2013 July

AuthorAuthor

THE PARISH MAGAZINE OF CHRIST CHURCH, WEST DIDSBURY;ST. CHRISTOPHER’S WITHINGTON & ST. PAUL’S WITHINGTON

July 2013 50p inc. Crux

A Rose in the Churchyardat St Paul’s

St Christopher whose patronal festival we celebrate

at St. Christopher’s on 28th

page July 2013�

Contacts Christ Church & St. Christopher’s

ReaderBarbra Malone 881 [email protected]

Churchwardens Beric Bartlett 445 [email protected]

Deputy WardensMercy Chikoti 446 2485

Director of MusicRichard Lowe 07713 162 [email protected] (St Christopher’s)Richard McHale 224 9864

PCC SecretaryBeric Bartlett 445 1924

TreasurerAndrew Bradbury 445 6373

Covenant SecretaryBill Gee 861 9585

Verger & SacristanMarion Davies 445 1785

Hall bookings Christ Church Nita Baird 01925 860575 St Christopher’s Brenda Carrington 434 6478

FlowersChrist Church Joan White 445 8487Christ Church Eunice Charnock 283 9501

Magazine EditorJill Evans [email protected](St Christopher’s Distribution)Marjorie Jones 445 2613

Child Protection OfficersDiana Kloss 445 2080Anne Meadowcroft

SUNDAY SERVICES 9am Eucharist 10.30am Morning Prayer / Eucharist (see inset sheet for weekly details)

WEEKDAY SERVICES 9.30am Morning Prayer (Church open at 9am for quiet prayer) Monday & Wednesday: Christ Church / Tuesday & Thursday: St Christopher’s 7.30pm Eucharist (Thursdays at Christ Church)

Worship

CHRiST CHuRCH Darley Ave, West Didsbury M20 2ZD

ST CHRiSTOPHER’S CHuRCH 13 Moorgate Ave, Withington M20 1HE

RectorRevd Anne Pilkington 445 [email protected]

Assistant CurateRevd Catherine Shelley 448 [email protected]

www.christchurchdidsbury.org.uk

July 2013 page...... �

ContactsSt. Paul’s, Withington

Assistant Priest (OLM)Revd Bob Smith 07896 967043

ReadersRay Jones (emeritus) 445 0578Tom Hennell 434 4194

WardensPam Hall 445 4062Esther Platt 445 5637

Deputy WardensIan Purver 434 6236Trevor Jones

P.C.C. Secretaryvacant

Hall BookingsIan Purver 07815 308129

TreasurerDavid McEwen 07785728301

VergerRachel Wesley 445 7546

Magazine EditorTrish Ruddock 434 2692

Director of MusicAndy Condliffe-Jones 07990 696482Assistant Director of MusicSusie Poppitt 07931 642409

Child Protection OfficerDiana Perryman 445 4769

Church FlowersEsther Platt and Anne Smith

Gift Aid SecretaryThe Treasurer

Disability OfficerBarbara Gordon 428 5530

SUNDAY SERVICES 8.30am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Parish Eucharist 6.30pm Evening Prayer / Choral Evensong (1st Sunday of the month)

WEEKDAY SERVICES 10.30am Holy Communion Every Thursday (B.C.P)

Worship

RectorRevd Gisela Raines 448 [email protected]

Parish OfficeThe Rectory, 491 Wilmslow Road, Withington M20 4AW

www.stpaulswithington.org.uk

page July 2013�

Dear Friends

I have just come back from a wonderful holiday in Italy, where we spent a few days in Florence. It is an astonishingly beautiful city, full of lovely buildings, red tiled roofs and marble clad churches.

But for me the highlights of the visit were two buildings in particular. One is the so called Baptistry, essentially a round church with a dome which inside is covered in the most amazing glittering mosaics, depicting stories from the Bible. Stories from Genesis feature prominently, as do the life and death of John the Baptist and, of course, of Jesus. We strained our necks to decipher them and name the characters in each different section.

The other building I loved was the church of San Miniato, the oldest church in Florence, set on a hill overlooking the splendours of the city. In contrast to many of the other churches we visited, this 11th Century church had a beauty and a simplicity that made you just one to sit and look and be quiet. There was no need here for a voice over a loudspeaker to remind us every five minutes to be quiet please, as had happened in the crowded cathedral. San Miniato wasn’t crowded for a start and its spacious interior simply invited prayer.

No ancient church would be complete without some beautiful mosaic and here the apse showed Christ Pantocrator, Jesus as Ruler over all, the gold tiles reflecting what little natural light came into the church. Once your eyes adjusted to the relative dark inside, the walls came to life with wonderful frescos of the saints, among them St Francis, St James, St Benedict and a larger than life St Christopher too, carrying the Christ child. In the upstairs chapel, beneath the apse, a priest began to chant the Eucharist and his calm and gentle voice was carried by the acoustics of the building to every corner of the church. In the crypt an altar with a small window allowed you to see the simple casket containing the relics of the St Minias after whom the church was named. St. Minias was by tradition the first evangelist and Christian martyr in Florence. He lived in the 3rd century, came from the east, Greece perhaps or Armenia, and is believed to have been of royal descent. There is an image of him bowing to Jesus, handing him his crown.

Perhaps it is because I grew up in a church tradition and church building without images, where the Bible, the word and the sermon took central place, that I now love these churches which appeal to all the senses and where the

July 2013

Rev’d Gisela Raines: St Paul’s

Rector’s Letter

July 2013 page...... �

saints surround us on every side. I find it difficult in such a place not to feel a sense of awe at the mystery of God who loves his creation, who has come among us in Jesus and who is not far from each of us.

But of course you don’t need to travel to Florence to experience that. Somehow people continue to be touched by the mystery of God’s presence in countless different ways, in the beauty of nature, the birth of a baby, in the kindness of others, in unexpectedly being held or uplifted at a time of illness or distress, in a word or a gesture, in a painting or a photograph which speaks to us of the things that truly matter.

And many of us may have a sense of that love which lies at the heart of all that is and which welcomes each one of us when we come to the altar to receive the sacrament. Here, bypassing words, Jesus, the Word made flesh, gives himself to us in the bread of his body and the wine of his blood. And all we can say in response is Amen and Thank you, Lord Jesus, and try to live our lives with the same generosity and compassion and forgiveness which he shows us.

With my love (and prayers for a warm summer!)

Gisela

MANCHESTER GOSPEL CHOIR‘An Evening of Songs from Around the World’

Saturday 6th July 7.30pmWithington Methodist Church

Tickets: £5 single £10 family Inc. light refreshmentsIn aid of L’Arche Community, Withington

From: Church Office, 439 Wilmslow Road M20 4AN; 0161 445 0804:

email: [email protected]

page July 2013�

A Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverend Justin Welby

24 May 2013, Masjid Umar Mosque, Leicester

A joint press conference with Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum

‘We have all been horrified by the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich. All of our prayers are with Lee’s family, with his colleagues and comrades, and all those who witnessed this crime and all those in the community who have been so affected by it.

It’s very good to be here today with the Bishop of Leicester in whose diocese we are, with the Bishop of Woolwich, with the other Bishops of Pontefract and Bradford, and with Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, who is Co-Chair of the Christian Muslim Forum. I want to recognise the response of churches, mosques and other faith and civil society groups as well as those of brave individuals who have done so much to bring our communities together at this time. The strong response from the Muslim Council of Britain and many other organisations has rightly emphasised that these acts have no place in Islam.

The Bishops of Southwark and Woolwich have visited the area in which this dreadful crime took place and have prayed with the local community there. Bishop Michael Ipgrave has met with other faith leaders in the Woolwich community and encouraged clergy and other Christian leaders to make contact with other faith leaders to ensure that this awful incident does not cause division. I want to commend very strongly what they are doing locally and to encourage Christian leaders more widely to do the same. This is very much a time for communities to come together.

As Patron of the National Christian Muslim Forum I know that the Forum is offering support and encouragement for these meetings to happen and I continue to hold all those working in these efforts in my prayers.’

July 2013 page...... �

Saint of the month

John Keble Priest, Tractairian, Poet

14th JulyBorn in 1792, the son of a priest, John Keble

showed early brilliance as a scholar, becoming a fellow of Oriel College, Oxford, at the age of nineteen, a few years before his ordination. He won great praise for his collection of poems, The Christian Year, issued in 1827, and was elected Professor of Poetry in Oxford in 1831. A leader of the Tractarian Movement, which protested at the threats to the Church from liberal developments in both politics and theology, he nevertheless did not seek preferment and in 1836 became a parish priest near Winchester, a position he held until his death in 1866. He continued to write

scholarly books and was praised for his character and spiritual counsel. Yet he is still best remembered for the sermon he preached at Oxford, considered by some to be the beginning of the Oxford Movement, delivered on this day in 1833.

ColleCt

Father of the eternal Word, in whose encompassing love all things in peace and order move: grant that, as your servant John Keble adored you in all creation, so we may have a humble heart of love for the mysteries of your church and know your love to be new every morning, in Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Source: Exciting Holiness, collects and readings for the Festivalsand Lesser Festivals of the Church of England, Canterbury Press, 1997

by Barbra Malone(Christ Church & St Christopher’s)

Bible readings Lamentations 3: 19-26; Romans 15: 1-6; Matthew 5: 1-8

page July 2013�

It seems like a very short time ago that I was writing a few words about myself, for what was then Christ Church & St Christopher’s magazine, before moving

to this parish. It was in fact about a year ago & my farewell service will be exactly a year after I arrived, at St Christopher’s dedication festival.

I have really enjoyed being at Christ Church & St Christopher’s & also working with St Paul’s on activities like the magazine, youth group & Experience Easter. I have felt very welcomed and have enjoyed getting to know many people and colleagues from all three churches.

Although it was known that I would be moving on I had hoped not to be moving too far away. However, God sometimes (quite often?!) moves in very mysterious and surprising ways. So in a month or so I will be in Birmingham and working as Chaplain to the University - exchanging parish life for the cure of souls of 27,500 students and over 5,000 staff.

It is not at all where I had imagined I would be for my first post after curacy, either geographically or ministerially. However, I am sure that there will be plenty of interesting challenges and privileged moments. Colleagues at the university keep telling me I won’t be bored! A few of the highlights to look forward to are: • Working with the Chair of the Chaplaincy committee who is a specialist in African politics, including conflict resolution in Rwanda• One of the undergraduate members of the Anglican Society is due to be licensed as a Reader next January• Freshers week!• 300+ Muslim students at Friday prayers on campus each week• The university carol service for over 1,000...

As I began life as a Christian with baptism in a university chaplaincy more years ago than I now like to remember, I know how such ministry can impact on peoples’ lives and hope that I can live up to the challenges and the call of this ministry.

Birmingham isn’t too far away from Manchester - by road or train - so visitors will be very welcome and as soon as I have a licensing date (probably in September) I’ll be letting people know. Catherine

Revd Catherine Shelley: Christ Church & St Christopher’s

So long........and thanks for all the fun!

July 2013 page...... �

NocturNeIrP: St Paul’s

Like birds whose young have flown the nestWe stand bedraggled in the gloom

Suddenly aware of nakedness

Drained of every ounce of zestDragged by the sands of the endless dune

Like birds whose young have flown the nest

You feel me tingle in your breastI feel you swell me to a plumeSuddenly aware of nakedness

our sniper’s wounds we must redressAnd shell-holed forest trails resume


Ancient rhythms of caressPre-dating those of bride and groom


A moment’s pause on the tide’s crestShouting defiance at shuddering doom


The merry-go-round eases to a haltThe waves release the mirror-moon


Words can now redeem their jestThe warp sits squarely on the loom

And birds whose young have flown the nestSuddenly aware of nakedness

page July 201310

MJHARDING & SONS

DECORATING07976 721360 : 0161 455 2854

(Interior & Exterior Estimates)

HI-SPEC Electrical Services ltd

Andrew Hogg Director

Reg No: D104449

Tel/Fax 0161 448 7517 / Mob: 07887 622 699 Email: [email protected]

516 Wilmslow Road, Withington M20 4BS

Our specialist services includeWILLS & PROBATE

CONVEYANCING

Tel 0161 445 6461

Hargreaves & CO.

Solicitors

July 2013 page...... 11

John Perryman: St Paul’s

Sermon for PentecostThis sermon was delivered at Christ Church on 27th May 2012 and later,

with revisions, at St Paul’s on19th May 2013

This is my mobile phone. It’s not elaborate – no Satnav or Internet!

I just use it so people can speak into my ear, or send a text; and I can speak into theirs or text them too. At any time, in any place, providing there’s a signal, people can make this make a noise, and INTERRUPT my life, and I can interrupt theirs. Unless of course we’ve switched our phones off, which means “I don’t want to be interrupted”. Marvellous, isn’t it?

GOD wants to INTERRUPT our lives. The Bible is full of stories of God interrupting, from walking in the Garden of Eden and calling out “Where are you Adam?”..... through telling Abraham to leave his homeland and journey to a land that he would be shown.....to the calls of Moses and the prophets. (And of course the Still, Small Voice!) The life-and-death-and-resurrection of Jesus is God’s major interruption into human life. And today we celebrate Pentecost, another story of God interrupting human lives. So how did God do that? And what can we learn from the story?

God did it by making a noise. A noise “LIKE the rush of a violent wind”.

Notice that Luke is a bit vague in his description here; it’s not a wind exactly – it’s LIKE a wind.. And he’s just as vague about what was seen. Not fire exactly, but “tongues, AS OF fire”. It’s so reassuring to me that Luke couldn’t find exact words, because that’s true to my experiences of Holy Spirit too. I can’t describe them exactly, but they are , LIKE, REAL in my life, these interruptions......

Two Christian writers have tried to describe the same phenomenon. Evelyn Underhill in the nineteen thirties used the phrase “the abrupt creative entrance” of God into human life. A bit sedate, that, but then she gets going: “Coming to us, touching us, changing us, in every crisis, grief, shock and sacrifice, flashing up on life’s horizon LIKE lightning”. And the American theologian Walter Brueggemann wrote about the “transformative intrusion” of God that “resists description and defies categorisation”. God interrupts our lives. Dramatically, or otherwise. It need not be a heavy, domineering intrusion. It can be much gentler. Let me tell you a story.....

It’s my second day at university. I have a room provided, and I’m in it, sorting out where things should go. There’s a knock on the door. I open it and there’s a studenty-looking young man standing there. “Hello. I’m Rod. I’m a second year here. Just

page July 20131�

wanted to welcome you, and say: if you’re thinking of going to church on Sunday, there’s a group of us who go to one not far away and you’re very welcome to join us. We meet at 10am by the Dining Room”. “Oh thanks” I said. “I’ll think about it”. “OK” he said. “Bye”.

A little interruption. A little invitation. I went with them and found a church where God’s Holy Spirit found me......But Pentecost is not only a story of God interrupting. It’s also a story of a group of people who were ready – almost LOOKING – for God’s interruption. Let me try to explain.........

I don’t know much about the British Army, but I gather there’s a phrase in army talk which soldiers have to make their own, and it’s this: “Put yourself IN HARM’S WAY”. The soldier is required to forget about self and just “go for it”, even if it’s risky.

Now you see, I think that if we’re believers in God, one of our mottoes should be “Put yourself in GOD’S way”. Sorry if that sounds a bit corny, but it describes just what people on the first Day of Pentecost did.

And here are two bits of evidence....1) Luke wrote: “When the Day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place”. NOT saying “Oh look – it’s sunny today. I think I’ll go to Derbyshire and have a walk”. No- they met “together”. The Authorised Version says “with one accord”, and

it’s a very powerful phrase in the Greek. It means “They were all of ONE MIND”. Expectant. Waiting for God. You may say, “I’ve waited for God all my life and God has never turned up,” To which I would reply, “Hasn’t He? Really? Looking back can you not see how God has touched into your life and brought you to today?” You may say, “No.” Then I would say, “Well, that’s fantastic faith, because here you are, despite it all, putting yourself in God’s way once again”.....2) The second piece of evidence that people were expectant, anticipating that God would act, in Luke’s story, is the way the crowd reacted on hearing all the different languages. Luke wrote, “At this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered....amazed and astonished.” NOT, you notice, saying, “Sounds like trouble on the streets. Better keep away –let’s go home”. No – they were inquisitive. They were “amazed and perplexed” adds Luke for good measure. “What IS this?” You can trust a crowd to be nosey!!

In one of Dennis Potter’s plays, set in the olden days, an unusual event happens in a village, something a bit “supernatural”, and the villagers gather, and they share their bewilderment and uncertainty. And then one says, “We’d better make sure we go to church on Sunday and hear what the vicar’s got to say about this in the sermon”! Well, that was the olden days – we trust in Google more these days! And you might say, “I’ll check on things supernatural myself,

July 2013 page...... 1�

thank you.” Good! In the Bible it wasn’t only crowds that responded to some rumour of God.

Remember Moses and the burning bush? Moses spotted a bush on fire, but it wasn’t being burnt up. So what did he say? “Ooooh....that’s a bit spooky. I’d better get out of here”? No. He said “Fire? No damage? I’d better go across and investigate.......” Put yourself in God’s way.

But back to the Day of Pentecost. God’s people gathered. God’s Holy Spirit INTERRUPTED people’s lives, and they wanted to find out more. I believe that God’s Holy Spirit goes on interrupting our lives today. The baffling thing about it is that we’re free to say to God, “I’m not answering at the moment. I’m switched off”. The

encouraging thing is that if we gather together with other believers, or if we put ourselves alone in God’s way, God’s Holy Spirit can be found, and experienced, and can touch into our lives.

So make yourself meet with other believers more. God’s Holy Spirit will help you find a language all can understand. Make yourself read the Bible more. God’s Holy Spirit will speak through its words. Make yourself notice someone whose phone hardly rings at all, and take the risk of interrupting their life. Who knows where God’s Holy Spirit will come close and vitalise us?

Put yourself in God’s way, and Heaven only knows where that may lead...........

page July 20131�

A Withington Childhood in the 1840sIan Purver: St. Paul’s

On 14 March 1850 the first wedding to be held at St Paul’s Withington

took place between Alfred Benecke, a German businessman based in London, and Adelaide Souchay, aged 19, eldest of the four children of Adelheid (Adelaide) and Carl (Charles) Souchay, of Withington House. The ceremony was conducted by the rector, Rev. Theophilus Bennett, described as ‘a nice, good-natured Irishman who was fond of hunting and riding but was not quite sure if it was the right thing for a clergyman to do’.

Adelaide had moved with her parents to Withington some 10 years earlier, from Greenheys (setting of the opening scene of Elizabeth Gaskell’s novel Mary Barton, published in 1848). This was regarded at the time as a move from suburbia into the country. In her informal memoirs*, set down well over half a century later, Adelaide records a number of episodes in her (admittedly rather privileged) childhood here, including a ball at their home which was judged such a success that her mother insisted on repeating the event two days later!

Charles Souchay’s brother John lived at nearby Eltville (House). Both were German industrialists at this time of close links between that country and the UK ; both had originally come to England to monitor the progress

of their companies - and stayed. Journeys between the two countries could be hazardous and prolonged, as Adelaide relates. And the family were once caught up in the preliminary skirmishes of the ultimately unsuccessful 1848 revolution, whilst in Frankfurt, their base in Germany.

She also provides insights into the lives of humbler folk, such as an old farmer carrying pails of milk up what is now Wilmslow Road and getting into trouble for greeting Adelaide and her sister too familiarly.

The highlight of this idyllic decade for Adelaide in Withington was her periodic brief meetings with Felix Mendelssohn, the foremost composer of his day, who as we know** came here on several occasions between 1842 and his untimely death in 1847, to visit the Souchays who were relatives of his wife Cecile. Once he comes across Adelaide practising a piece of his on the piano and to her delight corrects her errors in a painless way.

Adelaide was fortunate enough also to receive lessons from a Mr Gaskell, who may well have been the husband of the novelist, and from Charles Halle. Halle, in fact, moved into the house the Souchays had vacated in Greenheys. Manchester she describes as ‘a benighted land as to music’ until Halle’s arrival on the scene. At

July 2013 page...... 1�

any rate by April 1847 the Hargreaves Choral Society was competent enough to perform Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah at the Free Trade Hall under the baton of the composer and to his apparent satisfaction- after only one rehearsal!

Adelaide met her future husband during a stay at the home of relatives in Denmark Hill, SE London. Their courtship at Withington House and Eltville was another golden time for her, though the wedding at St Paul’s is not described in any detail - apart from the couple’s departure from the reception which was clearly a highly emotional affair. Nevertheless churchwarden William Kay, in the first history of St Paul’s written in 1896, recalls that the wedding ‘created great excitement throughout the district and is well remembered and often spoken of by old residents.’

Adelaide recounts that a picture of Withington House takes pride of place in her new home in London. But from then on Manchester receives scant mention in the memoirs (there

are however fascinating tales of the struggle to get the music of Robert Schumann accepted in London).

The memoirs do record her parents’ silver wedding anniversary celebrations in Withington in November 1852. Her own daughter Juliet married yet another German businessman based in Manchester ; but after Adelaide’s father Carl died in 1872 her mother Adelheid moved back to Wiesbaden in Germany where she lived until her death in 1890. Nevertheless both her parents Adelheid and Carl are buried in our churchyard***.

* Benecke, Adelaide : Memories of the Past 1906 (available on a print-on-demand basis from Lightning Source UK Ltd) ** Purver, Ian & Boyle, Roy : We’d like to think…Mendelssohn in Withington (2009, revised 2011) (leaflet in church)*** Purver, Ian : I think when I read - a brief excursion round our churchyard (2010) (leaflet in church)

Andrew Condliffe-JonesTeacher of Piano, Keyboard, Organ,

Singing, Musical Theatre and Theory

100% Pass rate for ABRSM and LCM examinations Beginners to Advanced. All Welcome.

free introductory lesson 0161 282 9676 / 07990 696 482

page July 20131�

An evening to explore Fresh Expressions was held at St Paul’s on Wednesday 1st May. Revd Ben Edson, Team Vicar, St James and Emmanuel and

Diocesan missions adviser gave us a presentation and some questions to think about in groups. Ben had previously served as a Church Army evangelist in the City Centre where he had started a fresh expression of church called Sanctus One. He was later ordained and became a curate in Brunswick before moving to Didsbury.

A ‘fresh expression’ is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarly for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. It has included a group of surfers in Cornwall, skaters, house groups, cell churches, arts cafes, school based activities, coffee shops. It is simply a new way of being church and provides a safe place to share faith in a simple, non-threatening way with people who would not consider going to a ‘normal’ Sunday church service.

Jason, who has been on placement at Christ Church and St Christopher’s from January to April, told us about ‘Messy Church’ which is taking place at St Martin, Norris Bank, Stockport. This has resulted in a group of parents and children meeting together regularly to do creative activities and to eat together. At the end of each session there is a 10 minute worship slot. The group has been growing in numbers and strength.

Ben stressed the need to listen to the local community and to think about the following questions:

Who outside of the church do we have regular contact with?How can we serve them?What could church look like for them?

Some statistics –80% of those involved in Fresh Expressions would not be in church otherwise.47% of Fresh Expressions hold Holy Communion services.

Barbra Malone: Christ Church & St Christopher’s

July 2013 page...... 1�

HEALiNGAs part of our worship life at Christ Church and St. Christopher’s we now have a Service of Healing and Wholeness six times a year. This is a non-Eucharistic service at 10.30 a.m.

Over the coming months we want to develop and encourage more people who are interested in this important part of the church’s ministry, and from conversations with Gisela I know that there is some interest in this from St. Paul’s.

Rev. Andrew Bradley, who used to be at St. James and Emmanuel, has spent some time in this area of ministry and is coming to help us explore developing Healing Ministry in our own parishes. A meeting has been arranged for Thursday the 1st August at Christ Church, beginning with a Eucharist at 7.30 p.m. Please do think and pray about whether this is an area of church life God may be calling you too.

More details from Anne and Gisela.

MESSY CHuRCHMessy Church is a new way of being church for families based around hospitality, creativity and celebration.

We are ‘having a go’ at this, hopefully with friends from other churches, on Wednesday 21st August at St. Christopher’s from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, followed by some shared food.

A book and DVD are available for you to find out more. Please let Anne or Gisela know if you would like to borrow them.

Woman to friend: “But Mr Smith can’t possibly be in hospital. Only last night I saw him in a restaurant looking perfectly fit and healthy with a blond woman.” Friend: “And so did his wife.”

Thanks to Irene Reczowski

page July 20131�

Darren’s July JestingsQ: Why do bees buzz?A: Because they don‛t whistle!

Q: Will my pizza be long? A: No, it will be round!

Tom: How did your mum know you hadn‛t washed? James: I forgot to wet the towel!

Q: What does a bin-man have for lunch? A: Junk food!

instructions for giving your cat a pill!Thanks to Esther Platt: St Paul’s

1) Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill in mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3) Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4) Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call friend.

6) Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get friend to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down, remove ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.

7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to

July 2013 page...... 1�

buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8) Wrap cat in large towel and get friend to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat’s mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9) Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10) Retrieve cat from neighbour’s shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11) Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw Tee-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12) Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13) Tie cat’s front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, hold cat’s mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet of steak. Hold head vertically and pour pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14) Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15) Arrange for RSPCA to collect cat. Ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters

page July 2013�0

Joan Taylor•

4th April 1923 to 30th December 2013

on Saturday the 20th April we met for a Memorial Service at christ church to celebrate the life of our dear friend Joan taylor. Joan died on the 30th December while staying with her son Philip at Kinore near Aberdeen and the funeral was held there.

Joan first came to christ church when she was just 5 years old and continued her faithful attendance for the next 84 years. She began her christian journey when she was christened at St. crispin’s, Fallowfield and made a final visit there in 2010 with her son Philip, when the church was about to close.She served on christ church Planned Giving committee for over 40 years and was a keen supporter of the Mothers union.

During World War II she worked in the Food office in the Great Hall of Manchester town Hall. She also did Fire Watch duty two nights each week – spending long nights alone on the black-out in a building on Palatine road.Joan and husband Doug were members of the South Manchester Horticultural Society, taking an active part in the Society’s Annual Show. Her night school classes included car maintenance, keep fit, flower arranging, archery and local history. She was a member of chorlton Good Neighbours and Barlow Moor community Association.

on one level Joan was an ordinary woman, but at another level she was quite extraordinary. She was a good friend to many people, always having words of encouragement. In fact we seldom saw Joan without a smile on her face – she was certainly someone whose cup was always half full. Her son Philip told me that after his dad died he would ring Joan most evenings and during all those phone calls over the years, never once did she complain about anything or anyone.

She was a good contributor to our church magazine – often with articles about visits to Scotland…and one of them included these words from the road to the Isles, which was read out at the service.

A far crooning is pulling me awayAs take I with my crommock on the roadThe far Coolins are putting love on meAs step I wi’ the sunlight for my load

July 2013 page...... �1

And so we are grateful to God for the fond memories we have of Joan and for her active involvement in the church over many years. We remember her as a cheerful, optimistic member of our church. She was someone who would ‘have a go’ at most things, given the opportunity.

She was able to live independently until fairly recently, and the move up to Scotland was something she took in her stride. Her christmas card to us all said she was now ‘safe in the care of my son’, and we are thankful too for the time she had with Philip at the end of her life.

“Well done good and faithful servant”

Let �� help...

- Simple and Impartial support and advice.

- A dedicated Support Team and Hotline.

- Help with all the basics.

- It's FREE!...

I'd love to but I feel like its beyond me?!Lets us be the judge! Call 0161 437 0717 and ask to speak to “Silver Click”. Its cheaper, easier and safer than ever to access Computer and the Internet, lets us help make it Click!

page July 2013��

LonelinessCharles Pilkington: St. Paul’s

Common loneliness is a terrible burden for any person to bear,

especially perhaps the elderly, the infirm ,and the bereaved. It is bad enough on its own, but the trouble is that it has so many equally devastating side – effects.

The most dangerous aspect of loneliness is that it can make people feel a sense of isolation from friends, family, and society in general. It makes them feel “worthless”, and that life is no longer worth living. It is even more tragic when this sense of worthlessness attacks children still at school, when they get the impression that they do not “Fit in”; when they do not match up to the standard expected of them by parents, teachers, and sometimes even, themselves; or when cruel bullying adds to the general stress, and makes life intolerable. Tragically this can make suicide an appalling option.

Loneliness, in adults especially, breeds frustration later in life, when things do not go as expected, or when retirement causes a vacuum to develop; when life has previously been so full of achievements, challenges, and excitements. In cases like this, frustration often goes further, and leads to depression, (It is important that the possibility of depression is investigated and medically treated) and chronic

introversion, where people can, so easily, lose all sense of responsibility and cease to face up, to either their own needs, or the needs of those around them.

If it is possible to look at loneliness in a slightly more objective way, we find that a new picture starts to emerge. We are all borne into this world as separate and unique individuals; all inherit innate patterns of behaviour, which, as they develop, inevitably form personality and character. There is always a difference between one individual and the next, so that, in fact - one – liness ought to be no new, or alarming concept. Parents, marriage, children, and Employment, all tend to obscure this fact in ordinary living, so that when loss or bereavement suddenly expose it, we are left in a state of traumatic shock. Emotional forces,also, tend to temporarily obscure our rational Judgement. One way to deal with this is to rationalize the emotional state, although this can only go halfway towards true understanding.

All, however, is not lost because we have another word for separation and that is “solitude”, which transforms the concept of loneliness into the shear glory of being alone. It can change the negative anguish of loneliness into a positive and joyful outlook on Life. It is no less than a

July 2013 page...... ��

personal resurrection from death into a new being. What had seemed clouds of darkness, are suddenly swept away, and a new light appears on the horizon. The glory of nature ,the Joys of Art and Music, and the infection of hope ,finally turn our eyes towards Heaven, and the inexplicable wonder of Creation.

God holds in his care, not only ourselves, but everything and everyone from whom we feel separated. In Him there can be no more anguish or anxiety. As our

relationship with Him unfolds and develops, we begin to recognise “His touch” in everything and everybody around us. Loneliness, in these circumstances, can never survive, because we understand, possibly for the first time ,the immanence of the love and glory of God, continually, with us, in us, and around us. Solitude, where it is achievable, must be regarded as a gift from God, and a firm foundation for a growing faith, and an ever closer relationship with Him. Far from despondency, there is at last an enduring hope.

CAPES DUNN & CO. AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS

The Auction Galleries, 38 Charles Street, off Oxford Street,

Manchester M1 7DB TEL: 0161 273 1911

Weekly Auctions of Furniture, Paintings, Jewellery & Silver, Ceramics, Toys, Books,Prints & Collectables

On view every Monday from 10am

FREE AUCTION ADVICE GIVEN


F.G Miller & Son

APProVeD eleCTriCiAnS

Electrical Contractors576 Wilmslow Road, Withington M20 3DB Tel: 0161 445 1541 / Fax: 0161 445 8027

[email protected]

Offered by Peggy WhitWOrthChrist Church and St Christopher’s

A lot of trouble would disappear If only people would learn to talk to one anotherInstead of talking about one another.When people walk away from you, let them goYour destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves youIt doesn’t mean they are bad peopleIt just means that their part in your story is overHuman life would be perfect ifAnger had a stop buttonMistakes had a re-wind buttonHard times had a forward buttonAnd good turns, a pause button.Always welcome your problemsBecause problems give you dual advice:Firstly, you can know how to solve themSecondly, you learn how to avoid them in futureHave faith in God and yourself.

July 2013 page...... ��

BOOKS WANTEDAll types bought: will collect

Also: old postcards & maps

01625 861 608: 0161 834 5964Established 42 years

The Power of Prayer Thanks to Barbra Malone: Christ Church & St Christopher’s

No one knows the power of prayer,Yet Someone is always waiting thereWith an open ear to hear each call -Someone who loves and cares for all. Exceeding great is the Power of Prayer,Strength it supplies to banish care,Courage to face the darkest night,Faith that shines like a holy light. When the heart is sad and filled with fearThere is a friend who is always near;So ask Him to help you the burden to share,Then you will know the power of prayer.

(I came across this poem in a birthday card sent to my Mum many years ago from her cousin, Nance, who was a devout Roman Catholic).


Margaret McMoran, Christ Church and St Christopher’s

There was once a competition for the best public reading of Psalm 23. Among the competitors were an actor and an elderly clergyman. The

actor recited the psalm powerfully and without a flaw. Eventually it was the clergyman’s turn and, in a rather faltering voice, he began, “The Lord is my Shepherd . . .” and so on. Eventually the judges put their heads together and announced that their prize went to the clergyman.

“I’m sorry you didn’t win,” said the old man to the actor; “I think you deserved to.”

“Not at all,” the actor replied quietly. “There was one big difference: I know the psalm, but you know the shepherd.”

A FISHerMAN’S 23rD PSALM

Discovered by Peggy Hughes (christ church and St christopher’s)on a recent visit to cornwall

The Lord is my Pilot. I shall not drift.He lighteth me across the darkest water

In deepest channels He steereth me.He keepeth my Log. He guardeth me by the

Star of Holiness, for his name’s sake.Yea though I sail midst the thunders and tempests of life; I will fear no danger for

Thou art with me.Thy love and Thy care, they shelter me.

Thou preparest a harbour ahead, in the haven of eternity.Thou anointest the waves with oil, my boat rideth calmly.

Surely, sunlight and starlight shall favour me, on all voyages I take.And I will rest in the port of my God forever. Amen.

Abbott Hall, May 2013

July 2013 page...... ��

LIFe IS But A WeAVINGThanks to Irene reczkowski: St Paul’s

Life is but a weavingBetween my God and me.

I cannot choose the coloursHe weaveth steadily.

oft times He weaveth sorrowAnd I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upperAnd I the underside.

Not ‘till the loom is silentAnd the shuttles cease to flyWill God unroll the canvasAnd reveal the reason why.

The dark threads are as needfulIn the weaver’s skilful hand

As the threads of gold and silverIn the pattern he has planned.He knows, He loves, He cares,Nothing this truth can dim.

He gives the very best to thoseWho leave the choice to Him.

Computer Problems?

Contact TLC – and the solution comes to you

Caught a Virus?

PC broken down?

Computer too slow?

Need a new PC??

Want some Tutorial Support?

Ring Christopher Turner CompTIA A+ Certified Service Professional

Office: 0161 870 2563 Mobile: 07799 401793

A mobile service for Grapevine Readers


A man went to the doctors. “I haven’t seen you for a long time,” said the doctor. “I know,” the man replied, “I’ve been ill.”

The FutureTrish Ruddock: St Paul’s

I was talking to someone after church one Sunday who said that

he had been to see Seimen’s view of the future, which apparently is to do with living in vast cities. This view did not appeal to him. He’s glad he lives in this time. Another man I know permanently wishes he lived in a past age. Me, I’m happy living in my time, but I would love to be able to fast forward to the far future to see what human beings manage to achieve and whether Christianity will survive for another 2,000 years or more.

Each generation has its own problems to live with. I know that my grandchildren will face a different world in 50 years than we are presently experiencing. Global warming; wars over water supply and a widespread redistribution of people from the poor areas to the developed world, will all contribute to change the world.

Technology will help future people cope with change as it always has in human history but will the fundamental nature of humans change over time? That’s what I really want to know.

I know that I am different from the people of the Old Testament in that I have a far greater understanding of science. I have been able to access a far greater range of arts and literature than were available to the ancient Jews. I know my limitations to understanding but I still know far more than my ancestors because I can read the results of people’s work and have a context in which to understand them.

But, I can also empathize with the Psalmist who cries out to God in need. Like the ancient Jews, I too know both love and despair and my need for God. Is it our emotions that mark us as human? Our need for justice, love, mercy and truth? Will it be these needs that make common ground between me and a human from the distant future?

If it is, then, I know that Christianity (though maybe not the C of E!) will still be a living faith into the far future, for it is to our humanity that God, who came in human form, speaks.

July 2013 page...... ��

From the Registers:Christ Church & St.Christopher’s

There were no Baptisms etc. during June

From the Registers:St Paul’s

BAPTISMSWe welcomed into the Lord’s family:2nd June Oliver George Whitehouse Zaine uriah Fletcher-Mohammed9th June Ava-Mae Neill Armstrong

WEDDINGSWe witnessed the marriage of:8th June Jacquelyn Mary Jones and Karl Shane McCarthy

FUNERALSWe gave thanks to God for the life of:6th June Jeanette Alaine Frayne, Woodhouse Park – Aged 46

GettING VerY oLDIna Aspinall, christ church and St christopher’s

I was still here this SpringAnd I heard the birds sing.Felt the sun, wind and rain,Slipped on ice once again.

talked to strangers many a time,Heard the old church bells chime.

I can’t whistle but can sing.And I was still here this Spring.

page July 2013�0

OWEN BAKER FUNERAL DIRECTORS

523 wilmslow roadwithington

Manchester M20 4BA

+ CArinG for THose YoU loVe++ PriVATe CHAPel of resT+

+ 24-HoUr ProfessionAl serViCe +

“our promise to you is simple… when arranging a funeral the care and understanding you will receive is

not just from our training… it is from our own personal experience of having lost loved ones”

+Horse-drAwn HeArse BY reQUesT+

PrePAYMenT fUnerAl sCHeMes AVAilABle

TELEPHONE : 0161 446 [email protected]

www.owenbakerfunerals.com

July 2013 page...... �1

EVENTS iN OuR CHuRCH HALLS

CHRiST CHuRCHMonday 9.30 - 11.30 am upholstery Classes, Andrea: 07580651313 7 - 9 pm Karate Contact: Neil Thomas 07870416136Tuesday 10 -12 noon Storks Toddler group: Elaine Doyle: 286 3387 7 - 8.30 pm (fortnightly) Gateway Club Pauline Cooper: 445 9019Wednesday 4.30 – 6.30 pm Didsbury Theatre School Karen Knox: 07734209485 8 – 9 pm – Zumba Catherine: 07915049918Thursday 10 - 11 am Tai Chi, Gloria Angelin – 07870335348 4.30 – 7.30 pm Didsbury Theatre SchoolFriday 4.30 – 6.30 pm Didsbury Theatre SchoolSaturday 9 – 5.30 pm Didsbury Theatre School

ST. CHRiSTOPHER’SMonday 6.30 – 9 pm Brownies and Guides,: Alex on 07919621376Tuesday 1.30 - 3.30 pm (fortnightly) “CALL”, Cancer Care Group, Linda Frodsham: 291 2911 6.30 - 8.30 pm Tai Kwon-do, Tom Frankland: 07929549110Wednesday 6.30 – 7.30 pm Karate Seventh Day Adventists (meeting room)Thursday 2 pm Silver Click Drop-in Group Computer Sessions 0161 437 0717 7.30 – 9 pm Al Anon, Margaret: 226 6550Friday 6. - 7.30 p.m. Keep Fit Class - Jody Hartley 07798925912Saturday 9.30 am – 4 pm Seventh Day Adventist Church, Johnson Jacob: 07894064872 5 – 8 pm – Tamil Christian Fellowship, Jacob 0161 998 3408

Call in and see Frank Barrett at R Pepperdine & Sons Ltd,5 Manchester Road, Chorlton cum Hardy M21 9JG

or call 0161 881 5363

Planning aheadfor peace of mind

Funeral Plans fromR Pepperdine & Sons Ltd

Funeral PlanningA funeral plan makes great sense, and we at R Pepperdine & Sons Ltd recommendGolden Charter, the country’s leading provider of plans to independent funeraldirectors like us. This is why -

• you pay today’s prices for a service you may not require for many years• a guarantee to cover every cost within our control• your wishes are made clear well in advance, so you can ensure they will be carried out• you can choose from a range of plans or personalise your own• by making arrangements now, you will spare your loved ones the responsibility at a sad and difficult time

With over 135 years of experience within your community,R Pepperdine & Sons are an independent, family-run business.We regard all those who call upon us as part of our wider,extended family and are committed to offering you and yourloved ones a caring, professional service at a difficult time.We understand the pain of loss and offer both practicalguidance and personal comfort before and after bereavement.We can also offer you advice on prepaid funeral plans.

GC-LIFT 0945 GC PEPPERDINE ADVERT_A4_2:20 x 3 column 28/2/11 13:55 Page 1

2013 July

Documents

Transcript of 2013 July