Read last month's March Newsletter
Encouragement - John Mountain
Date For the Diary - Lin Milne
News From Barbara - Barbara Long
Flintoff's Update - Rachel & Lindsay
ENCOURAGEMENT
Dear friends,
I thought it would be good to look back over the interregnum before we welcome Simon in a month's time. I remember Archdeacon John saying shortly before Brian's retirement that he found from experience that a church could survive quite happily for 9 months (39 services) but then it quickly lost support. Well let's look at the statistics, currently we have conducted 82 main Sunday services, so how have we performed?
You don't have to be an accountant to see that the number of children and adults attending each service have steadily increased since our 39th service, the longer we have gone the stronger we have become. I am proud to be part of a ministry team that has bonded together and worked in total unison to provide each service. We have had no repeats - we leave that to the TV. The higher attendances are for Rememberance / Mother's day, Harvest, baptisms, Easter, Christingle, Carols and Parade days. We have welcomed 2093 children and 5872 adults to these services, albeit many the same people, but with every new child we have a new adult. We have had clergy to assist in only 19% of the services, the rest we have conducted totally on our own. The team I estimate have given 1700 hours of their time during this period.
What has been the main focus of our services? I believe it has been to boldy preach the gospel of Christ on every occasion. Our church bells ring out every week to welcome all the parish to the building and we have offered a warm welcome to all who walk through the door. The children never look bored, in fact they are so keen to take part in each service - it's a joy to behold. I can't say I often seen adults fall asleep during the service and most including baptism parties stay on for a coffee and a chat.
I wish to personally
thank every person who has been brave enough to stand and preach at the
10 am service, several people managed one sermon and it made such a difference.
The old stagers have been there from beginning to end. What a church to
be part of. When you stand at the front and look at the congregation they
are such an encouragement to you, so many smiling faces for much of the
service. I believe we are in pristine shape ready for Simon to add just
a finishing touch of polish.
John Mountain
DATES FOR THE DIARY
Good Friday April 10th - 10 am Meditation at the Cross - The Exchange made at the Cross.
Easter Sunday 8 am Holy Communion & 10am Holy Communion - HE IS RISEN INDEED. After the service there will be an Easter Egg Hunt - one for the toddlers and one for the older children.
Sunday 19th
April - Annual Vestry & Parish Meeting
in church after the 10am service.
Click HERE
for a copy of the reports and accounts.
Wednesday 29th April - Licensing of Rev Simon Glynn as Priest in Charge of Christ Church Parbold and Priest in Charge of All Saints Appley Bridge - in Parbold Church 7.30pm. Following the service, refreshments will be served at All Saints Appley Bridge.
Saturday 13th June 2009
(Celebrating
the Year of the Child)
Blackburn Diocese' Big Day Out
10.00 am - 3.00pm
King Edward VII and Queen Mary School,
Clifton Drive, Lytham St Annes.
Admission Free !!!
LEPROSY MISSION
There is still time to go on the following events on behalf of the Leprosy Mission, these are:
Venture
Out - Saturday 20th June 2009 Bolton Abbey Skipton.
Join us on a pilgrimage to the Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert
at Bolton Abbey. In this truly wonderful setting we will picnic together,
join guided tours of the church and the priory ruins and short optional
walks in the beautiful Wharfdale countryside. We will start our visit
with a short trip on the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway at 1.00am
and end the day at 5.00pm with worship in the cloisters led by Rupert
Haydock - TLM National Director. Like the Launch Out event we will pick
you up be coach at your church if you can get 20 or more - or we will
direct you to the nearest coach if your numbers are less than that.
£27 per adult £60 for a family ticket. £5 Deposit per
person. The deadline for bookings is 30th April 2009.
Splash
Out - Saturday 27th June 2009 Morecambe Bay
Our ever popular walk across Morecambe Bay will commence at 10.00am from
Hest Bank to Flookburgh - a distance of 9 miles. This walk is both great
fun and a significant challenge, and offers a time of fellowship and a
fantastic fund-raising opportunity! Alan Sledmore is our guide once again
and the fee of £8.00 per person includes transport back to Hest
Bank after the walk, your completion certificates and all guide fees.
There is water and mud to walk through - but tractors are on hand for
lifts if required. Car parking is free at Hest Bank and there are toilet
facilities at each end of the walk.
Pay on the day. Need to know numbers to ensure transport back to Hest
Bank.
If you would like to join in any of the above activities please see Barbara
Long and register for the activities of your choice as soon as possible.
Having a really good time I have seen so much. For the past two day I have been helping out at a home for disabled children who attend one of the local schools. The children are so thankful that some one is going to visit. Rose the house mother is a real gift from God to those children. She is on call 24/7 with the only help in the night from the less disabled children to see to the needs of those who require her help. It has been so good to encourage her. She is so full of love and her smile is so welcoming.
The Lord is
really showing me so much and is so faithful. On Monday I was feeling
quite homesick not heard from Emma or Robert was having problems with
my phone. Managed to get a text to Emma and Robert Emma rang back it was
so good to hear her voice. but one day later my phone has completely gone
caput. But praise God that I was able to speak with Emma it really lifted
me.
Going out to a remote village on Friday to help with a childrens clinic,
facilities are very basic, if any at all, it should be a great challenge.
I know that you are all continuing to support me in pray and I can feel
the love.
Give my love to everyone see you at Easter.
Barbara Long
FLINTOFF'S UPDATE
Our church's missions committee met with us a few days ago and after listening to our update and plans and the needs of our children, advised us to stay in UK till Sept to allow our children to readjust to life in UK in the coming summer, especially for Cheryl, before she goes to university here. The summer months will give her an opportunity to find a job while still living at home and be gradually 'eased' into the British society. Andrew too would benefit from having more time in the UK as he would follow suit in 2 years' time. Lindsay will work part-time in our very big parish of 4 churches until Cheryl goes to university in Sept. (Rachel & Lindsay will return to Thailand in September)
Many of you have been asking how I am and we do thank you for your love and concern. I think I'm 90% and improving! We were all over the moon when we were told I didn't need chemotherapy or radiotherapy! I'm still sore on the right side and the range of movement of my right arm is limited compounded by a frozen shoulder. I am learning to use my left arm a lot more. The sore shoulder does affect my sleep somewhat. I go for physiotherapy about twice a month. On the NHS' books I'm still a cancer patient receiving free on-going hormonal therapy for the next 5 years. Praise God for the NHS; they were wonderful. I was advised not to fly for at least 3 months after the operation.
We go to see our children in April and when we come back, I hope to embark on an intensive CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English Language to Adults) course at the end of April if the Lord opens the door.
Cheryl has received 2 conditional offers for university places; another two universities have asked her to come for interviews on 27th and 29th April, so she will fly to UK specially for that. Please pray for her as she flies alone (again!). We would value prayers as we find it terribly frustrating applying for student grants online. Any advice welcome!
Rachel & Lindsay Flintoff
