News from the NW Synod 22nd June 2016

1: Moderator’s snapshots

2: CHORLEY URC Camping Weekend

3: Dr Ruth Cowhig - Sale URC

4: Party in the park - Moss Bank Park Bolton

5: News from Trinity URC Blackburn

6: Church Leaders in Cumbria Issue Statement following EU Referendum

7: GMCT Assembly 2016 – Advance Notice

8: News from Central URC Darwen

9: Third Space Bolton

10: Roadshows

11: Northwest Retreat 2016 Booking Form

1: Moderator’s snapshots

I got so carried way yesterday with the Clerk’s unfolding of what’s

in store for those of us who are going to General Assembly this

year that I forgot to take a snapshot (so the view – with the

Moderator’s head visible – is of the one day Assembly last year in

Birmingham. This year General Assembly meetings from the 8th to

11th July in Southport at the Convention Centre (where we held the

Big Day Out last year – and also where we plan to return for

another Big Day Out in July 2017). The agenda is full, covering the

papers contained within the 260 pages of the Book of Reports (see

the image) as well as worship and meals together.

Please pray for the gathering of General Assembly this year…

as representatives from all 13 Synods meet to worship and work together

that those gathered may discern the mind of Christ in many matters for the common furtherance of the

gospel across our 1,400 congregations

for Alan Yates and Kevin Watson, our Moderators’ of General Assembly for 2016 – 2018, as they guide us

through the agenda

that business may arise from fellowship in Christ, and that way of working may connect us deeply as we face

the challenges of deployment within the URC and of declaring the gospel within our communities

that we may join in Jesus’ prayer (John 17) that in a divided and separated world “may they be brought to

complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

(17:23)

Please use the Assembly prayer of preparation in your personal devotions and within your church:

Lord, as People of the Way your joy is our strength. As we assemble in Southport fill our meeting with the joy of your Spirit. May that same joy and expectancy be in our hearts and minds as we prepare ourselves to meet together as your people.

Lord, as People of the Way your strength is made perfect in our weakness. As we assemble in Southport give us strength to trust, and be open to, your guidance. May that same strength, trust and openness be in our hearts and minds as we prepare ourselves to meet together as your people. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of General Assembly 2016. Help us to take that opportunity seriously and to prepare well. Guide those who have particular responsibilities for this meeting. Bless similar meetings of our sister churches in UK and around the world. May we all, as People of the Way, be agents of your generous grace. For Christ’s sake, Amen

2: CHORLEY URC Camping Weekend We are having a Camping Weekend starting Friday 22nd July at

Charity Farm, Smithy Brow, Wrightington – postcode WN6 9PP. Details of the site are on the internet – just look for

Charity Farm campsite. It is quite a large well laid out site with toilets, showers and a Cafe, but also has a number of

hedged fields for groups such as ours and we will have one of those. It is a free and easy weekend to do as you wish

but also we will have a few games organised and also a walk. Saturday evening we all get together for a BBQ done by

our master chef – John and this has in the past been very enjoyable. Sunday morning we have a short Communion

service led by our Minister, Martin.

The charges are £12 per unit per night plus a little towards the BBQ etc. If you wish to stay on after the weekend as

some of our members are doing then that can be arranged as well so please get your tents, trailer tents,

motorhomes, caravans etc. and come along. If you just want to come for the day you will be most welcome but the

site warden may well have a small visitors charge. Also if you are a fisherman, there are well stocked lakes on site.

For more information please contact Derek Haslam on 01257 232258

3: Dr Ruth Cowhig - Sale URC Ruth died suddenly in May at the age of 100 years. She and her late

husband, Bill had been members at Sale since 1950. Her formative years had instilled in her a strong sense of social

justice and she had been Convenor of the Presbyterian Mission Committee for ten years. She established ‘The URC

Waldensian Fellowship’ and locally ‘Church and Society’. She was a truly remarkable person who will be sorely

missed.

4: Party in the park Moss Bank Park Bolton Plans are progressing amazingly well for the Party in the

Park this year and as last year I would love to partner with you on what promises to be a special occasion for the

whole community.

The programme starts after an early set-up, as follows:

11am Breakfast (bacon butties), mainstage pre-show warm-up, and classic cars to view

11.30am United open-air church celebration – featuring mass balloon release and AYF Ugandan Choir – good

invitational opportunity with a Gospel presentation

12.30pm - 5.30pm Family Funday – loads of great attractions, will be the best-ever! Plus, rolling programme

of mainstage performances, dog show, field sports, demonstrations, competitions and much more!

4.30pm-5.30pm Grand Finale Concert with fabulous guest artists, including Chip K and Vital Signs

As last year, most activities and attractions will be completely free to visitors and we aim:

• To provide a fun day for all the community which is almost entirely free for visitors.

• To build and strengthen community links – between churches, schools, community groups, public sector

organisations, and people of goodwill.

• To share the gospel message of HOPE.

To partner and participate in any way contact Alan Saunders 07767 643444 alan@stpetersparish.info or

party@stpetersparish.info also visit www.stpetersparish.info/party to download a partnership pack. We really need

lots of volunteers to help run attractions, to steward, and to help early in the day with the set-up and pack-down

afterwards, so please get in touch with any offers of help.

5: News from Trinity URC Blackburn On 19 June Wilf Bahadur returned to lead worship at Trinity URC,

Brownhill, Blackburn; it was 20 years since he was ordained and inducted at Trinity. Afterwards there was a light

lunch in the hall to give Wilf and his wife Diane chance to chat to old friends and to meet new members. A cake was

made and decorated by one of our members and ceremonially cut 'wedding style'.

6: Church Leaders in Cumbria Issue Statement following EU Referendum In a spirit of unity, we the

Church Leaders in Cumbria have been reflecting together upon the outcome of the EU Referendum and its

ramifications.

Though we respect the will of our people, expressed at the ballot box, we recognise and regret the hurt and divisions

that are being experienced. We pray that our county and country may move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and

unity. We look for healing in relationships that have been tested by different views and we urge a continued

welcome for all who live among us. We echo the calls of our national Church Leaders that we ‘remain hospitable and

compassionate builders of bridges and not barriers’, ‘work in this task with respect and civility, despite deep

differences of opinion’ and ‘continue to keep our eyes open to the needs of the weak, in our own land and in the

many poor and troubled countries around God’s world’.

Bill Bewley, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Rt Rev Michael Campbell, Bishop of Lancaster (Roman Catholic)

Rev Andrew Dodd, Baptist Network Minister

Major Drew McCombe, Salvation Army Divisional Leader

Rev Sarah Moore, United Reformed Church Area President

Rt Rev James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle (Church of England)

Rev David Pitkeathly, Chair of Churches Together in Cumbria Social Responsibility Forum (Church of Scotland)

Rev Richard Teal, President of Churches Together in Cumbria and Chair of Cumbria Methodist District

Contact: Helen Boothroyd, Development Officer, Churches Together in Cumbria: 07503 931196; hbctic@tiscali.co.uk

7: GMCT Assembly 2016 – Advance Notice

8: News from Central URC Darwen around 28 y4 children visited Central URC Darwen as part of the re curriculum finding out about other faiths. Central formerly Duckworth street from the non-conformist tradition. The children explored the sanctuary and were shown the diffident traditions of baptism and communion. The high light was when the school choir sang a song. Church secretary john east said. "The children really enjoyed the experience and widen their knowledge of difference faiths. "

9: Third Space Bolton

10: Roadshows anyone attending the roadshows at Hurst Nook on the 12th July please use OL6 9HJ for your

sat nav, which gets you closer to the Church.

11: Northwest Retreat 2016 Booking

Form

NORTH

WEST SYNOD

ANNUAL

RETREAT

THE WINDERMERE

CENTRE 4.30pm Friday 14th – 1.30pm

Sunday 16th October 2016

Seeking

Shalom

Led by

Reverend Ruth Dillon

Cost £125

Booking Form Northwest Synod Retreat 14th -16th

October 2016

The Windermere Centre Full board from Friday evening meal upto and

including Sunday lunch

Name: …………………………………………………………..

Address:…………………………………..…………………………

………………………………………

Post Code:…………..

Telephone:…………………….... email

……………………………………………………

Special dietary requirements:

…………………………………………………...................

……………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………

Other requirements:

…………………………………………………………………

………………

……………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………..

Please return this booking form along with

a cheque for

£125 made out to The Northwest Synod

to Michele Jarmany, 6 Mearley Syke,

Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1JG by

Saturday 18th September 2016 at the

latest.

For further details email

michelejarmany@hotmail.com or Tel.

01200 442389