News from the NW Synod 10th August 2016

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1 News from the NW Synod 10th August : Marriage of Same Sex Couples 2: Talks on John Knox and the Scottish Reformation and The Covenanters 3: Forthcoming events at Albion 4: Chapel Street & Hope Welcomes Guests from Taiwan 5: Windermere Centre Anniversary Celebrations 6: Youth Exchange with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan 7: Training Events for Children s and Youth Workers 8: Raising Awareness of Hate Crime in Tonge Moor 9: Memorial Service 10: Funeral arrangements for Revd Glanville Rees 1: Marriage of Same Sex Couples The General Secretary has now issues guidance for those churches who wish to apply to register their buildings for the marriage of Same Sex Couples. There are three documents on the URC website - a short summary, a longer one and the application form. In essence, a Church Meeting should discuss the matter carefully (the suggestion is over some months) before deciding on a resolution. After that the Church should send a signed copy of the minute to the Legal and Trust Officer in her capacity as Secretary of the NW Synod Trust for the Trustees to make the formal application. There are some other pieces of information that a church will need too. The process looks relatively straightforward. You can find the information by going to the URC website, clicking on the Resource Library tab and then going to M for Marriage and you will then see resources for the Marriage of Same Sex Couples. Alternatively follow this direct link Andy Braunston - Synod Clerk 2: Talks on John Knox and the Scottish Reformation and the Covenanters I am a member (and Elder) of Macclesfield and Bollington URC. I have an interest in Scottish History, particularly 16th and 17th century, and have given a number of talks to groups, such as Probus, U3As, and WIs, for charity, over the past 5 years, together with some Church Groups. My subjects have been on MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS and ROBERT BURNS. I am also particularly interested, in the Scottish Reformation, and the formation and development of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, and then in England, and later in the formation of the URC. I have now prepared two talks, on the subject, which I am keen to give to anyone who may be interested, on John Knox and the Scottish Reformation, and The Covenanters. Both talks would last about 45/50 mins, and which would be illustrated with slides. Anyone who may be interested, in my talking to their church or group, to please contact me directly. I am sure there are members of the URC, particularly those with a Scottish background, who might be interested to hear, about their history, in this regard. I do not intend charging any fee, if I was invited to give a talk to any church groups, and would be quite happy for each individual church to decide themselves, whether to make any charge, for church funds, or for charity. I would appreciate, however, a contribution to my petrol expenses. (Dr) George Eccleston tel: , george-eccleston@virginmedia.com

2 3: Forthcoming events at Albion Come to check at our HERITAGE OPEN DAY 10 TH SEPTEMBER, 10am 4pm In 1816, Albion commenced worship in its own chapel. There were very few, if any, Congregational or Independent chapels in the surrounding towns, therefore people from Ryecroft, Dukinfield, Denton, Droylsden, Stalybridge, and Mossley came to worship at Albion. We have baptism, marriage and deaths recorded which includes many of those early church members Also: We will have people in period costume representing characters associated with Albion who will tell you about their connections with Albion s past. There will be an exhibition of our history and an interesting box of tricks for children to explore. Come along to ALBION S HERITAGE DAY, 10 th September, 10am 4pm. Albion United Reformed Church Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 6QH Concert by Saddleworth Male Voice Choir With Guest Soloist April Grimes Saturday 10 September 2016 at 7.30 pm Tickets 6 Tickets available in advance from members of the Church or on the door. 4: Chapel Street & Hope Welcomes Guests from Taiwan The afternoon gave an opportunity for the visitors to see the work of Chapel Street Community Arts (the Arts On 4 th August Chapel Street & Hope welcomed visitors from the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan, who are staying in the Synod on a return youth exchange visit.

3 outreach programme supported by Chapel St & Hope in Salford) meeting with Mike Kelly a member and lead in the Camera Club, and Chris Doyle, our Community Development Worker. They saw the recent photographic exhibition How is it for You, Islington, and walked the area ending up at the Islington Mosaic, which was completed in May 2015, by the residents, school children and local artist of the Islington estate. The Mosaic has become a recognisable sight on the entry to the estate and a reminder of what a voiceless community working together can achieve. We continue to pray for our new friends from Taiwan, and trust that they have an exciting and memorable visit throughout the Synod and UK. 5: Windermere Centre Anniversary Celebrations 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS 14 August 2pm-5pm The Windermere Centre, Lake Road, Windermere, LA23 2BY Garden Party 2-4pm Thanksgiving service with Communion 4-5pm ENQUIRIES BRING FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARRIVE ANY TIME The Centre lawn and patio from 2pm COMMUNION We use non-alcoholic wine and gluten free bread HELP US CELEBRATE! 30 years of shared mission for Carver Uniting Church and the Windermere Centre WANT TO HELP? If you want to bring a contribution of food or drink, please contact Pam Carpenter ( /carversecretary24@gmail.com) 6: Youth Exchange with the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan Just over 12 months ago, 6 young people from North Western Synod were hosted by our Belonging to the World Church partners the Chiayi presbytery of the PCT. This year 8 young people (accompanied by 2 pastors) visited the North Western Synod as part of the return leg. Almost as soon as they landed they were split up to go to host churches in Sedbergh, Darwen, Little Lever and Bamford where they got involved in the local church s mission activities. This meant doing everything from a luncheon club for older people to a summer play scheme for children, from a Messy Church to working with asylum seekers and refugees. They didn t see each other again until we all met up at the Windermere Centre 5 days later to reflect on, and share, our experiences.

4 We also took some time to relax with a lake cruise and engage in a Bible study with Lawrence Moore (not at the same time, mind you!) Then it was down to London to meet staff at Church House and hear how the work of the denomination s various departments impacts on, or involves, young people. It was great that so many staff members were willing to give time to talk to the group and the General Secretary, John Proctor, was able to join us for lunch. The group are pictured with the Lay Moderator of General Assembly, Alan Yates. We travelled back to Manchester to visit Chapel Street and Hope URC where Revd. Mike Aspinall and Chris Doyle (Community Development Worker) explained how the church is engaging with the community in Salford through arts and outreach. Visiting the Mandarin Fellowship at St Peter s House gave the young people (and their Pastors!) the chance to hear what it was like to live and study in the UK from an overseas student s perspective and being invited to lead a craft activity (Chinese calligraphy) at the Tonge Moor Multicultural event gave our guests the opportunity to see how local churches of different denominations work with people of different cultures, and faiths, for the benefit of the whole community (they also bought most of the Justicia stall s Fair Trade items!)

5 The group finally returned to Taiwan on Sunday 7 th leaving behind a lot of new friends and a renewed energy for our involvement in the Belonging to the World Church programme. Thanks are due to ALL who helped in any way to make their visit so memorable and engaging. 7: Training Events for Children s and Youth Workers Together with his ecumenical colleagues, Leo Roberts (NW Synod Children s and Youth Development Officer) has organised two workshop-based training days in the North West for this autumn. One in Preston (Fulwood Free Methodist Church on Saturday 15 th October) and one in Manchester (Nazarene Theological College in Didsbury on Saturday 12 th November. The same subjects will be covered at each event. There are a wide range of workshops covering issues that are relevant for many churches, including: Working with the under 5 s and under 2 s age groups Children being Missional Top 10 games to play with Children and Young People How can Youth Leaders prevent young people leaving the church Young people as Leaders Identifying mental health and signposting support Working with bereavement and loss Pastoral Care for LGBT young people and their friends How can churches use Social Media to engage with Children and Young People Online safety for Young People Worship for All for more details visit and PLEASE pass this information on to all who work with children and young people at your church.

6 8: Raising Awareness of Hate Crime in Tonge Moor Context Raising Awareness of Hate Crime in Tonge Moor Celebrating the Changing Face of our Community event The Building Bridges Project is a partnership project led by Tonge Moor URC (Church at The Centre), Tonge Children s Centre and various other Tonge Moor organisations. The current aims of the Building Bridges are: 1. To foster mutual respect, trust, support and kindness between generations, faith and cultures. 2. To help to develop Tonge s Children Centre into a hub for the community. 3. To work with other groups, to support other community activities addressing needs in the area. 4. That (by the end of the project) everyone in the local community will feel that Church at The Centre is available for them. Historically the demographic of the Tonge Moor area has been white British however over the last few years this has changed. Our local primary schools have informed us that there are 140 pupils across these 4 schools situated in the Tonge Moor area that have English as a second language. The current total of pupils across all 4 schools is 961. Because of this changing demographic and the stated first aim of Building Bridges, we have encourage various partners to join together to develop a project to raise awareness of hate crime and celebrate our diversity. The first stream of this project led to us work with the local school to develop posters and information to raise awareness of hate crime, what it is and what we can do about it. Celebrating the Changing Face of Our Community On Saturday the 6 th of August 2016, Building Bridges, with various community partners, coordinated a free community celebration and fun day at St Andrew s Methodist Church. Over 130 people from various cultures, and groups representing those cultures and various faiths came together to Celebrate the changing face of our community here in Tonge Moor and Crompton. We snacked on typically British and Indian food, watched amazing performances from: - Bolton African Community Association - Bolton Interfaith Council Members and Young Ambassadors - Dramatic Action - Fusion Dance - Melbourne Rd Methodist Church Swahili Singers - St Andrew s Singers

7 There was sports fun as we celebrated the opening of the Olympic Games. We also had a variety of crafts for generations to try together. These included trying to write in Chinese characters, as we welcomed a party of Taiwanese Christians who were in the North West on a return exchange visit and hosted by the North Western Synod of the United Reformed Church. The Bolton Interfaith Council Young Ambassadors and volunteers let people try on a sari, face and henna painted for us. Whilst Bolton Christian Cohesion and Tonge Lunch and Leisure helped people make butterflies and flowers. We also encouraged the fashion for colouring by supplying various faith images for people to enjoy. This was coordinated by Church at the Centre who have developed the Building Bridges Project to encourage partnership working in Tonge Moor. Alison Dalton, Church Related Community Work Minister, Building Bridges alison.dalton@bolton.gov.uk

8 9: Memorial Service There will be a memorial service for the Revd Ernest Marvin on September 19th in St Columba's Church Cambridge at 2.30 pm 10: Funeral arrangements for Revd Glanville Rees. There will be a private committal followed by a service in celebration of Glanville s life and ministry at Christ Church URC, Church Drive, Port Sunlight, Wirral CH62 5EF at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 16 th August. Parking arrangements can be found at: