15th April 2021

Dialstone Lane News

Correction

In “Dates for your diary” back in March I said that the church AGM would be on Saturday 21^st June. This should, of course, have read Saturday 19^th June, assembling from 9.30 for a 10.00am start. I’m sorry for any confusion. 

Catriona.

Easter Offering

Many thanks for the many generous donations to the Easter Offering appeal. To date, your gifts through the envelopes amount to £268, with some gift aid to be added to that. Catriona.

Books

This is just a reminder that we have a church library, and you are welcome to borrow books. We have books on subjects like: Bible study, biographies, prayer, living a Christian life and so on. Please tell me what you would like and I can deliver them to you.

We also have many second hand books - various novels, biographies, cooking, sport and so on. Again, I can happily deliver some to you. When the weather allows, we are putting a selection on a table at the front of church and inviting people to help themselves and give a donation to charity if they wish. Last year, we collected over £200 for All We Can and Action for Children in this way.

Andy.

Hustings

As you probably know, on 6th May, we have elections for our local Councillors and for the Greater Manchester Mayor. We are running a hustings (on Zoom) for the Stepping Hill, Offerton and Manor Wards in the morning of Saturday 24th April. We will ask the candidates what they will do to help make a good society. If you would like to attend please contact me for the Zoom details (you can take part in the meeting via an electronic device or by phoning in). You can also submit a question - needs to be with me by Monday 19th April. This would make a great introduction to being involved in the Greater Manchester Citizen’s Assembly that Cathy has written about.

Andy Stoker andy.stoker@btinternet.com / 07484-262101

Christian Aid Week 9^th – 15^th May

Plant stall – Outside church, first stall on Saturday 8^th May 11.00-2.00, last stall, depending on continuing availability of plants, on Saturday 15^th May 11.00-2.00. The times of stalls during the week will depend on the availability of volunteers to help. Donations of plants – for garden (flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs) or houseplants, will be welcomed.

• Envelope distribution – These will not need to be collected in, but will contain details as to where donations can be taken or should be sent; a focus for your daily walk!
• Anyone interested in helping please phone me on 07858666480

Lesley Fennell, Christian Aid Rep

Training TCC: Good Governance

As previous sessions were oversubscribed more dates available:-

7.00 pm,         Tuesday,        25^th of May, 2021
2.00 pm,         Thursday,       27^th of May, 2021
10.00 am,       Saturday,       5^th of June, 2021

Book via Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/governance-training-for-methodist-trustees-tickets-147636194833

Zoom Coffee Morning Details

Coffee Mornings will continue on Thursdays on a fortnightly basis with the following log in details:

Every 2 weeks on Thursday at 11.00am

April 22^nd, May 6^th, May 20th

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92599444343?pwd=NGlHK0lWbjFRZVkwWGZyVVdtZFBKUT09

Meeting ID: 925 9944 4343   Passcode: 626898

Zoom Afternoon Tea Chat & Cup of Tea Details

Every 2 weeks on Thursdays at 4pm,

Apr 29th,  May 13th,  May 27th

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/93903419254?pwd=YzE3STExNTZtdklBeHZqTDU5TkRqQT09

Meeting ID: 939 0341 9254    Passcode: 013198

The telephone details given for the services will work for the coffee mornings and afternoon teas, using the meeting ID’s and Passcodes given appropriately.

Church Flowers

The new church flower rota in now at church in the foyer if anyone would like to put their name down to donate flowers for a Sunday service. Many thanks.

Susan.

ACTS 435 Update

I would like to share one of the latest appeals for help from the charity ACTS 435.

Miss M has just recently had a still-born baby. She has been extremely poorly and yet had to discharge herself from hospital as she has had no one to look after her other children. After talking to her it is clear she has nothing for a funeral for the baby - she hasn’t even got enough money for an outfit for baby. Her children, aged 10 and 1, require funeral clothing but she is not in the position to be able to afford these. Please can you help?

Miss M has now received the help she needed through the generosity of those people who give to the charity, but it highlights the many varied and desperate ways that people are struggling at the moment. It is a charity that I hope we can explore ways of supporting once we are able to meet together without restraints

This is her reply after receiving the money:

Miss M would like to say thank you for help with funeral clothing during this emotional time. She was not in a position to be able to make her children look presentable for the funeral of her still-born baby, so was really grateful for your support.

Susan Conlon.

Harry Hudson

It is with sadness we report the death of Harry Hudson on Wednesday 7^th April. He died peacefully at home with his family at his bedside.
Harry was born on bonfire night in 1921. He began attending Dialstone Lane with his wife Kate, after she joined our art group and since her death, he has been a regular member of our congregation. Fiercely independent he continued to drive himself to church until ill health and lockdown made this impossible. He proudly wore his medals and spoke at the Remembrance Day service each year, urging us not to forget the great sacrifice his comrades had made. As a young man he was a driver in the army and saw active service in North Africa and Italy. He was chairman of the Stockport 8^th Army veterans until they ceased to meet.
Harry was a gentleman and enjoyed meeting with his friends after church and on Wednesdays at the lunch group. He was a well loved and respected member of our congregation and we shall miss him greatly.

At the present time there are no details of the funeral arrangements.