CHORLEY UNITARIAN CHAPEL

Transcription

1 CHORLEY UNITARIAN CHAPEL Park Street, Chorley PR7 1ER FOUNDED 1725 Newsletter and Calendar of Events February - March 2018 THIS FAITH COMMUNITY RECOGNISES THE WORTH AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE AND THEIR FREEDOM TO BELIEVE AS THEIR CONSCIENCES DICTATE. LET NO ONE BE A STRANGER HERE.

2 From The Chair John Hewerdine Our Chapel reaches out to Chorley... As a Unitarian congregation, it has been known to us for some time that our Quaker friends have been welcomed into the Chorley Churches Network. Unitarians are often not accepted by Churches Together, as they used to be called. It does vary across the country and, as we are a liberal faith, accepting members from other backgrounds as well as those from the Christian religions, we are often rejected by the local (mostly Christian) Churches Network. For several years we have considered approaching the Chorley Churches Network but recently our minister approached them on our behalf and the result has been surprisingly positive. They have monthly meetings at Living Waters Church. Keith Hargreaves, of the Society of Friends had prepared the way and, having introduced Jim Corrigal to the meeting, John Lacey (their convenor) was very welcoming. Jim also discussed inter-faith activity with them but, as we have discovered ourselves, there has been little interest in interaction from the non-christian community here in the recent past. The main business, at the meeting Jim attended, was an excellent talk on Working with refugees in the North West from a representative of The Boaz Trust in Manchester, which describes itself as, serving destitute asylum seekers. It was well received. The network extended a welcome to members of Chorley Unitarian Chapel to attend future events. In particular, the next Network Meeting will be on Friday 26 th January at Living Waters Church. Let me know if you would like to go along. There were also appeals to help extend Street Pastors in Chorley and to help with hospital chaplaincy...

3 At our service on Sunday, January 21 st, 2018, the Rev. Jim Corrigall did a double christening during the service. Jessica Jayne Armstrong, aged 2 and Erin Joan Armstrong, who will be 1 year old in March. They are the daughters of Mark and Susan Armstrong who now live in Southport. Monday, 5 th March 2018 NELUM meeting at Bury Unitarian Church at 7.15 pm. On the 4 th April 7 th April 2018, it is the General Assembly Annual Meetings at Staverton Estate. Anyone interested in representing our congrigation should have a word with John Hewerdine. For those of our members who cannot make it to Chapel because of ill-health, we want you to know that we are thinking about you. We send you our lover and prayers. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL OF THE GA QUOTA I wish to renew my membership/become a member (delete as appropriate) of Chorley Chapel. Please note we now pay 35 per person for the GA Quota membership. I enclose herewith my subscription of.. Name. Address.

4 Febuary 2018 SUN. 4 TH TUE 13 TH SUN. 18 TH WED. 21 ST SERVICE OF WORSHIP at 11 am Conducted by: Jean Longworth Member s Monthly Meeting at 2 pm in the Hall. SERVICE OF WORSHIP at 11 am Conducted by: Rev. J. Corrigall Poetry Meeting at 2 pm at Hester Crawford s home. Subject: William Wordsworth SUN. 25 TH QUIET SERVICE at 11 am Conducted by: Graham Dickinson SNOW by H. W. Longfellow Out of the bosom of the air Out of the cloud-folds of her garment shaken, Over the woodlands, brown and bare, Over the harvest-fields forsaken, Silent, and soft, and slow Descends the snow.

5 March 2018 SUN. 4 TH Sat 10 th TUE 13 TH SUN. 18 TH WED. 21 ST SUN. 25 TH SERVICE OF WORSHIP at 11 am Conducted by: John Hewerdine This will be a short service in the Hall followed by the AGM. Touching the Spirit 11.0am, followed by light refreshments afterwards at mid-day by Mark Hutchinson NO MEMBER S MONTH MEETING SERVICE OF WORSHIP at 11 am Conducted by: Rev. J. Corrigall Poetry Meeting at 2 pm at Daphne Robert s home. Subject: A. E. Houseman QUIET SERVICE at 11 am from SPRING IS COME by Gabor Kereki The season of reviving life is come! There is life-giving blessing in the air, touching with magic the slumbering world. Welcome, season of returning life! Warm every home! Bring hope and joy to every beating human heart.

6 FLOWERS Feb. 4 th Sylvia Merrick 18 th Lilian Ratcliffe 25 th Mar. 4 th Glenys Watkins 18 th Hester Crawford 25 th BIRTHDAYS Mar. 5 th Hester Crawford 7 th Glenys Watkins 31 st Hilary France QUAKER MEETINGS in the Hall at am Feby. 11 th & 25 th. March 11 th & 25 th

7 Touching the Spirit with Mark Hutchinson You probably know that Mark is at present completing his course of ministerial studies at Unitarian College, Manchester. Many of you will have met him at Chapel, through his contact with us as part of his work with the Lancashire Collaborative Ministry. Mark has recently been floating his ideas on Touching the Spirit, a series of outreach sessions. These are aimed at drawing in individuals, within local communities, so that they can explore their own spirituality within a safe and supportive Unitarian environment. Mark has kindly agreed to run a taster session with us on Saturday 10 th March with readings, discussion and meditation at 11.0am, followed by light refreshments afterwards at mid-day. We need to support this venture so if you are interested in promoting, participating or helping in any way, please talk to me about it. All are welcome... John Hewerdine. Mark Hutchinson

8 We Unitarians Welcome you. The chapel was founded for the worship of God and the service of man in the spirit of Jesus Christ. No creedal test is imposed on either Minister or Members and all who find the services helpful are invited to apply to become members of the congregation. Are you a group wishing to meet in Central Chorley? If so, you will be pleased to hear that our premises are available for your use. The hall is a good size and is currently being used by other religious groups as well as for yoga and marshal-arts activities. Other types of group will be welcome. The premises can be booked by the hour in daytime or evenings and in addition to our good sized hall there is an attractive kitchen and modern handicapped-friendly toilet facilities. Our attractive Chapel is comfortable and could be utilised by Choir Groups or for Gatherings of an academic nature (where the setting is ideal for presentations or other ceremonies). Please ask for further details: Ken Ratcliffe