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Church at The Centre Tonge Moor United Reformed Church Starkie Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton BL2 2ED
A member of the Vision Pastorate
(with Rose Hill URC and St Andrew & St George URC)
and Churches Together in Tonge Moor
Church Life – DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015
Sunday 10:45am Family Service - All welcome (Communion - 1st Sunday of
Month)
Saturday 9.45 –10.00am Informal Prayer time – All welcome
10:30 - 12:00 noon Saturday Morning Café – All welcome
Contact details
Minister: Revd Mark Bates Home: 01204 653477 (Friday is Mark’s day off) Mobile: 07712 440362 Email: [email protected]
Church Secretary John Evans 01204 592300
Children’s Centre Reception 01204 336745 Church Life Editor Maureen Harrison 01204 698873
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Our Week:
Sunday Family Service 10:45am (Communion 1st Sunday of month)
Monday – Friday Community Café open in the Children’s Centre 9am – 3pm
Saturday Informal Prayer time 9:45 am Morning Café 10:30am to 12.00 noon
~~~~~ ALL ARE WELCOME ~~~~~
Church at The Centre…… ……….sharing the love of God and the gospel of
Jesus Christ with the people of Tonge Moor
through fellowship, worship and action…..
• a partner in Tonge Children’s Centre
• leading the Building Bridges Community project
• supporting Tonge Lunch and LeisureTonge Lunch and LeisureTonge Lunch and LeisureTonge Lunch and Leisure Club Club Club Club - every Friday lunchtime (with Age UK
and Tonge Children’s Centre).
• For details of Tonge Lunch and Leisure Club, please ask at the Centre Reception
or call Gill Marshall (Age UK) on 01204 336471
Front cover: Front cover www.office.microsoft.com
Dear friends
Christmas is coming !!
Yes, you don’t need me to tell you that. The first Christmas trees are up, decorations are beginning to
appear, Christmas music is played in shops and the adverts aiming to encourage us to buy presents or
attend some festive event are very much to the fore. The Christmas lights in Manchester were
switched on the 7th
November!! By the time you read this we will be into December and the pace of
people rushing to achieve all the elements for the perfect Christmas, if not the temperatures, will be
hotting up.
In one sense we don’t really need to remind one another that Christmas is coming – the evidence is all
around. But what kind of Christmas will it be? What is at the heart of Christmas? You and I may be in
no doubt that amidst all the other festive celebrations, family gatherings, sales, parties, theatre
outings, pantos, and TV specials, Jesus remains at the heart of Christmas but the fact is that to an
increasing proportion of the community Santa is more likely to be at the centre of Christmas than
Jesus.
In a survey carried out by the Theos think tank, over 50% said “The birth of Christ is irrelevant to my
Christmas”. 54% of those who responded said that “Christmas was overrated”. 36% of children
interviewed (1000 sample) did not know the significance of Christmas Day, with 22% thinking that it
was to celebrate Simon Cowells birthday!!
We could simply bemoan this as deplorable and be very negative about this displacement of the Christ-
child from our society. While being realistic about the context in which we live surely we shouldn’t
allow the real meaning of Christmas to be thwarted either by indifference or negativity?
Like the shepherds we are called to take the good news of the presence of God’s Son, the Saviour of
the world to all those around us. After they had visited the Christ child they shared the news with
those who would listen and I feel sure with those who didn’t want to listen; we are called to do the
same – including those whose definition of Christmas is vastly different from ours.
Yes, Christmas is coming but surely we could do our bit to let people know that Jesus Christ, the Son of
God, is the real reason we celebrate Christmas?
Immanuel, God with us!
A very Happy and Peaceful Christmas to you and your families, wherever they may be and every
blessing for the New Year!
Mark and Gill
Toy service
The toy service will be held on Sunday 14th December. The toys will once again
go to the Bolton Lions for distribution, and a member of the Lions will attend
the service to collect the toys. Please leave any toys unwrapped as this makes it
easier for them to decide who they are to be given to. Only new toys can be
accepted, thank you.
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IBRA
If you would like to order a copy of Fresh from the Word 2015 – a booklet of
daily Bible readings from the International Bible Reading Association, please
see Christine Cooke.
The price is £9-00 for a paperback copy. An E book is available price £7-20.
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Dorothy Anderton and Joan Tonge are collecting used stamps for charity.
Please save any stamps you get (leaving approximately a 1" border). Dorothy
has chosen a donkey sanctuary and Joan has chosen Leukaemia Care.
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The flower list for 2015 is now on the wall outside the Ministers Office. If you
would like to give flowers in memory of someone or perhaps a special occasion
then please put your name by the Sunday of your choice.
Margaret McGreavy would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who
gave flowers last year.
Each week after the Service the flowers are given out to any of our Church
family and friends who are poorly, housebound or celebrating a special
occasion. If you know or are visiting anyone who would like to receive some
flowers please see Margaret or Joan Bradbury.
Christmas Reflection
About 500 years ago the German theologian Martin Luther was walking
through some woods near his home. It was the week before Christmas. He
was thinking about the Coming of the Christ-Child Jesus and wondering how he
could celebrate the Saviour’s birth at Bethlehem.
Looking up at the beautiful fir trees laden with sparkling snow, Martin had a
wonderful idea! He would chop down a little fir tree, take it indoors and
decorate it with candles, in honour of JESUS the LIGHT of the WORLD. An so
originated the first decorated Christmas tree.
Church candles remind us of the Light of Christ. We see them shining on the
alter each Sunday. At Baptism services a lighted candle is given and we say
“Shine as a light in the World, to the Glory of God the Father.”
A prayer used at Sandringham Church: “The CANDLE is a SIGN of our prayers
and the offering of our lives in the service of Christ; of our prayers for others
that they too might be strengthened in their faith and love of our Lord;
The CANDLE is a SYMBOL of all those who, through the ages, have SHONE AS
LIGHTS in the darkness of the world, and of their prayers for us;
The CANDLE is a WITNESS that this is a place of prayer, a place where people
have knelt in worship through the centuries – to acknowledge that the CHILD
of MARY is the SON of GOD.
O God, our Father, source of Eternal Life, FILL THE HEARTS OF ALL BELIEVERS
WITH THE LIGHT OF FAITH.” Amen
By Ann Railton, - Lay Preacher
Taken from the ‘Grace’ Publication
Enid Smallshaw passed to distant shores 10th
March 2014
Enid was born at Coppull and was the first daughter of Jane and Henry Smallshaw. Enid attended Castle
Hill School where she was involved in all manner of things, representing the school at Netball and
rounders. She was also head girl of Castle Hill and her love of all things school and learning would be
brought out in her later life. As both mum and dad were strong Methodists and she attended St Andrews
Methodist church on Tonge Moor Road. On 1978 Enid started to attend Tonge URC on Starkie Road
where her love of hymns and music meant that she was in the choir. She was also a member of the
women’s guild. She had 5 trips to Australia to spend time with Lois who emigrated out to Oz in 1990, and
on one occasion spent 11 months out there helping out during school holidays. But she was also able to
go for a visit to New Zealand to visit a mine at West point which is where her dad had spent some time as
a young man before returning to the UK in order to marry Jinny.
You are all aware that in her later life she struggled with ill health and had surgery when she was 75 to
remove Bowel cancer; she suffered a stroke in 2009 and moved in Connaught Square where she was
looked after and the family had peace of mind because it was warden controlled.
3 years ago she was again admitted to hospital but when the time came for her to be allowed home it
was felt that she wouldn’t be able to manage on her own at home so a decision was taken to allow her to
move into Hazelbrook where she spent the remaining part of her life cared for and happily listening to the
musicals that stirred her memories.
Les Worthington departed this world 28th
May 2014
Les a loving husband of 65 years to Dorothy, grandpa to Sarah, Steven and Matthew, father in law and
g'pa in law to Janet and Fran, brother to Allan and Denise, brother in law to Allan’s wife Myra and all of
Mum’s sisters and brother. He was also Uncle, cousin and to many of you including family - a friend.
But one thing is for sure whatever he was to each and every one of you he was always regarded as one of
the world’s true gentlemen in the most literal sense of the word.
His army discharge sheet which stated his military conduct was “very good" and the testimonial read:-
A clean smart man who has given good service . He is honest, sober, conscientious and trustworthy.
Recommended for any position of trust and responsibility.
As most of you know Les suffered most of his life from Epilepsy but his determination did not stop him
cycling, an activity he loved in his younger days, and attempting to live a full and normal life. In later
years he joined Bolton Male Voice Choir and travelled many miles with the group, enjoying the
companionship and the sense of achievement in bringing pleasure to the many audiences they performed
for. As we know how he suffered during later years but with help and support he was able to continue to
live at home.
He was a season ticket holder at his beloved Wanderers for many, many years until it got too difficult for
him to attend matches. This love of the wanderers was passed on to the rest of the family.
Les was a true gentle man in every sense of the word and greatly missed by family and friends.
The Central District of the North West Synod has created a Prayer Diary to help all the Churches think about one another by praying for particular Fellowships each Sunday throughout the year. We will be
including these Churches in or “Prayers for the Church Family” during our Sunday morning worship.
During this month, please pray for:
Everyone in our Fellowship, young and old, especially those leading worship and those who cannot
attend; Everyone involved in the work of the Children's Centre and the Building Bridges project; The Pupils, Parents and Staff of Tonge Moor Community Primary School and Moorgate Primary School;
Friends at other local Churches: St Aidan’s, St Andrew’s, St Augustine’s, St Columba’s. Friends at our
sister Churches: Rose Hill and St. Andrew and St George.
Other Fellowships in the United Reformed Church :
1Dec: World Aids Day Dec 7 Hurst Nook URC 10 Dec: Human Rights Day 14 Cheetham Trinity URC/CofE 21 New Chapel URC, Horwich 28 Hallfold URC
2015 Jan 4 Trinity URC/Methodist, Audenshaw
11 Dundee URC 18 Christian Unity (18 – 25 Jan) Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 25 Hope URC, Denton
Dec/Jan READINGS
DATE READING
7th
Dec Mark Chpt1 v1-8 The voice of the messenger
14th
Dec John Chpt1 v6-8 & 19-28 What do you say about yourself?
21st
Dec CAROL SERVICE
28th
Dec Luke Chpt2 v22-40 Waiting, watching,welcoming
4th
Jan Matthew Chpt2 v1-12 A shining light
11th
Jan Mark Chpt1 v4-11 A voice from heaven
18th
Jan John Chpt1 v43-51 A conversation
25th
Jan Mark Chpt1 v14-20 A quiet beginning
CHRISTMAS CAKE Fancy baking a Christmas Cake, this recipe is the one Christine Cooke uses and it is the one she was given when at secondary school 52 years ago! 4ozs margarine
4ozs granulated sigar
2 lge eggs
6ozs plain flour
6ozs currants
6ozs sultanas
3ozs raisins
2ozs ground almonds
2ozs candied peel 2ozs glace cherries
1teaspoon black treacle
1 level teaspoon mixed spice
Method
Night before making the cake, if wanted soak the dried fruit in a little brandy and leave overnight. Cream the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat the treacle and eggs together, add to the creamed mixture gradually. Cut the cherries in half and coat with the flour. Add all the ingredients into the creamed mixture and mix well. Put the mixture into a greaseproof lined 6 inch cake tin and make a small hollow in the middle. Tie brown paper round the outside of the tin. Bake in a preheated oven for 1 hour on 150 then turn the oven down to 140 and bake for another 1 and quarter hours approx when the cake should be firm to touch. If the cake seems to be overbrowning cover with a piece of kitchen foil. You can also test if the cake is done by inserting a skewer into the centre, it should come out clean. Cool in the tin, remove, if required prick the cake all over with a skewer and spoon over a little brandy, store the cake wrapped in fresh greasproof paper and foil. Marzipan and ice as required.
Do you know someone who will be struggling this Christmas?
Church at The Centre will be helping Urban Outreach
to provide
“Christmas Dinner on Jesus” to individuals and families who may miss out.
If you know someone who would appreciate a bit of help
to celebrate Christmas, please tell Revd Mark Bates.
Church at The Centre December 2014
All are welcome!
Tues 2 2:00pm Elders meeting
Fri 5 5:00pm Advent Tea
Bring a friend or neighbour to share in food, fun and festivities.
Sat 6 9:15am Saturday prayers 10:00am Saturday café
Sun 7 10:45am Family Worship with Holy Communion and Emergency Church Mtg
led by Gill Bates
Thur 11 6:30pm Advent Service at St Augustine’s Church with other churches in Tonge Moor
Fri 12 7:15pm Come and Sing at Rose Hill with other churches from Vision Pastorate
Sat 13 9:45am Saturday prayers 10:30am Saturday café
Sun 14 10:45am Cradle Roll / Toy Service
led by Kath Lonsdale
Fri 19 6:00pm Christingle Service
at The Centre
Sat 20 9:45am Saturday prayers 10:30am Saturday café
Sun 21 10:45am Carol Service
led by Revd Mark Bates
Thur 25 10:30am Family Worship for
Christmas Day
Sat 27 Centre closed
Sun 28 10:45am Family Worship
led by Joan Nicholls
Church at The Centre January 2015
Sat 3 9:15am Saturday prayers 10:00am Saturday café
Sun 4 10:45am Family Worship with Holy Communion
led by Revd Mark Bates
Tues 6 2:00pm Elders meeting
Fri 9 7:15pm Come and Sing at The Centre
Sat 10 9:15am Saturday prayers 10:00am Saturday café
Sun 11 10:45am Family Worship
led by Worship Group
Sat 17 9:45am Saturday prayers 10:30am Saturday café
Sun 18 10:45am Family Worship
6:30pm Ecumenical Service
led by Laurie Shaw
at St Andrew’s Methodist Church
Thur 22 2:00pm Building Bridges Management Group
Sat 24 9:45am Saturday prayers 10:30am Saturday café
Sun 25 10:45am Family Worship
led by Barry Bradshaw
Tues 27 7:30pm Worship Group mtg
All are welcome!
‘Church-in-Community’ - Building Bridges - Update – December 2014
November saw communities united in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in
armed conflict – especially, but not solely, in two world wars last century. Church at The
Centre held its act of remembrance on Sunday 9th November, during which the Roll of Honour
from Tonge Moor Congregational Schools was read out and two minutes silence observed.
The memorial which was originally erected in the old church building on Starkie Road now
hangs in Tonge Moor Community Primary School, since most, if not all, of the men whose
names appear attended Tonge Moor School as well as Tonge Moor Sunday School.
Mark, along with other School Governors, shared in the school’s act of remembrance on the
11th November; and the following day some of our members accepted an invitation to join
pupils in paying their respects to those named and to share memories and family experiences
with the pupils. They were joined by Connie Cooper, a friend of this church, whose uncle,
William Bunyan, is one of those who are commemorated in the roll of honour.
Two brothers, Walter Brooks and Herbert Brooks ‘lifelong members of the Sunday School’,
who were killed in 1917 are commemorated in a plaque which also hung in the old building.
When the building was demolished, Egerton URC agreed to accept the plaque in the memorial
garden at the rear of their church. There are also memorials to Revd Bill Evans and Revd Bob
Good - both of whom served Egerton and Tonge Moor United Reformed Churches in the past.
Each year, the wreath used in our Act of Remembrance is subsequently placed on the Brooks
memorial as a sign both of our respect and of our commitment to work for justice and peace.
John Evans
A time for giving……………….
Bolton Young Person’s Housing Scheme – Castle House
Castle House is running low on cereals – so if you could bring a box (or two) of cereals
oonn SSaattuurrddaayy // SSuunnddaayy 66tthh // 77tthh DDeecceemmbbeerr
that would really help.
Supermarket ‘own brands’ welcome.. Chocolate flavour always a favourite!
Thankyou!
If you can provide a family size Christmas pudding please bring it to The Centre by Sunday 7th December for
Jayne Clarke (and have your name entered into a free raffle for a bottle of Prosecco)
The Gift
He brought me a gift that Christmas
As I knelt in the Church in prayer,
I had come to find the Christ Child
But the manger was cold and bare.
“Don’t look for me in the cradle”
I heard Him gently say
“but seek me on the cross
And you’ll have my gift today”.
He brought to me the gift of love
Cupped in his broken hands,
The love He longs to share
With this cold, indifferent land.
I wept, I had no gift to bring
And then I heard him say,
“Just give me your heart my child,
On this my special day”.
Emanuel (God with us)
Some people say they can’t see God
Well I think they are blind
For he is everywhere I look,
I need not search to find.
The mountains and the hills speak forth
My eyes cannot escape…..
…. to see the deeper majesty
of Him who formed their shape.
And when I look upon a tree
In forest, wood or dell,
With branches swaying gracefully
His praises in me swell.
The perfume of a lovely flower
Does something for my day,
It is a gift from Him to me
To help me on my way.
And when you are so loving
And your friendship is so true,
That’s when God is very near
For I see Him in you.
For all the around me,
In earth and sky and sea,
All show me that God above
Is walking here with me.
From Village Poems (Church Urban Fund)