Download it autumn term newsletter

Join the team who visited TESO, NE Uganda to find out exactly what they got up to, how they coped and how you can get involved if you wish.

With film footage, photos and favourite tales the team will describe their visits to Ngora Freda Carr Hospital, the Parents’ School, the Kellim Well and St Phillip’s Cathedral.

An exhibition of Ngora Students’ artwork, a picture gallery of the folk of St Phillip’s Cathedral congregation and toe-tapping, hip swinging African Music will transport you to this beautiful part of North East Uganda.

A voluntary retiring collection will support St Peter’s Hall at the Parents’ School.

Tickets available from: Dixon 0115 921 1565
Third 0115 984 3304
Church Office 0115 878 0579

My name is Andrew Buchanan.  I was born in Aberdeen, some 46 years ago.  After just a few years my family moved to Bramhall, just south of Manchester, and this was my home for the next 17 years.  Throughout my early years family life revolved around our local Brethren Assembly.  I became a Christian when I was 12 and was baptised a few years later.  It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I loved church, with about as much passion as I hated school, so when I left school, with just a handful of ‘O levels’, there was a lot of discussion about what I should to do next.

In the end it was decided that I would follow my Father into ‘Marketing.’ But after a short course at Newcastle Poly followed by experience as ‘Marketing Assistant’ at Marley Floors, I realised that Marketing wasn’t for me.  The funny thing was that during these years of training my most significant experiences had nothing to do with ‘work’.  At Newcastle I discovered the Baptist church and was struck by their warmth and good teaching.  This deepening of Christian experience continued as I took a History degree at Stirling University, and here I first thought that I might be called into Christian ministry full-time.  But in which church was God calling me to minister?

Whilst I wrestled with this question I did a whole variety of jobs, from selling designer suits in Harrods, to managing the payment of exploration contracts at Mobil Oil.  But what I found, yet again, was that the most significant experiences during these years came not from work but from churches.  It was then that I discovered Charismatic churches for the first time.  Eventually I decided that greater wisdom was needed and so asked a Christian whom I greatly respected, Professor Bebbington, (now Professor of History at Stirling) for advice. He suggested that I should study some theology and recommended either, London Bible College or Regent College, Vancouver. A nano second later the decision was made to go to Canada.

The year I spent at Regent was literally life changing. Here, being taught by the likes of J.I. Packer and Eugene Peterson, I made two monumental discoveries. First, I discovered the Anglican Church for the first time and secondly (and most importantly) discerned that I was to marry my dear friend Suzanne (actually God told me in a dream…but that’s a whole other story).

Armed with this discernment I returned to the UK, married Suzanne, and applied for Ordination in the Church of England.  Wisely (although it didn’t feel like it at the time) the Church asked that I gain more experience in the Church of England – in England.  As a result I spent the next three years as a Youth and Schools worker, before being accepted for training, and spending three years at Wycliffe Hall, in Oxford.

Curacy followed at St. Michael’s Chester, but after 2 short years I was asked to lead a new project at Christ Church, Chester.  It was Bishop Peter Forster’s bright idea that I should take a group of about 20 gentle liberal catholic’s, with 20 adults and 10 children from St. Michael’s (a charismatic evangelical church) to form a new community with a focus on caring for students at the nearby University of Chester.  And it has worked!  Christ Church is now a thriving, friendly, Christ-centred, theologically diverse community with an emphasis upon grace, practical care and fun.  I must confess it will be a struggle to leave this community – but we believe that God is now calling us to St. Peter’s and we hold onto the promise that as God calls he equips.

On behalf of all of the Buchanan clan, I would like to say how excited we are at the prospect of becoming part of St. Peter’s!  Hannah (aged 11), Joseph (aged 9) and Freddie (aged 4) all say that they are looking forward to making new friends. Suzanne and I are excited because, in coming to St. Peter’s, we believe that we are following God’s will and trust that as God calls he equips.

We would really value your prayers as we move from Chester.  Please pray for Christ Church as they enter a period of interregnum.  None of our children, as yet, have school places – your prayers would really be appreciated for this!  Times of change are always a challenge, aren’t they?

Let’s pray for each other, for God’s presence and peace.  See you in January!

Andrew Buchanan

Our small groups are an opportunity to study and share fellowship with up to twelve members of the church in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

If you aren’t currently in a small group but would like to be, contact Andrew Third on 0115 984 3304

Throughout the process we had been praying that the decision would be clear and, despite the fact that all four candidates were very strong, there was remarkable clarity and consensus on the part of those who took part in the process that Andrew Buchanan was the candidate they felt God was calling to Ruddington. This view was confirmed by the interview panel and happily when he was offered the post Andrew shared the view that he was being called to this parish. Andrew’s Licensing will take place on the 31st January, although the family are likely to move into the vicarage some time before that date.

We are delighted that Andrew, Suzanne and the family will be joining us in Ruddington. Over the page is a little more information about Andrew. We would encourage you to pray for the Buchanan family and their church in Chester as the practicalities of their move to Ruddington work themselves out.

Jane Oldfield and Andrew Third — Churchwardens

The latest projection from our treasurer shows that with our current income and commitments St Peter’s will run a deficit this year in excess of £13,000. This is more we have in reserves so represents a very serious situation.

To our surprise the teaching on giving in April and the request to church members to reconsider their giving did not have any significant impact on church income, hence the seriousness of the situation.

While the numbers seem large it is worth remembering that if each adult worshipper committed themselves to give an extra £2.50 per week (£10 per month) to God’s work, the deficit would be entirely eradicated.

The PCC will be considering in June what action needs to be taken to reduce our costs and commitments if extra income cannot be found.

St Peter’s supports Francis and Alsion Pidugu through our giving to their vital work for Christ in India.

Working in Goa Francis and Alison confront every day the consequences of the pagan style practices of the local Hindu population.

Much of their work is with children, rescuing them from the streets and for many girls rescuing them from the prospect of becoming temple prostitutes.

Francis will be able to give a deep insight into a culture that most of us are very unfamiliar with, in what promises to be a very interesting evening of presentation and prayer.

Do please make an effort to attend if you can. The PCC are tied up in another meeting that day but it would be excellent if good numbers of others came to listen to Francis.