LETTER FROM THE VICAR
How lovely to see Maisie Danher in the newspaper this week, with her mother Jenny. Maisie was one of the first members of our Sparklers group that started last year, but long before then we were praying for her as in 2010 she underwent urgent transplants—two of them!—to overcome a rare liver condition.
And the amazing thing was that, having shared her new liver with another patient, she shared a second liver with the same person, soon afterwards, because the first transplants had failed. It must have been an unbelievable challenge, but look at her now! Bouncing into church with mum, and bringing her own ‘sparkle’.
The article mentions that, for Maisie, the memory has already started to fade. It’s funny what we remember and what we forget from our childhoods. When I was young my family lived for a few years in West Kirby, near the Beacon. I remember that, returning from holiday, someone would say, “I can see the Beacon!” But, when I returned to Wirral in 2009 and went to see my old home, I didn’t recognise it at all.
Someone who has clearly had a strong childhood memory is entertainer Chris Evans. I used to listen to him on Radio 1, but we’ve both since matured to Radio 2! Recently, he has bought the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car, the very one from the film. A bargain at £500,000. At 17 feet long, it will stand proud in Chris’ large classic car collection.
It goes to show the power that childhood memories can have, that a car which featured in a children’s film can be worth so much to people.
In the Bible, childhood memories are an important way that the faith is passed down through the generations. As the Israelites kept Passover each year, it was an opportunity for the children to ask, “Why do we do this? Why do we believe this?”
I believe that churches, as well as helping to teach children on Sundays, should help parents to raise children following Jesus day by day. It’s not easy being a parent! And it’s not easy explaining and living the faith with our children. But those are the best childhood memories of all.
With love, Daniel
ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIPS ALL SAINTS AND ST GEORGE’S CHURCHES, THORNTON HOUGH
Our business meeting took place after our short service. Margaret Crawford conducted the proceedings in the absence of our Chairman Rev John Wiltshire who was unwell.
Reports on the past year were given by Margaret Crawford as Deputy Chairman. The Financial statement was explained in the Treasurer’s report by Heather Timms and the Secretary’s report was given by Eileen Roberts.
The four officers above were unanimously voted to remain in post together with the existing committee.
Subscriptions remain at £5.00, of which £3.00 goes to the Diocesan ACF. Donations at the same level as 2011 were agreed i.e. £1200 to All Saints Church and £300 to St George’s Church plus further monies should either Church have a special need. Three amounts of £100 each would be allocated later in the year to three charities. A request for another table for church use was granted.
2012 is the Golden Jubilee Year for the Diocesan ACF and some celebrations are planned.
Forthcoming Events:
Thur 2nd Welcome In 12 Noon Parish Hall
Wed 8th Fellowship Meeting 2.15 pm Parish Hall
Tues 21st Chatterbox Club 2.15 pm Parish Hall
Wed 22nd Coffee Morning 10.30 am Parish Hall
EVERYBODY WELCOME
SEE & BE SEEN
Mrs Hunnibun’s Cake & Coffee Shop
Saturday 11 February at 10.30 am
Truly scrumptious cakes available
Eat in & take away
THORNTON HOUGH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
Although we did not have a meeting in January, several of us enjoyed a trip to Theatre Clwyd to see the excellent film ‘The Help’. Our walkers made another visit to New Brighton, this time walking from New Brighton towards Seacombe, and again on a beautiful sunny day.
Our first meeting in 2012 will be on Tuesday 7th February when we look forward to hearing more from Ceri Newton who runs the successful coffee Shop ‘Gorge-us’ in Bebington village.
Our February walk will be on Friday 10th, meeting at Thurstaston Country Park at the bottom of Station Road at 10.30 am. You are always welcome to join us.
Anne McTigue
Boxing Day 2011
The annual football match between the Seven Stars and the Village Club took place on Boxing Day before a crowd of between thirty and fifty.
The “Derby Game” takes place every Boxing Day kicking off at 11.00 am with teams that vary in numbers, on a pitch that varies in size and using goals that vary in size from year to year. The players are dressed in costumes to suit the weather or is it to suit the season or maybe to suit themselves.
This year, probably because of changes at the Village Club the teams were chosen randomly from whoever turned up on the day. There were about ten players on either side and the match was won 4-1 by Carl Starkey’s team. Carl was in goal for the first half but hastened to tell me that the only goal against his team was scored in the second half when Paul Tyrer was in goal.
This year the weather was fine if rather windy. It made controlling the ball more difficult than usual and for the spectators, draughty and chilly - however, warming refreshments were on hand for those who wanted them. A collection was made and raised £164 for the local charity ‘Save our Sue’
Ed.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Jack Starkey whose birthday is on 8th February, to Gavin Hunter on the 13th, to Hilary Fathers on the 27th and to Lyn Anderson on the 28th.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2012
May will bring Christian Aid Week again, 13th to 20th.
I will be contacting my willing band of helpers (from both churches in the village) for the door to door collection but I would also be pleased to welcome any more volunteers. The more volunteers there are the more envelopes can be collected and the content of every envelope counts.
Door to door collection usually means one walk round to deliver the envelopes and possibly two to collect them, at times to suit the particular area covered and the individual collector.
As part of the preparation this year we have an opportunity, locally, to attend an evening where the Christian Aid Team from the NW Office will come to enthuse us. It will be at St David’s URC Eastham on 8th February between 6.30 and 9pm, including (donated) light refreshments. Jill Loach, the local organiser for the Bebington area says “I’ve been to two such meetings and found them really useful and motivating. Lots of info on where the money goes, chance to address problems, share ideas and good to feel supported by a really enthusiastic team.”. I hope some our team of collectors can join me at the meeting.
Looking forward to another good year and several more volunteers ringing me on 334 5510.
Peter Arch.
Letter Racks and Plaques
Ron Longman would like to thank all those kind people who purchased his letter racks and plaques. Due to your generosity he was able to donate £120 to the Organ Fund. He would be pleased to make a couple more should anyone be interested - just call him on 334-5887
Contributions for the February 2012 magazine to the Editor by 18th January 2012 at the very latest please