Madeley Village

Two years ago on Mothering Sunday my Mum died after 12 years of living with Dementia.

Those twelve years saw her go from an independent and capable person to someone who literally needed everything doing for her.

My dad died before the dementia took hold so my mum, with reduced capability became increasingly vulnerable.

Thankfully for my brothers and I, very good residential care was available, and my mum lived happily in two very good Care Homes and was able to enjoy her life and our visits for many of those years.

Supporting someone with Dementia is HUGE!  It is challenging, scary, often exhausting, sometimes overwhelming and can be very lonely. 

Isolation in living with dementia is very tough and emotions and feelings can run wild.

Thankfully in recent times dementia is being more widely talked about and the support systems are improving.  Dementia is scary and those affected need to know that they are NOT on their own.

At Church, we have committed ourselves to try to support all those who are living with dementia to help them to find friendship, support and understanding.  With the help of the Diocese we are putting on two workshops at All Saints’ Madeley – see poster later.

If this is an issue which affects you – please do consider joining us and helping us together to be more inclusive, understanding and supportive of those who are living with dementia.

Peter Chantry

The heart of the Christian faith is God’s love and forgiveness.  We ALL make mistakes and we all need forgiveness which is precisely why God sent Jesus into the world.

It is remarkably arrogant if we think that we have never done anything wrong and dangerously blinkered if we think others have more to answer for than we ourselves. 

Shamima Begum was 15 years old when she went off to Syria to be a so called “Jihadi bride”.  She was a child when she made that dreadful decision.  Dreadful for herself; dreadful for her family; dreadful for humankind.  But is she BEYOND forgiveness?

The actions of ISIS are indefensible but the battle for hearts and minds means that vulnerable young people like Shamima Begum make these dreadful mistakes.

Our British Home Secretary has rescinded her citizenship of this country and made her a person of “no state”.  Is this really what we want to happen?  Is Shamima Begum beyond forgiveness?

There is a story in the gospels where a sinful young woman is brought to Jesus so that he can pronounce what should happen to her?  Jesus says nothing!  The leaders persist: What should happen to this woman?  Jesus looks at the leaders and says to them: “Let him who is without sin throw the first stone!”  After a few minutes … all the self-righteous men have disappeared!

Justice, security and good government are vital but so is forgiveness – not to say that that is easy – it isn’t.  But, on Good Friday (April 19^th) we focus in on Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for forgiveness which is both restorative and challenging for you and me.

Peter Chantry

Under the Church Representation Rules a new Church Electoral Roll is being prepared. All persons who wish to have their names entered on the new Roll, whether their names are entered on the present Roll or not, are requested to apply for enrolment not later than

_________________SUNDAY 24^TH MARCH  2019_______________

The new Roll will come into operation on MONDAY 22^ND APRIL 2019

The new Roll shall be published for not less than 14 days from 7^th APRIL 2019.

Under the Church Representation Rules any lay persons are entitled to have their names entered on the roll if they—

           (i)     are baptised and aged 16 or over;

          (ii)     have signed a form of application for enrolment;

                   and either

         (iii)     are members of the Church of England or of any Church in communion with the Church of England being resident in the parish or (not being resident in the parish) having habitually attended public worship in the parish during the six months prior to the application for enrolment;

                   or:

         (iv)     are members in good standing of a Church (not in communion with the Church of England) which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity declaring themselves also to be members of the Church of England and having habitually attended public worship in the parish during  the period of six months prior to enrolment.

Forms of application for enrolment can be obtained from the Trevor Downs, 10 Heather Glade, or at the back of church. In order to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, forms of application for enrolment must be returned by the earlier of the dates shown above.

Calling all Brides and Grooms!

With Valentine’s Day this month, may I encourage YOU to consider getting married at All Saints’ or St Margaret’s.

In previous generations most people got married in church but now weddings take place almost anywhere!  So … Why consider getting married in church?

Firstly because the church is at the heart of our community.  So many important occasions have taken place in church with great joy and celebration AND right in the middle of where we live.  The Church building reminds us that God IS with us AND that He wants the very best for us (and our families).

Secondly because marriage is both joyful AND serious.  Of course, we all want our wedding days to be full of fun and laughter but as husband and wife you are making incredibly serious promises to each other and the church building and the wedding service gives a certain gravitas to the vows that you are making in the presence of your families, friends AND of course, our loving God.

And thirdly because God IS love!  The marriage service says: “God is love and those who live in love live in God and God lives in them.”  God’s greatest desire is to resource YOU! – Day by day to help YOU to love and care for each other … for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.  God wants to help and bless you both in your GROWING in love. 

Romantic love is the spark that brings people together; but deepening persistent love is the crucial ingredient to help your love to stay fresh and strong.

Getting married in church is NOT as expensive as it may seem.  The basic charge is less than £500 (which includes all the legal stuff).  People who have been married before are NOT barred from a wedding in church.  So, why not get in touch and come and find out more!

Happy Valentine’s Day.  PS – I love taking weddings!

Peter Chantry