NEWS 2025

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS

A big thank you to everyone who participated in our Advent and Christmas Services;

those who helped with the Christmas Tree and decorations,

our Readers for the Nine Lessons and Carols,

the cast of the All-Age Nativity, 

those who took part in the Christmas Readings and Carols,

and those who led the ever popular Christingle Service.

CHURCH CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Thank you to the staff and students of The Glass House, Worsley College for our wonderful Christmas Lunch on December 4th. 

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

As usual, the first meeting on January 15th took the form of a quiz, chaired by the Minister and followed by coffee, muffins and shortbread.

There were four teams and everyone got a prize!

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WALKDEN AND LITTLE HULTON

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM of our local Churches Together group was held at Walkden Methodist Church on Monday January 13th at 7.30pm.

Rev David Cooper was elected as the new Chairman, with existing officers re-elected.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025

Our joint Churches Together Service this year was held on Sunday January 19th at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs.

Our minister was guest organist and also brought one of the readings.

IN OUR PRAYERS

We continue to remember in prayer

all those with ongoing health issues.

We think of those in hospital or care settings

and those coping with medical conditions at home.

These include, among others;

Jean Morris, following a fall at home and a period of hospitalization.

If you have someone you would like included the Intercessions during Sunday worship, please speak to the Minister or Church Secretary.

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

Judith Atkinson had a hospital appointment on February 19th and was unable to come as our speaker.

However Judith had arranged for Paul Hassall to come instead.

Those who didn`t join us missed a very interesting talk on Salford Firsts - inventions and other cultural landmarks associated with Salford, from Elkie Brooks to Paxo Stuffing!

On March 19th we were entertained by Dr Eric Lupton and his keyboard, when his theme was "Jerome Kern &Friends".

The next session on on April 16th when Brian Halliwell will speak on the Life of George Formby.

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN WALKDEN

CHURCHES TOGETHER PRAYER BREAKFASTS

A Prayer Breakfast was held on Saturday March 1st,                              at Our Lady and Lancashire Martyrs at 8.30am.

The most recent one was on Saturday April 5th at St John`s.

This is the last Prayer Breakfast for the time being while we decide how and when we continue to meet in a way which may attract more participants.

CHURCHES TOGETHER MEETING

A General Meeting was held on Monday March 17th at 7.30pm at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs. 

DEACONS MEETINGS

The Deacons met on Tuesday May 4th and on Wednesday June 11th.

The next meeting is on Tuesday August 12th.

CHURCH AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Church took place after worship on Sunday March 16th, followed by Church Lunch.

Reports were received on behalf of the Minister, Church Officers and other Church activities and satisfaction was expressed for the increased numbers attending worship and the new faces, including one that morning.

The meeting was followed by Church Lunch.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

This annual event, formerly known as Women`s World Day of Prayer, was held at Walkden Methodist Church

on Friday March 7th at 7pm.

THIRD WEDNESDAY CLUB

We were entertained on April 16th by Brian Halliwell with his lively talk on The Life of George Formby.

The speaker on May 21st, a new addition to the list, was Geoff Scargill, on the topic "I never left school!" He was very well received and highly entertaining. We look forward to welcoming him back.

The final speaker before the summer break, on June 18th was the ever popular Rob Mason on Lancashire Humour and Song.

QUIZ AND FOOD

A Quiz followed by Food was held on Saturday April 26th.

The event was well supported and enjoyed by everyone.

AFTERNOON TEA

Following the success of the last Afternoon Tea, we  hosted another on Saturday June 21st. It was well attended and the food and decorations were lovely. A very big thank you to all involved.

Including ticket sales, raffle monies and donations, £1,000 was raised.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BUILDING

The sanctuary has recently been redecorated and the new LED lighting makes a huge difference. 

CHURCH MEETING

The next Church Meeting will be held after worship and before Lunch, on Sunday July 20th.

Everyone is welcome to attend but only Church Members can vote,

if voting is required.

CHURCHES TOGETHER

Our minister was honoured to pay tribute on behalf of Churches Together to Fr John Dale at his Farewell Reception at Our Lady & Lancashire Martyrs on Sunday July 6th.

BIBLE STUDY GROUP

The group is currently not meeting over the summer but will resume in September and new members are always welcome.

The Annual Morning Retreat was held at the Schoenstatt Shrine Kearsley on August 16th and was led by the Minister.

Alan took as his theme, "Practicing Daily Gratitude".

We looked at a number of quotations from well known thinkers and scripture passages and compiled personal Gratitude Calendars for the 16th and 15th of August. The first session ended with responsive prayers of thanksgiving.

Following a break in the beautiful grounds, we returned to the Retreat House for our second session "Giving thanks in challenging circumstances". We considered times when it is not easy to give thanks and heard the story of Horatio Spafford, who with his wife Anna, suffered the loss at sea of their 4 daughters, leading to his penning the hymn "When peace like a river." Having looked at their photographs and heard their story, we listened to a recording of his hymn. The morning ended with a reflection based on the hymn and concluding prayers.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

We regret to announce the passing of Dorothy Coxon.

Dorothy had suffered increasingly in recent years from dementia and was in-care at Pendleton Court, Salford.

The Funeral Service was held in church on Friday October 3rd at 1.30pm followed by interment at Woodlands Cemetery.

CHURCH CHRSTMAS LUNCH 2025

We returned to The Glass House at Worsley College this year for our Christmas Lunch on Wednesday December 3rd, 12.15 for 12.30.

As usual we enjoyed great food and good company.

Thank you to Audrey Chapman for collecting the money

and collating the menu choices.

IN OUR PRAYERS

A couple of our members have had short hospital stays recently and others are having ongoing treatment.

We remember them all in our prayers.

Audrey, Robert, Dorothy, Betty, Jean, Paul, Yvonne, Kevan

and all in need of God`s touch.

QUIZ AND FOOD 

A very enjoyable afternoon of interesting questions and good food was held on October 18th in church and in the coffee room.

Thank you to Lee, our quizmaster, the Social Committee for organisation and catering and Dorothy, for the raffle.

£400 was raised for church funds.

Thank you to everyone who supported this event.

HARVEST 2025

Our Harvest Thanksgiving Service was held on Sunday October 19th at 11am. Gifts of tinned and packet foodstuffs as well as toiletries for the local foodbank were gratefully received.

There was a good turnout an we were pleased that some of our newer worshippers decided to join us for lunch and one of our newer members contributed a baked cheesecake.

INFANT DEDICATION

As part of our Harvest worship we were pleased to dedicate young Eromosele (Williams) Adonor Ehizua who was presented by his mother, Jennifer.

Williams` father is abroad at present so was unable to be present but he was was joined by his brothers Dominion and Michel.   

See our Facebook Page for photos.

CF NORTH WEST AREA ASSEMBLY

The Autumn Assembly of the North West Are took place at our own church on Saturday November 8th. We welcomed friends from a number of churches across the region. As well as the transaction of necessary business, we heard news from member churches and received reports from those involved in the work and witness of the CF both regionally and nationally. We also enjoyed fellowship over coffee and lunch.

A big thank you to the ladies from our church who sorted the food and refreshments. Their hard work was much appreciated by all concerned.

REMEMBRANCE 2025

Thank you to the Deacons for leading our worship on Remembrance Sunday, November 9th. It is always a thoughtful and moving service and this year was no exception.

Our minister conducted an Act of Remembrance in the Walkden Town Centre on Armisitice Day, November 11th.

He was very grateful to our trumpeter for the occasion, Geoff Sale, who played The Last Post and Reveille.

Thanks also to Michelle Atack of Waldkden Town Centre Management

for inviting Alan to lead the service

and for organizing seating and Orders of Service.

There was a good turnout including members of our own church, other churches in Walkden and members of the general public.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN

We regret to announce the death of our good friend Kevan Woods on November 14th.

Kevan`s Funeral was held at Overdale Crematorium, West Chapel, 

on Tuesday December 2nd at 2pm conducted by the Rev Alan Kennedy.

Kevan and his late wife, Rita, were good supporters of our Community Coffee Mornings and the Third Wednesday Club.

Our prayers and sympathies are extended to his daughter, Gaynor,

son-in-law Craig and grandsons Stewart and Lewis.

IN OUR PRAYERS

We continue to remember in prayer all those known to us in any need. 

Please include in your prayers;

Ruth Thompson

Betty Vickers

Bev Hockenhull

Derrick Lee

and all others in need of God`s grace at this time.

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

The Draw for our Christmas Raffle took place during Community Coffee on Friday December 5th.

The top prizes included;

1. M&S Christmas Hamper and Gift Voucher

2. Two West Coast Rail Line return tickets

3. Voucher for Worsley Old Hall

4. Voucher for The Woodside

5. Oral B Electric Toothbrush

There were a wide range of additional prizes including food, drink and toiletry items as well as other goodies.

Thank you to everyone who donated prizes, especially the management of our local businesses, Worsley Old Hall and The Woodside.

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE

As is our custom, we will be marking the Feast of Christmas

with the ever popular Christingle Service on Christmas Eve at 4pm.

Thank you to those who lead this act of worship, including our guest organist and to those who prepared the Christingles.

Minister ~ Rev Alan Kennedy 07733153203 01612703296 alanrk1690@gmail.com