Jesus didn`t reject anyone -
Neither do we -
Whoever you are -
Wherever you are on life`s journey -
You are welcome here!
CHURCH NEWS 2023
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2022
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making our Advent and Christmas program so enjoyable and meaningful.
From the Advent Communion and the Dressing of the Tree to our Nine Lessons & Carols and Nativity, to the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve when there were over 70 in church.
We appreciate everyone`s participation and support.
THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB
The club resumed on January 18th with our customary New Year quiz hosted by the Minister.
There were three rounds;
1. Match the Carol title at the line of lyrics
2. Christmas Customs -Food and Drink
3. Picture Round - British Sit-Coms through the years
Fliers containing the programm of speakers up to June are now available in the Coffee Room.
BIBLE STUDY GROUP
The group continues to meet on a Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am in the Coffee room and new members are welcome.
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WALKDEN & LITTLE HULTON
Over the recent Advent & Christmas period we displayed the banner provided by Churches Together inviting the public to join us for worship over the Christmas Season.
The monthly Prayer Breakfast which for many years focussed solely on schools, is now open to intercessions for the community, the nation and the world.
So whatever issue is on your heart and mind, why not come along and join us in prayer, preceded by a light breakfast and a time of fellowship.
The Minister attended the first gathering on January 8th at Bethany Church.
The next Prayer Breakfast is at Our Lady and Lancashire Martyrs on February 4th at 8.30am.
The Week of Prayer or Octave of Prayer ran from Wednesday January 18th-25th.
The Churches Together Service to mark the week was held at Bethany Church on Sunday January 22nd at 3pm.
IN OUR PRAYERS
We remember those who cannot be with us
because of age or infirmity.
We also think of those who are awaiting operations,
tests or test results.
Dorothy Coxon
Dorothy Tomkinson
Helen Sharpe
Alan
and all others in any kind of need.
"I am the Lord that healeth thee" Exodus 15 vs. 26
MINISTER AT LARGE
The Minister has participated in the following;
* Churches Together Monthly Prayer Breakfast at Bethany Church on Saturday January 7th.
* Leading worship and playing at Heaton Mersey Congregational Church, January 8th 10.45am.
* Leading worship, playing and celebrating Communion at Affetside Congregational Church, January 8th 2.30pm.
* Online meeting of National Ecumenical Officers in Britain and Ireland, January 9th.
* Churches Together AGM at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs, January 16th.
* Third Wednesday Club New Year Quiz, January 18th.
* Deacons Meeting, January 18th.
* Lead worship Greenacres Congregational Church Oldham, January 22nd.
* National Ecumenical Officers Meeting, London, January 23rd.
* Walkden Clergy Fraternal, Christ the King, January 25th.
* Outreach & Engagement Meeting, Wharton and Cleggs Lane Church, January 26th.
* Lead worship at Springhead Congregational Church Oldham, January 29th.
* Chair online meeting of the NW Area Executive, January 31st.
The Minister undertakes pastoral visits to the housebound, those in nursing homes and those ill at home or in hospital.
The Minister continues to prepare and post Weekly Letters and Prayers, update the church website and suppport the weekly Coffee Morning and the monthly Third Wednesday Club.
THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB
There was a good turnout for our meeting in February when the speaker was Judith Atkinson, who gave an illustrated talk on "Canals beneath Walkden".
CHURCH ATTENDANCE
In recent years and months we have been greatly encouraged by the number of new families and individuals who have started to join us on Sunday morning.
We have seen the average attendance rise and this Sunday past, February 19th we were very pleased to reach over 40.
The church was full apart from a few spare chairs on the front row and we had to erect an additional table to accomodate people at Church Lunch following worship.
We give God glory for what He is doing among us!
MINISTER AT LARGE
The Minsiter has participated in the following;
* CF online Safeguarding Course, February 1st.
* Churches Together Prayer Breakfast, Lancashire Martyrs RC Church, February 4th.
* Communion for Candlemas, Affetside Chapel, February 5th.
* Funeral Service for Thomas Watt, Overdale Crematorium, Bolton, February 7th.
* Ecumenical guest at the Catenians Dinner, The Club House, Irlam, February 9th. The Catenians are a Catholic Laymen`s organization.
* Guest of Affetside Chapel at their annual dinner,
The Cherry Tree, Balckrod, February 10th.
* Lead worship at Hope Congregational Church, Oldham, February 12th.
* Host the Third Wednesday Club at church, February 15th.
* Chair Deacons Meeting, February 22nd.
* Funeral Service for Kathleen Lloyd-Roberts, Heaton Mersey Congregational Church and Manchester Crematorium. February 23rd.
The Minister undertakes pastoral visits to the housebound, those in nursing homes and those ill at home or in hospital.
The Minister continues to prepare and post Weekly Letters and Prayers, update the church website and suppport the weekly Coffee Morning and the monthly Third Wednesday Club.
MINISTER`S OPERATION
Alan underwent surgery at Rochdale Infirmary on February 24th, to have his gallbladder removed.
During his recuperation he is very grateful to Christine and Lynn who will be leading worship on March 5th and 15th.
Communion will not be observed in March
but will be celebrated on April 9th, Easter Sunday.
Alan will be back in the pulpit on Palm Sunday, April 2nd.
CHURCHES TOGETHER
The montly Prayer Breakfast in March was at Bethany Church on Saturday March 4th at 8.30am.
Walkden Methodist Church hosted the World Day of Prayer Service on Friday March at 7.30pm.
THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB
The March meeting is on the 15th when Dr Eric Lupton will entertain us with his talk, "The lives and music of Rogers and Hart". Dr Lupton will illustate his talk with musical offerings on the keyboard.
CHURCH AGM 2023
The Annual General Meeting took place following our Palm Sunday worship on April 2nd.
Reports were recieved from:
* The Church Secretary
(including Party Bookings and Church Flowers
* The Treasurer (including Halls Lettings)
* The Pulpit Secretary
* The Bible Study & Prayer Group Leader
* The Minister
Tributes were paid to all those who contibute to the work and witness of our church.
Giving has increased but we have not yet fully recovered from the pandemic as far as halls lettings is concerned.
We noted with gratitude how that the numbers at worship have effectively doubled in recent years and that the presence of young families has not only enhanced out multi-racial profile but also dramatically lowered the average age range!
We are making good progress updating our safguarding provisions, with new DBS checks being organised etc.
We look forward to formally welcoming new members at our Pentecost Service in May, as has the custom in recent years.
The current Deacons and Office Bearers were re-elected we were delighted that Lee Wynn was elected as a new Deacon.
Lee is a relatively new member of the church and has already shown his willingness to serve by leading our new Bible Study & Prayer Group.
We welcome him aboard!
THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB
We were pleased to welcome back Brian Halliwell to our April meeting, where he continued his series on The Golden Age of Comedy.
EASTER 2023
Everyone is very welcome at the following services and events over the Easter weekend:
The Minister undertakes pastoral visits to the housebound, those in nursing homes and those ill at home or in hospital.
The Minister continues to prepare and post Weekly Letters and Prayers, update the church website and suppport the weekly Coffee Morning and the monthly Third Wednesday Club.
CORONATION WEEKEND
Community Coffee Morning May 5th 10am-12
Those attending Coffee Morning received a special pocket sized edition of John`s Gospel to mark the Coronation.
Sunday Service May 7th 11am
Those attending church, in addition to the copy of John`s Gospel
received a commemorative booklet "God Save the King" by Roger Carswell and Alan Marsden.
A Time Capsule was buried on our grounds after after being placed in the ground by Zion, one of our younger members.
Royal Refreshments including some delicious homebaked cakes were served.
THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB
The May meeting sees the return of Joanne Halliwell.
Following her routine as A Humble Scullery Maid, Joanne will entertain us with her latest persona The Lady of the House.
MINISTER AT LARGE
The Minister has participated in the following:
* Outreach & Engagement Meeting at Wharton & Cleggs Lane Church, April 27th.
* Funeral of the late Margaret Broome at Agecroft Crematorium, April 28th.
* Conducted worship and played at Springhead Congregational Church Oldham, April 30th.
* Churches Together Prayer Breakfast at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs Church, May 6th.
* Celebrated Communion at Flowery Field Free Christian Church Hyde, May 7th.
* Meeting with our Safeguarding Lead, May 10th.
* Congregational Federation Assembly in Taunton May 11th-14th
including a meeting of the Inter Church Board on May 12th and playing keyboards for the Assembly May 13th.
* Zoom meeting of the Ecumenical Officers for England Scotland and Wales, May 15th.
* Third Wednesday Club, May 17th at 2pm.
* Chaired the NW Area Spring Assembly at Padfield Congregational Church, May 20th.
* Pastoral visit regarding a funeral, May 22nd.
* Local Clergy Fraternal at Christ the King RC Church,
May 23rd at 11am.
* Celebrated Communion at Affetside Congregational Church, May 28th 2.30pm.
* Conducted the funeral of the late Dorothy Massey,
Stockport Crematorium, June 9th 2.30pm.
* Conducted worship and played at Heaton Mersey Congregational Church, June 11th at 10.45am.
* Celebrated Chapel Anniversary and Communion Service at
Affetside Cpngregational Church, JUne 11th at 2.30pm.
* Participated in an online meeting of National Ecumenical Officers in UK & the Republic of Ireland, June 12th.
* Chaired a meeting of the NW Area Executive at Carnforth Congregational Church, June 13th.
* Conducted a Service for Fathers Day at Flowery Field Free Christian Church, Hyde June 18th at 2.30pm.
* Meeting of Churches Together in Walkden and District,
Our Lady and Lancahire Martyrs, June 19th.
The Minister undertakes pastoral visits to the housebound,
those in nursing homes and those ill at home or in hospital.
The Minister continues to prepare and post Weekly Letters and Prayers, update the church website and suppport the weekly Coffee Morning and the monthly Third Wednesday Club.
CF NORTH WEST AREA ASSEMBLY
The North West Area Assembly was held at Padfield Congregational Church on Saturday May 20th.
Tea and coffee was be served from 10am
with the meeting commencing at 10.30am.
The business of the Area was carried out in the morning session.
Lunch was provided.
In the afternoon Sophia Kamara told us of her recent visit to India and the Rev Foday Kamara spoke about his new role as Area Church Support Worker.
BIBLE STUDY & PRAYER GROUP
Due to a change in Lee`s work pattern, the Bible Study & Prayer Group meeting time has changed from Tuesdays at 10am
to Thursdays at 2pm.
PENTECOST SUNDAY 2023
On Pentecost , as is our custom, the Minister extended the Right Hand of Fellowship to new members.
We were pleased to received four new members this time;
Esther Bello
Florence Babatunde
Comfort Janfa
Yenkat Yakubu
We wish these ladies a long and fruitful association with our church.
NEW HYMNALS, HYMNAL PLUS, SPEAKERS & LOOP SYSTEM
The new Hymnal Plus device has been in use for now for some time in place of CDs, when Alan is not here to play the organ.
We also have new speakers and a renewed loop sysytem.
Copies of the latetst version of Mission Praise, both standard size and large print, as well as full music editions for the organ have been purchased.
We are planning to dedicate all of these in a special service on Sunday August 20th, followed by Church lunch.
CHURCH GROUNDS
Members and visitors will have notices how well the grounds at the front of church have been looking recently.
This is due, in no small measure to Lee Wynn and Ian Gibson who have assumed reponsibility for the upkeep.
They have creative plans to enhance the grounds and create something we hope to name The King`s Garden.
The minister is looking into local funding for the project.
So "Watch this space", as they say!
BIBLE STUDY & PRAYER GROUP
The group will be taking a break during August
and will resume on September 7th at 2pm.
COMMUNITY COFFEE
Our Friday Coffee Mornings are also paused for the month of August to give our hard-working voluneteers
a well deserved rest.
Community Coffee resumed on Friday September 1st,
10am-12 noon.
We are always happy to welcome new names on the rota of those willing to serve on on a Friday. Please speak to the Minister or Christine Potter if you can help.
DEFIBRILLATORS
Further to a recent mention on the webiste, the minister has sourced and installed new batteries in the defibs and the devices have been have been placed back in their cabinets.
Thank you to John Grfiffin for installing new batteries in the cabinet in the Coffee Room.
MINISTER AT LARGE
The Minister has participated in the following:
* Chaired the Deacons Meeting, June 20th.
* Third Wednesday Club, June 21st.
* Conducted worship at Hope Congregational Church Oldham June 25th.
* Attended a Service of Welcome for the new Bishop of Bolton at Manchester Cathedral, June 25th.
* National Ecumenical Officers Meeting, Lutheran HQ London, June 28th.
* Conducted worship at First Presbyterian Church Belfast,
July 16th.
* Walkden Clergy Fraternal, July 18th.
* Conducted worship at Affetside Congregational Church,
July 23rd.
* Attended the Ordination and Induction of Rev Walt Johnson at St Andrew and st George`s United Reformed Church Bolton, July 29th.
* Conducted worship at St Andrew and St George`s United Reformed Church Bolton, July 30th.
* Chaired a Deacons Meeting, August 1st.
* Ordered and installed new batteries in the defibrillators.
* Supported St John`s Coffee Morning, August 5th.
* Celebrated Communion at Flowery Field Church Hyde,
August 6th.
* Conducted a wedding rehearsal at Flowery Field Church Hyde, August 6th.
* Conducted a wedding at Flowery Field Church Hyde,
August 12th.
* Celebrated Communion and played at Hope Congregational Church Oldham, August 13th.
* Celebrated Communion and played at Affetside Chapel, Bury
August 20th.
The Minister undertakes pastoral visits to the housebound,
those in nursing homes and those ill at home or in hospital.
The Minister continues to prepare and post Weekly Letters and Prayers, update the church website/Facebook page and suppport the weekly Coffee Morning and the monthly Third Wednesday Club.
IN OUR PRAYERS
We remember:
Charlotte Harrison and her family on the unexpected death of her father, Alan. We think of his wife Tina, son Simon and the whole family circle at this time.
Cathie Gibson, who has been in Salford Royal. We thank God for her progress and hope that she will soon be home.
Dorothy Coxon in Pendleton Court.
Audrey Neath.
Those who have moved home recently - Sikmicit, Kenkat, Comfort and Joshua.
Lynsey, a young woman from Northern Ireland, who is undergoing treatment for bowel cancer.
All those known to us in any kind of need.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING
Our Harvest Service will be held on September 17th followed by Church Lunch.
As usual we will be supporting the local foodbank,
so we would welcome; canned and packet foods as well as toiletries.
You can bring your donations to Community Coffee on a Friday,
or worship on Sunday 10th as well as on the day.
CHURCH BANNER WORKSHOP
There will be a creative workshop following Sunday Worship
on September 24th.
We want to collect handprints from everyone who comes to church in order to create a banner which represents our growing congregation.
A lunch will be provided, so there is nor reason to disappear after coffee! Please stay and join in the fun.
Even if you are not staying for the Workshop and Lunch,
please make sure we have taken your handprint
before you go home on that Sunday.
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
We don`t single out individuals for birthday mentions on the website but we think that in the case of our good friend Derrick Lee, we can make an exception.
Derrick will be 98 on Monday September 11th.
At Community Coffee on Friday September 8th Derrick cut a cake donated by his friends and we all sang Happy Birthday.
There are photos of Derrick cutting the cake on the church`s Facebook page.
Minister ~ Rev Alan Kennedy 07733153203 01612703296 alanrk1690@gmail.com