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Photo 2: The new leader of Men’s Breakfast, Will Blanksy, with daughter Tabby  (Photo: Mimi Blanksby)

 

At 6.30am on the second Saturday of every month the kitchen crew gather in the Parish Centre to prepare a full English breakfast for the men of Bowdon Parish and sometimes the ladies too. It’s a well-oiled machine with clear roles, and tenuous nicknames.

Over the past seven years they have delivered over 3500 breakfasts and listened to 80 great speakers.

The driving force behind the Men’s Breakfast since its inception has been Mark Oakes. He, with Roger Preece, identified a gap in the Church’s outreach programme. In Mark’s words: “There wasn’t enough community stuff for blokes”. A sociable fry-up was the perfect way to engage them and in November 2009 Men’s Breakfast started.

The breakfast ingredients have evolved and the kitchen routine has become slicker, but Mark’s aim has remained constant: “Community has always been the purpose of the breakfast. I wanted to get blokes talking”.

He is proud of the regulars and speakers that the breakfast has attracted. An MP, a bishop, a farmer, headmasters, and a famous sports massage therapist have delivered enlightening talks to an enthralled audience.

Mark cites Ben Cooley of Hope for Justice as one that really “hit him between the eyes” and they still work together now. This is just one of many examples where talk has prompted action from the group.

In November Mark stepped down, feeling that it was time for a different perspective.

As the new baton carrier, I’m conscious of not wanting to change something that works so well. Oven roasted tomatoes were controversial enough. I do want to explore other ways to use food to get Bowdon men talking, but we will always serve a great breakfast in an environment in which friendships can grow.

As one of our new members said this Saturday: “What a great way to start the weekend!”

Thank you, Mark.

Will Blanksby

We would like to thank Will for taking on the role of co-ordinator.

Please see forthcoming events for details of upcoming Men’s and Ladies’ Breakfasts and for contact details.

Photo 1: The breathtaking view from Scafell Pike, admired by Bowdon DofE Volunteers at the end of their “Three Highest Lake District Peaks Fundraiser” last May

 

Barely a month goes by without a new diet being heralded as our nutritional saviour. Personally, I’m rather pleased that the underrated prune seems to be making a comeback. My sister recommended to me a seven-word diet: ‘Eat food; not too much; mainly veg’. Good, wholesome common sense. And, in light of the word ‘mainly’, I’ve just finished a moderate-sized chocolate bar.

We all choose to adopt the wisdom of the phrase ‘You are what you eat’ to a greater or lesser extent. But we do understand that for our bodies to stay healthy, we must eat healthily. But what about our soul? Can we keep our soul in pristine condition?

Our soul is that part of us which reminds us that we exist before God – that we are made to be connected to God. We catch glimpses of our soul in those moments that make us aware of something greater than us, and in experiences that prompt us to act in the best possible way.

You may have had those kinds of encounters when you’ve been immersed in an achingly beautiful piece of music, or whilst looking up at the myriad stars twinkling in the night sky, or whilst watching the latest jaw-dropping Attenborough series on the TV. You’ll have sensed your soul when overwhelming compassion surges through you as you listen to heart-wrenching stories of the poor struggling, or of survival by the abused. You’ll catch another glimpse in the persistent curiosity of the most brilliant minds opening up astonishing new worlds through their research. I recommend reading Carlo Rovelli’s Seven Brief Lessons on Physics – amazing stuff.

We often neglect our souls. Like the body, the soul can either thrive or shrivel. What would a soul diet look like, I wonder? If you want an easy way in, come and listen to the choir at St Mary’s. But then I’m a bit biased. However you choose to feed it, I wish you a rich feast for your soul.

Ian Rumsey, Vicar of Bowdon

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The sermon on the 19th February  at Zone2 was delivered by Kirsten Wood.

Entitled ‘Kingdom relationships’. The sermon comes from a series called: ‘Proverbs: Making life work’.

You can listen to the sermon by using the audio controls below, making sure that your computer has speakers.

There is also a set of slides to accompany Kirstn’s sermon, especially the two relating to “you are listening to Me when” and “you are not listening to Me when”

You can download the audio file or the presentation by clicking on the icons to the right.
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The sermon on the 29th January at Zone2

Entitled ‘ Kingdom Hope: What might hope look like for a 22 year old serving a 40 year sentence’

The sermon comes from a series called: ‘Proverbs’.

You can listen to the sermon by using the audio controls below, making sure that your computer has speakers.

Or you can download the audio file by clicking on the icon to the right.
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I have friends who know me for my love of fabulous cooking – borne of my wife’s 50 years of spoiling me. The Parish Christmas lunch was such an occasion.

Heights of excellence were not only reached; they were surpassed that day. Karen Wilson, the Bowdon Cares team, and helpers organised a fantastic event. The chefs responsible for the three-course meal, which included a full turkey dinner and trimmings, deserve the highest praise. Special thanks to the Con Club for cooking the roast potatoes on their day off.

Amidst an atmosphere of well-felt fun, fellowship and joy, the choir from Bowdon Church School came to entertain us. They were not an addition but a big part of this super occasion. There was also a moving talk about the work of the Children’s Society and a raffle with an abundance of prizes. The event raised a total of £251 for the Children’s Society. Well done everyone!

David Watts.

Church opening on Sunday afternoons is an initiative that came from our cell group when we were thinking about ‘Witness in the Community’.

It has become increasingly difficult to find volunteers to be on duty, and we have found ourselves asking several questions:

Is it worthwhile to open our church in Bowdon for two hours on summer Sunday afternoons?

There is very little passing traffic and anyone who wants to see inside the church can attend one of several services every Sunday. Should we aim to be open during the week rather than at the weekend? Or should we plan to be open all the time?

My husband and I spend quite a lot of time in France, and the Catholic church in the nearest small town is open all the time. I find it delightful to be able to wander in at any time for a few minutes of quiet prayer, or just to sit and look and think. Nobody seems to be on duty and access to the church for everyone appears to be taken for granted.

Please let us know if you feel strongly about this issue, or can offer your time or solutions!

 

Ann Ford