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News
Christmas Tree Festival 2023:
Result of the Votes
Result of the Votes
Many and sincere thanks to all those who came along to our 2023 Christmas Tree Festival. The result of the public vote for individual trees is as follows:
Most Fun - Island Electricals
Most Elegant- Red Rocks Nursing Home
Most Original - Red Rocks Nursing Home
Most Overall Votes - Red Rocks Nursing Home
Most Elegant- Red Rocks Nursing Home
Most Original - Red Rocks Nursing Home
Most Overall Votes - Red Rocks Nursing Home
Care Home Service and Tea
Recently, it was wonderful to welcome a good number of care home residents from across Hoylake to our Care Home Service. The service was led by Rev Paul. There were readings, prayers and hymns. Following the service, we all went together into the Church Hall where an afternoon tea of scones and hot drinks was served. It is nice to be able to report that their were many expressions of gratitude and pleasure from the care home residents.
Communion in the Community:
Holy Trinity School
Holy Trinity School
It was delightful to be back at our church school of Holy Trinity recently to celebrate one of our 'Communions in the Community'. The service was attended by about sixty of the older children and a number of staff members. The Eucharist was led and celebrated by Rev Paul. Peter Ham gave a short talk and Christine led us in prayers. The Bible reading was read by several of the children, and we sang a lively action-based worship song. It was pleasing that the vast majority of the children came forward to receive an individual blessing from Rev Paul after Communion. Apologies to members of our congregation who might have liked to have attended, but circumstances beyond our control meant that arrangements had to be made somewhat at the last minute.
Lifeboat Service
Following a break of several years due the the pandemic, we had a delightful and well-attended service to give thanks for the crew and staff of the Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboats on Sunday 10 September at St Hildeburgh's. We were led in worship by Bishop Mark of Chester (pictured). After the service, we had a BBQ in the grounds of Hoylake Vicarage. All who attended had a most enjoyable and uplifting time.
Congratulations, Alice:
Lay Pioneer
Lay Pioneer
Congratulations to Alice from our congregation who was licensed at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 9 October 2021 as a Lay Pioneer. The pioneer ministry is a new initiative in the Church of England - seeking to grow the Church in the community outside conventional, church-based worship. On Sunday 10 October we formally welcomed Alice to her new role during our morning worship.
Nature Days at Holy Trinity Churchyard
At St. Hildeburgh’s we love the natural world and see it as a very visible part of God’s creation - there for all to see and enjoy.
A couple of weeks ago St. Hildeburgh’s took part in a nationwide initiative to involve local communities in monitoring our Churchyard green spaces. We held two events at Holy Trinity Churchyard; first hosting 160 Hoylake Holy Trinity CE primary school pupils and their teachers and support staff throughout the day, with nature rambles and local history gravestone investigations, then second, a Saturday open day at which we chatted to local residents about wildlife and the history of the site.
A couple of weeks ago St. Hildeburgh’s took part in a nationwide initiative to involve local communities in monitoring our Churchyard green spaces. We held two events at Holy Trinity Churchyard; first hosting 160 Hoylake Holy Trinity CE primary school pupils and their teachers and support staff throughout the day, with nature rambles and local history gravestone investigations, then second, a Saturday open day at which we chatted to local residents about wildlife and the history of the site.
Both days were superb and it was good to talk to folk about their families and loved ones, who are buried at HT graveyard as well as surveying the indigenous plant life growing among the gravestones. It’s is a very peaceful and beautiful setting, full of wildlife, a lot of which, particularly the bird life, is remarkably tame. A plant life survey is currently being compiled by Kate Rice and Jane Ham, for submission to Chester Diocese, so that we can add our data to that being collected nationally.
Thankyou to those who came along to help, and to support and chat, particularly to Jeff Kernighan, who, with such a wealth of local knowledge concerning the church and the area, was a welcome member of the team. We have had lots of positive feedback and highly recommend that you spend some time over the Summer, wandering around and enjoying the tranquility and the sense of God’s presence and peace. This sacred and respected corner of Hoylake is well worth preserving and respecting. Take a look. We think you’ll agree.
Thankyou to those who came along to help, and to support and chat, particularly to Jeff Kernighan, who, with such a wealth of local knowledge concerning the church and the area, was a welcome member of the team. We have had lots of positive feedback and highly recommend that you spend some time over the Summer, wandering around and enjoying the tranquility and the sense of God’s presence and peace. This sacred and respected corner of Hoylake is well worth preserving and respecting. Take a look. We think you’ll agree.
- Kate Rice and Peter Ham
Above: The Team: Ready for the Off!
Above: Kate explaining … something!
Above: Now what kind of grass is that?
Above: Clipboards and reference books to the ready!
Above: The beauty of nature
Above: Any ideas?
Above: One of the many hover flies that mimic wasps and bees.
Harmless - unless you’re a greenfly!
Harmless - unless you’re a greenfly!
Above: One, not so wild resident of the graveyard.
He kept a close eye on us the whole time!
He kept a close eye on us the whole time!
Above: So much local history to see by studying the
inscriptions on the gravestones
inscriptions on the gravestones
Above: This little wren spent the day singing
its heart out from this favourite perch
its heart out from this favourite perch
Above: The gravestones are favourite perches for a variety
of birds including this noisy, but beautiful starling
of birds including this noisy, but beautiful starling
Above: Wood pigeon keeping an eye out for any predators …
Above: ... including this Sparrowhawk flying over the
graveyard looking out for a meal!
graveyard looking out for a meal!
Above: We loved welcoming the children of Hoylake’s own community
CE primary school, Hoylake Holy Trinity.
Each class was given a short introduction by Kate and Peter
before they went off to explore the nature and history of the site.
Such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and articulate group
- it was a pleasure spending the day with them
CE primary school, Hoylake Holy Trinity.
Each class was given a short introduction by Kate and Peter
before they went off to explore the nature and history of the site.
Such an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and articulate group
- it was a pleasure spending the day with them
Above: Bird’s Foot Trefoil, one of the beautiful
wild flowers that colonise the grave,
giving them a natural living decoration
wild flowers that colonise the grave,
giving them a natural living decoration
Above: Sketching and making notes about the inscriptions
on the graves was popular.
Some very sad stories told themselves,
as well as many exciting and long family histories
on the graves was popular.
Some very sad stories told themselves,
as well as many exciting and long family histories
Above: Turning over an old log reveals a host of insects
and other invertebrates, all scuttling for the damp and the dark.
After we took care to replace these habitats
exactly where they belonged
and other invertebrates, all scuttling for the damp and the dark.
After we took care to replace these habitats
exactly where they belonged
Above: Bumblebees everywhere
- here on Cistus, growing on a grave.
Can you spot the full pollen baskets
on this one’s hind legs?
- here on Cistus, growing on a grave.
Can you spot the full pollen baskets
on this one’s hind legs?
Above: Spending a quite few minutes sketching the gravestones
A Scrumptious Surprise!
Revd Paul (Vicar at St Hildeburgh’s) has taken delivery of a large carton of handmade shortbread from The Shortbread House of Edinburgh. These delicious treats were donated after staff at the office of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie mentioned our outreach work to the company.
The shortbread will bring a lot of smiles to the faces of those in need throughout the parish.
Revd Paul (Vicar at St Hildeburgh’s) has taken delivery of a large carton of handmade shortbread from The Shortbread House of Edinburgh. These delicious treats were donated after staff at the office of Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie mentioned our outreach work to the company.
The shortbread will bring a lot of smiles to the faces of those in need throughout the parish.
Duchess Sarah’s Amazing Boost to St Hildeburgh’s
Outreach Work this Christmas
Outreach Work this Christmas
St Hildeburgh’s has received a major boost to our outreach work among the most vulnerable in the Hoylake district. This has been generously provided by Sarah, Duchess of York, and her new charity “Sarah’s Trust”.
On Sunday 20th December, we took delivery of no fewer than 100 individual bags of children’s goodies from the Duchess’s trust. These bags for youngsters in need, contain gifts ranging from toys to gingerbread, confectionary to books – with all the books being individually and generously signed by Duchess Sarah. Besides these items, we were gifted a range of goods for older people, including clothing and toiletries.
Alongside St Hildeburgh’s expanding outreach work with care home residents, our local school, the food bank, and a range of charities, in the past year we have been supporting dozens of refugees who have been placed by the authorities in the Hoylake area. These refugees have fled persecution and war in countries including Syria, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. They range in age from adults to young babies; many have little more than the clothes they stand up in.
St Hildeburgh’s has been supporting the refugees - alongside others in need - throughout the last difficult year, with food, clothing, toiletries and fellowship. Thanks to the great generosity of the Duchess and “Sarah’s Trust”, some joy – besides much needed essentials – can be brought to those we support this Christmas.
St Hildeburgh’s has been supporting the refugees - alongside others in need - throughout the last difficult year, with food, clothing, toiletries and fellowship. Thanks to the great generosity of the Duchess and “Sarah’s Trust”, some joy – besides much needed essentials – can be brought to those we support this Christmas.
Rev Paul, St Hildeburgh’s vicar, commented: “This is wonderful. Thanks to the enormous generosity of Duchess Sarah and her trust, we can bring Christmas joy into the hearts of some of the most deprived yet deserving in our community. For some locally, these items could be the only gifts they receive this Christmas. Thank you!”
In addition, St Hildeburgh’s has been gifted a sum of money through the Chapel Royal, London. A portion of this will also be put to good use supporting the community in helping families at our church school who find it hard to afford school uniforms.
In addition, St Hildeburgh’s has been gifted a sum of money through the Chapel Royal, London. A portion of this will also be put to good use supporting the community in helping families at our church school who find it hard to afford school uniforms.
"Good News from St Hildeburgh's"
St Hildeburgh's has launched a new web service!
Visit St Hildeburgh's "Good News". It's our special place on the Internet grouping together prayers, reflections, our online services and more. The link is:
https://sthildeburghgoodnews.blogspot.com/
Visit St Hildeburgh's "Good News". It's our special place on the Internet grouping together prayers, reflections, our online services and more. The link is:
https://sthildeburghgoodnews.blogspot.com/
Messy Church in October - What an AMAZING Afternoon!
We had a fantastic time at our extra messy Messy Church on Saturday 19th October at St Hildeburgh's! We had games, crafting, songs, worship ... and a hot meal for all. And our vicar, Rev Paul, really entered into the spirit of the day by getting his face painted by some of our younger Messy Church goers!
Our Vicar Gets a "Make Over"
During Holy Trinity Primary School's collective worship this week, Peter from our Ministry Team was speaking about God giving us "Courage to make the first move". Our Vicar, Rev Paul, had the courage to have his face painted by David and Peter to promote our forthcoming "Extra Messy" Church on October 19th. Extra gunge, extra slime, extra paint and extra fun will be on hand as we worship God together in this family friendly afternoon. Hot meal provided for ALL. EVERYONE WELCOME. For full details and booking, visit the “Messy Church” page of this website.
David (pictured) was telling the children about our amazing Friday Club, every week at 5pm. It's aimed at year's 4,5 and 6 children and full of fun activities, games and cooking. Again, ALL WELCOME.
David (pictured) was telling the children about our amazing Friday Club, every week at 5pm. It's aimed at year's 4,5 and 6 children and full of fun activities, games and cooking. Again, ALL WELCOME.
Harvest Fun at St Hildeburgh's
It was wonderful to have a really full church on Sunday morning (29th September) in Hoylake for our Harvest Family Praise service, with many youngsters joining us. There were lively worship songs, plenty of harvest donations to good causes, and a thought-provoking talk from Peter of our Ministry Team (pictured). We even had a Baptism in the service too – welcome to Christ’s family in Hoylake, Willow Grace!
Tour of Britain
On Wednesday 11 September, the Tour of Britain cycle race passed through Hoylake and right past St Hildeburgh's. The sound of the tyres on the road was amazing!
A "Messyversary" - Celebrating our
TWENTIETH 'Messy Church' Afternoon
at St Hildeburgh's
TWENTIETH 'Messy Church' Afternoon
at St Hildeburgh's
We had another wonderful "Messy Church" afternoon at St Hildeburgh's on Saturday, 13th July (2019) - enjoyed by young and old alike. It was particularly great to welcome a number of people coming along to St Hildeburgh's for the very first time. The day was something of a milestone for our church, as this was our TWENTIETH Messy Church afternoon. Given this, we were all in "party mood", with games, competitions, joyful worship, a picnic - and LOTS of fun: Both indoors and outside. To mark the occasion, our churchwarden Jane had made a wonderful "Messyversary" cake - which we all enjoyed. Many and sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to make the day such a success.
July 2019's Confirmation Service at St Hildeburgh's
We had a well attended service of 'confirmation' at St Hildeburgh's on Thursday, 11th July (2019), with Bishop John presiding. Pictured (below) with Bishop John and our Vicar, Rev Paul, are those who were confirmed in the faith during the service. Congratulations!
May's "All Age Communion, Blessing & Baptism"
It was wonderful to welcome a great many worshippers to a full church last Sunday for our morning worship. We had lots of youngsters, new worshippers and a Baptismal family with us. As the sun shone down brightly outside, we sang lively worship songs, prayed and took Communion - or received a blessing - at this our all-age, monthly Communion & Blessing service. The highlight of the service was the Holy Baptism of little Billy at the hands of Rev Paul: Welcome to Christ's Hoylake family, Billy!
Joyful Easter Worship … and an ENORMOUS Easter Egg
It was wonderful to celebrate the Easter ‘Good News’ of Jesus’s resurrection with a bumper congregation on Easter Day: We felt really blessed!
Besides raising the roof with enthusiastic singing of Easter hymns, our young folk had a busy and fun time at their activity tables, and during the service we all renewed our baptism vows (an Easter tradition) before taking our Easter Holy Communion.
The highlight of the service had to be the sudden appearance of an ENORMOUS Easter Egg … out of which ‘hatched’ our vicar, Rev Paul – much to the delight of our youngsters!
Besides raising the roof with enthusiastic singing of Easter hymns, our young folk had a busy and fun time at their activity tables, and during the service we all renewed our baptism vows (an Easter tradition) before taking our Easter Holy Communion.
The highlight of the service had to be the sudden appearance of an ENORMOUS Easter Egg … out of which ‘hatched’ our vicar, Rev Paul – much to the delight of our youngsters!
Our Latest Contributions to Wirral Foodbank
A big ‘Thank You’ from The Wirral Foodbank to our folk from St Hildeburgh’s! Our most recent delivery to the Foodbank amounted to just over 32kg of food.
This will enable the Foodbank to continue to help people in crisis within the community.
At the moment the Foodbank would particularly welcome donations of:
This will enable the Foodbank to continue to help people in crisis within the community.
At the moment the Foodbank would particularly welcome donations of:
- household cleaning products
- toilet rolls
- toiletries
Lively Wednesday Worship for Some of the Youngest Members of our Church Family
St Hildeburgh’s has a very popular and growing “Mums & Tots” group that gets together on Wednesday mornings during school term time. The group is for mums, dads, carers and their young children.
Everyone gets together in our Church Centre (behind the church on Stanley Road, Hoylake) at 10.00am. In the centre there are lots of games, toys and exciting activities. Members of our Ministry Team are on hand to help out and refreshments are provided.
Every other Wednesday at about 11.15, everyone goes along into the church itself, where Rev Paul (Vicar), leads the children in a short and lively time of worship - with songs, stories, prayers and a blessing for all.
St Hildeburgh’s has a very popular and growing “Mums & Tots” group that gets together on Wednesday mornings during school term time. The group is for mums, dads, carers and their young children.
Everyone gets together in our Church Centre (behind the church on Stanley Road, Hoylake) at 10.00am. In the centre there are lots of games, toys and exciting activities. Members of our Ministry Team are on hand to help out and refreshments are provided.
Every other Wednesday at about 11.15, everyone goes along into the church itself, where Rev Paul (Vicar), leads the children in a short and lively time of worship - with songs, stories, prayers and a blessing for all.
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