Fond Farewells from Circuit Ministers

This is a time of change for us all, for those of us who are on the move and for those who will have to get used to new faces and new ways here in the Congleton Circuit. Change is never easy, especially if we approach life carefully and with a degree of caution. Nevertheless, God calls us all into a Christian life that has pilgrimage written into it, and pilgrimage implies change and risk and faith. So we all move on. That's the term that I prefer – moving on – because we move into the next stage of our particular pilgrimage under the guiding hand of God, trusting that God will lead us in the way.

Thank you for the time we have spent with you in the Congleton Circuit. The past 7 years have been truly enriching and we take with us memories that we will never lose.  I hope that we have been of some use to the Circuit and the various communities while we've been here and that, just as we've learned a huge lot ourselves, so also have you. We've travelled on together for a while and soon we'll go our separate ways, but for all of us the promise of Jesus holds good: "I will be with you always, to the end of the age."

God bless,  
Graham 

Preparing to leave an area brings memories into focus.  Our brief time in Congleton has not been easy for many reasons, including the death of my mother at the end of our first year.  Still, I will have many rich memories, including being ministered to by those I visit, the privilege of travelling alongside those facing severe difficulty, welcoming several babies through baptism and the view from Cloud Chapel.  The strongest memory I will take is of those people who have given me unqualified support and encouragement, for which I will always be grateful.

My knowledge of farming has increased significantly, (including being  trapped in my car by a returning herd!).  I have seen a calf born and had a conversation with the the A.I. man!  Am I now qualified to ease the farm staffing problems?

New horizons beckon for the Circuit. May its members be willing and enabled to travel towards them. We can only grow in life and in our Christian faith when we move forward and outward.

May God bless and keep you all 
Mary Jones

 Macclesfield Methodist wins religious-TV award

At the Sandford St. Martin Trust TV Awards held at Lambeth Palace, Michael Wakelin, a Methodist local preacher in the Macclesfield circuit, collected the first merit prize on behalf of ‘Songs of Praise’.

Mr Wakelin, series producer for the hit BBC programme, and a committed Methodist, was delighted with the award.  He said: "This award belongs to the Songs of Praise Team who consistently deliver programmes of such quality, celebrating faith with great inspirational music and compelling stories."

The award was for Episode 6 of Wag TV’s ‘The Naked Pilgrim’, shown on Channel 5, which covered the final miles of Brian Sewell’s pilgrimage to Santiago.

www.methodist.org.uk

Network Garden Party

The party cocked a snook at the weather and was a great success. There was an excellent turn-out from all over the Circuit and over £300 was raised for the Women's Network Fund for World Mission.

Quite independently of the weather, two brave volunteers had a splashing time.  Stephen Sebire and John Warren were held in the stocks and everyone thought it was well worth 20p to throw a wet sponge at them – and all in the cause of Water Aid! 

At the same time, an intense game of bowls was going on, people were estimating how many beads were in the necklace Hazel was wearing, Jean Mallows was having plenty of success with selling her hand knitted lovable toys and we had our regular cake and bric-à-brac stalls.

For the record, Alec correctly guessed the number of Hazel's beads.  The prize was the necklace itself but for some reason he refused it.

Margaret Dean
Network Secretary
Congleton Methodist Circuit

Some News Items from Circuit Churches

Brookhouse Green
Teddy Bear Service

The annual open air "Teddy Bear" Service was held on 13th June. With superb weather to accompany the singing this was a great occasion.  It was good to see children from the Sunday School and Parent and Toddler Group there too.

Lower Withington
Rogation  Service

Before the rogation service, we gathered in one of the gardens of the village for some friendly socialising, helped along by tea and the music of Lower Withington Band.

People came from the congregations of both the Methodist church and St Peter's Anglican church.  Funds raised were for Christian Aid.

Trinity
Editor of 'The Messenger' retires

The forthcoming edition of 'The Messenger' marks the end of an era, for this is the last one under the editorial supervision of Ron Stanley. The production of The Messenger has been a demanding role, and Ron has felt that this is now the time to stand down. 

The Messenger has been much appreciated as the lynch-pin of Trinity Church's news and communications and Ron has been the Editor for over 20 years.

 That in itself is worthy of note, but “Editor” is a broad-brush term which does not really convey the half of it. Ron has also been in charge of the whole production process from start to finish – setting up the pages, printing, collating, and then handing everything over for distribution. Ron has been extraordinarily generous with his time and skills and also

 providing the equipment that has been necessary to produce The Messenger. It has been an expression of his love for Christ and his care for Trinity, and a terrific example of Christian service and witness. All of us at Trinity owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. So, to Ron we say a very heart-felt Thank you.

We should also record our thanks to Ron's wife, Isabel, and the late Rose Glover who have played major supporting roles.

In a sense Ron is quite irreplaceable. We shall need to get together a team to carry on The Messenger in future. 

Philip Berry

Christian Aid Report

Civilians killed in fighting in southern Sudan

In one moanth, more than twenty villages were destroyed, several hundred civilians killed and approximately 120,000 people forced to flee their homes, around the region of Malakal on the west bank of the Nile, southern Sudan.

Christian Aid partner, the Episcopal Church of Sudan said, in a statement, that militia groups supported by the government had deliberately attacked the Shilluk people in the Collo villages of the Malakal region, burning homes and shooting anyone not able to escape.

Rt. Revd Daniel Deng from the Episcopal Church of Sudan visited the region in early April: He said 22 villages were burnt down in two weeks. 'While this took place, the whole town was watching across the river. In full view, the militia were going around with guns shooting people. Soldiers were there just watching as if they were at a football match.'

Many of those forced out of their homes are now in Malakal town which is becoming overcrowded. Food is in short supply, and health and sanitation facilities are limited. With the rains expected soon, the situation can only get worse.

Headlines from Circuit Churches 

Lower Withington Sunday School Anniversary

There were packed houses for the two services celebrating Lower Withington's Sunday school anniversary.  Children from that very active junior church contributed by singing, doing readings and playing musical instruments.

Key Green Services for all

On the second Sunday of every month at 2:30 pm, Key Green church holds its very popular family service.  All local people and anyone walking in this beautiful part of the world are very welcome.

Walking for Leukaemia Research

At Lower Withington, Circuit minister Graham Wassell plus a local councillor and other supporters 'go walkabout' to visit homes in the area – by invitation of course  This is a fund raising activity in aid of leukaemia research.

Methodists with Anglicans in Lower Withington

 Lower Withington Methodists and Anglicans now have a joint working group on linkage, which meets on the first Sunday evening in every month.

Record Sponsorship for the Swimathon 

Trinity entered two teams of Brownie Guides (the Yellow Dolphins and the Yellow Sharks) and two of grown-ups (Trinity Berries and Trinity Forresters).

Our swimmers collected a mighty total of £1064.35 from their sponsors.  This year, monies will be divided equally between The Children's Adventure farm Trust, East Cheshire Hospice, Buglawton Community Group (Sport for All), and Rotary Charities.

[from an article published in The Messenger, from Trinity]

Singin' on a Cloud

Lots of laughter, mixed with 'What time is it?  I should be in bed.'  could be heard from Bosley Cloud early on Easter Sunday morning, as Congleton Methodist Youth Fellowship plus their guests plodded up to the summit at 7.30 am.

The fifteen in the party arrived exhausted but happy, ready for the communion service conducted by Rev. Philip Berry.  This was communion with a difference, involving hot-cross buns and fruit juice.  

After the service and the descent to normal altitudes, everyone met up with other members and friends for a breakfast in the church hall at Trinity.  A very good start to Easter day.  We can recommend it.

Avril Waghorn
[from an article published in The Messenger, from Trinity]
 

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