LETTER FROM THE VICAR
Reasons to be cheerful/gloomy (delete as applicable)

1.  The weather - it’s a whole new season called sumtumn.
2.  The economy - as the world recovers, Brits may have a double-dip.
3.  The oil spill - perhaps 300 million gallons have leaked in the Gulf.
4.  Terrorism - seems to be growing, not shrinking.
5.  Global warming - more extreme weather, and extinct species.
6.  The Afghan War - it’s longer and less winnable than Vietnam.
7.  The Cold War - it’s still with us, as far as the spies are concerned.
8.  The workplace - fewer jobs, more unemployed, and more strikes.
9.   Football - we invented it, but we can’t play it.
10. Did I mention the weather?

All this means it’s a good time to be an optimist. According to Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, optimism is “the tendency to take a bright, hopeful view of things and expect the best possible outcome.”

Some of you have read my list thinking, “Yes, but it’s not so bad...” That’s why we all love optimists: they are bright and hopeful, and wear ready smiles on their faces. Perhaps all Christians should be optimists, then? So we can go round making people more cheerful.

I’m not so sure. I agree we have every reason to be bright and hopeful, but not by this dictionary definition. If I wake up and “expect the best possible outcome,” sooner or later reality bumps me on the head. Usually before I’ve got my toothbrush out. My list above gives outcomes that have been rather less than optimal, on a grand scale.

I propose a new definition of optimism: “The tendency to take a bright, hopeful view of things and expect God to be at work: (a) restraining the full force of evil and disaster, and (b) bringing all things to a final climax, in a new creation, where those who have faith in Jesus Christ will be forgiven all their wrongdoing.”

I don’t think the weather looks all that bad, after all.

ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH FELLOWSHIPS ALL SAINTS AND ST GEORGE’S CHURCHES, THORNTON HOUGH
We depended on the old saying “Rain before seven - fine by eleven” and it was true. The annual Strawberry Tea and Garden Party enjoyed dry weather with the appearance of sunshine at intervals.

Gavin with his helpers - you know who you are - had erected the gazebo and set up the chairs and tables for us, so thank you all. Thank you to Gavin and Joy Hunter for opening their garden for us once again. Joy gave us free run of the kitchen and various necessities and donated the tea and coffee. Thirty seven people enjoyed the afternoon and we welcomed several visitors including Barbara Capstick (ACF Diocesan Chairman) and her friend Brenda from Upton by Chester along with our friends who regularly help us every month.

It was good that Daniel and Angela could be with us and great to see Abigail and Bethia who joined us after school.

Thank you to those who provided food etc. The spread was great, plentiful and no credit to ‘Weightwatchers’ at all.

There will be no Welcome In, ACF, Chatterbox or the Wednesday coffee morning during August.

Coffee Morning is on Saturday 14th August at 10.30 am.

This is our annual fundraiser for the Leprosy Mission and the Al
Shurooq School for the Blind in Bethlehem and is a joint effort with
St George’s.

Extra cakes are required for the Cake Stall plus any bric a brac,
books etc and items for the raffle please.

Everyone Welcome

On this occasion tickets are £1.00

Mrs Hunnibun will be back on 11 September.

Eileen

THORNTON HOUGH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
THWI has had a very busy June and July. Our meetings were - June - a very interesting talk about the history of Storeton Woods, and in July - David Charters who was an award winning journalist with the Daily Post, gave us a “Humorous World of Whimsey” account of his years in journalism.

On the social side we had a great trip to Llanberris and up on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. A perfect summers day, and on our arrival at the summit, we could see for miles and miles.

Our W.I. was very well represented at the Cheshire Show in July. We were awarded lst prize in two sections, a Highly Commended on two other sections. We were all delighted with the results, and very proud of our members who won.

On Tuesday 13 July we had a very successful SWITCH EVENING. Who remembers how neighbours, in the 1960’s, ran a very successful SWAP SHOP? Well, it was the same thing – different name!

We will be holding an extra meeting on Tuesday 3 August, when the talk will be about the Orphans of Romania. Tuesday 7 September our speaker will talk about “Special Needs teaching in Sierra Leone” - 7.30pm.

Once again you are very welcome to join us.

Anne McTigue

CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL
Some of you who are reading this note may not have your name entered on the Church Electoral Roll, you may not even be aware of what it is. It is a register of members of their local church (in our case All Saints, Thornton Hough) who are –

· 16 years and over, and
· Baptised as a Christian

Anyone can enrol, who has habitually attended public worship in the parish for at least six months prior to enrolment. Residents of the parish do not have to attend in order to be eligible.

To play a full part in the life of the Church and to vote at AGMs of the PCC, your name must be on the Church Electoral Roll.

If you are not already on the Electoral Roll and would like to enrol, please contact the Parish Office and I will send you the appropriate form. The details on how to contact the Office are on the outside back cover of the Church magazine.

Elly Macbeath (Dr.)
Electoral Roll Officer

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Brian and Lesley Morris who celebrate their Ruby Wedding on 1st August, to Ruby Mackenzie whose birthday is also on the 1st and to Sophie James whose birthday is on the 2nd August.

RITA NICOLSON
Carol and the family would like to thank all our friends in Thornton Hough for the kind wishes and thoughts expressed during this sad period. Mum would have been so touched by all the love and comfort offered over the past few weeks.

THANK YOU
Roy and Margaret Wignall wish to thank all our friends for their love and best wishes as we settle in our new home. We feel very blessed and look forward to many happy years.
Thank you all.

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

Contributions for the September 2010 magazine to the Editor by 18^th August 2010 at the very latest please