Bamford Chapel
2014 1
BAMFORD CHAPEL MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
Worship In our devotion we will come together to express our joy, love and thanks through worship. We shall share our praise and dedicate it to God. Ministry Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will show compassion and love by understanding, supporting and meeting the spiritual, the physical and the emotional needs of others. Evangelism We are called as Christians to share the good news; living as examples of Christ in our everyday lives we can spread the word and love of Jesus. Discipleship We as a church have a responsibility as Christians to encourage people to know God and to enable them to develop their relationship with Him through prayer, discussion, study and learning. Fellowship We welcome to our church family those who want to belong. We show our love for others by sharing acts of fellowship in God’s name. 2
Holy Week Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
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12.30 pm
Soup & a roll lunch (at Bamford Chapel)
Thursday
1.00 pm
Lent Course 5 led by Mrs Joanna Watson
3rd April
7.30 pm
Elders Meeting
10.30 am
Family Worship with Holy Communion
Sunday 6th April
Led by Revd Richard Bradley 6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Margaret Ogden
Monday
8.00 pm
7th April
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Thursday
12.30 pm
Soup & a roll lunch (at Bamford Chapel)
10th April
1.00 pm
Lent Course 6 led by Mr Mike Davis
Saturday
10.30 am—
12th April
3.00 pm
Michael Harvey speaking about “Unlocking the power of invitation” (see separate article in the magazine)
10.30 am
Palm Sunday Family Worship
Palm Sunday 13th April
Led by Wednesday Bible Study Group 6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Monday
8.00 pm
14th April Thursday
(Crèche Room) 7.00 pm
17th April
Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Led by Joanne Ackroyd (in Primary Room)
10.00 am Good Friday 18th April
Focus on Prayer Group
Good Friday Led by Revd Richard Bradley
1.30 pm
Afternoon Ramble—All Welcome
7.30 pm
Good Friday Drama (see separate article) Led by Food for Thought 2
Easter
9.00 am
Easter Breakfast (List in coffee area)
Sunday
10.30 am
Family Worship with Holy Communion
20th April
Led by Margaret Ogden NO EVENING SERVICE 10.30 am
Sunday 27th April
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by the Elders (See separate article)
Monday
8.00 pm
28th April
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
8.00 pm Tuesday 29th April 8.00 pm
Finance Meeting
Worship Leaders’ Session—Theme: Prayer Led by Joan Warner (All are invited)
Wednesday 30th April
1.15 pm
Midweek Communion Service Led by Revd Richard Bradley (in Lounge)
Further details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
“Unlocking the power of invitation” speaker Michael Harvey Michael Harvey spoke very passionately at Synod in March about the “Back to Church Sunday” initiative. Michael was one of the people behind it first happening. He comes warmly recommended as he speaks with great clarity and passionate about the topics of welcoming churches and invitation to churches. Please note the flyer on page 6 and I hope you will be able to come along on Saturday 12th April from 10am – 3pm at Bamford Chapel. It will be a great occasion. Please bring sandwiches with you. Any further details please speak to Richard. 3
Message from the Manse… When you think about church growth what comes to your mind? Perhaps evangelists (like Billy Graham and others); perhaps you think it is the responsibility of the minister, elders, or simply “others” to grow the church and to encourage people to come. I want to commend to you an event taking place here on Saturday 12th April when Michael Harvey will be coming to speak to us about the “Back to Church Sunday” campaign; a campaign that takes place in churches the length and breadth of the country each September. Michael was one of the people behind the campaign first taking place some years ago. He spoke to the North Western Synod in March and he was excellent! Don’t just take my word for it ask Ken Greer, Barbara Redmond, David Watson or Gillian and Finlay Galloway as we all heard him and all agreed he was excellent. I spoke to him at lunch time at Synod and invited him to come to Bamford to speak to us (and others from local churches). I can guarantee he will be good. He speaks with great passion, humour and enthusiasm about people not only welcoming others but also inviting others to come to church. If you can come on that day please do so. What Michael says will fit in with the new vision we have adopted as a church. I hope, by the time you read these words, the church meeting will have discussed and approved the recommendation brought from Elders about the suggested new groups to develop various areas of the church’s life and work. Doing this will mean we can seek together what God is calling us to be and calling us to do as 4
Bamford Chapel URC. I have been praying daily for the vision of the church. I have had several people say to me that they think we need to run with the new vision now and I sense a real enthusiasm among those who have spoken to me. I feel VERY excited at present about the possibility and the potential here at Bamford Chapel. But I am going to speak passionately and honestly when I say we have to be one people and pull together as one people. In many of the epistles that Paul wrote he is speaking to challenge the churches he planted or pastored. No church is perfect. We may get things wrong, but what God wants from us is for us to listen to what He is saying to us and to walk faithfully and obediently with Him. There may be changes that are suggested through the vision. There will certainly be new ideas that I feel strongly should be tested and tried. And for all these I want to ask for two things from you:Your prayers. Without prayer and listening to what God is saying we will struggle with moving forward. There is huge potential here but only if it is fully harnessed; which leads me on to the second point‌. Your commitment and support. Without us ALL using the gifts God has blessed us with we will struggle to move forward and grow spiritually and numerically. We serve and worship an amazing God who does amazing things through you and I. Let us place our hands into His and walk the path He is calling us on. Your servant in Christ Richard 5
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A Special Evening Service – Sunday 27th April
The Elders will lead the service & it will be a focus on the Vision. We hope as many people as possible will come along for a service of celebration & commitment. Geoff and Lifeline will share in the worship music as we praise God for the gifts He has showered & will shower on His people here at Bamford. We will give thanks for the team which has brought us to this point under God’s guidance – Richard & Ruth Bradley, Cameron Baines, Sarah Finnigan, Sarah Fitton, Anna James. We now have working groups established for each aspect of the Vision: WORSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP, MINISTRY, FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM. There are elders attached to each group and throughout the service they will help us to bring everything before God for His blessing and direction. Let’s remember that for His Kingdom to come, God’s relying on us. Please come along and share as we offer ourselves afresh in His service. Joan Warner (Service coordinator)
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QUIET DAYS When I first went to Greece about 30 years ago one of the things I loved was visiting the churches which in those days were open 24 hours a day and anyone could go in to look around or just sit; of course all that has changed now. But there is a team who are opening up Bamford Chapel on certain days of the year for people to do just that, to sit, to pray, to meditate, however the feeling takes you. They are called Quiet Days. Joan Warner asked me to come along to the last quiet day on the 5 th March (Ash Wednesday) to give her some feedback of what I thought. I had no idea what to expect or what was expected of me. When I opened the sanctuary door I was greeted with calm music, soft lighting and a wonderful atmosphere, at that moment I realised nothing was expected of me, so I just sat. I watched the images on the screen and listened to the music. I then wandered around looking at the displays looked through some books and then sat again, just like I used to in Greece, it was wonderful. I would recommend to everyone to come along to these Quiet Days.
The opening times are ideal because they
open for people who can come during the day and also in the evening, which is an ideal time for those who work to unwind after a hard and stressful day at work. You will then arrive home calm, peaceful and stress free. The next Quiet Days will be during the week leading up to Easter Sunday 14-19 April. Check out the details elsewhere in the magazine. think.
Lyn Jefferies 8
Go along & see what you
HOLY WEEK 2014 Quiet Days at Bamford Chapel Everyone is welcome to our Holy Week Experiences. Chapel is open 5 days in the week Monday 14th evening Tuesday 15th twilight
6-8pm 4.30-6.30
Wednesday 16th afternoon Thursday 17th morning Saturday 19th afternoon
2-5pm 10-12am 2-5pm
Please pop in to pause, pray and ponder during this, the most significant week of the Christian year. In the sanctuary you can watch a slideshow, listen to the music and wander round our 4 focus areas: or you can just sit & be calm You can stay for as long or as short a time as you wish & enjoy fellowship & refreshments in the school room afterwards
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Food For Thought presents by arrangement with RADIUS
Waiting for the king by Roy Chatfield
Good Friday 18 April 2014 7.30 pm No admission charge
All Welcome 10
News of the family Concerns are expressed for Marjorie and Ken Farrington, Don and Win Schofield, Joan Warner, Sylvia and Ian, Joyce and Derek Yates, Eric Lumb, John Hall, Ray Atkins, Audrey Morris, Diane Davies, Dorothy Hartley and the Greaves family. Please continue to pray for Ian and Ann Newman. Ian is now at home, receiving care from the "Hospice at Home" service. It was good to see Joyce Cooper back at Ladies’ Fellowship, in her capacity as Chairman last week. Please remember all these people in your prayers, along with any others you may know about or who I have omitted to mention. Happy New Ear My Consultant has now discharged me from Wythenshawe Hospital and I have a new, reconstructed ear after 3 years and 6 operations. Each of you who offered words of comfort and your prayers helped me through a difficult time. Your acts of kindness helped my recovery. Jennifer Lee
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NW Synod
Youth Visit to Taiwan
Chaiyi
What will we do? Visit families Attend church Sightseeing
Are you interested? Speak to Barbara Redmond 12
Worship Leaders’ Training The sessions are intended to inform, educate and entertain! Although aimed at our preaching team, all are welcome to attend; even if you are not interested in becoming a worship leader you may be curious about how it all works. Each session begins at 8pm and lasts no more than one hour; venue varies so if you would like to attend please contact either myself on 07702883067 or the session leader. Joanne Ackroyd Worship Leaders Training Sessions Date Leader Topic 29 April Joan Warner Prayer 18 June Andy Platt All Age Worship 3 September Joanne Ackroyd Bible 14 October Revd Richard Bradley Technology
The Craft Club After a break of a few months last year, we decided to restart the meetings on alternate Tuesday afternoons in the hope that more people would be able to join us. However, it was not meant to be. Instead, we have joined with Norden URC Craft Group who have a thriving membership. We meet every Tuesday between 12.30 and 3.00pm. There are people to help if you are stuck and to teach you new skills if you wish to learn. Why not join us? Speak to Margaret Watson, Muriel Sturrock or myself if you want to know more. Linda Kerford 13
Favourite Quotations No-one has given a favourite quotation this month but Gillian Galloway has submitted this item from the February Magazine of KINGSWAY United Reformed Church, Blackburn
That’s what the 23rd Psalm is all about ………. The Lord is my Shepherd
that’s relationship
I shall not want
that’s supply
He makes me lie down in green pastures
that’s rest
He leads me besides the still waters
that’s refreshment
He restores my soul
that’s healing
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
that’s guidance
For His names sake
that’s purpose
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
that’s testing
You are with me
that’s faithfulness
I will fear no evil
that’s protection 14
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me
that’s discipline
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
that’s hope
You anoint my head with oil
that’s consecration
My cup runs over
that’s abundance
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
that’s blessing
And I will live in the house of the Lord for ever
that’s security
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Ladies’ Fellowship March Meeting 2014 Elizabeth Greer certainly pulled in the crowds as she delighted us with an evening of flower arranging. The variety and beauty were amazing; from large multi flower displays to a simple flower head floating in a single glass. Useful hints – all new to me CIRCULAR DISPLAY - greenery as on clock points 2,4,6,8,10,12 OASIS - drop in water until it sinks, don’t push down, chamfer edges ROSES – to condition - cut stems, hold immersed in boiling water for 1 minute, immerse in cold GERBERA – to condition put stems in water with tiny amount of household bleach / wire into head, twist gently & loosely round stem CARNATIONS – if blooms not open, spread out heads with thumbs TULIPS – grow in water, so keep water shallow & top up every day / to keep stick a pin in stem 1 inch from flower head GIFT BAGS – line with plastic bag, add oasis, fill with flowers We also heard all about her family as she created each display, which was an added bonus. At the end of the evening two displays were reserved; one for our chairman, Joyce Cooper who was present for the first time in many months following a long illness; one for our treasurer Anne Newman who is caring for her husband Ian. The others (maybe 8) were raffled and some ladies went away very happy carrying their precious prize – including me, who won a bowl with tulips, glass stones and WATER but it arrived home safely without spilling. We thank Elizabeth so much for all the time & talent & treasure she spent providing such a memorable evening.
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And for missing the presentation as winner of the Rochdale Golf Club Winter League Trophy in order to fulfil her commitment to Ladies’ Fellowship. The next meeting on April 10 th is an evening of entertainment from MTM (More Than Melody). There will be choral numbers, solos and various other items. The AGM is on 15th May, which is a date change – short business time + pot luck supper. Our June evening outing is to the Red Hall Restaurant in Walmersley – a pleasant country drive over ‘Owd Betts’ and a 3-course meal + tea & coffee for £23 including gratuities. Watch for the signing up list & menu on the LF notice board. Thanks once again to Elizabeth, to the committee and extra helpers, Marilyn Hinchcliffe (who ran the raffle & was a little miffed she didn’t win a prize!!) & Lesley Stiles, an ever present help in the kitchen. And thanks to all who came. We would like more volunteers on the committee. It’s a friendly bunch but we’d love some new ideas for speakers & meetings. Please think about it – you’d be very welcome. Joan Warner
Retirement of Revd Howard Sharp (Mersey Synod Moderator) A Service of Celebration & Farewell Saturday 21st June 2014 at 2.30 pm at Liverpool Hope University in the Chapel. Followed by light refreshments Pease speak to Ian Sturrock as soon as possible if you wish to attend
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Fair trade Fortnight 2014 Thank you
to everyone who supported Fairtrade Fortnight. We raised £78 to send to Traidcraft Exchange.
Thank you
to those who signed the petition to Make Bananas Fair on http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ (and those who posted it on Facebook)
It has been good to hear of those who were inspired by Fantastically Fairtrade Fred.
Don’t forget to try out the new Clean and Fair household essentials – handwash, washing up liquid, laundry liquid and surface cleaner. Also you can find washing up brushes and scourers on the Sunday morning Traidcraft stall.
Still time to buy a Real Easter Egg which contains a book telling the story of the first Easter. Also Easter cards are available on the stall.
Look out for new giant chocolate chip and double chocolate cookies which are coming soon.
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Running for UNICEF: London Marathon 13 April I know from comments received, horns “beeped” and cheery “hello’s” said that many of you have seen me, if not pounding, then certainly jogging along Bury Road in the past few weeks or so. Why? you may ask. A very good question and one which I often ask myself before stepping out of the front door! Seriously, mad as it may appear to many, distance running is extremely enjoyable. Nobody can listen to or criticize your musical tastes and you get to appreciate everything and everybody whilst spring-cleaning your thoughts. In a couple of weeks I will be embarking upon the Virgin London Marathon 2014. Whilst this will actually be my third marathon it is the biggest and most eagerly anticipated by far. It would be remiss of me to pass up on the opportunity of sponsorship. After careful thought UNICEF encompasses a Fundamental belief of mine. “Sport has the power to change children’s lives (and) that every child has the right to play”. Please support me as much or as little as you feel able to do so. Either sign up on the sheet on the Notice Board or look me up on Twitter @martynjames10 where you can follow links, post messages of support, send me happy/motivational music suggestions to add to my playlist or even watch Colin Jackson’s personal message of support! Finally, please keep “beeping” your horn, waving and saying “hello” should you happen to see me trotting down Norden Road!! Thank-you — Martyn James
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The Many Names of CHRIST To the ARTIST he is the One Altogether Lovely. To the ARCHITECT he is the Chief Corner Stone. To the BAKER he is the Living Bread. To the BANKER he is the Hidden Treasure. To the BIOLOGIST he is the Life. To the BUILDER he is the Sure Foundation. To the CARPENTER he is the Door.
To the DOCTOR he is the Great Physician. To the EDUCATOR he is the Great Teacher. To the ENGINEER he is the New and Living Way. To the FLORIST he is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
To the FARMER he is the Good Shepherd. To the FRIGHTENED and HELPLESS he is a very present Help in Trouble. To the GEOLOGIST he is the Rock of Ages. To the HORTICULTURIST he is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE he is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men. To the JEWELER he is the Pearl of Great Price. To the LAWYER he is the Counsellor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate. To the NEWSPAPER he is the Good Tidings of Great Joy. 20
To the OPTICIAN he is the Light of the Eyes. To the PHILANTHROPIST he is the Unspeakable Gift. To the PHILOSOPHER he is the Wisdom of God. To the PREACHER he is the Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR he is the Living Stone. To the SERVANT he is the Good Master. To the STATESMAN he is the Desire of All Nations. To the STUDENT he is the Incarnate Truth. To the THEOLOGIAN he is the Author and Finisher of our Faith. To the TOILER he is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER he is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the World. To the CHRISTIAN he is the Son of the Living God, the Saviour, the Redeemer and the Lord. To me...he is all of this. He is my everything, my Saviour, my King, my God.
What is he to you?
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Flower Rota You may have wondered who provides the flowers displayed in Chapel each Sunday and who arranges them. The Flower Rota enables families or individuals to donate money or flowers, often in memory of a loved one. Flower arrangements are also donated by Wedding Families. Flowers are then distributed on Monday to members of the congregation who may be ill or would appreciate them for some other reason. The rota is on the notice board in the coffee area if you would like to add your name; or speak to Pamela Harrington or Gillian James for further information. Date January
February
March
5th
Donated By
Arranged By
Hazel & Robert Gordon
Diane Healey
12th Betty Ainsworth
Pamela Harrington
26th Gillian Galloway
Olive/Elizabeth
2nd
Brenda Griffiths
Gillian James
9th
Philip & Jennifer Mackimm Elizabeth Greer
2nd
Carolyn Divers
Pamela Harrington
9th
Wedding
Norma Milnes
16th Linda Peacock
Olive/Elizabeth
23rd Hilda Howard
Gillian James
BUILDING SAFETY & SECURITY Due to recent reports of an intruder entering the building (whilst groups are in) PLEASE CAN ALL USER GROUPS make sure that the rear entrance door is always locked with the Yale Lock. This enables people to get out of the building from inside, but no-one can gain access from outside without a key, or by being let in by others. Sorry for the inconvenience; your cooperation would be appreciated. 22
23rd April— St George’s Day Our Patron Saint who isn’t English— by David Winter It’s perhaps typical of the English that they should have a patron saint who isn’t English, about whom next to nothing is known for sure, and who may not have existed at all. That didn’t stop him being patriotically invoked in many battles, notably at Agincourt and in the Crusades, and of course it is his cross that adorns the flags of English football fans to this day. It’s most likely that he was a soldier, a Christian who was martyred for his faith somewhere in Palestine, possibly at Lydda, in the early fourth century. At some point in the early centuries of the Church he became associated with wider military concerns, being regarded as the patron saint of the Byzantine armies. There is no doubt that he was held as an example of the ‘godly soldier’, one who served Christ as bravely and truly as he served his king and country. The story of George and the dragon is of much later date and no one seems to know where it comes from. By the middle ages, when George was being honoured in stained glass, the dragon had become an invaluable and invariable visual element, so that for most people the two are inseparable. Pub signs have a lot to answer for here: ‘The George and Dragon’. However, it’s probably more profitable to concentrate on his role as a man who witnessed to his faith in the difficult setting of military service, and in the end was martyred for his faithfulness to Christ. The idea of the ‘Christian soldier’ was, of course, much loved by the Victorian hymn-writers - ’Onward, Christian soldiers!’ The soldier needs discipline. The heart of his commitment is to obedience. The battle cannot be avoided nor the enemy appeased. He marches and fights alongside others, and he is loyal to his comrades. In the end, if the battle is won, he receives the garlands of victory, the final reward of those who overcome evil. 23
St George’s Day presents a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to distance the message of his life from the militarism and triumphalism that can easily attach itself to anything connected to soldiers and fighting. The opportunity is to celebrate the ideal of the ‘Christian soldier’ - one who submits to discipline, sets out to obey God truly, does not avoid the inevitable battle with all that is unjust, wrong and hateful in our world, and marches alongside others fighting the same noble cause. Discipline, obedience, courage, fellowship and loyalty - they’re not the most popular virtues today, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve our gratitude and admiration. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE
EDITORS: Linda Peacock
01706 522593 lm.peacock@hotmail.co.uk
Martyn James
01706 868885 martyn-james1@sky.com
SECRETARY: Joan Ashton
01706 360395 ray-joanashton@sky.com
DATES FOR THE NEXT MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 13th April
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 24th April
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 27th April 25
BAMFORD CHAPEL United Reformed Church Charity - Reg’d No 1128387 (FAIRTRADE CHURCH) Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs. OL11 5PQ
The Manse, Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs OL11 5PQ Telephone: 01706 369622 www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Minister : Email:
Rev Richard Bradley richardbradley@cantab.net
Church Secretary: Telephone: Email:
Ian Sturrock 01706 653109 i.sturrock@talktalk.net
Wedding Secretary: Telephone: Email:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
Lettings Manager: Telephone: Email:
Linda Kerford 01706 624256 l.kerford@btinternet.com Times of Services:
Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1 st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3 rd Sunday in month 26