St Andrew’s, Dearnley

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

St Andrew’s, Dearnley is back to normal this coming Sunday, January 4, when we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany with a Sung Eucharist, starting at 9.30am.

The parish rota is: lay assistants, J Mills, H Walker; readers, C Ashton, R Larder; Intercessions, W Foote; sidespersons, C Giles, R Fuller; refreshments, Jackie, Shirley H, Margaret C.

Our ‘Pilgrim’ discipleship course will be up and running again, after the break for Advent and Christmas, each Thursday evening in the parish room, starting this Thursday, January 8, under the stewardship of the Rev Mike Howarth.

Fifteen people attended each of the first six sessions, which concluded in November.

The second stage, starting this Thursday, will again comprise of six sessions, finishing before the start of Lent.

Mike wishes it to be known that the various stages are structured so that anyone can join at any time and even each session is a stand-alone event so as not to discourage anyone who cannot attend every week.

He would particularly like to see male involvement, all previous people attending having been the women of the parish.

Note that the Sacrament of Confirmation will be held at St Andrew’s with Bishop Mark Davies on Sunday, February 15 at 3pm. Anyone wishing to be confirmed is asked to speak to our vicar, the Rev Sharon Jones, or to Rev Mike as soon as possible.

Monthly parish lunches (£6 for three courses plus tea or coffee) will resume in the parish room on January 30. Regulars only need to ring Elizabeth Woodhead if they are NOT dining on any particular day, but newcomers must contact her first on 376660 or on 07939491545.

Lunch dates for your diary are January 30, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26, July 31, August 28, September 25, October 30, November 27, December 18.

Those who have annual reports to write for the Parochial Church Meeting (AGM) need to submit them to David Johnson by the end of January.

We are planning to hold the meeting on Sunday, March 1 immediately after the 9.30am Eucharist.

Consideration will need to be given to the election of a new church warden and three new members of the PCC.