Have you felt the crispy autumn leaves under your feet this week? Or stared at the full moon? Or noticed the mist rolling in from the Irish Sea? They are all signs of the changing of the seasons. The weather forecasters tell us to expect a cold snap.

I can’t forecast the weather. But there is one thing I can do. I can point you to what the Word of God forecasts – what God himself says will happen in the future. Look at these words of the apostle Paul to Timothy (our Bible reading tomorrow): 

 ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Paul points Timothy to a future award which he calls ‘the crown of righteousness.’ What Paul describes is the same heavenly award awaiting every Christian. Tomorrow we’ll learn more about what this is and how it is achieved – do come and find out! 

As I’m sure you’ll have watched or read in the news this week, the Church of England has had a week of crisis and a week of renewed pain for those who have suffered at the hands of abusers. I have written more about this later in this weekly news. These are important and difficult matters – please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would find it helpful to discuss this issue.

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Quiet Hour in Church

Some feedback in recent times is that with so many activities taking place during the week, some people find it hard to know when Church is open for silent prayer and contemplation. Feedback is always taken seriously and acted upon if appropriate. I’m pleased to announce that every weekday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM in the nave and chancel of the Church building will be a ‘quiet hour.’ Please feel free to sit in Church quietly, for silent prayer and contemplation. Whilst I cannot guarantee complete silence due to people passing through or sounds from other activities around the Church complex being heard, what you can be assured of is that during that hour the Church building will be free from organised events and activities. There will of course be exceptions (such as funerals and events on the run up to Christmas). But generally speaking, 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM is a great opportunity to sit in Church for silent prayer and contemplation. There might be teething problems, so do bear with us.

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Sunday Services The services and activities on Sunday 17th November are:

• 9:00 AM Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments afterwards)
• 10:00 AM Meadows Books open (until 10:45 AM)
• 11:00 AM Baptism Service (livestreamed with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:15 PM Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Family Worship (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

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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 our services we will be looking at the following Bible reading: 2 Timothy 4.1-22 (Church Bible page 902). The 11:00 AM order of service is available here.

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Crisis in the Church of England

This past week the Church of England has been in the news headlines. Sadly, for reasons which we wish wasn’t the case. Back in 2013 Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was informed of abuse having taken place to young boys by a man named John Smyth. Justin Welby says he was told by his colleagues that the police were being informed about the abuse. However, this didn’t happen. Justin Welby’s failure to ask follow-up questions on this matter and to ensure it was passed onto the authorities is the reason he has now resigned from his position as the senior cleric in the Church of England (and the worldwide Anglican Communion). It was only in 2017 when the matter was once again raised that the police were informed. In 2018 John Smyth died. This means he was not brought to justice. It also means from 2013 to his death he continued his pattern of abuse. The police should have been informed in 2013 when it was brought to the attention of Justin Welby. The abuse by John Smyth happened over five decades and it raises questions about how it could have gone on for so long without anyone bringing it to the attention of the authorities, long before 2013.

This rightly raises all sorts of questions about justice, safeguarding today, and how this can happen within an organisation that should act contrary to the evils of the world. 

Although not an ordained minister in the Church of England, John Smyth had prominence and significant ministry roles in work with young people. Through his prominence and charisma young people came to trust him. He abused over 130 boys over five decades. Their suffering and the impact on their lives must be at the centre of our thoughts and prayers. Some of them have courageously spoken out in recent days since the publication of the Makin report. The report is an independent review by Keith Makin into the Church of England’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth. The report can be viewed using this link here. Survivors of the abuse, along with senior bishops, and thousands of clergy signed a petition urging Justin Welby to resign. The petition has over 15,000 signatories.

In the Church of England there are 12,500 parishes, plus chaplaincies. There are over 19,000 ordained ministers serving the Church of England, plus many thousands more lay people in significant ministry roles. Like my 19,000+ colleagues, I feel ashamed that John Smyth abused boys in what should have been the safest institution in the world for those boys to be part of.

I have two brief reflections to share. Firstly, even when earthly justice is avoided, we can be assured that God is just, knows all things, including every secret of our heart. He will hold to account all those who escaped earthly justice. Secondly, we must do all we can to protect children, young people, and the vulnerable. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It is especially important that those in leadership positions set the highest example and lead the way. It is surely right therefore that Justin Welby has resigned. And it is right that he has apologised for not doing all that he should have done to ensure the report of abuse was passed to the police back in 2013. 

Here at Christ Church Thornton safeguarding is extremely important. Throughout the year I am in regular contact with the safeguarding team at the diocese, asking for advice, reporting concerns and flagging up any issues. You can read our safeguarding policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ on our safeguarding webpage on this link here. Do please have a read of that page. It has contact details for key safeguarding contacts within our church and the diocese.

On any given Sunday we might have 165 people passing through the Church building, and through the week an additional 250-300 people. Those numbers represent people of no faith, some faith, and lots of faith. They represent known and trusted people as well as total strangers. 

To give an example of how our safeguarding practices have a positive and preventative impact, through our diligence, procedures and best practice, at least two people (two separate occasions) in recent years have been prevented from continuing to visit or attend Christ Church Thornton due to concerns about their past behaviour and ongoing potential to cause harm. No one reading this will know who these people are (so don’t start guessing!) – they are not known to you. They were each complete strangers to us upon a first visit but were people whom the authorities deemed should not be attending public worship and midweek activities. Through sharing our concerns with the authorities, these things were picked up. Neither of the two people attended for more than one or two occasions and neither of them were able to become involved in any way with church activities or have any contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults when they came. That gives a flavour of the safeguarding happening in the background. Our capacity to spot concerns, share those concerns, and for the diocese to act upon them in conjunction with police and probation, is in place. Albeit there is always room for improvement. We must remain vigilant. 

In the forefront are DBS checks, safeguarding training courses, careful conversations with prospective volunteers, front door security, supervision, and keeping to correct ratios. Alongside this we strive hard to create a safe culture and positive atmosphere for all who attend. 

If ever you have a safeguarding concern or query, please do follow the correct procedures to make contact with the best person in a timely way. Again, please do consult the safeguarding page on the website (and also the safeguarding poster displayed in the corridor). 

Our Parish Safeguarding Officer (a volunteer role) is Mr David Taylor. He can be emailed at david@christchurchthornton.uk.

The three bishops of the Diocese of Blackburn have written a letter of response to this issue. It is worth reading, and you can do so by clicking on this link here.

Let us hold in our hearts and minds those who have suffered. Do pray for them, and pray for a safer Church of England, and pray that all those who would wish to do harm to others will be prevented from doing so and brought to justice. Pray for all children, young people and vulnerable adults in the Church of England, and here in our church community – for their safety and flourishing at every second of their involvement at and worship within Christ’s Church.

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‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class

To book for Cookhouse on Friday 22th November at 5:00 PM please book using this link here. Please note there will not be a ‘Cookhouse’ taking place on Friday 29th November (due to the Advent Concert). The last one of the year will be on Friday 6th December, following which there will be a break until the New Year.

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Football match!

The men’s 11-a-side football team are back in action on Saturday 23rd November at 10:30 AM at Common Edge Community Sports Village. They are playing against Bridge Church Bolton. Supporters welcome!

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Christmas Day Community Dinner Planning Meeting

A planning meeting for those volunteering at the Christmas Day Community Dinner will take place on Saturday 30th November at 10:00 AM in the Community Centre Hall.

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Can you host some actors?

We are looking for volunteers to act as hosts for the four team members from the 4 Front Theatre Company for the evenings of Tuesday 3rd December and Wednesday the 4th December. If you have a spare bed at your inn and would like to host one of the team could you please email martin@christchurchthornton.uk

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Advent Concert
We’re looking forward to hosting an Advent Concert on Friday 29th November at 7:30 PM. We’ll be hosting once again Christian singer-songwriters Yvonne Lyon, Gareth Davies-Jones and David Lyon as they bring you an evening of live acoustic seasonal music.

Expect wonderful melodies, soaring harmonies, and an acoustic warmth and intimacy generated by three creative artists at the top of their craft.

This event is perfect to invite a friend or family member to – expecially someone who wouldn’t usually come to Church. 

Please book tickets in advance, costing £10.00 adult, £5.00 child. Click on this link here to book.

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Christmas Tree Lighting

Come along to the Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:00 PM on Sunday 1st December in the Car Park. With carols around the outdoor tree, lovely mince pies and hot chocolate, this annual event is a fun occasion for all ages, and the tree lighting is a moment of excitement for children (and adults!) Wrap up warm!

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Not Getting Inn!

It’s Pan-tivity time! It’s a nativity, and a pantomime (“oh yes it is!”).

A Roman census, tired guests, a broken stable, and a surprise inn-spection. There’s no room at the inn, so when a pregnant woman knocks at the door, how on earth will Bucky the Bell-Boy squeeze them inn?

The Nativity story meets Fawlty Towers in this farcical panto, with songs, slapstick, and plenty of laughs! 4Front Theatre Company are joining us once again, bringing a show full to the rafters with fun, all the while delivering a message of hope, found in the birth of Jesus. It’s on Thursday 5th December, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. To enable as many children, their families, and adults to come and enjoy the evening, it will be free of charge. So please spread the word, put the date in your diary, and let’s fill every seat.

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Christmas Coach Trip to Chester

Damian will be leading a coach trip to Chester on Friday 6th December.

The coach will be setting off from Christ Church Thornton at 8:30 AM, arriving in Chester just before 10:30 AM. The coach will leave Chester at 4:30 PM, arriving back at Christ Church around 6:30 PM, traffic dependent. 

This will be a lovely opportunity to visit the Christmas Market outside the Town Hall near to Chester Cathedral (there’s around 70 stalls). You can explore Chester at your own leisure, and if interested, to visit Chester Cathedral. The Refectory Cafe is lovely place for lunch or coffee and cake. If you wish you could pay to go on a tour of the Cathedral with a guide. NB: due to a concert taking place at the Cathedral that evening, some parts of the Cathedral might not be as accessible as usual.

The cost for the travel only is £20 per person. Bookings can be made online using this link here.

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Christmas Cracker – Concert with Thornton Cleveleys Brass Band
We’re delighted to be partnering with the local and brilliant Thornton-Cleveleys Brass Band to host a ‘Christmas Cracker.’ It will be on Saturday 7th December at 7:30 PM. The cost is £7.50 per person, payable on the door on the night.

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Carols at Blackpool Tower

An organisation in Blackpool called Refreshment UK are running a special celebration of carols at the Tower. It’s on Tuesday 10th December from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Favourite carols will be accompanied by the band from the Salvation Army at Blackpool Citadel. For more information and tickets please click on this link here.

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Playhouse Nativity

Each morning at Playhouse (for babies, toddlers and their parents/carers) from Monday 16th to Thursday 19th December there will be a pop-up nativity (for those who attend Playhouse). It’s from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Community Centre Hall.

Going on a special tour of the building, Banjo Bob, Lyrical Lauren, and Deputy Damian will be leading the cast of mini actors. The first stop will be the Pilgrim’s Rest. Will there be any water or snacks for the donkey? The next stop will be the bookshop. Will there be any room at the Inn? The next stop will be the Choir Vestry. Where are the shepherds? The final stop will be the Church, in preparation for the birth of a very special baby. Where are the angels?

Parents and carers are encouraged to bring costumes for themselves and their children!

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Festive Musical Lunches

You’re invited to the very popular (book early!) Festive Musical Lunches – with carrot & coriander soup, turkey sandwiches, yule log, and cheese and crackers. There’ll be Christmas crackers, carols, and the opportunity to join Banjo Bob to spin the wheel with his famous catchphrases: “round and round the wheel goes, where it stops nobody knows…once completed it must be deleted!”

Please please please BOOK here using this link rather than just tell someone you are coming.

They are on:

• Monday 16th December, 12:00 Noon.
• Tuesday 17th December, 12:00 Noon.
• Wednesday 18th December, 12:00 Noon.
• Thursday 19th December, 12:00 Noon.

The cost is £10 per person per lunch. If affordability is a problem, please don’t let that put you off. Have a chat with Damian or one of the team.

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Christmas Carol Services & Treehouse Nativity

Join us to sing your favourite carols at one of our Carol Services and the Treehouse Nativity on Sunday 22nd December:

• 10:00 AM Traditional Carols and Communion
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Nativity
• 6:00 PM Mince Pies and Mulled Wine
• 7:00 PM Contemporary Service of Lessons and Carols

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Orange & Chat!

Christingle Elves needed! This annual event to prepare the Christingles will be on Monday 23rd December from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM in the Community Centre Hall. We’ll be getting all the components together. Various roles required, from bagging up sweets, to wrapping the oranges, to dropping a doughnut in each bag. Come along and have some fun.

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Christingle

An orange, some red ribbon, sweets on sticks and a glow stick. Somehow it all points to the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World. Come and join us for our Christingle service at 3:00 PM on Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December.

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Christmas Day Community Dinner 2024“Delicious Food, Friendship, Faith, and Joy”

We are looking forward to hosting a joy filled afternoon on Wednesday 25th December from 1:00 PM onwards in the Community Centre Hall. The meal is for anyone who might benefit from having company on Christmas Day. Enjoy a proper Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, followed of course by pudding, cake, and cheese and biscuits! There will be a quiz and live music.

There is no charge for any of the food or the activities. God gave the generous gift of Jesus at the first Christmas. We believe in sharing the generous love of God with anyone who would like to receive it.

Booking is essential. Please sign up using this link here.

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Sermon Series

Here is an insight into what’s coming up in our services….

• Sunday 24th November
  • Theme: ‘God will wipe away every tear’
  • Passage: Revelation 7
• Sunday 1st December (Advent 1)
  • Theme: ‘The marriage supper of the Lamb’
  • Passage: Revelation 19
• Sunday 8th December (Advent 2)
  • Theme: ‘The dwelling place of God is with man’
  • Passage: Revelation 21
• Sunday 15th December (Advent 3)
  • Theme: “I am coming soon”
  • Passage: Revelation 22

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Church WhatsApp Announcement Group

We are also trialing a Church WhatsApp Announcement Group (often called a WhatsApp Community). Short and quick-to-read useful messages of information about church life and activities will be posted on it. If you subscribe to it, no one can see your number except the administrator (currently Damian, with one or two more people to be added going forward). 

To try it out and get involved click on this link here to be added to it. If you like it, you can keep on it and if you don’t like it you can easily ‘exit’ the group at any time. You can also ‘mute’ notifications at any time. 

If it works, we’ll launch sub-groups by WhatsApp for various church activities going forward as an efficient way to broadcast useful and activity-specific important information (in addition to the weekly news).

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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 you 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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Treehouse Weekend Away

To the Treehouse congregation: save the date now for next year! It will be from Friday 31st October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. A booking link with payment options will be available soon.

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Diary of Activities and Services

Monday 18th November

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 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 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM – Churches Together in Thornton Committee Meeting in the Chapel
• 7:45 PM to 9:15 PM – Growth Group in the Community Centre

Tuesday 19th November

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 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 1:00 PM – Lunch in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre

Wednesday 20th November

• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – Breakfast Club and Walking Bus to Royles Brook School 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 the Chapel
• 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 10:45 AM – Wednesday Morning Growth Group in Church
• 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 to 3:45 PM – Mothers’ Union Communion in Church and Community Centre
• 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal

Thursday 21st November

• 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM – Morning Prayer in Church
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Pilgrim’s Rest in the Chapel
• 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 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre and Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centr

Friday 22nd November

• 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 the Chapel
• 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
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move and Chat in the Community Centre
• 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – ‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre

Saturday 23rd November

• 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM – The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop
• 10:30 AM to 12:15 PM – Christ Church Football Team vs Bridge Street Bolton – playing at Common Edge Community Sports Village in Blackpool

Sunday 24th November

• 9:00 AM Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion (with refreshments afterwards)
• 10:00 AM Meadows Books open (until 10:45 AM)
• 11:00 AM Communion Service (livestreamed and with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:15 PM Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 5:00 PM Treehouse Family Worship (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)

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Bible Teaching Workshop

Jonathan Lamb, author and Minister at Large for Keswick Ministries, will be coming to the Fylde Coast on the morning of Saturday 25^th January 2025. As the Church celebrates the Conversion of St Paul that day, he will explore “The Message of 2 Corinthians – encouragements for Christians feeling hard pressed and ineffective.” It will take place in the Poulton Community Hall, Vicarage Road, Poulton. Coffee at 9:00 AM for a 9:30 AM start. It will finish at 12:45 PM. The workshop is free of charge. 

A little more info about the workshop…

Are you feeling weak and ineffective in your witness as a Christian? You will not be alone. Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth is full of encouragements for Christians who feel hard-pressed and ineffective. Throughout his letter Paul reminds us that God’s glory and power is best seen in the weakness of Jesus on the cross. And now that we are united to Christ, we too can know his power in the midst of weakness, enabling us to live like Him, and confidently share God’s message of reconciliation with those around us.  Come and hear The message of 2 Corinthians and be encouraged and equipped for your work as a Christian in the local church.  

The speaker Jonathan Lamb is a writer and teacher, and minister-at-large for Keswick Ministries. He has worked in local church ministry, then amongst students in the UK and also globally with IFES. He then served as Director of Langham Preaching, an initiative which encourages pastors and lay preachers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, before becoming the CEO for Keswick Ministries. Today he is often to be found teaching and training at events in the UK and further afield. Jonathan is the author of several books, the most recent of which are ‘Essentially One: striving for the unity God loves’ (IVP) and ‘Growing Healthy churches’ (Partnership Publications).  After many years in Oxford, Jonathan and Margaret recently moved to Shropshire, to join their family in working in two small parish churches near Oswestry.

Registration: for planning purposes, please let the organiser know if you plan to attend this free workshop. It is being organised by David Gascoigne at St. Chad’s Church in Poulton. Email davidpgascoigne@gmail.com or Mobile 07768 303462.

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With blessings,

Damian