St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

The Rev Gillian Cornish, spiritual advisor for North Manchester, will be in Church between noon and 4pm on Sunday (5 December) to guide parishioners on a special Prayer Labyrinth for Advent.

She preached the sermon at Sung Eucharist on Advent Sunday in order to prepare the way for the Prayer Labyrinth, which effectively takes worshippers through 12 separate prayer stations on a similar journey of faith to that made by the Wise Men to the manger in Bethlehem.

This particular Prayer Labyrinth is designed to help the people of St Andrew's to prepare for their own journey towards Christmas and to prepare for the birth of Jesus in their own way.

There will be instructions at each of the 12 stations and the Rev Cornish will be there to offer help and guidance to anyone who seeks it. Take the walk at your own pace, spend as long as you wish at each station, and allow yourself at least an hour to make this special prayer pilgrimage.

Anyone planning to make the journey who has not yet signed up for their preferred start time will need to do so at the latest by the end of Sunday's Sung Eucharist, which starts as usual at 10am.

The church's younger members should note that STANLEY, our teenagers' group, will meet in church at 6pm Sunday for their usual mix of fun, food and faith.

There will be Sunday morning services at 8am and 10am throughout Advent, but make a diary note of the following:

• Tuesday 7 December: Christmas production by St Andrew's School (2pm and 6.30pm), repeated Wednesday, Dec 8 (6.30pm).
• Saturday 11 December: Christingles to be made in the parish room (9.30am).
• Sunday 12 December: Christingle Service (3pm).
• Sunday 19 December: Carol Concert with Wardle Anderson Band (6pm).
• Christmas Eve: Crib Service for children and families (4pm); Midnight Eucharist (11pm).
• Christmas Day: Family Eucharist (10am).
• Boxing Day: Said Eucharist (10am).

The 'St Andrew's Got Talent' event proved a great success with nearly 120 friends of the church leaving the warmth of their firesides on a bitterly cold night to raise more than £400 for the parish's Wider Welcome scheme. Thanks to all performers and to everyone who supported the event on the night.