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“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies it bears much fruit”

One of the jobs that Magdalen and I have done recently is to plant our raised vegetable beds with seeds that will grow ready for harvesting potatoes, beans and other produce during the summer and autumn months. Being able to do this whilst admiring the blossom on the trees gives me a real sense of joy and hope.

As I ponder the new life and growth in the natural world I remember that for many bulbs and shrubs the energy and vitality for spring growth is stored up during the winter months of apparent dormancy when little seems visibly to be happening. The daffodils and other flowers store up what they need during the dark times and this is used to bring new life and growth in spring.

Thinking about growth in relation to our lives as Christian people and as a church, something similar is often true. It is sometimes the “dark” times of struggle, anxiety or hurt that can become the seedbed for new growth in our lives. All of us will experience “winter times” in our lives for a variety of reasons. It is often difficult to find much meaning or purpose when we are directly within them. However, we can sometimes find ways to redeem such times as we offer them to God and draw from them a deeper knowledge of ourselves and a greater capacity to serve and empathise with others.

The Methodist minister and writer, Leslie Weatherhead, put it much better than I can:

“Like everybody, I love and prefer the sunny uplands of experience, when health, happiness and success abound, but I have learned far more about God and life and myself in the darkness of fear and failure than I have ever learned in the sunshine. There are such things as the treasures of darkness. The darkness, thank God, passes. But what one learns in the darkness, one possesses for ever.”

Spiritual growth often involves challenge and struggle, even struggle with God and with life. Jacob wrestled with God at the ford of the Jabbok and won for himself and his descendants a new name (Genesis 32:22-32). Job wrestled verbally with God and won for himself and us a more profound understanding of God and his ways.

When Jesus spoke the words that I have used as the title for this piece he was referring to his own imminent death. He knew that it would only be through his embracing of the way of the cross and God’s redeeming of the winter darkness of the cross that the power of the new life of the resur-rection could be released. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

But he goes on to say this: “Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life”. In other words, spiritual growth, eternal life, sometimes involves sacrifice and struggle.

As a church family it is sometimes through the things that we find challenging, difficult or stressful that God works with us to bring new life and growth in our midst. Change is always difficult to live through and manage. Yet if we can embrace not simply what we like or are familiar with, but also embrace the things that take us outside our “comfort zone”, then we will reap great benefits of growth in our knowledge of God, ourselves and our fruitfulness as Christian people in the world.

Paul

A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who has committed to buying food items for Food Friend over the next 6 months. There was a mistake in last months magazine (mine!). The 2 months we are collecting for at the moment are April and May, not March and April.

Distribution:
We hope to begin distributing the food parcels from June onwards but have already had calls upon it! Initially Food Friend will be open once a month on a Saturday from 11.00-1.0pm, probably on the first Saturday of each month (but this is to be confirmed).

Shopping lists:
After the end of April please keep buying your ‘shopping list’ once a month, bringing it to church at some point before the 3rd Sunday and make sure you tick your name off the list each month. You can buy your items at any shop – the prices are just guides. If you have difficulty buying a particular product or size just buy something smaller or a sensible substitute.

Volunteers needed:
We are now looking for volunteers to help ‘man’ this, give out the food and make tea and coffee.
Please speak to us via the Parish Office if you feel you could help on a rota basis.
We are looking for 3 volunteers at each session on a once every 6 months basis initially – that’s each person volunteering twice a year.

During Global Week, older children in school created an arpillera which is a wall hanging in the style of those originating in Chile during times of political unrest. Communities would make these textile pieces together, representing the changing landscape of their lives and would often hide hidden messages or references to those who went missing in the stitching. After working on this, the children in school have recently been thinking about community and what it means to belong.

I held an assembly where all the children considered what being a member of a community meant for individuals and what attributes people should possess to make a successful community. I was hugely impressed by the answers they gave which included: bravery, thankfulness, love, perseverance, patience, respect, manners, friendship, trust, luck, determination, kindness, leadership, honesty, caring, generosity, thoughtfulness, gentleness and a positive attitude.

We talked about the function of a community as a refuge from life’s challenges – a place where ‘tweaks and repairs’ can be carried out and mind, spirit and body can be nurtured. Children were also able to appreciate the value of belonging to lots of different communities including the school, locality, national and global communities as well as groups such as sports clubs, Brownies and Cubs, Church and other social groups.

Today, four of our children are visiting St Agnes’ C of E Aided Primary School in Longsight to explore what belonging to a different community might mean, and in May, pupils from St Agnes’ will be visiting our school on the return leg! We very much hope that these visits can be the starting point for some very purposeful and engaging learning projects jointly involving members from both communities.

Clare, Headteacher

Our Lent Lunches have all been held in St. Bart’s this year and have been enjoyed by a number of people.  Many thanks to all those who helped provide soup, cheese and fruit.
They have been happy occasions and a good chance to meet new friends.

They have raised almost £500 which is magnificent.  We have decided to give the money to Christian Aid.  Many thanks once again.
Jackie

My late father always used this phrase, whenever he was feeling tired of what life was offering him: on those days, when the glass was definitely half empty, instead of half full. I was reminded of it when considering the subject of this article, which is, ‘The Church Brasses’.

It really has focused my mind, and I have been wandering round hurch for the last few weeks, and really looking at all the brassware there is in the building. I wonder when you last looked at the brassware in our church? Really looked, I mean, and also appreciated, how beautifully, and conscientiously it is maintained. As well as the team of ‘Dust Busters’, who faithfully devote many hours each week to the presentation of our church, I wonder if you are aware of two of our church ladies who come in every week, and have done so for years, to polish the Brasses? It is not a miracle that the brassware gleams so beautifully, it is the result of pure hard work, and dedication. It is so easy to take for granted the beauty of our church, and to forget the work that goes on behind the scenes. (And we are ALWAYS open to more offers of help; your church needs YOU!) Now where was I?

The brasses come in many shapes and sizes. Some play a part in the worship, some are memorials, some can be used for floral decorations, and there is one of great practical use. Where would we be, without the rail in front of the Altar, which divides the Sanctuary from the Chancel, reminding us that we are in a very special Holy place, but which also, thankfully, is used by so many of us, as an aid to getting upright again, after kneeling to receive the sacrament? I do not pretend to be an authority on the Brasses, but I do appreciate them. Each one has a story to tell, and is a reminder of the past history of our church, and of the people who have worshipped here over the years.

My knowledge is limited, though I do know it is an alloy of copper and zinc, the proportions of which can be varied, to create a range of brasses, with varying properties. It may be used as a substitute alloy, and is used for decorative work because of its bright gold like appearance. Brass generally has a muted yellow colour, somewhat similar to gold, so can be used to enhance the appearance of a room or a church. Long ago, polished brass was often used as a mirror, and then it would have been found in ‘my lady’s bedchamber’.

There is one brass in church, however, that particularly fascinates me, and that is the one in the far corner of the Prescott Chapel, situated in the floor. This is the oldest known brass in Cheshire, and dates back to 1460. It is in memory of a knight and his lady, Sir Robert del Bothe and Lady Douce Venables. As many of you are aware, I spend much of my time working as a volunteer for the National Trust, at Dunham Massey. In the nineteen years I have been there, I have become fascinated by the history of the families that called ‘Dunham’ their home, and particularly with their connections with St. Bartholomew’s Church.

The ‘del Bothes’, or Booths, as the name evolved, held land in Wilmslow. The last Massey heir married into the Venables family, and from that marriage there were two heiress daughters. One married into the Trafford family, and the other into the Booth family. The Booths for a time lived in ‘Bollin Hall’ which was sited where the Ford garage is now, on the A34.

From this family comes this memorial brass, commemorating the lives of Sir Robert and his lady, Douce. Originally, the brass showed four coats of arms, as noted by an historian of the day, one Randle Holme, in 1572. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, wear and tear, and, possibly, past enthusiasm for ‘brass rubbings’, only two are now visible. There they are, a testament to a long and noble family, in the corner of our church. There are later generations of the Booth family, connected with St Bartholomew’s church, especially in the bell tower, where tribute is paid to their generosity to the poor, especially one of the ‘Sir George Booths’, (there were many!), and his rich heiress daughter, ‘Lady Mary Booth’. I have reasoned that this, ‘Sir George Booth,’ was the second Earl of Warrington, who built the present house, around 1730, that stands at Dunham Massey now.

An earlier, ‘Sir George Booth’ and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Booth, were buried in the same chapel as their predecessors, but their tomb was removed during the 1861-1863 restoration of our church. I would love to know where they were eventually laid to rest.

This family and the ‘Earls of Stamford’ with whom they intermarried are so very real to me now, because they are so close to this church, and this town, which is my home. See how far I have digressed from the Brasses, but at least I started with them!

Brass-rubbings, by the way, from the original Brasses, were not allowed, sometime after the early 1970s, when the authorities decided that original Brasses were being worn away, both by the rubbing process, and the lack of care on the part of some individuals. So now, those who want to remember our very precious Brass, ‘rub’ a copy of it.

Well, you might not have learnt very much about the Brasses, but you have some indication of the wonderful and great history of our church. Enjoy the Brasses, but remember, they do take a lot of cleaning!

Barbara

How do you spend the majority of your time?
Most of my time is spent sleeping and reading; not much different from school-days when asked a similar question. The intention then was to focus on wasted time. Sleeping –the best night’s sleep I recall was induced by one of Mother’s sleeping pills.

What’s good about coming to church?
I enjoy walking to church in the summer. It’s less than 5 miles to St Bart’s and back, and I often stop for a chat with some of the ‘St Chadians’ on the way. Church on Sunday was inculcated into big sis and me when we were very young. Central Methodist Sunday School at Blackpool was the venue! (Delighted by first hearing Handel’s Messiah there)

What frustrates you most about the world?
Politicians frustrate me. They don’t lie – they mislead. Love to have local ones noted for their veracity!

How do you understand God working in your life?
Understanding God? That is beyond me. I do wish that the R.C Church hadn’t started a cull of the Saints. Fortunately their efficacy hasn’t been affected!

If you could change one thing in your life or in the world what would it be?
The attitude of many people to the mentally impaired needs a sea-change. All should be treated with respect.

How do you find peace?
Peace often comes unbidden, usually in a quiet place, in a church or on a mountain. (the 3,000ft rule doesn’t apply) Otherwise it can be bidden by continual repetition of the Lord’s Prayer and then adding between phrases, concerns of the day.

If you had a fire in your house, what 3 things would you rescue?
In the event of fire my priority would be 1. human beings, and 2. animals. In 1963 my parents’ place was burned out. They had only the clothes they were standing in. So I keep ‘saveables’ in a steel drawer and regularly update.

What is your favourite book?
Last year a favourite authors re-read was started. My favourite books are ‘The Four Winds of Love’ by Compton Mackenzie, and ‘A Land’ by Jacquetta Hawkes. ‘Four Winds’ necessitated a pre-war Concise and an O.E.D. (Beware! ‘Four Winds’ has a million plus words in eight books)

Name 3 wonderful aspects of your life.
My three children fit the wonderful aspects of my life. They have given me much pleasure in their accomplishments, and by their sound advice. My youngest is in Afghanistan for six months from July. The next captains armed merchantmen, and the third is at home looking after youngsters and a husband.

What is your favourite bible passage?
My current favourite bible passage is Matthew 25: v29 “Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from he that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.”
This was updated by The Guardian in January 2011 in Steve Bell’s cartoon.
Wishing a St Luke’s summer for all!

Hello all

Plans for a new Narnia Day are under way and we’re hoping to make this really spectacular. Some of you may have seen the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, third in the series of children’s books written by CS Lewis. If so, you won’t be surprised to learn that the day will include mysterious islands, a spooky green mist, heroic battles and of course a large ship!

The Christian message is beautifully conveyed by the film and provides a wonderful opportunity for bringing the good news of the gospel to children and adults alike! And Paul has kindly agreed to don an Aslan suit which makes it official!

Those of you familiar with our Narnia Days will remember that we usually hold them on a Saturday. However, as we are planning our day in July we need to work round weddings and we’re therefore splitting Narnia Day into two afternoons on Saturday 2nd July and Sunday 3rd July from 2pm to 4.30pm. We’re also planning to run a workshop on Monday 4th for local schools which will be led by Paul and Magdalen.

There will be plenty of things to do and it would be fantastic to have as many church members as possible involved. Feel free to contact me via the Parish Office if you would like to get involved. I will also provide a list of roles at the back of the church and you are very welcome to sign up to one (or more!) of these.

We hope the voyage to Narnia will be huge fun for everyone and that it will provide an opportunity to get to know one another even better!
Elinor

During Lent this year I made a cross from towels and bandages which is on display in the Hawthorn Chapel and will be there until Saturday 14th May. The cross is hung alongside the “Soap Cross” made last year by Revd Richard Lowson from Wilmslow Methodist Church.

Towels are something we all use – primarily they absorb moisture, blood and other bodily fluids. We can all identify with the feel of a soft cloth wrapped around our bodies, when we have just emerged from a shower or are cold on the beach. The towels used in this cross were old and a bit tatty and faded but they had previously been used to do these things – to dry and to absorb, to shut out things which are uncomfortable, like being cold and wet. A selection of sewing and hypodermic needles has also been sewn onto the cross. Needles, like the cross, are paradoxical; they can harm but also heal. There are all sorts of associations – with drug misuse and AIDS as well as with mending things and making people better. Likewise, the cross is fundamentally an instrument of torture and yet Christian faith also tells us that it is a symbol of healing, redemption and freedom.

Jesus of course also ‘absorbed’ much – much of the world’s darkness; its pettiness and evil, its pain and its sinfulness. When we look at the story of Jesus’ passion we see that on his solitary journey to the cross he absorbed many things. He took upon his own shoulders the betrayal of Judas, the unfaithfulness of Peter, the weakness of Pilate, the anxiety of the disciples, and the sadness of the women who stood at the foot of the cross. As well as this, he absorbed mockery and physical cruelty, insults and disbelief.

Once absorbed, the world was a different place with the belief that ultimately everything imperfect would be transformed and redeemed by God because of Jesus’ gift of love to the world. Those who work in conflict resolution often talk about absorbing that which is evil and painful, of ‘breaking the spiral of violence’ by not retaliating and dissipating emotive words and actions. And yet this has to be done while retaining a sense of humanity and dignity so that self-abuse also does not happen.

To ‘absorb’ can be a great ministry, however it is done. Sometimes we too absorb things on others’ behalf. It might take the form of listening to someone who needs to talk or get something out; it might take the form of sharing a dark place, a place where another person needs a friend.

Absorbing can be tiring, it can be sacrificial, it can be hard work but it can also be transformative. We take responsibility, we take the blame, and we shoulder the burden. Whenever we do this in love for someone else, we demonstrate to others and the world something powerful and profound which reflects something of God’s love.

Whether or not we consider ourselves a ‘Christian’ or not, I believe that when we carry out such a task we reflect something of Christ’s love for the world. In order to make the project an interactive and ‘community’ one, I asked 25 people I knew whether they could articulate, in a few simple sentences, a time – either in the present or in the past – when they felt they had ‘absorbed’ someone’s else’s distress or pain. It might be as simple as sitting with one’s own child, holding it when it is crying over something which has happened at school, or it might have been something long-term – coping with a situation which is not so easy to change or ‘make better’.

The answers are recorded anonymously for people to read and are real, deeply personal and sometimes moving. My hope, as always, was to make genuine connections with our lived out experience and the story of Jesus, particularly his walk to the cross. In this way Christian faith becomes real and meaningful to us and others.

Magdalen

Just a short update about my visits to Kalerwe and Kanyogoga slums at the weekend.

On Saturday a small group from St Stephen’s visited Kanyogoga (our local slum, situated beside/in the swamp).  Having met a couple of women who live there, we reconnected with them and were invited into their homes where we listened to them and prayed for them. 

These homes are basically a tiny wooden or mud hut with a small living space and a curtain to separate the sleeping area.  These two women, Florence and Angela, took us through the homes and introduced us to their neighbours, and we talked to many random people.  We always said we were from Kisugu church on the hill, and everyone was very open and welcoming to us.  We expressed our desire to holistically improve the conditions in the slum, practically, and to plant a church, and these ideas were very welcomed. 

The problems are flooding, drainage, stanching stagnant water which attracts mosquitoes, obvious hygiene issues, too many children who aren’t at school, as parents can’t afford school fees, and get little attention as parents seek means of survival. 

We are meeting regularly at church to discuss our way forward and the whole church is collecting items to take to the people there.

On Sunday we had our second fellowship at Kalerwe and after some time spent in the church, we went out into the slum to speak to the locals. Again, like Kanyogoga, people were very interested in what we had to say and the work we are doing there.

The thing that came up in both places was the lack of Bibles and the longing of many locals for a Bible.  I, therefore, have decided that with these ministries beginning in these slums, we are going to need very many Bibles, and I have taken it upon myself to acquire some.  I intend to use some of the money which has been donated for this purpose.  Please pray for us in these ministries and as I try to get Bibles.

I move out of my house tomorrow to another family from church. I won’t be moving far, but things will change a lot for me at home.  Edith, my housemate, and I will really miss each other as we have become very close.  Please pray that I would settle quickly in my new home.
God bless,
Katherine

7th Christian Aid Fair at Parish Hall
15th Start of Christian Aid Week
8th Friends’ Festival Service at St. Bart’s Church
8th Friends’ AGM &lunch at Parish Hall
12th Archdeacon’s Visitation at St. Bart’s Church
15th Deanery Songs of Praise at St. John’s, Knutsford
22nd Messy Church at Parish Hall
28th John Turner Concert at St. Bart’s Church

JUNE
11th Dolby & Hughes Piano Duo Concert at St Bart’s
25th Wilmslow Wells Open Gardens Day in Wilmslow
26th Messy Church at Parish Hall