Hello! Welcome to the Anniversary edition celebrating 175 years of St James’ Church. This month is jam packed full of memories, photos and tributes to St James’ Church, including letters from past vicars. If you’re not familiar with the Church then have a look and take trip through time.
However, it is not just about the anniversary there is an update from the Foodbank and don’t miss out on what’s been happening at St Mary’s. Learn about the Virtual Crisis coffee morning Meltham Shoebox Appeal!
The #Meltham shoe box warehouse at St James’ Church Meltham Mills is now open to receive your gift filled shoe boxes!
This season please consider giving a few practical gifts, all wrapped up in hope, that will bring a little bit of Christmas sparkle and joy into a child’s life.
Every year the charity Teams4U sends Christmas shoeboxes, packed full of love and hope, to children in deprived communities overseas. Since their first appeal in 2013, T4U have given over 221,000 shoeboxes, spreading a bit of the magic and joy of the Christmas season.
“Every shoebox contains a memory, one that over the years they will remember and treasure. Each box tells the child ‘someone, somewhere, cares for you, has thought of you.”
In these challenging times, whilst the world is reeling from the effects of the pandemic, children everywhere are struggling without school, without friends, and some, even, without toys or something to do. For these children, in orphanages or living in the most marginalised communities, this pandemic has made the world an ever bleaker and desperate place.
“Christmas is coming, whether we’re there for these children or not. But, I think, right now we need to be more present for them. Now is the biggest need.”
How can you help? Teams4U say each gift is like a Christmas stocking in a shoebox – an assortment of essential items such as stationery for school, toiletries, winter woollies, hair accessories etc. plus a few small toys and sweets. You can drop these off at the following drop-off points: Crossroads Shop. Meltham. St. James’ Church Meltham Mills.
The charity requests a small monetary donation of £2.50 in addition to each shoebox to help support the costs of transportation.
For more information on the Shoebox Appeal and to find your nearest drop-off point please call T4U’s regional coordinator for West Yorkshire. Meltham Shoe box 07954784317
Unable to make a box yourself: This year, in addition to accepting donated shoeboxes, T4U have a Sponsor-a-Box scheme and for £15 will make up a gift on your behalf. Visit their website www.teams4u.com or ring their office to learn more: 01978 310110.
Read all about it! Read all about it! Find out all that happened in 2019 across the Parish of Meltham, Christ the King. Please read the report which covers all our 4 churches before the APCM on Wednesday. There’s a lot goes on!
Please pray for the Vicar and all those who have worked hard keeping things going in our churches and that others will also come forward and offer to service in the various offices – remember, YOUR church needs YOU!
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) will take place on Wednesday 28th October at 7pm in St Bartholomew’s Church, #Meltham (subject to social distancing etc.) This meeting would usually take place by the end of April but has been delayed due to the Covid pandemic. Due to this there has been a special measure granted by Bishop Nick to additionally allow people to attend the meeting online via Zoom. There is also an option to participate via telephone using these details below: Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7595196115?pwd=d3NhNFVOaWR4RVk2QWswd1QvZ2xNdz09
NOTES ON THIS YEARS APCM Due to our new constitution we will be holding our elections differently this year than we have in the past.
All Church Wardens must be Elected (2 for each Parish Church serving a 1-year term of office) at the Annual Meeting of Parishioners which will be a short meeting held before the APCM. This is only for the purpose of electing Church Wardens and so it will start at 7:00pm with the main meeting/APCM beginning immediately afterwards.
12 people
will be elected to the Parochial Church Council (PCC). This will mean 3 members per Church. We would normally
elect a third of the membership each year. Therefore, one third of those
elected will serve one year (until the end of the next APCM), one third will
serve 2 years, and one third will serve 3 years. In this case the length of
office for each member elected will be decided by the drawing of lots.
4
representatives of the parish will be elected for the Deanery Synod, this will mean 1 representative per
Church. As this is the year in which we would normally be electing Deanery
representatives they will serve for a full 3-year term.
6 people will be elected from each Church to be representatives on their own Parish Church Steering group. These steering groups will assist the PCC and Vicar in furthering the mission of the Church. There would normally be 2 new representatives elected each year. Therefore, one third of those elected will serve one year (until the end of the next APCM), one third will serve 2 years, and one third will serve 3 years. In this case the length of office for each member elected will be decided by the drawing of lots.
If you wish to stand for election to any of these offices, please fill out a nomination form in advance of the meetings.
The Live stream was not possible today as the mobile phone network in #Meltham was down. Here is an updated link for the service now it has been uploaded afterwards: https://youtu.be/ZRIbDJh3Alo
Saturday 17th October – Wilshaw clearing and levelling rubbish heap
DO YOU feel like some exercise that is cost free, in the open air and where the chat and laughter is as important as the work? If so, then you are most welcome to join our band of merry helpers. We aim for this to be an informal group, where friendships can grow as the weeds are subdued!!
All groups run from about 9:30am to 12:30pm but don’t feel you have to be there the whole time. Please bring own tea/coffee and tools.
Please contact Mike on 07867 951512 for further details, or to let him know you can help.
Join us for our Harvest Festival as we celebrate and give thanks for God’s wonderful gifts – Sunday 11th October at 9:30am – join us in church or at home on our live stream. Food donations will be distributed via Meltham Food Bank. https://youtu.be/X0aTwZ8RrZQ
Join us at church or online for a service of Holy Communion led by Rev’d Dennis Shields on Sunday 4th October at 9:30am. Live stream available via YouTube: https://youtu.be/PR62t9enpT0
Wow! Can you believe it, Autumn is already upon us? It must be time for the October edition, so pop on your comfy’s, make a brew and snuggle down while you read about all that’s happening, in our #Meltham community…….
…….there’s been a ‘Pop Up’ crossroads shop (see pg 13) Denis has managed the ‘Wilshaw 3 peaks’ find out more on page 31 and there are lots of opportunities to get yourself outdoors by helping to clear some church grounds (pg 25.)
