New Vicar of St Mary’s Cheadle
If you’ve been involved in the life of Christ Church for a while, you’ll know that St Mary’s Cheadle, is a very significant Church in the life of our Deanery (the local group of CofE Churches) and our Diocese. The former Vicar there (technically ‘Rector’) – Rev Rob Munro – was a great support to Christ Church and a good number of you will have been at a service that he has preached at here (particularly at 9am). Rob recently moved on from St Mary’s to become the Bishop of Ebbsfleet, and last Sunday his replacement at St Mary’s, Rev George Crowder, had his ‘Induction’ service. George will be a great blessing to St Mary’s and to our area. I know him already (we were at Vicar College together) and I’m pleased to have him join our Deanery. Please do pray for George.
New Archdeacon of Macclesfield
Those who are aware of how ‘Church things’ work, will be aware that Archdeacons (who are the ‘next step down’ after Bishops) are really important in helping Parish Churches run smoothly. Over the years, Christ Church has had a good relationship with Rev Ian Bishop who was the Archdeacon of Macclesfield. Ian has now moved on to become the Bishop of Thetford. His replacement is Rev Jane Proudfoot (who takes on the role having served many years as a Vicar in our Diocese). Jane has two services as she starts her role – one at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 28th April which is her legal ‘licensing’, and then a ‘Welcoming Service’ at St Paul’s Macclesfield (which I will be attending). Please do pray for Jane as she takes on this role.
Forthcoming Dates:
Sun 21st April in 10.15am service: Commissioning of new PCC
Sun 21st April, 12.30pm: Interment of Ashes: Richard Hickman
Mon 22nd April, 2.30pm: Good Book Group at the Vicarage (on John 12)
Wed 24th April, 7.30pm: Good Book Group at the Vicarage (on John 12 – repeat of Monday’s session)
Thurs 25th April, 10am: Vicar taking midweek service at Bramhall Methodist Church
Tues 30th April, 7pm: PCC Meeting in the Hall
Wed 1st May, 7.30pm: Prayer Meeting in person at the Vicarage (also on Zoom)
Thurs 9th May, 7.30pm: Ascension Day service (including Communion)
Sun 12th May, 3pm: Vicar attending the welcoming service for the new Archdeacon of Macclesfield,
Rev Jane Proudfoot
Prayer Points:
Life of our Church: Following on from our APCM, we pray for Elaine Stott and all who serve on our PCC asking the Lord to guide, equip and strengthen us in His service. At the same time, we pray for Rev George Crowder and Rev Jane Proudfoot as they start their new roles.
Those who have specifically asked us to remember them in prayer: Jean Ackers, Zoe Addie, Sarah Bibby, Miles Buckley, Trist Calthorpe, Clare Casson, Tony Cooper, Simon Copner, Alan Cross, Suzanne Darbyshire, June Davenport, David Jones, Keith Ferns, Alan Page, Donald Pryce, Pat Spiller and Tony Whalley.
And we also remember those who mourn at this time, praying that they would know the Lord’s comfort and presence, and take to heart the truth that Jesus has, through His resurrection, been victorious over the grave.
The events in our country and world: We pray for the Government asking that the Lord would give those in positions of authority wisdom, particularly regarding the awful situation in Israel & Gaza, the on-going wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Yemen, and the situations in Niger, Ecuador and Nagorno-Karabakh, and the challenges of Climate Change. We remember too the ‘strike action’ that continues to affect various parts of our national life, and we pray that positive solutions would soon be found. And, we remember those who were caught up in the natural disasters we hear of so often, also remembering the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, praying for all those affected, for the emergency services, and for the aid agencies who continue to seek to bring help.