Rochdale Faith News: Saturday, February 11

St Andrew's, Dearnley

Our vicar, Rev Rachel Battershell, has drawn the attention of her congregation to a Manchester Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Holy Land from November 2 to November 9. "I was there a year or two ago and I can tell everyone it's money well spent and the chance of a lifetime to walk in the footsteps of Jesus," she said.

The pilgrimage, which provides an option to visit amazing Petra, will be led by the Bishops of Manchester, Middleton and Bolton. Petra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is worth a visit in its own right, let alone alongside many other Holy Land attractions which have a direct link with the earthly and spiritual life of Our Saviour more than 2,000 years ago.

To find out more about the trip and to review the itinerary please click here.

The diocese of Manchester, meanwhile, will face specific challenges in future years and as an active and pro-active part of the diocese, St Andrew's is up for the challenge and ready to roll up its sleeves and get cracking. Attendance figures in the last five years have dropped by 15 per cent to 28,100.

What will this figure look like in another five year's time? About a third of our churches have fewer than 35 weekly attendees, though 33 churches have more than 100 in weekly attendance.

In less than five years time the number of full-time stipendiary clergy available in England will reduce by around 12 per cent. Can these challenges become our opportunities?

Rochdale Unitarian Church

Here is February's news and events from Clover Street Unitarians.

All our Sunday gatherings begin at 10.30am and are followed by a time for refreshments and fellowship. Everyone most welcome to join us, just as you are.

On February 12, worship will be led by our interfaith minister Rev Abi Elliott-McGuffie.

There will be a special event on February 19, as Clover Street welcomes Rev Sue Woolley, current President of our General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in the UK. We are honoured to be hosting Rev Woolley at Rochdale and a light lunch is to follow the service from noon.

On February 26, Rev Abi Elliott-McGuffie leads our worship to see out the month.

Our special event in February is the launch of a new series of Music Nights for 2023. First off, we play host to acclaimed accordionist Thom Hardaker on Friday, February 24 from 7.30pm - a show not to be missed! For further information, please visit our Facebook page at @rochdaleunitarians or leave a message on 01706 648 461.

St Luke’s Church, Deeplish

St Luke’s Church, Deeplish will hold a Holy Communion service on February 12 at 10am.

Monday, February 13: Bible Study, 10.30am in the church side room. This is open to anyone who wants to find out more about the Bible in a friendly, informal setting.

Wednesday, February 15: 11am, Morning Praise service. We are no longer holding this on Zoom, it will be in the side room of church.

The Wednesday board games club is suspended for the time being.

Thursday, February 16: Ladies only Zumba at 10am. It costs £3 and you need to book, please contact Catherine.szymanskyj2@yourtrustrochdale.com or ring 07814 712 271.  We are a friendly group and have space for new members.

We look forward to welcoming our regular members and anyone who would like to join our very friendly, caring congregation.

St Chad's and St Mary in the Baum

For over 800 years, St Chad's, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the town centre, has been Rochdale's Parish Church.

With our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we provide mainly traditional forms of Anglican worship, and you are warmly welcome to join us on Sundays and during the week.  Children's activities are available during the Sunday services, and refreshments are served afterwards.

Today, Saturday, February 11, at St Chad's at noon, a Lunchtime Concert features Isabel Williamson, cello, and Jonathan Ellis, piano. The programme includes music by Brahms, Kodaly and Arvo Part. Admission, including light refreshments from 11.30am, is £6.

Tomorrow, Sunday, February 12, is the 2nd Sunday before Lent, known as Sexagesima. The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary's at 9.15am, when the celebrant is the Rev Natty Gray.

Choral Mattins is at St Chad's at 11.15am, when the anthem is O God thy goodness reaches to the Heavens (Beethoven). The service is led by Hannah Currin. The preacher at both services is Pamela Parr.

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 next, February 15, at St Mary's at 12.30pm, the Toad Lane Lunchtime Concert features Jonathan Ellis, piano. Admission is £6.

On Thursday next, February 16, at St Chad's, Holy Communion is at 10am. A Place of Welcome is at St Chad's from 10.30am until noon, with coffee, cake and fellowship. Admission is free.

Sunday next, February 19, is the Sunday before Lent, known as Quinquagesima. 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 O Nata Lux (Tallis) or Here o my Lord (Whitlock). At both services the celebrant is Fr Darren Quinlan and the preacher Susan Horobin.

On Ash Wednesday, February 22, The Eucharist is celebrated at St Mary's at 10.30am and at St Chad's at 7pm. There are also services at St Luke's at 11am and at St Peter's School.

Hebron Pentecostal Church

This week: February 12-19

Sunday

• 9.45am: Pre-prayer meeting
• 10am-10.20am: Enjoy a free cup of tea, coffee and snack before the service.
• 10.30am: Morning service
• 12.30pm: Café open for lunch
• 1pm: Nepalese fellowship

Monday

Free Community Meals: Every Monday during the months of January and February we are offering free meals to our community. The meals are served at 6pm.

Places are limited, please book via the church website. Online booking times are open from Tuesday 8am and close Friday at 6pm. You can also call Julie on 07988 875571.

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Warm Spaces: Hebron is also open for a Warm Spaces, if you are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and want a little company in a warm friendly environment, then you are welcome. Tuesdays, 10am-3pm. Thursdays, 9.30am-2.30pm.

Free tea and coffee will be available for you. No need to book just come along.

Friday

• 10-11am: Breakfast Club
• 5pm: Kids Club
• 6.30pm: Prayer meeting
• 7pm: Youth Group

Sunday, February 19  

Pancake Sunday: Join us for free pancakes, after the morning service.

If you would like to book onto any of our events or just need a little more information, then please contact us on 01706 630 197 or email info@hebronrochdale.co.uk or visit the website.

Hebron Pentecostal Church, Howard Street, Rochdale OL12 6LB

Love and serve God, Love, and serve people, Share God with people.

St Mary’s, Balderstone

It’s a brew-tiful day- looking for something to do this morning?

Today is our monthly coffee morning from 10am to noon in the parish room. We hope that you will be able to call in for a cup of tea or coffee, enjoy meeting others and have a browse at the cake or craft stalls. All are welcome and we look forward to meeting you.

Our all age, altogether service tomorrow morning begins at 10.30am. We’ll be continuing our ‘Foundations for Life’ sermon series and Rev James Greenfield will be exploring the topic of God & Science.

We’ll be looking at Genesis chapter two verses four to fifteen and Romans chapter eleven verses thirty-three to thirty-six. Light refreshments are served in the parish room after the service.

The new Youth Bible Study meets tomorrow afternoon between 4pm and 5.30pm at Christ Church, Chadderton. Anyone aged between 14 and 18 who would like to come along are most welcome.

However, for safeguarding reasons if parents, could please contact Rev Ben Wilkinson in advance via email at vicar.balderstone@gmail.com or our Facebook page to register their young people or for more information.

In the evening is our weekly prayer gathering, together with Christ Church and St Saviour’s between 6.30pm-7.30pm. There will also be space to reflect on the events of this week, and there will be space to receive prayer.

The venue rotates and this week we meet at Christ Church. Christ Church is on Block Lane in Chadderton (OL9 7QB). The meeting starts at 6.30pm.

Midweek activities run as usual:

SMurFs (St Mary’s Under Fives) meets on Tuesday afternoon 1.30pm-3pm in the parish room.

Midweek Bible Studies, Wednesday evening, 7.20pm-9pm, in the building or via Zoom or Thursday evening, 7.20pm-9pm, Zoom only.

The Benefice of Littleborough

Sunday, February 12. The Second Sunday before Lent.

• 9am: Holy Communion at St. Barnabas, Shore.
• 10.15am: Holy Communion at Holy Trinity.
• 11.30am: Holy Communion at St. James, Calderbrook. Refreshments will be served.

Please come along and join us you will be warmly welcomed. For further information please visit the website, Facebook and on Twitter at: @cofelittleborough1 or ring 01706 375322 and leave a message.

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