Christ in Majesty have been inspected and the First Aid boxes in both churches and the halls are now up to legal standards. Another very vital role in the Parish is the Safeguarding Officer, and we are so pleased to have Jean Demack who stepped in to take over from Mrs Selby. Jean comes to us with a vast wealth of experience and we are thankful for her. Farewell This year a number of our very faithful members have died, including: Glenise Selby (Parish Warden) Beryl Simcock [CHS] Valerie Morris Dorothy Milicent Chard Gaynor Edwards [CHS] May they Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory Lent Appeal Many of you will be very interested in this photograph showing our 150th Anniversary stained glass window in the making. The makers are Pendle Stained Glass of Padiham, Burnley, . You will note a number of black dots on the coloured glass; this is plasticine – evidently a tool of the trade. We expect the window to be installed in either late April or at sometime in May, and our hope is that you will be thrilled at the result. The Church of the Holy Spirit It may not be denied that CHS has gone through some rather lean times lately and just recently we bid a very fond farewell to two of our very faithful long-time members, Beryl Simcock and Gaynor Edwards, But the congregation continues to provide hospitality and a friendly family atmosphere to those who gather to worship. We are truly grateful to all who give of their time and talents to ensure that the work goes on; and we must say thank you to our organist, Mr Richard Ablitt, who we are very lucky to have! Our monthly coffee mornings continue to occupy a place in people’s diaries and all the monies have gone towards paying for the recent improvements to the building, as well as contributing towards our Parish Share and charitable organisations. The hall is much in use and it seems that as soon as one group moves elsewhere, there are others waiting to book the hall. This year we say bye-bye to the Sixth Prestatyn Scouts who have been with us for three years. CHS has been a very satisfactory venue for the occasional Sunday at Six and Messy Church service; in fact it is ideally suited. It is clean and bright, all on one level, it has a good kitchen and fully accessible toilet facilities. In a very recent upgrade to our facilities we are pleased to report the installation of a PowerPoint and data projector and screen, which, we suspect, will come in very useful. We have had our trials and tribulations this year; not the least of which were two break-ins, the first of which resulted in many items strewn over the floor, and the second when the safe was cut from its steel frame, dragged across the newly-restored floor and spirited away. Massive damage was caused at that time and Mr Ken Say is working very hard to settle things with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. It was upsetting, but we shall overcome! With thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future, we embark on another year, trusting in God’s desire for us to continue worshipping him in this place and grasping more of God’s vision for the ministry at CHS. The character and atmosphere of CHS is quite different, but complementary to that of the Parish Church. However, we are constantly reminded by the Vicar that we are two equal congregations - but one parish! Keeping Us Safe It has been another busy year for Maureen Payne, our Health & Safety Officer, as she has been making sure that all Health and Safety issues were addressed and updated. We can report that all portable electrical items are now PAT tested, and that all fire extinguishers Page | 4 | Last year we were able to send more than £1200 to the Diocesan Offering which was in support of the Archbishop Alwyn Rice Jones Charitable Trust. This was a tremendous response and has greatly boosted the work done in memory of our beloved Archbishop Alwyn. Following on from that success, our Lent Appeal this year will support – Farming Community Network [FCN] a Christian organisation providing support to people in the farming community. With a network of some 300 volunteers, FCN provides pastoral and practical support to farming communities, helping people to find a positive way forward through their business or household problems for as long as it is needed. After the harsh winter in 2013, FCN has been helping farmers across the Diocese and indeed throughout Wales, to get back on their feet. Most of their volunteers are involved with farming or have close links with agriculture and FCN has a clear Christian ethos in all it does. All their services are made available to people of all faiths and none, and are offered in a supportive and non-judgemental manner As with last year’s Appeal, there will be Lent Offering envelopes and there will be various fund-raising events organised. Can you organise an event? And Finally . . . As I have typed these pages I am amazed at how much is happening in our Parish. In 2013 there were 55 Holy Baptisms, 12 weddings, 27 funerals (in church). The Parish Church has been open daily for private prayer and is greatly appreciated by all who visit. Our Annual Vestry Meeting takes place on Sunday 2 March at the 10.45am Service in Parish of Prestatyn: In Touch the Parish Church – please use it as an occasion to get involved. no THE LORD BLESS YOU Page | 4 | Parish of Prestatyn: In Touch