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April 2012 Bamford Chapel Magazine
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Bamford Chapel
April 2012
www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
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.
Further Details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
Thursday 29th March 7.30 pm (April) Elders Meeting
Sunday 1st April 10.30 am Palm Sunday Family Worship led by our choir
Sunday 1st April 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Laura Davies
Thursday 5th April 7.30 pm Maundy Thursday Communion
Friday 6th April 10.30 am Good Friday Reflections
Friday 6th April 1.30 pm Good Friday Ramble – All Welcome
Friday 6th April 7.30 pm Food for Thought Easter Drama Witness by Nick Warburton
Sunday 8th April 9 am Family Breakfast
10.30 am Easter Day Family Communion Service led by David Watson
Sunday 8th April (Please note no evening service)
Sunday 15th April 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley
Sunday 15th April 6.00 pm Evening Worship with Holy Communion led by Revd Richard Bradley
Tuesday 17th April 8.00 pm Worship and Discipleship Committee
Saturday 21st April 7.30 pm Fun Quiz £5 per head Includes Pie & Pea Supper
Sunday 22nd April 10.30 am Family Worship led by Revd Richard Bradley
12 noon ZI Meeting ‘Belonging to the Church Community’
Sunday 22nd April 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by Margaret Ogden
Tuesday 24th April 7.30 pm CTiNWR at St James’, Ashworth Theme: Fairtrade
Wednesday 25th April 2.00 pm Mid-Week Service (monthly) In the coffee lounge
Sunday 29th April 10.30 am Exchange Sunday Family Worship led by Revd Norman Vivian
Sunday 29th April 6.00 pm Evening Worship led by David Watson
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Message from the manse
“Making way for Jesus”
“Make way, make way, for the King of kings,
for the King of kings;
make way, make way,
and let His kingdom in!”
(CMP 457)
The hymn from which this chorus is taken is an often sung hymn in
churches around or on Palm Sunday. As we remember the triumphal
entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. He knew what lay ahead for him in the
days that followed even if his disciples did not see it coming. They could
not complain about not knowing for Jesus had told them on many
occasions that he would suffer. They did, like we sometimes do, brushed
it under the carpet, put it out of their minds. It was probably a step too far
and they didn’t realise what he was talking about.
And yet this journey should make us – in the 21st Century – stop and
think. What does this journey mean for us? It may have been a journey
made some two thousand plus years ago – but it is has as much an impact
on you and I today as it did for those there on that day as Jesus rode into
Jerusalem on a donkey. It will also have an impact on generations to
come.
The chorus of this hymn challenges us to make way for Jesus. But which
Jesus do we make room for? The Jesus of the cradle or the Jesus of the
cross? Which Jesus do you most associate with? The one who came as a
baby into a world of danger or the Jesus who came into Jerusalem to
shouts of joy and praise on that fateful day? Sometimes I think we can
associate better with the baby Jesus than the crucified Jesus. Somehow
the horror of Easter is something we try and put to the back of our minds
so that we can remember the more positive encounters with Jesus. But
Lent and Easter challenge us to think. They are times/festivals that
challenge what we believe and how connected we are with Jesus.
As I have said before we cannot have Easter without Christmas as much
as we cannot have Christmas without Easter. Both are like book ends on a
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shelf – and we are books on that shelf. As followers of Christ we are part
of the story. I want to ask you a rhetorical question: How will you make
way for Jesus this Easter? How will you allow Jesus to speak into your
situation and bring His presence to bear in your life? I think Jesus answers
that question when He goes off to pray to God in the Garden of
Gethsemane. “Not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) In one of
the darkest moments of Jesus’ final days, Jesus prays that His Father’s
will be done in the life of His Son.
You and I are also God’s children – may our prayer be the same as that of
Jesus – for in praying that prayer, Jesus shows us how to make way.
May we at Bamford Chapel follow the example
of our Saviour this Easter time.
God Bless
Richard
Joint meeting of Junior Church teachers,
Preachers and the Worship and Discipleship Committee members.
Just a reminder for Preachers, Junior Church Staff and Worship and Discipleship Committee members that there
is a meeting for us all on Tuesday 17th April in Church at 8pm. This meeting is for a discussion on the material
ROOTS. We have been asked by the Elders to discuss and decide if we want to continue using this material or to change it for some other material. I am indebted to Ruth
Watson who did some work on the various materials available and has provided the written work she did on it
for us to use at this meeting.
I am going to shorten the document and photocopy it so
that you can read and come prepared to offer an opinion on the material available to us. I plan to get this out to people a fortnight before the meeting!
Thanks, Richard.
4
News of the family
We give thanks for the life of Patricia Lapworth who died
peacefully on 29th February. The funeral and celebration of her life was held on 8th March. Our thoughts and prayers
are with John, Martyn, Anne and Ian, Hannah and James as this sad time. We continue to pray for Bryan, Sasha
and Jasmine McLaughlin following Michelle’s death.
There are many people who also need our prayers this month. These include Auriel and Raymond Atkins, Helen and John Baillie, Fred and Margaret Riley, Margaret Frain,
Geoff and Margaret Ogden, Sheila and Gordon James, Sheila and Steven Lawley, Anne and John Fitton, Lesley
and Peter Sutton, Alastair Linden and family, Gareth and Michelle Unsworth and Beth Glover. We pray also for Joan
Holt following the death of her brother Stewart.
Congratulations go to Steven Gooding who has started a
new job this week. And thanks go to Pat Gate who has bought us new communion plates in commemoration of
her husband, Bob.
Congratulations also to Win Schofield who has celebrated a
special birthday.
As Easter approaches we look forward to Holy Week. The
church will be open for “quiet days”, so look out for more
information about these. We give thanks for all the people
within our own church family who are busily preparing for
the wide variety of events which will be taking place; the
Family Ramble on Good Friday, the Drama presentation in
the evening, the Easter breakfast on Easter Day. Please
take time to find out what is going on and try to support
the events if you can.
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A BIG THANK YOU!
On behalf of myself and the family, I would like to thank everyone at the Chapel for their wonderful support during Patricia’s illness. The last 12 months have been
difficult, but your loving support has made things a little easier. This support has come in many ways, including
in your prayers, help with transport to hospitals, visits to Patricia in hospital and the care home, cards and flowers, and providing me with meals from time to time.
Finally, may I thank all those who recently sent cards
and messages of sympathy, those who were able to attend the funeral service at the crematorium and/or the thanksgiving service at the Chapel, and our minister
Richard, who made himself available and helped us through this difficult time.
I should also like to acknowledge the donations made to The Christie, and to Christian Aid in memory of Patricia.
With very sincere thanks,
John, Martyn, Anne and Ian
Good Friday Ramble
Join us for a good Friday Ramble,
led by Andy Platt. We meet on the car park at 1.15 pm and set off at
1.30 pm.
Difficulties are the normal thing in
every worthwhile life.
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Answers on Page 28
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BIBLE LANDS SPONSORSHIP
Following Patricia’s passing, a number of people have asked whether the Bible Lands Sponsorship is still in being. I am pleased to confirm that the sponsorship of
Fadle and Vana is ongoing - as Patricia would have wished. We have just sent off £450 for this year’s
contribution; most of this has been raised by the sale of books and by your collections of coins and “loose change”. Angela will continue to be in charge of the
book stall, and donations of loose change can be passed to either Angela of myself.
Thank you in anticipation of your continuing support, John Lapworth and Angela Smith.
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THANK YOU
Gillian and John and family of Dorothy Caldecott would like to thank all our church family at Bamford Chapel for the many cards, telephone calls, flowers, prayers and
messages of condolence we received on the passing away of our dear Mum. Seeing so many of you at the
funeral service was so uplifting and your kind words and love for our Mum, gave us an inner strength when it was needed most. Special thanks to Ken Greer for the caring
way he led the service and shared our fond memories of a beautiful life. Mum would’ve been so pleased.
Thank you all
Gillian and John
THANK YOU
I wish to thank everyone for being so kind and supportive after my recent fall.
I have been very grateful for all the visits, cards and
flowers which I received and also the concerns expressed by so many friends.
God Bless you all Sheila James
When there is a twinkle in the eye
there is a spark of heaven in the
heart.
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Quiet Times in Holy Week 2012
The church will be open for some hours every day during Holy Week. Take this opportunity to simply sit in the
sanctuary, watch the slides and listen to the music. Share concerns by using the prayer basket in the
sanctuary. ‘Listeners’ will be around if you wish to talk about anything.
Wander round the sanctuary and reflect on Christ’s experience in his last week on earth, by looking at the
mages and poems on the ‘Stations of the Cross’. Experience a walk
through the labyrinth in the upstairs hall (it won’t
be made of grass!!). There will be people on hand to explain how to
use it.
Share fellowship over coffee.
Day Morning Afternoon Evening
Mon 2nd April 2-4 pm 6-8 pm
Tues 3rd April 10-12 am 6-8 pm
Wed 4th April 2-4 pm
Thurs 5th April 10-12 am Communion
7.30 pm
Fri 6th April Service 10.30 am Ramble 1.15 pm
Sat 7th April 10-12 am
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Date Borough Venue Time
29 April Trafford St Matthew Stretford 3.30pm
13 May Bury St Mary Virgin Bury 6.30pm
27 May Rossendale St Mary Rawtenstall 3.00pm
3 June Manchester St Ann Manchester 4.00pm
Bank Holiday/National Celebrations
10 June Wigan St Mary Leigh 5.00pm
17 June Stockport St Elisabeth Reddish 3.00pm
24 June Oldham St Mary & St Peter Oldham 3.00pm
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2012
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Do you remember the great time many of us had last year when we celebrated the Royal wedding with a street party on the Chapel field? Well we are hoping to repeat
the celebrations on Tuesday 5 June which is the Bank
Holiday for the Diamond Jubilee.
The format will probably be very similar to last year and
let’s hope that the weather will be equally good! If you weren’t there please ask someone who was how much fun we had and perhaps make an effort to come along
this time!
If anyone would like
to join a committee
to help organise the
event, or if you have
any new ideas,
please speak to
Gillian James or
Ruth Bradley.
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RADICAL WELCOME
The Radical Welcome/ZI
initiative (zero-intolerance) in the URC
is continuing and as we are aware churches are
encouraged to work through material as part
of the process of exploration.
The March session had to be postponed until April so,
in addition to the session on 22nd April there will also be a session on 13th May after the service.
I will be leading/facilitating these meetings and I
hope you will come along and we can share together in this important area of the Church’s life.
God Bless, Richard
Date Time Theme
22nd April 12.00-1.00pm A welcoming God and a welcoming people
13th May 12.00-1.00pm Belonging to the Church community
Stop press: the dates of this article have been
amended since the paper version went to press.
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FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
I was ready to write this article for the magazine with
one of my favourite poems “Footprints.” Imagine my surprise when Richard used the same poem in his
sermon! One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it:
“Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of prints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would
leave me”.
The Lord replied: “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you during your times of trial and
suffering, When you see only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”
At the end of November, after a lovely day out in our motor-
home, we came home to find that our car had been stolen,
the house broken into and several items taken.
One of the stolen items was a ”Footprints”
necklace given to me some years ago as a
birthday present by Wendy & Peter. Little did I
know on that November day just how significant
those words would be for us in the months to
come.
13
As you may know, 2 weeks later our son-in-law Alasdair
was admitted to hospital seriously ill, and for a while life
was very worrying and difficult for us all. Karen lived at the hospital for 10 days while Charlie and I took care of the
children. We took them to school, visited the hospital and tried to keep as normal a routine as possible for all the family, despite driving everywhere for a time in the
motorhome. Charlie too was admitted to hospital overnight and Christmas came and went without much celebration.
We seemed to be living on automatic pilot. It is only now, when Alasdair is well on the road to recovery
and life is beginning to return to normal that the words of “Footprints” have come back to me. During those many
weeks we were indeed “carried by the Lord” and were sent many angels to help us through each day. Alasdair was cared for by dedicated hospital staff, working day and night
to find ways to improve his condition. Richard visited the hospital every day, often more than once a day, to support
both Alasdair and Karen, as well as the rest of the family. Friends and family visited, sent text messages or phoned
each day. Laura and Wendy brought meals; Gill provided goodies for us all on Christmas Day. Staff at Smithybridge School took extra special care of the children. The Kia
Garage loaned us a car until we were able to replace our stolen one. Throughout it all we were offered so much
support, but more importantly we were held in the prayers of so many friends. Thank you so much to all those who were there for us in whatever way. We appreciated it more
than you will ever know.
My faith has suffered a few knocks in recent years and there have been times when I’ve wondered whether God really was still there. Maybe this has served as my
reminder that he’s been there all along, carrying us. With my thanks, love & prayers on behalf of all the family.
Linda Peacock
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Bible Reading Plan: 25th March – 27th May 2012
This period covers up to the end of the year and
theoretically the whole Bible will have been read. I have heard from a few people as they have gone on.
This will be printed in the May and June magazines to fill the whole year and in that time the whole Bible
can have been read. Please don’t beat yourself up if you struggled with it
and finished doing it – or you are a little behind. It was not meant as a marathon it was meant to offer
a time of quiet reading and reflecting in our daily lives.
If anyone wants to share any positive experiences of
doing it then I am sure that the magazine editing
*I presume the planners have included Acts in the “Gospels” column because of fitting all of the Biblical books into the list; and because it is held that Luke wrote Acts as well as his Gospel.
Epistles The Law History Psalms Poetry Prophecy Gospels*
Week Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
43 (25th March) James 1-3 Deut’onomy 4-6 2 Chron’les 25-28 Psalms 122-124 Ecclesiastes 1-2 Habakkuk Acts 9-10
44 (1st April) James 4-5 Deut’onomy 7-9 2 Chron’les 29-32 Psalms 125-127 Ecclesiastes 3-4 Zephaniah Acts 11-12
45 (8th April) 1 Peter 1-3 Deut’nomy 10-12 2 Chron’les 33-36 Psalms 128-130 Ecclesiastes 5-6 Haggai Acts 13-14
46 (15th April) 1 Peter 4-5 Deut’nomy 13-15 Ezra 1-5 Psalms 131-133 Ecclesiastes 7-8 Zechariah 1-7 Acts 15-16
47 (22nd April) 2 Peter Deut’nomy 16-19 Ezra 6-10 Psalms 134-136 Ecclesiastes 9-10 Zechariah 8-14 Acts 17-18
48 (29th April) 1 John 1-3 Deut’nomy 20-22 Nehemiah 1-4 Psalms 137-139 Ecclesiastes 11-12 Malachi Acts 19-20
49 (6th May) 1 John 4-5 Deut’nomy 23-25 Nehemiah 5-9 Psalms 140-142 Song of Songs 1-2 Revelation 5-6 Acts 21-22
50 (13th May) 2 John Deut’nomy 26-28 Nehemiah 10-13 Psalms 143-145 Song of Songs 3-4 Revelation 7-11 Acts 23-24
51 (20th May) 3 John Deut’nomy 29-31 Esther 1-5 Psalms 146-148 Song of Songs 5-6 Revelation 12-17 Acts 25-26
52 (27th May) Jude Deut’nomy 32-34 Esther 6-10 Psalms 149-150 Song of Songs 7-8 Revelation 18-22 Acts 27-28
15
team would be pleased to receive any articles for
publication.
God Bless, Richard.
Bible reading plan taken from www.bible-reading.com
Copyright 1995-2009 Michael Coley
*I presume the planners have included Acts in the “Gospels” column because of fitting all of the Biblical books into the list; and because it is held that Luke wrote Acts as well as his Gospel.
Epistles The Law History Psalms Poetry Prophecy Gospels*
Week Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
43 (25th March) James 1-3 Deut’onomy 4-6 2 Chron’les 25-28 Psalms 122-124 Ecclesiastes 1-2 Habakkuk Acts 9-10
44 (1st April) James 4-5 Deut’onomy 7-9 2 Chron’les 29-32 Psalms 125-127 Ecclesiastes 3-4 Zephaniah Acts 11-12
45 (8th April) 1 Peter 1-3 Deut’nomy 10-12 2 Chron’les 33-36 Psalms 128-130 Ecclesiastes 5-6 Haggai Acts 13-14
46 (15th April) 1 Peter 4-5 Deut’nomy 13-15 Ezra 1-5 Psalms 131-133 Ecclesiastes 7-8 Zechariah 1-7 Acts 15-16
47 (22nd April) 2 Peter Deut’nomy 16-19 Ezra 6-10 Psalms 134-136 Ecclesiastes 9-10 Zechariah 8-14 Acts 17-18
48 (29th April) 1 John 1-3 Deut’nomy 20-22 Nehemiah 1-4 Psalms 137-139 Ecclesiastes 11-12 Malachi Acts 19-20
49 (6th May) 1 John 4-5 Deut’nomy 23-25 Nehemiah 5-9 Psalms 140-142 Song of Songs 1-2 Revelation 5-6 Acts 21-22
50 (13th May) 2 John Deut’nomy 26-28 Nehemiah 10-13 Psalms 143-145 Song of Songs 3-4 Revelation 7-11 Acts 23-24
51 (20th May) 3 John Deut’nomy 29-31 Esther 1-5 Psalms 146-148 Song of Songs 5-6 Revelation 12-17 Acts 25-26
52 (27th May) Jude Deut’nomy 32-34 Esther 6-10 Psalms 149-150 Song of Songs 7-8 Revelation 18-22 Acts 27-28
16
LORD, TEACH ME TO PRAY….
I cannot pray "OUR", if my faith has no room for others and
their need.
I cannot pray "FATHER", if I do not demonstrate this
relationship to God in my daily living.
I cannot pray "WHO ART IN HEAVEN", if all of my interests and
pursuits are in earthly things.
I cannot pray "HALLOWED BE THY NAME", if I am not striving
for God's help to be holy.
I cannot pray "THY KINGDOM COME", if I am unwilling to
accept God's rule in my life.
I cannot pray "THY WILL BE DONE", if I am unwilling or
resentful of having it in my life.
I cannot pray "ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN", unless I am
truly ready to give myself to God's service here and now.
I cannot pray "GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD",
without expending honest effort for it or if I would withhold from
my neighbour the bread that I receive.
I cannot pray "FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE
FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US", if I continue
to harbour a grudge against anyone.
I cannot pray "LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION", if I
deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to
be tempted.
I cannot pray "DELIVER US FROM EVIL", if I am not prepared
to fight evil with my life and my prayer.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE KINGDOM", if I am unwilling to
obey the King.
I cannot pray "THINE IS THE POWER AND THE GLORY", if I
am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
I cannot pray "FOREVER AND EVER", if I am too anxious about
each day's affairs.
I cannot pray "AMEN", unless I honestly say "Cost what it may,
this is my prayer.’
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Relay of Prayer To coincide with the Olympics in London in 2012, Salford Diocese have organised a Relay of Prayer for all the schools in their area. Each school is twinned with a competing country, which they have to discover more about then present an assembly on that country to a neighbouring school. When going to present the assembly, they will carry the “Prayer Torch” and pass it on to the next school. The torch itself is going to over 200 schools, a journey in excess of 400 miles! Each school chose ambassadors to carry the torch between schools and Mark, my middle son was chosen. So, on Thursday 23 February, following a “St Lucia Day” on the Wednesday, the High School pupils lined the drive to deliver the Prayer Torch to St Joseph’s school and present their assembly on South Africa. Following lunch, our school, dressed in the colours of St Lucia lined the drive waving their flags and pompoms and passed the torch down the line to the Ambassadors at the end. They then travelled by Limo adorned in blue and yellow ribbons to the other primary school to present their assembly on St Lucia. Mark was the one who passed on the torch to the representative at Our Lady’s. He and the other ambassadors were then very good in their assembly, involving the children at the primary school and presenting them with gifts from St Lucia such as fruit and flowers. We all had a great day and I was privileged as the school’s “newspaper rep” to take photos of the event so got to see the whole thing. Very proud as a parent and to be part of the whole event. Given the racial tensions in Heywood that weekend, it was a fitting antidote to show that diversity, prayer and fun can go together and show how we can all work together with a common goal. Ruth Watson
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Bamford Chapel are proud to present
Kathryn Rudge (mezzo soprano)
and her accompanist
Daniel Browell in concert at
Bamford Chapel, Norden Road,
Rochdale OL11 5PQ on
Saturday 19th May at 7.30 p.m.
Tickets £6.00 each
Ring
01706 630924
or
01706 368733
Kathryn has been listed
by national newspaper
The Times as the new
face in Classical Music to
look out for in 2012
S h e m a d e h e r
professional opera debut
with English National
Opera at The London
Coliseum in the role of
Cherubino in Mozart’s
‘The Marriage of Figaro'
to critical acclaim.
She is making her Opera
North debut in the role of
Sesto in their production
of Handel’s Giulio
Cesare.
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Bamford Chapel URC
FUN QUIZ
7.30 p.m.
Saturday 21st April
Yes it`s here again, our annual Church fundraising quiz –
and everyone is welcome.
We are looking for teams of 4, or come as 2, 3 or on your
own and we can make up teams on the night.
£5 per head, which will include a pie and pea supper, with a
vegetarian option.
In order to help with the catering arrangements please enter
your names and numbers on the list in the coffee area, by
Sunday 15th April at the latest.
We guarantee a good evening and some excellent exercise
(for your brains).
Any queries, see Angela Smith or ring her or Ken on 656517.
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Website
A reminder to all that our website is updated from time to time. To those groups that have a page on the site can I remind you that updated information is always wel-
come. If you have not got a page, and would like one, please let me have information (including pictures if you
can subject to parental permission if it is a photograph with children on) and then I can put a page on for your group.
We also soon hope to have the Church magazine on line
for all to see. If you look now there is one copy on and we hope to upload some previous copies and also put the magazine on every month – that way people can check
on line and read it on line. Thanks to Louise Aspinall this is going to be possible! So watch this space! (we also
need to be aware of content if the magazine is going on line then it is open for all to read)
Thanks, Richard.
Clothesline Collection
Just a quick note to say thank you very much to those of you who donated bags of clothes etc to this fund raising collection. We earned £171 which was certainly
worthwhile, although I am hoping that if we do the same thing again, maybe in September, we may be able to
raise even more! So please bear this in mind and hang onto those old clothes, blankets, towels, shoes etc. It
is certainly an easy, pain free way of raising money for
Chapel funds. Thank you again.
Gillian James.
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Bradley:
Richard
Ruth
Evan
Amelia
Evie
Sturrock Ian
Muriel
Prayer Cards
Stemming from a service that I led a few weeks ago the suggestion was made at prayer group (and at a brief
discussion at Worship and Discipleship Committee and Elders) that we make prayer cards with the names of everyone in the congregation. Printing 7 names on
each card. Each week people would be invited to take a card and pray for those people that week returning the
card the week after and repeating the process with another card. Each moth we would check through them
to make sure any missing cards were replaced. An approximate count of individual names in the directory reached 348. With 7 names on a card that
would mean if we produced 150 cards we would have 3 sets of cards. Meaning that at least one card went out
each week. (the number of names may vary as we will attempt to keep a whole family on one card)
We will press ahead and trial the idea. If you do not
wish for your name to be included then please let Richard know. In addition if you know of anyone who is
a regular but their name is not in the directory please let Richard know and he can add their name to the cards. We will make sure their name is added to the
next edition of the directory.
A card could look like this (with perhaps 2 images on
either side of the card):
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Michael ( Baines) is walking the three
peaks on April 21st,as part of his fundraising for his World Challenge
expedition to Madagascar this July Any sponsors would be much appreciated!
Mid-week Service
In response to my note in the notice sheet for anyone
interested in a mid-week monthly service, I have positive responses from those who have spoken to me. I am therefore suggesting we trial the service from April
until June to see how it goes. We have opted for a Wednesday following luncheon club. We hope to meet in
the Coffee Lounge at 2pm on the last Wednesday in the month. It will be a service of communion that will last about 30-45mins.
For those who are dropped off at Luncheon Club by drivers and to minimize disruption for them– please
inform them if you intend to stay for the service. Transport home for you will be sorted by those present at the service. Do not worry about how you will get
home. Equally if you don’t come to luncheon club we will try our best to pick you up for the service – please let
Richard, Margaret Ogden or Joan know if you fall into this latter category.
If you are a driver and intend to come to the service and are willing to offer lifts to people please also speak to
Richard, Margaret Ogden or Joan.
The dates for the services will be: 25th April; 30th May and 27th June.
Many thanks, Richard.
23
THE BRIDGE CLUB
The Bridge Club meets at 2pm on Mondays in the Primary and celebrated its 15th Anniversary on 13th February - a week late due to a heavy snowfall on the
actual date!
As it was a special occasion, our minister, Richard ceremonially cut the delicious birthday cake, which had been baked by Pamela Harrington. She and Peter, plus
8 other new members, had joined the club in 2011, so that we now have 45 Bridge ‘aficionados’, who enjoy
shuffling, dealing, bidding and playing the cards on Mondays. Fortunately we’ve never had a maximum turn-out as 11 tables would be something of a squash! But
there are still 5 regulars from the original 17 who launched the club on February 3rd 1997.
Like golf, Bridge can become something of a drug for the fanatics. However, enjoyment, concentration and above
all, fellowship are the keynotes of our Club’s success. We don't’ take ourselves or our Bridge too seriously -
though making the occasional slam is usually a cause for a bit of pride and rejoicing between partners but the
mental challenge and the friendship we all share make Monday
afternoons an attractive weekly event. We’re
looking forward to celebrating our 20th anniversary and hope
we can welcome some new faces to join us in
this fascinating game. Mike Lucas
24
REAL EASTER EGGS 2012
For the second year running we are offering for sale Real Easter
Eggs at a cost of £3.99. The new look egg has the Easter story on
the box is now visual as opposed to last year’s text only version. If
you open the lid, you will see ‘Happy Easter’ and for the first time
ever on an Easter Egg, there is a quote from the Bible – the
resurrection text from Mark. Heavier card for the box has been
used along with brighter colours and the three crosses on the front
are more bold.
We believe these improvements will
make the Real Easter Egg an even
more attractive gift and it remains a
unique way to spread the Easter
story in 2012.
Please help us make the REE even
more successful than last year and
join the movement to put Jesus
back into Easter.
The eggs will be on sale on the
Traidcraft Stall soon or place your
order at the coffee morning on 3rd
March
Failing this, see Barbara Redmond or Lesley Sutton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now people can indulge themselves with delicious chocolate,
knowing that they're making a meaningful difference to others,
thanks to the charity contribution they make whenever they buy
this egg.
All ingredients that can be Fairtrade are Fairtrade and certified to
international Fairtrade standards. Total 77.5%. Fairtrade provides
a better deal for producers in developing countries
THE TRAIDCRAFT TEAM
25
The Monday Gang celebrate Christmas in February
The picture shows the Bamford Chapel Monday Gang just about to enjoy their Christmas Lunch at the Bird in the
Hand at Birtle albeit a while after Christmas! These good folk come along to Chapel each Monday morning and carry
out various jobs around the Chapel and the grounds.
Additional help is always welcomed.
Kind regards Ian
The happiness of life consists in
something to do, something to love,
something to hope for.
26
Urgent Appeal
Message from Janet Crompton, Guide Leader Could I ask that if anyone is
interested in helping with guides or has an urge to train to become a
leader please do not hesitate to discuss with me.
This is my final year as guide leader and I am looking for a new leader to
take over. It has not been an easy decision to reach as I feel that having the guide patrol at Bamford Chapel is an asset to both the church and the
community.
I feel that the girls that attend the guide unit blossom and become independent young ladies and this creates good self esteem. I do not wish to see the guide unit
fold so please think about what you or a friend could do.
The girls are between 10 and 14 years of age and guide helpers and
leaders are all voluntary. I plan to finish at the end of the school year (July). Therefore, a new leader is
needed by then if the 3rd Rochdale guides at Bamford Chapel is to
continue.
Thank you in anticipation
Janet E. Crompton 01706 410849 / 07962317911
27
28
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE
EDITORS: Louise Aspinall 01706 719449
Martyn James 01706 868885
SECRETARY: Joan Ashton 01706 360395
DATES FOR THE NEXT MAGAZINE
MAY 2012
Articles to be handed in by: Sunday 15th April 2012
Magazine to be completed by: Thursday 26th April 2012
Magazine distributed: Sunday 29th April 2012
30
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
www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
Telephone: 01706 369622
Minister : Rev Richard Bradley
Email: [email protected]
Church Secretary: Mr Ian Sturrock
Telephone: 01706 653109
Email: [email protected]
Wedding Secretary: Mr John Lapworth
Telephone: 01706 632460
Lettings Manager: Linda Kerford
Telephone: 01706 624256
Email: [email protected]
Times of Services: Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1
st Sunday in month
Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month
