Hello everyone! Welcome to those who have subscribed to the weekly news email this past week – it’s sent out once a week usually on a Friday or Saturday.
What a Sunday we had last week! Congratulations to all those who were confirmed. It was great to have Bishop Philip (yes, that’s Philip, not Nicholas!) with us. Here’s a photo of those who were confirmed…
If you missed the service and want to watch it back, you can do so on our YouTube channel using this link HERE.
Next comes a photo you weren’t expecting!
Katie assures me it was the Bishop’s idea!
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This Sunday’s Services
The services and activities on Sunday 7th June 2026 are:
- 9:00 AM – Traditional Service
- 11:00 AM – Contemporary Service
Children are welcome to all our services! We love to see them and hear them! During the sermon, children of primary school age have their own time of teaching in the Community Centre Hall. Usually the Chapel is available throughout the service as a creche area for parents and their babies and toddlers with the service streamed to the TV screen. However, due to some maintenance work being done, it is currently unavailable. - 3:00 PM – Traditional Service of Evening Prayer
- 5:00 PM – Treehouse Family Worship
There are refreshments in the Community Centre Hall after the 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM services and before the 5:00 PM service. The Meadows Bookshop and Giftshop is open after each service.
It can be very helpful to read and reflect on the Bible passage(s) before coming to Church, to ensure some familiarity. You can read them HERE or find them in your own Bible at home: 2 Corinthians 8.1-5, 2 Corinthians 9.6-9, Luke 19.1-10.
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.
This week’s worship songs for our 11:00 AM service on the 31st May can be listened to advance using this link HERE. It’s a Spotify playlist.
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Stewardship Sunday
Tomorrow is a day when we reflect on the good gifts God has given to us and how we are stewards of them – our money, our time, our talents. In each service there will be a presentation about our church finances as well as teaching about giving to God in the sermon. Please be assured, if you are visiting or are here for your first time, that we try not to talk about money too often!
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150th Celebration of the Mothers Union from St. Paul’s Cathedral
This year, branches of the Mothers’ Union across the world celebrate 150 years since Mothers’ Union was founded in the small parish church of Old Alresford, Hampshire. It was founded by Mary Sumner, a vicar’s wife with a bold vision. She believed that women, regardless of class or status, could come together in faith to support one another and strengthen family life within the Church.
From that single spark of an idea, a global movement was born – and Mothers’ Union has grown to 4 million members across 84 countries.
On Wednesday 10th June at 5:00 PM there is a special service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is being live streamed. Here at Christ Church, you are welcome to come and watch the live stream in Church on the big screen. Come and be part of the celebrations!
Church will be open from 4:45 PM, ready for the service starting at 5:00 PM.
Please note, Lighthouse Children’s Club will still be taking place as normal in the Community Centre Hall at 5:30 PM.
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A well deserved surprise!
Today, at Blackburn Cathedral at 4:00 PM, Judith Murphy was acknowledged at a special service for her wonderful volunteering to Christ Church (and therefore the Diocese of Blackburn). Bishop Jill presented her with a certificate and special plaque. The ceremony was a complete surprise, with Judith only finding out earlier this week. A few of us from Christ Church were privileged to have the opportunity attend the service and to support Judith on behalf of everyone at Christ Church.
There were around 40+ volunteers from across the diocese being recognised for their volunteering. Eight people were recognised for their “exceptional service” – Judith being one of them.
In the order of service, this is what it said about Judith…
On behalf of everyone at Christ Church Thornton, “thank you Judith” for all you do to serve the Lord and the church family of which you are a very special part.
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Coming soon!
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.
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Sir Brian Clarke
A memorial service was held recently for the late Sir Brian Clarke. Brian is the man who designed and made our beautiful contemporary stained glass windows along the north and south aisles of the nave.
Such was the esteem that Brian was held in across the world, his memorial service was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, including special guests such as Jools Holland!
The memorial service is available to watch back on this link HERE.
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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 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.
- 012 | Tuesday 9th June| What happens when we die? Book HERE.
- 013 | Tuesday 16th June | What will heaven be like?
- 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 9th June.
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Please pray
For young people sitting their GCSE’s and A Level’s during this period and for their parents and teachers.
Heavenly Father, give grace to those studying and sitting exams. May they know you to be their shepherd throughout. As they seek to do their very best, may they know you to be their best influence, strength, and source of love. Help them rest well and work hard in the knowledge that you are sovereign over everything. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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Opportunities to Serve
On Saturday 13th June 2026, 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.
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.
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Men United
Gentlemen! Get this date in your diary! The next Men United (nothing to do with football – it’s just men eating food and enjoying each other’s company) is on Friday 12th June, 7:30 PM at the Tramway. Please see, call or email John Hearnshaw to book your place.
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Summer Dinner
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.
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News from the Life Association
We support through prayer and financial donations the Christian charity Life Association. Since 1993 it has been reaching and serving some of the poorest communities in India, through Christian education, children’s homes, child development, vocational training, and disaster relief. There is news just in from them which you can read on this link HERE.
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Electoral Roll
As explained at the recent APCM on Ascension Day, all those who live in the parish or live outside of the parish but worship habitually are welcome to apply to be on the ecclesiastical Electoral Roll. It is renewed every 6 years and was done last year, so if you went on last year, you’re okay until 2031. However, if you didn’t go on last year or if you have joined Christ Church since last year then you are welcome to apply (subject to age requirements).
The Electoral Roll form is available online on this link: Electoral Roll Application Form (click on the blue words).
The Church Electoral Roll is the register of electors for Christ Church Thornton. It is the list of those qualified to attend and to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting in the elections for the Parochial Church Council and the parish representatives on the Deanery Synod. Every six years the Electoral Roll is renewed.
Paper forms are available on request to those who cannot get online. Please ask Sally Johnson the Electoral Roll Officer and she will arrange to get one to you. Please, if you are online, do fill out the online form as this is most helpful to us administratively (zero admin for an online form vs 10-15 minutes for each paper form received).
Being on the Electoral Roll has other benefits too, especially for those who live outside of the parish – such as burial, marriage and baptism eligibility. However, if you live outside the parish boundary and want to come onto the Electoral Roll, you have to have been worshipping habitually at Christ Church for a minimum period of six months, unless you can provide reasons as to why you weren’t able to.
Be warned – the Electoral Roll application form isn’t the simplest form in the world! There are a number of options to choose from which require some careful reading. If you’re confused, struggling or just need a little direction, do please speak to Sally, Damian, or one of the clergy team.
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Keswick at Home
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.
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2026 Treehouse Weekend Away
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.
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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 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.
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Chapel
Due to an unexpected issue arising last weekend concerning the internal ceiling in the Chapel (Pilgrim’s Rest), it is unlikely it will be open and available to use until further notice. Please do not attempt to enter the Chapel for any reason. I will provide updates when available. All the activities that usually take place in the Chapel will take place in Church or the Community Centre. Your patience during this unanticipated disruption is appreciated.
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Diary of Activities and Services
Monday 8th 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
- 2:30 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 9th 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
- 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 10th 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 – 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
- 5:00 PM – Live Stream of the 150th MU Celebration in Church
- 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM – Lighthouse (children’s group) in the Community Centre
- 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM – Post-Confirmation Growth Group in the Community Centre
- 7:30 PM to 8:45 PM – Worship Team Rehearsal in Church
Thursday 11th 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 – Alpha in the Community Centre
Friday 12th 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 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)
- 7:30 PM – Men United at the Tramway
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