News from the NW Synod 9th December 2015

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1 News from the NW Synod 9th December : New Website and Photos of our congregations 2: Moderator s snapshot 3: News from Garstang URC 4: information required re: early 20 th century congregational church traditions 5: Cumbria flood fund 6: Safeguarding sessions 7: Churches together in Cheshire - Week of Prayer 1: New Website and Photos of our congregations As you know we have been working on putting together a new website for the Synod which would be useful to people outside the church to understand us a little better and to be a resource for our churches. The website is now live the normal web address can be used. We have some photos still to put up (and could do with many more!). Please give any feedback to Andy Braunston via clerk@nwsynod.org.uk We need high quality photographs in digital format of our congregations for our new Synod website. Please a picture of your congregation to Andy Braunston via clerk@nwsynod.org.uk. 2: Moderator s snapshot On Saturday 5 th December Macclesfield URC held the opening ceremony for the 3 rd and final phase of their redevelopment. The ribbon was cut by the Lord- Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs M.B.E, K. St.J. and we were led through to the opening of the redeveloped halls (originally the chapel building, at the start of the site s history), with an opening speech and then a delightful tea. Appropriately for the nature of the Church one of its first uses will be to host the night shelter work locally. In this season of Advent let us pray for the on-going efforts of all our congregations to make use of our buildings in ways which witness to the coming of Christ in our world.

2 3: News from Garstang URC Garstang United Reformed Church welcomed Advent on the afternoon of 29 th December with an Advent Afternoon Tea Party. Everybody enjoyed a time of festive fellowship discussing, and then singing, favourite carols after sandwiches and cakes washed down with plenty of tea! We also celebrated the 90 th birthday of our oldest member, George Mathewson and shared his birthday cake.

3 Wednesday, 2 nd December saw the first of three Advent Bible Study sessions to be held during December. We were joined by members of Trinity, Lancaster, and after a Jacob s Join lunch, the session was led by our Minister Revd Irene John on the theme: Waiting: a common experience that impacts every aspect of life. Lively and stimulating discussion followed as we considered how Abraham and Sarah had been affected by God s request for patience. 4: information required re: early 20 th century congregational church traditions In research into our origins at Church at The Centre (Tonge Moor URC) Bolton, we ve found reference to some annual events which have long since ceased to be celebrated, but which, in the first half of the 20 th century, were regular dates in the church s calendar. These include: Daffodil Sunday and All Present Services. These events may have been peculiar to Tonge Moor (they certainly wouldn t be the only peculiarities at Tonge Moor!) but if anyone has knowledge of similar events in other churches, and can shed some light on them, please contact John Evans at evansjohnurc@btinternet.com or Thanks. 5: GMCT Carbon Pledge Greater Manchester Faith Leaders signed a pledge to take action on climate change that will be presented to the Paris Summit by Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner. There is a gathering of Mayors from all over the world to discuss actions that will lead to action on global warming and climate change as part of the summit. Faith groups are encouraged to think about their own energy consumption and policies that will contribute to reducing the effects on the most vulnerable nations

4 5: Cumbria flood fund an appeal has been launched today to raise funds to support the individuals and communities throughout Cumbria devastated by the flooding and storms in December. Anyone who wants to donate to the Cumbria Flood Appeal 2015 can do so via JustGiving (or in JustGiving search for Cumbria 2015 Flood Appeal) or by cheque made payable to Cumbria Community Foundation can be sent to CCF, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN. You can also donate via text message. Send a text to with the message FLUD15 and a monetary amount. For example, FLUD15 10 The Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund will provide financial help for people who have been affected. The basis on which the appeal has been launched is contained in the Appeal Document.

5 6: Safeguarding sessions Leo Roberts (Children and Youth Development Officer) has arranged a number of workshops for churches to familiarise themselves with the new safeguarding material published by the United Reformed Church. The sessions last approximately 2.5 hours. Leo says It is the responsibility of the Synod to make safeguarding training available and accessible. It is the responsibility of local churches to ensure that they avail themselves of it; and the legal, and possibly financial, consequences of NOT doing so are potentially severe should an incident occur. So PLEASE try and ensure that Elders and workers are aware of sessions More workshops will be announced as venues offer themselves. If your church would like to offer itself as a venue for the area particularly in South, Lancashire or Cumbria, please contact Leo on cydo@nwsynod.org.uk Area Date Time Venue Central 21/01/2016 7:15pm Hurst Nook URC South 25/01/16 7pm St Mark s, Wythenshawe Lancashire 03/02/16 7pm Westbury Gardens URC Central 04/02/16 7:15pm Red Lane URC It is important that you book in to a session so that Leo can ensure he has enough resources for each session. Please him (using the address above). 7: Churches together in Cheshire Week of Prayer

6 Future dates to look out for: Ministers Winters School - Friday 29th - Sunday 31st Jan 2016 at Windermere Centre Ministers Summer School - Monday 13 th Thursday 16 th June at Windermere Centre