September Newsletter 2026

On Thursday 24th September at 7:00pm in Holy Trinity Church, we are excited to be warmly welcoming Kath Cooke to be licenced as Vicar of St Michael & All Angels and Holy Trinity Churches. Kath kindly agreed to introduce our September Newsletter.

Revd. Kath Cooke Writes

September feels like a season of change – leaves turning, chillier evenings, new school terms, birds heading south.

Phil & I are looking forward to our own big change this September as we migrate north to Formby, where I begin as Vicar of St Michael & All Angels Altcar & Holy Trinity Formby.

Ive been thinking about doors opening and closing. Recently, having lunch with old friends in Reading- where we first arrived in Oxford 25 years ago, I was pondering the doors we have walked through during this time in 3 villages and 7 different houses-bringing much laughter, tears, special friendships and leading us both to ordination in the Church of England in 2012

After lunch I noticed a quote on the wall of the Oracle shopping centre: ‘The door opens and lets the future in;(Graham Green)

It struck me how many doors we pass through in life, both literally and figuratively and that both closing and opening doors can be daunting. I enjoy a joke; one I like is:

“When is a door not a door? When it’s a-jar

At the first funeral I took as a Curate, I learned that Ron’s favourite phrase was “leave the door ajar”. It stayed with me as a reminder that God’s door is always ajar for those who trust in Him, and a challenge to us to leave our doors ajar too, welcoming others in.

Phil & I have already felt so warmly welcomed by those we’ve met in Formby & Altcar. “Everyone invited, included, Important”-we pray that’s what we’ll live out together, doors open wide.

Prayer Harmony

You yourselves, like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

It is with great delight that we welcome Kath and Phil to our united benefice, and we pray that God will bless them and give them His grace. We pray that they will find happiness and peace with us, and that solid friendships will be formed.

We pray for the young people going to university this month, away from home, and starting a new adventure. We pray for their safety and that they will find friendship and fulfilment in their studies and student life.

We pray for our older friends who are struggling with everyday life, in their own homes or in the care system. We pray that they will continue to feel part of the fellowship of the church, and that those of us who are more fit, will strengthen our friendships with them.

We continue to pray for the poor and homeless of our country, those who are not paid enough to access basics needs, those who ‘sofa surf’ with friends, but who can’t find their own home, those who have to restrict their own meals, in order to feed their children. In a country like ours, this is totally unacceptable, but it happens, and we ask God to help us, to help them, in actions, donations and money.

We pray for the farming community, who have struggled with the drought during the summer and will have to now harvest whatever they can, but not the abundance that they have worked for. We pray for them to receive fair payment for their labours and not be exploited by the wealthier firms that distribute and sell their wares.

While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Coming up – Dates for your Diary

Rev Kath’s installation.

All are warmly invited to attend. Should you wish to have transport arranged please let Jenny know, and if you are coming and have space in your car, please offer it to someone who you know would wish to attend but does not have transport.

St Michael’s Coffee Mornings

Saturday 12th September. 10.00am to 12.00 noon.

Monthly Coffee Morning

Saturday 26th September 10.00am-12.00noon

Hosting McMillan Coffee Morning

Parish Breakfast Parish Hall

Sunday 6th September 9.30am. Full Breakfast.

Sign up sheet at the back of Church.

Mothers Union

Thursday 10th September 2.00pm Jubilee Hall. Joan Rimmer is the guest speaker.

Sweet Friday

Friday 25th September 8.00pm in Parish Hall.

A History of “A modern Yarn”

Michaela from “A Modern Yarn” will be joining us to tell her story, share some of the latest trends and answer your questions.

If you have knitted/crocheted something that you are pleased with bring it along. We’d love to see it.

An opportunity for women in our community to get together for fun and friendship. Bring your friends along.Tea, coffee and cake provided. Feel free to bring along your own drinks and nibbles.

Pizza Eaters Youth Group

meets on the first Wednesday of the month, (9th September this month as a one off) 6.30pm- 8.30pm in Church.

We meet for fun & friendship and discussion about life in general but about faith in Jesus and of course Pizza. All young people from Year 6 upwards are very welcome to join us, speak to Sylvia for details on 07872314103.

Prayer Group

each Thursday 7.00pm-8.00pm, no invitation required, just turn up at the Prayer Room. All very welcome for all or some of the time.

Bible study

continues Tuesdays at 2.00pm every other week at Elisabeth’s home. All very welcome.

For a lift or other information call Sylvia on 07872 314103

Daily Reflections and Sunday Services on You Tube

Daily reflections can be accessed Monday to Friday and one of the Sunday Services can be viewed every week. These are bible readings from the lectionary and based on morning prayer. They are short, so don’t take up much time. To access, Holy Trinity Formby You Tube.

Thursday Cuppa & Chat 10.00am to 12.00 noon in Church Foyer.

Please come along. This is freely offered and a great opportunity to meet new people or friends in a warm friendly place, serving tea, coffee and toast with jam, marmalade or butter. Oh, taste and see how good it is.

Flowers In Church

Thank you to all who have donated towards the flower fund this year, enabling us to have fresh flowers in church every week that are welcoming and uplifting when you come to church and to the Glory of God. We have special services such as harvest coming up that cost more than the weekly amount, we would normally spend. Should you wish to donate towards the cost of flowers, which are now even more expensive, please give to Jenny or Anne. Thank you.