From the Rector
Anyone who knows me will be well aware that I am extremely keen on collaborating with others. For example, levels of cooperation with Kathleen Wood and our friends from Hoole Methodist Church and Walmer Bridge Methodist Church have reached unprecedented levels – so much so that within the next few months I (and possibly Stan Pickles) will occasionally lead and preach at Hoole Methodist Church whilst Kathleen will be let loose from time to time on the good folk of St Michael’s. Just where this collaborative style of working together will eventually lead I cannot be sure, but I am convinced that it can only be good for our respective churches as well as for the parish as a whole. Furthermore our links with Longton Community Church continue to strengthen. Some of their young people now help lead our Youth Club, and Bill Carr has enlisted their help to assist him at St Michael’s Sporting Club which continues to meet in Walmer Bridge Methodist Chapel.

Away from the churches we now have similarly unprecedented levels of cooperation between the two schools in the parish. Once upon a time there was only rivalry between the two but now all that has changed (I like to think that my being chair of governors of both schools has helped in this regard), and they now work together to provide extended services to the community. Such is the current level of cooperation that for the next few months, whilst Kathryn Melling (the head teacher of St Michael’s) is off on maternity leave, Pauline Moore (head teacher of Little Hoole School) will be seconded for a couple of days a week to act as Associate Head at St Michael’s. This is excellent news for St Michael’s and it is something that would have been unthinkable only a few short years ago. So, as you see, cooperation and collaboration are vitally important to me, and my only wish now is that we could get yet more people from the wider parish joining us more frequently in church – bringing with them their own unique gifts and talents to help further the ministry and mission of the church. The more people we get involved, doing lots and lots of different things together, the happier I shall be. The Letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament speaks about a ‘priesthood of all believers’. This is what I would love to see here – everyone working together for the benefit of the parish, the church and the Kingdom of God. It sounds good to me!

This notion of collaborative ministry and working together should not really come as a surprise to anyone. Why? Because as a church all that we do is done in the name of the One who set the supreme example of collaborative ministry. Christmas, as you may just have noticed, is fast approaching once more. No doubt we shall wheel out all the favourite carols and lessons. In one of these well known readings we read about God promising to send a Messiah whose name shall be ‘im anu el’ (in Hebrew) which we render ‘Emmanuel’, and which translates as ‘God with us’. This is surely the greatest ever example of collaborative working and ministry. The very fact that the God of all time and all creation should deign to take the form of human flesh and dwell among us almost beggars belief. But that is what God did, and that is really what Christmas is all about. Christmas is not primarily the story of angels and shepherds (and don’t forget the donkey); much rather it is the story of how God took human form to come and live and breathe and work and minister not only for us, but also among us. Jesus shared his ministry with twelve friends and followers. He shared his power with all who would receive it. He shared his teaching with any who would listen. He shared his signs and wonders with those who would drink wine at a wedding or else who would eat bread and fishes whilst sat down on the grass, or else with those who would come to him for healing. Jesus taught that those who followed him were more than servants – they were friends effectively being trained up to continue His work when He was no longer with them in the flesh. Jesus – God with us – provides us with the supreme paradigm of fruitful cooperation, and if we claim to follow him, and accept status as his friends, then surely we too are duty bound to try and collaborate ever more closely together. So I trust that you will all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas this year, and I hope that you will find time to join us at some point so that together we can truly make this Christmas a collaborative celebration, and that by sharing in worship of the new-born King we can remember just what God has done for us – then we can truly appreciate the real significance of ‘Emmanuel’. And don’t forget – ‘God is for life and not just for Christmas’.
Steve

Confirmation 2008
Though we do not yet have a fixed date or venue for our Service of Confirmation in 2008, preparation for this will again take place in the early part of the year, in church on Monday evenings from 6.40pm till 7.30pm, beginning on Monday January 14th. This first meeting will be quite informal to which anyone interested, adults or children (and parents if they wish) is invited.

Further information will be distributed through the two primary schools early in the New Year, meanwhile for further information please ring Stan on 615708.

Ladies’ Group
We enjoyed our open evening last month when we had a talk on “The Hotter Comfort Concept” by Hotter Shoes, which was very well attended.

We are holding our Christmas Coffee Evening on Tuesday 4th December starting at 7.30pm at the school – this is another open evening and the proceeds will be going to Derian House Children’s Hospice, so please come along to what will be an enjoyable evening with Bob and Marjorie Worswick. Everyone is extremely welcome including visitors and prospective new members.

Men’s Fellowship
At our recent meeting on November 13th we had a welcome return visit by David Brazendale who gave us yet another interesting talk, this time on the early days of the Lancashire Textile industry, when we found that it was wool and not cotton which featured in those early days – cotton came later.

Our next event is the Annual Dinner to be held on December 11th at 7.30pm at The Fox Cub, whilst the choice of menu can be made on the night, please let Ted know in advance so that the booking covers sufficient numbers.

The first meeting in the New Year will be in school on January 8th when Alan Atkinson will be sharing with us his experiences with Fred Dibnah; this should be a very interesting evening and will be open to all.

From the Parish Registers
Holy Baptism “We welcome into the Lord’s Family”
28th October LILY JEAN MORDUE daughter of Paul Richard and Simone Michelle Mordue of Northumberland
28th October WILLIAM THOMAS COXHEAD son of Roger Dexter and Karen Coxhead of Leyland
28th October MILLIE ALICE ROSS daughter of Brian Michael and Helen Mary Ross of Walmer Bridge

Holy Matrimony “Those whom God hath joined together”

The Departed “Rest Eternal grant unto them”

From the Register of Services
Attendance Communicants Collections
28th Oct (Trinity 21) 133 36 £592.95
4th Nov (Trinity 22) 107 86 £402.50
11th Nov (Remembrance) 168 28 £671.40

Carols at Christmas
Our service of Lessons and Carols this year is to be held in church on Sunday December 23rd at 6.30pm and again we would like to swell the numbers in our choir for this occasion – nothing too difficult will be attempted. Please see the weekly sheet for any rehearsal dates or ring Betty 613544 or Stan 615708.

Weekly Giving Envelopes
We thank everyone for their continued support of the Church through the envelope scheme, and remind you that next year’s envelopes are now in church awaiting collection – maybe you could also pass on the envelopes for a friend or neighbour unable to get to church at present. Meanwhile, if you do not regularly contribute through the envelope scheme and would like to do so, or would like to “Gift Aid” your contribution, please speak to either of the churchwardens.