From the Vicarage,

As we enter the Advent and Christmas season, with its numerous services and events, it is all too easy to get pulled along by the pace at which these celebrations hit us! It is therefore important that we try to slow things down and take time out to fix our thoughts on the question ‘what exactly are we celebrating?’

In many households up and down the land the answer to that question will not be ‘the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.’ Many people in this land have totally, or almost totally, lost sight of the significance of Christmas. For them it has become simply a secular season of taking time out from work for eating and drinking, of buying presents they sometimes cannot afford and spending time with family and friends. These are all important, but Christmas is surely more than just this! I therefore appeal to you that, rather than busy yourselves with as many activities as possible, instead, be more discerning in what you will and will not attend. Pick out a few services/ events that have always lifted your spirits in the past and decide that these will give you the quality time you need to really engage with the ‘real’ meaning of Christmas.

As normal, I have produced a leaflet with all the services and events that will take place in our churches in the run up to Christmas (in fact, there are two leaflets, one for St. Thomas and St. John events and an ecumenical leaflet for events in all the churches in the area). Please take a leaflet and plan thoughtfully which services and events you would like to attend, those which will help you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

Both Norma and I wish you a peaceful, joyful and thought inspired Christmas this year.

God bless,     Tim and Norma X

Extracts From The

Parish Magazine

Lesson Readers

If you are unavailable on your allocated date, please arrange to change with someone else.

Sidesmen Rota

From the Registers

Funerals
Regan Woodvine  4 hours old 6th. November

Margaret Waller 91 23rd. November

Items for inclusion in the next month’s magazine should be

sent to Judith Dewdney by the 20th December.

30 Henbury Rise Henbury

Tel:-  01625 439753 email:- judith.torview@gmail.com

Pastoral Care

If you know of anyone who you think would benefit from a visit by one of our Pastoral Care Team, please contact Tim or Norma (425510), Carole (611477), Christine (511784) or Linda (424505).

St Thomas Fundraising

Over the last three months, people at St Thomas’ Church in Henbury have been fundraising for four local charities - Cr8, Friends for Leisure, Just Drop In and The Rossendale Trust.

In return for a small fee, members of the congregation were able to choose a favourite hymn for inclusion in the church services. This activity raised £155, which was added to the £145 donated in return for refreshments after the services. The four charities were all delighted to hear that they would each be receiving an equal share of the total £300 raised.
Many thanks to everyone involved in these fundraising activities.

HENBURY  W.I

Our November meeting was our A G M.  We started it off with a Fish and Chip supper which was enjoyed by all.

Once we were all satisfied with food and cups of tea we had the business end of the evening.  Barbara Lomas was elected President for a further year ably assisted by her committee.  Ann Cresswell remains as Treasurer and Trudi Ray will continue as Secretary.

The Competition trophy for the year was won by Jean Lysons.

Our next meeting on December 4th will be our Christmas meeting and we will be entertained by Brian Hallworth.  He is an excellent speaker so if you would like to join us you will be made very welcome.

Ann Cresswell

Church Flowers

Church memorial vase

Remembrance Sunday

Di Waller in Memory of her Dad

Sunday 18th November

Jackie Hulme in loving memory of her Mother

An important message re the Church hall and the stage

It is intended to clear and tidy up the stage, especially the area towards the back.

Would anyone who has items they wish to retain and store in this area, please let Tony Curzon or John Russell know as soon as possible.

Thank you,

John Russell.

MOTHERS’ UNION

Thank you to all the members who brought items to the November meeting to be donated to the WHAM project in Macclesfield, The Salvation Army for the homeless and the bras to be sent abroad.  The simple action of wearing a bra gives a woman in parts of Africa status and can hopefully prevent their abuse and rape.  All these items will be delivered or sent off within the next week.

On Thursday, 8th November Lynne Hibbert, Jackie Hulme and myself (Di) set off on a coach containing members from the Chester Diocese from Lymm Service Station on our way to York to attend the Provincial Service in York Minster the following morning.  We piled into the coach along with others getting on there and were then told we were only travelling as far as High Leigh Garden Centre where we would be stopping for a comfort break and/or brunch/lunch.  We eventually set off again at 12.30 p.m. and had a couple of hours free time in York before we were taken to our hotel for the night.  We partook of a very delicious three course dinner and were very glad we had taken a little alcohol with us as we discovered a glass of wine varied between £7 and £10!  We then realised why we usually took husbands with us when we went out for the evening!  The service in the Minster on Friday morning was fantastic.  Judith Dewdney joined our contingent at the Minster.  The new Provincial Banner was dedicated during the service and was almost as colourful as the Archbishop of York’s robes.  During his Sermon the Archbishop commented that he came from Africa which has the largest MU membership.  He was interesting, concise and very funny.  It was so nice to see the Minster so full with MU members from all over the York Province, together with our CEO Bev Jullien, the Canterbury Provincial President and our current Worldwide President.  After the service we returned to the hotel for a two course lunch before returning home with a few of us (including me) having a little nap on the coach.   It was a great couple of days of worship and friendship.

The morning of Saturday, 17th November saw several of us attending the Council meeting at Hartford Church Centre.  This was the last Council meeting for several of the Trustees and Officers and our Diocesan President Viv Ley.  Our new MU Chaplain Rev. Christine Broad led the Eucharist and we had a talk on the MU in Melanesia by Kate Pwaisiho, daughter of Bishop Willie.

Fiona Bruce MP for Congleton was also in attendance and spoke to us on "What Difference can a Christian MP Make?"  As always she was fascinating and interesting to listen to.  It is a shame more members do not attend this meeting as it is a chance to get to meet other members from across the Diocese and also to put names to faces.  Several members complain that they do not know who our Archdeaconry President, Chaplain or Trustees are but if you come to one of these meetings you get to meet everyone.  

Lastly, if any member it attending the Christmas party this month and has not put their name down to bring a food item or bottle of wine, can they please bring a bottle of white or red wine and let Lynne Hibbert know what you are bringing so that we know how much to purchase.  Many thanks.

DIARY DATES

Sunday, 2nd December – MU Advent Sunday Service 11 a.m.

Saturday, 8th December 10 a.m. -  Festive Coffee Morning – Cake and Home Produce Stall. Volunteers required on the stall and also donations of cakes and home produce.

Wednesday, 12th December 2 p.m. – Invitation to Nether Alderley MU

Thursday, 13th December 7.00 – Christmas Party – Clearing up afterwards – Everyone!