Notices 

North Staffordshire Circuit Website … the new Circuit Website is now up and running at www.northstaffordshiremethodists.org.uk.

Circuit Office … in case there is a need to contact Michelle Bradbury during the week, the Circuit Office contact details are:- 01782 612648 or northstaffscircuit@hotmail.co.uk. For details relating to St Andrew’s unless it is urgent please continue to use 01782 634389 or churchinthewestlands@talktalk.net and Michelle will continue to deal with this on a Thursday.

Lent Course …during Lent, this year we are following a course looking at what it means to live as a Christian in Britain today. Entitled 'Handing on the Torch', it aims to help us consider: to what extent the UK is still a Christian Country, or a Secular Society; the state of the church; the competition between different world-views; and how the church can be most effective at enabling others to hear about the way we see things. The course will take place in St Andrew’s on five Wednesdays, starting on 29th February, with sessions at either 10.30 am or 8.00 pm. All welcome. Please sign the lists in St Andrew’s and St Peter’s, indicating whether you intend to come in the morning or the evening. Unless you indicate otherwise we will buy a course book for you. (There will be an opportunity for donations to help cover the £4 cost on the day). There is an Ash Wednesday Communion Service in St Andrew’s the previous week (22nd February); though at 7.30am (rather than pm, as in Link).

There will be a Fundraising and Church Social Event … on Saturday 25th February at 7.30 pm in St. Andrew's Church Hall, to raise funds and to help raise the profile of the Youth Outreach Work Project.  There will be a bring and share supper and a live band playing greatest hits from past and present. Please try and support this important event!  If you would like tickets, please contact Bethan 07962180755 or at bethan.thompson@btinternet.com or Debra 07919574499 or at debra.hills@ntlworld.com. Tickets cost £5 or £18 for a family ticket. There is a “bring and share” list for people to sign at the back of St Andrew’s.

St Andrew’s Puppet Ministry … We are hoping to start up the Church puppet ministry again. Lynn Shufflebotham is leading a meeting on puppet basics on Thursday, 23rd February 7.00 pm in the Parish room, for ages 11+. For more details please contact Lynn or Jake Wain.

Please Pray … for the youth house group starting this coming month, first session planned for 10 th February looking at the topic "how do I become a Christian?" School years 9-13 welcome. For more information please see Jake Wain the Church Youth Worker (07527 195286).

Monday Group … the next meeting will be held on 13 th February at 7.45 pm in St. Peter’s Room 2. The Speaker will be Mrs Janet Clowes and the title of her talk is, “When I’m Sixty Four”. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

House Groups … resume this week after the Christmas break. We have reached Session 7 of the course on the book of Daniel   "Seeing things God's way."  The title of the study is Forgiveness" and focusses on Daniel Chapter 9.

Help Required … if there is anyone in either congregation who is experienced in using Microsoft Access and setting up new report formats could they please contact Andrew Dawswell (619594).

Vacuum Cleaner Wanted...  Both vacuum cleaners in St Andrew's have broken down. If anyone can loan or donate a spare unit, while at least one is repaired, our church cleaner, Debra, would be most grateful. Please contact Alan (616152).

Used Stamps for Charity … please cut out your stamps (¼ inch border) and place in the boxes in both churches. Thank you.

Prayers of Intercession … We are very grateful to those who faithfully lead our prayers of intercession week by week at St. Andrew's 10.30 service and in our Joint Evening Services.  If you feel you would like to help be part of this in 2012, then please have a word with Chris Gill (625924).  We are particularly looking for more families to lead at our All Age Worship services.

Luncheon Club … has been running for 4 years in February. We have grown from a small group of 18 ladies to the present 40, including several men. Unfortunately we cannot seat more than 40. We would like to open a “Standby” List of anyone who would be available, at fairly short notice, when there is a cancellation. The only stipulation is that you must attend either St Peter’s, St Andrew’s or be a member of one of the groups, eg Monday Group, Women’s Fellowship, etc. If you are interested please contact Ann Harvey on 01782 680819.

Trailblazer Panto Trip … Jack & the Beanstalk, Saturday 4th February, leaving the Westlands at 1.45 pm ; cost £6. Places are still available for our trip to Audley theatre. Please see Glenys Gill (625924) as soon as possible to book your place. Tickets will be offered to other Church members if not all taken by Trailblazers.

The Chairs in St. Andrew's Church Hall … are about to be replaced and we are selling the existing chairs.  However, before this goes ahead, if anybody would like to purchase a chair as a keepsake or as a general purchase, you may do so for a minimum donation of £17.00 per chair.  If you wish to do so, please contact Bethan 07962180755 or at bethan.thompson@btinternet.com before January 23rd.

Youth Worker News...Our youth worker, Jake is settling in well. He is regularly involved at a number of our local schools including Langdale, The Westlands, Seabridge & Friarswood Primary Schools; Clayton High and NCHS Science College, mentoring individuals & small groups, and taking some assemblies too. In our churches, he’s got involved with our existing 11+ pathfinder group, and is hoping soon to launch a programme for the 14+ age group. Also the "Club of Hope" is now running. Fun, songs, games and God! St Andrew's Church on Mondays. Doors open at 3.30pm and the club runs from 4 until 5pm. For more information contact Jake Wain 07527 195286 email jacobwain@live.co.uk

St Peter’s Coffee Morning … Please come and join us for coffee/tea and homemade biscuits on Saturday, 11 th February between 10.30 am and 12.00 noon. No charge, no stalls, just a lot of friendship and laughter.

Regular reminders

St. Andrew's Annual Report and Accounts… the audited report and accounts are now available here or on the downloads page.

Prayer Rota ... Did you know that day by day we pray for each street in the Westlands and those who live there ? Leaflets entitled "Praying for the Westlands Area" are available in both Churches. Please pray with us, either at home each day at a time to suit you, or join us in Church (7.30 a.m. Monday to Saturday; 9.00 p.m. each Saturday evening and 10.00 a.m. every first Thursday of the month).

Book of Remembrance...On the first Thursday of every month, at 10 am there is a Holy Communion service in St. Andrew’s at which the names for that month in the Book of Remembrance are read. Coffee afterwards in the Parish room.

Fair Trade Stall ... Fair Trade goods will be on sale on the 3rd Sunday of each month in St Andrew’s Church Hall , following the 10.30 am service. Rice, pasta, biscuits, chocolate, coffee, tea etc will be on sale - please purchase and make a difference to people living in the undeveloped world. Find out more on the Fairtrade page.

Be prepared....a web site has been produced to offer information for the people of Staffordshire, its visitors and businesses on preparations for, and responses to, emergencies and major incidents within Staffordshire. This can be found at: www.staffordshireprepared.gov.uk