Open day at Smallbridge Methodist Church

Open day at Smallbridge Methodist Church

Following an extensive renovation of Smallbridge Methodist Church by Branches Christian Fellowship, after they bought the church in August last year.

Branches Christian Fellowship want to keep the building viable as a church, but also to make it suitable for hosting community events, extensive renovation began.

They are having an open day on Saturday 20 May, between 1.00pm and 3.00pm, everyone is welcome to come to see what the Fellowship have achieved so far, discover their future plans and suggest groups, courses or uses which the building could host.

The event will showcase the things which already happen in the building, including church, stay and play sessions, circuit training, coffee and cake, Kids Klub and more. Each session will have a competition or game to play.

There will also be free popcorn and tomato soup, a bouncy castle, face painting, crafts, and a café serving coffee and cake for a small (20p) donation to charity.

Live music will be played and there will also have be a chance to have a professional photograph taken for just £5 which includes entry to a ‘pretty paws’ or ‘bonny baby’ competition to win a private sitting with the photographer.

Later in the evening at 7.00pm, Smallbridge Methodist Church will welcome author of ‘Once an Addict’, Barry Woodward, who grew up in Salford and left school with no qualifications. Upon leaving school, he was drawn into the Manchester music and drugs scene, which led to a life of heroin addiction and drug dealing.

After spending a number of terms in prison and being dependent on heroin for 15 years, Barry had what he describes as ‘a religious experience’ which completely transformed his life. He became an evangelist and has since worked with Christian organisations.

Barry studied full time at Cliff College, where he was awarded a Diploma in Biblical Studies and Evangelistic Ministry from Sheffield University. He is now an accredited travelling minister with the Assemblies of God denomination in the UK and an associate evangelist with J John of the Philo Trust.

Barry and his wife, Tina, are members of the Bridge Church in Bolton. He speaks at approximately 130 events each year and occasionally contributes towards drug related discussions on the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky TV.