Christ Church Ramsbottom - MARCH 2021
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Christ Church Ramsbottom MARCH 2021
From our Pastor, Richard Selby…
Dear friends,
The big news this month is that Christ Church and Ramsbottom Pantry have agreed to come together
as a joint venture. I'm sure that this is God's will and that it will provide new opportunities for our
church to help the disadvantaged in our community and to share God's love in new and exciting
ways, which a few weeks ago we couldn’t have imagined.
I'm sure that giving out food to people, as worthwhile as that is, will be just a starting point. As I’ve
said before, light shines brightest in the darkness, and our intention is to shine the love of Jesus into
our neighbours’ lives when they are at their darkest.
There’s no doubt that the hardships caused by the Lockdowns have brought a focus on the need for
foodbanks in our society, but I’m sure that the need will not go away as soon as the Lockdown is
lifted, as many people will be unemployed and/or up to their eyes in debt and rent arrears. And we’ll
also be aiming to help people mentally and spiritually, which will always be needed.
We'll form a steering group made up of representatives of Ramsbottom Pantry and the church to
manage the joint venture. We also hope to co-ordinate our work with other churches in Ramsbottom.
Not much will change at rst and the Pantry will continue to operate from our building. But within the
next few weeks a portacabin and a container will appear around the back of church, for the Pantry to
use. The portacabin and container will be provided by Rotary and the installation work will be done
free of charge by Balfour Beatty. The units will be screened and will partly hide the sight of the
builder's yard, which can’t be a bad thing.
I know that many people will be wondering whether we’ll be meeting for worship in the church
building by Easter. The answer, as it always seems to be regarding the pandemic, is that we don’t
know. But whatever the situation, we’ll have Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday
services, plus probably other Holy Week services, at home and/or in church.
Remember that it doesn’t really matter where we worship or who we worship with: the important
thing is that at Easter we worship Jesus for his sacri ce and resurrection, and remember the promise
of forgiveness and eternal life that we have through him.
As always, if you ever want to talk to me about anything or want me to pray with you then please call
me on 07958 531200.
God bless,
Richard.
Christ Church Of cials
Pastor: Richard Selby minister@christchurch-ramsbottom.co.uk
Tel: 07958531200
Church Secretary: Susan Applegate secretary@christchurch-ramsbottom.co.uk
Tel: 07814173027
Church Treasurer: John Leyland treasurer@christchurch-ramsbottom.co.uk
Tel: 01706 827253
Church Telephone: 01706 821803
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‘One Year On’
The Revd Canon Paul Hardingham looks back on the year that changed the world
It was just over a year ago that the WHO discussed the coronavirus that was starting to spread
around the world. None of us could have foreseen the devastating effect on our world, with over 80
million people infected and nearly two million deaths. How has the pandemic challenged our faith,
as we look back over the last year?
Firstly, it has forced us to face up to the reality of our situation. We cannot underestimate the
health, social and economic effects of the virus on our lives, churches and communities. We have
learned how to do church online, but the future shape of church life is uncertain!
As the apostle Paul writes: ‘We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but
not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry
around in our body the death of Jesus’ (2 Cor 4:8-10).
The pandemic has challenged so much of what we take for granted, but also demonstrated that
God is alongside to help us in these circumstances.
Secondly, alongside the fear and uncertainty of this year, we have also learned to find new faith
and hope in Jesus. The experience of Jesus’ death and His resurrection provides a pattern for us in
facing the future: ‘so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at
work in us, but life is at work in you.’ (2 Cor 4:10-12).
During the season of Lent, as we anticipate the events at Easter, it’s good to focus on the promise
of sharing in the death and resurrection of Jesus. As we consider our present struggles, are we
ready to surrender them to Jesus? May the hope of Easter Day take us forward into the coming
year.
‘Zoomed Out?’
By The Revd Canon Paul Hardingham
‘You’re still on mute!’ If you’ve used Zoom over the past year, you’ll be familiar with this cry! After a
day on Zoom, the last thing we often want to do is using it for a chat with friends or a church service
on Sunday! Now this reveals a wider problem that we face. We know that staying connected in the
pandemic is hard. When we’re tired and busy, it’s easy to stop connecting with others, which would
encourage our faith or wellbeing. This might also include not sending a text, Facebook comment or
phoning somebody up.
Remember what Paul says: ‘For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.’ (Romans 7:15).
It’s often easier to avoid connecting with God and others, when this would be good for our sense of
value, purpose and identity. Certain patterns of behaviour can make us feel safer, but in reality they
prevent us from living our lives fully as God intends.
Paul adds: ‘What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ (Romans 7:24,25). Through the
death and resurrection of Jesus we have the freedom to act differently. Lent is an ideal time to
develop new habits, especially when we are tired or anxious. It may involve spending less time on
Facebook, turning the TV off to call a friend who we need to catch up with, or getting up a bit earlier
to spend time in Bible reading and prayer.
Let’s keep reminding ourselves that ‘God is bigger than Zoom’ and make sure that we don’t get
disconnected! Let’s be committed to doing the right thing, rather than simply the easier thing.
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God in the Sciences - What will March bring?
Mental health ideas for uncertain times
written by Dr Ruth M. Bancewicz, Church Engagement Director at The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge.
See www.faraday.cam.ac.uk/churches and http://www.cis.org.uk
We may all have rather mixed feelings on reaching March this year. On the one hand, it is lovely to
see the onset of Spring, and vaccinations and better weather may make handling the pandemic a
little easier. On the other hand, marking a year from the start of the rst UK lockdown will be painful
for some, especially as many of us are likely to be experiencing restrictions or ongoing hardships for
quite some time. We may need to nd new ways to keep going, so here are some suggestions that
draw on both science and Christian theology.
Getting outside
Time outdoors in a natural environment is very good for you – and you can’t argue with the happy
hormones produced by exercise. Attending to the details of nature can also inspire awe, which has
been linked to positive mood, and increased life satisfaction. Enjoying creation can also help us
connect with God.
Looking outside
If you are truly stuck indoors, try putting bird feeders outside your window so creation comes to you.
This is also an act of kindness (see below)!
Lament and praise
The Psalms are a rich resource to help us express both our grief and our thanks to God. Try reading
one or two each day.
Journaling
Keep a journal of thoughts, experiences or practices you have engaged with during the day.
Constructing a personal narrative or story is now recognised as a very powerful psychological and
spiritual tool for building resilience. It is also a vital learning tool that we can go back to when tough
times return in the future.
Acts of kindness
Helping or encouraging someone else is obviously a good thing to do in itself, but it also has a very
positive effect on the giver - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and even physically. Whichever way
you look at it, nding new ways to show kindness to others can be a very effective way to help
ourselves feel better too.
Gratitude
Gratitude is another natural drug – in a sense – that can help us feel better. Try keeping a grateful
diary, adding a few things each day.
Laugh, sing, make music, dance
All of these activities are deeply rooted in our physical and mental makeup. You may have forgotten
how great they feel, especially in times of sadness, but we can learn from children who do them very
naturally.
I hope these ideas may help bring us closer to God, each other, and His creation.
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Finding God in Each Moment of the Day
By the Revd Canon Paul Hardingham
Do you know the popular series of books entitled Where’s Wally? These books are lled with very
detailed cartoon drawings in each of which is hidden Wally. He is dressed in a red and white striped
ski cap and glasses and the challenge is to nd Wally. You have to search for some time to pick him
out of the crowd, but Wally is always there!
In many ways, like nding Wally, we need to develop the skill of identifying God’s presence in our
daily lives. One approach that can help us to nd God throughout the day is to do a daily review of
our day with God. It can provide us with a means of seeing where God has been at work during our
day. It’s an opportunity of remembering how God has been at work and how we have responded to
Him. As the psalmist says, ‘On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the
night’ (Ps 63:6).
What does this look like in practice? Here is a step by step guide:
1. Be still for a moment, and quiet your mind.
2. Acknowledge that Jesus is present. Invite Him to guide you.
3. Recall the beginning of the day, when you rst woke up. Watch that scene, as if on lm.
What is your reaction to what you see? Talk to God about it.
4. Continue through the lm of your day, going from scene to scene. As you re ect on each one,
some scenes may ll you with gratitude, others with regret. Speak directly to God about
this. You may also want to pray for those you encountered during the day.
5. End your review with a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s mercy and love. Ask him to refresh
you as you sleep.
As you begin reviewing your day with God regularly, you can expect to see two things beginning to
happen:
Firstly, you will become more aware of recurring negative patterns in your life, which will challenge
these wrong attitudes and habits and increase your desire to grow and change.
Secondly, you will become more aware of God’s presence in the ordinary moments of your life. And
when you start experiencing the reality of God’s presence with you every day, it’s not ordinary any
more!
30th March
Ben
Helena
Margaret
To join the birthday scheme contact Susan
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God in the Arts:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord
The Revd Michael Burgess continues his series on God in the Arts with a look at ‘Ecce Ancilla Domini’ by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.
It hangs in the Tate Gallery. Our image is from Wikimedia Commons.
‘Ecce Ancilla Domini’ (Behold the handmaid of the Lord) is the title of this month’s painting of the
Annunciation by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. We shall hear those words in the Gospel for this feast on
25th March, when Mary responds to Gabriel’s message that she is to be the mother of our Saviour.
It is a scene that has inspired artists throughout the history of
Christianity. Over those years certain traditions emerged: in many
paintings Mary was often shown at prayer, dressed in blue, in a room
that was lled with elaborate furnishings of the period, all opening out
onto the wider world.
Rossetti’s painting of 1850 is very different. He was a founding member
of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and as both a poet and a painter, he
soon became its recognised leader. But the work of the Brotherhood
was not without its critics. When Rossetti’s painting was exhibited, it was
dismissed as ‘absurd, affected, ill-drawn, insipid, crotchety and puerile’
because it was such a contrast to the more traditional portrayals of this
scene in Luke’s Gospel.
Here there is a claustrophobic feel to the painting. Mary and Gabriel ll
the tiny, cell-like room. There is a window, but it does not open out to
scenery and nature: just a solitary tree. Rossetti called ‘Ecce Ancilla
Domini’ his ‘white picture.’ That is the colour that dominates: the robes of Mary and the angel, the
stones of the oor, the paint on the walls, the owers that Gabriel offers. Blue, the traditional colour
for Mary, is relegated to the screen behind and the sky outside. Other colours are provided by the
yellow ames of Gabriel’s feet and the tapestry in the foreground on which Mary has embroidered
lilies. These owers, like the whiteness, are symbols of purity.
The model for Mary was Christina, his sister, the author of ‘In the bleak mid-winter’, and in
portraying her, Rossetti has captured the adolescent vulnerability of Mary. A small dove linking the
two characters is a sign of God’s spirit coming to bring new life to this young girl. How does she
respond? What is the expression on her face? Does she see the adult world of responsibility and
motherhood opening up before her? Is it anxiety or wonder or awe? Or are all of these responses
captured in her expression?
The stillness of the scene, the whiteness of the room – they are like a blank canvas on which God can
paint His Gospel, His Good New of life and hope. Just as it opened up a new world for Mary, so the
Gospel can open up a new world for all of us. We may respond with anxiety and worry, or with
wonder and awe to that invitation. Or those feelings may be transformed into trust and service like
Mary in Luke’s Gospel: ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord: let it be with me according to your word.’
We would be glad to pay as we go, if only we could catch up paying for where we have been.
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail and not his tongue.
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Real Easter Egg launches
The Meaningful Chocolate Company has launched its 2021 Fairtrade
Real Easter Egg range. All Real Easter Eggs come with an Easter story
in the box. The stories range from simple guides to a 24-page activity
book version with a prize competition worth £200. They provide an
opportunity to share the joy of Easter with friends and family.
The 2021 Original Real Easter Egg includes a new 24-page Easter
story activity book. It features a rainbow design to remind us of the
importance of working together, in amazing and inspiring ways, for
the common good. It costs £4.50 and is delivered in multiples of six or
as singles.
David Marshall, from Meaningful Chocolate, said: "Even with the
current uncertainties we believe that it is more important than ever that
churches, schools and individuals nd ways to share the Easter story in 2021. Our aim is to provide
some of these resources and continue to support Fairtrade. The Real Easter Egg is a proven way to
do this. You can order direct from www.realeasteregg.co.uk"
Out of the 80 million chocolate Easter eggs sold each year in the UK, The Real Easter Egg is the rst
and only Fairtrade chocolate Easter egg to share the Easter story.
The Real Easter Egg has been on sale since 2010 and involves thousands of churches, schools and
groups. It crosses all denominations and offers individuals a simple way to share the Easter Story
while supporting Fairtrade and charitable projects.
The Real Easter Egg continues to be the UK's top mail order Egg in terms of volume.
To date more than a million eggs have been sold and more than £300,000 has been donated to
charitable causes.
Real Easter Egg dropped by pandemic hit supermarkets
The UK's top supermarkets will not be stocking The Real Easter Egg in 2021. For the past ten
years Tesco, Waitrose, ASDA and Morrisons have made room on their shelves for The Real Easter
Egg.
The head of The Real Easter Egg, David Marshall, said: "Easter 2020 was right at the start of lock-
down and we saw people change the way they shopped. We saw an increase of 40% in people
buying from our website for friends, family and food banks. However, at the same time, the early
pandemic led to the supermarkets having a disastrous Easter as people stayed away from high
streets. This year, supermarket buyers were told to cut brands, reduce the volumes and in some
cases ask for stock to be supplied at a loss or cost price. It means there will be fewer brands,
including the Real Easter Egg, on supermarket shelves this Easter. So, if you are one of the 80,000
people who usually buy a Real Easter Egg from a supermarket then go online and order direct from
www.realeasteregg.co.uk ".
Real Easter eggs Available Locally
Real Easter eggs are also available locally through Antioch Christian Bookroom; £4.50 each and
delivered to your door with no delivery charge. For further details or to order email
antiochchristianbookroom@gmail.com or ring 07942586094.
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Favourite or Memorable Song or Hymn
“ When The Road is Rough and Steep”
This month I have chosen a song I have not heard sung for a long time, it is “When the road is rough
and steep” by Norman J Clayton ( 1903-1992).
He was born in Brooklyn, New York, the ninth of ten children and was an organist for 5 decades;
writing over 90 hymns in that time. He also played the organ for youth evangelist Jack Wyrtzen’s
Word of Life rallies in New York City. “When the road is rough and steep” was a song I had learnt in
my childhood at Sunday school.
I don’t know about you, but as the lockdown continues and all that is going on at the moment, I
needed to get out of the house. Being stuck inside it sometimes feels like the walls are caving in and I
need to get out, spending time appreciating all that God created.
The weather had kept me in, but this particular morning the weather had improved, so I made a quick
decision to take a walk, and go up Holcombe Hill and admire the views. Something I did a lot of last
year, but hadn’t been able to do this year.
As I got to the top of the hill, I turned and looked down the road I had come up. How steep and
rugged it look. At that moment this hymn came to mind, and my soul just lifted up and I wanted to
sing praises to God. As I continued on my walk, with the sight and sounds of nature all around me, it
reminded me of Matthew 6 v 25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life……look at the birds of the air, they do not sow
or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
When I got home, I felt as if I had been washed with Gods Love, refreshed, and my burdens lifted. I
was now ready to deal with some of those issues that had worried me.
Here are the words of the hymn:
When The Road Is Rough And Steep ( CLAP, CLAP)
Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus
He Alone Has Power To Keep ( Clap, Clap)
Fix Your Eyes Upon Him
Jesus Is A Gracious Friend
One On Whom You Can Depend
He Is Faithful To The End
Fix Your Eyes Upon Him.
What songs or hymns have been helpful to you when you are
worried, anxious or had a big decision to make. What is your go to
place when you need to think. Why not share your story to help and
encourage others.
God Bless Susan
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Letter from Bute -12 February 2021
Hello all,
I hope you are well and keeping warm in snowy Ramsbottom. We, here on Bute, have had no snow
but lots of frost and ice, which has lasted for many days from one day to the next without melting.
This very cold, very windy weather has been with us for four weeks now without let up. Just a few
days have been very sunny and quite warm in the sun but still freezing in the shade.
The temperature doesn’t seem to have affected the farmers here, as tractors of various sizes and
colours, with or without trailers, have been noisily passing on the road outside at any time of the day.
I’m sure they can’t be planting yet, as the earth must be like iron, (In the bleak midwinter). Probably
moving and feeding animals, etc.
I have spent many hours watching the sea birds during this windy weather. It is amazing to see the
gulls gliding over the sea, without a ap of wings, going high over the sea and occasionally diving
into the angry waves without any hesitation. The wonders of the earth’s creation still continue
whatever the weather throws at them.
There are many drifts of snowdrops around in the gardens and woods, but I haven’t seen any
crocuses out yet, although there are green shoots around. Perhaps the frozen earth has delayed the
owering until they can survive.
The seed feeders need lling twice a day, with the blackbirds hurrying to meet me in the mornings,
to get rst pick! There is not much sign of early nesting yet, but with warmer temperatures forecast
next week, perhaps it won’t be long before Spring is in the air and the birds will be singing to attract
a mate.
I am sorry that there is not much to report this month and wish you all warmer weather and good
health until next month when things may be moving a bit better. (Perhaps I will be too!).
Best wishes from Joan (on the Isle of Bute)
Methodist Women in Britain
(Bolton & Rochdale District)
Invite you to ‘Coffee and Contemplation’
Saturday 13th March 2021 11:00 am – 11:45 am
a quiet time of words, music and fellowship based on the re ections of Jan Richardson
“Wise Women also came” www.sanctuaryofwomen.com
Get comfortable, get a coffee and join us……. All are Welcome
Via Zoom: details available via your local MWiB representative or phhill28@gmail.com
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flMarch Prayer Diary
Please take time each day to pray for the event or the person mentioned in the
primary diary. If you are unsure what to pray or are unsure who the people are,
then simply pray that God might bless them and keep them safe.
For those working for the NHS: Catherine,
Monday 1
Joan H, Debbie, Jenny, Katie
Tuesday 2 Angela, Gerard, Erin & Niamh
For local hospitals and GP surgeries, that
Wednesday 3 they may cope with the surge in demand
and vaccination delivery.
Thursday 4 Ben, Catherine, Jessica & Harry
Friday 5 Brian & Joanna
For those who normally attend
Saturday 6
Community Cafe
Sunday 7 Daniel
For those who work in Schools: Ben &
Monday 8
Angela
Tuesday 9 Freda E
For those who normally attend Slimming
Wednesday 10
World
Thursday 11 Lesley & Tom
For those who live in the ats on Great
Friday 12
Eaves Road & Ashton lodge
Saturday 13 Ian & Joan
For the technology that keeps us
Sunday 14
connected
Monday 15 Estelle & Alice
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flFor those who are being, or have been
Tuesday 16
made, redundant
Wednesday 17 Kathleen
For those who normally attend the Music
Thursday 18
Society
Friday 19 John H
Saturday 20 John & Louise
Church leaders who have been working
tirelessly to maintain support networks,
Sunday 21
share printed resources and maintain
online activities
Monday 22 Christine
For those who run Rammy Pantry and
Tuesday 23
their clients
Wednesday 24 Bill & Joan
Thursday 25 Margaret
Friday 26 For those in the police force: Gerrard
Saturday 27 Bill & Pauline
Sunday 28 Porch Boxes in this continued time of need
Monday 29 Betty
Tuesday 30 Audrey
Wednesday 31 Those who normally attend Lunch Club
11Solve the Maze
12Sudoku
Sudoku is a number puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The object is to place the numbers 1-9 in the
empty squares so that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains the same number only once.
E
A
S
Y
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13CROSSWORD
Across 2 Sexually immoral person whom God will judge
1 The earth is one (6) (Hebrews 13:4) (9)
4 ‘On a hill far away stood an old — cross’ (6) 3 Gospel lea et (5)
7 ‘I am the — vine and my Father is the 4 Physical state of the boy brought to Jesus for
gardener’ (John 15:1) (4) healing (Mark 9:18)
8 The Caesar who was Roman Emperor at the
5 Tugs (anag.) (4)
time of Jesus’ birth(Luke 2:1) (8)
6 To put forth (5)
9 ‘Your — should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus’(Philippians 2:5) (8) 10 Nationality associated with St Patrick (5)
13 Jesus said that no one would put a lighted lamp 11 Leader of the descendants of Kohath (1
under this(Luke 8:16) (3) Chronicles 15:5) (5)
16 Involvement (1 Corinthians 10:16) (13) 12 ‘After this, his brother came out, with his hand
17 Armed con ict (2 Chronicles 15:19) (3) grasping — heel’(Genesis 25:26) (5)
19 Where the Gaderene pigs were feeding (Mark 13 At Dothan the Lord struck the Arameans with —
5:11) (8) at Elisha’s request (2 Kings 6:18) (9)
24 What jeering youths called Elisha on the road to
14 ‘Peter, before the cock crows today, you will —
Bethel (2 Kings 2:23) (8)
three times thatyou know me’ (Luke22:34) (4)
25 The Venerable — , eighth-century Jarrow
ecclesiastical scholar (4) 15 Spit out (Psalm 59:7) (4)
26 8 Across issued a decree that this should take 18 ‘When I — , I am still with you’ (Psalm 139:18) (5)
place (Luke 2:1) (6) 20 Concepts (Acts 17:20) (5)
27 Come into prominence (Deuteronomy 13:13) (6) 21 Thyatira’s dealer in purple cloth (Acts 16:14) (5)
22 Does (anag.) (4)
Down
23 The second set of seven cows in Pharaoh’s
1 Where some of the seed scattered by the sower
dream were this(Genesis 41:19) (4)
fell (Matthew 13:4) (4)
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flWORDSEARCH
Life is full of ups and downs: after blessings, hard times often follow. They are not meant to destroy
us but to help us grow spiritually by deepening our faith and dependence on God. The Holy Spirit
led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil – to give Him the opportunity to stand fast
against the enemy. The devil’s temptations were based on half-truths, which Jesus rejected by
standing rm on the whole truth of Scripture. The truth sets us free!
Holy Devil Alone Worship Temple Strike
Spirit Fasted Kingdom Me Stone Test
Jordan Hungry World Serve Foot Temptation
Wilderness If Authority Jerusalem Angels
Tempted Bread Glory Pinnacle Bear
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fiMindfulness Colouring for all ages - 1
Mindfulness Colouring for all ages - 2
Puzzle Answers Easy Medium
Year of Prayer
Why a Year of Prayer?
2020/2021 is a year of prayer in the Methodist Church, enabling the commitments to
evangelism, church growth, church at the margins, and pioneering and church planting
to ow from a deep, contemplative orientation to God’s grace and love.
Be part of this movement of prayer as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us be a growing, evangelistic, inclusive,
justice-seeking Church of gospel people.
Weekly Online Prayer Meeting - Tuesdays at 12.45pm
Join in by praying together every Tuesday from 12.45 to 1.00pm on Zoom or Facebook (details at
www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-in-britain/evangelism-growth/year-of-prayer/).
The website also has resources for praying within the district, circuit and church as well as praying
individually.
This online experience will draw on the diversity of Methodist traditions to help the whole Church pray
together. Each week, different leaders will share Scripture, offer testimony, and creatively lead participants
deeper into prayer. This may include praying with images, with music, in silence, with poetry, liturgically, or
in free prayer.
Tel: 01706 224032 (Ex-Dir) - Mobile: 07902 582789 - e-mail: Woodalandol@aol.com
32 Grasmere Road
Haslingden
Rossendale
Lancashire
BB4 4EB
16 February 2021
Registered Charity: 1089998
GENERAL APPEAL – 2020
Christ Church Ramsbottom
(Baptist/Methodist)
Dear Friend/s
It is with sincere appreciation that we send this letter of thanks for your donations and support for Porch
Boxes during 2020. Your contributions have most certainly made a positive impact to our work in and
around the Borough of Bury, more especially with the additional needs brought about by Covid-19.
With all the regular gifts from around the Borough of food & toiletries etc., plus financial donations, we
know that all your gifts have, and will, go a long way to helping us service an ever-growing need.
So, it is with great joy that we say a big
THANKYOU!
The need of course, never goes away, but seems to be with us all year – every year, and we are
a long way from our ultimate target: “to be able to close the Porch operation down because the need has
gone away”. Unfortunately, the target is nowhere in sight despite the “prosperity” that we associate with
the United Kingdom, in common with many other nations around the world.
We look forward to the additional contributions that we have had in past years over Easter, Harvest &
Christmas, and of course the continued and important regular contributions from many sources, such as
Churches, Schools, Businesses, Organisations and Individuals over the year.
More than ever, we thank you so much for your kindness, your generosity, and your care.
Sincerely,
Alan Wood
Secretary
Porch Boxes
PORCH BOXES care about your privacy and your trust is important to us. Our Privacy Notice explains how we collect, use, and
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