Category: Activities

4Louis is a UK charity that works across the country to support anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of a baby or child. They also work to improve the care bereaved families receive from health care and other professionals.
To raise funds we will be holding a Christmas Fair at St John with St Mark’s Hall from 2.30pm – 4.30pm on Sunday 2nd December.

This is our October magazine which includes a farewell from Gill Barnett, who is moving to a new role in Rochdale…

“By entering this church it may be possible that you hear “the call of God”. 

However, it is less probable that He will call you on your mobile. 

Thank you for turning off your phones.     

If you want to talk to God, enter, choose a quiet place and talk to him.  

If you want to see him, send him a text while driving.”

During our Bury to Heaton Park walk we took in the River Roch, Unsworth Pole and Egypt Farm before getting to Heaton Park.

Whilst there we visited the monument to John Paul II who with the help of his ‘popemobile’ had taken mass there in 1982.

Join us in a celebration of our journey of faith on 30th September from 10.30 am at a joint service at Christ Church.

We’ll also be saying goodbye to Gill Barnett as she packs her bags and takes up her new post in Rochdale.

Malcolm is starting a new Latino and Latin dance class on a Thursday.

Give him a call on 01706 872129 to mark your card.

As the name of the group suggests the evening is open to all. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month. It starts at 7.30pm and normally lasts just over an hour with a brew and a chat at the end.

One of the sessions is a Craft Night, hence the photo above. But most evenings are listening to speakers, either visitors or people from our own congregation.

If you’ve not been before, go on, give it a try!

Creation Season runs from September 1st, the start of the Orthodox year, through to St Francis day on October 4th.

Churches and congregations are called to pay special attention to the responsibility of humanity for the Earth and for all that lives upon it.

Its start and end dates reflect that it is a shared idea between Western and Eastern Christianity.

We set off from St. John’s Church Hall at 9am and headed off through Clarence Park towards Freetown. Our walk took us past St. Thomas’ Church and Pimhole before we picked up the Roch Valley Greenway and along the banks of the River Roch for a short while before reaching Blackford Bridge.

Jesus took to the sea and to the hills when he needed time to rest, to reflect on his life’s journey. We all need to do that and if we are able to spend a little time in different surroundings it really does help our perspective on where we are at. It doesn’t have to be a fortnight sailing around the Mediterranean – a day or two on retreat at Formby can be just as rewarding.

Images from the very successful flower festival at St Stephen’s Church, Elton. The event was to celebrate 125 years since the installation of their church organ. St Stephen’s are currently looking after the Rev Paul Sanderson for us…

From John Pearcey at the Co-op: I am going to set up a monthly coffee morning for local community groups. Come along, have a brew and a chat while learning what is going on in the area. It’s also a chance to pick the brains of others who more experienced in community work.

Geoff Stokes began his journey to incarceration aged eight. A year later he joined Elmwood in Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. John Stratton, a Peaky Blinders-like figure, became a very big influence in Geoff’s life.  John is still at large in the South Staffordshire area, so be careful!

The first Saturday in May is now established as ‘Benefice Boundary Walk Day’. Or it has for us! Over the last couple of years we have also linked this Benefice Walk with the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ global prayer initiative.

A reminder that tomorrow, Saturday April 28th, we’ll be having an Afternoon Tea and Book Fair. This will be in the hall and Barritt Room from 2pm – 4pm. So tea and coffee, dainty cakes and sandwiches – and all the best china that we’ve been able to acquire!