July 2016

Volume 52 No 615

The Parish Magazine of St Mary’s Sandbach

CHALLENGECHALLENGECHALLENGECHALLENGE

2

July 2016

Sunday 3rd July 8.00 am Holy Communion

6 Trinity 10.00 am Morning Worship

2.00 pm Civic Service

6.30 pm Holy Eucharist

Sunday 10th July 8.00 am Holy Communion

7 Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

6.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 17th July 8.00 am Holy Communion

8 Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

6.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 24th July 8.00 am Holy Communion

9 Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

6.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 31st July 8.00 am Holy Communion

10 Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist

6.30 pm Evensong

Sunday 7th August 8.00 am Holy Communion

11 Trinity 10.00 am Morning Worship

6.30 pm Holy Eucharist

(Cover Picture - From the Organ Loft)

Every Wednesday 11.00 am Holy Communion

Holy Eucharist, Parish Eucharist = Order 2 Common Worship

Holy Communion = Order 1 Book of Common Prayer

3

I ’m often asked by unthinking but well meaning non-churchgoers “How many people are attending church on a

Sunday nowadays” and there is sometimes the added “it was always packed when I came as a child”. I used to be annoyed with this attitude. Now I find myself saying, with a degree of sarcasm, something about numbers increasing, if they and their friends were to make the effort to attend regularly. And when speaking and thinking in that way, I have to remind myself to beware of popularity and public applause and being swayed by playing the numbers game.

I take comfort in Matthew 18:20 “for where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." That keeps me very alive to the wondrous and joyous possibilities of Evensong on Sunday. And the number on Wednesday morning usually equal the number of Apostles. Twelve were sufficient to expand the Good News from the Jesus’ time to the wide world throughout the ages.

Applauding crowds are a different thing altogether. People in their unreasonable vacillations are dangerous. There is a sense of

the crowd being like Shakespeare's depiction in Julius Caesar - a many-headed monster swayed to and fro by every oratorical trick in the rhetoricians book. Its so easy for the multitude to turn from sanity into irrational emotional violence. Crowds meet still for political or sporting events which can be unthinking, violent and ugly much in the same way that the crowd turned from adulation to outright hostility in a few days at the end of Jesus’ life. From being hailed as King at his entry into Jerusalem to being tried and crucified a few days later. How fickle humans are en masse.

So I’m not over anxious about vast numbers flocking to church as long as there is a faithful prayerful small group of Christians doing the work of God in this place. I’m sure that spreading Christianity is not a business proposition on a worldwide supermarket scale. Rather it is a limited concern with all the inherent pitfalls and limitations of a small business.

And If you have never been to worship in church (or haven’t attended for years), why not come sometime? You might be surprised by the experience!

Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd Thomas Shepherd ---- VicarVicarVicarVicar

4

From the RegistersFrom the RegistersFrom the RegistersFrom the Registers

Baptisms

May

29th Tyler James Wain son of Wayne and Kylie

Harrison-Ray Edwards-Wain son of Wayne and Kylie

Olivia Grace Stanley daughter of Carl and Donna

Zachary Carl Stanley son of Carl and Donna

Wedding

May

28th Nicholas Carthy and Samantha Holland

Church FlowersChurch FlowersChurch FlowersChurch Flowers

JulyJulyJulyJuly 10th Kevin and Anne Birch

31st In memory of Ken Mellin

If anyone would like to give the altar flowers for the 3rd 17th or

24th of July please ring Sheenagh Ashworth on 01270

529187. If you would like to give flowers in August please see

the list in Church and add your name and contact details there

or ring Sheenagh Ashworth.

Coffee RotaCoffee RotaCoffee RotaCoffee Rota JulyJulyJulyJuly 3rd Stella Craven and Christine Hirst

10th Marjorie Burgess and Renee Bickerton

17th Kathleen Davies and Kathleen Beech

24th Eileen and Jim Thompson

AugustAugustAugustAugust 7th Joyce Griffith and Lynne Winfield

31st Jean Richardson and Iris Kenilworth

5

Trump: I can totally rely on JesusTrump: I can totally rely on JesusTrump: I can totally rely on JesusTrump: I can totally rely on Jesus

A merican Presidential nominee Donald Trump has stated that Christianity is ‘so important’ and that he can rely on Jesus.

In an interview, the Republican was asked about his faith and was challenged on a previous statement that he has never asked God for forgiveness. Trump has pledged to support Christians in the Middle East being persecuted by Islamic extremists.

Refugees Refugees Refugees Refugees

T hose who apply for asylum in the UK on religious grounds

are being quizzed about the Bible by immigration officials. The types of questions that are being asked include: ‘What are the 10 commandments?’ ‘When is Pentecost?’ and ‘How many books are there in the Bible?’ Their applications face rejection if refugees answer questions incorrectly.

Jesus' tombJesus' tombJesus' tombJesus' tomb

E xperts have begun to renovate the ancient tombstone where Christians believed that Jesus was buried in Jerusalem. The work in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre aims to reinforce and conserve the structure. The last restoration work on the tomb was around 200 years ago.

PakistanPakistanPakistanPakistan

M uslim villagers in Pakistan are helping to build a church for Christians to show religious solidarity. The Christian

community in Pakistan was attacked by mobs six years ago, and the people in the village of Khaksabad are donating what they can afford to build the church.

Summer Lunch 19th JuneSummer Lunch 19th JuneSummer Lunch 19th JuneSummer Lunch 19th June

W e hope everyone who attended, enjoyed this

lunch, which was a little different.

Thank you all for your support,

because without it, we would not be able to hold these functions !

6

June OllierJune OllierJune OllierJune Ollier

J une began her duties of Verger at St Mary’s church in 1974.

Over the years the role has taken

on many varied aspects of

background work ensuring above

all that the church is open, clean

and prepared for worship. This

has been a tremendous long-term

commitment on June’s behalf and

she has not missed many Sundays

during those years.

On 29th May June chose the

hymns for the Sunday service and

in the Church Hall she was

presented with an emerald and

gold pendant, a voucher for M&S

and some flowers. Thomas also

presented her with a key for the West Door.

A message from JuneA message from JuneA message from JuneA message from June

T hankyou Vicar, Organist Kevin, Churchwardens and those who were thinking about me. It was a wonderful service.

I was overjoyed to see St Mary's and Christ Church Wheelock

Choir and congregation together which brought back memories for

me. Thanks for the beautiful gifts, cards and good wishes.

I have loved being St Mary's Verger and playing the organ for

services. Forty two years gone in a flash.

I pray that someone will come along and enjoy the Verger's Role.

Thank you and love to you all.

7

8

IslamIslamIslamIslam

I slam is the religion of more than two billion people

throughout the world and its followers are known as Muslims. Each Muslim worships One God 'Allah' and is required to follow certain ways of life. The five main points on which the religion is built are known as the ‘Five Pillars of Islam‘.

The Five Pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam The Five Pillars of Islam Shahada (Testimony of Faith) ‘There is no God except Allah, and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah‘. To state this is to be a Muslim. Salat Muslims pray five times a day at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening. Before praying, it is essential to do an ablution, which consists of rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face and arms up to the elbow and feet. Muslims call this ablution 'Wudu'. Saum Fasting- during the holy month of Ramadan, this lasts from daybreak to sunset. It ls more

than just giving up food and water, and is used as spiritual training. Zakat The distribution of wealth through giving to the poor and needy. Calculated as 2.5% on any wealth retained for a full year. Hajj This is a pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This should be made at least once in the lifetime of every Muslim subject to affordability and health. For this reason, Muslims may request one extended leave period in which to make such a pilgrimage.

Principles and EthicsPrinciples and EthicsPrinciples and EthicsPrinciples and Ethics The Muslims consider Friday as their main holy day called 'Jumma'. Requests from Muslims to pray on this particular day will be higher. Strict Muslims are

Religions of the WorldReligions of the WorldReligions of the WorldReligions of the World

9

There is an easy way to become richer instantly – it is to desire less

generally expected to cover their bodies, arms and legs with comfortable loose clothing. Males may be unwilling to wear shorts and women may wish to cover their whole body, except their hands and feet. Muslims are forbidden to eat any food which is derived from the pig. In addition they are forbidden to eat any food which is derived from a carnivorous animal. Meat that may be consumed must be slaughtered in the Halal method. Islam also forbids the consumption of alcohol which includes it's presence in dishes such as risotto or fruit salad. Burial must take place as soon as possible following death and may occur at short notice. Gambling is forbidden. Physical contact between the sexes is discouraged and some Muslims may politely refuse to shake hands with the opposite sex. This should not be viewed negatively.

Islam Festivals Islam Festivals Islam Festivals Islam Festivals Hajj (9-14 September 2016) A pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca Makkah In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This should be made at least once in the lifetime of every Muslim if able ‘bodied and can afford to do so. Subject to affordability and health.

Ramadan. (7 June to 6 July 2016) Muslims fast in this month ‘from Sunrise to sunset, no food or drink is consumed during daylight hours. The month is used as a training , exercise to become a better person. Eid ul Fitr (6 July

2016) This is celebrated to mark the end of Ramadan and is to show gratitude to Allah, for giving opportunity to reap many rewards of the month of Ramadan. Mawlid an Nabi (12 December 2016) This is the birthday of the Prophet.

10

St MarySt MarySt MarySt Mary’’’’s Social Committees Social Committees Social Committees Social Committee

Pudding evening With music. Friday 2nd September

Big Breakfast Saturday 15th October

Autumn Fair Saturday 5th November

Christmas Lunch Sunday 4th December

Come along and bring your friends to these events.

Tickets will be advertised in the magazine and on the pew sheets.

11

The Five Fingers PrayerThe Five Fingers PrayerThe Five Fingers PrayerThe Five Fingers Prayer 1. Your thumb is nearest to you, and without it you are helpless. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you, without whom you, too, would be lost. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the Prime Minister, the national leaders in Europe, the leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nations and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your ‘pinkie’ (as the Americans call it) should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

12

13

Four lessons from Four lessons from Four lessons from Four lessons from SportSportSportSport

T his summer will be dominated by Sport, with

everything from Euro16 to the Olympics in Rio. Despite the wide differences in the various sports, there are four things each athlete will have in common: focus, discipline, communication and commitment. Such things guarantee success in our Christian walk, too. Focus. What is it you want to gain, above all things? Paul said: For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) That sort of commitment is the Christianity that will survive any persecution and hardship. Discipline. Just as athletes immerse themselves in everything to do with their sport, surround yourself with Christian riches that will feed your mind and spirit. Deliberately choose good Christian music, read the lives of well-known Christians, and seek out mature Christians for friendship and even mentoring. Christianity is like sport, it flourishes best when it is

enjoyed with others! Communication. What would happen to an athlete if he or she stopped speaking to their own coach, for weeks on end? So this aspect begins with Psalm 46:10: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Fundamental to your faith is your prayer life alone with God. Jesus said ‘No branch can bear fruit of itself, it must remain in the vine.’ (John 15.4) The Psalms covers every aspect of our walk with God day by day

– so if you don’t know how to begin to pray, simply begin by praying the Psalms. And read the Bible every day. God

speaks to us through the Bible and prayer – keep the lines of communication open! Commitment. This is nothing more than the resolve to keep going, no matter what the obstacles. Paul had a driving ambition: ‘That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. (Philippians 3:10) And the final result of all our efforts? ‘Our citizenship is in heaven….’ (Philippians 3.20).

14

A thousand times I’ve failed and still your

mercy remains. Thank you Jesus!

St Mary's on the internetSt Mary's on the internetSt Mary's on the internetSt Mary's on the internet

A brand new web site for the St Mary's is now up and running . It's the same address as the old one so please have a look at

it: www.sandbachchurch.co.uk

Web sites are only as good as the information on them. Please send regular updates to me for uploading. Editor.

S t Mary's also has a Facebook page to share Services and Events to a wider community and to create a wider interest in our church.

We would like to encourage existing Facebook users to visit and "like" our page and to share memories past and present. If you are not currently on Facebook but have photographs or memories you would like to share about St. Mary's email organist@sandbachchurch.co.uk.

Help in the Church HallHelp in the Church HallHelp in the Church HallHelp in the Church Hall

F ollowing Nat Weir's unfortunate heart attack we are seeking urgent help with setting the tables out for Thursday Teas and

subsequently clearing them away. Ideally this would suit two young people for one hour per week. The helpers will be recompensed.

Please contact Brian Day on 763716 or email: brian_v_day@hotmail.com.

15

‘‘‘‘I was GladI was GladI was GladI was Glad’’’’

T he Queen’s Coronation Service opened with the anthem I was glad, a setting of words from Psalm 122 by Hubert Parry. As

one of the Songs of Ascent, this psalm was used by pilgrims on their way up to the city of Jerusalem. It is a psalm of worship: ‘I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.”. What does it say about why we worship? ‘Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up’ . For the people of God, Jerusalem was the place of worship and a metaphor indicating what worship is about. It expresses our unity and when we come together, despite our differences of education, background, gifts and experience, we are united together as one people. Worship is also the place where we obey the command to praise God: ‘to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel’. It encourages our gratitude, as we respond to our experience of God’s grace and love. This helps us to maintain God at the centre of our lives, during both the good and difficult times. The psalm ends by encouraging us to: ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may those who love you be secure’. This is a prayer for God’s shalom or wholeness, which means the whole of our lives are in harmony with God’s will. It is a reminder that worship engages our allegiance, as it is not simply about Sundays, but the offering of all our daily life in God’s service. Augustine declared ‘a Christian should be a hallelujah from head to foot.’ This Psalm helps us to see how we can make this a reality for ourselves.

16

From the ArchivesFrom the ArchivesFrom the ArchivesFrom the Archives

T his month we are in Elworth looking down Station Road where big changes are happening. Many of you will remember Prings Wire

Works seen in the bottom picture circa 2012 just before it was demolished. The company was set-up in 1834 by John Pring and they manufactured a wide range of products from bed springs, mouse traps to piano stools. The top picture was taken 2014 but, if you walk down Station Road today you will see new buildings on their way up as well as changes in Hill Street.

Stephen MinshullStephen MinshullStephen MinshullStephen Minshull

17

T he joy and serenity of this hymn are staggering,

when you learn the

circumstances in which is was

written. Martin Rinkart was a

pastor at Eilenberg, Saxony,

during the terrible Thirty

Years’ War (1618-1648).

As a walled city, Eilenberg

offered some protection to the

inhabitants. No wonder that

political and military refugees

of all sorts poured into the

city, making it dangerously

overcrowded. Soon the water

supply was fouled, the

sanitation overwhelmed, and

the food ran out – leaving

people famished and diseased.

In 1637 a terrible pestilence

swept through the city, killing

some 8,000 people, including

Rinkart’s beloved wife. By

that time Rinkart was the only

minister left in Eilenberg,

because the others had either died or fled for their lives. Rinkart

alone conducted the burial services for 4480 people, sometimes

taking as many as 40 to 50 funerals a day!

Eilenberge was besieged and overrun three times – once by the

Austrian army and twice by the Swedes. When a Swedish

general demanded the town pay him 30,000 thalers. Martin

Rinkart pleaded that the impoverished city could never meet

such a levy, but the general scorned him. At that, Rinkart

Now Thank We All Now Thank We All Now Thank We All Now Thank We All Our GodOur GodOur GodOur God Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today. Oh may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace, And guide us when perplexed, And free us from all ills In this world and the next. All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore; Fur thus is was, is now,

And shall be evermore.

18

What's your idea of a good sermon?What's your idea of a good sermon?What's your idea of a good sermon?What's your idea of a good sermon?

H ow many times have you said after

attending a church service that the

sermon was a real cracker? Or, put another

way, how many of the sermons you have

heard over the years have stayed with you?

Probably very few.

We were interested to see that a competition

was launched recently designed to put a

spotlight on the art of preaching. It was to

encourage young preachers to test their skills

and seasoned preachers to hone theirs. '

Sermon of the Year 2016' invited submissions

of written sermons on the subject, “Reason

for Hope.” The response was extraordinary.

The very best of the entries have been reproduced in book form -

sermons that will edify you, surprise you, uplift you, and above all

give you reason for hope. The competition was initiated by the

London School of Theology and PREACH magazine and the book

is available at cpo.org.uk. You can read more about the entrants

and their sermons at www.preachweb.org

turned to his companions and said: ‘Come, my children, we can

find no mercy with man; let us take refuge with God.’ On his

knees there and then, Rinkart led his friends in a fervent prayer

and in the singing of a hymn. The Swedish commander was so

moved that he decided that the levy be not 30,000 thalers, but

instead 1,350 thalers.

Somehow, out of the hell of the Thirty Years War came this lovely

hymn of peace and total trust in God. Martin Rinkart had had to

dig deep into his faith to survive, and the result was utter, serene

dependence on God – despite chaos and destruction all around.

19

How well do you know the church?How well do you know the church?How well do you know the church?How well do you know the church?

L ast month we saw a memorial for Charles Latham (b.1816) in the Bradwall Chapel. He was a physician, surgeon and

registrar from Sandbach. On 3 November 1867, Latham delivered triplets to the wife of a brass dealer Mary Newham. He died on 6 July 1907, a noted cricket fan.

A public memorial statue to him is located outside the Ashfield Primary Care Centre in Sandbach . He was affectionately known as "the old doctor".

If you make a trip down to the Old Hall you will find a photograph of Charles on a wall opposite the main bar.

The seat of the Latham family was Bradwall Hall which was demolished in 1960. There are other memorials around the church, mainly in the Bradwall Chapel, to other members of the family.

Below is a picture of Charles' funeral down the main street.

20

A n elderly couple were having dinner with friends from their church and while their wives were busy in the kitchen, Billy said, "I can strongly recommend a restaurant we went to last night."

Fred asked the name of it, whereupon, Billy thought for quite a while and said, "What's the name of the flower with prickles you give to someone you love?" Fred replied, "Do you mean a rose?"

Turning toward the kitchen, Billy called out, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"

G eorge had been a fit and God-fearing man all his life. At 87 he decided to see his doctor to a medical examination. A few

days later, the doctor met George walking down the street with an attractive young lady on his arm and he told him he looked great. "Doing just you said doctor" said George, "Get a hot mamma and be cheerful."

The doctor replied, "George, I said you'd got a heart murmur and be careful."

21

CHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALSCHURCH OFFICIALS

Vicar The Revd. Thomas Shepherd 762379

vicar@sandbachchurch.co.uk

Churchwardens Sheenagh Ashworth 529187

Anne Birch 760778

Sacristan John Percival 765700

Verger

PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL (PCC) OFFICERS

PCC Secretary Mel Robinson 753821

Treasurer Roger Cooke 762118

Covenants/Gift Aid Aileen Higgs 760149

OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS OTHER CONTACTS

Organist Kevin Birch kevinbirch@gmx.com 760778

Bells John Austin 764851

Mervyn Stubbs 762516

Church Flowers Sheenagh Ashworth 529187

Church Hall Sylvia Watkins 767386

hall@sandbachchurch.co.uk

BAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGBAPTISMS AND WEDDINGSSSS

Please Contact The Vicar in Church on Sundays 5pm to 6pm to make the necessary arrangements.

Challenge is edited by John Bottomley. If you or your organisa-tion have reports of events that have already happened, progress updates of continuing projects, or any other items to be published in the magazine, please contact me by: tel: 01270 768744 e-mail: magazine@sandbachchurch.co.uk post: 15 Chartwell Park, Sandbach, CW11 4ZP

Articles must be received by Sunday 24th JulySunday 24th JulySunday 24th JulySunday 24th July More information is also available on the web-site:

www.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.ukwww.sandbachchurch.co.uk