Meeting held 4pm on 23rd Sept 2025Churchyard: We would like to arrange a working party to sort some minor jobs in the Churchyard round the Church - do contact Linda (Churchwarden)The Churchyard extension (behind the war memorial) needs work and some kind folk in the village have offered to help. Do contact Linda.Ecumenical Fellowship: is proposed to start meeting monthly staring on Oct 24th at 2pm - contact Brian (Vicar) or Heather Hayward.Alton Advent Calendar is being planned – do tell Louie Young your ideas Boiler Saga is ongoing. There are no spare parts for the old boiler that has worked well for years and new government rules mean the ventilation is not considered adequate. We will need to make a hole in the Church wall once a replacement is obtained. We have a temporary grill in the West door as we cope with the changes – this will be reinstated as it was as soon as we can. We had to consider electric heating for the Church but have decided to stay with Gas, but now are finding quotes for the work hard to source. Please be patient with us.
Chaos and training“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”(Romans 8:28)God is always good. The parsonages department at Lichfield decided that after 16 years in the Vicarage, I needed a new bathroom. Like many people in tied or rented houses – we are dependent on the landlord to renovate. As I write we are in the second week of having workmen in the house having made dust and noise. We are interested to see what the new walls and shower will look like, but anxious to get back to normal. Some helpful friends offered the use of their shower when we needed it.We’re not used to this, and it has caused some feelings of being overwhelmed and frustrated. However, in these moments of chaos, we can find profound lessons about patience, faith, and reliance on God.Disruptions can serve as a divine invitation to lean into our faith and discover deeper truths about ourselves and our relationship with God.One of the most valuable lessons we can learn during a home renovation—or any disruption—is patience. When we’re faced with the noise and mess of construction, it forces us to pause and reflect. We might not have our usual comforts, but we can take this time to deepen our prayer life, read Scripture, and engage in meaningful conversations with family members. Each moment of inconvenience becomes an opportunity to practice patience and trust in God’s timing.In the midst of disruption, it’s essential to find joy. Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV) teaches us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Even when the shower is out of commission and the kitchen feels like a construction site, we can choose to find joy in the little things, a warm cup of tea, a moment of laughter, or a shared meal.Consider the biblical account of Paul and Silas, who sang hymns while imprisoned (Acts 16:25). Their joy in the middle of suffering not only uplifted their spirits but also led to the conversion of the jailer. Our joyful attitude during times of disruption can be a powerful testimony to others.Disruptions often highlight our dependence on God. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) reassures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” When we lack our usual conveniences, we can turn our focus toward God, recognizing that our true needs—peace, comfort, joy—come from Him.As we navigate the challenges of even minor inconveniences, like home transformations, we are reminded to rely on God’s provision. Whether it’s finding creative solutions for daily needs or simply taking a moment to pray, our dependence on God becomes crystal clear.Living through disruptions can be challenging, but they also serve as potent reminders of God’s presence in our lives. By embracing patience, finding joy, and learning to depend on Him, we can transform the chaos of life into a spiritual journey. Times that are worse will come, and if we have taken every opportunity to train our spirits to cope well with minor inconveniences, we will be much better able to deal with terrible emergencies.Remember that, like the builders in our home, God is at work, shaping us into the people He desires us to be. So, the next time you find yourself in a state of disruption, pause and seek the lessons God has in store for you. After all, even in the mess, He is crafting something beautiful.“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Brian Leathers September 2025
Harvest Supper for Alton and Bradley Considering how best to take the many requests for different food that we had from the last Harvest Supper the committee have decided to book the “Ship Inn” at Upper Tean. Notices will go up in the Churches with the menu and we need a £5 deposit for each person booking in please. Do note that we are limited to a maximum of 50 people in total
Hallowed be Thy name2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” (Luke 11:2-4)Most of us pick up a nickname as we travel through life – often starting at school. When I was a young bobby on the beat, my colleagues soon worked out one for me. My surname Leathers gave them the way in – they were big on looking after their cars, and the “chamois leather” was a good cloth for getting a good shine on your bonnet. So, I was known as “Shammy” when they were not using my callsign on the radio. It wasn’t a special name and often used for fun. However my real name is special to me, and each of us at our baptism is given a name which is special.In the Lord’s prayer we ask that God’s name be “hallowed”. This is not a term we use often today. It is an archaic word which means “holy”. In the prayer we are asking that God’s name would be holy. In much of modern speech, God’s name is not holy – it is profane. Merely a swearword. So, one part of the Lord’s prayer is where we are reminding ourselves that we should keep His name holy. We treat His name with respect and honour. We are to see God’s name as sacred and set apart from everything else.Hallowing God's name means recognizing how truly amazing God is. It's like saying, "God, You are so special, so powerful, and so full of love! Your name is worthy of all praise!". We show this honour in many ways. So, we avoid using His name carelessly or in anger; when we follow God's rules, we show that we respect Him and want to please Him; and we try to be kind, helpful, and forgiving, just like Jesus taught us.Hallowing God's name also comes from a heart full of gratitude. Think about all the wonderful things God has given us: our families, our friends, our homes, the beautiful world around us, and most of all, His love. When we are thankful for these gifts, we naturally want to praise God and honour His name.It's not just about saying "hallowed be Your name" in our prayers. It's about living it out every day. Here are some ways you can hallow God's name: Thank God for the good things in your life: Take a moment each day to appreciate what God has given you. Be kind to others: Show God's love to everyone you meet, even when it's hard. Tell others about Jesus: Share the good news of God's love with your friends and family. Make ethical decisions: Let your actions be guided by biblical principles. When we hallow God's name, we're not just saying words; we're showing the world how amazing God is through our actions and our attitudes. We are demonstrating that God is real, good, and worthy of honour. And that's something to be truly grateful for!11 ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’ (Revelation 4:11) Brian Leathers August 2025
