Saint Patricks Day-17th March

Chatburn Churches Together

Christ Church, Chatburn,

Chatburn Methodist Church

Newsletter for

March 2005

Priest-in-charge/Editor: Revd Rodney Nicholson,

tel. (01200) 458019

Methodist Minister: Revd Stephen Foster, tel (458010)

Viewpoint

MOTHERING Sunday celebrates family life. Not all families, however, conform to the happy norm of mother and father looking lovingly after their children, though most do indeed do that. Lynda Leadbeater, our Reader at St Paul’s, once told the congregation at a Mothering Sunday family service, that in the Blackburn infants’ school, where she then taught full-time, some of the children were mothered by other adults than their real mother. In one home it was the father who was also mother, because mum had died. In another family, grandparents had taken the mother’s role and in yet another it was dad’s new partner. In a significant number of homes, as highlighted by The children’s Society, a child is effectively mother to the mother, because mum is disabled or chronically sick, leaving maybe a junior age child to get him/herself off to school, after seeing to the adult’s needs and gathering a list of jobs to be done that day.

So, at the same time as rightly celebrating Mothering Sunday, let’s bring the non ideal-ness of life into what could otherwise become a cosy trip. After all, the bible itself, whilst warmly upholding family life, has more of its families displaying some kind of problem. The old (1662) Marriage Service commends Isaac and Rebekah as a model of marital bliss, yet each had their favourite son – Isaac: Esau and Rebekah: Jacob – and Rebekah was content to trick her partially-sighted husband towards the end of his life. David, the king and psalm writer, the man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and arranged his lover’s husband’s death. Interestingly, in the bible’s own words, David had a love for his dear friend, Jonathan, which exceeded his love for women. Jesus’s own family knew conflict, for his half-brothers and sisters would not accept him.

Now, of course, all good stories are about mistakes and surprises. The bible in that sense is no different, so that we would not be told of a family which was calmly happy for ever and ever. Nevertheless, the family problems which the bible records remind us that home life is not always just one degree short of perfection! That said, we warmly give thanks for the love, happiness, security and encouragement which many, perhaps most of us, have known in our own families. Where home-life has not been like this, we can still hope and work, where possible, for healing or forgiveness. For some this may not happen this side of eternity but we dare to believe in a God of ultimate healing for whom nothing is impossible.

Not too seriously

A film star turned up for her show-biz wedding wearing a topless mini-dress. The vicar would not allow her into the church.

She was furious and shouted, “I have a divine right!”

To which the vicar replied, “You’ve got a divine left as well, but you’re still not coming in here.”

Well done, Rosie!

OUR congratulations go to Rosie Green of Victoria Court who has gained an honours degree in Psychology after studying with the Open University.

The six-year course was partly undertaken at home and partly carried out by tutorials—at Manchester, Preston, Blackburn and Burnley. Rosie said that it was something she had always wanted to do. She took A-levels in English and Media Studies after leaving school, and then embarked on this major project. She heard just before Christmas that she had gained the degree but goes to Harrogate in May to receive her certificate-  proudly accompanied by members of her family.

Asked if she had particularly enjoyed any one aspect of the course, Rosie listed the social psychology part, which included looking at different therapies, such as speech, dream and play therapies which can be used, not least, with children. Large wooden letters, can help dyslectic children.

Best wishes to Mabel

MABEL Shaw, of Crowtrees Gardens, is now home after a short spell in Airedale hospital, following a collapse in Morrison’s supermarket in Skipton. Mabel is doing well and her family have been giving her their closest attention: her daughter Rosie, mentioned on this page, and her husband, Tony, and children, William, Damien and Chelsea. We hope she is soon home.

School book day

CHRIST Church school took part in National Book Day last Thursday, with every child imaginatively dressing up in the costume of a favourite character from a book. I had the unenviable task of choosing the winner, and decided on Jack Bowtell (11) from Rimington, who came as Stig of the Dump” - not a character I personally know!

There were others ranging from Puss in Boots to Harry Potter and pirates and many more. One teacher asked me who I was coming as. The Vicar of Dibley?

Ernest Barnes—profile of a

skilled and faithful man

VISITORS to Chatburn Methodist Church are greeted with a warm welcome from Ernest Barnes, of Victoria Avenue, a much-loved member of the church and currently the property steward, who has been active throughout his life in various areas.

Born in my other parish of Low Moor, Ernest came here in 1929 as a very young boy, because Low Moor mill was about to close, and his father, William, had found alternative work as a weaver in Chatburn. The family also included his late brother, Edgar, and sister, Marjorie, of Ribblesdale View, also a stalwart at the church. Ernest did not follow his father into the ministry of local preaching but became closely involved with the Sunday School, where he took over as secretary in 1941 or 42 when Harold Woods was called up. Ernest too was called up in 1943 and joined the RAF, being transferred two years later to the Army, when the RAF’s work in India was finished. He was demobbed in 1947 but during his army service met many fine Christians, being connected with the Army Scripture Readers, with whom a good deal of bible reading took place.

Back home, Ernest worked for a short time at Sowerbutts as a cabinet maker, then as a chairmaker, after which he was a joiner with British Railways in Blackburn for four years. His main work, however, was with the Milk Marketing Board in Cross Street, where for thirty years he was building milk tankers and latterly serving as foreman in the body shop.

Ernest’s interest in transport has been colourfully expressed in his interest in model railways. Since leaving the forces, he has built 5 and 3½” gauge locomotives which, for 20 years, have given people rides at Edisford Bridge. Ernest and his friends have given train rides to children from Belarus, as well as to disabled people and many others. He currently builds 1¾” gauge engines at home, of which he has so far constructed six fine models His latest engine is an LMS Compound—for the interest of those who know about such things.

At the Methodist church, Ernest continued in the Sunday School, where he taught junior age children, for 25-30 years, but then felt it right for someone younger to take over. In those days, Ernest reflects, there were about seven teachers, spread across the primary, junior and senior sections. Later he became a trustee and now serves on the church council, which effectively replace the former trustee system. Ernest welcomes cooperation between the two Chatburn churches and is glad that today we have largely lost the “us” and “them” attitude which segregates people into separate churches. He himself was married in Christ Church, by the Revd Jim Stretch, to his wife, Gladys, who sadly died in 1988, two years after Ernest retired.

Ernest has three sons, Robert, with whom he lives, Keith and Alan, who had a big part in “Whistle down the Wind”, which was filmed in Downham. Alan was cast alongside Diane Holgate, daughter of the local haulier, Tom, who died in December.

As our two Chatburn churches move more closely together, we shall feature other members of both churches who play an important part in their work, and whose faithfulness has meant a great deal in this village community.

Best wishes to Ken

KEN Singleton of Ribble Lane has been home now for a fortnight after his spell in hospital for a knee operation. Owing to certain complications, Ken’s time in Gisburne Park was interrupted by transfers to Burnley and Blackburn, but thankfully he is now making a good recovery.

Thanks for Sponsorship

OUR thanks to the village hall committee who have kindly sponsored this issue of the newsletter with a gift of £20.

At Chatburn Methodist Church

THE Women’s Fellowship meets on alternate Wednesdays at 2.30pm. On March 9th Mrs Karen Sleet is the speaker and on the 23rd the Revd Chris Cheeseman will address the group.

THE Luncheon Club meets on Wednesdays March 2nd 16th and 30th from 12 to 2pm.

George Ormerod

A large congregation attended the funeral of George Ormerod (68), formerly of Edmund Gennings Court, three weeks ago. George became seriously ill in the 1980s from problems arising from the treatment of his Parkinson’s Disease. This did not, however, take away his strong faith—a faith to which he had given practical expression over many years through his work with Sunday Schools and young people. He and Christine, his wife, have been closely involved with St John’s, Baxenden, St Mary’s and, more particularly St James, Clitheroe as well as here at Christ Church.

Formerly a highly competent sales manager in food companies, George was a great lover of the outdoors and always much loved by his family: Christine and their children, Neil, Clare and Diane.

Good Friday procession

AS part of a national initiative, there will be a procession on Good Friday from St Michael and St John’s church, Clitheroe at 11.15am to the castle gates for a hymn and a prayer. Do come to the united service at Chatburn Methodist Church at 10am, then go into Clitheroe

Christ Church AGM

THIS takes place on Wednesday, April 6th at 7.30pm in the school. Do come and hear news about our parish and make  any comments of your own.

Tommy Fish remembered

ONE of Chatburn’s oldest residents, Tommy Fish of Downham Road, died last week in Beech Grove residential home in Low Moor, where he had spent the last few months of his life. A former driver for British Rail, from which he took early retirement through ill health, Tommy worked at Ribble Cement, then at Chatburn mill, after which he did egg collecting in Sawley. He and his wife, Betty, who died 19 years ago, had four children, David, Liz (who sadly died following an accident), John and Sheila. He has a number of grandchildren, one of whom, Linzi is to be married in Christ Church in June.

Tommy, who was well known in the village, keenly supported Chatburn football club and enjoyed attending the presentation evenings. He also enjoyed the occasional! visit to the Brown Cow and Black Bull. His humour and warmth and lively interest in life will be remembered by his family and those who knew him well.

New arrival

CONGRATULATIONS to Graham and Samantha Marshall of Crowtrees  Brow on the birth of their daughter, Gemma Lily.     Gemma, a sister to Georgina was born at home, with Annette Dugdale delivering her—wonderfully, the family said.

Best wishes

OUR best wishes also go to Anne Jones, sister of Margaret Jackson, of Old Road, who is in the Royal Preston Hospital for an operation on a broken hip, which Anne sustained in a fall. We also send our best wishes to Robert Taylor of Victoria Court, who at the time of writing is in Queens Park hospital. We also remember Heber Hargreaves, of Greenfield Avenue, who has spent a number of weeks in Clitheroe hospital. Geoffrey Hitchen, known to many people as an organist and pianist, is now making a good recovery in Clitheroe hospital after major heart surgery in the infirmary. We also remember Geoffrey Braithwaite of Downham, who sadly died three weeks ago after a nine-week struggle in the Infirmary with lung problems. Geoff did great work for the East Lancs hospice

Services in March

Venues for 8.30am Holy Communion

March 6th    Chatburn    March 13th    Downham

March 20th  Chatburn    March 27th    Downham

April 3rd          Chatburn   April 10th        Downham

Chatburn Methodist Church – preachers at 10am Morning Service

March 6th     Revd Stephen Foster

March 13th                Canon Ken Philips (former minister)  - United

Service

March 20th      Mr Nigel Atherton

March 27th                Revd Stephen Foster

Christ Church main morning service at 11am

March  6th   Mothering Sunday Family Service with Baptism

March 13th  United Service at the Methodist Church at 10am

March  20^th  Palm Sunday service, with palm crosses

March  27^th  Easter Day: Family Communion: Revd Alan Reid

April 3rd      Morning Prayer (1662)

Wednesdays in Lent

The Lent series continues at the Methodist Church on Wednes-

days March 2nd, 9th, 18th at 7.30pm.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

The Maundy Thursday united service is at Christ Church at 7.30pm, and the Good Friday united service at Chatburn Methodist Church at 10am.

Easter Breakfast

All are welcome to the Easter breakfast at Chatburn Methodist Church, which is served from 8.30am on Easter Day.