March 2017

Volume 53 No 622

The Parish Magazine of St Mary’s Sandbach

CHALLENGECHALLENGECHALLENGECHALLENGE

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March 2017 Wednesday 1st March 11.00 am Holy Communion

Ash Wednesday 7.30 pm Holy Eucharist and

Imposition of Ashes

Sunday 5th March 8.00 am Holy Communion

1 Lent 10.00 am Morning Prayer

3.30 pm Holy Eucharist

Sunday 12th March 8.00 am Holy Communion

2 Lent 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

3.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 19th March 8.00 am Holy Communion

2 Before Lent 10.00 am Parish Eucharist and

the Annual Parochial

Meeting

3.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 26th March 8.00 am Holy Communion

3 Lent 10.00 am Morning Prayer

Mothering Sunday 6.30 pm Holy Eucharist

Sunday 2nd April 8.00 am Holy Communion

5 Lent 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

Passion Sunday 6.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 26th March 2.00 am

BRITISH SUMMER TIME BEGINS - Add 1 hour

Every Wednesday 11.00 am Holy Communion

Holy Eucharist, Parish Eucharist = Order 2 Common Worship

Holy Communion = Order 1 Book of Common Prayer

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I n the last few days I came across a very counter-cultural book 'Stand Firm: Resisting the Self-Improvement Craze' by a Danish

philosopher and psychologist Svend Brinkmann who argues "that we must not be afraid to reject the self-help mantra and 'stand firm'. The secret to a happier life lies not in finding your inner self but in coming to terms with yourself in order to coexist peacefully with others” Of course this goes against the prevalent modern psychology of “mindfulness” so loved by educationists and the NHS.

We are bombarded with the huge anxieties of modern living, eco-forces beyond our apparent control, terrorism, the modern day equivalents of the signs of the end times, even at a local level the prospect that this church will not be here in a few years if we do nothing. There is a large industry of academics and non-academics, of the media, (thoughtful and sensational) from the USA, Europe and the UK, who intentionally or unintentionally feed our fears and promote, like latter-day sandwich-board prophets, “the end of the world is nigh”. To counter this there are schemes aplenty of how to be happy. Books promoting a fulfilling happy life, the necessity of positive thoughts, physical and mental exercises to maximise happiness are everywhere. Doctors, we are promised, offer a wide array of drugs that might eradicate depression forever. It seems truly an age of almost perfect contentment, a brave new world of persistent good fortune, joy without trouble, felicity with no penalty. As we know about the human condition, this is rarely the case for extended periods of time, let alone as a perpetual state of existence. The result of not being able to be always happy is a sense of guilt leading to a morbid state of depression. This pervades the culture and individual.

Although Brinkmann is not advocating a Christian critique of our culture, the title of his book is in line with the Christian perspective that the world is in need of redemption and that process starts first with us as individuals accepting the reality of the shambles of our daily lives. Our desire is for the grace of God to work at a profound level within us and at our core every waking moment of our earthly pilgrimage.

During Lent we are not encouraged to be miserable, to ostentatiously display our religion by outward signs of our interior struggles, self-examinations, our mortifications of mind and body etc. We are encouraged outwardly to be of a joyous disposition and shiny face and within ourselves perhaps we may sense a deeper yearning for God’s salvation at work, both for us and for the world

that he loves and was prepared to die for. Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd

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From the RegistersFrom the RegistersFrom the RegistersFrom the Registers

Funerals

January

19th Dianne Tracey Lowe (53)

26th Eira Margaret Sealby (73)

February

3rd Sylvia Pass (85)

Baptisms

January

22nd Edward Thomas Scarle son of Christopher and Lucy

Coffee RotaCoffee RotaCoffee RotaCoffee Rota MarchMarchMarchMarch 5th Aileen Higgs and Margaret Parry

12th Jean Richardson and Iris Kenilworth

19th Marjorie Burgess and Renee Bickerton

26th Kathleen Burgess and Kathleen Beech

AprilAprilAprilApril

2nd Joyce Griffith and Lynne Winfield

Front CoverFront CoverFront CoverFront Cover

I would like to apologise for the Black and White Front Cover of

the magazine this month, a

publishing error on my part.

Normal colour will return next month.

AdvertsAdvertsAdvertsAdverts

T he new round of advertisements are now on the cover. Please do support these top quality local businesses and

organisations.

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Woman's World Day of Woman's World Day of Woman's World Day of Woman's World Day of PrayerPrayerPrayerPrayer

Friday 3rd March

Theme 'Am I being Unfair to you?'

prepared by the women of the

Philippines.

2pm Café style at Wheelock

Methodist Church Hall

7pm Service at St Peter's Church,

Elworth

Men and women of all ages are

welcome. Refreshments will be

served.

Tickets: Adults: £8.50

Snr Citizens/Concessions: £7.00

School Children: £3.00

Family Ticket : £20.00

Doors Open 6.30 pm

Wed 29 March Consone QuartetWed 29 March Consone QuartetWed 29 March Consone QuartetWed 29 March Consone Quartet

Winners of the 2016 Royal OverWinners of the 2016 Royal OverWinners of the 2016 Royal OverWinners of the 2016 Royal Over----Seas League Ensemble PrizeSeas League Ensemble PrizeSeas League Ensemble PrizeSeas League Ensemble Prize

and spotlight concert with local young musicians

www.sandbachwww.sandbachwww.sandbachwww.sandbach----concertconcertconcertconcert----series.co.ukseries.co.ukseries.co.ukseries.co.uk

All concerts at 7pm in St Mary's Church Hall

Tickets available from: on-line, Demeters Wholefoods (12 Welles

St), Bramwells Opticians (4 Hightown) or on the door.

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Evangelism isn't for Evangelism isn't for Evangelism isn't for Evangelism isn't for me!me!me!me!

T he term evangelism is

usually associated with one

type of outreach and this might

be one of the many reasons why

we (or someone we know) is

weary about it. Tamala Caesar

(of Premier Christian Media)

shares three reasons why we

might be reluctant about

evangelising and why it's more

than street evangelism.

First, someone else will do it.

This is a common thought that

most Christians have when it

comes to evangelism. As far as

we’re concerned it’s not our

gifting, we don’t feel ‘called’ to it

and it’s purely for those who

have been given clear

instruction to do it. (“He said to

them, go into all the world and

preach the gospel to all

creation.” Mark 16:15)

Second, fear of rejection and

embarrassment. We’ve all

observed the challenges that

street fundraisers face when

trying to engage with the public

and we can sometimes see

evangelism in this very light.

The fear of rejection, being

ignored and the embarrassment

that can occur when sharing

the Good News with strangers

can be an off-putting factor.

(“Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do

not be afraid; do not be

discouraged, for the Lord your

God will be with you wherever

you go.” Joshua 1:9)

Third, I’m not perfect myself

and I don’t want to come across

like a hypocrite. We must

always remember that we are

sinners saved by grace and it’s

not through our doing that we

have salvation, but it’s through

Jesus’ decision to pay for our

penalties. Remember, no one is

perfect and it

was in our

imperfection

state that

Christ died on

the cross for

us. “For it is

by grace you

have been

saved, through

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faith - and this is not from

yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 2.8)

One of the most powerful

things is to share (with wisdom)

our imperfection, testimony and

journey with those who are

experiencing what we have

already gone through. We are

living proof that it is because of

Christ that we can endure

challenges. Also evangelism

doesn’t always mean standing

with a megaphone in a busy

shopping area declaring God’s

truths. It can simply mean

encouraging our next door

neighbour, purchasing a

Biblical resource for a loved

one’s birthday or praying with a

stranger. If we are willing to be

available for God, He will use

us.

Upgrade of Grave Yard Path for Accessing Upgrade of Grave Yard Path for Accessing Upgrade of Grave Yard Path for Accessing Upgrade of Grave Yard Path for Accessing the Remembrance Gardenthe Remembrance Gardenthe Remembrance Gardenthe Remembrance Garden

O ne issue identified during the recent questionnaire was the state of the path through the grave yard to the remembrance garden and its narrow width was not helpful for people with walking difficulties. The PCC is to undertake a project to increase the width as well as improving the surface using self binding black basalt gravel. The work will start shortly with a budget of £1000 for the purchase of materials and the hire of a skip. If you would like to help sponsor this path a box for donations will be placed at the back of church - as a guide £10 will pay for 1 metre length of path. If you have any questions regarding this project please contact either Sheenagh or Brian Day (763716).

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St Mary’s Social CommitteeSt Mary’s Social CommitteeSt Mary’s Social CommitteeSt Mary’s Social Committee

Friday 19th May Friday 19th May Friday 19th May Friday 19th May Beetle DriveBeetle DriveBeetle DriveBeetle Drive

Sunday 2nd July Sunday 2nd July Sunday 2nd July Sunday 2nd July Summer Lunch Summer Lunch Summer Lunch Summer Lunch

Saturday 7th October Saturday 7th October Saturday 7th October Saturday 7th October Big BreakfastBig BreakfastBig BreakfastBig Breakfast

Saturday 11th November Saturday 11th November Saturday 11th November Saturday 11th November Autumn FairAutumn FairAutumn FairAutumn Fair

Sunday 3rd December Sunday 3rd December Sunday 3rd December Sunday 3rd December Christmas LunchChristmas LunchChristmas LunchChristmas Lunch

Come along and bring your friends to these events.

Tickets will be advertised in the magazine and on the

pew sheets.

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CanCanCanCan’’’’t Buy Me Lovet Buy Me Lovet Buy Me Lovet Buy Me Love

Money Isn't Everything……………..

Money can buy a house - but not a home

Money can buy a bed - but not sleep

Money can buy a clock - but not time

Money can buy a book - but not knowledge

Money can buy food - but not an appetite

Money can buy a comedian - but not happiness

Money can buy care - but not love.

SurnamesSurnamesSurnamesSurnames

D o you know where your surname originates from?

I know where mine originates

from and that knowledge has

served me well, especially in my

younger days, when people had a

bit of a laugh thinking Bottomley

has some reference to a part of my

anatomy!

It is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived

from a small place near Halifax,

West Yorkshire. The place name

means, valley bottom, dell, broad

valley with 'leah' meaning wood,

glade or clearing in a wood.

I think the most famous people with that surname are Virginia

and Peter Bottomley, both Conservative Party Politicians.

If you want to know more about your surname go to:

www.surnamedb.com

or do a google search of your name and see what details the world

has about YOU!

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I am a ChristianI am a ChristianI am a ChristianI am a Christian

When I say “I am a Christian", I am not shouting that “I am clean

living"

I'm whispering “I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven".

When I say “I am a Christian”, I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say “I am a Christian”, I'm not professing to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say “I am a Christian", I'm not bragging of success.

I’m admitting that I've failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say “I am a Christian”, I’m not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say “l am a Christian", I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say “I am a Christian", I'm not holier than thou.

I'm a simple sinner who received God’s good grace, somehow!

Bake and Brew Coffee Morning Bake and Brew Coffee Morning Bake and Brew Coffee Morning Bake and Brew Coffee Morning

Charlesworth Court community lounge

Tuesday 21st March from 10 to 12 noon.

Admission is £1.50 including tea or coffee and cake.

All proceeds will go to the Children's Society.

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Repent Repent Repent Repent ---- and Changeand Changeand Changeand Change

H e will bring back many of the people of Israel to the

Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous – to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:16-17

‘Repent’, cried John the Baptist, ‘for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (Matthew 3:2). And to the crowds who came out to be baptised by him, he said: ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?’ (Luke 3:7).

These words of denunciation, together with John’s dress and rugged way of life, may conjure up for us a picture of a hell-fire preacher, manipulating his hearers with threats of destruction. His message was, certainly, one of repentance; but his main theme was change more than judgment. He was not only calling the Jews corporately to national acts of penitence, but was also seeking to show individuals that their own lives contributed to the collective sin.

So when they asked him, ‘What should we do then?’, he gave simple and practical answers: ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same’ (Luke 3:11); ‘Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay’ (Luke 3:14).

Indeed, in the prophecy of John’s birth, spoken by the angel in the temple to Zechariah, John was described as one who would ‘turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous’ (Luke 1:17). So, the tax collectors and the soldiers were to express their repentance by their changed behaviour at work; others were to embody it by a changed attitude to their possessions.

Those who had turned away from God were to change direction and return to righteous

paths. And those with broken relationships were to seek reconciliation – within their families, and beyond. It was through the change in the hearts and lives of individuals that the nation was to be prepared for the coming of the Lord.

Has the world ever

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Church HallChurch HallChurch HallChurch Hall

T he prices for hire of the Church Hall have remained the same

for many years. After a review of running costs the PCC has

decided it is necessary to raise the hire of the Church Hall to:

£23 per hour.

£10 per hire if the kitchen is to be used.

A nnual Vestry Meeting will be held in church at the end of the Parish Eucharist on Sunday 19th March at 11.00am. This meeting is open to anyone in the parish.

The Annual Parochial Meeting will follow immediately afterwards. Only those on the Electoral Roll are entitled to vote at that meeting. This year there will be the elections of four new PCC lay representatives, election of deanery representatives, the co-option of a Treasurer, the election of sidemen and the presentation of Safeguarding Policy and the audited financial accounts. If anyone feels able to serve on the PCC please speak to the vicar or the churchwardens.

been in greater need of reconciliation than today? From broken families with abused or neglected children to nations reducing each other’s cities to rubble, the Church must be in the thick of things, living in unity, reaching out in love and urging – with a

prophetic voice like John’s – the repentance that leads to change.

Helen Parry Helen Parry Helen Parry Helen Parry is LICC's Lecturer in Globalisation & Christian Lifestyle

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From the ArchivesFrom the ArchivesFrom the ArchivesFrom the Archives

T his year is the 150th anniversary of St John’s School Sandbach Heath. First opened to pupils in January 1867 when 51 children were admitted into the care of Miss Eliza Matthews. In the top picture we the school as is today and below pre 1963 before major modifications had been made to increase

the number of classrooms to four. Stephen MinshullStephen MinshullStephen MinshullStephen Minshull

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Bishop Hits the Wrong ButtonBishop Hits the Wrong ButtonBishop Hits the Wrong ButtonBishop Hits the Wrong Button

T he Bishop of Coventry, the Right Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, apologised in February for voting against a House of Bishops report into same-sex relationships at the General Synod. A number of other voters from the three houses - laity, clergy and bishops - also said they found the voting process unclear and had also made arrors. The report upheld the traditional marriage between a man and a woman and all three houses needed a simple majority for the report to be carried. It was rejected as the House of Clergy voted against by 100 to 93.

Car Dealers in ChurchCar Dealers in ChurchCar Dealers in ChurchCar Dealers in Church

W hat would you think if a local car dealership launched two new car models in our church? Surely this would neve happen. But it has, in Peterborough Cathedral. A BMW dealership launched the new BMW 5 series and Mini Clubman in the cathedral reportedly earning the Cathedral a four figure sum. There was mainly outrage on the Cathedral Facebook page with lady asking "Have you considered sponsorship? Coca-Cola maybe? Or a Subway in the cloisters?" The cathedral said on its Facebook page that "This is all about welcoming people. Large numbers of guests will be here this evening and some will be people who would never otherwise set foot in the building".

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Inside the ChurchInside the ChurchInside the ChurchInside the Church

T hroughout the interior of the church there are twenty-nine carved stone figure heads of thirteenth century origin. The first two are situated in the passageway between the north aisle and choir vestry. The custom of that time was to model this kind of effigy on a monarch or famous person of the period, after which the mason would revert to anyone known to him personally. We have no definite information about these two figures, so would deduce that the models were probably, due to the absence of any distinguishing items of dress, a local couple. Indeed they might even figure a carpenter or stonemason and his wife who were employed in rebuilding or enlarging our church in those far-off days.

The six sculptured corbel heads situated three on either side over the choir stalls are again of thirteenth century origin. A great deal of investigation has gone into confirming who they are: on the north side- King Richard I on the right; King Edward I in the centre; Queen Berengaria, wife of King Richard on the left. On the south wall: Bishop Stephen Langton; Roger Bacon; and on the right Simon de Montfort. A somewhat unusual mixture of personalities here. and a strange choice in Berengaria as history books tell us that she in fact never set foot in England during her lifetime; however, whilst we marvel at the craftsmanship, the centuries cover up the real choice of such a motley band to take pride of place in the chancel.

There is a further selection of sixteen sculptured corbel heads in the nave roof, two being barely visible at the extreme west end behind the organ pipes.

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“Hello my friend, what’s up with you then?” said the vicar to an old, shabbily-dressed man who was sitting on a seat by the village pond, trying to catch something.

The man replied, “I’m fed up.” The vicar said, “Come and join me for a drink.”

As they were sitting at the bar in the local pub the vicar asked the man, “How many have you caught today?” He replied, “You’re the seventh.”

A mother asked her young son, as they waited for the bus, to tell the driver he was five years old, because then he would ride for free. As they got into the bus the driver asked him how old he was. "I am five years old," said the little boy proudly. The driver had a son of his own that age, and smiled. "And when will you be six years old?" he asked. “When I get off the bus," answered the boy.

A man scolded his son for being so unruly. The child rebelled and picked up some of his clothes, his favourite toy and proudly announced, "I'm running away from home!"

The father said, "What if you get hungry, run out of money and your clothes get dirty?” The boy said, “I will come back and mummy will sort everything out for me.”

The father turned to his wife and said, “I reckon he’s not running away from home, he’s going off to university.”

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead pigeons. The stewardess looks at him and says, "I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger."

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CHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALS

Vicar The Revd. Thomas Shepherd 762379

vicar@sandbachchurch.co.uk

Churchwardens Sheenagh Ashworth 529187

Anne Birch 760778

Sacristan John Percival 765700

Verger

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS

PCC Secretary Mel Robinson 753821

Treasurer Roger Cooke 762118

Covenants/Gift Aid Aileen Higgs 760149

OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS

Organist Kevin Birch kevibirch@gmx.com 760778

Bells John Austin 764851

Mervyn Stubbs 762516

Church Flowers Sheenagh Ashworth 529187

Church Hall Sylvia Watkins 767386

hall@sandbachchurch.co.uk

BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGSSSS

Please Contact The Vicar in Church on Sundays 2pm to 3pm (5pm to 6pm during BST) to make the necessary arrangements.

Challenge is edited by John Bottomley. If you or your organisation have reports of events that have already happened, progress up-dates of continuing projects, or any other items to be published in the magazine, please contact me by: tel: 01270 768744 e-mail: magazine@sandbachchurch.co.uk post: 15 Chartwell Park, Sandbach, CW11 4ZP

Articles must be received by Sunday 19th MarchSunday 19th MarchSunday 19th MarchSunday 19th March More information is also available on the web-site:

www.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.uk