Churches Together in Stretford

Meeting arranged for Tuesday 3rd November at All Saints 7.30pm

For discussion;

Advent Services
Lent Course 2010
Interfaith Week - 15-21 November - http://www.interfaithweek.org/index.htm
International Day of Prayer - 15 November - http://www.csw.org.uk/getinvolvedhome.htm
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - 18-25 January 2010 - http://www.ctbi.org.uk/414
Poverty and Homeless Action Week - 30 Jan - 7 Feb 2010 - http://www.actionweek.org.uk/html/home.html

Anything else that you would like to do as CTiS????

Lent Courses

Yes it's that time of year again we need to be thinking about what we will be doing in lent 2010. By the time we have thought about what we are doing sent of for the resources it will soon be here.

Lent next year starts on Ash Wednesday 17th Feb and finishes on Holy Saturday 3rd April 2010

Mmmmm will it be savoury, traditional, indulgent or one of everything so besides what filling I should have in my pancake, what resources shall we use???

If you have any ideas let me know..... lets be creative this year and build on the success we have had over the last few years.

Looking forward to responses and any ideas for pancakes also welcome, melted Fair Trade chocolate, FT Brown Sugar, FT Banana filling mmmmmm..................................

Saints and Supper

All Saints, Saturday 31st October 7.30pm

Parish social evening. There will be a fire, baked potatoes, hot pot, chat and games.

Bingo !!! Quizes !!! Prizes !!!

All welcome.

Church Mice

I hope Moira doesn't think we fall asleep during her sermons ha ha

See Church Mice at the bottom of this page

AS Mens Group

The All Saints Mens group is kicking off again - sorry for the interuption

I'm looking to put a fellowship meeting together in Nov/Dec and then plan for the rest of 2010

ideas so far;

November/December – Evening Meal
January – Discussion
February – Lent Discussion
March – Discussion - Personal Journeys
April – Mission and Outreach
May - Visit to the Gorton Monastery and organised tour of the building (Date TBC)
June – Men’s Retreat (Day or weekend)
July – Joint meeting with spouses?
August – No Event
September - TBC
October - TBC
November - TBC
December – Christmas Meal, (Spouses)

It's not set in stone if anyone wants to share their interests or have contacts then let us know at the next meeting

Watch this space for more details...

Prayer October/November

Please include in your prayers this month

1. continuing prayers while we discover what God is already doing in our community and how we as "church" can get involved.
   
2. thanks for refreshment from the pilgrimage to Walsingham
   
3. pray for our cuommunities the diversity we can find, unity and working together
   
4. increasing understanding of our faiths
   
5. 15th Nov - unite in prayer and bring refuge, hope and strength to persecuted Christians
   
6. for the work of the CTiS that it grows and is of benefit to some
   
7. pray for strength for ourselves to be able to show and tell others what it is really like to be Christian
   
8. prays of thanks and remembrance of those lost in all wars, their families and loved ones
   
9. pray for creative and new ways to bring church to our communities

Walsingham Oct 2009

This year we stayed for a week and loved every minute of it. For those who haven't heard of Walsingham have a look at this link. http://www.walsinghamanglican.org.uk/welcome/index.htm

17 of us made the journey and stayed in the shrine grounds, what happiness when you get there I hear you ask. Well it's a full week, once you have your room (which are very pleasant) it's down to what you want to take part in. There are regular services and service we organise ourselves, these include Stations of the Cross, 15 outdoor stations that tell the passion story and are used to meditate on the sufferings of Jesus. We had two reflective worship meetings one at the beginning, this was to bring everyone together for prayer and discussion on what this journey meant to each one of us. At the end the meeting concentrated on reflection for the week and suggestions of help for when you returned to normal life. Life is not normal at Walsingham.

This year Stuart and I had the honour of processing Our Lady at the Wednesday evening service, but most of all this year I will remember the healing service and what can only be described as a religious experience - absolutely amazing. There will be some photo's when I get my hands on them.

As part of the visit we take part in shrine prayers comitting ourselves to be more like God. This year we had just missed St Therese relics but to find out more have a look at this; http://catholicrelics.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/walsingham-awash-with-pilgrims-not-rain/

With a visit to Norwich cathedral, the slipper chapel and RC Shrine a busy and fruitful week was had by all.

I especially had a spiritual week with refreshment and encounters..... can't wait for next year infact I'm planning something already :o)

If you have any suggestions for next year let me know.

French 54mm

Andrea 54mm Miniatures

Fresh Expressions

Hi, I have been attending a Fresh Expressions of Church course over the last few weeks. It's come at an opportune time as our church looks to see what God is doing within and outside our Church and how we can move forward and engage with the local community.

Attending the course has given me some motivation (I have been lacking recently) to look at myself and the Church and see where God has been leading us. Throughout the course the message to me has been "relationships" we need to have relationships with others to spread the good news.

We need to know who they are, what they are like and then discover how we can present the Gospel in a challenging and thought provoking method.

AS Mens group will be re-established as this is a important part of my ministry, Men face different challenges and don't always have the place or time to do church things. So providing an environment where men can gather be them selves eat and chat seems perfect to me. Watch this space.......................

Reflection - Plasm 139

Hi its been some time since my last blog. I have been really busy and have not found much time for relaxation and reflection really. Sometime my priorities are not always as they should be and I get engrossed in things that should not be so immediate. Recently I have been thinking about getting some time out and reflect over the last few months and respond to Gods giving. Psalm 139 (one of my favourites) God knows me inside and out,He knows what is on my tongue, he knows what I need and I have no way of being anywhere where God isn't. I have been busy but I don't have to worry I haven't missed out on anything, my everyday concerns have been met. What I do need to do is respond and understand God's thoughts for me.

Our annual trip to Walsingham is fast approaching, this will be a good week for fellowship and time for reflection.

Susan Boyle and the Love of God

One of my own pet hates is judging people before I know them and here is a great example.



"It may be the best example of the how God sees us--and the way that the world often doesn't."

Read more > Susan Boyle and the Love of God

Prayer Diary for June

Please include in your prayers this month:

Pray for;

1. The sick, those at home or in hospital - pray for God's healing power
2. Those who have lost someone dear
3. Meetings at Church - PCC, for understanding and doing Gods will
4. Church Unity - demoninations and people within your own church
5. Those caught up in war, famine and natural disaters.
6. Youngsters who find relief through self harm
7. Growth in our church

Pentecost has arrived

Last weekend was Pentecost and the second service from our new Priest in Charge Rev Moira. There was a change to the usual format that not all appreciated, words that we have spoken week after week were omitted and some couldn't remember what they were or didn't know when to respond. It just shows you that sometime religion is repetitive, you don't have to think. I love change, I love being made to think about my actions in church, why am I doing this or that?

I enjoy the Pentecost service, remembering what happened on that day as descibed in Acts. The apostles receiving the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that I also received the Holy Spirit and it lives in me, encouraging me to live my life to the full and know the Holy Spirit is working away in my life. Pentecost is a time to refresh yourself in the Holy Spirit and feel that breeze on your cheek.

Hope not Hate Campaign

Please have a look at this, it is backed by the CofE. Bishops in Manchester have been signing pledges to support this campaign.

http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/content/home/suit

The current climate for our political parties isn't very good, they have lost the trust of many of us. However we need to stop the BNP from aquiring enough votes to get elected which means you have to use your vote but who do we vote for now, well have a look at the Christian Party and see what you think of their policies.

http://www.votechristian.info/

A New Priest is Arriving

Finally after just over a year without a priest we have one. Licensing is May 20th.

I can't wait, I have lots of questions as I'm sure she has too. Anticipation, anxious, will we like her? Will she like us?

I'm sure everything will be ok.

Her name is Rev. Moira

Here's to a great new friendship.