December—February

Dear Friends, The next letter will be from 2017 – assuming we get there in one piece – ra-ther than many pieces! But 2016!!??!!? What a year! And I don’t really dare say “and to top it all”…Leonard Cohen dies because his soul is too compassionate to live on under Donald Trump (that’s my theory anyway!)… Yet there are still over 30 days to go as I write this! It’s just been awful! So bring on 2017 – QUICKLY PLEASE! But even with this year, sometimes things on the web just leap out at you and make you smile and this morning con-tained one of those mo-ments…. So other things that make me smile even though it’s 2016… Well….. Ummm… The dog’s gone :-) !!!!! So maybe now is the time to pre-

pare for 2017 and set things up so that we’re not going to be railroaded by Farage (say it as in garage,) Trump, Brexit (hard, medium or soft), so many deaths, Bake Off, the return of Clarkson, a Conservative government led by May and Ham-mond. Need to stop this now, I’m terrifying myself!! And then this popped up…. The wonderful theologian Richard Rohr wrote: “When triggered or caught by something unpleasant, begin by simply being present to your feeling, experiencing it not just mentally but also emotionally and physically. Don’t try to rationalize or explain the feeling, but witness and give at-tention to this sensation.

Welcome the feeling, speaking aloud, if you can: “Welcome, [anger, fear, hunger, longing, etc.].” Repeat this as many times as you need to truly sense yourself em-bracing and receiving the feeling.

Finally, let go of the feeling, per-haps speaking these words by Mary Mrozowski, the originator of the Welcoming Prayer:

I let go of my desire for security and survival. I let go of my desire for esteem and

affection. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire to change the situation.” So when caught in the headlights this grounds us, gathers our senses together and lets us take stock. It really works. It’s a wonderful thing. But for what purpose? To take stock…….. so that we can move on. And it’s the moving on that’s im-portant – we’re taught the Serenity Prayer “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” But now, on the cusp of 2017, perhaps we should reimag-ine the Serenity Prayer, and start trying to change the things we can-not accept. Jesus set us the challenge to “feed

my people” (well lambs actually) and today so many of them hunger for food and justice. Let 2017 be the

year we set out to actually change the things we cannot accept.

Have a wonderful Christmas and new 2017 Abundant Blessings, Andy and Heather

Issue 23

God of hope, who brought love into this world,

be the love that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought peace into this world,

be the peace that dwells between us.

God of hope, who brought joy into this world,

be the joy that dwells between us.

God of hope, the rock we stand upon,

be the centre, the focus of our lives

In the beginning God said Let

there be gram-mar: and there

was grammar! And then there were grammar

issues, and they was bad.

BANK TOP CHURCH - CONTACTS

Church Telephone Number

593393

Minister Vacant

Church Leader Mr A Guthrie 591185

Secretary/Treasurer Mrs V Singleton 305401

Organist – contact Mrs A Smith 693740

Church Hall Hire Mrs H Guthrie Mrs V Singleton

591185 305401

Pulpit Supply Mrs J Skidmore 307130

Flower Secretaries Mrs M Flitcroft Mrs C Rideout

301328 596360

Choir Leader Mrs A Smith 693740

Newsletter Editor Mrs C Counsell 591284

Serving Elders V Constantine, Christine Counsell, , Andy Guthrie, David Canham, Graham Naylor, Barry Owens, Carol Rideout, Lyn Ridyard, Val Singleton, Julie Skidmore, Alison Spence

Sunday Worship 10.30am Morning Service and Sunday School Church Parade fourth Sunday of month in Jan, Sept, Nov and the Sermons. Communion during the morning service on the second Sun-day each month

Guides Monday at 7.30pm (contact Mrs V Constantine) 593034

Bank Top Brownies Monday at 5.45pm (contact Miss K Grainger) 593692

The Oaks Brownies Tuesday at 6.00pm (contact Caroline Greenen) 592594

Rainbows Thursday at 6.00pm (contact E Robinson) 415113

Bank Top Art Group Monday at 1.00pm (contact Mrs V Singleton) 305401

Mother & Toddlers Tuesday from 9.30 – 11.00am (contact Val Singleton) 305401

Lace & Craft Group Wednesday 7.00 – 9.00pm (contact: Jean Greer) 594127

Fitness Classes Ladies only

Tuesday 1.45pm-2.45pm(Contact Andrew Horvath) 07968 052730

Adult Yoga Tuesday from 7:45pm - 9:15pm (Contact Jenny Dowling)

07578 108676

Theatre Works Wednesday from 3:45 - 6:15 (Contact Lauren Bateman) 07999 634208

Moosical Fun for your Little One

Thursday at 9-30—11-30 (contact Jane ) jane@moo-music.co.uk

07808549965

Weight Watchers Wednesday from 9:30 - 12:00 (contact Janet Lomax) 07919 251507

Eden Singers Thursday 7.30pm– 9.00pm (contact Adrian Yapp) 07766140386 For Baptisms, (which are held during the Morning Service), Weddings, Funerals, Sick Visiting or Home Communion, please contact A Guthrie or V Singleton. If you would like to join our Direct Offering scheme, through the Envelope system, please contact Mrs Val Singleton, who is also available to give advice on Gift Aid. We also have a Church Memorial Fund – contributions to the treasurer, Val Singleton We are a pastorate together with Egerton URC and Red Lane URC We are a member of Churches Together in Astley Bridge.

WHAT’S ON AT BANK TOP?

Mondays 1.00 – 3.00pm 5.45 – 7.15pm 7.30 – 9.15pm

Bank Top Artists Bank Top Brownies Bank Top Guides

Tuesdays 9.30 – 11.00am 1:45 – 2:45pm 6.00 – 7.30pm 7.45 – 9.15pm

Bank Top Toddler Group Ladies only Exercise Classes The Oaks Brownies Yoga with Jenny

Wednesdays 9.30– 12.00pm 3:45 – 6.15pm 7:00 - 9:00pm

Weight Watchers with Janet Theatre School Bank Top Craft Classes

Thursdays 9.30am—10.30am 10.30am—11.30am 6.00 – 7.00pm 7.30— 9.00pm

Moo Music for Babies Moo Music for Babies Bank Top Rainbows Eden Singers

Fridays

Saturdays (first Sat of the month) (third Sat of the month)

12.00 – 1.00pm 10.00 – 3.00pm

Saturday Lunches £4 Adult/£1 Child Bolton Progressive Threads

Flower List

Family Bible Readings

4th Dec—Matthew 3: 1-12 11th Dec—Matthew 11: 2-11 18th Dec—Matthew 1: 18-25 25th Dec—Luke 2: 1-14 (15-20) 1st Jan—Matthew 25:31-46 8th Jan—Matthew 3:13-17 15th Jan—John 1:29-42 22nd Jan—Matthew 4:12-23 29th Jan—Matthew 5:1-12 5th Feb—Matthew 5:13-20 12th Feb—Matthew 5:21-37 19th Feb—Matthew 5:38-48 26th Feb—Matthew 17:1-9

Dec 2016 4th Ann, Alex, Carol & Jessica 11th Pauline Birch 18

th Christine Catherall

25th Syd & Maureen Roocroft

Jan 2017 1st Andy & Heather Guthrie 8th Alison Spence 15th Pat McNulty 22nd VACANT 29th Christine Counsell Feb 2017 5th Jill Partington 12th The Owens 19th In Memory of Phyllis Walsh 26th Val Singleton

Birthday wishes go to: Dec 7th Wayne Nhandara 13th Samuel Kinyanjui 31st Hannah Taylor

Jan 4th Ava Chester 10th Theodore Marsden 11th Lily Spence 13th James Astley 21st Larissa Collier 24th Emma John Feb

8th Penny Kemp 17th Oliver Matkin 25th Lucy Chester

DATES Bank Top Cleaning Rota

If for any reason your name is against a date that you can not make, please try to swap with someone else on the rota.

IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE CLEANING ROTA AND ARE ABLE TO HELP,

PLEASE SEE CHRISTINE COUNSELL. REMEMBER THE MORE VOLUNTEERS WE HAVE, THE LESS TIMES WE ALL HAVE TO CLEAN

Dec ‘16 2nd C Ridout & A Hardman

9th A Myers & I Larkin

16th V Singleton & M Batty

23rd C Catherall & M Flitcroft

30th P McNulty & C Counsell

Jan ‘17 6th G Naylor & D Canham

13th Ann & R Smith

20th Heather

27th L Ridyard & G Brown

Feb 3rd J Marsden & V Constantine

10th C Ridout & A Hardman

17th A Myers & I Larkin

24th V Singleton & M Batty

Mar

3rd C Catherall & M Flitcroft

10th P McNulty & C Counsell 17th G Naylor & D Canham

24th A & R Smith

31st Heather

Notices and news from the congregation Harvest Collections We received a letter of thanks from Urban Outreach for our monetary donation of £181.94 from our Harvest Collection and also a letter of thanks from Bolton Hospice for all the food collected from our Harvest table.

Maureen Roocroft Shoe Box Sunday Many thanks for all the boxes for Samaritans Purse. We managed to send 76 boxes in total—a superb effort! Thank-you once again.

Ruth Butcher

Guiding Award Val Singleton and Vicky Constantine received their awards for service to guiding; Vicky 20 years and Val 50 years. After looking carefully at the photo, Val said it could be time to give up guiding - she is holding her certificate upside down! To which Vicky replied that a man on a galloping horse wouldn’t notice! Is this just a tactic to keep Val from escap-ing?! Songs of Praise Service—Sunday 5th February Our next Songs of Praise service will be held on Sunday 5th February 2017. Once again, this is your opportunity to pick your favourite hymn. It could be a modern hymn, or one you haven’t sung for years; perhaps a Sun-day School hymn you sang as a child? If we can find the tune, you could choose a hymn from a different hymn book. It takes a bit of planning to put these services together, and we would ra-ther not leave it to the last couple of weeks for your choice. If you could fill in the slip below, and return it to Christine or David, we would be very grateful.

Christine Catherall and David Canham

Songs of Praise Hymn Selection Name: ____________________________________________ Hymn choice: _______________________________________ Hymn book (if known): ________________________________ Reason for choice: ___________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

The Triple Farewell

There were three events to mark Rev. George’s leaving of the “Trinity Pastorate”. 1 On the 25th of September, George held his last service at Bank Top. For all of us this was both a sad and happy occasion. Sad that George was leaving and how we will miss his leadership, not just in worship but for his knowledgeable contribution and all the dedication to the pastorate. This was most evident when it came to bible “study”. I have put study in inverted comas since House group, Lenten meetings and pastorate joint services were more open discussion groups that at times could be quite passionate. However, George’s calming and open attitude always steered us back on track (He would make a great politician) I think this is where

his experience with the UN in Africa has taken deep root. The happy part was that George, Christine and family will be back under one roof. Also that the people of Milton-Keynes will be able to share in what we have had in Bol-ton.

The service was followed by George cutting his special cake which we all enjoyed with a glass of sparkling wine. 2 George’s final service was held at Egerton URC on the 2nd October when the morning service was a joint pastorate affair. After an emotional address, Andy gave a tribute on behalf of us all before we were invited to a superb buffet lunch. 3 On the 16th October a coach full of lucky ones travelled to Milton Keynes for the induction of George into his new ministry at the “Church of Christ The Cornerstone”, a grand building in the centre also incorporating the Guild Hall. We were all made very welcome and joined them in a “Bring and share” lunch before having time to chat, explore the complex and for the “Young” ladies to visit M&S among the shops in the vicinity. The induction service started at 3.00pm and was conducted by the whole ministerial team to a large congregation including civic dignitaries, a wonderful choir and musicians. The service itself consisted of many parts. Prayers, hymn singing, musical interludes and the induc-tion itself. Geoff Tolley, who travelled with us, gave an excellent sermon and typical of Geoff, included some Northern humour. Conerstone youth, a vibrant group, gave readings and prayers. In other words it was all inclusive and lasted almost two hours!! Just time for some to have a drink be-fore we all got back on the coach when we were joined by Christine and George for what was the final farewell and everyone sang a blessing. Syd.

In our Thoughts Clarice Bickerstaff 15th October 1925—16th September 2016 Sadly we had to say goodbye to another dear member of our Church community in September as Clarice Bickerstaff passed away at the age of 91. In recent years, ill health prevented her from at-tending regularly, but she enjoyed coming to Brunch at the start of each month and other functions when she was well enough to do so, and she enjoyed George’s company as he visited her. A beautiful service celebrating her life was led by George at church after the committal at Overdale on 28th Septem-ber. She will be missed by many and her family remain in our pray-ers.

Christine’s Poetry Corner! Here’s Christine Catherall’s ‘ode to George’ from his final services with us.

Farewell to George

With heavy heart we yield a sigh

As Trinity Pastorate says Goodbye.

For four years you have been our inspiration,

Imparting Biblical knowledge and information.

With study groups and Lenten talks;

Saturday lunches and country walks;

Visiting sick and lonely folk;

Sharing a prayer and maybe a joke;

Cheering folk up wherever you go;

Oh dear George we’ll miss you so.

Although we’re happy for you too,

Knowing a new challenge is awaiting you.

New places to go, new people to meet,

To be back with your family will be sweet.

So George as we send you on your way

May God bless you and keep you is what we pray.

May you be filled with Grace and achieve all your dreams

As you start your new life in Milton Keynes.

CHRISTMAS AT BANK TOP SUNDAY, 18

TH DECEMBER

Nativity – 10.30am

Carols on the garden – 5.45pm

Mulled wine & mince pies – 6.15pm

Carol & Christingle service – 6.30pm

Saturday 24

th December

Candle-light Communion service - 11.30pm

Christmas Day Family Service – 10.30am

Please come and join us!!!!

Advent Journey

In the coming weeks, we travel the road to Bethlehem anew. We shall share in Christingle, parade, nativity and carol services. Sing the familiar carols. Watch the flickering candles, twinkling lights, decorations, presents, Christmas trees, smiles on children’s faces, and await the child in the manger. We explore the stories of Jesus’ birth, and the message they offer for our world today.

We reflect with Matthew the dilemma of a man who discovers his fiancée is preg-nant and prepares to quietly break from her, until an angel intervenes. After the child is born we hear of travellers from the east following a star, their misstep in visiting the local despot, their gifts of money, incense and perfume, and their change of travel plans. We fear for the family as they flee as refugees to the land of an ancient enemy, narrowly avoiding the genocide of the children of their town.

We ponder with Luke who tells us of a family drama of a young girl speaking to an angel, an elderly couple becoming parents, cousins communicating whilst in their mothers’ wombs, an empire used to draw God’s chosen to Bethlehem for a census, and a birth in a stable that was welcomed by a choir of angels and drew shepherds to share the fire.

We have our spirits drawn to God with John, who poetically combines the creation of the universe with Jesus’ birth and the message he shared.

We are reminded that all of these are inspired by the ministry of Jesus and the Res-urrection experience of his followers, as Mark ignores his birth and begins his story with Jesus’ baptism and the heavenly declaration: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

We travel the road to Bethlehem anew. The road has many turns and junctions, but all get us to the reality of a birth. The beginning of a life that changed the world, and changes lives. A life that invites us to live it too. A life that we are called to de-clare, live and embrace. A life that draws everyone into the journey of living God’s dream. Dave Coaker, a URC minister

Change for Charity

This is a re-launch of our previously called ‘Jars of Grace’. Let me explain …… From January 2017 we would like you to get yourself an empty jam jar and stick a label on it saying:

Bank Top URC ‘Change for Charity’ 2017

(All donations will go to Water Aid)

(sticky Labels displaying this message can be obtained from church) We then need you to collect all your loose change in the jar – so keep the jar in a prominent position, where it can be seen! On the FIRST Sunday of every month – starting in February, we will remind you to bring in your jars – these will then be emptied, during the service, into a much big-ger jar. We are not expecting anyone to fill the jar each month! Just bring it in how-ever much or little there is in it! After the service the money will be counted and the total amount recorded on a spe-cially made ‘CHARITYOMETER’ At the end of the year a cheque for the total amount collected will be sent to our nominated charity for the year – which the church meeting agreed for 2017 will be WATER AID.

At the end of each year a different charity for the following year will be chosen

Message from your Treasurer Please take time to read this! From January our contributions to Synod for Ministry and Mission will once again in-crease. This is because NW Synod changed the way these were calculated in 2015. Bank Top did appeal against the new system, but unfortunately our appeal was rejected. How-ever, it was agreed that our increased contributions would be phased in over 5 years to lessen the impact on our finances. In 2017 will be into year 3 of this increase, plus there is to be, in addition, an overall increase of 2%. Currently, we just about cover our Ministry and Mission payments with our weekly offer-ings. But this means that we may not be able to cover them in 2017. The money we re-ceive from letting out our building is used to cover our day-to-day costs such as gas, electric, water, telephone, printing etc etc. This year we have an overspend in this area which we need to address. Any shortfall in future years will have to be topped up from our Fundraising Account, which is made up from Brunches, 50/50, Village Fair, Advent Brunch and any donations. In the past this money has always been used to improve the building; eg new boiler, new kitchen, re-plastering, new carpets, re-upholstering of chairs, new roof – and much, much more. It would be a shame to see it gobbled up on day-to-day maintenance. WAYS YOU COULD HELP

- Pay by Standing Order if you don’t already do this - Start to use the Envelope System - If you pay Income Tax, complete a Gift Aid Form so that we can reclaim the tax on your contributions (this only applies if you pay by Standing Order or Envelope) - Join our 50/50 – just £24 buys you one number for the year. Each month the draw takes place at our Brunch and there are three cash prizes: £50, £30, and £20. And, church gets £100 per month. - Support our monthly Brunches – 1st Saturday of each month (excluding August) from 12noon to 1.00pm. £4.50 adults/£1.50 children gets you a main meal, a dessert and a drink.

As 2017 approaches I would like you to consider your offerings. Can you afford to give a little extra? It doesn’t have to be much! Thank you for taking time to read this. We really value your gifts and your support. Our building is always a very pleasant place to come into. We would very much like to keep it like this. So please do consider what you can afford to give.

Christmas Blessings and a very Peaceful New Year, Val Singleton

Elders & Church Meeting Dates for 2017

Saturday Brunch Dates 7th January 4th February 4th March 1st April 6th May 3rd June 1st July (VILLAGE FAIR) 2nd September 7th October 4th November 2nd December (ADVENT BRUNCH)

Other dates for your diary

Good Friday 14th April Easter Sunday 16th April

Sermons 21st May Shoe Boxes 19th November Christingle 17th December

Sunday 15th January Church Meeting

Wednesday 1st February Elders Meeting

Sunday 23rd April AGM

Wednesday 3rd May Elders Meeting

Wednesday 7th June Elders Meeting

Sunday 9th July Church Meeting

Wednesday 6th September Elders

Sunday 1st October Church Meeting

Wednesday 1st November Elders Meeting

A big thank you to all those who support Bank Top

FINANCE REPORT OFFERTORY

Aug

Cash Collection 356.71

Envelope Collection 340.82

Standing Orders 677.50

1375.03

Sept

Cash Collection 268.46

Envelope Collection 444.55

Standing Orders 697.50

1410.51

Oct

Cash Collection 304.51

Envelope Collection 420.40

Standing Orders 677.50

1402.41

BRUNCHES

Sept 144.54

Oct 150.65

Nov 280.58

WINTERWATCH 181.94

50/50 CLUB

Sept Cash Prize Lottery No

A&R Smith 50.00 63

E Farrell 30.00 80

B Richardson 20.00 39

Oct

M Roocroft 50.00 65

J Partington 30.00 45

G Brown 20.00 82

Nov

L Scholes 50.00 81

G Singleton 30.00 15

K Bradshaw 20.00 57

FUTURE EVENTS: December—february

December

Sat 3rd 10.30am-1.00pm

Advent Brunch

Sun 4th 10.30am 3.00pm-5.00pm

Morning Worship – Alison Spence Lights switch-on – Andrew Lane

Sun 11th 10.30am Communion Service – Andy Guthrie

Tue 13th 7.30pm Ladies Meal at The Wilton

Sun 18th 10.30am 5.45pm 5.15pm 6.30pm

Children’s Nativity Service Christmas Carols on the Community Gdn Mince Pies and Mulled wine in church Carols and Christingles Service—Ann Smith

Sat 24th 11.30pm Midnight Candle-lit Communion service

Sun 25th 10.30am Christmas Day Family Service—Andy Guthrie

January

Sun 1st 10.30am Morning Worship—David Canham

Sat 7th 12.00pm-1.00pm

Brunch

Sun 8th 10.30am Communion Service –Andy Guthrie

Tue 10th 8.00pm Val’s Housegroup – Acts 5:17 – Acts 6:7 ‘Persecution and Expansion’

Sun 15th 10.30am 11.30am

Morning Worship—Neil Carter Church Meeting

Sun 22nd 10.30am Morning Worship – Worship Group Family Service – Church Parade

Tue 24th 8.00pm Val’s Housegroup – Acts 6:8 – Acts 7:60 ‘Spirit and Wisdom’

Sun 29th 10.30am Morning Worship—Susan Holme

February

Wed 1st 7.30pm Elders Meeting at Andy’s

Sat 4th 12.00pm-1.00pm

Brunch

Sun 5th 10.30am Morning Worship—Songs of Praise / David Canham & Chris-tine Catterall

Sun 12th 10.30am Communion Service—Andy Guthrie

Tue 14th 8.00pm Val’s Housegroup – Acts 8 ‘The Power of Suffering’

Sun 19th 10.30am Morning Worship—Patrick Murphy

Sun 26th 10.30am Morning Worship—Ray Houghton

Tue 28th 8.00pm Val’s Housegroup – Acts 9: 1-31 ‘Paul’s Conversion’