What’s on in

August 2015

Our verse of the year

“….through Christ,

God changed us from

enemies into his

friends and gave us the

task of making others

his friends also”.

2 Corinthians 5:18

Congratulations to our nine

confirmation candidates confirmed

by Bishop Geoff on Sunday 19th

July

As we arrive in August, many of us will be looking forward to a time away from home, work, school or college, and will be looking forward to time to be refreshed, recharge our batteries, and hopefully enjoy some sunshine, as we make the most of what is left of summer. And this is absolutely necessary for us to process in our minds what has happened in the past few months, all the experiences we have had, the things we have learned, the new friendships that have been forged, and maybe even some that we have let go. We could describe our summer break as the ‘time between seasons’, a sort of hinge moment that celebrates all

that’s gone before, and then turns to point us towards what is to come.

We all experience mixed emotions as we transition from one season of our lives to the next. Three of our children will be leaving home at the end of this summer as they leave for University, an exciting time for them, though I expect our home will feel very empty, and the pride and excitement we feel as parents, as our young people spread their wings a little, will no doubt be tinged with a feeling of loss as we help them along their way. However much we will miss them though, it is an absolutely necessary experience for

them if they are to mature into the people they are destined to be.

As I was reflecting on this, I was struck by the parallel of our home lives with our lives together in the Church community. Changes are happening around the team, new people joining, some worshipping in other churches, we are in a time of change and transition. I write this as we have just celebrated an evening of Confirmations at St Matthew’s Church, and it was so apparent how much wonderful diversity we now have among us, as people from around the world are discovering the new life that is to be found in Jesus. Several of those confirmed have had to say goodbye to their home countries and family members, to seek safety here in the UK. They have lost a lot, and yet in finding Jesus Christ they have gained so much. The change for them has been

dramatic.

Through the work of Sanctus we are privileged to help them manage those transitions, to help them deal with the sadness and trauma of their past experiences, and to do what we can to help rebuild their lives as they enter a new season in a new place. For some that means more than a geographical change and an external journey, but also a spiritual change, an internal journey. As we experience this journey together with them, we discover the transcendent life of God in new ways, as the Holy Spirit draws us to trust him a little bit more, to step out a little further and to believe that with his power working in us, we can help to change the world, one person at a time.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmRev’d Sally

The Vicar’s Views

Worship Times:

Sunday 9.30 am Sunday Service

(Sunday 16th August 8 am Eucharist,9.30 am family service)

Monday 9 am Morning Prayer

Thursday 10 am Eucharist

Church Wardens: Vacant Contact A. Paterson (07890833176) or R. Smith (07718648934)

There is no Luncheon Club during August. The next session will be

on Tuesday 8th September.

The Church is open for prayer, companionship, and craft on

Wednesdays from 11 a.m. til 1 p.m.

Thursdays after the Eucharist, the community of St. Chad prayer

group meets from 11 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. led by Gloria.

Every Friday 10 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Open Door group. Everyone is

welcome to drop in for a chat and a cuppa.

First contact minister: Revd. Sally Smith Tel: 01782 266066 sally.smith@lichfield.anglican.org

Songs Of Praise at Camoys Court

Sunday 30th August 3 p.m. til 4 p.m. Songs of Praise takes place at

Camoys Court on the last Sunday of every month. Everyone welcome.

Here the Open Door staff are

preparing breakfast in the ‘posh’

kitchen. Open Door started at

Christ Church in January and

welcomes about 35 people each

Friday, giving out a similar

number of foodbags each week.

Organiser Fran Bridgewater is

thrilled at the success. More in

September What’s On.

Worship times:

Sunday: 11 am Sunday Service

Wednesday: 11 am Eucharist (Reginald Mitchell Court 19th August)

Saturday: 9 am Morning Prayer (check with minister)

Contact ministers: Enquiries to Revd. Christine Broad (852280) or Revd. Sally Smith (266066)

Church Wardens: Norman and June Tatton Tel: 01782 657060

Book library. We have a library of books for people to borrow.

Prayer Gathering. Please join us for prayer before the Sunday

service at 10.45 a.m. Contact Mary (271262) with prayer requests.

The Jet (Jesus every Tuesday) Club is on holiday until next term.

Coffee, cake and chat will resume next term.

Wednesday 29th July 7 p.m. PCC Vision discernment evening

Despite being soaked by wet sponges, Fr.

Tommy still has a smile on his face. It

must be because St. Luke’s had such a

successful fayre. Many people attended,

including local families, and the fine

weather enabled attenders to go into the

grounds outside the church. It is

rumoured that treasurer Norman Tatton

was seen with the biggest grin on the day

after he had counted the takings! Many

thanks to everyone who supported our

record breaking fayre.

Come and join us in Church for our coffee morning on

Saturday 1st August from 10 a.m. until 11.30 a.m. This

month it is hosted by Mary. Please come and join us

for coffee and biscuits and browse the goods to buy.

Worship times:

Sunday 11 am Sunday Service with Sunday School

Tuesday 9 am Morning Prayer 10 am Eucharist

Thursday 5.30 pm Evening Prayer

Tuesday at noon. Community lunch continues through the Summer.

Every Wednesday 55 club 2 p.m. til 3.30 p.m. A super social occasion.

Every Thursday at 5.30 p.m. Evening prayer. All welcome.

Monday 27th July 11 a.m. Northwood Day Care Centre Service

Wednesday 5th August 7.30 p.m. Messy Church planning meeting

Monday 10th August 11 a.m. Northwood Day Care Centre Service

Monday 10th August DCC meeting 7 pm Prayer, 7.30 pm meeting

Thursday 20th August 3.30 pm til 5.15 pm. Messy Church

First contact minister:Rev Christine Broad(852280) christinejanebroad@virginmedia.com

Church Wardens: Brenda Hughes 01782 212198 Nick Broad 07795 683686

Monday 10th and 24th August 7.30 p.m. The Beta group meets for

fellowship, prayer and bible study. Details from Rev’d Karen.

WETLEY ROCKS MALE VOICE CHOIR

Saturday 19th September 7.30 p.m.

Tickets £5 including refreshments

Tickets from Nick on 07795 683686

Saturday 26th September. Next coach trip to Blackpool with 1 hour

driving through illuminations. Adults £15, children £10. Book with Nick.

Operation Christmas Child 2014

Hanley Team Ministry has supported the

Operation Christmas Child appeal for many

years and last year the team collected

about 200 shoeboxes. Here are some

pictures of last year’s Operation Christmas

Child sent by regional coordinator Ian

Taylor. The boxes from Stoke-On-Trent

were distributed to children in Romania.

You can see the joy on the faces of the

children. We look forward to making more

children happy in the 2015 appeal. Further

details will be available in the Autumn.

The ministry that Sanctus shares in with refugees and asylum seekers from around the world continues to go from strength to strength with God’s grace. Recently we had the great privilege of reuniting a family who had been torn apart by war in Syria for a year, but who are now are together again and beginning to do ‘normal’ things like going to school, preparing for college

and beginning to feel safe in our community.

We have also just opened our first Sanctus House, which is an ordinary house in Lower Mayer Street, Northwood. The house supports two couples or single people who have no recourse to public funds, are completely destitute and are banned from working to provide for their own needs. This is being funded entirely on voluntary donations, and so if you would like to contribute please contact Rev’d Sally. (Monthly standing orders are greatly appreciated so we know that regular running

expenses are covered).

St Mark’s Church and Sanctus are delighted that our joint application to the Lichfield Diocesan Growth Fund to pay the salary for a Children and Family worker has been successful. This is a 16 hours per week post, and the person employed will be a vital resource for our rapidly growing work among the

refugee and asylum seeking community.

SCHOOL UNIFORM BANK

A new initiative has been launched between St. Mark’s, Sanctus,

CAB into school, and the Potters House. School uniforms are being

collected to be given out to those struggling to afford school

uniform. Do you have a ‘finished with’ uniform? Could you help the

project? Contact Rev’d Sally if you can (details on back page).

SANCTUS UPDATE

WE ARE MEN CONFERENCE 2015

SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 10AM - 4PM

THE POTTER’S HOUSE, BRIDGE CENTRE, ST2 8DD

The Conference 2015 features five speakers, two worship bands, four

workshops - Grace, Passion, Ministry in the Workplace, Ministry in the

Home, food and much more! Let Frank know if you would like a ticket.

Des and Maureen Cotton

recently retired as governors at

St. Mark’s Primary School after

many years of service. They

were treated to poems, songs

and gifts from the staff and

children in a special assembly.

Mr D. Perrett and Mrs C. Bray

from the local education

authority thanked them for their

hard work. Headteacher Mrs.

Johnstone praised them for

ensuring that links between the

school and the church remained

strong during their service.

THE GOODNESS OF GOD Don’t miss out on “The Goodness of God”! A coach has been booked to take those who would like to attend the “Goodness of God” event in West Bromwich on Saturday 5th September. It will be a wonderful day trip with music, video, worship … and chocolate. We pick up around Hanley, leaving about 8.30 am and arriving back at about 6pm. It will cost just £1 per person (and bring a packed lunch). All ages welcome as there are activities for children including messy church. To secure your place(s) on the coach please contact Rev’d Sally Smith (01782 266066) or Rev’d Christine Broad (01782 852280) as soon as possible to make sure you don’t miss out.

Local writer Viv Jones was the guest speaker at the

June ‘All Praise. Around 50 people had the privilege

to hear Viv talk about her family and “poor but

proud” childhood. Viv told us how she came from a

non Church-going family but how she became a

Christian having had seeds sown as a youngster. Her

memoirs of her father’s life, revealed during his

later life, led to Viv’s daughter describing the work

as the best book she ever read. This comment led to

Viv putting her work online before it was published.

CONFIRMATION 2015

On July 19th, we were delighted to have nine

people confirmed by Bishop Geoff at St.

Matthew’s Church. The nine were

Lloyd Aldridge, Rachel Sherratt, Daniel Nicholls,

Peiman Soleimani, Osman Hamzapur,

Tammy Buxton, Bogadade Heyman Perera,

Manjula Perera, and Shashini Perera. An

excellent service was well attended by

supporters of the candidates and members of

the churches in the Hanley Team Ministry.

Members of St. Matthew’s enhanced the

occasion by providing a quality buffet.

Previously baptised

Tammy signs herself

with the sign of the

cross.

Worship times:

Sunday: 9.30 am Sunday Service

Thursday: 9 am Morning Prayer 10 am Eucharist

Monday 27th July 11 a.m. Northwood Day Care Centre Service.

Monday 10th August 11 a.m. Northwood Day Care Centre Service

Mondays 3rd, 17th and 31st August Cash Bingo at 7.30 p.m.

Tuesdays 28th July, 4th, 11th August Family Bingo at 2 p.m.

Sunday 9th August 6 p.m. Parish ‘all Praise.

Wednesday 12th August 3.30 p.m. til 5.15 p.m. Messy Church

NORTHWOOD PARISH HALL

First contact minister: Revd. Christine Broad 852280 e mail address on back page Church Wardens: Paul Sherratt Tel: 01782 868157 Claire Harmon Tel: 07979 776203

Mr and Mrs B. Dale (Sheila and Brian)

would like to thank their Church

family and friends for the many

cards, prayers, and good wishes for

their future life and happiness

together. They were overwhelmed by

the love and support and have never

felt so loved. May God bless you all

and hold you in the palm of His hand.

Members and

friends of Holy

Trinity

enjoyed

afternoon tea

on Saturday

July 18th.

Church Wardens: Mark Sherratt Tel 07968 300484

First Contact Minister: Rev’d. Sally Smith Tel: 01782 266066 sally.smith@lichfield.anglican.org

Worship times:

Sunday: 9.30 am Sunday Service with Sunday School

Wednesday: 9 am Morning Prayer 10 am Eucharist

Tuesday 28th July 7.30 p.m. An evening of fellowship with cross-

cultural chat and food. Contact Rev’d Sally if you are interested.

Wednesday 5th August 10 a.m. The midweek Eucharist at the Locks

Sheltered Housing Complex, Etruria as we meet with the residents.

Mother’s Union will not be meeting in August

No prayer breakfast this month

Sanctus on Saturday 8th August. 5 p.m. til 7 p.m. Cross cultural

Christian worship. Contact Philip Swan for more details.

Sunday 16th August Baptisms of Mcmose Undjizuva Kuzatjike, Alisha

Teigan Rose Lovatt, Xach Reuben Ashley Mander

Saturday 22nd August Volunteer work party to sort out donations for

Sanctus. If you can help, please turn up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Every Monday Open Door 10 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Please drop in for a

drink and chat.

Every Wednesday 10.30 a.m. til 12.30 p.m. Sanctus St. Mark’s Support

for asylum seekers.

Stephen Bruce joined a group of other people to

do a sponsored walk, Stephen’s chosen charity

being Sanctus St. Marks. He walked from St Mark’s

to St. Paul’s, Middleport, Christ Church Cobridge,

St. Matthew’s, The Potters House, Holy Trinity and

finally St. Luke’s. The total distance was 12 miles

and Stephen raised £124. Well done Stephen.

SUNDAY READINGS FOR AUGUST 2015

CLERGY CONTACT DETAILS

Rector Revd. Christine Broad 19, Widecombe Road, Birches Head, ST1 6SL

Phone 01782 852280 email christinejanebroad@virginmedia.com Day off Friday

Team Vicar Revd. Sally Smith (Diocesan Advisor for vulnerable adults) Day Off Friday

35, Harding Road, Hanley ST1 3BQ Phone 01782 266066 email sally.smith@lichfield.anglican.org

Parish Creative Missioner Frank McGregor Phone 07952 318685 email frankmcg@ntlworld.com

Assistant Curate Revd. Tommy Merry 18, Cromer Road, Northwood, ST1 6QN

Phone 01782 267828 email frtommymerry@gmail.com Day off Monday

Assistant Curate Revd. Karen Petherick 80, Birches Head Road, ST1 6LQ Phone 01782 865240

Day off Saturday

Assistant Curate Revd. Shelley Billington Phone 07411 992565 e mail shelley_india@yahoo.co.uk

Day off Monday

Readers: Roy Smith, Marg Collin, Kath Boyce

Local Lay Minister for Pastoral Care Mary Chanot

What’s On editor Nick Broad (07795683686) nickbroad3@virginmedia.com,

assistant editor Revd. Tommy Merry

web address www.hanleyteamministry.com

DATE FIRST SECOND THIRD 2nd Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35 9th 1 Kings 19:4-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51 16th Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58 23rd Josh 24:1-2, 14-18 Ephesians 6:10-20 John 6:56-69 30th Deut 4:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mk 7:1-8,14-15,21-23

The winners of the 2014-15 Hanley

Team Ministry Fantasy Football League

were presented with their trophies at

the end of the confirmation service.

Bishops Boys, managed by Bishop

Geoff, won the league while The Brits

Got Talent managed by Rob Aldridge,

won the cup. Chief administrator

Graham Foxley will be pleased to

receive your entry for next season.

Details in September What’s On.