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Welcome to St Peter's Church  

  

 Serving and being part of the community for over 200 years

We want to make you feel a real part of the Christian community here at St. Peter's - hopefully through our web site we can bring you all the information you need about us and encourage you to play a part in our worship and service of God.  

Contact No's:

Vicarage: 01254 248072

Mobile: 07967 526323

 

 

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'We will remember them'

Let us remember and pray for our Armed Forces in Afghanistan over 2011 as well as for their families waiting anxiously for their safe return.

We pray for them  

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PRAYER AND FASTING in the Diocese of Blackburn   Ash Wednesday 22nd February 2012 Bishop Nicholas has asked that all churches in the Diocese be open on Ash Wednesday to offer formal prayer at intervals throughout the day. His intention is that we pray particularly for the ongoing work of the Diocese and our call to be a servant church; and for all young people affected by the current economic recession. We can use this ‘open church’ day as an opportunity for both private and personal, as well as community prayer. St Paul encouraged disciples to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and the monastic orders interpreted this by the seven-fold monastic services or “praying the hours”.  As an individual why not interpret this by finding three or four occasions during Ash Wednesday to stop and centre yourself in prayer, maybe using the Collect for Ash Wednesday printed below. Or why not visit St Peter’s on Ash Wednesday where a number of services are taking place as follows:   8.45 am            Ash Wednesday Prayer  10 minute service to be repeated at 12noon/3pm/6pm   9.10 am             School Eucharist 10.30 am           Holy Communion   12 noon            Ash Wednesday Prayer  3.00 pm            Ash Wednesday Prayer  6.00 pm            Ash Wednesday Prayer   7.00 pm            Holy Communion   All services will be led by The Rev’d Andrew Malcolm apart from the 3pm where the form of prayer will be available for individuals to follow privately. Fasting is defined as ‘abstaining from food for spiritual purpose’ but in today’s world abstaining from other things ay be more appropriate: ·         Abstain from radio, turn off the mobile phone, fast from video games and e-mails ·         Get used to silence! ·         During Lent simplify meals, deny yourself certain treats and donate the amount you save to help the hungry of the world.   Collect for Ash Wednesday  Almighty and Everlasting God,  you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:  create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and   acknowledging our wretchedness, may receive from you,  the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;  through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,  one God now and for ever. Amen

 

Parish Profile for St. Peter's Salesbury    Follow this link

 

 

The Resolutions of the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 Back in 1994 all Parochial Church Councils were required to discuss and vote on the Resolutions A and B (listed below) relating to the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood.   This your PCC did.   Neither Resolution A or B (C was not applicable at that time) was passed.  This meant that St Peter’s PCC would be prepared to accept a woman priest as its Vicar.   In the light of my imminent retirement the PCC is required to vote again, this time on all the Resolutions.   The vote will be taken at the meeting on 1st November.   With this in mind, if anyone has any constructive comments to offer on this subject the PCC would be pleased to receive them.   You may like to write them down and hand them to either of the Churchwardens, Andrew or me. Resolution A: that this PCC would not accept a woman as the minister who presides at or celebrates the Holy Communion or pronounces the Absolution in the Parish. Resolution B: that this PCC would not accept a woman as the incumbent or priest-in-charge of the benefice or as a team vicar for the benefice. Resolution C: that the PCC of (Salesbury, St Peter) hereby resolves to petition the Diocesan Bishop to the effect that appropriate Episcopal duties in the parish of (Salesbury, St Peter) should be carried out in accordance with the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993. The Vicar

 

Interregnum Information   Date Deadline for the Magazine  All material is to be given/sent to Philip and Julie Bradshaw 4 Valley Road – 01254 249764 Philip@ribbvalley.demon.co.uk  OR  julie@ribbvalley.demon.co.uk                    Material to Philip/Julie         Magazines in church December      Nov 14th                           Nov 27th        January         Dec 12th                            Dec 22nd/23rd February       Jan 16th                            Jan 29th March           Feb 13th                            Feb 26th April             Mar 12th                            Mar 25th May              Apr 16th                            Apr 29th June             May 14th                           May 27th July              June 11th                           June 24th   Date Deadline for the Weekly Notice Sheet All notices for the weekly Notice Sheet should be sent/handed to Diane Foote by the Thursday evening, at the latest, for inclusion on the following Sunday. Diane’s address is 45 The Hazels (01254 246343) Her email is: diane@mercerbros.co.uk

 

More retirement stuff!!   Please take a moment to read a most wonderful reflection by Sheila Goodman   Follow this link   In the reflection Sheila uses this quote   "There will inevitably be moments of insecurity and doubt, but, girded by prayer, the Holy Spirit will strengthen, support and inspire”    Amen to that!!   Andrew

 

... and something else!!   Sheila has been busy ... here is another piece where she accuratley reflects the thinking there has been from the PCC on the subject of a new Priest for St. Peter's   Follow this link   Thak you Sheila,   Andrew

 

GOD OUR ROCK COURSE     follow this link to find out more details

 

 

Our web-site is now getting over 600 visitors a month   We get people accessing us from USA Russia China New Zealand Germany and many more countries   Please keep visiting us ...  it would be great to hear from you via e-mail ... tell us more about why you visit us

 

BIBLE TREES     Follow this link to see pictures of the Bible Trees created to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible   The children from the Day School created these trees. On them the children posted their favourite Bible verses.   I'm sure you will agree the 'trees' look magnificent - very well done to the children and a big thank you to all the staff and children at school who helped to make them Andrew

 

NOTICES     The Future of St. Peter’s At the AGM, the Vicar assured everyone that, after his retirement, there would be a replacement priest in Salesbury, living in the vicarage. However, that depends upon many factors, including the parish’s ability to pay its Parish Share. Because of its attendance and relative affluence, Salesbury is assessed as owing 124% of the average Parish Share per annum. Of this 100% supports our own vicar, and the amount above that supports priests in much poorer parishes, which genuinely are not able to pay the full expense of having a priestly ‘presence’ (and not the Cathedral as some parishioners mistakenly believe). This idea is apostolic, based on the practice of the early church; Paul exhorted congregations to raise funds for others far away. It is part of our charitable giving and, as John always says, we give to God. That giving should be realistic and prayerfully considered, in proportion to our own income. Nationally, the Church of England suggests that we aim to give (after our basic expenditure has been covered) 5% of our disposable income. Anywhere near to that would solve St. Peter’s financial ‘problems’ so that we could look forward with optimism. The ‘problem’ is a spiritual challenge for us all! Until 2009, St. Peter’s paid its Share in full annually, but essentially borrowed the money to do so from reserves in recent years. We can do that no longer. We have therefore been in arrears, but still intend to pay every penny as soon as we can. The 2009 deficit was paid off last year. Some of 2010’s deficit has already been paid, and, when we receive the Gift-Aid contributions from the tax-man, the remainder will be settled. At the AGM, a member of the congregation pointed out that the problem could only be solved if people contributed more. This year the cost of oil, electricity, honoraria, materials and services have all gone up. Some parishioners have been able to increase their giving, and for that we are extremely grateful. If you haven’t thought about it yet, could you consider an increase? We can only ensure the same amount of ‘priestly presence’ in Salesbury as we currently enjoy if we prove that we can pay our way. The Standing / Finance Committee Keith Sowerbutts (Churchwarden) Sue Grime (Churchwarden) David Dickinson (PCC Vice-Chair) Julie Bradshaw (PCC Secretary) Clare Harding (PCC Treasurer)     East Lancashire Hospitals – Royal Blackburn The Rev’d Andrew Horsfall is the Chaplaincy Manager.   In the hospital there is a weekly service of Holy Communion on Sundays at 9.45am.   After this service Holy Communion is taken to the wards for patients who cannot go to the chapel. Numbers of Ward Communions are increasing, putting a strain on those volunteers who take Holy Communion to patients.   So, the Chaplain would like to have more lay volunteers to undertake this task.   He wonders if anyone from St Peter’s would be willing to help with this ministry. Currently, Gordon Bury is one of the volunteers.   He is on a rota and commits himself to a certain number of Sundays, month by month.   He would be happy to talk with any church member who might be interested in this ministry.   His telephone number is 01254 249038 or you can contact the Hospital Chaplain on 01254 736849.    Bible Marathon and Vigil Maundy Thursday 9.00pm until Good Friday 2.00pm As part of St Peter’s celebration of ‘The Year of the Bible’. John and I led the vigil where we read a number of books from the Old and New Testament. It was a wonderful experience to spend time reading and hearing scripture as well as quiet time contemplating our Lord's sacrifice for us. A very sincere thank you to all who read and also to those who just came to sit quietly for an hour or so. We were both touched by how many people came to the Church at all times throughout he night and day. Andrew   Follow this link for more pictures of the vigil and Bible reading   The Year of the Bible   2011     Go to FUTURE EVENTS for more details      Photographic Competition     A FOUR SEASON CALENDAR 2012 We are now entering the final Winter season of the year long photographic competition and it will then be time to submit your entries. Remember this is a calendar which will reflect the 4 seasons of the year and photographs must have been taken in Lancashire. Entry forms available at the back of the church and all entries need to be submitted by the 31st March 2012. So get the cameras out and happy shooting!!   General Information for the Competition The newly formed Social and Fundraising Committee is holding a photographic competition in order to create a Four Seasons’ Calendar for 2013. This is for everyone in the parish.   It doesn’t matter if you are a ‘point and shoot’ amateur or a more serious type, we need your help to create the calendar. The competition will run from April this year to April 2012.   Get your cameras out and start clicking ! At the close of the competition a team of judges will consider all the entries and choose 12 photos to represent the four seasons.   These will then be compiled into a calendar for 2013.   The calendar will be on sale at the beginning of October 2012. Rules 1        The competition is open to anyone within the parish of St Peter’s, Salesbury 2        Photographs must be originals (no downloading of previously taken photos)           and can be local or anywhere in Lancashire. 3        Each person will be restricted to one entry (photograph) per person (Spring,           Summer, Autumn, Winter) – maximum of 4. 4        For digital cameras photo-prints (normal SLR cameras a postcard size photo)           should be forwarded with the following information:                  -  the date when the photo was taken                  - where it was taken                  -  the name of the person who has taken the photo                  -  age if under 16 years           These prints will be for judging purpose only.   Retain your digital images and           negatives. Further information regarding this will be on the entry forms available during April. 5        For any photographs including children, permission MUST be sought from           their parents. 6        At the close of the competition the judges will select 12 photographs which           best represent the 4 seasons for the calendar. There will be two prizes – one for the best overall entry, and one for the 16 year olds and under. You will find updates about the competition during the next 12 months in the Parish Magazine and on this website (www.salesbury-stpeter.org.uk).   All proceeds will go to the fabric fund for our beautiful church building.            NEWS   follow link for update news   ++++++++++   WEB SITE ACTIVITY   follow link   +++++++++++ MISSION UPDATES   follow link

     

  

The Mission of  St. Peter's    What we are working to build We invite you to be part of it  'Mission to all through and by Prayer, Worship and Service'  Go to the Mission and Vision page to find out more

  

  

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