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St Chad’s: A Community building Communities
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November ‘09 edition
building community
Blessing the Community
Christmas 2009
News
A mixed blessing
Mixed feelings
I have to confess to having mixed feelings about
Christmas! I love the celebration of Christ’s birth and
telling the story afresh. I love explaining how God sent his
Son to rescue us from darkness and death, to give our
lives significance and purpose. I love the timeless carols
and Christmas readings. I love the simple white lights,
candles and log fires. I love the special times with family
and friends – that special meal with all the trimmings.
But already I feel the pressure beginning to bear down on
me. Will I manage to write a Christmas letter or send out
cards? And why do we cram all our token communication
with lost family and forgotten friends into a crazy annual
event rather than keeping in touch over the year?
The sad fact is that because of Christmas, more
marriages will break up than at any other time of the year.
Because of Christmas, levels of domestic violence and
drunkenness will rise. Because of Christmas, more and
more people will find themselves in the grip of impossible
debt. Because of Christmas, many will feel even more
acutely the pain of their aloneness.
This is not why Jesus came. And yet the way so many
celebrate His coming is in so often the complete opposite
of the abundant life he came to bring.
Wonderful opportunity
But what a wonderful opportunity Christmas gives to
share God’s love and bless the people around us! The
baby who was born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem grew
up to be a man who stunned the world with the quality
of his love, the power of his word and the authority of
his teaching. He was executed and three days later rose
from the dead. By His Spirit He lives on in us. And we are
commissioned to continue and extend His rescue strategy
for the world He loves.
So how will God’s Kingdom come to Romiley this
Christmas? It will come through acts of generosity
and kindness. As we help someone who is struggling
financially or sponsor a Christmas hamper, God’s
kingdom gets a little closer. As we bless neighbours with
a nice meal or spend time with the lonely stranger, God’s
kingdom becomes more real. As we slow down and have
time to kick leaves with our children, God’s kingdom takes
shape. As we volunteer to work for a homeless charity
or in our own Lifecentre, God’s kingdom breaks in. As
we visit the elderly, maybe offering to shop or put up the
Christmas decorations, God’s kingdom creeps under the
door.
Relationships are key
Blessing people and building relationships are the
hallmarks of Jesus’ mission. And He calls us to partner
with Him in the places where we are. The great thing is
that He makes it so easy for us! We simply need to allow
our hearts to be touched by His and think of others.
Can I suggest that we all have a Christmas planning
meeting as soon as possible with our families. Let’s talk
about our expectations and agree what a successful
Christmas will look like. Let’s plan ahead and agree who
will be responsible for what. Let’s share the burdens, think
seriously about how much we spend at Christmas and
set a realistic budget. Let’s ask yourselves why we are
spending what we are spending. Let’s talk to our children
and explain that they can help some poorer people here
in the UK. Let’s look through one of the overseas charity
brochures and get everyone excited about buying a goat
for a family in Ethiopia. Let’s ask our children who they
would like to bless.
Let’s try to simplify and slow our celebration of Christmas
this year. And through it all, let’s ask if what we are doing
is putting a smile on God’s face. We bless God as we
bless others.
Bless the Community
It’s that time of year when we are all turning our As last year we are not asking anyone to do
thoughts to Christmas, and as part of our plans, everything! The success last year was having lots
we want to build on what we did last year in of people offering to form different teams. Many
terms of blessing our community. of us are busier than ever. But hopefully we
might just have an hour or two available here or
The response last year was phenomenal with there. Each contribution will be invaluable.
well over 140 offers of help across a range of
activities. Below you will find information about
this year’s opportunities so far – we hope they
will whet your appetite to get involved!

Opportunities at Christmas
We will be doing our usual “Open House” on
Saturday 19 December, when we will need a team
of carol singers, waiters, craft people and gift-
wrappers. We want to extend this activity to get out
and talk to people - “Healing on the streets” style.
We will also be hosting Café Carols again on
Monday 21 December at 3pm - we need a team of
readers, singers, café staff and those who simply
want to chat.
Hampers for the community
Last year the Cherry Tree MSC put
together 20 Christmas Hampers which New this
they delivered to local families. There
are amazing, moving stories of the year!
amazing impact this blessing had.
This year, we want to extend this, and distribute
more hampers to more people, and not just on
Cherry Tree. Everyone has the opportunity to
get involved, either by donating items or money
towards each hamper, (it will cost £25 to complete
each one), or joining a team to assemble or
distribute them.

This year, small groups have the opportunity to
book an evening at Café Life, to host their friends.
We will need a small number of café volunteers,
and for the small groups to take the lead. Evenings
available from Monday 14-Saturday 19 December.
Bookings on a first-come, first-served basis!
We also want you to suggest people that you know
who will struggle to make meet ends meet this
year, to whom we can deliver a hamper. This is
an activity that we can share together as a whole
church to bless those across our community.

Coffee to Assisting with local Carols at the

Commuters
Bleary eyed commuters - and the
train drivers! - were blown away
when they were offered a freshly
brewed coffee and a mince pie to
aid them on their way in the run up
to Christmas. And all for free! We
know it made a difference, with
a couple of commuters actually
writing cards to the Lifecentre to
say thank you. So if you can spare
an hour or two in the morning rush
hour from 14-23 December, get on
board!
carol services retirement
apartments
Last year we really made a
difference to different groups and
organisations by assisting them
with their carol services. We
need small teams to help with
the Greave and Romiley Primary
School services in church, the
pre-schoolers (Prampushers)
nativity service in church and the
carol services at Chadkirk Chapel.
We also want to hold an outdoor
carol service on Cherry Tree again
this year.
Residents of Metcalf/Davies
Courts were really touched when
teams, including a choir from
Greave Primary School, popped
down to lead carols and readings.
We will try to add in Park View this
year. A day time activity – dates to
be set.
That’s all for now, folks! To get
involved, please complete the
enclosed form and return it to the box
at church or the church office by 22
November. And if you have any other
ideas or questions, please contact Jan
or Jill in the church office on 430 4652
as soon as you can!
 Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Appeal...
Can you donate £2.50?

Each year Maggie Britten coordinates St Chad’s
efforts to prepare shoe boxes containing gifts and
essential items for children who are struggling across
the globe – whether through war, poverty, natural
disasters, disease, and famine. The shoe boxes
include items such as toys, educational supplies,
hygiene items and more!
The Shoebox appeal is overseen by “Samaritan’s
Purse”, a nondenominational evangelical Christian
organisation providing spiritual and physical aid to
hurting people around the world. Since 1993, more
than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed,
shipped, and delivered across the globe. Last year
1,228,787 boxes were sent from the UK!
This year Maggie has already completed over 180
boxes, ready to go! It costs £2.50 to ship each box.
Can you now donate some money to pay for them to
be sent overseas? They are to be sent out between
16-23 November, so please make your donation by
Sunday 15 November.
A box is available at the back of church for your
donations. Tax payers can gift-aid their contributions
- forms are available beside the box.
We are so grateful to Maggie and her team for
putting together so many boxes. Let’s hope that
together we can raise the funds to ship each and
every one!

Are you interested Wood Street

in being Baptised? Mission Appeal
Sunday 5th December will be Every Christmas Wood Street
our next Baptism service. Mission gives free toy and
Please get in touch with Tim for food parcels to local families
s
Donation
further details. in need. St Chad’s has always
supported this mission –
and last year Wood Street
helped over 1,500 families, Irene Daughney is the local
Rick and Claire would like to Fundraising Secretary for
providing toys for over 3,200
announce their new address - the Children’s Society. Irene
disadvantaged children.
visitors are more than welcome! arranges distribution of personal
This year they need donations home collection boxes for the
28 Waterside Children’s Society and at the
of new toys and gifts for 0-13
Ripon recent box opening, the amount
year olds. They also welcome
North Yorkshire donated was £762. This brings
donations of exception quality
HG4 1RA the total donated this year to
second-hand toys. They can’t
accept large toys (e.g. bikes or £1,559. Isn’t it amazing how
trikes) or used soft toys. collecting the small change
Redeeming Our Communities: This year, you can bring your really mounts up?
unwrapped donations to church
19th November 2009 (please give them to Jan!) or Irene thanks all those who
The Townhouse, Hope Terrace, drop them in to the church support the charity’s work
SK3 9DU office. through home donation boxes.
If you would like a box, please
7:30pm All toys need to be donated contact Irene on 0161 430 5354.
Admission Free by Sunday 22 November.
Mothers Union
The next meeting of the Mothers
Union takes place on Wednesday
11 November at 2pm in church.
Eleanore Barlow will be giving a
talk – “Talking of Marriage”.
The Mothers Union Christmas
Party will take place on
Wednesday 9 December from
1-3pm in church.
Encountering the world of Islam
The Nazarene College at Didsbury will be running a 12-week
“Encountering the world of Islam” course, starting on Tuesday 12 January
2009. The course provides information about the lives and beliefs of
Muslims around the world. With historical information and perspectives on
today’s conflicts, fears and myths, the course provides a balanced, and
biblical perspective on God’s heart for Muslims, equipping people to reach
out to them in Christ’s love.
To find out more please contact Phil Rawlings on 0161 226 6064 or by
email to philjr@zetnet.co.uk or Kate Parker at parkergate@gmail.com

St Chad’s Ladies Mothers Prayers

Society Christmas
Coffee Evening
St Chad’s Ladies Society will
be holding a Christmas Coffee
Evening with entertainment by
Romiley Primary School brass
band on Tuesday 8 December at
7.30pm in church. Stalls including
“Bring and Buy”, cakes, gifts,
books etc will be available. Tickets
are £1 include coffee and biscuits,
with proceeds going to local
charities.
Would you like to pray for your
children, grandchildren or any other
children on a regular basis?
A small group has started on a
Monday evening from 7-8pm to
pray in earnest for our children.
“Mothers Prayers” was started in
England in 1995 and has spread
rapidly throughout the world. It is
inter-denominational and has the
approval, support and
blessing of Christian leaders of all
denominations. It was started by
two grandmothers who felt led by
the Lord to pray in a special way for
their children. They felt they should
bring all the pain and worries
they had for their children to Him,
trusting in His promise; “Ask and
you will receive.”
If you would like to join the group,
please contact Ann Russell on 494
8907 or Nancy Tindall on 430 2493.

Remembrance Sunday Pregnancy Counselling Skills

Course 2010
The following public prayers and ceremony will be
held on Sunday 8 November 2009: “Image” in Manchester will be running a specialist
counselling course in pregnancy, abortion, post-
2.30pm Assemble at Green Lane, beside abortion and teenage sexuality in the New Year.
Duke of York hotel
2.45pm Prayers at Romiley War Memorial The course will run on 5 Saturdays from January to
2.55pm Parade from Romiley War Memorial May 2010 and include 60 hours of accredited learning.
to the War Memorial, George Lane, Suitable for men and women, the course is recognised
Bredbury by the Open College Network and ACC.
3.00pm Service of Remembrance, War
Memorial, George Lane To find more, please contact Image on 0161 273 8090
or by email to image@poptel.org.uk

A big thank you to everyone who

Church Office phone (0161) 430 4652
completed a church audit. 1-5 Stockport Road email office@stchadsromiley.co.uk
Analysis is now underway! Romiley web www.stchadsromiley.co.uk
Stockport Office Hours
SK6 4BN Mon - Thurs 9 - 5pm