Bamford Chapel and Norden URC
May 2015 1
BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN URC MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
Worship In our devotion we will come together to express our joy, love and thanks through worship. We shall share our praise and dedicate it to God. Ministry Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will show compassion and love by understanding, supporting and meeting the spiritual, the physical and the emotional needs of others. Evangelism We are called as Christians to share the good news; living as examples of Christ in our everyday lives we can spread the word and love of Jesus. Discipleship We as a church have a responsibility as Christians to encourage people to know God and to enable them to develop their relationship with Him through prayer, discussion, study and learning. Fellowship We welcome to our church family those who want to belong. We show our love for others by sharing acts of fellowship in God’s name. 2
May 2015 Sunday 3rd May Thursday 7th May
Sunday 10th May
Tuesday 12th May
10.30 am 7.30 pm 10.30 am
Family Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
After Church
Christian Aid Lunch at St Paul’s Norden (See page 11)
2.00 pm
Bamford Family Fun Day & Picnic (See Page 7)
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by Revd Richard Bradley
7.30 pm 10.30.am
Sunday 17th May
Important Church Meeting (Please do your best to attend)
6.00 pm
Evening Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley Monthly Midweek Communion Service (in the Lounge)
10.30 am
Pentecost Sunday Worship (Shorter Service) - Led by Andy Platt
12.15 pm
Churches Together in NW Rochdale Pentecost Service (See Page 15) NO EVENING SERVICE Family Worship Led by Ken Greer
10.30 am Sunday 31st May
Churches Together in NW Rochdale Meeting -St Paul’s Church Norden - Speaker from International Justice Mission (page 4) Junior Church Anniversary Led by our Children & Young People
12 noon
Wednesday 1.15 pm 20th May
Sunday 24th May
Family Worship with Holy Communion Led by Revd Richard Bradley NO EVENING SERVICE Elders’ Meeting
6.00 pm
Evening Worship Led by David Watson 1
Message from the Manse “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) This is a quote from scripture that has brought great comfort and strength to many people over the years. It begins by encouraging us to focus not on self but on God. As I write we have had completion of the sale of the Norden URC building. It is a sad time for those who had a close affiliation with the Norden building. As we know (but always worth hearing again) the people are the church, the building is a tool for the church to live out its mission in the community. As Norden took that decision the members there certainly had to “trust in the LORD” and certainly needed to lean on God as they said a final goodbye to their church building. As we think of Bamford and the buildings issues we have been facing over the last 2 years or so, we as a church have also had to “trust in the LORD” and to lean on God and not our own understanding. As we are hopeful that the roof works will begin in the coming months, the verse from Proverbs will certainly need to be read again as we have workmen on site and as we have upheaval with the roof works. As we think about the modification works at the Bamford building, (as I write) we have had two of the three planned congregation meetings to hear more of the suggested modification works. I have been very grateful to people who have come to those meetings, have listened to the presentation that Simon and I have given and have asked questions and listened to the views of others. As we prayerfully discern what God wants for His Church, I hope we will be united as one people of Bamford Chapel and Norden URC. I believe we are at an important stage in the life of the church. I understand that some will struggle with the changes being suggested for the Chapel building, and to those who hold such views I ask that 2
you share your views with me. I am very keen for people to be engaged in this process. I believe the work will help us to move forward as a church in doing further work to help us live out the vision: “Loving God, Serving Others, Building Community”. (Bamford Chapel and Norden URC vision statement). May we all indeed trust in the LORD with all our heart and lean on God and seek help from Him in all situations. God Bless - Richard --------------------------------------------Weekday Opportunities for Learning and Sharing Fellowship You are welcome to join any of the following Exploring Groups Further details of all Services and Groups may be found on the Sunday Notice Sheet and at:- www.bamfordchapel.co.uk Monday Focus on Prayer Group: Tuesday Home Group – 8.00 pm in the crèche Discipleship Explored: Fortnightly 12th & 26th May 8.00 pm in the Manse Monday Home Group: Wednesday Exploring the Bible: 8.00 pm at the home of Addie & 7.30 pm at the home of Ray Atkins, Barbara Redmond 8 Greenwich Close Monday Monthly Joy Group: Thursday Morning Weekly: Monday 25th May (Bank Holiday) Community ‘drop-in ‘coffee Meal at Dolce Vita 6.30 pm morning from 10.00am (optional). Thursday Evening Monthly: Meeting 7.30 pm at 17 Bamford Ladies Fellowship, 7.45, subs £3 Mews open to all Ladies. Next meeting May 14th AGM & Pot Luck Supper Tuesday Stillness and Sharing: Sunday Evening Youth Groups: 1st & 3rd Tuesday in the month Koinonia 6.00—7.00 pm 5th & 19th May 2.15pm in the God Squad 7.30—8.30 pm Lounge 3
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News of the Family Concerns, some continuing, are expressed for the following: Hayley Merchant and family; Geoff and Margaret Ogden; Joyce and Derrick Yates; Angela Hall; Poppy Woodall; St Michael’s Church and our brothers and sisters who worship there; Margaret Entwistle; Hilda Howard; Olive Brierley; and the family of Shelagh Chrimes in particular Brian following Shelagh’s death on 10th April 2015. We also bring before you those unnamed here. Envelop in your love, Lord, those suffering following a bereavement, whether recent or otherwise. Equip those living alongside such a loss with the tools to come to an accommodation with their change in circumstances, and we pray that their network of friends may be increasingly mindful of, and attentive to, their changing needs at such a difficult time. Turning to other family news, we give our best wishes to the Reverend Richard Church, our former Moderator, as he moves to London (with his wife Sheila) to begin a new ministry. Give him direction and guidance on this new path. The subject of a new ministry is a recurring theme this month as we give thanks for Sarah Fitton’s decision to start training to be a minister. Sarah felt a call to this in November 2014 and having prayerfully considered her response and having discussed matters with her family, and with our Minister Richard, she intends to take up this call. This is fabulous news, particularly if you have attended any of the services where Sarah has prepared and led us in prayers, or watched her in the recent Food for Thought Easter production of The Davidson Affair. So, for those of you wondering why we had been seeing slightly more of Sarah in our services you now know why! Chapel has a strong tradition of producing and then supporting through their training those with an aptitude or a calling to preach, and we watch with interest where this new path will take Sarah. Sarah was part of the original Vision Strategy Team who helped to prepare suggested wording for our new vision statement. The 5 5
Vision Core Groups continue to meet and consider new opportunities falling under their remit. Indeed, drawing on the repeated comments within the questionnaires that we should use our wonderful grounds and surroundings much more than we presently do, an initiative that has stemmed from the Fellowship Group will come to fruition this month in the form of a Family Fun afternoon for adults and children alike on Sunday 10th May on the back field. Outdoor team games are the order of the day and the activities will culminate in a picnic. Invites will be sent to all members of our uniformed organisations, to those who attend the Tuesday morning toddler group and Junior Church. Don’t forget your trainers and pray for sunshine. Rebecca Baines recently shared with us at family time that she has left her former job (at Frankie and Benny’s in Bury) to work on a temporary basis with her mum and dad at the vets. Some of you may not know that Rebecca read Drama at university, and the work at the vets will involve manning reception and carrying out administrative tasks. Ever versatile, Rebecca also looks forward to revisiting this summer work she did last summer with an organisation called “NCS with the Challenge”. This will see Rebecca engaging with local teenagers teaching them things they do not learn at school so that they can make a difference in their community. Turning further afield, Carol Hartley has recently returned to Belarus as part of the ongoing work she does for the White Flower Charity which is the charity she set up with friends to help children orphaned in Belarus. Carol has taken over some supplies but mostly money from fundraising to buy whatever is needed and whilst over there she attended a Christening service for 30 babies from the Borisov abandoned babies home. Carol’s commitment to this cause was of course recognised in the 2014 honours list when she received an OBE for Charitable Services to Children in Eastern Europe and the community in Heywood. And finally, a personal thanks to Zoe Davies. Zoe has agreed to re-join the Rainbows team as one of our leaders, the team currently comprising Carole Greaves, Alison Greaves and myself. Zoe was an 6
integral part of the Rainbows team from 2007 to 2011 but as with many of our talented young people who volunteer to help run our uniformed organisations there came a time when different horizons beckoned, for Zoe in the form of university. Zoe has now been back from university for almost a year. She is a natural with the children, will be an asset at our meetings on Tuesday evenings and she will provide Alison with the opportunity to concentrate on her studies as required during this coming summer term. We are delighted that Zoe succumbed to the gentle persuasion adopted. As ever, if you have any news that you would like to be included in the magazine then please pass the details to Sarah Finnigan either in person, by email to: finnigansarah@sky.com or by telephone (0780) 361 8165. Many thanks! If you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain
FAMILY FUN DAY INVITE Outdoor team games and fun for all the family. Activites also provided for babies and toddlers. Date: Venue: Time: Bring: Cost:
Sunday 10th May 2015 the back field at chapel 2pm onwards. Picnic at 4pm Picnic and trainers! Free entry. Drinks will be provided 7
News according to the former Church Secretary of Norden URC Ron Dunn It is with great sadness that I must announce the death of our former church secretary Ron Dunn. He was in every way a stalwart of our church life keeping the spirit and the building going through many difficult times. I felt dreadful when I had to let him know that the church was closing down. I felt I had let him down by failing to care for the building he had put so many hours of hard work into. He was quite sanguine and said “these things happen but I did warn you to keep the sanctuary aired and to remember to open the shutters and keep the fan going.” Hmm… yes that was at least twenty years ago! Joan and Ron retired to Scarborough for a more peaceful life and joined Albemarle Baptist Church where he ran the choir. Their children Nicole, Melanie and David visited often, and in recent years and months have helped with their care through illness. The girls live in Derbyshire and David in Cheshire. One of my abiding memories of Ron is a sermon in which he managed to rig up a telephone in the pulpit and make it ring. This was long before mobile phones and still a mystery to me. He answered the ringing phone and told us it was God on the line and he delivered the message. It was a miracle in my eyes. I was amazed. In one sermon he showed us a cardboard disc and told us that it was a “round tuit” and that this was very rare indeed, because no one could ever get a round tuit (around to it!!! Get it?). Ha! Ha! and so I became an elder and got around to it!! Another time we all cried because he delivered the most moving sermon after his daughter Nicole and her husband Steve were attacked and savagely beaten whilst cycling through Africa. He told us how nurses gave their own blood to save their lives. He told us how his and 8
our strength of faith would deliver them safely home if we all just prayed with all the power we could muster. He was right. They had to have plastic surgery and seeing their faces changed so dramatically was extremely shocking to us, but they were indeed delivered home safely and lived to tell the harrowing and uplifting tale. He taught the Sunday School children to sing new songs and taught me too. He ran our choir and encouraged people to join in. I innocently asked him in January 1983 if I could get married on 9th July 1983. "Hmm‌ leave that with me" he said, which I thought was a bit vague for Ron, he usually had an immediate response and I knew he was very happy for me. What I didn't know was that the church hadn't had a wedding in years. We had lost the registers in a fire and we were no longer registered for weddings. It took a great deal of effort to sort this out and we had to buy a safe, a very heavy one. Also, we needed to paint the sanctuary. He got everyone to roll up their sleeves, don an overall and help (including his wife Joan, Wilf Holland age 80+, Beryl Thomas and some naughty boys doing community service.) We appeared in the Rochdale Observer. The irony is not lost on me. We were due to complete the sale of the church building on 7th April and Ron’s funeral was on 8th April! Carol Tattersall and I attended the Service of Thanksgiving in Ron's old church in Scarborough and thoroughly enjoyed it. The church looked beautiful, decorated with hundreds of bright yellow daffodils. They showed photographs of fond memories on a screen. His children and their partners and friends sang beautifully as well as his male voice choir. We had a tour of the church building and every word our kind guide uttered rang bells with us. "It's hard maintaining an old building, we can't use the upper floor, the organ needs regular upkeep" etc. We caught up with Joan, the children, the grandchildren, their friends and saw the seaside from where Ron loved to sit. I can understand why he liked it so much and it brought back very fond memories for Carol too. God bless you Ron, may you sing with the angels and get them organised. Linda Lees 9
Palm Sunday We carried the cross on Palm Sunday from St Vincent’s church to St Paul’s, stopping at Norden URC Forsyth Street for the last time; but the torrential rain and wind prevented us from continuing on to Knowl Hill. Wouldn’t you know, as soon as we made the decision to return home and stepped outside St Paul’s the sun shone and the rain stopped! Louise Aspinall, her dog and I made a run for it.
Shelagh Chrimes I don’t really wish to add to our doom and gloom, but I am afraid we have lost another former church secretary from Norden URC in the same month as Ron Dunn. Shelagh Chrimes has been a member of our church since the 1960s. She died after a short illness but had been cared for in Carders Court since October and hasn’t enjoyed good health in recent times. She died on 10th April, the day we completed the sale of our building in Norden. The end of an era. She leaves her husband Brian, three children Graham, Iain and Lisa, grandchildren Amy, Zoe, Ethan, Lucas and Chelsea and one great grandchild. The Service was held at Bamford Chapel on 21st April 12.45pm. Any donations in lieu of flowers can be given to Bamford Chapel. I am deliberately excluding the name Norden URC because we still have separate bank accounts at the moment. One funny memory I have of Shelagh is when she joined Beryl Thomas sitting on a knee each of Father Christmas at our Junior Church Christmas party. Shall I be kind and describe these ladies as voluptuous. I didn’t realise at the time, but that was my father they were torturing!! He survived and lives to tell the tale. God bless - Linda Lees 10
Churches Together in North West Rochdale We are holding
a Christian Aid Lunch and Silent Auction at St Paul's Church Hall, Blackpits, Norden after church on Sunday May 10th £7 for adults and £3.50 for children All funds go to Christian Aid Please ask Linda Lees for tickets tel: 01706 559854 This is always a lovely event and a chance to meet and mingle with people from all the Churches Together in North West Rochdale group. ‘What would I do without my music?’ These are words from a song sung by Saddleworth Male Voice Choir. It reminds me of how important and uplifting the music is within the worship of Bamford Chapel. Most churches feel fortunate if they have an organist and perhaps a choir. We are blessed with the musical talents of organists, singers, pianists, oboists, clarinettists, flautists, guitarists, trumpeters, trombonists, drummers and violinists. (I hope I haven’t missed anyone!) Young and old use their talents to the glory of God. So when you sing the hymns and songs on a Sunday, remember that all of these people will have spent many hours rehearsing their music to enhance your worship to God. And congratulations to Daniel Gordon, one of our younger members of Lifeline, for obtaining a Distinction in his Grade 5 Trumpet examination. He even got full marks for one of his pieces! Well done Daniel. Linda Peacock 11
Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Saturday 21 March The programme was entitled Pops Movie Classics - classical music chosen to be used in popular cinema films. It turned out to be the best concert I had attended in years. We were there to celebrate my musical contribution to Bamford Chapel over the first 38.5 years as Organist. The evening started with a two course meal in the Charles Halle Room with me seated in my wheelchair. Then we moved to the Circle Gallery of the Hall for a tremendous selection of wonderful music that it would be very difficult to improve upon. The programme included:R. Strauss Dvorak Sibelius Mahler Puccini Saint-Saens Wagner J. Strauss II Albinoni Shostakovich Liszt
Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001 - A Space Odyssey) Rusalka: Song to the Moon (Driving Miss Daisy) Finlandia (Die Hard 2) Symphony No.5 Adagietto (Death In Venice) O Mio Babbino Caro (A Room with a View) Organ Symphony Finale (Babe) Ride of the Valkyries (Apocalypse Now) On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz (2001 - A Space Odyssey) Adagio (Gallipoli) Jazz Suite No.2: Waltz (Eyes Wide Shut) Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)
Singer Sarah Fox did several additional numbers that her audience had no advance information about, but were much enjoyed when they were presented, together with the above listed "O Mio Babbino Caro". What did I most enjoy? Well that's an easy one. Many of you would guess it to be the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony, and you would be right. It brought back memories of the first time I heard it performed live. That was in 1970 in the City Hall, Johannesburg, South 12
Africa played masterfully on "the biggest organ in Africa". It reminded me too how lucky I am to now have heard it “Live” in the Bridgewater Hall three times within 12 months past - and the first two of those in its entirety. So I am grateful to Margaret for choosing this concert. You will gather we had a great, wonderful evening on the 21st. Therefore, Bamford Chapel, my thanks also go in large measure to you for YOUR THANK YOU to me. Geoff Ogden
Before Pentecost the disciples found it hard to do easy things; after Pentecost, they found it easy to do hard things
Churches Together in North West Rochdale I want to encourage people to support the Churches Together grouping that we are part of. I believe Christians working together is a powerful message to the community of Church being united and not divided. There are 10 churches in the group: 5 Anglican Churches, 2 Methodist Churches, 1 Baptist Church, 1 Roman Catholic Church and 1 United Reformed Church. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 12th May at 7.30pm at St Paul’s Church in Norden. At that meeting we will hear a speaker from an organisation called “International Justice Mission”. A copy of the poster is printed on page 4 of this magazine. If you want further information please speak to Richard (Chair of Churches Together in North West Rochdale) or Anne Fitton (Secretary to Churches Together in North West Rochdale). Thanks and God Bless, Richard 13
Dementia Awareness Week Dementia Friends Do you want to know more about dementia and how you can help people with dementia live well in their community? People with dementia sometimes need a helping hand to go about their daily lives and feel included. Dementia Friends aims to give people an understanding of dementia and the small things that they can do that could make a difference to people living with dementia. From helping someone to find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia on social media, every action counts.
Our programme of events during Dementia Awareness Week (17th May – 23rd May 2015) includes informal sessions that help you learn a little more about dementia and how to become a Dementia Friend. Anyone wishing to find out more about Dementia Friends can join us at Bamford Chapel & Norden United Reformed Church, Norden Rd., Rochdale, OL11 5PQ at 7.00 p.m. on Monday 18 th May 2015. The session will last about an hour and tea & coffee will be available following the session. For more details about Dementia Friends see www.dementiafriends.org.uk Please sign up on the notice at Chapel under the clock so that we can have an idea of numbers 14
Come on and Celebrate ! Pentecost this year falls on Sunday 24th May. Our celebration will take the form of a service or “event” which will be held on the Green, opposite the precinct on Norden Rd. Along with Churches Together in North West Rochdale we are aiming to make this very much an event to celebrate the birthday of the church. We intend to have a short service, birthday cards/invitations handed out to passers-by on both sides of the road, music, dancing, cake and prayer balloons. In fact we hope to create a party atmosphere alongside the more serious aspect of letting people know why we are doing it, offering prayer and letting people know about local churches. Please try to come along on Sunday 24th, after our usual service. The whole event shouldn`t last longer than twenty minutes, from 12.15 to 12.35pm. And if you are a cake maker, you may like to offer your help. Please see me, Louise or Richard if you’d like to be involved. Or just come and enjoy the party. Angela Smith Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it. 15
Meerkat Moses
(not the Meerkat Manor Fa mily) Mystery Messenger from the GIAM Things you’ve forgotten IT’S ALL SO SIMPLES!!
The story so far – I’m Meerkat Moses and I’m the look-out at chapel. The GIAM (the GREAT I AM) says there are some important messages that you’ve forgotten. He’s going to give me one each month to pass on. In March it was ‘LOVE ME (the GIAM) love everyone and love yourself.’ SIMPLES! In April it was DO NOT GO COMPARE! Be the YOU the GIAM knows & loves! SIMPLES! My mates, the furniture mice, are now helping me – that’s the chair mice Romi, Cori, Gali, Ephi and Phili and the flower stand mice Coli and Thessi. They all keep looking in THE BOOK for messages & passing them to me. Cori found the one last time in her ‘letter’ about being unique but working together. It’s been chaos this week with everyone searching their ‘letters from Paul’ for the next message. BUT WHATEVER THEY FIND – I GET TO CHOOSE THE ONE WE USE!!! Well actually (humility, humility, humility!!) choose!! SORRY!
the GIAM gets to
GIAM works in mysterious ways (as you all know). I’d become very fond of a young man in THE BOOK called Barnabas who was a great help to Paul, the traveller & letter writer (not an easy man to know, love and help!). When he first met the mates of Jesus he was called Joseph but they called him BARNABAS which means ‘Son of Encouragement’. It was Barnabas who first persuaded Jesus’ mates that Paul was ok & should join them. Peter and the rest didn’t want Paul with them at first because he ‘wasn’t one of them’ but Barnabas stood up for him and that was that. While I was telling the mice about Barnabas, Thessi got VERY excited at the word ‘ENCOURAGEMENT’. She said in her ‘first’ letter, there was loads of stuff about ‘encouraging’. It seems to be a big part of helping the whole BODY thing work. She pointed to chapter 5: 11 “Encourage one another and build each other up”. 16
S0 - FORGOTTEN MESSAGE NUMBER 3 FROM GIAM: ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER! Now from what I see in this place there’s loads to encourage each other about. When I’m in for worship I sometimes want to jump up, reveal myself & thank everyone. The people who clean it, the people who open up & make it run so smoothly, the people who welcome everyone at the doors, the people who do the computer and the sound system. The people who lead and give the message – do you know how long they pray & prepare till they’re as sure as they can be that they’re saying what GIAM wants them to say? Then there’s all those drama folk; radishes one week / twin toilets the next! It’s a good job GIAM likes a good laugh! Then all the musicians & singers – have you any idea how many hours of practice it takes to try to be the best they can for GIAM. Now I can’t pop up and say thank you for something that helped me know GIAM better or catch something He might want me to know. People won’t know if a prayer or a hymn or a message has helped unless someone tells them. I’ve already spotted several ‘sons / daughters of encouragement’ in this place and it does make a difference!! Anyway: Message 3: ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER! SIMPLES!!! PS A good think to ask before speaking - is it true, is it kind, is it necessary?
“Moved, Removed or Stored” As we look towards the roof works and alteration works we need to be looking through areas that we have for storage. If you have any items in church that perhaps could be stored taking up less room than it does now, please can I encourage you to look at those areas and see if your items can be moved, removed or stored in a more compact way. Thanks, Richard 17
Bamford Chapel & Norden URC Lunchtime Concerts 2014-2015 Our latest season of Tuesday concerts was unique in that three of our advertised artistes were unable to appear because of various health problems. However, high quality performers ‘stood in’ and audiences were similar in numbers to previous years and, despite an increase in the entry charge, enjoyed some very attractive and talented music-making. As usual, the opening and most popular – with over 100 present – was the Mike Manship Trio, who entertained us with a wide range of jazz classics – all interspersed with applause for virtuoso solos on piano, drums and bass. Why then do lovers of jazz go into hibernation when it comes to listening to the ‘other’ classics? Our November concert consisted of the unusual but attractive combination of flute and harp, played by Kai-Li-Yang and Alice Kirwan, both completing their studies at the RNCM. After missing Bamford last year, two gifted chamber groups from Chethams – young brass and string players – delighted us with their interpretations of baroque and contemporary music, especially Dvorak’s ‘American’ quartet. In January a well-known local soprano and good friend of Bamford Chapel, Suzanne Mather, took over Claire Lees’ concert at very short notice and with her sympathetic accompanist, Sylvia Hoare, presented a varied programme of demanding operatic arias and nostalgic ballads, including a selection of WWI songs. It was great to hear Suzanne’s fresh and enthusiastic performance. In February Amy Roberts reminded us what a lovely solo instrument the oboe can be when played with feeling and control. She and her pianist – Philip Sharp – also from the RNCM – showed us they will have outstanding music careers ahead. 18
For our final concert we welcomed a ‘locum’ duo of Jordan Bateman, cello and Edmund Evans, piano – again students in their final RNCM year. Aren’t we lucky to have one of our four national music conservatories just down the road? They completed another successful season for our lunchtime concerts – our 32nd! – with romantic music by French and Russian composers. Once more our sincere thanks go to Margaret and Pamela and their hard-working helpers for continuing to provide a wide range of delicious pre-concert lunches – not easy to guesstimate how many will be needed! As a result of their efforts, and our concertgoers, we hope to make our usual substantial donation to the Chapel on Gift Day. Thanks also to Richard for organising the microphone each month. Starting lunches and concerts 15 minutes later has worked well and given more breathing space. The committee will be planning next season’s programme during the summer, though like other church organisations we don’t yet know what the future holds. But we wish to maintain the past tradition and we extend a warm invitation to all Bamford Chapel music-lovers to our first concert on Tuesday 13th October. Mike Lucas
STOP PRESS - The committee will be meeting on Monday 20th July to decide whether to go ahead with next season’s programme. Where words fail — music speaks Hans Christian Andersen
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Ladies Fellowship April 2015 ‘Grannies Secrets’ Well, we didn’t know what we were in for, or what the speaker could know about our families. We didn’t get much information about individuals, but we did get lots about what they wore UNDERNEATH! A mass of pristine, genuine what we now call ‘knickers’ - hidden by layers of underskirt. Necessary, I suspect, to keep out the draught, as the legs were not joined together, leaving plenty of space for the ‘potty’ to be held in place by one of the servants! There were all types of undergarments ranging from Elizabethan days; corsets -very painful, stomachers, bust bodices etc. We were told about the first pair of silk stockings—presented to Queen Elizabeth 1st. Then we turned to Christening Robes and saw some beautiful examples of embroidery. We enjoyed a very amusing and enlightening evening, which gave us much room for thought and a completely different view of our ancestors’ lives. Thank you very much to all concerned. Next meeting is the AGM and Pot Luck Supper on Thursday 14 th May Joyce Cooper (Chairman)
Advance Notice of LADIES FELLOWSHIP - JUNE MEETING Thursday 11th June Evening meal at The Marina Bar and Grill, Hollingworth Lake 7.00 for 7.30pm £16 Please sign up on Ladies Fellowship notice board opposite the kitchen and request a menu form from Angela Smith or Linda Kerford, to whom choices and payment should be made before Thursday 14th May. 20
MORRISONS GREAT MANCHESTER RUN 10K ON SUNDAY 10TH MAY 2015 My son in law, Stephen Holt has been training hard to beat last year’s time. He has decided to run for Cancer Research UK so with this in mind I am taking the liberty of pinning a sponsorship form on the notice board under the clock in the coffee area! I will possibly approach you as well. Europe’s biggest 10K running event has seen more than a quarter of a million enthusiastic runners take to the streets of Manchester since the run was established in 2003. Broadcast live on the BBC, the Great Manchester Run has raised over £22 million for charity. Many of you will be aware that a number of friends at Bamford Chapel and Norden URC form the Heywood Local Committee for Cancer Research. We are proud to have raised £13,500 last year and thank those of you who always supported our events in different ways. I am similarly proud of Stephen for agreeing to run for Cancer Research. Please sponsor him and raise even more to help combat this ever present and regularly occurring disease. Thank you and God Bless.
LESLEY SUTTON
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Kick up a stink and twin your loo 2.5 billion people don’t have somewhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the loo. That’s more than a third of the people on the planet. Toilet Twinning means you can get excited about life-changing longdrops! By twinning your toilet you help those in desperate poverty to have access to a proper latrine, clean water and the information they need to be healthy.
For just £60, you can twin a loo with a latrine halfway around the world, in a country of your choosing. The Church in the World group proposed that we try to raise £120 to twin two toilets at Bamford Chapel and Norden URC, one in the Ladies and one in the Gents. On 19 April having introduced the idea we raised enough to twin 1 of our toilets. We hope that the second toilet will be twinned very soon. You could twin your own loo at home as well. That could lead to some interesting conversations with your visitors! Our donation as well as building a loo is used by Tearfund to provide clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene education. This vital combination works together to prevent the spread of disease. Children are healthier, and able to go to school; parents are well enough to work their land and grow enough food to feed their family. With better health, and more ability to earn a living, men and women discover the potential that lies within them to bring transformation. 22
Family by family, community by community, nation by nation, poverty is being flushed away. For more information look at http://www.toilettwinning.org/ or talk to Addie & Barbara
Spirit of Life (Jn20:21,22; Ez37:4-6) Breathe on us, Lord Jesus. Fill us with your Spirit. Send us out, as the Father sent you. Send us out into the world to live, to work, to make decisions, to change and influence and transform; that as your people we might truly make a difference in our generation. Send us out Lord. Breathe on us, and into us, your kiss of life, resuscitating these dry bones to go, with your power and wisdom, to build for your Kingdom today. Breathe on us Lord Jesus fill us with your Spirit, for the work you have given us to do. By Daphne Kitching
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Garden Party 11th July 2015 As we have now joined with our friends in Norden, we would like the Garden Party leaflet delivered in Norden as well as Bamford. We normally deliver approx 5000 in Bamford and we aim to deliver the same amount in Norden. The usual help with delivery in Bamford will be needed; Norden's will be delivered by two able and willing young people. What I need is help folding the leaflets. I usually do it myself but I don't think I can manage 10,000. All you need to do is take a box or some bundles and fold them, easy as that! Hopefully they will be printed and ready to fold middle to end of May for delivery in June. The usual requests for stalls,donations help etc will be required so watch this space. Thank you - Lyn Jefferies
Church Flowers Donations for flowers in April have been received from: Sid Hazlehurst Ron Ford Anne Fitton Dot Craig in memory of Edna Jackson
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Publications by Ivor Thomas Rees Minister at Bamford Chapel from 1986 - 1996 Lolfa Press Ltd. is pleased to announce the publication of two books by retired minister Ivor Thomas Rees. “The Sledgehammer Pastor is already available. Baptist Minister Daniel Hughes (1875-1972) served churches in Wales, England and the United States until his retirement at the age of 96. He gradually moved from supporting the Liberal Party to becoming a socialist pioneer. 1907 - went to prison as a Passive Resister, rather than pay his education rate which could be used to support denomination schools. 1912 - Filled Crane Street Chapel for the only time in its history - refused to be dismissed by the deacons. When locked out he used the sledgehammer to break a padlock. He lost his case in the High Court, being forced to leave Crane Street and was declared bankrupt. Set up his own church at Pontypool. Won Crane Street Church Secretary’s County Council seat. 1915-21 Sergeant in Royal Army Medical Corps. 1921 – Became minister of Siloam, Machen. County and district councillor. Twice a parliamentary candidate. 1940-54 – Minister of Welsh Presbyterian Church, Detroit. Compiled bi-lingual hymn book. 1954 – Returned to Machen and resumed ministry at Siloam. Retired 1971 Died 1972. “Clapham Dissenters” May 2015. Tells the story of the Congregational/United Reformed Church in Clapham, London, from the early 1640s to its merger with St.Andrew’s URC in 2004. Describes the ministers and many of the prominent people associated with it in the 18th and 19 th centuries when the church had “the highest social standing in the denomination.” (Professor David Bebbington). With the departure of the middle classes from Clapham in the inter-war years the church declined. The 1852 “cathedral” was destroyed by a V2 rocket and a new building was opened in 1958. These post-war years were the time of a valiant witness by the church. Each book at £9.99 25
Stuck at the Cross Stuck In defeat and death A sad negative ending Final disappointment No hope BUT DID NOT CHRIST RISE? Didn’t he turn a dejected bunch of men into fearless preachers? Murderous Saul into Faithful Paul? Call thousands to Him through the Holy Spirit? Transform countless lives through the centuries? Fear to hope Sadness to Joy
HE LIVES HE WON CLAIM IT LIVE IT
DON’T be stuck at the cross Or his death was all for nothing Submitted by Jane Baines 26
For our Children and Young People
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BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN URC MAGAZINE EDITORS: Linda Peacock
01706 522593 lm.peacock@hotmail.co.uk
Martyn James
01706 868885 martyn-james1@sky.com
SECRETARY: Joan Ashton
01706 360395 ray-joanashton@sky.com
DATES FOR THE JUNE MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by:
Sunday 17th May
Magazine to be completed by:
Thursday 28th May
Magazine distributed:
Sunday 31st May
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BAMFORD CHAPEL & NORDEN 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 : Email:
Rev Richard Bradley richardbradley@cantab.net
Church Secretary: Telephone: Email:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
Wedding Secretary: Telephone: Email:
John Lapworth 01706 632460 john@lapworth37.plus.com
Lettings Manager: Telephone: Email:
Linda Kerford 01706 624256 l.kerford@btinternet.com Times of Services:
Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1 st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3 rd Sunday in month 30