Church News – October 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation,
I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing
It finds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

From an early age, music has been a huge part of my life. I began to learn the piano from age 4 and would later learn the clarinet and as I developed a love of singing I stopped playing the clarinet. “You can’t sing and play the clarinet at the same time,” was my thinking.

Music is my sanctuary. It is my escape from hardships and worries. It is my power source when I’m running on empty. When I returned home from hospital after my fight with meningitis, the first thing I did was play the piano. Whenever I got back from a difficult day at school, I played the piano. Whenever I need to breath and take time out, I sing, I play, I make music.

It doesn’t escape my attention that this gift comes from God. I say that not in an arrogant way, but in the way that acknowledges that all music flows through the divine.  We all have gifts from God and how we chose to use them is up to us but finding our bit of Joy is key to a life well lived. The Psalmist writes, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 100).

so remember that whenever you think you’re not good enough to sing or make music. But whatever you do, and however you find it, I pray you find joy in God’s gifts today and in the days ahead.

God bless, James

NEWS

Even though we have already celebrated our Harvest Festival at church, I don’t apologise for choosing the cover for this month’s Newsletter and the prayer for the month.  It is a good reminder that God provides for us, no matter what time of the year.

Please keep Br James and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he undergoes surgery this month.  We send him our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Special mention is made of the Food Hamper Project who are again asking for donations of warm clothing (coats, jumpers, etc) for everyone from babies to the elderly.  A reminder that babies and young children’s clothes are always gratefully received.  We are pleased to note that 40 sets of bedding were recently distributed to the local community to provide night-time warmth in the winter for young people.

The Scouts are also running their Twelve Weeks of Christmas event.  Each week, we ask that you bring along designated foodstuffs that will ultimately be given to our Food Hamper Project for the Christmas donations.  Items on the list include pasta, UHT milk, tins of peas, beans tuna, potatoes and fruit together with packets of biscuits, cereals and cartons of custard and jars of pasta sauce.  This is the second year we have made this appeal, so thank you everyone!

The men of the Congregation are working at God’s Acre (our burial ground on the site of the original building) on Moravian Close, levelling the ground and resetting gravestones that date back to the 1740’s.  This is a job that has been outstanding for over 50 years and for which we are truly grateful.  If anyone else wishes to help, would they please contact Nigel Clark.

The end of the year activities is fast approaching and we are asking for donations for our Christmas Fayre including unwanted gifts, tombola prizes, bottles, and home made cakes.  Please also don’t forget our Tin and Toy Service when we are hoping to invite a representative from Wood Street Mission to receive our gifts of new toys for the needy in the Manchester area.

Prayer for October 2025

Dear Lord,

In this autumn season, when the harvest is gathered, we thank You for Your provision for us. We have so much, and yet we see terrible images of starving children on our televisions and smartphones and in our newspapers.

Lord, prompt us to do what we can to change things, whether that is by writing a letter or email to someone with influence, or by contributing in some way to aid agencies.

Lord, we ask You to touch the hearts of those leaders of nations whose decisions cause such hunger and suffering. Soften those hard hearts, Lord. Fill them with Your compassion. May there be a new harvest of love – and a kinder world.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By Daphne Kitching

SUNDAY	5th	MORNING WORSHIP led by Br Kenneth Evans	11 a.m.
Monday	6th	Church Committee Meeting on Zoom	7.30 p.m.
Tuesday	7th	Bible Study on Zoom	7 p.m.
Wednesday	8th	Moravian Women’s Association in the Schoolroom	1.15 p.m.
Saturday	11th	Lancashire District Council on Zoom	9.30 a.m.
SUNDAY	12th	MORNING WORSHIP led by Sr Glenys Marshall Followed by the Congregation Council Meeting in the Schoolroom	11 a.m.
SUNDAY	19th	MORNING WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION led by Sr Kathryn Woolford	11 a.m.
SUNDAY	26th	PARADE AND YOUTH SERVICE led by Sr Penny Weir	11 a.m.
Thursday	30th	Thursday Group Irish Evening	7.30 p.m.

Three little boys were bragging about how tough they were. “I’m so tough,” said the first boy, “that I can wear out a pair of shoes in a week.” “Well,” said the second little boy, “I’m so tough, I can wear out a pair of jeans in a day.” “That’s nothing,” said the third boy. “When my parents take me to see my grandma and grandpa, I can wear them out in just one hour.”