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Littleborough Methodist Circuit
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From the Minister’s Study THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU AND ME“You are our epistle…known and read by all”… You
are manifestly an epistle of Christ… written by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:2–3) One of the most dreaded jobs of
a minister is taking funerals and having to ask the family how do you
remember your deceased? The response is either a long pause or spontaneous
eulogy. I dread to think that one day that question will be asked about me.
Every one would like to leave something behind that will live long after
them. People are most likely to leave behind three kinds of things: Souvenirs,
little markers to commemorate events, milestones or activities they have
engaged in or Trophies as records of their achievements or Legacies.
A legacy is different from a trophy or souvenir it lives on and continues to
make an impact. It is a gift to the next generation. One of the dictionary
definitions of legacy is inheritance. I wonder whether you have ever been
asked how you want to be remembered? Most people fumble for a moment and say
something like, “well, I do not know, I have tried to do my best. History
will have to answer that. I hope history will be kind to me”. John C. Maxwell
comments, “while it may be true that history judges the results of our
actions, we are responsible for our efforts. No one leaves a legacy by
accident, we cannot hope for the best. Every positive legacy ever created…
was planned and pursued with purpose”. A legacy is a dream that
changes not only your life but also the lives of all the people it touches.
A. W. Tozer once said “God is looking for people through whom He can do
the impossible-what a pity that we plan only things we can do ourselves”! What are
you doing today to leave your legacy tomorrow? The Month
of May is memorable to me. It was May 8, some 29 years ago when I started my
vocational training for the ordained ministry. It was in May when a year
later a young lady who later became my wife joined me in the same college.
This May we celebrate the tercentenary of John Wesley who left a legacy that
changed history. This May we also celebrate 10 years of coming together of
Methodists and Anglicans to form the LEP Wardle Village Church, a living
testament that Christians from different backgrounds can work together, and a
legacy to follow.
May 11–17 is Christian Aid week, focusing on ordinary people, doing ordinary
things, changing the lives of people around the world in response to the challenge
“how does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a
brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? (I John 3:17). The
driving force behind Christian Aid is in the question: What can we do to
change the world? The simplest answer, Campaign! Sometimes we may
ask what difference does it make? (see article on Christian Aid). According
to Luke 4:18, the Christian Gospel demands that we do all we can to challenge
injustice, inequality and bring liberation to others. Long
before the era of DNA testing and forensics, an inheritance case was decided
in Kingston, New York, on the evidence of the large and peculiarly shaped
noses of two of the claimants. It came out in the hearings that all the male
members of the family in question had very prominent noses of a peculiar
shape, and the judge finally decided, more upon the physical similarity of
their noses than anything else, that these two claimants were the nephews of
the man who had left the inheritance. People
will know us as Christians because we show forth the traits of Christ in our
daily lives. Our spiritual countenances should be so like Christ that those
who know us best will have no doubt that we are Christ’s heirs and are living
in his spirit. In a cemetery, a little white stone marked the grave of a dear
little girl. On the stone were chiselled these words: A child of whom her
playmates said, "It was easier to be good when she was with us."
Everyday, we are writing a gospel by the things we do and the values we
cherish. What is the gospel according to our lives? What legacy are we passing
on? Daniel Christian Aid week: May 11–17Christian Aid is a
movement of people working together to make a difference for the poor of the
world today. Every year during Christian Aid Week over 300,000 volunteers in
the UK and Ireland collect money to help the world's poorest communities. You
help Christian Aid, to bridge the gap by giving, acting, praying and
campaigning. Why campaign? World poverty is such a huge problem that
sometimes we are tempted to despair and think nothing can be done. Politicians
and business leaders in the rich world make many of the decisions that affect
poor countries and poor communities. We can all use our influence on these
people to make sure that the voices of the world’s poorest people are heard. What
difference does it make? The following are some of the results of campaign by individuals and
groups over the past few years: ·
More than £18.5 billion of poor countries’ debt has
been cancelled, leading to a 70% rise in spending on health care. ·
Sales of fairly traded products by supermarkets
have increased more than 15-fold. ·
Seven of the UK’s largest supermarkets have
committed themselves to working for better standards for producers in
developing countries. The campaign for trade justice was launched in 2001 and
action by individual campaigners has helped it grown in an exciting way: ·
In the UK, 54 organisations have joined Trade
Justice Movement ·
Supporter have sent 57,000 postcards to the DTI ·
More than 12,000 people turned up for last year’s
mass lobby of Parliament at Westminster, lobbying over half the MPs ·
More than 36,000 Trade Justice badges have been
worn and the badge often appears on TV And that is just the beginning.
Through Christian Aid, ordinary people have shown Politicians that in no
uncertain manner people want to see change. What can we do next? ·
Wear the Trade Justice badge. Sell them at your
church ·
Become a Christian Aid campaigner, 23 June sees
the trade campaign launch a summer action with series of events Visit the Christian Aid website, http://www.christianaid. org.uk. Christian Aid is a movement of
people working together to make a difference for the poor of the world today.
Every year during Christian Aid Week over 300,000
volunteers in the UK and Ireland collect money to help the world's poorest
communities. You help Christian Aid, to bridge the gap by giving, acting,
praying and campaigning. Why campaign? World poverty is such a huge problem
that sometimes we are tempted to despair and think nothing can be done.
Politicians and business leaders in the rich world make many of the decisions
that affect poor countries and poor communities. We can all use our influence
on these people to make sure that the voices of the world’s poorest people
are heard. What difference does it make? The following are some of the
results of campaign by individuals and
groups over the past few years: ·
More than £18.5 billion of poor countries’ debt has
been cancelled, leading to a 70% rise in spending on health care. ·
Sales of fairly traded products by supermarkets
have increased more than 15-fold. ·
Seven of the UK’s largest supermarkets have
committed themselves to working for better standards for producers in developing
countries. The campaign for trade justice was launched in 2001 and action by
individual campaigners has helped it grown in an exciting way: ·
In the UK, 54 organisations have joined Trade
Justice Movement ·
Supporter have sent 57,000 postcards to the DTI ·
More than 12,000 people turned up for last year’s
mass lobby of Parliament at Westminster, lobbying over half the MPs ·
More than 36,000 Trade Justice badges have been
worn and the badge often appears on TV And that is just the beginning.
Through Christian Aid, ordinary people have shown Politicians that in
no uncertain manner people want to see change. What can we do next? Christian Aid is a
movement of people working together to make a difference for the poor of the
world today. Every year during Christian Aid Week over 300,000
volunteers in the UK and Ireland collect money to help the world's poorest
communities. You help Christian Aid, to bridge the gap by giving,
acting, praying and campaigning. Why campaign? World poverty is such a huge
problem that sometimes we are tempted to despair and think nothing can be
done. Politicians and business leaders in the rich world make many of the
decisions that affect poor countries and poor communities. We can all use our
influence on these people to make sure that the voices of the world’s poorest
people are heard. What difference does it make? The following are some
of the results of campaign by individuals and
groups over the past few years: ·
More than £18.5 billion of poor countries’ debt has
been cancelled, leading to a 70% rise in spending on health care. ·
Sales of fairly traded products by supermarkets
have increased more than 15-fold. ·
Seven of the UK’s largest supermarkets have
committed themselves to working for better standards for producers in developing
countries. The campaign for trade justice was launched in 2001 and action by
individual campaigners has helped it grown in an exciting way: ·
In the UK, 54 organisations have joined Trade
Justice Movement ·
Supporter have sent 57,000 postcards to the DTI ·
More than 12,000 people turned up for last year’s
mass lobby of Parliament at Westminster, lobbying over half the MPs ·
More than 36,000 Trade Justice badges have been
worn and the badge often appears on TV And that is just the beginning.
Through Christian Aid, ordinary people have shown Politicians that in no
uncertain manner people want to see change. What can we do next? The Cathedral of PeaceLike a cathedral, Peace has to
be constructed, Patiently and with unshakable
faith. Whenever the strong exploit the
weak; wherever the rich Take advantage of the poor;
wherever the great powers Seek to dominate and impose
ideologies, There the work of making peace
is undone There the cathedral of peace is
again destroyed Today, the scale and horror of modern
warfare – whether Nuclear, or not—makes it totally
unacceptable as a means of Settling differences between
nations. War should belong to the Tragic past, to history, it
should find no place on humanity’s agenda for the future The cathedral of peace is build
of many small stones. Each person has to become a
stone in that beautiful edifice. All people must deliberately and
resolutely commit themselves to The pursuit of
peace. Mistrust and division between
nations begin in the heart of the individuals. Work for peace starts when we
listen to the urgent call of Christ: Repent and believe in the
Gospel’ We must turn from Domination to service; we must
turn from violence to peace; We are living stones in the
cathedral of peace. Indeed we are called by God to
be instruments of his peace Author Unknown Jesus’ own words:- “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; Not as the world give do I give
to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
Nor let them be afraid.” John 14:27 What I asked God!I asked God to take away my bad
habit God said “No, it is not for me
to take it away, but for you to give it up” I asked God to make my
handicapped child whole God said, “No, his spirit is
whole, his body is only temporary” I asked God to grant me patience God said, “No, patience is a by
product of tribulations, it isn’t granted, it is learned” I asked God to give me happiness God said, “No, I give you
blessings; happiness is up to you” I asked God to spare me pain God said, “No, suffering draws
you apart from worldly cares and brings you close to me” I asked God to make my spirit
grow God said, “No, you must grow on
your own!!, but I will prune you to make you fruitful” I asked God for all the things
so that I might enjoy life God said, “No, I will give you
life so that you may enjoy all things” I asked God to hep me to love
others as much as He loves me God said, “Ahhh, finally you
might have the right idea” Beloved let us love one another; for love Is
of God … 1Jh 4:7 Folk
News & News Round
Dearnley
Congratulations to Nan
Hoyle for the birth of her great-grand child Eve. Let us continue to
pray for her health and for the whole family. Let us also rejoice together
with Bill for the birth of his grand child, Phoebe congratulations
Bill, and be assured of our prayers for Phoebe We send our love and many
congratulations to Mrs Mary Jackson who will
be 90 years of age on 12th May. Three years ago, Mary went to live next to
her daughter in Macclesfield, but she is always interested to hear about the
church family and receives Salt & Light magazine each month. We
were all pleased to see her a few Sundays ago. We shall be thinking about you
on your special day Mary. Happy Birthday Mary! Smallbridge“New Cross” at Smallbridge: A plain
wooden cross has been erected on the front wall of the church, and looks very
good and all are pleased with it The
Junior club which meets on Thursdays is growing steadily with an
average of 20 coming, we do need more younger people to help run this club.
We extend our thanks to Paul, for the help he has given to our club we shall
miss him greatly. Back
from Spain: Peter & Enid are back and we extend our warm welcome,
we are so pleased that you can join us again Prayer
requests: Do join us praying for Hilda, Gladys, Joe and Marjory that
the Lord’s healing hand will be upon them. Smithy BridgePioneering service at Smithy
Bridge: New people, new talents, new venture. With the arrival
of the Cryer family, it was possible to utilize Susan’s talent as a gifted
signer for the deaf. The first service went well with our new deaf attendees.
More planned for the future. Explorations and consultations on worship are ongoing
since last Church Council. We are seeking to improve the quality and
rightness of our Morning worship. Consultations have now been held, and
reports will be given at the next ACM & Church Council on 21st May.
Please do pray for us all that unity and harmony are maintained as we seek to
glorify God in our worship. The Church is exhorted to pray for revival and
soul winning as was in the first Methodist Revival. Easter People 2003
Easter People 2003, a Time of
Renewal. 12 people “a prophetic number perhaps?” ten grown
ups and two children represented our circuit at the Easter People Site at Llandudno,
a time of renewal and refreshing. The two other sites were: Scarborough and
Torquay, the three events attended by over 10,000 people!. The
director of Easter People, Dr. Rob Frost told us this year 400 more people
attended. Each of our people has a story
to tell as those who worshipped at Smithy Bridge on Sunday 27th April heard
Elaine Harrison testify, plus the theological “diatribe” between herself and
Laura her daughter, whether we should say “Christ is Risen”, or “Christ
has Risen”. We all had a little family hotel the 12 of us and had morning
prayer meetings before breakfast and had our evening meals together. The Theme this year was Essence,
focusing on Spirituality. Dr. Wilkinson took the morning Bible Studies
based on 2 Corinthians with other world renown speakers: Rev. Steve
Chalke, Mark Greene of LICC, Kate Simmonds, including Rob Frost himself at
the Llandudno site Network Meeting…The Women's Network of the
Methodist Church aims to encourage, enable and equip
women to participate fully in the life of the Church and in society Circuit Network meeting will be
held on 28th May at Green Hill, and this year’s speaker is Mrs Rachael
Flintoff. Rachael is lovely Chinese lady
married to Lindsey (from Bolton). The couple are on furlough from Thailand
where they live with their two children serving as missionaries with the
Worldwide Evangelism Crusade (WEC) She will give a talk on God’s work in Thailand. Come and hear what God is doing in Thailand. “The Bridge Charity Shop”
Continues to serve the
community. There is a growing line of witness to the community, many openings
for the Spirit’s gift of healing, and valued Christian fellowship. If you have an hour or two, help
is always welcomed, please contact Lynne Priestly, Tel. 373477 A lot of kneeling
will keep you in good standing “He who kneels
before God can stand before anyone” “Faith doesn't get you around trouble, it gets you through
it”. “I know God won’t
give me anything I can’t handle. I just Wish he didn’t trust me so much”— mother Teresa Circuit Events This Month1st May
Easter Offering at Smallbridge, beginning at
7:30 pm speaker, Mrs Dorothy Mills. 8th May
Circuit Bible Study at Dearnley, beginning at 8:00 pm. 15th
May Local Preacher’s Trial Service at Dearnley, Margaret Mwailu,
beginning at 7:30 pm 18th
May LEP Celebrations by Littleborough Churches Together at Wardle 6:15
pm, the service will be led by Andrew Howell and Daniel Mwailu. 25th
May Zero3 Celebrations at Victoria Bolton Hall, at 6:30 pm. 28th
May Network Meeting at Green Hill beginning at 7:30 pm 29th
May Ascension Day at St Barnabas beginning at 7:30 pm. Other Events in Littleborough
8th
May, The Ministry of Prayer for Festival Manchester 2003, in
Rooftops at Champness Hall, beginning 7:30 pm 12th & 14th May, The Kiev
Singers Group, from Ukraine Performing Gospel Songs, Ukraine Songs and
Bandurine At Dearnley Chapel, at 7:30 pm Entrance is free but a free will
collection will be taken for the Chernobyl Fund. What’s
happening round the churches:
DearnleySusan Booth will
lead the Sunday School Anniversary Service on 18th May The
Rock Solid Youth club (ages
11–14) Friday evenings at 7:30–9:00 pm Contact Betty Bellenger, on 376999 Children’s
Craft Club (ages 8–11) Monday afternoons at 3:45–5:15 Contact Betty
Bellenger, on 376999 or Joanne Frost on, 377736 Fellowship
Meetings Monday at 7:30 pm: Fellowship
meeting at 1 Mount Avenue, contact, Rev Jack Leach, on 838707 Monday at 1:30 pm: Monthly
Fellowship Meeting in the School- room, studying the Epistles of Paul to
Timothy. Contact Margaret Mwailu, on 373095 Thursday at 7:30: Weekly
Fellowship Meeting, at different venues, contact Paul Monk, on. 374614 Greenhill
Children’s
Craft Club, (ages 8–11) Sunday Afternoons. Further details, contact,
Colin Wass on 376894 Fellowship
Group Wednesday at 7:30 Weekly
Fellowship at Green Hill Chapel, contact Sylvia Wild on 378169 Anniversary
Services, Sunday 11th May at 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. There will be
Faith lunch. The preacher will be Margaret Mwailu Smallbridge
Chilren’s
Craft Club (ages 8–11) Thursday afternoons at
3:45–5:15. Further information and details, contact Charles Turner on
647711 or Paul Monk on 374614 Tuesday afternoon, (fortnightly)
Fellowship at Small bridge Chapel, contact Charles Turner on 647711 Smithy Bridge
Alan Reeve will
lead the Sunday School anniversary service on 18th May Monday 7:30 pm Fellowship
and Bible Study, “Every Step Counts” at 4 Cleggswood Avenue, contact Glenys
Moorfoot, Tel 370659 Tuesday 10:30 am Bible
Study, “Teachings on the Holy Spirit”, led by D Wilkinson, at 20 Leighton Ave.
(fortnightly) Alternates with “Seeker’s informal fellowship, same time, same
place 7:45–9:00 pm, “Worship Fellowship” meets fortnightly, contact Elaine
Harrison, on 375988 Wednesday 2:30, “Bright
Hour” meets every fortnight led on alternate week by the Superintendent
Minister, contact Joyce Hill on, 37869All are welcome! Wednesday 7:45–9:00 pm, Fortnightly,
“Burning Questions at 4 Rose Ave, contact Norma Stokes, on 377400 Wednesday (alternate week) A new
fellowship group, contact Lynne Priestly for more details Thursday 10:00–11:30 am, Fellowship
and prayer at 23 Henderville St, contact Carol Garnham, on 377390 & 8:00–9:30 pm “Christians Today”
a look at some of the issues facing Christians Today, plus a chat over tea or
coffee, 47 Whitegate, contact Hazel Harrison, on 374284 Thursday Evening:- Youth Event contact Kathryn Walton, on Tel 670170 Fortnightly,
“Meeting with God”, at Michael and Lynne’s, and the monthly “Fellows’
Fellowship” are off to a good start on first Friday
of the month, contact Ian Brazendale on 379857 Annual
Church Council will be held on 21st May at 8:00 pm WARDLE Wednesday 2:30 pm: Ladies
Bright Hour (fortnightly) Contact Marjorie Broadbent on 379247 First Wednesday of each month at
8:00 pm: Fellowship at the Hollies, East St, Wardle, contact Rev
Andrew Howell on 713529 Sunday
18 May, at 10:45 Celebration of the 10th
anniversary of the foundation of Wardle Local Ecumenical Project. This
service will be led jointly by the Chairman of the District, and the Bishop.
There will be also a Littleborough Churches Together service at 6:15 pm at
Wardle Village Church, led by Andrew Howell & Daniel Mwailu Please Note: Our Circuit Motto: “Dream your
dreams and let us achieve them together”: If you cannot make it
to fellowship at your own church, there may be one for you at another church.
Let us support each other and grow together Advance Notices
June
8th, Pentecost March, at 1:00 pm from St Andrews or 1:30 pm at St Mary’s.
Service in Littleborough Square at 2:00 pm June
14th:- Zero3 Celebrations at the Bolton Victoria Hall. The
District is holding 300th Celebration of John Wesley at the Bolton Victoria
Hall. Throughout the day there will be variety of workshops of the
following-:
June
15–18 : An International Conference on John Wesley: Life, Legend & Legacy: at
Manchester University. This interdisciplinary conference will mark John Wesley's
birth in 1703 and it aims to bring together historians, theologians, art
historians, literature specialists and all others interested in any aspect of
Wesley's life and legacy. Papers will address the
following broad themes: Wesley the Man; Wesley in Context; Wesley and
Theology; The Wesleyan Legacy. There will be also an exhibition of
visual, archival and printed artefacts at the John Rylands Library. 26th
June, Circuit Meeting at Smallbridge, beginning 7:30 pm 7th
July, Local Preachers’ Meeting at the Manse, beginning 7:30 pm 10th July, Dave
Billborough in Concert at Dearnley sponsored by United Christian
Broadcast. All welcome, entry free, offering taken to support various
charities. |
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