ST ANDREW’S, DEARNLEY
THIS week’s column is centred on our evergrowing and developing branch of the Mothers’ Union, which is led by Jo Hill and which, only on Monday held a special Advent service in church which was led by the Rev Rachel and by Jo.
The branch doesn’t meet again now until February but, thereafter, it will continue to meet monthly and, hopefully, will continue to grow in both stature and numbers.
During Monday’s service, six new members were admitted, including the Rev Rachel herself, and we are confident there will be many more to follow, given Jo’s tremendous enthusiasm, energy and drive for all things MU in general and for the growth, development and sustainability of the St Andrew’s branch in particular.
It is often stressed by Jo that ANYONE will be made welcome at MU meetings (you don’t have to be a member or even a mother) and it was encouraging to see several MEN at Monday’s service - a trend that, hopefully, will continue in 2024 when several guest speakers have already been lined up for the monthly gettogethers on a Monday afternoon.
Members regularly do beneficial work for local charities, enjoy each other’s company over tea and cake or listen to anyone who is willing to stand up and talk about their chosen subject.
But the aims and ideals of the MU are best given in the Mothers Union Prayer, which formed a central theme of the admittance ceremony during Monday’s service.
It goes like this: “Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all.
“We pray for families around the world (special prayers here for those families of either side caught up in the hostilities both in Ukraine and in the Middle East).
“Bless the work of the Mothers Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement. strengthening and support of marriage and family life.
“Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship and, in love and service, reach out as your hands across the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
One member pointed out that she had made festive fancies, for which donations could be made to MU charities.
These were “sold” after the service when those present sat down to enjoy hot sausage rolls, biscuits, tea or coffee and homemade cake, of course.
Anyone interested in the work of the MU at St Andrew’s can contact Jo by email please to: joannamaryhill@gmail. com
Now that we are well and truly into Advent, with Christmas only 16 days away (you would think it was here already judging by the shops and by TV programmes though that is probably understandable given the amount of preparation needed), it is time to tell you what will be going on at St Andrew’s in the next couple of weeks.
Saturday, December 16 (11am): Christingle making - that’s when we prepare the oranges, with all their various ad-ons, for the following morning’s big, special Family Service.
Sunday, December 17
(10.30am): Family Christingle Service, followed by brunch in the parish room.
Wednesday, December 20 (7pm): Carol Service (a beaut ! One not to be missed as part of the Chrissy build-up).
Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve, 9.30am): Eucharist. (11.30pm): Midnight Service with Eucharist (always popular. So long as you are not worse for wear it doesn’t matter a jot whether you’ve had a drink. These days we have licensed bars at our own functions).
Monday, December 25 (Christmas Day, 9.30am): Christmas Day Service for all the family. (please bring a toy).
Sunday, December 31
(10.30am): Joint service at Smithy Bridge Methodists.
Finally, congrats to whoever was responsible for the extra large pew sheet which was handed out to those who attended last Sunday’s service. One hopes it will be a regular feature, given that there is always enough info about church life to fill two sides of A4.
It was interesting to read last week that last year it cost an average of £5,000 a month to run St Andrew’s.
This year’s Autumn Fair raised £768, but October’s income was £3,988 com pared with outgoings of
£4,142.
Our Advent course continues every Thursday in the parish room at
7.30pm with sessions on Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
It was St Andrew’s day, of course, on November
30, so the pew sheet also gave us the special collect for St Andrew’s Day which covers hearing and acting on our Saviour’s call and spreading the good news ... like producing an extra-large pew sheet containing much relevant in formation.
Well done to all concerned!
See you in Church at
9.30am tomorrow.
ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM
ST Chad’s, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the town centre, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church for over 800 years.
Together with our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we serve the community of Rochdale, and you are warmly welcome to join us.
Children’s activities are available during Sunday morning services and refreshments are served afterwards.
The Asian Christian Fellowship meets on Sundays at 2pm.
Last Saturday, St Chad’s enjoyed a very successful Christmas Fayre, with stalls staffed by members of all three churches in the plurality.
We thank all who organised, supported and visited the Fayre.
Last Sunday was the first in Advent, the beginning of the Church’s year and of our preparations for Christmas.
The bells at St Chad’s were rung for the last time before the new bells are installed in March.
The choir sang the anthem “Creator of the stars and light”, a plainchant arranged by John Scott, and Psalm 21. Among the hymns was “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
The Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert, told of a priest who once arrived at a church service disguised as a homeless person to find out what sort of welcome he received.
Jesus came as a helpless baby dependent on the hospitality of others.
That day’s reading from the Gospel according to Mark challenged us to be ready.
The Vicar read G. S. Kennedy’s poem “When Jesus Came to Golgotha” and said that we needed to be ready for Christ’s coming.
She suggested that
Christ was present in everyone we met and the homeless should be recognised as people in need.
She added that the late Frank Lever, the former churchwarden at St Mary’s, lived out his Christian faith every day and at the age of 97 was ready to meet Christ, his Saviour.
Frank was spiritually prepared to meet his Saviour and was an inspiration for us all.
She asked: “Are we ready yet?”
Tomorrow (Sunday) is the second Sunday of Advent.
A Service of Carols is at St Mary’s at 9.15am.
Choral Matins is at St Chad’s at 11.15am. The choir will sing Psalm 85 and the anthem “The Advent of our King”.
Both services will be led by Hannah Currin.
The Mayoral Carol Service is at St Chad’s at 3pm attended by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mike Holly, the Mayoress, Margaret Holly, and local councillors.
The service is led by the Borough Dean, the Rev
Gill Barnett.
Advent Bible Study with an overall theme of “Hope” is at St Luke’s Deeplish on Mondays at 10.30am.
The theme for next Monday is “Listen to the witnesses”.
Booklets are provided and tea, coffee and biscuits.
All are welcome.
Each Monday at St Mary’s, the Red Cross provides help for refugees from 10am until 2pm.
Refreshments are available and admission is free.
On Wednesday the Friends Together Bereavement Support Group meets at St Chad’s from 10am until noon.
Are you someone who has been bereaved and would like support, or could you help others?
Please come along and join this friendship support group. Refreshments are provided.
On Wednesday, at St Mary’s at 12.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features the Rascallity Harp Duo: Alice Roberts and Kathryn Mason. Admission is £6.
On Thursday Holy Communion is at St Chad’s at 10am.
Also on Thursday, Skylight Circus Arts are performing “The Histories & Mysteries of Rochdale’s Sparrow Hill” at St Chad’s at 1.30pm.
On Saturday next, December 16, at St Chad’s at 7.30pm, “Christmas with the Cantare Choir” features a concert of beautiful music, with festive crafts and refreshments.
Admission is £12 (children free).
Sunday next, December 17, is the third Sunday of Advent.
The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at 9.15am.
Choral Eucharist is at St Chad’s at 11.15am, when the anthem is Shephard’s “In a world where people dwell”.
At both services the celebrant and preacher is the Area Dean, Canon Karen Smeeton.
At St Chad’s at 4pm, the Candlelit Service of Lessons and Carols” includes “Adam lay ybounden”, “The Holly & the Ivy”, “A Maiden most gentle” and “Where is that goodly Fragrance”.