ST ANDREW’S, DEARNLEY
HOW do YOU fancy doing one of the many jobs associated with running a parish like St Andrew’s?
It was a question put to last Sunday morning’s congregation by our vicar, Rev Rachel Battershell, who said two things of paramount importance on this key topic.
First, traditionally in the Church of England, fewer than 20 per cent of congregations do 100 per cent of essential initiatives that are available to lay men and women.
Secondly, there are several vacancies and openings at St Andrew’s right now, notably for a second person to join Cynthia as a church rep on the governing body of St Andrew’s Primary School plus other important roles caused by a very efficient volunteer’s current ill health.
One lady, who wished to remain anonymous at this early stage, was highlighted as having put her name forward for a key role. Anyone wishing to undertake one of the vacancies is asked to speak to the vicar, who will take it from there. She is also looking for someone to help with the weekly Prayer Group at school on Tuesdays at
2.45pm in term time and for someone to help with the church website.
Also, if you are over eight years old and would like to take Holy Communion at Easter please see Rev Rachel to arrange preparation classes in March.
On a similar theme, Confirmation, Bishop Mark will be with us at 7pm on February 25. Confirmation classes will be on three Saturday mornings in February, the 10th, 17th and 24th.
There was a good response when children from the Sunday School were asked to come forward at last Sunday’s
9.30am Holy Communion service and Rev Rachel’s interaction with young people - the future of our church - remains a highlight of church life. At this juncture, our two wardens, Janice and Christine, do a fantastic job in welcoming newcomers of all ages and making them feel at home.
Tomorrow is the third Sunday of Epiphany and Bible readings are as follows: Genesis 14, verses 17 to 20; Revelation 19, verses 6 to 10; and John 2, verses 1 to 11. Please look at the altar-kneeler samples at the back of church and help us to decide which kneelers we would like.
We sent a total of 31 greetings cards to the people Amnesty International were supporting at Christmas
- a splendid effort by all concerned and one which Amnesty will truly appreciate. The cards went, in the main, to people who are imprisoned or held hostage for so-called ‘crimes’ they didn’t commit or for - and this is very common - practising their faith. We don’t know how lucky we are!
Incidentally, last Sunday afternoon, we had a service of Christian unity at St Andrew’s under the ‘Littleborough Churches Together’ banner - a special occasion in which churches of various Christian denominations came together as one.