St Johns and Clayton Brook Churches

Curate -- The Revd Tom Donaghey    01772 497687

Church Wardens          St Johns -- Jean Grindrod       Clayton Brook -- Elaine Clark

Verger        Don Harris

Greetings from the Curate!                          

As my first year as curate draws to its conclusion this June, I can in all sincerity, exclaim that it has been a very interesting year!! They say time flies when you are having fun (or extremely busy), but although the year has passed quickly, it also seems to have felt longer. In this paradox time itself seems to be adrift, as the vocation of priestly service takes centre stage, and all I can do at this time is to marvel and reflect on the diverse experiences, and the varied events that have helped to shape and form my first year.

So on reflection what has been particularly memorable? Well, I would do well to begin by mentioning meeting people for the first time at my ordination and also in the churches and parish for the first time - perhaps going to see my first opera and ballet - time shared with the children from St John's and Clayton le Woods schools - my first sermon (thought I can't remember that one) - being supplied with chocolate at the numerous meetings at the vicarage! - Being fed! - Thursday afternoon at the indoor bowls - men's tenpin bowling - Friday night kid's club - baptisms, funerals and weddings - SEAN course and prayer evenings. But it's not been plain sailing. I did baptise a child Isaac Newton instead of Isaac Andrew (thank you Andrew and Rachel for being so understanding), my car engine blew up 40 miles from Skegness, playing the role of Jesus in the flesh and cold, and getting people's names mixed up (that will never change). Nevertheless in the similar words of St John 'I also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the pages that would be written.'

However, as I pondered that past year I soon realised that all my experiences were atually your experiences too. I would and could not have been shaped and formed if you had not accepted me the way you have, and allowed me to be a valued part of your community. But that's what you are and that's what you do. I have rarely seen such community spirit that genuinely cares for one another through acceptance, tolerance and equality. I do believe that church often struggles to impose itself positively on the world, but one thing the church can do well is build positive communities. But this is only achieved through, in and with God's love. So if we have a positive community in our parish churches, then we are receiving God's grace in all its fullness and this grace is a gift from God (Jesus Christ).

Yet we are also called to serve and love the wider community and as you demonstrate this through the many faithful actions such as the Befriending Scheme, Choosedays, baptism visits, and social events and so on, you are a positive witness to the very character and nature of the community of the Holy Trinity. This is the inward working grace and outward working love that keeps our service and our community one of a privilege and humbling experience. I know from your own testimonies, and from working alongside the vicar (Bishop) that Alan has been a great source of strength and depth in the heart of our community. I remember Alan saying to me 'Do as I say, not what I do!'. If I could aspire to 'do' I will have aspired to love.

So as I marvel and reflect on the past, I look with eagerness and anticipation to the near future, where the paradox of time will once again outpace each other in the fun and busyness of it all. I have little doubt you will continue to help me develop my ministry over the next two years or so, and have little doubt that it will continue to be a time of privilege and humbling experience for all of us.

Phil 4:6 'And I am certain that God, who began the good work withing you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.'

Grace and love

Tom

Admission of Children to Holy Communion

Since 2007 we have followed the alternative policy permitted by the Bishop of Blackburn of admitting to H9ly Communion, children who meet the following criteria:

They must be:       

at least 8 years old

baptised

have regularly attended Church and/or Junior Church for at least 12 months,

wish to be admitted to Communion,

have their parents consent,

and have undergone a short course of preparation.

The next such course will begin on Sunday May 3 as a separate part of the Junior Church programme.

Any childre lwho meet the other criteria and wish to take part in the course, need to bring with them to the first session, an application form, completed by a parent or guardian. The course will last to the end of June. These forms are available at the back of St Johns Church.

                                  

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

People often ask me if I will provide a reference for their year 6 child to go to St Michael's High School next year, or for their pre-school children to start at Whittle or Clayton le Woods Schools. May I remind parents that I base my reference on church attendance over the past 12 months - so if you're going to ask me next year about school admission, now is the time to start attending church if you don't already.

It isn't easy for me to keep track of the frequency with which people attend. For this reason we now have a register where parents have 2 forms to be signed each week they attend church, one is kept in the church files and the other is for the parents to keep. If you wish to register please ask at the desk at the back of church. If you are relying on my memory - I offer you no guarantees"!! - Alan

>Click these links to our two Church Schools.

www.whittle-le-woods.lancsngfl.ac.uk                               www.clayton-le-woods.lancs.sch.uk

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