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For most of us, the concept of carols and carol services is indelibly associated with the seasons of Christmas or Advent.

The Oxford Book of Carols (first published in 1928) simply describes them however as ‘songs with a religious impulse that are simple, popular and modern’, and includes many carols for almost all seasons and festivals of the church’s year.

They were a creation of the modern spirit of humanism in the Middle Ages and made their first appearance in the fifteenth century, and some – like the Coventry Carol and the German ‘Song of the Crib’ (both sung at Bowdon) – were written for the mystery play or crib. Most of them share a joyful and often dance-like quality.

We will be holding our first Epiphany Carol service at Bowdon on Sunday 7 January at 6.30 pm as an extension and development of our already kaleidoscopic liturgical pattern of worship, and very much hope that this new initiative will be welcomed and embraced by members of our congregation and wider community who may not be regular Sunday evening worshippers.

Epiphany itself is observed by the Christian Church on 6 January when we remember the arrival of the wise men, or Magi, who came to the infant Jesus soon after he was born. The revelation of Christ to the Magi represents the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, and therefore to us all, according to Chapter 2 of St. Mark’s Gospel. Epiphany is celebrated by many Western countries as a public holiday with major festivals, civic processions and fireworks.

We hope that further additions to enrich our regular pattern of worship may follow in due course – particularly on Sunday evenings; we are already planning a Songs of Praise service to include hymns and worship songs for Pentecost on 20 May 2018.

Roger Bryan,
Organist and Associate Director of Music

It is easy to envisage that the current times in which we live may well feature in the history curriculum for students in January 2118.  Today there is a plethora of global examples of different types of government. Churchill famously said: ‘Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried.’ Certainly, we see that the democracy that we prize so highly is far from perfect.

Some say that the character of our leaders doesn’t matter – that their private lives have no bearing on their ability to lead. Norman Schwarzkopf, former US Army General who led the 1991 liberation of Kuwait, was considered an exceptional leader by biographers. He said: ‘Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character but if you must be without one, be without the strategy’.  These are extraordinary words from an Army General – that nothing is more important than good character.

At Christmas, the beautiful ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ service tells the story of the imperfections of mankind and of God’s solution for good government, namely Jesus. One Bible reading is taken from the book of Isaiah, probably written around 800 BC: ‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9.6)

What does God’s government look like? Christians believe that God’s government rests on the shoulders of Jesus, who came to show us exactly what God is like. God’s government, which will one day be present in full, will look like the perfect character of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve.

We invite you to join us in praying for the strengthening and raising up of godly, servant-hearted leadership in all nations at the start of this New Year.

Julia Dow, Parish Development

As part of its service to the local community, the church supports Bowdon Festival, which offers an annual Youth Festival. Fundraising events such as concerts are held throughout the year to cover the expenses involved.

Applications are now open for Bowdon Youth Festival on 1 – 4 February 2018. This annual event allows young people to experience public performance in a supportive environment, with feedback from expert adjudicators. Classes are offered in music (instruments, voices, ensembles and choirs), speech and drama.

The Youth Festival has a website at www.BowdonFestival.co.uk where the syllabus of classes available can be found. Online booking and payment facilities are available this year to make life easier for performers, parents and teachers. The deadline to register for classes is December 15, 2017.

We need a large number of volunteers to deliver the Youth Festival – it is very rewarding to be involved and the roles are very varied.

If you are interested, please contact me at
Susan@BowdonFestival.co.uk

Susan Sinagola, Chair, Bowdon Festival

I have shared the responsibility for taking funerals across the Parish of Bowdon since 2011. From the first meeting with a bereaved family or individual to occasional visits following the funeral, it is an incalculable privilege, a huge responsibility and a valuable reminder that we are merely here for ‘a time and a season’.

During the funeral preparation period the bereaved are often numb, weary, and barely coping. Nothing may seem real, even when the illness has been lengthy. Grief may be tempered with relief, loss and loneliness are close and life feels ‘on hold’. Patience, careful words and the reassurance that much of what is being experienced is ‘normal’ can ease the anguish as hymns are chosen and tributes decided.

Giving grieving families time to reminisce is very important. I ask how they met, about landmark moments and the quality of the relationship. Young people will speak animatedly about grandparents who have died. Remembering brings tears but also laughter and anecdotes; a picture emerges of the person who I will meet, but never knew, at the crematorium or in church.

Most families will offer their own tribute, poems and readings. Those who contribute never regret it, even when they speak through a steady stream of tears. When children have read their poem about ‘Nan’, those present will often clap!

A funeral is a time to take stock – it’s a wake-up call. For the bereaved who have some Christian understanding, the inevitability of death can raise fundamental questions of eternity and the future. To these questions come enduring answers. Jesus was asked by his disciples how they could follow him to the Kingdom of God. Jesus said ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ (John 14:6).

Copyright John Fenton, Lay Reader

I work for the BBC within the Religion and Ethics Radio department and absolutely love my job. I get to combine my faith and my love of Christian music and feel very lucky; most of the time I don’t even feel like I’m working.

I first did work experience with the BBC straight after university, and as I had studied Religion and Theology and have sung in St Mary’s Choir since the age of 8, I soon realised that it was definitely where I wanted to work. Highlights have included working on the Pope’s Hyde Park Vigil, Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge and the enthronement of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

I am currently producing The Sunday Hour on BBC Radio 2, which is a Christian music show with a range of hymns, gospel and contemporary Christian music presented by the Revd Kate Bottley.

I really enjoy choosing themes and all the music, and working with the presenter to record the show. I can use my theological and musical knowledge to make a programme that shares the Christian faith with people in an accessible way, whether they’re Christian or not. It’s on at 6 am on Sundays, which is pretty early, but do have a listen if you’re up before church, or listen later on iPlayer. It has definitely changed my perception of different expressions of worship and has shown me that it’s possible to combine traditions (I even sneak the odd anthem in when I can!)

Throughout Advent we’re exploring the theme of light and the symbolism surrounding the Advent candles, and will feature an interview with our very own Sasha Johnson Manning about The Manchester Carols. On Christmas Day between 6 and 8 am there will be a two-hour Gospel show and then Kate will present Good Morning Sunday between 8 and 10 am.

 

Miriam Williamson

Christingle Service 2016

It seems to be one of those basic human instincts: the desire, and even the need, to be with the people we most treasure, especially at the significant moments or episodes of life.

When two people first fall in love, it hardly matters what they do together; it’s the being with each other that’s all-important. The ‘be with’ factor is so strong that they can hardly let go of one another or lose eye contact.

At major birthdays or anniversaries, the nearest and dearest are all invited to come to be with the one celebrating. The party just wouldn’t be a party without them.

I’ve seen it countless times as the end of life approaches; the family strains every muscle to stay in the company of their loved one for every last day, every last hour and minute and second, right up to the point where death prevents them from being with one another any more.

It seems that we’re not alone in our longing to be with others. When Joseph was wrestling with the knowledge that Mary was pregnant, even though they’d had no sexual relations, God showed Joseph that the child to be born would fulfil the ancient prophecy of a child born to a virgin – a child named Jesus.

It seems this urge to be with others is a Godly thing. The claim of the Bible is that Jesus was truly God in person, God present among us, alongside us. Christmas reveals something quite wonderful about God – he has the same longing to be with those whom he loves. Jesus was also called Emmanuel and lived to fully express the meaning of his name: God-with-us.

This edition of Bowdon Church News has details of all our services and celebrations over the Christmas season. We’d be delighted if you would come to be with us to worship Emmanuel.

Ian Rumsey, Vicar

At the end of September six of us decided to sleep at the top of the church tower to raise money for the Hidden Treasure Discovery Centre, an exciting new project for children in Partington. We raised over £1200 for the centre and are so grateful to all those who generously sponsored us. The aim of the centre is to provide a Christian context where children can learn to feel valued, special and as though they have potential. There is still a substantial amount of money to raise so please get in touch with them for more information if you are able.

Contact: Ruth Lancey 07813 520330, info.hiddentreasureplay.com or see the website www.hiddentreasureplay.com

Catherine Cleghorn, Ordinand

The Voluntary Transport Group, VTG, was formed in September 1997 and is now celebrating its twentieth birthday.  It was set up to meet the needs of local people with mobility and sight problems who struggled to attend hospital and clinic appointments. Kaye Gardner and her husband John, regular worshippers at St Mary’s, decided to run it from their home in Bowdon with the help of many others. Robert Izod, a retired accountant, gave his services to help run the financial side and a grant of £200 from the Council started the system rolling.  Voluntary drivers, now numbering 45, were recruited from the South Manchester area and within no time the system was up and running.

Over the years, there have been some challenges but lots to celebrate. The service has saved the NHS many thousands of pounds in reduced ambulance use and it has been estimated that VTG drivers have taken some 25,000 clients to appointments.  Kaye was honoured with an MBE in 2015. If you are interested in giving some of your time to help the community please contact her on 0161 929 6996.

David Roberts

Underground is a free social group run by the parish where young people aged 11-18 can come to make new friends, master new skills, learn about God through enjoyable and educational activities, and – most importantly – have fun.

The reason Underground is so popular and not seen as a purely religious group, which might put off some young people, is that it uses examples of God in situations in modern society. We also play entertaining games that have a religious moral; one example is an activity that revolves around teamwork. Activities like these keep people interested and help to build friendships with others. The main priority for the leaders is always what the young people will get out of it, and every time we leave on a Friday night there is always something to take away from it; whether it’s a new friend or a better version of yourself.

Recently, three new leaders from the Message Academy have come to help to run Underground; Nathan, Holly and Michael. They have brought energy and fun and have helped the other leaders to create a welcoming atmosphere both for the people already going to Underground and also for those that want to join. They are great role models for the young people.

Benjamin Fazal, aged 14

For more details, or to join, please contact Jo Oughton 07734 439371 or Jo@BowdonChurch.org.

At 11 am every year on the 11 November this country, joined by countries around the Commonwealth and Europe, falls silent to remember those who have died in war from World War 1 right up to the present day.
This year in particular, the nation has remembered specifically the Battle of Passchendaele.
I don’t know if you watched the coverage of the commemorations or if you have even visited the battlefields themselves, but I was struck afresh at the numbers.
550,000 Allied and German Troops killed at Passchendaele. Many more injured.
550,000. The number of dead would fill up the seats in Old Trafford 7.2 times.
Each number represents someone who had a family and had a whole future ahead of them. They died for the sake of freedom, liberty and justice. When we stop at 11 am, we stop not just to remember the violence and the horrific sacrifices made, but we stop to reflect on the ongoing fight for freedom, justice and peace and to commit ourselves afresh to that cause.
2017 also marks 100 years since the creation of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, the first all-female unit in the British Army. Within one of the darkest hours of the world, when many were forced to experience sacrifice, there is a recognition that everyone, no matter who they were, had a part to play. That is as important today as ever.
We all have a part to play in building a world marked with the values of peace, justice and freedom. A world based on hope. As we stop, I encourage you to ask the question: What is my role in building this world of peace and hope? And as you do, remember the words of Jesus: ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. (John 15:12)
Revd Calum Piper