Bolton Parish Church

St Peter, Bolton-le-Moors

Parish News

May 2016

50 p

Holy Spirit, we welcome you!

This month of May, traditionally a time of frivolity and jollity (dancing around the maypole for example,) is a busy time in this parish church. On the 15th we will be hosting Bishop Chris’s retirement service, details of which you will no doubt find elsewhere in this magazine. Two days before that, the entire Canon Slade School community will come to mark Founders Day – that community now so large that it needs two services to accommodate everyone. And the following weekend at the Civic Service on 22nd May the incoming Mayor, Cllr Lynda Byrne will be welcomed and prayed for as she begins her year of mayoral duties.

This Church is justly proud of the place it holds in the tradition and history of this town. But for all that, a parish church is first and foremost a gathering place for the people of God, a place where we meet as a community of faith to worship the Lord and Creator of all things.

As we enter the month of May, ecclesiastically this year we conclude the ‘glorious fifty days’ of the Easter season. The 4th of May is Ascension Day, once a great feast in the calendar, now sadly not always acknowledged even by those who walk in the way of faith. But without the Ascension, what does Jesus’ Resurrection mean? For several weeks (‘forty days’), Luke’s Book of Acts tells us, Jesus appeared to groups of His followers, “presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs.”

But it couldn’t go on like that for long. “Wait for the promise of the Father,” He urged them and, as they were watching, He was “lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight.” God became incarnate, made in human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ; in human flesh the Resurrected Christ was taken up from the earth. And in human flesh Jesus lives still, forever sitting at the right hand of God the Father, representing all mankind.

As He walked on this earth, the people crowded around Him, called to Him, brought their children, and the sick, frail and elderly to Him, sat for hours listening to His teaching and sought Him out wherever he went. Often they would not get anywhere near, caught only fleeting glimpses or the faintest rustle of a flowing robe as He passed, heard only disconnected phrases of discourse carried on the wind – yet they craved a closer connection.

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The disciples knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that Jesus had fulfilled what He had said to them; “I am leaving the world and going to my Father.” Yet still the story was not completed.

A few days later, “when the Day of Pentecost had come,” we read, “suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and divided tongues, as of fire appeared…” I doubt if it could be co-incidence that Bishop Chris’s final service as Bishop of Bolton is on the Day of Pentecost; and I am certain that there will be many (not least our Church Wardens!) who will be fervently hoping that there will be no violent wind, much less anything like tongues of fire. But as we prepare to say goodbye and to step into an unknown future, as Chris and Susan set out on their separate way, may we pray that all will be filled with the Holy Spirit and set on fire to serve the Lord as the disciples were that amazing day.

Comforter, Inspirer, we welcome you. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us; melt us, mould us, fill us, use us. Amen

In the love of the living Christ, Moira

Dear Friends,

On the last Saturday in March at 11.45am, hardy Bolton folk were gathered in Victoria Square in good time to watch ‘Passion for Bolton.’ The stage was all set, the actors were ready and the choir was singing – the wind was gusting but it was NOT raining!

This in itself was a miracle as earlier that morning the Met Office had advised that there was 100% chance of heavy rain at 12 noon. The decision to book Victoria Square in late March which was always a step of faith could so easily have looked like folly had the expected downpour turned up on time (it eventually turned up with full force at 4pm).

Desiring to build on Passion for Bolton 2011, Christians in Bolton decided to step out in faith once more and see if we couldn’t do it again – only better. Three years ago, we set out on the road to raise in excess of £30,000 and to work on a production which would be even more professional than last time. Above all we wanted to have another go at sharing the story at the heart of our Christian faith with the people of Bolton in as attractive a way as possible.

Meditation Group Meetings

Mondays 7.30 pm and Thursdays 2 pm.

Venue: The Friends’ Meeting House.

Tea & coffee and biscuits served after each session.

Please consult the pew sheet for any changes

Thanks to the efforts of friends and partners across the town from many different churches and faiths; together with sterling support from Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Industrial Mission, we were successful - the production was funded and able to be mounted again on the Town Hall Steps. Now it was up to the cast, crew and the choir to tell the story!

As Chair of Passion for Bolton, I am hopelessly biased but I have heard enough feedback by now to know that many, many other people shared my view that Passion for Bolton 2016 was a wonderfully moving production which has touched the hearts of many. Thanks be to God!

It is vital for the mission of the church that we take our message of God’s unconditional love for all people outside the walls of our churches to wherever his people may be found. To be sure the Gospel needs to be preached from our pulpits Sunday by Sunday; but if we are pass on the Gospel message of faith, hope and love to the people of Bolton who never darken the door of any church, then we also need to do things like Passion for Bolton.

God is very good to us. We see this so very clearly at Easter and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ we see God’s love for us like nothing else. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!

With my love and prayers,

Matt Thompson

Only one petition in the Lord’s Prayer has any condition attached to it; it is the petition for forgiveness.

Archbishop William Temple

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Crossword – clues on page opposite, solution on page 9

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Across 1. One who owes money, goods or services (Isaiah 24:2) (6) 4.‘A good measure, pressed down, — together and running over’ (Luke 6:38) (6) 7. Continuous dull pain (Proverbs 14:13) (4) 8. This bread contains yeast (Amos 4:5) (8) 9. ‘But take heart! I have — the world’ (John 16:33) (8) 13. And the rest (abbrev.) (3) 16. What Paul was accused of by Tertullus, the high priest’s lawyer, in his trial before Felix (Acts 24:5) (13) 17. Rap (anag.) (3) 19. Founder of the Jesuits in 1534 (8) 24. ‘For where your — is, there your heart will be also’ (Luke 12:34) (8) 25. The first word written on the wall during King Belshazzar’s great banquet (Daniel 5:25) (4) 26. ‘We all, like sheep, have gone — ’ (Isaiah 53:6) (6) 27. One was given in honour of Jesus in Bethany (John 12:2) (6) Down 1. ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the — hear, the dead are raised’ (Luke 7:22) (4) 2. Conduct (Colossians 1:21) (9) 3. In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the body of a saint or his belongings, venerated as holy (5) 4. ‘Like a — of locusts men pounce on it’ (Isaiah 33:4) (5) 5. Very old (Genesis 44:20) (4) 6. In Calvinist theology, one who is predestined by God to receive salvation (5) 10. How Nicodemus addressed Jesus when he visited him one night (John 3:2) (5) 11. Sea (Psalm 148:7) (5) 12. ‘I will — you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever’ (Psalm 145:1) (5) 13. One of the groups of philosophers that Paul met in Athens, who disagreed with his teaching about the resurrection (Acts 17:18) (9) 14. Barred enclosure (Ezekiel 19:9) (4) 15 ‘Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in — with the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:25) (4) 18. Cares (anag.) (5) 20. Garish (Ezekiel 16:16) (5) 21. ‘So God said to Noah, “I am going to put — — to all people”’ (Genesis 6:13) (2,3) 22. Just (2 Corinthians 6:13) (4) 23. ‘The — of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7) (4)

Stars may be seen from the bottom of a deep well, when they cannot be discerned from the top of a mountain. So are many things learned in adversity which the prosperous man dreams not of. CH Spurgeon

Parish Records

Baptisms

6 March

Paul Cook

Lilly Sophia Cook

27 March

Louie-Carter Ripley

3 April

Bradie Tommy Jack Sayers

17 April

Jacob Jackson Rees

Christian John Haywood

Funerals

15 April

Jean Clarke

27 April

Christopher Kinsella

Memorial Service

17 March April

Philip Andrew Gartside

Hearing

A man went into a church and asked the vicar to pray for his hearing. Touched by his faith, the vicar agreed. “Kneel here,” he began in a loud voice. The man knelt, and the vicar placed a hand on each ear and bellowed a prayer. “I hope that will help,” he finally shouted.

“Well, I won't know for a while,” the man replied. “It isn't until next month”.

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To advertise in this publication, contact

admin@boltonparishchurch.co.uk

or call the Parish Office

on 01204 522226

News from the PCC…

At the March meeting of PCC the following items were on the Agenda;

1. A termly update from the Head Teacher at Bolton Parish Church Primary School in which she highlighted the following;

A recent successful Local Authority Review that has placed the School in the “Good” category.

The continuing problems created by the state of the school building and the possible timing of funds for a re-build.

2. The Independent Examiner, Mrs D Abbott, presented the Parish Accounts for 2015.

3. The Child Protection/Safe Church Policies were affirmed by PCC.

4. A nomination to re-appoint Mr Frank White as a Governor at Bolton Parish School was accepted.

5. Reports from the Fabric, Pastoral and Social Committees were received.

Church Services

Sundays 08.00 Holy Communion

10.30 Parish Communion

18.30 Evening Prayer

Tuesdays 12.15 Holy Communion

Wednesdays 12.15 Prayers for Healing

Thursdays 12.15 Holy Communion

The Church is usually open on Tuesday and Thursdays between 11.30am

and 1.30pm but during work on the new heating system there may be

days when the Church will not be open, except for services. Whilst work

proceeds we must ensure there are no accidents and apologise for any

inconvenience but the works have been planned around service times so

that there will be little, if any disruption to our normal services. Please

look out for further details

For Baptisms and Weddings please contact the Parish Office on 01204

522226. For Funerals please contact the Vicar on 01204 845332.

Music for the Bishop's retirement service

A selection of the Bishop’s favourite organ music will be played before

the service by his cousin, Charles Edmondson. The choir of Bolton

Parish Church will sing the introit ‘I was glad’, which was written by Sir

Hubert Parry (1848-1918 ) for the coronation of King Edward VII. It is a

setting of verses from Psalm 122 and has been repeated at all subsequent

coronations and on many other national occasions. Parry was an

eminent composer and had a crucial influence over Elgar, Holst, Howells

and Vaughan Williams. The choir will also be joined by a few individuals

selected by the Bishop. The Praise Band from St Peter’s Halliwell will

provide a musical item during the service. The Organ Voluntary is Crown

Imperial by William Walton.

The service to mark the Bishop’s retirement is at 3 p.m. on 15 May and is

a ticket-only event.

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The Queen is ‘very grateful’ for the nation’s prayers

In a strong statement of faith, the Queen has said that she is ‘very grateful’ to the nation for its prayers for her and that she has felt God’s ‘faithfulness’ during 64 years on the throne.

The comments – rare insights into the Queen’s personal thoughts and Christian faith – came in the forward to a new book, The Servant Queen and the King She Serves, published by Bible Society, HOPE and LICC.

Her Majesty said, ‘I have been – and remain – very grateful to you for your prayers and to God for His steadfast love. I have indeed seen His faithfulness.’

The book was published to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. In her comments, the Queen referred to the changes she has seen in her life, which has made her the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

‘The extent and pace of change has been truly remarkable,’ she said. ‘We have witnessed triumphs and tragedies.’ And she alluded to the current problems in the Middle East saying that the world is now experiencing ‘terrible suffering on an unprecedented scale’.

The Queen’s Christian faith is well-known. In recent years, Her Majesty has referred to her beliefs in public statements, including Christmas broadcasts.

The Servant Queen and the King She Serves highlights the Queen’s faith and how it has shaped her personal life and service to the nation. A 12-page schools’ version has been published by Scripture Union.

Copies of The Servant Queen and the King She Serves are available in packs of 10 at £1 a copy (plus p&p). Visit www.hopetogether.org.uk/thequeen to order copies and for ideas on how to hold a street party and Thanksgiving service.

Tuesday Lunchtime Concerts during May

May 10th JON GJYLACI (Guitar)

May 17th STEPHANIE IVES (soprano)

with Catherine Hall-Smith (Piano)

May 24th LINDA CARRINGTON, St. Paul’s, Ansdell and Fairhaven (Organ)

May 31st “SAXOPHONE CELEBRATION”, directed by

Fiona Berry, with Peter Morrison (Piano and Organ)

Admission free. Refreshments served.

TRIP TO BUXTON AND SOUTHWELL MINSTER

On Wednesday 1st June, the Parish Church Choir will be travelling to

Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire to sing Choral Evensong, and, as

usual, there will be spaces on the coach for members of the congregation

who might like this particular day out. We shall depart from Bolton at

9.30 a.m., and stop at the famous spa town of Buxton in the Peak District

for lunch. Buxton is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the

Peak District, with its famous Georgian architecture and stunning

ornamental gardens. The town has a wide range of independent and

unique shops, charming arcades and a variety of eating establishments.

We shall arrive in Southwell in time for a bit of sightseeing (less so for the

choir, of course, who will be rehearsing) before Evensong, which is at 5.45

p.m., hoping to be back in Bolton by about 9.00 p.m..

The cost will be £22 per head; please see any member of the Social

Committee if you are interested. A list will shortly appear at the back of

church.

MICHAEL PAIN

Holy Wells – Buxton in Derbyshire

Derbyshire is the English county celebrated around the world for its wells.

The annual tradition followed in many villages of decorating the village

wells, or ‘well dressing’, attracts sight-seers from miles away. Tissington

is at the heart of Well Dressing country, and Ascension Day is when the

largest crowds gather to see the wells blessed. After a service in the

church, a procession wends its way around the village and at each well a

hymn is sung and a prayer of blessing given.

Generally the Derbyshire wells are not considered holy, or named after

saints with miraculous cures attributed to them. Most were just the

original village water tap. However, the town of Buxton not only enjoys a

well dressing festival but also has a celebrated holy well where people

regularly line up to collect its special waters.

Buxton mineral water is bottled and available in supermarkets, but in the

town itself, at St Anne’s well, it is free. Through medieval times there was

a chapel on the spot and pilgrims came seeking cures and to leave

offerings.

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Henry VIII put an end to the practice, but

later the town became a spa and patients

heard of the therapeutic reputation of the

waters and came to bathe and drink, much as

the ancient Romans had done in pre-

Christian times. Today the free Buxton water

emerges from a pipe set in a modern plinth

containing a statuette of St Anne, the mother

of Mary and Jesus’s grandmother.

Southwell

Southwell Minster and the stone carvings “The leaves of Southwell”

Southwell is a picturesque town, bursting with tradition and character, often referred to as ‘The jewel in Nottinghamshire’s crown’. The magnificent Southwell Minster, with its unique pepperpot spires, dominates the town. There is a good selection of independent shops and cafés and restaurants. The Minster Refectory occupies a fantastic location inside Southw ell Minster grounds, with magnificent views that can be enjoyed on the patio area. They are renowned for their delicious cakes, and their ethos is to serve seasonal, good quality, locally sourced food where possible – from light bites to daily specials, fresh bean to cup coffee. They also have a selection of vegetarian and gluten Free options available daily. Opening times: 9.00 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are toilets in the foyer area between the Shop and Refectory.

The Old Theatre Deli is an independent delicatessen & eatery in the heart of Southwell, offering coffee & homemade cakes, an al fresco lunch or antipasto platter & a glass of wine. Seating includes restored old church pews.

Alfresco Caffè brings a taste of Italy to Southw ell, w ith a Mediterranean themed menu including some homemade Italian desserts prepared by genuine Italians! This relaxed, warm and friendly haven is in the centre of Southwell’s array of bustling shops and boutiques. Alfresco’s aim is to provide fresh, delicious food, and good quality authentic Italian coffee. Open all day until 5.

Budding flower arrangers

The flower team performed a rewarding outreach activity when they visited

Heaton House nursery school to introduce the youngsters to flower arranging.

The children were given hands on experience and were able to take their

beautiful arrangements home as mother’s day offerings.

Above right: Kath Chapman and Joyce Baxter guiding the children

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We support Royal School for the Blind, Church Road, Wavertree, LIVERPOOL L15 6TQ

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The Bible in 50 words

God made

Adam bit

Noah arked

Abraham split

Joseph ruled

Jacob fooled

Bush talked

Moses balked

Pharaoh plagued

People walked

Sea divided

Tablets guided

Promise landed

Saul freaked

David peaked

Prophets warned

Jesus born

God walked

Love talked

Anger crucified

Hope died

Love rose

Spirit flamed

Word spread

God remained.

- Anon

26th May: Augustine of Canterbury

apostle to the English

Augustine, a 6th century Italian prior, holds a unique place in British history. He became the ‘apostle to the English’ – although it was with great reluctance.

In 596 Augustine was chosen by Pope Gregory to head a mission of monks whom he wanted to send to evangelise the Anglo-Saxons. Augustine was not a bold man, and by the time he and his band of priests reached Gaul, they wished to turn back. But Gregory would not hear of it – and bolstered their confidence by sending some more priests out to them, and by consecrating Augustine bishop. Finally, the party, now 40 in number, landed at Ebbsfleet, Kent, in 597.

The first meeting between Bishop Augustine and Ethelbert, powerful King of Kent, must have been successful, as Ethelbert granted the 40 priests permission to stay in a house in Canterbury. He even allowed them to preach to his people, while he himself considered their message of Christianity.

By 601, Ethelbert and many of his people had been baptised Christians. The mission to the English was well underway. More clergy, books, a few relics and several altar vessels arrived from Rome.

At Gregory’s urging, Augustine decided to concentrate the mission on one area, rather than try and reach all of Kent. So Augustine stayed in Canterbury, where he built the cathedral and founded a school. He left only temporarily to establish a see in London.

Gregory also advised Augustine not to destroy the pagan temples of the people of Kent, but only the idols in them. In this way, innocent rites were taken over and used for the celebration of the Christian feasts. Meanwhile, before his death in 604, Augustine helped Ethelbert to draft the earliest Anglo-Saxon written laws to survive – and so influenced British law for centuries to come.

All in the month of MAY

It was:-

200 years ago:- on 12th May 1816 that Edmund Beckett, 1st Baron Grimthorpe, British lawyer and horologist was born. Best known for designing the mechanism for the clock at the Palace of Westminster. The clock is commonly known as Big Ben, though the name refers to the clock’s Great Bell.

100 years ago:- on 11th May 1916 that Albert Einstein’s theory of General Relativity was published in the physics journal Annalen der Physik. It describes how space-time is affected by energy, gravity, matter and momentum.

90 years ago:- on 3rd May (to 13th) 1926 that the General Strike occurred in the UK. About 1.7 million workers went on strike in support of miners who faced pay cuts and worsening conditions. The strike was unsuccessful.

80 years ago:- on 7th May 1936 that British aviator Amy Johnson made the fastest-ever solo flight from Gravesend, England to Cape Town, South Africa.

75 years ago:- on 6th May 1941 that Joseph Stalin became Premier of the Soviet Union.

70 years ago:- on 11th May 1946 that the first CARE packages arrived for Europe to help people starving after WWII. (The first CARE packages were surplus US Army rations.)

65 years ago:- on 3rd May 1951 that the Festival of Britain and the Royal Festival Hall were opened.

Also 65 years ago:- on 25th May 1951 that British spies Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean fled to Moscow. They were members of the infamous Cambridge spy ring.

50 years ago:- on 6th May 1966 that the Moors Murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, were sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK. Their five victims were aged 10 to 17.

30 years ago:- on 9th May 1986 that Tenzing Norgay, (Sherpa Tenzing), Tibetan/Nepalese mountaineer, died. See also the story on the next page.

25 years ago:- on 16th May 1991 that Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the US Congress.

20 years ago:- on 21st May 1996 that BSE led to the British Government adopting a policy of non-cooperation with the European Union, when it refused to ease a ban on British beef.

15 years ago:- on 28th May 2001 that the body of British racing driver Donald Campbell was recovered from the bottom of Coniston Water in Cumbria. (He was killed when his speedboat crashed and sank during a record attempt in January 1967.)

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Friday 29 May 1953: British Mount Everest Expedition – Hillary and Tenzing conquer Everest

The two men hugged each other with relief and exhilaration but only stayed on the summit for 15 minutes as they were low on oxygen. Hillary took several photographs of the scenery and Sherpa Tenzing buried some sweets and biscuits in the snow as a Buddhist offering to the gods. They looked for signs of George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine who had disappeared in 1924 in a similar attempt to conquer Everest, but found nothing.

They then made the slow and tortuous descent to rejoin their team leader Colonel John Hunt further down the mountain at Camp VI. When he saw the two men looking so exhausted, Hunt assumed they had failed to reach the summit and started planning another attempt. But when the two climbers explained that they had in fact succeeded, there were celebrations all round.

Careful planning

Hillary described the peak, which is 29,028 feet (8,847 m) above sea level, as “a symmetrical, beautiful snow cone summit”.

Mount Everest was named after Sir George Everest, the surveyor-general of India who was the first to produce detailed maps of the Indian sub-contintent including the Himalayas.

News of the conquest of Mount Everest did not reach the outside world until 2 June, the eve of the Queen’s coronation.

The body of George Mallory who had attempted the ascent in 1924 was found on Mount Everest in 1999.

By the 50th anniversary of the ascent in May 2003, over 1,300 people had reached the summit of the roof of the world.

New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest at 11.30 local time on Friday 29 May 1953, after a gruelling climb up the southern face.

“a symmetrical, beautiful snow cone summit”

Conveyancing, wills………

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01204 363 663

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Forthcoming Music

Sunday 1 May

If Ye Love Me – Tallis Alla Marcia – Ireland

Thursday 5 May –Ascension Day

Ascendit Deus – Philips

Fanfare –Leighton

Sunday 8 May

God So Loved the World – Stainer Final (Symphony 1) – Vierne

Sunday 15 May

Come Down, O Love Divine – Harris Pasticcio – Langlais

Bishop’s Retirement (ticket-only)

I was Glad Parry Crown Imperial – Walton

Sunday 22 May

Hymn to the Trinity – Tchaikowsky Fantasia in G (BWV 572) – J. S. Bach

Sunday 29 May

Almighty and Everlasting God – Gibbons Fugue in C minor (BWV 537ii) – J. S. Bach

How can we expect

another to keep our

secret if we have not

been able to keep it

ourselves?

Francois, Duc de La Rochefoucauld

(1613-1680)

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Harvey A Crerar

For all your plumbing and building work

Telephone 01204 669170

Mobile 07759194478

1B Ansdell Road

Horwich

Bolton

BL6 7HJ

Canon Slade School, Bradshaw Brow BL2 3BP Headteacher: Mr Alan Mottershead

Tel: 01204 333343

Bishop Bridgeman Primary School, Rupert Street BL3 6PY Headteacher: Mrs Jill Pilling

Tel: 01204 333466

Bolton Parish Church Primary School, Kestor Street BL2 2AN Headteacher:

Tel: 01204 333433

BOLTON PARISH CHURCH CONTACTS

Parish Church Schools

Vicar:

Revd Canon Matt Thompson vicar@boltonparishchurch.co.uk

01204 845332

Lecturer:

Revd Moira Slack

lecturer@boltonparishchurch.co.uk

01204 841865

Associate Priest:

Revd Prof. Kenneth Newport 0161 764 4361

Assistant Curate: Authorised Lay Minister:

Revd Barrie Gaskell Evelyn F Weston

01942 818797 01204 594123

Young Adults Missioner:

Revd Mark Cowling 07701 089420

Church Wardens:

Mr John Walsh OBE Evelyn F Weston

01204 840188 01204 594123

Deputy Wardens:

Mr Graham C Burrows Mr David Eckersley Mr Alan Forrester Mr Ken G Jones Mr Andrew J Mitchell Mr David Morlidge Mr Trevor J Whillas

PCC Secretary:

Mr Graham C Burrows 01942 550404

Treasurer:

Mr Andrew J Mitchell

01204 840633

Director of Music:

Mr Michael Pain michaelpain18@gmail.com

01204 491827

Administration admin@boltonparishchurch.co.uk

01204 522226