Joint Pastorate of Radcliffe, Stand & Farnworth United Reformed Churches. Issue 5

Transcription

1 Joint Pastorate of Radcliffe, Stand & Farnworth United Reformed Churches Issue 5

2 Rev. Nigel Adkinson Manse: Last year we had an amazing response to our Shoebox Appeal at Radcliffe and we have even bigger plans for this year. Once again we will split the contents between months and this year Stand and Farnworth are joining in. If you are interested in knitting, this will carry on throughout the collection period from April to October and again we would like: Deadline date for December / January issue 6 November Please give any items for the next publication to Elaine Robinson The communications team will then decide whether the items will go online, in print or on the notice board. Read By The Way on line: Hats, Bags, Puppets, Purses These are the items we will be collecting everything must be new April - Soap, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Facecloths and Sponges May - Colouring Books, Notebooks, Pencil Crayons, Felt Tips Pens, Pencils June - Toys Playing Cards, Dominoes, Cars, Jigsaws, Dolls July - Combs, Brushes, Clips, Bobbles Aug - Balls, Yoyos, Skipping Ropes Sept - Soft Toys Oct - Sweets (no Chocolate) We cannot accept anything with batteries, anything associated with war (guns/knives etc.) or any liquids. The Service at Radcliffe URC on the 30 th October will also include the Blessing of the Shoe Boxes.

3 DATE RADCLIFFE URC 11:00am STAND URC 9:30am FARNWORTH URC 10:45am October 2 Margaret Holcroft Cath Hilton Revd N Adkinson October 9 Revd N Adkinson Communion Revd N Adkinson Communion Alan Eccles October 16 Alison Close Alison Close Revd N Adkinson October 23 Revd N Adkinson Café Style Worship Revd N Adkinson Breakfast Service Jim Hurst October 30 Revd N Adkinson Blessing of the shoe boxes Revd N Adkinson Bob May November 6 Sue Metcalfe Wendy Smith at Radcliffe URC with Stand URC Communion November 12 Remembrance (Saturday) *********** Service 3:00pm *********** November 13 Joint Remembrance Service at Radcliffe URC 10:15am with Stand URC Rev Sheila Coop November 20 Cath Hilton at Radcliffe URC with Stand URC November 27 Revd N Adkinson Revd N Adkinson Breakfast Service December 4 Janet Gunby at Radcliffe URC with Stand URC Lauire Shaw Revd Mike Aspinall Revd N Adkinson From November 2016 until March 2017 Stand URC & Radcliffe URC will have Joint Services at 11:00am at Radcliffe URC except where specifically identified Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, (Hebrews 12: 1) My plans for the summer were to take a leisurely reflective look at my ministry across the pastorate and consider how God is leading us, the challenges, the joys, the pitfalls and the unexpected twists and turns that are an inevitable part of our discipleship. I wanted to give some time and thought to the Synod initiative around Future Patterns of Ministry and how we meet the challenge of this as churches, creating time for Ministers to share their ministry a little more widely while still being fruitful for God s Kingdom. Then I developed a very painful eye condition that led to five days in hospital and a further three weeks resting at home God created the time for me and I have tried to use it. All three churches supported me through prayer, visits and phone calls, you cared and you worked hard in keeping church life vibrant and full. The Holiday at Home venture in early July was a real blessing as people from the three churches and wider community joined us at Radcliffe URC for a tour of England, Scotland and Wales. Friendships were made, loneliness was overcome and much fun and laughter was had. The beautiful daffodils, thistles and roses that were made as part of the craft activities still grace the windowsills of the church at Radcliffe a reminder as summer fades, of the fun of precious moments shared and bible reflections offered each day as part of our journey. Thank you to all involved. A Visit to Lapland is planned for the 29 th November, so keep the date free and enjoy the day with us.

4 2 nd Bacon Butty Club Radcliffe URC 10:00-10:30am 5 th Stand URC Church Meeting (with Alison Dalton) 6:00pm 5 th Strictly Come Crafting Radcliffe URC 1:30pm 9 th Church Meeting Radcliffe URC 12:30pm 12 th Friendship Club 2:00pm at Radcliffe URC 19 th Strictly Come Crafting Radcliffe URC 1:30pm 26 TH Friendship Club - Potato Pie Lunch 12 noon Radcliffe URC 28 th Farnworth Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12noon in the school building. All welcome. 30 th The Service at Radcliffe URC will also include the Blessing of the Shoe Boxes. Stand URC are having a KITCHEN REFURBISHMENT. Work is planned to start on 12 th October. Please be aware that various groups who meet at Stand may be on hold until the work is finished. Please speak to Audrey for further information. Chapelfield Village Association Meeting: Wednesday 19 th October 7:00pm A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE will take place at Stand URC on Saturday November 12 th at 3:00pm AVINAS SUBEDI - NEPAL 2 nd Strictly Come Crafting Radcliffe URC 1:30pm 6 th Bacon Butty Club Radcliffe URC 10:00-10:30am 9 th Friendship Club 2:00pm at Radcliffe URC 11 th 40 s Evening at Radcliffe URC 12 th Remembrance Service at Stand URC 3:00pm 12 th 40 s Evening at Radcliffe URC 16 th Strictly Come Crafting Radcliffe URC 1:30pm 18 th Christmas Fayre set up 12 noon onwards 19 th Radcliffe URC Christmas Fayre 23 rd Friendship Club 2:00pm at Radcliffe URC 25 th Farnworth Coffee Morning & Raffle 10am-12noon in the school building. All welcome. 29 th Holiday at Home Radcliffe URC 10:00am 30 th Strictly Come Crafting Radcliffe URC 1:30pm Avinas is a young boy sponsored by Stand URC. He has recently passed his exams in Nepal. I have recently written to Avinas congratulating him and I have sent a card from church. We are very proud of him. - Doreen Richards. CHERUBS started back on 5 September. Some children have left Cherubs and we wish them success in their new journey at school. We have gained a few new children and we hope that they will learn new skills at Cherubs. Doreen, Audrey, Barbara & Brenda

5 As we wait for plans to reveal themselves a little more at Farnworth, we have our hopes and dreams of moving forward in the autumn, if we can find a developer interested in the development of the church site and creating a new building for us. We are grateful to the Synod for the interest they have shown in supporting our plans and to the Moderator for leading a bible study, meeting members of the church fellowship and leading our Harvest worship on 18 th September. I am grateful to the people at Farnworth who have come forward and offered to help us in very significant ways, to support and stand alongside us in our present situation; Taking on new responsibilities and using their gifts and time for the benefit of the whole church. Over the summer we have gathered together the threads of our new Community Ministry Project at Radcliffe. The Elders have met with Sarah Lewis (Pulse Regeneration) who is helping us in identifying community groups and issues in which we can become involved. Looking back at that meeting the Holy Spirit clearly moved among us. The question was asked Shouldn t we ask Stand to be involved in these discussions? An Elders Meeting at Stand led to this idea being embraced joyfully albeit with a little fear. A joint Elders Meeting will take place on the 11 th October and then hopefully we will move to wider church discussions. Acknowledging that making decisions can be painful, we made a further decision at Stand. We agreed to move three of our four worship services a month to Radcliffe between November and March, but still meet for the Breakfast Service at 9.30am on the fourth Sunday of the month. This decision has revealed ever new and exciting possibilities for the two churches and the future has an air of hope and expectation about it. We are planning to hold a weekly Prayer / Communion Service at Stand during the day. We are considering plans for the development of Messy Church based at Stand. Our plans also include creating stronger links with Chapelfield School. In all we have experienced together in the last few weeks, we have been truly blessed. I have been blessed as your Minister surrounded by people willing to get involved, to take risks, to recognise pain, and to journey with a sense of real joy and hope. The Holy Spirit is moving among us. We are blessed by one another, and those we are meeting on our journey; the new encounters and the new insights. Supporting, loving and caring for one another is giving us strength for the race that is set before us. We are learning to travel in new ways and we are throwing off the burden of those things that hold us back, doubt and fear and anxiety. Feeling stronger, we can perhaps look now at how we might reach out to our neighbour churches currently in vacancy and think about what we may be able to offer to support and encourage them. So what about that great cloud of witnesses that surround us? I have certainly felt their presence in the last few weeks, encouraging and leading us forward. Those witnesses that have run the race set before them and now cheer us on gathered in the heavenly realm, around God s throne of grace. May we be gracious with one another, as our race of perseverance stretches before us. As we move into the autumn season, with its vibrant colours and its mellowness of nature, let us pause to recognise among us, the God we love, revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is Christ who gives us food for the journey and transforms us through the power of his love at work in the world. It is Christ on whom we should fix our eyes for the future that lies ahead of us. He will lead us and take us where he needs us to go, carrying the light of his love to light up the places of darkness. Blessings to all Nigel

6 Remember Ypres, Gallipoli, the Somme, Mons and Verdun. Remember the Western Desert, El Alamein, the Normandy beaches. Remember Coventry, Dresden, Hiroshima and the Burma Road. Remember Korea, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, East Timor, Afghanistan and the Gulf. Remember the courage, the comradeship, the ingenuity, the spirit of working together for a common cause, the planning together for a better world that would come with peace. Remember the call to arms, the patriotic songs, the partings which were such sweet sorrow. The sound of the drum, the skirl of the pipe, the prayer that God would be on our side. Remember the carnage; the colossal horror of war. Remember the widows of sixty years and more, the old men and women who never knew their fathers. Remember the love that was lost, the wisdom wasted, the minds that are still pained by memories. Remember the families bereft by recent wars and conflict. Remember this day the children who will die while nation fights nation. Remember the One who asked us to remember them. Father, remember us; and forgive us our sins against you and our fellow man. A FANTASTIC EFFORT!! Many thanks to the children, adults and all the sponsors of Farnworth URC Playgroup who took part in a Sponsored Walk for church funds on the 10th August. The event was organised by one of our Elders and Playgroup Leader Kath Prescott. Kath provided an amazing buffet after the walk helped by family and friends. This was a wonderful community effort and has raised over 300 so far with a little more money still to come in. Farnworth COFFEE MORNINGS and Raffle 10am-12noon in the school buildings: Friday 28 th October, Friday 25 th November & Friday 16 th December. All welcome. Farnworth URC are looking for an ORGANIST with availability on Sundays. Please contact Andrew Jones, Church Secretary for more information. His details are under Pastoral Contacts. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mrs Walton who celebrated 91 years in August. THANK YOU Myself and my family wish to thank Nigel and the Church Family for the prayers, love and care given to me before, during and after my operation. God Bless you all. Love Jean Holbrook. FRIENDSHIP CLUB POTATO PIE LUNCH The Potato Pie Lunch is on Wednesday 26 th October 2016 at 12 noon. Cost is Tickets can be obtained from Vera Stubbs.

7 Margaret Atkinson Lillian and Peter Boydell Lillian is now home from hospital Dorothy Clifton in her new home Jean Holbrook recently home from hospital Dorothy Harper Gladys Halton Dorothy & Stanley Nelson Mavis Chapman The family of Joyce Walkden The family of Brenda Woodward David Townley Eva Kay who has recently celebrated her 98 th birthday Dominique Whitehead as she begins her studies at Edge Hill Hayden Whitehead Barbara Ogden Mrs Walton who celebrated 91 years in August Rev Carol Hayden and family Arthur Selby *One day special* - Visit to Lapland at Radcliffe URC on Tuesday 29th November 10:00am to 2:30pm Come and join us for fellowship and fun as we take a trip to Lapland (without leaving church) Lunch & refreshments provided Pay on the day If you wish to attend, please put your name on the list in your church or speak to your church secretary. Transport can be arranged WINDERMERE CENTRE 19th-20th-21st MAY 2017 Please notify me of any pastoral need that you are aware of so that I may respond. Thanks Nigel. This is a great opportunity for the Pastorate to come together in fellowship, discussions, prayer and fun. Don t miss out! To secure your place please give your name and a 10 deposit to any of the church secretaries. There s a saving scheme for holiday payments. Transport can be arranged Any queries: telephone

8 Saturday 19 th November 10am until 1:30pm Christmas Fayre is drawing rapidly upon us. The Fayre will be held on Saturday 19 th November from 10am until 1.30pm approximately. We will be having the usual attractions headed by the renowned café but also with numerous stalls including: Tombola, Books, CDs, Games etc, Toiletries, Christmas and Craft Bottles, Home Baking, Treasure Trove, Grab a Bag, Christmas Hamper. The Raffle Prize winners will be drawn at the close of the Fayre. Please see a member of the committee if you have donations for the stalls. As ever we welcome the help to set up on Friday 18th and to clear up after the Fayre on the Saturday. Most importantly, we need you to come along, bringing any friends, family, neighbours it s your presence that makes the day a success. Christmas Fayre Raffle The tickets for this year s Christmas Fayre Raffle are now available, priced at 50p each, from Maureen Brown and Jean Helliwell. Prizes to be won include Theatre Ticket Vouchers, Shopping Vouchers, Afternoon Tea at Slattery s, Whisky, Baileys and many other prizes. The tickets can be bought ahead of the Fayre or on the day at the Fayre. Food and Friendship continues on the last Sunday of each month, organised through Churches Together in Radcliffe and targeting asylum seekers, refugees, and others in social isolation particularly in the southern area of the Borough. As well as "food" and "friendship", the sessions provide "play" for the children and "stuff" - matching generous donors of clothing and household essentials to those who need them. Led by the Revd Carol Hayden, we are still fine tuning our approach to "stuff". We feel that there are better ways to meet the needs of our guests, as well as to organise the sessions themselves. In future, we intend to reduce the amount of materials actually present at the sessions. Rather, we will concentrate on speaking with our guests to determine their real needs. We will then meet those needs from 1. the donations we receive month by month, and 2. from the Church of England Deanery Household Essentials project. Churches are welcome to contribute to (1). We would like to concentrate on clothing, which should be in good condition, clean,

9 and labelled within bags. Please bring it to each session of Food and Friendship at St Philip's Community Centre, Higher Dean Street, Radcliffe, from 2:00 pm. Individual Churches may set up their own accumulation systems. In future months, we may choose not to display these gifts, but to keep them until a need is expressed by a guest. If household essentials are available from Churches they should go to the store maintained at All Saints Church, Stand. Anglican Churches will have established means of contact with the Deanery Household Essentials Project. Other Churches may contact the Project via Carol on If your Church has volunteers who would assist with this side of the sessions, including talking to our guests to discover their needs, please let Carol know. We ask you to emphasise to any donors that all donations should be in the excellent condition they would expect for items used within their own household. Damaged, soiled or obviously inappropriate items will not be used, and will put us to the trouble of disposing of them. Performances will take place on: Friday 11 November at 7:30pm & Saturday 12 November at 7:30pm Come and join us for an evening of songs, laughter and nostalgia. Tickets: 7:50 including pasty & peas. See Alison if you wish to buy tickets or ring: Thank you By the way if you feel that you could write a Reflection for this magazine, please send your copy to any of the Communications team. If you wish to put your Christmas Greetings in the Dec/Jan issue of BTW please let Elaine know by 6 th November. All donations to your church treasurer please. This is in lieu of Christmas Cards and raises funds for the church.

10 So many shades of gold Autumn Another miracle we take for granted Another expression of the artist's vision The blending of the Autumn hues with the setting sun Warm Comforting Perfect Thank you for Autumn, Lord