Reports from the Activity Groups

2.1 Shared Ministry Team
2.2 Cell Ggroups
2.3 Prayer Ministry for Healing/Wholeness
2.4 Visiting and Bereavement Care
2.5 Prayer Diary
2.6 TAG - Teenagers and God
2.7 Pathfinders, Explorers, Climbers & Scramblers
2.8 Pram Club/Stepping Stones
2.9 Mothers' Union
2.10 Women's Fellowship

3 MISSION

3.1 Brownies
3.2 Rainbows
3.3 The Way Youth Club
3.4 St Luke's Players
3.5 St Luke's Football Club/Golf Club
3.6 Luncheon Club

4 WORLD MISSION

4.1 Children's Society
4.2 CMS
4.3 Uganda
4.4 SAMS
4.5 Toybox
4.6 Christian Aid
4.7 Malawi
4.8 City of Liverpool YMCA

5 EVANGELISM

5.1 In Another Place
5.2 Knitting Group
5.3 Breathing Place
5.4 St Luke's Hall

6 ST LUKE'S HALSALL SCHOOL

6.1 St Luke's Halsall School

7 DEANERY SYNOD AND CHURCHES TOGETHER IN GREAT CROSBY

7.1 Sefton Deanery Synod
7.2 Churches Together in Great Crosby
7.3 Crossroads Centre

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3 : 5—6

VALUES
Our core values are fundamental to the health and growth of the church. They are the focus of what we seek in both Cell Groups and all church activities.

All Involved
God gives gifts to every person to be used in the service of others and for building up the church.

Becoming Disciples
We are always becoming and developing our full potential - we need to be open to God's word and spirit - encouraging one another to grow into the likeness of Christ.

Creating Community
Jesus commands us to love - this must be worked out in practice on a day to day basis - Cell Groups are the training ground for love.

Doing Evangelism
Jesus told us to GO and make disciples of all people. Our focus must be outward on mission not just inward on maintenance. Our concern is for others not just ourselves.

Encountering God
We are committed to providing opportunities for everyone to encounter God especially through Sunday worship, Cell Groups and Training Courses. We value prayer and recognise unless God builds the house we labour in vain.

1. WORSHIP

1.1 Music Fellowship

We were joined in 2006 by members of other churches to rehearse music for our visit to the Royal Albert Hall where we sang as part of the Prom Praise Choir. Some singers sang at the Albert Hall for the first time which they found to be an unforgettable experience. Other singers who had sung there previously as part of the Prom Praise Choir found the occasion just as exciting and rewarding. It was pleasing to see a number of young people wishing to be part of such an unforgettable experience.

The song “Look at the World” by John Rutter, one of the songs performed at the Royal Albert Hall was sung by members of the Music Group at our joint service in October 2006.

This year at Christmas the group led the ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service singing traditional and new carols. We were joined by a number of singers from other churches and their contribution was greatly appreciated. This allows more variety in the music that we sing.

We have lost a number of singers in recent times through illness and people moving away from Crosby. We do miss them and the contribution they have made to the musical life of the church over many years and we wish them well.

Our goals for the future are to encourage more people to join us, particularly young people. This will enable us to be more adventurous in our choice of music.

Bryn Jones

1.2 Bellringers

Two of our ringers, including our former Tower Captain, left for university last October but still join us when they can. Our learners are progressing well towards method ringing. We do, however, need two or three more recruits to keep the band up to strength.

Joyce Bisset

2. GROWTH AND CARE

2.1 Shared Ministry Team

Membership is Pete Spiers, Barbara Chambers, Shirley Wallin, Eric Linford, Margaret Quayle and Alan Lewney. Sandra Tickle left the team upon her retirement as churchwarden in April. Discussions centred round its future as well as planning for the parish weekend in September which seemed to be a great success. For the first half of 2006, they met each month but did not meet in the second half. The existing SMT was formed for the duration of the interregnum and now it has been agreed with the PCC that an SMT with a different brief needs to be formed and that will take place during 2007.

Pete Spiers

2.2 Cell Groups

These groups are an important part of church life where opportunities are given to explore our values of All involved, Becoming Disciples, Creating Community, Doing Evangelism and Encountering God. The cell pastors, Pete Spiers, Steve Matthews and Alan Lewney try to visit each group under their care and support the leaders and their co-leaders. They also hold regular cell group leaders’ meetings in order to provide training and to clarify the vision. During the year, one group multiplied but another group closed. By the end of the year there were 12 groups meeting weekly or fortnightly with 112 people. In addition youth cell meets once a month midweek for their own programme.

Pete Spiers

2.3 Prayer Ministry for Healing/Wholeness

“The spirit is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”. Luke 4

Jesus’ mission was—and is—to see the Kingdom of God established on earth. For this to be achieved we have to embrace “the values of the Kingdom” which of necessity involves being set free from the trappings of the old kingdom ruled by Satan. Many of the people in the gospels experienced a tangible and immediate freedom when they met Jesus. Healing and deliverance was part of God’s kingdom advancing on earth with a mandate of blessing. We, as a prayer ministry team, are endeavouring to bless others in words, deeds and demonstrations of God’s miraculous power so that they in turn can pass it on. This method has huge potential because it is relational—people are far more likely to listen to the story of someone they know and trust. To achieve this we have, in the last year run two healing courses for 25 people on the prayer ministry team. We are planning to run another healing course in September 2007 which will be open to all and we would also hope to expand our existing prayer ministry team. Private prayer ministry is available on an ongoing basis for deeper needs and, particularly in this area, ‘setting the captives free’.

Prayer is also offered at the end of every service, with the laying on of hands for healing once a month at all three services. We hope and pray that as people experience this healing power of God in their lives, they will be transformed personally, socially, physically, spiritually, economically and politically. This is the fruit of our salvation.

Shirley Wallin & Linda McDowell

2.4 Visiting and Bereavement Care

This year the team have made 49 funeral visits to families who have lost loved ones during the year. We meet approximately every two months to go through the list of those recently bereaved and those whose names have been passed to us as being housebound and in need of a visit. We know that visits are always well received and appreciated by those who get them. The church office is always happy to pass on any names of people who require a visit.

Please also let us know if there has been a family bereavement in which we have not been involved. This enables us to send cards and invitations to the Memorial Service at the appropriate time.

Thank you to all those people at St. Luke’s who take the time to visit someone. It’s a valuable ministry. If you would like to get involved please have a chat with me. After Easter we will be running a six week Pastoral Visiting course here at St. Luke’s which will cover an introduction to Pastoral Visiting, how to be a better listener and practical issues in pastoral visiting. If you are interested please let me know. We will advertise when dates are finalised.

Barbara Chambers

2.5 Prayer Diary

We are all called to a ministry of prayer for each other. At the end of Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...be alert and always keep praying for all the saints”. We have a common enemy who is looking to bring about the church’s spiritual defeat. He probes at every point he can looking for the weakest part. We need to pray for every aspect of our church life and for each other. The prayer diary is a good way to put this into effect, every event, every group, every activity, every mission, every service, every person aged from 0—100, everyone and everything in one way or another is covered and protected by prayer. Scripture tells us that our words of prayer don’t stop until they reach the heart of God. Just think 150 people every day praying for an aspect of our church life, that’s powerful. The spiritual temperature of a church depends on the prayer life of its people and there is nothing at all that can prevent us from praying for our church so thank you to all who take the prayer diary, especially our elderly and housebound members.

Shirley Wallin

2.6 TAG — “Teenagers and God” (age 14—18 years)
Leaders: Joe Magill, Rachel Howard, Vaughan Thompson, Annie Spiers.

During 2006 we have had around 30 young people involved in TAG including 3 new members. At most events there are around 15 present. Joe Magill and Michael Thompson became junior leaders, Joe has continued with this although Michael went to Manchester University so has left. Our monthly schedule moved from twice a month on Sundays to once a month, in order to encourage the group to get involved in leading other childrens’ groups. Once a month midweek we meet as youth cell and once for youth band practice. Discussions have included drugs and alcohol, sex and relationships, experiencing God, heaven and hell … Other activities have been: 10 young people spent a week helping out at Vengabuzz play scheme in Everton, 6 young people went off to Christian camps in the summer holidays. We had a memorable weekend away in Anglesey with the GAP group from Everton in the autumn. Groups of up to 12 have gone to the bimonthly youth event “Space” at Frontline church and many of the group have been very involved in ‘In another place’ events, acting, dancing or stewarding. We have also had a trip 10 pin bowling with a meal out. Youth band has up to 18 members, with many instruments and diverse styles. It has been a great learning experience musically, with group dynamics and spiritually.

In 2007 we aim to increase in size, to keep developing youth band, and church involvement in running a youth service at 6.30 pm with GAP. We hope more of the group will experience God in their lives and to make a definite decision to follow him. We hope more of TAG will help with the children’s groups, and we hope to train up some more of the older TAG to be future leaders themselves.

2.7 Pathfinders/Explorers/Climbers/Scramblers

Pathfinders (age 10 13 years)

This is my second year doing Junior Pathfinders, I am still enjoying it and finding it challenging (in a good way). There are probably not quite so many kids this year, but still averaging around 10 for each meeting. The format is still the same, we meet during the church service on the first and third Sunday of each month, learning from the Bible and discussing the issues raised, getting the kids to think about their faith and hopefully their faith being stronger as a result of this. I have had more help this year, so thanks to Donna, who has given some really useful input to our meetings, and also any of the older teenagers who have helped during the year.

Paul Fell

Explorers (age 7—10 years)
Leaders: Sue Kenyon, Diane Kerr & Kim Sonne

Over the past year we have had an opportunity to share God’s love with the children. On the first and third Sunday in the month the children have learnt more about Jesus in an informal and relaxed atmosphere through games, drama, quizzes, songs, Bible reading and prayer times. To help cement friendships we have several activities throughout the year with our main event being the family picnic which was again held at the Botanic Gardens in Southport.

During 2007 we hope to repeat a lot of the successful activities but are always looking for fresh ideas. One of our main goals is to encourage the growth and development of the Junior Band. The support of three TAG members, namely Callum Spiers, Catherine Kenyon and Rachelle Sonne is much appreciated.

Kim Sonne

Climbers (age 5 - 7 years)
Leaders: Bev Gilroy and Sylvia Brown

Our numbers remain low, averaging 4—6 regular children at our meetings. Our aim is to encourage the children to want to learn more about Jesus’ love for each one of us through stories, games, songs, craft activities, sharing our different experiences, and through learning to pray for one another. Over the past year we have had lots of fun and laughter during our time together, including making bread to share with one another. In July, we enjoyed a warm and sunny afternoon at the annual family picnic in Churchtown Botanic Gardens. In December, we all had lots of sticky messy fun and fellowship at the Christmas Craft session. On Mothering Sunday, all of the children shared with the congregation ‘What makes a great Mum?’

I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Jan Holmes and Karen Hignett for their love, commitment and enthusiasm during their time with Climbers, and would like to welcome Bev Gilroy, who has recently joined our group. Also, thank you to Matthew Thompson, who continues to join us each session to share his gifts with us all.

The Climbers and leaders thank God for His goodness, and continue to pray for His guidance.

Sylvia Brown

Scramblers (Pre-School Children)
Leaders: Bev Seel & Nicky Fell

This year we have seen two of our regular attendees move up to Climbers, and we have welcomed four new children to our group—two babies, a toddler and a youngster.

We currently have 17 children ‘on the books’, though we still get the occasional visitors. 10 of these children attend fairly regularly (6 times or more out of 24 weeks) while the remaining 7 children attend less frequently (5 times & less out of 24 weeks).

With the presence of parents/carers in the group the children are sometimes outnumbered by adults! Some weeks there may only be 2 or 3 children present, however, we tend to average roughly 6 a week.

Our ‘Good News’ spot is always popular and gives us a chance to share what is happening in the children’s lives outside church.

We use the Scripture Union ‘Light Years Bubbles’ resource, which is easy to use, adaptable and has internet support. It helps us to use a variety of methods to make learning fun for the children—games, drama, stories, singing and crafts.

This year we had members of the Pathfinder youth join us and help out within sessions, which everyone seemed to enjoy. It also gave the youth an insight into the younger children and bonds were formed across the ages.

We would still welcome help with the group and promise to be gentle with anyone who felt led to join this wonderful ministry!

2.8 Pram Club/Stepping Stones
Leaders: Marg Davey, Bev Seel and Nicky Fell
Helpers: Joan Sutherland & Margaret

We have had an encouraging year with many new families joining us and swelling our numbers and our fellowship together. We continue to value the opportunities we have to get to know them, to see their friendships grow and to share about God’s love for us all through our story times and through our relationships. We have raised £295 at Christmas and in the summer which was donated to Claire House Hospice and Alder Hey Hospital.

We continue to welcome them to all the services and activities at church and would love to see more of them join us on a Sunday but for now know we are doing a kind of church on a Tuesday afternoon!

Nicky Fell

2.9 Mothers’ Union

No report submitted

2.10 Women’s Fellowship
Leader: Viv Pierce

Once again we have had some excellent speakers over the year and two outings—in July we went to Lady Heyes Craft and Antique Centre which was very interesting; the weather was good and all enjoyed the day. In December we went to the Guild Hall in Chester for a wonderful Christmas lunch and lively entertainment. Several new ladies have joined us and our average attendance is about 40 at each meeting. Now we look forward to the coming year—some interesting and ‘different’ speakers are booked and again two outings which should be really enjoyable. We are a very friendly group and new members are always welcome at our meetings which are on the first Tuesday of each month in the Church Hall.

Viv Pierce

3. MISSION

3.1 Brownies

23rd Crosby—St Luke’s Brownies
Leader: Ann Causer, Nina Causer, Paula Webster, Suzi Stubbs

Yet another fun filled year has gone. We went to the Panto at St. Luke’s which the girls enjoyed so much.

Thinking Day in February saw 250 girls from our division meet in Moor Lane Methodist Church for our special service.

Easter was fun, as we had a party with plenty of fun and games!

We had a special party in April for Snowy Owl as she celebrated her life beginning again!

The Pack Holiday was fantastic for all of us even if I did have to come home due to illness, but as no-one missed me they must have been having too much fun.

We have had craft evenings, badge nights and as the girls don’t want to leave Brownies we must be doing something right.

Many thanks to all the leaders who give so much each week. We are a great team.

Ann Causer—Brown Owl

2nd Crosby—St Luke’s Brownies
Leaders: Julie Perry, Lizzie Perry, Tina McCormick

Our second year has been just as exciting as our first. Tina has joined us as Snowy Owl so the pack has grown and we now have 20 brownies. Apart from taking lots of badges, from dancer to first aid, we have had our first pack holiday which was a noisy and thrilling time for us as well as the girls. Thanks to Nina for being our warranted leader so we could all go, and also to our young leaders, Bethan and Jessica, who joined in so enthusiastically. We’re now planning next years! We’re always looking for craft materials so any donations would be most welcome.

Julie Perry

3.2 Rainbows

2nd Crosby Rainbow Guides
Leaders: Julie Lloyd, Ciara Lloyd, Lisa Collins, Sharon Campbell, Beckie Eustace, Sarah Watts

This year we enjoyed taking part in the Thinking Day celebrations at the Civic Hall with lots of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides in our Division it was great fun.

Our aims for next year are to have even more fun and to look, learn, laugh, love and to love this world of ours.

Julie Lloyd

3.3 The Way Youth Club
Leaders: Tim Causer, Chris Houghton, Ann Somers, Donna Spencer, Diane McMaster

After a slow start to the year the numbers have started to increase. We now have between twenty and thirty regular members every week. This will increase to between fifty and sixty after Easter, with the year six intake.

We have five year 11 pupils who have shown an interest in remaining at Youth Club with the view to becoming Junior Leaders. We ask for your prayers for these young people as they progress in their leadership and thank God for them.

After several requests for helpers, we now have eight leaders who attend on a regular basis.

Chris Houghton

3.4 St Luke’s Players
Director: Brian Murrow

St Luke’s Players is an amateur drama group staging an annual pantomime every February with the aim of entertaining an audience of varying ages, raising money for charities and providing the opportunity for drama, dance and music within a Christian environment.

Although our core members are parishioners of St. Luke’s church, as part of our outreach we welcome newcomers from further afield.

This February the group performed their interpretation of Snow White in front of approximately 1100 people over six performances. The usual characters from this traditional pantomime were joined by the Blues Brothers and a famous Time Lord and his police box, chased by his arch-enemies, Daleks and Cybermen.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the seven dwarfs were only six and...well, weren’t particularly vertically challenged! But, their witty banter and humour kept the audience entertained. The wicked queen ‘fell’ from grace (and from a castle battlement!) and Snow White was saved by her knight in shining armour.

Once again we were blessed with young students whose enthusiasm blended well with the experience of older members. Along with our excellent dancers and support staff the group produced a show enjoyed by the audience, raising £2000 for our chosen charities, Neuroblastoma Research Fund and Cystic Fibrosis Society.

Graeme Kenyon, Secretary

3.5 Football and Golf

St Luke’s Football Club

The football team that was set up 15 years ago was based on a core of St. Luke’s church members who wished to play on a friendly circuit.

Since inception, the number of active St Luke’s members has dropped off year by year and in reality, the current team has no players involved with the Church apart from the writer.

This season, I have taken a back seat and it is felt inappropriate to include a section for the football team any longer.

Mark Sonne

St Luke’s Amateur Golf Society

Most ex footballers have now migrated to the golf society.

This has been set up for 6 years now and members play once a month either a Saturday or a Sunday from March through to September.

We visit various clubs throughout the North West and Wales with each game finishing with a small prize giving and meal.

Main event is the Charity Day towards the end of the season. Over the years we have supported various charities including the church’s links with Uganda and Malawi, Toybox, CHICS, Niger Disaster Appeal and Jospice. So far over £11,000 has been raised for charity.

Current membership stands at 24 and anyone who might be interested in participating should approach either Paul Roocroft Senior or George Bradley or indeed any of the other players they may know.

Mark Sonne

3.6 Luncheon Club
Leaders: Edith Walker, Elaine Mayers

We have enjoyed another year of peeling, shredding, slicing, cooking, serving and washing up—sounds like a contradiction in terms but happy team work makes our time in the kitchen very satisfying.

We prepare lunch once a month in Christ Church Hall, Waterloo for up to 24 pensioners. They are always very appreciative of the menu, venue and company and we feel we are doing a worthwhile job and look forward to another year of service.

Edith & Elaine

4. WORLD MISSION

4.1 Children’s Society

We have once again had an excellent response from the Christingles. The house boxes however are very slow.

Audrey Hull

4.2 Church Mission Society
Link Person: Jane Nurney

During the past year we have continued to link with the Kimbers in Romania supporting them in their work During 2007 we are planning a visit to Romania to see first hand Geoff and Gill’s work in various projects and so enable us to support them more. Anyone interested in joining us please contact me. Thank you for your continued support and donations to CMS.

Jane Nurney

4.3 Uganda: Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese
Link Person: John Morris

The past year has seen little change in the Diocese of Bun Kit, it is still a battle to survive, there are many, many orphans created by HIV Aids, Malaria, dire living conditions, poor food and many tropical diseases with no medical treatment available or affordable to most people.

They are still smiling, singing the Lord’s praises, living in His light and believing He will provide.

Which of course He does, he calls us to service, every penny donated to Uganda goes straight there without any deductions whatsoever and helps support the students at the DTC, the many orphans, in the Mustard Seed Orphanage and living out in the community, the Hospital Ministry, Girls Safety Hostel in Kagadi, Crossroads Hoima and some personal projects.

Your past help is beyond measure, with God’s help, your generosity and continued support in 2007 a lot more lives will be saved. The need is great and it is everywhere. Thank you and God Bless you all.

John Morris

4.4 South American Mission Society
Link Person: Joyce Fell

In February’s Newsletter I was able to report that the new mission centre, just outside of the town of Cabaconde is taking shape, but for the first time in their married life, Alejandro and his wife are having to live apart because Alejandro is having to live on site to oversee the building work. Hopefully with money that has been raised the San Felipe mission will soon be complete and Alejandro will be able to return home to his family and the people of Arequipa. In May 06, £158 was raised selling refreshments at a car boot sale, in September with my family’s help £615 was raised at the quiz night, £98 was given through the SAMS Christmas card and £206 through the February 07 cake sale. Through your very generous giving £1,077 was raised by St. Luke’s and on behalf of our link partner Alejandro Mesco I would like to say a very big ‘Thank You’ to you all for your support. I would also like to thank Maureen Cawdron who has stepped down as our World Mission Co-ordinator for all her hard work over the years and welcome Karen Hignett who has taken up this post.

Joyce Fell

4.5 Toybox
Link person: Janette Burridge

Toybox charity months this year were April and October.

The Brownies and Guides helped with a cake sale in April and this was well supported by all.

October was used to highlight the expansion of Toybox into Bolivia and the programs they are helping with there. This program will be expanded further in the following year and further information will be displayed when available.

I would like to express my thanks to all who have supported Toybox this year and ask that we all remember the work that they do, in our prayers. Thank you.

Janette Burridge

4.6 Christian Aid
Link Person: Vacant

Last year a total of £639 was raised including £181 from gift aid. The sum raised reflects the dedication and hard work of those involved especially as not all our designated streets were covered due to a shortage of collectors. There will be a drive this year via the news sheet to recruit more house to house collectors which should improve the fund raising potential of the team.

Karen Hignett

4.7 Malawi
Link Person: Glenys & Eric Linford

Church members have continued to show their love and support for two very good friends, Malcolm and Liz Molyneux, as they continue their lives of dedicated service in Malawi. Indeed during 2006 we have been able to send over £5000 to support Liz’s work in the Queen Elizabeth Children’s Hospital in Blantyre. We were pleased to spend an evening in Malcolm’s company when he gave an illustrated talk on their work. A few weeks later Liz paid us a flying visit which coincided with her becoming a grandmother for the second time. Everybody was absolutely delighted when both Malcolm and Liz were both awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list.

Glenys & Eric Linford

4.8 City of Liverpool YMCA
Link Person: Jeff & Hope Calvert

During the past 12 months, the ‘new build’ project for Liverpool YMCA has made excellent progress. The building is on-time and just about on-budget with an expected operational date of the second week in June this year. A new Chief Executive was appointed in January to take over from me and I have agreed to stay on until May to assist with a major staff re-structuring programme. We are gradually reducing the total number of residents from 115 to 70 which is the maximum for the new building which is located on Leeds Street, adjacent to the Mercedes car showroom on the corner of Pall Mall. We are still about £350,000 short of the total cost of £6M and would appreciate your prayers as we continue to seek alternative sources of funding. God, as always, has been watching over us and guiding us during what has proved to be a very difficult transitional period for staff and residents alike. We are all very mindful of the tremendous support we have had from St. Luke’s, both practical and prayerful, and I would like to say a big thank you from everyone who lives and works at the YMCA.

Jeff Calvert

5. EVANGELISM

5.1 In Another Place

Christmas in another place : 4 performances Crosby beach

Easter in another place : 2 services by beach, 3 performances village

Tails in another place : 3 performances Crosby beach & pet service

Angels in another place : 3 performances Crosby beach & Crosby lights switch on, Radio Merseyside Carol service Cathedral event, radio broadcast, Narnia prayer room for 3 days & 2 half days.

TV news 4 times including ‘Have I got news for you’. Radio Merseyside covered all 4 events & 6 special features. Newspapers—Daily Post, Echo, Crosby Herald and nationals. Displays/Talks—Feb 2006 at Churches Together in Merseyside half day conference, Jan 2007 at Bishop’s conference for lay people Anglican Cathedral. Nottingham Feb 2007—St Johns college talk about using public art to spread the Gospel. Sefton Planning committee to support statues staying. School’s input—6th form discussion sessions at St. Michaels school, Crosby July 2006 Drugs and Alcohol, Dec 2007 Sex and relationships.

Total numbers attending performances:
CIAP 5000 EIAP 800 TAILS 3000 AIAP 900 & 2000 = 11,700

Total numbers attending other events:
Easter: Good Friday 450;
Easter sunrise 200;
Pet Service 200;
Narnia 1500
total = 2300

Total Numbers participating
CIAP 150; EIAP 60; TALES 200; ANGELS 250; NARNIA 60

Total Number of Churches participating = 15

5.2 Knitting Group

The Knitting Group which meets in the Webster Room in St. Luke’s Church Hall was set up when a need was identified for knitted items for the Samaritan Purse Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

We first met together at the end of September 2006 and continued meeting every Friday afternoon from 1.15 to 3.15 pm until the end of November. During that time we were able to send to the Shoebox Appeal 109 hats, 32 scarves, 53 sets of mitts or gloves, 43 small teddies/toys, 3 baby blankets and 27 baby garments.

The group decided that they enjoyed their time together and wanted to continue to meet every Friday afternoon. We continue to knit items for the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.

Since the end of January we have been working with Year 3 pupils from St. Luke’s Halsall Primary School to help them learn to knit.

If you can’t knit this is an ideal opportunity to come and learn and have some fun and fellowship too. All are welcome. Come and enjoy the refreshments and friendly chat that goes along with the knitting. Spare wool always gratefully received.

Further information from Barbara chambers 924 5851, Brenda Morris 286 8380 or Carol Roocroft 476 9326.

5.3 'Breathing Place'
Church Grounds Maintenance Project

It all began with a workshop on Saturday in October which gave us the opportunity to see how we might manage our four and a half acres of church grounds in a more environmentally sensitive way.

The opportunity arose to apply for Lottery funding under the Breathing Places programme, supported by the BBC. The church family supported ideas for wildflower meadows and a sensory garden, but question 6 on the Lottery application form stopped us in our tracks: ‘Explain how you know that people in your community want this project’.

We found support in many places—St. Luke’s School, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Crosby traders—and realised the opportunity to serve our community through how we look after the church grounds. We will hear about our bid for £10,000 in May, but in the meantime the PCC and Operation Eden gave us money to get the project up and running.

Two planting sessions took place in January and February involving St. Luke’s School, Crosby High School and Mencap. A wildlife activity morning in March was attended by 80 children and 50 adults when we planted a butterfly garden, made bird boxes and ran a nature trail. A link has also developed with Sefton Leisure Department who are keen to involve us in Crosby in Bloom—they have already planted up the flower bed beside Crossroads.

If we are successful in our funding bid, then 2007 will herald an opportunity to continue to transform our grounds, develop new partnerships in the community and welcome more people to see something of our God in how we care for His creation.

Steve Matthews

5.4 St Luke’s Church Hall

The Church Hall continues to be used most days of the year with daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and occasional users. John Somers, with the support of Ann, has worked hard at maintaining a high level of cleanliness, supported by the maintenance team who have updated and repaired the facilities. It is with regret that we say goodbye and thank you to John from the end of March.

Agnes Law

6. ST LUKE'S HALSALL SCHOOL

6.1 St Luke’s CE Halsall Primary School
Headteacher: Sue Kerwin

It has been another successful and eventful year at St. Luke’s School. We have further strengthened our links with the Church through services, clergy assemblies at school, environmental planting projects in the graveyard and singing for the Mothers’ Union. Financial support from the PCC has this year enabled us to buy flat screen computers, new audio equipment and security fencing. We are extremely grateful to them for this and the prayers they offer for our intentions. Year three have been learning to knit with the ladies from St. Luke’s and are delighted to be contributing to a blanket which will raise money for The Samaritan’s Purse, a charity we also support in school.

Once again our SATs results were very good this year and the children are a credit to us. As well as excellent academic achievement we are very proud of the children’s Christian spirit which is Evident whenever we have visitors to school. They inevitably comment on how caring and friendly our school feels.

We are in the process of looking at providing a new Foundation stage building for reception and nursery children which will give our children a ‘state of the art’ start to their school careers. We will need the prayers of everyone at St. Luke’s in support. We are also planning celebrations next year for the 220th anniversary of the foundation of the school and would be very grateful for any memorabilia, photographs or memories which parishioners may have.

We feel privileged that parents continue to entrust us with their most precious possession and look forward to working with them and the children in the future.

Sue Kerwin, Headteacher

7. DEANERY SYNOD AND CHURCHES TOGETHER IN GREAT CROSBY

7.1 Sefton Deanery Synod

Sefton Deanery Synod met four times in 2006 for a bible study, a presentation about Operation Eden, a talk on designer babies and a session on parish links with the cathedral. The Synod also received reports from its members on General Synod, Diocesan Synod and various diocesan committees and boards. In 2007 our first meeting will be a visit to St. Michael’s High School.

Peter Owen

7.2 Churches Together in Great Crosby

The Council met four times during the year, each meeting being well attended with representatives from all churches.

Different speakers of local interest addressed the Council Meetings, these included Peter Harvey, editor of the Crosby Herald, Annie Spiers on events at Another Place and Mrs Catherine Creeton, Parks Officer for Sefton on “Crosby in Bloom 2007”.

The 2006 Lent Talks had been well received with over 60 people attending each meeting. The 2007 talks will have the topic “Relevant Christ” with each of the four speakers giving their own perspective.

A very successful pilgrimage to Iona took place during the last week of May 2006 and a pilgrimage to Ampleforth is planned for October 2007.

Crossroads Centre, Crosby continues to offer a good range of meals and snacks at very reasonable cost and although there has been a recent increase in the number of volunteer helpers, further assistance would be welcome. A training programme for volunteers has been instituted. Following publicity in the local press, there has been interest in renting the premises, please keep Crossroads in your prayers.

A donation of £100 was sent to support John Patterson in Uganada.

A ‘Walk of Witness’ by members of the Crosby Group of Churches will take place on Good Friday with the service being organised by SS Pete & Paul’s.

A ‘Two Cathedrals Walk’ has been arranged for Sunday 24th May 2007 and a coach is being hired to provide transport from Crosby.

The ‘Welcome in Scheme’ continues, eleven additional reps have been recruited. There are still some roads not covered. The packs are revised every six months and a note offering house blessing has recently been added.

Ecumenical Services take place every Thursday at 9.45 am, the services being held on a rota basis at each of the five churches.

Ray Terry

7.3 The Crossroads Centre

This year we said goodbye to two Duty Managers—Barbara & Christine—and we thank them for their excellent contribution to our work. We were fortunate to welcome Debbie and Ann as the new Duty Managers and they are proving to be valuable members of our team. We have also had the excellent help of two ladies on a temporary volunteer basis. The Café is very busy and we are grateful to all our volunteers for their commitment and hard work. Several new volunteers have joined us but there is still room for more! Recently we have reluctantly had to raise our prices—not a lot! But we are still cheap and cheerful. Come and join us.

Viv Pierce

this page was last modified on 3 May 2007