Church Newsletter Issue #97 26th April

  

APCM this Sunday at St James' and next week at St Ed's

As we approach our Annual Parochial Church Meetings, we do so not simply to conduct business, vote, approve minutes, or receive reports, but to pause and notice the faithfulness of God among us.

The APCM is one of those important moments in the life of a church where we gather to look back with gratitude, look around with honesty, and look ahead with hope.

When I read through this year’s reports, I see stories. I see Grace Community growing in worship, youth, and outreach. I see coffee mornings full of friendship and laughter. I see Muddy Walks building fellowship across congregations. I see Place of Welcome creating belonging. I see bereavement support offering compassion. I see youth clubs growing, Mothers’ Union relaunching, Bible study groups gathering, Café Church discerning its next chapter, and so many quiet acts of service that never make headlines.

I also see volunteers who open doors, make tea, count money, lead prayers, arrange flowers, clean kitchens, welcome strangers, repair buildings, and keep the life of the church moving week by week. Much of the Kingdom of God is built through faithfulness that often goes unseen.

So please come to the APCM if you are able. Come prayerfully. Come gratefully. Come expectantly.
Bring thanks for all God has done. Bring wisdom for decisions still to be made. Bring courage for the future.

We continue to hold before us our shared vision: Life + Hope for All.
And by God’s grace, the story is still being written.

Click here to get all the papers and annual reports>>

Revd Tom

Serving Our Church: APCM Nominations Open + Electoral Role

The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.

As we draw closer to our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs), nominations remain open for several important roles in the life of our churches. These include Deanery Synod representatives for St James and St Edmund’s, Joint PCC members (1 for each of our congregations plus additional 2 to cover inactive members at Grace Community due to ill health etc. Plus we elect Churchwardens representing each congregation, either through re-nomination or new nominations.

These roles are part of the Church of England’s shared and prayerful way of discerning leadership together. They help shape the worship, mission, governance, and future direction of our church communities.

Please pray about who God may be calling to serve at this time, and consider whether that may include you. Fresh voices, willing hearts, and faithful service all matter deeply as we continue to grow as communities of Life + Hope for All.

Electoral Role - 'I want to play my part'

A short note about the Electoral Roll as we prepare for the APCM. The Electoral Roll is the church’s membership list for those who wish to formally belong, vote at the APCM, and help shape the future of the church. It is now temporarily closed while final numbers are confirmed and reported at this year’s meeting.

Once the APCM has taken place, the Roll will reopen and we would warmly encourage anyone who is establishing roots with us, worshipping regularly, and wanting to journey with us in faith and fellowship to consider joining. Being on the Roll is a simple but meaningful way of saying, “This is my church community, and I want to play my part.” More details will follow after the APCM.

A Lively Evening of Vision, Hope, and Renewal

This week’s Manchester South and Stretford Deanery celebration was a lively, well-attended evening full of energy, encouragement, and hope. It was inspiring to see so many people gathered from parishes, chaplaincies, and schools across the diocese.

We were delighted that Amit, our Reader and ALM Chaplain, was part of the sofa interview panel, sharing in the conversation about mission and renewal. It was also wonderful to spot Revd Kausar and Addy featured in many of the images celebrating the vibrant life of our diocese.

The evening reminded us that God is at work. We remain committed to the diocesan vision: serving our local community faithfully and offering Life + Hope for All.

​Sound and Spirit at Life + Hope Café

Join us for an evening of simply worship. Life + Hope at St James Church is excited to host the worship team from Nelson Street Church as they bless us through their Sound and Spirit worship event. This is a 'sowing into' project that will strengthen our confidence, develop new leaders as we all get inspired, and grow vibrant worship for all ages

This will be a night to seek God’s presence, lift our voices in praise, go deeper in faith, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit together. Whether you love sung worship, need space to pray, or simply want to encounter God afresh, you are warmly invited.

Come expectant for a powerful evening of worship, unity, and hope.

Register and help us celebrate who is part of our church family

Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website (CLICK HERE), as not everyone is registered yet. Our ChurchHubb website is now the best way for us to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of contact details for our church family.

By sharing your details, you help us build a clear understanding of who is part of our church community and how we can best communicate, care for, and support one another. It also helps us keep our GDPR records up to date on our ChurchHubb system.

Please do complete the online form, or ask one of the Churchwardens for a paper copy. Thank you for helping us strengthen the life and mission of our church.

Iona's - Held in our Prayers

We give thanks to everyone who so warmly welcomed and supported Iona during her time with us in the benefice. It was a joy to celebrate her ministry among us, to share fellowship together, and to pray her onward as she begins her curacy at Sacred Trinity. Iona has been a real blessing to our churches, and we send her with love, gratitude, and every prayer for this next chapter of ministry.

A reminder of her invitation:
Hello all. If anyone would like to come to my ordination on June 28th 10.30am at Manchester cathedral you would be very welcome. Please drop me a line with full name and email address before the 1st May,  and I'll make sure you are sent a ticket."
Thanks Iona
 

Miles for Maria - Sponsored Walk

On Saturday 16th May, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Christian Relief Uganda, we’ll be walking 30 km (19 miles) from Marple to Macclesfield and back along the canal and on the Middlewood Way in honour of Macclesfield lady Maria Maw MBE, founder of Maria’s Care. Save the date and come and join us for 30 km or whatever distance you can manage! We’ll be leaving from Rose Hill Station in Marple at 8.30 am. For more info please contact Meriel Carboni on 07816225239. 

If you would like to support the Walk, you can donate on the CRU Just Giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/christianreliefuganda/Donate/

What's on at a Glance

26th April - Easter 4 APCM at St James'

Acts 2.42-end, Psalm 23 and John 10.1-10

9.30am - Early Communion Service at St Edmunds  10.30am - Communion at St James' and Intergenerational Worship at St Edmund's 4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion

Monday

• 9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's

Tuesday 

• Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
• Place of Welcome 10am at St James'

Wednesday

• No Coffee Morning until Wed 15th April

Thursday

• Grieving Together Cafe
• Chosen Bible Study- Join us on Thursday 16th April 7.30pm at St Ed's for The Chosen 

3rd May - Easter 5 - APCM at St Edmund's

Acts 7.55-end, Psalm 31.1-5, 15-16 and John 14.1-14

9.30am - Service of the Word 10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James' 4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion

Advance Notices

• Safeguarding Training and DBS checks -  30th April 6pm-7.30pm at St James'. All roles within a parish are required to complete the Basic Awareness and the Foundation online courses, e.g all Sunday School Teachers, messy church helpers, Churchwardens, vergers, ALMs, PCC members etc
• The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.
• Life+Hope Worship Night – Saturday 9th May 7pm to 9pm
  Join us for an evening of just worship. Life + Hope at St James' church are excited to host Nelson Street Church worship team for their “Sound and Spirit” worship event.
• Iona's Ordination: June 28th 10.30am at Manchester Cathedral 

 

Prayer Pointers- based on Acts 2.42-end, Psalm 23 and John 10.1-10

• Give thanks for the early church’s example of devotion, fellowship, prayer, and generosity; pray that our churches may grow in the same spirit.
• Pray that we may hunger for the apostles’ teaching and be rooted deeply in God’s word each day.
• Ask the Lord to make our congregations places of joyful welcome, shared care, and glad-hearted community.
• Pray with Psalm 23 for all who feel anxious, weary, or burdened, that the Good Shepherd would lead them beside still waters and restore their souls.
• Pray for those walking through grief, illness, or dark valleys, that they may know God’s presence, comfort, and peace.
• Pray that we would hear and recognise the voice of Jesus above all competing voices, and follow him with trust and courage.
• Ask Christ, the gate and giver of abundant life, to open doors of faith, hope, and new life in our churches and local communities.

Prayer Request: Enter the name of the person you would like us to pray for in our weekly prayers. Make sure the person is happy you share their name.