Editor at St Lawrence Church, Gnosall

A BUSY TIME

2010-12-16T13:02:00.005Z

I mentioned in my last post that I was looking for a new way of getting more contributions to the web site. Thanks to Steve Grice I have discovered Wordpress. This is really a blog site but ideal for community work.

I have tried it out with http://gnosall.info and the results are looking quite hopeful. With this under my belt I've now embarked on a new blog site for the benefice. The results will depend on how many parishioners are encouraged to get involved. Have a look on http://sbgoc.info

If there is anyone who wishes to contribute then please contact me or Revd Mark Bridgen.

Food for thought

2010-10-16T13:15:00.003+01:00

Is it really a month ago since my last post. I've been really busy thinking about the future of the church website particularly with the enlargement of the benefice. I'm looking for a system that can be authored and edited by a team rather than be dependent on one person.
I think I've found it so I'm trying it out with the Gnosall Parish News. You can judge it yourself by looking at the beta version of http://www.gnosall.info
Let me know what you think.

Moreton Villages

2010-08-16T23:08:00.002+01:00

Glad to hear from David Winterbottom this week. He is the editor of the Moreton, Bromstead and Outwoods newsletter and their web site.

We are pleased to add a link to this web site on our 'Community Links'and hope to hear soon from similar organisers in the new benefice.

Something new!

2010-08-03T15:52:00.003+01:00

This week we've added a new item. With the hope that it will spread the news of what is happening at ALL the churches in Gnosall as well as attracting new readers to our web site.
With the cooperation of the producers of 'Gnosall Parish News' we've added a download of this months edition. It is hoped to make this a regular each month.
Thanks to all who have asked about my health. I am pleased to report that I have been discharged by my Neurologist (Brain surgeon) and am getting to grips with daily insulin injections.

Congratulations

2010-07-12T18:14:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to all who contribute to this web site. We were voted in the Top Ten of web sites in Lichfield Diocese.
This is very satisfying together with a hit rate of over 12000 per month.
I'm sure however that we can improve, so would really like our regular readers to let us know what they like and what they don't.
Thanks to all.

Back from hospital

2010-06-12T22:56:00.004+01:00

I have been suffering from a subdural haemotoma (help spelling) and was extremely well cared for by University Hospital North Staffs. A fantastic place with very talented staff. I am grateful to all of them, from cleaners to surgeons for the care I received over the last two weeks. I am now back home and recovering my strength gradually.

ANNUAL REVIEW OF WEBSITE

2010-05-10T11:38:00.006+01:00

We will be meeting on 1 June to consider the web site past and future. Suggestions or comments should be addressed to Mark or myself. The develelopment of the benefice should prompt some suggestions.
Well its official! I need my head examined. I must have a lot of company because the nearest appointment is at W'hampton on 7 June. Unfortunately I have been instructed to cancel our holiday.

Slip Up

2010-04-22T14:51:00.004+01:00

Sorry - I've been off air for a while. I'm back home and the site should now be back up to date.
I was walking the dog and somehow managed to fall over. Apart from a suspected broken arm and a persistent headache I'm getting back to 'retirement'
I went to Cannock hospital to see the consultant about my arm but realized when I got there that the appointment was at Stafford! - Need my head looking at as well I think.

Easter interest

2010-04-07T23:51:00.003+01:00

I thought something might be needed to attract interest so I've included a topical video for Easter.
It would be useful to know what you would like to see on the site. Do you think it is interesting or useful or neither?

Good news on the health front my PSA is registering 0.03 so I am very pleased but continuing the hormone implants which have some very uncomfortable side effects.

Downloads

2010-03-04T11:55:00.003Z

I have just added a new menu item labelled 'Downloads'. It can be found in the LH sidebar.The contents are reports etc. and are PDFs which can be downloaded to your desktop and read using Adobe Reader.
Readership of our site is growing at a steady rate but I would still appreciate any feedback on which things you like or maybe could be better presented.

Happy New Year

2010-01-11T12:51:00.004Z

A busy year just completed. Since we started the website 12 months ago we have had 5500 visitors to the site. and averaged 8000 hits per month, peaking at 9300 in October. Thanks to everyone who has contributed, particularly our vicar, Mark and Jim for the photos. Special thanks are also due to Diane who has regularly contributed from her activities.
On a personal note, my radiotherapy treatment has finished and during the last week or two I have felt much more my old self. I must wait till March for a recheck.
Happy New Year to everyone

Radiotherapy complete

2009-12-02T22:48:00.003Z

At last! 37 sessions finished. Treatment and staff at Stoke hospital have been first class. A dedicated team who treat all patients with cheerful and respectful courtesy. A great team.
Nevertheless I am pleased that Dorothy and I don't have to make the trip every weekday any more.
I shan't know how effective it has been for three months and the side effects may take a few weeks to clear. But I'm sure everything will be OK.
Looking forward to getting back to some sort of normality.

Half way there

2009-11-03T13:46:00.003Z

In the last two weeks we have managed to add our church programme for Advent and Christmas to the web site.
My own time is cut short now by travelling to and from Stoke General Hospital. We have been blessed with some marvellous weather whist travelling and it has been a delight to travel through a really amazing colourful countryside whist the trees have changed their colour.
I'm not suffering any serious side effects from the radiotherapy, although I do admit to feeling rather more tired than usual. Today is the 19th session of 37.

Diocesan Links added

2009-10-15T13:05:00.004+01:00

We've added a link to the Diocesan Newsletter and also to Diocesan Marriage page. Usual updates to the weekly services in centre column. Thanks to Jim for his pictures of the flowers in church for Harvest. More will be shown in next week or two.
My radiotherapy treatment is now well under way without any noticeable side-effects except spasmodic tiredness. I may have suffered from this anyway.
On the plus side we have taken advantage of being in the Stoke area to visit The Portmerion Factory shop, Trentham Gardens, The Monkey Forest and The Wedgewood Centre so it has been a 'day out'.

Changes to first page

2009-09-30T14:16:00.003+01:00

In an attempt to make it more attractive we've made a change to the way we show service details. They are now in an 'Accordian' list. Click on the title bar and you'll see.
I've been to Stoke hospital and now got 'target' tattoos. (I did ask for Stafford Knot but the nurse wasn't up to it). Tomorrow I go for verification on the main machine. I'm told I won't be radioactive because they are a type of X-ray.

Is it really 3weeks ago?

2009-09-17T16:33:00.003+01:00

Been quite a busy few weeks. We've added a welcome flyer which can be viewed on our web site or downloaded. If you want a coloured copy for a neighbour see Mark.
Tomorrow I start my Radiotherapy at Stoke. Every day of the week for seven weeks (and two more for luck!). I think I am due for lining up and marking targets tomorrow. I know there are others also going through this treatment from Gnosall so I can get some feedback.

Pressure off

2009-08-26T13:26:00.004+01:00

Mark has been on holiday which, while heaping responsibilty on certain other officials in the church, takes the pressure off the new news coming out.
At home we've been renovating the office with new IKEA furniture. We're very pleased with the result.

'FRONT PAGE NEWS'

2009-08-12T14:04:00.004+01:00

To make new notices more accessible I have put a notice board panel on the front page which will contain titles of notices. The Notice Board page can be opened by clicking the heading.
You may notice there are also two other quick access panels - The Quick Klick, for regularly viewed items and the Just added panel (self explanatory). The holiday club was a great success as the photos show.

Sidespersons and Readers rota added

2009-08-10T16:13:00.005+01:00

This week we have extended the coverage of our site to include the Sidespersons' rota and the Readers' rota. It can be found in three places this week. 'Just added', 'Top lh box' where it will be regularly and links have been added to 'Contacts'.
On a personal note, I have had a hormone implant which will last me until October when my radiotherapy treatment should start at Stoke. The only side effect is hot flushes which may be useful in winter -- but not this week.

1450 Mile Round Trip

2009-07-28T17:54:00.002+01:00

Just back from our visit to Turnberry to see the Open Golf Championship and then on to the Highlands of Scotland and Skye. A beautiful tour.
Sorry I have not been able to update the website last week but everything should be back to normal as soon as I can scan through about 400 emails to find the important ones.

A New Experience

2009-07-04T14:33:00.000+01:00

A busy week this week. Quite out of the blue a TV researcher rang me (Idon't know why) and asked if I would like to join the Hairy Bikers Show to be filmed at The Moat House at Stafford on Wednesday for showing in the Autumn, probably end of August. It took from 4pm till 10pm and there was a lot of waiting around. You can see from the snap how hot the bikers were.
On the web site this week we have the regular sermon from Mark (I've added scroll bars) and also some photographs taken at last week's carnival.

Friends and Carnival

2009-06-25T11:55:00.003+01:00

Over the last two weeks we have been busy adding a link to Friends of St Lawrence Church. This now includes a facility to join the Friends or to donate to the Lights Appeal.
More recently we have had the Carnival and Fete in the village. I would like to include some photos if anyone has any then email them to editor@st-lawrence-gnosall.com

A Really Useful Site

2009-06-10T17:42:00.003+01:00

We want St Lawrence web site to be used and therefore we are going to great lengths to include things which make it really useful. Not to visit just once but to regularly to find out what the church offers in our community.
In the latest issue we've added two innovative features

Mark has agreed to let us have his sermon before each Sunday Service. It will only be kept for seven days, then it will be replaced by a current version.
The bible reading for the week. The link takes you to Bible Gateway where you can read any of umpteen versions or languages.

We have also done our best to include meta information to improve our search engine position.
Di has contributed a piece of helpful advice on how to treat children in church.

Review Meeting

2009-06-04T18:31:00.003+01:00

The meeting on Tuesday was very productive. We reviewed our links with other gnosall websites and the useability of the site. 'Community' becomes 'Life Events' and the priest-in-charge's sermon will be added each week. (but not cumulatively retained so read promptly if you're interested).
Di learned of the benefits of the calendar for notifying invitees via email and sending reminders. The PIC and the CW also intend to maintain events on the calendar.
On a personal level my heart specialists at Stoke and Stafford have discharged me so I can concentrate on my prost can.

PHOTO LIBRARY

2009-04-30T15:32:00.004+01:00

Something new again this week. Have a look at the new photo gallery slide show for the Junior Church. If you have some interesting non-personal photos the let me have them and we can decide between us on how to use them.
I've been busy this week learning how to make the site more interactive and have found some interesting widgets. The photos use one of them.
Guess who's going to Venice soon.

Background to the post of Lay Pioneer Minister

2009-04-16T16:28:00.002+01:00

This week Diane has provided a background to herself and her duties as Lay Pioneer Minister. It is obvious she has taken on a heavy work load and will need all our prayers. We have added a link to this under "People' in the menu bar. and of course put an initial link on the first page.
I have visited Stafford Hospital again this week, this time for a CT scan to check on some abnormality spotted by the Nuclear scan. The Doctors have been very prompt in following this up and I am hoping it is something not important that I have known about for 12 years.

New Links to Junior Church

2009-04-08T14:36:00.005+01:00

This week in colaboration with the School Ministry Team I have been compiling a section for The Junior Church. It has entailed revising the menu bar so you will now see a tab for Junior Church instead of the little used Links.
Here you will find information and photos regarding School Church events such as the forthcoming Good Friday Workshop as well as Photos of the Pancake Party and other Junior Church activities like Holiday Club and Kids@Essence after-school club.
See also Mark's Benefice Statement telling us of the developments on Woodseaves, Adbaston, Knightly etc.
The Annual Parochial meeting is due shortly and the annual Report can be downloaded from the web site.
Following my hospital test I am glad to say that although I am due Radiation therapy for Prostate Cancer the hospital consultant Mr James has caught it in time and it has not spread beyond the prostate.

Ready for Easter

2009-04-02T13:45:00.005+01:00

We hope you've enjoyed the details of our Easter Experience. I've added information giving details of burial arrangements and also with the Annual Parochial Meeting coming up there is the Annual Report from the Priest-in-charge and the PCC.
Two important additions have been incorporated into our web site.
1 The inclusion of PDF files for download, so enabling printable documentst to be included.
2 A column on the first page of the site including a direct link to new additions e.g Annual Report, and Burials. Please note that both these items will be retrievable also from the more permanent locations of PCC and Funerals.

Not a lot this week

2009-03-24T10:54:00.000Z

Unfortunately the vicar has caught a virus (on his computer). On a personal level we have had a lovely weekend with Dorothy's brothers visiting from Barrow and Turnberry. We affirmed our wedding vows at St Austin's in Stafford.

A Real Challenge

2009-03-12T21:30:00.000Z

Jim and Diane through down the gauntlet this week with a number of nice pictures and a good write-up related to the Easter Experience at our Church in Gnosall.
On a personal level I have had an uncomfortable few days since my biopsy on Wednesday. I was fortunate to be first in the queue so I was in and out quite early. I know they come in for some criticism at times but I have been grateful for some first class treatment by super teams. (and I haven't finished yet!

Guided Tour updated

2009-03-07T16:46:00.000Z

I've spent some time this week on tidying up the Guided Tour. I hope that the additions such as a separate browser window for the plan and the information pop-ups willmake it more informative and easier to use.
On a personal note I'm still occupied by tests at the hospital. I was due an MRI scan on Wednesday but couldn't have it because of the recently fitted stents but I did get a Nuclear Bone scan on Friday. Not looking forward to biopsy next Wednesday.

Another small delay

2009-02-28T12:24:00.000Z

I was a bit late posting this week due to another visit to EAU at Stafford Hospital. I was worried that the stents fitted a week or two ago had become displaced or blocked. However after another go on the treadmill I passed OK so back to normal.

RADIO STOKE VISIT ST LAWRENCE CHURCH

2009-02-18T17:03:00.000Z

OOps! Nearly forgot. The big event this week was on Sunday morning when Radio Stoke recorded the morning Eucharist. The producer seemed impressed so we are waiting to hear what it sounds like on radio (or via our web site). It will be running all next week starting from Sunday 22 Feb.

History, Tour Guide and St Mary's Moreton

2009-02-16T23:20:00.000Z

This has been a week for the buildings. The history of the church and Tour Guide has been included (from the previously published guide) and St Mary's Moreton has been added too.
I almost forgot it was St Valentine's Day last Saturday.
I did a bit better than this poor chap!

Another busy week

2009-02-10T15:24:00.000Z

This week we have added details of our community services, weddings, baptisms, funerals etc. I missed church this week due to a heavy cold so am working between the sniffs and coughs.
I have moved prayers from notice board to 'Worship'. It has its own sub-heading as 'Weekly Prayers'.
We'll probably have cause to do a bit of this as we develop.

Slight Hiccup (or worse)

2009-01-30T17:56:00.000Z

Wow, what a week. I Didn't get onto my computer this week. Started with chest pains last Wednesday and ended with an angiogram and stents fitted in one of my arteries the next Wednesday. However I am as good as new (reconditioned) and back to the task.
This week I'm working on the ministry teams which you can find under 'People' in the top menu.

WEB SITE NEWS

2009-01-20T14:59:00.000Z

This week we received The Bishop of Lichfield, The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, to conduct the Confirmation Service. You can see a photograph of the Confirmation Group on the web site http://www.st-lawrence-gnosall.com under Events/Gallery/ Services.
This week a Parish boundaries Map has been added under Church/Location/Parish Boundary from here you can also go to 'A Church Near You' to find the nearest church to where you live or perhaps visiting.
Lots to do! Let's see some of your photos or perhaps news of an exciting event you are planning.

Latest Developments

2009-01-15T15:52:00.000Z

Jim has provided some fine photos of the church. They have been included on the Church Plan but you'll need to search around for them.
What kind of pictures do you think should be put on the site? Have you any photos that you think could be useful.
This is the second week we've been 'On air' so to speak and we are still having to rethink. I've changed 'This week' under 'Events' to read 'Notice Board' that way we can include new forthcoming events. Perhaps we may need another 'This Week'. What do YOU think?

New Web Site

2009-01-10T17:51:00.000Z

Well, we've started. Quite a lot of work at the moment because I've just updated my computer software. It should make things better but it's a very steep learning curve. However we've mastered the basics and a fair amount has been achieved. We need to get some pictures now.

New Church Web Site

2008-12-26T14:49:00.000Z

Working in collaboration with the Vicar and Jim McGregor, the editor is in the process of compiling a new web site for St Lawrence church Gnosall. We would be delighted to receive suggestions on what should be included.
Please be the first to make a contribution. If you use this page for your comments then others may be prompted also.