“A Chaplain’s Eye View”
Our Lent series,
“A Chaplain’s Eye View”, continues throughout March. On Tuesday evenings and following a short Communion service, we welcome a local chaplain. Having spoken about their role and the organisation they serve, they will lead us into consideration of some of the major moral and social issues they encounter. Do come along if you possible can. Each evening starts at 7.30 p.m.
March 2nd, Paul Scofield, Bury Town Centre
March 9th, Sue Ward, Fairfield Hospital
March 16th, Phil Edwards, Bolton University
March 23rd, Jeff Davies, Manchester University
Notice of preparation of the New Electoral Roll for 2010
From the 14th to 28th March a new Electoral Roll is being prepared for the Parish of Kirklees Valley (All Saints’ Elton & St James Woolfold). All persons who wish to have their name entered on the roll, whether or not they are on the existing roll, are required to complete a new enrolment form. Copies of the form can be obtained from Christine Grundy, All Saints’, and Eileen Myott, St. James or the clergy.
The completed roll will be displayed in the porches of All Saints’ and St James’s Churches in the 14 days before the APCM (Sunday 18th April 2010) and during this period any errors and omissions may be corrected, but no further names may be added until after the end of the APCM.
Young adults who reach 16 years of age during or after the revision may complete a form and become eligible to be entered on the roll on their 16th birthday.
“Everyone on the electoral roll should be a regular worshipper – and every regular worshipper should be on the electoral roll”
This takes the form of between 30 and 45 minutes of quiet prayer at St Francis’ on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7.30 p.m. This month it will be on Monday 15th March.
If you would like to share in this meeting you are welcome to do so. And if there is any special intention for which you would like prayer to be offered then please make it known.
Leader: Mike Williams
Do you need a room for a meeting, party or event?
Would any of the rooms at St Francis’ do?
For prices etc contact the Bookings Secretary, Deirdre Watson
March dates for your diary:
Mon 1st
Bible Study
Tue 2nd
Lenten Eucharist (followed by A Chaplain’s Eye View)
Thu 4th
Afternoon Tea (St James’s, 2.00 – 4.00 p.m.)
Choir Practice
Sat 6th
Friends Together
(Bolton Road Methodist Church,1.30 p.m.)
Sun 7th
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Mon 8th
St Francis’ Ladies’
Tue 9th
Lenten Eucharist (followed by A Chaplain’s Eye View)
Wed 10th
Men’s Group (Visit to Chetham’s Library, afternoon)
Ministry & Pastoral Committee
Thu 11th
Parochial Church Council
Sun 14th
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (Mothering Sunday)
Family Hotpot (2.30 p.m.)
Mon 15th
Parish Prayers
Churches Together in West Bury
(All Saints’, 8.00 p.m.)
Tue 16th
Lenten Eucharist (followed by A Chaplain’s Eye View)
Wed 17th
Worship Committee
Thu 18th
Choir Practice
Fri 19th
JOSEPH OF NAZARETH
Parish Dinner
Sun 21st
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Tue 23rd
Lenten Eucharist (followed by A Chaplain’s Eye View)
Wed 24th
Mothers’ Union
Thu 25th
THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Sun 28th
PALM SUNDAY
Mon 29th
Evening Devotion
Tue 30th
Evening Devotion
Wed 31st
Evening Devotion
Stuart writes.....
Adam and Joshua are brothers and Jenny and myself are privileged to be their godparents. They are shortly to be confirmed and we hope to be present when “the deed is done”.
They recently phoned with a question that, as part of their confirmation preparation, they had been asked to put to various people: what is prayer?
Asked by young teenage boys what would your answer be? Off the top of my head I replied, “Prayer is talking with God, (adding) not simply to God, but with God, as it is important for us also to listen to what he has to say to us.”
Having since thought about my response, while I feel it was correct to a point, there is surely more. For, although conversation is a natural part of prayer (as it is whenever two people meet), words are not always needed in order to enjoy God’s company and be encouraged and nourished by his presence.
So perhaps what I should have said to the boys – and maybe I shall have the opportunity when we meet at their confirmation – is that prayer is essentially spending time with God.
Over the centuries many wise and saintly men and women have come up with a range of definitions and practices of prayer. And what a wonderful resource they are to the Church and to each one of us.
Yet, however much we learn from them about prayer, it is no substitute for praying ourselves – what Jeremy Taylor described 300 years ago as “the ascent of the mind to God.” And what better time than Lent to take stock of our prayer life?
How many of us regularly take time out to “be still in the presence of the Lord”? Some do, I know, but others I suspect “could do better”. One very simple way is to be deliberately quiet and still for a few minutes before a service. This not only adds to the general atmosphere of worship, but it brings each of us consciously into the presence of God.
In addition, those who struggle in praying alone may find it helpful to join our monthly Prayer Group (on the 3rd Monday in the month) and certainly our Weekly Sheet provides a wonderful starting point for our intercessory prayer, as well as giving us a “prayer for the week” – the Collect.
Jesus knew that “time out” with his Father was vital to his ministry and he knew it was for us too. So, in his Sermon on the Mount, he specifically spoke about prayer. Do read – re–read! – what he had to say: see St Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5 The time we spend with God does, indeed, bring great reward!
Stuart Millington
The next issue of The Noticeboard will be available on Sunday 28th March. It will be prepared by Lynne Williamson – material or suggestions should be given or e–mailed to Lynne by Sunday 21st March.
