Weekly Notices, Sunday 31 January 2010

Laying on of hands and anointing: for healing of mind, body and spirit is available after 10.30 worship every Sunday in the South Transept (to the right of the pulpit).  You will not be invited to say specifically why you seek this ministry, though you are welcome to do so if you wish. You are also welcome to request prayer on behalf of someone else, in addition to or instead of yourself.

Our Lent programmestarting on Ash Wednesday 17 February is published in our February Parish magazine. It includes a choice of two Home Groups, preferably one in the evening and one during the day. If you can offer your home as a venue once a week for 5 weeks, please let Andrew know.

re: Lentis a creative worship event, led by Bishop Mark and others, for young and old to explore together Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan, and think about the role of forgiveness and reconciliation. Each event has been timed to enable children to attend as well as young people and adults. Each session will include Bible study and interactive creative activities. Please bring food for a bring and share tea, and the organisers will provide cake and drinks. Sunday 14 February from 4 to 7pm, at St. Martin’s, Castleton, Rochdale. Please sign the clipboard at the back.

Rochdale Archdeaconry Healing Quiet Morning:Bishop Chris of Bolton will speak on “Whatever you do in word or deed, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through him” – Colossians 3, v17. In two sessions, each followed by a half hour of silence, we will be helped to see how we can live the ordinary moments of our lives, seeing this as part of our journey into wholeness. Saturday 6 March from 9.30am to 1pm at All Saints & Martyrs Church, Langley. £5. Book on the clipboard, deadline for booking is 28 February.

Word of Life open meetingon Saturday 6 March from 1.30 to 4pm at Bethel Church, Waterloo Street. This may include short testimonies from people who have used Word of Life materials over the year.

‘One Safer Oldham’is a leaflet with crime prevention tips at home, in the car and when you’re out and about. Copies at the back.

Vestry light switches:have been repaired. Please don’t flick the switches up and down repeatedly as this will shorten their lives.

Are you and yours warm enough? Vulnerable people are at extra risk of dying during the winter months due to an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks when they don’t stay warm enough in their homes. Those living on a low income and in poor housing are most at risk. Social workers can give help and information about keeping warm, using energy more efficiently, grants available for heating and insulation, and home repairs. They can be contacted on 0161 770 4799 or via the person’s GP.

Schools and Community Cohesion – help or hindrance? Free public seminar. Are current policy approaches towards schools actually reinforcing ethnic segregation and tensions? Speakers: Prof. Mark Halstead and Shamina Miah, both of Huddersfield University. Monday 8 February, 3-5pm, University Campus, Cromwell Street, Oldham. Book with Sue Cooper on 01484 478234.

X   THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER REQUESTS   X

• The opportunities of Lent – in St Thomas’, and with Bishop Mark
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• Ken and Pauline Pleasant – thanksgiving for their fellowship and service, andprayer for them as they move to Timperley
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• Nick and Gina Andrewes, their daughters Isabel and Esther, and the people of their present parish
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• Give thanks and pray for people we know in Christian service and outreach, especially Beth Jennings, her colleagues and their homeless clients, mothers and children. The intention to open a night shelter in April, and Beth’s two months of travel in the UK and US seeking support.
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• People seeking asylum: Pray for David, Sobia, young Sara and baby Daniel William.
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• Those who are unwell: give thanks for progress in Helen Holt, Julie Brown and young Zoë Bartlett. Continue to pray for them and for baby Roxy Butler, Wendy Robinson, Norman and Alma Flint, Andy and Ruth Sharrock, Beatrice Howard, baby Harry Pleasant, Barbara Hogg, Joanna Goforth, John Lalley, Grace Whetham, Ian Kidder, Muriel Brown, Marjorie Milner, young twins Todd & Aaron Funnell, John Wrigley, Angela and Norman Taylor, Ronald Spivey, and others whom we know.
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• The bereaved:especiallythe family and friends of Carol Beasley, Robert Earnshaw, Jim Fogg and Marie Stansfield.

All material for the church bulletin should be given to Andrew

no later than Wednesday lunchtime.

Please take this bulletin with you when you leave.

Please do not leave it in your service book or in the pew.