LETTER FROM THE VICAR
Football’s coming home... some day...

By the time this is printed, we will be starting to look towards the closing stages of the World Cup. Will England be dropping out in shame, or marching fowards into the quarter finals, the semi-finals... and even the final?! After all, we’ve won it once before!

FIFA has claimed that the 2006 World Cup had an audience of 26.29 billion viewers, and they are expecting the same this time round. Yes, I know there are less than 7 billion people in the whole world, but it is a cumulative figure of all the people watching each match!

There must be millions (or billions?) of people who watch the World Cup but only have a passing interest in football. On the other hand, there are those who seem to live in utter devotion to “the beautiful game” and can discuss strategies and statistics for hours without any hesitation. They have planned their life to maximise the number of matches they can watch. They are still sat at the telly, an hour after the final whistle, catching up with the analysis.

The Christian faith has its own share of devotees, as well as those with just a passing interest. Sadly, the enthusiastic Christian has rather a bad name in today’s society. This is partly justified, because of a minority of people who can behave in bizarre and unreasonable ways. But it is a shame that we have stereotyped so many people as “fanatical” or “extremist” when they want to give their life wholly to something that, I would argue, is even more important than sport!

We are reading Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, in our 11 a.m. services at the moment, and I have been really struck by one thing Paul wrote:

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17

Everything? Are you sure, Paul? That sounds rather obsessive! But then, Jesus Himself said similar things. I believe this is the only safe kind of fanaticism: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. In fact, when we live with Jesus Christ at the heart of all we do, we begin to live life as it was always meant to be lived.

Daniel

ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIPS ALL SAINTS AND ST GEORGE’S CHURCHES, THORNTON HOUGH
A somewhat depleted group had a very interesting trip to Kamutuzza just south of the equator in Uganda.

Our speakers, representing ‘Just Care Uganda’ were Alan and Doreen McGraa who gave a power-point presentation of the Wellspring Medical Centre, Evelyn’s Home - residential care for children without guardians and the local school there.

‘Just Care’ is a Christian Charitable Trust committed to meet the needs, both spiritual and physical of those in their care. Established some years ago by a Wirral intinery preacher, Peter Partington, Providing education for a day pupil including uniform and a mid-day meal with a small gift at the end of term in November costs £50. Sponsoring a child in Evelyn’s home is £25 a month. Church building is necessary to enlarge the existing structure.

Kamutuzza was provided with a clean water supply in 2007/2008 when a new well was drilled. The ‘Piglet Scheme’ provides local people with two piglets for breeding. Two piglets from the first litter are given back to the organisers allowing more folk to participate.

Some jewellery was available to buy, handmade by local Africans. You may notice some folk wearing new ‘beads’.

It was decided that our remaining charitable donations of £100 each will be given to:

1.         Mission Aviation Fellowship
2.         D Day Revisited
3.         Just Care, Uganda

 Dates for July:

Thurs 1st         Welcome In                                         12.00 noon
Sat 10th           Mrs Hunnibuns Coffee and Cake        10.30 am
                        Shop, plus cakes to buy.

Wed 14th         ACF Strawberry Tea                            2.15 pm
Tues 20th        Chatterbox Club                                   2.00 pm
Wed 28th         Coffee Morning                                    10.30 am

Eileen

CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2010
May has passed and Christian Aid Week is completed.

This year I have banked a splendid total of £1,603.09, our best ever total in Thornton Hough. This total is because of the time spent by the small band of collectors and to the generosity of those filling the envelopes. A big thank you goes to all, in both categories.

Earlier in the year I set myself a target of increasing the number of envelopes collected by at least 5%. By our collective endeavour, this was achieved and went a good way to delivering the improved return.

Every extra volunteer means that more houses can be visited so, if you feel like helping next year, please have a word with me now. It all helps with my planning.

Once again thanks from myself and an anticipatory thanks from those who the money collected will help. We may have empowered several people in need towards a better life.

Peter Arch

ARTHUR HICK
Friends and family of Arthur Hick gathered to celebrate his long life and achievements at a thanksgiving service in Church on June 11th.

Arthur with Doreen was a long serving member of ACF and its various activities and for several years was our Treasurer. A very kindly man with a sparkling personality, sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye. A true gentleman always immaculately dressed, of great generosity and with a deep love for his God. Ill health for several years was recently overcome with dignity and determination.

No tribute to Arthur could do justice to this remarkable man and he will be greatly missed by so many people whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Arthur. Rise in Glory.

Eileen

THANK YOU
Pat Dixon wishes to thank all the many friends and neighbours for their kind thoughts, prayers and cards sent to her during her recent two spells in hospital and those who called by phone or in person to cheer her up when she was recuperating at home.

FREECYCLE - THORNTON HOUGH
Many back copies of “Leisure Painter” magazine and “People’s Friend” Tel: 334 - 2531

VE DAY + 65
During the VE Day celebrations on May 8th on the Village Green, Alan Smathers took a large number of photographs which he has set to music in his own inimitable way on a DVD. These are now available for sale, price £5.00, all proceeds to go to Church Funds.

The DVD lasts approximately 30 Mins and is a unique reminder of a memorable day and an historic record for years to come. They are available from Joyce Anderson, tel. no. 336 5354.

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Doris Dobb whose birthday is on the 4th July, to Pat Dixon on the 17th and to Cloe Jones on the 24 July.

CHATTERBOX SUMMER OUTING
On the morning of Thursday 27 May, many anxious eyes were raised to the skies to see if the good fortune weatherwise which had prevailed on our outings in recent years would continue. We were not to be disappointed! Forty-seven of us arrived at the Church steps with no late-comers so that the coach from Carvers with our driver Terry was able to depart promptly at the appointed time of 9.30am.

Our tour this year, arranged by Welcome Days Out and entitled “Darwin’s Nautical Delight” was in the county of Shropshire and we picked up our guide, Pauline, at Dobbies Garden World near Shrewsbury which claims Charles Darwin as its most famous son. We had some time there for a comfort stop, tea break and even for some garden enthusiasts to purchase plants from the Garden Centre.

There followed a short drive through Shrewsbury which is almost completely circled by the River Severn. At the Welsh Bridge we embarked on the MV “Sabrina” for a 45 minute cruise on the river during which coffee and biscuits were served whilst we listened to an amusing and informative commentary on places of interest. On rejoining the coach we were taken to Bridgnorth for an excellent carvery lunch at “The Punch Bowl” an olde-worlde Inn where the prizes for the customary raffle were awarded.

Our coach driver Terry then had to display his skills in taking us through some narrow leafy lanes to Much Wenlock where we encountered more traffic hazards with parents’ cars at School closing time. At this picturesque town we were taken to The Pottery where we were given a talk and demonstration by the proprietor accompanied by welcome tea and biscuits.

Throughout the day our guide Pauline had supplied us with information and details of places of interest on the route. We said farewell to her at Dobbies and drove back through the early evening sunshine to Thornton Hough with all of us disembarking after a most satisfying day.

It was with much sadness that I arrived home to learn that our much loved Chatterbox supporter, Arthur, had died earlier that day. He and Doreen were loyal members of our group and earlier that week had reluctantly called off participation in the outing when Arthur had been taken into hospital. Another keen member Ellen (Nellie) Carrol, aged 96, who experienced a fall on her way home after the May Chatterbox meeting, was hospitalised and sadly passed away on 11th June. We have suffered the loss of a few well-known personalities in recent months and they are sadly missed.

For your diaries, advance notice is given of our Christmas Outing for lunch at the Merrion Hotel, Llandudno on Thursday December 9th.

Leslie Turberville

THANK YOU
For a year and seven months my daughter-in laws name, Vanessa, has been on the Church Prayer List. I removed it in mid June when her treatment was finally completed.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer at Hereford hospital in October 2008, eighteen months after a doctor in Bristol had sent her home saying “nothing to worry about”.

Because of this, she was told she would be given longer treatment than usual and higher doses. After surgery she had months of chemotherapy in Hereford hospital which I cannot praise enough. Then months of radiotherapy involving a 150 mile round trip to Cheltenham twice weekly - an exhausting time for her. (How lucky we are to have all these facilities on our doorstep). Finally the doctors ordered three-weekly infusions of Herceptin for a year.

Now she is well and I pray will remain so. I am totally convinced that all the prayers which have been said for her have helped tremendously in her recovery.

I cannot thank you enough for those prayers, for your frequent enquiries about her progress and your good wishes. May God bless you all.

Kathy Bebbington

THANK YOU
A very big thank you to Lorna and Joe Winstanley who opened their gardens on Wednesday 16 June to raise funds for All Saints Church. The sun shone all day making it perfect for exploring and admiring their marvellous display of so many plants, shrubs, fruit, vegetables and especially the enormous rose bush growing at least fifteen feet into a tree.

Lorna had been up very early to make delicious scones which were served to everyone with cups of tea or coffee. We were entertained by Alex, who is nine years old and plays the violin, a very talented young man. A lovely day of fun and fellowship enjoyed by all. 

Do Mosedale

Contributions for the August 2010 magazine to the Editor by 14th July 2010 at the very latest please