St. Luke Formby May 2021 - St. Luke's Church, Formby
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St. Luke Formby May 2021 Parish Magazine Price: £1.20 Cheaper by annual subscription Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of ETERNAL LIFE.” John 6:68 (NIV)
S h y i r a Tr u s t
Registered Charity Number 1118979
Patron: The Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool
Hon President: Prof Allan Hobson MBE
Supporting people in North West Rwanda, Africa
r e l i ev i n g p ov e r t y
a d v a nc i ng e d u c at i o n
p r e s e r v i n g a nd p r ot ec t i n g g o o d h e al t h
Mothers Union
Aim: To support MU members in serving their communities
Achieved:
• Members supported with bedding and kitchen utensils
• Training of 25 MU trainers from all over the Diocese.
• Successful Revolving Goat Loan project.
Challenges:
• To extend the MU support across Kivu diocese
• To work through the Gisenyi MU to help the most needy
parts of the diocese
Butaka Parish Church
Aim: To provide a church in Butaka
Achieved:
• Building completed
• Worshipping community in church
Challenges:
• Fund windows, doors and flooring
Groupe Scolaire Secondary School
• Continuing to support needy students in Shyira
Primary Schools
Aim:
• To support school ministry by providing equipment,
school materials and evangelistic outreach.
How YOU can help
See our website: http://www.shyiratrust.org.uk
Email us for further information: shyira-06@shyiratrust.org.uk
Donations may be sent to: Shyira Trust, Secretary: Ken Davies
53 Stapleton Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 2YT
Donate online: https://www.give.net/shyiratrust
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shyiratrust
Vicar – Rev. Dr. Matt Davis
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The Vicarage
Dear Friends,
After a year of playing safe, following the regulations and being careful, Covid finally made it
to the Davis household at the end of March. Thankfully it didn’t get too serious for us
(something similar to flu) and we’re feeling much better now, but it’ll be a while before I’m
running regularly again. Now, like most people, I’ve experienced aches and tiredness before,
but I don’t think I’ve ever experienced one of the stranger symptoms of Covid: losing my ability
to taste and smell.
I completely lost them! I couldn’t smell or taste anything for about two weeks. I could hold my
nose above a bubbling curry, and it wouldn’t register anything. I could even put my nose into
a stinky potty, and still be smiling (probably best not to imagine that one). It obviously had
some positives, but it also made life a bit miserable. A cup of coffee might as well have been
warm chalky water and eating became a bit of a chore: there was no delight in it. People often
say it’s not until we lose something, that we start to appreciate it. How true that was for me.
In Psalm 34:10, King David writes:
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Now, on the face of it, that’s a bit of a bizarre idea: tasting God?! We could sooner imagine
smelling him than tasting him! But David encourages us to taste God. Taste and smell are
important for our safety: we know it’s dangerous when we can smell gas, or if food tastes off,
we know to spit it out. But there is more to taste and smell than just health and safety. It is a
delight when we taste something delicious, or smell something fragrant. Tastes and smells can
bring a huge amount of pleasure and joy. They can evoke long distant memories. There’s
something wonderful about them. That’s why people spend huge amounts of money on eating
at Michelin starred restaurants or on expensive perfumes.
But why taste and not smell? Smelling something is quite passive. We can walk along the
pavement and smell the fragrant blossoms of spring; we don’t need to do anything. But to taste
something involves more on our part. We need to reach out, take hold of the fruit, bite into it
and chew. Only then will we be rewarded. God invites us to taste him: to reach out and take
hold of him, to taste him and see how good he is.
Maybe the past year has given you an appetite for something more? By the time you read this,
we’ll have started the What If … ? course on Zoom to help people taste God. What if God
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Editor: Margaret Cooke (e-mail: macooke29@gmail.com)
Illustrator: Joan MacDonald
St. Luke's Web Site: http://www.stlukesformby.org.uk
St. Luke’s Facebook Page: facebook.com/StLukesChurchFormby
Page 1
exists? What if Jesus died for me? What if death is not the end? What if I read the Bible? What
if I became a Christian? It’s not too late to join—please get in touch if you’d like to join us! In
the coming months I hope restrictions will allow us to put on the course in person. Maybe it
would be helpful for you or a friend?
God invites us to taste him: to see how delightful he is. If we do, we’ll discover how good he
is: more satisfying than the finest dining or the most delicate scent. What if … ?
with every blessing
Matt
DATES AND NOTES
SERVICES
Services are being held in Church at 8.30am and 10.00am – though the 2nd service is
expected to move to 10.30 fairly soon – watch the Bulletin. The 2nd service is being
streamed, though at the time of going to press, there were still some technical problems with
this. The 12 o'clock Zoom service will continue for a while, which will allow people not yet
vaccinated to continue with the current set up for a bit longer.
Services in church will have strict social distancing measures in place when they resume:
masks, sitting separately, no singing, etc. As restrictions are relaxed and guidance is
updated in the future, these changes will be reflected in our services.
Different people will feel differently depending upon their personal circumstances: some will
feel more comfortable and others more anxious about returning to services in person. We all
long for the day when we can meet without worry or restrictions, but please do not feel guilty if
you are not yet ready. Instead, please continue to access the Zoom service or sermon
recordings (via https://anchor.fm/stlukesformby or 01704 336689), and keep in touch with each
other on the phone.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS
If you have been receiving paper copies and haven’t already paid, please could you do your
best to get a cheque for £10 (made out to St. Luke’s PCC) to Colin Cooke, 29 Stapleton Rd.,
Formby, L37 2YN. If you are delivering by hand, it’s the last house but one on the left before
Range High School. Alternatively, you can pay by Credit or Debit Card using our Just
Giving Link. Please add your Name and quote Magazine in the Message boxes. The link
is: https://www.justgiving.com/onecheckout/donation/direct/charity/3095465 Or go to
the church website https://www.stlukesformby.org.uk/ and then click on the Donate Button.
We are planning to supply all subscribers with paper copies starting with the June issue
but distributors will not be able to ring doorbells to ask for outstanding payments for
quite a while. We suggest that people who have been reading the magazine on the
website might like to make a £5 donation to help to keep the magazine afloat but there
is NO OBLIGATION TO DO THIS.
BARONESS SHIRLEY WILLIAMS
We would like to mark the death of Baroness Shirley Williams of Crosby who opened the
Ravenmeols Heritage Trails in our parish in 2016. She was a friend of Dru Haydon who was a
member of St. Luke’s Church and a long-time Chair of Formby Civic Society.
As far as the trails are concerned, if you haven’t yet experienced them, Formby Library should
have copies of the leaflets. One is called the Devil’s Hole Trail (about the “Big Dune”) and the
other one is about the “Lost Resort”. Did you know that a century ago some entrepreneurs had
ideas of making Formby more like Southport?
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DATES IN MAY
• Ascension Day – May 13th
• Pentecost – May 23rd
• Trinity Sunday – May 30th
• Early Spring Bank Holiday - Monday May 3rd
• Late Spring Bank Holiday – Monday May 31st
Our Tea Room did not manage to open last year and was greatly missed by customers
and volunteers alike. Following the Government guidelines we are hoping to open on
June 25th.
We can only open if we have enough volunteers, not only once we have opened but
also for getting the Meeting Room ready for customers. So get your rubber gloves and
cleaning cloths ready and watch out for ‘working party’ dates.
Once we have opened we will have to be aware
of safety measures not only for visitors but also
for our workers.
To that end we are proposing that we will offer
soup and rolls, toasted teacakes, scones and
cakes, plus the usual drinks. Hopefully this will
mean that one person can manage in our small
kitchen.
We look forward to meeting our regular
customers and, hopefully, some new ones!
Jean Cox
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INDEX
Page 4 New Pastoral Care Co-ordinator Page 16 – contd + Amnesty International
Page 5 – 6 Rev Roy Baker on Pentecost Page 17 – Crossword
Page 7 – 8 Habla Nursery Page 18 – Wordsearch
Page 9 - St. Luke’s School Page 21 – Holy Days
Page 10- Easter activities Page 22 – Royal british Legion
Page 11 – Parish Giving Scheme Page 23 – Crossword answers
Page 12 – WHO’S WHO Page 24 – Mouse Makes
Page 15 – May events over the centuries
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NEW ROLES FOR ST. LUKE’S READER JEAN WATTS
Jean Watts was licensed as a Reader in 2010 at
Durham Cathedral. Soon after that, Jean moved from
Washington, Tyne & Wear, to live in Formby and her
Reader Licence was transferred to St Luke’s Church
in 2012 by the Bishop of Warrington.
Through her role as Reader Jean preaches in church
as well as leading services. She administers Holy
Communion in people’s homes and also in local
care/nursing homes, although neither have been
possible for the past year due to Covid restrictions.
Jean is a member of a Bible Study home group and
she is looking forward to meeting again in the home
setting once Covid restrictions have eased and
normality restored.
When it was mentioned at a recent Parochial Church
Council (PCC) meeting that the church needed a Pastoral Care Co-ordinator Jean thought
about the role, prayed about it and asked others to pray too. After much thought and prayer
she decided to apply for the post. This specific role was subsequently expanded to incorporate
that of Co-ordinator for Vulnerable Adults. Jean was unanimously accepted into her new roles
by the PCC at its meeting on 25th March last.
There will be training sessions ahead for Jean - with Matt our Vicar and St Luke’s Safeguarding
Officer, Joyce Eddlestone, alongside meetings with volunteer pastoral visitors. Jean says: “A
lot to organise and to implement. The main thing is to be able to visit people in their homes.”
Jean would appreciate prayers: “that this ministry will be a blessing, primarily for those we visit,
and also for the team who will be sharing the love of God through word and deed…and…that
this pastoral outreach would glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus, through whom we serve.”
I’m sure that everyone at St Luke’s is grateful for Jean taking on these important roles and
wish her Godspeed in her pastoral ministry throughout the parish.
Ken Davies
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NEWS FLASH FROM THE APCM (HELD ON APRIL 20TH)
Following the recent Annual Church Meetings our two Wardens for the next year will be Steve
Ginn and Fiona Grieveson. Peter Griffin will be stepping down and we would all like to express
a huge vote of thanks for everything that he - and Hillary - have done for St. Luke’s during the
Interregnum and then during the pandemic. We are sure that Peter didn’t realise exactly what
lay ahead when he agreed to take on the role of warden! And a big thankyou to Fiona for
agreeing to take over. We pray that she won’t be tested to the same extent!
We would also like to thank Steve for dealing with the Church hall and doing all the work
involved in getting it ready for new hirers – see pages 7 and 8.
Barbara Baker has stepped down from the PCC (thankyou, Barbara, for your contribution to
the work of the PCC) and June McGibbon, Sheila Rodger and Peter Griffin have each been
re-elected to the PCC.
Page 4
YOU MUST WAIT HERE IN THIS CITY
There they were in that upper room after the Ascension, pacing up and down behind locked doors
and shuttered windows. A look out on the stairs in case the tramp of soldiers was heard in the street
and the hammering on the door meant arrest. They had been told to wait. Wait for what? The
excitement of the resurrection was behind them. Had they not seen him in this very room? Had not
Thomas touched him? Had they not had breakfast with him on the shore of Lake Galilee? Then he
had just disappeared on the Mount of Olives with the warning that they were to wait in the city. Wait
for what? They were mainly fishermen not used to waiting. Men of action. They were in what I have
always called, ‘the waiting room of the spirit.’
And they grew tired of waiting, wanting to be up and doing. They had a faith to organise and a church
to put into action – an urge never absent for long in ecclesiastical circles! So they got on with the job
and left the waiting to wait for itself. After all they were an apostle short. So they proceeded to draw
up a list and drew lots. Quaintly Acts tells us that, ‘the lot fell on Matthias.’ Blunder number one. We
never hear of Matthias again. Peter was not surprisingly behind all this activity. He couldn’t sit still –
he had to be up and doing.
I experienced this nearly every day in parish life and was not alone amongst the clergy in trying to
justify my existence in terms of work ethic rather than faith. The world has developed a work ethic in
which rewards are given for aggressive selling techniques and what is known as ‘fizzing in the market
place.’ I left my first curacy all those years ago sadly because my training vicar was trying to do God’s
work for him and his cry was always, ‘we are not doing enough.’
In the light of all this some people really do wonder what the clergy do all day. I met Ken Dodd once
and his greeting was, ‘Hello, Vicar, how’s your one day week!’ The world finds it very hard to take in
that a great deal of my time as a parish priest was spent on my knees. It would horrify any employer
if an employee spent a couple of hours staring into space but that is exactly how this homily was
written! A parish is not like a work place where effort and organisation produce tangible results.
Patience and waiting are essential for seed to produce good fruit and they may at times fail to
produce what has patiently been sown. I am much comforted by George Herbert’s words. ‘Hurry is
the enemy of prayer.’
Of course proper organisation and planning in the parish is very necessary but the agenda must be
the Holy Spirit’s and not ours. Remember when St Paul was in Galatia (Southern Turkey). He made
elaborate plans to go north into Asia Minor around the Black Sea area. As they set out they were
stopped by the Holy Spirit and told not to go there. They were Paul's plans but unknown to him others
such as Peter were planting churches there. For a great deal of his time this hyper-active apostle
had to kick his heels and be reminded that it was the Holy Spirit's mission he was on and not his
own.
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And so we come back to the apostles huddled together in that upper room, pacing up and
down behind closed doors. They were waiting for something to happen, full of their own plans
such as Peter's, 'I'm going fishing.' Perhaps they were like the rabbits in the 'Wind in the
Willows,' who when they were asked to help find the missing Portly the otter, said to rat, 'what
us? Do something? Us rabbits!' It is when we are powerless to act and forced to be still that
the listening God speaks through the Holy Spirit. It is often when we are empty that the 'Aflatus,'
the Holy Spirit, is able to enter. Then it can be a bit like that which happened to the water rat
again in that wonderful book, 'The Wind in the Willows, when in his powerlessness to do
something with his life he listens to the sea rat who comes to his help. 'And you too will come,
young brother, for the days pass and never return and the south still waits for you. Take the
adventure. Heed the call, now ere the irrevocable moment passes. Tis but a banging of the
door behind you, a blithesome step forward and you are out of the old life and into the new!
That happened to me when I was 22 years old!
'You must wait for the promises made by the Father. You must wait here in this city.' On the
Feast of Pentecost the waiting ended. The promise happened in that upper room. Pentecost
started with the powerlessness of the Apostles and ended up as ‘The Acts of the Apostles.'
Revd Roy Baker
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with acknowledgment to the Oldie magazine
Page 6
HABLA
St Luke’s is delighted to announce the opening in June of HABLA,
a bilingual day nursery (English-Spanish), in our Kirklake Road
Parish Hall. We thank Churchwarden Steve Ginn for his hard
work over several months in finding a hirer for the Hall and thus
providing the church with needed income. Steve has been
working with Jenny Birch (Director of HABLA) over the setting up
of the nursery, which was endorsed by the Parochial Church
Council (PCC) after a presentation on zoom by Jenny at its
meeting on 25th March. Church member, John McGibbon, we
must also thank for his expertise in writing up the Hirer’s
Agreement. Our thanks too to Steve’s fellow Churchwarden, Pete
Griffin, along with church members Alan Worthington and Pete
Grieveson for their considerable time and effort in preparing the
Hall for HABLA’s arrival.
The word ‘habla’ means ‘speak’ in English. The first HABLA day
nursery on Merseyside was set up in Upton, Wirral, in 2017 by
Jenny Birch Jenny and her mum, Lynne Cowell. HABLA in Formby will be the
second. Lynne was a former primary school deputy head and
Jenny studied Spanish at university and lived for three years in
Spain. They have combined their talents to establish something rather unique and special. Its
aim is ‘to give children the best possible start in life through high quality care and education,
and enriching experiences in a bilingual
environment’. Its staff are split 50:50
regarding fluent Spanish and English
speakers. It has won Top 20 Northwest
daynurseries.co.uk awards two years
running. Parent reviews are extremely
complimentary. For examples visit:
https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/daynursery.cfm/searchazref/65432224673#reviews-top
Research by top educationists is increasingly
showing that children learning a new and
second language from an early age can help
with brain development and thus increases
the chances for far better educational and
social development. Jenny stated in the
Liverpool Echo (2017) that: “If you have a six
month old coming into the nursery five days
a week for four years they will be bilingual by
the time they leave. If they are coming here
aged four for a year they will still have a really
good understanding of Spanish. They
respond directly to people in Spanish by
instinct.”
The nursery will be open Monday to Friday all year round except for one week over the
Christmas period and will cater for children from 6 months to 5 years, with a separate baby
room and then a toddler area and preschool area. The nursery will also have an extensive
outdoor area and a key part of the HABLA ethos is to make the most of being outdoors and
the learning opportunities this offers. The outdoor area is being developed to include a variety
Page 7
of creative and bespoke installations made from reclaimed materials to create an exciting and
stimulating outdoor environment
All resources inside and out are carefully selected to create an
environment designed to inspire curiosity and give many open-
ended learning opportunities. For example, there will be lots of
loose parts to inspire creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking
and open-ended learning. HABLA also favours natural and
authentic resources e.g. real pots and pans rather than plastic
toy versions. Of course, as mentioned, they have a creative
team that develop imaginative reclaimed and upcycled
resources e.g. boat themed outdoor play installation.
As previously stated, staff in the setting are split between native
speakers in Spanish and native speakers in English, to create
an authentic, bilingual environment. All staff are qualified and
experienced early years practitioners including those with Level
3 Childcare qualifications and Qualified Teachers.
Safeguarding is a key priority for HABLA and so all staff have Safeguarding and First Aid
certificates and continually refresh their training. Above all, HABLA’s team are passionate
about working in early years and giving children the best start in life.
It is important to HABLA to give children a variety
of experiences and opportunities. Therefore, their
plans include inviting visitors into settings and links
with the community (e.g. vegetable patch shared
with church and uniformed organisations, links with
church and residential homes). They are also keen
to get out and about in the community and take the
children on local trips.
The bilingual environment that HABLA offers
children at nursery gives many benefits for life other
than just knowing an additional language. Being
able to converse with others in their native tongue
can bring heightened respect and confidence in
communication within social and work settings.
Confidence enables children to tackle the
challenges of life better – satisfaction and achievement being likely outcomes.
On behalf of all at St Luke’s we welcome HABLA and pray for a successful, happy and
memorable journey for all – especially for the children who attend.
(www.habladaynursery.co.uk / www.facebook.com/habladaynursery)
Ken Davies (Assistant Editor / PCC member)
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QUOTES FOR MAY
Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need. - Anon
Laughter is God's sunshine. - Anon
Page 8ST. LUKE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL – OUR OUTDOOR PRAYER SPACE
Outside of St. Luke’s Primary
School, there is a beautiful
display of well-written prayers.
There are also two big rainbow
candles, to reflect on Covid, a
year after the first lockdown. All
the prayers are from pupils of
different ages, from reception up
to Y6, who wrote carefully, using
their hearts.
The prayers are all about Covid-
19 and how hard the NHS have
been working to save lives every
day. The prayers are located at
the blue gates at the front of
school. Everyone at St. Luke’s is praying for those who have lost someone special due
to Covid.
Faith 6G
God loves everyone - that is what we believe at St. Luke’s. We think that God is the
best and He can do incredible things if we just put our trust in Him and ask for His help.
All He asks from us is dedication and love. He loves us so we must love him in return.
God is great. God is good. God is love.
Joel 6G
I think that the prayer labels I have seen are so inspiring. One said that Jesus would
carry us through Covid and rough times. Another one says that the person who wrote
it hoped the world would be a better place after Covid has been dealt with. I think that
this is a really positive message for everyone to think about. Lots of the prayers are
about hope and we all know that hope is what we can all hold on to when times are
tough.
Darcey 6G
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SMILE LINES - WHAT DID I DO WITH THE CAR?
As I left a meeting at our church, I couldn’t find my car keys. They weren’t in my pockets. They
weren’t in the church. Then I thought – I’ve left them in the car! As I burst through the doors of
the church, my heart sank: the church car park was empty.
With a heavy heart I called the police, confessed that I had left my keys in the car, and that it
had been stolen. Then I made the really difficult call: “Darling,” I began (I always call her
‘darling’ at moments like this). “Darling, I’ve left my keys in the car, and it’s been stolen."
There was a little gasp. “You didn’t have the car. I dropped you off. Remember?”
My heart sang as relief flooded through me. “Of course! Thank God! Well, come and get me
quickly – I’m already running late... what’s keeping you?”
My wife replied with ominous calm: "What’s keeping me? I’ll tell you what’s keeping me. The
police are here. They think I’ve stolen our car...”**
Page 9EASTER ACTIVITIES AT ST. LUKE’S
HOMES FOR HOPE: During Holy Week we had a Homes for Home Parish Trail with items in
windows and gardens depicting the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
To accompany each stage there was an explanation of the event, relevant Bible verses and
maybe a question to consider or a thought on which to meditate as people walked to the next
house. It would be unfair to highlight specific houses for they were all inspiring as they led us
from Palm Sunday, the last supper, the sealed garden tomb to the empty tomb and the wonder
of Christ’s resurrection.
Thanks to all who were involved in putting the trail together. It was a wonderful, Covid safe
way of drawing our attention to the Easter story and Christ’s sacrificial love for each of us.
EASTER WALK ABOUT AT ST. LUKE’S: On Easter
Saturday our church grounds were the venue for families to
come and experience the real message of Easter – that
Jesus truly is alive.
The story was told from the perspective of the Roman
centurions (dressed in appropriate costumes of
course!). Cassius had to explain to his commanding officer
that Jesus had been preaching in and around Jerusalem for
a while but rather than being a trouble maker, Cassius said
Jesus’ message was one of love and forgiveness. Despite
this, Jesus had been arrested, cruelly beaten and brought for
trial before Pontius Pilate. The crowd had turned nasty and
demanded that Pilate should have Jesus crucified.
Cassius then told how he had been at the crucifixion and
heard Jesus say, “Father, forgive them for they don’t know
what they are doing”. As Jesus died, the sky had grown dark, the earth had shaken and
Cassius was certain that Jesus was no ordinary man, but He was indeed the Son of God.
The last part of Cassius’ story told how Jesus had been placed in a garden tomb with a huge
stone rolled and sealed across the entrance. Roman soldiers had been ordered to guard the
tomb for fear Jesus’ disciples might try to steal the body. Cassius then explained how despite
all this, by the following morning the stone was rolled away and there was no sign of the body.
Cassius’ final words to his commanding officer were “Jesus is alive and that changes
everything”. It was a powerful dialogue and left visiting families with plenty to think about!
However, the afternoon also had its lighter moments. There was a section for games – egg
and spoon races, quoits and velcro ball target, plus two craft stations, one making Easter
crosses and one making Easter cards. Then, a final treat – tea, coffee, squash and biscuits
(all served outside, of course!) and an opportunity to chat, make friends, ask questions and
talk about Jesus. One little girl was so excited to be making a card for her Granny, saying, “I’m
going to give this to Granny when I see her tomorrow. I haven’t seen her for such a long time
and I love and miss her SO much”. Another little girl was patiently explaining to her parents (as
she placed an appropriate sticker on her card) that it was Jesus riding on a donkey but Jesus
was the same as God! (out of the mouths of babes....)
It had been another Covid safe way of reaching out to our community and sharing the message
of Easter, the love of Jesus and the joy of the resurrection. Some of the families even said they
may come along to church!
Once again, thanks to all who were involved in making the day so special and greatly
appreciated by the families who came.
Irene Powell
Page 10St Luke Supporting our church
Formby Giving through the Parish Giving Scheme
Why give through the Parish Giving Scheme?
The Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) is simply the best way you can
support St Luke, Formby. The PGS is an Anglican charity. Most
Liverpool parishes have joined and over half of English dioceses
support it. Joining the PGS makes a huge difference compared
with weekly envelopes or cash on the plate because we can collect
your gift now. It is more efficient than standing orders. Find out
more at https://www.liverpool.anglican.org/making-it-easier-
parishes/talking-money/parish-giving-scheme/parish-giving-scheme.php.
Your gift is always in your full control (by email or phone) with
Our church has registered with PGS. The Scheme is for every church member with a bank
www.parishgivingscheme.org. This is account. You do not need to pay tax.
the information you need when you Your gift leaves your account by Direct Debit on the 1st of each
ring to make your gifts to our church month. It is in our church account by the 10th and any Gift Aid
through the PGS: reclaims by the end of the month. The PGS saves time and
Our full church name is: administration and helps with cash flow. Your gift will support our
St Luke, Formby, Liverpool ministry and PGS helps us make generous giving part of our daily
Diocese life and discipleship.
Our unique church code is: How do I join, firstly:
220622130
• Have your bank details to hand:
QR code account number, sort code and the name of your
bank.
• Have the church details found on the left to hand:
our church name and our unique PGS church code.
Then choose one of three ways
1. Ring the PGS office in Gloucester on 0333 002 1271.
They will guide you through the process, Monday to Friday
To change your Direct Debit, once it 9- 5pm
is set up:
Via My PGS on the website 2. By the website. https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/home/
https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/my- and type in church code or the church postcode or scan the
pgs/ QR code with a smart phone.
or ring the PGS team on 0333 002 3. By completing a Gift Form (PGS Application Form) available
1260, in church.
What happens next?
or email info@parishgiving.org.uk. You will receive confirmation by email or post of your Direct Debit,
the amount and date of your first PGS gift. If you already give by
You can also write to: standing order, remember to cancel it once PGS have confirmed
Parish Giving Scheme with you.
76 Kingsholm Road
Gloucester How much does it cost?
GL1 3BD. Nothing, everything you give goes into our church bank account.
Page 11WHO’S WHO
Vicar Rev. Dr. Matt Davis
Readers Prof. Allan Hobson
Mrs Anne Dixon
Mrs Jean Watts
Readers emeritus Mr Colin Trollope
Mr Chris Mulford
Churchwardens Mr Peter Griffin
Mr Steve Ginn
Deputy Churchwardens Mrs Andrea Brown
Mr John McGibbon
Mrs Sheila Rodger
Treasurer Mr Hugh Dixon
Deputy Treasurer Mrs Gwyneth Croft
PCC Secretary Mrs Christine Payne
Electoral Roll Officer Mrs Jean Cox
Deanery Synod Representatives Mr James Patterson
Mrs Chris Payne
Mr Andrew Cox
Mr David Moore
Weekly Envelope Scheme Mrs Rachel Patterson
and Gift Aid
Legacy Officer Mr John McGibbon
Parish Hall Secretary Mr Steve Ginn
Meeting Room Secretary Mrs Gwyneth Croft
Newsletter Editor Mrs Irene Powell
Magazine Editor Mrs Margaret Cooke (Contributions to
Margaret by 10th of the month please
by e-mail if possible – see Page 1)
Assistant Editor Mr Ken Davies
Magazine Distribution Mr Colin Cooke
Magazine Adverts Mrs Margaret Cooke
Church and Churchyard Maintenance Mr Allan Worthington
Safeguarding Officer Mrs Joyce Eddlestone
Child Protection Officer Mrs Joyce Eddlestone
Pastoral Care co-ordinator Mrs Jean Watts
Vulnerable Adults Officer Mrs Jean Watts
Health & Safety Officer please see wardens
Woodland Workshop Co-ordinator Mr Peter Griffin
Cathedral Representative Mrs Elizabeth Lowe
Church Mission Society and Mrs June McGibbon
Mid-Africa Mission
Children’s Society Boxes Mrs Rachel Patterson
Page 12SMILE LINES
Mea Culpa
A group of lads took a trip to France and decided to attend Mass in a small town, even though
none of them understood French. They managed to stand, kneel and sit when the rest of the
congregation did, so it wouldn't be obvious they were tourists. At one point, the priest spoke
and the man sitting next to them stood up, so they got up, too. The entire congregation broke
into hearty laughter.
After the service they approached the priest, who spoke English, and asked him what had been
so funny. The priest said he had announced a birth in the parish and had asked the father to
stand up.
Page 13To advertise in this
magazine
please contact
Margaret Cooke
Tel 01704 876325
PEST CONTROL
Wasps, mice, rats etc
Phone J. E. Alvey
01704 213025
Page 14ALL IN THE MONTH OF MAY
It was:
200 years ago, on 5th May 1821 that Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France (1804 – 1815)
died of stomach cancer. He was in exile on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic,
aged 51.
175 years ago, on 30th May 1846 that Peter Carl Fabergé was born. This Russian goldsmith
and jeweller was best known for his fabulously decorated Fabergé eggs.
150 years ago, on 11th May 1871 that John Herschel, British astronomer, mathematician,
chemist and pioneering photographer died. Amongst other things, he named seven of Saturn’s
moons and investigated colour blindness. He was also President of the Royal Astronomical
Society three times.
100 years ago, on 3rd May 1921 that Ireland was divided into Northern Ireland and Southern
Ireland (now known as the Republic of Ireland).
Also 100 years ago, on 15th May that the British Legion was founded.
90 years ago, on 1st May 1931 that the Empire State Building in New York City was officially
opened.
80 years ago, on 1st–7th May 1941 that the German Blitz on Liverpool left nearly 3,000 dead
and 70,000 homeless. Liverpool was the second most heavily targeted British city, after
London.
Also 80 years ago, on 10th May 1941 that the last major attack on London during the Blitz
caused heavy damage to many important buildings, including the Houses of Parliament,
Westminster Abbey, St James Palace and Lambeth Palace, several railway stations and
hospitals, the British Museum and the Old Bailey. More than 1,300 people were killed on one
night. At one point during the Blitz, London was bombed for 57 nights in a row.
75 years ago, on 11th May 1946 that the first CARE packages for Europe arrived in Le Havre
to help people who were starving after WWII. The first CARE packages were actually surplus
US Army rations.
70 years ago, on 3rd May 1951 that the Festival of Britain and the Royal Festival Hall in London
were opened. The aim of the Festival was to lift the nation’s spirits by celebrating British
industry, arts and science.
Also 70 years ago, on 9th May 1951 that the Lake District National Park was established. It
was Britain’s second national park.
Also 70 years ago, on 25th May 1951 that the British spies Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean
fled to Moscow. They were members of the infamous Cambridge spy ring, and their
whereabouts remained unknown until 1956.
65 years ago, on 24th May 1956 that the first Eurovision Song Contest was held in Lugano,
Switzerland. It was won by Switzerland.
60 years ago, on 1st May 1961 that betting away from racecourses was legalised in the UK
and the first betting shops opened.
Also 60 years ago, on 28th May 1961 that Amnesty International was founded in London.
Page 1540 years ago, on 13th May 1981 that Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously wounded by a
Turkish gunman in an assassination attempt in St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
30 years ago, on 16th May 1991 that Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to
address the US Congress.
25 years ago, on 30th May 1996 that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and his wife Sarah, Duchess
of York, were divorced.
20 years ago, on 7th May 2001 that Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs returned to the UK from
Brazil where he had lived as a fugitive for 36 years. He was immediately arrested and sent to
prison to complete his sentence. Released on compassionate grounds in 2009, he died in
2013.
10 years ago, on 2nd May 2011 that Osama bin Laden, Saudi Arabian-born terrorist, died.
Founder of al-Qaeda, he was thought to have masterminded the 9/11 attacks on the USA.
Shot dead by US forces in Pakistan.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
Amnesty International was founded in London 60 years ago, on 28th May 1961.
A non-governmental organisation with its headquarters in the United Kingdom, Amnesty
International focuses on human rights and is believed to have more than seven million
members and supporters around the world. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for
its “defence of human dignity against torture”.
Amnesty came together following the publication of an article in The Observer,‘The Forgotten
Prisoners’, by Peter Benenson, a Jewish lawyer whose mother Flora Benenson was Russian.
His father Harold Solomon was British, but he died when Peter was nine. Peter, who was
tutored by W H Auden and went to Eton and Balliol, took his mother’s name much later as a
tribute to his grandfather, a gold tycoon.
With a group of lawyers and as a member of the Labour Party he founded Justice, the
influential human rights and law reform organisation, in 1957, but the following year he fell ill
and moved to Italy to convalesce, where he converted to Roman Catholicism.
Amnesty campaigns to put pressure on governments where human rights abuse takes pace.
It considers capital punishment to be "the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights.”
(from the Parish Pump website)
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SMILE LINES - TRUE LOVE?
I was officiating at a wedding and during the preparations the bride and groom wanted to have
two turtledoves on the altar as a symbol of their forever love. I politely said no birds or animals.
They hid the birds in a back room, anyway. Immediately after the service they went outside,
each of them with a bird in its cage. They opened the cages in unison. One bird flew out and
made a hard right turn. The other flew out and made a hard left turn.
We all stood there watching the symbols of their forever love fly off in opposite directions. (A
true story from the Revd Mark Martin
Page 16MAY CROSSWORD
Across
1 Sense of right and wrong
(1 Corinthians 8:7) (10)
7 Coming (John 11:17) (7)
8 ‘All I have is — , and all you
have is mine’ (John 17:10) (5)
10 Smarten (Acts 9:34) (4)
11 Hold back (Job 9:13) (8)
13 Member of the Society of Friends (6)
15 At ague (anag.) (6)
17 Citizen of the Greek capital (8)
18 So be it (Galatians 6:18) (4)
21 Twentieth-century poet and dramatist
who wrote Murder in the Cathedral, T.S. — (5)
22 Empowers (Philippians 3:21) (7)
23 Imposing (1 Samuel 9:2) (10)
Down
1 Healed (Luke 7:21) (5)
2 Central space in a church (4)
3 Co-founder of Spring Harvest and General Secretary of the Evangelical Alliance 1983–97,
Clive — (6)
4 Moses killed one when he saw him beating a Hebrew labourer (Exodus 2:12) (8)
5 Bravery (Acts 4:13) (7)
6 It interrupted Paul and Silas singing hymns in a Philippian jail (Acts 16:26) (10)
9 Transgression (Psalm 36:1) (10)
12 Irish province in which Dublin is situated (8)
14 Same hit (anag.) (7)
16 ‘The Spirit of God was hovering over the — ’ (Genesis 1:2) (6)
19 Author of the immortal stories of Winnie the Pooh, A.A. — (5)
20 Cab (4)
(solution on Page 23)
Page 17WORDSEARCH - ROGATION SUNDAY
The first Sunday in May is Rogation Sunday. This is when many parishes still ‘beat
the bounds’. Rogation means an asking of God - for blessing on the seed and land.
The practice began with the Romans, who processed around the cornfields each
Spring, singing and dancing, sacrificing animals, in order to get rid of evil. About 465
AD the Western world was suffering from earthquake and storm. Mamertius, Bishop
of Vienne, aware of the pagan custom, ordered that prayers should be said in the
ruined or neglected fields. Thus ‘beating the bounds’ became a Christian ceremonial.
It arrived in England early in the eighth century. Each Spring, led by the priest, a little
party from the parish would set out with a Cross to trace the boundaries of the parish.
They’d implore God to keep their corn and roots and boughs in good health, and bring
them to harvest. In the days when maps were scarce, ‘beating the bounds’ helped
remind everyone just where the boundaries were. Do you know yours today?
Sunday Seed Storm
May Land
Rogation Romans Prayer
Beat Cross
Bounds Processed Boundaries
Cornfields Crops
Asking Spring Harvest
Blessing Earthquake Maps
Page 18Caroline
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Page 19Call Us Today on 07963 194969
info@karenashop.co.uk I www.karenashop.co.uk
22 - 24 Chapel Lane Formby L37 4DU
Page 2026TH MAY - AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY,
APOSTLE TO THE ENGLISH
Augustine, a 6th century Italian prior, holds a unique place in British history. He became the
‘apostle to the English,’ although it was with great reluctance.
In 596 Augustine was chosen by Pope Gregory to head a mission of monks whom he wanted
to send to evangelise the Anglo-Saxons. Augustine was not a bold man, and by the time he
and his band of priests reached Gaul, they wished to turn back. But Gregory would not hear of
it, and he bolstered their confidence by sending some more priests out to them, and by
consecrating Augustine bishop. Finally, the little party, now 40 in number, landed at Ebbsfleet,
Kent in 597.
It would be fascinating to have a detailed description of that first meeting between Bishop
Augustine and Ethelbert, powerful King of Kent. Whatever Augustine said, it must have been
effective, for Ethelbert granted the 40 priests permission to stay in a house in Canterbury. He
even allowed them to preach to his people, while he himself considered their message of
Christianity. His wife, Bertha, was a Christian princess from Paris, but she does not seem to
have played any role in the conversion of Kent.
By 601 Ethelbert and many of his people had been baptised Christians. The mission to the
English was well underway. More clergy, some books, a few relics and several altar vessels
arrived from Rome. At Gregory’s wise urging, Augustine decided to consolidate the mission in
one small area, rather than try and reach all of Kent. So, Augustine stayed in Canterbury,
where he built the cathedral and founded a school. He left only temporarily to establish a see
in London.
Also, at Gregory’s wise urging, Augustine did not destroy the pagan temples of the people of
Kent, but only the idols in them. In this way, familiar rites were taken over and used for the
celebration of the Christian feasts. Meanwhile, before his death in 604, Augustine helped
Ethelbert to draft the earliest Anglo-Saxon written laws to survive – and so influenced British
law for centuries to come.
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2ND MAY - ATHANASIUS, THE THEOLOGIAN
WHO GAVE US THE NICENE CREED
This is the name behind the Athanasian Creed. Athanasius (296-373) was born into a
prosperous family in Alexandria in Egypt, studied in the Christian school there and entered the
ministry. He was twenty-nine years old when he accompanied Alexander, the bishop of
Alexandria, to the Church’s first ecumenical Council, at Nicaea in 325.
Although Athanasius could not take part in the Council’s debates because he was a deacon
and not a bishop, Alexander consulted him on the meaning of biblical texts and theological
distinctions. With Emperor Constantine sitting as President, 300 bishops argued about the
Person of Christ. How is He the Son of God? Is He God or man or both together? Did He exist
before He was born? If we worship Him, does that mean that we are worshipping two Gods?
The young Athanasius saw that some bishops wanted to impose the teaching of Arius on the
Church. Arius was a popular preacher in Alexandria who taught that Christ was not eternal but
was a ‘Saviour’ created by the Father. Athanasius worked with his bishop, in framing what
(contd. on Page 23)
Page 21100 YEARS OF THE BRITISH LEGION
One hundred years ago, on 15th May 1921, the British Legion was founded in the aftermath of
the First World War, to provide support to veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families
and dependants.
It was created at a time when two million people were unemployed. More than six million had
served in the war: of those who came back, 1.75 million had suffered some kind of disability,
and half of those were disabled permanently.
Four organisations came together at the instigation of Lancastrian Lance Bombardier Tom
Lister, who was angered at the Government’s unwillingness to help, and Field Marshal Earl
Haig, who had been Commander in Chief of the British Forces. The Legion campaigned for
fair treatment of those who given everything for their country, and it continues this work today.
In 1922, the Legion’s poppy factory opened in the Old Kent Road, London, with 40 disabled
men manufacturing 1000 poppies a week. The first Poppy Day was held that same year. The
Festival of Remembrance began in 1927, and the Legion became ‘Royal’ in 1971 – 50 years
ago – on its golden anniversary.
At first membership of the Legion was confined to ex-Service personnel, but it was expanded
to include serving members of the Forces in 1981.
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REMEMBERING AN OUTSTANDING ASTRONOMER
It was 150 years ago, on 11th May 1871, that John Herschel – British astronomer,
mathematician, chemist and pioneering photographer – died at the age of 79. Among other
things, he named seven of Saturn’s moons and four moons of Uranus, as well as investigating
colour blindness. He was also President of the Royal Astronomical Society three times.
He was the son of Sir William Herschel, a distinguished scientist who had moved from
Germany to Britain and later discovered the planet Uranus, thus creating a pronunciation
problem that still hasn’t gone away.
Sir John Herschel, himself knighted in 1831, made many contributions to the science of
photography and invented the blueprint. He was also deeply interested in the philosophy of
science and pioneered an inductive approach to experiments and the construction of scientific
theories.
Between 1834 and 1838 he worked in South Africa with his wife Margaret, studying and
photographing Cape flora as well as continuing his astronomical interests. It was here that he
met Charles Darwin, on his way home in the HMS Beagle, and had a significant influence on
him.
Sir John also developed and backed the use of the impressive Julian day numbering system
in astronomy.
(both articles from the Parish Pump website)
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QUOTE FOR PENTECOST - Before Christ sent the Church into the world, He sent the Spirit
into the Church. The same order must be observed today. - John R W Stott.
Page 22CROSSWORD SOLUTION
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HOLY DAYS IN MAY – CONTD. FROM PAGE 21
became known as the Nicene Creed. Our Lord’s full divinity was safeguarded in the words,
‘eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made, of one substance with the Father.’
When Bishop Alexander died in 328, Athanasius succeeded him as Bishop by popular
demand. For the next 45 years Athanasius’ devotion, scholarship, and forceful leadership
established the Nicene Creed in the Christian Church. His enemies, both in Church and state,
conspired against him, and he was exiled five times from the See of Alexandria and spent a
total of 17 years in flight and hiding. It was his uncompromising stand for Nicene theology that
gave rise to the familiar saying, Athanasius contra mundum, ‘Athanasius against the world.’
Athanasius’ name will always be linked with the triumph of New Testament Christology over
every form of reductionism. Of his many writings the most significant was his great study on
the person and work of Christ; ‘On the Incarnation of the Word of God’, written before he was
30 years old. The whole Church of Christ is always in need of bishops, leaders and theologians
in the mould of Athanasius.
(from the Parish Pump website)
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MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS ON DAILY LIFE
You know you're into middle age when you realise that caution is the only thing you care to
exercise.
Some people you're glad to see coming; some people you're glad to see going.
How do you start a fairy tale in the modern age? "If elected, I promise..."
Page 23Page 24
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