Coronavirus - Community updates from the Revd Neil Short no 53 20 January 2021

ST MICHAEL’S COMMUNITY UPDATE

No 53: 20.1.21

INTRODUCTION

• If you have a friend or neighbour who would like to receive this, please forward their details.
• I also invite you to send in poems, quizzes and jokes!
• For all correspondence please use office@stmbsands.org

LOCKDOWN UPDATE

• We need to lean on one another as much as possible. In the words of ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire’, could I encourage you all to phone a friend each day. It will probably do you good and will certainly help those who are on their own.
• All church services have been cancelled until further notice. Every Sunday morning we send out an online service, so you can watch it at home at 10.30am or at any time which is convenient to you.
• During lockdown we are having a Zoom Quiz every other week. The next one is on Friday 22nd at 7.30pm. You don’t have to be an expert; in fact, I haven’t won one yet! There will be a prize for those taking part on their own and another for those in a family group.
  If you would like to be involved send an email to Richard Kemp at blundellsands@btinternet.com
• Each week we run two Zoom Bible Studies. One on a Monday morning 10.30-11.15, and another on Wednesday afternoon 4.30-5.15. If you would like to join us just, let Helen or Neil know.

MARINE V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR ….Jose Mourinho bringing his team to Rossett Road.
Keith Robertson is interviewed by Leo Colligan

The stuff of dreams and for none more so than one of our oldest parishioners, Keith Robertson, who joined the choir at St. Michael’s in 1948 but was a regular at Marine even before then. Keith’s grandfather first took him to watch the Mariners as a 9-year-old in 1943 and he has remained a staunch supporter ever since.

Keith has so many happy memories of watching Marine: of F.A. Cup runs in the 1980s and 90s and near misses in F.A.Trophy semi-finals, which almost saw the team at Wembley. He has shared many of these with his son, whom he first took to a match as an 8-year-old in 1967. That makes a combined 130 years of father and son supporting Marine and this year has provided them with the greatest highlight. 

Still a season ticket holder and a regular attendee at matches in non-Covid times, the pairing of his beloved team against Premier League giants was a fairy tale come true. ‘I would like us to get a goal and keep the scoreline respectable’, said Keith ahead of the match which put Crosby in the national news. His pre-match prediction? 5-1 to ‘Spurs.

He was so nearly right! After the game, Keith was understandably proud of Marine’s performance against a team full of world-class players and delighted at the financial windfall that will stand the club in good stead in these uncertain times. And like all Marine supporters, Keith will always allow himself the thought : what if that shot against the crossbar had gone in when the score was still 0-0?!

We wish Keith many more happy years of watching the Mariners.

DAILYHOPE PHONE LINE

If you are struggling with worship online or would like greater spiritual input the DailyHope phone line might help you. It has been set up by the Church of England particularly for those unable to join online church services and to provide comfort and spiritual nourishment to the most lonely and isolated in our society.

It is a free national telephone line running 24 hours a day and offers music and hymns, prayers and reflections as well as full worship services and even some armchair exercises at the end of the phone.
 

All you need to do is ring 0800 804 8044. You will be welcomed by a message from the Archbishop of Canterbury and then you make your choice by pressing the appropriate number as for so many automated calls.

THANKS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY

Over the Christmas period we were able to send £1584 and lots of new toys to their Christmas appeal. Jeannette replies:

Dear St Michael’s,

It’s a joy to be able to write to you and tell you the positive impact you made for those facing very difficult days. As anticipated the need for help rose however we were able to provide for every child and adult that needed our support through your generosity and miraculously we had more than enough.

514 children received 4/5 toys/gifts each.

92 Vulnerable and Elderly adults received Gifts Bags.

40 Gift Bags for Ann Fowler Lifehouse, SA Hostel.

45 Gift Bags for Derbyshire House Lifehouse, SA Hostel.

50 Gifts Bags for Prison inmates in the Salvation Army CAMEO centre.

126 Family Festive Food Hampers.

112 Family Food Parcels with essential supplies.

20 extra trays of food for the North Liverpool Foodbank Warehouse.

This was a tremendous effort and we thank each and everyone of you for helping us to do what we do. We could not do this without you. Thank You!

God Bless You and protect you, your friends and family in 2021 and keep safe, 

Jeanette Griffiths – Salvation Army Community Centre Manager Walton

THE BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE

ZOOM QUIZ NIGHT

The next quiz night is this Friday 22^nd January at 7.30pm. There will be a prize for those taking part on their own and another for those in a family group.
If you would like to be involved send an email to Richard Kemp at blundellsands@btinternet.com

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

My good friend Revd Robin Gamble explores living a life of faith during a time of social isolation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpeH82bN0SY&feature=youtu.be

TALKS

For those who missed our Sunday talks you will find them here:

Sunday January 10^th: https://youtu.be/uQhy04XFGv4
Sunday January 17^th Talk 1: https://youtu.be/DeVUWf3v170
                                  Talk 2: https://youtu.be/wuUxXiSJUm4

If you are new to accessing YouTube clips and need some help, just give Margaret or I a ring on 0151 378 0332 and we will help.

ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE

I think you will like this!   https://youtu.be/VQRNKw_hYdE

Together we will get through this.
Revd Neil Short

20.1.20