St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

We have set up a small group of people at St Andrew's, the parish church of Dearnley and Smithy Bridge, to go out into the community and visit anyone who might be in need of a friend or someone to talk to over a cup of tea.

We believe there is a need locally for this type of community socialising so we would love to make contact, either directly or indirectly, with anyone in the area who may be feeling unwell, lonely, a bit out of sorts or just seeking somebody to talk to and somebody with whom to share life's ups and downs.

If you are that person, or you know somebody who is, please ring Ada on (01706) 378283 and we will make the necessary arrangements for a visit.

As our vicar Sharon says in one of her latest church magazine articles: "As well as caring for one another we must continue to welcome the lost and the lonely, the curious and the desperate."

Please be reminded of the major change to routine this coming Sunday, July 8 when Sharon will be away in York as a Manchester diocesan representative at the General Synod.

We will have the 8am Eucharist as usual, but the 10am service will be one of Morning Prayer, led by Margaret Young and assisted by Johanna Watson, the Reader at St Paul's, Norden, who will preach the sermon.

The Sung Eucharist will be at 6.30pm when the celebrant will be Canon Roger Hill.

Next Saturday, July 14, we will have a craft morning in Church, from 10am to noon, presented by Hilary and Ken Isherwood. Admission is £5, refreshments available, and anyone who cannot arrange to buy a ticket in advance will be able to pay on the door. Proceeds will go to our Wider Welcome project.

Highlight of the event will be a pottery demonstration by Ken, while everyone can have a go on the potter's wheel and decorate a piece of pottery.

Other events coming up this month include a coffee morning on Saturday, July 21 and the Vicar's Garden Party at Wardle on Saturday, July 28, starting at 4pm. Tickets at £5, children free, will be available soon if not already on sale.

Our Emmaus faith renewal course began last Tuesday. It will run for 15 weeks, each Tuesday evening, but it is still not too late to contact Margaret on 376309 and join in.

The course is designed to help Christians, both new and established, to explore Christian spirituality and faith, providing an opportunity for learning and growth.

Says Margaret: "At St Andrew's we are committed to helping people to explore their Christian faith and deepen their understanding.

"This can be achieved through worship, sermons, house groups or specific courses such as this one.

"Emmaus encourages a journey of faith that can be life-changing and can also have a positive impact on the church community."

Our next Mothers' Union branch meeting is on Monday (July 9) when we will stage a Body Shop party.

We were represented last Wednesday at the Deanery MU Songs of Praise at St Chad's, and eight of our members attended the Diocesan Festival in Manchester Cathedral, at which one of our group, Jean Townshend, did a reading.