Dogma

This weeks' film is Dogma, produced by controversial Catholic producer and film star, Kevin Smith.

(I'll ask Andy what to write about it as my recommendation would be along the lines of: "Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Salma Hayek and Alan Rickman - something for everyone there.")

So, to quote Andy:

"The film is a very irreverant and crude comedy that explores how God and humans relate to each other. It caused an outcry in Christian circles when it was released. It's certainly not for you if you can't tolerate bad language (it's an 18 because of the copious amounts of swearing - sex and violence is fairly minimal)."

Portrait

Couldn't resist showing you this caricature done of me at a family party the other night - genius, huh?

I'll get a picture of Andy's up here soon too (though he's less than keen: you'll soon see why...)

Railway walk

This Sunday we'll be wandering along Alsager's beautiful Salt Line railway. 

Bring waterproofs, comfy shoes and a picnic tea. We'll meet in the SC room as normal, between 2 and 2.15pm. 

(Sorry about this next bit, but you have to do this sort of thing when you're doing a Christian blog post:)

There'll be no sleepers on Sunday afternoon, as we're on track for a sunny weekend. We'll be chuffed to see you all there, but don't forget your snack to chew chew (etc). 

cafechurch :: Street Doctor

On Thursday 11th June we are holding our next cafechurch event at Tesco's Costa Coffee in Crewe. This month our theme is Street Doctor; come and discuss ways of staying healthy and how to lead a balanced life.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SC:Sunday gets Messy

On Sunday 14^th (this Sunday) we will be having Messy Church for all ages at St Andrew’s Church Hall on Bedford Street in Crewe* 4.00-6.00.

At Messy Church there are craft activities, games, refreshments, worship and a meal together. Great for families to come together with ready made fun!

This time the title is ‘1+1+1=1?’. How can this be right?!? Come along and find out.

Book your tickets in advance – Children 4 years old and over 75p, all 16 and over £1.25. Contact Revd Austin on 01270 215866.

*Instead of meeting in the SC room as we usually do, we'll head directly to St. Andrews Church Hall.

SC:Sunday is a load of rubbish

Hi all! Just so you know, this Sunday is guaranteed to be a load of rubbish...

The plan is to turn cardboard boxes into something else - literally whatever you fancy. Boxes and a variety of crafty bits will be provided, but if you have any unwanted bits kicking around at home, please do bring them (cans of paint/tester pots/tissue paper/wallpaper/buttons/wrapping paper etc).

If the weather's as bad as it is today, we'll stay in the SC room; if it's too nice to be indoors, we'll head either over to the church field or to our back garden and get creative (and messy - hoorah) there.

Hope you can all come!

Pie Rolling 2009

The pinnacle of the Cheshire sporting calendar takes place this Saturday - the annual Wybunbury Fig Pie Wakes. Please come! if you haven't been before, its a great little village event with Morris Dancers and the like, culminating in a competition where you have to roll a pie the furthest distance down the hill.

Festivities begin at 1pm, first pie rolled by the Mayor at 3pm.

I haven't entered for the last two years but am making a comeback this year. If you would like to enter you need to buy a ticket from the Post office or either pub in Wybunbury. Next step for me is to dust off my wooden practice pie and get to work on my rolling technique...

Is SC like patchwork?

A piece of patchwork is made from many fabrics that used to be part of bigger pieces of fabric - some sheets, some shirts, others dresses. The best patchworks are made of many different patterns, colours and textures. Although most of the squares are completely different in appearance, in a conventional patchwork each square needs to be exactly the same size.

Patchworking starts small. You kick off by gathering loads of different fabrics that you like and think would work well together.

You cut them into squares, then sew a few of them together to make a long row. Then you do another long row. You sew those two rows together along the long edge. As the rows are sewn together, the patchwork becomes stronger.

As you work, the squares that used to be on the edge of the patchwork gradually move into the centre of the new whole. But that doesn't make them any more important than the new squares arriving on the edges.

One patch on its own is no use at all. It's only when the patches are attached to each other that they complement each other, become beautiful and have the potential to be useful again.

A small patchwork can look lovely as a placemat. A bit more work and it can become a nice tablecloth. A lot of time and effort later you've got a quilt to cover a double bed. All lovely items and very pretty, but each completely different in its appearance and uses.

Some people don't go much for patchwork. Others think it's stunning and spend a fortune buying quilts and cushion covers. Perhaps part of the appeal of patchwork is the sense of history and work behind the finished piece and the stories behind each square - what they used to belong to and how they came to be part of the new whole.