Our very own Robert Reed, auctioneer extraordinaire,guided an enthusiastic congregation through over 60 lotsat the Promises Auction which was held in church on 18March. Generous donations of promises ranging from afew hours training in specialist subjects to a five coursedinner cooked for four, and goods ranging from hampersto a week’s accommodation in Normandy, all came underthe hammer with all proceeds going to the restorationfund.

Bidding was fierce, rivals desperate to outdo each other, averitable forest of arms and bidder numbers waving tocatch the auctioneer’s attention. The atmosphere waselectric, matched only by the grand sales of theinternational auction houses, as lot after lot caught the

buyers’ imaginations and saw prices rocketing throughoutthe evening.

The grand total would have been even higher if it hadn’tbeen for the late withdrawal of lot 19, Beth’s flan dish,which had accidentally been gathered up with the otherlots but was in fact being returned to her from a gratefulapple pie eater. Despite this setback, the sum of£1681.92 was raised on the night through sales andrefreshments.

A big thank you goes out to the organisers and also to themany individuals and local businesses who very kindlygave goods and commitments to make the auction anoutstanding success. It was indeed terrific fun.

2 8 h i g h t o w n • m i d d l e w i c h • c h e s h i r e • c w 1 0 9 a n • 0 1 6 0 6 7 3 8 0 0 5

w i t h S T J O H N T H E E VA N G E L I S T , B Y L E Y

April 2017 - 50p

GOING, GOING…

One of the most popular books of thelate 1990’s was entitled ‘What TheyDidn’t Teach You At Harvard BusinessSchool’. This is now regarded as aclassic in the business fraternity. Thebook proposed that there are threethings you are not taught that youdesperately need to say:

1. I’m wrong.2. I’m sorry3. Please help me

Unless you say (1) you’ll never moveon in business, the book said. Unlessyou say (2) you’ll be arrogant. Unlessyou say (3) your self-sufficiency willbe your downfall.

These are lessons that are not justapplicable to business but also to ourwhole lives. The Easter story is full ofmeaningful little cameos on life. Onethat I find quite profound is the story ofthe two criminals who were crucifiedalongside Jesus. You can find this storyin Luke 23:32-33, 39-43.

Once they are hanging in agony on thethree crosses one of the criminals

begins to insult Jesus and says; If you’rethe Christ, save yourself and us! Theother criminal rebukes him – Don’t youfear God? We are punished justly; weare getting what our deeds deserve. Butthis man has done nothing wrong. Thenhe turns to Jesus and says; Jesus,remember me when you come into youkingdom. Jesus responds to him; Todayyou will be with me in paradise!

The first man was stuck on his cross,his arrogance making him blind to theperson on the cross beside him. But thesecond criminal seems to have learntthe lessons identified above in his dyingmoments. He recognises that he is inthe wrong and justly punished. Then heturns to Jesus and asks for help – theresult? Paradise!

The Easter story brings two aspects ofGod’s love for his world into reality –forgiveness and new life. The crossbrings us forgiveness and theresurrection brings us new life. Onewithout the other is meaningless. Ifthere was to be no resurrection thanJesus’ promise to the criminal wouldhave been an empty one. If Jesus didnot die on the cross then neither the

criminal nor we would ever hope toattain new life with him.

This Easter are you ready to learn thesethree simple lessons of life:We are in the wrong – We need to saysorry – We need God’s helpThen like the second criminal on thecross you will know that you have aplace in paradise with Jesus.

Yours in Christ

It was Easter Sunday 2015 when Itravelled to the edge of Britain tocelebrate at St Cybi's church(pronounced St Cuby's), in Holyhead(pronounced Hollyhead), on HolyIsland (pronounced Holy)! With me sofar?

The town centre is built around thechurch which itself is built inside an oldRoman fort. St Cybi was a 6th CenturyCornish bishop, saint and first cousinof St David. Raised as a Christian hemade a pilgrimage to Rome andJerusalem and soon became a travelling

priest. The originalmonastery he founded inAD 540 was sacked byViking raiders in the 10th

Century. The presentchurch was built in the 13th

Century.

The Easter Sunday serviceat the medieval church wasmoving and I had my firstexperience of a sermon,choir and hymn singing inWelsh. My lip-syncingreached new levels of

performance! 52% of the Holyheadpopulation speak the ancient language.

Lots of ornamental figures and stainedglass which had upon one of its panelsour “very own” St Michael.

I took Communion with the faithful andthen bade farewell. I was assured by theReverend that a welcome in the grittyharbour town would be mine should Ireturn. I shook his hand and smiledgraciously.

Glenn S King

E A S T E R O N H O L Y I S L A N D

This quarter – April-May-June – weshall be focussing again on the work ofChrist for All in Andhra Pradesh.

We thought that we would start withsome good news for a change, so heregoes.

John Mark, who visited Middlewich afew years ago, is now in overall chargeof the work in Andhra Pradesh, and hisdaughter was married recently. He sentus some photographs, with thismessage:

Dear friends,Thank you very much for your prayersand good wishes for the wedding ofEvangeline and Virgil.God has been very gracious towards us,and we remain extremely grateful toGod for making it a grand event.The Bishop of the CSI diocese ofDornakal solemnized the wedding; andmany presbyters and pastors took partin the solemnization of the wedding.As many as nearly three and a halfthousand people attended the reception.(Robert and Christine take note - Ed)Vasantha and I express our heartythanks to all of you for your prayers.We praise and thank God for Hisblessings on the event and especiallyon Virgil and Evangeline. We covetyour kind prayers for the newly-wedcouple.With regards.Yours in ChristVasantha and John Mark

If these photographs whet yourappetite, there are some more on thePrayer Board in church, and on thechurch website.

They show an interesting mix ofEnglish and Indian cultures; the bridewas married in a white dress, thenchanged – several times – into a seriesof beautiful saris.

The number of guests was a bit of asurprise. This is a custom which maynot catch on in England.

Other news regarding the work inAndhra Pradesh is on its way, and willappear in future editions of theMessenger.

As part of this year’s fundraising, weare organising a car Treasure Hunt andpicnic lunch on Saturday 13th May.Further details will be available in duecourse, but please put the date in yourdiaries now.

N E W S F R O M A N D H R A P R A D E S H

Virgil and Evangeline

John Mark, Evangeline, Vasantha

13 Apr - Maundy ThursdayCommunion,7.30pm

14 Apr - Good FridayWalk of Witness from St Mary’s Church,King Street, 10.00am

Devotional Service, 2.00pm

16 Apr - Easter SundayCommunion, 9.15amAll Age Communion, 11.00am

Services over Easter

Future events

Tuesday, 11 AprilAn afternoon of music and fellowship.The SMAART Handbell Ringers willbe presenting “Making Music withHandbells”. Wendy Bourne will beadmitted to the Mothers’ Union duringour meeting.

Wednesday, 26 AprilThe Diocesan Festival Eucharist will beheld in Chester Cathedral at 11.00am.The list is now open for anyone wishingto attend this service. We will probablyleave Middlewich around 9.30am andspend some time in Chester after theservice.

18/20 MayThe Wave of Prayer. We have not yetbeen given the date or time for ourWave of Prayer Service. Hopefully we

shall be notified at the next MUDeanery meeting to be held onTuesday, 25 April.

Wednesday, 24 MayWe shall be hosting one of the DiocesanPrayer Walks to be held in Whitegate.More information will be availablewhen the arrangements are finalised.

Whitegate Daffodil FarmIf you enjoy walking, why not visitFoxwist Green Farm, Whitegate andenjoy a unique day out in the beautifulCheshire countryside from 29 March –9 April. Entrance Fee: £2.00. in aid ofMacMillan Cancer Support. There is alarge poster on the church notice-boardgiving more information.

Jo Hulse

Sunday Rota - MAY

Intercessions Jo Hulse

Banner Chris Overton

Escorts Angela TempestEdna Rose

Offertory Pauline DaviesWendy Bourne

Sunday Rota - APRILIntercessions Bridget Anton

Banner Jo Hulse

Escorts Janet ChisholmPauline Ashley

Offertory Cynthia SantLynn Astles

You are invited to the CathedralCelebration as our whole Diocesecomes together to pray, 'ThyKingdom Come' as part of a globalwave of prayer. A service of praise,celebration, joy and Intercessionfeaturing Stuart Townend, BishopPeter and Steve Legg. StuartTownend is one of the leadingworship songwriters of hisgeneration: from “How Deep theFather’s Love” to “In Christ Alone”,“The Power of the Cross” to“Beautiful Saviour”, his songs aresung in churches and at eventsaround the world, and his lyrics areacclaimed. Steve Legg is an

evangelist and a member of the'Magic Circle'. Steve uses a uniqueblend of comedy, mystery and visualparables to communicate theChristian message of hope throughJesus. His TV appearances havebeen seen by millions, he hasperformed at major church eventsand in venues including the RoyalAlbert Hall, Wembley Conference

Centre and Birmingham's NationalIndoor Arena to name just a few.

This is an event not to be missed,and it’s free.

To book your place speak to Simon.

Chester Cathedral, Sunday 4 June5.30pm

B Y L E Y

ReadersFor those who like to prepare well in advance thereaders are7 May, Celia Wilkinson & Anne Nichol14 May, Alan Boyle & Organist

Flower Rota

Cleaning Rota

Byley April

2nd

Morning PraiseReaders

Sidesman

Steve BroadfootChristine HankeyAnne NicholFrank Walton

9th

CommunionPreachingReaders

Sidesman

Simon DrewAlison BoultonAlan BoyleCelia WilkinsonAlan Percival

16th

CommunionPreachingReaders

Sidesman

Liz WoodeLiz WoodeFrank WaltonJean PercivalCelia Wilkinson

23rd

CommunionPreachingReaders

Sidesman

Lorraine ReedJacqui BriscoeAnita HolmanVera FarrowVera Farrow

30th

Morning PraiseReaders

Sidesman

Tony WoodeGlenys RichardsonJames BennionJohn Whiteside

April 30th - May 7th A Holman

ReminderReminder of the PCC Annual Meeting on Monday 10th Aprilwith the presentation of Accounts at 7.15pm for PCC Membersfollowed, at 7.30pm, by the Annual Parochial Meeting to which allparishioners are invited. A normal PCC Meeting will then follow.

Rose Queen SelectionCongratulations to Lucy Richardson who has been selected as our2017 Rose Queen with Alice Richardson and Tamara Read as herattendants. Our Fairy Queen is Lily Such and the Rosebud PrincessEmilia Marlow-Ellis. This year, for the first time, we will have aRose Princess the part being taken by Fiona Newton. HenryMarlow-Ellis has the duty of Crown Bearer. Congratulations toLucy and all the children taking part in the Rose Fete, let us wishfor a fun day and fine weather on June 10th.

Easter FlowersGlenys will be pleased to receive donations towards the purchaseof Easter Flowers. Please include the name of the person/ personsin who’s name the donation is given.

Storm DorisUnfortunately the church did not escape the severe winds fromStorm Doris. A portion of tiling on the roof was dislodged, whichin turn also caused damage to the porch roof. You may have noticedthat the fir tree at the end of church is no longer there. A largebranch was snapped off, fortunately not causing any damage, butthe tree was unstable and had to be felled.

By kind invitation of Lorraine Bennion

Blue Slate Farm King Street Byley CW10 9LE

Please bring a contribution for the ‘Bring and Share’Supper Table and don’t forget to wear suitable clothingand footwear, you will be visiting various parts of thefarm during the service.

Everyone is welcome to come along

April 2nd - 9th J WildmanApril 16th - 23rd A NicholApril 30th - May 7th G Richardson

ROGATION SUNDAY SERVICE Sunday 7 May, 7.00pm

Family Time TestimonialA new feature for The Messenger focusing on individuals, couples and families within the church family of St Michael’s.Each month we will bring you a new testimonial, perhaps from a familiar face that you can’t quite put a name to, helpingyou to get to know each other better. If you see Sally approaching and you wonder why, it could be you next!

CEILIDH

Saturday 22 April, 7.30pm

Adults £10, Children 11+ £5Food and Bar

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW

Proceeds to the Restoration Fund

I (Claire) love Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity underthe heavens:2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time tobuild,4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,5 a time to scatter stones and a timeto gather them, a time to embrace and a time torefrain from embracing,6 a time to search and a time to giveup, a time to keep and a time to throwaway,7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace

It reminds me of allthat life throws at us;the high and the lows,the beginnings andthe ends of whichGraham and I havehad many in our 16years of marriage.We met in 1999 inAberystwyth and gotmarried 2000 andlived in Macclesfield.

In 2002, we uprooted;moving to Sweden for 3 years. Onreturning to the UK (Loughborough) in2005, Hannah was "born" in 2006 andNoah in 2008.We "planted" ourselves back up North,in Middlewich, in 2011, joining StMichael and All Angels. We were soproud of our babies, then aged 5 and 3who, despite "hating" saying goodbyeto all they had known, learnt to "love"their new home and friends. In 2016,after 20 years service for Astrazeneca,Graham was made redundant,becoming co-director of his newbusiness.

Over the years, we have "wept" manytears over house moves, "scattered"friendship circles; "mourned" the lossof special people, "given up" on a fewdreams. We've "searched" for newhomes, "laughed and danced" with newfriends, "mended" treasured objectsdamaged in transit and "thrown away"many more. In all that time, the ever-constant in our lives has been the loveof God and a recognition that there is atime for everything and all our timesare held in His hands.

(L-R) Hannah, Noah, Claire and Graham Wilson

St Michael and All AngelsPHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION

FAB FESTIVAL WEEKENDSat 17 & Sun 18 June

St Michael’s will be open to the public all day Saturday andSunday during the FAB Festival weekend which runs 16 - 18 Juneand, following on from last year’s successful art exhibition, wewill be holding an exhibition of church members’ photographs.

We are not setting a theme so you can focus on sharing yourfavourite collection of images with a wider audience. This is aunique opportunity, don’t be shy, contact Alastair (01606 835133)to book a space before they are all snapped up.

2 9 16 23 30Middlewich

CC C C C C

AA MP AAC MP CB B B

APCE 28 BCP

ByleyMP C C C MP

SERVICE PLAN - APR

8.00am9.15am

11.00am

4.00pm6.30pm

11.00am

AA=All Age, AAC=All Age Communion,APC=Annual Parochial Church Meeting,B=Baptism, BV=Bereavement Service,C=Communion, CON=Confirmation,E=Evensong, MES=Messy Church,MP=Morning Praise, P=Prayer,PP=Pentecost Praise, PS=Plough Sunday,X=No Service, ROG=Rogation, 28=No.28

Rev Simon Drew, Rector– Middlewich and Byley 01606 833440simon.drew@middlewichparishchurch.org.uk

Jeremy Coles, Director of Music & Family Work Office: 01606 738005jeremy.coles@middlewichparishchurch.org.uk mobile:07981 051776

Rev Liz Woode, Curate & Tony Woode, Reader 01606 75030tonylizwoode@hotmail.com

Rev Thia Hughes, Curate 01606 883286thiahughes@hotmail.com mobile 07970 734507

Rev. Lorraine Reed, Curate 01606 781071revlvreed@gmail.com

Rev Simon Hamill-Stewart, Assistant Priest& Christine Hamill-Stewart, Reader 01606 737329simchrishs@googlemail.com

Steve Broadfoot, ReaderRuth Broadfoot, Electoral Roll 01606 738373steve.broadfoot@tesco.net

Jacqui Briscoe, Reader 01606 836460jacquibriscoe1@gmail.com

Duncan Goodwin, Reader 01606 836377duncan.goodwin@btinternet.com

Anne Latham, Reader 01606 737617a.latham28@btinternet.com

Sylvia Bosomworth, Pastoral Care Worker 01606 737338sylviabosomworth@btinternet.com

Sue Ikin, Pastoral Care Worker 01606 738005

Elaine Reynolds, Church Warden, Pastoral Care Worker 01606 832596e.reynolds315@btinternet.com

Graham Ikin, Church Warden 01606 738005

Keith Yearley, Churchwarden 01606 835785keith.yearley@hotmail.co.uk

Neil Clewes, Treasurer 01606 619721neilclewes@live.co.uk

Christine Malkin, PCC Secretary 01606 833023christinemalkin@uwclub.net

Glenys Richardson, Byley 01606 834343richardsongables@hotmail.co.uk

Anne Nicol, Byley PCC Secretary 01606 836314annenicol@btinternet .com

James Bennion, Byley Church Warden 01606 46263stublach@tiscali.co.uk

Alan and Jean Percival,Byley Church Warden and treasurer 01606 833808percival.yatehouse@googlemail.com

Byley Village Hall Bookings 07926 571172

MIDDLEWICH & BYLEYCHURCH STAFF

PARISH REGISTERS2017

Baptisms12-Mar Anya Marie HUNTER-

MAHON

Church Funerals14-Mar Steven BEHAN

Mow Cop21-Mar Harold Anthony MARSHALL

(Tony)Alexandra Road

Crematorium only Funerals16-Mar John HULSE

Newton Court Care Home

10.00am

2.00pm

Congratulations to all the volunteers whohelp to make No.28 the success that it is.This week the Food Hygiene StandardsAgency awarded it the maximum score offive. Well done.

Peter Forshaw Ltd Funeral ServicesAn Independent Family Business

24 Hour Personal and Dignified Service16/18 Leadsmithy Street, Middlewich, CW10 9DF

01606 836708

Neil HopleyElectrical Contractors Ltd

NICEIC Approved

Agricultural, Industrial,Domestic

Installations and Repairs

Brooks Lane, MiddlewichCheshire

01606 833993 or07976 661061 (mobile)

Electrical, Plumbing, Central Heating, Building & JoineryAll new installations, alterations and repairs –No job too smallNICEIC Approved for Electrical WorkGas Safe Registered Engineers for Gas WorkAll aspects of building maintenance coveredBathrooms and Kitchens fitted

PAUL HASSALLCONTRACTORS(Middlewich)

0800 955 868007831 503385paulhassalluk@aol.com

HCPC registeredChiropodist/Podiatrist

Cheshire Lasers Medical ClinicThe Acorns, 85 Wheelock StMiddlewich, CW10 9AE01606 841255 / 07748 712399

Middlewich Community Centre(off the Civic Hall Car Park, Middlewich)

Ideal for parties, meetings, weddings etc.Call for details of activities

(ballet, dog training, karate, cinema screen and more).For further information phone Reg Jackson

01606 832118

Middlewich Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic LtdCHARTERED AND HEALTH PROFESSION COUNCIL

REGISTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST“For all your aches and pains” No GP referral required

www.middlewich-physio.co.uk1a ST MICHAELS WAY, TOWNBRIDGE, MIDDLEWICH

CW10 9DX01606

832457

IAN & JASONHAWKINBuilding Work(extensions etc)

Carpentry and Joineryservices

01606 83438601606 620227

This space could bepromoting your business- call 01606 738005

There is alwayssomeonealvailable to praywith you afterservices. Equally,if you would likesomeone to comeand pray with youat any time speakto Sylvia, Elaineor Sue Ikin.

w w w . m i d d l e w i c h p a r i s h c h u r c h . o r g . u k

St Michael’s Church Office28 Hightown, Middlewich, CW10 9AN01606 738005

Office hours: 10am-2pm Monday-FridayOffice Manager: Beth DeakinEmail: admin@middlewichparishchurch.org.uk

weddingsportraits

commercial

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