Bamford Chapel and
Norden URC
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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
2014 Monday 1st December
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Tuesday 2nd December
6.00 pm
Thursday 4th December
7.30 pm
Christingle Service (in Upstairs Hall – for Rainbows & Brownies but any church family are welcome to attend) Elders’ Meeting
10.30 am
Family Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by David Watson
Monday 8th December
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Tuesday 9th December
12.15 pm 1 – 2.00 pm
Lunch followed by Music at Lunchtime (details in the magazine)
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm
Food for Thought Drama
Monday 15th December
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Tuesday 16th December
8.00 pm
Tuesday Home Group (Venue on the Notice Sheet)
Saturday 20th December
12.00 pm 1.00 pm
CTiNWR Carol Singing at Cutgate Precinct (followed by refreshments in Cutgate Baptist Church) Junior Church Nativity Led by our Children & Young People
Sunday 7th December
Sunday 14th December
10.30 am Sunday 21st December
6.00 pm
Carol Service Led by Revd Richard Bradley and the Choir (followed by refreshments) 1
December …… continued Wednesday
11.30 pm
24th December Thursday
Led by Revd Richard Bradley 10.00 am
Christmas Morning Family Worship
10.30 am
Led by Revd Richard Bradley Family Worship
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25 December Sunday
Midnight Communion Service
th
28 December
Led by Andy Platt (NO EVENING SERVICE)
January 2015 10.30 am
Family Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Joanne Ackroyd
Monday 5th January
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Thursday 8th January
7.30 pm
Elders’ Meeting
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Joan Warner
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
12.15 pm 1 – 2.00 pm
Lunch followed by Music at Lunchtime (details in the magazine)
7.30.pm
Churches Together in North West Rochdale meeting
7.30 pm
Area Meeting at Alkrington & Providence URC About the Same-Sex Marriage proposals (See separate article in this magazine)
Sunday 4th January
Sunday 11th January Monday 12th January Tuesday 13th January Wednesday 14th January
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January …… continued 10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
12 noon
Church Meeting
6.00 pm
Evening Communion Service Led by Revd Richard Bradley
8.00 pm
Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 25th January
6.00 pm
Monday 26th January
8.00 pm
Service to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Led by Revd Richard Bradley (followed by refreshments) We will be joined by our friends from Churches Together in North West Rochdale Focus on Prayer Group (Crèche Room)
Sunday 18th January
Monday 19th January
You are welcome to join any of the following Exploring Groups Further details of all Services and Groups may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Monday Prayer Group: Thursday Community Coffee Morning: 8pm in the crèche from 10.00 am Monday Home Group: 8 pm at the home of Addie & Barbara Redmond Tuesday Stillness and Sharing: 1st & 3rd Tuesday in month, 2.15pm in the Lounge 2nd & 16th Dec, 6th & 20th Jan
Thursday Afternoon Home Group: 2.00 pm, 2nd & 4th Thursday in the month at the home of Gillian & Finlay Galloway Joy Group: Meets monthly 6.30 pm at the Dolce Vita, 7.30 pm at 17 Bamford Mews 29th December & 26th January
Tuesday Home Group – Discipleship Explored: 2nd Dec, Wed 17th Dec, 13th & 27th January at 8pm in The Manse
Sunday Evening Youth Groups: Koinonia 6.30—7.30 pm Hay Hodos 7.30—8.30 pm
Wednesday Exploring the Bible: 7.30 pm at the home of Ray Atkins, 8 Greenwich Close 3
MESSAGE FROM THE MANSE “I love Christmas” are probably words I have used in the “message from the manse” article each Christmas I have been here. But they remain true. I do love Christmas and perhaps that love has deepened since we had children. There is something very special about seeing the faces of the children on Christmas morning when they know Santa has been. Christmas morning, for me, follows on from one of the special services in the year - midnight communion on Christmas Eve. It is a special service as during that service we mark the change to Christmas Day and celebrate Communion together in church. For some, however, Christmas is a difficult time - a time of great pain as they perhaps remember a loved one who is no longer with them; however recent, or not, that loss may have been, the pain can still be there and it is right that we support them and hold them in our prayers. At the end of December we also welcome in a new year. An opportunity to celebrate what has passed in the year that is about to end and we look forward to the New Year that lies ahead of us. I want to encourage us this December and January to look forward in hope and expectation as to what God has in store for us as individuals and as a church. We face a busy 2015 as we complete the sale of our Norden Church building and say a final goodbye as that building becomes the property of someone else. We face the major roof works at the Bamford building and all the upheaval that will cause. In amidst all this we have to keep our eye and focus on God and what God wants of us. Whether we worship in this building or another one whilst the work is done, we remain the people of God and God remains with us. We cannot and should not take our eye off our call as followers of Christ even in what is to be a busy and exciting year. 4
It would be remiss of me at this point not to thank those Elders who will be standing down in December. I want to thank them for their commitment and dedication over the years they have served. I also want to pay tribute in this edition to Ian Sturrock our retiring Church Secretary. Ian has been a worker and has made my role as minister far easier because of his commitment to getting things done. As I said at the Church Meeting in November Ian and Muriel were a great support to us as a family when we moved to Bamford and for that we will always be enormously grateful. It would also be wrong not to thank Muriel for her hard work and support of Ian behind the scenes. I am sure he could not have done half of what he has without her support also. Being a Church Secretary is not an easy task and Ian has fulfilled the role admirably and with great commitment and I want to say a public thank you to him in this edition of the magazine. I also want to welcome John Lapworth to the role of Church Secretary or that should probably read, “welcome him back to the role of Church Secretary”. As many of you know, John served as Church Secretary a few years ago. I want to thank John for agreeing to have his name put forward and I look forward to working with him in this role. We also welcome Angela Smith as the minute secretary. Angela will take the minutes of both Elders’ and Church Meetings as previously agreed. As we look towards Christmas and the New Year beyond let us continue to work out the vision God has given us, being patient and open to the Holy Spirt to continue the work God is doing in and through us. We hope you have a blessed and peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2015. God Bless
Richard, Ruth, Evan, Amelia and Evie 5
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE You may or may not be aware that the UK Government has passed the law that Christian churches can be allowed to marry people in same-sex relationships. However for any denomination to do so it needs the agreement of their respective governing body. In URC terms this is the General Assembly. At General Assembly in July 2014 a consensus could not be reached on whether to agree that the URC (as a denomination) could offer same-sex marriage or not. Therefore Synods and local churches are being asked to discuss and make comments that need to be back with the general secretary of the URC by the end of March 2015. If it is agreed that the denomination can offer same sex marriage it is then down to each church to make a decision for itself on whether to offer it or not. If that point arises we need to make a decision as a church. For the time being we are asked to consider the issue in light of the national church and whether we feel it is right for the denomination to agree to this or not. There are four people within our Synod who have received training as “facilitators” for churches to call on them to come and help a church explore both sides of the argument. These people obviously have limited time. There is a Central Area meeting on Wednesday 14th January at Alkrington and Providence URC where one of the facilitators will be speaking to us. I would encourage as many members as possible to attend that meeting. There is a paper that has been prepared by the denomination which is
available to read or print off from the URC website – follow this link to find it: http://www.urc.org.uk/images/Marriage-same-sexcouples/One-plus-One-August-2014-second-edition.pdf Or let Richard know and he will photocopy it for people if they want a copy (it is a 40 page paper so in the interests of the environment I will make copies if requested.) The process for us as I see it is that Elders may discuss it at the 6
December meeting. I then suggest Church Meeting in January discusses it and fills out the paper work that needs to be returned to the general secretary. Some general points as I understand the paperwork: 1) The government has been in consultation with the denominations and the new legislation means that individual churches and individual ministers will not be prosecuted by anyone for refusing to participate in same-sex marriages. A church and/or minister have the right to refuse. 2) A church could decide to offer same-sex marriage but the minister may on theological grounds not want to carry out such marriages. The church would then need to find someone who would carry them out. 3) There would be a separate registration process for a church to be licensed for same-sex marriages. They would need a separate “authorised person� to conduct the legalities of the ceremony. These are simply general points. These would be relevant if, and only if, the consultation period leads to General Assembly being recalled and agreeing to same-sex marriage being allowed to take place in URC churches. I hope this helps introduce the process the denomination has entered. God Bless - Richard
For Your Information As this magazine went to print in November, please be aware that some dates and events may be subject to change. Please check the weekly notice sheet or website at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk for the most up-to-date information. Thank you. 7
News of the Family Concerns are expressed for the following people: Win Schofield, Joyce and Derrick Yates who still need our ongoing prayers; Olive Brierley, now in Oaklands care home, Dennis Doyle, Gillian and Finlay Galloway, John and Angela Hall, Geoff and Margaret Ogden, Betty Ainsworth, Addie, Barbara and the wider family following the death of Addie`s brother, Lydia Wright, Joyce Cooper, Steven Gooding, Peter Francis and Shelagh and Brian Chrimes. We are asked to pray also for our friends from Norden, along with anyone else of whom you may be aware but who I have omitted to mention. As Christmas approaches, please remember those known to us and unknown, who may not be looking forward to the season because they have no friends or family with whom they can share the festivities. Those of us who are able to spend Christmas with loved ones are indeed blessed. Congratulations to Zoe Davies on her Graduation at Worcester Cathedral at the end of November. Congratulations also to Anne Fitton who retired in November. May she have a long and happy retirement. If you have any concerns or good news to share in the next magazine, please let me know at lm.peacock@hotmail.co.uk 8
I was pleased to donate a bench, which is placed in front of the manse, in loving memory of my husband Ian who died in March. Ian enjoyed his work in the gardens of the Chapel with the Monday gang and I would like to thank Ian (Sturrock) and Ernie for anchoring the bench and fixing the plaque, also Frank McClean for organising delivery. Anne Newman
New Benches in the Chapel Grounds If you are able, please take time to walk down to the lower garden of remembrance where you will find three new benches provided by Frank McClean in memory of his wife Pattie. Pat McClean, as she was known to many of us, helped to run the Brownies and Guides at Bamford Chapel for 25 years. Pat died earlier this year and we say special thanks to Frank for this wonderful gift. Not only will they provide a tranquil and comfortable place to sit but no doubt will also be used from time to time by wedding couples for their photographs. Under the manse window you will spot another lovely new bench which Anne Newman purchased for Chapel in memory of her late husband Ian. Following their return from Australia, both Ian & Anne quickly became involved with the ongoing life of the Chapel. Ian faithfully helped with the odd jobs which the Monday gang become involved with, despite his increasing health problems. Those who appreciated that help will be able to sit there for a few minutes and in our mind’s eye will see him working away, always without complaint. Thank you Anne. .......continued overleaf 9
continued …... I would also like to thank Ernie Sweetman who willingly helped me to fit security fittings and site these benches. I feel they will be enjoyed for many years to come. Beautiful tributes to special people. Ian Sturrock
HALF ACRE HOUSE Residential and Care Home The Church was recently contacted by Anita Lewis – the owner of Half Acre House – about establishing a link between the Home and Bamford Chapel. A discussion has taken place with Anita, who felt that there had been a link in the past. She feels that contact between the Home and the Chapel could help the residents (remember this is their home) and could be mutually beneficial. She has a variety of ideas as to how this might be done, including visits by individuals and groups, and all would be made welcome. Anita explained how the Home tries to provide activities to enhance the lives of the people living there and contributions from outside visitors could only be of benefit. If we wanted to hold a ‘Service’ facilities would be provided. The opportunity is one of service, even an expression of ‘loving our neighbour’. Arrangements have been made for a group to go at 2.00 pm on Sunday 14th December to sing Carols and perhaps a bit extra. Further details will be made known in the next couple of weeks. We might even form a ‘Friends of Half Acre Group’. Please help and speak to any of the Ministry Core Group; Sarah Fitton, Carole Greaves, Sid Hazlehurst, Linda Kerford, Margaret Ogden and Barbara Redmond.
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The Choir I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to Audrey Telford and Olive Brierley for their many years of faithful service to the Choir. It is with regret that they feel they can no longer fulfil this role and we already miss them both on Tuesday evenings and in their usual places on Sundays. We hope you both enjoy your retirement. Peter and Pamela Harrington also decided they needed to take a break and so we thank them too for the time they spent with us. As a result of these four people leaving us, we find our ranks diminished and would really welcome some new faces to join us, or older ones returning! Please give this some prayerful consideration. We don't require you to do an audition although it does help to be able to sing in tune! We rehearse in church every Tuesday evening at 7pm for just an hour and we enjoy our time of fellowship and quite a bit of fun (I even accept that Rochdale fans cannot make certain Tuesdays when there is a home match!) If you would like a taster before you commit to a regular place, why not join us for Christmas to sing at the Carol Service. Ken Greer recently expressed his appreciation for the way the Choir lead the singing every Sunday morning and I join with him in thanking all the members of the Choir for their very loyal support. It would be remiss of me not to mention Geoff, our organist, who in spite of decreasing mobility still turns up every week for the Choir Practice. What would we do without him? Please have a word with me if you would like to join us. Thank you - Margaret Ogden
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All ages welcome Theme: Preparing for Christmas Enjoy: Craft, Music, Food, Fellowship and On the afternoon of Sunday 7 December 2 – 5 pm
Menu Hot dogs or vegetarian
Children: please bring an adult with you
Mince Pies Jam tarts
or
Donation in exchange for food!
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Bamford Chapel Project 2014: Help Protect Girls and Young Women from FGM At the time of writing we have accumulated over £1,200 for the project; think that’s nearly five beds!! This week the Brownies are raising funds at their annual coffee evening and fifty four of us are gathering at Bury College for an African themed fundraising meal. Personal Giving continues as is our usual tradition until Christmas Day. The Rainbows, Guides and Junior Church are also collecting. Donations can be placed in the collection plate in either a white envelope, if you are a tax payer or brown envelope if you are a nontax payer. Envelopes can be found in the pews or on the project notice board in the coffee area. One of the rooms in the Safe House is to be named after Bamford Chapel; any ideas for the plaque which will be put up in the room will be welcome. For more information see the link below or ask one of the Church in the World Group Members: Lyn Jefferies, Addie and Barbara Redmond, Margaret Ogden, Gillian James or Carole Greaves. www.tanzdevtrust.org/safe-house-and-training-centre-appeal Carole Greaves on behalf of the Church in the World Group 13
Bamford Chapel & Norden URC presents
MUSIC AT lUNCHTIME Lunch items priced individually are available from 12.15 pm
Concert Admission £3.50 1.00 pm — 2.00 pm
Tuesday 9th December Chetham’s sChool of musiC Middle School Chamber Groups
Tuesday 13th JANUARY CLAIRE LEES (SOPRANO) and Lies Braakmen (Piano)
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Christmas Hamper Every year we are asked to help families who are in crisis at Christmas. Brenda Griffiths receives this invitation for Bamford Chapel and I receive the same invitation for Norden URC. It didn't feel fair to cut down to one hamper just because we are one church, especially as I am a member of the committee Friends of Families which issues these requests on behalf of Family Action and I know how many families need our support. Please could you donate food, gifts or cash towards this cause? I will place a list of the items required on the noticeboard under the clock for you to add your name. We will need your donations by Sunday 14th December. Please pass them to Linda Lees or Brenda Griffiths. I don't know how Brenda does it, but I usually encourage people to give cash donations or gifts and I do a big shop, wrap it in decorated boxes, add a Christmas card and an envelope with cash for the social workers to buy the fresh food, then deliver it on Monday 15th December. This year the families we are going to help are from the Young Carers and Special Education Needs: 

A lady who has recently been made homeless by a relationship breakdown. She is living in a hostel with a three year old son with autism and twin girls who are six months old. A family with a seriously ill mum needing 24 hour care, husband and two sons aged 18 and 19 are her carers.
I also collect any random gifts to give to the families who haven't received a hamper. Many thanks in anticipation of your response. Linda Lees 15
December, December, A month to remember, A month full of darkness and light, A month full of rushing And sharing and hoping, A month full of one special night. By Daphne Kitching
On behalf of myself and all the family I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone at Bamford Chapel for their kind wishes and concern throughout my father (Geoffrey's) illness, and at the time of his death in October. It was very comforting to receive such support and to be surrounded by kind and caring people. Thank you also for the cards and flowers we received. They were very much appreciated. With love and prayers
Lesley Ashworth and family
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Thank you to those who have responded to the invitation to make a regular donation via their bank. These are really appreciated. Thanks too for all the food donated over recent weeks. It is good that we remember those less fortunate than ourselves as the weather becomes colder. This is a copy of the official letter which is sent to contributing organisations each month. We had 326 clients in October - an increase on the last couple of months, and it has been noticeably busier at times during the month. Of course, October is the most significant month for Harvest Donations and our community has not failed us. For the time being we have a surplus of baked beans and, thanks to Kellogg's, plenty of cereals too. Donations totalled 4.5 tonnes this month, in addition to 3 tonnes of regular donations which gives us a valuable reserve to meet the increased demand which winter will bring. Our gratitude to all who have organised and continue to organise church and school collections on our behalf. In October also our partnership with Greggs has settled down and we are getting a supply of bread on most days, which our clients really appreciate. Margaret Ogden and Anne Newman 17
Bamford Chapel and Norden URC Food for Thought presents
An evening of sketches and monologues for Christmas
Sunday 14 December 2014 6 pm Bamford Chapel Norden Road Rochdale OL11 5PQ
Please join us for refreshments after the performance 18
Celebrating Christmas as a Family at Bamford Chapel Apart from joining together to worship over the Christmas period (details of the various services can be found elsewhere in this magazine), you are all warmly invited to join us at two hugely enjoyable social events for the whole family. On Sunday 21st December at 4pm we will again be holding our Family Christmas Tea. Everyone, both young and old, is invited to join us for good food and even better fellowship. Tea consists of various cooked meats and salads, trifle or jelly, cakes and mince pies, and is followed by our traditional carol service. Whether you have never been before, or if you come every year, please look out for the lists to sign up on, and come along. Another fun family occasion is our Christmas Eve Party. It starts at 7pm and consists of games, dancing and a light supper for all the family. What better way to tire out the children so that they will be fast asleep before Father Christmas arrives! Again there will be a list on the notice board under the clock for you to sign if you would like to join us.
Christian Aid’s 2014 Christmas Appeal This focuses on Maternal Health in Kenya and Rochdale churches are asked to pray for and organise collections to support the appeal. Any money raised by Christian Aid towards this Appeal during the period from 7th November to 6th December 2014 will be matched by the UK Government; a strong incentive to make an extra contribution leading up to Christmas.
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100 years ago:- on 24th25th Dec 1914 the WW1 Christmas Truce took place. British and German troops observed an unofficial ceasefire at several points along the Western Front, singing songs and exchanging greetings from their trenches and even crossing into ‘no man’s land’ to exchange food and souvenirs and play football.
Believe in God and you’ll believe in miracles. Believe in the baby of Bethlehem, and you’ll experience one.
Please make a note of this date in your diaries 2015 Rochdale Christian Aid Evening Monday, 16th February at St Andrew’s (Methodist & United Reformed) Church, Entwisle Rd, OL16 2HZ We have invited Paul Martin (Chair of Bolton & Rochdale Methodist District) to lead a presentation on work carried out by Christian Aid’s partners in Angola (which he visited in 2014 together with the Bishop of Manchester). The presentation will take up the 2015 theme of Church Action on Poverty comparing Global and UK poverty and we have invited participation from the Rochdale Petrus Community and Rochdale Food Bank, both of which have considerable experience of dealing with poverty in the UK. This will be relevant to the themes of Christian Aid Week in 2015. 20
Ladies’ Fellowship November Games Evening No! It wasn’t just a boring series of Quizzes; a lively and at times hilarious atmosphere was enjoyed by the 20 brave souls who feared they might be facing ‘Intelligence Tests’. How wrong they were! It all started with Lesley Sutton ringing a Swiss Cow Bell. You need more than a loud voice to get the attention of members already in full gossip mode. This was an innovation inspired by Joan Lucas – a new unsuspecting volunteer for our committee. Joan was thrown in at the deep end and, supported by Lesley Hynes, worked out a mixture of new and old games, ranging from 2 rounds of Bingo through to a session of Beetle – a modern version with all the numbers switched about – causing much argument and hilarity. After much needed refreshment, we attempted individual puzzles or just had a good natter. We thank the organisers for their initiative and we hope that when we attempt something new in the future, members will be brave enough to ‘have a go’. We have also received letters of thanks to Bamford Ladies Fellowship as below: Rossendale & Pendle Mountain Rescue – thank you for the donation of £120.65 Macmillan Cancer Support – thank you for the coffee morning which raised the wonderful sum of £402.35.
Joyce Cooper (Chairman) May the joys of Christmas also be the joys of your tomorrows.
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A Prayer for Christmas Presence Generous Father, At this busy time of year, help us to remember the important things. In all the rush of sending cards and giving presents may we make time to be still, to acknowledge your sending and giving of the greatest gift of all, Jesus. Thank you that he didn’t stay in the stable in Bethlehem, but lived and died and became the Saviour of all who put their trust in him. May we receive afresh the gift of your presence with us in Jesus, now and for ever, with great thankfulness. In his name, we pray. Amen. By Daphne Kitching
Christmas Carols One night as Christmas approached, some friends decided to go carol singing. A man answered the door of one house, and gasped as they launched into the opening lines of the first carol. Within half a minute, he looked stricken. Soon tears were welling up in his eyes. The carollers sang and sang, and the man looked more and more moved by what he heard. At last the carollers stopped, and one ventured: “I understand – you are sad because our singing reminds you of your happy childhood Christmas days.” The man looked at her with misery in his eyes. “No,” he whispered back. “It’s just that I am a musician!”
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As 2014 draws to its end I am sitting reflecting on what for Michael and I has been the most challenging year in our 47 year marriage. The year started off very hopeful, some nice holidays booked and looking forward to the spring flowers (always a delight). Then in March our year was turned upside down with the diagnosis that I had cancer. It whipped my feet from beneath me and dropped me in a very dark hole. Coping with the news and all the treatment was gruelling, but worst of all was watching Michael and the family so anxious. But thanks to all the love, kind words, prayers, visits, cards and flowers from friends at Bamford Chapel we have got to almost the end of the year stronger and more grateful for what we have than ever before. I feel very blessed with the family that I have at home and the family that I have at Bamford Chapel, without which I don’t know how I would have coped. I now feel that I can see over the top of the dark hole and I am looking forward to the New Year with confidence. So God Bless you all and love from Diane Davies 23
Walking in the Footsteps of the Radical Jesus We have just returned home after an amazing yet disturbing pilgrimage to Israel and Palestine where we were “Walking in the Footsteps of the Radical Jesus” in order to discover what made him so lifechanging to the point that he ended up on a Roman cross with the collaboration of the religious leaders of his day. Staying in Bethlehem, Jericho, Galilee and finally Jerusalem, we visited the holy sites and many different styles of churches, had bible studies in the places where Jesus walked and taught and we learnt about the situation there from both Christian and Muslim Palestinians. We had fun and laughed a lot, floated in the Dead Sea and covered ourselves in Dead Sea mud, swam in the Sea of Galilee, paddled in the Med and ate some fantastic food (we particularly liked the Palestinian mezze which will be a new addition to our dinner party menu). The pilgrimage had three strands to it: Visiting sights related to events in Jesus’ life and ministry. Holding bible studies in the places where the events originally took place. Learning about the Israeli/Arab situation by visiting people and places in the West Bank. Visiting many different styles of churches at the holy sights The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (the site of the crucifixion and the tomb) were so crowded that we did not feel like we were very close to Jesus’ presence. Other churches were not so. The Church of the Milk Grotto where tradition has it that Mary and Joseph stopped to feed the baby Jesus, and a drop of milk fell to the ground was not as you may imagine a lot of kitsch but a beautiful, tranquil place in the heart of the bustling town of Bethlehem. The architecture is simple and the atmosphere serene. The visit to St George’s Monastery deep in a ravine near Jericho was a spectacular spot and we sat in the cave chapel which is traditionally the cave in 24
which Elijah lived for 3 months while being fed by the ravens. There were beautiful stained glass and mosaics of Mary donated by countries all around the world in the Basilica of the Annunciation but again we had to join the queue to see the spot where the angel supposedly visited Mary. We stayed on the Mount of Beatitudes where there was an amazing view of Capernaum on the Galilee lakeshore. Astonishing to think that these were the hills and places Jesus knew and tramped. We could wander around the gardens there, before the crowds came or after they left and spend time in the calm of the church. We visited the two churches in Capernaum. The Roman Catholic or Latin Church looked liked a space ship from outside but inside were lovely wood carvings and the ornate wall paintings in the Greek Orthodox Church were fascinating. Then on to Mensa Christi, to the church that houses the rock where Jesus served a fish breakfast after his resurrection and asked Peter to feed his sheep. The beach outside was almost certainly where Jesus and his friends walked, and now we have had the enormous privilege of walking there too. At Magdala we could explore the recently excavated synagogue and learnt that first century synagogues were not exclusively religious places, but more like community centres, so as Jesus preached in the synagogues around the North Western coast of the Sea of Galilee, he was teaching women and men together and engaging in discussion and conversation with people at every level of society. The new church (or Assembly Hall as it has to be called in order to get building permission from the Israeli government) is beautiful‌simple and serene, with some stunning paintings and icons of all the disciples, including Judas without halo. The altar is a first century Galilee boat, with green wavelike marble forming the sea. The picture window behind opens on to a stretch of water, so that, sitting inside, it looks as though the boat is on the sea and the priest sitting in the boat teaching! Mosaic backdrops to the altars in the four chapels include an emotional picture of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter and restoring her to her parents. The Church of the Multiplication celebrated the miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 and has some interesting floor mosaics. ‌..continued overleaf 25
continued….. In Jerusalem we visited the tear drop shaped Dominus Flevit the church on the site of the spot where Jesus wept over Jerusalem and the Church of the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the Church of St Anne’s beside the Pools of Bethesda we sang “Tuma Mena” or “Fill me Jesus” and also lit a candle and had a quiet moment of prayer after learning about the death of Addie’s brother. We explored the Church of the Pater Noster where the Lord’s Prayer can be found in over 100 different languages but we couldn’t find it in Silosi which is spoken where we lived in Namibia nor in Mandarin which is spoken in Taiwan. We visited the Church of St Lazarus and Lazarus’s tomb as you might expect in Bethany. We were interested to see this place as it has the same name as our granddaughter. We were privileged to be allowed to attend worship in the many golden-domed Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene and experience the wonderful ethereal singing. I must not forget to mention that on Sundays we joined in worship with congregations first at the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and then at St George’s Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem. We were made most welcome and although the worship was in Arabic there were some brief translations about what was happening. (to be continued in the February magazine)
Barbara and Addie Redmond
Thank You I should like to thank my friends at Bamford Chapel who sent me best wishes, cards and flowers on the occasion of my 80th birthday. I had a lovely day with my family. Many Thanks— Bernice Miller 26
FOR OUR CHILDREN & 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 FEBRUARY MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 18th January
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 29th Jauary
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 1st February 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:
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 1st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month 30