Vicar's Letter, November 2008 Parish Magazine A few hours ago my first grand-child was born. At 12.35 am, on Friday 17th October, she came into a world which will enthrall her, challenge her and drive her along for the rest of her life - possibly until the end of our current century. As yet I have not met her, but I have no doubt that over the next few years we will become the closest of allies. And like her mother before her, we will share secrets, laugh together, play together and walk confidently and openly to whatever life has to give us. By God's grace I hope to be with Christiana throughout her formative years. I would particularly like to be there for her when she asks the WHY questions. And one day I hope to induct her into one of the great mysteries of life - that there are some questions that we simply cannot answer. Will faith be important to Christiana? I do not know. But I hope that it will. My experience is that if, as parents and grand parents, we share our faith openly and lovingly. If we talk about issues of faith truthfully and enthusiastically. If we pray together and sing together naturally. Then faith will grow as a matter of course - just like grass, trees, or even babies. What will Christiana think of all of our friends in Madeley and Betley? Will she enjoy having so many aunts and uncles who will be there for her simply because like every child in our congregations she is part of the family of God? Who can tell? Although I suspect that she is in for a wonderful time. This November we will remember many children and grandchildren, just like Christiana - with doting parents and grandparents just like me and you - who grew up to pay the ultimate price for their country. We will remember those who still serve in the most difficult of circumstances. And we will remember those who are scarred and damaged for life. I can only say that as a brand new grandfather, my heart goes out to them and to those countless people who sat where I sit today. Who had so many dreams, so many aspirations ... only to have them destroyed because as yet we cannot stop the constant drive to war. Barry Wilson
	Mandy Maxwell Curate Mandy Maxwell - at Lichfield Cathedral in September 2007 when she was ordained as a Deacon - Present was her husband David of Keele's History Dept.

Re-ordering of All Saints' church interior
Much has been done since this work began at the start of the New Year 2007.

LIVING STREAMS

United Parishes of Betley and Madeley

Living Streams is a new and developing ministry, rooted in the life of the Anglican parishes of All Saints', Madeley and St Margaret's, Betley. Its aim is to encourage and nurture Christian Discipleship through a variety of services, workshops and teaching events, and to promote and facilitate Christian healing. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Living Streams derives its name from Ezekiel 47:1-12, where the prophet describes an ever-widening stream which flows out of the temple, and from John 7:38, where Jesus promises that "out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water."

In alternate months, at Betley or at Madeley, on the first Sunday of the month, there are united Services of Praise, intended to be opportunities to share in informal worship and to grow through focussed teaching, and Services of Healing and Wholeness, which provide an atmosphere of peace, support and encouragement, in a caring and non-threatening environment.

The Praise Services are at St. Margaret's Church, Betley, and allow prayer and quiet as well as music and singing. The next service of praise and worship is due on 7th December 2008, at 6.30 p.m.. The Services of Healing and Wholeness are at All Saints' Church, Madeley, and the next is due on 1st March 2009, at 6.30 p.m. (No service in January.)

See also the Living Streams web site for further information on this new ministry. 

All Saints' Services of Healing and Wholeness

Prayer has always been at the heart of the Christian faith. It gives us space to meet with God; to listen to his gentle promptings; and to share our deepest concerns. In our daily devotions we might pray for our families, our friends, our work situations or for particular difficulties in the world. But we do so, with the expectation that God, in his mercy, will intervene.

In our service of prayer for healing we give time to pray for those with particular needs. We might pray, for example, with someone who is facing up to a broken relationship, or feeling hurt. We might pray for someone who is physically unwell, or emotionally low. And we have a team of trained listeners who are always available. Whilst the tone of the service inevitably varies, there is often a sense of peace and support. People come to the service hoping to meet with God, and many acknowledge that during the evening they do.

The service of healing takes place every two months, but there is the opportunity for prayer at anytime. Our clergy and lay workers spend a great deal of time praying with people as the need arises, and are also available at the end of the morning services.

We believe that healing comes through the grace of God: sometimes miraculously, sometimes over an extended period. But the greatest healing inevitably occurs when we give time for our relationship with God to be restored and our inner lives to be renewed.

PRAYING FOR YOU AND WITH YOU

If you have walked or driven past Madeley church on a Saturday morning recently, you may have seen the notices indicating that the church is "open for prayer".

From time to time everyone has an anxiety for a loved one or about something troubling us in our own life. It may be a health worry, or a job problem, or a relationship that has gone wrong. Or it may be something in your past that needs to be examined afresh and dealt with, so that you can move on with life.

If you come into Madeley church any Saturday between 10.30 and 12.00, you will find a peaceful place where you can think and pray quietly and, if you wish, light a small candle as a symbol of your concern and your prayer.

One of the clergy will be in the church. If you ask, he or she will be happy to listen to you and then to pray for you. There is no need to make an appointment. Simply drop in.

Gift Aid

Gift Aid and Standing Order forms are available from the back of All Saints' Church. If you presently use the envelope scheme, or if you have a one-off donation to make and you pay tax (income tax or tax on savings) can we urge you to fill one in. The form allows the church to reclaim the tax on these gifts, so that we receive an extra £2.82 for each £10 donated. This scheme replaced the old covenant system and is much more flexible and easy to use.

If you have any questions about the operation of this scheme, please contact Dab Evans on Tel. +44 (0)1782 751380

Methodist Church, Poolside

Minister, The Reverend John Proudman, Tel:+44 (0)1782 279125
Sundays 10.30am Morning service and Junior church
3rd Sunday of every month Family service with crèche

Roman Catholic

No service in Madeley but Sunday Mass 10.30 a.m. at Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Mill Street, Silverdale, served from Holy Trinity, Newcastle.

Deacon-in-Residence: The Rev. Mr. Neil Adlington, Tel:+44 (0)1782 624325

Deacon-in-Residence

The Reverend Mr. Neil Adlington

Neil was ordained Deacon by the Archbishop of Birmingham in June 1992, to serve in the parish of St John the Baptist, Alton. He later became a full-time parish deacon in the parish team for Cheadle, Alton and Cotton, before moving to the Church of the Sacred Heart in Silverdale late in 2000, where he has responsibility for the Roman Catholic parish of Silverdale and Madeley.

As a parish deacon, Neil can prepare people for the sacraments of the Church, perform baptisms, marriages and funeral services, and minister to the sick and housebound. He and his wife Jackie are based in the Presbytery of the Sacred Heart in Silverdale, where he works alongside the team at Holy Trinity, Newcastle - Mgr Ryall, Fr Jan and Fr Eric, and the Sisters of Mercy.

Apart from his duties as deacon, Neil is an enthusiast for sport, especially football, and lists "listening to music" as a major interest.