CHURCH NEWS 2024

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2023

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making our Advent and Christmas program so enjoyable and meaningful.

From the Advent Communion & Dressing of the Tree to our Nine Lessons & Carols,        the Nativity and the Christingle Service on Christmas Eve when there was a full church.

Not forgetting those who led worship on New Years Eve

We appreciate everyone`s participation and support.

CHURCH CHRISTMAS LUNCH 2023

We had a new venue for Christmas Lunch last year,

the Glass House at Worsley College.         

It is staffed by the students of the Catering Department who are learning the relevant skills for a career in the hospitality sector.

The setting was warm and attractive, the young staff very polite and efficient,          the food excellent and no-one could quibble about the price!

We trust that you found the company congenial too!

We hope to return this Christmas.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

Our Bible Study Group resumes on Thursday January 11th in the Coffee Room at 2pm.

New members are always welcome. If you want to know more, please speak to Lee.

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

We did not have a guest speaker in January

but as usual our Minister hosted a New Year`s Quiz with refreshments.

A small but enthusiastic band grappled with a Photo Round and a Missing Vowels Round.

First prizes and booby prizes were awarded - no names, no pack drill!        

Fliers with details of the program up to June are available in the Coffee Room.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WALKDEN AND LITTLE HULTON

PRAYER BREAKFAST

We were represented by the minister at the first Prayer Breakfast of the New year 

at Bethany Church on Saturday January 6th.

The next two Breakfasts are at St Johns on February 3rd at 8.30am                              and Our Lady and Lancashire Martyrs on March 2nd at 8.30am.

The morning begins with breakfast and fellowship and then moves into a time of open prayer for the second half of the session.

There is no obligation to pray outloud if you are not comfortable.

You can bring a prayer to read or simply pray in silence.

If you haven`t been before, why not pop along.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2024

The Service for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity this year was held at Bethany Church on Sunday afternoon January 21st at 3pm.

Our minister presided at the piano and the worship was led by Rev Marie Pattison assisted by members and clergy from other local churches.

Thank you to Bethany Church for hosting and to Pastors Bill and Sue

for the refreshments afterwards.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM for Churches Together was held at Bethany Church on Monday evening January 15th at 7.30pm.

Rev Marie Pattison, Curate with the Anglican Churches in Walkden & Little Hulton

was nominated and eleceted as the new Chairperson.

Carol Gallagher volunteered to resume her previous post as Secretary

and thanks were expressed to former Chair and Secretary, Sue and Bill Davidson

for all their work. 

IN OUR PRAYERS

NORMA KAY

We regret to announce the death of one of our members, Norma Kay,                          who passed peacefully on Sunday January 21st,                                                          having attended worship with us in the morning.

We extend our sympathies and prayers to Andrew and family,

Jonathan and all Norma`s friends.

Norma`s funeral was held in church on Wednesday February 14th at 11.30am, followed by a Private Committal at Agecroft Crematorium at 1pm.

Refreshments were served at Ellesmere Golf Club following the Committal.

LESLEY PAINE

Most people will now be aware of the death of Lesley Paine.                                        Lesley passed away peacefully on January 6th at Bolton Hospital.

The minister had visited Lesley on January 2nd

and had commended her to the care and keeping of God.

We extend our sympathies and prayers to Lesley`s family and friends.

Lesley`s funeral was held at Agecroft Crematorium on Monday February 5th                at 11.40am followed by refreshments at our church.

We also keep in prayer those members and friends who are ill or recovering                  either at home or in hospital and those in nursing care, as well as those awaiting tests or surgery.

Pat Hilton

Carol Smith                                                                                                            Dorothy Coxon

Pat Varley

Helen Sharpe

and all others in need of our prayers.

COMMUNITY HALL HEATING

Unfortunately there have been some problems with the heating in the hall recently.

We hope that a temporary fix will tide us over until a replacement system can be installed.

We are looking at different systems and obtaining quotes for re-wiring

as well as new systems.

We apologise for any inconvenience in the meantime. 

CHURCH GARDEN

Plans by our volunteer gardeners, Lee and Ian to enhance the garden are progressing.

We recently took delivery of a new seating bench and plant holder kindly donated by the Lowry Academy, one of our local schools.

Unfortunately two weeks after installation the bench was badly vandalised.

The school have looked at what was left, but sadly it cannot be repaired.

When the plant holder is installed, we hope that it lasts significantly longer!

We are looking at a metal bench as a replacement and are exploring sources of funding for it`s purchase and installation.

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

Due to a misunderstanding, we did not have our expected speaker in February but we enjoyed a hour of conversation and cake instead.

The speaker for the March meeting was Dr Eric Lupton whose subject was,

"Composing Legends of the 20th Century".

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

The service this year was created by Christian Palestinian women and was held at Walkden Methodist Church on Friday March 1st at 7.30pm.

PALM SUNDAY & CHURCH AGM

There were nearly 40 in worship on Palm Sunday and we presented Real Easter Eggs to our junior worshippers. The Minister blessed the Palm Crosses which were then distributed by the young people.

The Annual General Meeting took place after worship and included reports from the Secretary, Treasurer, Pulpit Secretary, Bible Study Group Leader and the Minister.

It was good for everyone to hear about the work and witness of our church.

We were pleased that over 20 people shared in fellowhip over lunch aftwerwards.

GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE

March 29th 10am: Good Friday

Short Service of Reflection

led by Rev Alan Kennedy

March 29th 10.45am: Churches Together Walk of Witness

Walkden Costa to Little Hulton Precinct

March 29th 11.30am: Churches Together Good Friday Service

Little Hulton Precinct

March 31st 6.15am for 6.30am: Easter Sunday

Churches Together Easter Sunrise Service

Blackleach Country Park

Led by Rev Alan Kennedy

Followed by refreshments at St John`s.

March 31st 11am: Easter Sunday

The Sacrament of the Lord`s Supper

Celebrant and Preacher

Rev Alan Kennedy

EASTER SERVICES

We were pleased to welcome a number of visitors for our Good Friday Service including Chris Lawton, from Eccles Church, who very kindly played the organ for us.

We also welcomed a new young family to our Easter Communion Service

and presented their children with Real Easter Eggs.

Thanks to Dorothy for the cream eggs on Palm Sunday

and Susan for the chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday.

The minister had already bought mini-eggs for everyone for Easter

and also provided Simnel Cake for the after church refreshments.

So our Lenten Fast was well and truly over!

CHURCHES TOGETHER PRAYER BREAKFAST

The Prayer Breakfast for April took place at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs

on Saturday April 6th at 8.30am.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP MEAL

Our Bible Study Group extended a welcome to other members of the congregation to join them for a meal on Saturday April 6th at 2.30pm at The Woodside.

Just over 20 of us were there on the day and enjoyed good food and conversation.

Thankyou to Lee for organizing this.

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

The  April meeting was held on Wednesday the 17th at 2pm, when the speaker was Brian Halliwell. He had been billed as presenting the next installment  of his Golden Age of Comedy talks. But on this occasion he decided to offer us something different. 

Based on the title of the film, "It`s a wonderful life", Brian mentioned the many inventions and concepts that have improved our lives, from the mundane to the spectacular.

The speaker in May will be Richard Hall and his subject is "Say it with flowers".

As Richard is a musician, we assume that the music will have floral connections.

IN OUR PRAYERS

We continue to remember in prayer all those members and friends of our church          in any kind of need.

They include;

Pat Hilton

Carol Smith

Dorothy Coxon

Pat Varley

Helen Sharpe

The minister would like you to also pray for Lynsey,

a young woman from Northern Ireland.

Do let us know if you wish us to pray for anyone and we can include them on the list.

GARDEN PARTY/AFTERNOON TEA   JUNE 8TH

We are hoping to host this on the church lawn, weather permitting.

If not, we will adjourn to the Coffee Room.

Tickets will be available at a cost of £5 per person.

We would like you to bring something suitable as a raffle prize.

More details to follow.

Minister ~ Rev Alan Kennedy 07733153203 01612703296 alanrk1690@gmail.com