St Peter’s Church Magazine June 2016

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SOCIAL COMMITTEE EVENTS

Queen’s Birthday Tea Party ~ Sunday 12th June 2016 Join us at a street party after the 10 am morning service. Sandwiches, tea and cakes. Everyone welcome.

Annual Church Walk and Day Out Saturday 25th June 2016 A coach will be leaving St Peter’s Church at 8.30 am on Saturday 25th June, bound for the Lakes. Those who want to go for a walk will be dropped off at Sizergh Castle for a 5/6 mile walk over Scout Scar into Kendal. Please come suitably dressed and with a packed lunch. There may be time for a coffee at the castle before we start walking. For those who prefer a more leisurely day, the coach will go on to Kendal, where you can spend time as you wish. There are plenty of things to do there, including the Quaker Tapestry, the Castle and the 1657 Chocolate House. The coach will leave Kendal no later than 5 pm to be back in Formby before 7 pm. There will be a list in the church porch to book a place on the coach. For more details, please contact Glennis or David Poole on 872284. FRONT COVER: BACK COVER:

Fishy Club end of year party (Photo Revd Anne) St Peter walking on the water 2

From the Editorial Team “Happy Birthday, Ma’am!” And so say all of us. Did you know that the Queen is the Patron of the Bible Society? No, nor did I until I found a slim volume entitled “The Servant Queen and the King she

serves.” It uses the Queens’s own words to draw out the central role of her trust in Jesus Christ. And no, it wasn’t in a bookshop, nor in a church. It was in a car showroom and I was waiting for my car to be serviced. Food for thought! Anyway, enjoy the right royal celebration that follows the 10.00am Eucharist on the 12th June! Spoiled for choice on 25th June with the Parish Outing (page 2) to Kendal and the Bishop’s Garden Party (page 11) falling on the same day. And another celebration on the 26th June – this time our Patronal Festival when we welcome as our preacher the Revd Joan Foster. Best wishes from the Editorial Team

Please note that the deadline for the July/August combined edition of the magazine is Friday 10th June 2016 Contributions, by email if possible, to [email protected]

The magazine is an important means of outreach and keeps everyone informed and in touch with the life of St Peter's Parish. The magazine is free, though it would be appreciated if you would like to give a donation towards production costs. If you would like a magazine delivered to your home, please contact the Parish Office. 3

Dear Friends,, June is a month of celebration. There is, of course, the tremendous celebration of the Queen’s 90th official birthday on 11th June. Many tributes have praised her commitment and dedication as a monarch, and she has made no secret of her Christian faith and loyalty to the Church of England of which she is Supreme Governor. We give thanks to God for her long reign and for her faithfulness and constancy in the demanding role to which she was called. There will be a St. Peter’s Tea Party in the Queen’s honour after church on Sunday 12th June. For more details see the inside cover. On 26th June, the Sunday nearest St Peter’s Day, we celebrate our Patronal Festival. This year we welcome back a former parishioner, Revd Joan Foster, as our preacher on that day. Joan and her husband, Jonathan, along with their sons, Nick and Ben, were members of St Peter’s since the late 1960’s, during the tenure of 5 vicars! (Jack Thomas, Kevin Eastell, Norman Carter, Mark Boyling and Paul Ormrod) Joan was a Sunday School teacher and led Morning Prayer and it was through her involvement in parish life that her vocation to ordination was awakened. After training for ordination with the Northern Ordination Course she was ordained in 1998 and was inducted into the Parish of St. Alban, North Harrow in the Diocese of London. Joan retired this year and we look forward to welcoming her back to St. Peter’s on 26th. Another visitor to St Peter’s in June will be Bishop Cyril Ashton who is coming to facilitate Timeout – our pub discussion group - on Tuesday 28th June in The Grapes at 8.00pm. The question for the night is Who or What is God? See p.15 Bishop Cyril is the retired bishop of Doncaster and is living in Lancaster and helping out in Liverpool Diocese. From two celebrations to two frustrations! I have had many phone calls and question regarding when the work will start in the original Garden of Remembrance. It has been held up due to 4

one complaint and is being dealt with by the Chancellor and we await his decision. Frustration No.2 is about the proposed extension to the Bier House. The objection came from the Conservation Officer of Sefton Council, who refused to recommend the plans because it would mean the removal of a small part of the boundary wall and the roof would be higher than the original. But don’t panic, we do have Plan B and indeed Plan C! But to get back to celebrations – Ted and I would like to invite you all back to the Vicarage for refreshments after the Patronal Festival Service on June 26th. It is now definitely tradition as this will be the third year! If you attend the early morning Eucharist or Evensong please do come along and join us at about 11.15am. Whereas Sunday Club continues into July, the Fishy Club finished for the year at the end of May with a party and Bouncy Castle at the Hall. We had a very successful year with up to 40 children attending on Wednesday afternoons. We thank the leaders Paul Mc Henry, Jane Pitts, Caroline Collins and Ted Woods for giving of their time and expertise in this vital ministry. Easter, school holidays and bank holidays meant that we had no Hotdog Service in May or June. However, they haven’t been forgotten and the next one on Sunday 3rd July will be a Pet Service. So all pet owners are welcome to bring along their four/two/none footed friends to be blessed and to join in the celebration of ‘all creatures great and small’. So please do spread the word. So another busy month ahead in the life of St Peter’s and I look forward to enjoying it with you.

Anne, 5

4th Annual Cathedral Urban Lecture Monday 6th June 7.00pm to 9.00pm Lady Chapel, Liverpool Cathedral Revd Lucy Winkett will deliver this year's lecture entitled "The Circus and the Desert: reflections on urban ministry for priests, clowns and hermits." The Cathedral Urban Lecture has a reputation for bringing to our diocese leading theologians and practitioners. Revd Lucy Winkett is Rector of St James’s Piccadilly. She broadcasts regularly on religion, gender and contemporary culture and is a long-standing contributor to Radio 4’s “Thought for the Day.” Admission to the Cathedral, lecture and car park is free. www.liverpool.anglican.org

Breakfast Church started in February, meeting in the Bier House and using the Iona Morning Service followed by tea & toast. This provides an opportunity other than on a Sunday to pray together for specific needs. It means we have more time to reflect on the readings and pray for specific needs either in our world, our parish or for those whom we know. This half hour service has been well attended and we hope others will feel free to join us. The next Breakfast Church will be on

Saturday 4th June at 9.00am. 6

Pet Service Sunday 3rd July at 12noon All pets GREAT and small are very welcome

Becoming a Dementia Friendly Church! By the time this month’s Magazine reaches you, St Peter’s will have taken a massive step in our journey to become a Dementia Friendly Church. We have submitted our application to join the local Sefton Dementia Alliance which has been formed to help Formby become a Dementia Friendly Community. As part of our commitment, we need your help. We are holding two Dementia Friends Awareness Sessions on Wednesday 22nd June in the Old School Room, Parish Hall, Paradise Lane. There is an afternoon session at 2pm (in time to pick children up from school)! And a session at 7.30pm for those who cannot come in the afternoon. The sessions will be led by Win Pickering, a Dementia Champion who is kindly giving up her time to help us. They offer a gentle introduction to how we can recognise, support and give a voice to anyone living with Dementia. Please do try and come along, just 45 minutes of your time will make a huge difference to those within our Church Family living with Dementia. Vicky Hall 7

My Journey I was born and bred in Walton, Liverpool, and I attended St Mary’s Church Walton on the Hill (as you know, mother church of St Peter’s). Canon Basil Fletcher-Jones was Rector of Walton and the Rectory in those days was a clergy house where the rector and his curates lived together. It was one of the Rector’s curates, Fr Alan Taylor who first suggested I ought to consider ordination. Thus the seed was sown. During the 60s and 70s St Mary’s was a very lively place with up to 4 curates and an emphasis on youth culture as this was the era of the ‘youth clubs’; it was a massive influence on me and many others of my generation so that during this period 10 vocations to the sacred ministry were fostered. On leaving school I became an auxiliary nurse at Walton Hospital, Liverpool (having already decided on my vocation to the priesthood) and have always viewed this great experience as part of my training for the priesthood. I then had 2 years at Greystoke College in Cumbria and a year at Brasted College, Kent. These were pre-theological colleges to prepare me academically for training at Chichester Theological College where I studied for a further 3 years. It was a long haul and New Testament Greek forever remained ‘all Greek’ to me. I was ordained deacon by Bishop David Sheppard in Liverpool Cathedral in1980 (at the age of 25) and I served my curacy at St Andrew’s, Wigan. Being a curate is a good opportunity for a priest, in that it enables you to hone your skills without the responsibility of running a parish and my Vicar Canon Neil Arbery was very patient with his new bumbling wet-behind-the-ears curate. This was at the same time as Derek Tinsley, who was also in Wigan, so it was lovely to meet up with him some years later in Formby. St Andrew’s was a busy church and I met some very memorable characters there. Three years later I became Vicar of St Helen’s, Hollinfare, Warrington where I met my wife Jan who was verger at the church. We became great friends and our relationship blossomed so that a couple years later we were married. Jan also helped me in the running of a small hostel for lads on probation which meant we were often kept busy with all sorts of problems, including hauling out girlfriends illicitly smuggled into the hostel. 8

After we were married Jan and I together with my step-daughters Nicky and Donna moved to Leeds, where I was Team Vicar in the Parish of Seacroft, with responsibility for the Church of the Ascension in the Diocese of Ripon. This is where we met Peter and Carol Paine who were also in the Seacroft Team at the Church of St Luke’s. Seacroft was the post-war overspill area of Leeds, similar to Kirkby, and had many social problems which made it a challenging ministry. It was the era of ‘Faith in the City’ and a report was locally produced - ‘Faith in Leeds’ which was the key to two initiatives that I was involved with in the parish. One was a ‘Good Neighbour’ Scheme which promoted a number of strategies aimed at tackling a particular problem such as crime, isolation and loneliness. The other scheme was a workshop which was set up in the church hall that employed ex-offenders who renewed old furniture to sell at cost price to the local community. Then a further move to another team in the Parish of Bottesford with Ashby, Scunthorpe, with responsibility for St Peter’s Church, in the Diocese of Lincoln St Peter’s Ad Vincula (St Peter in the chains which is an unusual dedication, possibly at one time claiming to have had the actual chains that bound St Peter and miraculously fell off, Acts 12v7). St Peter’s was a beautiful Norman church in the suburbs of Scunthorpe. Like many old churches it needed a programme of restoration which meant a fair amount of disruption; at one stage having boards in place of the windows whilst the glass was restored.

After moving as far east as we could go, we longed to be back in the North West and returned to my native Liverpool to be Vicar of St Paul, Stoneycroft, which was another period of restoration, this time a building less than 100 years old. St Paul’s was built by Sir Gilbert Scott who went onto a slightly larger project down in Liverpool city centre. I think he was possibly experimenting a bit on St. Paul’s because he left some considerable headaches to sort out which involved me in a massive restoration scheme. We then moved to Hightown where I was Vicar of the newly formed joint parishes of Altcar and Hightown which had the challenges and joys of juggling the needs of 2 parishes. This was to be my last parish as I had to retire on health grounds. Throughout my priesthood I have always lived by the philosophy that you bring your life into your faith and your faith into your life. What we say in our worship we act out in our lives.

John Baker

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Historic Appointment of Bishop Susan Goff as Assisting Bishop of Liverpool An historic moment in the lives of the dioceses of Virginia and Liverpool occurred Monday, May 2, 2016 at Shrine Mont Retreat Center when the Rt. Revd Susan Goff was commissioned by Shannon S. Johnston, Bishop of Virginia, and Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, as Assisting Bishop of Liverpool.

Bishop Bayes presented the letters commissary to Bishop Goff and both Bishop Bayes and Bishop Johnston prayed over her while the room spontaneously rose to its feet with applause, love and affection. The dioceses of Liverpool and Virginia are companion dioceses, focusing on Jesus and Justice, that together, a bigger church might make a bigger difference in the world. This exciting appointment is more than just in title. As part of the link, Bishop Goff has visited Liverpool and her ministry of teaching and support has been very much welcomed, not just by women in the diocese, but by all.

“The link with the Diocese of Virginia has been important to us in Liverpool for many years,” said Bayes. “At my installation eighteen months ago it was a privilege to welcome Bishop Shannon Johnston as a guest of honour. Now, with Bishop Susan Goff’s appointment as one of our assisting bishops, we are able to strengthen our bond still further. Bishop Susan is no stranger to Liverpool and we look forward to being enriched by her wisdom as a teacher and pastor of pastors whenever she visits us.” Among Bishop Goff's first responsibilities in Liverpool, she will be sharing in the ordination of priests with Bishop Bayes in June and speaking at the clergy conference in July. Bishop Goff will continue to reside in Virginia but will make trips to Liverpool, in addition to using technology, to connect the dioceses and support our ministries. Her appointment deepens our long-standing missional relationship which includes parish to parish links, youth pilgrimages, sabbaticals, joint mission trips, and even a connection between two pre-schools. “What I most look forward to and am most excited about in this new relationship is the ways we will teach and learn from each other,” said Goff. “We share many common experiences across our two dioceses but we also have unique experiences in terms of what it means to be the church now in the beginning of the 21st century. And I look forward to what I will learn from Bishop Paul and from the Diocese of Liverpool and to the things that I’ll be able to share from our experiences here in Virginia. I anticipate through that both dioceses will grow in our strength and faithfulness.” Both dioceses look forward to growing in relationship through this partnership. This appointment comes with the blessing of the Archbishop of York John Sentamu and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. 10

We are advised by the Foodbank they have plenty of supplies of soup and beans – but they are in desperate need of the following: - long life milk; fruit juice; jam; tinned cold meat. Donations can be left in the boxes in the church porch or the Bier House. Thank You for your continued support. 11

A Christian Object. Occasionally on ‘The Antiques Roadshow’ one of the experts is invited to choose what treasured object they would save if his house were on fire. What was particularly interesting was how unimportant the chosen object seemed to be. As experts, it would be expected that they would choose a highly regarded or expensive item but many chose something simple linked to their memories of growing up. The programme no longer seems to ask this question, probably due to the disappointment at the choice yet, on second thoughts, it may be sensible not to reveal an expensive treasure for fear of being burgled! The book ‘The World in a Hundred Objects’ which illustrates major historical moments with a specific object, has been a tremendous success and the author has written one on the history of Germany in a similar vein. It is a skilled author who can recall history by this means! Another book in a similar vein is ‘The Hare with the Amber Eyes.’ There has been a tremendous interest in tracing family history, especially when it is linked to great events like the First World War. In the hypothetical fire many would grab medals which belonged to the family. Medals have an important characteristic of historical objects because they are directly connected to a person and reveal a story; or perhaps the family still use the christening robe passed down through the generations. What objects would be used to illustrate the history of Christianity? No easy task as the first centuries reveal virtually no objects known to have a direct link with the early years of the church. The new testaments we do have are much treasured copies. But there is perhaps one object may be seen as very important in the history of the Christianity, the village church. 12

Many of our village churches have been in existence for over a thousand years and they represent each community's Christian commitment. They may have been the first stone building in the village and a centre for worship, a shelter in storms, somewhere that marked the milestone for the passages of life and a final resting place. There would have been changes, enlargements, tombs, statues, brass plaques on the wall and floor and eventually seating. Far too often now they are seen more as a heritage site than a place of worship yet these store houses of prayer, hope, sorrow and striving are still a sanctuary. It is such a shame these important places are locked much of the time. Would it not be better if the valuables were taken out so that the villagers and passersby could find admittance there? Isn’t the church the mainspring and the manifestation of Christian belief in a community?

Rod Jacques

From St. Peter's (Ecumenical) Refugee Group. We took a second delivery of clothes and toiletries to Liverpool, met with Shapoor the Iranian refugee/minister and spoke with Nadine Daniel at Liverpool Cathedral. Two cars went, one from St Peter's and the other with Rachel from St Luke's. So a big THANK YOU to all those who have brought items - the toiletries were especially appreciated - we made up about 30 individual bags.  The group which meets at St Peter's has expanded to include members from St Luke's (Rachel and Rhona) and from the Christian Fellowship (Adam, the Assistant Pastor). We are delighted that the churches are working together on this important project and Adam's Liverpool contacts are particularly significant for our work.  There will be a group of government-selected refugees coming to our area in the summer and we are hoping to play a part in their welcome.  Asylum seekers are continuing to come to Liverpool so please continue to donate appropriate clothes and toiletries. Both men's and women's clothes: new underwear and socks (boxer shorts for men) please. Basic toiletries such as soap, tooth brush, toothpaste, flannel, shampoo in a plastic freezer bag are wonderful. Peter Paine 

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Time’s Paces There is a rhyme on the old clock in Chester Cathedral about time. My friend sent it to me inside my birthday card when I was 86 and I thought how true the words were. We had such an idyllic childhood in a small village, high on the Pennines. The village faced south and got what sunshine there was, so, as a child I remember the hot, sunny, summer days. The days were long and we played on the farm which was in the corner of the meadow in front of our house. The kindly farmer (lazy man), let us children help him with the hay. We gathered it, piled it into hay cocks, and when dry we piled it onto the hay wain and rode the cart horse (bare-back) to the barn where we tossed it up into the hayloft. Days were long and very pleasant, and if we had worked hard, as a treat the farmer let us milk his cows. Child labour? School was a mile away and we walked there and back twice each day as there were no school dinners. With two hours to have our lunch we had lots of time to play along the way, and time was slow and easy. Lessons dragged when the sun was shining, or the snow was piling up, waiting for the snowball fights on the way home in the evening. Time crept. Later, as exams were passed and the Grammar School was attained, with harder lessons and a longer walk to and from, time altered. The lessons I liked flew by, leaving space for those I hated and could not understand, and the time dragged, but there were compensations as there was more in the way of entertainment as I grew older and could join organisations. I was first a Brownie, then a Guide, then a Ranger, as well as being in the church choir, so the evenings as well as the daytimes were full, and time seemed to go just that bit faster. When I had been to College and got my first job I had much more to do with my time, as I prepared lessons and had Parent Teachers' meetings to attend. There were end of term reports to do and registers to add up, all of which took up time. My own time seemed to be much less than it had been. Among all that there was my wedding to prepare and 101 things to do for that. It was all very "time consuming” and I began to think that there were not enough hours in the day for all that was to be done. In Ireland I was married to a Policeman and we lived in the Station. It was locally known as “The Barracks “as it was a military force. I taught there too, in a school five miles away, which I got to by car or by bike. That was a busy time, as I was up early to make a cooked breakfast for my husband and son, the cat and dog to feed, breakfast dishes to wash, beds to make and the dog to take to my Mother to be looked after during the day, and all before eight o'clock. Days were quite busy when I worked in the Hospital School, as wards were far apart and the book store was even farther away, so the days passed very quickly. The child had to be collected from school and shopping done before I made the evening meal. As my elderly parents lived round the corner, I also had their needs to see to, in as much as taking them shopping, to the library and doctor when needed, and time just ran very fast. As I look back on my full and busy life I wonder how I did it all, as well as enjoying myself. I still have the shopping, cooking and gardening to do and my friends to meet up with, ar how I enjoy that. Time is never enough now. I get up, go to bed and wonder what happened in between times because my creaky bones slow me down and time has gone before I can blink. 14

At my age I can be “called" at any time, so have learned to live life to the full, enjoy every day and do as much as I possibly can before "Time's gone.” Never waste a minute! The old rhyme goes like this. Time’s Paces (Lines on a Clock in Chester Cathedral) by Henry Twells (1823 - 1900) When as a child, I laughed and wept, Time crept. When as a youth, I dreamt and talked, Time walked. When I became a full-grown man, Time ran. When older still I daily grew, Time flew. Soon I shall find on travelling on – Time gone. O Christ, wilt Thou have saved me then? Amen

(Chester cathedral: north transept )

TIME OUT To Talk About What Matters An opportunity to share ideas and thoughts together over a pint. There was a very good and enjoyable discussion at our last meeting which left us with some fundamental questions about who is God – a benign influence and power for good or a “person.” Time to bring in a ‘big gun’! We’re delighted that Bishop Cyril Ashton, a retired bishop who lives in Lancaster and helps in Liverpool Diocese, has agreed to come and join us and lead a discussion which we hope will throw light on the subject. This is the kind of forum that Bishop Cyril enjoys facilitating and it will still take our normal format. The venue is The Grapes on Tuesday 28th June at 8.00pm. All welcome. And we have checked and there are no European matches that night! 15

Sacring Bells ……. at St Peter’s When the Priest holds up the consecrated wafer, or host, and the chalice of wine at St Peter’s it is called the elevation. At that same moment we ring the church bell, three times for the host and three times for the wine in the chalice. Why? What is it called and where does it originate? Let’s sort out the name first. I use the word ‘Sacring’ because it is less complicated as the bell is also called the Sanctus bell. If we look up the book of Isaiah chapter 6 verse 3, we learn that the hosts of heaven surround the Lord singing ‘Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might’ etc. in other words, the Sanctus. We sing or say this at every Eucharist but in a different place to the elevation in today’s liturgy. I shall stick to the word ‘Sacring’ as it is more obvious. In the early years of the nineteenth century several groups within the Church started looking back in Church history to see if they could re-introduce some of the lost and meaningful traditions of our services. Things had become a bit bland. It was found that, in the early church, at the end of the service, the deacon would carry some of the consecrated sacraments to the sick and housebound. He would walk in a short procession and was preceded by a boy ringing a bell. This was to warn villagers that they should pay due heed to the sanctity of the procession. Today, we ring the bell to remind our sick and housebound parishioners that we are praying for them, the Holy Sacrament that may be taken out to them is on the altar, and we are united in our worship together. This Sacring bell is also a message to those who are not in Church and assures them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers. The Church is there for them too. I know well what a comfort the sound of the bell is to those who are unwell and suffering and to the lonely. The bell reminds them that they are part of our worshiping community here at St Peter’s. Cliff Cotsworth 16

ST. PETER We know more about Peter than any other disciple and that may well be because Mark, the writer of the Gospel, was Peter’s companion and interpreter. Mark’s Gospel has been described as “the preaching material of Peter”, and it says a lot for Peter’s honesty that he was prepared to include his own faults and failings in the account of Jesus’ life. He didn’t hide the fact that he let Jesus down, especially during Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion. Peter was a fisherman in Galilee and it was from the boats and the nets that Jesus called him (Mark 1:16). Peter was from Capernaum and it may well be that Peter’s house, where he lived with his wife and mother-in-law, was Jesus’ base when he was in that region. Galileans were known to be quick-tempered, impulsive, emotional, adventurous and loyal to the end. And Peter was a typical man of Galilee.

It was not long before Peter reached a leading place among the 12 disciples and stands out as the spokesman of the Twelve. He was, with James and John, one of the ‘inner three’ who were especially close to Jesus. Peter was a mixture of courage and cowardice. He had moments of greatness and moments of weakness: one day proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, yet another day, in the courtyard of Caiaphas three times denying he knew Jesus. Yet through the highs and the lows of Peter’s life Jesus loved him, forgave him and believed in him. Reflecting on the mixture that is Peter – and us – the writer Flor McCarthy said, “We must not let our low moments get us down and we must draw encouragement from our high moments. While we must not forget our weak side, we must try to act out of our strong side. The Lord smiles on us in our good moments and upholds us in our low moments.” Peter’s story is our story. One of the most courageous steps Peter took was after the Ascension and Pentecost when he responded to the call of the Gentile Cornelius and went to his house in Caesarea and baptised him and his family, thus opening the new church to Gentiles and non-Jews. Peter realised the universal appeal of Jesus and initiated the spread of the Gospel into all the world. Tradition has it that Peter ended his days preaching the Gospel in Rome where he was martyred by the Emperor Nero in AD 64. It was the death of Peter that prompted Mark to write his Gospel. Revd Anne 17

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Friday, Saturday & Bank Holiday Mondays 11:00am - 4:00pm to the end of August

St. Luke’s Meeting Room, Formby L37 2DF Tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, sandwiches

Our annual outing this year was again to Clouds Restaurant, Southport. It was a happy event with an excellent lunch. The Deanery Festival took place at St. Michael’s, Blundellsands, on Tuesday, 17th May. Revd. Anne, Area Dean, conducted the service. The branches paraded with their banners, Sandra Houghton bearing St Peter’s. Branch President Beverley Boden gave her annual garden party in aid of The Children’s Society on Tuesday, 21st May, at her new home in Blundellsands and we again enjoyed her hospitality. The Strawberry Tea and Bring & Buy will be held on Thursday, 2nd June, at 2.00 pm in the Parish Hall, Paradise Lane. There will be an entrance charge of £1.50 to include strawberries, scones and cream. The Bring and Buy at this event is our main fund-raising effort of the year so we hope members will support it. Visitors are welcome. This will be the last branch meeting until we meet in September. Wishing you all a happy and enjoyable summer.

Eleanor 20

Meeting once a month for fun, friendship and support. For ladies in their prime, whatever your age! We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in the Old School Room at St Peter’s Church Hall, Paradise Lane.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 15th June Contact: Sonia, Elaine or Ali on 01704 833781

Talk from Janet Keenan on quilting, then a spot of container gardening Photos from Primetime 18th May (Sonia Greenyer) 21

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the bloom room The Parish Library is in The Bier House NOW includes children’s books The Library has a selection of books that include theology, spirituality, prayer and biographies. If you would like to borrow a book please write your name in the notebook provided. We hope this will be a useful resource for everyone.

JOHN'S FRESH FISH THE FINEST FRESH FISH SOLD IN FORMBY DOOR TO DOOR DELIVERIES EACH WEEK AT THE FOLLOWING TIMES: TUESDAY: 08.30-15.30, WEDNESDAY: 12.00-16.30, THURSDAY 12.30-16.00 *WEDNESDAYS: Also parked in the Lay-by on Old Town Lane outside

the Chemist and Freshfield Surgery between 09.00-12.00 ALL FISH BOUGHT DAILY DIRECTLY FROM FLEETWOOD FISH MARKET AND DELIVERED THE SAME DAY IN A FULLY REFRIGERATED VAN

EAT FISH IT’S GOOD FOR YOU! MOBILE No: 07841 449295 23

Ascension Day and Deanery Visitation by the Archdeacon Thursday 5th May 2016 Photos: Shena Edwards

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Conservation Corner – Remember When? The teacher in the photograph is Aileen Driffield, who sadly died some years ago. Aileen was on the management group and made full use of Conservation Corner both for her school classwork and for her Young Ornithologist Club. The area was named by the school children following an invitation to come up with a suitable title. The photo was taken in early 1983. After great work by the Community PayBack Team the Conservation Corner is being used again by the organisations and is worth a visit.

Thank you to Glyn Jones for this photo (taken in 1991.)

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As we continue to consider an extension to the Bier House, It might be worth reminding ourselves of what the original building looked like. This picture was taken in 1990 not long before work began to transform it into the present building. All in all, we didn't do a bad job!. Bill Mercer was the architect and Brian Farringdon from Southport, the builder. John Medley

OLIVER DOBSON “Going the extra mile” Lands End to John O’Groats raising money for The Friends of St Josephs (registration number 502759); situated in Formby, Merseyside. A truly inspiring charity, The Friends of St Joseph’s provides accommodation and year round support for people with learning disabilities and high complex needs. For further information please visit http://www.ftf.org.uk/Our-Services/st-josephs-adult-services.htm. Any donations will be received with great appreciation. http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/OliverDobson1 26

Article from the Liverpool Mercury Tuesday September 14th, 1886

Supplied by Graham Jones

PROPOSED NEW CHURCH FOR FORMBY - A correspondent states that the wardens and sidesmen of St. Peter's Church, Formby, in view of the large increase in the number of the congregation and the demand for accommodation, have already stirred in the matter of a new church, and the present church has been surveyed and plans prepared by Mr. C.A. Atkinson, of the firm of Goodison, Atkinson and Forde, Liverpool, and have discussed with the vicar, the Rev. Lonsdale Formby, the desirability of building upon the site of the present church, retaining the modern chancel. But the site being too small, and surrounded by graves, the vicar has generously offered sufficient land in the adjoining field for the erection of the new church and the extension of the graveyard, and there is little doubt that money can be raised in the neighbourhood for so popular an object. Steps will be taken to bring the matter before the parishioners, some of whom have already promised substantial support.

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Grasmere Village, Lake District National Park Holiday cottage to let Bakers Yard is a stone built barn conversion with two double bedrooms. Modern kitchen & bathroom, c/h. fridge freezer etc. TV DVD. Private parking space. In heart of the village. Prime location for walking. Convenient for Ambleside, Keswick. www.grasmerecottage.com for more information & availability Tony Hill 01704 877335 07715 000282 email [email protected]

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The Willwriting Guild (UK) Ltd [email protected] Members of the Society of Willwriters

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EMAIL DIRECTORY We have a parish email directory which is used once or twice a month to send out dates for the month and also when a special event is coming up. If you would like to be added to the email list please send an email to [email protected]. Email addresses will only be used by St Peter’s. This is a way to help us keep in touch. 30

Dear Lord, So far today, I’m doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent. I have not whined, complained, cursed, or eaten any chocolate. I have charged nothing on my credit card. But I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think that I will really need your help then. Amen. 31

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TANGIBLE TOKENS Some time ago our local doctor, who was a member of our parish, showed me a letter which his uncle had written to his sister in Dublin. The uncle was working as a medical missionary in China and at the time of writing his clinic and school had been destroyed by local hostile Chinese militia. In the letter he compared his situation to that of Jesus, deserted by his disciples. Yet he went on to affirm his faith in the fundamental of his Christian faith, especially in the comfort and strength he received from the Eucharist.

This part of what he wrote, “A sermon may be wholly out of harmony with one’s mood, and out of relation with one’s needs. But the sacrament never is. It brings me back every time to fundamentals – confession, forgiveness, fellowship with God. In all the sense of weakness and failure with which one becomes burdened, the Communion of the Atonement is the outward and visible sign of God’s love, grace and forgiveness.” The Eucharist is a service very rich in meaning and symbolism and I don’t think its depths will ever be really plumbed. It does indeed match our every mood – joy, penitence, need, a closer relationship with God, thanksgiving, healing, self-offering – and so the list could go on. One writer whose book we had to study in Theological College (so he must be right!) put it like this, “The Eucharist is an extension of the Incarnation”. Another teacher added, “If you want life, come and sit at the table where you eat that broken bread and poured out wine which brings you into living contact with the love and life of Christ”.

Yes, at the Eucharist we meet and have contact with the Risen Christ himself. In a particularly vivid phrase for which theological reports are not normally noted, the Anglican/Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) on the Eucharist said, “the sacramental body and blood of Christ are present as an offering to the believer, awaiting his or her welcome. When this offering is met by faith a life-giving encounter results”. (Italics mine) 34

God knows that as humans we need tangible tokens to express deeper truths and to affirm and confirm the non-tangible. So friendship is affirmed by a handshake, love by a kiss and so on. Indeed sympathy is more often better expressed by a hug than a multitude of words. Bread and wine are the tangible tokens of God’s presence and love, offered to us as we gather around his table. As we eat the bread and drink the cup, “we dwell in him and he in us”. A life-giving encounter results. The Eucharist is a symbolic meal that brings us into fellowship with one another. It is the church’s family meal. The Eucharist was instituted during a meal Jesus had with his disciples and during it he told them to “love one another,” and as an example took a towel and washed their feet. At the Eucharist we are conscious not only of God’s presence but of the presence of our fellow worshippers, and we pray for them as we pray for ourselves. Tom Wright in one of his books goes further, “The next time you come to the Eucharist bring with you, in heart and mind, someone you know, or know of, or have seen on TV, who desperately needs God’s bread, either literally or metaphorically. Bring them with you at the altar rail and let them share the bread and wine with you.” Because the Eucharist is our main service every Sunday it’s easy to take it all for granted, but it is really a great privilege to be present. Whereas traditionally in Anglican practice Confirmation precedes taking communion, the Prayer Book also says that those “desirous to be confirmed” can receive communion, as well as those who are baptised and communicant members of other churches. So in St Peter’s there is an open policy where all are welcome to share in the Eucharist. For those who have not been confirmed and wish to be, there are regular adult Confirmation services, but receiving communion can precede Confirmation. Talk to the Vicar about this. Since 2006 baptised children may receive communion before Confirmation on the understanding that they will receive some preparation for the sacrament and be encouraged “to be confirmed at the appropriate time.” Many think that a later age for Confirmation makes sense as it can then be also seen as an adult affirmation of faith. I have seen parents share a piece of the wafer with their children who accompany them to the rails. What a tangible way of introducing children to the importance of the Eucharist and of God’s love for them.

Ted Woods 35

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – JUNE 2016 2nd Thursday 2.00pm

Mothers’ Union “Strawberry Tea” in the Parish Hall

3rd Friday

Wedding of Gary Brabin & Leanne Stock First Friday Eucharist – Corpus Christi

1.00pm 6.30pm

4th Saturday 9.00am

Breakfast Church in the Bier House

5th Sunday

2nd Sunday after Trinity

8th Wed

11.00am 2.00pm

12th Sunday 10.00am 6.30pm 15th Wed

7.30pm

19th Sunday 10.00am 12noon 6.30 pm 22nd Wed

2.00pm 7.30pm

Eucharist with the Mothers’ Union WOW service for pre-school children 3rd Sunday after Trinity All-age Parade Service and Baptism followed by “Queen’s Birthday Tea” Summer Evensong at St Michael’s, Altcar No evening service at St Peter’s “Primetime” Ladies Club in the Old School Room 4th Sunday after Trinity Sunday Club Baptism Service of Wholeness “Dementia Friendly Awareness” in Old School Room “Dementia Friendly Awareness” in Old School Room Those on the Sides people rota are asked to attend.

25th Saturday 8.30am 1.00pm

Annual Church Walk in the Kendal area Wedding of John Elcombe & Alison Holt

26th Sunday

Patronal Festival of St Peter Special Preacher Rev Joan Foster Sunday Club Anne and Ted invite us to the Vicarage for Refreshments following the 10.00am service St Peter’s Day Eucharist Eucharist at Halcyon House

10.00am

29th Wed th

30 Thurs

11.00am 2.30pm

We would like to include the announcement of births, engagements and special anniversaries etc. so please let us know – [email protected] 36

From the Church Registers Baptisms 1st May Arabella Gaskell, daughter of Matthew & Rebecca

Seven Buffett, daughter of Howard & Gemma Raymond & Janet Lee celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 30th June

15th May Max McAuley (son of Barry & Kathryn) Kathryn McAuley (adult)

Funeral 10th May

Wilfred Wood 37

Church Services

Sundays 8.00 am 10.00 am 12.00 noon 6.30 pm 6.30 pm

Holy Communion (1662) Parish Eucharist (Coffee afterwards) Baptisms (as arranged) Choral Evensong Service of Wholeness – 3rd Sunday of month

Weekdays Morning Prayer 9.00 am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 11.00 am Wednesday Eucharist (Coffee afterwards) 6.30 pm Eucharist 1st Friday of each month

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