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The Appeal to raise funds to build a PARISH CENTRE was launched in May. The amount raised to date stands at £xxx, so we are well on the way to reaching the target of £1,000,000. Week by week contributions continue to arrive, with a wide range of gifts, all of which are very welcome. We would really like to see that figure continue to rise as quickly as we can so that we can begin building.

GRANT FUNDING

We have submitted a bid for a grant from the landfill tax grant scheme, this particular one through Onyx. We shall hear of their decision in October.

FUND-RAISING EVENTS

The month of September sees three fund-raising events.

FAMILY BARBECUE AND FUN DAY SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER at Larkrise, Stanhope Rd. There will be, as well as the barbecue, garden toys and games for the children it’s a spacious garden and there’ll be lots of room for everyone. To book your place now just …

A BRIDGE DRIVE planned for 14 September is already fully booked – but if you’d be interested to know when the next one is, just contact Erin Jenner on 928 0335

CLASSIC AND SPORTS CAR RUN: SATURDAY 17SEPTEMBER

A chance to tour leafy lanes, forests, attractive Cheshire villages and ending at Dunham Park- bring a picnic to enjoy with friends. Cost £18 — this will include coffee/tea, rally plaque, route book and entrance to Dunham Park.

Application form and further details from Dave and Stella Bolton on 928 3198 or email all@bolton121.freeserve.co.uk

Next month sees the GRAND AUCTION. On SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER at The Cinnamon Club [The Bowdon Rooms] from 7.15 pm, Robert Redford and Patrick Cheyne will lead the auction of lots to raise lots. If you would like to clear your attics and cellars we would be delighted to relieve you of any ‘collectable’ items – collection can be arranged. A catalogue will be published shortly.

For further information about the auction, or for any items which you might care to donate, please contact Vivienne Plummer on 928 5051 or on e-mail: ViviennePlummer@aol.com.

If you would like to know more about the Parish Centre and the building project

and wish to help in any way, please ring 928 2468.

St Mary’s Churchyard

In the heart of Bowdon is a large area of undeveloped land, with trees, benches to rest on, birds and the odd fox. It is St Mary’s Churchyard. It is a place where people come to remember their loved ones and to tend their graves, a place to lay flowers or say a prayer. It is a place where a lot of work goes on to keep back the weeds and bracken, and to look after the graves.

Nigel Millar, responsible for the maintenance of the churchyard (and St Luke’s), does a tremendous job, assisted by a small team of volunteers. We are happy for it to be a place for people to stroll or to sit and enjoy the tranquillity. But please, if you walk your dog in the Churchyard, remember that it is consecrated ground. Please keep your dog on a lead or well under control, and if your dog does what does often do, please clear up after it. It can be distressing for families of those who are buried there and it is unpleasant for the team of gardeners who strim and mow. Dog fouling and strimmers do not mix! Whether it’s litter or dogs, please think of others. Thank you

IT’S A RECORD

Well, actually it’s thousands of records. In October 1998 Derrick Murdie began the work of recording the burials at St Mary’s, checking written archives which we keep at the Church with the gravestones themselves, including a recording of all the legible inscriptions on the stones. This ‘project’ took a lot of patience and commitment, but Derrick now has 41,235 grave records on his computer database. Thanks go to Derrick and to those who have assisted him in this work. It has been a great help to people making searches for their family history, and there’s a sense of satisfaction in knowing we have all the burials safely recorded.

A glutton for punishment, Derrick is transferring to a database all the original handwritten archives for baptisms and marriages.

REASONS NOT TO WASH …. The following would do just as well if you want to find reasons for not going to church ….

1. I was forced to as a child.
2. People who make soap are only after your money.
3. I wash on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.
4. People who wash are hypocrites-they think they are cleaner than everyone else.
5. There are so many different kinds of soap, I can't decide which one is best.
6. I used to wash, but it got boring so I stopped.
7. None of my friends wash.
8. The bathroom is never warm enough in the winter or cool enough in the summer.
9. I'll start washing when I get older and dirtier.
10. I can't spare the time

LIFE BALANCE

Taking time out on a holiday, relaxing on a beach, enjoying a leisure activity, slowing down enough to ‘stop and stare’, can lead us to wonder how we let our lives get so busy. We may come back from a summer break with a resolve not to get back into the same frantic pace. I came across the following prayer recently:

“We pray to you, Lord, for the gift and grace of balance. May our lives be blessed with gracious, harmonious balance. May we invest ourselves in our work, yet not forget that it is you who is working through us. May we invest ourselves in activity, yet not neglect the precious prayer and reflection that gives our activity depth. May we invest ourselves in our tasks, yet not lack appreciation for the relationships close to our hearts. Grant that we may be both serious and happy, both hard-working and relaxed, both passionate and at peace. Amen.”

ST LUKE’S

Remember that St Luke’s Church provides a meeting place suitable for community groups, regular clubs such as aerobics or bridge, ‘one-off’ meetings, and children’s’ parties, at reasonable rates. For details of availability and rates please contact the Bookings Officer, Mr. George Bolton on 928 4929

IN LOVING MEMORY: MARGARET LAVERICK

Hundreds of people gathered at St Mary’s last month for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Margaret Laverick. The diagnosis of cancer and her death soon after everyone shocked and dismayed, for Margaret had been such a part of the life of St Mary’s and the local community. Originally from Rochdale, Margaret’s studies had taken her to Birmingham, Newcastle, and then to Christie’s for her doctorate. From there she went to Sao Paulo. Returning to the UK and married Peter. It was his appointment as Head of Bowdon Church School which brought them to this part of the world. Margaret worked as Practice Manager at Barrington Rd, and later as Receptionist at St John’s Medical Centre. It was tragic that Peter had retired; they had sold their house and were planning to move south.

Margaret loved life as a gift from God – she loved his creation. She enjoyed travel, her garden, walking and the countryside. Most of all, she loved people, had time and support for so many people, who will remember her as a loyal friend. The home in Hale was open door to many. She was very much part of the life of the Church, serving on the Church Council, as home group leader, Mission Team leader and much more. Her faith was an inspiration to others.

Margaret fitted a lot into her life and her family will always be proud of her achievements, but it is the person she was which will remain in people’s hearts: her kindness and generosity, quite simply the love she showed. It was the mainspring of her life. Her brother John wrote: “Her greatest gift was a shining demonstration of the fact that the universe is created of Love and Love is the key to everything.”

We give thanks for Margaret’s life and faith and we continue to remember Peter, Catherine, Philippa, John and all the family in our prayers.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE APPEAL

SING UNTO THE LORD

This summer the Choir of St Mary’s returned to a favourite venue: Wells Cathedral. It was a privilege to be able to spend a week there in the absence of the resident Cathedral Choir. Sasha Johnson Manning led the members in a week of hard work, as choristers young and old practised and perfected their singing so that they could offer the best in their worship. The Cathedral staff and the congregation were welcoming and very encouraging. Wells is a lovely place and it was good too to have time off from the hard work to enjoy the city.

[A small diary was found on the coach when it returned to Bowdon. The title page reads simply: “Bridget Chorister’s Diary.” Editor]

Monday 8 August

10st 3, alcohol units 0 , calories 730 (vg. almost saint-like!)

Was up all night worrying about the suitcase – what have I forgotten to pack? As usual somebody was late so we sat on the coach for ages waiting to go. Finally headed off, and after 5 hours of sleeping and talking we arrived, and decanted into Ritchie House in the Cathedral School. Straight to the cathedral to begin practising. What an amazing building. The first evensong was good, but v. scary. Time for bed.

Tuesday 9 August

10st 5, alcohol units 4, calories 1442 (uh-oh! It’s a conspiracy by the dining ladies)

Today first practice in Ritchie Hall then on to the town for some shopping. Then checked out the outdoor pool, which is v. hot! Then down to the cathedral for evensong, which I’m getting used to now. Thirsty work: down to the bar for a drink. Will start non-alcohol diet tomorrow!

Wednesday 10 August

10st 4, alcohol units 0, calories 976 (getting better)

Evensong is getting harder: too tired to write any more

Thursday 10 August

10st 3, alcohol units 4 (bad, bad), calories 763 (YAY!!!)

Our day off! We still had a practice then swimming for the afternoon. Serious squabble by the trebles over the rubber ring. No evensong - so a night on the town!

Friday 11 August

10st 5 (oops, too many chips), alcohol units 6, calories 1562

This swimming is doing my hair no good at all. Consoled myself with two Cornish pasties for lunch. Given a tour around the cathedral – even more amazing than I realised. And the young verger is very good looking. Evensong was brilliant – that practice is beginning to pay off. Will start chip-free diet tomorrow.

Saturday 12 August

10st 4, alcohol units 0, calories 936 (v.v gd)

Once again too tired to write, just to say how well it has gone: some wonderful singing and solos. We sang Sing Joyfully very joyfully.

Sunday 13 August

10st 5, alcohol units 4 (by way of celebration on the coach), calories 1500 (also on coach, v.v. bad)

Amazing day. Sang at 3 services, totally exhausted, coach back great fun...........zzzzzzz

DOORWAY … OPENING UP THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

This month sees the start of ‘Doorways’, aimed at helping Christians to open up the Bible, to open up the issues raised by faith and to look at how we take that faith out into daily life. The material will suit those who have done some basic thinking on the Christian faith and who want to move on.

Knowing - how can I be more informed about the Bible and about what Christians believe? Can I get to think about some of those questions that have puzzled me for years?
Growing - how can I develop my life in prayer and worship, and discover what the church has to do with that?
Going - how can I live out my faith where I am in daily life?
What difference does being a Christian make to what we think about big issues?
What do I say when people ask hard questions about issues like suffering?

The Doorway course is organised by the Diocese of Chester, and there are venues around the area to encourage people to cross parish boundaries and learn together. The nearest venue to Bowdon is High Legh, just a short drive from here. The sessions there begin on Tuesday 13 September at High Legh Parish Hall. There is also a course planned for Knutsford and Lymm. For more details on the Doorways course please ring Margaret McCulloch on 01925, and for general enquiries please ring Keith Hine on 928 2468. If there is sufficient interest locally, then there may be the possibility of setting up a course in the parish.

A DAY CONFERENCE to kick off the Doorway discipleship course. Open to anyone - those booked on a Doorway course and anyone else interested. Drinks provided, bring your own lunch. Saturday, 10 September 2005, 10.30am to 3.30pm, Verdin High School Winsford. Open to all.

Bishop Peter and others will be speaking on the relevance of the Bible in today's world and how opening up the Bible's message could change us and the world we live in.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation groups begin this autumn. The group for young people begins at 5pm on Thursday 15 September at St Luke’s Church. The group for adults begins at 8 pm on Thursday 6 October at the Vicarage.

Please contact Keith Hine if you need any advice or information.

BROTHER ROGER OF TAIZE

Shock greeted the news of the murder by a disturbed woman of the founder of the Taizé Community, Brother Roger Schutz, an internationally respected Christian peacemaker.
Taizé is an international centre of worship, reconciliation and inter-Christian commitment. It was founded by Brother Roger in 1940, based on a simple lifestyle, economic sharing and pacifism.
Hundreds and thousands of people, especially the young, have visited the community over the years. Its liturgy and songs, which draw on traditional chant, are used by millions across the world – Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, evangelicals and charismatics.
After the start of the Second World War, the small village of Taizé, close to the demarcation line that divided the portions of France controlled by German forces and by the French Vichy government, was chosen as the community's base because it was strategically located for welcoming refugees. This included Jews hiding from the occupying Nazis.
Today over 100 brothers from more than 25 nations, Catholic and Protestant, are community members.
Church leaders from all traditions, including Orthodox metropolitans, have visited Taizé over the years. Pope John Paul II was a particular friend of Brother Roger and his work, and three Archbishops of Canterbury have also been there.

Brother Roger became on of the best loved Christian leaders of our time, he as described as a "pioneer ecumenist". Simon Barrow, co-director of the UK Christian think tank Ekklesia, said that "at a time when religion is in the news for many negative reasons, Brother Roger and the Taizé community have shown what a forward-looking yet traditional commitment to the Way of Jesus can really mean. It is a path of gentle, radical transformation, socially and spiritually."

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

If you have ideas for a fund-raising event for the Parish Centre please contact me on 928 2468 or the Appeal Secretary, Sue Sinagola, on 928 3082. We welcome ideas but of course we will need to coordinate the events.

REGISTERS

Baptism We welcome into God’s Church family

Kellie Grice Louie Brannan Matthew Walton Benjamin Wood

Weddings We congratulate

Adam Wildgoose and Felicity Hemmings

Darren Hendley and Michaela Goodier

Oliver Bird and Elizabeth Pinnington

Robert Campbell and Victoria Cheyne

Brett Logan and Sarah Hill

Funerals We commend to God

Margaret Laverick Jean Webb Betsy Morgan

Calendar for September

Morning Prayer is said in St. Mary’s at 8.45 am Monday to Friday.

Entry through the vestry door.

1 (Thu) 10 am St. Luke’s, Holy Communion with Mothers’ Union.

10.30 am Coffee drop-in at St. Luke’s.

4 Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity

(First Sunday in September)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.

10.45 am Holy Communion,

Oblations: Martha Guild

followed by coffee at the back of the church.

6.30 pm Evening Prayer.

7 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.

7.30 pm PCC Meeting

11 Patronal Festival.

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

(Second Sunday in September)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.

10.45 am Family Service.

followed by Shared Lunch and Barbecue at Larkrise, Stanhope Rd.

6.30 pm Choral Evensong.

12 (Mon) 2.30 pm Bible Reading Fellowship meeting at 34 Bow Green Road.

14 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.

8 pm A Service of Healing

15 (Thu) 2 pm First Steps. ‘Thank you for books – especially the Bible’

18 Sevententh Sunday After Trinity

(Third Sunday in September)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am Said Matins.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.

10.35 am Trekkers.

10.45 am Holy Communion.

followed by coffee at the back of the church.

6.30 pm Evening Prayer

21 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.

25 Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity

(Fourth Sunday in September)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Morning Worship.

10.35 am Trekkers.

10.45 am Holy Communion.

followed by coffee at the back of the church.

6.30 pm Evening Praise.

28 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.

October

2 Nineteenth Sunday After Trinity

(First Sunday in October)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.

10.35 am Trekkers.

10.45 am Holy Communion.

Oblations: The Servers’Guild

followed by coffee at the back of the church.

6.30 pm Evening Prayer. (BCP).

5 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.

12 noon Luncheon Club.

6 (Thu) 10 am St. Luke’s, Holy Communion (BCP) with Mothers’ Union.

10.30 am Coffee drop-in at St. Luke’s.

8 7.15 pm Auction ‘Bidding for Bowdon’ at the Cinnamon Club

9 Harvest Thanksgiving

Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

(Second Sunday in October)

8 am Holy Communion.

9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.

10.45 am Family Service for Harvest.

followed by coffee at the back of the church.

6.30 pm Choral Evensong.

Each week we pray for people living in the Parish.

Wk/begin	We pray for those living in
4 Sep	South Downs Rd and Pinewood Court
11 Sep	York Drive, Theobald Road, Pheasant Rise and Greenside Drive.
18 Sep	Marlborough Road, Bowdon Rise, Blenheim Road and Ashley Road (part in this parish).
25 Sep	South Road, South Downs Drive and Ashley Mill Lane.
2 Oct	Stamford Road.
9 Oct	Chesham Place, Garner Close and Hollywood.

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