Welcome
- Latest updates
- The weekly notices are once again online.
Letter from the district chair
Phil Gough writes:
May I take this opportunity to say a big ‘thank you’ for all the goodwill expressed to myself and Maria, Jemma and Jonny as we moved and have settled into our new house in Ashton. It was so good to see so many from across the District at our Welcome Service, wonderfully hosted by West Pennine Moors Circuit, at Wesley Hall in Blackburn.
It was so good to visit five of our Circuits for Welcome Services at the end of August and early September. Congratulations to the new Blackpool and South Fylde Circuit on their inaugural service as we welcomed Rev’d Andy Halstead and Lay Worker Mandy Laird-Hall – I thoroughly enjoyed the two-stage service, beginning in South Fylde and then journeying by coach into Blackpool (singing all the way). It was good also to welcome Rev’d Gordon Gresswell as Superintendent in Chorley and Leyland, Rev’d Tony Graff, to the ministry team in Burnley and Pendle, Rev’d Matt Smith as our probationer minister in the West Pennine Moors Circuit and Rev’d Mark Jason to the Superintendency of our Great Harwood Circuit. Welcome to each of them, and to those family members who have moved with them. We do look forward to working with each of them, within the District.
At September’s Synod, at Christ Church, Nelson, we had a focus on our ‘Transforming Lives and Communities’ District mission / vision statement, and in particular ‘ENRICHING COMMUNITIES’. We reflected upon how we needed to know where we each go, and how we each experience the ‘enrichment’ God promises us, in order that we may be fully resourced by God to reach out and minister in our communities. With the huge need in many of our communities during this autumn and winter, it is vital that we access all the spiritual resources available to us. We had an excellent presentation and workshop on Eco-Church (thanks to Gillian Womersley and Hope Wild), challenging each Circuit to raise up at least one new Eco-Church this year, and to encourage us all to meet the Methodist Church’s commitment to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030, and as soon as possible.
District Prayer via Zoom
For a trial period (November and December) we’re opening up a midweek opportunity for people across the District to gather, on Zoom, for a time of shared prayer. We’re offering this on Wednesday mornings, from 0800 for up to a half hour (but for as long or short a time as you can manage within that).
Please join me, and others from across the Circuit, as and when you can on Wednesdays from 9th November to 28th December.
Greenbelt 2023
24th–27th August 2023
Tickets for Greenbelt 2023 are now on sale. For our 50th anniversary we’re trying something different, with three adult ticket prices. You choose the one you can afford.
Let’s face it. Times are tough. Festivals aren’t cheap— to make or to come to. That doesn’t mean we can’t still try to be creative, kind and radical though. That’s why we’re scrapping our usual, tiered ticket deadlines and replacing them with three simple price-points for adult tickets: Supported, Standard and Supporter. You’ll be able to spread the cost across the year, and of course there are Concession and Under-18 tickets too. And you’re completely free to decide which option best suits you.
For further details visit the Greenbelt ticketing page
November updates
//The November prayer diary and the September edition of Sphere are now both available online.
Offerings
The church now has access to a card reader and this should be available most Sundays. There’s no need to scramble around the house looking for your offering, just bring a card and make a contactless donation for the amount of your choice. This is not available for those who are part of the envelope scheme.
Bamber Bridge Bookworms
Would you like to widen the genres of books you read? Would you like to chat with friends over a cuppa? If so, join us on the second Tuesday of each month from 1030–1200 at church.
For more information, speak to Pat, Wendy or Sandra or ring t: 01254 851477.
Welcome
Our church is an inclusive and friendly community, with people of different ages and backgrounds. We enjoy a variety of worship styles embracing modern and traditional, formal and informal. Alongside this, the church is home to a large range of events run by both the church and our community partners. You will find details here of all our activities and services, and information about who to contact. Make a date to come— we hope to see you soon!