Christ Church, Longridge

Spurgeon’s Charity recently sent me an update on Kibera School which is near to Nairobi. The children are well looked after and learn in classes of 40. The classroom language is English and the children work towards key subjects of English, Maths, Kiswahili, Science and Social Studies. From our church we send £50 per month. This is made up of individual donations ranging from £1 to £15 per month. Since we started a number have people have died or left the church and others are feeling the pressure of recession. This is making it more difficult to be as supportive of this project as we once were so is there anyone else who would be willing to contribute regularly?

If so please have a word with me. — Megan Crew

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Dear Friends,

It’s been an interesting few weeks! As you read this I will just have had two weeks of holiday interspersed with a Minister’s Retreat on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne – and as I reflect on my experiences, I realise how fortunate I have been in coming into contact with some of Earth’s ‘Thin Places’.

‘What is a thin place?’ you may ask! In the Celtic tradition it is place that gives us an opening into the magnificence and wonder of God – and there is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places that distance is even smaller.

A thin place, then, is where the veil that separates heaven and earth is lifted and one is able to receive a glimpse of the glory of God. Contemporary poet Sharlande Sledge gives this description:

“Thin places,” the Celts call this space,
Both seen and unseen,
Where the door between the world
And the next is cracked open for a moment
And the light is not all on the other side.
God shaped space. Holy.

It is no wonder that thin places are most often associated with wild landscapes – and one such place I found was at the top of Helm Crag at Grasmere.

We were staying in Ambleside, thanks to a Christmas gift from our eldest son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Lowri. After a particularly ‘full’ Lakeland Breakfast, Colin and I agreed that we should go out for a walk. It was a lovely day – so with guide map duly purchased – we set out on one of the ‘short’ walks suggested – only 3 miles! The trouble was that most of it was vertical!

Despite the fact that my body may have indicated otherwise, I did not have a coronary – and though it may have taken us a couple of hours, we did reach ‘The Lion and The Lamb’ (a rock formation at the summit). Once I had got my breath back, I sat amazed at the wonderful view, and contemplated the forces of nature which had shaped the landscape. This truly was a ‘thin place’.

Coming down was possibly more difficult than going up – and the muscles in my legs certainly made their presence known the following morning, when I tried to get out of bed.

Other ‘thin places’ were found on the route between Ambleside and Ravenglass, when we took the Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass – a car journey I will not forget for some time! As Colin commented – ‘we should come up here more often’ – to which I agreed. How about we all meet up there for worship one Sunday morning!!!

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is another of those ‘thin places’, but not because of the sweeping grandeur of the mountains. A first time visitor to the island, and staying at the Lindisfarne Hotel, I found that once the tide came in and the causeway was closed, there existed a sense of solitude and quietness in which you could palpably feel the presence of God. Even the multitude of birds and seals (sadly didn’t see any puffins) which love to make their presence known, didn’t detract from this. And there is definitely something to be said about living in a place where life is determined by the incoming and outgoing tide.

I suppose the challenge for me now, and for all of us for that matter, is to find the ‘thin places’ that exist in my day to day life! Happy searching!

Helen <><

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After a number of local walks, we decided, this month, to spread our wings somewhat and explore a little of the splendid countryside on the Lancashire / Cumbria border.
Our meeting point was where the A65 crosses the Lancaster canal. The turnout was a splendid dozen plus two dogs and from here we headed south, enjoying the warm spring sunshine and clear skies, along quiet lanes and field paths towards Aikbank, where we picked up a little stream and followed it to where it joined the pretty Lupton Beck. Here, we stopped for photos and to allow the dogs to have a play in the water and then it was onwards towards higher ground and past the square turreted Lupton Tower. At this point, the anti-walker farmer had taken every inch of a large field and put the narrow path along a steep banking between two rows of barbed wire. Later, after crossing the busy A65, we were met by a couple who were adamant that we weren’t going to pass through their garden via the public footpath and directed us on a route around their property.
Now, we were heading North-West, along rolling hills towards our lunch stop, but some of the party had got too far ahead, so lunch was taken in something of a war zone. Crabtree Farm is a clay pigeon shooting centre, so our party dined amidst a pile of concrete rubble to the accompaniment of endless gunfire, some of which seemed rather close for comfort. A lone Buzzard circled overhead, which seemed in keeping.
Leaving the Somme, we stopped to look at a very large and handsome pig and then entered fields, walking northwards and enjoying splendid views of the south Lakeland fells and around to Morecambe Bay and Arnside Knott. It was here that we heard that Neil had lost his ferrule, which sounded painful, but turned out to be the round bit at the end of his walking pole.
Our route now took us under the busy M6 and past the pretty St Gregory’s Church, with its churchyard carpeted in Daffodils and on to the canal where, as we headed south, the waterway is bisected by the motorway, and on back to the start. As we were about to leave, Neil drove past, waving his retrieved ferrule.
This part of the country always provides good walks and today was no exception. After the exceptional weather over the past months, we all thoroughly enjoyed the spring conditions. Why go to the Lakes?

Linda & Eddie Grange

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Next Sunday (March 21st)
10.45am: Morning Family Service led by our Minister
 6.30pm: Evening Worship led by Rev Peter Sheasby
This Week
Monday 15th
10am: Crafts Club
7.30pm: Bible Study at 61 Chaigley Road
Wednesday 17th
7.30pm: Joint Church Lent Bible Study at Fulwood URC (weekly until March 31st)
Thursday 18th
8.00pm: ‘Street Pastors’ Commissioning Service at Kingsfold Methodist.
Friday 19th
7.45am: CTL prayers at St Paul’s
10am-12noon: Coffee Morning
12noon-1pm: Lenten lunch at St Pauls
Saturday 20th
Ramble: ‘A Longridge Circular’ led by Eddie and Linda Grange starting at 103 Hacking Drive with pick up at Church at 9.30am also later at 7.30pm Concert by the Blackburn Symphony Orchestra in Accrington Town Hall. Programme includes Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’, soloist Joyce Tindsley. See John Dixon or leaflet on table.

Friday 26th 12.00noon: Lenten Lunch at Christ Church If you are able to help please sign the list on the notice board. Thank You, Pam.
Holy Week and Easter Services
Wed Mar 31st Final Lent Bible Study at Fulwood
Thu April 1st 7.30pm Communion – Rev Peter Sheasby.
Fri April 2nd Good Friday Worship led by our Minister.
Sun April 4th 6.30am Easter Sonrise on Beacon Fell
10.45am Holy Communion Rev E. Hodgkiss
(Please bring flowers to decorate the cross.)
6.30pm Easter Praise Sister Janet
Thank you to the Valley Singers for their enthusiastic singing on Friday Night in aid of the Haiti Appeal. Thanks also to all who helped in any way. The total raised was £405.
Our ‘Big Brew’ during Fair Trade Fortnight has raised £102.41 in donations to the Fair Trade Foundation. Why not browse through the new Spring catalogues or buy from our regular Traidcraft stall?

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The March walk was a circum-navigation of Longridge, using one of the excellent guides’ published by the council, but with some modifications. Instead of starting and finishing in the town centre, we kept entirely on the “Loop”.
Starting from Grange Towers, at the bottom of Hacking Drive, with the coach house used as a changing room, we proceeded to cross the Mardale Road recreation ground, with its five football pitches, over the footbridge and through fields to Daniel’s farm and Preston Road. Crossing the road and resisting a visit to Franco’s, we entered the pleasantly quiet Pinfold Lane and headed to the Alston reservoirs. The heavy rain that arrived during the morning had now become light drizzle and remained so for the remainder of the walk.
From here, we headed eastwards through Alston Grange Farm and onwards across a beautiful wooded valley towards Higher College Farm with some of the buildings occupied by local businesses. Our route now took us northwards, crossing the Ribchester road and up a muddy track by the side of Spade Mill Reservoirs and at the top of the hill, headed right to follow the hillside towards the caravan site in the quarry, where the owners kindly provided us with picnic tables at a position with a fantastic view of the Ribble valley. Whilst dining, a pair of deer appeared in front of us whilst the falling rain washed the red cedar Cuprinal from the table onto our clothes.
After lunch, we climbed up through the caravan park, stopping briefly to examine a demonstrator. Very smart, but what a price! Then it was up to the top reservoirs and the Jeffrey Hill road and the highest point on the walk. Now it was steadily downhill, noting the newly born lambs and looking at a little bit of history, as we crossed the bed of the original railway that carried stone from the quarries.
After a spell on the Chipping road, it was now across country to Inglewhite Road, Halfpenny Lane and into the charming Green Nook Lane followed by a complete contrast at Shay Lane and the industrial estate. Then it was back to the start.
What is noticeable on such a walk is the diversity to be experienced in such a short distance. Fields, farms, leisure, woods, hills, main roads, quiet lanes, homes and industrial areas are all encountered and everywhere a scenic backdrop. Longridge has quite a lot going for it.

Eddie & Linda Grange

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Next Sunday (March 14th)
10.45am: Morning Family Service led by the Worship Planning Group
 6.30pm: Evening Worship led by our Minister
This Week
Monday 8th
10am: Crafts Club
7.30pm: Ladies Guild: Janet Sommerville (Journey Round Namibia)
Tuesday 9th
7.30pm: Church Council /Meeting. All welcome, whether on the council or not.
7.30pm: Circuit meeting at Ribbleton
Wednesday 10th
7.30pm: Joint Church Lent Bible Study at Fulwood URC ( weekly until March 31st) If you would like a copy of the course booklet ‘Prayer – does it make a difference’, please see Helen
Friday 12th
7.45am: CTL prayers at St Paul’s
10am-12noon: Coffee Morning
12noon-1pm: Lenten lunch at St Wilfrids
Saturday 13th
Ramble postponed until Sat March 20th

‘Help Haiti Rise Again’ (Friday 12th, 7.30pm) Concert by the Valley Singers at Christ Church . £5 inc refreshments. Pay at the door or tickets from Jim & Janet Sommerville or Olive.

The Quiz Night originally planned for March 16th has been postponed.
Lenten Lunch at St Paul’s (Friday 19th, 12.00noon)
Christ Church Ramblers meet at 9.30am on Saturday 20th. Also at 7.30pm Blackburn Symphony Orchestra at Accrington Town Hall. Programme Includes Elgar ‘Sea Pictures’ soloist: Joyce Tindsley. See leaflet or John Dixon for more information.
Lenten Lunch at Christ Church (Friday 26th, 12.00noon)
Would duty stewards please collect their new rotas from the table at the back. Thank You, Henry.

FAIR TRADE THANKS Helen and Colin wish to express their thanks to all who helped and supported their ‘Big Brew’ event.. Don’t forget – our Fair Trade pledge at Christ Church and Traidcraft stall is all year round. Why not browse the new Spring catalogue. See Helen or Carol Rose.

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Next Sunday (March 7th)
10.45am: Morning Worship & Holy Communion led by our Minister
 6.30pm: Evening Worship led by Rev Elizabeth Hodgkiss
This Week
Monday 1st
10am: Crafts Club and ‘Big Brew’ 
Wednesday 3rd
7.30pm: Joint Church Lent Bible Study at Fulwood URC ( weekly until March 31st) If you would like a copy of the course booklet ‘Prayer – does it make a difference’, please see Helen
7.30pm: Local Preachers Meeting at Guttridge
Friday 5th World Day of Prayer
7.45am: CTL prayers at St Paul’s
10am-12noon: ‘Big Brew’ Coffee Morning
12noon-1pm: Lenten lunch at Christ Church
1.00pm: World Day of Prayer at St Paul’s

The next Church Council/Meeting will be on Tuesday March 9^th at 7.30pm. Please remember that you are welcome to these meetings, whether you are on the Church Council or not – Mel. Also on 9^th: 7.30pm Circuit Meeting at Fulwood.

Lenten Lunches 12.00 – 1.30pm, Fri 12^th St Wilfrids (for Alston Lane) and Fri 19^th Christ Church Fri 26^th St Paul’s.

FAIR TRADE THANKS Helen and Colin wish to express their thanks to all who helped and supported their ‘Big Brew’ event held at the manse yesterday. Don’t forget – our Fair Trade pledge at Christ Church with Fair Trade refreshments and Traidcraft stall is all year round. Why not browse the new Spring catalogue. For more information, please see Helen or Carol Rose.

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Next Sunday (February 28th)
10.45am: Morning Service led by Mrs Carol Rose
 6.30pm: Evening Service & Holy Communion led by Rev Helen Higgin-Botham
This Week
Monday 22nd
10am: Crafts Club
7.30pm: Ladies Guild
Wednesday 24th
7.30pm: Lent Bible Study (Fulwood) 
Friday 26th
7.45am: CTL prayers at St Paul’s
10am-12noon: Coffee Morning
12noon-1pm: Lenten lunch at Christ Church
Saturday 27th
10am-4pm: The Big Brew at The Manse

Duty Rota (March-May) Please all Council members, welcome stewards and Sunday Coffee teams fill in the availability chart on the noticeboard. If you are interested in being involved in welcoming to worship or helping with refreshments, please see me. Thank you – Henry.
Joint Church Bible Study The Lent bible study on Prayer will begin on Wednesday 24^th February at 7.30pm at Fulwood URC at Symmonds Road. All are welcome.

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Next Sunday (February 21st)
10.45am: Morning Service led by Rev Helen Higgin-Botham
 6.30pm: Combined Evening Service at Guttridge
This Week
Monday 15th
10am: Crafts Club
7.30pm: Bible Studies at 61 Chaigley Road
Friday 19th
7.45am: CTL prayers at St Paul’s
10am-12noon: Coffee Morning
12noon-1pm: Lenten lunch at St Wilfrid’s

Duty Rota (March-May) Please all Council members, welcome stewards and Sunday Coffee teams fill in the availability chart on the noticeboard. If you are interested in being involved in welcoming to worship or helping with refreshments, please see me. Thank you – Henry.
Friday Lenten Lunches begin on February 19^th at St Wilfrid’s. Christ Church Feb 26^th, St Paul’s Mar 5^th, St Wilfrid’s (for Alston Lane) Mar 12^th, Christ Church Mar 19^th, and St Paul’s Mar 26th.
The Big Brew –During Fairtrade fortnight, Colin and I will be holding a “Big Brew” at the Manse, between 10am-4pm on Saturday 27^th February. There will be Traidcraft products for refreshments and for sale – donations to the Fairtrade Foundation. Watch out also for “Big Brew’s’ during Craft Club, Friday Morning Coffee and Sunday Post Service refreshments – Helen.
District Focus Evening at Burnley and Pendle faith Centre is on Monday March 15^th at 7pm.
Quiz Night (Everyone) Tuesday March 16th.
Pilgrim’s Progress-day Conference at Bamber Bridge Methodist Church on Saturday 20^th March details are available on the website bamberbridgemethodistchurch.org.uk.
Preston Methodist Circuit Quiet Day at Rufford Centre is on 30^th April.

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