From the Rector
Space does not allow a long article this month (who said ‘Praise the Lord?!) so I promise I shall keep this letter short. Promises have been much in the news recently, not least in that Punch and Judy show which passes for our House of Commons. On the one hand we have Gordon Brown denying that there is any need to keep Labour’s manifesto promise to hold a referendum on the new EU treaty. He won’t hold one, of course, because what was agreed in Lisbon last week, so the great leader tells us, is not at all a new treaty hence no need to keep a promise. On the other hand we have the latest boy wonder to come out of the blue rinse corner – David – ‘I want Gordon Brown’s job’ - Cameron. He says Labour must keep their manifesto promise because what was signed in Lisbon was a new EU treaty by any other name. Well, they cannot both be right, can they? No of course not – they are both (along with their aides and spin doctors, advisors and cronies) magnificent at being economical with the truth. What do I mean? In Brown’s case I suspect he is conveniently ignoring the reality that this new accord is closer to a new treaty than he would like to admit – so he won’t admit it - he just concentrates on those bits which seems to back up his case and ignores the rest. Likewise with Cameron. I suspect there are more changes from the treaty so scornfully rejected by Dutch and French a couple of years ago, than he likes to admit. So he won’t admit that either. He just harps on about those bits which he thinks back up his case. What a wonderful political system we have. Both leaders are right. Promises are broken and the rest of us remain confused!
Thank goodness not everyone is a politician. In a couple of weeks’ time, on Remembrance Sunday we shall commemorate those who have fallen in war. The cross found at war cemeteries and in churchyards throughout the world, and upon which wreaths will be laid in abundance, is not a cross of victory but rather a cross of sacrifice. These memorials commemorate those who, and unlike so many politicians past and present, kept their promise to their country, their King and their God and were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. We do well to keep our promise to remember them.
Finally, in a couple of months, we will celebrate Christmas. This is another example of a promise kept. The Old Testament of the Bible increasingly points forward to a day when God would send His promised Chosen One, His Messiah, the Christ. We shall recount some of those promises as we join together in the service of lessons and carols. Christmas Day is the commemoration of that time when God supremely kept His promise to all of us. Again we would do well to remember this.
So, there you are. Shorter than normal. Promise kept.
Steve

Thank you – times two
First of all I want to say thank you very much for your prayers, thoughts and encouragement for my recent licensing as a Reader in the Church. Many of you know that St Michael's Church has a very important place in my life so I especially want to thank Stan for inviting me to take part in Sunday Worship, as a Reader: this was my first "official" service in that role and was very special for me. I thank God for His leading and pray for His help in this new ministry.

Secondly a very heartfelt thank-you, for the wonderful response to the request for goods for Uganda. A very big thank-you to Stan Pickles and John Penrose for their time spent collecting, packing, storing and sending off of the goods. The kindness of all of you will help a great deal, especially at this time when flooding has caused so much difficulty. The things which you gave are lovely and very useful. I will let you know when the container arrives – it leaves Southampton on Sunday 14th October so may be in Kumi by Christmas.
Kidare Edeke yesi kere – God keep you all.
Elizabeth Swarbrick

Church Sitting/Stewardship
Thank you to all who have fulfilled this worthwhile job over the summer months; it would appear that we have had a number of interested visitors this year, and you have done a splendid job.

Ladies’ Group
Last month which we shared with the Men’s Fellowship, Dr David Hunt gave us a slide show about his trip to China which took in some breathtaking sights including a panorama of cone-shaped mountains, the famous terra cotta soldiers and, of course, the Great Wall.
This month on the 20th, we have “The Hotter Comfort Concept” from the well known Hotter Shoes which are made in Skelmersdale – everyone is extremely welcome so please do bring along your friends and relations! Visitors and prospective new members are also warmly invited. This event, at Much Hoole CE School, Liverpool Road, starts at 7.30pm.

Professor Michael Barrie Gleave
Barrie was a good friend to St Michael’s and will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Seventy-one is far too soon to die: he had so much more to give, and his passing came as a very real shock, not only to Jean and their family, but to us all.
Born in Yorkshire, Barrie was educated at Roundhey Grammar School, Leeds, and later at Hull University where he obtained his honours degree in Geography, and then his PhD. He entered the teaching profession for a period before returning to academic life, concentrating his studies on Africa. He was Professor of Geography for two years in Nigeria in the early 1970s, before taking a post at Salford University from where he was the given leave of absence to work in Sierra Leone heading the geography faculty at Freetown University. On returning to the UK, Barrie resumed his post as Professor of Geography at Salford, which he held with distinction for over thirty years.
Upon his retirement some ten years ago Barrie and Jean moved to Hoole, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to his many activities here. First came the Twin Trees Cottage Project – the design and build of their lovely home. Then, of course, their connection with St Michael’s Church: in addition to regular worship, Barrie felt he had more to give and served for six years on the PCC. Among his achievements was the introduction of the new pattern of church governance. He also became a member of the Men’s Fellowship and The Friends and Development Committee, where his talents and enthusiasm soon found him on the committee. His help throughout the Transit period was much valued, and it was at that time he compiled a brief guide to St Michael’s which is still available in church.
Earlier this year, Barrie consented to become chairman of The Friends’ committee which had been largely dormant for the last couple of years, and seized the task with his accustomed enthusiasm. Although he died shortly before the second committee meeting, he was full of ideas and much was already planned. His particular passion was the restoration of the chancel windows, and he had already done a good deal of preparatory work including discussions with specialist contractors. It is good to know that his ideas on the project were those which were soon approved by the PCC.
Donations received at the time of Barrie’s funeral were assigned to the Friends. We thank Jean and her family for this gesture and indeed all who made contributions – the sum of £831 was donated and will be put towards the Chancel window project, which will be seen by friends as his memorial.
Foremost among Barrie’s interests were his love of family, music, his garden and cricket. He was a life member of Lancashire Cricket Club: not bad for a Yorkshireman! He was also a member of “The Last of the Summer Wine”, not a church group but a gathering of friends who meet regularly to enjoy a pint and a pie, and to put the world to rights. Hoole was good for Barrie, and Barrie was good for Hoole.
Our thoughts and prayers are for Jean, for Cath and Jon, and for Kirsty and Emily for whom he was a very special “Gramps”.

From the Parish Registers
Holy Baptism “We welcome into the Lord’s Family”
30th September ELISABETH CAIRNS daughter of John Philip and Emma Cairns of Sollom
21st October JAY LEWIS SEED son of Christopher Seed and Joanne Louise Clark of New Longton
Holy Matrimony “Those whom God hath joined together”
22nd September WESLEY NUTTALL and KATHRYN LOUISE CHADWICK both of Penwortham
29th September GORDON GEORGE SMITH of Cottam and RACHEL ROSE GRIFFITHS of Walmer Bridge
6th October SHELTON HINDLEY and JESSICA ANNE RAYTON both of Walmer Bridge
7th October JOHN JOSEPH SEED and CATHERINE LOUISE RAWCLIFFE both of Bamber Bridge
The Departed “Rest Eternal grant unto them”
27th September MICHAEL BARRIE GLEAVE aged 71 years of Little Hoole. Cremation followed at Southport.
16th October HILDA SHORROCK aged 83 years of Walmer Bridge. Interment followed in the churchyard.

The Rawsthorne Singers
In conjunction with the Friends of St Michael, the Rawsthorne Singers are following up their previous successful visits to our church by returning on Saturday 8th December at 7.30pm, for the first of their Christmas concerts this year. They have been busy selecting some of their favourite music and readings for the occasion and are looking forward to singing to full pews once again!

The Singers have had a varied summer season with a return to Bristol Cathedral where they were asked to sing at a special memorial service for the late Princess of Wales.

Their autumn engagements have taken in a visit to Blackburn Cathedral where they added two new items to their repertoire: a moving Rachmaninov “Ave Maria” sung in the original Russian, followed by a less challenging but very melodic version of “The Lord is my Shepherd” which is perhaps better known as the theme tune from the “Vicar of Dibley”. Both pieces featured in their November concert held in honour of the retiring Vicar of Wymondham near Melton Mowbray, where choir members spent a very enjoyable weekend enjoying village hospitality.

If you would like tickets – very reasonably priced at £5.00 including seasonal refreshments – for this event, please contact any member of the Friends including David Turner on 614192 or Eric Barker on 614385.

Diary Dates
Tue 13th Nov. Men’s Fellowship meeting in school at 7.30pm – “Early Days of Lancashire Textiles” – David Brazendale

Tue 20th Nov. Ladies’ Group meeting in school at 7.30pm – “The Hotter Comfort Concept”

Tue 4th Dec. Ladies’ Group Christmas Coffee Evening – Bob and Marjorie Worsick with a selection of Christmas Carols & Songs – 7.30pm in school

Sat 8th Dec. Concert in Church by the Rawsthorne Singers – 7.30pm

Tue 11th Dec. Men’s Fellowship Annual Dinner at the Fox Cub – 7.30pm