Please
see our schedule of services in the Diary.
As Christmas Eve is a Sunday this year, there will
be 3 services, including the traditional Midnight Communion. On Christmas
Day, the early Communion will be followed by an all-age service
at 10.30, to which I hope everyone will be able to come. You might
also want to note especially the United Service at
St Paul’s on Thursday 21 December. Each year now, the different
churches in Stalybridge gather for a joint celebration at Christmas,
and we will be hosting this year’s service.
2006/10/30
Christmas Fair - 25th November
The
Christmas Fair will be held on 25th November from
11am to 2pm. There will be a varied collection of stalls as well as
a chance to meet Father Christmas and enjoy the music of
the Blue Coat School Band. Donations are welcomed for the
Tombola, Christmas Draw and Bottle Stall. Help with
the Cafe - baking and assistance on the day is also sought.
Raffle tickets are now on sale.
The Christmas Fair is always a great event, lots
of fun, and an excellent opportunity to raise substantial funds for
the church. Spread the word, and come with your friends!
2006/10/19
Remembrance
This
year Remembrance Day falls on 12 November.
As usual, there will be a service of Morning Prayer at 10.30am, and
also our now traditional Service for the Bereaved
at 6.30pm. The former will as usual be a chance to remember those
who have given their lives in the cause of justice and freedom, and
also to pray for peace and justice in the world today. To the latter
we will be inviting all the next of kin of those whose funerals have
been held at St Paul’s in recent times. But of course all are
warmly invited to that, and we hope that many (whether recently bereaved
or not) will again appreciate the opportunity for reflection and thanksgiving
for the lives of loved ones.
2006/10/19
Letter from Sauve
We
have received a letter from two former members of St Paul's who have
moved to Sauve in the south of France. You will find a copy of the
letter here.
Click
here for a map showing the location of Sauve.
2006/09/21
Deanery Day October 8
Don’t
forget our annual Deanery Day, on Sunday 8 October,
from 3.00-7.30pm, including a service at 6.30pm to round things off.
We’ll be looking this year at SHAPE, which is an exploration
of: Spiritual gifts, Heart,
Abilities, Personality,
Experiences, engaging with the
idea that God has given us all skills, desires, gifts, character traits
and experiences which enable us to fulfil ourselves, and that his
desire for us is to discover and harness these things, and use them
for God in our lives. Come and find out more, and share time with friends from other
churches.
This is happening at St John’s School, Dukinfield.
2006/09/21
New Boilers
The
business of installing the new boilers in church is well under way.
We are hoping that the work will be done within the 2 weeks allotted,
which would mean everything should be well and truly sorted by October!
We are getting two new boilers to replace the old church boiler, and
one new one to provide heating for the upstairs room and the hot water
in the centre. All of the boilers will now be located in the downstairs
kitchen, for ease of servicing and control-setting. We’re looking
forward to a cosy winter!
2006/09/21
Memorial Garden
The
next phase of the Memorial Garden in the churchyard - creating flower
beds by the paths on the north side of the church - is about to start.
On Saturday 14 October, we hope to have a team of
people together to make headway on digging out, putting footings in,
and, we hope, starting to build walls.
2006/09/21
"Spotlight" - Youth Drama Group
A
new drama group is starting for young people (10 years old and upwards).
Every Monday night, at St Paul’s, from 6.15-7.15pm.
David Stockwell is leading it, with help from various others. Games,
exercises, and work on dramas and sketches. A great opportunity for
young people to hone their performance skills and have fun! We’re
inviting young people from other churches to join too. And feel free
to ask a friend who doesn’t go to church as well.
2006/09/21
"Christmas Cardboard" - 16 December
In
December, we’re putting on a home-grown, alternative Christmas
play. It’s called Christmas Cardboard, written
and produced by David Stockwell, and inspired by the plight
of homeless people in London. It’s amusing and thought-provoking.
We’re doing this in collaboration with All Saints, Micklehurst
and St James, Millbrook. The cast are drawn from all three churches,
and they have started rehearsing already. The performance is on Saturday
16 December, in St Paul’s. Do make sure the date is
in your diary! - and admission is FREE!
2006/09/21
Rhema Theatre Group : "The Letter"
Rhema
Theatre Company (a professional Christian theatre company)
are coming to St Paul’s on Friday 1st December (7.30pm) to perform
their new play “The Letter”,
based on the dramatic life of St Paul. Tickets will be available soon
(price £5 - concessions £4 - including refreshments).
This should be a tremendously enjoyable evening, and also an excellent
event to bring a friend along to.
2006/09/04
Senior ALPHA
We are about to run a "Senior Alpha" Course.
This is for anyone (50s or above) who is free during the day, and
would like to do Alpha. Tuesday mornings, 11.00-12.30, starting on
19 September. A lovely opportunity to combine learning, fellowship,
discussion, fun (and refreshments!) 10 weekly sessions - free! Transport
available. Hurry - only 15 places! Please sign up on the form
on the church lounge notice board.
2006/08/04
Cancer Research Relay for Life, Ashton, 19-20 August
Cancer
Research UK Relay For Life event, takes place at Richmond
Park, Ashton-Under-Lyne on the 19th-20th August 2006.
It begins at 12 noon and continues for 24 hours and aims:
To raise cancer awareness within
the local community;
To raise money to find better ways of preventing, treating and curing
the disease;
To pay tribute to the courage of Cancer Survivors by inviting them
to walk the Survivors' Lap of Honour;
And to remember those whose lives have been claimed by cancer through
the Candle of Hope Ceremony.
Teams of 8-12 members will take it in turns to walk around the track,
keeping someone on the track at all times during the Relay - this
is a symbolic gesture because it represents the fact that cancer never
sleeps and there will be times when you are tired and you want to
give up but you keep going. The teams will bring tents and camp out
in the middle of the track. It's a festive atmosphere with music,
food, fundraising games and entertainment.
This is the first event of it's kind in Ashton-Under-Lyne and we are
seeking support from the community to help us recruit volunteers to
form teams, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend
their support in any way they can.
Good
news! We’re getting new boilers in church. As many of you
know, we have been working towards the replacement of the old church
boiler for some time, and also of one of the two boilers in the
downstairs kitchen (the one providing hot water for the church centre,
and heating for the upper room). These are due to be replaced
at the beginning of September.
The work is scheduled to start on Monday 4 September,
and may continue for up to 2 weeks. This will inevitably involve
a certain amount of disruption to our schedules and to those groups
who regularly use the rooms and kitchen. However, the disruption
will only be short-term, and we’re all looking forward eagerly
to the prospect of more reliable heating!!
2006/07/28
Health and Safety
Many thanks to Tony Webb, who has taken up the mantle
of Health & Safety Officer for St Paul’s. Tony
will be supported by a team - Colin Ashworth, Geoff Senior
and Jacqui Nield, as well as others on an ad hoc
basis. Do approach Tony if you have any questions or suggestions on
H & S issues.
2006/07/28
Rose Queen
Congratulations
to Anastasia Booth, who was crowned on 2 July as
our new St Paul’s Rose Queen for 2006-2007. Her retinue this
year will be: Eleanor Smith, Rebecca Stone, Charlotte Booth,
Hannah Leech, Alarna Leech.
At the crowning
we had the opportunity not just to welcome Anastasia but also to
thank Harriet Browning, who has filled the role
with great distinction over the last 2 years. She has been a terrific
ambassador for our church at many functions, accompanied by her
retinue: Eleanor Smith, Rebecca Stone, Alistair Dodd, Emma
Clark and Olivia Green.
Our thanks and congratulations go to them, and also to Amanda Browning
(the Rose Queen Mum) and all the Retinue mums as well. Amanda and
her team have worked very hard and achieved great things for their
children and our church.
Finally, on
behalf of all of us at church, a big thank-you to Harriet and Amanda
for the splendid donations made to various church groups as a result
of the fund-raising done during the year. These donations include
£350 to our Restoration Fund and £150 to PCC funds.
2006/07/25
Adiza & Harnaik update
A
few weeks ago we highlighted the case of the Ghanaian refugees Adiza
and her son Harnaik (Christians from Hyde) and their threatened deportation.
We are still well short of the number of signatures needed for their
case to be heard, so we have put sheets out again (on the sidesmen's
table in church).
If you didn't sign the petition before, could you possibly sign it
now? (Campaign notes & information can be found here
or in church). Thank you.
2006/07/08
Car Boot Sale 22 July
We
are holding a car boot sale in St Paul's church car park on Saturday
22 July from 8am - 1pm.
Cars cost £10 each. You can book in advance by phoning Alison on 339
2449 or just turn up on the day.
2006/07/08
Flood Lighting
The
second phase of the scheme to floodlight St Paul's Church came into
operation on Tuesday 4 July
2006/06/30
Community Governor at St Paul's CofE Primary School, Stalybridge
There
is a vacancy for a Community Governor at St Paul’s
School, and any adult from the area is invited to put himself/herself
forward for the post. The Governing Body is made up of governors
from the staff, parents, LEA, church, and the community. If this
is something which might interest you, please contact Rev Richard
Lawry on 0161-338 2514 for further details.
2006/06/19
Colin Ashworth
Congratulations to Colin Ashworth, who has been accepted
for training as a Lay Reader. Colin has already taken the one-year
'Foundations for Ministry' course which the Diocese runs (and which
is open for anyone who wishes to take it). He will now embark on reader
training - starting in September - and work towards his licensing
probably in 2008. As Lay Reader, Colin will be sanctioned to help
with various areas of ministry in the parish, especially preaching
and leading worship. Good news for Colin and for St Paul's!
2006/06/19
Choral Evensong at Saint Paul's, Sunday 16 July
On Sunday 16 July, we are being joined by St
George’s Church and choir
for a service of Choral Evensong. This will
take place at St Paul’s, at 6.00pm(please note the slightly earlier time than usual for our evening
services). The service will include a wealth of beautiful sacred
music: a setting by CV Stanford, the wonderful anthem “Cantique
de Jean Racine” by Gabriel Faure, some new responses, and
some fine congregational hymns. The preacher is to be Ven Richard
Gillings, the Archdeacon of Macclesfield. And it will all be preceded
by a strawberry tea, to give an extra festival feel! Do mark the day
in your diary, and come along for what we hope will be an uplifting
and moving service.
2006/06/19
Confirmation 18 June 2006
Congratulations
to all those from St Paul’s who were confirmed by the Bishop
of Stockport on 18 June: Sheila Allman, Matthew Atkin, Harriet Browning, Gareth Cross,
Nicholas Edge, Julie Hafford, Rachael Jackson, Helen McGartland, John
McGartland, Sean Nield, Charlotte Ross, Sara Skinner.
Please continue to pray for them: for strength, commitment and joy
in this new chapter of their lives as full members of Christ’s
Church.
2006/05/19
Whit Walks 4 June 2006
Whit
Sunday (Pentecost) this year is on 4 June.
As always, we will be walking from the church into the town centre,
along with the other churches in Stalybridge. We will be leaving
church at around 1.45pm, and meeting for a joint service
in the town centre at 2.30. As last year, the service will be
held in Armentieres Square, and we hope we’ll have another fine
day! After the service, it’s back to church for much-needed
refreshments!
We hope you’ll be able to keep the afternoon free, and that
as many of us as possible can walk together. It’s
always a great occasion, and a good witness to the community, as well
as an enjoyable time of fellowship together.
2006/05/19
Summer Fair 8 July 2006
Don’t forget our Summer Fair
on July 8. Lots of fun for all the family, starting
at 11.00am and continuing through till 2.00pm. As always there will
be a great selection of stalls, games and activities, inside and outside
the church, as well as our unbeatable cafe, with snacks, cakes, drinks
and all sorts of goodies. Bring some friends along - have a good time,
and help to support the church!
2006/05/19
Confirmation 18 June 2006
On
Sunday 18 June, we look forward to our Confirmation Service
(at 10.30am). At the time of writing, there will be 11 candidates
(teenage and adult) affirming their personal faith in Christ, and
becoming full members of the church. They will be confirmed in their
faith through God’s Holy Spirit, as the Bishop lays his hands
on them. This year, Bishop Nigel (the Bishop of Stockport) will be
conducting the service. We will be welcoming a number of candidates
from other nearby churches, too. We hope many people will be able
to attend. Whether you’re able to be there, please pray for
the candidates, both in the weeks leading up to that date, and on
the day itself.
2006/05/15
Our new "Concern" page
The
latest addition to the website is our "Concern"
page. This deals with issues to do with world poverty, fair trade
and Christian action. As well as basic information, there are links
to a number of websites which will keep you up to date on the global
fight against poverty. There is also information about Traidcraft
including news about St Paul's monthly Traidcraft stall.
2006/05/14
Home Groups joint event
An
evening of fellowship, worship, discussion and refreshments on Wednesday
7 June at 8 pm in the Church lounge.
The guest speaker - from St Chad's and The Life Centre, Romiley -
will be the Rev. Tom Parker who will be talking on
"Building authentic relationships". A bookstall
will be available with a selection of study guides and other resources.
Anyone who might be interested in joining a home group and who wants
to find out more is invited too.
For more details contact Colin Ashworth (0161 338 7169).
2006/04/17
PCC Members and Churchwardens
For
the first time in recent years, our APCM (Annual Meeting) was held
on a Sunday morning, after the main service. As a result, twice as
many people as usual attended the meeting. It was good to be together
and review the year, and look forwrad to future plans.
At the meeting we elected
our new PCC members - Sheila Crompton, Claire Green, Eileen
Frith, Hilary Haigh and Vijay Srivastava
- and bid farewell (only as far as the PCC is concerned, I’m
happy to add!) to those committee members who’ve served for
3 years: Viv Dawson, Keith Dawson, Alison Monks, Jacqui
Nield, Geoff Senior and Carol Wallwork.
Our thanks again to them for all their work and support.
We also marked the end
of David Stockwell’s tenancy as churchwarden.
As I said at the time, David has been a marvellous churchwarden.
Not just wise, loyal and supportive, but tremendous fun as well.
And with a wonderful pastoral eye and ear, often noticing new people
in church and making them feel welcome, and offering support to
many people old and new, at church and behind the scenes. He’s
worked very hard over the last 4 years, and now looks forward to
having a little more time to give to other activities, both within
and outside church.
Mavis
Sullivan is continuing as warden, I’m happy to report,
and continuing to offer her usual total commitment, flexibility
and friendliness around the church. She will now be joined by Viv
Dawson, who retired from work a few weeks ago - I believe
it’s God’s timing and leading that Viv should be free
to take up this job now. Please pray for Mavis and Viv, and all
those who carry out important duties in church - including our readers
John and Barry, treasurers Carol and Steve, PCC Secretary Linda,
and all who meet regularly on committees and prayer groups to steer
our course ahead.
2006/04/17
Theatre Evening - 29 April
"All
the world's a stage" - St
Paul's presents a theatrical evening in two parts. Richard Lawry,
St Paul's Vicar, will share some theatrical tales from his earlier
life as an actor. After refereshments, there will be a performance,
by members of St Paul's, of a farce: "The Crimson Coconut".
All this takes place on Saturday 29 April at 7:30 pm. Tickets £3.
2006/03/19
Palm Sunday
On
9 April we will be joining other local churches in a Palm Sunday walk
and service starting at Ridge Hill Baptist Church at 2:30, and then
walking (complete with real donkey!) to Saint George's Church for
a service at 3:00pm.
2006/03/15
Rose Queen
Congratulations
to Anna Booth, who has been chosen as our
Rose Queen for next year. She will take over
from Harriet Browning in July. Her retinue will
comprise Eleanor Smith, Rebecca Stone, Hannah Leech, Alarna
Leech, and Charlotte Booth.
Harriet, meanwhile, continues to carry out her duties with distinction!
She will deserve a rest, too, having been Rose Queen for 2 years.
She held her ‘At Home’ on 12 March, and most of the
visiting queens manage to attend, despite the snow. It was a splendid
occasion, brilliantly organised by Harriet’s mum, Amanda,
and her retinue mums team.
How fortunate we are to have so many great children in our church! Richard.
2006/03/15
Annual Meeting - New Improved Formula
For
our Annual Meeting this
year we’re branching out: we’re holding it on
a Sunday morning, and following it with deluxe refreshments!
It will take place on Sunday 2 April, at 11.30am,
directly after a slightly shortened Communion service. During the
service, there will be an activity for children in the lounge. After
the meeting, we’ll be providing a glass of wine (or a soft
drink) and canapes.
The annual meeting (or Annual Parochial Church Meeting,
to give it its official title) is an important landmark in the calendar.
It’s the meeting where officers of the church are elected,
and reports given, and when we look back over the year and look
forward to the year to come. But it’s not just formal business.
It’s a good way to find out more about the life of the church
and all that goes on. The meeting is open to all, and anyone who
is on the Electoral Roll may take part in any votes.
Do come along
and support the meeting, and enjoy a good social occasion as well!
Richard
2006/03/15
Thank you
A
very big thank you to everyone for the wonderful gift presented to
us at the end of the service on 26 February. This was the day when
we celebrated the completion of the current restoration work, and
at which also I was inducted as vicar. The two engraved glasses you
gave us are absolutely beautiful. Brenda and I were extremely touched.
The wording on one was: “To Richard and Brenda with
all our love”; and on the other: “Richard
Lawry, Vicar of St Paul’s Stalybridge, 26 February 2006”.
Thank you all. It’s a privilege to serve you.
Richard and Brenda
2006/03/05
Fair Trade Fortnight
As
part of Fair Trade fortnight, Actionaid is holding its annual
Coffe Break where organizations hold an event serving tea and
coffee to draw attention to the plight of poor tea and coffee
farmers in developing countries. On Sunday March 21, the Youth
Group will be serving Fairtrade coffee and tea after the service
and selling Fairtrade cake. A contribution of 50p towards the
drink will go to Actionaid funds. There will be informatioin about
Traidcraft and Fairtrade available. (See links to their website
on this page and the Home page of this website).
2006/03/03
Restoration Update
On 26 February, we celebrated the completion of the penultimate phase
of our restoration programme. This was marked with a service on the
Sunday morning, at which the Bishop came to preach and preside, along
with the Archdeacon of Chester, and the Diocesan Secretary. With impeccable
timing, the last of the external scaffolding came down on the Friday
before, and the last skip was taken away on the Saturday!
It was wonderful to gather together in church - there was a congregation
of around 230 - and give thanks for the work which has been successfully
carried out over the last 5 months, and to enjoy again the sight of
newly refurbished chancel and north transept.
Just the south transept to go now! We'll be embarking on that just
as soon as we've raised the money still needed. Our current estimate
is that the final phase will cost around another £150,000.
2006/01/19
Saint Paul's website
New(ish)
year and a new look for the website. The basic design has been revamped
and we have rearranged some material and added some new features.
Richard now has his own page - "Vicarage View"
- and details of all organizations and officers are now on the Contacts
page. We have added a new page on Family History
for those visitors who contact us to find details of parish registers
etc. Its not unusual for some things on the website not to work
properly after such a major change. If you find that something doesn't
work please let the website
editor know.
If you do not see the new pages,
or if the site seems to have difficulty loading pages, you may have
to clear out the cache of your browser.
If you are using Internet Explorer, Click on Tools
at the top of the screen, then: Internet Options - General -Temporary
Internet Files - Delete Files.
If you are using Firefox, click on Tools at the
top of the screen, then Options - Privacy - Cache - Clear.
2006/01/19
Restoration update
We
are nearing the completion of this phase of the project. Inevitably,
at this time of year, the weather has created the odd hold-up and
hiccup, but the contractors are predicting a finish around the turn
of the January. So sometime in February, when the contractors have
departed and we have put the church straight again, we should be
back in business in the whole church.
It will almost seem strange to be in the big church again, after
a few months of intimacy at the back! The only thing that isn’t
due to be ready until the end of the month is the organ, which will
have some work done on it during the week beginning the 20th.
The PCC have decided that we’d like to honour the wonderfully
dedicated work that Iain Frith put into the restoration project
(and so many other aspects of church life), until his death last
year, and so we’re planning to put up a plaque in his memory,
probably in the North transept. It seems a fitting way to remember
a marvellous man. The wording on the plaque is expected to be:
In
loving memory of Iain G Frith,
former Churchwarden of St Paul’s,
who contributed so much to the
restoration of our church.
24.5.1941 - 15.5.2005
2006/01/19
February 26th 2006
The
10.30am service on 26 February will be one in which we’ll celebrate
lots of things. We’re moving back into the whole church, and
marking the end of the current phase of the restoration work - and
enjoying the newly-refurbished chancel and North transept. We’ll
also be marking the new plaque that’s to be put up for Iain
Frith.
And in the same service, we’ll be welcoming the Bishop and other
diocesan representatives who will be with us to carry out my induction
as of St Paul’s. That might surprise a few people who thought
I was already the vicar!! In fact, I was licensed as ‘priest-in-charge’
4 years ago. Recently, the Bishop asked the PCC if they’d like
me to be their vicar, and they very kindly said yes!
I was licensed as (temporary) priest-in-charge, because there was
the possibility of St Paul’s joining with two other churches
to form a ‘team ministry’. In the event, that didn’t
happen, and the diocese felt it right to suggest this current development.
In practice, in day-to-day life, it will make little difference. But
since it makes me ‘incumbent’ of the parish, it puts pastoral
arrangements here on a more permanent footing, and means that the
diocese has confidence in our church and is acknowledging St Paul’s
viability and potential. It should be a special day, and we hope many
of you will be able to be with us.
2006/01/19
Lent course
We’re
going to be running a series of study and discussion sessions for
Lent, and will share them with All Saints, Micklehurst, and St James’,
Millbrook - the two nearby parishes with whom we have regular contact.
We’ll be following a course specially designed for Lent, called
“Where is God.....?” We’ll be pondering
questions like: “Where is God .... when we seek happiness?
... when we face suffering? ... when we make decisions? “
etc. We will meet at St James’
Church (which is the most central of the three), on
Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm, beginning on 7th March.
All are very welcome to come along - and you don’t have to go
to all of the sessions to participate.
I recommend the course, and it will be a good way to use Lent to deepen
our understanding of God and to prepare for the great festival of
Easter. Richard
2006/01/19
Lunch Club
The
Lunch Club is one of the great St Paul’s institutions!
The team prepare a fabulous meal every fortnight, which is enjoyed
by many people - usually between 40 and 50. It’s not just a
terrific lunch, but a lovely opportunity for older people to come
together and share company and friendship.
For years, Betty Roberts has been the treasurer of
the Lunch Club, but recently felt that the time had
come to let someone else take over, and she stood down at the end
of the year. This is an opportunity for me to thank Betty for all
her sterling work, and for running the ship so efficiently!
It’s also an opportunity for me - on behalf of all those who
enjoy the Lunch Club regularly - to thank Rita
Evans and the whole team (cooks, “waitresses”,
helpers, drivers, etc) for the wonderful work they do. It involves
long hours in the kitchen on a Thursday morning, and real commitment
- and great culinary skill, too!
Long may it continue!
Richard
2006/01/19Spiritual
Leadership Group
I
have asked a small group of people to undertake a particular task
in our church.
The main aims of this ‘Spiritual Leadership Group’ can
be described as:
to discern more clearly, through prayer,
God’s calling and purpose for our church and parish
to help to create and develop a spiritual vision for the church.
to help clarify priorities in our church life
We hope to operate as a sort of “spiritual think-tank”,
with time for prayer and space for silence to listen to God leading,
with a particular brief to pray for the life, growth and mission of
the church and the parish.
This body will be accountable to the PCC (who have already sanctioned
it), and will feed ideas back to it.
The group will consist initially of John Clements, Barry Edge,
Joyce Ritson, Brenda Lawry, and me, and
we’ll hope to meet approximately monthly. Please do pray for
our work as we set out, that God will show us how we can be most effective.
And please continue to remember the group in your prayers.
Richard
2005/12/18
Floodlighting
The
first phase of floodlighting the church is now complete. The tower
end of the church is now floodlit and a fine sight it makes. The official
switch-on took place on 19 December.
2005/12/16
Alpha Couse
This
year’s Alpha Course
starts on 11th January.
Have you considered joining the course? It’s open to
adults of all ages, whether long-time church members or people who
are not regular attenders at all. The list will stay open until the
day we start!
Alpha is a one-evening-a-week, 10-week course, covering
many of the essential elements of the Christian faith. Each evening
consists of a meal, a video presentation on a particular theme,
and then some time for discussion and chat at the end. And it’s
free! It’s an opportunity either to find out about the basics
of the Christian faith for the first time, or to deepen your existing
knowledge. Either way, it’s a chance to reflect and explore,
in a friendly, relaxed environment, and to forge new friendships.
Our Alpha Course will again run on Wednesday evenings,
from 7.15 till about 9.30.
Forms
are available in church (or from me direct), giving you more information
on the content of the course and other information. For more information,
or to join up, please contact me on 338- 2514.
Thank you. Richard
2005/12/16 Week
of prayer for Christian Unity
The
different churches in Stalybridge continue to work together, grow
closer, and collaborate more frequently. You may have been aware of
- or perhaps attended - the united Carol Service at St Peter’s
Roman Catholic Church shortly before Christmas.
In January we will come together again, as we have done in past years,
for a joint service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity - an annual week in January with a particular emphasis
on ecumenical services and events. This time our service will be held
at the Methodist Church on High Street, on Sunday
22 January, at 6.00pm.
Please make a point of supporting this service if you can. If you
can’t be there, please pray for the service and for our sister
churches. Working towards the visible unity of Christ’s church
here on earth is a vital task, and all our ecumenical efforts are
an important witness to our community.
Richard.
2005/12/16 Restoration
update
I’m
writing this having just come down from the church roof, after another
site meeting to monitor the progress of the restoration work on the
building. The updated projection for a finish to the work is now early
to mid February. Originally, it was scheduled to finish by Christmas,
but that proved to be a little optimistic, given the restrictions
of daylight hours and bad weather at this time of year. One or two
other unexpected things cropped up to delay progress a little, but
all being well, we should be back to normal by mid-February.
Someone asked
me again the other day what exactly the work is that is being done.
In a nutshell, repairs are being carried out to the north transept
and the chancel. Externally, the contractors are repairing the roof
(replacing timber where required etc) and re-slating it (using partly
old and partly new slates). Internally, they are re-plastering (those
who’ve seen the church in recent years will remember the gaps
in the plaster!) and re-decorating. When this work is done, we will
be left with only the south transept and organ chamber area to restore.
That will be the last phase - which we’ll hope to be able
to address in another couple of years’ time - and then we
should once again have a sound church building! Richard
