“Living for Christ at the heart of the community"

Musings From The Manse: Winter 2009

Dear Friends, The start of Advent this year, not only sees most of us frantically preparing for the festive season, but also heralds in the second stage of the ‘Vision4Life’ programme. The new church year will focus on a ‘Year of Prayer’ and like the ‘Year of the Bible’ that we’ve just concluded, it is an opportunity to think more deeply about our prayer-life, both as individuals and as a church. It doesn’t mean that we suddenly forget about The Bible – it’s really important as Christians to actively engage in reading the whole of our Bible (even the bits we don’t understand or find a little obscure!) so that we can wrestle with its meaning for us today. The ‘Vision4Life’ team have produced various resources that will soon be available – something for everyone, you might say. Here’s an Read more

By The Editor, ago

Elijah, Man Of God

On the morning of Sunday, 29th November, ADA, (Adults Disability Arts) will be bringing their latest play to Christ Church. This time, it is based on the Biblical account of the prophet Elijah who lived in the 9th century BC when Ahab was King of Israel. Now you may not be able to write a 10 page essay on the life and times of Ahab but you will certainly know the name of his queen, a woman whose name has survived for the best part of 3 millennia….Jezebel! Elijah is a man whose heart is definitely in the right place, with God, but he can also see very clearly that he hasn’t a cat in hell’s chance of surviving the tasks that the Lord God keeps asking him to do! His only options are to give up on God, or Read more

By The Editor, ago

The November Ramble – Around Pilling

The November walk should have been a pleasant eight mile trek around low-lying farmland between Pilling and Knott End, returning along the sea wall. However, the endless rain the previous week and a forecast of heavy rain and gales provided us with something a little different. Having parked by the sea wall at Fluke Hall, we started walking into the Pilling Lake District, every hollow filled with water just above boot depth. Nothing like starting the walk with wet feet. Nevertheless, our party of six and the swimming dogs took it all in our stride. Not a place for wimps! The first point of interest was a ruined farm, followed by a series of fields, stiles and footbridges. Next we had a bit of respite with a stretch of dry lane and then it was back through farms and fields. Read more

By The Editor, ago

The October Ramble – Around Grimsargh

The object of this month’s walk was to explore some of the numerous footpaths in the area between Grimsargh and the east of Preston. Starting in the centre of Grimsargh, our group of six headed eastwards and picked up a footpath that took us along the back of the old reservoirs, now drained and reverting back to nature. Then it was along Elston Lane, which we left at a stile to join the Ribble Way. We now entered the best part of the walk, the descent into the beautiful, steep valley of Tun Brook Wood. Now the Ribble Way took us past the crematorium and on to Red Scar Wood, passing the remains of the old hall and on to a footbridge over the busy and very noisy M6 to enter Grange Park. Within the park are the remains of Read more

By The Editor, ago

Operation Christmas Child 2009

There are many constants in this life, and one of them is that as soon as the schools have gone back, and September is in full swing – the Supermarkets begin to roll out their Christmas Stock! This means, of course, that the panic to get Christmas organised starts earlier and earlier each year, and for those of us who like a more spontaneous approach to the festive season, it’s just too much! However, there are some things which we do need to prepare for well in hand, and one of them is this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign. For some this will be a very familiar event, but for others will leave them confused as to what is going on. So here is an attempt to let you know how our 2009 campaign will happen! Now is a good Read more

By helen, ago

“Let All The World…

…in every corner sing” – and they certainly did in this particular corner. For four hours on a hot May Sunday in Kailahun, Sierra Leone, I joined with the members of the congregation to celebrate the life of Rev Victor Nabieu. Victor was the Methodist Minister in Kailahun when I first visited Sierra Leone in 2006, and on my return in 2008 I found him a very ill man. He succumbed to his illness in March and after the traditional forty days of mourning; I was privileged to attend his Memorial Service. I was back in Kailahun to try to make some progress in the Skills Training Centre we helped start building in 2006. The first time I went, I was part of a team of sixteen from the North Lancashire District of the Methodist Church, but this time I Read more

By The Editor, ago

The September Ramble – Around Elswick

The Fylde Plain used to be an extensive area of marshland that started to be drained in the late eighteenth century and is now regarded as one of the most fertile areas of farm land in the country. Our walk this month was centred on the pretty village of Elswick and our small group of four plus two canine firths, Clyde and Moray, met at Elswick village hall for the start of the walk. Heading north through the village, we came to Bonds Ice-cream Parlour, which we hoped to visit on the next lap. We now walked along Bonds Lane. The weather was just perfect for walking in flat country, (it doesn’t get much flatter than the Fylde), with bright, clear warm sunshine and excellent views eastward towards Longridge Fell, Parlick and Beacon Fell. Leaving the lane, we now entered Read more

By The Editor, ago

Musings From The Manse: Autumn 2009

Dear Friends, Recently I was invited to take part in something called ‘Time and Space’, which is an accompanied reflection for Ministers, organised by the United Reformed Church. Great, I thought, another thing to add to the list of ‘things to do’!! The invitation came in early July, at about the time when I was busy preparing for two very important events – the wedding of our eldest son, Daniel, and the wedding of Susan and Ian Lawson – so I thought how nice it would be to reflect on these two ‘firsts’ as well as the many other positive aspects of ministry. Unfortunately, as I was soon to find out, life as a ‘Minister in Pastoral Charge’ is not always so gloriously happy, because in the space of the few short weeks, up to the time of me writing Read more

By helen, ago

Ladies’ Guild

On August 17th we shall end our summer activities by having a meal at the Corporation Arms. We started with a night at the theatre in May. A beautiful sunny June evening saw us walking along the canal at Bilsborrow, followed by a meal at Owd Nells, and in July some of us enjoyed a shopping trip to Pendle Outlet Centre in Brierfield and Oswaldtwistle Mill. Now we are planning to start the 2009-2010 programme with a coffee evening in the Church Foyer on September 7th when you will be able to see the full programme of talks etc. I do hope you will support this as our funds are quite low after the purchase of the new font. The first meeting will be on September 14th – look out for the programmes in the Church foyer. We hope to Read more

By The Editor, ago

‘A Harvest of Talents’ – 18th, 19th, 20th September

Calling all members and friends of Christ Church, Longridge! This year our Harvest Celebrations will be around the theme of ‘A Harvest of Talents’ – and this is where you come in!! At Christ Church, we have many talented people, and many forms of talents – and I’d like us to incorporate them all into a bumper weekend of celebration. Ideally this would begin by as many people as possible contributing a display or item to be displayed around the church, which represents what you are good at, or what you enjoy doing! So, come on, don’t be shy – no hiding your light under a bushel – let’s celebrate all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for at this harvest time – whatever that may be! Next, once displays (including, hopefully, some traditional harvest goods) have been Read more

By helen, ago