1 Sunday 3 rd July 10.30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley Sunday 3 rd July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Joan Warner Thursday 7th July 7.30 pm Elders Meeting Sunday 10 th July 10.30 am Family Worship led by David Watson Sunday 10th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley Sunday 17 th July 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley Sunday 17 th July 12 noon CHURCH MEETING Sunday 17 th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley Sunday 24 th July 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley Sunday 24 th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Sid Hazlehurst Sunday 31 st July 10.30 am Family Worship led by Margaret Ogden Sunday 31 st July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Joanne Shaw
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Sunday 3rd
July 10.30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 3rd
July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Joan Warner
Thursday 7th July 7.30 pm Elders Meeting
Sunday 10th July 10.30 am Family Worship led by David Watson
Sunday 10th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 17th July 10.30 am Family Worship
led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 17th July 12 noon CHURCH MEETING
Sunday 17th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship with Holy
Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 24th July 10.30 am Family Worship
led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 24th July 6.00 pm Evening Worship
led by Sid Hazlehurst
Sunday 31stJuly 10.30 am Family Worship
led by Margaret Ogden
Sunday 31st July 6.00 pm Evening Worship
led by Joanne Shaw
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Message from the manse
Last month I shared with you the story of the
clearing of the manse garden. I want to continue the theme of gardening this month by thinking about
pruning. I often wonder when the best time is for a plant, shrub or tree to be pruned. I suspect it is best
done when the plant has come to the end of its
seasonal cycle – but I will stand to be corrected if I am wrong.
I was once reliably informed that when the pruning of a plant, shrub or tree happens then it helps the
future growth of the item concerned. And to me there is something spiritual in that. I often reflect
on situations where I feel that God is pruning or cutting back the dead wood in my life and I know of
others who feel the same when they feel God is pruning them as well.
In John’s Gospel we read those well-known words of Jesus:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the
gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2)
Sometimes people struggle with these words because it sounds to them like God is a God of
destruction. This is not the case. God is doing something that is for our good and not to harm us.
He is doing it so that we will become even stronger and even more fruitful. As is often the case Jesus
uses an example that his listeners would have understood – that of gardening.
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Sometimes people feel that the pruning is hard and
perhaps sometimes painful as God takes from us that which is not fruitful, i.e. that which is not good
for us. I recall once helping a man who was gripped by alcoholism. He had lost most of his family and
was facing eviction. I, and those who were helping him, did all we could to support and fend off the
eviction but to no avail. He was evicted and lost his home. But about two years later one of us who was
helping him bumped into him in the town centre. He was recovering and hadn’t had a drink for well over
a year. What surprised me was that in hindsight he was glad that he lost his home as it was the time
when he felt God began to do a serious work to deal with the addiction that he had.
What was a difficult time in his life – losing his home
– you might say was God pruning him so that he could be even more fruitful. That is not to say that
all pruning is this drastic and in this sort of situation. Pruning could be God showing us the thing (or
things) in our life that we allow to get in His way.
What I hope we will know if we go through such a
pruning experience, is that God is doing it so that we will be even closer to Him, even more fruitful in the
way we live our lives and so point the glory to Him.
I hope we will know the
comfort, strength and presence of the master gardener, our
heavenly Father,
Your servant in Christ,
Richard
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News of the family
We give thanks for the life of Thelma Sharples, whose
funeral was held at Rochdale Crematorium on Tuesday 7th June. Please remember her family in
your prayers.
Concerns continue to be expressed for Michelle McLaughlin, Tracey Scoresby, Christian Platt and
Patricia Lapworth. Patricia is now into her second week of treatment at Christies’. Thanks to everyone
who has offered help to the family in recent weeks. Please also remember John, who has strained his
chest with lifting, and Martyn and Anne in your prayers.
Please pray for Helen Baillie who has started a further
course of treatment, Marjorie Farrington who has
broken her wrist, Finlay Galloway and Malcolm Kerford.
We give thanks that the news about Isabel Lewis is
more hopeful.
Peter, Tracey, Peter, Sarah, Mark, Joshua, Simeon
and Lizzie would like to thank everyone for their cards, support and kind words on the sudden death
of Shirley Mills.
Particular thanks to Richard for the lovely
service and for his thoughtful, reassuring
care.
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Norden United Reformed Church
Forsyth Street Norden
Every Monday Line Dancing
1.00 pm - 3.00 pm Every Tuesday
Crochet and Knitting Class 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm
Come and learn to crochet or knit, or sort out
any problems in a very warm and friendly atmosphere.
Every Tuesday Yogalaties
7.00 pm - 8.00 pm The tutor takes you through very relaxing and
gentle exercise.
Coffee Morning Saturday 16th July 10.30 am - 12 noon
The craft class will be holding a coffee morning
where we will be showing some of the items we have made, of course there will be
a cake stall, a raffle, costume jewellery and a few crocheted and
knitted items for sale. All proceeds to church funds.
Used by permission of CWR Shared with us by Ray Atkins
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A big thank you
Saturday 11th June saw various tasks being undertaken
over and above those regularly completed by our loyal "Monday Gang" and regular cleaning teams. Work was
carried out to replace the cellar floor and the fence alongside Norden Road together with various jobs in
the grounds.
A good number of
people turned out to complete the work.
The picture shows Anne Newman and
Muriel Sturrock at work in the grounds
together with our local
decorator David Palmer, "up the
ladder".
This picture shows from
left to right Brian
McLaughlin, Andy Platt,
Malcolm Beaumont and
Ian Hampson at work
alongside Norden Road.
All of the efforts were
greatly appreciated and
some aspects are still ongoing and offers of assistance
are always welcome.
Ian Sturrock
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Nature in Play Project
Funding has been awarded to
RADPAC through the Awards
For All Lottery Fund to run
activities for children during
the school holidays for most of
2011.
The club will be called the Young Explorers’ Club,
sessions will be run at Queens Park in Heywood, in
partnership with BTCV, RADPAC staff and with help
from the Wardens service at Queens Park through
Rochdale Borough Council.
The Club started Tue 31 May
1pm-3pm and runs for three days
a week; on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays. Activities will be
provided at these times for the
full summer holidays and will
finish in the Autumn half term.
This club is for children
aged 8 – 13.
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Young Explorers’ Club 2011
Learn and play at Queens Park throughout
the school holidays in 2011.
Activities will include;
Den Building
Pond Dipping
Making bows and arrows
Paper making from grass and old paper
Willow Weaving
Making miniature shoe box gardens
Stream walk
Fire Making and Twisler Bread
Blackberry and Dock Leaf Tie-dying
And many more…..
If you want to join
the club please
contact-
Katie Lowry BTCV-
07740 899539 or
Kay Carrington
RADPAC-
01706 621332
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Prayer
‘Prayer is simply responding to God. It’s about turning our hearts towards God: bringing us to God and God to us. It may involve talking or listening, stillness or
action. There are no special words to say, and no required way to kneel or stand.’ SGM Lifeworks
Recently Finlay and I, as observers, attended the URC Area Meeting at Greenmount URC, the minister there is
Revd. Andrew Lonsdale. When we visit churches we tend to pick up booklets or church magazines to help with daily personal worship or church good practice. At
Greenmount we came across a little book. After discussion at a recent Elders meeting we were given
permission to purchase several copies. There will not be a charge but a donation of 50p or over would be appreciated. Those who have already seen the book
have said how useful it was and a lovely idea to give as a gift.
So what is the book called?
Inspiring Prayer: The introduction written by SGM Lifeworks says ‘Whether you pray regularly or have
never tried it before the aim of the little book is to Inspire Prayer. Explore God’s invitations to pray, use
the written examples to get started, or expand your experience of prayer through the simple exercises. Start wherever you like, and see where prayer takes you’.
Inspiring prayer will be available from 3rd July following morning worship.
Never stop praying. 1Thessalonians 5-17
Finlay and Gillian Galloway
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Bamford Chapel Ladies
Fellowship
Bamford Chapel, Norden Road
ROCHDALE
Tickets £2.00
or pay on the door
Contact 01706 638005
for more
information
Cake/Bring and Buy Stalls
MACMILLAN CANCER
SUPPORT
Friday 24th September 2011
10.00am – 12Noon
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Is it Shakespeare, Dickens, The Beatles, Tony Blair or the Bible?
New research has found that while
people still value the Bible, they’re confused about where some familiar
English phrases come from – such as ‘my brother’s keeper’ and ‘a drop in the
bucket’ – was it Dickens, Blair or the Bible?
A recent ComRes poll for Bible Society revealed the
following:
‘My brother’s keeper’ (Genesis 4:9): 56% rightly identified the phrase as originating from
the Bible.
‘A drop in the bucket’ (Isaiah 40.15): Half of all people (49%) didn’t know where the phrase
was from, but an equal proportion said that it originated from Tony Blair (12%),
Shakespeare (14%) and Charles Dickens (12%). Only 7% correctly identified the phrase
as coming from the Bible. ‘The writing on the wall’ (Daniel 5:5-6): The
same proportion of people said that the phrase originated from the Beatles (18%) as that
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saying it was from the Bible (19%).
Eat, drink and be merry’ (Luke 12.19): The greatest percentage of people (41%) said that
the phrase derived from Shakespeare, while just one in ten (9%) said that it originated
from the Bible. ‘Filthy lucre’ (1Timothy 3.3): One quarter of all
people thought the phrase was from Shakespeare (23%) while one in ten (10%)
said that it came from the Bible.
The poll also asked how important knowledge of the Bible was for appreciating culture, history and
politics. On the whole, people thought it was significant, with nearly half of people believing it
important for the vision arts, literature and history,
but only 24% thinking it important for an appreciation of classical music.
Pat Gate and family would like to thank everyone for their
prayers and concern during Bob’s illness. Also for all the
cards, letters and flowers fol-lowing his death.
Special thanks to Richard for
all his care and for the lovely service of thanksgiving.
To anyone who helped in any way
we are very grateful.
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Bible Reading Plan: 5th July – 25th September 2011
As we continue with the journey of reading through
the Bible in a year please find below the readings for July, August and up to the 25th September.
I have continued with the same pattern as the June
magazine by also giving the month ahead of the edition of the magazine.
I hope people have found it a useful discipline as it
becomes part of our daily lives as for some people they find a set time each day works for them where
others do not stick to one set time but read the day’s readings when they get a break long enough to do it.
Epistles The Law History Psalms Poetry Prophecy Gospels
We met at 7.45, summoned by the ref’s whistle (from Madame Chairman, Margaret Entwistle). Margaret then welcomed everyone, including the guest speaker, our own minister, Revd Richard Bradley. She thanked the committee for all their hard work and support through the year. Joan said an opening prayer.
We had a VERY short business section (led in too much of a rush by our secretary - me). All reports were on the chairs. All were accepted without discussion.
Linda Kerford spoke about the 16 cards she has made and delivered to members during the year. This is part of our pastoral role. We hope to mark significant events, such as ‘big 0’ birthdays or a move to a new home. We want to be a support in times of illness, distress or bereavement. We are very grateful to Linda for the service she provides in this way. BUT – she can’t make or deliver a card, if she doesn’t know of a need. So please let her know in time.
The current chair (Margaret Entwistle) and secretary (Joan Warner) were re-elected, as were the committee: Elizabeth Hazlehurst, Lesley Hynes, Linda Kerford, Jennifer Lee, Margaret Riley and Angela Smith. New people
were encouraged to join if they wished. We are delighted that Margaret is still keen to continue in her role after her recent health scares. Her positive attitude is an inspiration to us all.
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Our current treasurer, Lesley Sutton is resigning, with the words of the politician, ‘to spend more time with her family’! Lesley was not present at the meeting. She was thanked at our June outing (see later report) She remains involved as the first ever LF-outings consultant!!
The meeting was pleased to accept Anne Newman as our new treasurer. In the time since her return from living in Australia, Anne and her husband Ian have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the life of Bamford Chapel
We then enjoyed a lovely buffet supper together. Thank you for all contributions & help in the kitchen. God bless. Joan Warner
Then Richard gave a moving account of his faith journey and call to the ministry. From skiving schoolboy, through tent mission challenges, electrician apprenticeship and the gradual drip, drip of our nudging God.
From being anti-academic he became an enthusiastic learner, all in response to God’s call on his life. He completed a TLS course and then finally, full theological training at Cambridge. And now he’s with us in his second ministerial role. If God has sent such a man to us, then God’s got plans for Bamford Chapel. Keep awake, keep ready.
If you’re wondering about the teddy bear motif throughout this article – tough! Richard’s sworn us to secrecy!!
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On a dry, sunny evening in June (Thursday the 9th
was actually dry!) 36 ladies met at The Turnpike
Inn, Rishworth for our annual summer evening
meal. Thanks to Angela Smith for organising it and
beating them down to a good price in true Yorkshire
fashion! We travelled in 10 cars (not in convoy)
some via the scenic route and others via the
motorway. It was good to have Ruth Bradley and
her mother Barbara with us, although there was a
question of whether they would get home again!!
That was also the case with the ‘Sheila’s Wheels’
quartet that set off home in Wendy’s open-topped
car at 9.30pm!
The venue was super, the food was good with
enormous lamb shanks and of course the company was excellent. Conversation however was
interrupted several times by the bothersome secretary – but for very good reasons!
We thanked Lesley Sutton for her work over the years as treasurer,
publicist, photographer, registrar,
outings consultant and pastoral adviser to the secretary. Angela
Smith presented her, on our behalf, with a hanging basket and
Ladies Fellowship - June Outing 2011
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a hand-made card from Linda Kerford with all our
signatures. Lesley remains the official LFOC (Ladies’ Fellowship
Outings Consultant). Anne Newman our new treasurer was formally introduced and welcomed
with a promise that she really ONLY has to deal with the money!!
The next event is our Cake & Produce Stall at the Garden Party on Saturday 9th July. My plea for staff
on the stall was willingly met by offers from Joyce Cooper and Doreen Watts. More help welcome – it’s
a good stall to be on because it always sells out quickly and you can soon shut up shop!
Our annual day out is on Thursday 11th August. For
£25 you get coach travel to and from Southport, morning coffee at Homestead Farm, Ormskirk and
lunch at the Ramada Hotel in Southport. In the afternoon we visit the Botanic Gardens, Churchtown
(weather permitting) and Dunscar garden café with garden centre and shop. The money should be with
Lesley Sutton and the menu choices with Joan Warner by 9/10 July. We
have a full coach of 49 travelling and look forward to
a good day.
Joan Warner (Sec)
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Something new at the garden party
Selling the Church
A new stall will appear at this year’s garden par-
ty to promote Bamford Chapel and what we of-fer.
Ideas include:
All organisations to prepare a poster to advertise what they do
Promote Alpha Promote House Groups
Any other suggestions?
Volunteers needed—see Joan Warner
Once again I am appealing to everyone to
donate any unwanted and small new gifts for the Tombola. I am not able to organise it this year
but all gifts can be given to Anne and John Fitton who will be in charge. I
will be there helping.
Many thanks as always for your wonderful
support.
Thank you
Margaret Entwistle
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GARDEN PARTY SATURDAY 9th JULY at 2.00 pm
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
A list of the usual stalls we run is under the clock in the coffee area please put your name
against the stall you wish to organise.
New ideas are needed if you can arrange something different please add to list or see
Lyn Jefferies. It could be a stall or a game to entertain the children we need new ideas and
people to help.
Julie Platt needs lots of help with the catering.
The following donations are required:-
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Bamford Chapel Project 2011: Preview.
I am writing on behalf of the Church in the World Committee to keep you informed of the forthcoming
church project.
The Committee presented their recommended project, Eden Farm Children’s Village in Zambia, to
the Church meeting on 15th May 2011and the membership agreed to the recommendation.
Eden Farm is a project of an umbrella charity Life Support.