Dear Friends,

With this edition of the Messenger covering December and January I would like to begin by wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year! I find that at this time of the year, where one year ends and a new one is about to begin, inevitably my thoughts are inclined to look back over the past 12 months. To think of all that has happened over that time – both the good times and not so good – and also to look forward with hope and trust. For some it is also a time to think about New Year resolutions – although I have to confess I have never really got into that sort of thing.

Personally, as I look back over the past 12 months, I am mindful that it has been a trying time for us as a family. Equally, it has been a time of great blessing, and I am truly thankful for the skills of the medical profession. Thankfully, I now feel that I have turned a corner health-wise, and I am also grateful for all the prayers and support we have received during that time, which has been a great source of strength.

Throughout this difficult period, I felt sustained by some words attributed to John Wesley ‘best of all, God is with us.’ Those words remind us that God shares all our experiences. And that surely is the true message of Christmas. Beyond all the materialistic trappings of the season comes a message of hope and promise; the assurance that through a tiny baby, born to a young couple in humble surroundings, would come the sure foundation upon which our faith is built.

In an uncertain and often volatile world we must never lose sight of that hope and the promise that God, our Emmanuel, is with us. None of us knows for certain what 2015 has in store for us, as individuals, or as a Church or in the world around us, but we move forward in faith and trust. And as Corrie Ten Boon once said ““Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Wise words indeed, and that could be a New Year’s resolution to consider.
Peace.

Your friend and Minister,

Alan

GENERAL NOTICES

ELDERS

There will be an Elders Meeting at Charlestown on Thursday 8th January at 7.30pm.

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING

The Annual Church Meeting will take place at Charlestown on Saturday 17th January at 10am.

MIDWEEK SERVICE AT ALBION

The next mid-week Communion Services are on Wednesday 10th December and Wednesday14th January at 11am in the Choir Vestry.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The Bible study group will resume after the Christmas / New Year break on Tuesday 20th January at 7.45pm.

The Advent Bible study will meet at Hurst Methodist Church on 2nd / 9th/ 16th December at 7.30pm

STABLE COMMUNION SERVICE

We are again holding this special service on Sunday 21st December at 4pm in the appropriate setting of the stable at Cockfield’s Farm, Lees Road. All are welcome

Please bring a torch and come in warm clothing!

COVENANT SERVICE

We are invited to join with Hurst Methodist for their annual Covenant Service; together with the other churches in Hurst on Sunday 4th January at 3pm. Tea will be served at 4pm after worship. All welcome.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to all my friends at Albion, Charlestown and Hurst Nook for all your cards, flowers and telephone calls over the past few weeks. I am slowly recovering and hope to be back with you before too long. Thank you again for your support.

Olive B

WEDDINGS

Conducted by the Revd. Alan Wickens
15th November Graham Lewis HOLLAND and Amanda Vivien MATLEY
22nd November Wayne Allan DAVIS and Tracey Louise BANCROFT

WEDDING BLESSING

8th November David & Pauline SINCLAIR

FUNERALS

Conducted by the Revd. Alan Wickens
10th November At Albion & Dukinfield Crematorium
Betty COTTERILL (85 years)

Addresses:

Albion URC, Stamford Street East, Ashton-under-Lyne Tel. 0161-343 7054
Charlestown URC, Alexandra Rd., Ashton-under-Lyne
Hurst Nook URC, Nook Lane, Ashton-under-Lyne
Albion Website: www.albionurc.org.uk

ALBION

FLOWERS

Colin Bell
Hilda, Enid and family
Liz, Vivienne and David Robinson
John and Helen B
Margaret and Ron T
Eileen G and family

DECEMBER

In loving memory of a dear mother
In memory of Norah
Birthday memories of a wonderful mother
Loving memories of Christopher
Thanksgiving
Birthday memories of mother, Ethel Holt, Wedding anniversary, loving memories of Harry and Christmas memories of all our loved ones

FLOWERS

Frances S
Colin B
Colin B
Hilda, Enid and family

JANUARY

In loving memory of Leslie
In loving memory of a dear father
In loving memory of Jim Potter
Birthday memories of a dear father

A Happy Christmas & A Happy New Year to all our donors!

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

Friday 12th December 2pm to 8pm

• School choirs 2pm and 3.30pm
• Choir of Brownies (plus some Rainbows and Guides) 6.30pm

Saturday 13th December 11- 5pm

• Audenshaw School Brass Band 2pm
• Lunches available

Sunday 14th December 2pm -5pm

• Willow Wood Light up a Life Service 2pm

All welcome – help needed to meet and greet the guests

TREE DECORATING

The church is open Wednesday 10th December in the evening from 4pm to 8pm and Thursday 9.30 am – 3pm. It will not be open on Thursday evening as in last month’s Messenger.
The theme this year is Festivals – if you want to decorate a tree we have a few left!

ALBION GIFT SERVICE

Sunday 7th December Gift Service for Women’s Refuge

ALBION TOTS GROUP

Albion Tots group will meet at Albion Church on Friday 9.30am till 11.00am

Albion members would like to extend a warm welcome to all in the community and surrounding area to all services over this Christmas period and beyond.

We would also like to wish you and all those whom you love and care for a very happy and meaningful Christmas, and a peaceful New Year.

HURST NOOK

FLOWERS

Pauline and Kathleen
John H
Roy and Carole
Sandra B
Irene Whitehead

FLOWERS

Kathleen Lees
Phyllis Harrison
Jean Linney Moffatt
Kathleen Simpson

DECEMBER

Memories of much loved parents
Memories of Judith
Memories of parents
Memories of mum and dad Mona and Warren
Birthday memories

JANUARY

Memories of friends
Memories of Paul
Memories of Fred
Memories of dear Stan M and our parents

SHOE BOXES

Thanks to everyone who helped support our Christmas shoe box appeal. 90 boxes have been taken from Hurst Nook.

HURST NOOK FELLOWSHIP

Our fellowship Christmas party takes place on Wednesday 3rd December. Please see the notice at the back of church for bring and share food. The party starts at 7. 30pm.
The first meeting of the New Year will be held on Wednesday January 3rd, will be modelling clay with Marilyn.

HURST NOOK TOTS

Every Thursday 10 am – 11. 30 am during term time £1 per family

CHRISTMAS EVENING FRIDAY 19TH DECEMBER 7PM

Would you like to come and share in an evening? The evening will consist of carols and poems both religious and secular by candle light/Tree lights. It will be an evening of fellowship with mince pies and nibbles – a pause in the busyness of Christmas …… about Christmas.

Please come and share.

CHRISTMAS FAIR

Thanks to everyone who supported this event. £721 was raised. Well done!

HURST NOOK COMMITTEE MEETING

Will take place on Tuesday 13 January at 7.30pm with Alan in the chair.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS FROM HURST NOOK TO:

Jan A, Mavis D, Eva H, Marilyn P, Finley J
Flo J, Rita K, John H, Irene w and Lenny G.
May god bless you all

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR:

Doris W, Flo J, Mavis D, Callum, Oliver, Kyla, Barbara and Peter H, Eva H, Rita K, Jack S and anyone who needs our special prayers and thoughts at this time.
SHALOM!

On behalf of the Hurst Nook fellowship I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Thank You to Alan for carrying on despite not being well and to everybody who helps to run this fellowship we cannot do it without you.

Thanks to Helen for producing the messenger every month, not an easy task and to Glenis O for printing the copies.

Sandra

CHARLESTOWN

FLOWERS

Helen M and family
Denise, Jim, Jennie and Nicola
Barbara P
Christine and Tom
Glenys and Philip
Nancy and  Family
Lesley and John

FLOWERS

Glenys and Philip
Larraine W
Helen and Family
Denise, Jim, Jennie and Nicola
Susan and  Mary

DECEMBER

Memories of Loved Ones
Birthday and Christmas Memories of our Dear Friend Dotty and Jim Pi and Robert W
Birthday Memories of Mum and Dad
Gillian and Andrew’s Wedding Anniversary
Glenys and Philip
Nancy and  Family
Lesley and John

JANUARY

Loving Memories of Mum
In memory of a wonderful husband Alan also Wedding Anniversary
For Loved Ones
Birthday memories for Jim P, Robert W, Loving Dads and Granddads also Big Brother Alan W
Loving Memories of a Husband, Dad and     Granddad

NOVEMBER COFFEE MORNING

Many thanks to everyone who supported us, a total of £231.40 was raised which will go towards the cost of the new heating boiler in the extension.

COMMITMENT FOR LIFE

A total of £305 was collected in envelopes; we also have some members who pay by direct debit. Thank you!

PREMISES UPDATE

We are slowly working through the recommendations of the Quinquennial inspection report and have new windows fitted in the extension, redecoration and suspended ceilings in the remaining classrooms. We have tackled ongoing maintenance issues such as the ceiling repairs in the main room and new boiler in the extension.

Many thanks to Tom and Philip for organising and coordinating all this work.

CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING

This will be on Saturday 13th December from 11 am – 1 pm. Refreshments will be available at a very reasonable price. It will be lovely to see you all at this special time of year.

DATES OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES

Sunday 7th December Gift Service (Toiletries & children’s gifts for Women’s Refuge)

Sunday 14th December Carol Service

Sunday 21st December – Children and Young People

Sunday 21st December Christmas Fellowship Party

STABLE COMMUNION SERVICE

We are again holding this special service on Sunday 21st December at 4pm in the appropriate setting of the stable at Cockfield’s Farm, Lees Road. All are welcome

Please bring a torch and come in warm clothing!

CHRISTMAS CHARITY

This year’s Charity is Commitment for Life. Donations in lieu of Christmas Cards and the Christmas Day collection will go to this charity.

POSADA

This year we have organised to take part in the Mexican tradition of Posada. During each day of advent a nativity set of Mary and Joseph will travel on a rota basis across our fellowship visiting a different family or place every night. The night Mary and Joseph ‘stay’ provides a great opportunity to invite guests around to share together the true meaning of Christmas or simply enjoy a quiet time of reflection in your own home. You can do as much or as little as you want. If you wish to take part and haven’t already volunteered please see Gill who is organising this for us.

WOMEN’S GUILD

It’s party time for the Guild on Thursday 11 December and the ladies are asked to be at Sunday School at 12.30pm for 1.00pm.
Our first meeting in 2015 will take place on Thursday 22 January at.2.30pm when the speaker will be the Revd. Barbara Plenderleith.
We have enjoyed our meetings during 2014 and are grateful to all those who have supported us during the year, especially the speakers
who have given their time to be with us. Any ladies who would like to join us would be most welcome.
We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

FAMILY NEWS

We were saddened to hear of the death of our friend Betty Cotterill. Spending time with her on Church Weekends was always a pleasure and she loved her dancing holidays at St Anne’s. She was a much loved member of our church family and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Betty’s family at this difficult time. Our prayers continue to be with Barbara and Cyril Robinson, Judith and their families. We also think of Marjorie Bradwell, Mary Penky, Vince Smith and anyone else you hold privately in your hearts.

Copy for the February  issue to the Editor, Helen Mellor by 4.00pm on Wednesday  14th  January  2014 email: helenmellor@fsmail.net