ST ANDREW'S TIME TRAVELLERS 2009

ST ANDREW'S TIME TRAVELLERS 2009

Doctor Hugh and his helpers visited St Andrew's in Crewe the week beginning 17th August.

We travelled way, way back in time, and peeped in on amazing moments in Bible history, and listened in on the conversations with the Doctor's Super-Sonic-Sonar-Radar-Chatter-Catcher-Thingy!

We saw how God keeps promises and how patient Abraham and Sarah were.

We spied on Secret Agent Miriam, as she worked under-cover with her mother as they looked after little Moses. We also heard from Agent Keith as he told us about his uncle, who was the real life inspiration for 'Q' in the James Bond stories.

We watched while Ruth decided whether to turn right and go home to a quiet life or turn left to look after her elderly mother-in-law, Naomi. Her decision to be faithful to her mother-in-law meant that she became the great great great great great great (GET ON WITH IT!!!!) grandmother of Jesus.

We heard the snoring of Eli, and God calling Samuel to be his messenger - even as a small boy, and we found out we can be God's messengers too, whatever age we are.

We watched while young David swung his sling-shot (not underpants!) around his head and defeated Goliath the giant. God was David's strength, just as God is our strength.

And finally, we came to rest at the BBQ at the end of the Universe. An amazing time was had by all children and team. With so many super songs, craft activities, games, and food, we are wondering what the future will hold for the next holiday club... TO THE TARDIS!!!!

Time Travellers Holiday Club 17th-21st August '09

Here is the booking form for the holiday club. Click image for clearer detail and to print out form

The Festival Weekend

Click on the image to see more clearly

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!

Plant Stall

Cakes

Bottle Tombola

Curate in the Stocks

Beat the Goalie

Games and Competitons

Cream Teas

BBQ

We hope you enjoy all the concerts listed below, but we particularly want to tell you about

THE WHALEY BRIDGE BAND
FRIDAY 10TH JULY
8.00PM
Entry £5

This summer we will be looking at people from the Old Testament: David, Samuel, Abraham and Sarah, Miriam and Ruth, and exploring through craft, games, music, puppets and drama just what we can learn from them for our lives today. Thing is... that was a long time ago. We might need the help of 'The Time Travellers'!

Don't forget to book early, unless you are a time traveller too!

Messy Church - 10th May

Cracking Lent - Messy Church 29th March

Messy Church Sunday 22nd February: CREATION

cafechurch - press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Costa Coffee and Tesco may not be two venues you would associate with church meetings, but that is exactly where a new faith venture will be starting soon: cafechurch.

Initiated and supported by Christ Church (Church of England) in Crewe centre and part of a national collaboration between local Christians and Costa Coffee, cafechurch is a relaxed and accessible exploration of various issues from a faith perspective.

The evenings are being run by volunteers from a local alternative church group - SofaChurch - bringing a contemporary, relevant and inclusive approach to the Christian faith .

Lasting for an hour from 7pm on Thursday 12th Feburary cafechurch in Crewe starts at Costa Coffee in Tesco. Admission is open to interested people of any faith or no faith. Meetings will be on the second Thursday of each month. The regular range of Costa Coffee refreshments will be available through each meeting.

More details from www.cafechurch.net or contact Reverend Austin Janes - 01270 215 866.

Details of contacts for interview and quotes available upon request.

The Cup of Tea

When God saw His creation
and knew that it was good,
He gathered round His holy robes
and sat down where He stood.

Everything was perfect,
the land, the sky, the sea
He sat back to enjoy it
and made 'the cup of tea'.

The colour of this 'cuppa'
was the colour of His hands,
the grit from moulding mountains,
the dust from shaping lands.

The water came from boiling springs
that sprung up from below.
The milk He used came from his heart
that shone as white as snow.

He took a sip and shut His eyes
to savour this new drink.
This steaming brew of holy tea
gave Him time to think

about His new creation
and the times it had in store,
the joy, the pain, the sun, the rain.
He smiled and drank some more.

He knew that His creation
would be safe within His care
No matter where we wander,
His hand will still be there.

He isn't full of worry
for he knows our destiny,
as lovingly He guides us
and sips His cup of tea.

Austin Janes © 1995

Bring and Share Meal

Messy Christingle

St Andrew with Saint John the Baptist Church, Bedford Street, Crewe

Dr Grim and Igor Create the Perfect King

Another poem courtesy of the curate, Revd Austin Janes...

One dark & storm cloud covered night
with lightning crashing loud & bright,
Doctor Grim and slave Igor
burst through the laboratory door.
Tonight was quite the perfect time,
as midnight on the clock did chime,
to test their great experiment,
for lightning in the firmament
would give their new creation life,
after the doctor's lethal knife.
At last they now had everything
needed to make the perfect king.

"Behold the perfect king" Grim said
whilst screwing on the monster's head
"He has everything he'll need
to keep him from being a weed.
Such a  noble head - you'll want to kiss it.
The previous owner will not miss it.
Not only does he have good looks,
he has a mind that's full of books.
And then there is the gory part
where we have put his lion heart.
A braver king there'll never rule,
to friends be kind & foes be cruel.
His arms are stronger than an ox
his nerves more cunning than a fox.
His shoulders broad for wearing fame,
his eyes so sharp for taking aim.
His hands are huge for waging wars,
for holding wealth & writing laws.
His feet will carry him round his land,
in mighty splendour shall he stand.
And in his two strong legs there'll be
direction to his destiny.
I've never seen a better 'thing'
so well equipped to be a king."

The lightning struck, the clock struck twelve
and test tubes rattled on the shelves.
Then movements started in the 'thing'
that had been named the perfect king.
It sat bolt up then stood up straight,
the men thought they had met their fate.
But then they looked, and rubbed their eyes
and Igor stammered in surprise,
"Master, our created 'thing'
does not look like the perfect king.
First, see his eyes, they do not scare,
there is too much compassion there.
The forehead scars don't make him frown,
but the stitches stick out like a thorny crown.
And his face, like one amongst a crowd
does not stand out, handsome or proud.
And yet his nobleness is  clear,
it fills me with a holy fear,
not fear that starts my teeth to chatter,
but makes me want to live life better.
And those scars... those scars, who put them there?
What king would bare without a care
a beating that would cost his life,
not fighting back with sword or knife
He really must have loved his foe
to let them leave without a blow.
And see his hands and feet and side,
he must have died with arms out wide."

The two stood there before the king
not knowing if to cry or sing.
But as they watched with their own eyes
the creature began to shrink in size.
The arms fell off, the head did too
and what was left was sticky goo.
For they could not create a thing,
let alone a holy king.
The king they saw which they thought so odd
was a vision of the son of God.
Not waging war, but bringing peace,
not taking captives, but showing release.
Not ruling with a fearful hand
but inviting all with him to stand.

This Prince of Peace came as a child,
but no longer is he meek & mild.
We under estimate the cross,
his sacrifice, at our loss
so let us bow & let us sing
to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Austin Janes copyright 17/11/04

This poem was written for the celebration service at St George's Altrincham to mark the feast of Christ the King.  It was performed behind a white sheet with a bright light showing the silhouettes of the action. The effect of the monster being a giant and shrinking was done by the actor moving closer to the screen and further from the spot light.

Christ Church Tower Appeal - Barn Dance

Messy Church for November

St Andrew with Saint John the Baptist Church, Bedford Street, Crewe

All Hallows' Eve Bonfire and Barbecue

All Hallows' Eve saw a celebration of the holiday club from the preceeding five days, as well as an alternative event for Halloween. Those dressed up passing by were offered sweets and invites to a holiday club service the following Sunday morning.

Rubbish from the church and chuchyard was disposed off safely with all enjoying the warmth of the flames, while a dedicated team prepared the barbecue in a cloud of glory.

Particular intrigue was generated by a tacit witch who visited the peripherary of the proceedings, yet engaged the gregarious attentions of the curate for some ten minutes. We thought that despite appearances the mystery witch wasn't on the Dark Side of The Force, however our esteemed Jedi Master, Susie Wan Kenobi stood to the rear with light sabre at the ready just in case.

A really lovely time was had by all in the church and churchyard that night. Thanks to the organisers and staff who made it all happen.

St Andrew with Saint John the Baptist Church, Bedford Street, Crewe

Bonfire and Barbecue: Boing Boing

A very popular song from the well attended and even more enjoyed Holiday Club was "Boing Boing" - here given a faltering but passionate rendition in the gardens at St Andrew's on Bedford Street...



St Andrew with Saint John the Baptist Church, Bedford Street, Crewe