Dear Friends,

May I indulge in a little self-pity?

Before Christmas my beloved laptop died, losing 18 months’ worth of data (many thanks to Busy PCs in Sandbach for doing their best to recover those treasured sermons – albeit in vain!)

After our return from Christmas break, the presence of blue flashing lights outside the Manse revealed a poor lad had ridden his scooter into the back of our parked car. Later, news came that he was alright although his leg was badly damaged, and our car was written off.

In the meantime, the printer died, the Wii died, the Wii TV also died, the wireless router died, Anna dropped and lost the phone she was given for Christmas, and finally the washing machine developed a terminal fault. Who said trouble always comes in threes?

These events reminded me of just how much ‘essential’ technology forms part of our lives today. And the more we acquire, the more the upkeep of it, and dependency upon it enslaves us.

Jesus said “if the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” How glad we are that we celebrated Christmas well this year, both as a family and as a church! The good news of God’s love, revealed in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, insulates us, far more than any insurance policy, from being drawn into worry, gloom and depression over material loss. And it even helps us with a sense of hope in times of real personal loss, such as a number of our members have faced this Christmas.

May we be reminded of that truth through this new year and may it equip us for all that 2012 brings.

If it's not too late, Happy New Year!

Every blessing

Kim

Number Three: seen in the Co-op Pharmacy at Ashfields:
“£2 off Knitted Hot Water Bottles” – I want to giggle whenever I see it!

Barbara Glassonbury

Wheelock hosted the first Mission Area Christmas Concert in December with contributions from Bradwall, Sandbach Heath, Wheelock and Wesley Avenue. In January this year we had another social evening at Wesley Avenue with a quiz and supper. Both events proved to be great nights of ‘all age’ fun with the opportunity for all of us in the Mission Area to celebrate and get to know each other more. Thank you to all who contributed to and supported these events.

Members from each Church meet together every couple of months or so and there are a number of potential Mission Area events under discussion. They include celebrations to coincide with Jubilee and how we might be able to support the area in the celebrations. Olympic themed events provide opportunities on how we might reach out to our community.

We continue to discuss the wide ranging Mission work already taking place in all our Churches and share our experiences. For example, in February one of the Advisors from Lifeline will be explaining to us all more about the debt advice service that is provided to the local community. Future ideas include building on existing holiday club and family fun days. Mission is the number one priority for the Circuit and the Circuit has made available £30,000 for Mission work, so for the right initiatives the money is readily available!

For our faith we are thinking about a Mission Area Christianity Course and plans are underway for a Discipleship group. A quiet day is also being considered.

We have made some initial links with a local drama leader and are investigating if drama based activities can support outreach.

Whilst it early days we are starting to see if we can work closer together on some practical things such as property issues, risk assessments, security, carbon footprint reduction measures and publicity.

If you have any ideas about how we can continue to grow and work closer together in the Mission Area or wish to know more just have a word with Doug, Rebecca, Susie, Kim, Norma, Pauline, Jayne or any of the Stewards.

In the meantime please continue to pray that the Mission Area grows in its effectiveness in serving God’s Mission of care and love, look out for future events and thank you for your support.

Peter Mason

“Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists
and make it better. When it does not exist, design it” Sir Henry Royce

Bradwall

• Stewart Holland is making a good recovery after his stroke.

Sandbach

• Belated congratulations to Audrey Robbins on her special birthday last month. Audrey is recovering very well from her eye operation.
• Congratulations to John & Jean Eaton and Tony & Margaret Ashmore who both celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 17 March.
• We continue to pray for Bill Bayley as he settles into life without Harriet.
• Roy Moseley and Derek Jennings have both fallen and hurt themselves, thankfully not too seriously.
• Edna Mann is still awaiting an operation.
• Kath Hodson has settled well into her new home in Haslington.

Sandbach Heath

• We pray for Syd Lowe who lost his beloved Doreen before Christmas.

Wheelock

When spring time approaches and you turn your minds to “spring cleaning” then please keep in mind that many of our ‘discarded’ items can have a further useful life in the Gambia. If you do have anything that may be useful then it would be very welcome, if you are unsure as to its potential usefulness then please contact us.

Pam & Peter Clewlow 01260 277969

OK, I know it’s 2012 now, but we didn’t manage to fit all the 66 books into 2011 so one final article is needed to finish the job – covering the letters not written by Paul, and the Revelation(s) to John.

Hebrews is a book which doesn’t include the name of its author. Various theories have been put forward, the most popular contenders being Barnabas and Apollos, both respected and learned Jews, but nobody knows whether one of them, or somebody else, wrote the letter. It’s addressed to Jewish Christians as the title suggests, and is thus well flavoured with references to the Jewish scriptures, the first seven chapters comparing Jesus to angels, and to various figures from the Old Testament. Chapters 8 to 10 write of a better Covenant with God than previous ones, a better sanctuary than the Jewish temple, and a better sacrifice than traditional ones; chapter 11, perhaps the best known, speaks of the faith of many Old Testament figures, chapter 12 of the readers’ need to persevere in faith despite adverse circumstances, and finally, chapter 13 offers rules for living, asks for prayer, and offers a blessing. Not the easiest of books, but one which repays study with a suitable guide.

James is believed to have been written by the oldest of Jesus’ brothers. It is said that the quality of the original Greek indicates a good level of education on the part of the author, but what marks the book out for most people (I suspect) is its intensely practical nature. It has long been summarised as “faith without works is dead” – especially chapter 2 – but also includes warnings about “taming the tongue” and about resisting and overcoming temptation. It’s quite a compelling read!

1 Peter seems to have been composed by the apostle, but was probably written for him by Silas, given the good quality of the original Greek. The most familiar verses for many today are verses 4 and 9 in chapter 2 which describe Christians as “living stones” and “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God”. Peter was writing to Christians facing persecution, and is concerned to encourage them to continue in their faith in spite of it. He discusses the place of suffering in their lives, and urges them to be exemplary in their conduct, as followers and servants of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter is not written in the same quality of language as the previous letter, and is more likely to have been written by the apostle himself. While the first letter is concerned with external forces, this one addresses problems caused by false teaching from within the early church itself. In encouraging the readers to ignore such teaching – among other things about Jesus’ return – he insists they must live godly lives and be ready for it, no matter when it arrives.

1 John is believed to be the work of the apostle of that name. Like many of the other epistles, it is concerned to counter false teaching and to encourage godly living. We find it hard, perhaps, to imagine life without the New Testament to refer to, and need to be deeply grateful not only for the scriptures so readily available to us, but also for those who throughout our lives have guided us in their understanding.

2 John was also written by the apostle ’ a very short letter, warning people against giving hospitality to false teachers.

3 John, again written by the apostle, is a kind of mirror image of 2 John. A man called Diotrephes, an influential figure in the early church, had opposed and excluded some of John’s followers. This letter commends another well-known Christian, Gaius, who had welcomed and supported them – and by implication, warns Diotrephes against continuing his opposition.

Jude seems likely to be a younger brother of Jesus and James, although we cannot be certain of this. Scholars point out that the letter’s message is much like that of 2 Peter. To quote from the NIV Study Bible “these false teachers were trying to convince believers that being saved by grace gave them licence to sin, since their sins would no longer be held against them.” Jude said ‘have no truck with them!’

Revelation(s) to John is a book whose authorship is in some doubt, although the majority view seems to be that it was written by the apostle John. It was written at a time of increasing persecution and is intensely symbolic – some would say coded – in its content. This makes it very difficult indeed for us to interpret, to say the least! The relatively easy bit is the series of ‘letters’ to seven churches in Asia Minor commenting on their degree of commitment and urging them to conform as closely as they could to Christian principles. Perhaps the most familiar is to the church at Laodicea, described as lukewarm. The most damning was the message to those at Sardis – &lDquo;You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” Chilling words! (not least for those at Sandbach assessing their state of spiritual health…)

After these ‘letters’, John writes in a series of visions, too many to discuss here (even if I could understand them!), but in outline describing a series of major battles between the forces of good and evil. Happily, good wins in the end, but not before a great deal of suffering and heartache. The theme of God’s judgement comes through, as well as His concern for the righteous, and the last two chapters, thankfully, describe a time of blessed peace and harmony at the end of time.

This piece brings our snapshot look at the Bible to an end. It remains for me to thank those who have spoken warmly to me about my humble efforts, and to urge us all to make 2012, 2013, and all our remaining days no less a ‘year of the Bible’ than 2011.

Bryan Glassonbury

Don’t walk in front of me – I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me – I may not lead
Just walk beside me – and be my friend

As we are nearing the “Healthy Church” event at Wesley Avenue on 5 February, I thought I would try to answer some likely questions here.

1. What is this Healthy Church initiative?
   
   Healthy Church is:
   
   
   • a process that helps churches to identify whether they are healthy or not. It facilitates the identification of strengths and weaknesses so that we can celebrate our successes and action plans can be drawn up to address any areas of weakness
     
     
   • developed from research into those churches which are perceived to be healthy – growing both numerically and spiritually
   
   The stated goal of the healthy churches process is “encountering the reality of God’s presence in and through the life of the church”.
   Kim and the Stewards believe we can use it to measure ourselves against our objectives, as stated in our Mission Statement
   
   
2. How can you measure the health of a church?
   The process is based around seven characteristics, or ‘marks’, of a healthy church. These are the characteristics which have been observed for those churches considered to be in a ‘good state of health’.
   Mark 1: Energised by faith, rather than just keeping things going or trying to survive
   Mark 2: Outward-looking focus with a whole life rather than a church life concern
   Mark 3: Seeks to find out what God wants, discerning the Spirit’s leading rather than trying to please everyone
   Mark 4: Faces the cost of change and growth, rather than resisting change and fearing failure
   Mark 5: Operates as a community, rather than functioning as a club or religious organization
   Mark 6: Makes room for all, being inclusive rather than exclusive
   Mark 7: Does a few things and does them well, is focussed rather than frenetic
   
   
3. Why do I need to be involved?
   In order to get the best idea of how people in the Church feel we are performing as a Church, we need to get the views of as many people as possible. And that means everyone involved in the life of the Church in all of its various guises is being given an opportunity to have their say.
   
4. What will I be asked to do?
   
   Completion of the Church Profile exercise is the first step in the Healthy Church process, and is what will be happening on 5 February. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire containing four questions for each of the ‘marks’ of a healthy church, and an additional question relating to the support the church provides you in your daily life. It is completely anonymous, and we want everyone to be completely honest so that we get the best out of the process.
   
   
5. But I don’t understand the seven Marks, so how will I be able to answer the questions?
   We will have an experienced facilitator present who will guide us through the process and the meaning of the ‘marks’ and the questions. Taking each ‘mark’ separately there will be an explanation, followed by time to complete the four questions before moving on to the next mark.
   
   
6. Then what happens?
   Following on from the completion of the Church Profile exercise the ‘scores’ will be collated and a follow up meeting will be held a month later to discuss the results and identify areas that need to be addressed. You are also invited to this, which is planned for 4 March, and we hope as many as possible will come to share and discuss the results. Out of this will come areas where action plans need to be drawn up and actions progressed to ‘improve the health’ of our Church.

I hope you will feel, as I do, how important this process is to the Church, and will want to be an active part of it. If you have any questions not answered here then please feel free to speak to me, or to Kim, or one of the other stewards.

Karen Foster

On 5 February at 6:30pm in the Wesley Centre, we shall be holding a Taize-style service for the Mission Area. Taize worship is quiet, thoughtful, reflective and musical, involving a repetition of a number of simple chants which we shall sing and listen to. If you are open or interested in this style of worship or want to find out more, do come along and give it a try.

Vision Support – the local charity supporting people with a visual impairment across Cheshire and North Wales currently runs a coffee morning in Sandbach on a Monday.

Members come along and have a cup of coffee or tea and a chat with friends, followed by a game of bingo.

New members are always welcome, so if you or somebody you know has a visual impairment why not give it a try? After all, you may make some great new friends.

Sandbach Voices are performing Stainer’s Crucifixion at Wheelock Methodist Church on Sunday 4 March at 6:30pm. You are invited to this special act of worship when this wonderful choral work will be presented by the magnificent choir conducted by Andrew Rose. An offertory will be taken to cover expenses and raise church funds. If you wish to join the choir for this performance, you need to attend at least four rehearsals (Tuesday evenings 7:30 to 9:30pm in the Hancock Hall at Wheelock Methodist). Further details can be obtained from Wheelock stewards or Mr Roger Hunt, Sandbach Voices Chairman 01270 765840.

Jayne Bunn

Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten.

His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful.

His grandmother remarked, “Doesn’t it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?”

Bobby said, “Yes, God did it and he did it left handed.”

This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him “What makes you say God did this with his left hand?”

“Well,” said Bobby, “we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God’s right hand.”

This Lent, Kim will be running a course on Tuesday afternoons in the Wesley Centre. The course explores Psalms and is based on the study style used in the Disciple course, although much shorter. It does require a certain amount of daily study and does extend beyond Lent to make a total of ten weeks – weeks which promise to be well rewarded. There are a few spaces left on the course so if you are interested and would like more information, please contact Kim.

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

‘I want to repay you,’ said the nobleman. ‘You saved my son’s life.’

‘No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,’ the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel. ‘Is that your son?’ the nobleman asked.

‘Yes,’ the farmer replied proudly.

‘I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.’ And that he did.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill.

His son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

February
Friday 3	7:30pm	Sandbach Wesley Guild – An Evening of Magic with Tony Ashmore
Sunday 5	12:30pm	Healthy Church Consultation at Wesley Avenue
Wednesday 8	12:00pm	Winter Warmer at Wheelock
	7:30pm	Sandbach Ladies’ Friendship Circle – “Hearing Dogs for Deaf People” with Jaqueline Snelson and June Hartshorne
Thursday 9	7:30pm	Church Council at Wheelock
Friday 10	7:20pm	Family Film Evening in the Wesley Centre
Sunday 12		Men’s Day Services at Wheelock; 10:30am family service with Daniel Keen; 6:30pm with Reg Shore; the men’s choir will be singing
Friday 17	7:30pm	Sandbach Wesley Guild – “ourneying into Lent” with Rev’d Peter Barber
Sunday 19	3:30pm	Messy Church in the Wesley Centre
	5:30pm	Alternative Worship at Wheelock
Tuesday 21	2:30pm	Disciple Psalms Lent Couse at the Wesley Centre
Wednesday 22	3:00pm	Sandbach Heath combined fellowship at the Vicarage
March
Friday 2		Women's World Day of Prayer
	7:30pm	Sandbach Wesley Guild – “Salvation Army” – Joy Naylor
Sunday 4	10:30am	at Wheelock; Celebration of Church Life inc commissioning of Pastoral Leaders
	6:30pm	Sandbach Voices present “The Crucifixion” at Wheelock
Wednesday 14	12:00pm	Winter Warmer at Wheelock
	7:30pm	Sandbach Ladies’ Friendship Circle – Open Evening in the Wesley Centre Hall – an audio visual evening with Pauline Minshull and son – “More Bygone Sandbach” – followed by a buffet supper – tickets £5 – contact Marian 765140 or any Friendship Circle member
Friday 16	7:30pm	Sandbach Wesley Guild – Annual General Meeting and Service of Holy Communion with Rev’d Kim Stilwell
Sunday 18	10:30am	Ladies’ Day at Wheelock; Church family service and Cradle Roll with Bronwen Degg. The Ladies’ choir will be singing
	3:30pm	Messy Church in the Wesley Centre
Saturday 24	10:00am	Good Items Sale in the Wesley Centre
Sunday 25	5:30pm	Café Style service at Wheelock – with the ladies choir
Friday 30	7:20pm	Family Film Evening in the Wesley Centre