Dear Friends,

Few people could not have been touched by the sad image of the 3 year old toddler Aylan al-Kurdi, whose lifeless body was washed up on the shore in Turkey. He was another victim of the plight faced by the people fleeing the horrendous situation in Syria. As his aunt told the media Aylan al-Kurdi was a  ‘Message from God to wake up the world to the plight of Syrian refugees.’ For us, in the West, it is hard to even begin to grasp what life in Syria must have been like to make a small family feel compelled to embark upon such a perilous journey, in search of a better life… a life worth living.

Yet out of this single incident, this tiny child has become a catalyst for something good. And whilst the leaders of EU nations play the numbers game, deliberating over how best to accommodate the thousands of refugees involved, the image of that lifeless child stays with us and challenges us all.

Personally, I feel saddened by some of the reactions to the need to provide shelter and hospitality to these desperate people. These are our sisters and brothers, made in the image of God. At such a time as this, how can we in all conscience allow NIMBYism to creep in.

At the heart of the Gospel is the message of hope and love. Hospitality and the welcoming of the stranger are vital features. In recent months in our Churches, we have been encouraged to think about what it means to be a welcoming Church. Now, we are being challenged as a nation how we can be a welcoming Country.

In his teaching, Jesus was very clear about this. Remember his parable of the sheep and the goats: ‘… for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me…’ Matthew 25:35-36.  Furthermore, Jesus said whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.’ We meet Christ in many guises, not least in the face of strangers.

I recognize that the situation is complex and there are no easy, quick-fix solutions. Equally, as Christians we cannot turn our backs, nor can we bury our heads in the sand. In response to the Christian Aid appeal, I hope as a fellowship we feel can give a generous response to the needs of these people. You might also like to use the following prayer, prepared by church leaders in the North East of England, as we continue to hope and pray that something good will eventually come out of this situation, and that Aylan’s death will not have been in vain.

God of the nations
you have compassion on all your creatures.

Have compassion on the people of Syria
and all those nations of the world
oppressed by violence and conflict.
Stay the hand of the violent,
strengthen the arm of those who seek peace with justice
and give courage and wisdom to the leaders of the nations
as they seek both to resolve and mitigate the effects of national conflict.

Generous God,
we thank you for the generous hearts of your people
and all those of goodwill across our continent, nation and region.

We pray for ourselves –
that you would so form in us the character of Christ
that we will stand ready to offer His generous welcome to our communities, homes and lives.

So may your will be done
and your kingdom come
on earth at it is in heaven.

Through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen

Your friend and Minister,

Alan

GENERAL NOTICES

MISSION STATEMENT

“By God’s help, the Church will seek to proclaim the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and action within the life of the Church and reaching out into the life of the world. It will be prepared to respond to the ever new challenges the Gospel presents.”

FULL CHURCH MEETING

The Albion Fellowship Church Meeting will take place on Thursday 8th October at Hurst Nook at 7.30pm. All are encouraged to attend.

MIDWEEK SERVICE AT ALBION

The next mid-week Communion Service is on Wednesday 14th October at 11am in the Choir Vestry, and will be led by Irene W.

MISSION OUTREACH

Saturday October 31st we are having a Potato Pie Supper with an evening of very special entertainment by Hurst Choral Group 7pm at Charlestown. Admission to the event is with a ticket which costs £5.

We welcome your support at this event. All proceeds will be donated to Hearing Dogs.

BIBLE STUDY

The Bible study group will meet at the Manse at 7.45pm on Tuesday 6th and 20th October. All welcome to share a time of informal reflection and fellowship.

DIARIES AND URC PRAYER HANDBOOK

The 2016 URC Diary and Prayer Handbook are now available priced at £6.50 for the Handbook and £7 for the Diaries. If you would like to order one or both, please let Alan or Pauline T know as soon as possible. We hope to collect them from Synod on 10th October, which will avoid the need to pay postage.

FUNERALS

Conducted by the Revd. Alan Wickens
10th Sept At Dukinfield Crematorium
Jeffery LEES (80 years)
16th Sept At Dukinfield Crematorium
Nellie PINDER (88 years)
24th Sept At Dukinfield Chapel & Cemetery
Paul Ernest LITTLEWOOD (52 years)
24th Sept At Dukinfield Crematorium
Alice Neville (92 years)

THANKS

Ernie Hague and family would like to thank everyone for their cards, donations and expressions of sympathy following their sad loss.

A special thanks to the Revd Barbara P and those who worked so hard in preparation for Eva’s funeral.

It was very much appreciated.

ALBION

FLOWERS

The Gregson family
Ann H
Jean and Edmund K
Dorothy, Margaret and family
Lynda G
Anne S
Irene M
Linda G

OCTOBER

Treasured memories of Eileen and for Harry’s Birthday
In loving memory of George Sixsmith
In memory of Harry Andrew, dear brother of Jean
In memory of a loving husband, father and grandfather
Treasured memories of my dear husband Norman
In memory of a cherished brother, Arthur
In memory of my dear friend Margaret
Treasured memories of my Dear Husband Norman

Thanks to all who contribute so generously.

HERITAGE DAY

Sincere thanks to anyone who helped in any way towards the success of Heritage Day, particularly the kitchen staff and “Guides”. As far as I could see visitors really enjoyed and appreciated having the guides there and took advantage of their knowledge.

Thank you from Jean G

OCTOBER HOLIDAYS

October is a popular month for holidays for many of the Albion congregation this year. If you can help with any tasks – cleaning on Friday or Saturday morning, setting up the church for harvest or serving morning coffee on 11th October please contact Jean G.

Thank you in advance.

WHIT WALKS

David would like to thank everyone who helped with this year’s Whit Walks, especially Vinney and Roman who carried the banner. (Sorry this was omitted from last month’s Messenger). The heritage day display of photos from whit walks over the years created a lot of interest. Gillian hopes to build on this for next year – photos preferably with names and dates wanted! (They will be returned)

HARVEST AND MESSY CHURCH

Sunday 4th October is Harvest; gifts of non-perishable goods will be donated to The Carpenter’s Arms. Commitment for life envelopes will be received during the service and throughout October. The children are invited to “Messy Church”, they will share the first and last hymn of the Harvest service. Please advertise this ALL are welcome

Sunday 11th October is Communion – please note the change of date.

CRAFT FAIR SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER 11AM – 3PM

We have new stalls this year plus our regulars! There are still a few tables available. Join us on the day – shop early for Christmas, enjoy lunch in the café and catch up with friends. Please advertise this event in local businesses. Posters are available. Contact Pat or Gillian via Albionurc@hotmail.co.uk

FAMILY NEWS

Val and Martin would like to thank everyone for their cards, visits, prayers and friendship during Val’s recent illness. Thank you too to all who have visited Martin.

The family of the late Eileen Gregson would like to thank all her family and friends at Albion Fellowship for their kindness, prayers and support during her short illness. Special thanks to Barbara Plenderleith and Auntie Barbara for their many visits during mums stay in the hospital and for their support to us all. The impromptu concert given by Clive was shared by them both at mum’s request. A special thanks to both Barbara and Alan for their ministering and support at mums funeral. Mums faith was very evident during her last few days and it was a great comfort to her to know that she would be reunited with Harry.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Margaret Turner our prayers and thoughts go to her family at this sad time.

Your prayers are also asked for Mary B, Hilda F, Val and Martin B, Alan C, Jean K, Olive B, Irene M, Brian P and anyone who needs our prayers at this time. There is a prayer book in Albion, please add concerns to be included in our prayers of intercession. Thanks go to all the people who work hard during the year to maintain and make our beautiful building welcoming.

For Albion news please send information to Gillian  

THE TREASURER ACKNOWLEDGES with thanks the following donations:-

In Memory of Eileen Gregson                – £643
In Memory of John Millin                       – £750

GIFT DAY 2015

The following article appeared in a somewhat muddled manner in September’s issue and therefore is repeated with clarity in this issue.

Apologies – The Editor

The amount donated to date for Gift Day 2015 amounts to £1605.  The original total was greatly enhanced by the generous gift by Mavis Defley who read the Gift Day article in the June edition of the church Messenger Magazine.   If you were not able to attend the Gift Day service or did not see your Elder to obtain an envelope but would still wish to donate, then it is still not too late.  Please hand any envelope marked GIFT DAY to the Minister, or any of the Elders who will pass it on to myself or Colin Bell. GIFT DAY is one of our MAIN FUND raising events of the year and is so very important to our continuing Ministry and Mission.  Please do not forget to GIFT AID if you are a tax payer as your gift is enhanced by the government 25p for every £1 donated.

John Baron Treasurer.

HURST NOOK

FLOWERS

Joyce M
Marion T
Barbara B

OCTOBER

Memories of Parents
Memories of Parents
Memories of the D Family

HURST NOOK FELLOWSHIP

Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 7th October at 7.30PM. All are welcome.

COMMITTEE MEETING  

This will take place on Tuesday at 7 30PM.  

Good attendance pleas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM HURST NOOK TO:

May W Jack S and Amanda H
May god bless you and watch over you

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY:

Hurst Nook Christmas Fair – 21st. November   11am -1pm

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR:

Lisa niece of Barbara H who is very ill in hospital, Kathleen L and family on the death of a husband, Dad, Grandad, Brother and Uncle, our thoughts are with you. Flo J, Mavis D, Doris and Janet W, David A and Martin B. 

May god be with them all at this difficult time

The cold weather is on the way may god look over us and keep us safe. SHALOM 

CHARLESTOWN

FLOWERS

Helen Mellor
Margaret Heap
Pat O’ Brien

OCTOBER

Memories of a much loved friend and very dear member of Charlestown
Carol and Paul’s Anniversary, Love Mum and Dad
Loving Memories of Loved Ones

HARVEST SERVICE 11TH OCTOBER

As part of this year’s Harvest festival we will be collecting tinned food for Carpenters Arms; they would be grateful of donations of tinned meats. These will be accepted during morning worship on the 11th October.

COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST

Please come along and have a brew and a natter, eat some lunch, buy a raffle ticket or start your Christmas shopping at our bring and buy stall at Charlestown on Saturday 10th October 11am -1pm. Everyone welcome. . . bring your friends..

”Ever since we began in 1964 we have funded research into every aspect of cystic fibrosis. Together with our national and international partners we continue to increase our understanding of cystic fibrosis and improve understanding, treatments and management of cystic fibrosis. We are also involved with social research, exploring the non-medical impact of cystic fibrosis, and its implications for quality and length of life.”  The CF Trust.

Last year our coffee morning sent over £400 to the CF Trust, You helped to make a huge difference to the lives of those living with this disease.  . . . .Thank you!    Antonia and Francesca Popat

P S. . . . mum is still bobbins in the kitchen, so all offers of help will be gratefully received!

FAMILY CONCERNS

We hold in our prayers and thoughts, Jim Pinder and family on the death of Jim’s mum. Also we continue to pray for our minister Alan, Keith Culpan, Sam Hilton & Nancy Harvey. It is nice to see Barbara Robinson back worshipping with us and see her health improving.

CHARLESTOWN OCTOBER CHURCH MEETING

This will be held on 18th of October following morning worship. Please make every effort to attend; the meeting is for everyone to attend not just the members.

PILOTS AND GIG

Rotas are displayed at the back of church for volunteers to sign up. Lesley would be grateful of any help you can spare at Pilots. If you feel you can help one Sunday morning and host an activity for our young children during morning worship, then please speak to Lesley or Gill.  Our children enjoy simple activities such as crafts, puzzles, games, colouring, listening to stories, singing or quizzes.

WOMEN’S GUILD

The Guild will be meeting on Thursday, 22 October at 2.30pm, when the speaker will be the Revd. Barbara Plenderleith. Any ladies who might like to come along would be very welcome.