St Andrew's, Dearnley

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

We are delighted to announce that soon to make their third visit to St Andrew's in three years will be the Wigan-based band that was previously called 'Gifted' but now goes under the name of 'Duke's Rd.'

Since they were here a year ago, Mike and Pat have retired, the band now comprising of Jamie Harrison on bass and lead vocals; Tony Bostock on guitar, keyboards and vocals; Keith Claxton on drums; and Gareth Dickinson on guitar.

They will be here on Saturday, October 4 and tickets, priced £6, will be available soon from Ada or Janice and other members of the social committee.

More information nearer the time, but the evening will comprise of songs from the 60s and 70s (ballards, rock and roll, country rock etc), with an opportunity to dance and a short break for a family quiz.

More immediately, we are holding a Coffee Morning and Clothes Sale in the parish room from 10am this coming Saturday, September 13, and on Sunday, September 21 we are anticipating a large turn-out for our 'Back to Church' Sunday which will take the form of a Family Eucharist at 9.30am (with puppets for the children), followed by brunch.

Writing about 'Back to Church' in our parish magazine, our vicar, the Rev Sharon Jones, says some people may have had negative experiences of church in the past and might only come back if somebody personally invited them and attended with them.

"Sunday morning is like a shop window," she writes. "People will come and have a look and then decide whether or not to bother hanging around and investigating further.

"We all therefore have a role to play in being people of peace and reconciliation and making others feel welcome.

"So this is your opportunity. Risk the possibility of somebody saying 'no', but offer to meet them or bring them and sit with them."

In a fortnight, on Saturday, September 27, we have -- for children and all the family --- a Harvest Messy Church from 10am to 11.30am in which we will be preparing for Harvest by making banners and puppets and decorating potatoes.

All welcome, but wear old clothes -- or bring an apron.

This coming Sunday (Sept 14), Holy Cross Day, we have Sung Eucharist at 9.30am when the parish rota is as follows:

Lay assistants, C Giles, J Coomer; readers, P Shrigley, J Mills; Intercessions, R Polley; sidespersons, V Lucy, P Webster; refreshments, Brenda, Rhona, Cynthia.