Dear Friends,

I wonder how you would characterise 2008 in a single word? ‘Crash’, ‘Depression’ and ‘Downturn’ might spring to mind for some – ‘loss’ for others as they struggle with a friend or relative who has died in an accident or illness, or are now ill themselves or out of work. But there may also be ‘joy’ and ‘expectation’ for those who have fallen in love, are expecting or have had a baby, or have even become President of the United States.

For me the word ‘Hope’ has never been far away. It was the theme at Spring Harvest, the banner (‘Hope 08’) under which many Churches Together initiatives operated this year and the theme for our Circuit Weekend.

And now we come to Advent – a season which needed some explanation as the theme of the Art Project recently completed by local schools and brought together in the Wesley Centre. ‘Preparation’ would certainly be a good word to dwell on in Advent and practical preparations are so easily what these last few weeks running up to Christmas can be all about. But I asked the schools to focus on Advent as the season of ‘hope’ – the hope first given to Mary by Gabriel’s promise of the coming Messiah.

That hope we are challenged to identify with today as we recognise that we too are in receipt of a promise that God has not and will not abandon the world. Instead God will in God’s way and God’s time bring about reconciliation, peace and joy in all God’s Creation.

We may not see this happening in our place and lifetime (although we may!) but death is not the end – Jesus proved that. So we are challenged to see all the real struggles of today against that eternal, positive perspective – just as many Americans face hardship now, but live this out in the hope that Obama, when he has taken up the reins of office, will bring to effect the ‘Change we need’.

So let’s remember – the ‘glad tidings of great joy’ are for us too. The birth of Jesus is a foretaste of the fulfilment of the promise of real change which he brings and will complete.

So despite how things are, I wish you a hopeful and joyful Christmas.

Kim

December 2008
Friday 5	7:00 to 9:00pm	Church Family Christmas Party – Bring & Share Supper, Games and Dancing – Adults 50p, Children free
Saturday 6	10:00am to noon	We are hoping for a very special guest from Lapland at the Coffee Morning
Sunday 7	10:30am	Holy Communion with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
	6:30pm	Evening Worship with Miss Joyce Owen at Oakdene
Tuesday 9	7:30pm	Circuit Meeting
Wednesday 10		CRB Check Form Filling Session
Sunday 14	10:30am	Morning Worship with Rev’d Alan Smithson
	6:30pm	Evening Worship at Wesley Place, Alsager
Wednesday 17	6:30pm	Carol Singing at Leonard Cheshire Home
Thursday 18	8:00pm	VCO Band Concert in the Wesley Centre – £4
Saturday 20	11:00am	CTS Carols outside the Town Hall
Sunday 21	10:30am	Morning Worship with Rev’d Kim Stilwell in the Wesley Centre, with a Nativity presentation
	6:30pm	Carols by Candlelight
Wednesday 24	4:00pm	Crib Service
	11:30pm	Holy Communion with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
Thursday 25	10:30am	Christmas Day Service with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
Sunday 28	10:30am	Morning Worship with Mr Alan Pimlott
	6:30pm	Evening Worship with Mr Bryan Glassonbury in the Wesley Centre Lounge
January 2009
Sunday 4	10:30am	Covenant Service with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
	6:30pm	Evening Worship at Wheelock
Sunday 11	10:30am	Morning Worship with Mr Pat Norcross
	6:30pm	Evening Worship with Rev’d Kim Stilwell at Oakdene
Thursday 15	7:30pm	Church Council in the Henshall Room
Saturday 17	7:00pm	Mr Les Pickford, cartoonist, will teach us how to draw – adults £3, children free, with drinks and nibbles
Sunday 18	10:30am	Morning Worship with Rev’d Arthur Wakelin
	6:30pm	Evening Worship with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
Wednesday 21	7:30pm	Prayer Meeting for Christian Unity Week at Green Street (Oasis)
Thursday 22	7:30pm	Churches Together Christian Unity Service at Christ Church, Wheelock
Sunday 25	10:30am	Morning Family Worship with Rev’d Kim Stilwell in the Wesley Centre
	6:30pm	Evening Worship at Bradwall

Overall it has been an excellent year. The accounts were presented to the Church Council in October and a summary is provided below. The offering, made up of cash, envelopes and standing orders etc has increased by £4,900. Support for fund raising events remained high. Church lunches, good as new sales, and coffee mornings have together raised around £6,500. Public concerts have been well supported and we have hosted a tap dance concert, Sandbach Ladies Choir, the Crewe West End Band, the VCO Band, and a gala dinner. All profits from these events were used to repay the outstanding loan. The fundraising total was even higher than last year.

Lettings have been maintained with receipts just £395 less than the previous year even though other facilities are on offer in the locality. Only £8,000 is outstanding on the current loan and we are confident we can pay this off by December 2008.

The Wesley Centre refurbishment work was finally completed and signed off once all outstanding snags had been rectified by the contractor and a final cost agreed.

10% of our regular receipts from offerings were given to Methodist Funds for Home and World Mission and the Property Fund, and a donation of £500 made to the Methodist Relief & Development Fund. We also supported many other charitable causes including our mission partner, and SYCAM in India.

The total reserves held on 31 August was £12,253.

* (note 1) this excludes collections passed directly to other charities

Please see me if you wish to have a copy of the full accounts or want further information.

David Priaulx

(Ed – on behalf of the whole church family, we thank David & Rosemary, Peter Hitchinson (auditor) and Ian Parsons (who worked so hard on the Building Fund) for their dedication to the church finances).

Our new Superintendent Minister, Rev’d Simon Sutcliffe is keen that everyone feels to be a part of God’s work in this Circuit.

The following paragraphs are taken from the minutes of the recent Circuit Meeting, to give everyone in the church an opportunity to respond to this leadership. It is important that everyone knows the plans and the vision which the Circuit Meeting has already been encouraged by:

“Patterns of Ministry in the Circuit: Simon emphasised that the whole people of God are to be engaged in ministry, and not just the ministers. There are a whole host of responsibilities to be fulfilled by many people to make sure that the Church functions effectively. However, there are specific people who are appointed to serve in the Circuit, namely Rev’ds Simon Sutcliffe, Kim Stilwell, Alan Smithson as appointed ministers, Rev’d Alan Sproson as a Supernumerary working in Elworth, Michael Guy working at Oakhanger, Johnny Milton as youth worker in specific churches, Norma Stolworthy and Judith Nixon as new Church Workers, with specific responsibilities.

In terms of mission, Simon was keen that as many people as possible engage in the mission of the church, and anyone who felt a calling was invited to talk to their minister.

Simon hoped to begin a process of conversations in the new year within each mission area with those people who are interested in the mission of the church. He encouraged those who know the Circuit better than himself, to start conversations within their own mission areas, to see what activities would be welcomed. God is at work in the world, and we are to be engaged in it. This might involve speaking out, social action, children’s work, work with the elderly and a host of other activities. The conversations would identify what mission is appropriate, at this time and in this place.”

• Many Congratulations to David and Sharon Holland, Amy and Charlotte on the birth of baby Joshua.
• Since the last issue of Link, Mrs Phyllis Simmons has died. We extend our sympathy to her family and also the family of Dorothy Downs, who died last month at The Gables Nursing Home in Crewe, and to David Till, whose mother passed away recently in Warwickshire.
• Mana Llewellyn has had some difficult weeks with a broken foot and some upsetting news subsequent to the death of her son David last year.
• Cyril Gibson is still in Leighton hospital awaiting the right equipment and support for his return home. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and Kathleen as the long ordeal draws to a close but new challenges begin.
• Phil Dent is back at home after another spell in Leighton and is progressing well.

We are thrilled that youth activities have got off to a good start at the Wesley Centre with the opening of a Youth Drop-In on Monday evenings, 6:30 until 9:00. Zone, the name chosen by the group, is run by the Youth Worker Johnny Milton who is now employed partly by this church. The sessions provide an opportunity to chill out, chat, play games (air hockey, pool, table football, table tennis, Jenga etc.) along with other activities in the programme. The sessions are for 11–18 year olds and are run in a Christian context, open to anyone connected to the church and their friends.

Saturday 17 January at 7:00pm. Mr Les Pickford, cartoonist, will teach us how to draw. Adults £3, children free, with drinks and nibbles.

Sunday 1 February – Sunday Lunch

Saturday 21 February – Concert with the West End Concert Band – 7:30pm £5

Saturday 5 March – Good Items Sale – 10:00am to noon

Sunday 12 April – Easter Day Lunch

Sunday 5 July – Sunday Lunch

Slow down for three minutes to read this. It is so worth it. Touching words from the mouth of babes. A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, ‘What does love mean?’ The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca (age 8)

‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy (age 4)

‘Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.’ Karl (age 5)

‘Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.’ Chrissy (age 6)

‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri (age 6)

‘Love is when Mummy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK.’ Danny (age 7)

‘Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mummy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss.’ Emily (age 8)

‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’ Bobby (age 7)

‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,’ Nikka (age 6) (we need a few million more Nikka’s on this planet)

‘Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.’ Noelle (age 7)

‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy (age 6)

‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy (age 8)

‘My Mummy loves me more than anybody. You don’t see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night. Clare (age 6)

‘Love is when Mummy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.’ Elaine (age 5)

‘Love is when Mummy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.’ Chris (age 7)

‘Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.’ Mary Ann (age 4)

‘I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.’ Lauren (age 4)

‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ (what an image) Karen (age 7)

‘Love is when Mummy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn’t think it’s gross.’ Mark (age 6)

‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.’ Jessica (age 8)

And the final one. The winner was a four-year old child whose next-door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, ‘Nothing, I just helped him cry’.

This year there were fewer people than usual at Rhos but that didn’t spoil the pleasure of it. Although it was cold outside, it was warm inside with good company, touching base again with people from other churches and getting to know others.

The theme for this weekend was ‘HOPE’. Over the Saturday and Sunday mornings we talked about many things related to hope. Briefly the sessions included such subjects as ‘Justice’ in the church and in the world and about ‘Peace’ in the world; bringing into the world God’s transforming love. We talked about what we believe about heaven and hell and where we each find hope for the future and for eternity.

This was truly an Advent theme as we discussed the future, a subject I think many of us find it easier not to think too deeply about, we talked about what would happen in the end, when Jesus comes again.

We were reminded of the determination and excitement in the early church and how, through their expectations of the truth of the ‘good news’ the church grew, almost without effort, even though persecution was common.

The challenge to us was that we must renew our sense of expectation, of God, of our people and of ourselves. As you can imagine, we had plenty to talk about and discussions continued long after the sessions ended.

Of course when we weren’t busy being serious we had plenty of time for play. We had a table tennis and a snooker tournament and the children had a great time in this and their other activities making all kinds of weird and wonderful things. Norma brought her chimes and taught some of us to play and we had a very happy party time on Saturday evening where we entertained each other; what surprising things you learn about people on such occasions.

Then of course some hardy souls braved the cold wind of the sea front and bravely went for ‘bracing’ walks. Me? I prefer a good book.

Jean Sproson

Did you know that the majority of medical wrongdoings are caused by the medics treating the wrong patient? Since the advent of the European Working Time Directive, this has become more of an issue as you can be seen by many more medical staff because of the rotas they work. Your diagnosis can be made by one doctor, your treatment by another and your aftercare by yet another, and many other people in between.

It’s amazing how many people have similar names Smith, Smyth, Smythe, Smithson, Smithy etc…… and how similar they sound when heard by people used to different accents or hard of hearing. Take my own case – Mr S Blackwell has been written as Mr s Blackwell and suddenly I’m Mrs Blackwell – a sex change with all its ramifications!

Seriously though, you must make sure that you state your name, date of birth and address before anybody treats you in any medical setting. It’s not just doctors but also nurses, porters, admin’ staff, consultants, physios etc……… anyone who is involved with your diagnosis, treatment and after care.

The hospital/surgery staff training includes an emphasis for them to ask you as opposed to telling you. “Are you Mr Smith?” is not good enough because you might answer yes when in fact your name is Mr Smyth – they both sound the same, but the difference between an in-growing toenail and a leg amputation is somewhat more serious.

Make sure they ask you to state your name, date of birth, age and address before proceeding further. Don’t be embarrassed to hassle them over identification – it’s in your interest to get it right first time.

And whilst I’ve got your attention, my first name is spelt S T U A R T.

Stuart A Blackwell

The mission and significance of the Order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star was determined both by the historical period in which the order was founded and the personality of St Agnes Premyslide, who was a daughter of Premysl Otakar I and who lived between the years 1211 and 1282. According to the Czech historian Josef Pekar, she ranks among the most noble personalities of Czech history. Imbued with the reformist religious ideals of St Francis of Assisi (died in 1226), St Agnes decided to forego profane life and to wear the dress of a nun. She was in correspondence with St Claire and also with the centres of new devotion (devotion moderna) in Italy. She also followed the example of her aunt St Elizabeth of Thuringia, who founded the hospital in Marburg a.d. Lahn. It influenced not only the spiritual growth of St Agnes, but also the spread of Franciscan ideals in Bohemia. In 1231, it appears that St Agnes co-founded two monasteries located at Na Františku in Prague, which were then called Czech Assisi. These were the convent of Clare nuns, whose mother superior she became in 1234, and also the convent of Minorites. The premises also included a hospital, which was situated near the church of St Castulus and whose activity was more multilateral than it is presently. From the Latin word “hospes” (i.e. guest, traveler, alien) a term “hospitale” was derived, which was used for a place where not only the ill were cared for, but also traveling, poor, homeless and unjustly prosecuted people. The running of the hospital was ensured by the lay brotherhood.

The organization and structure of its life and activity was based on the rules which already applied in other religious orders. It was inspired by the hospital brotherhoods of so-called knights orders such as the Order of Knights of St John, the Templars, the Order of the Holy Ghost and others. On the request of St Agnes, pope Gregory IX promoted the Prague hospital to a position of an individual charity – was complemented with a six-pointed red star in 1252. This sign marked the difference between the Czech Order of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star and other hospital orders. To this day it remains the only holy order of Czech origin and also the only male order founded by a woman. In the mission of this order, the desire of medieval man for the connection of chivalric and spiritual life was fulfilled. Among the main characteristic features of the order ranked an active charitable love to man who needs the help and fellowship of others. The first independent establishment of the Knights of the Cross was the church and haven of St Peter at Porící, which is now a part of Prague’s New Town (Nové Mesto). This temple building ranks among the best preserved Roman basilica in Prague. In 1252, the main seat of the order was transferred to the crossroads near Judita Bridge on the right bank of the river Vltava. A new hospital of the Holy Ghost and the church of St Francis were built at the foot of the bridge. Both these foundings evoke a memory of the original cradle of the Order of the Knights of the Cross as well as the convent of St Agnes Na Františku. The original church was later replaced by an early baroque building from the years 1679-1688, which was constructed according to the designs of the excellent architect Jean B. Mathey and decorated with the fresco paintings of V.V. Reiner and the altar pieces of M.L. Willmann and J.K. Liška. However, the original Gothic church never really ceased to exist. By the end of the Middle Ages, thanks to the gradual elevation of the ground of the Old Town, the church’s ground floor went almost five metres below the level of the adjoining square and thus it has been preserved until the present day. It was later converted into a tomb and hospital chapel, the latter decorated with artificial stalactites in 1683. The baroque part of the convent is situated near the church of St Francis on the foundations of Judita Bridge which was, in comparison to the later Charles Bridge, situated further towards the north. The main art nouveau building originated in the year 1909 to 1912. In 1990, it once again became the seat of the Order of the Knights of the Cross, which after 40 years of suppression draws on the spiritual heritage of its holy founder and renews its activities for your benefit also.

Submitted by Elizabeth Bayley.

Dear Friends,

By the time you read this letter in “The Link”, we shall be thinking of Advent and all that Christ’s Birth means to us as individuals.

Each one of us looks upon this time of year in a different way. Some with a tinge of sadness as we think of recently departed friends or family, or possibly broken relationships. Others may be living with the daily fear of job losses and wondering how they can explain to children why Christmas gifts may not live up to their full expectations. 

Looking back on my own childhood during and just after World War Two, I can’t help but smile at what today’s young people hope to receive for Christmas. How would a small yellow “Rupert Book”, a “Silver Sixpence” wrapped in coloured paper, a “Rubber Ball” and an “Apple” grab you?

Of course many people were disappointed in Jesus. They had expected their Messiah to be a fearless warrior, who would lead them in battle to overthrow their Roman Oppressors. Instead they received a humble son of a Carpenter, born in a stable, who, years later rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was hung on a cross by the very people he had come to help.

Yet, over 2,000 years later the Advent of His birth brings fresh hope to untold millions of people throughout the world. His gift to each and every one of us was “Love”. A funny thing is love; you can’t buy it, you can’t sell it, you can only give it away, but to receive it is the most wonderful gift of all.

As I write this letter, I have a Hymn Book open at Hymn 105. The first verse is as follows:-

Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine,
Love was born at Christmas, 
Star and Angel gave the sign.

May God’s Love be in your hearts, in your homes and in your lives this Christmastime and forever.

Roger Cranmer.

Probably there are a few contributing factors to why I am a Methodist, rather than any other denomination of Christianity. First and foremost I was taken by my parents to a Methodist church when I was a child. Although my parents were both Baptists we changed to a Methodist church when I was a small child as my mother was an organist and the local Baptist church already had an organist. I attended the local Methodist Sunday school, completed scripture exams, and became a member probably before I was old enough to make my own mind up – it was what everyone did and was expected by my father.

When I became an adult I never found any reason to move away from the Methodist church, although probably at the time this was more because it was where I had always been than for any other reason.

More recently I have taken the time to understand more about what it means to be a Methodist, and what the values of the Methodist community are, and I have so far not been disappointed with the position taken by Methodism on issues affecting our lives today. Methodism is a fairly liberal religion, I believe, taking less literally what is written in the Bible, having a more relaxed atmosphere, and moving with the times perhaps a bit quicker than some other Christian denominations.

Here is a resume of the main points of the 16 October 2008 meeting:

• Water Aid Service to be held on Sunday 23 November
• Stewards are consulting with the congregation as to what is helpful in worship, and any thoughts or ideas would be welcomed
• Youth Worker, Johnny Milton was available for seven hours per week, and it was agreed to engage him in work with our young people
• Di Harris, new Junior Church Superintendent had held meetings with the leaders in order to make the running of the Junior Church most effective and plan special events
• Pat Norcross reported that our Mission Partner, Andrew Parfitt is continuing well with his work in Central Asia, even though conditions are very tough
• Melanie Parsons appealed for more helpers at the Stepping Stones group
• Barbara Glassonbury reported that the Community Lunches are enjoyed by all those who attend, and appealed for items for the Christmas hampers (food and toiletries) to be raffled at the lunch on 3 December
• Coffee & Chat still runs well
• Malcolm Thurston was thanked for his continuing work as Publicity Officer
• Life Line Debt Advice had now started seeing clients, and the churches had worked well to get this started.
• Traidcraft was not so well supported, and it may be that we join with another church so that we can meet a minimum order quantity
• Christianity Explored had started a new session, with a new one to begin in 2009; people are encouraged to come along to this, and possibly bring a friend who would benefit from the course material
• Advent Art: this was planned for Saturday 29 November, when forty two pre-painted canvases would be brought together to form one large painting
• The new Property Committee had met, and was looking at all aspects of the running of the premises
• The financial report was presented, and details of this appear elsewhere in Link.
• Kim reported that the morning service on 26 October would be recorded by Radio Stoke
• Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 15 January 2009

Many thanks to everyone who supported the event on Saturday 8 November. A massive £512.28 was raised, on the following stalls; Kitchen £90.66; Cakes £90.48; Christmas Stall £81.00; Jam £72.00; Bric-a-brac £56.16; Clothes £36.00; Books £26.70; Marian Brain Card Sales £30.00; Door Money £22.38; Ernest £6.90. A further £37.75 was added to these monies in the “honesty pot” in the Wesley Centre foyer, bringing the total to £550.03. Thanks for all your support.

Barbara Glassonbury.

Ernest Bradley has now been collecting loose change for many years, and wishes to retire from this task. People are still encouraged to collect loose change in their jars, and either bring these to be added to the takings at Saturday or Sunday coffee, or given to a charity of their choice.

On Harvest Saturday, the church steps were covered with loose change, and the names of the first five books of the Old Testament were spelt.

Pictured are Linda, Rachel and Lucy Gibbs.