop or put up the Christmas decorations, God’s kingdom creeps under the door. Relationships are key Blessing people and building relationships are the hallmarks of Jesus’ mission. And He calls us to partner with Him in the places where we are. The great thing is that He makes it so easy for us! We simply need to allow our hearts to be touched by His and think of others. Can I suggest that we all have a Christmas planning meeting as soon as possible with our families. Let’s talk about our expectations and agree what a successful Christmas will look like. Let’s plan ahead and agree who will be responsible for what. Let’s share the burdens, think seriously about how much we spend at Christmas and set a realistic budget. Let’s ask yourselves why we are spending what we are spending. Let’s talk to our children and explain that they can help some poorer people here in the UK. Let’s look through one of the overseas charity brochures and get everyone excited about buying a goat for a family in Ethiopia. Let’s ask our children who they would like to bless. Let’s try to simplify and slow our celebration of Christmas this year. And through it all, let’s ask if what we are doing is putting a smile on God’s face. We bless God as we bless others.

Bless the Community It’s that time of year when we are all turning our thoughts to Christmas, and as part of our plans, we want to build on what we did last year in terms of blessing our community. The response last year was phenomenal with well over 140 offers of help across a range of activities. Below you will find information about this year’s opportunities so far – we hope they will whet your appetite to get involved!

Opportunities at Christmas

Hampers for the community

We will be doing our usual “Open House” on Saturday 19 December, when we will need a team of carol singers, waiters, craft people and giftwrappers. We want to extend this activity to get out and talk to people - “Healing on the streets” style. We will also be hosting Café Carols again on Monday 21 December at 3pm - we need a team of readers, singers, café staff and those who simply want to chat. This year, small groups have the opportunity to book an evening at Café Life, to host their friends. We will need a small number of café volunteers, and for the small groups to take the lead. Evenings available from Monday 14-Saturday 19 December. Bookings on a first-come, first-served basis!

Coffee to Commuters Bleary eyed commuters - and the train drivers! - were blown away when they were offered a freshly brewed coffee and a mince pie to aid them on their way in the run up to Christmas. And all for free! We know it made a difference, with a couple of commuters actually writing cards to the Lifecentre to say thank you. So if you can spare an hour or two in the morning rush hour from 14-23 December, get on board!

As last year we are not asking anyone to do everything! The success last year was having lots of people offering to form different teams. Many of us are busier than ever. But hopefully we might just have an hour or two available here or there. Each contribution will be invaluable.

Last year the Cherry Tree MSC put together 20 Christmas Hampers which they delivered to local families. There are amazing, moving stories of the amazing impact this blessing had.

New this year!

This year, we want to extend this, and distribute more hampers to more people, and not just on Cherry Tree. Everyone has the opportunity to get involved, either by donating items or money towards each hamper, (it will cost £25 to complete each one), or joining a team to assemble or distribute them. We also want you to suggest people that you know who will struggle to make meet ends meet this year, to whom we can deliver a hamper. This is an activity that we can share together as a whole church to bless those across our community.

Assisting with local Carols at the carol services retirement apartments Last year we really made a difference to different groups and organisations by assisting them with their carol services. We need small teams to help with the Greave and Romiley Primary School services in church, the pre-schoolers (Prampushers) nativity service in church and the carol services at Chadkirk Chapel. We also want to hold an outdoor carol service on Cherry Tree again this year.

Residents of Metcalf/Davies Courts were really touched when teams, including a choir from Greave Primary School, popped down to lead carols and readings. We will try to add in Park View this year. A day time activity – dates to be set. That’s all for now, folks! To get involved, please complete the enclosed form and return it to the box at church or the church office by 22 November. And if you have any other ideas or questions, please contact Jan or Jill in the church office on 430 4652 as soon as you can!

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal... Can you donate £2.50? Each year Maggie Britten coordinates St Chad’s efforts to prepare shoe boxes containing gifts and essential items for children who are struggling across the globe – whether through war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine. The shoe boxes include items such as toys, educational supplies, hygiene items and more! The Shoebox appeal is overseen by “Samaritan’s Purse”, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organisation providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. Last year 1,228,787 boxes were sent from the UK!

This year Maggie has already completed over 180 boxes, ready to go! It costs £2.50 to ship each box. Can you now donate some money to pay for them to be sent overseas? They are to be sent out between 16-23 November, so please make your donation by Sunday 15 November. A box is available at the back of church for your donations. Tax payers can gift-aid their contributions - forms are available beside the box. We are so grateful to Maggie and her team for putting together so many boxes. Let’s hope that together we can raise the funds to ship each and every one!

Are you interested in being Baptised?

Wood Street Mission Appeal

Sunday 5th December will be our next Baptism service. Please get in touch with Tim for further details.

Every Christmas Wood Street Mission gives free toy and food parcels to local families in need. St Chad’s has always supported this mission – and last year Wood Street helped over 1,500 families, providing toys for over 3,200 disadvantaged children.

Rick and Claire would like to announce their new address visitors are more than welcome!

19th November 2009 The Townhouse, Hope Terrace, SK3 9DU

This year they need donations of new toys and gifts for 0-13 year olds. They also welcome donations of exception quality second-hand toys. They can’t accept large toys (e.g. bikes or trikes) or used soft toys. This year, you can bring your unwrapped donations to church (please give them to Jan!) or drop them in to the church office.

7:30pm Admission Free

All toys need to be donated by Sunday 22 November.

28 Waterside Ripon North Yorkshire HG4 1RA

Redeeming Our Communities:

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Donation

Irene Daughney is the local Fundraising Secretary for the Children’s Society. Irene arranges distribution of personal home collection boxes for the Children’s Society and at the recent box opening, the amount donated was £762. This brings the total donated this year to £1,559. Isn’t it amazing how collecting the small change really mounts up? Irene thanks all those who support the charity’s work through home donation boxes. If you would like a box, please contact Irene on 0161 430 5354.

Mothers Union

Encountering the world of Islam

The next meeting of the Mothers Union takes place on Wednesday 11 November at 2pm in church. Eleanore Barlow will be giving a talk – “Talking of Marriage”.

The Nazarene College at Didsbury will be running a 12-week “Encountering the world of Islam” course, starting on Tuesday 12 January 2009. The course provides information about the lives and beliefs of Muslims around the world. With historical information and perspectives on today’s conflicts, fears and myths, the course provides a balanced, and biblical perspective on God’s heart for Muslims, equipping people to reach out to them in Christ’s love.

The Mothers Union Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday 9 December from 1-3pm in church.

St Chad’s Ladies Society Christmas Coffee Evening St Chad’s Ladies Society will be holding a Christmas Coffee Evening with entertainment by Romiley Primary School brass band on Tuesday 8 December at 7.30pm in church. Stalls including “Bring and Buy”, cakes, gifts, books etc will be available. Tickets are £1 include coffee and biscuits, with proceeds going to local charities.

To find out more please contact Phil Rawlings on 0161 226 6064 or by email to [email protected] or Kate Parker at [email protected]

Mothers Prayers Would you like to pray for your children, grandchildren or any other children on a regular basis? A small group has started on a Monday evening from 7-8pm to pray in earnest for our children. “Mothers Prayers” was started in England in 1995 and has spread rapidly throughout the world. It is inter-denominational and has the approval, support and

Remembrance Sunday The following public prayers and ceremony will be held on Sunday 8 November 2009: 2.30pm 2.45pm 2.55pm 3.00pm

Assemble at Green Lane, beside Duke of York hotel Prayers at Romiley War Memorial Parade from Romiley War Memorial to the War Memorial, George Lane, Bredbury Service of Remembrance, War Memorial, George Lane

A big thank you to everyone who completed a church audit. Analysis is now underway!

blessing of Christian leaders of all denominations. It was started by two grandmothers who felt led by the Lord to pray in a special way for their children. They felt they should bring all the pain and worries they had for their children to Him, trusting in His promise; “Ask and you will receive.” If you would like to join the group, please contact Ann Russell on 494 8907 or Nancy Tindall on 430 2493.

Pregnancy Counselling Skills Course 2010 “Image” in Manchester will be running a specialist counselling course in pregnancy, abortion, postabortion and teenage sexuality in the New Year. The course will run on 5 Saturdays from January to May 2010 and include 60 hours of accredited learning. Suitable for men and women, the course is recognised by the Open College Network and ACC. To find more, please contact Image on 0161 273 8090 or by email to [email protected]

Church Office 1-5 Stockport Road Romiley Stockport SK6 4BN

phone (0161) 430 4652 email [email protected] web www.stchadsromiley.co.uk Office Hours Mon - Thurs 9 - 5pm