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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Sun 1st Sept
10.30am
Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Margaret Ogden
6.00pm
Evening Worship led by Andy Platt Followed by extra Special Church Meeting—Buildings Work Thurs 5th Sept
7.30pm
Elders Meeting
Sat 7th Sept
Meet on the Car Park at 12.45pm Coach leaves at 1pm
Sun 8th Sept
10.30am
Family Worship led by Ken Greer
6.00pm
Evening Worship led by our Minister Rev Richard Bradley
10.30am
Family Worship, Parade Service, Harvest Festival and Project Launch led by Revd Richard Bradley Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sun 15th Sept
6.00pm
Sun 22nd Sept
10.30am
6.00pm
As we support Ruth Watson, Ian and the boys as Ruth is Ordained and Inducted to serve the Salford Pastorate. Service at 2 pm at Worsley Road U.R.C.
Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley followed by our CHURCH MEETING Evening Worship led by Anne Fitton
Mon 23rd Sept - Sun 29th Sept
Revd Richard Bradley on a study week
Wed 25th Sept
1.30pm
Midweek Communion in the lounge
Sun 29th Sept
10.30pm
Family Worship led by Joanne Ackroyd
6.00pm
Evening Worship led by Margaret Ogden Further Details may be found 1at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
Message from the Manse I write this article the day before I am due to have two weeks off. However by the time the magazine is ready and printed many of us will have had a holiday whether here in the UK or further afield. What I do hope is that we all come back refreshed for what is often seen as the start of the Church’s year. As we may start a new year in the Church’s calendar – we are coming to the end of the year of “Seeking God’s Vision” for Bamford Chapel. Some may think nothing has been going on, let me assure you they have. I have been doing a lot of thinking and praying about what God wants from us as His Church.
A lot of my thoughts, prayers and discerning have centred on a book by Rick Warren, an American Pastor, called “The Purpose Driven Church”. Some may say “What can we learn from an American Pastor, the contexts of our two countries are so different”. However Warren bases his model of church and growth on what he feels are New Testament principles – these principles are not tied by culture, geography or distance. As part of this process we produced the questionnaires that about 50% of us completed (which for a response to a questionnaire was very good!). Stemming from that I setup what I have termed the “Vision Strategy Team” (made up of Anna James, Cameron Baines, Sarah 2
Finnegan, Sarah Fitton, Ruth Bradley and me.) To reiterate this group has been looking at the responses in the questionnaires to see what common threads there are. Let me assure you there are many threads and ideas in these questionnaires. As part of this process and my thinking and praying inbetween these meetings and Elders’ Meetings I have asked the questions “What are we doing here as a church? What is our God-given purpose? What are we called by God to do?” At the last meeting of the Vision Strategy Team meeting I invited us to look at what the current Vision/Mission of the Church is and whether we fulfil that as a Church. We had a great meeting (it was only our third meeting and we have covered a lot of discussion points in those three meetings) My hope is to re-launch a vision for the Church something that we can all work to whether as individuals who make up Bamford Chapel or as part of established groups within Bamford Chapel. In Proverbs 29:18 we read “Where there is no vision, the people cast of restraint”. Vision and direction is so vital for any church (or any organisation) if you look at any growing church they will know what their vision or purpose is, and all they do will work around and towards that vision. I believe as a church we need to know what our purpose/ vision is for the church and we can then structure what we do around that purpose/vision in order that we can grow spiritually (that is for our faith to be deepened) and also to grow numerically. This will require faith and unity in and around what God says to us about what His vision/purpose is for His church. I believe this continues to be an exciting journey. If you have any questions or queries about the process or have 3
any Godly suggestions (or as I once read any “God ideas”) then please speak to me or one of the team that has been set up to look at the questionnaires and more recently to look at the vision. We will be updating people further in due course. We can do this through the Church Meeting, magazine articles, and in a themed service. Please continue to pray for this group as we explore what YOU have written and seek and explore what God’s vision is for His Church. Your Servant in Christ, Richard
Bamford Chapel held the Annual Garden Party on Saturday 13th July This was truly one to remember. The sun shone, music played and the Pimms, the strawberries, ice cream and other iced drinks all went down a treat. Thanks are due to everyone who helped make this a very special day, especially to Lyn Jefferies for her work over many weeks arranging everything. All came together beautifully and was enjoyed by all. An added bonus came the following day when it was announced that the day had also been a financial success. Here’s to the next one.
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Extract from a letter received on behalf of the WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHOIR Dear Angela Smith, Auriel Atkins and Bamford Chapel members and attendees, On behalf of the WISCONSIN LUTHERAN CHOIR I wish to formally express my appreciation to you for hosting the choir in homes and in concert at Bamford Chapel during their May concert tour of England and Ireland. ‌.the students had a WONDERFUL experience during their time in your town. Please extend our appreciation to those individuals who helped assist you in any way with making these arrangements, as well as the host families who have bonded so well with the students and made them feel at home! Please also thank those who helped in coordinating the breakfast on the day of their departure - so many fine touches to making their stay in Bamford exceptional - truly their favourite on the entire tour! ...Thank you for your dedication to these outstanding student musicians...Your efforts are not taken lightly by any of us. We certainly look forward to working with you and Bamford Chapel in the future. With best regards, Naomi Zupfer Concert and Study Tours 5
News of the family Concerns are expressed for Win and Don Schofield, Joyce and Derek Yates, Anne and Ian Newman and any other people of whom you are aware and who I have omitted to mention. We remember Ray and the wider family following Auriel’s death last month. Many of us will remember the uplifting service celebrating her life which was held following her committal. Please pray for Ray and the family in their loss. September is upon us again and we give thanks for holidays enjoyed and safely returned from. Many of our young people have had results of important exams and some are looking forward to new adventures in different schools, colleges and universities. We wish them all well in whatever they undertake in the coming months. September will be a new beginning for the Watson family as Ruth is ordained into her new ministry on the 7th. Pray for the whole family as they begin this new episode in their lives, not forgetting Margaret and David who will really miss having them so close. Congratulations also to Margaret and David Watson on their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
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Ladies’ Fellowship Although I did not go on the trip this year. The first one I have missed since I started the day trip years ago, Joyce Cooper has given me all the details so here goes. Richard came out to see everyone off and he hoped the Sat Nav would do its job because as you all probably know by now it got him and his passengers very lost when the luncheon club members went to Bents last Wednesday. It appears it did its duty and between it and the driver they arrived at the first stop which was Wetherby. The weather was beautiful, however, the races were not on that day.
One party went to Harewood House where the gardens were in full bloom dahlias in particular. Everyone enjoyed beautiful views from the terraces although there were numerous steps everywhere but plenty of stops to compensate. Joyce needed help with her wheelchair, one/two pushed whilst a 3rd pulled from behind walking backwards. Not everyone went into Harewood House, some sat by the lake. A trip on the lake was advertised but couldn’t be taken advantage of because the water was too low. Lots of dragon flies, tiny fluffy ducklings and chickens. Sat Nav took us to a bridge on our way to the Mill Stores but it was too narrow. Unsuitable for heavy vehicles. Some bright spark decided we should all lose weight. 7
Arrived safely however for our meal which was delicious. A choice of salmon, pork and steak pie. We were all well looked after by a very pleasant staff. Finished the day off with dancing where everyone including Joyce had a go. The dances were nice slow old fashioned ones such as Valetta and St Bernard Waltz. Thanks were expressed to Angela and Anne Newman for all the arrangements and hard work which always goes in to day like this. A super day was enjoyed by all. I’m sorry now that I missed it. Margaret Entwistle Following a typo in the last edition Margaret has a little addition. We appear to have a new member by the name of Margaret Curtis? However, my maiden name was Tattersall and I have not changed my name by deed poll and I most certainly have not re married. I am still Margaret Entwistle retiring chairman of Ladies Fellowship. Margaret Entwistle. Apologies from the editors to Margaret.
Miscellaneous observations on life... ~ All generalisations are false. ~ All's well that ends ~ Always stay in with the outs. ~ Always try to be modest. And be VERY proud of it. ~ An atheist is a person who has no invisible means of 8
support. ~ An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys. ~ Any married man should forget his mistakes - there's no use in two people remembering the same thing. ~ Before you criticise someone, make sure you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes! ~ Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting. ~ The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble. ~ Marriage is a very good way to promote civilisation - if you get a good partner you will be happy, if you get a bad one you will become a philosopher. ~ Middle age – when you begin to exchange your emotions for symptoms. ~ The first time I sang in the church choir 200 people changed their church! ~ Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.
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To wish to pray is a prayer itself. Georges Bernanos (The Diary of a Country Priest)
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. What we see in others often reveals something about us.
After my recent unexpected operation and stay in hospital, I would like to say a very big thank you to all at Bamford Chapel. The prayers cards, flowers and visits have been most welcome and a very big help. It may be sometime before I am back to full health; the door is always open if you are in need of a coffee. What a wonderful scheme the Meal Service is, we were treated to some lovely meals, by some talented cooks for which all three of us were most grateful. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL.
Love Joan, Ray and David
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Prayer to know God’s will Loving Father, You made us in your image. Our whole life is a process of transformation to become like you. And yet it is so difficult to know, to really know what you are calling us to do; how you want us to serve you. There are so many possibilities, so many roads we could choose. Which one has your signpost? Which one has the green light for us? The disciples faced the same dilemma, “What must we do to do the works God requires,” they asked. And Jesus’ answer was quite simple, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”(Jn 6:28,29) Lord help us to believe in Jesus, with a real, active, trusting faith and then to relax, knowing that if we do believe, everything, absolutely everything we do will be your work. Washing up, working in the office, preaching a sermon or preparing school dinners, we will be doing your work. Thank you for showing us your way in your word, in the name of Jesus, Amen. By Daphne Kitching
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Clothes Swop Party
How often have you bought a dress or top and then wished you hadn’t? How many scarves or bags do you have in your wardrobe which you never wear? We are organising a Clothes Swap party to help you clear out your wardrobes. The idea is that we will have an evening when we can bring along any new or like-new items which we don’t want and swap them. Something that you bring along may look better on someone else! You may find the perfect accessory for an outfit! There will be a small charge for entry, refreshments will be available and it could be fun! Please look out for details on the Pink Ladies notice board. 12
The Pink Ladies On the evening of Wednesday 31st July a walk on Blackstone Edge was planned followed by a meal at The White House. We were all looking forward to enjoying the sunshine and the panoramic views over Hollingworth Lake. Unfortunately, following weeks of beautiful sunny weather that afternoon it decided to rain. Undeterred we met on the car park in our wet weather gear. By this time it was difficult to see across the car park for the driving rain. Oh well, we made the best of it and 9 ladies enjoyed a lovely meal snug and warm in The White House. Many thanks to Julie for planning the evening and to Carol for planning the walking route. We look forward to completing the walk on another date. In the meantime, keep a look our for notices as we have made provisional plans for future excursions. These include: Weds 4th Sept Queens Park - Meal and quiz Norden Arms wine tasting Clothes Swap evening Bowling Pum Thai Cooking May 11th Day trip Keep checking on the Pink Ladies Notice Board. 13
A number of ladies (and gents) from Bamford Chapel are taking part in the Midnight Walk to raise much needed funds for Springhill Hospice. The Walk takes place on 21st September 2013 . Walkers can choose whether to walk 6 or 13 miles. Why don’t you join us? See Ruth Bradley for more details. Practice walks are being held on Sunday afternoons. The first took place on 25th August in glorious sunshine. (Ice lollies were supplied by Margaret Ogden.) Keep an eye on the notice sheet for details of further practice walks.
If you don’t fancy the walk please help by sponsoring the walkers - a sponsorship form can be found on display in the coffee area. Thank you Help to support the work of the hospice. The hospice is a purpose built facility which offers specialist palliative care to patients with life limiting illnesses. This care is offered free of charge. Only 30% of the funding comes from the HNS, the balance has to be found. Over £2.7million pounds needs to be raised each year. Thank you
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Help needed! Nativity Costumes Yes, we know it’s only September and the sun is shining but we have started thinking about Christmas.
We realised last year that our nativity costumes were very thin on the ground and quite tatty, so we have decided to do something about it.
Can you sew? Do you have any spare bits of material which you don’t need? If you answered yes to either of these questions we would like your help. I am organising a quick meeting on Tuesday 1 October (after choir) to see if we can organise some sort of working party. Please come along if you think you can help, or speak to Gillian James. Thank you
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Heritage Open Days: an outreach opportunity for our church Heritage Open Days take place nationwide in mid-September. they are organised by English Heritage. The aim is to celebrate England’s rich architecture, history and culture by opening historic buildings that are usually private to the public for free or to make entrance free for buildings where there is usually a charge. Increasingly, historic churches are getting involved with local programmes, benefiting from English Heritage’s advice and promotional opportunities and welcoming many new visitors and telling them the story of the Church in that community.
It’s a great outreach opportunity. Following the successful Open Days held over the last 2 years Bamford Chapel will again be open on
Saturday 14th September and Sunday 15th September from 1 pm till 4 pm. Many thanks to all those who have helped to run this event in previous years. If you can help this year please speak to Louise Aspinall Many thanks
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This Year’s Project BANANA PLANTATION PROJECT Project background Banana plantation project is derived from the need to address food insecurity in Acholi land, following over two decades of armed conflict in northern Uganda. The project will empower members to lift themselves out of poverty and hunger to self-reliance by providing them with a multiplying gift of banana plantlets and banana suckers. The project is for 12 months (renewable). Project details This project aims at utilising the fertile soils in Acholi land to grow bananas so as to prevent hunger, and to reduce poverty by increasing household income through the sale of bananas and products made from bananas. The objectives of the project are:
1. To train members on the best practices for growing bananas, and management of banana plantations.
2. To plant at least a total of 10 acres of banana crop every year distributed amongst individual member plantations.
3. To establish a data base to record the multiplied banana suckers given to members of the Association. To establish a website to promote the project and the Link. 17
Project sustainability The project will purchase 2000 tissue culture banana plantlets, and 2000 banana suckers from approved sources. Each banana plantlet / sucker is expected to produce 3-4 suckers at maturity. Upon preparation of a garden, a member will receive a gift of equivalent number of banana plantlets and/or suckers for immediate planting in the already prepared garden. The beneficiary member will harvest mature bananas after 12-18 months. Upon harvesting, the Association will collect the equivalent number of banana suckers given to each beneficiary member for onward giving to other members who have not yet received any banana plantlet or sucker. In this way, the project will be self-multiplying. All members are guaranteed to benefit, and to increase the acreage of their banana plantations.
Some musings on everyday life‌. I don't do drugs or alcohol, 'cause I find I get the same effect just by standing up really fast. The most precious thing we have is life. Yet it has absolutely no trade-in value. I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. I married my wife for her looks... but not the ones she's been giving me lately! Everyday I beat my own previous record for the number of consecutive days I've stayed alive. The next time you feel like complaining, remember: Your rubbish bin probably has better food in it than 30 percent of the people in this world. When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane. 18
Be nice to the nerds and geeks in college - you'll be working for them in the future. The email of the species is more deadly than the mail. The Lord gave us two ends: One to sit on and the other to think with. Success depends on which one we use the most.
A huge thank you to all those who volunteered to help with our young people over the summer holidays. Your help was greatly appreciated by the Junior Church leaders who look after our children throughout the rest of the year. We hope that you enjoyed your session. If you would like to continue to help with Junior Church, whether or not you enjoyed a taster over the Summer, please speak to Louise Aspinall or Gillian James. We have 3 groups, Primary, Junior and Senior. New leaders are always very welcome. We aim to have enough leaders for you to only plan one session per month. What are you waiting for? Thanks in advance Louise, Gillian and the existing Junior Church Leaders 19
Saltaire United Reformed Church is English Heritage finalist
The restoration of Saltaire United Reformed Church in Bradford is one of 17 heritage rescues chosen to go forward to the finals of the English Heritage Angel Awards in London on Monday 21 October, 2013. Vote for Saltaire URC. Saltaire URC is competing for the Best Rescue or Repair of a Place of Worship. See below for the full list of finalists in this category. The church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, Bradford. It has been in continual use as a church for 150 years and despite a major restoration in 1998, by 2005 it had seriously deteriorated. Water had leaked into the building, the original Venetian glass was at risk and the steps supporting the church’s massive Corinthian columns were loose and dangerous. From 2005 to 2013 a church restoration team, supported by several individuals and grant-making bodies, repaired the building and made it watertight. Ian Livingstone, one of the conservation team, said: “At the start of the project we were unsophisticated, inexperienced volunteers with no financial expertise and with no experience of restoring Grade I listed buildings. It’s impossible to quantify the time, energy and worry that’s gone into this project, but I’m very pleased to say that eight years and £514,000 later our church is in rude health. 20
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: "I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the candidates shortlisted for this year's English Heritage Angel Awards who have been selected from a hugely impressive field of applicants. These Awards celebrate the time, energy and passion of volunteers across England who help to preserve our country's architectural heritage; acknowledging these unsung heroes is incredibly important and has contributed to an increase in the number of sites being taken off English Heritage's At Risk register. " Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “We salute all these heroic heritage rescuers who prove that people not only care about their local heritage but are prepared to take action to save it.” Don’t forget to vote! Voting closes at midnight on Sunday 8 September and everyone who votes will automatically be entered into a competition to win one of 50 pairs of tickets to the awards ceremony - and two lucky voters will win not just a pair of tickets to the awards ceremony but also to the post-show reception hosted by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
How to get to Heaven “If I sold my house and my car, had a big car boot sale and gave all my money to the church, would I get into Heaven?" the teacher asked her Sunday School class. "No!" the children all answered. "If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the grass, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into Heaven?" Again, the answer was "No!" "Well”, she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?" A five-year-old boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead first!" 21
A journalist is on holiday in Jerusalem when she hears about a very old Jewish man who has been going to the Wailing Wall to pray twice a day for years. She decides to check it out. She goes to the Wailing Wall and there he is, walking slowly up to the holy site. She watches him pray and, after about 45 minutes, when he turns to leave, she approaches him for an interview. ‘Sir, I’m a journalist from London,’ she says. How long have you been coming to the Wailing Wall and praying? ‘ For about 60 years,’ he says. ‘Sixty years? That’s amazing! What do you pray for?’ I pray for peace between the Muslims and the Jews. I pray for all our children to grow up in safety and friendship,’ he says. And how do you feel after doing this for 60 years?’ the journalist asks. ‘Like I’m talking to a brick wall,; the man replies. Sent in by John C Hall 22
Addie & Barbara Redmond of 13 Linnell Drive are climbing Kilimanjaro
7 – 12 August 2013
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. 23
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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 October 2013
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 15th September
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 26th September
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 29th 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 26