United Reformed Church of St Andrew and St George - Bolton - A Member of the Bolton & Salford Missional Partnership and a Member of Christians ...
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United Reformed Church of
St Andrew and St George - Bolton
A Member of the Bolton & Salford Missional Partnership
and a Member of Christians Together in Bolton Town Centre
Minister’s Letter
Dear Friends,
Some of you may have been following the exploits of Wally the walrus, as he’s moved round
our shores and those of our near neighbours in Europe. There’s no record of a walrus coming
this far South before and no one knows for sure why he’s here.
Wally has been climbing onto small boats moored close to shore for a rest, in the same way
that he’d use ice floes at home. Unfortunately Wally has injured his flippers and experts think
this may have happened as he’s climbed on board these boats.
The question in my mind is, ‘why has Wally headed for (to him) strange looking boats instead
of the relatively nearby beaches, where he’d be much less likely to get injured?’ This may be
because he’s so used to slipping gently onto ice floes that his instinct tells him to do the most
similar thing that he can, or it may be that he’s climbing onto empty boats because he’s been
put off the beaches by the number of humans there.
Like Wally, we’re all still in strange waters, although we hope that the pandemic is on its way
to becoming something that we can live with. As we move on, we need to ask whether we
might be in danger of acting like Wally - ie doing the nearest thing we can to ‘normal’
regardless of whether it is good for us, even when there is potentially a more suitable
alternative available.
The alternative is to accept that life will never go back completely to what we knew before
the lockdown. Then we can start to think about what changes we will need to make to what
we do and to how we do it, in light of the new realities that we will need to live with.
Learning to live with Covid is going to be a process. We don’t know how long it will be before
the pandemic can be considered to be ‘over’. It may be some time before the impact of Covid
on our lives becomes more low key. In the meantime we’re all gradually finding our way
forward, at our own pace.
It’s clear that some are ready to go faster than others, just as some found the use of
technology helpful during the lockdown and others didn’t. There is no right or wrong in that.
God made us all different, but we are all made in God’s own image(Genesis 1: 27). It takes all
of us with our many different temperaments and potentials to reflect even a small part of who
our God is.
During lockdown we learnt that we need to do things differently for different people. That
may be something that we need to continue. Maybe going forward we will need to offer more
variety in what we do and how we do it. That will take some thinking about, so that we don’t
overburden anyone, but so that we do manage to work in ways that connect with a wide
variety of folk.
So let’s take our time about moving forward, but let’s also keep our eyes open and get our
thinking caps on day by day, so that, as much as possible, we include everyone. For without all
of us, something is missing - in our fellowship – in our community – in the image of God that
we try to project.
May God open our eyes to see and our hearts to include,
Jacky
3
October
Peace Candle
During October please pray for
Lagan’s Foundation, all children who suffer like Lagan
and their parents and all hospital staff who look after the children.
Lagan was a baby affected by complex congenital heart defects, due to this Lagan experienced
feeding difficulties. Lagan was subsequently fed using the Gastrostomy feeding tube,
otherwise known as the ‘PEG’, or in older children the ‘Mickey button’. Once Lagan was
discharged home it became obvious that it was difficult to source any appropriate help to
support caring for Lagan and to enable her family to have a short break.
Respite and support of any kind is invaluable. Lagan’s Foundation aims to physically help
support families who have infants and children up to 19 years old, diagnosed with complex
health conditions specialising in heart defects and feeding difficulties. Lagan’s Foundation’s
purpose is to provide unique at home and in hospital care to support parents in their caring
role.
Lagan’s Foundation also provides an
information resources and offers bereavement
support in times of need to the families.
Lagan’s Foundation seeks to increase awareness
and encourage expressed breast milk donation
and its usage.
The vision of Lagan’s Foundation is to provide
highly skilled professional carers to assist
families so they can receive a short break.
All staff are fully DBS checked and have specific
needs training to enable them to care for a
child confidently.
The purpose of the professional carer will be to give the parent a break when they most need
it, by offering an extra pair of hands to care for the specific child while the parent takes ‘time
out’ in the home or at hospital or community.
Along with the caring role, Lagan’s Foundation hopes to provide simple support, information
and guidance to parents so that they understand the level of care and support they may be
entitled to receive from the NHS, Local Authority and other services in their area.
Lagan’s Foundation is supported by Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Cardiac and
Gastroenterology Departments and will be working closely with Royal Bolton Hospital for
Donation and Bereavement related matters and other associated community groups.
It has been recognised through the experience gained whilst caring for Lagan, that
coordinating and accessing, care and support services, once baby or child returns home from
a specialist unit where they have received diagnosis, treatment or care, is a challenging, and
overwhelming task for many parents.
Lagan’s Foundation has been founded with a focus on bridging the gap between NHS
Services and Community Care by providing an extra avenue of communication, support and
information.
With thanks to Margaret Allen
4
November
Peace Candle
During November please pray for UNICEF and all the Children
it helps
UNICEF works for children around the world
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, works to build a better world for every
child, every day, everywhere. UNICEF provides more children with clean water, life-
saving food and vaccines, education and protection from violence than any other
humanitarian organisation.
UNICEF works with families, local communities, organisations and governments in
more than 190 countries to help every child realise their full potential. In everything
we do, the most vulnerable children and those in greatest need have priority.
UNICEF is a multilateral child-rights organisation established by the UN with 70
years of field-tested expertise, a network that spans the globe, a passion for
innovation and a commitment to make every penny count. Impartial and non-
political, UNICEF is never neutral when it comes to protecting children’s rights and
safeguarding their lives and futures.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, reaching the furthest from
help, the most disadvantaged and the most at risk. UNICEF saves children’s lives
with vaccines, clean water and therapeutic food. UNICEF protects children from
violence, exploitation and abuse. And UNICEF helps children fulfil their potential, by
supporting quality education and training. UNICEF works for every child, to build a
better world for everyone.
The United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) is a UK registered charity
that raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work around the world
and advocates for lasting change for children worldwide. This includes, for example,
working to change UK Government policies and practices that are harmful to child
rights in the UK and internationally. UNICEF UK is one of 33 UNICEF national
charitable organisations based in industrialised countries.
In the UK, UNICEF UK works with the hospitals where children are born, the schools
where children learn and grow, and the services that shape their lives, to make sure
that every child has the same chance to shine.
In 2020, we helped nine out of 10 maternity units across the UK, supporting around
600,000 new babies as they enter the world. Around 1.5 million children go to
schools that are becoming Rights Respecting, building an environment where every
child is safe, respected and nurtured. And we are working with local governments in
all four nations of the UK to help make our cities and communities places where all
children, especially the most vulnerable, feel safe, heard, nurtured and able to
flourish.
All over the world, including here in the UK, UNICEF promotes and protects the UN
Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF works with partners and supporters
to:
1. Advocate for and create change for children
2. Unlock resources for programmes for children
3. Promote children’s voices
5
Autumn is the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”! Did I say that
last year? It is certainly true this week, as I appreciate the stunning
beauty of the hedgerows and woodland on my daily walks!
May I offer sincere apologies to Kathryn and Jeremy for forgetting to
announce the birth of Helen’s daughter in May, Rosie Annabel Barker
(8lbs 4oz) She must be growing up now!!
After the excitement of following Gwynneth Nightingale’s, grandson’s success in
F Tokyo, things seem to have calmed down considerably and I have very little news –
they do say that ‘no news is good news’ so let us hope that is so! Pat and Peter
A Turner have needed several trips to hospital but are managing with help, at home
now. Several people have had problems healthwise, (including the odd bicycle
M accident!) but as far as I know most of us are beginning to enjoy the occasional
holiday, catching up with much missed relatives after 18 months, - such a long time!
I Our younger connections are settling into new classes, and sometimes new schools or
universities and we send them our best wishes as they return and form new
L friendships, tackling the demands of school with fresh restrictions.. They are the
ones who have found ZOOM meetings so easy, although with help, many of us are
Y beginning to see the value – especially as we look towards the next change in the
seasons and think towards wet and windy evenings. As you will see, Thursday Circle
& are attempting to combine zoom with alternate afternoon meetings and, as ever,
remind all ladies of our family that they are most welcome to join us.
F Remembering, as ever, those who find it difficult to share their problems, we hold
them in our prayers.
R Shalom, Margaret Allen
I Nicola and Colin were
E married in StAGs after
several switches of
N dates caused by the
covid pandemic. Many
D friends and family were
S there to enjoy the
celebration and the cake
after the ceremony.
Nicola and Colin just married
Please send any item for inclusion in Family News to Margaret Allen,
6FUNERALS TEAM
When the church is asked to host a funeral service, there is a short but hectic period of activity
prior to the service being held. The minister taking the service will obviously give pastoral support
to the family and prepare a service in line with their wishes. At the same time, the church needs to
liaise with the family and funeral director; find an available minister, organist, video and sound
people, flower person and door stewards; ensure that the church is not in use; check that catering
at church after the service is possible if requested.
Most of these arrangements used to be organised by the minister and/or church secretary. That is
no longer possible as Jacky is minister of up to 15 churches and Nicola works full-time. So the
elders, with guidance from Jacky, decided to set up a ‘Funerals Team’ which will deal with all the
arrangements when necessary. I have agreed to be ‘Funeral Secretary’ and Elizabeth MacKinnon,
Sue McNeill and Tony have kindly agreed to be members of the team.
If any enquiry about a funeral is received by the minister, secretary or other elder, it will be referred
to the funerals secretary, or, if not available, another member of the team. Similarly, if you need to
speak to the church about a funeral, please have a word with me or another member. Our
telephone numbers are on page 2 of Link.
Jill Edisbury.
Dear all, we had a fun get-together this afternoon 16th September and felt
that an afternoon meeting was a good start to the season! We really missed
the rest of you and look forward to seeing everybody next time.
Best wishes and shalom, Margaret
7God in the Arts
Editor: The Revd Michael Burgess continues his series on God in the Arts with a wood engraving of The
Feast of Tabernacles, one of several ‘Illustrations of Jewish Customs’ by Simeon Solomon.
You can see a copy of the illustration at
'Spread over us the tabernacle of your peace, O God'
For nine days at the end of September Jewish
families will have gathered to celebrate the
festival of Tabernacles. It is always a happy season
as adults and children alike join for their Harvest
feast. Many churches will be having their own
Harvest Thanksgivings at the beginning of this
month. We know this was a custom revived by
Parson Hawker in the Victorian period, but its
roots lie in that Jewish feast which Jesus Himself
knew and celebrated.
Each family erects a tabernacle or tent in the
garden or back yard. They will have their meals
Scanned by Simon Cooke
and spend time there, relaxing with one another. The
roof of each tabernacle might have branches of trees covering it, hung with fruits and fragrant
flowers. The children decorate the tent with drawings and pictures.
Because it is only a temporary building for that time of the year, and because the roof is fragile, it is a
reminder of the journeying of the Israelites in the wilderness when their safety rested on the
goodness of God. It was God who watched over the people then. It is God who watches over them
now and watches over the earth, so that it is fruitful, providing food for their health and happiness.
This feast is the subject of this month's picture by Simeon Solomon. He was a Jewish artist, born in
London in 1840 into a family of artists. He made his own reputation through meeting the Pre-
Raphaelites and the poet, Swinburne. Solomon was a colourful character of that period, whose life
sadly ended in poverty and alcoholism. But this wood engraving was made early on in his life in 1866.
It is part of a series illustrating Jewish customs, which Solomon provided for 'Leisure Hour.'
We see an elderly person on the left making his way into the tent, and at the other side a mother
leading her children. The walls outside are adorned with palm branches and inside the tent a feast of
fruits and food await them. The young boy seems hesitant, wondering what he will find and clinging
to the hand of his mother. But all is well, for inside other members of the family are there to welcome
them.
Solomon conveys the domesticity of this feast, and the young boy outside reminds us that Jesus
Himself would have celebrated this feast with Mary and Joseph. They would also have gone up to
Jerusalem to join the thousands of pilgrims there, as Jesus was to do later in His adult ministry. Each
pilgrim would carry a branch of myrtle, palm and willow in one hand and a citrus fruit in the other,
symbols of the fruits of the promised land. The air would be full of hosannas and praises to God.
Like the Jewish families at the Feast of Tabernacles, we shall gather for our Harvest Thanksgivings.
Like them, we shall thank God for His faithful goodness in the past. Like them, we shall look ahead to
the coming of God's kingdom, where God who feeds us now in food and drink will nourish us
eternally. Like them, we shall proclaim, 'O taste and see how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the one
who trusts in Him.'
8Young at Heart
9THURSDAY CIRCLE MEETINGS
Oct 7th Zoom Nov 4th Zoom
Oct 14th TBA Nov 11th TBA
Oct 21st Zoom Nov 18th Zoom
Oct 28th Gé Horsman - India Nov 25th Harry Campbell - Speaker
In the meantime, take care, stay safe. Best wishes Margaret and Jill
CHURCH CALENDAR 2021
October
Sunday 3rd 10.30am Worship led by Revd Peter Wightman
Sunday 10th 10.30am Worship led by the Worship Group
Monday 11th 10.00am Link Editorial meeting
Wednesday 13th 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting
Sunday 17th 10.30am Communion Service led by Revd Jim Hollyman
Sunday 24th 10.30am Worship led by Miss Rebekah Fairhurst
Sunday 31st 10.30am Worship led by Revd Alan Kennedy
November
Sunday 7th 10.30am Worship led by Mr Derek Estill
Sunday 14th 10.30am Worship led by Revd Peter Wightman
Wednesday 17th 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting
Sunday 21st 10.30am Communion Service led by Revd Tony Burnham
Sunday 28th 10.30am Worship led by Revd Jim Hollyman
December
Sunday 5th 10.30am Worship led by Mr. Leo Roberts
Wednesday 8th 7.00pm Elders’ Meeting
Sunday 12th 10.30am Communion Service led by TBA
Monday 13th 10.00am Link Editorial meeting
Sunday 19th 10.30am Festival Carol service
Christmas Day 25th 10.30am Worship led by TBA
Sunday 26th 10.30am Worship led by the Elders
Ideas for the next issue of “The Link” covering the months of December 2021and January 2022 should
be given to the editors to be presented at the Editorial Meeting on Monday 11th October 2021.
Finished articles and other material must reach the editors by Sunday 14th November 2021.
Printed by SHARON PRESS, 168 Crook Street, BOLTON.
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