Thomas Risley Church

Magazine

February 2014

in Locking Stumps

Thomas Risley Church Glover Road Locking Stumps Warrington Cheshire WA3 7PH Church Tel: 01925 819032 Minister: 01925 487851 THOMAS RISLEY CHURCH MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2014 Articles should reach the editor no later than 21 January, 21 March, 21 May, 21 July, 21 September and 21 November. EDITORIAL Music is such a wonderful media and something which has played a big part in my life, not only in the church, but in my home. I love to sit back and enjoy a CD, a downloaded album on my MP3 player, or on the radio. When I was a very young child, Mum would put records on the old radiogram for me to enjoy whilst she was doing her housework and I remember the very first singer I ever listened to was Jim Reeves. Even today, I find his rich voice so relaxing at any time. I have come to appreciate many other genres since that time, including glam rock (the 70s was my era), progressive rock groups such as ELO and Genesis, classical, rock ‘n’ roll (mainly Elvis Presley) and soul and Jazz, mainly fusion. Personally, I feel that two of the best singer/songwriters to date are Simon and Garfunkel, even their solo material is excellent. Music, however, is most important in the church, for without it, we’d be at a loss whilst we worship God. When I first came to Thomas Risley in 1994, apart from three contemporary songs which Bill Powell led, the rest of the worship was traditional. Over the years, we’ve had many children and young people joining us and so the worship has become more diverse. But we have much more within the church than music and as I listened to Philip Kennerley last Sunday, it set me thinking about myself as a blind person. One of the things he particularly stressed was that we should never refuse help when it’s offered and as a blind person, I’m most grateful for the help I’ve received over the years. Some time ago, I arrived at Sellafield Ltd in Risley and I eventually arrived at the lift I use, only to find an obstruction in front of it. There was nobody around and unless you’re in an office you can’t get a signal on your mobile, so I walked back until I found someone who told me the lift was out of order and he furthermore walked upstairs to ask one of the managers to assist me on an alternate route. Once again, however, it’s time for the Church magazine. Andrew’s article follows on from this, followed by the pulpit plan. We then have a list of the

meetings for 2014 from Steve, a resume of the church accounts from Colin after that, and finally an announcement of an upcoming service. I have decided that from now on, I’ll include the final dates for articles to be submitted at the beginning of each magazine and I’ll also create a document for the Link which I’ll send as an attachment to Tim a week or so before the final date. That said, I will hold the magazine over for a few days, if anyone makes me aware they’re sending me an article but have not as yet finished it – Derek Thorburn LETTER FROM THE MANSE Dear all, It seems odd to say a blessed New Year in February, but this will be the first church magazine of 2014 and so it is still appropriate. It is also a good thing to say as I hope and pray that you will know God’s blessing and share that blessing with others. We will be concentrating on discipleship and I hope that you will experience a growth in your personal discipleship. We will also be reaching out to our community following the HOPE project. We experienced this six years ago with HOPE2008, a year of mission of proclaiming the gospel in word and action. 2014 is another year of HOPE and I am going to a national meeting on February4th in London to learn more. At Thomas Risley church, we will have the opportunity to discuss what we do for this year at a special meeting on Thursday February 13th at 7.45, all are invited. This builds on previous meetings, but now is the time to make decisions. Ideas put forward are things like another scarecrow event, but for the nativity and/or a summer festival and/or a day of prayer for peace on November 11th. So please be encouraged in 2014 in HOPE and other aspects of the life of faith. God bless, Revd Andrew Willett (Minister, the other minister Sally will write the article in the next magazine. PULPIT PLAN, FEBRUARY/MARCH Sun 2nd Feb Rev A/S Willett Sun 9th Feb Rev A/S Willett Sun 16th Feb Rev A/S Willett Sun 23rd Feb Mr D Thurston Sun 2nd Mar Rev A/S Willett Sun 9th Mar Rev A/S Willett

Sun 16th Mar Rev A/S Willett Sun 23rd Mar Songs of Praise Sun 30th Mar Rev A/S Willett

JANUARY 09 ELDERS 23 CHURCH MEETING 30 EASTER PLANNING FEBRUARY 6 ELDERS 13 HOPE 2014 PLANNING 27 WORSHIP COMMITTEE MARCH 6 ELDERS 13 JUNIOR CHURCH 20 CHURCH AGM APRIL 3 ELDERS 17 MAUNDY THURSDAY 24 FABRIC MAY 1 ELDERS 15 CHURCH MEETING 22 JUNIOR CHURCH JUNE 5 ELDERS 12 WORSHIP COMMITTEE JULY 3 ELDERS 10 CHURCH MEETING 17 HOLIDAY CLUB PLANNING AUGUST no meetings SEPTEMBER 4 ELDERS 11 CHRISTMAS PLANNING 18 JUNIOR CHURCH 25 CHURCH MEETING OCTOBER 2 ELDERS

9 WORSHIP COMMITTEE 16 FABRIC COMMITTEE 23 COMBINED ELDERS / WORSHIP NOVEMBER 6 ELDERS 13 JUNIOR CHURCH 20 CHURCH MEETING 27 CHRISTMAS PLANNING DECEMBER 4 ELDERS 25 CHRISTMAS DAY NOVEMBER ACCOUNTS

Income £2,535.06

Expenditure £(3,781.37)

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Net £(1,246.31)

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December Accounts

Income £5,986.75

Expenditure £(4,258.18)

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Net £1,728.57

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Colin, SONGS OF PRAISE SERVICE We are having a Songs of Praise service on 23rd March. This is an excellent opportunity for people to choose a hymn or a song which means a lot to them. So, please give some thought as to which hymn or song you’d like to choose and pass your requests on to Elaine.

Useful Contacts

Ministers

Andrew and Sally Willett email: revwillett@gmail.com phone: 01925487851

Elders Colin Burrows

Andy Cameron

Janet King

Angela Davies

Bryan Evans

Tim Skinner

Steve Erhardt (Secretary) Secretary@thomasrisley.org. 07817175327

Sunday Link Tim Skinner link@thomasrisley.org Magazine Derek Thorburn Church Hall Bookings Wanda Gemmell Minibus Bookings Sue Harrison 07906 140403