St Andrew's Church News

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

A week on Saturday night, April 23, St Andrew's Church, Dearnley have one of their biggest events in their church's calendar, the annual St George's Night, led by the ever-popular Wardle Anderson Band.

Admission is £7, including supper and use of pay bar, and doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets are available from Ada, ring 07854 703 426, although you can also get in by paying on the door.

All proceeds will go to the Cavernoma Alliance UK charity in memory of their former church warden and St Andrew's stalwart Stuart Carmichael, who died recently. Over many years Stuart variously filled every lay position there was to fill at St Andrew's, for whom he worked tirelessly for a large part of his very busy and active life.

Ray Milligan, Cynthia Giles and Carolyn Phillips are representing St Andrew's this month at a series of Archdeaconry roadshow events which form part of a Mission Action Plan.

The first of these will be held this Saturday, 16 April, at Waterhead Academy in Oldham when Bishop David, Archdeacon Cherry Vann and diocesan officers will spend time with representatives of each church in the Rochdale Archdeaconry.

Mission Action Planning is a process to help churches to develop a clear strategy for progressing God's plan.

St Andrew's church wardens say: “For instance, we need to grow teams of volunteers to visit our residential homes and also to develop support for Baptism Buddies.

“We need to be mindful also of our financial responsibilities to maintain a beautiful building and the ongoing resources we need to further our ministry.

“Anyone, and particularly those who are alone and wish to make friends, is welcome at our Friendship Club, which meets in the parish room every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

“Just come for a cuppa and a chat or you can take part in various activities such as games, bingo or, from time to time, exercise sessions. Admission is £1.50, including tea and biscuits.

“We have our usual 9.30am Sung Eucharist on Sunday when the parish rota is as follows: lay assistants, C Longhurst, J Halstead; readers, P Shrigley, J Mills; Intercessions, D Owen; sidespersons, V Lucy, P Webster; refreshments, Jean, Maureen, Edna.”