Thursday 2nd June Sunday 5th June Sunday 5th June Monday 6th June Monday 6th June Sunday 12th June
Sunday 12th June Monday 13th June Sunday 19th June Sunday 19th June Sunday 26th June Sunday 26th June
7.30 pm Elders Meeting 10.30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Ruth Watson 6.30 pm Meet your local Councillors at Bamford and Oakenrod Forum 7.15 pm Membership Meeting with Joanne Shaw 10.30 am Family Worship led by Andy Platt followed by Whit Sunday Walk of Witness Please note, no evening service 7.15 pm Membership Meeting with Joanne Shaw 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley 6.00 pm Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Walter Brisk 1
Message from the manse If you happened to be passing the manse on Easter Saturday or either of the two Bank Holiday Mondays we have enjoyed recently you will have seen at least four of us clearing the manse garden. It is amazing how many sacks full of weeds we loaded on to the trailer and took to the tip in Heywood – I estimate about 20. It was a job that when I looked at it before we started I wondered whether we would ever get it looking like it should! But with the help of both sets of our parents we embarked upon this task. First we weeded and moved some things that were alive (just!) pruned, pulled out (those things that were dead), and on Monday just gone we planted some new plants. I went out to water it yesterday evening and thought how good it looked (at least by the Bradley standard not necessarily by the standards of others!) The children helped plant some seeds and we hope we will grow some chives, coriander, cherry tomatoes and onions (to name some). When I was doing battle with a bush that had previously been cut back but not removed, I soon realised why someone hadn’t removed the offending article, as when I attempted it seemed the roots went down to Australia! Not wishing to be outdone by something that on the surface looked dead, I persevered – eventually winning the battle with the bush. However in the process of removing the bush I seemed to follow roots in every direction in the garden. I thought, as only a minister could, about how deep rooted some things can get in our lives. How often deep roots can be good things or not so good things. Deep roots of reading our Bibles, praying, sharing our faith etc. are roots we want to spread. But on the other hand the roots of sinfulness: gossip, harsh words, harsh actions etc. are roots that need to be removed. Jesus in one of his well known parables shared the story of the Parable of the Sower where Jesus talks about some seed falling on varying quality of ground and how some seed falls on the path where the birds will come along and eat it. Still some fell on the rocky area 2
where it sprang up quickly and then died when the sun came up. Some fell among the thorns and when it grew it got choked, and finally some of the seed fell on good fertile soil and the plants grew and the roots were no doubt deep. (Matthew 13:1-23) It is a familiar parable one which we have no doubt heard on many occasions. However it is an important one nevertheless. For it challenges us to where our roots are. Where has our seed been planted? Are we on the path, on the rock ground, or among the thorns or in the good, fertile soil? Some of us may have ended up in ground where we do not want to be. We need to pray that God will re-plant us in fertile soil so that our roots will go deep into the soil; which is helped by prayer and Bible reading. I want to invite you to go along to the book stall that Auriel and Ray staff on a Sunday morning. On the stall Ray has kindly offered to anyone who wants to use them some of his Every Day with Jesus booklets, they are useful little books which give you daily Bible readings and a short reflection on a passage with suggestions for further study. It is by reading the Bible often and praying (talking and listening) to God that we will see our roots go deeper and we will be all the stronger for it.
A prayer: Almighty God, help me to find time for you; time to read your Word, time to listen for your voice as you so often listen to mine. May my roots go deep into you so that I will be a strong follower of Christ. Amen. Your Servant in Christ Richard 3
News of the family We give thanks for the lives of Shirley Mills, and Bob Gate. Shirley died very unexpectedly and her funeral was held on the 11th May. We remember Peter and the wider family in our prayers. Bob died on the 9th May, after spending five weeks in hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and the family at this sad time. Bob's funeral was held on the 17th May. Concerns continue to be expressed for Audrey Morris, who has now moved back home, Michelle McLaughlin, Tracey Scoresby and Christian Platt. We continue to pray for Jack Roberts, who is improving and hoping to be able to attend church in the near future. Patricia Lapworth has been having some appointments at Christies’ Hospital prior to beginning her radiotherapy treatment. This should start around the end of May. John and Patricia would be grateful for any offers of support during the six week period of her treatment when they will have to go to the hospital each weekday. It is good to welcome some new friends to our fellowship, namely Raymond Chrimes and Robert and Susan Stopforth. Please say hello and introduce yourselves so that they feel at home. Margaret Entwistle has now moved into her new home, where she is settling down well and making friend with her neighbours. An added bonus for her 4
at the end of her first week was Manchester City's victory in the F.A. Cup! Alpha 2 finished on the 22nd May. Although numbers were low, everyone who attended the course agreed that it was very worthwhile. We rejoice that Sarah Fitton and Anna James are shortly going off to Holy Trinity, Brompton to take part in Alpha training. Bamford Chapel New Sound System – Update I have been coming to church most Wednesday nights for many weeks fitting all the new cables for the new sound equipment. The new speakers have now been fitted and have been properly wired up, but are not yet switched on. All the audio cables and mains cables have been put in place and are ready for connection to the equipment (which will now be near the back of the church). A total of 180 metres of cabling has been fitted. The only thing left to do is build the new cupboard to house it all and Stuart Dean has kindly offered to build this for us. At the moment he is very busy with his own work so it will be a few weeks more before this can be completed. Also I would like to say thank you to the Monday morning gang for fastening up the speakers to the pillars and walls. There will be a demonstration of the new sound system in the service when it has been completed. Gareth Rich 5
ZERO INTOLERANCE THE URC’S ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN You may or may not have heard about the URC’s advertising campaign. The URC in exploring ways of being a missionary church is embarking upon an advertising campaign using posters on bill boards etc. It is a campaign that Churches are invited to sign up to from now with a launch date in January 2012. The idea is for contemporary posters (which are seen as “attractive” to people who do not come to church) have been designed by an advertising company (the company who came up with the Make Poverty History posters) The posters are all to do with churches being “ZI” Churches – Zero Intolerant churches. The ZI campaign is all about Churches Radically Welcoming ALL people. A Church that is interested in signing up will be given a “companion” who will work alongside the congregation to explore how welcoming a church it is. Churches do not have to sign up for this campaign it is purely optional for any church. Churches that do sign up and who complete the necessary work with their companion will be listed on a website along with others ZI churches. The idea being that people who currently have nothing to do with church can look for a church via that website. The research that has been carried out suggests that a high percentage of the non-church going society 6
have faith but do not like the church. Perhaps because of a bad experience of a local church – this programme/campaign seeks to help churches explore the topic of being radically welcoming. This is very much in brief. Each of the four Areas within the Synod is hosting 3 or 4 meetings for people to come along and hear more about the campaign. Bamford hosted one on 7th May. Fear not if you missed it as there will be a Service where the DVD will be shown which will give a bit more insight into the campaign. If you want to know more about it then please speak to me. I was away overnight at a Synod ministers gathering in April where we were given more information about the campaign.
On 19th June, I am taking part in the Great North Swim, which involves swimming a 1 mile course in Lake Windermere (somehow our family seem drawn to this lake!!! ) I have decided to be sponsored for Cancer Research UK, so if anyone would like to sponsor me, a sponsor form can be found in the coffee area. Thank you Jane Baines
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Alpha 2: The Breakfast Alpha Course The Saturday morning Alpha Course ran from February 19th to 21st May. There were 4 leaders (hosts / helpers in Alphaspeak) and 8 guests. The leaders met for prayer at 9.30 and we had breakfast at 10. Thanks to Angela Smith and her team for all the toast, crumpets, muffins and pastries we shared. Special thanks to the Baines team who were the bacon / sausage butty experts! Then we watched a DVD – thanks to our tech support person Gareth Rich. Sarah Finnigan then led the discussion and we are all grateful for her inspiration, gentleness and dedication. We covered topics such as: How can I have faith? Why & how do I pray? Why & how should I read the Bible? Who is the Holy Spirit? Does God heal today? etc, etc We enjoyed an ‘Away Day’ using the premises at Norden URC and visiting the Bridge Chippy for lunch – could be the best bit of the whole course! It was a rewarding experience for all; there was loving fellowship, open discussion where all could talk freely and an opportunity to examine and deepen our faith. We thank all who supported us in prayer and Ray & Auriel who ensured we had the right materials. Watch out for Alpha 3 – probably another evening one in the Autumn. We are thrilled that Anna James (a helper on Alpha 1) and Sarah Fitton (a guest on Alpha 2) are going down to London for the full Alpha Training at Holy Trinity, Brompton (HTB) where it all started. There will be an open meeting, sometime in June (probably,
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Wednesday 15th June) when they will give their feedback and we will prepare to launch Alpha 3. Please pray for the venture & if God’s nudging you – join us. With love & prayers – Joan Warner I would like to thank everyone who sponsored and supported me on my recent bike ride from Huddersfield to Brighton in aid of The Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The route of 260 miles eventually became 300 after a few detours, however everything went really well, with the highlight being the ride through London. I expect that the final amount of money that I will have raised will be about £750. Thank you again. Chris Telford
An appeal from the elders “HEATING IN CHURCH” If you are in Church and you alter the radiator controls during your activities please put them back to your arrival settings. Some people have found the building cold on arrival and it is mainly due to altered radiator settings. Many thanks for your co-operation, The Elders 9
June 1st-7th is Volunteers’ Week and we want to take the opportunity to say
THANK YOU for everything you do for Christian Aid AND to invite you to join us at Bold Street Methodist Church, Warrington on Wednesday 1st June 2011 Speaker: Jeremy Wyman, Head of Supporter Stewardship 11.30am: 12.00pm: 1.00pm: 2.00pm: 3.00pm:
Coffee - meet staff and other volunteers Welcome and Speaker Light Lunch provided Christian Aid Week Evaluation with Jeremy Wyman and NW Staff Finish
Open to all, please do pass on this invitation RSVP for catering purposes to the Warrington Office or email warrington@christian-aid.org Received by Geoff and Margaret Ogden during Christian Aid Week 10
Witness at Whitsun! Join the Walk on Sunday 12th June! I know it’s not the same as it used to be: no rose queens; no massed processions of the Protestant churches on the Friday and the Catholic churches on the Monday; no crowds 5 rows deep lining the routes; no carnival atmosphere with tradesman selling shakers and ice-cream; no massed brass bands; no one wearing new clothes bought specially for Whit Week.
But I still think it’s a worthwhile tradition and still a way of witnessing to our community. Whether people come out of their houses or not, I think it’s good that we sing (hopefully some decent rousing) hymns. I think it’s important that the gospel message is given at our stopping points. I find it a moving experience when prayers are said for the people behind the curtains. I know God can use this opportunity to reach someone who is ready to hear the Good News. If you’re able to – please join us from 11.30 on Sunday 12th June and encourage others to do so. If you can’t be with us, please pray that the Walk will be a real witness to those around us – even those held up in a traffic queue! See you there!
Love & prayers – Joan 11
HELP NEEDED PLEASE Hi folks, it was brilliant when we needed assistance clearing out the cellar, a good number of folk turned up and the job got sorted. Well once again we are faced with two jobs which will need those willing hands once again. They are both just a bit too much for our dwindling and aging Monday gang. At our recent Finance Committee meeting thanks were expressed to Steve Lawley and Ian Sturrock for the work which they had done on the fencing on Norden Road, however further repair work is necessary in order that this fence continues to serve the Chapel for years to come. The second job is in the cellar where we need to replace the timber floor which has rotted away and has become dangerous. Plans for these jobs are in place, we will have the materials, we just need some strong and willing arms. So we are looking at an all day working party on SATURDAY 11th JUNE If you can spare all day, bring your butties! Also, on that day, volunteers to help spruce up the gardens will be very welcome. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN Many thanks, Ian Sturrock 12
AND MORE HELP NEEDED Again at the recent Finance Meeting we agreed how successful the new cleaning arrangements have been and our thanks must go to all those have been involved with the church cleaning rotas together with those who have looked after areas of the grounds. We are beginning to see the results not only in terms of the work being carried out but also the benefits from a financial point of view. However it was felt that if an additional 8 to 10 people would be willing to volunteer then 2 more additional teams of cleaners could be introduced and your week would not come around quite so quickly. The systems are fairly well established and if you feel that you might be able to make a contribution to this valuable aspect of service then please do speak to Ian Hampson Again many thanks, Ian Sturrock Forget the Joneses! Trying to keep up with your friends and neighbours will not make you happy. In fact, it can lead to misery, according to a recent study. However, keeping an eye on what happens to co-workers in your workplace does have some merit, because it allows you to plan how your own career might progress. The study, part of a recent European Social Survey, found that, on the whole, it is wise to take the biblical advice and ‘not covet your neighbour’s ox’.... because those of us who constantly compare ourselves to people around us are much less happy than those of us who don’t bother. 13
Bible Reading Plan: 5th June – 6th August 2011 On Sunday 5th June our service will be structured around the new Bibles we have purchased as a Church. I want to say thank you to all who have donated a Bible. At the most recent meeting of the Worship & Discipleship Committee there was much discussion as to how we might celebrate the Bible. There was discussion around having a public reading of the Bible over a weekend or a week. In the end we decided that we would invite people on a journey; a journey to read the Bible in a year. I know some of you have embarked upon such a journey before and I am sure those who have can tell us how much they have appreciated it. I, myself, have embarked upon such a journey and found it both challenging and fruitful. In each of the Church magazines over the coming year I will give readings for a two month period. There are many different Bible reading plans written and I cannot take credit for the one I am suggesting we use! When I read the Bible cover to cover I literally had a Bible called “Cover to Cover” which meant I spent many months reading the Old Testament before moving onto the New Testament. The one I have opted for (which is below) covers the Bible in thematic Epistles
The Law
History
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1 (5th June)
Romans 1-2
Genesis 1-3
Joshua 1-5
th
2 (12 June)
Romans 3-4
Genesis 4-7
Joshua 6-10
3 (19th June)
Romans 5-6
Genesis 8-11
Joshua 11-15
th
4 (26 June)
Romans 7-8
Genesis 12-15
Joshua 16-20
5 (3rd July)
Romans 9-10
Genesis 16-19
Joshua 21-24
th
6 (10 July)
Romans 11-12
Genesis 20-23
Judges 1-6
7 (17th July)
Romans 13-14
Genesis 24-27
Judges 7-11
th
8 (24 July)
Romans 15-16
Genesis 28-31
Judges 12-16
9 (31st July)
1 Corinthians 1-2
Genesis 32-35
Judges 17-21
Week
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sections which are shown in the 2nd row of the table – which mixes a reading of the Old and New Testaments every week. The numbers which follow the name of the book are chapter numbers. They are large portions of the Bible for each day but I found it rewarding to read such large portions as it helped me to gain a deeper understanding of what was happening in the period of time when the book was written. If people need a Bible then they can be purchased through Ray and Auriel Atkins on the book stall on a Sunday or please feel free to take one of the Good News Bibles that were in the pews. Reading the Bible is so important for us as followers of Christ. It is one way that God speaks to us and teaches us what He wants us to know. I want to invite you on this journey which begins on the 5th June. If for some reason you are reading this article and it is the 12th June do not panic! You can begin from the beginning on whatever date it is. I am suggesting the 5th as that is the service where we will place the new Bibles in Church. Please do not panic or beat yourself up if you miss a day, or even more than a day. I hope each week to have the page numbers for our readings so that people can follow what the preacher is preaching about. Psalms
Poetry
Prophecy
Gospels
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Psalms 1-2
Job 1-2
Isaiah 1-6
Matthew 1-2
Psalms 3-5
Job 3-4
Isaiah 7-11
Matthew 3-4
Psalms 6-8
Job 5-6
Isaiah 12-17
Matthew 5-7
Psalms 9-11
Job 7-8
Isaiah 18-22
Matthew 8-10
Psalms 12-14
Job 9-10
Isaiah 23-28
Matthew 11-13
Psalms 15-17
Job 11-12
Isaiah 29-33
Matthew 14-16
Psalms 18-20
Job 13-14
Isaiah 34-39
Matthew 17-19
Psalms 21-23
Job 15-16
Isaiah 40-44
Matthew 20-22
Psalms 24-26
Job 17-18
Isaiah 45-50
Matthew 23-25
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HEYWOOD LOCAL COMMITTEE As many of you are aware quite a number of us from Bamford Chapel form the above committee and we target you all at intervals selling tickets for the various fund raising events! Through the magazine we would wish to thank you for supporting us generously in the past and hopefully in the future. From the varied ideas we generated an income of over £10,000 last year which is much needed cash for research into cancers. Two recent events, ie. Gardener’s Question Time at Tilly’s Tea Room in Heywood and Lunch Time Concert here at Chapel raised over £600!! By the time you read this our Maytime Buffet will have taken place here at Chapel. On Thurs 23rd June we are holding a Summer Sparkle Dinner at The Clough Manor, Denshaw. Please see one of us if you would like to attend at a cost of £25. Auriel Atkins/Joan Ashton/Margaret Frain/ Glenda Brisk and Lesley Sutton [we are five of ten committee members]
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'Annual' Bluebell walk 2011 On Sunday 1st May, 23 of us and 2 dogs, set off from Bamford Chapel car park, on a route planned by Lesley Hynes to capture (me ntally!) as many bluebells as possible! The weather was perfect, the camaraderie great and the sights (and smells!) of the bluebells aweinspiring. We set off as usual from the car park towards Ashworth Road, but crossed over to go through the Roch Valley (where I think we got the first and best vista of bluebells) before crossing back over the main road higher up, and meandering through the Ashworth Valley and Carr Wood area, (some of us insisting on a very brief stop at the tearooms!) The exact route is a mystery being lost in general enjoyment and chat! However, I do remember it being a bit longer due to a certain bridge demolition incident on Good Friday!! There were a few tired legs at the end, but a lot of happy faces! Thanks to Lesley and Jack Jane Baines
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Ladies Fellowship At the April meeting, Julie Platt came to talk to us about training for The Royal Marines with particular reference to her son, Christian. The talk was accompanied by slides and a short video of part of Christian’s training. Julie gave us comprehensive details of Christian’s initial idea to become a marine and took us through each stage of intensive hard work to the final passing out parade. It was in 2008 when Christian was at Oldham College studying the pre-uniform course that representatives from the Marines came along to talk to the students and give them some gentle exercises to do. He was inspired and wanted to find out more so he visited the force recruitment office in Manchester to get more information and that is when it all began. It was a very long process Completing health forms; Taking Maths, English and logic tests; Interviews; Fitness test at a gym; Day at the sea front in Liverpool. All these tests had to be passed to move on to the next stage and at the completion there was the biggest test at the Training Centre for The Royal Marines in Lympston. This was a three day programme of events including gym work, assault course, high ropes, knowledge of Marine history, endurance test where some of the recruits were being sick and actually crying. Only 20 out of the 60 passed! Christian started to train even harder and also tried to learn how to wash and iron. He started full training on 6th June 2009 aged 19. 18
Training for The Royal Marines lasts at least 32 weeks where they learn everything from looking after their personal hygiene, keeping their clothes and accommodation spotless. The recruits [known as “The Nods”] are in bed at midnight and up at 5.00am ready for room inspection. The next stage of training involves the hardest of physical exercise. We were all stunned at the intensity involved but, of course, it makes sense. The young men are being trained for the battle field. They don’t have to be supermen but recruits must have the qualities to make a Royal Marine Commando. These qualities include a good level of fitness and the Commando state of mind to overcome adversity. Potential recruits must have the desire to push themselves to their full potential and the energy and adaptability to enjoy all that a career in the Corps has to offer. They must all maintain the highest professional and physical standards working in a disciplined team. Christian passed all the tests and the Platt family attended a passing out ceremony and parade in Lympston feeling very proud of their son who had worked so very, very hard to achieve his ambition. The conclusion of this story is that Christian is now suffering from tinnitus and deafness as well as a knee injury. Whether he continues in the Marines has yet to be decided. This would be tragic in view of his ambition and dedicated training. Have you signed up and paid for the summer evening outing to The Turnpike Inn, Rishworth Moor [overlooking Boothwood Reservoir] on 9th June? The cost is £18 for a three course meal. The Inn is in a lovely setting for a summer evening and the drive there will be wonderful, weather permitting. Please join us. 19
Junior Church Anniversary What a wonderful service on 15th May! What a wonderful reminder from our young people of the meaning of The Lord’s Prayer! The whole experience startled us (God answering Andrew's prayer), made us laugh (Adam & Eve) made us smile (actions to accompany the prayer), made us think (facts of the world) and helped us to pray better. We are very fortunate to have such a super set of children and young people and it was lovely to see the different age groups working together (especially in the primary class scene with budding teachers, Lucianna and Becky). We would have nothing without the dedication of the Junior Church Leaders. We are grateful to Julie Platt (current leader) and the whole team who faithfully, week by week, give their time in preparation and service on a Sunday, so that our children may learn about the gospel of love. If God’s nudging you to get involved in this work, please speak to Julie or any of the team. If more people get involved, then the commitment can be shared and the leaders could have more opportunity to worship with us all. Thank you, thank you thank you once again to all involved. I went home uplifted in spirit. Joan Warner 20
GARDEN PARTY SATURDAY 9th JULY WE NEED YOUR HELP! A list of the usual stalls we run will be under the clock in the coffee area please put your name against the stall you wish to organise. New ideas are needed if you can arrange something different please add to list or see Lyn Jefferies. It could be a stall or a game to entertain the children we need new ideas and people to help. Julie Platt needs lots of help with the catering. The following donations are required:-
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‘Royal Wedding Street Party’ On Friday 29 th April Bamford Chapel held its own ‘Royal Wedding Street Party’ to celebrate the marriage of William and Kate. As luck would have it the weather was warm and sunny just perfect for the outdoor party activities. Lots of games were played by both children and adults – and it looked at times as if the adults enjoyed the games more than the children. The activities included adults versus children rounders, egg and spoon races, tug of war, a water relay where Ruth and Julie ended up with most of the water over them instead of in the bottles. The adult three legged race nearly saw our first casualty when Ruth and her partner fell down on the starting line. The children showed the adults how hula-hooping should be done and the traditional game of pin the tail on the donkey was replaced by a game of pin the tail on the
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corgi. For the less energetic there was a Royal Wedding quiz to fill in with some very up to the minute questions. Face-painting and crafts were also available for our younger guests. After all the activities everyone had worked up a good appetite and enjoyed a Royal Wedding buffet of hotdogs, sandwiches, cream scones and Union Jack iced buns. Special thanks go to Ruth, Julie and Gillian for all their hard work in making all the food and putting together this buffet. It was a memorable day and was enjoyed by everyone. A big thank you goes to everyone who helped and attended to make it such a great day. Clare Rich
A story for Michael and Alison. A little boy opened the big old family Bible with fascination, peering at the ancient pages as he turned them. Then something fell out of the Bible and he picked up and looked at it closely. It was an old leaf from a tree that had been pressed between the pages. “Mum, look what I found!” the boy called out. “What have you got there, dear?” his mother asked. With astonishment in his voice the young boy answered; “I think it’s Adam’s suit!” Will you read the Bible passages suggested on pages 14 and 15? The minister told his congregation, “Next Sunday my sermon will be on the sin of lying. To prepare yourselves please read the seventeenth chapter of Mark.” The following Sunday arrived and he asked, “How many of you read the seventeenth chapter of Mark?” Most of the congregation raised their hands. “Good,” he replied. “there are only sixteen chapters in Mark. Now for the sermon on the sin of lying.” 23
Good Friday Ramble They say church people are good ramblers, but the word is usually followed by “on”. However, on Good Friday we had our usual opportunity to ramble “through” our beautiful local countryside under the guidance of Andy Platt. It was a lovely day and about 60 ramblers assembled on the church car park. Having applied our boots and suntan lotion, we set off up the lane. As well as a bit of fresh air and exercise, the Good Friday Ramble is a good chance to catch up on gossip or should I say, “share in fellowship together”? The walk was going very well: the sunshine showed no sign of abating, no-one had got stuck in a bog or fallen into the river ....... until that wobbly bridge. “It’s fine,” said Andy and we were encouraged to jump down onto it. Even that went well until Paul Hazlehurst jumped and took the bridge and Andy with him. I’m not sure what Paul had eaten for lunch, but the poor bridge had no chance. Everyone who followed Paul had to climb down and up the great chasm which the collapsed bridge opened up. Luckily, the only casualty was the bridge. The walk proceeded in the direction of Norden where the ramblers needed no encouragement to continue the tradition of a visit to the Millcroft Tearooms. It was at this point that the party grew in size by the addition of some ladies who had decided to cut to the chase and drive straight to tearooms. Much ice cream, tea and chips later the ramble continued back to chapel. A quick count-up showed that no more than 10% of the party had vanished en route so Andy could go home and start to learn his lines for the Easter Play. Many thanks to Andy for leading us on yet another Good Friday Ramble and, by the way, how are you fixed for 2012? Addie Redmond 24
Editors’ notes Our grateful thanks go to our regular writers of articles for the magazine. Their ‘willing’ contributions are always very welcome. It is good to see that we have one or two new contributors this month. If you have an article you would like to share with the rest of our church community please feel free to send it in. Contributions welcome from young and old alike. You can email: martyn-james1@sky.com or l.aspinall@yahoo.co.uk or put your typed or handwritten article in the folder in the coffee area. The deadline for articles to be included in the July magazine is Sunday, 12th June. If you feel inspired please contribute! Then we may be able to stop coercing our ‘willing’ regular contributors quite so often!
APPEAL Muriel and I are very much looking forward to Matthew’s and Kate’s wedding on the 14th August. If anyone has a copy of the videotape which was produced when the youngsters from Chapel produced “Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in 1996 could we please borrow it as we’d love to copy the content onto a DVD for use at the wedding. Many thanks, Ian & Muriel Sturrock Tel 653109 25
Consider how the Lilies grow Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:2534, ‘Consider the lilies of the field...’, is a favourite passage for many Christians, and inspired the following poem by Nigel Beeton, which can be sung to 'Bow Brickhill' (We Sing the Praise of Him who Died) Consider how the lilies grow – The floral joys of summer field! No weavers strove to make them so – No royal clothes have such appeal! Observe the birds that fly and sing, As they seek shelter, drink, or feed. They do not reap, no stores they bring, Yet God their maker meets their need! Flowers and birds – their lives are short Today they live, tomorrow gone. Yet God Almighty gives them thought And guides their flick’ring lives along. So why do we, of greater worth Seek to insure our lives with wealth? Can fear increase our time on Earth? Or worry buy us better health? Let us then seek God’s Kingdom first, His righteousness our waking prayers. He’ll feed our hunger, quench our thirst, And oversee tomorrow’s cares.
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With Trinity Sunday in mind Thousands of the ablest minds of the centuries have pondered this problem and no one has been able to explain it; who then invented it? What man can invent, man can explain: what man cannot explain, man cannot have invented. It must be a revelation. - G H Lang
And with Pentecost in mind Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost they found it easy to do hard things. - A J Gordon.
Miscellaneous When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty.
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