Weekly News on Friday 30 August 2024


This email marks the last newsletter I’ll send out as curate at Christ Church Thornton. It has been a real joy to be with you these last 2 and a quarter years. I really appreciate your welcome, your encouragement and your willingness to step up and get involved. 

This week we’re looking at Acts 13:1-12 in which the Church in the power of the Spirit sends out Barnabas and Saul for the gospel work to which God is calling them. This scripture, and others like it, are the basis of the Church of England’s 23rd ‘Article of Religion’ which says: “IT is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of publick preaching, or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully called, and sent to execute the same.” The article and the scriptures remind us that none of us operates in our christian ministry in isolation; we the church together discern God’s call and encourage and equip one another for the ministry to which each of us is called. 

Who might you encourage in their service of God this week? Where might you notice somebody stepping out into their calling that you can support and get behind? Who can help you discuss and weigh your own sense of God’s call on your life? 

Take some time to reflect on those questions and then take a look at the various activities, services and events going on!

Andrew

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Sunday Services

The services and activities on Sunday 1st September are:

  • 9am Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments afterwards)
  • 10am Meadows Books open (until 10.45am)
  • 11am Contemporary Service of Holy Communion livestreamed (with refreshments afterwards)
  • 12.15pm Meadows Books’ open (until 12.45pm)
  • 12.30pm Damian and Lauren’s Welcome Back Lunch
  • 5pm Treehouse Informal Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments)
  • 6pm Meadows Books open (until 6.15pm)

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Watching Online, Bible Reading and Order of Service

Our livestream can be viewed on our YouTube channel here and our Facebook channel here.

In all our morning services we will be looking at Acts 13.1-12

The 11am order of service is available here.

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Damian and Lauren’s Welcome Back BBQ-Style Lunch

To welcome Damian and Lauren back to Christ Church, this Sunday, 1st September, after the 11am service (approximately 12.30pm) we will be having a BBQ-Style lunch in the hall.  All are welcome. If you would like to make a contribution for the food you can do so by tapping the card machine on the day.

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Licensing of Andrew as Interim Curate in Charge of Fleetwood St Peter and St David

On Monday 2 September 2024 at 7pm Andrew will be licensed by the Bishop of Blackburn as Interim Curate in Charge of Fleetwood St Peter and St David. The service will be held at St Peter’s Church on Lord Street in Fleetwood and all are welcome to attend. Click here for official invitation

So that Andrew receives support while he completes his curacy training, Damian will be appointed as interim Priest in Charge of Fleetwood St Peter and St David at the same service.  This is in addition to him being Vicar of Christ Church.  Andrew, as Curate-in-Charge, will be the main point of contact at Fleetwood St Peter and St David.

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Prayer for Growth

At the Prayer for Growth meeting on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm, we will be hearing about the inspirational life of George Müller and his commitment to prayer for his work among orphans in Bristol.  It will be followed by 30 minutes of prayer. All are welcome to join us.

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Meadows Books: Can you help?

We need volunteers to help in the bookshop. If you would like to know more about what’s involved, please speak to one of the team in the bookshop.

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An evening of magic and laughter
Featuring close up magic from Rod Williams and a headline show from Britains got Talent star John Archer at St John’s Church, Blackpool on Wednesday 2 October 2024 at 7pm
They will be performing their main stage show for us, but also interviewing each other about their christian faith. This is an absolutely perfect event to invite people exploring faith along to.   It’s also made so older children can come with parents too if families want to come together. Click here to book.

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The Installation of Revd Joseph Kennedy as Bishop of Burnley


The Installation of Revd Joseph Kennedy as Bishop of Burnley will be on Sunday 8th September at 4pm at Blackburn Cathedral.  You can book tickets here

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Sing with Refresh

Refresh are organizing a choir to learn and perform a Christian musical at the Winter Gardens next March with Roger Jones of Christian Music Ministries (not to be confused with Roger Lloyd-Jones of Christ Church!)   Please speak to Angela Roberts for more information. 

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Treehouse Weekend Away

It has been seven years since we started the Treehouse service. I hope you’ll agree, it’s been tremendous. New friendships have been formed and there is a real family feel to all that happens on a Sunday afternoon. It is with excitement therefore that we have a weekend away planned for Friday 25th to Sunday 27th October 2024. This will be a great opportunity to spend time together whilst growing deeper in our Christian faith.

This weekend aimed at children and families is open to all congregations, not just those that attend Treehouse. The weekend will be full board, including all meals in the hotel from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, with the option of a packed lunch on the Saturday. 

You can book places for the weekend here.  You can read more about the Treehouse Weekend Away, including a draft programme, in this letter.

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Giving to God

There are numerous ways to give to God and contribute to the mission and ministry of Christ Church:

  • Bank transfer – details available here
  • By dated giving envelopes (on request)
  • By contactless machine at the back of Church (or sometimes positioned in the Pilgrim’s Rest or the Community Centre)
  • Online giving – you can give online here
  • You can give by text with a smartphone.  Send a text to 07380 307 800 containing our keyword “CCTFY5”, followed by the word “give”, followed by the amount they wish to give.  For example “CCTFY5 give £10” to give £10. Step by step instuctions here
  • Cash in the collection plate (positioned on the font)

Bank transfer or standing order is the preferred method of giving as they do not have any processing fees attached. Tax payers can add Gift Aid to their gift. More information about this can be found on the website here.

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Diary of Activities and Services

Monday 2nd September

  • 9 to 9.30am – Morning Prayer in Church
  • 10 to 11am – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am to 1pm – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
  • 12 noon to 1.30pm – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre
  • 2.30 to 4.30pm – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
  • 7pm Licensing of Andrew as Interim Curate in Charge of Fleetwood St Peter and St David

Tuesday 3rd September

  • 9 to 9.30am – Morning Prayer in Church
  • 10 to 11am – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am to 1pm – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
  • 10am to 12 noon – Craft & Chat in Church
  • 12 noon to 1pm – Lunch in the Community Centre
  • 7.45 to 8.30pm – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre

Wednesday 4th September

  • 8 to 10.30am – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
  • 8 to 8.30am – Breakfast Club and Walking Bus to Royles Brook School in the Community Centre
  • 9 to 9.30am – Morning Prayer in Church
  • 10 to 11am – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am to 1pm – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
  • 10 to 10.45am – Wednesday Morning Growth Group in Church
  • 11.15am to 12 noon – Traditional (BCP) service of Holy Communion in Church
  • 12 noon to 1pm – Lunches for Seniors in the Community Centre
  • 7.30 to 8.45pm – Musical Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 5th September

  • 9 to 9.30am – Morning Prayer in Church
  • 10 to 11am – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am to 1pm – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
  • 12 noon to 1.30pm – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre
  • 2.30 to 4.30pm – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre

Friday 6th September

  • 8 to 10.30am – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
  • 9 to 9.30am – Morning Prayer in Church
  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am to 1pm – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
  • 10am to 12noon – Craft & Chat in Church
  • 2.30 to 3.30pm – Move and Chat in the Community Centre

Saturday 7th September

  • 10am to 1pm – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
  • 10am PCC Away Day at Whalley Abbey

Sunday 8th September

  • 9am Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments afterwards)
  • 10am Meadows Books open (until 10.45am)
  • 11am Contemporary Service of Holy Communion livestreamed (with refreshments afterwards)
  • 12.15pm Meadows Books’ open (until 12.45pm)
  • 5pm Treehouse Informal Family Service (with refreshments)
  • 6pm Meadows Books open (until 6.15pm)

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With blessings,

Andrew

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