Notices

Confirmation

Confirmation time is approaching again!

Confirmation means ‘confirming’ your commitment to Christ, and being ‘confirmed’ in your faith by the Holy Spirit. Through confirmation we become full members of the church. It’s an important step to take, and an exciting day for the candidates and for us as a church. Confirmation is open to any adults or children aged 13 or more. We’ll also have the pleasure of welcoming people from one or more adjacent parishes, who are also putting candidates forward.

We’re looking forward to welcoming Bishop Robert (the Bishop of Stockport), who will conduct the service and confirm the candidates. The service itself will be on Sunday 16 May at 6.30pm. There will be a series of preparation classes for any who want to go forward for this. These will be on Wednesday evenings for the adults, beginning on 21st April at the vicarage, and on Sunday evenings at 5.30pm, beginning on 18th April, for the young people.

If you would like to be confirmed this year, or if you’re wondering what it entails, or would just like to chat about the issues, do please come and see me, or give me a ring on 0161 483 8640.

Richard

A Listening Ear

Do you need, or would you like, to talk to a caring listener on any subject? It can help to talk things over with a sympathetic listener.

Any member of church, young or not so young, friend or family member is more than welcome to avail themselves of these confidential listening sessions.

Please contact Ann Smith, (0161-487 1838). If you get my answer phone please give your name and telephone number and I will get back to you as soon as I can. You could also speak to me personally at church on Saturday or Sunday mornings.

Pastoral Visiting

Has someone you're used to seeing at church been missing for a while? Or would you like a visit yourself? If so, please inform the pastoral care team (0161-487 2538).

Norbury Church rooms for hire

Do you need a room for a party or meeting?

Contact Mrs Elizabeth Olsson for details and booking (0161-483 6325)

Wood Street Mission

Leonard and Sheila Bentley (0161 483 0708) have kindly agreed to co-ordinate collections. At present the Mission urgently requires:

• Clean and good quality clothing for adults and children
• Books in good condition (especially children’s books)
• Good quality toys

PLEASE - NO Jumble or House Clearances

Items can be left at church on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12 noon.

New Curate

We are very pleased to be able to announce that a new curate, Jenny Mayo-Lythall, will be joining the team at Norbury in the summer. Jenny is currently in her final year of studies at St John’s College, Cranmer Hall, in Durham, before her ordination in Chester Cathedral on 4th July, after which she’ll be joining us here. Jenny is in her mid-20s, and married to Andrew (they were married last summer), who will be starting as curate at St George’s, Stockport at the same time. They will live in the curate’s house in St George’s parish, which is, of course, only a couple of miles down the A6.

Jenny and Andrew have already met many of the Staff Team and the PCC at a Christmas party at the vicarage, and I know she is looking forward to meeting people generally in a few months’ time. The expectation, as is standard, is that Jenny will spend about 3 years here as a curate, as part of the training process, before moving on in due course to ministry elsewhere.

We’re looking forward very much to having her with us and working together, and to giving her a warm welcome in the summer!

Richard

Do You Visit the Churchyard?

A welcome awaits you inside the Church. Join us for:

• A refreshing cup of coffee
• A friendly chat
• Quiet reflection

The church is open on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am-11.00am (not during August).

Securing Memorials In The Churchyard

We want to make the churchyard as safe an environment as possible for everyone. We have identified a number of memorials that are unsafe. It is important that these memorials are made secure as soon as possible. Stockport Council is securing these memorials with stakes and clamps as a temporary measure.

In some cases we do not have the name of anyone to contact about these memorials. In other cases those concerned about a particular unsafe memorial have agreed to arrange for the work to be done, but the memorial still has to be made safe until the work is done.

Norbury Archives and History

As a result of their organising the recent Norbury exhibition, Graeme and Marjorie Potts have been prompted to make two very kind suggestions. Marjorie has offered to act as Archivist for Norbury Parish Church, and receive, collate and look after old photographs and other memorabilia offered to the church. Graeme, meanwhile, has undertaken to bring the Norbury History up-to-date, even promising to underwrite the production costs himself, above which any profits will be channelled into church funds. Our grateful thanks to both of them, and we look forward to the fruits of their labours!

Richard