Simply the fest – beer cheer set for comeback
THE German beer festival Oktoberfest is returning to Rochdale after being cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
Starting on Friday, September 17, the twonight festival dedicated to beer will be held at The Champness Hall.
The hall will be decorated in the traditional Bavarian style to bring an authentic German flavour to Rochdale.
As well as German beer there will also be the award winning Jager Maestros Oompah band providing live music while traditional Bratwursts will be supplied by the Lancashire Catering Co-operative and pretzels from a Boltonbased German bakery.
A spokesperson for the event said: “The traditionally- dressed room with blue and white colours will characterise the room, long tables will bring that authentic Oktoberfest vibe and most importantly plenty of steins full of beer to glug throughout the evening.
“We have the award winning Jager Maestros Oompah band who will entertain you for the evening with traditional oompah music but with a modern twist, as well as a host of party drinking games.
“We guarantee you won’t be sitting for long before you feel the urge to get up and start singing and swaying the night away!”
Last year’s festival had to be cancelled due to Covid but tickets for this year’s event are available at www.whatsoccurrinrochdale. co. uk/ tickets.
The spokesperson added: “Another must for any Oktoberfest is the wearing of traditional Lederhosen and Dirndls and of course we’ll be encouraging you all to dress to impress!
“Our staff will certainly look the part and it goes without saying they’ll be rewards for the best dressed on the night so be sure to hit the fancy dress shops over the next couple of weeks whilst you still have time.
“It’s about bringing the community together for an evening of live music and laughter at one of the best hidden venues Rochdale has to offer.”
MOORHOUSE METHODISTS
ON Sunday, September 12, our morning service commences at 10.30am and will be led by Mr David Harding.
From now on, the ministers’ Vlogs on Wednesdays will not be broadcast, but the Sunday services will continue on Youtube at 10.30am.
Also, please be aware that ‘Crafternoon’ will recommence on Monday, September 20, at 1.30pm.
If you are still unsure about the government’s and Methodists’ more recent guidelines and need more information, then you can telephone 01706 644 134.
For additional information our Facebook page is still online.
TRINITY METHODISTS
“THE Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie in pastures green; He leads me the quiet waters by.
Our Sunday morning service at 10.30am this week will be led by Dean Sheriff who, as always, is very welcome.
Aware that the virus is still active in our town, minimum restrictions remain in place.
LITTLEBOROUGH UTD REFORMED
ANY worshippers who would like to come along to church on Sunday, September 12 and join in with the friendly congregation, the service will be led by the Rev Richard Bradley from Bamford United Reform church.
There will be tea/ coffee/biscuits after the service.
We also have Wednesday afternoon chair yoga at 12.30pm and on Thursday we have Tai Chi at 12.30pm.
If anyone wants to hire the schoolroom please contact Mr Eric Turner on 01706 377 017 for further information.
So come and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.
HEBRON PENTECOSTAL
THOUGHT for the week.
You are special because you are made in the image of God.
Nothing else on the earth, not trees or plants, fish or animals, was made in God’s image, only man!
God has free will and He has given us free will.
We get to make choices about what we will do with our lives.
Since you are created in the image of God, nothing can ever truly satisfy you but God.
Serve Him with your whole heart and remember that God carefully created you with His own hand in your mother’s womb (see Psalm 139:13), and you are special!
As you go about your day today, please remember this: you aren’t weird simply because you aren’t like other people! You are unique! And everything that is unique has great value!
So, God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 What’s on this week: Sunday, 11am is the Main Service at Hebron, with Sunday school during the service.
Friday, 7pm-8pm is Youth Group at Hebron.
For more information on our events or if you want to know more about Hebron, please visit our website at www.hebron pentecostalchurch.co.uk or email info@ hebronrochdale.co.uk
Love and serve God, Love and serve people, Share God with people.
ST MARY’S, BALDERSTONE
THIS morning (Saturday) we have a special coffee morning from 10am to noon.
We have a variety of drinks and delicious cakes, plus toasted teacakes are available on request.
Open to everyone and child friendly.
We’d love you to join us and help welcome our new vicar, the Rev Ben Wilkinson.
Tomorrow our morning prayer service starts at 10.30am.
We’ll be continuing the ‘Fixing our eyes on Jesus’ series as we work through the book of John.
Sunday School will restart this week.
We normally start off all together in the service, before the children then head off to their groups part way through.
There is always plenty to do, including Bible stories and songs as well as arts and crafts.
Our children’s team are raring to go and can’t wait to welcome you and your family.
Light refreshments will be served in the parish room after the service.
A great opportunity to say hello to people you may not have seen for a while.
If you are visiting, do join us for a chat.
For those who can’t join us on Sunday morning the Rev Wilkinson’s sermon will be available to watch live or on catch up via our Facebook page.
SMURFS (St Mary’s Under Fives) meets on Tuesday afternoon, 1.30pm-3pm in the parish room.
Aimed at children aged 0-5 and their carers, a usual session consists of crafts, singing, stories and lots of playing. All are welcome. For further information, if you have any concerns or prayer requests, please get in touch by email at stmarysbalderstone@ gmail.com.
Or see our Facebook page at www.facebook. com/ saintmarysbalderstone/
ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM
ST Chad’s, standing on the hill overlooking the town centre behind the historic Town Hall, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church and an important centre of worship for the local community and beyond for over 800 years.
You are warmly invited to join us on Sunday mornings in Sparrow Hill and at our sister church, St Mary in the Baum.
We are following government and Church of England guidelines.
Today, Saturday, September 11, at St Chad’s at 3pm is a Celebrity Organ Concert at Rochdale Parish Church.
Oldham, Rochdale & Tameside Organists’ Association present Ben Morris ( York Minster).
Pay on the door: £8/£6.50 concessions, members and students (or retiring collection).
Enjoy the finest music safely, in accordance with government guidelines and safety recommendations.
Tomorrow, Sunday, September 12, the 15th after Trinity, at St Mary’s (BCP) at 9.15am and St Chad’s (Choral) at 11.15am is The Eucharist with celebrant and preacher at both services, the Rev Anne Gilbert, Vicar of Rochdale.
Wednesday next, September 15, at St Mary’s at 12.30pm is the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert, featuring Anne Butterworth (soprano), Stephen Taylor (baritone) and Elaine Marsden (piano).
Donation £6 drop in the box (current change please).
No refreshments available.
St Mary in the Baum is Covid-secure with OCR symbol prominently displayed.
Sunday next, September 19, the 16th after Trinity, at St Mary’s (BCP) at 9.15am and St Chad’s (Choral) at 11.15am is The Eucharist, with celebrant and preacher at both services, Canon Roger Hill.
ST LUKE’S, DEEPLISH
ST Luke’s will hold a service of Morning Praise on Sunday, September 12, at 10am.
Monday, September 13, is Bible Study via Zoom at 11am.
Wednesday, September 15, is the Morning Praise service on Zoom at 11am.
For further information please see our webpage on www.rochdaleonline. co.uk/sites/saint-lukechurch.
We look forward to welcoming our regular members and anyone who would like to join our very friendly, caring congregation.
ST ANDREW’S, DEARNLEY
WE have a new family service starting tomorrow, Sunday, at 4pm and we have specifically timed it at 4pm because we believe an afternoon service might appeal to those with little ones.
Known as ‘St Andrew’s Church @ 4’, it will be aimed at families, and after the first service of its kind tomorrow, September 12, it will then be held on the second Sunday of every month.
We’ll no doubt be supported by our regular faithful, but we are hoping this new family service will encourage new, younger people in the parish, particularly those with children, to start a regular relationship in Church with God the Father, Jesus Christ his Son (the hope of the world) and God the Holy Spirit.
We understand that a Sung Eucharist at 9.30am on a Sunday morning can present difficulties for working mums and dads with children, hence this new family service at 4pm.
If anyone can spread the word around via friends, relatives, neighbours and workmates it will be much appreciated.
After an absence of 18 months due to Covid, our branch of the Mothers Union has had its first get together again.
10 members met in the sunshine outside Church before going into the parish room for tea and cake.
Our branch leaders were delighted to see everyone and especially those people who have not yet returned to Church.
Monthly meetings will resume on Monday, October 4, at 2pm with a Eucharist in Church, led by the vicar.
All will be welcomed, MU members or not.
Going forward, meetings will then be held on the first Monday of every month at 2pm.
The Mothers Union is always looking out for new members, both male or female, in its concern for families, so it thus has a direct link with our new family service ‘St Andrew’s Church @ 4’.
That apart, it would be great to grow and strengthen our MU branch at St Andrew’s.
We also have changes to report in our weekly schedule of services.
From now on, our Wednesday morning service at 9.30am in Church will be Morning Prayer only, not Holy Communion or The Eucharist, as some would prefer to call it.
We now have a
Eucharist, said (not sung), in Church on Thursday mornings at 10.30am.
Please note the later start time, specifically designed for those who have told us they will find the extra hour much more convenient.
Our list of weekly service reads like this:
Sunday: Sung Eucharist in Church at 9.30am and also streamed live on Facebook (5th Sunday changed to 10.30am).
1st Sundays only: Evening Prayer in Church at 5pm and also streamed live on Facebook.
Tuesday: Morning Prayer at 9.30am, streamed live on Facebook.
Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 9.30am in Church.
Thursday: Said Eucharist at 10.30am in Church, live streamed on Facebook.
If you would like to attend our Sunday morning service, our main service of the week, please continue to get in touch with our PCC ”secretary, either by email to: standrewsbooking@ outlook.com or by phone on 07714 005 105.
We won’t turn anyone away now that socialdistancing restrictions are being relaxed, but we are still not back entirely to what was once considered to be normal and it would be a big help to know in advance what sort of numbers we can expect.
September dates for your diary:
Saturday, September 25: Harvest Open Day between 1pm and 3pm.
Sunday, September 26: Harvest Eucharist at 9.30am.
Please bring Harvest gifts for Rochdale Foodbank on either the Saturday or the Sunday of that weekend.
Donations for Harvest flowers will also be welcome over the course of the next fortnight.