Once again our healing team from Kirkby came together for another day retreat, and this year decided to stay a little closer to home and pay a visit to Loyola Hall in Rainford.  The hall, which is run by Jesuit Order, has beautiful gardens and an air of peace and quietness.

After a very welcome cup of tea or coffee, we were introduced to the Rev. John Roberts who had so kindly come along to co-ordinate the day for us, which began with a short service of worship before getting down to the real business of the day.
We were then spilt into small groups of 4 or 5 people and each group were given a passage from the Bible to read, discuss and discover what we had learnt about the Ministry of Healing from the one we had read.  Food for thought as we had to report back!!  We then separated and were left to find a quiet lonely spot out in the beautiful gardens in which we had to think and pray about what we really wanted the lord to do for us as an individual!  Not a difficult task as one could almost feel his presence and know he was listening in such peaceful surroundings.

However, the body as well as the soul had to be fed!  Back to the house for a shared lunch or a visit to the book shop to either read, buy or just browse.  Lunch over we settled down once more to listen to what the Rev. Roberts had to tell us about the true meaning of a Healing Ministry.  After which we wandered out into the gardens once more to enjoy the lovely sunshine with which the Lord had blessed us.

Our thoughts and prayers for this session was to ask ourselves “where does our own individual church need healing” a question of many aspects and many varied answers.  Returning to ‘base’ once again we came together as a team for our closing service of worship and as we joined in communion at the end of our retreat we were left with an inner peace and tranquility.
The fellowship we had shared and what we had learned as a healing team will go with us on our homeward journey and will, hopefully extend into our work as a Healing Ministry.

Our thanks to both Rev. Andy and to Rev. John for their input and organisation and for such a peaceful day of retreat.

During the day Jill Ridgeway was also inspired to write the following:

How can I forgive?
For the wrong I feel you’ve done.

How can I forgive?
For the hurt taht still goes on.

How can I forgive?
When my heart’s still filled with pain.

How can I forgive?
While my tears still fall like rain.

How can I forgive?
Tho time has long since gone.

How can I forgive?
I don’t want this to go on.

How can I forgive?
And mean it from my heart.

How can I forgive?
We’ve drifted miles apart.

How can I forgive?
If you are not still there.

How can I forgive?
Just take it to God in prayer!

The club in full swing (well at least for some of us!)

St. Andrew’s held their sixth children’s Holiday Club during the last week of July which was attended by 26 local children and upto 17 leaders over the 5 evenings. “Monsters Stink” used clips from the Monsters Inc film and looked at some of the fears that children face such as bullying, getting lost, feeling alone, being let down by friends etc.

Paige and Charley working around the tables

Every evening was fast moving involving singing, craft activities, games refreshments a puppet show and the famous Monsters Stink Challenge. We also learned about how certain characters from the bible such as David, Daniel and even Jesus himself reacted to fear.

Who's the mummy?

After a day’s rest on saturday many of the children and their parents attended a special church service on Sunday after which cakes were served and a number of games and activities took place in the church grounds.

Although totally exhausting a great week was had by both children and leaders and we will meet again when our Kids Club starts back for the new term on September 19th

Questions of Faith

Why is there so much suffering?

What happens when we die?

Is there a God?

Who exactly was Jesus?

And what does Church offer me in my life?

Questions of Faith is an opportunity to explore the big questions of life – the really big ones, that everyone thinks about, but often don’t get discussed. In a relaxed, friendly and welcoming environment, where no-one’s opinion is wrong, no question is too daft to ask, and where you absolutely won’t get preached at, come along to explore the really big questions that we all face – Questions of Faith.

Starting Sunday, 21st February, 2010, at 6:30pm at the Rectory, Old Hall Lane, Kirkby, or ring Tim Stratford on 0151 547 2155 for more information.

The Empty Cross at Dawn

Holy Week begins with our usual Palm Sunday celebrations in the four churches on Sunday morning, St. Mark’s and St. Martin’s at 9:30am, and St. Andrew’s and St. Chad’s at 11am.

Holy Week Meditations are all at 7:30pm as follows:

Monday at St. Chad’s

Tuesday at St. Mark’s

Wednesday at St. Andrew’s

Maundy Thursday Passover Meal and Vigil are at St. Andrew’s at 7pm

Good Friday begins with the children’s workshops at 9:30am and 11:30am, followed by the Hour at the Cross at St. Mark’s at 2:30pm.

In the evening, there is an Ecumenical Service at St. Andrew’s at 7pm.

On Easter Eve (Saturday 3rd April), there is a Vigil Service at St. Chad’s at 8pm.

And Easter Day is celebrated in all four churches at their usual times, St Martin’s and St. Mark’s at 9:30am, and St. Chad’s and St. Andrew’s at 11am.

Candles lit in prayer

As the church spends its traditional period preparing for Easter, we are running a Lent Course looking at prayer in various forms.

We begin on Ash Wednesday, with the Imposition of Ashes, at 7:30pm at St. Mark’s.

We then go on to explore some different forms of prayer on Wednesday evenings, all at 7:30pm, as follows:

Wednesday 24th February: Liturgical Prayer (St Chad’s)

Wednesday 3rd March: Taize Prayer (St. Andrew’s)

Wednesday 10th March: Ignatian Prayer (St. Andrew’s)

Wednesday 17th March: Prayer Stations (St. Mark’s)

Wednesday 24th March: Prayer and Touch (St. Chad’s)

Bert and Lucy converse with the children

St. Andrew’s Kids Club on 15th November witnessed the debut of Bert and Lucy, latex puppets who helped the children learn what it means to be a junior hero and have faith in God. The 7 foot high puppet theatre has been created from scratch by Bernie Riley, husband of Kids Club leader Irene. Future meetings will see more adventures with Bert and Lucy and maybe other characters too.

St. Andrew’s Kids Club is open to any children between 5 and 11. We meet on 3rd Sunday of every month 3-4:30 with the sessions being fast moving and interactive. Although Christian Truths are communicated to the children the sessions are more Saturday morning TV style than traditional church and both kids and leaders have a great time. For more information or to join ring Andy on 548 7969.

Spot the puppets!

James finds 2 new friends

This was another trip organised by the Ministry of Fun, the parish social committee that was set up about 2 years ago, and has already been responsible for organising more than a dozen popular and successful events.

Chester cathedral with Christmas lights

Chester shopping

Cathedral Refectory

Chester street

A dark and wet evening on Friday 13th November provided the setting for a mystery at St Chad’s.

Tables were set up in the chancel for a mystery banquet, catering courtesy of St John, Ravenhead.

Tables were set in the Chancel and a banquet was held by the mythical 8th Earl of Sefton. Some dubious acting exposed a plot of family intrigue and jealousy that was nevertheless convincing. The dinner guests (who had each paid £7 for the privilege) were confronted by solving a complex whodunnit.  None were successful, including those playing the major parts.

The evening was rounded off with awards for the acting and catering.  There are no prizes for guessing who got the prize for the most bumbling detective – I was actually playing the role of one of the victims but didn’t know it at the time.

There has been a great deal of interest in the event and it is sure to be repeated, perhaps when the weather gets a bit warmer and the nights a bit lighter.

The Earl's daughter-in-Law, Melanie, played by Joyce Lester.

Kelly Stokes, alias the Earl's nurse, Bobbie.

Just reading this it may seem that Corrymeela is worthy but rather dull but this is far from the case.   We enjoyed a week of fun, laughter, fabulous meals, superb sceney and, of course, many many cups of tea!  We enjoyed trips to Giant’s Causeway, and Porrush and  we had a great Irish evening in the local pub in Ballycastle. We experienced the warmth of the Irish people and the joy of seeing and hearing how Corrymeela is slowly but surely breaking down the divisions  and replacing them with trust and hopefully friendship.  None of us wanted to leave  Ireland or Corrymeela  and the journey back to the airport was full of discussion about which part of Ireland we should visit on the next Parish pilgrimage!  Our hopes can be summed up in the Irish prayer :

May the road rise to meet us, may the wind be always at our back, may the sunshine upon our faces, the rain fall soft upon our fields and until we meet again, may God hold us in the palm of his hand. Amen.

Vera on the Giant's Causeway

The Croi where all our worship was held

The shrine church of Pennant Melangell

On July 16th, the Kirkby healing team members set off for a quiet day retreat to St. Melangell’s Church in the Berwyn Mountains, a remote and beautiful spot at the head of the Tanet Valley in Wales.

Our aim was to reflect on the life of Jesus through the cycle of Grace (some insights developed by Frank Lake based on the work of Emile Brunner). The first input being on acceptance, the second sustenance, the third Significance and the fourth achievement – much food for thought and self analysis, believe you me!

At 12 noon we walked down from our base to the church to celebrate the eucharist, with the opportunity for prayers for healing for those in need. The feeling of reverence as you entered this place of worship reminded one strongly of the many who had worshipped there way back from the 12th century, and the effigies, the oak screen and stone carvings tll the history of the church. The shrine of St. Melangall, situated behind the altar became the focal point of the service.

Returning to base for lunch we discovered it was raining: surprise, surprise!! However we enjoyed sharing our thoughts together whilst we ate.

After lunch we then continued with our next input and between each session continued with our own quiet time and prayers wherever we wished. Undaunted by the weather we wandered outside! In the midst of all the mountains it was so quiet and so peaceful! Who could not help but feel the presence of the Lord in such beautiful surroundings?

After tea and cake, more input and further quiet time for meditation before returning to church again for evening prayer which took place around the shrine. A final time to spend with our Lord before the minibus journey home.

If only the nations of the world could have shared the peace of St. Melangell, it would become a far, far better place. As we left with that peace, serenity and tranquility in our hearts and a quietness of spirit from the day, we gave thanks for the wonderful fellowship and sharing within our group and for a day well spent. Thank you to all concerned.

Written by Wyn, a member of the group