Note: the Newsletter can also be downloaded as a PDF.)
A warm welcome to
The Parish of Christ Church, Lancaster
for Sunday 10th November 2024 Remembrance
Vicar: Revd Carol Backhouse 01524 942105
revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 1 East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EE
www.christchurchlancaster.org.uk Facebook:@ChristChurchLancaster
Everyone is welcome to join in prayer and worship this week:
Today – 10th November – Remembrance
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Remembrance Eucharist
6pm Evening Prayer
Monday
10.45am Community Act of Remembrance at Miss Whalley’s Field
Tuesday
5pm Evening Prayer via Zoom (see notice)
Wednesday
5:30pm Meditation and 6pm Evening Prayer (Storey Chapel)
Friday
9.30am Holy Communion (Lady Chapel)
Saturday
5pm Confirmation Group
Next Sunday: 17th November –Second Sunday before Advent
8.30am Holy Communion
10.30am Parish Eucharist
4pm Godly Play
6pm Evening Prayer
Prayer for this week
God, our refuge and strength, bring near the day when wars shall cease and poverty and pain shall end, that earth may know the peace of heaven through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Children’s Church
welcomes primary-aged children during the 10.30am service during term time. Parents/guardians are also welcome to join in. Please see notice.
Contact: Rev’d Carol for more information.
Godly Play – 17th November
Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 4 pm in church for KS1/2 children
Gluten-free wafers available. Please ask the Stewards for directions and assistance.
Please send items for inclusion in this newsletter to Jacqueline Stamper by Thursday lunchtime. Many thanks.
Scripture Readings for our Worship
Jonah 3.1-5, 10
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, ‘Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.’ So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, ‘Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!’ And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hebrews 9.24-28
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgement, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 15: 9-17
Glory to you, O Lord.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you.
And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’
This is the Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, O Christ.
Prayer after Communion:
God of peace, whose Son Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom and restored the broken to wholeness of life: look with compassion on the anguish of the world, and by your healing power make whole both people and nations; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
Please remember in your prayers:
Those who are sick: Youngblood McCray, Thomas Platt, Yan Connell, David Foster, Lucas Calvert, Ron Holmes, Ann Boss, Geoffrey Heywood, Sheila Parsons, Christine McCrann, Steve Wilkinson, Richard Jones, Ella, Rev’d Kaarina- that God’s healing, wholeness and peace are with them.
Those who have died recently: Betty Jones, Jane Cross, Andrew Sproxton, May Bailey, Margaret Broad – may they rest in peace and rise in glory.
In our parish, we ask God to bless and provide for:
For those living and working on Melbourne Road, Woodville Street.
For the staff and residents at Sir Walter Lyon House.
For Innes, beginning work as our Children’s Ministry Leader.
For those preparing for Confirmation.
– that God’s loving kindness is found and shared.
Tuesday Evening Prayer
On 5pm each Tuesday, Rev’d Carol and Rev’d Kaarina say Evening Prayer over Zoom. If you’d like to join them to give thanks for the day past, read the Scriptures and pray, the details are: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81366929814?pwd=jTDuW7HO8lR7I0nQ9Jrm2BrMxjJqVS.1. (Please note the recently changed link.)
Children’s Church
… is an important part of our church life, and one of the ways children learn more about Christian faith. We’re looking for helpers for Children’s Church for the new term. If you can offer one Sunday morning each a month (or more if possible) please have a word with Rev’d Carol. An Enhanced DBS check will be arranged.
Godly Play! 4pm on the third Sunday of each month – 17th November
Godly Play shares Scripture stories with children, and helping them wonder about faith, using a Montessori approach, with crafts and a snack to share too. It’s free, and especially suitable for primary age children (accompanied by an adult please). The next gathering is on Sunday 17th November at 4pm. Everyone welcome!
Remembrance at Christ Church
On Sunday 10th, our 10.30am service will be a Remembrance Parade. On the 11th November, there’s a warm invitation to join the Friends of Miss Whalley’s Field at the Memorial Stone in Derwent Road for a Community Act of Remembrance, gathering from 10.45am
Meeting up
The clergy are available for pastoral support and spiritual direction, please don’t hesitate to be in in contact. If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time or is seriously ill, please let us know as soon as possible, to arrange prayers, home communion, a hospital visit, or anointing of the sick.
If you would like us to pray for you, or for someone you know, for any reason, please email your request to prayer@christchurchlancaster.org.uk or text the Prayer Chain on 07980 351855. Please ask the person’s permission if you’d like them included in the weekly notices.
Thought for the Week (Thanks to Pat for suggesting!)
In the dark times, will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing about the dark times. Bertolt Brecht (1939)
Confirmations
Would you like to take a next step in faith? Would you like to start receiving communion? On the 24th November, Bishop Jill will be with us for a Confirmation Service at 10.30am. If you’d like to be Confirmed (and/or Baptised) as part of this special occasion, or are curious, please email Rev’d Carol to arrange a convenient time to talk to her. Confirmation Group runs on Saturdays 5pm – 6pm, in church. Suitable for adults of any age, and for children in Year 6 and above.
Sponsor a Hymn
If you’d like to suggest and sponsor a hymn, to be sung within the 10.30am Eucharist, please fill in one of the blue forms from the noticeboard.
Rev’d Kaarina’s News
Rev’d Kaarina has had surgery recently, and we keep her in our prayers as she recovers. It is likely to be after Christmas before she returns to ministry at Christ Church, so please direct any enquiries or pastoral conversations to Rev’d Carol in the first instance.
In Other News…
The Olive Branch Foodbank – Christmas Appeal
The Olive Branch have made a Christmas Appeal – for mince pies, Christmas cakes, boxes of biscuits, crisps, nuts, coffee, Christmas puddings and other seasonal foods to make up the Christmas parcels. Or you can give money for them to buy what is needed: https://www.the-olivebranch.org.uk/donate/
Welcome Innes!
We’re pleased to announce that Innes Heron-Stamp has been appointed as our new Children’s Ministry Leader, and began this week. The post is for 22.5 hours a week, to lead and grow our work with children and their families, both in the parish and in church. Innes brings extensive experience as a youth worker and leader. Please keep Innes in your prayers.
Eco-Group Thought/Action for the Week
The Climate Conference (COP 29 -11th – 22nd November in Azerbaijan) will be attended by UK Ministers Ed Miliband and Kerry McCarthy, and Tearfund Ambassador, Laura Young. She asks us to pray that God grants participants wisdom, compassion and unity in their efforts to address climate change and protect creation for future generations..
Donations for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Donations of washing powder, laundry liquid, men’s toiletries, men’s hats and gloves needed. Please leave donations in the box at the back of church for RAIS.
Recycling at Christ Church – from the Eco-Group
On the first Sunday of the month, we collect plastic toothbrushes and electric brush heads, covers and flosser nozzles,also flossing sticks, interdental brushes and dental tape containers. We can still take medical blister packs, but owing to the large quantities, please take your own to Superdrug if you can. No bottle tops please.
Concert for Gaza – 29th November
At 6pm on Friday 29th November, local musicians will be hosting a short concert in Christ Church to raise funds for a well in Gaza. Please do support them if you can, and if you can help with refreshments on the night, please speak to Rev’d Carol
Solar Solutions to poverty and the environmental crisis – talk
Get inspired by Solar Solutions to poverty and the environmental crisis in an engaging talk by Irenée Rajaona-Horne from the international development and conservation charity, Money for Madagascar, on 12th November at 7:15pm in church.
Fairtrade Church
We are now a Fairtrade Church. as a sign of our care for creation, and our support for better working practices for farmers. If you buy items for church events, please check for the Fairtrade logo first.
PCC
… meets on the 11th November. We will be discussing Safeguarding at Christ Church – both what is practically in place to keep people safe, and also the culture of our community.
We ask you to pray this prayer ‘this time tomorrow’ after a Sunday service – wherever you are. (Why not put a reminder in your phone?)
Lord God, Together with you by our side, we can bring growth to our Church. Send your Holy Spirit to give us good planning, wise actions, joy in worship and our welcome, the right words when we speak to others. Help our Church grow in numbers, in Spiritual commitment to you, and in service to our local community, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Community at Christ Church:
Christmas Tree Festival
On the 6-8th December, we’ll be hosting our fourth Christmas Tree Festival – raising funds for Lancaster Homeless Action and Church, and showing off the work of lots of local groups. If you’re part of a local business which might like to sponsor a tree – please collect an invitation from the back of church – we’d love to hear from you! We’ll also be inviting local community groups to decorate a tree – if this might be you, please contact Julie Buckley..
Giggle (or Groan) of the week – suggestions welcome!
I bought a cheap wig this morning. – it was a small price toupée.
Christ Church Primary School at 150!
On the 25th January 2025, our school will celebrate its 150th anniversary! Originally founded by Rev’d Philip Bartlett on Moor Lane, it moved to its Derwent Road site in the early 1990s. If you have photos or other memorabilia which you’d like to share for their history project, please drop this into the school office (labelled, so they can return it to you!)
There’ll be a special service for the school on the 19th January, and then our 10.30am service on the 26th January will have an open invitation to past pupils and staff to celebrate this fantastic milestone!
Hall for Hire – Don’t forget that the Hall is available for hire, especially at weekends and during the day. £24/first hour and £12 for each subsequent hour/part-hour. Please contact Pat hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855 for more info.
Christ Church Choir
….. sings at the 10.30 service about once a month, plus other special occasions, and practises in church on Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm. New members always welcome; if you’re not sure, come along and give it a try for a few weeks! Have a word with Clive or contact him via cliveshaw54@gmail.com
Craft Group
…. meets on the second Tuesday of each month (and sometimes others) at 11.30am in the Hall. Everyone welcome – bring your own project, or share in one of the others on the go! No prior experience needed.
Thank you!
To members of the Craft Group for helping restore our 70+-year-old red altar frontal. The goldwork has required painstaking restoration – we hope it will last for many more decades to come! A huge thank you also to all in our local community who made poppies for a display in church this Sunday. If you’d like to buy a poppy brooch, they are available for £3.50 at the back of church.
Thank you too!
…. to all the helpers who came to support yesterday’s working party. Not only did the church get cleaned, repaired and decorated, but we enjoyed a fabulous brunch together too!
Book Group
The church book group next meets on the 3rd January, and then on the first Friday of each month at 4 pm in the church hall. Books are provided. Anyone who enjoys reading and discussion is very welcome to join us. You can just turn up on the day, speak to Joyce, or send an email to joycelynch1946@gmail.com
Advent Calendars
Fairtrade Divine Chocolate calendars will soon be available – please sign up on the list at the back if you’d like to order one for more for £6 each.
Christ Church Preserves!
There’s a wide range of delicious jams and chutneys available for sale at the back of church, some recipes including churchyard apples! Please do support the church by buying a jar or two!
INEQE Audit of Safeguarding in the Diocese of Blackburn
As some of you may be aware, the Church of England are working with a safeguarding organisation called INEQE to roll out a series of audits of safeguarding in each diocese. These have been scheduled to give an independent assessment of the progress of dioceses on implementing much needed changes after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and Past Case Reviews (PCR2).
The audit is due to take place in February 2025 and will entail a full scrutiny of work including Bishop’s House, the Diocesan Board of Finance and Education and parish work. You’re asked to complete a survey produced by INEQE to help gather a picture of what we are doing well and where we might need to develop practice.
https://ineqe.com/churchofengland/blackburn/
Promoting a Safer Church
If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguardingconcerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above.
Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team,Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org
Refreshments today!
All are welcome for refreshments after the service.
Receiving the notices by email
If you would like to receive these notices by email, please contact Jacqueline Stamper on the above address.
Supporting Christ Church
Church Repair Fund
Our Church Repair Fund helps keep our buildings in good condition so that they can continue to be used for ministry and outreach in the years to come. There are several big projects on the Porch, East Wall, and Hall, which are in need of urgent work.
If you’d like more details about what is going on, please pick up a leaflet – and if you are able to make a donation, there are envelopes available. You can also contribute online via the Give a Little website: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/1c7889a9-7ef8-4730-a84a-2d434726c909
Supporting Christ Church – One-off Gifts
If you would like to make a one-off donation to the church as an offering, to pay a fee, or as a gift to regular funds, you can give through our ‘Give a little’ page: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/f63a0655-b270-4d05-bf35-3994747785d0 This will also give you the option to Gift Aid your donation (if you pay tax in the UK), enabling the church to get an extra 25p back from the taxman for every £1 you give.
Supporting Christ Church – Regularly
Christ Church is now taking part in the Parish Giving Scheme, which enables you to give regularly by Direct Debit, and to to easily review how much you give depending on circumstances. Online at www.parishgiving.org.uk Or by telephone 0333 002 1271 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. For any of these methods our PGS code 030603240 ensures that your gift goes to our church.
Key contacts:
Vicar: … Rev’d Carol Backhouse revcarolbackhouse@gmail.com 01524 942105
Curate: … Rev’d Kaarina Leong curate@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07749 489623
Children’s Ministry Leader…Ms Innes Heron-Stamp 07853791776 children@christchurchlancaster.org.uk
Priest with PTO and Choir Contact: …Rev’d Clive Shaw. cliveshaw54@gmail.com
Lay Reader: …Dr Pat Allen reader@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 01524 39552
Parish Safeguarding Officer: … Mrs Emma Muckalt & Ms Debbie Steele safeguarding@christchurchlancaster.org 07547 717060
Parish Secretary: …Mrs Julie Buckley buckleys@live.co.uk 01524 37229
Hall Bookings: …hall@christchurchlancaster.org.uk 07980 351855
Christ Church School …Miss Emma Simpson 01524 60955
Promoting a Safer Church
Christ Church, Lancaster have adopted the House of Bishops’ ‘Promoting a Safer Church’ policy and the Parish Safeguarding Handbook. All those working with children and adults at risk have undergone safer recruitment and received safeguarding training. If you believe that someone is at risk of immediate harm please call emergency services on 999. Any safeguarding concerns in a parish should be brought to the attention of your Parish Safeguarding Officers, Debbie Steele and Emma Muckalt, who can be contacted as above. Concerns can also be raised directly with our Diocesan Team, Tel: 01254 503088 or email safeguarding@blackburn.anglican.org