loks go forward 25th easter servies—all wel ome … · 42nd olton eavers, ubs & scout derek...
TRANSCRIPT
April 2018 Deadline: March 18th
Publication date: April 1st
Don’t forget—we need your contributions and photos!
CLOCKS GO FORWARD 25TH MARCH!!!!
IN THIS ISSUE Page 2: Directory
Page 3: Monthly Musing; Albert at Rivington
Page 4: How Big is Our God; Messy Church; Open House; Horwich Community Centre
Page 5: Introducing Gemma; Congratulations
Page 6: Farewell Colin Craston
Page 7: Colin Craston cont; Girlguiding; Ladybridge Singers
Page 8: From the Registers; Caroline’s licensing; Easter Egg Bingo; Dates to Remember; Weather Lore
Page 9: Lent Prayers; Maundy Thursday; PULSE!
Page 10: Team Tatton; Our new Archdeacon; Don’t forget
Page 11: Lent Journey; Christingle; Passion Sunday; Flash Mob Page 12: Lent Services; Who Are We? City of Sanctuary
March 2018 THE MAGAZINE OF THE HORWICH & RIVINGTON TEAM CHURCHES Price 60p
CORRECTIONS
Well done to those of you who spotted two errors last month!
1.Lent Service dates—the last two dates were incorrect and the correct ones can be found on page12.
2.Incorrect spelling of licencing in the notice of Caroline’s Licensing Service . I used the noun version with a c instead of the verb version which is s.
EASTER SERVICES—ALL WELCOME
PASSION SUNDAY 18th March—services at usual
times (see page 2).
6.30pm Holy Trinity choir—’For God So Loved the
World’
PALM SUNDAY 25th March—services at usual times
(see pages 2 and 3).
MAUNDY THURSDAY 29th March—Passover Meal (see p. 9)
GOOD FRIDAY 30th March:
Holy Trinity 10am All Age Reflection; 2pm Reflection
St Elizabeth’s 10am Reflection
St Catherine’s 10am Reflection
Rivington Church 10am Reflection
EASTER SUNDAY 1st April:
Holy Trinity 8.00am Communion; 10am Family Communion; 6.30pm
Easter Praise
St Elizabeth’s 8.45am BCP; 10.00am Easter Communion
St Catherine’s 8.45am BCP Communion; 10.30am All Age
Communion
Rivington Church 10.45am Family BCP Communion
WELCOME TO GEMMA! Gemma Garcete, our new Youth Minister, pictured
4th from the right, at her commissioning service with Bishop Mark and the
Team Clergy. See page 5 for an article by Gemma and more photos!
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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, Church Street, Horwich BL6 6AA: SUNDAY SERVICES: Every Week - 08.00 Holy Communion 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays 09.15 Informal Worship (with K4C) 10.45 Choral Service (Communion) 3rd Sunday Please refer to newsletter and notices for information. Evening Services 18.30 Evening Praise (1st Sunday) 18.30 Celtic Communion (2nd Sunday) 18.30 GOD[Space] (3rd Sunday) 18.30 Holy Communion (4th Sunday) Weekdays: 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month: 09.30 Holy Communion Youth Groups/Organisations: Playcare: Weekdays Lisa Entwistle 01204 667606 Parents & Toddlers: Mon. 09 -11am. Marlene Pritchard 01204 692699 Jaffa Tots (3-6yrs): Sunday 09.15 Nicola Gillard 01204 227648 Jaffa Juniors (7-10yrs): Sunday 09.15 John Shawcross 01204 469355 Jaffas (11-13yrs): Sunday 09.15 Steve Gillard 01204 227648 Beavers (Tuesday )/ Cubs (Thursday )/ Scouts (Tuesday): [email protected] Christine Bradley 01204 410811 Rainbows & Monday Brownies: Angela Alcroft [email protected] Wednesday Brownies: Katie Webster [email protected] Friday Guides: Kathryn Tomkinson [email protected] Holy Trinity Parish Hall booking enquiries to: Susan Preston 01204 693722 or email [email protected]
RIVINGTON PARISH CHURCH, Sheephouse Lane, Rivington, BL6 7SE: SUNDAY SERVICES: 10.45 Holy Communion 1662 10.45 Family Communion (1st Sunday) Weekdays: Last Saturday of the month 10.30 a.m. Matins Youth Groups/Organisations: J.A.M. (1-14yrs) [Jesus & Me] 3rd Sunday 10.30 Susan Firth 01257 480084
ST. CATHERINE’S CHURCH, Richmond Street, Horwich, BL6 5QT: SUNDAY SERVICES: Every Week: 08.45 Holy Communion 1662 1st, 3rd & 4th Sundays: 10.30 Holy Communion 2nd Sunday: 10.30 All Age Worship 5th Sunday: 10.30 Morning Worship Weekdays: 4th Thursday of each month: 10.30 Holy Communion Youth Groups/Organisations: Children’s Club Sunday 10.30 Michael Behrend 01204 697162 Tiny Tots Wed 09.15-11.15 Michael Behrend 01204 697162
ST. ELIZABETH’S CHURCH, Cedar Avenue, Horwich, BL6 6EU: SUNDAY SERVICES: 1st Sunday: 08.45 Holy Communion 1662 1st Sunday: 10.00 PULSE! 2nd Sunday: 10.00 Communion4All - includes our children 3rd Sunday: 10.00 Word4You 4th Sunday: 10.00 Communion4You—includes our children Weekdays: 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month: 09.30 Holy Communion Wednesdays: 18.30 Holy Communion Youth Groups/Organisations: Children’s Group : 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays (going in to Communion on 2nd and 4th Sundays) Jane Halstead 01204 468273 CYFA (14+yrs) Thursday 20.00 Gill Smart 01204 468271 42nd Bolton Beavers, Cubs & Scout Derek English 01204 469972 Brownies (Monday): Beverley Gowen 01204 468581 Rainbows (Tuesday) : [email protected] Church Hall Bookings: Jill Harley 01204 694611 [email protected]
THE MINISTERIAL TEAM Rector: Stephen Fletcher 468263
Vicar: Michael Behrend 697162 Curates: Jo Smith 240508 Gill Smart 468271 Associates: Peter Harley 694611 Caroline Tracey 692303 Honorary: Glenda Bush 691539 Brenda Craston 699972 David Griffiths 469621 Readers: Irvine Delamore 696437 David Hawes 693727 Youth Minister: Gemma Garcete 07450714711
[email protected] THE TEAM CHURCHES:
Holy Trinity Church Wardens: Chris Knowles 07833 290498 Grenville Hartley 279365 Treasurer: Lesley Greenhalgh 693973 Secretary: Susan Kerr 692760
Rivington Church Wardens: Peter Holden 01257 482451
David Hawkins 07710563678 Treasurer: David Hawkins 07710563678 Secretary: Barbara Shaw 01257 480759 St. Catherine’s
Church Wardens: Ian Winnard 694005 Kath Jackson 770598 Treasurer: Andrea Shore 694613
Secretary: Pam Smith (c/oTeam Office)692252 St. Elizabeth’s
Church Wardens: Sandra Almond 692749 Jane Halstead 468273 Treasurer: Richard Skidmore 693415 Secretary: vacant post
BAPTISMS: Initial enquiries for baptisms to Emma Shawcross: [email protected] WEDDINGS: Initial enquiries for weddings to Revd Caroline Tracey 01204 692303 THE TEAM OFFICE is situated in the crypt below St. Catherine’s Church. Open Mon to Fri: 10.00 am to 12pm Tel: 01204 692252 email: [email protected] Web Site: (all churches) www.bhrmp.co.uk/
BELOW THE PIKE BELOW THE PIKE is published by the Team Council of the Anglican Churches of Horwich and Rivington. Its aim is to link the Team Churches with each other and the wider community of Horwich. The contents are not exclusively religious, but encompass any matters of Christian or local concern. Anyone who would like to make such a contribution, through the Editorial Team is most welcome (details below). Please be aware that the articles printed do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Editor or Editorial Team who are: Editor - Margaret Broadfoot 690283 or email: [email protected] Stephen Fletcher (Rector) 468263 Pam Knowles 667363 Gloria Long (Holy Trinity) 692035 David Griffiths (Rivington) 469621 Judith Whalley (St. Catherine’s) 691968 Shirley Sharples (St Elizabeth’s) 696925
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This month is about—
WHY BOTHER WITH LENT? By
Rev. Michael Behrend
Half of me says ‘why bother with Lent?’ Although inspired by the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness facing
temptation, Lent is none-the-less a human institution. And as Christians aren’t we free from religious rules
and regulations? Of course we are! And no amount of religiosity can put us right with God.
But that doesn’t mean that we should discard all traditions as unnecessary legalism. One of the expressions
that recurs in Paul’s letter to Titus is ‘self-control’, something that I suspect all of us struggle with. If the
institution of Lent helps us in developing self-control, then that is valuable.
The ‘Stanford Marshmallow Experiment’ (you can Google the phrase for the details) is fascinating. In
summary, what happened was this. In the 1960s a group of young children aged between 3 and 6 took part in
a psychological study. Each child was given a treat (e.g. a marshmallow) and promised that, if they could wait
fifteen minutes before eating it, they would be given a second one. Some children could wait the fifteen
minutes and others couldn’t. Records were kept and many years later the university researchers revisited the
children and found that those who had been able to delay eating were significantly more successful in life. The
ability to say ‘no, not now’ seems to make a massive difference.
But self-control is not just an end in itself, it is about developing a godly attitude to the ‘here and now’ that
derives from a confidence both in our present relationship with God and our eternal future with him. Self-
control is about making the most of this life not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others. Less self
-indulgence allows greater resources for generosity, and in the long term greater joy.
So it’s my prayer that as we reflect this Lent on God’s amazing love for each one of us, we may have the
strength to grow in self-control and joy in our relationship with Him.
MONTHLY MUSINGS
FOR
MARCH
ALBERT, GUEST AT RIVINGTON ON PALM SUNDAY
Palm Sunday, this year on 25th March, is the start of Holy Week
when we remember that a donkey like Albert carried Jesus into
Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. King Herod rode around on a big
war horse, but King Jesus rode a donkey, fulfilling an Old
Testament prophecy 500 years before, that the Messiah –
God’s Chosen One – would come to the Holy City riding on a
donkey to proclaim God’s peace. The congregation will be
able to see the cross on Albert’s back that all donkeys carry
reminding us of the cross that Jesus would be killed on the
following Friday, to proclaim God’s love and acceptance of all people. And of course, we
know that wasn’t the end, Jesus rose again on Easter day and is alive today. But Albert who
lives at Higher Knoll Farm just above the High School, led by Megan Needham, will be guests
at Rivington on Palm Sunday to remind us of all this. David Griffiths
HORWICH COMMUNITY CENTRE Beaumont Road, Horwich
MOVIE MATINEE—1st Monday of each month: 5th March will feature Oscar winning ‘La La Land’. Films start at 2.30p.m. free entry, £3.00 for refreshments.
New Groups for you to try at the Centre
Learn how to meditate – Guided meditations and teachings on how to meditate and how to apply the
ancient wisdom of Buddha in busy daily life. Weekly drop in sessions starting Thursdays 7.00pm-8.00pm
Garba Blaze – A new way to get fit using Bhangra Dancing – Running weekly on Thursday evenings – 6.30-
7.30p.m.
Learn the art of Floristry – running fortnightly on Friday evenings from Friday 2nd February 2018. 7.30pm-
9.00pm
Spirit Matters – Drop in session, which will include meditation, Reiki, Hand Massage, Crystal Therapy,
Psychic Messages and Trance. Sessions start fortnightly on Tuesdays from 6th February 7.15pm-9.15pm.
Please note that due to refurbishment of certain areas the Centre will be closed: Closed Monday 26th March 2018 Re-Open Tuesday 3rd April 2018
Closed Saturday 7th April 2018 Re-Open Saturday 14th April 2018
Pick up a copy of the Centre’s new newsletter to find out all sorts of information. To find out more about
the various events at the Centre that are available through the week daytimes and evenings contact the
Community Centre by phone 01204 668157 or visit:
https://www.horwich.gov.uk/community_centre.html
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MESSY CHURCH
Open to all for family fun with food
and chat at St Elizabeth’s Church
Hall (behind the Church) on Cedar
Avenue, Horwich. From 4pm on
Saturday 24th March It includes a
light meal.
For information contact Jane
Thompson on 468541
“HOW BIG IS OUR GOD!”
This year’s Lent Reading morning is Isaiah chapters 40-55 where God reveals how much He loves us in many wonderful and well known promises and passages. Both Jesus and Paul quoted from these chapters and they include several prophecies of the life and death of the coming Servant, Jesus, to prepare us for the events of Good Friday and Easter Day. Come and join us on Saturday March 17 at Holy Trinity from 10:30am to noon with refreshments.
OPEN HOUSE
A new fellowship group began on Tuesday 20th February. 'Open
House' takes place between 12.30 pm and 3.00 pm every Tuesday.
Everyone is welcome so bring a friend along.
Don't worry if you are unable to stop for the entire afternoon.
Arrive and leave whenever you wish - even if it's only for 15 minutes.
A light lunch and refreshments will be available.
Venue: 4 Evanstone Close, Horwich, Bolton BL6 5SQ Contact: Rev.
Caroline Tracey - Tel. (01204) 692303
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INTRODUCING - GEMMA GARCETE
My name is Gemma and I am delighted to have started my role as Youth Minister with the Horwich and Rivington team. I was born and brought up in Bolton, however, I have only recently moved back here with my husband and son from Argentina.
As a young person growing up in the Anglican church without a youth group, or any activities for my age, I went to church on Sundays and a Christian School but still found it difficult to understand how God was relevant to my life and the challenges I faced as a teenager. It was only as I moved away to go to University that I discovered what it meant to have a living faith and the difference that knowing Jesus can make. I enjoyed sharing with other Christians my own age - meeting regularly together to talk about life, pray and encourage one another in our faith. After graduating with a degree in German and Spanish I went on a Summer mission trip with a group of other young people to Argentina. We went with an organisation called Latin Link and our project was to help build an extension to a church building and generally serve the congregation there. It was a fabulous experience and I loved the fact that I was able to use the gifts and skills that God had given me - some of which I didn’t even realise I had - to serve others. It was there that my passion for Latin America and cross-cultural work began. After 5 years working for Latin Link, organising short-term mission trips and training and supporting volunteers in the UK, God led me back to Argentina. I lived and worked in Buenos Aires for 7 years, working first with Latin Link supporting students at university, and then later teaching English in a language institute and later a primary school. In that time I met my husband Gustavo and we had our son, Benjamin (who is now 3). We were part of an Anglican church in Argentina and together we formed part of the youth leadership team. One of the highlights of my time serving in Argentina was spending time with this group of young people. We watched them grow in faith, helping to support and guide them as they asked questions and thought through the decisions that they had to make about the future. It was a privilege to be able to be alongside them and be part of that journey.
Now as Youth Minister here in Horwich, I am excited and very much looking forward to working together with other leaders to develop what we have to offer young people throughout the team of churches in Horwich and Rivington. There are so many pressures on young people and I would like us to be able to offer them a place to grow in their faith, experience the love of God, find a community where they can find friendship, be accepted and belong - and of course have fun! A tall order, some might say, but we do not do it on our own. We have a God who is more than able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine and who is even more committed to and invested in the present and the future of our young people than we are. I just ask now, as Pope Francis (the most famous Argentinian in the world) asked, when he took on his own (slightly larger…!) God-given task - please do be a part of what God is doing - do pray! Gemma Garcete
Gemma with husband Gustavo and 3 year old Benjie
Gemma’s Welcome cake served at her Commissioning Service
CONGRATULATIONS: Rev Michael Behrend celebrated his birthday early in February—best wishes Michael and thank you for everything you do.
April 1st sees Dorothy Shaw, Deputy Warden at Holy Trinity, celebrating her 75th birthday—Happy Birthday Dorothy!
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FAREWELL TO COLIN CRASTON
Canon Colin Craston died peacefully at
his home on January 25th, St Paul’s Day.
The timing of his death after a long
illness was striking. After all, he had
spent 38 years of his ordained ministry
at St Paul’s Deansgate, Bolton. Colin
was born in Preston to a devout
Christian family and committed his life
to Christ at an early age. When he was
15, Colin was invited to preach for the
first time at the Mission Hall in a poor
part of Preston, where his father was
the superintendent. Not long after this,
an aunt gave him her Bible, shortly
before she died and said “there is no greater role in life than to preach the gospel”.
A lifelong supporter of Preston North End, Colin was always proud of the fact that he was born in 1922, the
same year as North End’s most famous footballer and one of England’s all-time greats, Tom Finney. Both of
them were Preston Guild babies, something of which Colin was very proud, even if he did only become one on
the last possible day!
Having volunteered for the Royal Navy in 1941 (to read a transcript of an audio recollection made by Colin to
the “Second World War Experience Centre , see overleaf) he served as a wireless telegraphist on the destroyer
HMS Eclipse and survived the infamous Arctic Convoys to and from Russia. In March 1943 he was sent ashore
after having been selected for a commission, which he failed to receive for “a lack of ambition”. The Eclipse
struck a mine and sank seven months later in the Aegean Sea with great loss of life, including all those serving
in the radio room. “My life was absolutely dependent on coming off that ship,” Colin once said. He always saw
this as divine intervention and confirmation of his calling to the Anglican priesthood. After transferring to the
escort carrier HMS Shah, he spent two relatively uneventful years serving out the war in the Indian Ocean. In
2014 he was awarded a medal by the Russian Federation for his work protecting Arctic convoys during the
Second World War. (see photo above)
Colin studied at Tyndale Hall in Bristol, earning a BA from Bristol University in 1949 and a Bachelor of Divinity
from London University in 1951. In 1992 he was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate in Divinity. After ordination as a
deacon in 1951 and a priest in 1952, he served his curacy at St Nicholas’ Durham before moving to Bolton,
where he served at St. Paul’s and as priest in charge and then vicar of Emmanuel. In 1968 he was made an
honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral and also served as Rural Dean of Bolton. In 1985 he was appointed
as an Honorary Chaplain to the Queen. Although he officially retired in 1992, Colin joined the Horwich Team
Ministry and preached regularly at Holy Trinity and Rivington Church until just nine months before his death.
Although increasingly frail, he was invigorated when he entered the pulpit and his voice took on the power of a
much younger man.
Fittingly at this time of Lent we remember that he was personally awarded Royal Maundy Money by Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2nd in Manchester Cathedral in 2007.
During his ministry Colin served on the General Synod, many committees, Commissions and also served as
chairman of the Li Tim Oi Foundation, which supports women’s ordination to the priesthood worldwide. (cont.
on Page 7)
RIVINGTON PARISH CHURCH PRESENTS
LADYBRIDGE SINGERS
Saturday 14th April 2018 AT 7.30pm
Tickets are £10.00 Available from
Mark Winstanley Tel: 07549317132 or David Hawkins Tel: 01257481706
Refreshments buffet in church hall
All Cheques should be made to Rivington parish church pcc
Cont. from Page 6….
Colin published six books in which he increasingly sought to articulate the views of open evangelicals about
key issues. He argued for “biblical humility and compassion as with others we explore theological diversity”.
During his studies and 41 years of service in Durham and Bolton, Colin was ably supported by his first wife,
Ruth (née Taggart), who died in 1992. In 1993 he married his colleague Rev. Brenda Fullalove, who served with
him in the Horwich Team Ministry. Colin is survived by Brenda, who nursed him lovingly in his final months, as
well as his two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The following words are taken from Colin’s letter entitled ‘My funeral’ in which he set out his wishes for his
funeral service: “Finally, I confess myself, as throughout my life, a debtor to the amazing Grace of God in the
atonement accomplished by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the Cross at Calvary; and, my debt to all my
family, friends and a host of others for their love, prayers and help in my pilgrimage.”
The following is an abridged version of an audio interview that Colin gave in 2000—the full transcript can be
found, along with his diary entries and photos at https://war-experience.org/lives/colin-craston/
“I had no experience of the sea, apart from going to the Isle of Man and I suppose I must have wondered
whether I should be very much subjected to seasickness. There were only two occasions I was seasick but one
of the occasions which I remember vividly was a journey from Scapa Flow to Iceland in September of 1942
which was the worst gale or storm I have ever been in. I mean people do talk about 40 or 50 feet waves and we
had them that time and, the frightening thing about it is of course, if you get to the crest of a wave, the whole
ship shudders and then plunges down and of course, the old ex-World War One individuals
would always encourage us by saying ‘You do know that in World War One there were
two destroyers that went into waves and never came out‘, so that wasn’t encouraging!
But of course, the awful thing is that in the mess on occasions like that everything is, is
rolling about, the crockery is getting on the floor, the water is on the deck and the only
thing you can do is really get in your hammock and lie or swing there until the next time
you are on watch but you are not feeling like eating anything. Those were the worst times
I think.”
Colin will be very much missed by us all and we give thanks for his wonderful faith,
teachings and compassion. He has been laid to rest at his beloved Rivington Church.
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GIRLGUIDING HORWICH – HELP NEEDED!
Girlguiding offers girls the opportunity to have fun with friends. We urgently need adult leaders to allow us to continue to provide a full and active programme of activities for girls between 5 and 19.
If you are interested in helping as a leader at any of our units, please contact myself – Kathryn Tomkinson – [email protected] or volunteer through the Girlguiding Website – www.girlguiding.org.uk
FROM THE REGISTERS
BAPTISMS & THANKSGIVINGS
We welcome to the family of the Church: 27th January Noah George Bonney
25th February Archie Andrew Heyes
25th February Freddie Taylor Farlow
FUNERALS We offer love and sympathy to the relatives and friends of: 15th January Nellie Ramsbottom
16th January Brenda Marshall
24th January Doris Bromilow
26th January Winifred (known as Elsie) Edwards
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DATES & REMINDERS FOR MARCH 2nd March: Women’s World Day of Prayer
4th March: Movie Matinee, Horwich Community Centre (see p. 4)
7th March: 3rd Lent Service (see page 12)
8th March: International Women’s Day
11th March: Mothering Sunday
12th March: Easter Egg Bingo (see left)
15th March: 4th Lent Service (see page 12)
17th March: ‘How Big is Our God’ Holy Trinity 10.30am—12pm
18th March: Passion Sunday (see front page)
21st March: BEER&CHAT at Blackedge Brewery Bar, Hampson
Street 7.30pm (see page 5)
22ndMarch: GIRLS+TALK at Il Toro 8pm (see page 5)
23rd March: 5th Lent Service (see page 12)
24th March: Messy Church (see page 4)
25th March: Clocks go forward
25th March: Palm Sunday (see front page and page 3)
25th March: Welcome service New Bolton Archdeacon (see p. 10)
26th March: Renewal of Vows Manchester Cathedral
29th March: Maundy Thursday (see page 9)
30th March: Good Friday (see front page)
31st March: Deanery Flash Mob Victoria Square Bolton 11.45am
1st April: Easter Sunday (see front page)
MARCH WEATHER LORE
‘A dry March and a wet May,
Fill barns with corn and hay.’
‘As it rains in March so it rains
in June.’
EASTER EGG BINGO!!
Back by popular demand on Monday 12th March at St Elizabeth’s Church. Free entry - just pay for bingo card. Raffle and refreshments.
Eyes down at 7:00pm.... ..
Our photo on the left shows Stephen, Caroline,
Bishop Mark and Jo happily smiling at Caroline’s
licensing on February 11th at Holy Trinity. Bishop
Mark licensed Caroline on his third visit to the Team
Churches in 5 days!
LENT
God the Creator,
rouse your church, lest we sleep in your presence, and miss your yearning love for all people.
God in Christ,
cleanse your church, and forgive our lack of zeal in honouring your primacy in all things.
God of Pentecost,
set your church ablaze with the fire of your Spirit,
so that we may spend and be spent for your gospel’s sake,
for your will and your glory, all our days.
THE COLOURS OF EASTER
Rainbow God, the spring flowers are banners of colour and hope.
The Jesus who walked this earth is alive for ever.
On this day of light dazzle us with the richness of your covenant love,
and help us throw off the pale greyness of our lives.
For Jesus Christ lives, in the power of the Father through the Spirit.
These prayers are from a book called The Shepherd's Call, a book of prayers & liturgies for rural Aotearoa in New Zealand, by Bill Bennett. Bill is my sister-in-law's brother, who is an Anglican priest in rural NZ. Hence changing the first line of the second prayer to’ spring flowers’ from ‘autumn leaves’ as their seasons are opposite to ours! Gloria Long
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MAUNDY THURSDAY Rather than have a communion service and a separate Maundy Thursday Passover meal there will be a
meal at St Elizabeth’s on Maundy Thursday 29th March at 7pm. Sign-up sheets will be available in all the churches to ensure everyone is catered for. A lamb stew and bread, cheese and pate will be served (Any donations would be gratefully received, about £5 per person would be great if affordable). Please bring drinks but tea & coffee will be available. We will be using a variation of a typical Jewish Seder (liturgy) but will show how some think it is the basis for Holy Communion.
PULSE! Pulse at St Elizabeth’s is held on the first Sunday of the month at 10am. It is a live vibrant service for all the family, young and the not so young. Pulse was the product of St Elizabeth’s vision weekend; four friends: Jane Thompson, Peter Harley, Kath and Andy Ferrier had a common interest in creating an all-new service with a little lean towards an uplifting, vibrant service, with the aim to lift everyone’s spiritual health. And PULSE was born! PULSE - Praise, Understanding, Love, Serve and Encourage. The result of our first meeting and Peter’s idea, encouraged by J C. We had a number of ideas but this fitted perfectly! Our aim is to deliver the word of God through different methods of teaching involving children and adults alike. The whole service is designed to up lift spiritual health and try to make people leave the service with a smile in their Heart. We as a team would like to grow and encourage more of the community of Horwich to attend our service on a Sunday morning and accept the Lord into their lives, lift the spiritual health and Praise, Understand, Love, Serve and Encourage in the name of the Lord..... PULSE !!!!!
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DON’T FORGET ………..
GIRLS +TALK, last Thursday of every month. However for March it will on the 22nd.Meeting at Il Toro from 8pm. Call Jo on 01204 240508 for more details.
BEER&CHAT, third Wednesday of every month. Meeting at Blackedge Brewery Bar from 7.30pm. Call Gill on 07967585670 for more details.
TEAM TATTON! At St. Catherine's CE Primary School, the children are, again, creating a garden for the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show in July. 'Team Tatton' is a mixture of children in Years 5 and 6 (see photo below) and staff (well, you have to have someone to do the heavy work!) who are all fired up to create an amazing 3m x 3m garden at the famous flower show. This year's theme for all the school gardens is artists, and we are thrilled to have been allocated the artist Evelyn Dunbar. Evelyn was especially known for her paintings of home life in Britain during World War 2, and in particular the work of the Women’s Land Army. Evelyn always painted the 'good side' of life, perhaps because of her strong faith. We have decided that our garden will be a World War 2 inspired garden, reflecting the paintings Evelyn did. The children came prepared for their first Team Tatton meeting in January, armed with ideas for their wartime garden: they have found out lots of information about digging for victory, the work of the Women’s Land Army, the kinds of vegetables grown during the war and about Evelyn herself. Whilst it will be a few weeks yet until we have a final design, made up of their ideas, we are so excited that our pupils have such energy, enthusiasm and dedication to creating a fabulous garden at the flower show. The Christian values of generosity, friendship, perseverance and hope will be very much seen in action as the children work as a team to identify which plants and vegetables to use, sow seeds, pot on, nurture their plants and work on making props to dress their garden. We'll let you know how we get on!
Karen Graham, Headteacher
WELCOME TO OUR NEW ARCHDEACON The New Archdeacon of Bolton, the Reverend Jean Burgess, is being welcomed on Palm Sunday, 25th March, at 3pm in Bury Parish Church. All are welcome to attend this service, but please let Judith Popay know for catering numbers ([email protected] – 0161 761 6117). Archdeacon Jean will also be welcomed to the Diocese on Holy Monday at 10.30am in the Cathedral, during the Sung Eucharist with Blessing of Oils & Renewal of Vows . RENEWAL OF VOWS: At the same service on the 26th March all ordained clergy will be renewing their vows at the Cathedral.
11
Holy Trinity did things
differently this winter. They
held their Christingle in January
rather than at Christmas . The
photo shows the wonder and
awe that this service creates.
Thanks go to Jenny Dagnall for
organising it.
JOURNEYING THROUGH LENT
Purple, or violet, is the colour associated with Lent. Originally purple involved using the most expensive
dyes, and was only seen with people of wealth and power and especially with royalty. Purple is also the
colour of mourning and anticipates the suffering of the crucifixion.
Lord, help me this Lent to put you at the forefront of my thoughts, even just for a few moments each day.
Help me to pray.
Mothering Sunday, is held on the fourth Sunday in Lent. It was the day when house servants and farm
workers were given time off to visit their families and also their parish or mother church. One custom on
this day is to eat simnel cakes, made from layers of fruit cake and almond paste.
Lord, on this special day in Lent bless all Mothers as we remember and give thanks for the generous love
they have given us and for the many hardships and sacrifices they have made for us.
The Thursday before Easter is Maundy Thursday. It is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the
Garden of Gethsemane. The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given by Christ at the Last
Supper, that we should love one another, as he loves us. Each year the Queen distributes Maundy Money to
deserving senior citizens (one man and one woman for each year of her age), usually chosen for having done
service to their community. In the 17th century, and earlier, the King or Queen would wash the feet of the
selected poor people as a gesture of humility, and in remembrance of Jesus' washing the feet of the
disciples.
Lord, please forgive my selfish ways! Help me to love others as you love me.
Many people eat Hot Cross Buns in Lent, and especially on Good Friday. They are made with a cross to mark
the fact that Jesus died on the Cross for each one of us on this day. They contain spices to remind us that
after his death Jesus’ body was prepared for burial using spices, a reminder too that Jesus is the Bread of
Life.
Lord, instead of condemning those who nailed you to the cross, you prayed, “Father, forgive them.” For the
times I fail to forgive others, when I harbour resentments or grudges, as I think of the nails piercing your
flesh, I ask forgiveness.
Lord Jesus, be merciful to me, a sinner!
Taken from booklets by The Prayer Trust
Passion Sunday –18th March at Holy Trinity the choir are singing John Stainer’s beautiful "God so Loved the World" at 6. 30pm. In contrast - on Easter Saturday the Deanery Flash Mob –will be performing in Victoria Square approx. 11.45am all singers welcome to join them. It’s just one song (a well known one) and no practice! See boltonparishchurch.co.uk/parishnews Easter Eggs will be handed out during the performance.
With many thanks to Boss Direct Ltd of Bolton for their excellent service & the quality and printing of this magazine
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Churches Together in Horwich and Rivington Lent Meetings 2018 — LIFE SOURCE
Learning to deepen our prayer life.
Wednesday 7th March – Holy Trinity Church (Church Street)
Source of light - prayer as listening Speaker: David Griffiths
Thursday 15th March – St. John’s Church (Victoria Road)
Source of wholeness - prayer as honesty Speaker: Michael Behrend
Friday 23rd March – New Chapel (New Chapel Lane)
Source of love - prayer as care Speaker: Stephen Fletcher
All meetings start at 7.30pm All welcome
WHO ARE WE?
The events team of St. Elizabeth church is an independent community group set
up approximately 5 years ago. Originally a church group but gained independence
to qualify for community grants. We have grown from strength to strength with a
mixed group of members from St Elizabeth’s and the wider Horwich area. The
group is highly motivated, building its strength on a fundamental Christian ethos .
We all meet once a month and enjoy a vibrant meeting, organising Easter egg
bingo, The village green fete, Christmas Fayre and everything in between. Our aim
is to reach out to the community of Horwich, Bolton and wider area providing
families and friends with free events designed to inform and uplift their lifestyles.
This year the group aims to provide an amazing array of events supported by
local businesses, the fun filled village green fete and Easter egg bingo (see
details on page 5) to name a few. Kath and I have attended St Elizabeth’s church
for many years and we draw inspiration from scripture and support from friends
and family. The group intends to grow in activities and hopes to lead the
community in many different ways promoting Christian community spirit. The
group are looking forward to very exciting times. We welcome all ages, faiths
and backgrounds, we are not a closed group and welcome you all to take part in
our spectacular events. Or if you feel you could give a little more, then don’t
hesitate. Email [email protected] or look us up on Facebook :“ The events team of St Elizabeth’s
church “.
Andy & Kath Ferrier
CITY OF SANCTUARY, BOLTON have established a hosting scheme, which involves individuals across Bolton
voluntarily offering a spare bedroom to a destitute asylum seeker or refugee. We are in urgent need of new
hosts. Support and information is available from our hosting co-ordinators Abby and James on 01204 263023.