November Newsletter
Welcome!
'Remember, Remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot, I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot', goes the rhyme.
November is a time of remembering, but probably few think about the gunpowder plot as they enjoy the fireworks of Bonfire Night.
November's most significant remembering is not November 5th but on Remembrance Sunday when we remember those who fought, suffered and died in the two World Wars. Looking at the numbers of those from outside our regular congregation, who gather at St Peter's on Remembrance Sunday, we have seen a steady fall since we marked the 100th anniversary of the end of the first World War. It seems that there is a danger that the remembrance of those two world shattering events might follow the pattern of Bonfire Night, and wearing a poppy become more significant than actively remembering those who died.
So why is gathering in Church and hearing the names read of those who died so important? It reminds us that these things actually happened to real people, from our village and in real history. These young men showed honour and courage, duty and sacrifice, and a set of values that are often belittled in this day and age. They died in ways that were often unspeakably horrendous with great courage.
It may not be the most exciting thing to do on a Sunday morning, there may be other things we could be doing but we have that choice in part because they did not. Yes, do buy a poppy (and give generously because the money goes to a good cause) but most of all let's remember, together.
In this month's newsletter
Church News
The Bishop of Chester will be with us
It feels like only the other week that Bishop Sam was here for a wonderful Confirmation Service, but it was a year ago! We are delighted that our Diocesan Bishop Mark Tanner will be with us in November for another Confirmation Service on 17 November at 10.30am at St Peter's. Confirmation is where we celebrate discipleship and the candidates make a step of Commitment both in their Christian faith and in their church membership.
It is an opportunity to both hear Bishop Mark preach at St Peter's for the first time and an occasion for all our the church family to worship and celebrate together. My hope is whether you are a regular or an occasional Church worshipper in any of our Sunday or weekday congregations, you will join the celebration and welcome those being confirmed. Do please pray for those who are being confirmed. The Young Church team are running a special Young Church to enable parents to share in this special service and we are going to have a celebratory bring and share lunch afterwards to which everyone is invited.
Remembrance Sunday
The Royal British Legion and the Minister and members of Prestbury Methodist Church will be joining us for the Annual Service of Remembrance at 10.30am at St Peter's on 10 November. Centred around the two minutes' silence, this poignant service with the reading of the names of those from our community who gave their lives in the two world wars, the trumpeter's last post and Reveille followed by the evocative words of the Kohima declaration is an opportunity for the whole community to come together in Remembrance.
The Royal British Legion poppies are available at the back of church and in many of the shops and businesses in the village.
Service for those who Mourn
Sunday 3 November at 4.30pm
At this annual Service we remember all those we have loved and lost and placed in God’s hands over the years. Families who have held a funeral at any of our churches in the last two years receive a personal invitation, but everyone is very welcome to join us at the service, complete a memorial card and light a candle of remembrance if they wish.
It is a special evening and many people find they gain comfort from the words and music, and from the actions of contributing their loved one’s name and lighting a candle for them, even if their bereavement is from many years ago.
The service is followed by refreshments in St Peter’s Rooms where there will be space and time to talk and reminisce.
Making of Christingles – many hands make light work!
Saturday 30 November 10.00am-12noon St Peter's Rooms
Everyone is welcome to join the fun of making Christingles.
There are jobs for people of every age and ability, and families with children of any age are as welcome as those who have faithfully made Christingles for decades!
Tea and coffee will be available, as well as fellowship, laughter and a sense of achievement!
Mothers’ Union
Monday 11 November 2.00pm
Christmas Crafts
Card and decoration making for all, with generous help and materials provided by Jean Harter as in previous years. Everyone is very welcome and there will be a chance to chat over refreshments as usual.
Monday 9 December 2.00pm
A Christmas Celebration!
The Handbell Ringers will join us for a festive celebration. It’s a good chance to see and hear the bells close up (and maybe even have a go!). Please bring Christmas treats to share – all the extras will be donated to the Pantry. Everyone is very welcome to our Mothers’ Union meetings.
Church needs you!
Help is always needed just to keep things ticking over as well as for the additional extras. As we run towards the Advent and Christmas season please think if you could help with any of these…
Serving tea and coffee following the ‘Service for those who Mourn’: Sunday 3 November (from approx. 5.30pm – speak to Anne 07999 862 035).
Making Christingles: Saturday 30 November 10.00am St Peter’s Rooms. Just turn up. Everything provided.
Holy Dusters meet on Thursday mornings for just one hour of cleaning followed by tea, chat and laughter. Holy Dusters don’t all come every week but fit it round their schedules. Any assistance is very welcome (ask Karen, Anne, or the Parish Office if you’d like to know more).
Serving tea and coffee on Sundays after the 10.30am service: fill in the clipboard on the kitchen hatch.
Helping with the Confirmation Lunch: Sunday 17 November. Contact Mike Waters via the Parish Office.
Tech Team: ask Patrick for more information.
There are other jobs of course! If there’s one you have seen that you would like to do, or to know more about, speak to Patrick , or a member of the Churchwarden or Ministry teams.
Volunteers from the work party enjoying a much earned break with coffee tea bacon and sausage sandwiches
Join the Street Party Welcomers
Sunday 8 December
You know what it feels like when you welcome someone who hasn’t seen where you live before? That sense of seeing it afresh, through their eyes? Welcoming visitors into St Peter’s is a bit like this, it helps us to see our church with new eyes. Not only that, but what has brought them here – history and beauty of course, but also curiosity, wonder, questions… a place of peace, a place to pray… to reflect… Everyone is welcome, and there’ll be someone from the Ministry team there all afternoon.
Can you join us? Either welcoming in church or making hot chocolate in the rooms. What works best is about six people – three in church and three making hot chocolate – each staying for about one hour. Plus of course the Ministry team person. It is interesting, moving, surprising – sometimes joyful, sometimes sad, sometimes eye-opening – and always a lovely opportunity to build friendships.
You will receive an email to respond to nearer the time. I look forward to hearing from you then!
Many thanks.
Avril Ravenscroft
Young Church
This month Young Church meets on both Sunday 3 and Sunday 17 November during the 10.30am service. The children are exploring Jesus' parables through stories, activities, crafts and songs. The children start in Church then go through to St Peter's Rooms for their activities and learning. The children then come back into Church during the distribution of Holy Communion and are always welcome to come to the altar rail for a blessing.
For more information contact:
Jenny on 07837001550 or
Paula on 07813707222
Preparation of new Electoral Roll - 2025
Every six years each parish is required to prepare a new Electoral Roll and the next scheduled preparation of a new Electoral Roll is in 2025. Over the forthcoming months, preparation for this new roll will begin. Members on the previous roll need to apply to be included – inclusion is not automatic. New people to church can also apply by filling out an application form which are available from the back of church. Completed forms can be posted in the red pillar box which is also located at the back of church.
Monastic Garden Memorial Benches
We have tried to follow up all those who said they would like to place a bench in the monastic garden in memory of a loved one. With everything that has been happening it may be that you have expressed an interest and we have not got back to you, or that you didn't know the possibility existed. There are two remaining benches that could be purchased, they are designed specially and built locally out of high quality hardwood. If you would like to know more please contact the office, or speak to Patrick or Steve Hill.
Young Church Nativity
This year the Young Church Nativity is at 10.30am on 8 December in St Peter's. Children of all ages are welcome to take part. For further information contact the Young Church coordinators, Jenny and Paula.
This is not only a wonderful service where the children re-tell the events of that first Christmas, but is another of the Christmas services which are great to invite or bring people to. Who doesn't love to come to sing carols and enjoy the relaxed and entertaining retelling of the Christmas story.
As well as the team putting together the performance helpers with moving and setting up the stage, lights, etc are always needed.
Looking ahead to Christmas
There are many wonderful services on over Christmas at St Peter's and St John's, they are the perfect opportunity to invite someone to Church. Have a look at the programme of services below and book the dates in the diary but also think and pray. Who could you invite? and for whom might this be a step into a Church life they have drifted away from or a step into a Church they never knew existed?
Special Christmas Services
Services at St Peter's
|
Services at St John's
|
Sunday 1st December
4.30pm Christingle |
|
Sunday 8th December
10.30am Young Church Nativity
6.00pm Street Party Carols |
Sunday 8th December
4.00pm Carols
(with Macclesfield Youth Brass Band) |
Sunday 22nd December
6.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols |
|
|
|
|
Christmas Eve
3.00pm Carols Round the Crib
5.00pm Carols Round the Crib
11.30pm Midnight Communion |
Christmas Eve
4.00pm Starlit Carols |
Christmas Day
10.30am Family Communion |
Christmas Day
10.00am Christmas Communion |
Signing up for Rota duties
Don't forget to sign up for Rota duties (Welcoming, Reading or Chalice Assistant). If you would like to lead Intercessions on a Sunday morning please speak to Patrick. If you would like to join any of the other rotas or if you need help signing up, please contact Judith in the Parish Office parishoffice@stpetersprestbury.org.uk
This Month's Worship
St Peter's Sunday Worship
|
|
8.30am
|
10.30 am
|
4.30pm
|
Nov 3rd
|
Holy
Communion
|
Holy Communion
Behold the lamb
(with Young Church)
|
Service for those who Mourn
|
Nov 10th
|
Holy
Communion
|
Remembrance Service
|
Cathedral
Evensong
|
Nov 17th
|
Holy
Communion
|
Confirmation Service
Bishop Mark Tanner
(with Young Church)
|
Parish
Evensong
|
Nov 24th
|
Holy
Communion
|
Holy Communion
with Baptism
|
Cathedral
Evensong
|
Dec 1st
|
Holy
Communion
|
Holy Communion
|
Christingle
Service
|
St John's Sunday Worship
|
|
11.00am
|
Nov 10th
|
Remembrance and Remembering
Service
|
|
Nov 24th |
Holy Communion |
Church of the Resurrection, Worship
|
|
10.00am
|
Nov 3rd
|
Holy Communion
|
Nov 17th
|
Holy Communion
|
Weekday Worship
Day and Time
|
Activity
|
Place
|
|
Monday 9.00am
|
Morning Prayer
|
St Peter's Rooms
|
|
Tuesday 9.00am
|
Morning Prayer
|
St Peter's Rooms
|
|
Wednesday 10.30am
|
Holy Communion
|
St Peter's
|
|
Thursday 9.30am
|
Morning Prayer
|
St John's
|
|
2nd & 4th Thursday 10.15am
|
Pram Service
|
St Peter's
|
Community News
Wedding Fayre
Just in case you missed it last month, St Peter's very first Wedding Fayre is happening next year on Saturday 26 April from 2pm - 4pm. There has been excellent support from local businesses and we are looking forward to a wonderful crowd of engaged couples, or those thinking about getting married, coming along to discover that a Church Wedding is the perfect way to celebrate that big day. For more information contact our Wedding Clerk, Jo-Ann Chambers or the Parish Office.
Hospice Volunteer Chaplains
Do you have a few hours to spare to help the Chaplain at the East Cheshire Hospice to support the pastoral care of patients, families and staff at this special place?
East Cheshire Hospice are looking for chaplaincy volunteers to help in a number of ways. If you are interested, or would like to find out more, scan the QR code or call Marion on 01625 610364 to have a chat.
Prayer Resources
Weekly Prayer topics
Please use the weekly prayer topics below for your own prayers, alongside the monthly Prayer Diary, which is available at the back of Church.
Week
starting
|
Church
|
Community
|
World
|
Nov 3rd
|
We remember
Richard Hooker
1554 -1600
advocated for the Church of England to hold the "middle way" We pray for the unity of the Church.
|
We pray for local firework parties, for the safety and well being of those taking part and for consideration and care towards others.
|
We pray for the elections in the USA, for the rule of law to prevail and results to be accepted by all.
|
Nov 10th
|
We remember Leo the Great, fifth century Bishop and theologian. We pray for all Christian Teachers and educators.
|
We look ahead to next week's Confirmation Service and pray for many who do not usually come to church to attend.
|
We pray for the work of Tearfund, its staff and projects.
|
Nov 17th
|
We pray for the Confirmation Service, for God through his Holy Spirit to be powerfully present in this special service.
|
Pray for those in our community who have questions about God and faith, that they might become part of an exploring faith group.
|
We pray for Gaza food and medical supplies to reach those in need.
|
Nov 24th
|
This week the church remembers Isaac Watts, the great hymn writer. Pray for our worship group and choir.
|
Pray for our posters, social media and banners to be seen and draw people into worship.
|
Pray for the Diocese of Europe and the congregations where Church members worship when in Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
|
Dec 1st
|
The Church remembers missionaries who went to Asia. We give thanks and pray for missionaries from those countries bringing Christian faith to Britain today. |
Pray for Christingle, the first of our services reaching out into the community this Christmas. |
Pray that as we enter Advent leaders in the world will seek light rather than darkness in their decisions. |
Those who are sick
John Syner
William Nocker
Those who have died
Dorothy Thomas
Mavis Ridgeway
Those whose ashes are being interred
Sheila Vernoit
Suzanne Fairclough