Hello everyone. Worshipping inspires our everyday speech! That’s our theme in our services tomorrow as we continue our theme of whole life worship, looking at James 5:13-18. Do come and hear more at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.

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Church trip to Blackburn Cathedral

Damian is being made an Honorary Canon at Blackburn Cathedral on Sunday 8th February at 4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to come to this special event and celebrate with all those receiving an honorary canonship. For more details about this, please click on this link HERE.

There will be a coach leaving Christ Church at 2:15 PM to take people to the Cathedral and bring them back again afterwards. Bookings are first come first served! BOOK HERE using this link. 

If you intend to come but are making your own way, please email Damian to ensure he can pass on accurate attendance numbers to the Cathedral for seating purposes.

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Treehouse Service not taking place on Sunday 8th February

Due to the event at the Cathedral on the afternoon of Sunday 8th February, there will not be a Treehouse Service at 5:00 PM on that day. Please come to Church in the morning at 11:00 AM where there will be special provision for children in the Community Centre Hall during that service. Families are of course welcome to come to Blackburn Cathedral at 4:00 PM too!

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Sunday Services

The services and activities on Sunday 1st February 2026 are:

• 9:00 AM – Traditional Service (with refreshments afterwards)
• 10:15 AM – Meadows Books open (until 10:45 AM)
• 11:00 AM – Contemporary Service (with refreshments afterwards)
• 12:30 PM – Meadows Books’ open (until 12:45 PM)
• 3:00 PM – Tradition Service of Evening Prayer (with refreshments afterwards)
• 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Communion (with refreshments)
• 6:00 PM – Meadows Books open (until 6:15 PM)
• 6:00 PM – Sanctuary Youth Gathering

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Watching Online

Our live stream on Sunday at 11:00 AM can be viewed on our YouTube channel HERE. The 11:00 AM order of service is available HERE.

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Toilet Twinning

I’m delighted to announce that each of our five new toilets have been twinned with other toilets in parts of the world where something as simple as going to the loo isn’t always that straightforward. For each toilet, £60 has been sent to the Christian charity Tearfund, who coordinate the Toilet Twinning scheme.Toilet Twinning funds hygiene education via community-led workshops and sourcing local materials for families and communities to build their own toilets.

Look out in each toilet for a framed certificate explaining more about it. If you’re interested in doing something with your own toilet at home, you can find out more about it using this link HERE. 


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Men United

Nothing to do with football – it’s just men eating food and enjoying each other’s company. The next one is on Friday 13th February, 7:30 PM at the Golden Eagle. Please see, call or email John Hearnshaw to book your place.

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Funerals of Church members

The funeral of Marie Eastwood is on Monday 2nd February, 11:45 AM at Carleton Crematorium.

The funeral of Audrey Jacks is on Monday 9th February, 1:45 PM at Christ Church.

The funeral of Margaret Banks is on  Tuesday 24th February, 2:30 PM at Christ Church.

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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party

Pancakes with lots of toppings plus a fun pancake flipping competition – great fun, food, and fellowship. It’s on Tuesday 17th February starting at 5:30 PM and finishing at 6:30 PM. All are welcome – it’s free – just turn up. It’s in the Community Centre Hall.

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Ash Wednesday Services

On Wednesday 18th February there will be services at 11:15 AM in Church and 7:00 PM in Church. 

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Pilgrim’s Rest Review Meeting

A meeting for those who volunteer atThe Pilgrim’s Rest is taking place on Friday 27th February at 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM in the Community Centre Hall.

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News from Wycliffe Bible Translators

It’s been another extraordinary year for Bible translation – and you can read all about it in your Bible translation progress report, which you can download from HERE.

In it you can enjoy reading about some of the many things God has done over the past year. This includes stories of completed translations from places like Cameroon, Indonesia, and Nigeria.

Also, check out just how many Bibles and New Testaments have been launched all around the world – and how the work of Bible translation continues to accelerate, as shown by the number of new translation programmes that have begun.

Wycliffe Bible Translators are so grateful for the support, prayers and interest over this past year. They are making such a significant difference for so many people.

With your help, a world where everyone can know Jesus through the Bible is becoming closer to a reality.

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The Father’s House

The Father’s House is the name for our ministry to children and young people. Under that banner we have Playhouse toddler group, Lighthouse children’s group, Treehouse family worship service, Clubhouse children’s group, Cookhouse cookery class, along with our groups for young people

We’re at a pivotal point of preparation for the emerging era of our ministry to children and young people as we put in place what they need as they grow older. Some of this involves the provision for our Key Stage 2 children and young people of High School age. We are also looking to launch a new ‘house’ for children during the 11:00 AM service in the coming months. Children are such precious treasure!

A review and planning meeting for everyone involved in our ministry to children and people is taking place on Saturday 7th March from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the Community Centre Hall. The meeting will finish with a tasty lunch together.

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All for Jesus Seminars

Embracing the diocesan 2026 theme of All for Jesus, I am running a series of 45-minute seminars in the coming months to look at some interesting and sometimes controversial subjects:

Tuesday 10th March – Should we pray for the dead?
Tuesday 17th March – Do murderers and other bad people go to heaven?
Tuesday 24th March – Coming to Church on a Sunday – how often is ‘enough’?
Tuesday 31st March – Do Jews, Muslims, and Christians all worship the same God?
Tuesday 14th April – Should we pray to Mary?
Tuesday 21st April – Are our loves ones looking down on us?
Tuesday 28th April – Is it okay for Christians to gamble?
Tuesday 5th May – Do Mormons and JW’s believe in the same God we do?
Tuesday 12th May – Is purgatory real?
Tuesday 19th May – Is it okay to go shopping on a Sunday?
Tuesday 26th May – Is the Church building a temple, a sacred space, or ordinary?

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.

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Seminar for Parents – preparing yourself for the arrival of a teenager

Being a parent is precious and yet demanding. How can we best prioritise the spiritual needs of our children? How do we model worshipping God on a Sunday when our children’s sporting events are on a Sunday? How do we say “yes” to a birthday party and “yes” to Church at the same time? How do we encourage our children to follow Jesus in a world where following Jesus doesn’t seem to be a thing? How do we help our children foster important friendships and yet at the same time foster a friendship with Jesus? And what about mobile phones, snap chat, social media, sleepovers?! 

OnSaturday 25th April, Damian and Lauren will be sharing some of their parenting experience for parents and guardians. Not because they’re the experts but because they’ve trodden the path twice already and know how important it is to think these issues through and support one another. The seminar is from 10:00 AM until 12noon in the Community Centre Hall. The event is free. Just turn up.

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Lighthouse

Our midweek children’s club ‘Lighthouse’ is on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM. This is for children of primary school age. Lighthouse is a weekly term-time Bible-based club for children, with snacks, songs, teaching, and craft. Parents are welcome to stay for coffee in the Chapel.

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Cookhouse 

Cookhouse is on Fridays at 5:00 PM. Cookhouse is for families. Each family have their own little workstation in the Hall to use. We provide all the utensils, equipment and ingredients needed.

Cooking starts at 5:00 PM with a welcome drink and snack. Then there’s a short story explaining the theme of the evening. Families are then guided through preparing some food, after which they share a meal together which has been prepared and cooked earlier by the brilliant volunteers. Whatever was preparing during the cookery class can then be taken home to enjoy over the weekend.

We have space for 12 children plus their parents/carers. Please book using this link HERE. Booking is essential! Please note that the volunteers purchase ingredients at 12 noon the day before (Thursday). Bookings will therefore close at 12 noon on Thursday.

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Playhouse

Playhouse is our brilliant hour each morning (Monday to Thursday) for babies, toddlers and pre-school children with their adults/parents/carers. Each time there is a Christian story and songtime led by Lauren and ‘Banjo Bob.’ There’s toast and drinks for everyone. It takes place from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday to Thursday in the Community Centre Hall.

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Good Grief Support Group – finding hope whilst journeying through loss

An informal get together over coffee and cake centred on supporting those who are bereaved. Comfy sofas, fresh tea and coffee, scrumptious cakes, scripture readings, prayer, honest conversation. Tuesdays at 2:30 PM. Please note the support group isn’t providing professional bereavement counselling, rather it is an informal space to provide support and find hope whilst journeying through loss. For more information please speak to Dawn Bradbury.

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Opportunities to Service

On Friday 13th March, from 10:00 to 4:00 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the Diocesan Evangelical Network Quiet Day. Guest speaker Ian Paul will be coming to speak on the subject of ‘7 Healthy Habits of Evangelical Spirituality.’ If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch. For any interested in attending the day as a guest to hear the speaker, please do get in touch with me by email.

On Saturday 28th March, from 10:00 to 4:00 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the St. Peter’s Fleetwood Alpha Awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.

On Tuesday 2nd June, at 7:30 PM, Christ Church is the venue for the Primary Visitation – which is when Bishop Philip will install Churchwardens from the deaneries of Blackpool, Poulton, Kirkham, Lancaster and Morecambe. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch. We will need musicians and welcomers in addition to help with catering. 

On Saturday 13th June, Christ Church is the venue for the Christ Church Blackburn whole-church awayday. If you can help with the catering and other practical elements, please do get in touch.

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Charity Afternoon TeaSeveral members of Christ Church are or have been trustees of the excellent charity Home-Start Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre. Support is needed for an afternoon tea event to help raise much needed funds for the charity. The event is on Friday 20th February, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Clifton Arms Hotel. For more information please speak to Angie Walsh.

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A Big Day Out in Blackpool

In 2026 The Diocese of Blackburn celebrates its 100th anniversary! As part of a year of celebrations and special events, there will be a big day out on Saturday 16th May 2026. The day will take place in the centre of Blackpool; a place that has played such an important role in the history of the Diocese. There will be activities for children of all ages with games, crafts and stories. There will be sessions for teenagers and grown-ups from sport workshops to live music and more. In the afternoon, there will be a giant picnic before all coming together for a celebration service on St. John’s Square outside the Winter Gardens. Save the date, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM and look out for more information in due course.

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2026 Treehouse Weekend Away

The Treehouse Weekend Away dates for 2026 are: Friday 23rd October to Sunday 25th October. Places can be secured by paying a deposit – details of how to do this to be released soon.



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Celebration of the Centenary of the Diocese of Blackburn

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. 

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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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Diary of Activities and Services

Monday 2nd February

• 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 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:45 PM – Lyrics & Lunch Lunch in the Community Centre
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bowl & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM – Growth Group in the Community Centre

Tuesday 3rd February

• 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
• 2:30 PM – Good Grief! Bereavement Support Group in the Community Centre
• 7:45 PM to 8:30 PM – Prayer for Growth in the Community Centre

Wednesday 4th February

• 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM – Fridaymen volunteers in the Churchyard and Church
• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Walking Wednesday’ Breakfast Club in the Community Centre
• 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 11:00 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 3:30 PM – Mothers’ Union in Church and the Community Centre
• 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 5th February

• 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 – Quiet Hour in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:45 PM – Lyrics and Lunch in the Community Centre
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM – Bat & Chat in the Community Centre
• 7:30 PM – The Alpha Course in the Community Centre

Friday 6th February

• 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM – ‘Family Friday’ Breakfast Club 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
• 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM – Alexandra Court Communion Service
• 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)
• 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon – Craft & Chat in Church
• 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM – Quiet Hour in Church
• 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM – Move & Chat in the Community Centre
• 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM – ‘Cookhouse’ Family Teatime Cookery Class in the Community Centre

Sunday 8th February

• 9:00 AM – Traditional (The Book of Common Prayer) Service of Holy Communion
• 11:00 AM – Contemporary Communion Service
• 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Worship Service

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I look forward to seeing many of you at Church on Sunday and through the week.

God bless,

Damian