Notices for the Week Beginning 20 June 2010

Laying on of hands and anointing: for healing of mind, body and spirit is available after 10.30 worship every Sunday in the South Transept (to the right of the pulpit).  You will not be invited to say specifically why you seek this ministry, though you are welcome to do so if you wish. You are also welcome to request prayer on behalf of someone else, in addition to or instead of yourself.

Annual Income Survey,organised by the Diocese, will be on Sunday 30 May, and Sundays 6, 13 & 20 June. Parish Share is the system that the Diocesan Synod (Council) uses to calculate how much money each church contributes to the costs of the diocese. These costs include paying for clergy stipends (salaries), housing, pensions, training of future clergy and supporting less well-off congregations. To calculate the Parish Share, the Diocesan Synod has decided that it needs to take account of the incomes of all regular worshippers in the diocese. You are asked to complete the income survey only if you are aged 16 or over and attend St Thomas’ at least 12 times per year. Once you have ticked the relevant boxes, fold the form over so that it remains anonymous, place it in the box at the back of the church and place a marble in the bowl.

Nathaniel, Donna and Micah Jenningswrote in February to thank us for our contribution last year (£375) towards funding their work of English teaching and Christian witness in Bangladesh. Their letter only arrived recently.

D, M and K Ware now in Singapore, travelling to Palm Tree Island on 29 June. They will spend the next six months in the capital city. They give thanks that a house has become available for them.

Prayer lettershave arrived from: Shelagh Wynne; Beth Jennings (full colour); Word of Life UK (green); Word of Life Australia. All at the back.

Gulshan Estherfrom Pakistan was crippled and bedridden. When she began praying to Jesus, he appeared to her and healed limbs which had never functioned. Subsequently, she became his witness, and wrote the book ‘The Torn Veil’. Saturday 3 July, 3pm at St Bride’s Church, Old Trafford. £10 including meal. See the green leaflets at the back.

Social events – what would YOU like to do?The Social Committee would appreciate some suggestions for future events. Is there something you have enjoyed in the past? Or a new idea that’s worth considering? Talk to Mary Fairhurst or other Social Committee members.

Manchester Diocesan Healing Day:run by the well-respected Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. Saturday 4 September, 10am to 4pm at Manchester Cathedral. Leaflets with booking forms at the back, please hand completed form to Barbara Duxbury by 25 July. Cost is £10. Bring your own lunch.

St Thomas’ School Summer Fair:we are invited to run a cake stall. Any volunteers? Thursday 8 July from 3.15 to 4.15, in the yard by the main entrance and in the hall. If you can promise a cake, please sign on the clipboard at the back. The proceeds will go to a good cause (other than the church or the school).

Refugee Actionhave published two booklets - ‘The Facts and Fibs’ and ‘How to welcome asylum-seekers in 11 easy steps’. Copies are available free at the back.

19 will be ordained Deaconon Sunday 27 June. Prayer cards are available at the back.

3 Bishops Holy Land Pilgrimage:19-27 November 2011. Cost £1395. Brochure available at www.manchester.anglican.org/bishopor call 01992 576 065.

Good News Biblefor sale: £10, at the back.

   THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS  

• Liz Devall (St Anne’s) and Simon Sayer (St Margaret’s) – to be ordained Deacon on  the 27th
• Deanery Pastoral Committee – on Tuesday
• Nick and Gina Andrewes, Isabel and Esther, and the people of St Paul’s
• Give thanks and pray for people we know in Christian service and outreach, especially the Jennings family in Bangladesh: James, serving as a consultant in education throughout South East Asia; Di, serving as a wife, mother and member of their church; Hannah, working in a research project in HIV and AIDS; Beth, leading a Children’s Uplift project; Nathaniel, Donna and Micah, preparing to teach English and to work with a local church in a smaller town; Sarah at university in England; Andrew taking a  gap year and travelling.
• People seeking asylum: pray for David, Sobia, young Sara and baby Daniel William; Azam Shirazi
• Those who are unwell: especially young Roxy Butler, Comal Sankaran, Ivy Reynolds, Wendy Robinson, Norman and Alma Flint, Andy and Ruth Sharrock, Beatrice Howard, young Harry Pleasant, Grace Whetham, Muriel Brown, young twins Todd & Aaron Funnell, John Wrigley, Angela and Norman Taylor, Ronald Spivey, Julie Brown, Jenny Brisland, Janet Morris, Alan Haslam and others whom we know.
• The bereaved – especially the families and friends of Mark Buckley and John Lalley.

All material for the church bulletin should be given to Andrew

not later than Wednesday lunchtime.