United Reformed Church North Western Synod

Franklin Street, Patricroft, Eccles, Manchester M30 0QZ 0161 789 5583 [email protected] Newsletter 14 – May 2014

Dear Friends

Amongst the many initiatives and projects which come into the office one in particular attracted my attention. It came in from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. In newspaper format it reported on conversations held in Cornwall, Belfast, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle and Swansea around the question ‘What does a good society mean for you?’

Taking a thematic approach, communities were asked about Hopes and aspirations, community, health and well being and Spirit. As we begin a year of preparation for a General Election, these conversations with people of faith and no formal faith tries to make links between people’s understanding of a good society and the beliefs that shape us.

From Belfast Gerry (an ex paramilitiary) said: It’s a huge challenge to take your own people with you. And at times it’s a slow tedious an d frustrating process but you have to find compromises and bring people with you every inch of the way if you don‘t you fail.

Peter (also ex paramilitiary) said: Religion is about pilgrimage, it is about making a better society. And we have an obligation to meet and join with all sorts of different people along the way.

From Saltley Birmingham from a group of women of different ethnicities who gather to sew: ‘If we can understand other cultures and religions, we can get along. My friends here are like family now. That’s how close we are with each other.’

From Glasgow ‘I hope that the Church is a place where it is safe to come; for the young for the old, for the elderly and for the asylum seekers. I hope that they come and everybody will be as one. And they will have the love of God in this place. Because it is lack of love that is wrong with this community I think.’

The project is trying to promote a series of conversations about the values that have emerged, what are the marks of a good society. The report is at agoodsociety.org, where you will also be able to download a toolkit to assist you in undertaking your own research.

I commend this project to you and we would be delighted if any churches wanted to undertake your own local research which we would love to feature in a future issue of the Synod News Bulletin.

Best wishes

Richard

Cumbria

Trinity Church Centre, Abbey Road, Barrow LA14 5HT

THE KNITTED BIBLE Come and see 33 stories taken from the Bible and brought to life in the form of knitted figures.

Fresh from its countrywide tour, we welcome the KNITTED BIBLE EXHIBITION to Trinity Church Centre

JULY 5th - 15th 10.00am – 4.00pm MONDAY – SATURDAY

12noon – 4.00pm SUNDAY ADMISSION FREE Refreshments available

Exciting New Development in Carlisle On Easter Sunday 20th April 2014 the people of St George’s United Reformed Church in Warwick Road Carlisle held their final service in a building which first opened for worship on 10th May 1863. The building has been sold and we are now worshipping with the Methodists in the Tithe Barn until our new premises, are ready. We are adapting a building leased from the Cathedral which was once used as a choir school. We will no longer have to put time and effort into the care and maintenance of a 150 year old building which has no disabled access, so we hope we will have greater opportunity for outreach and mission. Our final service, attended by 95 people, and conducted by our minister, the Reverend Nick Mark, was one of thanksgiving for all that is past and joyful anticipation of all that is to come. We look forward to exploring how we can best serve the community of Carlisle in our new home.

Lancashire

Elswick 365th Anniversary Sunday 8th June 2014 Service at 2.30pm Guest Preacher: Revd Lindsay Cottam

Afternoon teas will be available after the service, and the booking of teas by 2nd June Would be much appreciated. Please ring Sam Kernohan on 01995 670816 or email [email protected]. There will be no charge for teas but there will be a basket for voluntary offerings. We do hope that some of your members will be able to join us on what is always a most enjoyable occasion.

Forton URC held another successful Afternoon Tea Party on May 19th 2014. Ladies from Elswick URC Ladies Guild came to Forton URC on a lovely, sunny afternoon. Joyce Holden and Dr. Brenda Fox led a short service in the Church and then Brenda gave a very informative talk on the history of Nonconformity as it relates to Forton URC at School Lane, Forton PR3 OAS. There were amusing anecdotes about the preacher who wore silk stockings and knee breeches, arriving to preach in a hay cart and the little dog who walked to Church even after his mistress had died. The afternoon of fellowship ended of course with a nice cup of tea, served in dainty china teacups on a hand embroidered tablecloth.

If any other Church groups would like a similar Vintage Tea Party, please contact Susan Redmayne, Church Secretary at Forton URC. There is a small charge for refreshments in aid of Church funds.

On June 22nd 2014 at 2.30pm, Forton URC is hosting a Charity tea party in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care. This is "A Blooming Great Tea Party", which is an annual event taking place in many venues during June. For a lovely country afternoon tea party come along to this event or arrange your own little outing to Forton URC.

Maundy Thursday Reflection for Easter Sunday My wife and I were invited, by Buckingham Palace to attend Blackburn Cathedral last Thursday, to receive Maundy Money from Her Majesty the Queen – that was a big, big surprise. 175 other people from across Lancashire had also been invited. You had to be over 70 years of age to be invited and had to have helped the church and helped the people where you live. Each one of us received two purses – one white and one red. The purses were carried on very large gold plates by yeomen and handed to the Queen by other helpers. She went to and gave 88 people their purses after the first reading from the Bible and another 88 after the second bible reading. The white purse contains eight sets of four silver coins (1p, 2p, 3p, and 4p = 10pX 8 =80p) and a set of two silver 4p coins, (8p) 88p in total – the Queens age. The service of prayers, readings and hymns and giving out the purses of money started when the Queen arrived and finished when she left. It took precisely one hour. Colin Wills

Blackburn North and East Pastorate

Easter in our Pastorate

Christians Together in Central Blackburn held the annual Walk of Witness on Saturday 12th April. We met at the cathedral for a short service, the cross bearer in front carrying a large wooden cross followed by Peg the donkey and the Salvation Army band. We stopped for scripture reading and singing at various places before finishing for a service at the Salvation Army Citadel followed by hot drinks and hot cross buns. A few hundred tracts were given out to passers by with the Easter message and we feel this is a real Christian witness in our town. Holy Monday Our ‘Pesach’ a Christian celebration of Passover was held on the Monday of Holy Week at Trinity. This is a beautiful start to Holy Week it is a service based on the Jewish Passover which gives us an understanding of the meaning of the traditional ‘Seder Plate’ along with the symbolism of the candles, the shank bone of the lamb and the cup of Elijah. A three course meal is served as part of the service.

Maundy Thursday Our Maundy Thursday service this year was held at Revidge, it was a Tenebrae service – The Service of Shadows. One central candle is unlit with 8 lighted candles surrounding it. At the service, we meditate on the fact that it was on the evening before Good Friday that Jesus and his disciples were together for the last time, when he and they stood in the shadow of the cross. There are 8 readings and a light is extinguished after each reading. The gradual extinguishing of the lights is symbolic of the advancing darkness that came over Jesus with the flight of the disciples, the bitter hate of his enemies, and the looming shadow of the cross. As the last light is extinguished, that moment of darkness recalls the time when Jesus was in the tomb, but the lighting of the central candle reminds us of the Easter that was soon to dawn.

Good Friday Our Good Friday meditation was at Trinity, scenes from the 2010 Passion play at Oberammergau were used reflecting the text which was chapter 19 of St. John’s gospel. Following this service, the open air Good Friday ecumenical service for Churches together in Wilpshire was held at Holy Souls.

Other Events

Revidge Fold In April we held another musical evening with Eddie and his Three Swinging Chicks in, this time looking at hymns and choruses – Eddie gave us some background into the hymn writers of some of our great hymns and we were all invited to sing along, it was another super evening. Thank you Eddie and team.

Our church was open each afternoon of Holy Week for our Art & Craft display. It was wonderful to see the gifts and talents of so many people from all three of our churches

Trinity Brownhill On Sunday 18th May the service was led by The Bethany People, this was a wonderful morning of praise and worship. (see picture)

We are also blessed with our Rose Queen at Trinity. Kirsty, her family and friends from church served a lovely soup and sandwich lunch for us after church. The proceeds were for her chosen charity The British Heart Foundation. Well done Kirsty! Kirsty also assists with Rainbows on Thursday evening. Our Rainbows and the leaders took flowers for Easter to the people at Kemp Court, they then entertained them with singing in the lounge and we enjoyed drinks and biscuits afterwards. Rainbows also enjoyed an Owl Party before breaking up for Easter.

Westbury Gardens We are busy planning our next messy church to be held in Shadsworth infant school on June 10th and our next cooking tutorial is on 12th June at Westbury Gardens, when we will be making pizzas.

Other News

Maundy Money The people from our Pastorate who were invited to the Cathedral to receive Maundy Money from Her Majesty the Queen all had a wonderful day and many of us have seen the Maundy money that they received. Congratulations again to Derek Estill, Ellis Metcalf and Joan Chew. Well done all of you. Congratulations also to Douglas Thompson who was invited but unable to go to the ceremony.

The Kathleen Cross Memorial Prize Lena has received the following email from Rev. Dr. Rosalind Selby, the principle of Northern College

Kathleen Cross was, as you know, a governor of Northern College for a number of years. We valued her wisdom, her insights and her experience and already miss her from our meetings as well as missing her as a friend. One of the roles of Governors here is to participate, in pairs, at the student intake interviews – and I remember that Kath was one of the Governors who ‘let me in’ to the College when I came to train for the ministry myself. She was also on the interview panel when I applied for the post as Principal – it appears she ‘let me in’ twice! So I have known Kath as both a student and as the Principal and have, personally, valued her contributions very much.

The Governors and Staff of the College were already considering a ‘prize fund’ for which students could submit an essay and explain why they should be supported on an overseas visit, or conference or perhaps participation in a project, that will benefit their future ministry – we have decided to call this the “Kathleen Cross Memorial Prize”. Rosalind (Selby).

Central

Hannah who regularly attends Worsley Road URC photographed here after her success at the Down Syndrome European Championship in Southampton this weekend. Hannah represented England and was competing amongst teams from Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Norway and Estonia. Hannah won a gold medal in 50m back stroke, a silver medal in 50m freestyle and a bronze medal in 200m freestyle. The whole event was a fantastic experience, highlighted by the joy the athletes showed and the camaraderie between the nations.

Hannah’s Retro Fundraiser! You’re invited to step back in time with a fun-packed retro evening, with all proceeds supporting Hannah’s Special Olympics swimming career! 5 July at 6.30pm at Worsley Road URC Swinton M27 0AG. Live music from Jeff Spencer and local band The Red Trails. Hot beverages available, feel free to bring your own drinks. Tickets priced at £2 available from Jutta Payton or Tracey Booth. Contact [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE – CHAPEL STREET COMMUNITY ARTS

Salford art project wants to hear your stories of DC Thomson

Chapel St Community Arts (CSCA) is searching for ex employees of the printers DC Thomson to help celebrate the presence of the based publishing company with huge cultural significance. The Salford based charity are about to embark on a project celebrating the rich history of Chapel Street, which includes printers DC Thomson, famous for printing , and comics, who had operations based on Chapel St until the mid 90’s.

CSCA Coordinator, Chris Doyle told us: “DC Thomson has produced a huge range of comics throughout their history, and unfortunately not many people know they had a presence in Salford. We want to create a visual celebration and representation of their existence on Chapel Street, and we really want to hear the stories of the people who worked there to help bring our project to life.”

The research is being conducted over the next few weeks, and will help to inform the production of new artwork during May and June. Manchester based artist Ian Mckay will work with people and community groups based around Chapel Street to create the work. Ian explains: “We hope that the stories from ex employees will inspire artwork created for our project, increase involvement in the project and give the exhibition stronger meaning to the people of Salford.”

The work produced will be shown at Salford Museum and Art Gallery later this year. The exhibition entitled ‘Chapel Street then and now’ will launch on 11th July. “Everyone who’s been involved in the project will be invited along for a bit of a Beano.” said Chris. Watch this space for more details.

If you are an ex employee of DC Thomson, or know someone who is, please do get in touch with Chris. Also, if you are interested in the specifics of the project, or would like to participate in the community art sessions, contact Chris for more details at; Notes: D. C. Thomson & Company, Limited, is a Scottish publishing company based in Dundee, best known for producing The Dundee Courier, , Oor Wullie, The Broons, The Beano, The Dandy and Commando comics. It also owns ,[1] Parragon, and the Aberdeen Journals Group which publishes the Press and Journal. It was a significant shareholder in the former ITV (Source: Wikipedia)

Chapel St Community Arts is a registered charity (charity number 1147650) based in the Chapel Street area of Salford, England, and was developed by the churches on Chapel Street in partnership with local agencies. Our Mission is; To develop and deliver a range of creative arts and community projects that engage, empower and improve the quality of life of the local communities living and working in Salford.

Our aims are;

To improve the confidence and well being of people in our excluded communities through creative engagement.

To increase participation in creative activities. To enable volunteers to gain new skills and knowledge. To increase knowledge and understanding of community issues. To develop services in response to local needs.

Chris Doyle, Chapel Street Community Arts Supported by 'Chapel St & Hope URC', 'Sacred Trinity' and 'St Philips with St Stephens' churches. Telephone: 0161 839 1180 Mobile: 07814 688 027 email: [email protected] website: http://cscarts.wordpress.com

Creatively Engaging People. Registered Charity number: 1147650

The Nature Faith and Order of the United Reformed Church

Looking for material to introduce people to the URC or help them think about Membership?

http://urc.org.uk/what-is-the-urc.html

Tickets available from:

The Albert Hall’s Victoria Square, Bolton Bl1 1RU 01204 334400 www.alberthalls.bolton.co.uk.

Ticket prices £8.50 each Concessions £7 for OAP and children and group bookings of 10 or more.

This event is a fundraiser for Passion for Bolton 2015

Passion for Bolton 2015 Official launch

We will be having a formal launch of “Passion for Bolton 2015” on the 30th June 2014 at the Victoria Hall, Bolton at 7.30pm. We would love for you to come along to see what will be happening on “the day” and how you can become involved, if you wish, in either a large or small way please put this in your diary. There will be a power point demonstration and a presentation from the core team. There will also be a chance to ask questions over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Caroline Wyke Project Manager Passion for Bolton 2015

St Andrew & St George United Reformed Church, St Georges Road, Bolton, BL1 2BX

PRESS RELEASE ANTIQUES AND COLLECTABLES VALUATION EVENING

A team of top TV antique show experts is coming to Bolton to lead a charity search for hidden treasures.

Bargain Hunt regular Nick Hall and Peter Ashburner, a familiar face frequently seen wielding the gavel on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, will be valuing items at the United Reformed Church of St. Andrew and St. George on St. Georges Road from 6.30p.m. on Wednesday, June 4th. And anyone who can stump the experts is in line for a bottle of champagne.

Everyone is invited to bring an antique or a collectable item and, for an admission fee of £2, will get a valuation and refreshments. Extra valuations cost £1.

Whilst all the valuers have extensive experience, each has specialist knowledge in certain areas. For example, Peter Ashburner is a particular expert on toys, whilst jewellery and paintings are two of Nick’s favourites. They are joined by Niall Williams, whose specialism is items of 20th century design, including Moorcroft Pottery, and Rachel Houston-Holland, whose expertise is in Asian works of art.

Local organiser Roy Brooks, a vintage and veteran car enthusiast, says: “Anything from a Dior dress to a teddy bear can be valued. I think Nick might be hoping for a repeat of one of his most famous finds. Among crockery from a recent house clearance, he spied an old pair of sauce boats. They proved to be early English Chelsea porcelain and brought the unsuspecting owner £41,000 at auction.

“Owners of the first three items whose purpose cannot be identified will win bottles of champagne. All profits from the evening will go to local charities.”

Anyone needing further information can contact Roy Brooks on 0161 764 3770 or 07815 052453.

Other items

AN EVENT BY CASCADES OF GRACE - Voices of Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Women in the URC On Saturday 21st June 2014, 10am-4pm at High Cross United Reformed Church, Colsterworth Rd, Tottenham, London N15 4BN Chrysalis: Transforming the Table , a gathering of Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Women in the URC . A space to share our stories, celebrate our gifts and explore our unique contribution to the future of the Church. The day will include worship, presentations, table-talk & fresh encounters with the Bible. Lunch & refreshments provided. You are invited to wear National Dress/Representative Colours To book your place, please contact: Karen Campbell , Racial Justice & Intercultural Ministry Office The United Reformed Church, 86 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9RT Tel: 0207 916 8655 Email: [email protected]

Help Needed – The Angels’ Voice At present Alan Argent, minister of Trinity Congregational Church, Brixton, is carefully working through some of his church’s records from the early 20th century. These relate specifically to the Young Men’s Bible Class for the years 1910-13 which seems to have consisted of perhaps 30 or more men at the time. He is preparing for publication a critical edition of the magazines, entitled ‘The Angels’ Voice’, that they produced. Only one or two of these magazines were in circulation at any time and his church still has most of those that were produced.

These magazines are a treasure trove of information about growing up in south London, a century ago. They include items on socialism, cycling, football, ladies’ hockey, holidays in the Channel Islands, Belgium and Italy, day trips to Boulogne, rambles in Surrey, members working in the Canary Islands, India and Zurich, as well as teasing ‘poems’, original illustrations, photographs and postcards. They also include criticism of the London Missionary Society and of the Bible study guide which they were following.

However he needs help with the following matters. 1) Do any more of the magazines survive, unknown to the present church members at Brixton?

2) We know something of those members of the Bible Class who died in World War I but we are less informed on those who survived. If you are related to any of Trinity’s young people who served and/or survived please contact Alan Argent.

3) Trinity’s minister before and during World War I was Mathias Lansdown (1858- 1932). His son, Harry, was a footballer and a lively member of the Bible Class. In the war he became Captain Lansdown. If you know any details of his later life, please contact Alan Argent. Mathias Lansdown’s brother, Francis (d 1926), and his nephew, Arnold Paton Lansdown (d 1983) both became ministers. Arnold had two daughters, Sheila and Doreen.

4) The leader of the Young Men’s Bible Class was Daniel C Messent and the treasurer was his brother, Will, while Mrs Dan ran the Young Women’s Bible Class. Lewis Messent was a regular member of the Young Men’s football team. Indeed the Messent family were among the leading families at Trinity 100 years ago, as shown, active with work among the young men and women especially. If you can help to throw light on their later activities, and the whereabouts of the family now, then again please contact Alan Argent.

5) Notable names, with brothers and sisters in the church at Brixton in those years, include the Snoswell, Bedwell, Rowe, Butcher and Godden families, as well as that of Frank and Harry Jones; some of whom were still active at Trinity in the 1950s. More unusual names also appear such as von Rittershausen, Stripp, Fouracre, Eagle, Coomber, Cramp, Boud and Osland. Other names include Crosley, Handy, Calloway, Lynch and Morse. Frank Perkins, who is also one of the pre-1914 young men and suffered at times from their teasing, was known to Alan Argent in the 1960s, as was his wife, Mary. However if you are a descendant of any of these individuals or know anything of their later history, Alan Argent would be pleased to hear from you. Not only artefacts and photographs can recall an era but also personal memories. Indeed any further clues would be welcome to Alan Argent.

Alan Argent may be contacted at [email protected] (Illustrations © Trinity Congregational Church)

Even BIGGER and even more fun than before

North Western Synod is joining with Mersey Synod

to bring you the next BIG DAY OUT 18 July 2015

Don’t miss out!

The latest news from the Windermere Centre:

If you'd like a peek at what goes on behind the scenes at the Centre, you can visit their website for the latest photo-story: http://windermere.urc.org.uk/news-4/

If you'd like to subscribe to receive the Centre's email newsletter, you can do so at: http://eepurl.com/eHgls

iChurch Level 1, 22-25 July 2014 http://windermere.urc.org.uk/portfolio-item/ichurch-level-1/ Set up and learn to manage your own church website. If you're comfortable using Word, you can learn to WordPress, which means you can have a site up and running without needing to have a resident expert or paying to hire one. Course fee includes site set-up, a .urc.org.uk domain name, theme framework, iChurch support, and the first year's hosting (ongoing annual fee of £25 thereafter), as well as full board residential accommodation at the Centre and full Level 1 training. Course suitable for website beginners, but you will need to be a confident using your computer, and able to bring a wireless-enabled laptop to work on.

Older Folks' Fellowship, 18-22 August 2014 http://windermere.urc.org.uk/portfolio-item/older-folks-fellowship/ There are still spaces available on our annual holiday for those who enjoy a more relaxed pace! There will be outings and activities, as well as great fellowship and wonderful food. Led by Revd. Kathie Bennett, who has a special ministry to older people.

Being Connected: New Media Weekend

Do you want space to have conversations about what digital media might mean for church? Are you already engaged online and wondering how you can use the tools available?

This is something new for the Windermere Centre: we do a lot of work helping people and churches getting started with being online, and we also wanted to give those who are already active users of new media a chance to get together and think more deeply about the possibilities.

Delivery Team:

 Dr. Bex Lewis, Research Fellow at CODEC and leading thinker in the field of social media and digital church  Dan Morrell, FURY Online Publications Co-ordinator  Dave Salsbury, a URC minister and a Training and Development Officer for the United Reformed Church's Synod of Wales  Rebecca Gudgeon, Marketing Manager for the Windermere Centre, and  Lawrence Moore, the Windermere Centre's Director

The weekend is going to be a very open and collaborative event, with talks, workshops, Bible study, discussion and worship. If you want to explore what it is to be church in the digital age, to consider how to develop your community or your ministry using new media, then visit our website to find out more about the event: http://windermere.urc.org.uk/portfolio-item/being-connected-new-media-weekend/