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

 

The Vicar writes ......

Dear Friends,

Isaac Newton said, "I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

We think we know so much, but all the matter we can see in the universe accounts for only 5 per cent of its mass. Undectectable dark matter and the even more mysterious dark energy are believed to account for the missing mass.

The above are (more or less) quotes from the editorial of the January edition of Eureka Magazine.

But isn't it astounding the claims that popular journalism makes for science - when scientists themselves say that 95 per cent of the mass/energy that make up the universe are currently beyond our knowledge.

Think of all the hoo hah about creation/intelligent design.

What have we got? We seem to have four pebbles, a poem (Gen 1:1-2:4), a story (Gen2:4-end) and a couple of theories (big bang and evolution), to play with on the seashore, whilst the great ocean of truth lies undiscovered before us. How can we make such extravagant claims about scientific truth when all we find is that the more we know, the more we realise we don't know.

But what a wonderful universe we inhabit.

For my part, rather than worry about the details of how it got here, I'm content to bow in worship before the one I believe gives it meaning and purpose, and to enjoy it by serving him.

Your friend and vicar

Alan  

 

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

 

The Bible -   The world's best seller, worth knowing - worth sharing- worth living

  click on the link below

   www.biblesociety.org.uk

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Noticeboard

St John's Blog:

Congratulations to the 7 candidates confirmed onSunday                                         

Bishop Nicholas and Alan looking at the future re-ordering plans for St Johns.

I am sure you have noticed a temperature drop in Church this last couple of Sundays. The reason being that the central heating boiler which has been on the 'blink' for years has finally died a death. Until we can get ourselves into a position to start with the re-ordering plans, the advice is put on plenty of thermals!!

This is a quote from The See (available at the back of church with the gazettes) by Archdeacon John calling for a national mass movement to award our most senior citizens the respect and care they deserve. "We need 'care systems' in place in our churches for all who have been members of our churches and can no longer be present. They must not be forgotten and must be cared for effectively by the local family of God."

At St John's and Clayton Brook we have our own 'Befriending Scheme'. If you know of anyone who would like a visit please do not hesitate to contact us or alternatively, if you youself could become a volunteer please send an email via this website or contact Alan.

 

  •        Did you know???  
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1906 The choir stalls were raised and the cost borne by Miss Crosse.

A new font cover, the panels of which were carved by the carving Class - Messrs. Billington, Bradley, Bibby, Beaver, Fowler, Garstang, Hooley and Dr Peddie. The design is somewhat similar to an ancient Jacobean cover in Lancaster Parish Church, but the porportions are very much better. Mr John Barnes was very kind in procuring the timber and seeing to the hanging arrangements.

 

 

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