Upload
louise-aspinall
View
220
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Church magazine
Citation preview
1
Bamford
Chapel
2
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.
1
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
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.
Sun 8th Sept 10.30am Family Worship led by Ken Greer
6.00pm Evening Worship led by our Minister Rev Richard Bradley
Sun 15th Sept 10.30am Family Worship, Parade Service, Harvest Festival and Project Launch led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00pm Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sun 22nd Sept 10.30am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley followed by our CHURCH MEETING
6.00pm 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 at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
2
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
3
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 in-
between 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
4
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.
5
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
6
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.
7
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.
8
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
9
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.
10
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
11
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
12
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.
13
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.
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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.
18
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.
19
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
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.
20
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.
21
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!"
22
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
23
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.
24
25
BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE
EDITORS: Louise Aspinall 01706 719449
Martyn James 01706 868885
SECRETARY: Joan Ashton 01706 360395
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
26
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 : Rev Richard Bradley
Email: [email protected]
Church Secretary: Ian Sturrock
Telephone: 01706 653109
Email: [email protected]
Wedding Secretary: John Lapworth
Telephone: 01706 632460
Email: [email protected]
Lettings Manager: Linda Kerford
Telephone: 01706 624256
Email: [email protected]
Times of Services: Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1st Sunday in month
Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month