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St Leonard's Church Balderstone, Lancashire |
August 2010 Edition |
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WelcomeWelcome to the website of St Leonard's Church, Balderstone in Lancashire, UK This is the online edition of the Parish Magazine, and is updated monthly. All contributions are warmly received, please email news, notices, articles and photographs to admin@ balderstonechurch.org.uk or post an item using the link on the left.
Download the questionaire from the June 22 Meeting about possible future developments
St Leonard's, Commons Lane, Balderstone The Vicar writes..Just about everybody has heard of Mr. Micawber. He was the eternally optimistic character in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield who was always down on his luck and spent quite a bit of time in the debtors’ prison. Luckily, he wasn’t a pessimist like me but an eternal optimist. Ever hopeful that “Something will turn up!” But we probably remember him even more for the financial advice he gave to David Copperfield. “Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen pounds, nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery!” Well I’m sure that if you regularly attend our Annual Parish Meetings and especially if you’re a member of the Parochial Church Council you’ll have got used by now to receiving that same warning. Unfortunately, we’re living just a little bit beyond our means and by the end of the year the result looks like it is indeed going to be “misery”. Not for the first time, unless something ‘turns up’, it looks very much like St. Leonard’s will fall just a little bit short in donating its ‘Parish Share’ to the diocese. It seems to me that we have only two choices. Either we can languish in our self-created debtors’ prison hoping that “something will turn up” or we can realistically review our giving to God and to his church. I was recently reading an article about people who give blood, and I was struck by certain similarities with our giving as Christians. Firstly, there’s a degree of sacrifice involved in giving blood, perhaps an hour of your time and one eighth of your blood. You start with 100% of your blood and you go home with just under 90%. In giving to God’s work, we need to spend time reading what the Bible says, and then give accordingly. We all start with 100%, whether it’s our pay, our pension or our pocket money. The Bible would seem to indicate that we should give a tithe (10%) of our income to God, although the New Testament, and even the Old Testament, in many places talks about even more generous giving - as much as one eighth or one fifth - even more if we have it. Thankfully, Church guidelines today aren’t as demanding as the Bible - they settle for suggesting a target of 5% or one twentieth. The writer, preacher and broadcaster, Selwyn Hughes writes, ‘If we give money away and it doesn’t cut into the way we live and make a difference in our lifestyle, then it is possible we are not responding to Jesus in the way he ministers to us.’ The wealthy, repentant Zacchaeus gave 50% away after meeting with Jesus and the poor widow gave everything she had, two very different examples of giving for God’s work. Secondly, blood donors don’t give their blood grudgingly or unwillingly, or they wouldn’t bother to go would they? And similarly, 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us not to give money away with that attitude, but to give gladly and cheerfully, which God loves to see. Well, as somebody who’s petrified of needles, I’m not sure how cheerful I would be if I ever took the plunge and volunteered to give blood but I am sure that I’d be glad to be offered the regulation cup of tea and biscuit at the end. Of course, when giving blood you lie down and you don’t really notice that it’s gone. As vicar, I would encourage people to give by a monthly bank standing order and of course, to “Gift Aid” your donations. In this way the money will leave your account as you sleep and just like with the blood, you won’t feel a thing! - So you can still be cheerful about it. Thirdly, and most amazingly, the article told me that I would never be actually “short” of blood. We can easily cope with seven pints, and it will very soon become eight again. Some poor soul in hospital will get our old pint and we will be blessed with a new one without even asking! And the Donor Service will contact you again in a few months to ask for another pint. Not quite a monthly standing order, but fairly close. And similarly, as you seek to please God in your giving with open and generous hearts, he will pour out his grace and blessing in generous measure towards you. Just like with the blood being replaced, we don’t know how - but we believe that it happens. Or do we? Over the next few days, please read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Malachi 3:8-10; and Proverbs 11:24-25.
And may God’s blessing be with you all Confirmation RegisterAt a Confirmation Service held at St Mary’s Mellor on 20th June 2010 the following were confirmed by the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, Bishop of Blackburn. Katie Bolton Benjamin Dixon Ben Heyes Theo Roberts Yren Seed Robert Starkie Eleanor Stirrup Abigail Waddicor The whole congregation of St Leonard’s offer them all our wholehearted support and best wishes for the future. A Big Thank YouI would like to say a very big thank you for all the prayers, messages of support and practical help we’ve received during my recent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. I’m pleased to tell you that I’ve been given the ‘all clear’ as of now. But with no guarantees of course, that the cancer won’t return. I am thankful that although I guess it could have been much worse than it was, I wouldn’t wish the side-effects of the chemotherapy on my worst enemy! Although I’m not sure Paul would agree with me, him having had to look after me through it all! It will take some time before I’m fully back to normal – whatever that is! But I am feeling more able to do things and a little less tired each day. I’m looking forward to being able to be more involved in the parish, and particularly in the social side of things. Thank you once again Social CommitteeThe Garden Party was a great success thanks to a lovely day, a great deal of hard work, generosity and wonderful support. Special thanks to Paul, our vicar, and Judith for opening the event. (It was good to see Judith looking so well.) Sincere thanks also to Lisa Cooper for once again allowing us to invade her kitchen and garden and to Tim and Hannah Hammond for the use of their garden. It's always been the perfect setting for our Garden Party and the continued use is very much appreciated. The Garden Party is a great example of team effort and we are so pleased that the day school continue to support our events. At this time I don't know the total raised but I'm almost certain it will equal or exceed last years total. I'll let you know the final figure in the next magazine, which isn't until September.
Our next event is the Safari Supper on the 21st August. If you would like a ticket please give me a ring (number in Parish Magazine).
The Harvest Supper is on Thursday 30th September and is another event not to be missed. There will be the church service at 7.30pm followed by the supper in Balderstone School. Everyone is welcome and again the congregations of St Mary's Osbaldeston, St Mary's Mellor and Mellor Methodist are invited. Please come and enjoy great company and excellent food.
The Christmas Fair is on Saturday 4th December at 2pm in Balderstone School.
Thank you once again to everyone for their hard work, generosity and support at all our events. Hanging Baskets and Bedding PlantsMany thanks to all that purchased the above. We made £385.30 towards Church Funds. Thank you Mothers’ UnionOur official meetings have finished for the summer months and we have our opening service on Tuesday 21st September at 1.30 pm in Church. You are all welcome to join us. The Garden Party will be held in a few days’ time as I write this. Thank you,in anticipation, to all who help and support the Mothers’ Union stall.
On June 8th twelve of us met at Huntleys for coffee, lunch and shopping, which was most enjoyable and on Tuesday 13th July we will meet at The Trader’s at 12 noon for lunch.
Saturday 21st August-10am to 12 noon- is our annual fund raising event which will be a coffee morning at the Community Centre, Mellor Brook. There will be photos and booklets of local history to peruse, a Bring and Buy stall, raffle and other attractions. Please come and support us. We always welcome new members to come and join us. Have a great summer, and best wishes from all the members. ThanksKay and Frank Sourbuts would like to thank everyone who sent good wishes on the occasion of their Diamond Wedding anniversary. It was much appreciated. Ladies' FellowshipThe Ladies’ Fellowship AGM was held at the Bay Horse on 1st June 2010 and thank you to all those who attended. Suzanne Waring is stepping down as Chairperson and we would like to thank her for the service she has given throughout this year. Suzanne Spencer and myself have offered to take over the Chairperson’s role together. Helen Roberts has kindly volunteered to continue her role as treasurer. At the AGM the forthcoming year’s events were planned, commencing with a shopping trip to Chester in October. Once all the dates for the year’s events have been confirmed, we will print an events diary and distribute as well as leaving some at the rear of church. If anyone would like a copy, please contact one of us (numbers in Parish Magazine). Rachel Heys Suzanne Spencer Helen Roberts Balderstone School NewsHello everyone! We are a hardworking class of sixteen children who demonstrate good manners and are kind and friendly. Last term our topic was ‘Food’. We enjoyed reading books such as ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’, ‘Handa’s Surprise’ ‘Hansel & Gretel’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
We found out about the difference between stories that are fictional and non fiction books like recipe and information books. We followed instructions for baking buns. We must be able to follow instructions carefully because the cakes were delicious!
We also thought about what a plant needs in order for it to grow healthily. We then followed some more instructions to plant our own seeds. We are hoping to have some healthy bean plants in a few weeks.
We looked at the work of some famous abstract artists and then took a lot of thought and imagination to produce our own abstract paintings. These are proudly displayed in the school hall if anyone would like to look at them.
This half term we are looking at the topic of ‘Animals’. We will be singing and playing instruments to different songs about animals. We will also be matching different movements to music to make our own dance about animals.
In Physical Development we will continue to practise our throwing and catching as well as develop our running, skipping and hopping skills. We will be entering our first sports day next month so we aim to be prepared and ready to compete.
In Knowledge and Understanding of the World, We will be finding out about different types of animals, their life cycles and their habitats. We will use the internet and computer to research about different animals and use that knowledge to answer questions on them. Obviously, we have some hard work to do in these final days ahead, but we are sure the days will also be filled with fun, adventure and excitement as we come to the end of an amazing first year at school! IntercessionsMany thanks to all those who have agreed to join the Intercessions Rota. We have had some lovely prayers put together with a lot of thought and are very grateful to people who have given their time to doing this. We would still welcome some more volunteers!
From our RegistersFuneral May 28th Angela Walmsley Readings for July and AugustJuly 04 Gal.6. 1-16 Like 10. 1-11, 16-20 11 Col. 1.1-14 Luke 10. 25-37 18 Col. 1.15-28 Luke 10. 38-end 25 Col. 2. 6-19 Luke 11. 1-13 August 01 Col. 3. 1-11 Luke12. 13-21 08 Heb.11. 1-3, 8-16 Luke 12. 32-40 15 Heb.11.29 – 12.2 Luke 12. 49-56 22 Heb. 12. 18-end Luke 13. 10-17 29 Heb. 13 1-8, 15-16 Luke 14. 1, 7-14 Sunday Funday 8th August8th August in the school hall Calling all Sunday School children and Little Acorns - Sunday Funday is a chance to meet up during the long summer holiday for fun and fellowship. Feel free to ask a friend to come along as well so they can share in the fun! Children aged 4 to 11 can be dropped off at Balderstone School hall at 10.15 am which will allow parents to attend the church service. We would ask that pre-school children are accompanied by an adult. At the end of the church service, the congregation will be invited into school to see the children’s work and to enjoy refreshments together. Admission is free but places are limited so please see Sarah Bolton or Rosemary Cummins to obtain tickets. Final numbers are required by 16th July. Mothers’ UnionCoffee Morning at Mellor Brook Community Centre Saturday 21st August 10 am - 12 noon Photos and books of local history to peruse Bring & Buy Stall, Raffle etc All welcome Admission £1.50, children with adults free Mens’ FellowshipOn Tuesday 13th July we are having a joint meeting with the Ladies Fellowship to Chris & Erika Bargh’s farm at Osbaldeston Hall Farm at 7.30pm. This will consist of a walk and farm visit to see the robot milking parlour. If anyone would like to join us – please let me know so we have a rough idea of numbers. Thanks Churches Together in MellorTwo new 10-week Alpha courses are being planned to start in September: one on Monday afternoons in Mellor Methodist Church (2-4pm) and the other on Thursday evenings in Mellor School (7.30-9.30pm). The Monday afternoon course will start on 13th September and the Thursday evening course on 16th September. More information will be available soon, but if anyone would like to know more at this stage, they are asked to speak to Sheila Parker (number in Parish Magazine) or Liz Wilson (number in Parish Magazine). The course is open to anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the Christian faith and our Lord Jesus Christ in a relaxed, informal environment. The Alpha Course is an amazing opportunity to question and learn more about Christian beliefs and to share in Christian fellowship with new people. The course that was held last Autumn was a wonderful time of fellowship together which led to new friendships being formed and old friendships being strengthened, and was a time of real blessing to everyone who took part. All the four churches were represented. Over the summer please pray that the 2010 courses will be equally successful. Rotas for August 2010
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