April Newsletter
Welcome... to the Easter Newsletter
"How deep the Father's love for us how vast beyond all measure" begins a familiar contemporary hymn reflecting on the events of Good Friday. Soon we will be journeying through Holy Week following the donkey on Palm Sunday, gathering in the upper room as Jesus shares bread and wine with the disciples, standing at the foot of the cross on Good Friday and gathering around the Easter fire on Easter Day. As we journey with Jesus, are we aware of the 'golden thread' connecting those events of long ago with our services and worship today? At work in both the then and the now is the Father's love - his love in the world he loves, restoring the creatures he loves, through the Cross where the world is allowed to pour out its worst. There on the Cross Jesus ministers to the world in suffering love and the father ministers to Jesus.
The words of Jesus "why have you forsaken me" are not words of abandonment but, like the Rabbi he is, Jesus is calling upon the whole of Psalm 22 with its affirmation of faith, trust and resurrection hope. It is this hope that is fulfilled on that first Easter Sunday when God raises Jesus from the dead.
Have you experienced the ministering power of Father, Son and Holy Spirit and can you respond by singing "This I know with all my heart his wounds have paid my ransom"? If not, maybe this Easter is the time to Journey in worship through the events of that Easter week and as the disciples did on that first Easter Sunday put your faith and trust in the one who loves you beyond all measure.
In this month's newsletter:
Easter Services
Palm Sunday
On this day we look back to Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey: the crowd line the streets, waving palm branches and shouting out in praise. They voice the hope that Jesus was the one to fulfill all that they had prayed and waited for.
In both our morning worship services on Palm Sunday (at Prestbury and Adlington) we follow a donkey (not the same one!), wave branches and celebrate that Jesus is King.
At Prestbury, we gather at 10.00am at Prestbury Church of England Primary School and will process to St Peter's where the Service will continue at 10.30am.
At Adlington, we gather at St John's at 11.00am and process through the grounds.
Also on Palm Sunday our Exploring the Bible Service at 4.30pm (at St Peter's) will focus on the first great act of liberation, as God rescued his people from slavery in Egypt. This service is followed by refreshments and our short discussion in St Peter's Rooms. All are welcome.
Holy Wednesday
There are some scholars who think that Jesus and the disciples gathered to share the last supper together on the Wednesday night. As we journey with Jesus from the upper room, out to the Garden to pray, through the arrest, trial, bringing before Pilate and the freeing of Barabbas and all that happens this makes a lot of sense. But the shape of our worship Holy Week remembers those events on Thursday night and Friday morning. We will use this Wednesday night space to read the whole of a Gospel.
Reading Luke's Gospel
7.00pm St Peter's Rooms
All are welcome to share in reading, or just to come and listen.
Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday the members of the Ministry Team travel to Chester Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist. This Service contains the blessing of the oils used in Baptism and for Annointing and the renewal of ministerial vows. In the oil we remember that Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray - a place where olives were harvested and crushed to make olive oil.
7.30pm Holy Communion We remember the last supper and Jesus and the institution of Holy Communion. As on that evening we remember that the mood changes from celebration to stillness and during 'the watch' we wait and pray silently in Church just as the disciples waited and prayed in the garden.
Good Friday
On that first Good Friday, Jesus was handed over to be crucified; a brutal, humiliating, agonising form of execution. In recollection of this, our worship has a more sombre theme, reflecting on both the sacrifice involved and the enormity of God's love.
Good Friday at St Peter's
10.00am Family Service
Worship for all ages as we journey through Good Friday with activities, readings, hymns and worship songs.
12noon Meditation on the Cross
A reflective service of worship as we journey in readings, hymns and anthems to the Cross.
Good Friday at St John's, Adlington
11.00am Good Friday Reflection
Worship focused on Jesus, the Cross and what that means for us.
Easter Eve, Saturday
Easter Eve is a time of waiting and preparation. It is a when we remember the disciples, scared and hiding, wondering if they would be those next to die. We remember Jesus lying dead in the tomb and with him the disciples hopes and dreams from Palm Sunday, lying dashed and broken.
Church lies quiet on this day in anticipation of what is to come.
Easter Sunday
On that first Easter morning the women came to the tomb, the stone was rolled away and the tomb was found empty. Death was defeated, God's love had triumphed, Jesus was risen and the world was changed forever.
Our Easter celebrations all draw on different aspects of that first Easter: followers gathering early, a lighting of an Easter fire, sharing breakfast, celebrating Holy Communion, hunting chocolate eggs and singing songs and hymns of joy and praise.
Easter Sunday at St Peter's
6.00am Dawn Service and Easter Fire
The lighting of the Easter fire is followed by the first Communion of Easter and the Easter breakfast.
9.30am Family Service
A celebration of Jesus' Resurrection for all ages including an Easter Egg hunt.
11.00am Holy Communion
The Choir lead us in favourite Easter hymns and anthems as we share Holy Communion together.
At St John's
11.00am All Age Holy Communion
This will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with song, drama, worship and not forgetting, chocolate eggs.
Church News
APCM Thank You
A big ‘thank you’ to all who attended, presented, prepared refreshments, moved furniture and in all ways assisted with the smooth running of our recent APCM.
A special note of thanks to those who prepared such creative and informative reports so efficiently. As I write they are still on display in St Peter’s Rooms and I would encourage everyone to stop by and take a look at them if you have not already done so.
Sheila Andrews
PCC Lay Chair
Mothering Sunday Thank you
To all those who bunched flowers for Mothering Sunday and who moved, wrapped, labelled church furniture and fixings in preparing church for the scaffolding and lighting engineers.
Christian Aid Week 2025
This year Christian Aid Week runs from 11-17 May. The focus this year is on Guatemala, where indigenous farmers have been badly affected by the climate crisis. But farmers such as Aurelia are still full of hope, and seeking to adapt the way they farm, with the help of Christian Aid's partner, Congcoop.
SAVE THE DATE: We will be raising money for Christian Aid Week through our quiz night which has become something of an annual event! This year it will be on Thursday 15 May, at the Village Club. Look out for more news about ticket sales as the date approaches!
We will also be holding a special service in the morning on Sunday 11 May, and we will be delivering donation envelopes around the village. Please speak to one of us if you can help with envelope delivery - all offers of help are greatly appreciated!
Kate Collins, Richard Collins, Steve Hill
Social Justice and Environment Hub
Reading the Gospel of Luke
Wednesday 16 April
Starting at 7.00pm prompt
St Peter’s Rooms
As in previous years we will read a whole gospel in one evening during Holy Week. This year we are reading Luke, and those who have been part of this before will know how special this can feel. If you would like to read a section please put your name on the sign up sheet in St Peter’s Rooms. We will make a prompt start and have a break in the middle. If you would like to join us later in the evening just indicate this on the sign up sheet. Everyone who would like to is welcome to read, you don’t have to be a regular church reader. You might like to just come and listen? You will be welcome too.
St Peter's at Foxhill
Tuesday 3 June 10.00am-4.00pm
Our day at Foxhill, the Chester Diocesan Retreat House, on Tuesday 3 June has plenty of people signed up, but there is still room for more. It will be a day spent in guided reflection and prayer and an opportunity to refresh our church friendships, enjoy together the quiet and beauty of Foxhill's gardens and woodland, to maybe read, walk or try our hands at something creative. The day will conclude with Holy Communion in the Foxhill Chapel.
Find out more about Foxhill here: Foxhill | Retreat House | Foxhill House and Woodlands, Frodsham, UK
The details of the programme are still being planned and will be led by either Revd. David or Revd. Lucy Brewster, resident managers of Foxhill. There will be refreshments available throughout the day and a two course lunch will be provided. Foxhill is fully accessible.
The cost will be in the region of £40 per person, but please let us know if the cost is a problem.
Foxhill is about a 50 minute drive from Prestbury. If you would like to come but don't have transport or don’t want to drive, speak to Anne, and similarly, if you are able to offer a seat in your car. How to sign up for the day: email or phone Anne Stirling to secure your place. We are asking for a £10 deposit per person, with final payment nearer the time.
Email: annestirling@hotmail.co.uk Tel: 07999 862 035
Mothers’ Union
There will be no Mothers’ Union meeting in April as our usual date falls during Holy Week.
Money Matters
On Sunday 23 March I presented our financial figures at the church's annual meeting. In overall terms our finances are in good shape, due entirely to the generosity of former church members leaving substantial gifts in their Wills. We have money to invest in building improvements and other initiatives in 2025, which is good.
If these legacies from former church members are excluded from our figures, the picture is not so good, unfortunately, as our expenses in 2025 are predicted to be higher than our income by around £10,000. My short term focus is on finding ways to eliminate this shortfall, and one way for us all to help is to look at our giving and seeing if we are able to increase what we give to the church.
I appreciate that not everyone will be able to give more, but if you can you will be supporting the church as well as your fellow members of the church family. If you do not currently give to the church but would like to, please contact Pauline Rhoades, the Recorder, and if you pay tax, Gift Aid can enhance your giving considerably.
Finally, just a reminder for anyone who currently gives but no longer pays income tax that your giving is now ineligible for Gift Aid so please inform Pauline Rhoades, the Recorder, in the Parish Office if this applies to you.
Steve Saunders - Treasurer
A Cathedral date for the diary
Chester Diocesan Safeguarding Service
Clergy, lay ministers, children and youth workers, parish safeguarding officers, lead recruiters, PCC members and safeguarding leads in schools are all invited to our annual service at Chester Cathedral.
The service will be held on Tuesday 10 June at 7.00pm and there will be refreshments afterwards.
The Diocese will also be launching Speak Out: Stay Safe, our new safeguarding campaign for parishes which we have developed in consultation with children and young people. You will be able to collect your free resources which will include contact cards, identification pin badges and template posters and information on pre-loaded USB drives.
Invitations will be sent out soon.
Latest News and Chat from St John's Adlington
Coffee Shop
St John’s Coffee Shop had its pre-season Volunteers' Open Day last Saturday and the following is an overview from Lorraine, a St John’s committee member and Coffee Shop Manager who sent this to our various WhatsApp groups.
Wow-what an amazing Volunteer Open Day we had at St John's Coffee Shop!
The rain stayed away (phew! 😅) and the warm, welcoming atmosphere made it an afternoon to remember. We were thrilled to welcome back so many of our returning bakers and baristas, as well as meeting some fantastic new faces eager to join us this season.
There was plenty of laughter, plenty of stories shared, and, of course, plenty of cake! Our bakers proudly showed off some of their delicious creations, and our returning team members had their photos taken for our shiny new website-so keep an eye out for some familiar faces soon!
And let's not forget our furry regulars - several of our favourite coffee shop pups made an appearance and happily enjoyed a doggy treat (because good boys and girls deserve a café experience too! ).
With so many people turning up (way more than the number in the photo!), the atmosphere was buzzing, and it reminded us why we love doing this so much. We had such a lovely afternoon, and now we're all set and raring to go for our grand reopening in April!
Thank you to everyone who came along—we can't wait to serve up more great coffee, delicious cakes, and community spirit in the 2025 season!
I can confirm that there was definitely a ‘buzz' about the Church as Lorraine says - I’ve just
finished completing the last Noise Abatement notice that was served! I’m so glad that Nick stayed on for the photograph and represented the male species, we do tend to be a little underrepresented, however, it’s one big happy family that really gels! So if any of the male species do want to be spoiled rotten by our wonderful ladies please do get in touch……not too many mind you, we like the fuss 🤣!!
And ladies if you feel this is something you would like to be involved with, again just make contact, there is no cut off time for volunteers, we give personal training in the week for all new members.
We open this coming Saturday from 10.30am until 4.30pm, so pop along or put a date in your diary.
PS We have always served free doggy treats to all our furry friends, (with owner’s permission of course) however, we are expanding this and now having a ‘doggy-of-the-month’ competition each month... pedigree certification not a prerequisite... more news on this shortly!
Arthur Bell
Pause for thought
In this new occasional section in the newsletter, we reflect from a Christian perspective on an issue in everyday conversation.
'Boys need role models, not gaming and porn’
This is the hard-hitting strap line which the BBC gave to its review of the Dimbleby Lecture for 2025, given by Gareth Southgate (former manager of England Men's Football Team).
We asked two members of St Peter’s to watch the Programme and, as a review, to respond to three questions. Their answers and more general comments are summarised below.
In the lecture (although it’s way more approachable than that!) Gareth speaks from his own experience of life and football, most notably drawing on his own recovery from the infamous Euro 96 penalty miss. This moment became a source of personal growth rather than a moment of life-changing failure, thanks to the wise advice and close support of key people around him. He uses this to highlight the increasing vulnerability facing our younger men and boys particularly in the 16 – 25 age bracket.
The pain of the penalty miss was not taken away (and he talks of how the pain travels with him) but what could have easily been a defining moment of failure became a moment that defined him in other ways, ‘It forced me to dig deep and revealed inner belief and resilience I didn’t know existed’ he says.
What struck you about the programme?
Gareth speaks of the need to build belief, resilience and positivity within the world of our younger men and boys. He comments rawly on the impact of social media, the lack of real-time connection and community which has produced a crisis of confidence and lack of self-belief leaving them isolated and vulnerable. Suicide, he says, is the leading cause of death in men under the age of 50. He critiques modern masculinity and calls for change to guide a generation away from loss to gambling, gaming and pornography.
Gareth calls out the toxic influencers who push dominance and money as success, contrasting instead strength through generosity and emotional openness.
Where is the Good News?
The Good News lies in the hope that things can change – we can support our young men he says, by providing real-world role models and communities to counter the toxic influences they encounter online – living people who can model a different way, and guide them into resilience and character not just success or status. He critiques modern masculinity and calls for change to guide a generation away from loss to gambling, gaming and pornography.
What does Gareth say that the Church doesn’t?
He brings to the fore an awareness of the real crisis facing our young men and boys – the vulnerability caused by the pressures of a digital culture, the pressure to never fail and to be successful, the lack of positive mentors and role models. A decline of community and the absence of father figures (2.5 million British children do not have a father at home) mean that we all need to step-up and take seriously a role in modelling compassion and strength. ‘You don’t need to be a Dad to be a father figure’ he says. The church has much to say on these issues but maybe we are not responding loudly enough?
The interview is real and vulnerable, but not preachy. It highlights a world lost of values, mentors, role models and holds real honesty about life’s challenges and opportunities. It does appear that many of what he calls for are characteristics embedded into Church life and Community.
So what might we do to change things for the better?
Thank you to Jim Leonard and Andy Green for their incisive and challenging comments.
Beverley Angier
You can watch this challenging and yet hopeful programme by following the link:
The Richard Dimbleby Lecture - Sir Gareth Southgate - BBC iPlayer
This Month's Worship
St Peter's Sunday Worship
|
|
8.30am
|
9.30am
|
10.30 am
|
4.30pm
|
April
6th
|
Holy
Communion
|
|
Holy Communion
Behold the lamb
|
Cathedral
Evensong
|
Palm Sunday
April
13th
|
Holy
Communion
|
10am at School
Palm Sunday
Procession |
Palm Sunday
Service
|
Festal
Evensong
|
Easter Sunday
April
20th
|
6.00am
Easter Fire &
Communion
|
9.30am
Family
Service
|
11.00am
Choral Holy
Communion
|
No
Service
|
April
27th
|
Holy
Communion
|
|
Holy
Communion
|
Cathedral
Evensong
|
St John's Sunday Worship
|
|
11.00am
|
April 13th
|
Morning Worship
|
|
April 20th |
Easter Day
Holy Communion |
Church of the Resurrection Worship
|
|
10.00am
|
April 6th
|
Holy Communion
|
April 20th
|
Easter Day
Holy Communion
|
Weekday Worship
Day and Time
|
Activity
|
Place
|
|
Monday 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 in term time 10.15am
|
Pram Service
|
St Peter's
|
Community News
VE Day 80th Anniversary
On Thursday 8 May Prestbury Parish Council, community organisations and St Peter's will be marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Details of the day's events that will culminate in the lighting of the beacon at St Peter's at 9.15pm will be available after Easter. Please book the date in your diary.
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
|
Church
|
Community
|
World
|
April
6th
|
For our worship in
St Peter's rooms
while the lighting
project is underway.
|
For the staff and pupils
of our local schools
as they break up
for the Easter holiday.
|
World wide preparations for the celebration of Easter.
|
April
13th
|
We give thanks to God for the lighting project praying it will enhance our worship and mission.
|
We pray for those who do
not know Christ that their
hearts and minds would
be opened to the
good news
of the resurrection.
|
On this Palm Sunday
We pray for the people
and City of Jerusalem
for lasting peace and
true justice.
|
April
20th
|
On this Easter Sunday
We pray that those who gather
to worship would encounter
the risen Jesus and be strengthened
in faith and assured in hope.
|
We pray for the upcoming Wedding Fayre,
for the stall holders
and the young couples attending.
|
We pray for Christians
in places of persecution Celebrating Easter
for their safety and
protection.
|
April
27th
|
We pray for any couples visiting Church after the wedding fayre for them to
feel welcomed.
|
As the Church remembers
St Thomas whose doubt
turned to faith, we pray for our non-Christian neighbours.
|
We pray for those affected by the earthquake in Myanmar.
|
Those who are sick
Steve Murphy
John Syner
Les Manchester
Martha Cook
Those whose ashes are being interred
Marion Bailey (9 April)
Jane Bosworth (24 April)
Closing Thoughts
The foot of the Cross
A lonely yet a crowded place
Of cruel death, yet the source of Grace
Littered with sins that we struggle to shed
Our desperate hopes in our times of dread
Deeds long committed but hardly spoken
God’s healing for lives that are torn and broken
Here at the place where Jesus fell
Abandoned enduring the pains of hell
We stumble to share with our listening Lord
All those regrets that still pierce like a sword
To him whose compassion led him here
Carrying our sins, our shame and our fear
Our failings, heartbreaks, moral dross
Embraced and redeemed at the foot of the Cross
Newsletter Information
Church or community news to be included in the newsletter needs to be sent to the Parish Office or Vicarage by the last Tuesday of the month.