Bamford Chapel
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BAMFORD CHAPEL Mission/Vision Statement MISSION TO MAKE KNOWN THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LOVE OF GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
WORSHIP We believe as a congregation that our worship should be wholehearted and meaningful as we join together in praise and thanksgiving to God. In response to God’s love, we wish to express our joy, to open our hearts to God’s voice and to respond to His word.
LEARNING Recognising our need to learn of God and from God, we seek to provide an environment within which learning and teaching can take place. We would want to enable each person to accept God into their life and to have the ability to discuss and share their faith with all.
PASTORAL We are joined together in our faith by the Holy Spirit. As a loving fellowship we wish to deepen and extend our care for each other encouraging everyone to use their gifts, as they are enabled by God, to show tenderness and compassion in a spirit of humility.
MISSION/SOCIETY We accept that we are called to make Christ known in our community at Bamford and in all other places. We would wish to influence others by example and comment, accepting that God will speak through us as we maintain a relationship with Him. We recognise the need for the Church to participate in all aspects of the life of the world, and proclaim God’s will, as it is revealed to us.
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Further Details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Thursday 4th July
7.00 p.m. 10.30 a.m.
Sunday 7th July
Saturday 13th July
Elders Meeting Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Ken Greer
6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Walter Brisk
2.00 p.m.
Garden Party
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship led by David Watson
Sunday 14th July 6.00 p.m.
10.30 a.m. Sunday 21st July
12 Noon
Evening Worship led by Anne Fitton Family Worship led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley Church Meeting
6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Joanne Ackroyd
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 28th July 6.00 p.m.
Wednesday 31st July
1.30 pm
Evening Worship led by Anne Fitton
Midweek Communion Service 1
Thursday 1st August
7.00 p.m.
10.30 a.m.
Elders Meeting
Family Worship with Holy Communion led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 4th August 6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Laura Davies
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship led by Walter Brisk
Sunday 11th August 6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by our Minister Revd Richard Bradley
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship led by Joanne Ackroyd
6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Margaret Ogden
Sunday 18th August
10.30 a.m.
Family Worship led by Andy Platt
Sunday 25th August 6.00 p.m.
Evening Worship led by Joan Warner
As this magazine went to print in June please be aware that details are subject to change. Please check the website at: www.bamfordchapel.co.uk For the most up to date information. Thank you 2
Message from the Manse As I write this article we, as a family, have returned from five days at Center Parcs. The sun shone for the duration of our stay even though one or two days were slightly overcast. It was a holiday but not one where we sat around doing nothing but relax. That is impossible with three energetic children at the ages of 8, 6 and 3 who want to be doing something and usually it is not sitting drinking coffee and relaxing in the sun! Despite this it was a holiday. It was an enjoyable one at that. Holidays can be so different; some are restful, relaxing where we do little. Others require more energy and stamina. Some are short, some are long. Some are city breaks others we enjoy the quietness and peace of the countryside. One isn’t “more” of a holiday than any other. As we will soon enter the holiday season in the months of July and August I hope you will take a break from the busyness of life. Whether you are going on holiday or just enjoying a quieter or different pace of life to usual. But I hope we won’t take a holiday from God. Because God is still speaking and still acting in our lives whether we are here in the UK or on beach in Europe or further afield. As we continue to discern God’s Purpose I believe we will be seeing God speak to us in new ways in the months that lie ahead. In my June article I mentioned the team that I have created to look at the questionnaires and also to look at the vision and mission of the Church. That group has met once and had good initial discussions. I believe we, as a Church, will explore new ways of being God’s people in the year that lies ahead. It will require patience. It will require a willingness to set aside some of our own “likes” in order to try new things as we listen to 3
God and look at how we can grow the church and impact the community of Bamford more and to reach out with the Good News of the Gospel. It will require prayer and Bible Study. It will require listening to what God wants of us. Nothing will be done unless we feel God is showing us and directing us to do it. I cannot stress enough the need for us ALL to be ONE people, the ONE people of God. We may not always necessarily like what we do as a church. The songs we sing; the way we worship, the style etc. We may not feel comfortable with certain aspects of worship. But the question we need to ask is “What does God want us to be doing?” And stemming from that will we hinder this work or will we harness this work trusting it is God’s work that we are doing not our own. One thing I can assure us all without any shadow of a doubt is that God only leads us on exciting journeys. And He will not leave us to find our own way but He will lead and guide us in all that we do. Let us trust together, pray together, grow together, learn together and allow God to work in us and through us to further the Kingdom of God in and through the life, fellowship and worship of His Church here at Bamford Chapel. God Bless Richard.
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News of the family Concerns are expressed for Ray and Auriel Atkins, Don and Winifred Schofield, Eric and Richard Lumb, Joyce and Derek Yates and Olive Brierley. Please remember also in your prayers anyone else about whom you have concerns or those who I have omitted to mention. As the school and college holidays approach we pray for all those young people who will be at home during the coming weeks (and for their parents). Please pray especially for those who are waiting for exam results which will have such a great influence on their next steps in life. Summer is the time when many of us go away on holiday, and we pray for safe journeys and relaxing times with families. The Ladies Fellowship day out is in August too, and there are still places available for this trip to Wetherby and Harewood House. Please sign up on the list in the coffee area if you wish to go.
Thank you to all at the chapel for your prayers and good wishes. As I am now approaching 15 months since I became American, (American bone marrow donor) I must say the bodily invasion via my new immune system seems to be progressing well. Although it will be 9 5
months before I can be fully immunised, MMR etc, so no visits to South Wales just yet, I am progressing well. A small set back with a gallstone has seen me scheduled for removal of the gallbladder shortly, but outside that I feel ok. I sneak into church and sit upstairs in the less populated area to avoid coughs and sneezes and Lisa and I are trying to catch up on the missing year by seeing friends and visiting new places. Hopefully off to Italy at the end of July for 3 weeks. Factor 50 on standby and large floppy hat for my less than hirsute head. Once again thanks to all. Alistair Linden
Thank you to all the organisations for their most generous donations on Gift Day. This forms such an integral and important part of Bamford Chapel finances. These organisations are also an invaluable outreach to our local community. Peter Harrington - Church Treasurer 6
Don’t miss this year’s
Garden Party Saturday 13th July at 2pm to be opened by Jim Dobbin MP Entertainment by Rochdale Junior Wind Band & The Rock Choir Come and see the owls and Shetland ponies Sponsored by Gaetano Hair Design Admission £1, children free Our superb afternoon tea and cakes will be available together with our fantastic selection of stalls, including: Plants, Bottles, Tombola, Books, Gifts, Cakes, Toys, Games, Body Art, Hook a Duck and lots more
All are welcome 7
Ladies’ Fellowship Thursday May 16th was the date of the Ladies’ Fellowship AGM. Over 30 members were present and the meeting was very successful. The committee was elected, with the exception of 2 members. Jennifer Lee came off the Committee after serving for 8 years. Margaret Curtis resigned after 3 years as Chairman and handed over to Joyce Cooper who was happy to be Chairman of Ladies’ Fellowship. Jennifer and Margaret were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and with a beautiful card - hand designed by Linda Kerford. I personally will keep my card; it is so beautiful - thank you Linda. We then had a bit of entertainment. I had been commissioned by our Secretary to give a monologue - which I duly obliged. The Monologue I chose was one of the “Albert” Monologues - named The Recumbent Posture. I tried to read it in my best Lancashire accent. Not quite as good as Stanley Holloway but I did my best!! Joyce then gave us a talk on her life to date. She informed us that she had always wanted to be a P.E. leader and this she achieved starting in 1945 until she retired in 1982. Joyce was P.E. teacher at 3 very good schools. We then enjoyed a Pot Luck Supper and as usual it was excellent. We never seem to get 2 things alike, it is amazing. There is a break now of 3 months but on June 13th some of us are having a meal at the Bella Vista near Hollingworth Lake. And our day out is to Harewood House. Calling on the way for coffee and then to Mill Stones later for dinner. I wish everyone a very happy and sunny Summer and we will resume our meetings in September.
Margaret Entwistle 8
Addie & Barbara Redmond of 13 Linnell Drive are climbing Kilimanjaro
7 – 12 August 2013
Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free-standing mountain and the highest peak in Africa at a height of 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet above sea level. It is an extinct volcano (at least we hope so!)
We are raising money for Street Pastors and VSO and you may wish to sponsor us: VSO is the organisation through which Addie & Barbara were teacher trainers in Namibia for 4 years. See our just giving site on www.justgiving.com/addiebarbara Street Pastors take the love of Jesus Christ onto the streets of Bury & Rochdale. Sponsor form under the clock in the coffee area. Or contact Addie on 07906 599 966 9
Amusing quotes shared with us by Lesley Sutton LOT’S WIFE The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt when little Jason interrupted, “My Mummy looked back once whilst she was driving,” he announced triumphantly. “And she turned into a telegraph pole.” GOOD SAMARITAN A Junior Church leader was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, “if you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?” A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence. “I think I would be sick she said.” DID NOAH FISH Another Junior Church leader asked, “Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was in the Ark?” “No,” replied Johnny. “How could he with just two worms!” MOSES AND THE RED SEA Nine year old John was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. “Well, Mummy our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcement. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.” Now, John is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked. “Well no Mummy but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believed it!” THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD In Junior Church it was decided to have a class memorise one of the most quoted passages in the Bible – Psalm 23. The leader gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Matthew was excited about the task but he just couldn’t remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day the children were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Matthew was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, “The Lord is My Shepherd and that’s all I need to know.” 10
UNANSWERED PRAYER The minister’s five year old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day she asked him why. “Well dear,” he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. “I am asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.” “How come he doesn’t answer it? she asked. BEING THANKFUL A Rabbi said to a precocious six year old boy, “so your mother says your prayers for you each night” That’s very commendable. What does she say?” The little boy replied, “thank God he’s in bed!” UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER During the minister’s prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Thomas’ mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence and after church asked, “Thomas, whatever made you do such a thing?” Thomas answered soberly, “I asked God to teach me to whistle and He did!” TIME TO PRAY A minister asked a little boy if he said his prayers every night. “Yes sir,” the boy replied. “And do you always say them in the morning too?” the minister asked. “No sir,” the boy replied. “I’m not scared in the daytime.” ALL MEN/ALL GIRLS When my daughter Elizabeth said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend and every animal [current and past]. For several weeks after we had finished the nightly prayer, Elizabeth would say “And all the girls.” This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, “Elizabeth, why do you always add the part about all girls?” Her response, “because everybody always finishes their prayers by saying, all men!” SAY A PRAYER Little Adam and his family were having Sunday lunch at his Grandmother’s house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Adam received his plate he started eating right away. “Adam! Please wait until we say our prayer,” said his mother. “I don’t need to the boy replied.” “Of course you do,” his mother insisted. “We always say a prayer before eating at our house.” “That’s at our house, Adam explained. “But this is Grandma’s house and she knows how to cook!” 11
To: Date: From: Subject: Reference:
YOU TODAY GOD YOURSELF LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
An opportunity to use your talents After nearly 4 years of editing the Bamford Chapel magazine Louise is ready to hand the reigns over to the next editor. Could this be you? Lots of help, advice and guidance for the right person. Don’t miss this opportunity to develop your skills and learn some new ones!! Contact Louise for more information. 12
TALENTS “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership , let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8) On Sunday 30th June we looked at different sorts of gifts. Gifts that God gave us before we even knew we had them - gifts to glorify Him. Whatever our gift(s) is (are) we can use it (them) to glorify Him. One of the things I think is vital is for us to use the gifts God has given us. I am passionate about people exercising the gift (or gifts) God has given to them. You may be able to play a musical instrument that can be used to glorify God in worship. You may have gifts of administration – these can be used to glorify God. You may have a gift for working with young people – this is a gift that can be used in the life of the church (the list goes on). Age is no boundary to us using our gifts. I will share an example that I think I may have shared before. Bertha was a lovely Godly woman in my home church. Bertha had such a strong faith. Sadly age took its toll on her and she was less and less able to do what she once did. But she never gave up. As she became housebound she took on a new pastoral ministry of writing letters to people she knew were in some form of need. She telephoned people. Her ministry touched many lives. Sadly Bertha died a few years ago but I (and I am sure others) still remember her powerful ministry and give thanks to God for her wonderfully exercised ministry. She was a true saint and someone who was a glowing example of how we should never give up using the gifts God has given us. As we continue to seek God’s vision God wants us to be people who exercise the gifts He has given to us. May we all look at the gifts He has given us and use them to glorify Him. 13
TIME “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) On the 16th June (Father’s Day) the service was themed on TIME. During the service we looked at a typical 24hours in someone’s life. All regulars were offered/ given a leaflet to take home and read. In that was a blank pie-chart, representing a 24 hour period, where we were invited to fill it out for our own lives (if you did not receive a leaflet then please see Richard who will be glad to give one to you). So we could fill out how many hours we spent doing different things such as: sleeping, working, spending time of Facebook, Twitter, e-mailing etc. The idea was that we were thinking about what time we spend waiting on God. Not including in that any work we may do for the church (such as worship, lunch club, uniformed organisations etc.) but the time when we pray, read the Bible etc. I am not asking if you have all filled out the blank piechart, but I do hope we have all considered, thought about, and prayed about what time we have and reflected on the need to spend time with God so that we know what He wants from us as individuals and corporately as the church. As we move forward as a church people giving their TIME will be vital as we may try new things to make known the name of Christ. For us to grow as Christians worship, reading the Bible and praying are vitally important. God Bless Richard 14
TREASURE “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be enough food in my house. “Test me in this.” Says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10) For some giving financially is a hugely emotive and to some degree controversial topic. Bible experts often say that Jesus said more about money that a lot of other topics. Firstly I want to say “Thank You” on behalf of Bamford Chapel for your financial giving. As I am sure we all do with our own finances it is important to take stock every now and again to make sure we are not spending more than we get in each week or each month. Likewise with the church it is good to take stock and remind ourselves how much it costs to run the church and to exercise the ministry we do within the church. The morning service we had on Sunday 23 rd June was to inform the church about what it costs the church week in and week out; whether we are actually in church or not the costs for the church to open remain the same. Hopefully you will have received an envelope since the service took place which covers most of what was in the presentation I gave. The material I used was based on a course adapted for the URC called TRIO which stands for The Responsibility Is Ours - which basically means that the responsibility of raising the funds for the ministry and worship of the church remains with those within the church. It was not a finger-wagging service that said we all had to give more. It was a service that invited us to give 15
prayerful consideration to what we, as individuals or couples, currently give financially and whether we can increase that giving. We are conscious that everyone won’t be able to give more. All those with response envelopes are asked to respond by the 14 th July. Please also note that our giving on a Sunday is not giving to pay me (as minister); it is not payment to the elders; it is not even a payment to Bamford Chapel; it needs to be seen as part of our giving to God. As I virtually always say when it comes to the offertory in the service: “We now take up the offertory for the work of God in this place.” Because that is what it is. It is part of our worship – giving to God. I hope we will all engage in this process so that the work of God in growing the church can continue. God Bless Richard
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Ladies’ Fellowship On Thursday 13th June,
had a Birthday Girl with us
about 30 Members went to
& she was serenaded
explore the delights of
several times! Our thanks
Milnrow, & discovered the
go to Angela who has a
"Bella Vista". This was to
genius for "sussing out"
be our summer Celebration
good venues & to all those
Dinner so that some of us
valiant drivers who took on
pretended that it really was
Back-Seat ex drivers as
SUMMER & dressed
their passengers!
accordingly! The more sensible Ladies reverted, at
Joyce Cooper
the last moment, to Winter trousers & a pretty top!
However, the welcome was warm & the food delicious, though a little too generous for my taste. We
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Seeking God’s Vision Questionnaires
I want to first of all thank everyone who responded to the Seeking God’s Vision for Bamford Chapel questionnaires. I felt it would be fruitful to give a brief update as to what is currently taking place. Whilst there may not have been any feedback from them yet rest assured work is happening. A small team of people has been set up to look at them and tease out some of the common threads with a view to implementing some of the ideas. The small group tasked to look at this is made up of: Anna James, Sarah Fitton, Sarah Finnegan, Cameron Baines, Ruth Bradley and me. This is not a group that is making big decisions on your behalf this is a group that will be looking at and 18
suggesting ideas based on the responses that you have made. We will report back to the church via Elders and Church meeting and where appropriate in church services too. We will also write articles in the monthly church magazine too. All 6 of us are approachable so if you have any questions at any time please do not hesitate to contact any one of us and we will be happy to feed in any constructive ideas/comments/ suggestions. This group will also be looking at the vision and mission of the church. My hope is that we will explore what God’s vision is before implementing any changes or starting anything new. We need to know what our “mission priorities” are to see that what we do, and indeed are currently doing, fits with what we feel is what God wants of us. This process is a God-driven process. It is a process I hope that will grow the church spiritually as well as numerically. I hope we will all agree that growth is paramount for the future. Standing still is not moving forward. And the three services on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of June where we looked at TIME, TREASURE and TALENTS are three vital areas of giving; giving of ourselves for the extension of God’s Kingdom here on earth. God wants us all on this journey. I hope we will all follow and grow so that others will want to be part of Bamford Chapel but more importantly have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Your servant in Christ, Richard.
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Gift Aid
A message to everyone who gift aids their offering. The Inland Revenue have changed the information that they need about all who Gift Aid so I would appreciate it if you would get a new form from me (if you have not already done so) and fill it in and return it to me as soon as possible. If you do not already Gift Aid your offering and wish to do so you can also fill in a form. The money received from the revenue is a valued source of income for the Church and it costs you no more than you are already happy to give. The only stipulations to Gift Aiding your offering is that you must be a tax payer and that you make your offering either by standing order directly into the Church’s bank or by the blue envelopes. I can arrange either of these ways for you.
Thanks you Diane Davies Gift Aid Secretary
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DO MORE THAN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Do more than belong -
Participate
Do more than care
-
Help
Do more than be fair -
Be kind
Do more than forgive -
Forget
Do more than dream -
Work
Do more than teach -
Inspire
Do more than learn
-
Enrich
Do more than give
-
Serve
Do more than live
-
Grow
Do more than suffer -
Triumph
Do more than believe -
Practise
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks to Joan Warner for sharing this with us. She found it in the Bolton Road Methodist monthly magazine.
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Prayer to stay connected
Heavenly Father, Forgive us that we are all so busy. There are so many demands; so many expectations. Emails and Facebook demand instant replies and, if we’re honest, they drain away our time as we try to keep in touch with everyone, whenever they contact us. We keep in touch with everyone who demands our attention, Lord, but often, in all the rush to communicate, we don’t keep in touch with you, the greatest communicator of all. You communicated all we need to know by sending Jesus. He is your love in person. He makes it possible for us to know you by trusting in him. Thank you for pressing the send button that gave Jesus to us. Thank you that you will never switch off or close down. Help us to spend our precious time wisely and to stay connected to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. By Daphne Kitching
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Bluebell Walk Many thanks to Lesley Hynes for leading us in this year’s Bluebell Walk. It was truly stunning! If you missed it this time make sure you join us next year. Louise Aspinall
Solar power Somebody finally invented a solar-powered laundry dryer. It's called a ‘clothes line’.
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An Extraordinary Calendar We are fortunate these days to have digital cameras, cameras on our mobile phones etc so with this in mind how about us producing a 2014 Calendar? Not the usual photographs of our building and activities but unusual photographs, photographs taken from unusual angles, photographs of the church not usually seen by passers by. During this summer and before the Garden Party please take time to look around our building and grounds and if you see an unusual picture please take a photograph and submit it to: gillianburc@hotmail.com We shall have Bamford Chapel’s resident photographer to judge the best 12 photographs plus have everyone voting for their favourite photographs prior to making up a calendar ready for 2014. Please join in the fun and see what you can produce. 24
JUNIOR CHURCH DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAY Would you like the opportunity to get to know our young people better?
If your answer is ‘yes’ then WE NEED YOU to volunteer to help supervise a session of Junior Church over the Summer break. Lots of help, advice and guidance is available. A list is under the clock—please sign up for one or more sessions.
For more information please speak to any of the Junior Church leaders or contact Louise Aspinall on 01706 719449 or Gillian James on 01706 86885 as soon as possible.
Thank you
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE
EDITORS:
Louise Aspinall
01706 719449
l.aspinall@yahoo.co.uk
Martyn James
01706 868885
martyn-james1@sky.com
SECRETARY:
Joan Ashton
01706 360395
ray-joanashton@sky.com
DATES FOR THE NEXT MAGAZINE September 2013
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 18th August
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 29th August
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 1st September
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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: Wedding Secretary: Telephone: Email:
Ian Sturrock 01706 653109 i.sturrock@talktalk.net 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