CHALICE June 2018 50 pence STALYBRIDGE UNITARIAN CHURCH And SUNDAY SCHOOL (A Free Christian Congregation) Forester Drive, Stalybridge
Stalybridge Unitarian Church is a Free Christian Congregation. A member of The East Cheshire Union of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. A member of The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches. A member of The North Cheshire Unitarian Sunday School Union. A member of The Unitarian Christian Association. THE CHALICE STALYBRIDGE UNITARIAN CHURCH MAGAZINE June 2018 This issue of Chalice is sponsored by Mr & Mrs A. Swift IMO Mr & Mrs F. Swift and Mr & Mrs E. Robinson
WARDEN S NOTES Well it seems that summer has arrived, let s hope it lasts! Last weekend was pretty special, a wonderful Royal Wedding was followed by a very poor F A Cup Final, the following day we celebrated Pentecost/Whitsun in style. Later in the week we commemorated the first anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing. All these events have one thing in common and that is love. It is quite easy for us to see that The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very much in love. People love football even if they support a team which plays rubbish. At Pentecost God sent the Holy Spirit among the disciples of Jesus as an act of love, to show them what they must do to spread the message of Jesus throughout the world. The bombing of Manchester Arena was an act of pure hatred but the way those affected are able to come together one year later to remember that terrible event is an act of love and an act of solidarity to show the world that hatred and terrorism will never win. Love eventually will conquer all. Ken Howard HAPPY BIRTHDAY We would like to congratulate Edith Howard who reached the grand old age of 97 on 24 th May 2018. All the congregation who attended the Whit Sunday Service signed a birthday card which was delivered to Edith.
MINISTER We have now been included on the Vacant Pulpit List managed by The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, we are offering a 50% Stipend and 50% Manse Allowance. To date we have not received any replies and/or applications. In the meantime, we will ensure that we arrange Lay People to conduct services every Sunday. FAVOURITE HYMNS SERVICE This will be held on Sunday 10 th June at 11am. If you have not already done so, please give your hymn selection to Ken as soon as possible. PEOPLE Quite a few members of our congregation are extremely unwell and are simply unable to get to church to attend services. We would like them and their families to know that they are constantly in our thoughts and in our prayers. ARTS & CRAFTS EXHIBITION Congratulations to everyone who took part in this years Arts and Crafts Exhibition. We had an enjoyable day, winning the Challenge Shield, the Primary Award and both the Junior and Senior Play Reading awards. The Challenge Vase was won by Flowery Field Church. The full results are available on the notice board. CHURCH REDECORATION The committee has appointed Batemans Decorators of Bolton to re -decorate the main worship area of the church. This is obviously an expensive undertaking, but it is vital that we keep on top of the maintenance and upkeep of the building. The scaffolding will be erected on Monday 16 th July and the re-painting will start on Monday 23 rd July. Please note our services will continue as normal. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE SUPPORT ALL OUR FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES TO HELP TO PAY FOR THIS WORK.
Stalybridge Unitarian Church - 156 th Anniversary 156 th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE 1st JULY This will take place at 11am on Sunday 1 st July at 11am. The service will be conducted by Jennifer Price and Ken Howard. The UYPG members will receive their attendance awards (books of their own choice) during this service. Please make every effort to attend this very important service as we celebrate our history and look forward to our future. EAST CHESHIRE UNION OF UNITARIAN AND FREE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES SONGS OF PRAISE SERVICE This was postponed because of the weather. The event has now been rearranged and will be held at Stalybridge Unitarian Church on Thursday 21 st June at 7pm. NEW EU WIDE DATA PROTECTION LAWS (GDPR) As you may already know new Data Protection Laws came into force on 25 th May 2018. This is to protect people from illegal sharing and loss of data. But is also another way of giving more work to organisations like our church. Because of this all members must give consent for us to retain contact details to enable us to contact you. This is so that we as a church comply with the law. A form is included in this edition of Chalice and spare copies are available on the table at the back of church, we would be grateful if you would take the time to complete one and return it to any officer.
FUND RAISING AND SOCIAL GROUP What a fantastic few weeks we have had (weather wise) the gardens are blooming and everyone seems to be smiling. As I mentioned last month, as we have had both Arts and Crafts and Whit Sunday in May we did not plan anything else. Let me just remind you of what we have coming up over the next few months. AFTERNOON TEA AT THE ROEBUCK IN STRINESDALE On Friday 22 nd June, we shall be making a visit to The Roebuck in Strinesdale for afternoon tea. We believe the savoury tea is superb, so why not come along for a drive out and enjoy a nice meal. There is a list on the board, so please put your name up as soon as possible as we need to give them numbers before we go. Lifts can be arranged for anyone needing them. SUMMER FAIR CHANGE Please note that, due to unforeseen events, we have had to change the date of our Summer Fair which will now be held on Saturday 7 th July, from 2pm until 4pm. Please check your diaries and enter the new date we really do need all the support we can get. As usual, we need donations of prizes for the tombola, the home bake and even raffle prizes. There will also be a Good As New stall, so if you have anything you want to get rid of and it is good condition, please bring it along and someone else might want it. Cream teas will also be served. It should be a good afternoon for all. SUMMER CREAM TEA On 28 th July, we shall be holding our usual summer cream tea at the home of Sue and Ken at 75 Hutton Avenue, Ashton, so we look forward to welcoming you all to our house for the bring and buy and cream tea and just hope for better weather than last year. The afternoon starts at 2pm and everyone is welcome. PICNIC LUNCH AND TREASURE HUNT Looking a bit more into the future (though I m sure it ll come round as quick as anything), we aim to have a picnic lunch followed by a Treasure Hunt (arranged by Jennifer) after the service on 2 nd September. A notice will go up on the board in due course, so please enter your names if you wish to attend both the picnic and/or the treasure hunt.
FINALLY Once again, if you have any ideas and wish to come to our fund raising meeting, the next one will be held on Monday 11 th June at 7.15pm at church. You don t have to be invited just come along. We really do need people with new ideas of how to raise money and entertain people. See you all soon, Sue Howard SUMMER FAIR This important fund-raising event will be held on Saturday 7 th July from 2pm to 4pm. All the usual stalls will be open. Help will be needed so if you are able to help any of the stallholders in any way please make yourself known to any of them. The tea room/café always needs assistance as it is an extremely busy day for them. Saturday 7 th July 2:00pm to 4:00pm
SPECIAL SERVICES AND EVENTS 2018 Thursday 21 st June 7pm ECU Songs of Praise service Friday 22 nd June 3pm Afternoon Tea at The Roebuck in Strinesdale Sunday 1 st July 11am 156 th Anniversary Service and UYPG Prize Giving Saturday 7 th July 2pm Summer Fair Sunday 26 th August 12.45pm Christening of Frankie Fish Sunday 7 th October 11am Harvest Thanksgiving Service Sunday 11 th November 10.45am Remembrance Sunday Service Saturday 24 th November 11.30am Christmas Fair Saturday 8 th December 3.00pm Christmas Party at Church Wednesday 12 th December 12.30pm Christmas Lunch at Waggon and Horses Sunday 23 rd December 4pm Family Carol Service These are the services and events already organised. Please keep your eye on the notice board/ Chalice for any additions/alterations. Members of the UYPG performing their winning play reading during the Arts and Craft Exhibition
FLOWERS FOR JUNE 3 rd TABLE Mrs Brenda Hallatt IMO Mr & Mrs W. Hallatt FONT Mrs Jean Thomas IMO Mrs Gladys Drury & Mr & Mrs Owen Stokes 10 th Mr Bill Atkin IMO Mr & Mrs W. Atkin Senior & Brother Jack 17 th Mrs Nora Caton IMO Mr & Mrs Harold Bullock Senior 24 th Mr Brian Oliver IMO The Oliver Family STEWARDS FOR JUNE 3 rd June Ken Howard 10 th June Bill Atkin 17 th June Jennifer Price 24 th June Wendy Maher 1 st July Ken Howard MUSIC DURING THE SERVICE 3 rd June Andante Con Moto J. Adamson 10 th June Retrospection E. Ashford 17 th June Tranquillity E. Gilbert 24 th June A Prayer E. Harper