BOWDON CHURCH NEWS June 2006
To return to the home page please click here.
To go back to the BCN Index page please click here.
Thank you to all who have contributed to the Parish Appeal which stands at £850, 000
SIGN HERE …
It is exciting to be so close to making this project a reality. Lots of work going on behind the scenes mean that nearly everything is in place for the contract to be signed and the work to begin. What we need now is to reach the target of £900,000 so that the Church Council can feel confident enough to sign the contract and see work start on site. For decades the Church and the community have suffered from the terribly inadequate facilities on the site. Now is the opportunity to change things for the better and for years to come. That is the challenge and it is something to which everyone can respond.
THE VICAR’S CHALLENGE
In the next two months we are aiming to raise at least enough to take us to £900,000 so that we can go out to tender, let the contract and begin building.
We have now over £850,000. I want us to reach that target and I
know many other people do also. I gave a year ago as the Appeal was launched
and now I am able to give again to help reach this target. I am asking others
to join me - especially those who have not yet given and are still thinking
about doing so. If you have already given you may be able to make another gift
to meet this challenge.
I have given a further £500 gift-aided, and so it needs only 77 people to offer the same amount in order to bridge the gap between what we have and what we need to begin building. Or, of course, it needs just 7 or 8 people giving £5,000. I have given from my own circumstances – that is all any of us can do, from £10 to £10,000 or beyond.
Will you join me in this challenge and help make this happen?
For further details on how to make a donation, please contact the Appeals Secretary David Manning
on 928 1472
It is your donation which will make a real difference over the next few months.
FUTURE FUND-RAISING EVENTS
BRIDGE LUNCHES A two-day Bridge event is to be held from 12.00 on Wed 14 and Thu
15 June at the home of John and Kaye Gardner: tickets £10 per person to
include a two-course lunch followed by an afternoon of bridge.
To book your place ring Kaye Gardner on 928 1158
A SUMMER SOIRĒE : SATURDAY 1 JULY AT 7 pm
MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT AND A SUPPER IN THE VICARAGE GARDEN
Tickets £12.50 (children £5) from Alexia Hine 928 2468
On that evening we shall be drawing the winners for the GRAND PRIZE DRAW. Prizes include an iPod, tickets to the RHS Tatton Show, garden hammock, and many more. Draw tickets are now available. If you can sell a few books of tickets, please contact Alexia Hine on 928 2468 or alexiahine@hotmail.com, or at least buy some tickets and support the Appeal. Lots of good prizes … and it could be you!
A PAINTING OF YOUR HOUSE AND GARDEN
Local artist Prue Wallis Myers will undertake commissions to paint a picture of your house. Hang the original in your home, arrange for copies to be made into postcards. The cost is between £50 and £100, to be made as a donation to the Building for Bowdon Parish Centre Appeal. For further details contact Prue on 928 1926
THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE
A couple, of months ago Sue Sharples, the
4th Bowdon Group Scout Leader, had one of those ideas that come to
you when you're up a ladder brandishing a paint brush. They seem like a good
idea at the time….. Well, she now finds herself committed - along with a mixed
bag of friends and relations - to tackling the above challenge in June. It will
involve climbing our three highest peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon)
within a period of 24 hours - so some brisk walking and driving are required!
Sue is raising funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and for the Building for
Bowdon Appeal. You are welcome to sponsor her for both or either of the
causes. There is a sponsorship sheet at the back of church, or you can contact
Sue on 941 1398.
YOUR FAVOURITE HYMN OR ORGAN PIECE
You can sponsor St Mary’s Choir to sing a favourite hymn or anthem at a service, or sponsor Robin the organist to play a piece for you. It just needs to be suitable for a service and within the Choir’s wide repertoire – they are very wersatile.
All you have to do is speak to Sasha Johnson Manning or Robin Coulthard after a service or contact them on 929 1207 or 941 2710 respectively. All we ask then is that you make an offering (gift-aided if possible) to Bowdon PCC (Building Appeal) This could be a lovely way of marking an anniversary of some kind or any special occasion.
If you have ideas for a fund-raising event for the Parish Centre please contact me
on 928 2468 or Sue Sinagola, on 928 3082.
We welcome ideas.
TO BE CONFIRMED
In the autumn we shall be starting a series of sessions to help those who wish to be confirmed. Confirmation is the opportunity for an individual to make a commitment of faith; to ‘own’ for him or herself the faith in which they have grown up or the faith to which they have been drawn at a later point in life. For young people, it can be from secondary school age. For adults it can be at any age from 19 to 99. It is always a special moment, bringing a sense of belonging and knowing where one stands. It brings too that special privilege of sharing in Holy Communion.
The sessions for young people will be held late afternoons, in September, and for adults at 8 pm, again starting in September.
OR NOT TO BE CONFIRMED
The content of the sessions will be flexible enough for anyone who wants to know more about the Christian faith but who is unsure whether Confirmation is right or not for them at this stage. The sessions will provide a forum for exploring issues of faith and belief. There is never time in a Church service to explore a lot of the questions people ask about the Christian faith. Being told which book to go away and read about it is not the best answer: I believe what people find most helpful is to meet and share questions and discoveries with others. So often I find that a group of people enquiring about the Christian faith can be a really positive experience.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON CONFIRMATION
What if I’m not christened? It’s not an obstacle to being confirmed. A christening or baptism can be arranged to suit the individual (with family and friends) a little while before the Confirmation itself
Who else will be there?
We don’t know exactly till we begin, but past experience shows it’s a range of people who all feel the same – a little apprehensive, just like you, probably.
What will I be expected to do?
Nothing – no more than you want to do or say or contribute.
I have a busy life, what if I miss some of the sessions?
We can find ways to deal with that, but it is worth trying to make it a priority.
What do I do if I’m interested?
Just contact Keith Hine (928 2468, or in person) at any time and he’ll be able to tell you all you need to know.
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
At the meeting of parishioners on 13 April, the Wardens elected to serve for the coming year are: Mr Murray Creed, Mrs Evelyn Harwood, Mr J A Bonson and Mrs Christine Manning. The elected members of the Parochial Church Council are:
Mr D Bolton, Mr G V R Bolton, Mrs H Bonson, Mrs C Carrington, Mrs P Cloney, Mrs B Collins, Mrs E Croswell, Mr M Elder, Dr J Gardner, Mrs A Hine, Mrs T Kilgour, Mrs C McMurray, Mrs P Mosedale, Mrs M Nork, Mrs J Oughton, Prof K Perera, Mrs A Poole, Dr S Rimmer, Mr I Scott-Dunn, Mrs S Sinagola, Mr J Stewart.
The Year Ahead
The meeting was an opportunity to thank God for all the work which goes on in so many different ways and by so many different people. It was also the time to ask God’s blessing on the year ahead. The next few months are crucial in the life of the parish, with very important decisions to be made over the Parish Centre. Please pray for the PCC members and the responsibility they carry. This is about more than a building – it is about resourcing the way we can be a Church and a people to serve the community of Bowdon.
THANK YOU … 
Thank you to all those who have given to Christian Aid through the envelopes dropped through your door. Local collectors have been busy counting and banking the money and we will soon have a total for the Bowdon.
DROP IN FOR COFFEE
At 10 am on the first Thursday of every month, there is a short service of
Holy Communion followed by a coffee drop-in, open to all. Come along to the
service, or, of you cannot make the service, why not drop in any time after
10.30 for a coffee and a chat? The next ‘Drop-In’ is on Thursday 1 June.
THE ANYPENNY CHALLENGE is coming to and end. The craziest charity appeal ever – yes, the one that turns down 2ps and 5ps and anything that is not a penny – is closing on 2 July. We are only 360,000 pennies short of the challenge of collecting 1 MILLION pennies. Let’s have a last push in the next few weeks and climb that mountain. Please ring Austin on 941 5645 and we will arrange collection if there are too many for you to carry!
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
Altrincham Christians Together are celebrating the Week with times of prayer, worship and reflection at Altrincham Methodist Church at the following times:
Saturday 3 June at 9.30 am; Monday 5 to Friday 9 June at 8am; Saturday 10 at 9.30 and finally a United Service at 6.30 pm on Sunday 11 June. All are warmly welcome.
THE CHURCH AND THE WIDER WORLD
Bowdon Parish Church is committed to support the work of the wider Church and the wider community. This is done partly through financial support, in two ways. One is the Parish Project (this year supporting the rebuilding of a community in Kashmir following last year’s earthquake). The other way is the allocation of financial support to various charities and organisations, agreed by the Church Council. These include: A Rocha (Christians in Conservation), Children’s Chernobyl Lifeline, Mercy Ships, Sight Savers International, Water Aid, Y Care and the Church Mission Society, working overseas, and, closer to home, The Chester Diocesan Adoption Society, The Scripture Union, The Bible Society, Francis House Children’s Hospice, The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, St Anne’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Care, and Wood Street Mission. We also work with our own Church School through financial support and the gift of Bibles to each child as a leaving gift. If you would like to know more on the charities and the amounts involved, these will be presented along with the parish accounts, or contact Keith Hine. It is important that while fund-raising for our own needs we do not forget the needs of the wider world.
There is an old story that goes like this:
There once was a wealthy man who was determined to take it with him when he died. He prayed and prayed until he convinced the Lord to let him bring his wealth inside the pearly gates. There was one condition: He could only bring one suitcase of his wealth with him. Therefore, the rich man filled his suitcase with gold bars. Then one day, he died. St. Peter greeted him at the gate and told him he could come in, but his suitcase would have to be left outside. “But I have an agreement with God," said the man, "to bring one suitcase in heaven." "That's very unusual," replied St. Peter. "Let me look inside that suitcase." The man opened the suitcase to reveal the shining gold bullion. St. Peter was amazed. He asked, "Why in the world would you bring more paving stones to heaven?"
Can we build it?
Yes, we can!
Registers
Baptism We welcome into God’s Church family
Georgina Wood Araminta Kight Harry Reed
Funerals We commend to God
Hilda Kirkaldy Frances Joan Howorth Stephen Parkes
Calendar for June
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 (BCP), with Mothers’ Union.
10.30 Coffee drop-in at St. Luke’s.
4 Pentecost
(First Sunday in June)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.
10.40 am Trekkers.
10.45 am Holy Communion, (Order One).
Oblations: Sidesmen and Sideswomen.
followed by coffee at the back of the church.
6.30 pm Evening Prayer. (BCP).
7 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.
11 Trinity Sunday
(Second Sunday in June)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.
10.45 am Family Service.
followed by coffee at the back of the church.
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. “Caring for Creation.”
18 First Sunday after Trinity
(Third Sunday in June)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am Said Matins.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.
10.40 am Trekkers.
10.45 am Holy Communion, (Order One).
followed by coffee at the back of the church.
6.30 pm Evening Prayer (BCP).
21 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.
25 Second Sunday after Trinity
(Fourth Sunday in June)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Morning Worship.
10.40 am Trekkers.
10.45 am Holy Communion, (BCP).
followed by coffee at the back of the church.
6.30 pm Evening Praise.
28 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.
2.15 pm St. Mary’s Mothers’ Union. Methodist Speaker and Tea at the Methodist Hall.
July
1 (Sat) 7 pm Summer Soirée at The Vicarage in aid of Building for Bowdon
2 Third Sunday after Trinity
(First Sunday in July)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.
10.40 am Trekkers.
10.45 am Holy Communion, (Order One).
Oblations: St Mary’s Guild.
followed by coffee at the back of the church.
6.30 pm Evening Prayer. (BCP).
5 (Wed) 11.30 am Holy Communion.
6 (Thu) 10 am St. Luke’s, Holy Communion (BCP), with Mothers’ Union.
10.30 Coffee drop-in at St. Luke’s.
9 Fourth Sunday after Trinity
(Second Sunday in July)
8 am Holy Communion.
9.30 am St. Luke’s Holy Communion.
10.45 am Family Service.
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 Jun |
Enville Road, Belgrave Road, Mallory Court and Delamer Road (part). |
|
11 Jun |
Langham Road and Holly Grange. |
|
18 Jun |
Minster Drive, Abbey Close and Friars Close. |
|
25 Jun |
Dean Drive, Bishops Close, Canon Drive and Deacon Close. |
|
2 Jul |
Priory Road, Bow Lane and The Gorse. |
|
9 Jul |
Priory Street. |
Bulletin Board
Altrincham Churches Together Flower Festival.
This year the Festival on the theme of “Human and Divine” is to be hosted by Altrincham Baptist Church and held at the former United Reformed Church, Delamer Road.
Service of Dedication Friday 30th June at 8 pm.
Viewing Friday June 30th Noon to 6 pm.
Saturday July 1st 10 am to 6 pm.
Sunday July 2nd Noon to 6 pm.
Sixty Club
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday June 13th at 8 pm in The Dunham Room at the Jubilee Centre.
To return to the home page please click here.
To go back to the BCN Index page please click here.