September 2003
Littleborough Methodist Circuit “The Lit-borough” Come and grow with us	From the Minister’s Study The wind of change: time to move on Deut 1:6 “ The Lord God said… you have stayed long enough at this mountain move on… There comes a time in the life of every organisation when change becomes the only means of survival. I was looking into past Circuit minutes and found that we have gone full circle back to where we were ten years ago: down to one minister and our future existence as a circuit threatened. The fact that we have the resources and the potential to grow back to a two-station minister has never been in doubt in my mind since I arrived in this circuit three years ago. In order to achieve this, however, we must be prepared to change and move on from our individual chapel culture mentality perhaps into Christian Mission Mode. In earlier articles in Salt and Light I emphasized how Unity is Strength. A paradigm shift is needed to make Christ the Centre and the focus of our Joint activities and outlook instead of the “feel good factor” focused in our individual chapels. I have been very encouraged over the last few months to observe increased cooperation in our chapels but more is needed. Deuteronomy 1:6 seem to apply to us today, in that this text is a call for a balance between Mission and Maintenance. If we neglect maintenance we plunge into instability due to uncertainty, but we stagnate if we dwell too long on maintenance and loose vision of our mission. If our pre occupation is to maintain church structures we get into “Child minding mentality” rather than mentoring Christian maturity and discipleship. For instance we need to maintain visitation ministry in order to deliver Christian care and concern for “people do not care what we know until they know we care”. But visitation is a means to an end, build bridges to deliver Christian gospel of love. In the last few months we have achieved a lot that we can be proud of, but we need to move on in this new Methodist fiscal year 2003/4. It appears it will be a challenging year characterised by some wind of change. This change or changes need to be focused on mission and centrality of Christ, and Christian love in our circuit. I am very excited and welcome the change and look forward with enthusiasm to what the Lord is going to do for “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose…” Rom 8:28. Let us be positive about what God has for us in this new fiscal year and be prepared to make whatever changes are necessary and move on in our Christian pilgrimage. Daniel. Junior Mission for All (J.M.A) JMA is part of the Methodist Church for World Mission. It is a way by which children and adults can become contributors to the Mission Outreach of the Methodist Church. Typically children have a collecting book and ask adults within their church to be subscribers on a weekly or monthly basis. As we know some of our churches do not have many children attending. However, it is still possible for these churches to give money either through collections or by using a collection box. Greenhill Church has active subscribers and collectors who are not children. The children receive a badge and a certificate at the end of each year at a special presentation and also receive a magazine “Rainbow” three times a year. The money that is collected is paid directly into Methodist Church Fund for World Mission on a regular basis so that the money can be used throughout the year. 20% of the money is spent on Mission in Britain and the rest goes to our Partner Churches overseas. How are we doing as a circuit? Dearnley and Smithy Bridge are the only churches with children collecting, although as mentioned previously Greenhill has adult collectors. There is a shield for the church which collects the most money. In 2001 the recipient of the shield was Greenhill In 2002 it was Smithy Bridge In 2003 Who Knows! As the circuit treasurer for missions, I can tell you it is very close and all will be revealed in September. Last year our total contributions from the circuit was £922, This almost doubled the £418 collected the previous year. Our best year was 1992 when we collected £1,933. Wouldn’t it be good to match this again? If any church member wants to become an adult collector/subscriber please give me a ring, on 377313. God bless you. Win Rawstron National Children’s Homes (NCH) Some of you will recall that 13 July was NCH Sunday throughout the connexion to support the work of NCH. In our circuit the sum of £69:25 was raised through the church envelope collection. It was a pity that only two churches participated this year, (Wardle and Dearnley), and for that we say a big thank you. Also, we are grateful for the generous gift that Smithy Bridge give every year in support of this work. NCH is a Methodist charity which does valuable work for children and families. For example in Rochdale, NCH have a teenager mother and a baby unit on Manchester Road. In this unit, the young mums are given bed-sits until permanent accommodation is found. They are also given child-care and parenting classes. Some of these girls are only 16 and often from very difficult family backgrounds. NCH helps the children who need it most—the vulnerable and works in partnership with young people and their families to ensure that they have every opportunity to reach their full potential. I urge you to pray and support the work NCH, and if you are able to help in anyway, I always have available home-collecting boxes, or at the very least support the annual envelope scheme. Many thanks for your continued support and prayers. Hazel Harrison, Circuit NCH Co-ordinator Methodist International Homes, (MIH) News Update Circuit (MIH) Representative: Many thanks to Betty Bellenger who was our MIH representative over the past years, and welcome to Jane Schofield who takes over from Betty. Many thanks for your continued support and would ask you also to pray for Margaret Mwailu who is the District Representative. Prison Fellowship, Rochdale In 1974, Charles Colson, Special Counsel to President of USA President Richard Nixon, went from presidential circles to a seven-month prison sentence” following indictments for his part in the Watergate and Ellsberg conspiracies– to the latter he pleaded guilty, following his conversion to Christ. On his release, Colson founded PRISON FELLOWSHIP to support the sort of offender he now knew more about from personal experience. Prison Fellowship is now an ecumenical prison-outreach movement of Christians committed to breaking the cycle of crime through personal involvement with prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families in 98 countries. On the first day of July 2003, England and Wales had reported 73,627 people in prison, a 71% rise in twelve years. In a typical twelve months: Prison Fellowship will have contacts with 30,000 prisoners, 1,000 families will receive help, and 1,300 children will open a Christmas Present sent, on behalf of a parent in prison, within the ANGEL TREE scheme. For about a decade, or more, Rochdale has had a branch of Prison Fellowship. It is my privilege to ask for your prayer support for myself as Group Leader, for the members, and for the people we serve and support. We are a Prayer Fellowship—a second meaning of the initials PF. We are a voluntary organisation working under the authority of the Chaplaincies, and seeking to support their work through prayer and in practical ways. Locally we pray especially for Manchester and Forest Bank (men) and Buckley Hall (women). To learn more about PF, to join our prayer group, or train as a helper “inside”, please phone 01706 377 333 Douglas B Wilkinson “Bending down to lift up another is good exercise for the heart” Methodist Home for the Aged (MHA) Silver Jubilee Taking on the position of Circuit Representative, I have become more involved with the work of this organisation and I am full of admiration for the love and care given to the aged and in particular to the sufferers of Alzheimer's disease. At the moment, the nearest home is in Bury and it is my dearest wish that another home will be opened in the Littleborough area. To this end I have contacted the relevant departments in MHA who have spoken to the Local authority and there is keenness on both sides to pursue the matter, I thank God that at least conversations are taking place. Projects of this nature have to be funded and in this Jubilee year, I urge the members of this Circuit to give extra support to any events that take place. In every church there is a collecting box and every penny put in there matters. On 1st November there will be a coffee morning and bring and buy sale at Dearnley and I invite you to join us. MHA Sunday is on 2nd November this year, and we will have a circuit united service in the evening with a speaker from MHA and all the offering from that service will be donated to MHA. I would appreciate your prayers that my dream becomes a reality Sheila Hawkwood Book Review The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun, with Paul Hattaway. Designated, “The Christian Booksellers Convention, Book of the year 2003. Do not read this 348 page book, priced £8:00, if you are squeamish! Yun lived in a remote part of China, and became a Christian a the age of 16, in 1974. Like many other Believers, his ministry as a preacher was part of a huge spiritual awakening in China. He suffered three imprisonments and horrendous torture. These experiences and the miracles which accompanied them, read like an expanded new edition of The Book of Acts. His incisive comments on persecution, and his assessment of the Church in the West, when he and his young family had to flee China, may form a series of quotations in future editions of “Salt & Light” Rock Solid Youth Club Dearnley Rock solid youth club enters its third year after the summer break. Rock Solid is specifically aimed at the 11–14 age group. Working with children is enormously uplifting and rewarding but it can involve a tremendous amount of hard work, particularly if youth leaders/helpers are scarce on the ground. Youth Clubs in very troubled and deprived areas are run on the basis of 1 helper to 1 child. Discipline can easily be stretched if resources are limited, allowing children to run amuck. We have struggled for helpers/leaders for a long time now, and I feel a new surge of helpers is required with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Young people listen to their contemporaries far more intently than older people. I look back with joy at many of the good times we have experienced and some of the opportunities that our young people have been offered to take up the calling of Christ. We have different activities, and recently we have been arranging trips to the Apollo theatre to watch and listen to ‘Planet Life’ a venue where Christian music groups perform specifically for young people. The main feeling that predominates amongst young people is Fear. Fear of rejection and ridicule, Fear of violence and bullying, Fear of Life with no meaning or continuance. Fear of boredom, Fear of not looking right, Fear of not being attractive to the opposite sex, Fear of not being able to communicate Fear of not being accepted for what I am, Fear of being a failure. For young people the most inhibiting and destructive influence is FEAR. It mars their development and stops stone dead, their creativity. God has given us riches in Jesus Christ and trusting him eradicates fear. This must be the ongoing message to our youth! Thanks Betty, Paul, Pearl, Glen, Rob, John and Hannah for helping and giving your time and, we look forward to your continued help for The Rock Solid Youth Club. Graham Dawson Folk News from around the Circuit Dearnley:- Continued Prayers for Molly Leach for her speed recovery, from a broken shoulder bone. We think of you Jack as you continue to nurse Molly, on top of your preaching engagements Our thoughts and prayers are with Terry and Lynne Rich. Terry’s mother has been unwell for sometime. May we continue to pray for Terry and Lynne as they make those journeys to the Midlands. Congratulations: Amy and Stephen for the birth of Harvey Christopher, Mandy you must be proud of your brother. Children’s Craft Club: Some of you will recall the numbers that turned up last year September when Mr Young (Australian Evangelist) came to Dearnley. Out of this a steady number continued to attend each Monday afternoon. We thank Betty Bellenger and all the helpers who have continued to support the children’s craft. Greenhill Milestone: Joan Holt, our special organist turned 80 years on the 30th July. Joan went off for celebrations with her family for two weeks. We rejoice with you and thank you for your continued ministry in playing the organ even at this age. May God continue to richly bless you as you wait for the telegram from her Majesty the Queen The Sunday afternoon Children’s Craft Do continue to pray for Colin and Sylvia who have given their time to the Children craft every Sunday afternoon. The group broke up for summer holidays. Your prayers are much needed now as they consider if they should continue meeting on a Sunday afternoon, or meet on another day of the week. Helpers are always needed, please if you can help in anyway, contact either Colin or Sylvia. Smallbridge With help, we manage to maintain two services each Sunday. The worship is meaningful and sincere. We are greatly blessed by God. The Wednesday Fellowship continues to be a great blessing, enhanced by family atmosphere experienced by all who attend. We held the Thursday Club for Juniors until the start of the school holidays and hope to start again in September. A full-time leader is very much needed and we are praying that one will join us. The children joined in activities with enthusiasm and their singing of the choruses was delightful. We are looking forward to worship and work in the new year. by Irene Taylor Smithy Bridge:- Martin Priestly recently returned from Japan and writes:- “Thank you for all your prayers and support through my mission to Japan. I spent 5 weeks in Sendai north Japan with the Asian missionary organisation OMF. Our main ministry was to students – we taught conversational English on a one-to-one basis, we ran an English café where they could practise English whilst playing games and having fun, and we also worked with other OMF missionaries in the Sendai area. The spiritual state of Japan is so incredibly poor, yet it is often neglected as a missionary field, because it gives the impression of being westernised and prosperous. Details what I did out there can be found online at www.omf.org.uk/sumo2003 to encourage your prayers for Japan. The main thing that struck me about the Japanese culture is a distinct gender divide; Men have far more pressure upon them to succeed in a constant rat-race that begins with an intense exam schedule. Whilst the girls face the same exams, it is the boys who are expected to support the family, and so focus all their energies on their career. Only 0.01% of students in Japan are Christians, and it is said that it is very rare for males who don’t become Christians in their student days to think about it until after they retire. Women are much freer, with many still full-time homemakers, and able to explore more freely what they believe and feel. Whereas the husbands are unreachable, leaving for work at dawn and returning very late, probably after the customary drinks with colleagues, the wives are in a much more accessible social circle, which is why much of the ministry in Japan is targeted towards students or housewives. The only working men that come to Jesus tend to do so through their wives, although in many circumstances even that form of evangelism is not easy. Marriage seems to have a very different purpose in Japan, and I met couples who barely talk to one another. The roaring sex trade in Japan, which is flaunted blatantly at night but never mentioned is testament to the state of many marriages, and the general spiritual health of the country. Overall it is very depressing, but then I look back at my time there, and see young people who were willing to think. I see people who have probably been offered to evil spirits as children, and brought up giving offerings to their many gods trying to come to grips with the idea of one loving God, and God is moving in some of their hearts. But they need more prayer, as there is subtle persecution from family and friends for those who become Christians. Please pray for freedom from materialism, mysticism and lust. Pray that God would open up their hearts to Him. Please also pray for the Japanese church, that she would be equipped and encouraged to evangelise, and that they would persevere through many trials and challenges. Martin Priestley Blessings & Greetings from India It was a great privilege to welcome Pastor John Prasad Vallori B.Th. (BD) into my home on the first week of August. Next month I will give a more detailed news of Pastor John and India. Look out for it. Graham Dawson Wardle On Saturday 9th August, Edward Rigg led Oldham Community Choir in aid of the church building fund. Do continue to pray for the LEP project in Wardle that the Lord will provide for all that is needed to complete the project. Watch out for any events in aid of the LEP Project and support them. Notice Board 5^th September Special Service to welcome Rev Otto Ntshanyana from South Africa at Tottington at 7:30 pm 15^th September, Dearnley Pastoral Meeting at 16 Laburnum Way, @7:30 pm 18^th September, Greenhill Pastoral Meeting at 7:30 pm 27^th September, Smithy Bridge Church Social to celebrate Church centenary @ Rowing Club. Contact Pam Brazendale for more details 29^th September, Circuit Meeting at Smithy Bridge at 7:30 pm Advance Notices Dates for your diary 1^st October, Wardle Church Council 2^nd October, “Children and Spirituality”:- Kathryn Copsey, a leading Children’s worker, will be visiting the North Lancashire and Bolton & Rochdale District. Kathryn has written a number of books including “Become like a Child” and “Here’s One I made Earlier”. Currently she is project leader for CURBS (Children in Urban Situations). More details later in church notices. 6^th October, Local Preachers’ Meeting, at 5 Green Bank Drive @7:30 pm 8^th October, Green Hill Church Council@ 7:30 pm 10^th October 2003, Recognition service for Margaret Mwailu at Dearnley Chapel, starting 7:30 pm, the speaker will be Rev Dr Stuart Burgess, Chairman of York and Hull District, also, former President of the Conference, 1999/2000 15^th October Dearnley Church Council @7:30 pm 29^thOctober, Smithy Bridge Church Council @7:30 pm 30^th October, Smallbridge Church Council @ 7:30 pm
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