Bamford Chapel and Norden URC
APRIL 2015 1
BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN URC 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
10.30 am Sunday 29th March
Thursday 2nd April
6.00 pm
7.00 pm
10.00 am Friday 3rd April
7.00 pm 10.30 am
Sunday 5th April 10.30 am
Sunday 12TH April
3.00 pm 6.00 pm
6.00 pm
Tuesday 14th April
12.15 pm 1 – 2.00 pm 8.00 pm 10.30 am
Sunday 19th April
6.00 pm
Palm Sunday Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley Final Act of Worship at the NORDEN Church to mark the sale of the building (Legal completion is on 7th April) Maundy Thursday Communion Service Led by Revd Richard Bradley (Primary Room) Good Friday Morning Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley Food for Thought Drama “The Davidson Affair” Easter Sunday Family Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley NO EVENING WORSHIP Family Worship Led by Walter Brisk Albion URC, Ashton Under Lyne Farewell Celebration Service & high tea for Revd Richard Church (NW Synod Moderator) as he ends his role as moderator Evening Worship Led by Anne Fitton Lunch followed by Music at Lunchtime (details later in the magazine) Worship Core Group In the Manse Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley Evening Worship with Holy Communion Led by Ken Greer 1
April 2015 continued
Sunday 26th April
Wednesday 29th April
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
2.00 pm – 4.00 pm 6.00 pm
Messy Church See details later in this magazine Evening Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley Monthly Midweek Communion Service (in the Lounge)
1.15 pm
Where two or three have come together in my name I am there among them. Matthew 18:20 Weekday Opportunities for Learning and Sharing Fellowship You are welcome to join any of the following Exploring Groups Further details of all Services and Groups may be found on the Sunday Notice Sheet and at:- www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Monday Focus on Prayer Group: Tuesday Home Group – 8.00 pm in the crèche Discipleship Explored: Fortnightly – 14th & 28th April 8.00 pm in the Manse Monday Home Group: Wednesday Exploring the Bible: 8.00 pm at the home of Addie & 7.30 pm at the home of Ray Atkins, Barbara Redmond 8 Greenwich Close Monday Monthly Joy Group: Thursday Morning Weekly: Monday 27th April Community ‘drop-in ‘coffee Meal at Dolce Vita 6.30 pm morning from 10.00am (optional). Thursday Evening Monthly – Meeting 7.30 pm at 17 Bamford Ladies Fellowship, 7.45, subs £3 Mews open to all Ladies. Next meeting April 16th “Granny’s Secrets” Tuesday Stillness and Sharing: Sunday Evening Youth Groups: 1st & 3rd Tuesday in the month, Koinonia 6.00—7.00 pm 7th & 21st April 2.15pm in the God Squad 7.30—8.30 pm Lounge 2
Message from the Manse “Giving up or taking on?” It has been common practice to give something up for Lent. The theory being that in giving something up we try and associate in some way with the temptations of Christ in the wilderness. Giving something up also focuses our attention on Christ and the price he ultimately paid on the cross with his life. I wonder have you given something up for Lent? Many of us do and many of us do not. Some people I know think it is much more beneficial to start doing something rather than to abstain from something. And I wonder if that is actually better? Yes, the giving up of certain foods, or drink, can have health benefits as well as helping us to focus on Jesus. But I wonder if it is altogether better to start doing something instead? I wonder if we said something like: “I will spend half an hour in prayer each day” (for those that already do then perhaps increasing it to an hour) or you might say: “I will read my Bible for longer each day.” I wonder if, spiritually, that is better for us? Like giving something up, starting something comes with the same challenges. Often we fail to go the whole of Lent without giving in to that which we are meant to have given up! So I am not suggesting starting something is easier to keep going with than abstaining from something. I want to ask you a question – what have you done to prepare for this Easter time? In the coming days there will be opportunity for you to come along to the Maundy Thursday Communion Service when we will be encouraged to think about the day Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples. We will follow that with our Good Friday morning service when we will reflect on the horror of Good Friday. The mocking and suffering that Jesus 3
endured before his horrific death. When we think about those events in Jesus’ life then giving something up for Lent can seem so easy! But we cannot leave the story there. For three days later Jesus rose from the dead - the tomb empty. The Stone rolled away. The body of Jesus gone!!! Those closest to Jesus did not fully realise what had happened and then the reality began to dawn - “Could Jesus really be alive?” his disciples thought. We know he was and most importantly, I hope, we know he IS alive today. This Easter time as we explore familiar passages, as we hear familiar words…. may we never, ever, forget the horror of what Jesus Christ endured for us. May we always be thankful and may we in response bow the knee in humble adoration and worship. May you know the presence of the suffering and risen Lord this Easter time. Your servant in Christ, Richard
Closure and Sale of Norden URC On the 7th April we will have the completion of the sale of Norden URC. It is a sad day for the people who have been part of that fellowship. A long history of worship on that site will be over. Yes, looking forward is important and focusing on where God is leading us as a new church here on the Bamford site. However it is right to pause and give thanks to God for the way He has led the church over the many years it has been in Norden. I want to say thanks to everyone for their hard work in sorting through the items in the Church as we have looked to empty the building. Two communion chairs were gratefully received by a Church in Bolton, and the larger communion chair by a church in Longridge. Both churches required the chairs and both churches will be helped by having them. Thanks, Richard 4
NEWS OF THE FAMILY Concerns are expressed for the following: Geoff and Margaret Ogden; Lisa Galloway and her family; Evie Bradley; Jenny Lee; Poppy Woodall; Gina and family; St Michael’s Church and our brothers and sisters who worship there; John Hall; Frank McClean; Beryl Salford; Cameron Baines; Hilda Hurst; Anita Teuton; Irene Miller; Lesley and Peter Sutton; Margaret Entwistle; Marjorie Farrington; Brian and Sheila Chrimes; Frank Kershaw; Olive Brierley. We also bring before you those, unnamed here, who need your healing hand. Bless those troubled and weakened by their daily struggle with a life they feel they cannot cope with and in particular those suffering from any form of addiction. May they see your love in action, Lord, through the acts of service given by others, or in a small instance of kindness to them, or a smile from a stranger, or a telephone call from a friend. We rejoice with Angela and Ken Smith and the wider family following the marriage of their son James to Emma. We wish James and Emma well as they embark on their new life together as man and wife. We also remember Margaret and David Wiseman and their family following the marriage of their daughter Ruth to Ric Laine. We wish the happy couple well in their new life together. On a similar theme we pass on our congratulations to Sarah Telford and Adam as they celebrate their recent engagement. Daughter to Chris and Kathryn and older sister to James, Sarah has attended church for many years now having started as a child in our junior church, where she is now a leader of our Primary Group. Sarah and Adam have 5
known each other for 4 and a half years and managed to maintain their relationship when they went to separate universities, Sarah to Huddersfield and Adam to Cardiff. We await with keen anticipation the setting of the date; watch this space! Turning to our young people, we welcome home for the Easter holidays the younger adult members of chapel who are away at university, studying and starting lives beyond their family homes. May they enjoy this time with their families; please make them feel welcome if you see them in our congregation. Our young people who are at high school face different pressures at this time of the year. We have children who are choosing their GCSEs and those who are about to start revising all that they have learned during their GCSE years ready for their exams at the end of the summer term. Give them focus for, and commitment to, this task, daunting as revision may seem. And to our older young people, who will soon be in the throes of revising for mock A levels or for the real things. These exams mark the culmination of each young person’s schooling to date and are the platform from which they begin the rest of their lives after school. We wish our young people the best of luck as they revise and as they make decisions about new subjects to take. We share in Callum and Kath’s joy, recently announced in chapel, that Callum has now legally changed his surname to Day. This identifies him directly with his mum and the wider family and was finalised just in time for mother’s day. Super news. And finally, a challenge. If you are overdue a phone call with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, give them a ring over Easter. We have an ideally placed long weekend ripe for catching up in this way with people who we may not be able to see as much as we would like, but who are nevertheless in our hearts. Let them know you are 6
thinking about them by picking up the phone. As ever, if you have any news that you would like to be included in the magazine then please pass the details to Sarah Finnigan either in person, by email to: finnigansarah@sky.com or by telephone (0780) 361 8165. Many thanks!
I wish to thank all friends at Bamford Chapel for the “get well” wishes, prayers, lovely flowers and pastoral visits over the past 12 months. I am still facing many weeks of hospital visits etc. but I’m sure with your support, love, prayers and the continued h elp from Angela and family, things can only get better. A special thanks to our very welcome “dog sitter” and “dog walker”.
Since breaking my shoulder they have
been a great help. Many Thanks – Joh n Hall
Quiet Days in Holy Week The Church will be open for quiet reflection at different times during Holy Week. Please pop in and pause a while. Monday Evening Tuesday Morning Wednesday Afternoon
30th March 6 - 8 pm 31st March 10 am - 12 noon 1st April 2 - 4 pm 7
Food for Thought@ Bamford Chapel In collaboration with Radius (the Religious Drama Society of Great Britain) presents
The Davidson Affair ByIanMcGregor from the book by Stuart Jackman
7 pm Good Friday 3 April 2015
All welcome 8
Easter Thoughts in a Churchyard It’s a yearly paradox. You’ve brought some flowers to the churchyard to lay on the grave of a loved one. All around you are graves and headstones, reminders of the inevitable end of life’s earthly journey. But it’s Easter Day, and from within the church you can hear the singing: ‘Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!’ Perhaps then you notice a few other things. You’re standing among the fresh daffodils and the grass that’s suddenly green and growing again. For a moment you pause and reflect on the reverse of an old saying. In the midst of death we are in life. That essentially is what Easter is about - an annual reminder that death is not the end of the story. A few years ago I lived for a while in Cookham, in Berkshire, which was once the home of the great twentieth century painter, Stanley Spencer. Perhaps his most famous painting is ‘Resurrection in Cookham Churchyard’, which depicts local residents - many of them recognisable village characters - rising up out of their graves to be greeted by the risen Jesus, standing in the church porch. It’s a glorious, vivid, shocking reminder of a great assertion. The graveyard is not a terminus, but a junction. The resurrection of Jesus (and hence our resurrections, too) is the defining claim of Christianity. Christians don’t follow the teaching of a prophet who died many centuries ago, or of a holy man whose life is an example to follow, excellent as that may be. They put their trust in a Saviour whom they believe is alive and with them now, and they also believe that through Him they too will move through the junction of death to the journey that lies beyond - a journey he talked about to His followers. I spoke of an annual paradox. It lies in the inescapable fact of death, indelibly represented by those graves and headstones, and in the equally inescapable fact that - in apparent defiance of all logic human beings down the ages have clung to the belief that death is not the end. Every culture has its story of the life beyond - the 9
Elysian fields, Valhalla, Nirvana, Abraham’s bosom. But only with the coming of Jesus, and the witnessed events of that first Easter morning, has our instinctive belief been given wings. The paradox is the heart of everything. Death is a fact, but life is greater than death. ‘Because I live’, said Jesus, ‘you will also live’. By David Winter
Church Website To update on the website - We will soon be unveiling the new church website that we have had designed. The old one, that was designed by me (so don’t be too harsh!), was limited in what it could do. For example people with some mobile devices and tablets could not view the site. The new one will have a desktop design that it viewable on desktop, laptop and tablets, and a mobile version that is viewable on mobile or small screen devices. The latter created automatically from the former. The overall design was done by a web design company and the content supplied and uploaded by us. What I need each group to do is to send updated information, both text and photos so that the site can be edited and amended frequently. Some pages will remain relatively static but there are others that can, should and will be updated regularly. BUT this means each person involved with a group or organisation should let me (and others who will be shown how to operate it) have information to update their page or area. Alongside this I hope there will also be a Facebook page as well for those on Facebook. Facebook is a good tool for keeping in touch with people and advertising events. We hope to be able to upload lots of historical information too. That will take time but slowly we hope to get quite a lot scanned and uploaded. The address for the site will be www.bcnchurch.org.uk - the advice from the company was the shorter the better. The Elders approved this name at a recent meeting. We will have an email forwarding service too. So on the site my email address could be minister@bcnchurch.org.uk and this will automatically send emails to my usual email address. Likewise we can have secretary@ and lettings@ etc. etc. None of this is active yet….but in the coming 2 weeks I hope it will be.
Please email me (for now) with information for the site. Thanks, Richard 10
Registered charity No. 1089464
HEYWOOD LOCAL COMMITTEE Presents
“MUSIC AT LUNCHTIME” at Bamford Chapel and Norden United Reformed Church Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs OL11 5PQ Tuesday 14th April 2015 Admission: £3.50 ANTHONY BROWN [SAXOPHONE]
LEO NICHOLSON [PIANO] Music to include works by Piazzola and Gershwin
Lunches are served from 12.15pm 11
Feedback from the “Church in the World Group” otherwise known as the Project Group Project 2015 The Group are currently considering a range of potential projects as follows: support for children in Swaziland; supporting a Children’s Centre in South Africa who have HIV/AIDS; Medic Malawi, who support health projects across Malawi. We will consider any other options which arise. We are all gathering further information and will be meeting again on Monday 30th March to reconsider. Our plan is to have a recommendation to Elders in May with a presentation to the Church Meeting in May for the congregation’s agreement. If anyone would like to be involved or provide any further information for consideration please contact one of the group members.
Project 2014 Safe House to help young women at risk of, or who have undergone FGM in Tanzania The Safe House was officially opened on 27th February; the opening looked to be a great occasion with many locals joining the celebrations and campaign to eradicate this barbaric custom. We have received several emails from Julian Marcus and Jonathan Pace, Tanzanian Development Trust Committee Members, thanking us for the financial support and the welcome we have given them all. Rhobi Samwelly has named one of the girls’ rooms after the Church. We have also received a gift of a large African Nativity Scene as a token of appreciation. If you want to hear more then turn on your radio on Thursday 2nd April 11am – 11.30am, Radio 4 to hear more about the young women we have supported.
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Project 2013 Big Banana Appeal, Gulu, Uganda Barbara, Addie, Richard and I recently had the pleasure of going over to Preston County Hall for lunch with Lancashire Gulu Link Committee Members and the Chair of the Lancashire County Council. We were asked to bring thanks and good wishes from the Council Chair and the Gulu Link to all at Church for the significant contribution to the Big Banana Appeal. We were also thanked by Jean and Frank Franey for the very warm welcome received when they have visited. They reported that 4,000 banana plants have been planted, 120 people trained in growing and best practices in management of a banana plantation, and 12.5 acres of banana gardens established. The project manager in Gulu, James Ocara, hopes that they will get at least another 4,000 banana plants from this to give to a further 400 people. The plants have been mainly provided to schools and churches. We are expecting a further report soon as the rainy season approaches. For the full report and photographs please see the project notice board in the coffee area. Carole Greaves (On behalf of the Church in the World Group - Barbara Redmond, Addie Redmond, Carol Hartley, Lyn Jefferies, Margaret Ogden, Gillian Galloway, Gillian James, Louise Aspinall, Julie Platt and Carole Greaves)
Christian Aid week this year will be 10th-16th May Once again I will be asking for collectors and hope that we have a really good response as in previous years. The slogan on the posters this year is "Let's walk this world together. Let's be the change we want to see!" What a privilege it is to know that we can make a difference to people's lives. Thank you - Margaret Ogden 13
Meerkat Moses (not the Meerkat Manor Family) Mystery Messenger from the GIAM Things you’ve forgotten IT’S ALL SO SIMPLES!! Recap on last month – I’m Meerkat Moses and I’m the look-out at chapel. The GIAM (the GREAT I AM) says there are some important messages that you’ve forgotten. He’s going to give me one each month to pass on. Last time it was ‘LOVE ME (the GIAM), love everyone and love yourself.’ SIMPLES! This message was right at the beginning of THE BOOK, so it was clearly important but kept getting forgotten!! Then the MAIN MAN (Jesus) comes along & reminds everyone that’s what it’s all about and ‘EVERYONE’ means ENEMIES as well! To continue: I’ve made great friends with the furniture mice – goodness me, have they got stories to tell!! As you know there are 7 of them and 7 is a very important holy number. I’ve given them all names from THE BOOK. A guy called Paul did an awful lot of travelling and sent letters to 7 places, so I’ve called the 5 mice on the chairs; Romi, Cori, Gali, Ephi and Phili and the two on the flower stands are Coli and Thessi . We had a chat about what forgotten message number 2 might be. I’d already decided what I thought, but we’re mates now so the mice had their say and Lo! they agreed with me!! (I like the word Lo! I might use it a lot) FORGOTTEN MESSAGE NUMBER 2 FROM GIAM: DO NOT GO COMPARE! (an unusual message for a meerkat!) The GIAM is a bit puzzled as to why His people don’t understand that each person is UNIQUE. Everything else He’s made is happy to be what they are. I don’t hear a daffodil wanting to be an oak tree or a goldfish wanting to be a golden eagle. The mice don’t want to be meerkats and I don’t want to be a mouse! 14
But from what I’ve seen and heard you seem to wish you could be someone else instead of being the best & truest YOU possible. Cori got quite excited because she’d read in ‘her first’ book that you lot should work together like a ‘body’ all with different jobs to do (1 Cori 12: 12-32). That’s how GIAM arranged it! You’ve each got His/Her Spirit within to let you know what your job is. You only have to recognise it and do it!! And let other people get on with the jobs they’ve recognised they can do. It’s just like your music groups (hey, great worship sounds in this place btw!). There’s no point that long in and out tube thing wishing it could be like one of those mouth side whistle things. The music is good when everyone does their own thing as well as possible, so that if the person who put the music dots on the page was listening, he’d be chuffed. Anyway: Message 2: DO NOT GO COMPARE! Just be what GIAM wants you to be!
SIMPLES!!!
Love from Meerkat Moses pp Giam
As a result of our Fairtrade Fortnight activities we have raised £186. Together with the contribution from the Shaw and Heyside event we are sending £343 to the Fair Necessities Appeal. The government will double that figure. Your money will help families to grow more, earn more and eat more – thank you.
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Ladies Fellowship March 2015 We had an inspiring evening when Pauline and Bernard Thompson came to tell us about the children of Swaziland. Most of us had trouble finding it but we knew it was somewhere in Africa. Bernard also was in trouble; he could not find some of his equipment, so he shot off home to see if it was there! In the meantime we consumed our very welcome refreshments and before long all was well. It was worth waiting for! Swaziland is an enclave about the size of Wales, at the southernmost tip of South Africa. Their work is very much family orientated and the Thompsons have taken under their wing 3 families who need help to improve their living conditions and help children to have an education. They also try to meet the needs of the wider community, by working with local projects. Here in England they have close contact with Newhey Community Primary School, where Clair Gooding is Head. Pauline raised funds for this project by making and selling the most gorgeous chocolates, which are very expensive, but very, very tempting; in fact to many of us they were irresistible! Bernard and Pauline are due to make their next annual visit to Swaziland shortly. We raised a healthy ÂŁ90, all of which goes towards their project (not bad from the 25 members and friends present). Incidentally NO TRAVELLING or ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES are deducted by the Thompsons. Joyce Cooper (with help from Joan Warner!)
Date of the next meeting:16th April at 7.45 pm (the 3rd Thursday for this month only) Theme will be Granny’s Secrets 16
Church Membership Ever wondered about becoming a church member? Perhaps you are a member of another church and would be interested in transferring your membership, or maybe you are interested in what lies behind the United Reformed Church, its faith basis and structure. If any of this sparks an interest in you please come along to a series of sessions I shall be leading on church membership, looking at the nature, faith and order of the United Reformed Church. There is no commitment to becoming a member at the end of the sessions! I will hold 4 meetings and we will look at the following: 1. 2. 3. 4.
A journey of faith and the bible What is worship and what does it mean to believe and belong? What is meant by “church” and how does the United Reformed church fit into this? Discussion and decision
The first meeting will take place on Thursday 16 April at 7.15 in the lounge and will last about one hour. Further meetings will take place on 20 April, 29 April and 5 May. If you have any questions please do ask, if you are interested just turn up! All are welcome. If you let me know you are coming it would be helpful as I can give you the first set of papers in advance of the first session. See you then! - Joanne Ackroyd
Close your Eyes Lost the car keys? Shut your eyes. It is the best way to recall memories. Some scientists explain that the reason is that vision takes up a lot of the brain’s processing power. So, next time you need to really concentrate and remember something – shut your eyes.
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EASTER GLORY (Taken from the book ‘The Message of a Flower’ by Henry Thomas Hamblin (1873-1958)) “The previous chapters have been read by my wife, Elizabeth, who tells me that I have left out the most important message of all, namely, that flowers are symbols of the resurrection. She is thinking of that grave a mile away, where little Dick, our ten year old son is buried and with him so many of her earthly hopes – and mine. Ah me, life would be sad and hopeless indeed, if our faith did not stretch out firm hands beyond the grave – if it could not tell us that all is well. But the flowers greet us with loving and sympathetic glances: they would gently chide us for our sorrow, saying: “Dear mortals, try not to be sorrowful this day, because of those who have passed from your sight, but not from your company. We bring you messages of hope, for we come from the country of eternal day. We are messengers from that Love that will never forsake you – that can never let you go.” Yes! Yes! Love that will never let us go. How soon we forget that wonderful Love, past all understanding, and beyond all definition. I am reminded of Dr Pulsford’s words in Quiet Hours: “What God takes from us, returns to us in another way. He gives back to us our friends more deeply, more tenderly, more sacredly, after they have been taken from us by death. When they become wholly His, they become more intimately ours. The intimacy before death pertains more to the flesh and its senses: after death it pertains more to the spirit and its inner affections. It is as though God gave them to us, out of His own heart, with the holiness and fragrance of the divine Nature 18
added to them. By death they become too chaste, too heavenly, for our light moods and our common hours; they visit us only in our holiest moments. They act upon us, therefore, as motives to prayer, watchfulness, and retirement of spirit. They greatly befriend our best interests. As the Lord before His death was ‘with’ His friends, but afterwards ‘in’ them, so our holiest friends help us the more, when they put off flesh, and are no more seen”. The silvery whisper emanates again from the flowers before me: “We bring you tidings that all is well. Your loved ones are safe in the great heart of divine Love. They are His loved ones whom He delighteth to honour. The Lord of Love is coming again and will swallow up mortality in immortality and corruption in incorruptibility. Then your loved ones will appear again in objective life, raised in glory with Him”. Ah yes! Blessed thoughts, “For this was the purpose of Christ’s dying and coming to life – namely that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living” (Romans 14.9). And so the gracious flowers remind us whenever we glance at them, of the victorious coming again of our Lord – of that glorious Easter when all the previous fruits of the divine Harvest shall be gathered in; when Christ shall reap where He has sown. He sowed in pain, sorrow and apparent defeat. He shall reap in joy, glory and overwhelming victory. Take heart, readers. Behind imperfection is the divine Perfection. Behind the gloom the sun is shining. Behind all sorrow is the Eternal Joy. Let us enter into the heart of things and realise the glorious truth now. For we can do so. We can pierce the gloom and see the glory behind it all. We can enter the inner Holy of Holies now. We can realise in our soul that all is indeed well. How? By looking for God in Nature. By looking for God in our fellow creatures. By looking for God 19
in all the experiences of life. By communing with God in the Secret Place. By praising God and being in a state of gratitude every hour of the day. Often the reason for not being filled with joy is because we do not praise and thank God sufficiently. Constant praise and thanksgiving brings happiness to the heart and joy to the soul. Therefore, let us look at the flowers which God has given us and thank Him for the truth that all is well”. Submitted by Lesley Ashworth
Some Miscellaneous Observations on Life…. Do not believe in miracles...rely on them. Every day is a gift; that's why they call it the present. Everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise. Friendship is a responsibility...not an opportunity. The bravest thing you can do when you are not brave is to profess courage and act accordingly. The two hardest things to handle in life are failure and success. What we see in others often reveals something about us. It’s easy to be an angel when no one ruffles your feathers.
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All ages welcome Theme: Frozen Easter Enjoy:
Craft, Music, Food, Fellowship and Fun
On the afternoon of Sunday 26 April 2 – 4 pm @ Bamford Chapel
Menu to be decided…
Children: please bring an adult with you 21
Registered charity No. 1089464
HEYWOOD LOCAL COMMITTEE Presents
“A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS” Flower arranging demonstration by Jon Brennan, North West Area Demonstrator at Bamford Chapel and Norden United Reformed Church, Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs. OL11 5PQ Monday 27th April 2015 At 7.30pm Admission : £7.00 Tickets from Margaret Ogden/Joan Ashton/Margaret Frain/ Glenda Brisk/Dot Craig and Lesley Sutton 22
The Crossroad The road was hard, no turning back, The way ordained by mighty God. ‘Your will, not mine’ was all He said, As humbly down that path He trod. The crowd that cheered Him once with palms Began to shout for Him to die, They chose Barabbas in his stead And with one voice cried ‘Crucify!’ Between two thieves on Calvary's hill They put to death the Prince of Life. One cried for help, the other cursed The first was promised Paradise. This promise now is for us all: Christ gave His life to set us free. The Cross divides, it always will The question is: what side are we? By Megan Carter
Heaven An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll just run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says 'For Heaven's sake, David, come in or stay out!'" 23
Advance Notice for your Diary
BAMFORD CHAPEL AND NORDEN URC BECOME DEMENTIA FRIENDS The Ministry Core Group have organised for a representative from the Alzheimer’s Society to come along to Chapel to present a short interactive session on how we become a dementia friendly community. The session will be on
MONDAY 18TH MAY AT 7PM and will last about an hour All will be welcome; the session is suitable for all ages including young people Further details in the May edition Carole Greaves (on behalf of the Ministry Core Group)
Church Flowers Donations for flowers in March have been received from:
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A re yo u interested in art? A new activity invo lving painting will be starting at chapel in September. It is to be run as a club, rather than a class, fo r people who like to paint – o r wo uld like to learn, with an o ccasional ‘teacher’ to give help and advice. It will be for the community, just like the successful Co mmunity Coffee Mo rnings, so spread the word to friends and neighbours. If you are interested or would like to know more p lease contact me. Linda Kerford
Bamford Chapel and Norden URC have recently become members of M24 arts. Anyone can use the membership to buy low cost craft materials including, paper, card, paints, foam, glitter, card making materials etc. as long as it is for activities/groups at Church. The organisation also hires out equipment such as badge making machines, parachutes etc. They also stock a large selection of scrap and recyclable materials sold at very low cost and provide ideas and advice for crafts and fun activities. M24 arts are based at Pioneer House, Lodge Street in Middleton and are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 am - 5pm and Friday and Saturday 10am – 4pm. Tel no. 0161 222 4039. I would recommend a visit to see what they have; I was amazed. We are registered as Bamford Chapel and Norden URC under my name. I have the membership card which anyone is more than welcome to have, just text me and I will bring the card to Chapel or pop the card through your door. (Contact no. in Church directory) Carole Greaves 25
"BIG DAY OUT in SOUTHPORT" Arranged by the North Western and Mersey Synods
Saturday 18th July 2015 At Southport Convention Centre Opening Worship at 10.00 am Closing Service at 4.30 pm Come and enjoy:-
Rehearsals and Presentation of the Roger Jones Musical “Greater than Gold" Discussion Groups, Bible Study, Puppet Workshop, etc. The cost for those aged 18 and over is £7 (if booked before 5th April) or £10 thereafter; under 18s go free Food will be available to buy from the Convention Centre If you are interested in going, or want more details, please contact John Lapworth, so that he can order the necessary number of tickets. 26
For our Children and Young People
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BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN URC 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 MAY MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 19th April
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 30th April
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 3rd May
29
BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN 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:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
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 30