Vicar's letter for November	Archive
As I write we are between two visits to Chester Cathedral; we are anticipating the Licensing as Reader of Julie Withers and last Saturday Alice Brown and I took 6 children with us for a Pilgrimage Day. This proved to be a great success with all of us enjoying a wonderful day. The weather was glorious and so we enjoyed the car journey with lovely views of the countryside and autumn colours – this would later be an inspiration for those who created stained glass windows using acetates and pens. Another workshop involved making mosaics; the grouting had to be finished at home the following day so we are hoping that happened so that we can enjoy seeing the finished works of art! We also enjoyed a music making session with a choir master (rather like the recent TV series about the Choir!) and just before our picnic lunch we were given an introduction to the magnificent organ by Trevor Dennis and the Organist. We had to be quick with our lunch which we took in the cloisters before returning inside for a session with Bishop Keith. He led an ‘any questions’ session, by the end of which our party knew a bit more about what a bishop is and does and how he is appointed. In the afternoon the children progressed around different parts of the Cathedral taking part in workshops on prayer, belonging, Bible reading and singing. They particularly enjoyed making the prayer balloons, singing the Jungle Song (the grown ups enjoyed that too!) and taking part in a mime of the foot washing story. During a closing act of worship each church group was given a lighted candle to bring back to church and each child received a certificate. All in all it was a great experience and we are already planning next year’s visit. The children who took part are asking for a Christmas Crafts session – look out for information about this next month! We are entering a season of remembrance; it is good to remember and to give thanks for those we have loved and who are no longer with us, and for those who have died in the conflicts and wars of the present century as well as the last. This is perhaps also a time for letting go of old patterns of thought and behaviour and looking forward to the new work that God is doing among us. The leaves are falling and nature is giving rest to the land ready for the new growth of the Spring. It is fitting that our GAP Awayday falls during this season; on November 7th the PCC and other members of our congregation will be spending time together reviewing where we are as a church and where we want to be in five years time – what do we want our church to look like in the future? We are charged to consider this in a very structured, but exciting, way by Bishop Peter. Watch this space for more information in the coming months and please hold us all in your prayer – the special GAP prayer is printed at the end of this letter. Then we move into Advent; a rich season liturgically and a time to reflect on the coming of Christ as a Light into the world. Like last year we shall have our Advent Carol Service on the evening of Advent Sunday; this is a service of readings, music and hymns for Advent (not to be confused with the Christmas Carol Service which happens closer to Christmas!). At one or two of our 10 o’clock services during Advent we shall be welcoming visiting preachers; on Advent Sunday Revd Dr Ian Lovett, a healthcare chaplain from Liverpool Diocese, will be with us to address the theme of Advent Hope. In this season of All Saints and All Souls may you know the presence of the Risen Christ and his Peace in your heart.

Vicar's letter for November

Archive

As I write we are between two visits to Chester Cathedral; we are anticipating the Licensing as Reader of Julie Withers and last Saturday Alice Brown and I took 6 children with us for a Pilgrimage Day. This proved to be a great success with all of us enjoying a wonderful day. The weather was glorious and so we enjoyed the car journey with lovely views of the countryside and autumn colours – this would later be an inspiration for those who created stained glass windows using acetates and pens. Another workshop involved making mosaics; the grouting had to be finished at home the following day so we are hoping that happened so that we can enjoy seeing the finished works of art! We also enjoyed a music making session with a choir master (rather like the recent TV series about the Choir!) and just before our picnic lunch we were given an introduction to the magnificent organ by Trevor Dennis and the Organist. We had to be quick with our lunch which we took in the cloisters before returning inside for a session with Bishop Keith. He led an ‘any questions’ session, by the end of which our party knew a bit more about what a bishop is and does and how he is appointed. In the afternoon the children progressed around different parts of the Cathedral taking part in workshops on prayer, belonging, Bible reading and singing. They particularly enjoyed making the prayer balloons, singing the Jungle Song (the grown ups enjoyed that too!) and taking part in a mime of the foot washing story. During a closing act of worship each church group was given a lighted candle to bring back to church and each child received a certificate. All in all it was a great experience and we are already planning next year’s visit. The children who took part are asking for a Christmas Crafts session – look out for information about this next month!

We are entering a season of remembrance; it is good to remember and to give thanks for those we have loved and who are no longer with us, and for those who have died in the conflicts and wars of the present century as well as the last. This is perhaps also a time for letting go of old patterns of thought and behaviour and looking forward to the new work that God is doing among us. The leaves are falling and nature is giving rest to the land ready for the new growth of the Spring. It is fitting that our GAP Awayday falls during this season; on November 7th the PCC and other members of our congregation will be spending time together reviewing where we are as a church and where we want to be in five years time – what do we want our church to look like in the future? We are charged to consider this in a very structured, but exciting, way by Bishop Peter. Watch this space for more information in the coming months and please hold us all in your prayer – the special GAP prayer is printed at the end of this letter.

Then we move into Advent; a rich season liturgically and a time to reflect on the coming of Christ as a Light into the world. Like last year we shall have our Advent Carol Service on the evening of Advent Sunday; this is a service of readings, music and hymns for Advent (not to be confused with the Christmas Carol Service which happens closer to Christmas!). At one or two of our 10 o’clock services during Advent we shall be welcoming visiting preachers; on Advent Sunday Revd Dr Ian Lovett, a healthcare chaplain from Liverpool Diocese, will be with us to address the theme of Advent Hope.

In this season of All Saints and All Souls may you know the presence of the Risen Christ and his Peace in your heart.