VICAR S LETTER... All Saints Church - St Paul s Church, Strines... March 2015

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1 All Saints Church - St Paul s Church, Strines... March 2015 VICAR S LETTER... Dear Friends, What s the point of the Church? It s a good question, and one which probably provokes a huge variety of different responses. Tory MP s this week rather seemed to suggest that it s point was not to meddle in politics (nor anything else of any real importance) and to quietly get on with its own spiritual concerns without making a fuss. For those who missed this story, it was in response to a letter from the C of E bishops, to all major political parties, setting out an agenda for just and compassionate government ahead of the forthcoming General Election. Some people are rather glad that the Church is there in the background and see it as providing a link to a past era in which life was simpler and people were nicer. The thought that it might have any relevance to contemporary life, however, that it might have any real point, other than as a convenient setting for certain of life s rituals, never crosses their minds. Others wish the Church would just go away. Organised religion has had its day and the Church simply gets in the way of people who want to pursue more freeform spiritual paths. For them the Church has no point whatsoever. Of course those who have experienced Church more as Jesus intended it, a community of people, seeking to share life with Jesus at the centre, and seeking to encourage one another in our growth in experience of God and of living His life, might answer very differently. We might want to point to the joy of worshipping together and of sensing God s closeness in a special way. We might want to mention our experience of support, of friendship and fellowship with others who are discovering faith in Christ. We might want to stress the personal dimension of being part of the family of the Church. Or, we might want to highlight the public or social role of the Church, pointing out that we are called by the Bible The Body of Christ. We might want to draw attention to our unique calling to be the physical representation of Jesus on earth, doing the things which He Himself did during His own earthly ministry. We might want to talk about our purpose being tied up with making known the Good News of the Kingdom in word and deed, helping the lost find their way back to the God who comes looking for them, helping the broken and hurting and overlooked find

2 healing and restoration and a fresh sense of dignity. We might want to talk about the purpose of the Church as a sign and foretaste of God s coming Kingdom; a sign in that we are called to alert people to the reality of that coming Kingdom; a foretaste in that, in our common life and experience, we, and others, should be able to experience, ahead of time, the new and rich life of that Kingdom. For those who have been asking (whether directly or in their minds) what I am going to be doing whilst away on sabbatical, then the simple answer is that I am going to be spending a good deal of time reflecting on this very question (what is the Church for?) and another related one (what should the Church look like in the light of its purpose?). I am going to be reading a lot, and talking to a good number of people, as I reflect a bit more on what form and shape the church needs to take in our own day and age if we are truly to be the Church which Jesus has in mind, and if we are truly to fulfil our high calling and purpose. A good deal of the inspiration for this, I have to say, comes from my own experience of having shared with you the life of All Saints church over the last fourteen years. There is much that we might do better, and there, are, no doubt, plenty of things we have yet to discover and which God would love to lead us into. But there are many aspects of our life and ministry which are shaped by some clear convictions and biblical understandings of what a church should be. They thrill me and I would love to see them owned far more widely by many more churches. I am thrilled that All Saints is a church where people find faith and new life in Jesus Christ. I am delighted that it is a community through whose life and ministry those who have struggled with emotional, physical and other issues find healing and wholeness and resources in God to live well. I love the fact that, through the many ministries we undertake in the community, we are known for our grace and generosity and that these bear witness to a God who is good and gracious. So, in addition to lots of research and reflection, and a fair bit of talking to God about such matters, I hope to be able to begin a new writing project around what a missional, Kingdom-focused, Anglican church might look like. I hope that it might prove useful for others. I am praying too, above all, that I might hear God speaking to me about the future ministry of All Saints, St Paul s and GLO. I d love to think that I might come back from sabbatical, not only refreshed for the next phase of ministry and leadership, but also fired up with a renewed sense of God s purpose and direction for us. I ll be grateful for your prayers as I walk, pray, read and write, and, of course, I ll be praying for you (and especially for our brilliant Staff and other leaders who will pick up extra responsibilities in my absence). May God continually lead us all, as His Body in this community, into a deeper understanding of our unique place in His purposes, and into greater faithfulness and effectiveness as we fulfil our calling. In Christ, Ian Parkinson Ian Parkinson s first book is due to be published towards the end of his sabbatical in late June. Published by Monarch, and entitled Reignite : Rekindling God s Life and Purpose at the heart of your Church, it is aimed especially at church leaders or those who exercise leadership and influence at any level in the life of a local church. It deals with the business of helping local churches come more into line with God s vision for His church. The different chapters cover such topics as Leadership, Communicating Vision, Managing Transitions, Welcoming the ministry of the Spirit, Growing other leaders, Establishing functional structures, and Dealing with challenges. Signed copies will be available from the bookstall!

3 All Saints Church - Marple SUNDAY am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Bruce Perrin 9.15am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Martin Makin 11.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Martin Makin 6.30pm CELEBRATION Preacher: Keith Frost Tuesday pm MOTHERS UNION PRAYER MEETING at 8 The Turnpike Wednesday pm PROSPECTS MARPLE in the Bowyer Hall Thursday pm EVERGREEN GROUPS in the Church Lounge Friday pm WOMEN S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE at the Ridge Methodist Church 7.00pm WOMEN S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SERVICE at Marple United Reformed Church SUNDAY am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Ian Parkinson 9.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Ian Parkinson 11.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Ian Parkinson 6.30pm HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: David Hughes Thursday pm EVERGREEN SERVICE in Church Saturday am W.L.T.D.O. (WHO LET THE DADS OUT) in the Bowyer Hall. SUNDAY am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Liz Shercliff 9.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Bruce Perrin 11.15am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Bruce Perrin 6.30pm CELEBRATION Preacher: Ian Parkinson Thursday pm LUNCH in the Bowyer Hall Friday pm SOUTH AMERICAN MISSION SOCIETY (SAMS) PRAYER MEETING at 7 Shirley Avenue SUNDAY am HOLY COMMUNION (1662) Preacher: Daniel Currie 9.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Daniel Currie 11.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Daniel Currie 6.30pm PRAYER CELEBRATION Preacher: Chris McComiskey Monday pm CHURCH S MINISTRY AMONG JEWISH PEOPLE (CMJ) Prayer Meeting at Flat 11, The Beeches, 57 Stockport Road, Romiley Wednesday am HOLY COMMUNION in the Prayer Room followed by Home Communions Thursday pm EVERGREEN GROUPS in the Church Lounge 8.00pm RELATIONSHIP MATTERS SUNDAY am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: David Hughes 9.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: David Hughes 11.15am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: David Hughes 6.30pm CELEBRATION Preacher: Daniel Currie

4 St Paul s Church - Strines Sunday am MORNING WORSHIP & SUNDAY SCHOOL Preacher: Christine Blodwell Sunday am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Christine Blodwell Tuesday pm BOOK GROUP in Church Wednesday pm REFLECTIONS Sunday am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Martin Makin Monday 16 GUITAR GROUP CONCERT at Marple Dale Tuesday pm MOTHERS UNION MONTHLY MEETING Sunday am MORNING WORSHIP Preacher: Christine Blodwell Tuesday pm KNIT & NATTER Wednesday pm REFLECTIONS Sunday am HOLY COMMUNION Preacher: Christine Blodwell WEEKLY EVENTS: Mondays 2.00pm GUITAR GROUP Thursdays 10.30am POP IN for coffee and chat until 12Noon OFFERTON NEWS - GLO (God Loves Offerton) Firstly, thank you so much to those of you who got in touch offering to help with, or sponsor, some people to come along to our church weekend away in June we re really grateful! If you are able to help financially it would mean some of our church who normally can t afford to get away could spend the weekend getting to know the church and our Lord better; please do get in touch by calling the number above or ing gareth@glochurch.org. Sixteen of our young people had their own weekend away over Valentine s Weekend at Rydall Hall in the Lake District, led by Dan Cook and his team of youth leaders everyone had an amazing time but came back exhausted! They spent the weekend thinking about the Greek words used in the Bible for love : agape love, friendship love and romantic love, and the biblical understanding of them all. They then came back and shared some of what they had learned at church on Sunday along with some fun and games too! Of course Lent began and over 50 people gathered in one of the small group leader s home to eat pancakes we estimate around 150 pancakes were cooked in an hour! It was a great way to kick off a season of reflection and self discipline, marked this year by generosity as we use the 40acts website to consider how we might be a blessing to those around us. If you re interested in joining in yourself, you can visit 40acts.org.uk. The mission community in Bosden Farm estate a large residential estate within the area covered by our Bishop s Mission Order, and with quite different socio-economics to Offerton estate have begun to invite people there to donate goods to our Garage project. This project provides free clothes and other items for young families in need, and we have found that benevolent people really enjoy giving to help others. It s this which has prompted them to stand in the February weather to let people know they can help others with a simple act of giving. We have been meeting with Stockport mental health service and Stockport Mind to consider how we might help those in Offerton struggling with this challenging issue, and are looking forward to working in partnership with these skilled agencies to help those who attend the drop-in and others with whom we connect. Please do join us in praying for the healing of Christ to be with us in this venture, that we might see many set free! Finally, Lizzy and Sharon have started a self-esteem course in the local high school, with ten young girls coming each week for an hour and a half to go through their I m the Girl I Want to Be course. Again, we would love you to stand with us in prayer for this project, that the girls might begin to see themselves through Father God s eyes and receive the fullness of His love. Thankful to God for your support and prayers, Gareth & Lizzy Robinson

5 MORNING SERVICES SPRING TERM th Jan Living Life on Purpose Philippians 3:7-21 VISION SUNDAY RELATIONSHIP MATTERS 11th Jan Made in God's Image : Designed for Relationship Genesis 1: th Jan Marriage : Reflecting God s Faithfulness Genesis 2: th Jan Sexuality and Same Sex Relationships 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 Preacher: Rev Dr Sean Doherty (St Mellitus College) 1st Feb Divorce & Remarriage: Knowing God's Grace when Things Unravel Matthew 19:3-9 8th Feb Single-Minded : Content in every situation Preacher : Rev Kate Wharton (St George s Everton) 15th Feb David Shows Kindness 2 Samuel 9 Worship Together REKINDLING OUR PASSION FOR GOD 22nd Feb Seeking God with Our Whole Heart Psalm 84 BAPTISMS 1st Mar Growing in Intimacy with God Psalm 63 8th Mar In the Wilderness: What to do when God seems far away Psalm 42 15th Mar Encouraging One Another in God Hebrews 10:19-25 MOTHERING SUNDAY 22nd Mar Growing in Understanding of God Psalm 119: th Mar Growing in Fruitfulness for God John 13:1-17 PALM SUNDAY 5th April Jesus : Risen Lord John 20:1-21 EASTER DAY 12th April Jesus : Companion on the Journey Luke 24: th April Jesus : Appointing Witnesses Luke 24: th April ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING

6 EVENING SERVICES SPRING TERM 2015 CRUCIFIED AND CROWNED: MARK'S PORTRAIT OF JESUS 4th Jan Living in the Presence of the Kingdom Mark 9: th Jan Overturning the World s Values: Entering the Kingdom Mark 10: th Jan Servant Leadership Mark 10: th Jan Prayer Celebration 1st Feb Exercising Authority Mark 11: th Feb Risking Rejection Mark 12: th Feb Life in the Last Days Mark 13: nd Feb Prayer Celebration 1st March Anointed One Mark 14:1-11 8th March A Meal to Remember Mark 14: th March Entering into our Suffering Mark 14: nd March Prayer Celebration 29th March Dying to Set us Free Mark 15:1-39 5th April Breaking the Hold of Fear and Death Mark 16:1-20 EASTER DAY 12th April A Living Hope 1 Peter 1:1-9 19th April Raised up with Christ Colossians 3: th April No Service