The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge

Page created by Stacy Lang
 
CONTINUE READING
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
The Log

                        ‘Jesus feeds the five thousand’
Reverend Mike draws inspiration from this story as he considers our vision emphasis for 2020.
          ‘Building a loving community through prayer and invitation.’
                       He expands on this in The Last Word on page 28
              (This painting is a modern interpretation of the story , by Eularia Clarke)

                                                                 The Parish Magazine
                                                                   February 2020
                                                                             £1.00
                                                         www.stlawrencewithstpaul.org.uk
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
Two                                      The Log Directory

                                                                                                    Peter Yeung
  There’s no comparison                          G. ROWLES                                   Approved Driving Instructor
           with                               MASTER BUTCHERS                                          DSA Registered
                                               DELICATESSEN                                       Pass Plus Registered
  G. J. Harrison
             & Sons                          All locally sourced produce from the
                                                                                                     Telephone:
                                                          Ribble Valley
                                             Home made sausages and burgers                         07967 557 393
                                                         Handmade Pies                           www.peteryeung.co.uk
                                                         Sausage Rolls
         - Plumbing                                        Pork Pies
                                                     Home Cooked Meats
          - Heating                                                                            Exclusive Cards
                                                 6-8 Inglewhite Road
      - Property Care                                                                          Helium Balloons

                                                                                     CHARISMA
                                                      Longridge
                                                       PR3 3JR
                                                    01772 786308                          Proprietor; Tracey McComb
        07795 285 778                                07889 276083                           01772 783043
                                                                                       87 Berry Lane, Longridge,
                                                                                          Preston PR3 3WH

                                                                                          72 Berry Lane,
                                                                                          Longridge
                                                                                          PR3 3WH
                                                                                          01772 788 400
                                                                        WWW.BLUEMOONCOMPUTERS.COM

         Cromwells                             Start your Family Tree

 Coffees, teas, breakfasts and lunches
                                           Penny Tree Genealogy
                                                  Free Consultation
                                                                                     Creative Hair
                                                                                               59 Berry Lane
                                                    Penny Green                                  Longridge
           01772 305652                             01772 786448
         8-20 Berry Lane,                    E-mail pennytree@sky.com
                                                                                                  Preston.
       Longridge,PR3 3JA                       www.pennytree.co.uk                       Tel: 01772 785554
  cromwellsoflongridge@gmail.com

                                                                                        Home feeding services for pets and
                                                                                                    livestock

                        The Log
                                                                                        Four paws two claws
                                                                                     Over 20 years experience of many animals
                                                                                      Will cover Longridge and the local area

                                                                                           Call Denise Cowell
             Would you like to take out a                                                        01772 780436
             regular subscription to The Log?                                                    07931 136187
                                                                                          denise@joden.co.uk
             The annual subscription is £8.00 for ten
             issues, a discount of £2.00 from the face price.
                                                                                        Mary Frances
             Please contact                                                          School Uniforms Children’s wear
             Judith Kaye                                                                        Work wear
                                                                                     Printing and Embroidery service
             judithkaye@sky.com                                                                  available
             01772 785114
                                                                                    59 Derby Road Longridge PR3 3JT
                                                                                               01772 784272
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
The Log                                                  Three

                                        VIEW FROM THE ROOF . . .

                                   The end is in sight!
                                   Repairs to the south aisle
                                   roof have been forging
                                   ahead over the last few
                                   weeks, with the weather
                                   being on our side,
                                   allowing the builders to
                                   really get into their stride.
                                   The leadwork roof
   They may not keep this          covering is now complete,
           apprentice on           with only the new cast
                                   iron gutters and finishing
off still to be done. The contractors say that they will be
sad to leave St Pauls, having enjoyed not only the skilled
nature of the work but also the friendly people here! We
have certainly appreciated their skill, enthusiasm and
dedication to the job.
                                                   This photo shows an old business card which they uncovered
                                                   under a section of roof. Mr H. Clayton, a plumber of 55 Preston
                                                   Road, appears to have worked on the roof in the 1880s and again
                                                   in the 1930s.
                                                   I wonder if anyone knows of him? The card will be put back under
                                                   the roof for future generations to uncover, together with those of
                                                   our contractors Heritage CR and our building surveyors Cassidy &
                                                   Ashton. To them all we offer our sincere thanks for a job well
                                                   done. And, of course, not forgetting the Lancashire Environmental
                                                   Fund and all those whose donations made the work possible.
                                                                                                            Rosemary Lyons

                                                LOG DISTRIBUTION
A big thank you to all The Log distribution team for the work they do in delivering The Log and collecting the annual
subscription.
Here we are in February and may I take this opportunity to remind readers that subscriptions are due this month. The
cost will remain the same as last year, £8.00 for 10 copies, and will be collected by your distributor when making your
delivery. It is important that the money is handed to your distributor and not brought to church or put through the
vicarage door. This money will then be handed to me to update the records before being passed to the church
treasurer, Graham Kelsall.
If you don’t have The Log delivered perhaps you might consider doing so; we would love to see distribution increase
and at only 80p per copy, it’s great value. If you would like a regular delivery, please contact me.
Thanks again to distributors and readers.
Judith Kaye

                                                       The Log Team
      Editorial          Dot Little                dotlittle003@gmail.com           01772 783998
                         Gillian Whalley           johnmwhalley@aol.com             01772 783262
      Advertising        Val Wardley               wardleyval13@gmail.com           01772 387862
      Distribution       Judith Kaye               judithkaye@sky.com               01772 785114
      Production         Lawrence Ingham           lawrenceingham@yahoo.com         07503 210 206
                         Gill Mack                 gillmack423@btmail.com           01772 783983
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
Four                                                   The Log
                                                    VICAR’S NOTES
Thank you for Christmas
The new decade of 2020 has well and truly started but I don’t want to forget all the hard work and effort of so many
who made Christmas 2019 such a special time. Special thanks must go to all who served over the Advent and
Christmas season but it’s particularly appropriate to thank our organist Rebekah, the Junior Choir for all their singing
and the Church Choir for the wonderful 9 Lessons and Carols service; many have commented how nice it was to hold it
at St Lawrence Church this year. In addition, the flowers and decorations in both churches looked tremendous so I’d
like to thank everyone involved in making both churches look so beautiful.
Once again it was a privilege to be able to distribute the luxury Christmas Hampers which were extremely well received
so thank you to everyone who supplied items for these. It was also good to see a number of visitors join our regular
congregation members so thank you to everyone who invited their friends along. This is going to be a key theme for
the year so remember to invite them back!

Revd. Michael Buckley
I’m aware that Christmas can also be a hard time for many families who remember those they love but no longer see.
This year will have been no exception and many of you will have heard the sad news of Revd. Michael Buckley passing
away. His funeral took place on 30th December during which we were able to sing some wonderful hymns while
reflecting on Michael’s lovely character and his gospel focussed heart. These reflections are printed in full on pages
18 and 19.

Vision Emphasis for 2020
Last January we launched our new vision, ‘Following Jesus in Loving Community’ and after its launch a number of new
initiatives like our Time, Talents and Treasures series, The Alpha Course, and The Bible Course were introduced as we
primarily focussed on the discipleship emphasis of the first half of the vision. ‘Following Jesus’ will always be a focus of
our church activities but this year we also roll onto the second half of the Vision and in all our services on Sunday 19th
January I spoke about ‘Building a Loving Community through Prayer and Invitation.’ This sermon can be listened to
online via our church website: https://www.stlawrencewithstpaul.org.uk/7/Sermons and I’ve also incorporated the
main themes in my back page article of this edition of the Log.

St Paul’s Roof Repairs
Great news – The repairs to the roof at St Paul’s Church are very close to completion. This means we’ll be fully
watertight and it also means the plastic dust cover can come off the organ very soon. I’m aware that many people have
contributed a lot of their time, money and energy in getting us to this point so please look out for more details of a
celebration service coming soon as a special way of saying thank you.

The Cross Festival
Easter falls on the 12th April this year and in in order to remember how Jesus’ resurrection victory was won we’re
planning to hold a Festival of Crosses at St Paul’s Church. This will take place during Holy Week, from 5th – 12th April,
because it is the time when Christians consider most deeply the cross’s meaning and significance. If you would like to
create and display a cross please email Steph Willan: shlwillan@hotmail.co.uk , who will be delighted to provide you
with more information and some creative ideas about how you can get involved.

This is also an appropriate place to mention that our Ash Wednesday service will take place at St Paul’s Church on 26th
February at 7.30pm.

Alpha Course
Building on the success of last year’s course we’re running the Alpha Course again this year. This is your chance to ask
the questions about Christianity you’ve always wanted to but perhaps been afraid to ask. Questions like ‘Why am I
here?’, ‘what is my purpose?’ and ‘is there a God?’. By the time this edition of the Log comes out the first introductory
week will have already taken place but it won’t be too late to join in if you act fast. We meet on Thursday nights,
7.30pm at the vicarage for some good food, a twenty minute film and some lively discussion afterwards. Please do let
me know if you would like to take part.
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
The Log                                                    Five

                                                  VICAR’S NOTES
Prayer Course
The Prayer Course takes you on an 8-week journey through the Lord’s Prayer to grow and deepen your prayer life. It
will be hosted by Revd. Gill Mack and congregation member Ali Ng and is suitable for anyone who is interested to
learn more about what it means to talk and listen to God, both individually and as a community. I can’t recommend it
enough. It starts on Friday 31st January at 9.30am at St Lawrence Church. Don’t worry if you can’t make one of the
weeks because the course is designed to make it easy to catch up. Please speak to Revd. Gill or email
gillmack423@btinternet.com for more information or visit www.prayercourse.org to see what’s involved.

      Introducing The Venerable David Picken, the new Archdeacon of Lancaster, whose
          Installation Service takes place on the 4th February in Blackburn Cathedral.

The Venerable David Picken has been Archdeacon of Newark since 2012. He was born in Hednesford, Staffordshire, in
1963 and was educated locally. In 1984 he graduated with a BA Hons in English Literature and Religious Studies from
London.
The following year David completed a PGCE and married Cathy, also a teacher. After a short teaching career, including
a time in Retford, David went to Lincoln Theological College to study for the priesthood. In 1990 David was ordained
deacon and served as a curate in the Worth Team Ministry in Chichester diocese.
In 1993 he became a Team Vicar in Wordsley in Worcester Diocese. Here he pioneered a church plant and was a half-
time hospital chaplain. In 1997 David was appointed Team Rector within the same team and became Area Dean in
2001.
In 2004 David moved to High Wycombe as Team Rector. He served as Area Dean until moving to Southwell and
Nottingham and was made an Honorary Canon of Christ Church in Oxford in 2011.
In his spare time, David enjoys cricket and football and is a Manchester United supporter but he also takes a keen
interest in Mansfield Town FC as well.
His wife Cathy is a nationally accredited practitioner for ‘Godly Play’. She is also a Trustee of Lighthouse, an annual
Children’s summer event attended by more than 1000 children.
As Longridge is hosting the Archdeacon’s Visitation for the Preston Deanery this year, we can look forward to meeting
the new Archdeacon in person at St. Paul’s on the 11th May.
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
Six                                                 The Log
WW CORNER
Shrove Tuesday seems to come around quicker each year! Is that a sign that I am getting
older! At WW we absolutely believe that no food is off limits and if you want to partake in
the pancake tradition, you absolutely can! In fact, we have a range of delicious low
SmartPointed pancake recipes for our members to try. Here’s one which you might like to
try yourself!
2 Ingredient Pancakes
These 2-ingredient pancakes are simple to prep and cook, and taste delicious topped with
blueberries/blackberries and 0% fat natural Greek yogurt.
Serves 4 (2 points on our Green plan, 1 point on Blue/Purple)
•     4 Bananas mashed
•     2 Eggs lightly beaten
•     1 tsp Salt
•     Low fat cooking spray
•     4 tbs 0% fat natural Greek yogurt
•     Punnet of Blueberries
•     4 tsp Groovy Food Co. Agave Nectar Light Amber & Mild

1. In a bowl, mix the banana and egg together then add a pinch of salt.
2. Heat a non stick frying pan over a medium heat. Mist with calorie controlled cooking spray. Drop a ladleful of the
batter into the pan and swirl. Cook for 2 minutes until golden; flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat so you
have 4 pancakes.
3. Serve each pancake topped with the yogurt, berries and 1 tsp of the syrup.
Cook’s tip… I am useless with a frying pan, so I drop the mixture onto a sheet of non stick baking paper and bake
them in the oven for approximately 10 mins until set, on a medium heat! If you are cooking for less people, simply
halve the ingredients.

             For details on Claire’s WW in Longridge and Grimsargh, call or text Claire on 07749896171

                                          HOME LIBRARY SERVICE
Did you know that Longridge Library will deliver library books (and talking books) to the housebound and nursing
homes?
They deliver and pick up on a monthly basis and it is run by volunteers via the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership.
The library does not want this service to be withdrawn as it is very worthwhile and brings those people some
contact that they might not usually have.
I am sure folk in Longridge and the surrounding area are unaware of this valuable free service.
Please contact the library for more information on 0300 1236703
(Jean & Ray Saunders - volunteers)

                            BREW TIME
          Every Wednesday from 8.50am-11am in St Paul’s.

        We serve filter coffee, tea, toast, crumpets and cakes!
  Do you have an interesting hobby? Or do you have a collection of
   items that others may like to see? Why not bring them to Brew
  Time and share your knowledge. Please speak to Kath or Jacqui to
  make arrangements. We would love to see you. Please do join us.

                             Kath & Jacqui
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
The Log Church Directory                                                               Seven
                                                       Clergy & Church Officers

Vicar                          Rev. Mike Barton     The Vicarage, Church Street 01772 783281            revmikebarton@gmail.com
Retired Clergy:                Rev. John Ball                                  07754 771220
                               Rev. Gill Mack       7 Bowland Close            01772 783983       gillmack423@btmail.com
Readers                        Kathleen Sturzaker   57 Hacking Drive           01772 785934       kathleensturzaker@gmail.com
                               Muriel Anderson      20 Plessington Court       01772 448356       murielanderson33@gmail.com
                               Gerald Mack           7 Bowland Close           01772 783983       gfmack@talktalk.net
Churchwarden                   Chris Page                                07858 901186      churchwardenstlandplongridge@gmail.com

Deputy Wardens                 Mae Heys         29 Fell Brow               01772 783218        maeheys@icloud.com
                               Dorothy Laver    19 The Pastures, Grimsargh 07719 389529        dorothy.laver@gmail.com
PCC Secretary                  Dot Little       26 Hoghton Road            01772 783998        dotlittle003@gmail.com
PCC Treasurer                  Graham Kelsall                                                  graham@oaktreehouse.net
Safeguarding Officer           Janet Redding
Church Administrator           Barbara McCormick                     01772 783281      secretarystlandplongridge@gmail.com

                                                        Parochial Church Council
Chairman                                     Rev. Mike Barton
Hon. Secretary                               Dot Little
Hon. Treasurer & Stewardship Recorder        Graham Kelsall

Members:                                     Clergy and Churchwarden,
                                      Muriel Anderson, Karen Boardman, Andrew Burdett, Karen Burdett, Lauren Cowell,
                                      David Hartley, Mae Heys, Gwyneth Jones, Dorothy Laver, Rosemary Lyons, Barbara McCormick,
                                      Lisa Monks, Ali Ng, Annamarie Rogers-Waterman, Wendy Smyth, Kathleen Sturzaker,
                                      Emma Turver, Peter Turver, Val Wardley.

                                                               Organisations

Altar Flowers                                                         Handbell Ringers
Hon. Sec. St. Lawrence Marjorie Procter      5 Regent Street          Leader        Judith Kaye     Park View, Fleet Street, PR3 3ED
                                             01772 784119                                   keithkaye@sky.com               01772 785114
Hon. Sec. St. Paul    Vacant    Please contact churchwarden
                                                                      Children’s Church
Church Administrator                                                  Carolyn Barton                        carolynbarton@hotmail.co.uk
Barbara McCormick
       Parish Office Wed & Fri 9am—3pm       01772 783281
                                                                      Mothers Union          7.30pm on 1st Tuesday
Choir                                                                 Enrolling Member       Judith Kaye    Park View, Fleet Street, PR3 3ED
Director of Music     Rebekah Okpoti       07516 224 815                                     keithkaye@sky.com             01772 785114
                      rebekahokpoti@gmail.com

Church Lads & Church Girls Brigade                                    Servers
Wednesday Nights Berry Lane School Term Times                         Leader           George Green                      07935 080 443
Martins 6 pm, Young Members 6.30 pm JTC/Seniors 7.00 pm                                       georgebradegreen@gmail.com
Commanding Officer Janet Redding           3 Chapel Street
                            janetredding@clcgb.org.uk
                                                                      Tuesday Club 7.30pm on 2nd Tuesday
Craft Group                                                           Chairman     Fred Little      26 Hoghton Road        01772 783998
Last Monday each month, Centenary Room 1.30 - 3.30pm also:            Hon. Sec.    Adrienne Atkinson                       01772 783091
       Contacts             Helen Bailey 01772 783178                                       adbil1959@gmail.com
                            Ruth Ball     01772 783172
                            Julie Kirkham 01772 446275
                                                                      Walkie Talkies
                                                                                       Hannah Green 20 Darwen Close        01772 783558

            Longridge C of E Primary School                                              Sidesmen and Sideswomen
                www.longridge-ce.lancsngfl.ac.uk
Headteacher                                                                 Yvonne Ball, Hilda Marle Collis, Ian Cookson,
       Mrs Catherine Parkin                                                   Helen Eccles, Tom Haworth, Janet Heap,
              head@longridge-cofe.lancs.sch.uk                            Lawrence Ingham, Merilyn Kinrade, Theresa Page,
Clerk to the Governors                                                     Ray Saunders, Judith Singleton, Alistair Silcock,
       Val Morris   01524 581136 c/o the School Office
                                                                           Jennifer Sturzaker, Keith Thompson, Lib Turver,
       School Office        01772 782378
                    bursar@longridge-cofe.lancs.sch.uk
                                                                                            Peter Turver.
Pre-School          01772-780078
PTFA Hon. Sec.      Katie Keighley                                                          Deputy/Duty Wardens
                                                                         Vernon Kinrade, Mae Heys, Dorothy Laver, Dot Little,
                                                                          Gwyneth Jones, Kathleen Sturzaker, Val Wardley.
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
Eight                                          The Log Directory
           BUXTON
           BUILDBASE
         A Great Deal More for the Builder                                                 Travel Circle
                                                      Hair & Makeup Lounge
                Daily Delivery Service                                                           Late availability specialist
           Comprehensive Stocks of Materials                                                     54 Derby Road, Longridge
Shay Lane industrial Estate, Longridge             67 Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3NH
                                                             01772 784 881                             01772 786777
           01772 783437                                                                             Brand New web Site
                                                  www.halcyondayshairandmakeup.co.uk
     Flagstones - Roof Tiles - Bricks
   Patio Paving - Full Range of Plasters                                                        www.travelcircle.co.uk

        Holiday Cottage                                     ABODE
                                                                                           Large range of Plants, Compost, Garden
                                                                                                    Tools, Outdoor Pots.
      Near Penrith & Ullswater
     Ideal to explore the Lakes.                       Pre-Loved Furnishings                    Swifts Hardware,
 Sleeps up to 5. From £350 per week                                                       Cookware & Garden Centre
 *5% discount to readers of The Log!                Refurbished well made furniture                  Calor gas stockists
                                                     Accessories, interior fabrics &                      Giftware
 www.maplecottageholidays.co.uk                                curtains                                Sophie Allport
                                                   Warwick Street, Longridge, PR3 3EB     Toasted Crumpet, Walton Lifestyle, Ashleigh
 Claire Anderson 07749 896 171
                                                           07903 592 615                            Parlane, and Burwood.
                                                                                                        01772 784250

    WALTER CAREFOOT                             Quilter’s Quarters                           DEWHURST
      & SONS LTD.                                 Patchwork and Quilting Shop
                                                    Wide range of fabrics, threads            HOMES
   Building & Bulk Haulage Contractors             Yarn and other sewing supplies.
            Establishedb1929                             Lessons available                      Estate & Letting Agents
                                                32 Derby Road, Longridge, Preston PR3
        Blackpool Road, Longridge                                3NP
           Tel. 01772 783711                              Tel: 01772 780998                       01772 783993
                                                 Email emmagalbraith123@outlook.com          www.dewhursthomes.co.uk
                                                       Www.quiltersquarters.co.uk

                                                                                           VJH Plumbing & Heating
    Mobi Village                                      RAYMOND JAMES
                                                                                           Gas Central Heating. Gas safety checks/
    Your One Stop Mobile and                            Wayne Hayhurst MCSI                Landlords. Boiler and fire servicing/repair.
         Computer Shop                           Chartered Wealth Manager & Principal              Natural Gas and L.P.G.
                                                                                           Bathroom installations. General plumbing.
                                                     8 Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JA
          81 Berry Lane,                                     Tel: 01772 780 300
        Longridge PR3 3WH                                           Email:
                                                                                                 92 Mersey Street, Longridge,
                                                   Wayne.Hayhurst@raymondjames .com                   Preston PR3 3RL
           01772 785057                            www.ribblevalley.raymondjames.uk.com                01772 782991
          0800 084 2306

          Eco Chic Boutique
                                                                  Tap & Vent
         Florence                                                 Tap & T’ales
                                                                  01772 875 781
                                                                                             BRIAN BUXTON
        Ladies Dress Agency                                                                          Building Contractor
         High Street to Designer                                  07966 500 158
We sell your clothes on a 50/50% basis                            4 Towneley                   Stonework - Brickwork- etc.
            38 Berry Lane                                         Parade, Longridge
          Longridge PR3 3JJ                       MICROPUB        PR3 3HU                      35 Little Lane, Longridge, Preston
           07730 474936                         E: tapandvent@xln.co.uk     tap&vent
                                                                                                        Tel. 01772 378119

               Martin’s
              The Funeral Directors
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
The Log                                                    Nine

                                            GETTING TO KNOW YOU
This is a new feature we are running in the Log throughout 2020 and we are grateful to Kai,
Ali and Noah Ng for very kindly agreeing to be the first family to introduce themselves and
                                to share their family story.
Kai was born in Hong Kong and attended a Catholic primary school followed by a
Church of England secondary school but it wasn’t until he came to Leeds
University to study medicine that he found his faith. A friend from the halls of
residence encouraged Kai to go with him to St George’s Leeds and he was
subsequently baptised and confirmed there after hearing J John speak. He
invited people to come forward and commit their lives to Jesus - Kai went
forward and the rest as they say is history! Kai stayed in Leeds until 2003 when
he joined the GP partnership in Settle. During his time in different churches Kai
has helped with Sunday school, played the drums, been involved in outreach and
led bible studies.

Ali or Alethea to use my Sunday name, was born a little closer to Longridge- in
Stockport. We were active members of our local church and throughout my time
there I was part of the Sunday school before moving onto Sunday night youth
fellowship, harvest for the world representative, singing in the choir and before I
left for university joining the PCC!
I went to Hull University to read History and Politics and it’s fair to say that
during my time there I wasn’t active on my faith journey. After university, I
moved to Poppleton on the outskirts of York and joined United Biscuits on their management training programme
before moving some time later to work for the east coast railway. During that time, I became active in our local parish
church and set up and led two youth groups for 12-15 year olds and 15+.

After a difficult period in 2007, we both joined an internet dating site called Christian Connections and that is how we
met! Our first date was at Betty’s in Harrogate. Fast forward three years and we married in 2010 at St George’s
Stockport and I moved to Settle. We became involved in the local parish church. Rural ministry is quite different. I set
up and ran an after school club in the local (non Church of England) primary school and after a change of Vicar we were
then in a position where we didn’t have a Vicar every week, so Ali along with three others trained to be lay worship
leaders, meaning that I could lead services of the word / family services.

As we think of our vision, building a loving community through prayer and invitation, Kai and I are constantly reminded
that nothing can be done without the power of prayer. During the period of 2011 - 2014 when we were trying to have
a baby, what kept us going was the power of prayer. People prayed for us from Singapore to Settle and from the Shrine
in Walsingham to New Wine. Fundamentally, Kai had men to pray with and I had a female prayer group. Our journey
was gruelling both emotionally and physically. I heard Christy Wimber speak and she read from Romans 4 v18.
“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of all nations, just as it had been said to him,
“so shall your offspring be” without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since
he was about 100 years old and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the
promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God.”
Christy Wimber spoke that life without hope is no life at all and faith is the capacity to trust God whilst not
understanding.
Those words spoke to and stayed with me. Three rounds of IVF later, Noah was born in May 2015 and a new chapter of
our lives began. In 2017 we took the decision to move to Longridge and we are thankful for the loving Christian family
that we have become a part of.
The Log - St Lawrence with St Paul Longridge
Ten                                                    The Log

It's been a great start to the new year in Children's Church. We have been
following the same series as the main congregation, reminding ourselves of
our parish vision to be 'Following Jesus in Loving Community' and beginning to
look at the five Marks of Mission. The younger group have been thinking about
what it means to be a 'Loving Community' by playing one of our favourite
games - 'What should Peppa Pig do?' and making craft megaphones to help us to tell others about the good
news of Jesus. Meanwhile, the older Explorers group has been looking at the topics through their own games
and activities and have impressed us all by writing their own prayer without any adult help which is as follows:

"Dear God, help us to build courage and hope to build a structure, community or family. We thank you for the
love in our community and for all the loving communities in the world. Thank you for families, friends and
relatives, we cherish their love. We all need love and care, especially poor people. Help us to pray and ask you for
help when we have hard decision to make, when people are ill and when we feel sad or are struggling. Help us to
invite people that we might not know and welcome them wherever you are. Invite them to church to pray to you,
believe in the Holy Spirit and confess their sins. Amen."

Children's Church meets every week unless it is an All-Age Service and for February the dates are as follows:

Sunday 2nd February:        Children’s Church (Climbers and Explorers)
Sunday 9th February:        All-age Service
Sunday 16th February:       Children's Church (Climbers and Explorers)
Sunday 23rd February:       Children’s Church (Climbers and Explorers)

The Children's Church Team

                                                   YOUTH GROUP
In the term up to Easter our focus is on the 5 Marks of Mission which I’ve summarised as:
     1. Proclaiming the Good News
     2. Teaching the Good News
     3. Living the Good News
     4. Transforming Society with the Good News
     5. Good News for Creation
We’ve already covered the first two in January, using things like Candy Canes hidden around church as an illustration
of not hiding the good news that we have to share and building a marshmallow and spaghetti tower to remind
ourselves that building on a strong foundation we need to grow in faith.
Youth Group is open to anyone in Secondary school and we meet from 5-6pm at St Paul’s Centenary Room. The dates
up to Easter are: 14th and 28th February, 13th and 27th March.
Team: Jacqui Taylor, George Green, Jennifer Smyth and Revd. Mike Barton.

                                                    YOUTH CHAT

I’m delighted to say that a new initiative called Youth Chat is starting up on Sunday mornings at St Paul’s Church after
the morning service at 11.30-12.30. It’s a great opportunity for anyone aged between 12-17 to ask questions about
how life and faith combine in a relaxed environment with plenty of cake!
Initially it will run approximately once a month on the following dates: 2 nd February, 1st March, 29th March, 3rd May
and I’m very grateful to congregation members Heather Henderson and Sara Richardson for volunteering to set it up.
The Log                                         Eleven

                                     AN AMAZING JIGSAW CELEBRATION
The tremendous interest in Jigsaws took us all a little by surprise but what a superb
afternoon we had in St. Paul’s Church, on the 26th January.
There were over 70 made up jigsaws displayed, some being remarkably complex
and in addition boxed jigsaws by the score of every size, shape and subject – all
donated and for sale.
We are most grateful to the people who have spent countless hours in recent weeks
making up jigsaws in readiness for this event – some have found it so fascinating
they are now well and truly jigsaw hooked.
What worked well was that on each of the refreshment tables in the Centenary
Room people could have fun doing part finished jigsaws while enjoying their
afternoon tea, creating a really lovely atmosphere.
We would like to thank Sheila Quigley for giving us the idea in the first place and our
sincere thanks to everyone who brought, bought or made jigsaws, not forgetting the
cake bakers you all contributed to the amazing total of £676 raised for Church
funds.
This could well be an annual event.

                                             SATURDAY BREAKFAST

                                                        Yes, good news for all breakfast lovers – Ann
                                                        Golding has been persuaded to come and
                                                        cook for us on Saturday 15th February when
                                                        breakfast will be served from 9am – 11am in
                                                        St. Paul’s Centenary Room. Do make sure you
                                                        don’t miss this opportunity to have a relaxing
                                                        Saturday morning with a full English or a
                                                        bacon or sausage bap – who can resist that?
Twelve                                                    The Log

    Tuesday Club
                                                     We were very pleased to welcome the return of Brian Halliwell in
                                                     December with his talk “Golden Age of Comedy” Part 3. Brian’s
                                                     group of talks cover the 60 year period from the first world war to
                                                     the 1970s and has included some well known and not so well
                                                     known comedians, most were made famous by their radio shows
                                                     long before television. Blackpool had numerous shows held at
various locations and, in its” hey day” became a favourite holiday destination for many visitors from all over England,
Scotland and Wales. Brian has a wonderful “re-call” of these performers and, along with his superb sketches; he
brought back many happy memories for some of our older members as well as giving everyone a jolly good laugh.

Before introducing our January meeting speakers, we held the club’s AGM when much to the relief of members our
Secretary Adrienne Atkinson, Chairman Fred Little and Treasurer Audrey Laker all agreed to serve for another year.
Sincere thanks were expressed for all that they do on behalf of the Tuesday Club. The club’s finances showed a
similar balance to last year enabling club membership to remain at £4 for the year and £2 per meeting.
The business part of the evening over we settled back to enjoy Ann & Gordon Sharp’s excellent ‘Spellbound’
Production films. Their main film was about Western Canada and a wonderful train journey from Vancouver to the
Rockies with huge Glaciers, roaring rivers and waterfalls to arrive in Banff. They took a coach trip on Highway One
from Banff to Lake Louise with great views of the 10 peaks, and had a visit to Sulphur Mountain when, returning to
their coach, they had a “Close Encounter” with a Grizzly Bear. As well as the views they were also delighted to see a
variety of wild life appearing on the road side, including Brown, Black Bears and Moose. From Banff they took a trip to
the Columbia Ice field, one of the biggest South of the Arctic Circle, where they had an Ice Explorer ride on the surface
of the Athabasca Glacier. The Glacier is one of the six principal “Toes “ of the Columbia Ice field located in the Canadian
Rockies. The glacier currently loses depth at a rate of about 16 ft per year and has receded (1636.8 yards) almost a
mile, losing over half of its volume in the past 125 years. Easily accessible it is the most visited glacier in North America;
approximately 3.7 miles long, covering an area of 2.3 square miles and is measured to be between 300–980 ft thick.
The coach then took them on to Jasper.

The following morning they boarded The Rocky Mountaineer train for an award-winning rail journey. This journey
offered an exhilarating range of scenery passing by Mount Robson, the expansive glaciers of the Albreda Icefields and
the Pyramid Falls, travelling through the snowy peaks of the Monashee Mountains to follow the Thompson River
before arriving into historic Kamloops, the gateway to the Interior of British Columbia. From Kamloops they again
caught the Rocky Mountaineer Train to enjoy the varied scenery on their journey to Vancouver. The following morning
they went to Tsawwassen to take the ferry through the glorious Gulf Islands region, to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island,
to continue to the world-famous Butchart Gardens, reclaimed from a limestone quarry in 1904 and now a riot of colour
and fragrance covering more than 30 acres. These beautiful gardens have long been one of Vancouver Island’s Premier
Attractions. Later that afternoon they continued to Victoria, the provincial capital of British Columbia. They went on
from here to Alaska, but this is for another time

11th February Ken Dagger returns with “Doing A Turn in’t Clubs” He has been before and was excellent, Hope you will
support us.
                                                                                                            Adrienne

      Lake Louise                   Maligne Lake Jasper               Athabasca Glacier                Ice Explorer

 Butchart Gardens Victoria           Rocky Mountaineer                     Vancouver                      Victoria
The Log Directory                                                                       Thirteen

             Molly Maids
           Cleaning Service
         Domestic Cleaning                                                                                 Bespoke Florist
       Top to Bottom cleaning                   Berry Lane Dental Surgery                                   Sara Barrow
         Weekly & Fortnightly                                   7 Berry Lane
                                                                                                   Flowers Gifts Weddings Funerals Events Corporate
    Reliable and Friendly Cleaner                                Longridge                                      Demonstrator Workshops
                                                               01772 782 066
                                                                                                  4 Inglewhite Road, Longridge, PR3 3JR
              Call Lorraine                     Email: reception@berrylanedentalsurgery.co.uk                  01772 786828
             07469 342 214                            Www.berrylanedentalsurgery.co.uk                 www.flowerswithpassion.co.uk

             Stephen Bennett
   PLUMBING & HEATING                              LONGRIDGE                      38 Berry Lane
                                                                                  Longridge              HOLIDAY COTTAGE
    Complete bathroom installations
                                                 ELECTRICAL                       Tel. 01772                        ALSTON LANE
                                               SERVICES & LIGHTING                783837                        Gold Rated 4 Star
  Gas, oil, solid fuel heating installations                                                       1 Bedroom/ Ground Floor Wheelchair Access
   Wood burners installed All general                                                                  Ideal for visiting family & friends
   plumbing, installations and repairs         Rewires - Extra Sockets - Security Lighting                     base for exploring
    Boiler and cylinder replacement            Burglar Alarms - Small Appliance Repairs                  www.theprovenhouse.co.uk
    Drains, guttering and roof repairs           Fluorescent Tubes - Light Bulbs - Etc.           Proprietor Kathleen English 01772 782653
       Free call out and estimates                                                                  07751 989759 or Lisa 07872 650021
               01254 878 555                     www.longridge-electrical.co.uk                       Email kenglish56@hotmail.co.uk
               07761 297 563

    Chimney Sweep                              Longridge Goldsmiths
              01772 613 015
              07941 818 687                                                                                   Plessington Court
                                                             Jewellers                                   60+ Sheltered Accomodation
                                                                                                    Apartments at our scheme in Longridge
          Certificates issued                         12 Towneley Parade, Berry Lane               please contact Sarah Reid 01772 783527
         sootethesweep.co.uk                               Longridge PR3 3HU                            sarah.read@msvhousing.co.uk
                                                              01772 782558

FERRARI’S                                                      SMC
Country House Hotel & Restaurant                            ELECTRICAL
                                                All aspects of electrical work undertaken
Open Daily for Lunches & Dinners                from a light switch to a complete rewire.
Civil Ceremonies & Wedding Receptions
Private Parties & Functions Catered for.                  Inspection & Testing,
                                                       Portable Appliance Testing,
Tel. 01772 783148 Fax. 01772 786174               CCTV, Security lighting, LED lighting.                    1 Berry Lane, Longridge
Chipping Road, Thornley, Longridge,                                                                              Open 7 days a week
                                                    07970 087 381 / 01772 782619                                 Weekdays 8am-3pm
Preston PR3 2TB                                                                                                  Saturday 8am-2pm
                                                     electrician@his-email.co.uk                                 Sunday 10am-1pm

                                                                        Jennifer Royle BSc

 RIBBLE FARM FARE
       High Class Greengrocers
                                                                        (Hons) MChS

                                                                        Sarah Turner BSc
                                                                        (Hons) MChS
                                                                                                       Anji’s
     Suppliers to the Catering Trade

Shay Lane Industrial Estate, Longridge          thefootroom
                                                                        HCPC Reg
                                                                        Chiropodists /
                                                                                                      Emporium
                                                                        Podiatrists                         37 Inglewhite Road
                                               2 Towneley Road, Longridge PR3 3EA                           Longridge PR3 3JS
       Tel. 01772 782693 / 783386                         01772 378812                                        01772 780073
                                                     Www.thefootroom.co.uk                                Large Car Park at Rear

                                                Steve Harling Decorating                            Joanna’s Animal Care
          Paul Gavaghan                            Local tradesman for all your
                                                       decorating needs.
                                                                                                     Dog walking and care of animals in their
                                                                                                                    own homes
  Chimney Sweep                                              Est 1987
                                                  High Quality Painting & Decorating
                                                                                                        Home boarding for friendly dogs.
                                                                                                   I have a lifetime’s experience looking after
      All types of flue cleaned                Commercial & Domestic, Interior & Exterior          animals, from cats to dogs, horses to hens.
                                                                                                         Regular and one off bookings.
        Weddings attended                               Insurance Quotations                           Fully insured and council registered
               01772 865 182                                                                                       Please call
               01772 865 182                        01772 785090 / 07966 185273                           Joanna Gavaghan
                                                         steharling@gmail.com                                    01772 865 182
               07765 226 957                    28 Water Meadows. Longridge, PR3 3BW                             07880 741 021
Fourteen                                               The Log Directory

Café ~ Bar ~ Hot/Cold Food
        Ice Cream                                             F.M.I. Foss Monks
       The Bridge                                                Installations                                         Shay Lane Trading Estate
                                                                                                                      Longridge, Preston. PR3 3BT
                                                              Gas Fires, Gas Cookers, Gas                               Telephone 01772 784626
        Eat in or Takeaway                                   Central Heating & Maintenance                                 www.foxtimber.c0.uk
           Free Delivery                                      Gas Appliance Safety Checks                            Railway Sleepers, Crossing Timbers,
    Outside Catering Specialists                                                                                              Concrete Sleepers,
114 Derby Road, Longridge PR3 3FE
                                                            Domestic, Commercial & Industrial                   Fencing Posts, Field Gates, Rails, Rustic Poles,
              01772 786464                                                Gas                                          Wire Fencing, Farming Hardware,
                                                                                                                Tanalised Timber treated by Vacuum / pressure
                                                             Plumbing Repairs & Renewals                           impregnation with‘Tanalith’ E preservative
                                                                 Complete Bathrooms
                                                             Underfloor Heating & Solar Hot
                                                                     Water Systems
                                                            For Special offers on boiler and fire
                                                                       servicing call                            LONGRIDGE UPHOLSTERY
         13 Berry Lane Longridge PR3 3JA                        Steve Monks 07710 191 991                             SPECIALISTS
                Tel: 01772 782220
                                                                  Matt Foss 01772 785347
           Professional - Friendly - Local                 E-mail f.m.i@hotmail.co.uk                                      Workshop / Showroom
   Sight Testing - NHS and Private 6 days a week                                                                    Unit B2, Shay Lane Industrial Estate
       Domiciliary Services, Contact Lenses
 Community Health Approved Minor Eye Services and                                                                      Longridge, Preston. PR3 3BT
                    Dry Eye Clinic
      One Hour Glazing and Repair Laboratory
                                                                                                                               01772 782337
 Ben Heaney BSc (Hons) MC Optom, Colin Hird FBDO CL

  WARWICK STREET
    MOTORS LTD                                                           Interior & Exterior
   MOT testing, servicing, repairs,
             diagnostics
 Warwick Street, Longridge PR3 3EB
           Euan Douglas
                                                                Painter & Decorator                             Haberdashery . Craft . Trimmings
                                                              Experienced, Reliable, Quality & Value                . . . And SEW much More
            01772 783282
   www.warwickstreetmotors.com                                                          Stuart Black                  68 Berry Lane, Longridge
                                                                                          01772 862 863                    Tel: 01772 780883
  warwickstreetmotors@hotmail.com                                                                                    Email catherinereid409@btinternet .com
                                                                                          07811 352 990

                                                                                                                  BONDS OF LONGRIDGE LTD.
 Exhausts, Tyres, Clutches, Brakes,                           Ireland’s Garage Ltd
Shock absorbers, Mechanical repairs,                                                                            Automobile Engineers - Repairs and Over-
                                                                           M.O.T Testing                                            hauls
Chassis welding, Servicing, Tracking                                   Servicing & Repairs
                                                             Engine Management Fault Diagnosis and              Tyres - Oil - Petrol - Spares - Accessories
                                                                                                                               M.O.T. Testing
RIBBLE VALLEY
                                                                  Repairs , Tyres & Tyre Repairs
                                                                    Wheel Balancing & Tracking
                                                                  Estimates without Obligation                     Stonebridge Garage, Longridge
TYRE AND AUTO                                                 60 Inglewhite Road, Longridge, Preston
                                                                        Tel. 01772 785553
                                                                     Email robpye@talktalk.net                               Tel 01772 783298
   SERVICES                                                          Www.irelandsgarage.com

 Stonebridge Mill, Kestor Lane, Lon-
               gridge.
      Tel. 01772 784000(day)                                                                                          Chartered Certified Accountants
     01772 782797(after hours)
       Mobile 07860 273196
                                                                                                                       WHALLEY SWARBRICK
                 Proprietors:                                           Cinema, Longridge                               Business Start-up Specialists
   David and Susan Newby                                    Telephone:     01772 956375
                                                                                                                          Free Initial Consultation
                                                            Email: info@thepalace-longridge.co.uk
                                                                    www.thepalace-longridge.co.uk                              01772 785405
                                                                                                                         Whalley Swarbrick Limited
                                                                                                                         16 Berry Lane, Longridge

                                                                             38 Derby Road Longridge PR3 3JT       Wilpshire Music School
                                                                                          Tel: 01772 785334
                                                                       enquiries@especiallyforyoubridal.co.uk
                                                                            www.especiallyforyoubridal.co.uk

                                   BRIDAL WEAR & BRIDESMAIDS
            All accessories, Bespoke Stationery, Bespoke Jewellery & friendly personal service
                                                                                                                          4 lessons £50
                                   MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY 9.30—5                                                 Piano Guitar Singing Sax Violin
                                                 SATURDAY 9.30– 4.30                                               www.wilpshiremusicschool.co.uk
The Log                                     Fifteen

     How about a breath of Fresh Prayer for the New Year and the New Decade?

                  WHERE: The Eckton Room at St Lawrence Church
    WHEN:       Weekly on Friday mornings: 9.30—11.30am with Refreshments
      WHY: The Prayer Course is designed to equip and inspire you to go deeper in prayer,
                            as individuals and as a Christian community.
                   Beginning on 31st January 2020 until 20th March
   LENGTH: 8 Sessions of small group work with video, discussion & prayer
                    The course is based around the Lord’s Prayer.
                            Led by Revd. Gill Mack and Ali Ng.

31st January:   Why Pray?                  Lord, Teach us to Pray.

7th February:   Adoration                  Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Your Name.

14th February: Petition                    Give us this Day our Daily Bread.

21st February: Intercession                Your Kingdom Come.

28th February: Unanswered Prayer           Your will be done.

6th March:      Contemplation              On earth as it is in Heaven

13th March:     Listening                  Give us this day our daily bread.

20th March:     Spiritual Warfare          Deliver us from the Evil one.

     For further information please speak to Revd Gill or Ali or Revd Mike Barton

         Please sign up at the back of one of the Churches or phone 01772 783983
        Or leave your name and number in an email to gillmack423@btinternet.com
Sixteen                                           The Log
                  SCHOOL NEWS by Headteacher Catherine Parkin

Christian Value: Peace
                 This term we have been exploring the Christian value of peace in our school worship.
                 We have looked at the many symbols of peace such as the dove, an olive branch and
                 a simple handshake. We then learned about the meaning of peaceful protest, and in particular, about
                 Martin Luther King who brought about immense change in society and faced aggressive injustice
                 without compromising his commitment to peace. Our school worship is, however, interactive. We
                 don’t simply expect our children to learn about others but we ask them to learn from others. We
examined our own behaviour by asking: Do I respond to injustice calmly but firmly? Do I feel the need to reply to anger
with anger? Could I diffuse a situation by not having to have the last word? We are beginning to understand that peace
is not all about eliminating external noise but is more about internal calm

Mrs Reid’s 80th
Happy 80th Birthday Mrs Reid! The children and staff presented our lovely
lollipop lady with cards and flowers in assembly recently. Mrs Reid is the
friendly face that our pupils and parents look forward to seeing at the
beginning and end of each school day. It’s good to hear that she has no
intention of retiring.

Global Neighbours
                                  School is currently working towards Global Neighbours accreditation. This is an
                                  award, backed by Christian Aid, which aims to encourage a deeper understanding of
                                  global injustice and the Christian response to it in primary school pupils across
                                  England. School has been involved in fundraising for good causes for some time now
                                  and we have a history of participation in local community events. We are now
                                  joining with the cluster schools to improve our eco-credentials. Each of the schools
                                  in the Longridge Cluster will be a hub for recycling one product usually thought of as
                                  non-recyclable. Mrs Ingram and her eco-group will be collecting plastic bread bags.
Any brand can be recycled – just drop them off at school!

PNE experience
Many thanks to our governor Jeff Laker and his daughter, Annie, who got free tickets for some of our children to watch
Preston play Charlton Athletic recently. The lucky competition winners, pictured here, got to take penalties on the
pitch at half time. Miss Boardman said that they all had fun, despite the cold.
The Log                                                   Seventeen

                                   PARISH MEAL AT THE CORPORATION ARMS
                                                        A splendid meal and some
                                                        great company; what better
                                                        way is there to spend a
                                                        January evening? Thanks go
                                                        to Terry and Eileen Lewis for
                                                        again organising everything
                                                        and for preparing the always
                                                        eagerly awaited Quiz! This
                                                        year’s questions had the
                                                        inevitable picture round
                                                        where you knew the face but
                                                        couldn’t think of the name,
                                                        followed by some pot luck
questions, events of 2019 and a sports round. The winners were Helen Clements, Pat
Bolton and Val Wardley. The booby prize winners, who shall be nameless, seemed to
be delighted with their Crackerjack cabbage prize.
                                              A lovely evening all round.

                                                 A FESTIVAL OF CROSSES

                     The PCC Social and Fellowship Group are embracing a lovely idea put forward by parishioner Steph
                     Willan by planning a ‘Festival of Crosses’ which will be held in St. Paul’s Church from the 5th – 12th
                     April. (Palm Sunday – Easter Day). Holy Week has been deliberately chosen for the festival, being
                     the time when we consider most deeply the meaning and significance of the cross.

                     It is our hope that the local schools, young people’s organisations and community groups as well
                     as our own parish organisations will want to be involved. The cross is of course the best known
symbol of Christianity but crosses can be in different styles, and made using different materials. It is our hope that the
festival will encourage both groups and individuals to explore imaginative ways in which a cross can be presented eg.
using non recycled plastic, painted hand prints, as a collage, a wall hanging, using different textures and colours – the
possibilities are endless.

St. Paul’s Church will be open for visitors during the week so that as many people as possible will have the opportunity
to view the festival and we are hoping that if there is sufficient interest and support then rosettes can be awarded to
the most imaginative displays.

If you would like further details or wish to reserve display space, please contact either Steph Willan on 875210
(shlwillan@hotmail.co.uk) or Dot Little on 783998 (dotlittle003@gmail.com).

                                                         PTFA NEWS
                                     The PTFA had a great year paying for the new markings
                                     on our fabulous playground and a set of 8 iPads for all
                                     of the children to use at school. Many thanks to
                                     everyone for all of their support. This year we continue
                                     our fundraising for school equipment with lots more
                                     fun events.

Our next big event will be a Barn Dance on Friday 13th March this is open to everyone to
come and have a dance, tickets will be available from the school office.

This is followed by our Easter Chocolate bingo on Thursday 2nd April more details to follow.    Katie Keighley
Eighteen                                           The Log
                                     REMEMBERING MICHAEL BUCKLEY
                                            Rev’d Mike’s address at the funeral
It’s my privilege now on behalf of Michael’s family to share with you a few reflections
about his life.
Those of you who knew Michael well will know that he would have sincerely wanted his
funeral service to be much less about him and much more about God.
There is a lovely line in the hymn, Majesty, which we’re going to be singing later on
which goes,
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus, Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.
Michael lived to serve his King, the Lord Jesus Christ, and so our aim is to honour
Michael’s convictions today.
What I do want to do now though is speak a little of Michael’s faithful service to
encourage us all in our own journey of faith – wherever we find ourselves at.
Michael’s family describe his life as being a bit like a diamond, not because he was rich,
remember he was a vicar! But because it had many different facets.
He was born in Southport to parents Brian and Madge and grew up there as an only
child.
Michael would never be lonely though, partly because of his love of football where he
started playing with some boys from the Covenanters group at Christchurch, Southport.
Here he met Stephen, Ruth’s brother who he would go with to watch Southport football club. And then in one of God’s
ordained pincer movements Ruth’s father was one of the leaders.
So, Michael met Ruth at the associated Youth Group and became a Christian at the age of 16.
Gradually Michael then started on the track towards ordination but after being at college for a year felt too young and
needed more experience in the world before being ordained.
This was when Michael and Ruth decided to get married! Michael was 22, Ruth was 21.
Ruth is one of nine children and Michael became very much part of all of their lives. Often this involved chasing around
different parts of the country for various family functions. Given Michael’s patient nature I’m sure he was very
compliant!
Michael and Ruth started a family of their own and four children came along over the course of time and in different
locations, Rachel and Katie in Stathern, Leicestershire; Peter in Southport and Anna in Magul.
It’s testament to Michael and Ruth’s love for their children that the family are so close. This was very evident to see in
what has been a very difficult last few weeks.
After the call to complete his ordination training at St. John's, College, Durham Michael served in four different
parishes.
He served his curacy at St John's Birkdale, Southport, the same parish where he grew up in but he had never been into
the church!
He became a team vicar at St Peter's Maghull in Liverpool, before serving as the vicar of St John's Earlestown, and
Team Rector at St Mary's Great Sankey, a title he never really liked!
Michael’s passion was always preaching Jesus and he had a great love for sharing the bible in innovative and accessible
ways; once when he was preaching on Easter day he jumped out of the pulpit and did summersaults down the central
aisle.
His point was not to show off his athletic prowess but rather to prove that surprising things do happen, so that when
congregation members went back to their friends to tell them what the vicar had done, even if their friends didn’t
believe them, Michael’s congregation members who had witnessed it would know the truth.
So it was for Jesus’ disciples who were shocked and surprised to witness Jesus rise from the dead.
Under God’s guiding hand Michael also managed to re-order two different churches.
Those of you who know something of church life will also know this too is something of a miracle.
I believe with the support of others Michael managed to achieve this because he was a great listener, he was
personable, he was not a distant vicar. He loved God and he loved people.
This enabled him to remain true to his convictions but present his case in a way people found it hard to disagree with.
In some ways these reflections are gathering together the collective memory of all the churches Michael has served in,
and in his retirement Michael has been a tremendous help to both Neil at St Michael’s Grimsargh, and to me here at St
Lawrence with St Paul Longridge.
The Log                                               Nineteen

Michael had a great gift for taking some complicated passage of scripture and communicating it in a simple way that
was memorable and easily understood.
I found that when Michael preached the Holy Spirit moved.
Some of us here also enjoyed doing bible study with Michael and he’d always hold back comment in very self-effacing
way, but when I enquired what he thought he’d always summarise what was going on in the most penetrating way.
Michael didn’t like to show off but he was a studious and intelligent man.
We’ll also remember Michael for his huge laugh and big orators voice so that it never really mattered if Michael
figured out how to turn his microphone on or not.
I’m told that at home his volume wasn’t always appreciated as he liked to hum different tunes when it was time for
the children to go to bed.
Back at home with his family Michael always wanted the best for his children and he got a second lease of life with his
6 grandchildren, Eliza, Edward, Henry, Louie, Max and Penelope.
When it came to relaxing, he liked watching and riding on Steam Trains as a hobby and listening to a wide range of
music.
Apparently the only instrument he could play was a tape recorder!
He was always well informed on topical issues and as John Stott used to say ‘he had a bible in one hand and the
newspaper in the other.’
Michael had a great memory and was an expert at searching through old books to find a relevant quote.
On TV he would stay up late watching Newsnight and Question Time and he liked to watch the classic slapstick
comedies such as Faulty Towers, Dad’s Army and Morcambe and Wise. Michael generally enjoyed being flabbergasted
by other people’s sheer stupidly!
Over the years Michael’s family treasured, some very special holidays in the Lake District at Fellfield House,
Hawkshead.
And then this year they had two big family holidays in Leek in January and August to celebrate Michael’s 70th and
Anna’s birthday.
Michael would have been very pleased he managed to live a very biblical 3 score years and 10, and during this time as
husband, dad and granddad and friend he was solid and constant.
To begin to draw these reflections to a close, knowing how Michael thought, he’d want to apologise for his death, but
he’d also want to say Goodbye – for a while – with the words ‘God bless’.
Our special memories of Michael are now captured in the heart of God’s eternity where, because of Michael’s
Christian faith, we can say with surety he now rests in peace to rise again.
Michael would often say things like I’m a simple person really, but we all know he was simply wonderful…
…And made even more wonderful because of the amazing God he lived to serve.

                              CHAPTER HOUSE - CHRISTIAN BOOK CLUB
   We are a small group from Church who have been meeting together since August 2019. We meet at Cromwells
   every 3rd Tuesday in the month and so far we have read and reviewed
   1. Doing Time with God by Bill Dyer
   2. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
   3. Neither Bomb nor Bullet by Ben Kwashi
   4. If you want to walk on water you've got to get out of the boat by John Ortberg
   These are the books we are going to review;
   February - The Lord and his Prayer - Tom Wright. Meeting up on Tuesday 18th.
   March - For Lent, to be decided.
   April - Etty Hellisum, a life transformed - Patrick Woodhouse
   May - The Return. Grace and the Prodigal - J. John and Chris Walley

   If you are interested in joining us or would just like to borrow copies of the first four
   books, please talk to Barbara Green or Penny Green.
Twenty                                             The Log

                                            INSPIRATIONAL WORDS:
                                                Reflections on Epiphany

                                             At the Ecumenical Service for Epiphany Father Tony Dutton included a
                                             reflection, read out during the Service by Father John Gray. Some words
                                             in that reflection were a reminder to me and possibly to others in the
                                             congregation how God comes into our lives through ordinary, everyday
                                             experiences which we can miss or take for granted.
                                             Part of the reflection is repeated below and is perhaps particularly
                                             relevant to us with our emphasis this year on the ‘In Loving
                                             Community’ element of our vision statement.

‘Angels came and told the shepherds where Jesus was to be found. The kings followed the light of a star that led to
Jesus. Today, we experience God in far more ordinary ways. God continues to break and burst into our world and our
lives in many different ways. We have to be looking for them or else we might miss them. An act of kindness,
compassion or generosity from someone reminds us that God is with us. A silent hand on our shoulder when we are
struggling can reveal God to us. An apology made and a hand offered as a sign of peace; these are all small daily
epiphanies. These are the ways and times that God continues to break into our world time and time again each and
every day. The feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is not about something that just happened a long time ago – this great
feast reminds us to look for and find God within and around us.
A poet once wrote that God is in the bits and pieces of every day. The ways we experience God are not always in loud
and dramatic ways. God often just whispers to us gently and nudges us to hear something, notice something or do
something. We have to be looking and searching for these signs or again we might miss them. We have to be listening
or we might miss the whisper.
The kings had the wisdom and courage to follow the star wherever it led them. Today in our own daily lives, do we have
the courage, the wisdom and the faith to let God guide and direct us?
As we look upon the crib, we cannot remain there. Like the shepherds and the wise men, we too are called to move
away and take the light of Jesus with us. We are asked not only to admire the light, but to be people of light. As Jesus
himself tells us, you are the light of the world and your light must shine.’ The light of the Epiphany is given to us as a
gift, but we cannot keep it to or for ourselves. Through the quality of our daily lives and how we treat each other, we
are called to make our families, homes, parish communities and the wider world a better and brighter place for all
people, especially the poor and the marginalised.
On this great feast of the Epiphany of our Lord, we pray for ourselves and for all people of good will who are searching
for God. May we have the light of faith to guide us through the ordinary events of our daily lives.’

So let’s not expect a clanging symbol but always be listening for that important whisper.

New Welcome Card

Churches Together have had a card printed with contact and website information of
the participating churches. We are grateful to Richard Fisher for the lovely drawing
of the churches and to Samuel Reynolds of Circle and Square who has taken the
information and designed a superb card that we will be delivering to welcome
people moving into the new housing around Longridge.
The Log                                             Twenty-one

                            CHURCHES TOGETHER IN LONGRIDGE & DISTRICT
Epiphany Service

                                                            Our first Ecumenical Service of the year was well attended
                                                            and it was lovely that so many people from the different
                                                            churches were able to take part. The photograph shows
                                                            James Cowell, Bernard Seed and John Spencer who were
                                                            our Three Wise Men.
                                                            (See a Reflection of the Epiphany’ opposite)

World Day of Prayer Friday 6th March 2020
Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk
Women, men and children of all ages are called to ‘Rise, take your mat
and walk’ to join in a service of prayer. Women of Zimbabwe have
prepared this year’s service and they encourage us to reflect on the
difficulties and unrest that have plagued their country over many years.
They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the
future.
World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation which
enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world;
their hopes, concerns and prayers. The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over
170 countries. Churches Together in Longridge and District will be
holding a service at Christ Church on Berry Lane on 6th March. The
service will begin at 11am and will include music, readings, prayers and
presentations lead by members of all our local churches. The service will
last approximately one hour and will be followed by a Lenten Lunch at
the same venue.
Please come and join us for this service of reflection and hope.

Lent Lunches
An opportunity to put the dates and venues in your diary. As in previous years proceeds from these simple soup and
sandwich lunches will go to support the work of CAFOD and Christian Aid. Lunches will be served from 12 Noon – 1pm.
We are grateful to our friends at Christ Church for allowing us to use Christ Church Hall for the Lent Lunches allocated
to St. Lawrence with St. Paul to allow the Foodbank to run in St. Paul’s Centenary Room.

            February 28th             St. Wilfrid’s Parish Room       St. Wilfrid’s
            March     6th             Christ Church Hall              Christ Church/Grimsargh
                     13th             St. Wilfrid’s Parish Room       Catering by Alston Lane.
                     20th             Christ Church Hall              Catering by St. Lawrence with St. Paul
                     27th             Christ Church Hall              Christ Church/Grimsargh
            April     3rd             Christ Church Hall              Catering by St. Lawrence with St. Paul
You can also read