You are herePewsheet Archive / May 2019
May 2019
2nd June 2019
The Parish Churches of
St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with
St Saviour Aston by Stone
SONGS OF PRAISE FOR STONE FESTIVAL6PM next Sunday (9th). If you would like to choose a hymn or a reading, please sign the list at the back of church
There is a story I occasionally use for school worship. A flock of quails was being decimated by the fowler, who caught them with his net whilst they fed on the ground; so the quails got together and realised that, if they worked together, they could lift the net into the air. Ando so they did, to the amazement of the fowler who lost several nest in this way
All would have been well, had the quails not become quarrelsome. They began to imagine that various of them had been the instigator of the idea =- and when the fowler next cast his net, instead of working together, they fought and bickered – until they realised they were ALL destined for the market in the fowler’s catch!
An illustrative story – and sadly, one that could be a parable of Church history. Although there have been wonderful times when the Church has been identified by the phrase “See how these Christians love one another”, there have been far more when we too have fought and bickered. Is the genuine Church one where women and men can both be priests and Bishops? Or one where the Pope is Head of the Church? And so on and so forth
In this week’s gospel, we are reminded of Jesus’s prayer at the Last Supper – that “they may be one, as we are one”! And perhaps we are reminded also that, when we are fighting and lashing out at each other, we are far from doing the Will of God. The simple fact is that, the closer we are to the cross, the nearer we will be to each other! There is no room in God’s Kingdom for divisiveness or back biting. If we have the Spirit working within us, we shall be leaving such behind
So this week, as we lead up to Pentecost, let’s pray for our divided nation. And let’s pray for that Spirit that calls us to be one in Christ to be active, not only in the Church, but in the World
Ian Cardinal
Hymns for today
Aston Stone
484 432
Ps 97 81
288 Sheet
148 40 (x2)/148
103 103
Please pray for the sick in the benefice:
Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery, Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall,
Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler,
Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, J
Jackie Finnemore, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Evelyn Cotterill, Margaret Wright, Gren Deakin, Margaret Bott
And for the departed:
Josephine Rylands
Remembering their families and friends at this time
This week:
Tuesday 4th 11.45am – 1pm Drop Inn Café – St Michael’s Hall
Thursday 6th 10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W
HEALING AND MEDITATION SERVICEThis Sunday (2nd) at 4pm St M&W – all welcome
CONFIRMATIONBishop Geoff has agreed to come for a Confirmation service on Sunday 16th June at 6pm. We are hoping to meet on Tuesday afternoons for preparation
TWO DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:
June 14th – Cantiamo Chamber Choir concert – St M&W
June 22nd – Garden Party at Aston Mill Farm in aid of BOTH Churches
COACH TRIP TO LLANDUDNOJuly 13th depart Stone approx. 8.30am, leave Llandudno 5.30pm. Cost approx. £15, depending on numbers. To book seats speak to Nichola Abbott 07866 101988
26th May 2019
The Parish Churches of
St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with
St Saviour Aston by Stone
ASCENSION DAYas USUAL OUR Deanery meets together for a Deanery Eucharist on Ascension Day. This year the service is at Christ Church, Hilderstone at 7.30pm – Thursday 30th. Preacher – the Rural Dean
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
And so to the end of Easter; not that it can really be an end, of course – The Resurrection of Jesus is not an event – it’s an experience that keeps on growing! But this Sunday is now called Easter 6 – and that means that Thursday is Ascension Day, when we celebrate the Lord going up “on high” – and yet his promise that he is “with us to the end of time.”
But have you considered what that really means? If the language, as we all know, isn’t so much about Jesus going “up” as his being crowned as King and Lord, what does it mean for us? The first Christians had to think very carefully about it indeed. Their coinage had an image of the Roman Emperor, surrounded by the words “Caesar Dominus est” – Caesar is Lord! If they then proclaimed that “Jesus is Lord” instead, they knew they could be accused of treason. The early Emperors were celebrated as Gods themselves – and they didn’t take kindly to any rivals
So, the Ascension is a day for us to consider carefully – what does Jesus want of our lives? Not just Sunday mornings, certainly – he has things to say about the way we behave on the other 6 days of the week – how we vote, what we eat, how we consume the world’s resources, what we do to our fellow men and women – and a whole host of other things. But the other side of this is perhaps more comfortimng too. Whatever mess the world gets itself into, ultimately our God is in control and has a lot to say and do with its future
Enjoy Ascension Day.
Ian Cardinal
Hymns for today
Aston Stone
80 80
39 375
259 259
139/127 139/127
188 188
Please pray for the sick in the benefice:
Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery, Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall,
Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler,
Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, J
Jackie Finnemore, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Evelyn Cotterill, Margaret Wright, Gren Deakin
And for the departed:
Remembering their families and friends at this time
This week:
Tuesday 28th 11.45am – 1pm Drop Inn Café – St Michael’s Hall
Thursday 30th – ASCENSION DAY10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W
7.30PM Deanery Eucharist – Christ Church, Hilderstone
MESSY CHURCH- The next session is on Saturday 1st June from 3pm until 5.30pm. The theme is to be “Fathers Day”. If you are able to help at this session, please speak to Edith Leason or Mary Babb.
CONFIRMATIONBishop Geoff has agreed to come for a Confirmation service on Sunday 16th June at 6pm. We are hoping to meet on Tuesday afternoons for preparation
TWO DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:
June 14th – Cantiamo Chamber Choir concert – St M&W
June 22nd – Garden Party at Aston Mill Farm in aid of BOTH Churches
HEALING AND MEDITATION SERVICENEXT Sunday (2nd) at 4pm St M&W – all welcome
19th May 2019
The Parish Churches of
St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with
St Saviour Aston by Stone
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The new Area Bishop of Shrewsburywill be The Venerable Sarah Bullock, who is currently serving as Archdeacon of York. No 10 Downing Street announced that the Queen has approved Sarah’s nomination in succession to the Right Revd Mark Rylands, who moved to parish ministry in Exeter Diocese in July 2018 after almost nine years as Bishop of Shrewsbury.
Sarah (55) trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall, University of Durham, a theological college in the evangelical tradition of the Church of England. She was ordained 26 years ago after a short career in teaching and children’s and youth work in the Diocese of Manchester. She then served there in a variety of parish and diocesan roles including Bishop’s Adviser for Women’s Ministry and Borough Dean for the City and Borough of Manchester. She was made an Honorary Canon of Manchester Cathedral in 2007
In 2013 Sarah was appointed Archdeacon of York, a largely rural area which includes market towns, the deep rural communities of the Vale of York and the edges of the Yorkshire Wolds as well as the City of York. Building relationships in the rural communities has been a vital part of supporting and encouraging the churches and she has worked creatively with colleagues to develop new approaches to mission and ministry in such communities. While Archdeacon she has also learned to drive a tractor, operated a milking parlour, led a Carol Service in a cowshed at Askham Bryan (Agricultural) College and ridden a racehorse!
She said: “I am honoured and delighted to have been invited to become the Bishop of Shrewsbury. I’m looking forward to really getting to know the communities of this area and those who live, work and worship here.
Sarah is married to Peter, a physicist, and they have one son, Joseph, who is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Durham
From the Diocesan Website
Hymns for today
Aston Stone
232 501
355 355
563 563
404/359 4/359
321 321
Please pray for the sick in the benefice:
Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery, Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall,
Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler,
Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, J
Jackie Finnemore, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Evelyn Cotterill, Margaret Wright, Gren Deakin
And for the departed:
Doreen Smith
Remembering their families and friends at this time
This week:
Tuesday 21st 11.45am – 1pm Drop Inn Café – St Michael’s Hall
7.30pm Archdeacon’s Visitation for Wardens, Clergy etc. Stafford
Wednesday 22nd 7.30pm Stone PCC meets - Church
Thursday 23rd 10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W
MESSY CHURCH- The next session is on Saturday 1st June from 3pm until 5.30pm. The theme is to be “Fathers Day”. If you are able to help at this session, please speak to Edith Leason or Mary Babb.
LADIES OUTING– Wednesday 19th June to Buzzard’s Valley Vineyard and distillery. Final day to book your place – See Steph
CONFIRMATIONBishop Geoff has agreed to come for a Confirmation service on Sunday 16th June at 6pm. If you would like to consider this in any way, please see the Rector as soon as possible.
TWO DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:
June 14th – Cantiamo Chamber Choir concert – St M&W
June 22nd – Garden Party at Aston Mill Farm in aid of BOTH CHurches
12th May 2019
The Parish Churches of
St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with
St Saviour Aston by Stone
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The name derives from the Gospel Reading for the day which is from the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel. In this reading, Jesus is described as The Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
Jesus emphasises that in giving his life for his sheep, he is doing so of his own will. His death was to be the living proof that the greatest love a person can show is to give ones’ life for ones friends. Proof that Jesus truly is a Good Shepherd.
Nichola Abbott
Hymns for today
Aston Stone
484 484
246 117
13 26
495/325 325/293
237 532
Please pray for the sick in the benefice:
Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery, Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall,
Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler,
Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, J
Jackie Finnemore, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Evelyn Cotterill, Margaret Wright, Gren Deakin
And for the departed:
Marjorie Griggs, Michael Edensor, Doreen Smith
Remembering their families and friends at this time
This week:
Monday 13th Open Door with St Michaels and Pirehill First School
Tuesday 14th Open Dorr with St Michaels and Pirehill First School
Tuesday 14th 11.45am – 1pm Drop Inn Café – St Michael’s Hall
Thursday 16th 10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W
CRAFT FAIRin St Michaels Hall on Saturday 18th May 10am – 3pm. Free entry. Various craft stalls. Refreshments available. Proceeds to the continued refurbishment of the hall.
MESSY CHURCH- The next session is on Saturday 1st June from 3pm until 5.30pm. The theme is to be “Fathers Day”. If you are able to help at this session, please speak to Edith Leason or Mary Babb.
LADIES OUTING– Wednesday 19th June to Buzzard’s Valley Vineyard and distillery. Final date for booking a place and paying is 19th May – please see Steph
CONFIRMATIONBishop Geoff has agreed to come for a Confirmation service on Sunday 16th June at 6pm. If you would like to consider this in any way, please see the Rector as soon as possible. Preparation starts soon!
5th May 2019
The Parish Churches of
St Michael & St Wulfad, Stone, with
St Saviour Aston by Stone
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Another Bank Holiday already? But it’s only just gone Easter! True enough, but the May day Bank Holiday weekend is upon us. Holidays are all properly called “Holy days” of course – something that is worth remembering. However much our Christian culture may be eroded in our modern age, its roots are still deep within our society
And May is a very specific collection of holy days – in fact the whole of the month is traditionally dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Certainly the last day of May is hers, as we celebrate the Visitation of the Virgin to Elizabeth. Being (as we hope) warmer weather, the whole of nature seems to celebrate with freshness of fecundity
But it’s worth our pondering what Mary might mean for us: we live in a time of disillusionment with our leaders – too often they have feet of clay, and at the moment there are siren voices that call to us that they represent a new future, strong leadership etc. Just remember that Hitler, Mussolini and Franco used exactly the same arguments, whereas they actually represented intolerance, bigotry and hatred. By contrast Mary is associated with all kinds of different values – kindness, meekness, obedience and purity – things, which I hope we all find rather more appealing!
So, as Easter progresses, let us ponder the rather more realistic hope of a better world, as represented by our Christian values, prayer and faithfulness. And let us hear the words of the Lord himself:- “Blessed is she who hears the Word of God and keeps it!”
Ian Cardinal
Hymns for today
Aston Stone
474 474
Psalm 8 509
488 25
367 257/73
501 186
Please pray for the sick in the benefice:
Mary Townsend, Noelle Emery, Dianne Harvey, Elsie Richardson, Roy & Barbara Ball, Vera Tomkinson, Neil & Pat Wynne, Gary Kelsall, Emily Franks, John Richardson, Annette McMullen, Peter Bowler, Howard Boswell, Catherine Ritchie, Sarah Taylor, Graham Baker, Jackie Finnemore, James Astle, Miles Brain, Joan Lazonby, John & Ann Shuttleworth, Evelyn Cotterill, Margaret Wright, Gren Deakin
And for the departed:
Marjorie Griggs, Michael Edensor, Doreen Smith
Remembering their families and friends at this time
This week:
Monday 6th 3-5pm Shallowford House – Matlosane talk and tea
Tuesday 7th 11.45am – 1pm Drop Inn Café – St Michael’s hall
Thursday 9th 10.30am Holy Communion – St M&W
HEALING AND MEDITATION SERVICE next Sunday, May 5th at St M&W 4pm. All welcome
AFTERNOON TEA AT SHALLOWFORD HOUSE, Monday 6 May 3-5pm. There will be time to look around the house and gardens, and hear about Revd Alison's recent visit to the Diocese of Matlosane in South Africa. Please sign up on the sheet at the back of church for catering purposes and to share lifts. Please indicate if you would like a place on the Green Bus
LADIES OUTING– Wednesday 19th June to Buzzard’s Valley Vineyard and distillery. Final date for booking a place and paying is 19th May – please see Steph
CONFIRMATIONBishop Geoff has agreed to come for a Confirmation service on Sunday 16th June at 6pm. If you would like to consider this in any way, please see the Rector as soon as possible. Preparation starts soon!