Dear Friends
Some of you may be wondering about the future of Ministry at St Michael's. I expect that you have heard of the proposed amalgamation of our parish with Slaidburn, Tosside and Dale Head.
The proposals are in the hands of the Diocese of Leeds and Blackburn, and meetings have been held between the PCCs of all the churches and met with approval. After that we have written a Parish Profile of the new set up as the basis of an advert for a Priest to take the post on a 50% stipend, whilst living in the Rectory at Slaidburn.....I am not sure when the advert will be published but after due time, interviews will be held by diocesan staff and members of the parishes concerned.....that is IF there are any applicants, a situation which might arise.
This seems to be a good solution as Whitewell will have a local priest as will the other three churches, which are transferring from the Diocese of Leeds to the Diocese of Blackburn.
As I am 75 in February, it is time for me to step aside to make room for a 'new broom'. Needless to say, I have mixed feelings about this as I have come to love and appreciate St Michael's and its splendid and loyal congregation. In theory, my last Sunday will be the last Sunday of April, but I have said that I will continue in office until the new post has been filled. I also intend to come up to a service every now and again to see you all.
I feel that we have made good progress together, and have brought in some very good changes which have been wisely and gently done. We now have Lay members reading lessons and leading intercessions. Lay members also administer the Chalice at the Eucharist. We now wear Eucharistic Vestments which were given to us last year. Our Newsletter is circulated far and wide and we now use the Envelope Giving Scheme with Gift Aid. Canon Thomas Woodhouse is now an excellent and caring link man with the Duchy of Lancaster, and our finances are stable. This is the time therefore to project our stability into a new Ministry Group.
If you are reading this and care about our parish church and want it to actually have a healthy future, then you should come more often and support its events as many of you have been doing lately....I am especially keen that we have support for improving and redecorating the interior. Several of you have expressed interest in the project and I hope that whilst I am still in office you will speak to me about it PLEASE!!!.
Meanwhile remember St Michaels and the other parishes in your prayers The future is exciting BUT remember YOUR PARISH CHURCH is like the Post Office....USE IT OR LOSE IT!!!!
Yours in the love of Christ
Roger.
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Readers Intercessors
February
12 Romans 8 v18-25 Veronica Millward......Nick Millward
26 Romans 5 v12-19 Julia Hawkins...........William Leeming
March
12 Romans 5 v1-11 Nick Millward ...........Veronica Millward
19 Ephesians 5 v8-14 Hazell Beattie.......... . Wendy Leeming
26 Romans 8 v6-11 William Leeming .........Parish Priest
April
2 Phillipians 2 v5-11 Niall Bancroft...............Nick Millward
9 Acts 10 v34-43 TBA……………………………..William Leeming
1 Peter 5 v1-11 Jim Potter…………………..Wendy Leeming
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
From T S Eliot's poem Ash Wednesday
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Breaking barriers to peace
God of all,
as we walk together.
Open our hearts
to your tenderness.
Open our minds
to your understanding.
Open our lives
to your challenge.
We are one people, many nations,
building hope through steps for peace.
One world with many barriers,
breaking chains so we dance free.
One voice that shouts for justice
shatters hatred, calls for change.
One God, one world, one people,
turning tables, share the feast.
Amen.
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February sees the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday, in the Christian church, the first day of Lent, occurring six and a half weeks before Easter (between February 4 and March 11, depending on the date of Easter). Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting.In my last parish we would hold a Eucharist during which the congregation members received the sign of the Cross in Ash upon their forehead with the words...'Remember O thou man that dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.'.....The Ash was created by burning the Palms of Palm Sunday.
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The next PCC meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th March at 7.30 p.m. in the Social Hall.
This will be our Annual General Meeting
Giving up and Giving
If you decide to make some sacrifice in Lent why not give something that you like up?....perhaps special biscuits or chocolate....and give the money you save to Water Aid?
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A Prayer to use during Lent
Sovereign Lord,
your hand has touched
the dry bones of our faith,
your Word has breathed
new life where there was death,
your spirit raised
us up from where we lay,
your love has brought
us home and to your Cross,
and by your grace"
we stand forgiven, free.
Hallelujah!
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Pope Francis said
"God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy."
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Baptism
Sunday 27th November
George Anthony Coates/Heidi Bluebell Coates
Sunday 18th December
James Alexander Hall
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Holy Matrimony
28th December – Mark Anthony Molloy/Emma Louise Hooper
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Renewal of Wedding Vows
Sunday 22nd January
Ron & Sonja Orr
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