Welcome to St. Luke's Church - a delightful village church in the heart of the Cheshire countryside.
Within sight of the famous Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, St. Luke's is in a prominent position in the village, near the school, pubs, shops and railway station. Its people and its activities have been an integral part of the village life since the Middle Ages, and they continue to play an active part in the community today.
Message from Rev Heather Buckley
It is my privilege to serve as vicar here and during the next few months I hope to update this website so the information is accurate where possible and access available to the published information. Up to date information can be found on our Facebook page.
October 2021
WELCOME, today is 23rd October and tomorrow is BIBLE SUNDAY so definitely a cause for CELEBRATION!!!!
If you want to join us we have Holy Communion at 8.o'clock and Morning Prayer at 10.00 am celebrating the BIBLE.
We owe so much to those who wrote and recorded God's word and those who lived it - to its authenticity, for the translations and its transforming power. Thanks be to God.
This is the way it follows on:-
We are not half way through October yet and we have enjoyed so much. At the beginning of the month we saw and smelled the delights of autumn, flowers and produce on display in church during Goosfest weekend. Thank you to Goostrey Flowe Club for their beautiful artistic and creative talents. Also we donated much to the Food bank as well as over £600 to the Little Gate Farm Project which encourages young adults to develop skills which can help to set them up in employment and build their self esteem and value. We enjoyed a wonderful service as well as shared a Harvest Lunch together. Thank you to all who supported it and to those, especially Pat, who catered for us and to Ursula and Liz who helped. Bless them.
3rd October
HARVEST FESTIVAL 10.00 AM
Come and Celebrate
Then after a week of fellowship with the older folk at Drop In and the mums at Mothers' Space we exulted in worship on
10th October 10.00 am after a joyous baptism on the Saturday.
CONFIRMATION FOLLOWED BY CONSECRATION OF PART OF THE GRAVEYARD by the BISHOP OF STOCKPORT
Prior to the Confirmation Service the bells rang out calling us to worship. They resounded through this end of the village.
What a joy filled time of celebration of Marion's confirmation and a time to renew our commitment to God. It was glorious. Praise the Lord. The worshipful singing reached the rafters as we were led by Sam, the Bishop of Stockport, and as we listened to his teaching on following and trusting Christ. He brought much encouragement as well as joy and laughter to our midst.
Processing into the graveyard the time had eventually arrived for the new ground to be consectrated, to be set apart for
the use of burials. It was a very special and moving time, an accumulation of years of preparation, in order that bodies could be laid in peace in this sacred place. Heartfelt thanks to Bishop Sam and the Diocesan Registrar.
September 2021 IMPORTANT UPDATE - CONSECRATION OF GRAVEYARD
The graveyard Consecration by the new Bishop of Stockport will be on Sunday 10th October (postponed from 28th September) following the Sunday morning service.
September 2021
I hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful autumnal weather at present? The skies are beautiful, the light entrancing with sunsets adorning the skies and the occasional golden and flame coloured sunrise blazing through the clouds. It is lovely to hear the children's voices as they enjoy play time and dinner time. It is good to hear the bells as well as we celebrated another wedding this week.
We are celebrating several baptisms which are joy filled occasions especially as many families and guests join together to give thanks for new life and to try and catch up after some long absences!
Church and village activities are returning to the village hall which have been such a blessing to folk. May I encourage those who are reticent and in some cases very anxious to meet with others to go along, masked and sanitised and willing to give folk space yet still enjoy company, conversations and good speakers, which ever group it is. Exercising together in the Methodist Hall is also greatly beneficial as is watching one's weight!
The sense of waking up from a strange "Lockdown Slumber" and enjoying walking along the streets without having to give everyone an exaggerated wide berth, meeting and greeting people, feels much more normal.
We are looking forward to Harvest Festival which falls on the weekend of Goosfest. 1st-4th October this year.
Come and enjoy the "Shades of Autumn" in church. Ladies from the Flower Club will be adorning our beautiful church and it will be open during the weekend for you to come and enjoy. There will be some musical entertainment as well as a slide show illustrating woodturning on the Saturday and the Harvest Celebration Service on the Sunday at 10.00am.
We are looking forward to sharing a meal at the Village Hall on the Sunday lunch time.
If you wish to know further details please contact 01477532619 before all the places are booked.
We have been saying goodbye to some folk recently as they leave the village for new pastures or as in one case to return to previous pastures at this time and it is a privilege to welcome newcomers into the village, trusting they will soon settle and feel at home among us!
Today it was good to be delivering Soup through the village.
Friday,17th September marked the return of the SOUP RUN. Great - and always appreciated!
Thank you again to Sibelco for their generous donation of re-cyclable cups and to those who make home-made soup to be distributed around the village and just beyond.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT ITEM - CONFIRMATION
We have had a lady wanting to be confirmed so we will be running an exploration of FAITH course.
If any one else would like to know more about that or what confirmation entails, please contact Heather 01477532619
Late Bank Holiday Monday 2021
Firstly, last Friday was our Fun Day held at the Scout Hut and it was wonderful! Fine weather, lots of crafts and games, exuberant singing, delicious Bidlea ice cream, much laughter and chatter. Lovely to be together. May it not be long before we have another such event.
We had a beautiful wedding on Saturday. The bells resounded round the village and the sun shone. The choir was resplendent in red robes and led the singing. Another special wedding day in this year post-Lockdown.
Then on Sunday we rejoiced to sing favourite and well chosen hymns. What joy to be able to sing worship to our faithful God!
As Augustine said centuries ago: " those who sing pray twice!" Sunday was certainly a powerful experience as we worshipped, shared and prayed. Bless Almighty God.
After that service we had a special Baptism in which we had two more joyful hymns. There were too many people to accommodate to put both services together! We have many baptisms at present when we give thanks to God of all life and welcome babies and toddlers into the church family. The deep feeling and sincerity of people witnessing and participating in these baptismal services is quite profound during these times. Our love and prayers are with the parents and their offspring.
Now today is a BANK HOLIDAY and on this day the VILLAGE HALL is open for the village when tea and cake will be served, there will be a British Legion Stall and a display of Vintage Cars on the Car Park.
Hope you are able to enjoy it.
It is good that community groups and our church groups are now returning to the Village Hall post Lockdown.
SUPPORT AND ENJOY AND REMEMBER TOO TO KEEP SAFE AS THE VIRUS HASN'T GONE AWAY!
August 2021
Last Friday we had our Scavenger Hunt through the village. It was great and superbly organised by Debs Hinson and Debora Bayes. Fortunately the weather was dry after downpours in the morning. We also enjoyed refreshments in the vicarage garden as the sun shone. Well done everybody!
Friday 27th August at the Scout Hut from 3pm is a Family Fun Day. All families welcome for some activities and games and a chat! Hope to see you there.
Hope everyone will be able to enjoy some sunshine and a break from ordinary routine this August time.
It would be encouraging if you could hear some of the lovely valuable support that is going on around the village. Neighbours continue to look out for neighbours and encourage one another in various parts of the village. It rejoices my heart to hear about it all.
Love and prayers at this season. Enjoy and take delight in the gifts of these days!
July 2021
We have enjoyed varied church services through the month, rejoiced with two wedding couples, their families and friends and welcomed back the bell ringers. It is a delight to hear them throughout parts of the village, a glorious sound! Thank you to each one!
We continue to pray for the village, the school, teachers and children, families, older people, those we know and those we are yet to know, for newcomers as well as older residents.
Thank you to all who contribute to regular collections for Congleton Foodbank.
It has been great to see a photographic presentation of Rose Day this year. Thank you to Izzy and others for their photographic contributions.
Other wedding preparations are taking place as well as numerous baptisms.
Different groups have have gathered together mostly in the vicarage garden or in the marquee for which I have been so grateful. It is good to see folk enjoying one another's company again and to hear the chatter.
It is good to see the village hall re-opening and groups re-assembling. People have different thoughts regarding the way things are opening up in the village and surrounding areas; some are more than happy, others far more cautious. Let us be mindful of how the Lockdown has affected people differently and be sensitive to their experiences and feelings. God's blessings upon us!
June 2021 - Latest plans for the church building
Our latest plans for the church building are now at the planning stage. A presentation of the project will be given at the next Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 22nd June.
If you wish to view the plans they are on display in church. Church continues to be open in the day time.
We have started a blog all about the extension - there is a link at the top of the home page.
June 2021 - Rose Day 2021
PENTECOST (May 23) was a joyful occasion as we remembered the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples. We celebrated and continue to celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the world. He gives credence to the existence of God, the source of Life and Love.
We continue to move forward in our meeting in church and in small gatherings in the vicarage garden. Pastoral visits with home communions are increasingly valued.
Rose Day 2021 will be a smaller affair but we thank the Rose Day committee who have organised the celebrations, encouraging the village to support the smaller procession, the crowning ceremony and the arrival of the retinues around St Luke’s church memorial, enjoying individual and small group garden teas and visiting various residents of the village with cake and a smile!
We will have a celebration service on the following day (June 27) and are hoping it will be broadcast on Dane Sound Radio.
We are excited to share that our Audio-Visual equipment is in place in church and we used it in the service on the first Sunday in June.
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June 2021 - Praise God for all His goodness!
We give thanks for His provision, His blessings and His grace.
During the last couple of months we have continued to meet, to worship and to pray.
We have held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, giving thanks for the positive and caring things that have happened and we look to the future with vision, prayer, trust and hope.
We gave thanks for Liz Foster Clark who has given unstinting devotion and sheer hard work in her role of church warden, we have given thanks to Chris Clifford for her years as church warden in her support and encouragement. We welcome Andy Gill and Martin Corbishley as our new church wardens.
We continue to appreciate the hours of hard work John Harris as treasurer and Marilyn Lloyd as verger contribute to the life of the church.
We appreciate the years Mike Hodge gave as Bell Tower Captain and we welcome Tom Nestor into that new role for him, remembering his consistent tolling during this last year.
Bless you all.
April 2021 -- much has happened during the last twelve months and it is difficult to summarise, but suffice to say the church is spiritually healthy having experienced much prayer, times of safely distanced services during 2020, contacts through doorstep visits, phone calls, zoom services and meetings and back again in church since Palm Sunday. It is good to be back and to welcome some who haven't been in church for a long time.
We give thanks for all our church family; every single one. We also give thanks for those who have helped and supported the community, our families and other communities throughout the land and world, the NHS staff and ancillary staff, GPs, all involved in the vaccine roll out, shops, and other services. We remember too those who have died during the last twelve months and pray for all who mourn.
Today,17th April marks the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and our heartfelt thanks for his unswerving dedication, hard work and vision for the Queen, his family, the country, commonwealth and world is prominent in our thinking and prayers at this time. Prayers of condolences and sympathy are with the Queen and the family during this day and this period of mourning.
Easter this year was a time of great celebration following the deep journey with Christ through the events of Holy Week.
We continue to explore the importance of the resurrection appearances foundational to our faith and belief in the efficacy of the cross.
Services follow the similar pattern of 8.00 am Holy Communion and 10.00 am Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays and Second Sunday, all age Praise and Morning Prayer/Praise on the fourth Sunday in the month.
Ascension Day is May 13th marked by Holy Communion at 7pm starting eleven days of prayer called
Thy Kingdom Come. You will find further details on our Facebook page in due course.
We celebrate the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday May 23rd. Times of services as usual.
You will be welcome.
The church building continues to be open daily from 10.00 onwards.
October 2020 – a message from Heather
We are open for private prayer between 10am and 2pm. Please avail yourselves of the opportunity to visit St Luke's at this time. Come and pray and reflect. If you need to talk and I am not available in church at those times then please ring me on 01477 532619.
Things may look a little different when you arrive in church; there are few books available to peruse. However there are the glass pebbles should you wish to place one or more in the water, a symbolic gesture for prayer and taken up by me for prayer at different times.
There are copies of prayers available at the back of church if you wish to use them. Please take the sheets home with you as you leave. Enjoy the peace and the stillness of our church. May you experience solace here.
COVID-19 virus: 3rd April 2020
Since my last message, as many of you know, the church building has closed during the coronavirus crisis.
It is with great sadness we have been unable to welcome you into this sacred space at a time when people need it most. As some consolation I continue to pray for us all several times daily and want to encourage us all to pray wherever we are at whatever time. God is a compassionate God who created this universe and views His creation with love, overwhelming love and patience, forgiveness and deep mercy. He longs we come through this time of crisis trusting Him more, understanding ourselves and our neighbours, near and far, in deeper ways and acknowledging our interdependence with gratitude.
Every Thursday we will be thanking the whole of the NHS and all who support them by standing on our doorsteps clapping and cheering, showing our heartfelt appreciation for all they have done and continue to do at this time of overwhelming illness. God keep them safe.
As a church family we are unable to gather in one place but in our individual homes we pray for Goostrey and for our nation and world at these unprecedented times. On a Sunday evening between 6.50 pm and 7pm candles are placed in windows and in rooms as we pray.
May this time of Lockdown for us all be a time to seek God who draws us to Himself. He desires deeper relationship with us all and this is a good time to reach out to Him for He is reaching out to us.
God protect you and cause you to know His love and His presence at this time of great uncertainty.
Heather
_____________________________________________________________
April 2021 -- much has happened during the last twelve months and it is difficult to summarise, but suffice to say the church is spiritually healthy having experienced much prayer, times of safely distanced services during 2020, contacts through doorstep visits, phone calls, zoom services and meetings and back again in church since Palm Sunday. It is good to be back and to welcome some who haven't been in church for a long time.
We give thanks for all our church family; every single one. We also give thanks for those who have helped and supported the community, our families and other communities throughout the land and world, the NHS staff and ancillary staff, GPs, all involved in the vaccine roll out, shops, and other services. We remember too those who have died during the last twelve months and pray for all who mourn.
Today,17th April marks the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and our heartfelt thanks for his unswerving dedication, hard work and vision for the Queen, his family, the country, commonwealth and world is prominent in our thinking and prayers at this time. Prayers of condolences and sympathy are with the Queen and the family during this day and this period of mourning.
Easter this year was a time of great celebration following the deep journey with Christ through the events of Holy Week.
We continue to explore the importance of the resurrection appearances foundational to our faith and belief in the efficacy of the cross.
Services follow the similar pattern of 8.00 am Holy Communion and 10.00 am Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays and Second Sunday, all age Praise and Morning Prayer/Praise on the fourth Sunday in the month.
Ascension Day is May 13th marked by Holy Communion at 7pm starting eleven days of prayer called
Thy Kingdom Come. You will find further details on our Facebook page in due course.
We celebrate the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday May 23rd. Times of services as usual.
Our latest plans for the church building are now at the planning stage. A presentation of the project will be given at the next Parish Council meeting on Tuesday 22nd June.
If you wish to view the plans they are on display in church. Church continues to be open in the day time.
We have started a blog all about the extension - there is a link at the top of the home page.
June 2021 - Rose Day 2021
PENTECOST (May 23) was a joyful occasion as we remembered the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the first disciples. We celebrated and continue to celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the world. He gives credence to the existence of God, the source of Life and Love.
We continue to move forward in our meeting in church and in small gatherings in the vicarage garden. Pastoral visits with home communions are increasingly valued.
Rose Day 2021 will be a smaller affair but we thank the Rose Day committee who have organised the celebrations, encouraging the village to support the smaller procession, the crowning ceremony and the arrival of the retinues around St Luke’s church memorial, enjoying individual and small group garden teas and visiting various residents of the village with cake and a smile!
We will have a celebration service on the following day (June 27) and are hoping it will be broadcast on Dane Sound Radio.
We are excited to share that our Audio-Visual equipment is in place in church and we used it in the service on the first Sunday in June.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 2021 - Praise God for all His goodness!
We give thanks for His provision, His blessings and His grace.
During the last couple of months we have continued to meet, to worship and to pray.
We have held our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, giving thanks for the positive and caring things that have happened and we look to the future with vision, prayer, trust and hope.
We gave thanks for Liz Foster Clark who has given unstinting devotion and sheer hard work in her role of church warden, we have given thanks to Chris Clifford for her years as church warden in her support and encouragement. We welcome Andy Gill and Martin Corbishley as our new church wardens.
We continue to appreciate the hours of hard work John Harris as treasurer and Marilyn Lloyd as verger contribute to the life of the church.
We appreciate the years Mike Hodge gave as Bell Tower Captain and we welcome Tom Nestor into that new role for him, remembering his consistent tolling during this last year.
Bless you all.
April 2021 -- much has happened during the last twelve months and it is difficult to summarise, but suffice to say the church is spiritually healthy having experienced much prayer, times of safely distanced services during 2020, contacts through doorstep visits, phone calls, zoom services and meetings and back again in church since Palm Sunday. It is good to be back and to welcome some who haven't been in church for a long time.
We give thanks for all our church family; every single one. We also give thanks for those who have helped and supported the community, our families and other communities throughout the land and world, the NHS staff and ancillary staff, GPs, all involved in the vaccine roll out, shops, and other services. We remember too those who have died during the last twelve months and pray for all who mourn.
Today,17th April marks the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and our heartfelt thanks for his unswerving dedication, hard work and vision for the Queen, his family, the country, commonwealth and world is prominent in our thinking and prayers at this time. Prayers of condolences and sympathy are with the Queen and the family during this day and this period of mourning.
Easter this year was a time of great celebration following the deep journey with Christ through the events of Holy Week.
We continue to explore the importance of the resurrection appearances foundational to our faith and belief in the efficacy of the cross.
Services follow the similar pattern of 8.00 am Holy Communion and 10.00 am Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays and Second Sunday, all age Praise and Morning Prayer/Praise on the fourth Sunday in the month.
Ascension Day is May 13th marked by Holy Communion at 7pm starting eleven days of prayer called
Thy Kingdom Come. You will find further details on our Facebook page in due course.
We celebrate the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday May 23rd. Times of services as usual.
You will be welcome.
The church building continues to be open daily from 10.00 onwards.
October 2020 – a message from Heather
We are open for private prayer between 10am and 2pm. Please avail yourselves of the opportunity to visit St Luke's at this time. Come and pray and reflect. If you need to talk and I am not available in church at those times then please ring me on 01477 532619.
Things may look a little different when you arrive in church; there are few books available to peruse. However there are the glass pebbles should you wish to place one or more in the water, a symbolic gesture for prayer and taken up by me for prayer at different times.
There are copies of prayers available at the back of church if you wish to use them. Please take the sheets home with you as you leave. Enjoy the peace and the stillness of our church. May you experience solace here.
COVID-19 virus: 3rd April 2020
Since my last message, as many of you know, the church building has closed during the coronavirus crisis.
It is with great sadness we have been unable to welcome you into this sacred space at a time when people need it most. As some consolation I continue to pray for us all several times daily and want to encourage us all to pray wherever we are at whatever time. God is a compassionate God who created this universe and views His creation with love, overwhelming love and patience, forgiveness and deep mercy. He longs we come through this time of crisis trusting Him more, understanding ourselves and our neighbours, near and far, in deeper ways and acknowledging our interdependence with gratitude.
Every Thursday we will be thanking the whole of the NHS and all who support them by standing on our doorsteps clapping and cheering, showing our heartfelt appreciation for all they have done and continue to do at this time of overwhelming illness. God keep them safe.
As a church family we are unable to gather in one place but in our individual homes we pray for Goostrey and for our nation and world at these unprecedented times. On a Sunday evening between 6.50 pm and 7pm candles are placed in windows and in rooms as we pray.
May this time of Lockdown for us all be a time to seek God who draws us to Himself. He desires deeper relationship with us all and this is a good time to reach out to Him for He is reaching out to us.
God protect you and cause you to know His love and His presence at this time of great uncertainty.
Heather
_____________________________________________________________
April 2021 -- much has happened during the last twelve months and it is difficult to summarise, but suffice to say the church is spiritually healthy having experienced much prayer, times of safely distanced services during 2020, contacts through doorstep visits, phone calls, zoom services and meetings and back again in church since Palm Sunday. It is good to be back and to welcome some who haven't been in church for a long time.
We give thanks for all our church family; every single one. We also give thanks for those who have helped and supported the community, our families and other communities throughout the land and world, the NHS staff and ancillary staff, GPs, all involved in the vaccine roll out, shops, and other services. We remember too those who have died during the last twelve months and pray for all who mourn.
Today,17th April marks the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and our heartfelt thanks for his unswerving dedication, hard work and vision for the Queen, his family, the country, commonwealth and world is prominent in our thinking and prayers at this time. Prayers of condolences and sympathy are with the Queen and the family during this day and this period of mourning.
Easter this year was a time of great celebration following the deep journey with Christ through the events of Holy Week.
We continue to explore the importance of the resurrection appearances foundational to our faith and belief in the efficacy of the cross.
Services follow the similar pattern of 8.00 am Holy Communion and 10.00 am Holy Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays and Second Sunday, all age Praise and Morning Prayer/Praise on the fourth Sunday in the month.
Ascension Day is May 13th marked by Holy Communion at 7pm starting eleven days of prayer called
Thy Kingdom Come. You will find further details on our Facebook page in due course.
We celebrate the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit on Sunday May 23rd. Times of services as usual.