Bamford Chapel and Norden URC
1
BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN URC MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
Worship In our devotion we will come together to express our joy, love and thanks through worship. We shall share our praise and dedicate it to God. Ministry Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will show compassion and love by understanding, supporting and meeting the spiritual, the physical and the emotional needs of others. Evangelism We are called as Christians to share the good news; living as examples of Christ in our everyday lives we can spread the word and love of Jesus. Discipleship We as a church have a responsibility as Christians to encourage people to know God and to enable them to develop their relationship with Him through prayer, discussion, study and learning. Fellowship We welcome to our church family those who want to belong. We show our love for others by sharing acts of fellowship in God’s name. 2
Tuesday 2nd June
8.00 pm
Fellowship Core Group
Thursday 4th 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 Joan Warner
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Rev Richard Bradley
12 noon
Special Church Meeting on Church Modification Works
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 7th June
Sunday 14th June
Wednesday 8.00 pm 17th June Sunday 21st June
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Walter Brisk
6.00 pm
Evening Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Wednesday 1.15 pm 24th June Sunday 28th June
Worship Core Group
Monthly Midweek Communion Service In the Lounge
10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Joanne Ackroyd
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Margaret Ogden 1
Message from the Manse I am excited with the discussions about the church modifications and I am excited because of the mission opportunities that are going to be open to us stemming from them. I want to start by thanking Simon Wareing for his continued help and support. When I start to worry about timescales or questions of a technical nature I speak to Simon and he puts my mind at ease. I also want to thank Stuart Dean for his time, expertise and ideas on design. I think those who were present at the Church Meeting will back me up when I say that Stuart’s design and ideas were impressive to say the least! I want to say thanks for the questions and comments made at the Church Meeting on the 17 th May. I found it a helpful meeting to hear views expressed but I am conscious that there are people who are still unsure of some of the alterations being suggested. To you I want to ask if you will please speak to me. I am happy to arrange to visit anyone or set aside time for a meeting of likeminded people who may still be unsure of the ideas being suggested. I want your voice to be heard and for your comments to be shared. I know it is not easy to speak up at Church Meetings, especially if you have an opinion or view that is contrary to the majority. If you fall into this category please contact me and speak to me. As I said at the Church Meeting I do not want to slow the decision-making process down, but I do want us to make a decision soon, so that we can get the appropriate permissions from the Listed Buildings Advisory Committee and from the Area Pastoral Committee, which will allow us to do the alteration works at the same time as the roof is being done. I am suggesting that we hold a special Church Meeting after the 2
service on Sunday 14th June with the agenda item being a presentation of the ideas and for us to make a decision on the final scheme of works for the Church modifications. To reiterate what I said at the Church Meeting, we are looking at a phased scheme of works. Phase 1 is all the works related to the internal chapel works (i.e. in the sanctuary). The discussions and decision on the works outside of the chapel itself are being called Phase 2 works. It is an exciting time in the life of the church. Doing the work will allow greater flexibility for worship; flexibility that is not possible at present due to the fixed pews. It will be for the Elders and Church Meeting to decide what can and what cannot happen in church outside of worship. In closing I want to offer this prayer: Loving God, Thank you for the resources you have blessed us with as a church - for the people, for the talents, for the gifts. We thank you for the buildings and for our finances. Help us to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit that we may make the right decision in the life of this your Church. May we be a truly missional church that longs to serve the community in which we are set. To your praise and glory we pray. Amen. Your Servant in Christ, Richard 3
News of the Family Concerns, some continuing, are expressed for: the family of Marjorie Goodwin; Joan Holt; Molly Brierley; Margaret Entwistle; Betty Ainsworth; Marjorie Farrington; Angela and John Hall; Hayley Merchant; Jenny and Steve Brandon; Andrew Aspinall; Geoff Haywood; Frank McClean and the family of Pat McClean; Hilda Howard. Work your healing spirit Lord through the lives of these people named here and those un-named who need your solace. We also share in the achievements of those within our church family. Sue Blackwell has recently completed the first stage of her dental nurse examinations and later this month will sit the second stage of those exams. Results are due in late July and assuming Sue is successful she has already secured a position as a dental nurse within Rochdale. Felicity Crompton will be known to many of you as a member of our Junior Church family, but less well known are her gymnastic abilities which she hones at our local hotbed of talent, Sparks gym. This year she has been awarded the British Gymnastics National Grade 2 in Gymnastics, which required her to show capability in 5 specific areas. The first 4 were Floor, Beam, Asymmetric Bars and the Vault. The fifth discipline is not for the fainthearted so look away now if you struggle to touch your toes and haven’t done a cartwheel this millennium. Consider the strength and suppleness required for “Range and Conditioning Strength”. Naturally Felicity passed with flying colours. Well done! We share in the joy of birthdays each week during worship in our family time, significant ones or not, and we particularly mention the significant birthdays of Joan Warner who turned 70 last month and 4
Vera Morley who turned 100, also last month. Vera has lived through 2 world wars and much besides; let us not forget how valuable the experiences of the elderly members of our congregation are in informing the direction our church takes and in being witness to what changes we have already undergone. Turning from lives well-lived to those just beginning, we give thanks to the fantastic news that Kate and David Healey are expecting their first baby in early November. Son and daughter-in-law to Diane and Graham Healey and brother and sister-in-law to Sarah and John Finnigan, the new baby Healey will be sibling to Jack and a cousin to many, thanks to Kate’s large extended family, including to Mark and James Finnigan who are members of our junior church family. May Kate’s pregnancy be smooth running and enjoyable for her. If you were never any good at sitting exams spare a thought for our young people who have recently sat or are still sitting exams: all the primary school children in year 6 who sat their SATs (“Statutory Assessment Tests”) in mid May; our GCSE students still sitting lots of exams into June having started them in mid May; and finally our A level students, seeking the grades they require for the next stage of their lives. And finally, sticking with education, we hope that the youngest of our children have been offered places at their first choice pre-school settings, likewise for those who have recently been offered places in reception, the first stage of their school career. If you have any news that you would like to be included in the magazine, please pass details to Sarah Finnigan either in person, by email to: finnigansarah@sky.com or by telephone (0780) 361 8165. 5
All Together Lester Amann (from Parish Pump) considers why Jesus chose the disciples… What can you achieve - with God’s help? Why, do you think, did Jesus choose 12 men to be His disciples?’ What was the point, as Jesus was a miracle worker and a very eloquent speaker. He could walk on water; change water into wine; multiply food for thousands of people; heal the sick and forecast future events. So why did Jesus choose some fishermen, a tax collector and a few lesser known guys to be with Him everywhere?
Doesn’t it appear odd that Jesus wanted disciples who, as time passed, were slow to learn; argumentative; frightened; amazed and puzzled? Right from the start of His ministry Jesus must have known He was bringing together a motley group of characters who would not understand Him; doubt Him; and let Him down. Surely, Jesus would have been better off going it alone without having the hassle and frustration! Well, what is amazing, is that Jesus decided to limit Himself. He wanted the fellowship of close friends to share their good and bad times. He wanted to be involved with them no matter what happened. He enjoyed meal-times, discussions and, no doubt, a joke or two! Jesus came from Heaven to show that in God’s Kingdom there is togetherness. 6
This world can get messy, troubled and nasty, and it is into this cauldron that Jesus came to be involved with its problems. He wanted to share His mission of love and compassion, participating with others, to change places of darkness into God’s healing light. He chose ordinary people, with their weaknesses, anxieties, hang-ups and faults to fill them with His Spirit and transform them into workers for God. Today, Jesus works with us, despite our frailty and stubbornness. He patiently draws alongside us to change our attitudes and behaviour so that we show God’s love wherever we are. Jesus came to build His church: a community of believers who would work and serve together to change society for good. So let’s be aware of the Holy Spirit’s direction and be encouraged that we are all partners together. Help to carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Miscellaneous Musings on Life Anger is just one letter short of danger. The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but to be able to hold your tongue in one language is priceless. People treat the Ten Commandments like a history test, they attempt only three.
7
Christian Aid As I hurriedly write this short report, I am in the midst of opening and counting all the money that has been collected by our volunteers during Christian Aid Week. It is a daunting task which Peter Sutton has done for a number of years and Ian Sturrock before that. I now can imagine the hours of work that it entailed. For me the task is being made easier thanks to the very clever counting machine recently purchased by the church. My first job, on opening the envelopes (trying not to tear strips off any of the notes that are within!!), is to check for any foreign coins because they completely confuse the machine! (So far I have 10 which isn't bad from the 15 bags I have emptied so far). Then I put all the coins in the top of the machine and it cleverly sorts them into trays according to their value and counts them at the same time! On pressing another switch it will then give me a report of how many coins there were in each of the trays so that I can record that on a counting sheet. After opening several bags, I can then put back in, say, all the ÂŁ1 coins and I can instruct it to count out 20 of them so that I can then put these in a money bag ready to go to the Post Office. I then repeat the process for all the other coins. I just thank God for the clever person who designed the machine. I thank Him too for the 32 people from our church and the 18 from St Michael's who volunteered to help with the 8
distribution and collection of the envelopes. Last year £12million was raised across the country and we have all done our bit to help them meet that target again. As I recently said in a service, we can all make a difference to the lives of others as we put into practice the words of Jesus to "love our neighbour as we love ourselves." Before I finish, more thanks are due to the few people who joined in with the Count Your Blessings project during Lent. A special thanks to Rebecca Gooding who donated over £20 of her own money as she was challenged to think about those less fortunate than herself using the app on her mobile phone. The most challenging day for her was when she had to give 10p for every hoodie she owned; she hadn't realised how many she had. Well done Rebecca, I was proud of you for sticking at it. Margaret Ogden
A SPECIAL “THANK YOU” Just to say how touched I was, following my recent burglary, for the beautiful tulips and good wishes I received from the church members. Having your support made all the difference! Kind regards, Susan Travis
9
Meerkat Moses (not the Meerkat Manor Family) Mystery Messenger from the GIAM Things you’ve forgotten IT’S ALL SO SIMPLES!!
The story so far – I’m Meerkat Moses and I’m the look-out at chapel. The GIAM (the GREAT I AM) says there are some important messages that you’ve forgotten. He’s going to give me one each month to pass on. We’ve had three so far: Love the GIAM, Love everyone and love yourself! Do not go compare – be what GIAM has created you to be Encourage one another SIMPLES, SIMPLES, SIMPLES! Now just recently my mates, the chair mice Romi, Cori, Gali, Ephi and Phili and the flower stand mice Coli and Thessi have been getting worried! They know there’s something new and big going to happen here soon in our house (well GIAM’s house). There’s lots of measuring and meetings going on and plans being drawn and pictures being shown on the screen. Coli and Thessi started the panic; if the pews go, will all the other furniture have to go? Well then the chair mice got into a flat spin and thought they’d hide behind the organ screen if it looked like anyone was going to get rid of them. Absolute pandemonium!! Now I was sure there must be something in THE BOOK about panicking & worrying but it’s a BIG BOOK and I knew the mice would all have nervous breakdowns before I could find anything to calm them down. So I waited till Rev Richard (I’ve sussed out that he’s got a lot to do with stuff that goes on in this place) had set up the thingy that puts pictures on the screen one Sunday morning and disappeared again and I grabbed my chance! Three months look-out duty is long enough to learn how to find things on the machine. 10
So I googled (think that’s the word I’ve heard) FEAR in the BOOK. You’ll never guess! ‘FEAR NOT’ is the most repeated instruction from the GIAM in the whole BOOK! In fact one man called Lloyd Ogilvie says there are 366 ‘Fear nots’ in THE BOOK – one for every day of the year and an extra for Leap Year. Mind you – he covers his back and says it’s the idea of ‘fear not’ and not the actual words themselves, so he counts instructions about not worrying or being anxious as well.
S0 - FORGOTTEN MESSAGE NUMBER 4 FROM GIAM: FEAR NOT! I suppose it’s pretty obvious. If GIAM has made us all, loves us all and has a plan for us all, then He won’t want us to be frightened of anything cos He’s sorting it all. We don’t need to worry about the PAST, because everything that’s already happened has become part of the plan for each of us. We don’t need to worry about the PRESENT because GIAM’s right here with us. We don’t need to worry about the FUTURE because GIAM’s there waiting for us. So to stop the mice panicking I told each of them to find something like ‘fear not’ in THE BOOK that would make them feel better. This is what they found: Romi
Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, wear. (Matthew 6: 25-34) Cori So do not fear, for I am with you, do not dismayed, for I am your God (Is 41:10) Gali Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, (is 43:1) Ephi Don’t be afraid, just believe (Mark 6: 36) Phili In God I trust, I will not be afraid (Psalm 56: 4) Coli Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27) Thessi Perfect love (of God) drives out fear (1 John 4: 18) Remember: Message 4: FEAR NOT! SIMPLES!!! (but maybe not easy) Love from Meerkat Moses (and the furniture mice)
Pp Giam
11
GARDEN PARTY SATURDAY 11th 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. Also the list of items for the Hamper. New ideas are needed; if you can arrange something different please add to the list or see Lyn Jefferies. It could be a stall or a game to entertain the children; we need new ideas and lots of people to help. Julie Platt needs lots of help with catering.
The following donations are required:-
12
If anyone would be interested in taking over the organisation of the Garden Party in 2016 please see Lyn Jefferies, who will provide you with all the necessary information. The first person who contacts Lyn gets the job, so get in there quick to avoid the rush!
Weekday Opportunities for Learning and Sharing Fellowship You are welcome to join any of the following Exploring Groups Further details of all Services and Groups may be found on the Sunday Notice Sheet and at:- www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Monday Focus on Prayer Group: Tuesday Home Group – 8.00 pm in the crèche Discipleship Explored: Fortnightly 2nd, 16th & 30th June 8.00 pm in the Manse Monday Home Group: Wednesday Exploring the Bible: 8.00 pm at the home of Addie & 7.30 pm at the home of Ray Barbara Redmond Atkins, 8 Greenwich Close Monday Monthly Joy Group: Thursday Morning Weekly: 1st & 29th June Community ‘drop-in ‘coffee Meal at Dolce Vita 6.30 pm morning from 10.00am (optional). Thursday Evening Monthly: Meeting 7.30 pm at 17 Bamford Ladies Fellowship, 7.45, subs £3 Mews open to all Ladies. Next meeting 11th June – Evening Meal (p.18) Tuesday Stillness and Sharing: Sunday Evening Youth Groups: st rd 1 & 3 Tuesday in the month Koinonia 6.00—7.00 pm 2nd & 16th June God Squad 7.30—8.30 pm 2.15pm in the Lounge 13
Bamford Chapel and Norden URC become Dementia Friends!
The Ministry Core Group welcomed an audience of 35 people mostly from Chapel to an interactive session about how we can help people with dementia to live well. The speaker Alison Roberts told us about the following:
The Dementia Friends Initiative
Dementia Friendly Communities
The different types of dementia
How someone with dementia might present
How we might support people with dementia
Alison also provided some important facts to remember:
Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms
Dementia is a progressive disease or illness which affects the brain
Dementia is not a natural part of getting old
Dementia is treatable but not curable
Dementia is not just about losing memory
Dementia can cause language problems, difficulties 14
with problem solving etc.
Treatment of dementia is focussed on alleviating symptoms
Each person with dementia is individual
It is possible to live well with dementia
Alison asked that we try to do the following: REMEMBER THE ME IN DEMENTIA always thinking of the individual and how we can help them. TAKE SOME INDIVIDUAL ACTION FOLLOWING THE TRAINING e.g. encourage others to become Dementia Friends, take a little extra time to help someone with dementia, being patient with someone who is struggling with money in shop. During the session we were on our feet for an exercise to encourage us to think about how differently we all see the world and even played bingo! The session provoked much discussion and we were all given a Dementia Friends badge and encouraged to think about how we will turn our learning into actions. Anyone who wants to know more about the services for those with dementia in Rochdale is welcome to contact Alison Roberts. For more Dementia Friends Sessions check out the Dementia Friends website. Email alison.roberts@alzheimers.org.uk Tel. 07809 349671 or 0161 342 0797 15
Seven Reasons to Pray Even though God knows all our needs, Scripture stresses the necessity of prayers. Here are seven reasons why we are encouraged to pray regularly.
1.
Prayer connects us to God and God’s power. Changes take place when we pray. Sometimes the issue is transformed, at other times we are the ones changed. Either way, God’s power is at work.
2.
Prayer is a way of sharing our burden. Some problems are difficult to share with another human being. The issue may involve deep guilt or shame, making it difficult to confide in a friend. In such cases, prayer can help ease the burden.
3.
Prayer puts into words what troubles us. No difficulty can be resolved until it is identified and articulated.
4.
Prayer reduces feelings of helplessness. Rather than feeling as though life is out of control, when we pray we take the first step to reclaiming our lives and putting order into chaos.
5.
Prayer is a powerful reminder that we are not alone. Life’s troubles often leave us feeling isolated, lonely and vulnerable. Prayer reminds us that we are not facing difficulty alone.
16
6.
Prayer generates courage. We become strengthened and more confident as a result of prayer.
7.
Prayer provides us with a sense of direction. Rather than merely being tossed about on life’s sea, we receive insight, guidance and direction from prayer.
Prayer of Hope - By Daphne Kitching Father, Thank you that nothing is impossible with you. When circumstances seem to conspire, when situations are entrenched, when relationships feel fragile, help us to remember that you are the God who breaks through barriers, who opens eyes and transforms lives of even the most unlikely people. Help us to remember Paul - who he was and what he became – to be encouraged and full of hope and thanks, In Jesus name, Amen. 17
Ladies Fellowship May 2015 Annual General Meeting & Pot Luck Supper Our Annual General Meeting held on May 14 th provided an entertaining review of the previous year. With sudden and unexpected changes to the evening after our Co-ordinator became ill (Get Well Soon Lesley), it proved how well the committee work together to enable proceedings to run smoothly (sort of!). Grateful thanks and a large plant were given to Angela Smith who stepped down from the committee. Angela had served on the committee for 9 years and had been responsible for arranging all the outings. Her abilities will be sadly missed. An explanation of how the committee organise the programme was also given, by relaying who was responsible for each past event. We are now looking for new members to join the committee to help us plan and keep up the varied programme of events. We have limited the number of years service on the committee to three – although this could be longer if they so wish. In June the ladies will be going to the Marina Bar & Grill at Hollingworth Lake for their customary evening meal and gettogether. Our August outing will see us travelling to Ness Gardens then on to Port Sunlight with a guided tour and afternoon tea. Monies for the trip should be paid by 28 th June. Ladies are reminded that supplies of cakes are requested for the Garden Party on July 11th when we will be providing a Cake Stall. Linda Kerford 18
A Thought for Fathers’ Day Fathers help you cope with stress Fathers play a unique role in the mental health of their children later in life. Those who have had good and fond relationships with their fathers tend to be less emotional when coping with stressful incidents. The study, carried out at California State University, concluded: “Perhaps having attentive and caring parents equips children with the experiences and skills necessary to more successfully navigate their relationships with other people.”
Church Flowers Donations for flowers in May have been received from: Margaret Ogden Diane Healey Frank Mc Clean in memory of Pat Jean Foster Addie Redmond
19
God’s Answer for You For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: God says:
It's impossible. All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: God says:
Nobody really loves me. I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: God says:
I can't go on. My grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) You say: God says:
I can't figure things out. I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: God says:
I can't do it. You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)
You say: God says:
I'm not able. I am able. (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: God says:
It's not worth it. It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28) 20
You say: God says:
I can't forgive myself. I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: God says:
I can't manage. I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)
You say: God says:
I'm afraid. I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: God says:
I'm always worried and frustrated. Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: God says:
I don't have enough faith. I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) You say: God says:
You say: God says:
I'm not smart enough. I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)
I feel all alone. I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) Exercise daily - walk with the Lord.
Never give the devil a ride - he will always want to drive. Most people want to serve God - but only in an advisory position. 21
Bones It is said that the membership of any organisation is made up of four sets of bones. There are the wishbones who spend all their time wishing someone else would do the work. Along with them are the jawbones who do all the talking about the work and do very little else. Another group is the knucklebones who knock everything that anyone else tries to do. But most valuable are the backbones who get under the load and actually do the work.
To which set do you belong? 22
For our Children and Young People
23
24
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 JULY / AUGUST MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 14th June
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 25th June
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 28th June
25
BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN United Reformed Church Charity - Reg’d No 1128387 (FAIRTRADE CHURCH) Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs. OL11 5PQ
The Manse, Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs OL11 5PQ Telephone: 01706 369622 www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Minister : Email:
Rev Richard Bradley richardbradley@cantab.net
Church Secretary: Telephone: Email:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
Wedding Secretary: Telephone: Email:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
Lettings Manager: Telephone: Email:
Linda Kerford 01706 624256 l.kerford@btinternet.com Times of Services:
Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1 st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3 rd Sunday in month 26