Christ Church, Longridge - Methodist/URC

The June Ramble – Led by Jim & Janet Sommerville

Only five walkers and two spaniels assembled in the car park at Cartmel Racecourse, which was hosting a large dog show at the time, and set off on the road to Grange over Sands until a stile leading uphill towards Grange Golf course. Clambering over another stile, the ramblers followed markers up through the course to another stile and onto Fell End part of Hampsfield Fell. The walk continued along the Fell until the Hospice was reached, the highest part on a limestone pavement. The Hospice (a stone built shelter with an observation platform on the roof) has an open door facing due East and an ancient Greek Inscription on its lintel which possibly stated “Greet the dawn”, and the poem below was inside the building: – Lunch was taken at this point and afterwards the ramble continued following a Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Pentecost Washout

Our weather forecasters didn’t get it quite right. There wasn’t a total deluge on Pentecost Sunday here in Longridge as had been predicted but at least, we were warned that outdoor activities might not be possible. Sadly therefore we were unable to put up the marquee and enjoy ‘Picnic in the Park’. A few brave souls ate their sandwiches in Christ Church Hall and wrestled with Carol’s origami symbols of a dove and a flame which were later used to illustrate the service. A few more joined us and we thoroughly enjoyed singing choruses ably led by Bernard Hunt on the guitar and then had a short service for Pentecost. Though few in numbers we represented all four of the Longridge churches and were able to give thanks that, whatever our differences, we are one in the Spirit.

By carolspencer, ago

Ordination and Induction of Helen Higgin-Botham

It’s almost here. June 30th at 2.30 pm will see people from all over the country descending on Christ Church for Helen’s Ordination and Induction. It should be a really exciting day and we pray, the beginning of a new and exciting period in the life of our church. Helen tells me that she will not be coming in like a whirlwind to change everything but June 30th will be quite a day as we expect every square inch of the church to be filled. There will be quite a lot of jobs to be done before and during the day. On June 28th and 29th we are looking for people to help give the church a thorough Spring Clean and set out all the furniture etc. If you can help in any way please come along any time between Read more…

By The Editor, ago

From the Manse: Summer 2007

“Dear Friends, Sometimes church life feels like a helter-skelter.  We are rushing at a tremendous pace round and round — from Harvest to Remembrance, then on to Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Anniversary.  All this and all the ‘routine’ activities as well.  So much happens in our church and Churches Together in Longridge that it’s almost impossible to review everything at the AGM any more but you will find some of the Annual Reports in the latest edition of the Messenger. A helter-skelter however, is not like a roundabout.  You don’t just go round and round, faster and faster, but you start at the top and go down and down until you hit the ground – often with quite a bump.  There is a danger that church life could have the same effect on us.  Instead of Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The May Ramble – Pendle Hill

After a number of level walks, Jim decided that we must be in need of a little toughening up and so led us to the top of Pendle Hill, that well known landmass clearly seen to the east of Longridge. Such a vantage point needed a very clear day and that is just what we got. Warm, sunny and clear. Starting from the car park in the pretty village of Barley, our party, a good turnout of eleven, headed out of the village, through fields, heading for the easier but longer southerly ascent. Having passed the waterworks, we started the steady climb up Boar Clough, the path getting steeper. At this point, some of the party were introduced to the advantages of walking poles. We stopped for a lunch break in a lovely narrow valley by a stream and afterwards Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The April Ramble – Capernwray and the River Keer

For this months walk, we had a new leader. Veronica was in charge, a case of, “Chic power”. Starting from Carnforth, we entered the Lancaster Canal and headed north under a hot sun, clear in all directions. To the west, the splendid sight of Warton Crag came into view and as we walked along the tow path, we passed some impressive conversions of farm buildings on the other bank. Eventually, we arrived at a point where the canal met the river Keer. Here is to be found a interesting aqueduct, designed by John Rennie. Leaving the canal at this point, we now followed the river Keer, walking through fields, passing under a imposing railway viaduct, to Upper Keer Bridge. Crossing a road hear, we now followed the right bank of the river and eventually arrived at the Pine Lake Resort. Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The March Ramble – Leader John Dixon

On a drab cloudy Saturday six ramblers assembled at Buck Haw Brow a mile from Settle and set off along the side of Giggleswick Scar, passing three caves, and reaching the the Schoolboys’ Cairn which owes its existence to new boys at Giggleswick School each adding a stone to the Cairn. Skirting around the edge of a large quarry, the group worked their way downhill a little, passing above Stackhouse, a farmstead, climbing up Reinsber Scar then downhill to Little Stainforth. Lunch was taken sitting on an outcrop of limestone nearby. Afterwards walking uphill in a westerly direction, with Smearset Scar on the right, a wall was observed on the escarpment on the left. It was decided to investigate the remains of what the great and good A. Wainwright called the Celtic Wall. The remaining limestone wall is 22 yards Read more…

By The Editor, ago

From the Manse: Easter 2007

“Dear Friends, Where does the time go to? As I type this, it is Shrove Tuesday and it doesn’t seem any time at all since last Shrove Tuesday. They say there are only two certainties in this life — death and taxes. I would like to suggest two others. The first is that time never stands still. It rushes on and on. We know that when things aren’t going well, time can seem to drag and when we’re having a good time, it goes even faster than usual. There is so much to do in life that I often wish I could stop time or get an extra day or two in the week but I find comfort in the words of scripture which remind us that to God, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years Read more…

By The Editor, ago

Alleluia

Thank you to everyone who helped with hospitality and catering when Helen Higgin-Botham came to ‘Preach with a View’. It was great to see so many at the service, lunch and meeting. The voting for Helen was one hundred percent at both Churches and so we look forward to welcoming Helen and Colin to Preston and Longridge in June. Helen comes originally from Nelson and currently lives in Cambridge. She has three grown up children – Daniel aged 26, Richard aged 24 and Charlotte aged 18 – and we look forward to meeting them too. Look out for more information soon.

By The Editor, ago

“Carols for the King”

30 Christmas Carols Words and Music by Janet I. Edwards. Foreword by Rev. Brian Hoare former President of the Methodist Conference Published by Church in the Market Place Publications, Warrington. Janet was born in South Derbyshire and found her spiritual home in the Methodist village chapel. There she came to personal faith in Jesus Christ and this was to shape the rest of her life. She studied music as her main subject in Derby Teacher Training College. After three years’ teaching she offered for the Wesley Deaconess Order and was accepted. After training she served on Caravan Missions and in circuit work. Always an evangelist at heart she loved the work and was thrilled to see many respond to the call of Christ. Piano, guitar, trumpet and piano-accordian were all used in her ministry and song writing seemed to be Read more…

By The Editor, ago