February 2005

Dear Friends,

This month sees the beginning of Lent – a season of preparation to celebrate the great festival of Easter.
It is a time to reflect on our walk with the Lord and to seek to draw closer to him.
Often as Christians we become creatures of habit and don't stop to think of what we believe and why we act in the way we do. We can so easily run on autopilot, especially if we lead busy lives.
It is possible to be so busy in the service of the Lord that we forget the Lord. It is then that we need to stop and reflect.
Lent can be a time for doing this.
We can create a space each day, if we are not already doing so, just to be conscious of God's presence.
Remember the words of the psalmist: 'Be still and know that I am God'.
Knowing God through Jesus lies at the very heart of the Christian faith and such knowledge transforms our lives. Indeed such knowledge is not just facts but the experience of God through Jesus in our lives, made real through the Holy Spirit.
Whatever we choose to do in Lent in terms of the activities that the church offers make space for the Lord a priority then our celebration of Easter may be the most memorable we have experienced.
What a joy it will be on Easter Day when we gather to proclaim the Lord's resurrection, not just 2000 years ago, but in our own lives.
Our praises will resound to his glory and our lives will illuminate the community in which we live and work.
May it be a fruitful Lent.
Yours sincerely in Jesus' Name,

Malcolm Convery

DURING LENT:

The PCC will be putting St. Peter's under the microscope at their Away Day at St. John's Mill on Saturday 26th February. Please pray for them as they consider 'What makes a Healthy Church'.
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Mr Derek Hartley from the LEPROSY MISSION will be preaching at 6.30 pm on March 13th and during Lent we will be collecting for the work of the Mission as our Lent effort.

Envelopes are provided for those who wish to contribute. Please return via the collection plate. Those with Leprosy Boxes will hand them in as usual.
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Our LENT STUDY COURSE begins in February. It is entitled 'Better Together' – a course on relationships. The speakers (on CD) are the Abbot of Ampleforth, John Bell (Iona Community), Nicky Gumbel (Alpha), Jane Williams (The Archbishop's wife) and David Hope (just retired as Archbishop of York).

We are sharing this course with those from St. Anthony's and Onchan Methodist Church.

There are three venues on three different days to choose from:

Mondays: 2 pm St. Anthony's
Tuesdays: 7.30 pm Onchan Methodist Church
Wednesdays: 7.30 pm St. Peter's Church

Begins Monday 14th February.
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On ASH WEDNESDAY there will be the usual Wednesday morning Communion Service at 10.30 am and in the evening at 7.30 pm there will be a Service of Ashing, Anointing and Holy Communion.

Do make the effort to attend one or other of these services. It gets us off on the right foot for Lent.
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On February 13th we welcome CANON DENNIS BAGGALEY as our preacher at the 11 am service.

WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

This year's service for Women's World Day of Prayer is on Friday 4th March at 2.30 pm in St. Peter's Church.

THE LEPROSY MISSION

It is time again to empty the Mission boxes. If I do not contact you could you please leave your box in church or phone me on 623168 to arrange collection. Thank you.
Hazel Johnson

CHILDREN'S SOCIETY BOXES

The same arrangements apply to the Children's Society Boxes – please phone me or leave the box in church. Thank you.
Hazel Johnson

ALL AGE WORSHIP SERVICE

WHEN:
Sunday 13th February 4pm – 5pm

WHERE:
St. Peter's Church, Onchan

WHO:
These services are open to all ages.

WHAT NEXT:
We will continue on subsequent months on the
2nd Sunday

MOTHERS' UNION

Both groups of ladies met in January. We were delighted to welcome the Revd. Mary Railton-Crowder to our first meeting whose talk put us on the right track for the New Year. On the 16th we had a game of "Call my Bluff" ably helped out by three good bluffers!! Celia organised a Bible Quiz for the evening ladies which I was sorry to miss as again it was a good 'fun' time.
In February we welcome Judith Ley as our speaker on the 1st at 2 pm. The next afternoon meeting on the 15th will be a tea & chat and when we will be welcoming Valerie Convery as our new Branch Leader.
The evening ladies are running their annual Barn Dance on Saturday 12th February at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. Bring your own drinks and glasses. Finger Buffet. Tickets £5 Adults/£2 Children. Please try and support this.
This is my final report for the Mothers' Union in Onchan, but Les and I hope during the next three years to be back on the Island regularly so hopefully our visits may coincide with the Mothers' Union meetings and I'll be able to join you. Thank you to all members for their support and encouragement during my time as Branch Leader.

Sylvia Lawrinson


LADIES FELLOWSHIP

25 members enjoyed an energetic night of Country and Manx dancing directed by Freda Black. The dancing was followed by a chip supper (delivered by The Terrace Chippy).
Our next meeting is on the 2nd February – members are asked to bring along a small chopping board and a small rolling pin.

This month we are preparing couples for Marriage, perhaps these words of Helen Steiner Rice will help in that preparation:

The Meaning of True Love

It is sharing and caring,
Giving and forgiving,
Loving and being loved,
Walking hand in hand,
Talking heart to heart,
Seeing through each other's eyes,
Laughing together,
Weeping together,
Praying together,
And always trusting
And believing
And thanking GOD
For each other ….
For love that is shared is a beautiful thing –
It enriches the soul and makes the heart sing!

A Marriage Blessing

As you enter into the little world
that you promised to make brighter for each other,
may He who harnesses the waves
and hangs the sun out in the sky
and puts the song in the birds
especially bless you
and make your marriage a good and a happy one!

Love is indeed "a many splendored thing!"
When it is given and returned,
it enriches both the Lover and the Beloved.
And as long as two people love each other,
nothing in this world is too difficult or too impossible,
for wanting to do something for the one you love
takes all the burden out of it
and the roughest way becomes smooth
when you can travel it hand in hand.

FROM THE REGISTERS

BAPTISMS

Amy Leanne Quayle

FUNERALS

Catherine Alfreda Killip, Donald Lachlan Mackay,
David Courtney Hall, Olive Craig, Robert Beattie

OFFERTORY

The offertory for December totalled £7,254.84 and was made up of £5,365.48 pledged giving and £1,889.36 of loose plate giving
(inc. £401.48 Christingle collection for Children's Society)

Donations received in respect of The Tsunami Appeal totalled £1,285.20, the PCC agreed to increased the amount to £2,000.

Thank you.