IN TOUCH JULY 2021 The Parish Magazine of the Hanley Team Ministry
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IN TOUCH
The Parish Magazine of the
Hanley Team Ministry
JULY 2021
Rev. Phillip (01782) phillip.e.jones@
Team Rector
Jones 922540 talktalk.net
July, who scatters from his pockets
the fluff of blow-balls in a cloud,
who enters through the open window,
who chatters to himself aloud…
Unkempt, untidy, absent-minded,
soaked through with smell of dill and rye,
with linden-blossom, grass and beet-leaves,
the meadow-scented month July. [Boris Pasternak]
July’s magazine is crammed full of the usual goodies… and more
There is news about the General Synod, a message from the Bishop of
Lichfield about the Shaping for Mission process, and appointments of a
Curate and a Pioneer Missioner.
Chris Turner pays tribute to Marjorie Salmon of St. Matthew’s Church
Our leading article this month comes from our Parish Treasurer, Angus
Paterson, who writes of the financial challenges the Hanley churches
face still. He also offers some solutions.
CPAS (an Anglican evangelical mission agency) recently issued advice
about how our habits may have changed, for good or ill, during
lockdown and what to do about them. Why not try their habit audit, an
abridged version of which is reproduced in this month’s magazine.
As Angus Paterson features in his article on church
finance this month, he has been given a month off as
the hidden face of ‘In Touch’. Try to spot our two
Assistant Editors, recently adopted cats Boz and Sid.
Boz Sid
In Touch Editor Graham Foxley 07707011628 mgtfoxley@live.co.uk
2
TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY
The Parish Share, that is the question.
You may think this is "much ado about nothing", as
William Shakespeare wrote, but it is much ado about
many things.
The Parish Share is vital if we are able to continue to be supplied with
clergy, thus allowing us to worship, not only each Sunday, but also at
our mid week services.
That's not where the buck stops. Our Rector is responsible for many of
the day-to-day things that you and I do not see or know.
It is quite possible, or probably happens, that the Rector can spend
days on end on the administration side of things; ensuring that the
Team, and its activities run as smoothly as possible, arranging and
attending DCC and PCC and many other meetings, on pastoral care,
baptism, wedding and funeral visits, the Project at St. Mark's and, of
course, sermons and worship preparation.
Our Parish Share for 2021 is £36,750. This is considerably less than we
should be paying, which is well over £50,000. The diocese has
basically, using a school term, "put us in special measures."
The above sum does not include the budget of £4,960 to cover many
aspects of the running of the Team - clergy expenses, decorating
scheme, alarm systems, and a few lesser items such as the printing of
our great magazine " In Touch". All this adds up to quite a lot of money.
We are half way through the year and, sadly, we are lagging behind in
our share payments to the diocese, by approximately £15,515
3
We have only paid £2,660 so far, so you can see the financial
predicament we are in. You may remember the pop group "Dire
Straits"; well, that is where we are.
The reason I am writing this, as Parish Treasurer,
is to ask again for your help and generosity. What
you can do to help is this:
• faithfully, put your normal giving each
week into your envelopes and if you are
unable to attend church yourselves, please
give them to someone who does;
• similarly, the money that you may spend at bingo, coffee
mornings, quiz nights or fayres could be saved, put to one side,
and then given to our churches;
• alternatively, if you would prefer to make a payment by
cheque, please make it out to the church of your choice and
send to, Rev. Phillip Jones, The Rectory 35 Harding Road Stoke
on Trent ST1 3BQ.
If you were able to put any of these suggestions in place, this would be
a massive boost, financially, and would enable our churches hopefully
to begin increasing their payments towards the share.
Then, we might still continue as the Hanley Team Ministry, serving the
Lord and our communities here in this city.
Thank you and
God Bless
Angus
4
Helping Hands
Caring since 1989
Join our team!
We are looking for compassionate and
dedicated people to join our team of carers.
• No experience necessary • Ongoing support
• Flexible work patterns • Competitive rates of pay
Visit our website to apply: Call us on:
helpinghands.co.uk/jobs 01782 968 595
JULY ANNIVERSARIES
100 years – foundation of the Chinese Communist Party,
discovery of insulin
60 years – birth of Diana, Princess of Wales, death of Ernest
Hemingway
40 years – opening of the Humber Bridge linking Yorkshire and
Lincolnshire
25 years – birth of the first cloned animal, Dolly the sheep
15 years – launch of Twitter
10 years – death of Amy Winehouse
5
HABIT CHECKER A habit is a behaviour that occurs automatically, over and over, often unconsciously. Habits develop over time, sometimes deliberately, sometimes unintentionally, and they form us for good or bad. For example, most of us brush our teeth in the morning, probably at the same point in our get-up routine. We don't really think about it. During the lockdown we will have formed new habits and lost old ones. As we come out of lockdown, it is a great time to do a habit check. Take time to carefully identify your new habits, helpful and unhelpful, and list them in the relevant categories below. Grade them on a scale where 1 = unhelpful and 5 = helpful. Then identify your next steps, remembering that habits take a while to put in place, so be patient with yourself. SPIRITUAL: Good habit, using a daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day; poor habit, no longer attending church regularly MENTAL: Good habit, 15 minutes of daily personal time; poor habit, having your ‘phone in the bedroom PHYSICAL: Good habit, a daily walk; poor habit, screen time without regular breaks. RELATIONAL: Good habit, a weekly connect with friends; poor habit, talking only of surface things 6
KEYSTONE HABITS
Spiritual
• make the first words out of your mouth in the morning a
prayer. Mother Theresa used to say ‘Good morning Jesus’,
others have a single sentence prayer they use, others say the
Lord’s Prayer
• attend public worship (online or onsite) each week
• put aside 15 minutes each day to read the Bible and to pray
• pray for five people who are not yet Christians (see Thy
Kingdom Come for ideas)
Mental
• no ‘phone the first and last hours of the day
• ‘fast’ from something once a week, e.g. screens, alcohol, for 24
hours
• keep a gratitude journal
• take 15 minutes a day to do something relaxing that you enjoy,
but not on screen
Physical
• take a walk each day
• drink eight glasses of water a day
• reduce the amount of sugar you consume
• enjoy your caffeine before 2.00 p.m.
Relational
• eat one meal a day round a table, with others if at all possible.
Take your time
• have a leisurely chat with a good friend once a week
NEXT STEPS
Identify one or two habits to start or maintain over the coming
months, and perhaps one to stop.
7
MARJORIE SALMON – A WONDERFUL LADY
Chris Turner
Marj Salmon, who died at the end of May, was a
valued member of St. Matthew’s Church for many
years.
When I think of Marj, I think of children; children at Christmas,
brought to the Blessing of the Crib Service, and the children’s toy
tombola stall she ran at our church fairs. She had a heart of gold;
nothing was too much trouble for her.
Marj always amazed us with her skill for knitting various animal toys,
even when her eyesight began to fail. She would knit these from
memory, without a pattern. When we started Messy Church, Marj was
keen to join the team, sorting out crafts to link in with the storyboards,
which she also made.
Marj was a committed Christian. Although her health prevented her
from attending church, Marj looked forward eagerly to receiving Home
Communion. Afterwards, she would say she felt on top of the world,
having come so close to God. Now she is in the arms of Jesus. Our
prayers are offered for Marj, for James, Sam and all the family
A PRAYER FOR THE MISSION & MINISTRY
OF THE CHURCH IN THIS CITY
Lord of the Church, thank you for your presence in the centre of Stoke-
on-Trent. We acknowledge the fragility of our current situation. We
open ourselves to the new thing you would do in us and through us.
We seek your guidance and way forward. Deliver us from evil. Bless
this region, our structures and networks, that alongside all people of
goodwill we may play our part in your kingdom, in the name of Jesus
Christ, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
8
9
New Pioneer Missioner in Stoke-on-Trent
Catherine Matlock has been appointed as our new
Pioneer Missioner in Stoke-on-Trent from
September. Catherine will explore pioneer ministry
in the Hanley area and have a role across the city –
and the diocese – to champion and support
pioneering work. The three-year post is part of wider
work to foster new ‘missional energy’ in Stoke-on-
Trent and will link to the diocese’s Shaping for
Mission programme. Catherine’s role will see her
make connections with local communities, churches,
leaders and those who may have a vocation to mission and leadership;
it will focus initially on prayer, gathering information and establishing
relationships with ‘people of hope’ across the city. Catherine has a
background in pioneer ministry and is currently Pioneer Curate in the
Kings Norton Team Parish in the neighbouring Diocese of Birmingham.
Catherine said: “Alongside pioneers and other colleagues in Lichfield
Diocese, I look forward to exploring and nurturing Christian
communities that the Spirit is encouraging and energising beyond, and
within, the Church’s walls. New to Stoke-on-Trent, I'm excited to
discover the special gifts of this people and place, partnering and
praying with residents, churches and organisations to uncover and
facilitate local expressions of the Kingdom of God.”
[Diocese of Lichfield Bulletin]
NEW CURATE
FOR THE
HANLEY TEAM
Rev’d. Julie Birkin was
licensed by The Bishop
of Stafford on 20 June
10HANLEY TEAM MINISTRY FANTASY FOOTBALL
Rev’d. Jeff Short, our
League Champion,
was unaware that he
would be presented
with a trophy. The
presentation followed
a service at the
Longton Central Hall,
the surprise being sprung by
Steward Alan Nickisson.
John Reade, Cup Champion, received his trophy
just after England’s opening Euros game with
Croatia. Hence the appropriate shirt.
HANLEY - HOLIDAY DESTINATION OF CHOICE
On a walk along the canal, an acquaintance was
made with John and Jean from the Fenland
market town of March in the Isle of Ely; they had
moored up overnight at Milton before cruising
through Hanley. According
to the town’s website, the
town is called March after
the ‘March march march,
a long, flat, pointless walk across the Fens from
March to Cambridge.’ There’s nothing pointless
about our canal, some favourite celebrities recently having undertaken
the journey to make TV programmes about our rich history and
cultural heritage. We asked our new friends for an article about their
trip in due course. We bribed them with half a dozen oatcakes and
promises of a proper teapot the next time they visit.
11PILGRIMAGES
Pilgrimages and walks, such as The Two Saints Way between
Chester and Lichfield Cathedrals, are becoming popular once more.
In Lichfield, there is a part of the cathedral called the
Pedilavium, from the Latin pedes (feet) and lavare (to
wash). It may have been built in anticipation of a royal
visit to Lichfield on a Maundy Thursday, when it was
traditional for the monarch to wash the feet of twelve
poor people in imitation of Jesus at the Last Supper. It
may have been used subsequently to wash the feet of
pilgrims visiting the shrine of St. Chad. On the wall of
the Pedilavium is a pilgrim prayer
St. Chad
PILGRIM PRAYER
Lord God, we thank you
for calling us into the company
of those who trust in Christ
and seek to obey his will.
May your Spirit guide and strengthen us
in mission and service to your world;
for we are strangers no longer
but pilgrims together
on the way to your Kingdom.
Amen.
---------------------------------------------
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage
PSALM 84:5
12SHAPING FOR MISSION
Message from Bishop Michael
Our Shaping for Mission process is entering a new and crucially
important phase in its development. Each one of us needs to ask: ‘In
our own situation, what are the priorities for mission, and what
resources would we want to be in place to enable us to fulfil those
priorities?’ This is a great opportunity to think ahead prayerfully,
imaginatively and realistically, and to make a real difference in shaping
the pattern of our life and mission together. I do encourage you to
make the most of this chance now – it would be so sad if, in five years
time or so, we were to look back and think: ‘If only we had grasped
that opportunity then; if only we had been a bit more creative, a bit
more decisive, a bit more committed’. Our God is inviting us to share in
the mission of his Son in the power of his Spirit as we build the future
of his Church together; my prayer is that each one of us will respond to
that invitation with confidence and hope.
GENERAL SYNOD The first full in-person meeting of the Church
of England’s General Synod for a year and a half is to take place at
Church House, Westminster, from Friday 9th July to Tuesday 13th July
(unless it has to remain online due to the postponement of the lifting
of restrictions). This will be the final meeting of the current Synod
ahead of elections later in the Summer and Autumn
In addition to legislation and financial business, areas for discussion
will include the programme to develop a Vision and Strategy for the
Church of England in the 2020s. Pastoral matters will include a
presentation on bereavement and loss in the pandemic. There will
be a discussion on the role of the Church in the housing crisis and an
update on the new Racial Justice Commission. Synod will also spend
time in small groups reflecting on how members’ engagement with
Living in Love and Faith over the past four years can be handed on to
the new Synod
13THE LIGHTER SIDE WHY THE CLERGY SHOULD AVOID …COMPUTERS The Rectory St James the Least of All My dear Nephew Darren, Thank you for the kind offer of your old computer, but I do not want it. I know you find it a fundamental basic of daily life, but I do not, and I intend to keep things that way. This is despite the fact that our diocesan office now takes it for granted that all of us clergy have a computer. Indeed, the diocesan secretary and I have had several awkward ‘phone calls upon this very subject. He can’t believe that I really don’t have one, and suspects that I am simply hiding my email address from him so that he cannot send me the daily diocesan briefings, weekly questionnaires, and constant notification of all sorts of meetings and training days. But I remain firm: I have survived in ministry for nearly 50 years without a computer, and I don’t intend to change now. When he gets tetchy with me, I take the high moral ground and remind him that St Paul did not have a computer. Besides, it would not end with just a computer. Next, I would be obliged to get a printer and then ink cartridges and then maybe some sort of virus would attack me. As I have no idea about any of this, I might have to allow someone into the vicarage to sort it out, and even worse, I might even have to pay them. My money can be far more usefully spent on good claret. 14
Being without a computer also saves me much aggravation. From
what I can gather, most computer owners spend significant parts of
their lives either trying to get their machine to do something that it
refuses to do, or else getting help from someone in a remote part of
the world who speaks a jargon only distantly related to English, who
assures you that whatever you did, it would have been better if you
hadn’t.
So I have decided that should I ever REALLY need to use a
computer for something, I will visit our local primary school and get a
six year-old to do the job for me, which they do with effortless
efficiency, speed and accuracy.
Your loving uncle,
Eustace
* The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the
right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting
moment
* Ever notice that the people who are
late are often much jollier than the
people who have had to wait for them?
* Once asked how many people
worked in the diocese, the bishop
replied, ‘Oh, about half’
I’ve always wanted to be an organist,
but that’s just a pipe dream. Due to our
failure to secure a holiday relief
organist, the next hymn will be sung to
the tune ‘Chopsticks’
15Ever wonder…?
Why sheep don’t shrink when it
rains? How much deeper the
ocean would be without
sponges? Why the length of a
minute differs depending on
which side of the bathroom door
you are standing?
Church notices that did
not come out quite right
Covid precautions apply. Please satanise your hands here.
For those providing refreshments after the service, when you
have emptied the teapot, please stand upside down in the sink.
The vicar has been ill but has recovered. God is good. The vicar
is better.
You couldn’t make it up
Last month The Queen was given a Duke of Edinburgh commemorative
rose by the President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Keith Weed.
There are more important things to do
One parishioner has a sign in her house that reads ‘Dust investigation
in progress, please do not disturb samples’.
Just humour him – he’s hoping it’ll help him
reach the young people in his diocese
16NORTHWOOD PARISH HALL
People and representatives of organisations that use the hall have been
asking when activities and functions might resume. Parish Warden and
Treasurer of Holy Trinity Church, Derek Durber, has been working
hard during the closure period to see to it that the hall remains safe
and fit for purpose. Work has included water, electric and gas supplies
and the installation of new systems and timers.
The District Church Council of Holy Trinity
Church decided at a recent meeting to await
the removal of restrictions, hopefully from 19
July, in accordance with the fourth step of the
Government’s ‘roadmap’ before making
decisions on bookings. However, the Council is
hopeful that normal bookings and some new
ones might begin soon. With regard to social
events, we may have to wait a little longer
whilst arrangements are reviewed. It is
envisaged that Monday Bingo, for example,
might re-open from September, beginning on a
monthly basis, with secure arrangements
regarding table settings and refreshments
CHURCH MAGAZINE MENTIONS CHRISTMAS IN JULY!
SPOILER ALERT - VEGETARIANS MAY REJOICE
In June, newspapers carried a scare story that supermarkets could face
a Christmas shortage of pigs in blankets. Apparently, they start making
them at this time of year and put them in freezers ready to be bought
at the festive season. However, meat processors are struggling to
recruit British workers. Foreign workers returned home at the start of
the Covid pandemic and have been unable to return.
17THE STORY BEHIND THE HYMN
‘GLORIOUS THINGS OF THEE ARE SPOKEN’
The year was 1800, and Vienna was under bombardment by
Napoleon’s troops. The great Austrian composer, Haydn, then old and
frail, asked to be carried to his piano. There he made his own defiance
of Napoleon, by solemnly playing his composition ‘Emperor’s Hymn’.
Haydn had composed it for the Austrian Emperor, Franz ll’s birthday
on 12 February, 1797.
Haydn never touched his piano again, and died a few days later, aged
77.
That is where the tune for this well-loved hymn came from. It quickly
became the tune of the Austrian national anthem. The Germans later
adopted it, as the tune for August Heinrich Hoffman von Fallersleben’s
anthem Deutschlandslied, which began with the famous words:
‘Deutschland uber alles’ (Germany before everything). In the ensuing
political upheavals, the tune survived in the German national anthem,
but was abandoned by the Austrians in 1946.
The tune had reached England as early as 1805. It was then that the
words of a hymn by John Newton were first paired up with it. John
Newton’s inspiration for this hymn comes from Psalm 87: ‘Glorious
things are spoken of you, O city of God’ (vs3) and also a text from
Isaiah 33:20-21: ‘Look on Zion… there the Lord in majesty will be for
us a place of broad rivers and streams…’
This meant that when the Austrian Emperor Franz visited his
grandmother Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle, he most likely would
have sung his own national anthem tune to English words written by a
converted slave trader turned country vicar!
Parish Pump
18FROM THE LECTIONARY: THOMAS THE APOSTLE: 3 JULY
Thomas, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles, was an impulsive, confused,
honest sceptic. Jesus could understand and work with such a
man. Thomas’ impulsiveness was evident when Jesus prepared to
visit Lazarus in Bethany. It was a dangerous trip to make, but
Thomas urged his fellow disciples: “Let us also go, that we may die
with Him.” (John 11:16) Instead, Jesus brought Lazarus back to life.
Thomas’ confusion is shown in later talks with Jesus. He was not
really sure where Jesus was going long-term (John 14:5). But Jesus
accepted this confused commitment, and began to untangle it,
patiently explaining: “I am going to my Father”, and “No one comes
unto the Father but by me.”
Finally, Thomas’ honest scepticism is revealed
after the Resurrection, which he flatly refused to
believe – unless he could touch the wounds of
the risen Jesus. Sure enough, Jesus appears –
but instead of scolding him, shows him the
wounds. Thomas responds: “My Lord and my
God”(John 20.26ff).
Thus, Doubting Thomas’ honest doubts, turned to honest faith, have
become a reassurance for thousands of people across the
centuries, who also want to follow Jesus, but who require some
proof of this amazing event – the Resurrection. In Doubting
Thomas’ complete affirmation of faith, after meeting the risen,
crucified Christ, they can find support for their own faith.
Parish Pump
19SUNDAY READINGS
SUNDAY FIRST SECOND GOSPEL
READING READING
4 July Ezek. 2: 2 Cor. 12: Mark 6:
5 after Trinity 1-5 2-10 1-13
11 July Amos 7: Eph. 1: Mark 6:
6 after Trinity 7-15 3-14 14-29
18 July Jer. 23: Eph. 2: Mark 6:
30-34,
7 after Trinity 1-6 11-22 53-56
25 July 2 Kings 4: Eph. 3: John 6:
8 after Trinity 42-44 14-21 1-21
[James The
Apostle]
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