Christ Church, Longridge - Methodist/URC

The April Ramble – Lupton Circular

After a number of local walks, we decided, this month, to spread our wings somewhat and explore a little of the splendid countryside on the Lancashire / Cumbria border. Our meeting point was where the A65 crosses the Lancaster canal. The turnout was a splendid dozen plus two dogs and from here we headed south, enjoying the warm spring sunshine and clear skies, along quiet lanes and field paths towards Aikbank, where we picked up a little stream and followed it to where it joined the pretty Lupton Beck. Here, we stopped for photos and to allow the dogs to have a play in the water and then it was onwards towards higher ground and past the square turreted Lupton Tower. At this point, the anti-walker farmer had taken every inch of a large field and put the narrow path Read more…

By The Editor, ago

The March Ramble – Around Longridge

The March walk was a circum-navigation of Longridge, using one of the excellent guides’ published by the council, but with some modifications. Instead of starting and finishing in the town centre, we kept entirely on the “Loop”. Starting from Grange Towers, at the bottom of Hacking Drive, with the coach house used as a changing room, we proceeded to cross the Mardale Road recreation ground, with its five football pitches, over the footbridge and through fields to Daniel’s farm and Preston Road. Crossing the road and resisting a visit to Franco’s, we entered the pleasantly quiet Pinfold Lane and headed to the Alston reservoirs. The heavy rain that arrived during the morning had now become light drizzle and remained so for the remainder of the walk. From here, we headed eastwards through Alston Grange Farm and onwards across a beautiful Read more…

By The Editor, ago

How do I respond to the Earthquake in HAITI?

It’s hard to know what to do when we hear of disasters like the earthquake in HAITI. But one thing is certain – we can’t do nothing! Of the thirteen charities that make up the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee), World Vision, a Christian charity, has said ‘one thing we can all do is pray, pray, pray…’ World Vision has been instrumental in setting up a daily prayer focus and for those of you who have access to the internet you can get an up to date report by clicking here or here. They are asking people to commit themselves to 40 days of prayer starting today. Please consider making this commitment. Many members have been asking what can we do in more practical ways? This will be discussed at the Church Council meeting on Sunday 31st January. It may be Read more…

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Advent and Christmas Services

This year Advent begins on the 29th of November. The evening service on December 6th will be led by Apples of Gold. The Park House service at 6.30pm on December 13th will be a Carol Service (All welcome). Following the pattern of recent years, the Church Carol Service will be on SATURDAY December 19th at 6.30pm. On the following morning (Sunday December 20th) we will have our Family Nativity Service but there will not be an evening service on that day. Fulwood Methodist Church will be holding a midnight Communion on Christmas Eve at Fulwood URC beginning at 11.00pm. The Christmas Morning Service will be at 11.00am at Christ Church. Please note that the CTL Epiphany Carol Service will be held on Sunday January 10th at 6.30pm at St. Lawrence’s Church. As this is the second Sunday of the month, Read more…

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Christmas Arrangements

This year the Theme for the Christmas Decorations is Circles. Church Organisations and others are already busy decorating Hoola Hoops to hang around the walls and windows but if you are part of an organisation which would like to contribute, please see Jane Turner or John Spencer as soon as possible. The church will be open on Dec. 18th, 19th and 20th for viewing. Full details of times etc. will be in the weekly notices and a rota for volunteers will be in the foyer. A large Christmas Card will be available in the foyer to send greetings to other members of the church in return for a donation. The card will be available from December 13th. Any donations and special Christmas Offerings will go to support Helen’s work with Operation Christmas Child.

By The Editor, ago

New Year’s Eve Social and Watchnight Service

Date: 31st December Time: 8.00pm – till late! Venue: Christ Church, Longridge Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship, entertainment, and games, with a ‘bring ‘n’ share’ supper. The evening will conclude with our Watchnight Communion Service. Bring your family and friends. All are welcome. A list is in the foyer for donations to the ‘Bring and Share’ Supper, plus donations for prizes for the evening’s entertainment

By The Editor, ago

How Things Change But Stay The Same

After trying to explain to a member of Junior Church why we say ‘dialling a number’ when we actually press buttons to use a telephone these days, reminded me of something I read recently. We Were Brung Up Proper! First we were born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us and lived in houses made of asbestos.  They took asprin, ate cheese that had seen better days, ate raw egg products, loads of bacon and processed meat (probably containing sawdust and other unmentionables) and nothing had a ‘best by’ date. Once we were born our cots were covered with brightly coloured lead-based paint.  We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets. We drank water from the stream not from a bottle; we shared one soft drink from the same bottle with four friends.  We Read more…

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Musings From The Manse: Winter 2009

Dear Friends, The start of Advent this year, not only sees most of us frantically preparing for the festive season, but also heralds in the second stage of the ‘Vision4Life’ programme. The new church year will focus on a ‘Year of Prayer’ and like the ‘Year of the Bible’ that we’ve just concluded, it is an opportunity to think more deeply about our prayer-life, both as individuals and as a church. It doesn’t mean that we suddenly forget about The Bible – it’s really important as Christians to actively engage in reading the whole of our Bible (even the bits we don’t understand or find a little obscure!) so that we can wrestle with its meaning for us today. The ‘Vision4Life’ team have produced various resources that will soon be available – something for everyone, you might say. Here’s an Read more…

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Elijah, Man Of God

On the morning of Sunday, 29th November, ADA, (Adults Disability Arts) will be bringing their latest play to Christ Church. This time, it is based on the Biblical account of the prophet Elijah who lived in the 9th century BC when Ahab was King of Israel. Now you may not be able to write a 10 page essay on the life and times of Ahab but you will certainly know the name of his queen, a woman whose name has survived for the best part of 3 millennia….Jezebel! Elijah is a man whose heart is definitely in the right place, with God, but he can also see very clearly that he hasn’t a cat in hell’s chance of surviving the tasks that the Lord God keeps asking him to do! His only options are to give up on God, or Read more…

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The November Ramble – Around Pilling

The November walk should have been a pleasant eight mile trek around low-lying farmland between Pilling and Knott End, returning along the sea wall. However, the endless rain the previous week and a forecast of heavy rain and gales provided us with something a little different. Having parked by the sea wall at Fluke Hall, we started walking into the Pilling Lake District, every hollow filled with water just above boot depth. Nothing like starting the walk with wet feet. Nevertheless, our party of six and the swimming dogs took it all in our stride. Not a place for wimps! The first point of interest was a ruined farm, followed by a series of fields, stiles and footbridges. Next we had a bit of respite with a stretch of dry lane and then it was back through farms and fields. Read more…

By The Editor, ago