News

WEEK BEGINNING 3rd December 2023

Worship

We will have a Service of Holy Communion for Advent Sunday on 3rd December at St James' at 10.00 AM, it will be led by the Rev'd Dr. Malcolm Wearing 

The link for the Church of England online service is below 

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services

Harrogate Trip

The Harrogate Trip will leave St James Church at 9.00 AM on Saturday 2nd December, please make sure you are there ideally by 8.50AM, so we can get going on time.

Wingates Band

Wingates Band will be performing a Christmas Concert St John’s Wingate on Tuesday 12th December at 8 pm.  Tickets on the door £10 (incl refreshments). See flyer further down page.

Christmas Dinner on Jesus

The team are trying to collect together 400 selection boxes this time for the Christmas Dinner on Jesus campaign we support Urban Outreach with each year.  If you are able to donate a selection box or two to this worthy cause, please bring them to church by THIS SUNDAY 3rd December 2023.

Toy Service - 10th December

This Christmas we again hope to support the Childrens Societies “Away from Home Children” by providing toiletries such as toothpaste & brushes shower gel & deodorants etc.  We know at this time of year we seem to be asking for a lot of donations & help but there still thousands of children that the Society are trying to keep from harm & give them shelter. Please can we help the Society to show these children that we care & they are not forgotten.

Toys for Sarah Lodge.    We have now received the the numbers & ages of the children at Sarah Lodge.

GIRLS.  There are 2 girls 0- 6 months.  

            There are 2 girls 6-12 months  

           There are 5 girls 1-2 years    

BOYS. There are 4 boys  0-6 months  

        There are 8 boys   1-2 years

 Please can we can help both these causes.   

Dyslexia Friendly Bibles 

The Bible Society recognise that having dyslexia can create significant challenges for people, but they are working hard to remove barriers to reading the Bible. Their dyslexia friendly editions make the scriptures accessible, helping people with dyslexia to enjoy the big story of the Bible in a format designed for their needs.  If you are interested in having one of these bibles for yourself or a family member or a  friend, please have a word with a member of the clergy team.  

The Bible Society are offering deals at the moment so if we put a Team bulk order in, we may be able to achieve a discount for those who are interested.  Please see flyer below for more info.

2024 Team Retreat

Building on the great success of the retreat in 2022 and 2023, we have booked a weekend at the Foxhill Retreat Centre in Cheshire for 24th to 26th May 2024. Cost will be £190 per person for the whole weekend, or  £45 for just the Saturday (including lunch).  Most rooms are en-suite rooms all have private bathrooms.  Please contact Malcolm Wearing to book a place on the retreat for 2024.

Brixi Singers Messiah at St Bart's

Following the Brixi Singers excellent concert for the Coronation earlier this year, they are returning to St Bartholomew’s church on Sunday 10th December at 7:30pm to perform Handel’s Messiah.  Please see notice below

Dates for the Diary

A heads up for future events for 2023, more details will follow, but please put these dates in the diary:

Sat 2nd December – Coach Trip to Harrogate Christmas Markets

January date TBC – Church Christmas meal (we are doing this in January not December, as everyone is so busy in December)

Childrens Society – Message from Graham Burrows

I am very pleased to report that we have been able to donate £275.84 following the Box Opening this August. Thank you to all who have supported this very worthy charity.

I have a number of spare boxes should anyone else wish to take one. Please contact me on 07811359569 if you do. The next Box Opening will be August 2024.

Also, a suggestion has been made that we invite someone with knowledge of the work that The Childrens’ Society do to take part in one of our Sunday morning services, possibly one of the “All Age Worship” services -  please keep your eyes open for this event!

Information about the work of The Children’s Society can be found on-line at : 

www.childrenssociety.org.uk

Messy Church

Messy church dates for the following year are set out below, please come along of you can, from 10.00 AM until 12.00 PM, with a light sandwich lunch at the end.

27th January 2024

16th March 2024

20 April 2024

29 June 2024

TALKIN' TABLES - Conquering Loneliness one Table at a Time!

A new group is opening.  It meets every Tuesday from 10 am to 11 am at Thyme for Tea, 96 Church Street, Westhoughton BL5 3RZ

Everyone is welcome and it's free.  For more information, please visit www.talkintables.co.uk

IGNITE YOUTH (The new name for Team Youth Church)

Young people from across the team in Year 6 and above are welcome to attend this event which is held monthly at St John's Church on a Saturday evening. Those children who are thinking about being Confirmed in the autumn this year are especially invited and strongly encouraged to come. (Ignite Youth meetings will form part of the preparation for Confirmation.)

If you would like to know more about IGNITE YOUTH or to book your place, please email parishteammusic@gmail.com

This Week's Pewsheet