For St Peter's & St John's
March Newsletter
Lent is a journey of preparation and, as on many journeys, there are places where we stop and take a breather, admire the scenery, open the picnic and share food. This Lent there are many stopping places:
Draw Near our Lent course continues on Monday evenings at 7.30pm and all are welcome to pull in and recharge their spiritual batteries.
Mothering Sunday We will gather to bunch flowers for Mothering Sunday in St Peter's Rooms and this year, for the first time, we will have a Children's Art Activity in anticipation of this special service. The bunches of flowers will be blessed in the service and distributed at St Peter's and St John's as a gift from Mother Church, to all those who mother. This celebration day is a break in the Lenten disciplines before we begin to turn our focus towards Easter.
On APCM Sunday our readings take us to the valley of dry bones with the Prophet Ezekiel and God's question will ring in our ears: Can these bones live? The answer is of course, 'yes!' but only with the breath and power of God. A message that is central to the health and spiritual life of the Church and a good focus for this Sunday as we consider our church life.
Palm Sunday is the day when we remember Jesus entering into Jerusalem. Sadly, walking from St John's to St Peter's with a donkey is too far and would cause even more traffic chaos than usual. So instead, in Prestbury the Donkey leads the procession from our Church School to St Peter's and at St John's the donkey will process around the churchyard.
Holy Week straddles March and April: Maundy Thursday is April 2nd and Good Friday is April 3rd with Easter Sunday and the celebration of Jesus' resurrection on April 5th and as part of our Lenten preparation for Easter it's good to get those key dates and services in the diary.
In this month's newsletter
Church News
APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting)
On Sunday 22 March, following the 10.30am service, we will have our Annual Parochial Church Meeting. The APCM is where we celebrate and give praise to God for all the good things that have happened over the last year, where we hear what has been happening in different areas in Church life. Church Wardens and PCC members are elected and annual accounts are received. It is the only Sunday in the year when all the six congregations come to together to worship, pray and gather around the Lord's Table, before hearing, thanking and celebrating.
This year there are a few changes! Breakfast (croissants, toast, bacon or sausage sandwiches, etc) will be served from 9.15am - this is an opportunity to read the reports that are posted on the notice boards, share in conversation and meet those who go to other services. Children Welcome! 😁
Our 10.30am Service will be the only service that day, enabling the whole Church community to gather.
St Peter’s Church – a Pilgrim Place
St Peter’s is joining hundreds of churches in the North of England in becoming a Pilgrim Place, part of a ‘Faith in the North’ initiative.
Most people know that pilgrimage is a ‘special journey to a special place with special meaning’. Some brave people undertake huge walking challenges such as the Camino to Santiago da Compostella in Spain, or more modest visits to sacred places like Holy Island in Northumberland, or Iona in the Hebrides. But you don’t need to be wearing hiking boots or carrying a rucksack to be a pilgrim. We are all pilgrims of one sort or another on our journey through life, and we can make the most of the special places on our doorsteps.
Being a pilgrim in a special place offers space to pause and explore our own experience and thoughts. It helps to take time out of the ‘ordinary’ to think about our journey through life.
Look out for our Pilgrim Place signs, Exploring Faith trails and Being a Pilgrim prayer cards. Please use these and encourage visitors to use them too. Who knows where it will lead you!
Find out more here: Pilgrim Places - Faith in the North
Monday Fellowship Group
Monday 9 March at 2.00pm in St Peter’s Rooms
John, our fabulous candle recycler, joins us to talk all things candles and show us how he does it – be prepared to be impressed!
The Monday Fellowship Group (formerly Prestbury Mothers’ Union) warmly welcomes everyone from any church, or from outside the church community. We offer a short service of worship, a talk or activity, refreshments and friendship.
Our next meeting will be on 11 May, when we will join our Methodist friends at their Faith Lunch. Details to follow.
Bunching for Mothering Sunday
Saturday 14 March from 10.00am in St Peter’s Rooms
All are welcome to come along and help make the daffodil bunches for Mothering Sunday.
It’s a family friendly activity, and the more the merrier! We are usually finished by about 11.30am fuelled by tea, coffee and cake!
Please bring stems of small leaved foliage from your garden if you have any.
Mothering Saturday Art for Children
Often our children find it hard to bunch flowers for Mothering Sunday and so this year they get their own art-based activity in St Peter's Rooms where we will be making something beautiful to decorate church with for the Sunday. Accompanied children only please but no need to register in advance. From 10.00am in St Peter's Rooms on Saturday 14 March.
For more information please contact Beverley Angier via the Parish Office.
Lent Lunches
Wednesdays 11.30am – 1.00pm
11 March: Prestbury Methodist Chapel
25 March: St Peter’s Rooms
Homemade soups, great chat and every penny you give goes straight to Christian Aid.
A chance to bring a non-church friend perhaps!
Reading the whole of St Matthew’s Gospel
Wednesday 1st April, from 7.00pm
St Peter’s Rooms
As in previous years we will read the whole of one of the Gospels in one evening during Holy Week, and this year it will be St Matthew’s Gospel. Those who have been part of this before will know what a special event it is. If you would like to read a section (or two!) please put your name on the sign up sheet which will be in St Peter’s Rooms soon.
We will make a prompt start at 7 o’clock, and have a break for refreshments in the middle. If you would like to join us later in the evening just indicate this on the sign up sheet.
Everyone who would like to is welcome to read, you don’t have to be a regular church reader.
You might like to just come and listen? You will be welcome too.
Save the date!
Foxhill Quiet Day for St Peter’s & St John’s
Tuesday 2 June 2026
This year’s St Peter’s & St John’s Quiet Day will be an opportunity to reflect and relax away from our usual environment – at the Diocesan Retreat House near Frodsham (Foxhill | Retreat House | Foxhill House and Woodlands, Frodsham, UK).
There will be no pressure to do anything, but there will be worship, themed workshops and activities on offer, conversations to have with old friends or with new ones or, if you prefer, you could just sit in stillness and embrace the quietness of Foxhill and its lovely surroundings. A full programme will be available in due course, but ask Anne Stirling if you have any immediate queries. There will be sign up sheets soon, and the cost will be in the region of £40 (the same as last year) to include a two course lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Mothering Sunday – it’s complicated!
In our Mothering Sunday Family Service we honour everyone with the gift of a posy of daffodils in acknowledgement of God’s love for us all, our value to him, and the part we play in St Peter’s church family. Outside of church, Mothering Sunday is often painted as a picture-perfect celebration filled with love, laughter and happy family gatherings, but whether you are a mother or not, man or woman, adult or child, painful emotions are often thrown up on this day by grief, loss, fractured relationships, a sense of inadequacy or isolation, or feelings of regret or longing.
It’s complicated!
All these roller-coaster emotions are normal and valid. Recognising and acknowledging your personal experience is the first step towards navigating what can sometimes be a difficult day.
Don’t be afraid of letting God know how you feel. Talk to him, or bring your feelings to our prayer corner in church – light a candle, write a card, say a prayer. God will meet you where you are. He is always listening.
If you want to talk – just say so. We can always make time for a chat. Ask one of the ministry team, or send a message to the Parish Office and we will get back to you parishoffice@stpetersprestsbury.org.uk tel 01625 827625
Lent Course: Draw Near
Our Lent course continues throughout Lent and all are welcome to come and join us at 7.30pm on Monday evenings in St Peter's Rooms. Each evening is a stand-alone session so if you can only make one that is perfectly fine! 😎
Week 2: 2 March Sharing in scripture
Week 3: 9 March Sharing in Communion
Week 4: 16 March Sharing in Service
Week 5: 23 March Sharing the Good News
Week 6: 30 March Sharing in Holy Week
Outward Giving 2025
At the end of each calendar year the church allocates a percentage of income to outward giving and the Social Justice and Environment Hub advises on the choice of charities. These are always charities rooted in Christianity and this year we selected four in the following categories, in order to ensure breadth of vision: local, national, international, and environmental. The chosen four were the following, and here’s a bit of information on each charity:
Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy (AgChap): we all know from the news the problems that farmers have faced over recent years, and continue to face. AgChap offers 24:7 support to the farming community with a listening ear whenever needed, pastoral support and the ability to bring in supporting agencies when needed. See https://www.agchap.com/
Prison Fellowship (PF): the mission of PF is to show Christ’s love to people in prison by coming alongside and supporting them. Through a nationwide volunteer network active in every prison in England and Wales, PF seeks through prayer and practical care to support and develop Christian ministry to people in prison and their families. https://prisonfellowship.org.uk/
Embrace the Middle East (Embrace): as a Christian development charity, Embrace works with 40 Christian partners in the Middle East to transform lives and restore the dignity of the most excluded and marginalised communities. For example, in Gaza they work with partners to respond to the health and economic needs around them – one partner (Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees – DSPR) serves around 1200 people daily, providing medical consultations and psychosocial support for women and children. https://embraceme.org/
Operation Noah (ON): ON provided the resources for one of our small group courses in 2025 – Tenants of the King. ON is a small ecumenical Christian charity working with the Church to inspire action on the climate crisis. They do this through educational initiatives such as our course, faith-based support to mainstream environmental campaigns, and campaigning towards fossil free churches in the UK. https://www.operationnoah.org/
Each charity received just over £1500. We hope to arrange speakers this year to find out more about their work; in the meantime, please keep their work in your prayers.
Worship for families
Our next Young Church will be on Sunday 1 March during the 10.30am service.
The Young Church team have some wonderful activities planned as they explore Ash Wednesday and Lent. All ages of children welcome.
Our next Breakfast Church
will be on Sunday 26 April at 9.15am, but don't forget there is also a breakfast on 22 March from 9.15am before the APCM Holy Communion Service and everyone is welcome here too!
Breakfast Church is an informal space for parents and their children to worship together.
There are craft activities, games and lots of fun to hand as we worship together.
PLEASE NOTE: we will begin serving breakfast at the slightly earlier time of 9.15am. Our worship will begin at 9.30am and we will draw to a close at 10.15am.
For information about all things children and families in church - watch out for the next Family News coming out shortly!
Ukraine Help
Desperately needed for the front line soldiers are the following basic items: cough sweets, indigestion remedies, savlon, wet wipes (eg Lidl’s 6 Pack), athlete’s foot powder, moisturising cream and vaseline for cracked skin, sunscreen (factor 50) and any size of bandages of any kind.
There is a box at the back of church for donations during Sunday services. At other times please bring your donations to the Parish Office.
Many thanks to all those who feel able to support this appeal. All donated items will be passed to the local organisation, Macclesfield Ukrainian Aid for onward transport to Ukraine https://ukrainianaid.org.uk/
Joyce Lord
Picture Quiz Results
In last month's newsletter we had a picture quiz, with a divine chocolate bar going to the first correct entry. How did you do?
The answers:
Picture 1 What is missing? answer The Children. The picture is of carols around the crib most of the 551 adults are in the pews while 172 children are gathered in the chancel around the crib.
Picture 2 What is the service? answer Nine Lessons and Carols
Picture 3 The candles in the Norman Chapel are being extinguished and John is using the extra long "snuffer".
Picture 4 Where is the picture of? It's the grass at the Shirleys on the Big Sing.
Picture 5 Where is the stone? It's on the 'Prayer' bench in the Monastic Garden. Other stones appear from time to time so keep checking in!
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This Month's Worship
St Peter's, Sunday Worship
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8.30am
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10.30 am
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4.30pm
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March
1st
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Holy
Communion
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Holy Communion
Behold the lamb
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Cathedral
Evensong
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March
8th
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Holy
Communion
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Family
Service
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Cathedral
Evensong
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March
15th
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Holy
Communion
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Mothering Sunday
Service
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Cathedral
Evensong
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March
22nd
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APCM Celebration
Holy Communion
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Palm Sunday
March
29th
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Holy
Communion
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10.00am
Gather at School
for donkey procession from 9.50am
10.30am
Palm Sunday Worship
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Holy
Communion
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St John's Sunday Worship
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11.00am
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March 2nd
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Morning Worship |
March 9th
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Holy Communion
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March 16th
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Morning Worship
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March 22nd
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All Together Worship 10.30am St Peter's
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March 29th
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Morning Worship
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Weekday Worship
Day and Time
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Activity
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Place
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Monday 9.00am
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Morning Prayer
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St Peter's Rooms
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Wednesday 10.30am
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Holy Communion
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St Peter's
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Thursday 9.30am
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Morning Prayer
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St John's
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2nd & 4th Thursday (in term time) 10.15am
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Pram Service
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St Peter's
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Community News
Macclesfield u3a
Open Morning
Friday 27 March
Stands, Stalls and Socialising!
Macclesfield Town Hall
Drop in 10.00am - 1.00pm
Retired from work but not from Life Keep Active:
Keep engaged Keep Informed & Be Creative:-
See www.maccu3a.uk or 0300 1024507
Reg Charity no 1089429
Re-Play String Group and Spring Concert
Have you read any previous articles in the newsletter about Re:Play and wondered what it is really all about? Have you ever thought of fetching that old stringed instrument out of the loft and giving it another go? Do you just practise at home, on your own, but like the idea of meeting with others to play music together? Or - have you just wondered what the Norman Chapel looks like on the INSIDE?
Re:Play is a group of adults of varying ability and experience. We are led by our lovely tutor, Emily Doggett, and meet on Tuesday evenings (in term-time) in St Peter's Rooms.
We would love you to meet us and find out more by coming along to our short informal Spring Concert!
Tuesday 24 March at 7.30pm in the Norman Chapel. We are looking forward to meeting you - no ticket required.
For more information please contact Sue Coley via the Parish Office.
Riding Lights Theatre Company
For the last fifty years Riding Lights theatre company have been at the forefront of Christian theatre. It is great news that their latest production 'Night Falls', a new passion play by Paul Birch, is coming to Macclesfield.
Four final days before an execution that will change everything.
Three enemies that want to put an end to the so-called Messiah.
Two strangers torn between faith and doubt, hope and grief, trying to prevent Jesus of Nazareth from getting himself arrested.
One safe house in Bethany.
The hours are running out, but even as night falls, a strange hope is wrapped in a secret that both strangers share.
For this is the house of Lazarus, and under his roof, the impossible has already occurred…
Night Falls is a fresh, vivid and dynamic retelling of the Easter story, blending music and powerful drama alongside space for reflection and worship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pElu6Wa9eg8
Prayer Resources
Weekly Prayer topics
Please use the weekly prayer topics below for your own prayers, alongside the monthly Prayer Diary which is available at the back of Church.
Lent Week 2
Lord, thank you for the gift of your word.
Through the encouragement we find in the
scriptures, renew our hope.
May your truth sustain us and dwell within us.
Amen
Lent Week 3
Lord thank you for the gift of your body and
blood. As we share in communion, knit us
together in unity. May this shared meal remind
us that we are one in you, who has broken down
the walls between us.
Amen
Lent Week 4
Holy God, you do not call us to be the same, but
to be one. We thank you for the unique gifts you
have given us and pray that we may use them to
serve you in one another, and love as you love us.
Amen
Lent week 5
Loving God, we thank you for those you sent to
bring the gospel to us. Help us to carry our faith
boldly and renew us with the good news of
eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Amen
Those who are sick
Steve Murphy
Les Manchester
Those whose ashes are being interred
Des Heath
Andrew Mason
Closing Thoughts
George Herbert was once held up as the exemplar of how Parish ministry should be exercised; the world today is very different and patterns of ministry need to be differ from those of the early seventeenth century. Set free from being the archetype of the Parish Priest, George Herbert is rightly celebrated as the wonderful Christian poet and hymn writer we treasure today. Keith captures both his style and underlying faith in this month's poem. Poems, like hymns, can be both
beautiful in their own right but also windows into divine encounter and a door into prayer.
In the shadow of George Herbert
Lord, make me a window to your love
not a cracked glass reflecting my own good
Give me the strength to place your will above
my puny ego, as I know I should.
Keep me from self aggrandisement and then -
before I claim to know your inmost Being -
Give me humility to think again
to school my soul beyond what I am seeing.
If I can only sever my own bonds
of the rank self-obsession that I’m feeling
Then maybe I shall see you for yourself
and walk the road to humble spiritual healing.
Through your love’s window come to see you clearly
know you more deeply, follow you more nearly.
Keith Ravenscroft
Newsletter Information
Church or community news to be included in the newsletter needs to be sent to the Parish Office or Vicarage by the last Tuesday of the month.