Hello everyone!

Are you looking forward to next week? I am, for several reasons. One of them is because it marks the start of us going through The Bible Course as a whole Church family. It will take us the Bible’s big story – from Genesis through to Revelation. We have a special display purpose-made for Christ Church which will be revealed fully tomorrow, to help visualise the thread running the Bible.

There are over 140,000 people already benefitting from The Bible Course. After going through it you will be able to confidently apply Scripture to everyday life by getting to grips with the Bible’s key themes, characters and stories. There will be interactive films, striking resources and exclusive content from Bible experts.

The Bible Course lasts for eight weeks. On a Sunday, the theme of the week will be introduced during the sermon in the service. Then, come back again during the week to one of the five midweek opportunities. Don’t like going out in the evening? That’s fine, choose from one of the three daytime groups. Working during the day? We understand, for you there’s two evening groups to choose from.

Here’s the full list:

• Monday at 7:30 PM (in the Community Centre Hall)
• Tuesday at 2:30 PM (at 99 Church Road)
• Wednesday at 10:00 AM (in Church)
• Thursday at 7:30 PM (in the Community Centre Hall)
• Friday at 10:00 AM (in the Community Centre Hall

It’s free! There’s no need to book – just turn up. However, if you’re thinking of going to the Tuesday afternoon group, Chris and Helen Fallone would find it useful to know the numbers coming – so have a word with them on the way out of Church or email Chris: revchrisfallone@gmail.com

p.s. if you usually come to the Monday evening growth group, please spot the earlier time of 7:30 PM for the duration of The Bible Course.

Brickhouse continues to go well. The children love to use their imagination to create things. This past week they’ve been learning about the birth of Moses and the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt.

Mr Kyle Booth has passed from our presence into the Lord’s presence in heaven. Joan Booth welcomes all who would like to, to join her and her family at Kyle’s funeral on Monday 15th June, 2:00 PM at Christ Church Thornton followed by burial at All Hallows Bispham.

Some of you will remember fondly when Kyle and Joan joined us on the Pilgrimage to Israel in October 2017. Kyle has a been a member of several churches on the Fylde Coast, mainly Methodist churches, although he has joined us on occasion at Christ Church.

Please do pray for Joan and all her family as they grieve the loss of Kyle. Your prayers and words of comfort are of great support to her.

You might remember that in recent years Roger Lloyd Jones has been doing The Mighty Hike Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support. He’s off again! This will be his third one. This time it’s to the Yorkshire Dales, on Saturday 27th June. Roger is aiming to raise £2000 to help Macmillan Cancer Support, to ensure no one faces cancer alone. For more info and to support Roger, please visit this dedicaed webpage HERE.

Good news! The Chapel is open once again and will be used throughout the coming week, for the Pilgrim’s Rest and for other activities.

In recent years, we have been supporting a Christian charity called Home for Good. They have recently merged with another charity called Safe Families. It’s great that several members of the Christ Church congregation volunteer for them and support them financially and in prayer.

You might recall that we have been giving an annual donation to Home for Good of £3,500. This has been made as part of our Global Mission Partners initiative, where we tithe 10% of donations that are given to Christ Church, in order to bless other Christian missionary organisations and to support them in their work. We were going to present a cheque for £3,500 to their representative, Mike Chesterton, in November of this year. However an opportunity came up through a national initiative called The Big Give. Through that, match funding was possible. Therefore I wanted to let you all know the good news that we made our donation of £3,500 a little earlier than anticipated, which has resulted in some match funding from generous donors elewhere. This means our £3,500 has been almost doubled, to just £16 short of £7,000. The total amount Home for Good and Safe Families have received is £6,984. Praise God for his provision!

To give you a bit more info about the work they do…

Safe Families support isolated families, providing them with community and support. Home for Good has worked with the church to find nurturing homes for children who cannot stay with their birth families. Together, they will see more volunteers empowered and trained, more local authorities served, more families supported, less children entering care and for those that do, well-matched homes found.

We’ve been live streaming services since 26th March 2020. Did you know they are all available to watch on our YouTube channel?

We hope that by streaming the service live, anyone who faces restrictions because of mobility, health or other reasons, can benefit from tuning in on a Sunday morning at 11:00 AM. We know of some people who come to the 9:00 AM service and go home and enjoy the 11:00 AM live stream at home. And others who appreciate the opportunity to be in Church on a Sunday but to watch the sermon back again at home. Others like to worship through the week by joining in the worship songs. Here is the link you need to watch the live stream this Sunday and view any of the 748 videos available on our channel: https://www.youtube.com/ChristChurchThornton/

This week’s worship songs for our 11:00 AM service on the 14th June can be listened to in advance using this Spotify playlist on this link HERE.

Lots of people have booked already! Have you? Don’t leave it too long to book!

During the year we’ll be holding two special events (both on a Saturday) where we’ll be joined by a presenter from Walk Through the Bible. One of the events will be an interactive and engaging teaching event that uncovers the Big Picture of the Old Testament – Genesis to Malachi – and the second event will cover the Big Picture of the New Testament – Matthew to Revelation.

Each event will be really fun as well as an encouraging way to consolidate prior Bible knowledge and help fill in gaps. An experienced presenter will lead each event with five one-hour sessions on each of the two dates. The presenter will set up the room to explain the Biblical geography and how it impacts the story. There will be a specifically designed Workbook, accompanied by a PowerPoint, containing maps, charts and book summaries.

The dates are: Saturday 11th July 2026 and Saturday 3rd October 2026. The first event is ‘Walk Through the Old Testament.’ To watch a promotional video introducing what happens in the event click HERE.

The cost is £16 per person per event. Details of how to book for Saturday 11th July are below…

You can scan the QR code or use this link HERE. The QR code and link takes you to the Walk Through the Bible website. Scroll down the list of events at different churches to find the Christ Church Thornton event and buy tickets from there. For any questions, further info or booking issues please speak to Chris Fallone.

All for Jesus Seminars

Embracing the diocesan 2026 theme of All for Jesus, I am running a series of 45-minute seminars to look at some interesting and sometimes controversial subjects. The purpose of these is to stretch our theological muscles and ponder some little discussed but important subjects. Each seminar is rooted in teaching from the holy scriptures with some history, theology – all within a prayerful and pastoral approach.

• 013 | Tuesday 16th June | What will heaven be like? Book HERE.
• 014 | Tuesday 1st September | How can we have free will if God plans and knows everything?
• 015 | Tuesday 8th September | Does God allow or cause suffering?
• 016 | Tuesday 15th September | Did God create the devil to be evil?
• 017 | Tuesday 22nd September | What will hell be like?
• 018 | Tuesday 29th September | Did Jesus go to hell before his resurrection?

Future topics will include:

• Should we pray to the saints?
• Do babies go to heaven?
• Will we meet our loved ones in heaven?
• In heaven, will we eat, drink, work, play, shop?

All the seminars will take place on a Tuesday lunchtime from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM in the Community Centre Hall over a simple lunch of soup and a roll followed by cheese and biscuits. The cost is £5 to cover the cost of food. Booking in advance is required via the link published in the weekly news email the week before each event happens. Book HERE for Tuesday 16th June.

2026 is the Centenary Year of the Cathedral and Diocese of Blackburn. A year of celebration will culminate on Thursday November 12th, the exact date when the Diocese was formed out of the Diocese of Manchester one hundred years ago.

On that day representatives of the Diocese together with friends and partners will gather in Blackburn Cathedral for a celebration of the Eucharist commencing at 7:00 PM.  

Bishop Philip asks you to save the date in your diaries. A formal invitation will come from the Cathedral in the early part of the Summer.

The Keswick Convention is an inspiring thing to attend and be part of. Not everyone can manage to get there or stay over. Therefore, on Friday 7th August we’re creating a ‘Keswick at Home’ experience at Christ Church in the Community Centre Hall.

We’ll be watching the Evening Celebration live on the big screen, hoping to create that big tent experience. We will be eating fish and chips (a popular delicacy at Keswick) and then tuning in to the teaching, the music and the atmosphere of the last day of the Convention on our big screen. Come along and experience the fun, fellowship, celebration and brilliant Bibe teaching.

More details to follow in the future but for now please save this date in your diary: Friday 7th August, 6:00 PM.

Once again we’re driving up the M6 to Grange-over-Sands for the fifth Treehouse Weekend Away. It’s only an hour from door-to-door. We’ll be staying at the Thornleigh Christian Hotel. The weekend will take place from Friday 23rd October to Sunday 25th October 2026. The weekend will be full board, including all meals in the hotel from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch, with plenty of coffee breaks and biscuits inbetween. We’ll enjoy a lovely walk out on the Saturday afternoon – to spot birds, spot trains, spot Blackpool Tower, play in the park, feed the ducks and visit the chocolate shop! 

The food at Thornleigh is always amazing!

The Treehouse Weekend Away is always a great opportunity to spend time together whilst growing deeper in our Christian faith.

How much? As a church we always try to subsidise the cost of the weekend for all who go, to ensure cost isn’t a barrier and to make things a little easier for families to budget, especially so close to Christmas. The price below is a subsidised price made possible by the generosity of church members and through raising funds or securing diocesan grants.

The price for the weekend is £170 per adult (17+). £40 for ages 3–5, £60 for ages 6–11, and £80 for ages 12–16. Children aged 0–2 are free of charge.

The booking link is now live HERE. 

On Saturday 27th June 2026, Christ Church is the venue for the St. John’s Whittle-le-Woods and Clayton Brook Community Church PCC Vision awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.

Calling all ladies…it’s time for the Annual Ladies’ Evening Group Summer Dinner at Singleton Lodge. This year it will be held on Wednesday 15th July and promises to be another memorable evening with lots of lovely food, great fellowship and no shopping or washing up! What could be better than that on a summer’s evening? For more details and a menu, please see Judith Murphy.

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 you wish to give.  For example “CCTFY5 give £10” to give £10. Step by step instructions 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.

Monday 15th June

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:45 PM – Lyrics & Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:00 PM – Funeral of the late Mr Kyle Booth in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – The Bible Course on Mondays

Tuesday 16th June

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Craft & Chat in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 12:45 PM – All for Jesus Seminar & Lunch in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM – The Bible Course on Tuesdays
• 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM – Brickhouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in Church

Wednesday 17th June

• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Walking Wednesday’ Breakfast in the Community Centre
• 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – The Bible Course on Wednesdays
• 11:15 AM to 12:00 Noon – Traditional (BCP) service of Holy Communion in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Lunches for Seniors in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:00 PM – Mothers’ Union 150th Deanery Anniversary Service in Church
• 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church

Thursday 18th June

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM – Playhouse (parent, baby and toddlers) in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – The Bible Course on Thursdays
• 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM – Alpha in the Community Centre

Friday 19th June

• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Family Friday’ Breakfast in the Community Centre
• 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM – The Bible Course on Fridays
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – ‘Side Aisle Support’ in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Craft & Chat in the Community Centre
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – Food Pantry available (emergency food support)
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre

Damian and Lauren will be missing for a week!

Due to Harry and Emily’s wedding, me, Lauren and Ruby will be away in London to prepare for and celebrate Harry and Emily’s wedding. We’ll be going away on Wednesday 17th June and we’ll be back at Church by Wednesday 24th June. For anything urgent, please do speak to a Churchwarden or one of of the ministry team.

Please pray for our family!