Dear friends, This time last year, during one of Alec`s sermons, Maggie had a vision. She was looking round church and thought that a flower festival would be a lovely idea in church. She gathered a team and the theme was agreed upon, “The Joys of a Rural Parish” and it was decided that everyone would choose a hymn as the theme for their arrangements. A whole range of individuals and groups agreed to take part and the enthusiasm just kept growing. Regular meetings were held and jobs shared out. A concert was planned together with a Songs of Praise service. There was to be an art exhibition and Jane agreed to do a history exhibition. The George and Dragon agreed to get involved and many volunteered for stewarding, serving teas and tower tours. The community came together in quite a wonderful way and over the 3 days, 100’s of people visited the festival and were overwhelmed by the various displays. It was to be a fundraiser for church funds but it was so much more than that. People were so interested about what goes on in our church and there were many fruitful conversations. The church was drawing people in from so many places – seeing so many people in and around church – it seemed like the church was at the very heart of things. It was an utterly joyful event. Our building is beautiful at the best of times, but it was “heavenly” – in the words of one of the visitors. At the music event, we had such a range of talent volunteering their talent to raise funds for St Luke`s and WF for Ukraine, singers, pianists, a flautist, a trumpeter, we had a folk vocalist and comic songs and such a wide range of ages came to listen. Again it was so joyful. We are so thankful to everyone who came along and the many people who took part in a range of ways. We have so much to be joyful about at St Mary`s and St Mark`s. We are blessed with the most extraordinary people who are part of our church family, we have the widest range of service types from BCP to Forest Church, we have two fabulous church schools – who won the people`s choice at the festival for their teddy bears extravaganza in the Lady Chapel and we have a building that has been soaked in prayer over the centuries which draws people closer to God……..what brings you joy at St Mary`s? Our buildings are incredible so if at any time you have a vision or thoughts as to how they could be used then please let us know. I read a book about how village churches thrive which was challenging, and in the autumn, we hope to get together as a parish to look to the future. What are we doing well? What do we do badly? Are there groups we do not reach? How is our welcome? How can our church building engage visitors who have questions about faith So many questions. Your prayers would be valued together with your input We also pray for all teachers and staff as they take time out – what you do is extraordinary so take time for you this summer. For those children who are leaving us and moving to high school you go with our love and prayers. It has however been such a busy time for all of us that there should be some time for rest. Jesus was often found asleep – even in the middle of a storm. It is the summer time = an ideal time for rest. Don`t feel you always have to be busy – be like Jesus – take naps. Love Christina
The set readings for the Festival of Pentecost, which we celebrated last month, describe gatherings of Jews and others in Jerusalem before and after the crucifixion of Jesus, and his resurrection and ascension, and on Pentecost Christians from across the world will have gathered to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon those first disciples and apostles and believers, and their subsequent empowerment, as well as the continuing gifts and work of the Spirit in our lives today. Last month I was at a Deanery gathering of clergy, Readers and Pastoral Workers and we had a guest speaker – a very dynamic and enthusiastic worker with Warrington Youth for Christ, Kim Wellens, who is also the organizer for the Church at the Creamfields Festival in August of each year. Kim works across High Schools in Warrington, and further afield, and she spoke very positively and enthusiastically about the growing trend nationally amongst Gen Z young people (18-24 year olds) expressing an interest in the Christian faith and especially in the person of Jesus. Kim wanted especially to encourage all of us, and especially those in parishes where young people were rarely seen, and to commend all of us in the work we were doing and the seeds we were sowing through our different services, events and activities – and to be always thinking, praying and reflecting on what we were doing, and the ways in which we were being led by the Holy Spirit. It was quite a talk, and there was a real sense and feeling of hope and expectation within the meeting, in spite of some misgivings and pessimism. Later in the month I and others from the Deanery and Diocese attended a meeting of the Diocesan Synod, held at the beautiful Church of St Michael and All Angels in the centre of Runcorn, and there was much discussion about the Diocesan strategy “Together in Christ, Sharing Hope ” and about things that were being done in different parishes across the Diocese. In small groups we were asked to think and talk about a question set before us: “What is working in your context (parish, school, chaplaincy....) that is helping us to grow or to bless the 1.5million?” Needless to say, there was a lot to think and talk about, and the Diocesan team will, I hope, be busy pulling a lot of strands together so that we can all learn from each other. Amongst many things discussed were the presence of the Church at the Creamfields Festival and the Royal Cheshire County Show, as well as the Flourish projects in local CofE Aided Schools and Forest Church. On a related note, and as part of the period of prayer between the Festivals of Ascension and Pentecost, known as “Thy Kingdom Come”, it was very interesting to read of the results of a survey commissioned for this period, where 2,000 people were asked to choose from multiple-choice options the source of famous phrases that most people would recognize. Amongst other phrases were: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” 38% “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” 61% “To be or not to be” 73% “May the force be with you” 79% And the phrase recognised correctly by the most people in the survey, 80.3%, was.......”Give us this day our daily bread.....” from the Lord’s Prayer (I’ll leave you to decide on the other answers!) Interestingly 89% of the people surveyed said they had recited the Lord’s Prayer at some stage recently, including a large number of people who claimed to have no religion or faith. Over half the people surveyed said they used the Lord’s Prayer in their daily prayer, and that the line they found most meaningful was “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”. The Archbishop of York commented on the survey: “In a world of shifting cultures and changing circumstances, the Lord’s Prayer remains a steady guide – perhaps never more so than now.” We should not be surprised – God’s Spirit is with us always, and we are sent into the world to show God’s love and care for each and every one of us, through word and deed and prayer – and we may never know whose lives have been touched by God through us – but God knows. And so, as we look forward to summer fairs and fetes, and especially to our own Flower Festival in the middle of the month, when we will be celebrating all the many and different joys of a rural parish, let us give thanks to God for all His blessings, and let us renew our commitment to being “together in Christ, sharing hope”. The Revd Alec Brown.
Possibly, due to the release of Conclave at the cinema, many of my friends have been glued to the events in Rome. The Anglican Church has so much to learn from our Catholic Friends – in 17 days there is a new Pope – Robert Francis Prevost – Leo XIV. Our Archbishop resigned 12th November and we only now know the names of the people who will consider the nominations! When the new Pope was announced everyone waited with baited breath to learn of the new name that had been chosen. For more than 500 years, Popes used their own names. Then they would simplify their own names or choose a symbolic one or a name which referred to previous pontiffs. Pope Francis most closely associated with St Francis and we saw this through his care for creation and in all matters ecological. Robert Francis Prevost was born in Chicago but has a Peruvian passport as he has spent most of his life working with the poor and marginalised as a missionary in Peru. He belongs to an Augustinian order and so at St Marys we already feel a bond with him – Norton Priory, which was an Augustinian priory , owned the land at Great Budworth and received our tithes. Names are so important. Last week in church we had a delightful baby, called Atticus. Some of you will have read “To kill a mockingbird” or at least seen the film with Gregory Peck. Some of you will have a family name or you may have been named after a Saint. I don`t know how often you have been asked about your name, but if there is a story about it – I would love to know. Why has Robert Francis Prevost chosen the name Leo? – we do not know as yet. In times of uncertainty, God raises up leaders. When the Church faces storms—whether doctrinal confusion, external threats, or moral decline—God does not leave His people without shepherds. The election of Leo I as Pope in the 5th century was such a moment. He led the church between 440 and 461AD. Leo became Pope during a time of chaos. The Roman Empire was falling apart. Heresies were threatening the Church’s unity. Barbarian tribes were advancing on Rome. Fear was everywhere. But Leo stepped into the role not with fear, but with faith. We too live in uncertain times. The Church and the world are often confused, divided, and afraid. But God is still calling men and women to stand firm in truth and lead with courage. Whether in public or private life, we are each called to rise with conviction. Leo was not only a theologian—he was a pastor. When Attila the Hun threatened to destroy Rome, Leo famously met him and persuaded him to turn back. When the Vandals later sacked the city, Leo protected civilians and negotiated for mercy. Leo stood between the people and danger and he was a man of peace He also believed every believer had a sacred calling—to reflect Christ in their lives. Each of us are called. Called to live with integrity. Called to love sacrificially. Called to reflect the glory of God. Don’t wait for a title to live out your purpose. You may not wear a mitre or write a theological tome, but the same Spirit that empowered Leo empowers you. In your home, in your workplace, in your relationships, you have been chosen to stand firm in Christ To leave you with Pope Leo`s words “Peace be with you all”. These are the 1st words spoken by the risen Christ It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all unconditionally So, let us move forward, without fear, together, hand in hand with God and with one another other! We are followers of Christ. Christ goes before us. The world needs his light. Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love. Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace. “ Amen With love, prayers and blessings Christina
After the very changeable weather of April, we are all I’m sure looking forward to a sunnier, calmer May, though the newly planted crops and our gardens do need rain and of course we do well to “not cast a clout till May is out!” In relation to the weather and farming, it is no coincidence that a number of agricultural festivals occur in this coming month, especially Rogationtide, when traditionally prayers have been asked (which is where the term comes from) for the growing crops, and where the Parish boundaries were reinforced and emphasized in the traditional “beating of the bounds”. We will, I hope, be combining these two very old traditions in our annual Rogation Service on 25th May, which usually includes a very short walk around the Church and Churchyard, and that afternoon the Bishop of Chester will be visiting us for the monthly Forest Church Service, which will be taking place at Guide Post Farm. Earlier in the month I will be leading the annual Boyd Walk, from St Mark’s Church in Antrobus, in memory and celebration of the noted naturalist and author A.W. Boyd who lived in Antrobus and who wrote about Great Budworth and Antrobus Parishes in his classic book “A Country Parish” which was one of the earliest of the works of the New Naturalist series of books to be published in the late 1940/50s. It isn’t a very demanding walk, but is a chance for us to celebrate both our countryside and the talent and enthusiasm of a local writer and gifted observer of all the things around him, both in the natural world and in the culture and customs of the inhabitants of that world. As with some of yourselves, Boyd was alive at the ending of the Second World War, and we will be remembering and giving thanks for victory in Europe, and Japan, on Thursday 8th May, in much the same way as we did last year for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Many of us I’m sure will have, or will have had, family members who were alive then and who perhaps took part in World War 11 – two of my paternal uncles from Southern Rhodesia (as it was then) were in the North African and Italian campaigns, and one was killed in North Africa, and my mother and her family lived through the War on the eastern edge of London, though my mother was evacuated to Gloucestershire for part of that time. My surviving uncle never really spoke about his time in North Africa and Italy – apart from telling me often how much he had loved Rome, when they eventually got there! It will be a very special day, and at the end of the Service in Church we’ll be gathering outside with lighted Candle and forming a circle in the Churchyard, at around the time that beacons will be lit across the country in memory of peace in Europe. We continue to pray of course for peace in Europe in this 21st Century, as well as in a number of other countries across our world, and in these post-Easter weeks of May, as we progress towards Ascension and Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can I think all take much comfort, and hope, from the events we celebrated a few weeks ago – the resurrection victory of life over death. May God’s blessing be upon us all in this coming month. The Revd Alec Brown Vicar of Great Budworth and Antrobus.
