St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 22nd January 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 22nd January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Karen & June. Reader - Joy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 24th January 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church 7.30 pm PCC Meets in the Jubilee Room Wednesday 25th January 2.45 pm Funeral of Mary Gregson at Carleton Thursday 26th January 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning & Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room 11.00 am Funeral of Charles Whiteside at Carleton Friday 27th January 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 10.00 am Visit to Church from St Kentigern’s School 12.00 pm Funeral of Trevor Ainley in Church Sunday 29th January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Elizabeth & Margaret. Reader - Karen 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms 8.00 pm Lancaster Priory – Book Launch Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff ***************************************************************************** The last ten days have heralded the announcement of two seismic changes which affect the Church of England going forward. The first announcement was the appointment of Bishop Philip North of Burnley to become the Diocesan Bishop of Blackburn. Whilst this news was mostly received with joy and congratulations in Lancashire, it has attracted some criticism nationally. Bishop Philip is the first senior Bishop to be appointed who opposes the ordination of female priests. That said, those of us who have had the privilege of working with him over the last eight years in this Diocese, know that he supports and sponsors women fully in ministry and is hugely appreciative of the ministry of his female colleagues. Bishop Philip is quoted this week as saying, “Female clergy are fully and equally part of the diocese. As in every C of E diocese, there are provisions in place for an exercise of conscience for those who hold different views on the ordination of women. I delight in the theological breadth that this allows and the diversity of gifts that it releases.” The second major announcement which hit the headlines this week was that under new proposals made by the House Of Bishops, Clergy will be able to offer services of prayer and thanksgiving for same-sex couples and bless same-sex civil marriages in church for the first time under proposals due to be presented to the General Synod next month. These proposals, are the result of years of discernment over the issue of sexuality and the Church through what was called the Living in Love and Faith process. The Bishops’ proposals do not include a vote to change canon law on marriage to allow clergy to marry same-sex couples in church. Archbishop Welby said on Wednesday: “This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships, and marriage — I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our Church.” The Vicar is happy to converse fully with anyone who wishes to explore either of these two issues further. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Ruth, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Emily Lowe, & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of, Mary Gregson, Charles Whiteside, Trevor Ainley, Betty Hart, Janet Smith and Davina Kennedy whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 15th January 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 15th January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Judith & Dorothy W. Reader - Elizabeth 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Tuesday 17th January 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Wednesday 18th January 7.30 pm Churches Together in Fleetwood – Christian Unity Service at Trinity Baptist Church Thursday 19th January 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room 11.30 am Community Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room 12.30 pm Funeral of Victor Redman at Carleton Friday 20th January 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms 12.30 pm Funeral of Roger Moore at Carleton Sunday 22nd January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Karen & June. Reader - Joy 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship. It is traditionally held every year between January 18th, the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter and January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. Why these two Feasts? St Paul’s conversion reminds us that we are all united in a call to proclaim Jesus among the nations, and St Peter who confessed “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” reminds us that we are united in proclaiming Jesus Christ, ‘the Son of the living God’. On Wednesday night, at Trinity Baptist Church, we are invited to join with Christians of all denominations in Fleetwood, to worship together and consider afresh how best to live out our unity in diversity. In the Gospel of John, Christ prays for his disciples before going to the cross. He asks that his followers “may all be one,” as he and the Father are one, “so that the world may believe” and have life in his name (John 17). Christian unity is central to the very being of the church and to its mission and witness. May 2023 be a year of dialogue, common action and relationship-building with all our brothers and sisters in Christ in Fleetwood. If you need a lift on Wednesday night, shout out! Lord Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one, we pray to you for the unity of Christians, according to your will, according to your means. May your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division, to see our sin and to hope beyond all hope. Amen. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Ruth, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Jean Wright, Cath Chambers, Emily Lowe, Carol Allcock & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Victor Redman, Roger Moore, Mary Gregson, Charles Whiteside, Janet Smith and Davina Kennedy whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 8th January 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 8th January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Carole & Sandra. Reader - David 12.30 am Baptism of Ollie, Max and Jak Robinson 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms Monday 9th January 1.30 pm Funeral of Joshua Morrissey in Church Tuesday 10th January 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 11th January 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room 11.30 am Community Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room 7.00 pm Deanery Synod meets at St John’s Little Thornton Friday 12th January 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms Sunday 15th January 8.30 am Holy Communion in Church 9.30 am Worship on Zoom 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Judith & Dorothy W. Reader - Elizabeth 4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Church Sitting: The church will open again from this Monday, each week day 11.00 am to 12.30 pm. We are so very grateful to Karen and her team of sitters who enable this important ministry of being open and available to our community. We are not inundated with visitors, but those who come really appreciate the quietness and holiness in their busy lives, that the church offers. As we start a new year together, please consider what you can offer in the way of helping out, be it church sitting or something else! Epiphany: Today we have a choice of celebrating Epiphany and/or the Baptism of Christ. The feast of the Epiphany is January 6th and the following Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. Sometimes, like this year, these two feast days sneak up on us when there is only one additional Sunday during the 12 days of Christmas. There is a good reason for the first Sunday after Epiphany to focus on Baptism. In fact, many churches will baptize children on this Sunday, as we will, as it is one of the most appropriate days for baptisms. The key here is that Baptism is all about beginning. Jesus began his ministry with his own baptism, and today Christians see Baptism as beginning a committed journey with Jesus. The season after Epiphany, as a whole, has much to do with beginnings: the beginning of Jesus’ life, the start of his ministry, the calling of the disciples, and his first miracle. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Jean Wright, Cath Chambers, Emily Lowe, Carol Allcock & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Joshua Morrissey, Victor Redman, Roger Moore, Mary Gregson, Charles Whiteside and Margaret Crawshaw whose funerals are due to take place.
St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 1st January 2023 We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and is a voice of hope to the community we serve. Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671 Sunday 1st January 10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sides persons Susan & Christine. Reader - Sandra Tuesday 3rd January 2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church Thursday 4th January 10.00 am Community Coffee Morning in the Jubilee Room Friday 6th January 9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From the Vicar - If you are reading this, then you must have made it through 2022! It was the year we finally went back to normal…..sort of! Hugs were allowed, we had a proper Christmas and all the restrictions of the pandemic were lifted. But whilst it wasn’t Covid 19 dominating our news this year, there were plenty of other events that left us feeling a little bewildered. From the war in Ukraine to our Queen’s passing; to getting through three Prime Ministers; to eye watering inflation and rising energy prices and now to strikes galore. Add to that our own personal challenges, then I think you’ll agree 2022 has been quite a ride. According to the YouVersion Bible App, the most popular bible verse among global users in 2022 was Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” If this is the verse that we’ve been referring to and highlighting the most, it seems to me that we are still acutely aware of our need for God’s strength to equip us to make it through this journey we call life. However we’re feeling as the year draws to a close, we can take courage that God is present in our lives and in the world around us. Closer to home and at St Nic’s we can be encouraged with all that we have achieved in 2022, not least the completion of £50,000 worth of roof repairs made possible by your generous donations and the hard work that went in to all the fund-raising events throughout the year. We also ran a successful Alpha course and hosted the Living in Love and Faith deanery day conference. We had Phil licensed to us as a Lay Minister. We delivered Messy Church events at Easter, Harvest and Advent and launched our weekly Family Service. The PCC completed all safeguarding training and checks. We installed lights in the Car Park and a defibrator in memory of Ann Howarth and we gave away 5% of our income to help other people in need! This is just a snap shot, there are other examples of where God has guided and equipped us as his people in this place and we can take courage and start 2023 with renewed confidence. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Finally, I want to express my sincere thanks for the many cards and greetings that I received from so many of you over the Christmas period, and for your ongoing love, care and support. I hope you have had a peaceful and blessed Christmas and I pray that God will bless you and yours richly in the coming year. With love and continued prayers from Reverend Carolyn. 100 Club – This will begin for 2023 from today with 106 subscribers. If you wish to join, please see Ruth. Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Kathryn Pendleton, Jean Wright, Cath Chambers, Emily Lowe, Carol Allcock & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of Joshua Morrissey, Victor Redman, Roger Moore and Margaret Crawshaw whose funerals are due to take place.
