St Andrew's Festival Weekend

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Duck rescue at Christ Church!

A few weeks ago a member of the Christ Church congregation noticed a duck on top of the porch looking like she was nesting. Sure enough, wednesday just gone she emerged with eight ducklings in tow! Passers by noticed that she had led her ducklings to rest in the middle of the car park and managed to lead them back to safety in the nave gardens. They alerted the police who alerted the RSPCA who came out and took them away to safety at Wheelock.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!

Plant Stall
Cakes
Bottle Tombola
Curate in the Stocks
Beat the Goalie
Games and Competitions
Cream Teas
BBQ

Congratulations...

This Saturday, the Reverend Austin Janes will be made Priest at Chester Cathedral. He has been serving the parishes of Christ Church Crewe and St Andrew with St John the Baptist during the past 15 months or so.

The biggest of congratulations are in order to this gifted, gentle, funny, sincere and humble man who will make a superb priest and be an enormous credit to wherever his ministry takes him.

A hardworking servant, a faithful friend, a man of integrity, and a mirror of Christlike character speaking and supporting appropriately when needed.

Every best wish and blessing is asked for him and his family at this time, and God's protection too. His family, friends, and churches are all enormously proud of him.

Thankyou and God bless you, Reverend Janes.

No Service Sunday 21st June at Christ Church

There will be no service at Christ Church this Sunday 21st June.

Christ Church's curate, the Reverend Austin Janes will be officiating as Priest for his first time at St Andrews for a 10am Eucharist.

Street Doctor

This month's cafechurch, on Thursday 11 June, is entitled "Street Doctor" - an opportunity to explore issues related to health and well-being over a tasty cuppa.

If you haven't yet come along, it really would be lovely for you to join us. Its 'church' but not as you know it: a chance to chat informally with friends in the relaxing environment of Tesco's Costa Coffee. Certainly nothing intimidating, scary or even particularly 'religeous' and definitely no hymn singing!!!!

First drinks served at 6.45pm until 8pm.

See you there!!

‘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 at St Andrew's - 10th May

Jazz Evening

Our next session of cafechurch is on Thursday 14 May 2009. This will be a special event involving live music, and an opportunity to relax over a tasty beverage with friends. Its 'church' but not as you know it!!!

So why not come along and experience things for yourself - you may be pleasantly surprised!!!

First drinks served at 6.45pm and last drinks at 8pm.

Venue: Tesco's Costa Coffee, Crewe

New PCC for 2009

On Wednesday 22 April 2009, Christ Church held its PCC Annual General Meeting: an opportunity to vote for a new PCC, Church Wardens and Treasurer. It was also a time of reflection on all that has happened over the past year, aswell as much hope and excitement for all that future holds in store too.

At the meeting we bid a fond farewell to our two dear Church Wardens, Jill and Marlene, who are retiring after several years faithful service. They have steered Christ Church through many changes and challenges during this time, not least managing a period interegnum on the retirement of Rev Bill Fosse. We are exceptionally grateful for their consistent hardwork, committment and dedication in ensuring that all folk feel welcomed, loved and cared-for. Thank you so much.

Dates for your diaries

• PCC Meeting on Friday 27 March 2009 at 6.30pm in the Church Centre Lounge.
  
• Easter Flowers If you wish to order flowers for display in the Church over Easter, please request an envelope from Jill or Marlene. This needs to be completed, with donation enclosed, then returned by 5 April 2009 (Palm Sunday). Many thanks.
  
• On Track will be held in the Christ Church Vestry on Sunday 30 March 2009, due to another activity being held in the Church Centre.
  
• Lunchtime Concert on Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 12.30pm followed by a tasty lunch, prepared for us by our resident chef, Geoff. Do come along and please invite your friends.
  
• Cafechurch on Thursday 9 April 2009 at Tesco’s Costa Coffee, entitled “Chocolate, chocolate”: an evening for chocoholics! First drinks served at 6.45pm last drinks at 8pm. So why not invite a friend along, treat yourselves to a tasty cuppa and enjoy this new experience for yourselves.
  
• Nantwich Coffee Morning on Saturday 18 April 2009 from 9am to 12pm. Volunteers needed to manage stalls and to make cakes. Please see Jill or Marlene if you can help in any way. Thank you.

Lunchtime concert

On Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 12.30pm flautist, Val Field, will be performing for us, accompanied by John Axon. Following the concert, a tasty lunch will be served in the Church Centre, prepared for us by our resident chef, Geoff.

Do come along and please invite your friends.

A BIG new neighbour for Christ Church?

TODAY (Saturday) in Christ Church Hall... 10am to 2pm

Courtesy of Crewe Blog:

Perhaps one of the biggest developments in the centre of Crewe in recent years could see Sainsbury's building a huge, new supermarket behind the Christ Church car parks. The upmarket chain opened a small store off Brooklyn Street last year, but the proposed monster will make ASDA look like a corner shop. If plans are accepted, the plot will cover the old MFI unit, Dunelm Mill and extend towards the bottom of High Street. You'll be able to see plans, designs and discuss the potential development today and on Saturday at the Christ Church community hall at the side of the main church buildings. The exhibition is open to all and runs between 9am and 4pm on Friday, 10am to 2pm on Saturday. The blog has been in touch with consultants running the 2-day event and agreed that we wouldn't put images on the web until after the weekend...

Chewing Over the Credit Crunch

Our next session of cafechurch will be on Thursday 12 March 2009 at Tesco's Costa Coffee. We will exploring the impact of the financial crisis on our daily lives. The 'expert witness' for the evening will be Joe Watson from Crewe's Credit Union.

First drinks will be on sale at 6.45pm and last drinks at 8pm. Hope to see you there!!!

Newsletter for Week beginning 22 February 2009

Sunday 22 February 2009
11am Holy Communion
11am “On Track” an ‘alternative service’ for children aged between 4 and 11 years old, in the Church Centre.

Ash Wednesday
10am Holy Communion

Next Sunday
11am Family Communion
4pm Choral Evensong


NEWS:
Assistant Priest in Charge: We are delighted to welcome Rev Hazel Rugman as our Priest here at Christ Church. Hazel has been leading our services and undertaking other duties within our Parish for a while now and her genuine love, commitment and enthusiasm has been a real blessing to us. We pray for God’s continued anointing on her ministry as she seeks to serve Him within our community and to impart clear teaching and direction from His Word.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES:

• Messy Church – Fun @ Four on Sunday 22 February 4pm – 6pm in St Andrew’s Church Hall, entitled “Creation”. An opportunity for the whole family to enjoy crafts, a short time of worship plus a tasty meal together. For further details, please contact Revd Austin Janes or Joy Parker.
• Annual Pancake Quiz on Shrove Tuesday 24th February at 7.00pm at St Andrew’s Church Hall. Tickets are £2.00, which includes a pancake and a drink, plus entry to the quiz. Please see Jill or Marlene if you wish to purchase tickets.
• Lunchtime Concert on Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 12.30pm plus a tasty lunch prepared by our resident chef, Geoff. Do come along and please invite your friends.
• Cafechurch on Thursday 12 March 2009 at Tesco’s Costa Coffee, entitled “Chewing over the Credit Crunch” when we will be exploring the current financial crisis. Information will be available from various organisations plus an ‘expert witness’ too. First drinks served at 6.45pm last drinks at 8pm. So why not invite a friend along, treat yourselves to a tasty cuppa and enjoy this new experience for yourselves.

Here at Christ Church, we try very hard to show our genuine care for all those who join us during our services and other events. Maybe you know someone who has not been able to come to a service recently or who would appreciate a visit from Father Bill, Austin or one of Pastoral Care team. Please let us know. Thank you.

Cracking Lent - Messy Church 29th March

cafechurch launch

cafechurch.... its church but not as you know it!!

On Thursday 12 February 2009, cafechurch is officially launched in Crewe. This is a new Christ Church initiative and will be happening each month. Our first session is entitled "Love actually... is all around" when we will be exploring the changing face of relationships within contemporary society.

All are welcome to come along to Tesco's Costa Coffee from 6.45pm until 8pm: a chance to chat over current topics from a faith perspective, informally and over a tasty cuppa.

Hope to see you there!

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.

Hey Kids!

"On Track" is on 15 February "Shining Brightly" at 11am.

So grab your snazzy sunglasses, groovy goggles and cool shades, because this term our theme is:

Fixing our eyes on Jesus

On Track is an 'alternative' service for kids aged between 4 and 11 years old. It happens most Sunday mornings between 11am and 12pm. There are plenty of opportunities for fun, games and artwork, but more importantly to learn about God in an informal, interactive way. So why not come along and share in the experience for yourselves.

"On Track.... its Kids Church but not as you know it!!"

2009 Spring Term Programme

25 January: Eyes on the Prize
1 February Family Service in Church
8 February: Sowing Seed
15 February: Shining Brightly
22 February: Small is beautiful
1 March: Family Service in Church
8 March: Three Cheers!
15 March: Forget-me-not
22 March: The debt is paid
29 March: Celebrations
5 April: Palm Sunday in Church
12 April: Easter Sunday in Church

Family History Fair in Northwich

The Crewe Group of the Family History Society will be hosting their family history fair at Northwich on the 21st February; there will a display of a couple dozen Christ Church related pictures as part of the exhibit.

St Andrew's Messy Church - 22nd February: CREATION

Bishop Snow's Visit

A temporary member of the ministry team was installed in Christ Church nave garden late last night.

Bishop Snow arrived as the snowball effect gathered pace with the efforts of two Christ Church regulars, with a view to raising a smile for those passing the garden gates.

It is not known how long Bishop Snow will be staying at Christ Church, but hopefully his ministry will not be undertaken with too much of a frosty atmosphere.

His last greeting just after midnight on 3rd February showed an increased leaning to the right.

Further updates on Bishop Snow's residence at Christ Church to follow through the week.

It is suspected he may need some support very soon.

Hope 08 Carol Service

Last December Hope 08 Crewe gathered in the Nave Garden at Christ Church for an outside carol service.

Something we would love to do more of in future Christmas periods, and when the famed Christ Church handbells return and there is once again a team of handbell ringers (members wanted - get in touch if interested!).

Many thanks to Jo for these pictures.

Christ Church Crewe - The historic Victorian railway church serving Crewe today - in Crewe Town Centre.

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

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 at St Andrew's

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

Christ Church Autumn Fair

Christ Church's autumn fair is on Saturday November 22nd from 10am to 1pm in the church hall - all welcome - a variety of stalls and refreshments on offer.

Messy Church for November at St Andrews

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

Messy Church

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

God Requires

A poem - the first of many - from Revd Austin Janes, Curate at St Andrews and Christ Church.

God Requires

Cob web busters
Lectern dusters
Toilet flushers
Coffee makers
Wafer breakers
Communion takers
Lesson readers
Home group leaders
Baby feeders
Baby hushers
Emulsion brushers
Seating ushers
Organ players
Table layers
Fervent prayers
Thumping drummer
Chorus hummers
New church comers
Intercessors
Flower dressers
Robed processors
Hymn book givers
Gospel livers
Those not with us
Collection takers
Friendship makers
Garden rakers
Notice typers
Sermon writers
Candle lighters
Candle snuffers
Washer uppers
Dummy suckers
Football kickers
Visiting vicars
Lighting riggers
Balloon blowers
Flower growers
Message sowers
Choral singers
Tower ringers
And green fingers
The young and old
Hairy and bald
All are called
To serve the Lord.

Copyright Austin Janes C 1999

This poem was written for my last service working in Scarborough. Everybody in the congregation had a role to play.

Bring and Share Barbecue - 31st October

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