Dear Friends,
At the end of May, we will have celebrated Trinity Sunday, the annual reminder to us that the God we believe in is one yet three – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity paints a powerful picture of unity in diversity and isn’t that one we need in the Church and in the world today? That it is possible to be united whilst holding onto our differences. We need that as the Church of England as we wrestle with our differences over same sex relationships. We need that as a world in which there is endless conflict, especially in Gaza and Ukraine at present. We need to be reminded that what unites us as human beings is stronger and more powerful than what divides us.
One of the ways in which we as a church at St.Mary’s have been uniting together in recent months is around the raising of funds for our extension. The Gift Day on Easter Sunday brought in nearly £18,000 (including Gift Aid to be reclaimed) – a very encouraging response. We have now had two successful fundraising events – the pie and quiz night in April, and the Boy Band and Bingo evening in May – which have between them raised nearly £1,700. (Our next event is on Saturday June 8th – see elsewhere in the magazine for details). And we have so far been fortunate to secure two grants worth £24,000. Please do join with me in praying that the remaining grant applications will bring in the necessary £20,000 by the end of June to enable us to give notice to our contractor to start work at the end of July.
Whilst we have been busy raising funds for the extension, our regular giving to and fundraising for the church remains important. And hence on Saturday 20 July, we shall hold our annual summer fair between 12 noon-4 pm to raise funds for the church. Please do come and join us, and lend a helping hand if you can, to make this a successful afternoon.
Looking ahead to Fit for Mission and the creation of one new larger single parish for the Deanery of Warrington, we are invited to submit our ideas for a name for the new parish by Sunday 16 June. Please do fill out one of the response slips available at the back of church and put it in the box provided. From week beginning Monday 3 June, our small groups will also be running the SHAPE course, which is designed to help us to discern the gifts God has given us for mission. If you have not yet been to your small group and would like to join it for this course, please let your small group leader or myself know.
With best wishes
Jeremy Tear
Pioneer Team Rector
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