heart eat · valentine’s day comes around once a year on 14th february. it’s a ... st...
TRANSCRIPT
Heart eat
Holy Ascension Church and Community Magazine February 2020
at Holy Ascension
Welcome to Heartbeat …
The Church’s logo was designed for the 160th anniversary of the Church in
2014. It illustrates the church’s commitment to be at the heart of the
whole community of Upton by Chester. The name for the magazine, Heartbeat, reflects that commitment.
Copy for the magazine is always welcome. Contributions for the March issue should be received by 12 February via the Parish Office or email
The magazine can be viewed online at www.holyascension.org.uk/HeartBeat
Or if you prefer we can email you a copy each month-just let us know at the above email address.
Editorial Team
Sharon Forsdyke - Editor Graham Barley Sue Burgess Dave O’Brien
Happy New Year!
Here we are past January and most of us will have packed away the Christmas sparkle. However, in some countries, decorations are not taken down until Candlemas on 2nd February.
This date marks Jesus’ presentation to the temple. Traditionally candles are brought to church and blessed for use in the following year.
All things sparkly were celebrated at the United Reformed Church Star Festival in November and the star was also at the heart of Vicar Paul’s focus in advent.
This new year of 2020 is being cited by advertisers as the year of clarity.
Light and clear vision can illuminate the darkest of challenges.
So whatever this year and decade holds for you, may you be blessed with clear sight as you continue on your journey of faith in the knowledge that we all have a little of God’s sparkle to share with the world.
Margaret Adams has stepped down from the Editorial Team. We thank her for all her help with Heartbeat.
Holy Ascension Mission Statement
'To be the people of God in this place, committed to Christ, to one
another and to Service in the community; together, we worship God
with joy and love and with openness to renewal by the Holy Spirit.’
‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And be not wise in your own sight.’
FRIDAY 6TH MARCH
At St Columba’s Church
Plas Newton Lane
More details to follow in the March issue of Heartbeat
SAVE THE DATE!
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2020 Praying with Zimbabwe
Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk
Letter from Paul
A man decided to buy a gift for his wife on Valentine’s Day, so he went into a shop in town to look for a gift, where the assistant suggested some perfume and showed him a bottle costing £60.
"That's a bit much," he said, so she returned with a smaller bottle for £30.
"That's still quite a bit," he complained. Growing annoyed, the assistant brought out a tiny £15 bottle.
"You know," he said, "what I mean is I would like to see something... really cheap."
So, the assistant handed him ... a mirror.
Valentine’s Day comes around once a year on 14th February. It’s a day all about love.
Now when it comes to the word, 'love', our English language is sadly lacking. We have one word that covers all the different types and expressions of love.
True, there is 'affection' and 'fondness', but on the 14th there will be a frenzy, of card, flower and chocolate buying to celebrate romantic love.
That's perhaps the big problem with the word 'love.' We usually think of romantic love and being in love, or as a very unromantic friend of mine calls it, 'LURV.'
Our culture has developed a pretty blinkered view of love but it's a good money spinner, not only on St Valentine's Day, but with dating sites, fashion and beauty aids, chocolate and pop music. If we have a think how many songs we know that deal with that kind of love, we'll find the list is endless.
But love as we know, is much more than that.
There’s love for family; parents, brothers, sisters, and love for friends. There's love for other people; neighbours, community and country. Many of us will think of pets we have loved.
All those different types of love - and only one word, yet love is more than nice feelings or romantic ideas of roses and candle-lit dinners.
At its heart, love is about commitment; wanting the best for that other person in how you regard them, treat them and care for them. And yes, love can be hard work at times.
One of the great descriptions of love is seen in Paul's letter to the church in Corinth where he writes:
'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.' (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Roughly translated, he tells us that love never gives up; it puts others first, isn't big headed or bad tempered, doesn't enjoy seeing others in trouble, doesn't score points against others and is honest and open. Love always looks for the best, and it keeps going. Paul is pointing us beyond romance and our need for affection, to a greater, all-encompassing sense of love that God has for us, and to a love we are encouraged to share with others.
It’s not so much to do with fuzzy, starry-eyed feelings, and hearts and flowers, but rather love in action which is worked out in the nitty-gritty of life, and we see this in the person of Jesus Christ.
God shows his love for us in that, while we were still his enemies, Christ died to pay the price for our sins, to grant us freedom and forgiveness and put right our relationship. There’s nothing romantic or soppy about that.
And when Jesus tells us 'love one another,' he’s not wanting us to wander round like a bunch of hippies mumbling 'peace and love, man,' or just being polite. Rather, he encourages us to open up and accept the love God has for us, to follow him in demonstrating that love in the way we treat those around us, and not just the people we get on with!
That’s true love, and true love can be tough, but true love is real. It's the love God has for you and for me, and this love is constant. It never changes.
No matter what we do or where we go, in the good times and the bad times, when we have our greatest successes and our worst failures, God's love and care for us will never change.
May God inspire you with the knowledge of his love, and guide you on that path that leads to peace. Paul
Christmas At Holy Ascension
Christmas Jumper Service
Sunday Lunch Club Christmas dinner at Mollington Banastre
We thank funeral directors
Dutton & Hallmark,
for donating the Christmas Tree
Dave spreading ‘Angelic Bubbles’
at The Crib Service
Christmas Day Service
Father Christmas visits
The Musical Tots Nativity
Photos courtesy of Louise Rivett, Colin Foden &
Mark Burgess
“Greenacres of Upton” Garden Services / Regular
Maintenance
Lawns mowed, hedges trimmed,
leaves cleared
and
any other gardening needs
catered for.
A reliable local service.
Ring Paul 07470 421026 for a quote.
CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING SERVICE
Call 0800 695 1352
FREE CONSUMER INFO-LINE 24HR RECORDING HOW TO CHOOSE A CARPET CLEANER
The Most Thorough Cleaning You’ve Ever Seen Or its Free
That’s right, the most thorough cleaning ever. If you’re not 100% delighted with my carpet & upholstery cleaning service, I’ll quickly return and give you a free re-clean. If I still can’t make you happy - for whatever reason - I’ll refund your money 100% - What could be fair-er? I’ve invested in the best cleaning systems possible giving a fantastic result on carpets and upholstery every time! I’ll clean, deodorise and condition your items leaving them clean and fresh.
100% NO-RISK IRON CLAD GUARANTEE What does this mean? Simply this: If you’re not totally happy with my work,
CALL FOR A FREE QUOTATION 01244 559074
CLIVE LITTLER
Painting & Decorating Service
Competitive rates
First-class workmanship
For FREE estimate
Tel: 01244 372231
Mobile: 07539 653536
To advertise in this magazine please email us at [email protected]
Sparkle with Words
Capturing your memories in verse
For more information contact Sharon Forsdyke on
07745059856
When Chester Aid to The Homeless (CATH) asked for socks, we made a 10 day appeal at church for woollen socks, gloves, hats and donations of cash to buy toiletries. We had an amazing response of items and over £200. We used some of the money to buy toiletries and large chocolate bars from the £1 Shop. We made up 10 Christmas bags (8 for men, 2 for women) labelled with the contents: One pack of socks, one hat, one pair of gloves Soap, deodorant, sponge, bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste,
hairbrush Large bar of chocolate Christmas card with ‘Best wishes from Holy Ascension Church.’
RSPCA Gift Bags
Homeless Christmas Gift Bags
A big thanks to all the people who donated items for the cat and dog boxes for the RSPCA Wirral and Chester branch in Wallasey, and to Hotter for the shoe boxes and Nicola for the cat and dog food. I made up eight cat gift boxes and eight dog boxes. Louise Rivett
We delivered the bags to CATH on December 23rd. The staff were very delighted and assured us that they would be very well received.
Thank you to all who gave so generously. We will consider using the ‘balance’ for bags at Easter.
Susan Campbell, Margaret Adams, Barbara Capstick
ACROSS
1. Fairground attraction seen at road
junction? (10)
7. Dishing out at lively party (7)
8. Sauce of annoying person with noth-
ing (5)
10. It’s part of choral society, too (4)
11. Guess teatime’s been rearranged
(8)
13. Saw red slipping in waterproof
boots (6)
15. Choose best quality? (6)
17. Moved coal into site (8)
18. Catch Peter Pan villain (4)
21 Mistake made by some terrorists (5)
22. Large house no man is prepared to
reveal (8)
23. I pose limbs akimbo - that can’t be
done! (10)
DOWN
1. Controls the sound of
showers (5)
2. Cancel United Nations’
party (4)
3. Get Sid moving to take
in food (6)
4. Tips a bed over having
been christened (8)
5. Unruly pugs eat and
steal the show (7)
6. Ladies crow about this
Irish writer (5,5)
9. In public, a monarch is
going past (10)
12. I roar, too, composing musical
work (8)
14. Proper behaviour seen in art
deco rumpus (7)
16. These butterflies may appear
mid-sentence! (6)
19. I love stewed fruit (5)
20. Spurn buns when upset (4)
Answers in the March issue.
Crossword compiled by Graham Barley.
Crossword
Answers to Dec/Jan Crossword
ACROSS: 1. Date 3. Cenotaph 8. Waif
9. Dipstick 11. Cantaloupe 14. So long
15. Manger 17. Absolution 20. Persuade
21. Mill 22. Sapphire 23. Onus
DOWN: 1. Downcast 2. Triangle 4. Edi
tor 5. Oesophagus 6. Avid 7. Hike
10. Paintbrush 12. Ignition 13. Wrinkles
16. Yonder 18. Spas 19. Trap
Pupils at Upton Heath continued their tradition of learning about Shakespeare with their attendance at the 19th annual Shakespeare Festival in November last year. The Festival, at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, was in partnership with the Shakespeare Foundation.
Year 6 pupils performed an abridged version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to a packed audience of family, friends and Shakespeare enthusiasts.
Feted as the world’s largest drama festival, it is the Shakespeare School’s Foundation flagship project, involving over 750 schools across 118 theatres around the UK and over 20,000 children.
Year 6 teacher Miss Williams said: “The festival is a brilliant enrichment opportunity for our children, enabling them to perform Shakespeare on a proper stage. Pupils not only develop the skills of performance but also essential life skills such as team work, self– esteem and confidence.”
Upton Heath has performed at the Festival for a number of years. Past performances have included Richard III. Chester School Dorin Park and schools across the Wirral also attended the festival. Miss Williams said the children were enthusiastic about taking part: “Shakespeare can often be perceived as being inaccessible for primary school age children, but our pupils’ enthusiasm for the Festival each year shows that isn’t the case. Every child who wanted to take part had the opportunity to do so and I was very proud to watch them up on the stage showing that Shakespeare can be for everyone.”
With the Shakespeare Schools Foundation, children do better in class and make new friends. Upton Heath Marketing Team
Much Ado about
Shakespeare
Waiting to perform backstage
Mr Conrad North joined Upton Heath as Principal in January.
Head Teacher Paula Conlin became CEO of The Samara Trust on its formation with Mrs Wendy O’Leary-Davies taking on the Interim Principal role. She will remain at Upton heath as Vice Principal.
Mr North is an experienced Head who has worked at schools across Cheshire, Merseyside, Berkshire and Greater Manchester, including as Principal of Werneth Primary in Oldham for the past three years. Now Mr North is looking forward to returning to his educational roots in Cheshire.
“My very first school was St. Bridget’s C of E in West Kirby, and my first Headship was at Stanney Grange Primary in Ellesmere Port. I also spent eight years as Head of JH Godwin in Blacon.”
“I know Chester and its resources well, having lived in both Hoole and Boughton. Upton Heath is an exciting place of learning, filled with motivated staff and children. Excellence is part and parcel of the mission at the school and the ethos of learning together and principles of belief, resilience and respect are ones that I ascribe to.”
Mr North, whose career highlights include a legacy of improvements to educational facilities for children and government recognition for school improvement, is involved in the Primary Leadership Programme and has worked as a national school improvement partner with schools in Birmingham.
“I will bring my experience and understanding of schools to Upton Heath. I’m looking forward to working with the children, parents and staff and the community as well as with colleagues across the Samara Trust.” Mrs Zoe Carciero (pictured with Mr North) also takes on the role of Executive Principal of Clutton C of E and Little Sutton C of E. Thus all schools in the Samara Trust have new Principals from January.
Upton Heath Marketing Team
New Principal for
Upton Heath
Children having fun, learning about God, Jesus and the bible.
Sunday 9th, 16th & 23rd February
Bible themed crafts and activities for children during
10.45am Service.
500 Words!
2020 marks the 10th anniversary of BBC Radio 2’s 500 words writing competition for children. Since its launch in 2011, the competition has received over 912,986 short stories.
So if you are feeling creative, why not have a go and enter?
Deadline is Thursday 27th February at 8pm. Entry is free and open to persons who will be aged between 5 and 13 years on 12th June 2020.
For more information visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio2
Smile Line
What I don’t get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them.
Sarah, aged 7 (Parish Pump)
If you are ever up near Backford or on the way to or from The Wirral, why not drop into The Coffee Shop at the Hospice?
You can choose from a range of freshly prepared homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes served by the friendly hospice volunteers in a relaxed atmosphere.
As well as being a lovely place to relax and enjoy a cuppa or a bite to eat, the café also raises much needed funds for the hospice.
Café open Monday to Friday 11am—3pm
A Little Gem at The Hospice of The Good
Shepherd
Appeal for empty toothpaste tubes
If you have any used, empty
toothpaste tubes, please do not throw
them away.
The Hospice of the Good Shepherd
would like them to help raise more
funds.
Please note they no longer require milk
bottle lids.
Please drop donations at the Hospice
reception.
Update on The Great
Wall of China Trek
A huge thank you to everyone who sponsored Chris and Sharon to walk the Great Wall of China for the Hospice in October 2019. The 22 participants who did the trek in aid of the Hospice have so far raised £30,843.72 (excluding gift aid.)
Looking for a challenge
in 2021?
Why not sign up to fundraise for the Hospice by trekking one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon National Park in September 2021.
You will trek along a different trail every day with magnificent views including the sights from Ooh Aah Point. This challenge will finish with a celebratory meal in the bright lights of Las Vegas!
On Thursday 5th March at 6pm in the Hospice Café, Dan from Global Adventure Challenges will be giving a short presentation about the trip.
Please confirm your attendance for refreshment purposes by emailing [email protected] or by calling 01244 851811.
Family
Quiz
How well do you know your UK birds? Fill
in the missing word below and reveal a
bird, either using the first two words or last
two words, e.g. Christmas _ _ _ _Creeper
By inserting the word TREE you get
‘Christmas tree’ and the bird - ‘Treecreeper’
1. Wood _ _ _ _ pit
2. Pussy _ _ _ _ _ _ Warbler
3. Collared _ _ _ _ tail
4. Penny _ _ _ _ _ cap
5. Dragon _ _ _ catcher
6. Monkey _ _ _ hatch
7. Fool’s _ _ _ _ crest
8. Yellow _ _ _ _ _ _ Toe
9. Ham _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Tern
10. Wheat _ _ _ ache
11. Safety _ _ _ _ _ bill
12. Playing _ _ _ _ _ fare
13. Flint _ _ _ _ _ chat
14. Wax _ _ _ _ Commander
15. Even _ _ _ _ Thrush
Email your answers to all twenty questions with contact details to [email protected] First all correct entry drawn ‘out of the hat’ on Friday 21st February will win a bar of chocolate. Answers next month. Winner of December/January quiz was David Pendlebury.
...and a few more where the
missing word is a bird.
16. Spread _ _ _ _ _ Eyed
17. Round _ _ _ _ _ Hood
18. Stool _ _ _ _ _ _ Hole
19. Scare _ _ _ _ bar
20. Dee _ _ _ walker
Answers to December / January Quiz
1. Herring 2. Skate 3. Bass 4. Pike 5. Dab 6. Kipper 7. Flounder
8. Tuna 9. Sole 10. Perch 11. Sardine 12. Cod 13. Sturgeon
14. Salmon 15. Oysters 16. Clams 17. South America 18. The Pope
19. Sargasso Sea 20. Cormorant
Hello,
Welcome to the month of February and a Happy New Year to you all.
Can you believe it, we are in a new year!
I was wondering where you have been since the last edition of Heartbeat in December.
Christmas is a time we meet up with friends and family, yet it can be a lonely and sad time for some. I hope you have been blessed in whatever situation you have found yourself in.
I have been busy seeing family and friends. I’ve also had time to watch a bit of TV. My wife, Jean, tells me I will watch anything. I will even watch the dot!
Can I recommend a film I saw on the Netflix Channel called ‘The Two Popes.’ Do try and see it. By the time you read this I will have seen it at Storyhouse.
The film tells the story of conversations the two popes have. Their lives are very different, yet connected to God in life and service. They have a story to tell to each other.
It got me thinking. What is my story? What is your story? I hope and pray you may be able tell your story to someone with reference to the Living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Till the next time.
Every Blessing,
Dave O’Brien (Curate)
Out and About...
From the Prayer Table
Your light is the only light I need as I travel through life's mystery. Your word the only voice I hear,
that still small voice that leads me to the place where I should be.
Your presence is the only company I need,
as I walk this narrow road. Your fellowship the warmth I crave
to help me on my way.
www.faithandworship.com
Unwanted Christmas Present Bingo
We had another successful, fun night at our annual Bingo event in January with over 80 attendees. Thank you to all who supported this event and to all those who helped set up the Church Hall and prepare and serve the food. (Photos courtesy of Louise Rivett.)
We have been very blessed recently in that the majority of the costs of producing Heartbeat have been met by revenue from advertising and by some donations from readers. This has enabled us to distribute it for free and ensure that it continues to be at the heart of the community.
However, a couple of our regular advertisers have not renewed their contracts for 2020 which means that we will be potentially producing the magazine at a loss of £1,400 per annum.
The PCC have discussed this situation at length, including the value of the magazine as an outreach facility and the problem of re-introducing an annual charge.
The PCC agreed with the Heartbeat Team that from this year we will no longer subscribe to the Chester Diocesan News which will save around £400 per annum.
(If you wish to receive the newsletter as an E-bulletin you can subscribe free of charge on the diocesan website below - chester.anglican.org)
The PCC also agreed that we should keep Heartbeat as a free publication but ask readers if they would make a suggested annual donation of £5 per annum to cover the costs of producing Heartbeat.
Should you wish to contribute towards the cost, we welcome any donations in the envelope enclosed with this month’s issue which can be given to your magazine distributor or returned to church. Thank you.
Heartbeat
The Leap Year by Nigel Beeton
The calendar, one year in four Gives February a little more An extra day! We must be sure! To wisely use these hours The weather, not as bitter cold; The garden weeds have gained no hold; The early bulbs start to unfold We welcome crocus flowers!
The sun bestows a little warmth The winds turn from the bitter north It is the time to sally forth From winter sanctuary! Tis early spring, season sublime So hearken to my little rhyme – Enjoy the little extra time You have in February!
This year marks 125 years of the National Trust. Formed in January 1895, it counts Octavia Hill and Beatrix Potter amongst its most ardent supporters.
Here in Cheshire we are lucky to be near Dunham Massey and Chirk with their glorious snowdrop and bluebell displays, Bodnant’s laburnum arch, the gardens of Attingham and Powys Castle and Little Moreton Hall.
This year the Trust is hoping to raise £125,000 to support a number of special projects which include the restoration of Agatha Christie’s summerhouse at Greenway on the English Riviera.
So if you would like to become a fundraising champion visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/fundraise-for-us
Here in Upton, 14 volunteers, supervised by Gary Hulmes from the Parish Council, were out in force on Sunday 19th January planting a mixture of blackthorn, hornbeam and willow on the Queen Elizabeth II playing fields behind Upton Pavilion along Wealstone Lane.
The 150 saplings were supplied by the Parish Council and it is hoped that they will help to stem the water-logging that has occurred over the years.
For the Beauty of the
Earth
“I belong to The Woodland Trust so
this project is close to my heart.”
“These trees should
help stem the water-
logging. This ‘pond’ has
been here for over 20
years and gets bigger
every winter!”
St Dwynwen's Day
Whilst many in Scotland and parts of the UK celebrate Burns Night on 25th January, in our neighbouring country of Wales, this day is recognised as St Dwynwen's Day.
Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and fell in love with a Prince called Maelon Dafodrill.
Sadly her father, who had 24 daughters, had already arranged for her to marry someone else.
Dwynwen was so upset that she begged God to make her forget Maelon. After falling asleep, she was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.
God then granted Dwynwen three wishes. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed; her second, that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and the third wish that she should never marry.
All three wishes were fulfilled, and as a symbol of thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God’s service for the rest of her life.
Santes Dwynwen set up a convent on Llanddwyn Island – just off the west coast of Anglesey – the remains of which can still be seen today, along with Dwynwen's well.
You can visit Santes Dwynwen’s church but you must be quick; Llanddwyn is a tidal island, and remains attached to the mainland at all but the highest tides.
St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, which makes her the equivalent of St Valentine. She is also considered to be patroness of farmers’ beasts.
A Welsh love spoon is traditionally given as a Santes Dwynwen’s Day gift. In 2007, the world’s largest ever carved love spoon, measuring 44ft, was displayed outside Cardiff Castle.
(Adapted from walesonline)
Chester Small Business Award Winners Free Advice on Funeral Planning
Telephone: 01244 319595 70 Green Lane, Vicars Cross Chester CH3 5LB www.gmgooldfunerals.co.uk
G & M Goold Chester’s Most qualified
Independent Funeral Directors
directors with
Holy Ascension Community
Hall The hall is
available to hire for children’s parties, public and private
meetings, workshops etc.
There is availability for regular
activities to take place.
For more information and to make a booking
please contact the Parish Office
Tel 01244 383518 Email :
communityhall@
holyascension.org.uk
Churches Together In
Upton
John Butler is planning a visit to: Princes Road Synagogue Liverpool
Croxteth Hall, Park and Walled Garden
Chester Cathedral - Refectory and Evensong.
Cost approx. £25 More details will appear in the
next issue of Heartbeat
Request for handbags from The Countess of Chester
Hospital
Do you have any pre-loved handbags that you no longer need? We will happily take them for our
Pre-Loved Handbag Sale on Tuesday 18th Feb. Please bring donations to
the Fundraising office.
Thank you!
Church Action on Poverty Sunday takes place on 23rd February. Many of us want to help the poor, but the challenges are huge.
‘Good News for the poor’ - that was what Jesus promised – and the crowd flocked to hear it. But He didn’t promise to abolish poverty. ‘The poor you always have with you’, He said, and everything we have seen since has proved that He was right.
Two thousand years, many political promises and different regimes, and we still have poor people, often living alongside the conspicuously rich.
‘Good news for the poor?’ Not, it appears, in any political or social revolution. Sadly, we have yet to abolish poverty.
But followers of Jesus have been in the forefront of those who have tried to mitigate its consequences. Churches and various individual Christians have been prime movers in the amazing development of Food Banks.
The Bradford-based charity ‘Christians against Poverty’ has helped literally tens of thousands of people out of debt. Night shelters for the homeless, schools in the world’s poorest lands and support for drug addicts, these are on the agenda of every Church and that is good news for the poor.
There is so much more to be done, of course, if poverty is ever to be eliminated. But not being able to do it all mustn’t stop us doing what we can.
So this year, why not do something to support Church Action on Poverty? Details at:
church-poverty.org.uk/sunday
Canon David Winter (Parish Pump article)
Please continue to support our local foodbank. Details of what is currently needed appear later in the magazine.
Poverty Sunday
Helping hands across the world!
Three sons grew up, left home and all prospered.
Over lunch one day they discussed the birthday gifts they’d given their mother recently.
The first said, “I constructed a mansion for our mother.”
The second said, “I sent her a BMW with a chauffeur.”
The third smiled, “I’ve beaten you both. You know mum enjoys the Bible and that she can’t see too well any more to read it herself. So I bought her a parrot that can recite it all. It took 16 nuns in a remote convent, 11 years to teach him. I had to pledge £200,000 a year for 10 years but it was worth it. Mum just names the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it.”
Soon after, the mother posted her thank you letters to her sons.
‘Reece, the mansion is huge. I only use two rooms, but I have to look after the entire building!’
‘Rory, I am too frail to travel so don’t use the car and the driver is so rude!’
‘Dear Richard you were the only son who knows what I like. That chicken was delicious.’ Mum x
Thank You
We thank The Blakemore Foundation and Spar, Long Lane, Bache Post Office, Village Café in Weston Grove, Upton Pavilion,
Wesley Church Centre and Oasis of Miracles in helping to distribute
Heartbeat.
Three Letters of Love
Christmas Flowers
Thank you to all who gave donations for the Christmas
flowers and for The Flower Team for creating the wonderful displays
in church.
Hospice Coffee Morning
Thank you to all who attended and helped at the Coffee Morning in
December. A total of £593.81 was raised for the Hospice of the Good
Shepherd.
From The Parish Registers
Funeral
6th December
Derek Alman
Holy Ascension Community Hall Monday 17th February 7.30pm
“JAPAN, BOWING to TRADITION’’
Talk by Jim Holmes
Photographer, World traveller,
Work for international charities.
Everyone is welcome to join us
£2.00 including Tea & Biscuits
St Columba’s Plas Newton Chester
‘To Calvary with Matthew’
A series of talks on Lent Sunday by David Savage
Tuesday 25th February Tuesday 3rd March
7.30pm in Iona Chapel
All welcome
Bring a Bible and or Sunday Missal
More information from David Savage 01244 380626
HOLY ASCENSION CHURCH
FELLOWSHIP GROUP
BACKFORD, MOLLINGTON & DISTRICT
LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY.
Wednesday 5th February
7.30pm
Sheila Pemberton
will talk about “Frederick Leyland of Speke Hall”
Backford & Mollington Village Hall
All are welcome to attend, non-members £3.00.
Sunday Lunch Club Sunday 23rd February
Holy Ascension Community Hall
Please contact Barbara Bowley 01244 390155 to reserve
your place
Upton Community Choir
Wednesday evenings
7.15-9.15pm
£3.50 per session
Upton High School St James Ave, Upton CH2 1NN For more details and to confirm
attendance please contact Clare Newbould on 07896 614397
or Email [email protected]
Upton-by-Chester Flower ClubUpton Village Hall
Wednesday 26th February
7.30pm
‘Turning Over a New Leaf’ Sionedd Hughes (Area)
Visitors Welcome £5.00
COFFEE AND CHAT!
Every Monday
10.00am – Noon
The Pavilion Wealstone Lane
An open invitation is
extended to all.
Churches Together
Thank you for your
continued support of the food bank which
provides 3 days of emergency food for
local people in crisis. There is a box in
church for non-perishable food
donations.
Urgently needed items:
UHT Fruit juice Instant coffee Instant mash
Instant custard Tinned potatoes
Wednesday
12th February After service Caring & Sharing Lunch
26th February 3.00pm Wednesday Singers
Thursday 10.00am –Noon Sewing Group
Saturday 9.30am Parish Prayers
Holy Ascension Community Hall,
Demage Lane, Upton, CH2 1EL
Opening hours The parish office will be open Monday to Friday 9.30 – 11.30am
Parish Administrator Karen Evans 383518
Email [email protected]
Parish Safeguarding Coordinator
Angela Blundell :[email protected]
Monday Holy Ascension Musical Tots 10.15-11.15am There are two sessions which are 11.15-12.15am open to all. Half Term 17th February
Tuesday 9.15-11.00am Holy Ascension Sunshine Tots Term Time (Holy Ascension Community Hall)
Half Term 18th February
Vicar Paul Newman 743325
Curate Dave O’Brien 375782
Church Wardens Mike Curtis 313152
Colin Foden 381094
Reader Emeritus/ Churches Together in Upton Barbara Capstick 380299
PCC Secretary [email protected]
PCC Treasurer Sue Burgess 380340
Electoral Roll Secretary Jean May 381429
Family Worker/Sunshine Tots Margaret Adams 07707 030020
Church Fellowship Leaders
Barbara Capstick 380299
Margaret Brizell 381404
Director of The Samara Trust Graeme White 312758
Sunday 2nd
8.00am
9.00am
10.45am
Holy Communion
Sung Communion
All Age Worship
Wednesday 5th 10.15am
Holy Communion
Sunday 9th
8.00am
9.00am
10.45am
Holy Communion
Sung Communion
Holy Communion
Wednesday12th 10.15am
Holy Communion
Sunday 16th 8.00am
9.00am
10.45am
Holy Communion
Sung Communion
Morning Praise
Wednesday 19th 10.15am
Holy Communion
Sunday 23rd 8.00am
9.00am
10.45am
Holy Communion
Sung Communion
Morning Praise
Wednesday26th
Ash Wednesday
10.15am
Holy Communion
Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editorial Team,
the Clergy, the Parochial Church Council, or of any authoritative body of the
Church of England.
