april 2014
DESCRIPTION
Bamford Chapel Magazine April 2014TRANSCRIPT
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Bamford
Chapel
2014
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MISSION/VISION STATEMENT
Worship
In our devotion we will come together to express our joy, love and thanks through worship.
We shall share our praise and dedicate it to God.
Ministry
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we will show compassion and love by understanding, supporting and meeting the spiritual, the physical and the emotional needs of others.
Evangelism
We are called as Christians to share the good news; living as examples of Christ in our everyday lives we can spread the word and love of Jesus.
Discipleship
We as a church have a responsibility as Christians to encourage people to know God and to enable them to develop their relationship with Him through prayer, discussion, study and learning.
Fellowship
We welcome to our church family those who want to belong. We show our love for others by sharing acts of fellowship in God’s name.
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This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Holy Week
Hosanna!
Blessed is he who
comes in the name
of the Lord!
Take, eat; this is my
body which is given for
you; do this in
remembrance of me
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
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Thursday
3rd April
12.30 pm
1.00 pm
Soup & a roll lunch (at Bamford Chapel)
Lent Course 5 led by Mrs Joanna Watson
7.30 pm Elders Meeting
Sunday
6th April
10.30 am Family Worship with Holy Communion
Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm Evening Worship
Led by Margaret Ogden
Monday
7th April
8.00 pm Focus on Prayer Group
(Crèche Room)
Thursday
10th April
12.30 pm
1.00 pm
Soup & a roll lunch (at Bamford Chapel)
Lent Course 6 led by Mr Mike Davis
Saturday
12th April
10.30 am—
3.00 pm
Michael Harvey speaking about “Unlocking the power of invitation” (see separate article in the magazine)
10.30 am Palm Sunday Family Worship
Led by Wednesday Bible Study Group
Palm Sunday
13th April 6.00 pm Evening Worship
Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Monday
14th April
8.00 pm Focus on Prayer Group
(Crèche Room)
Thursday
17th April
7.00 pm Maundy Thursday Holy Communion
Led by Joanne Ackroyd (in Primary Room)
Good Friday
18th April
10.00 am
1.30 pm
Good Friday
Led by Revd Richard Bradley
Afternoon Ramble—All Welcome
7.30 pm Good Friday Drama (see separate article)
Led by Food for Thought
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Easter
Sunday
20th April
9.00 am
10.30 am
Easter Breakfast (List in coffee area)
Family Worship with Holy Communion
Led by Margaret Ogden
NO EVENING SERVICE
Sunday
27th April
10.30 am Family Worship
Led by Revd Richard Bradley
6.00 pm Evening Worship
Led by the Elders (See separate article)
Monday
28th April
8.00 pm Focus on Prayer Group
(Crèche Room)
8.00 pm Finance Meeting
Tuesday 29th
April 8.00 pm Worship Leaders’ Session—Theme: Prayer
Led by Joan Warner (All are invited)
Wednesday
30th April
1.15 pm Midweek Communion Service
Led by Revd Richard Bradley (in Lounge)
“Unlocking the power of invitation” speaker Michael Harvey
Michael Harvey spoke very passionately at Synod in March about the “Back to Church Sunday” initiative. Michael was one of the people behind it first happening.
He comes warmly recommended as he speaks with great clarity and passionate about the topics of welcoming churches and invitation to churches. Please note the flyer on page 6 and I hope you will be able to come along on Saturday 12th April from 10am – 3pm at Bamford Chapel. It will be a great occasion. Please bring sandwiches with you.
Any further details please speak to Richard.
Further details may be found at www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
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Message from the Manse…
When you think about church growth what comes to your mind? Perhaps evangelists (like Billy Graham and others); perhaps you think it is the responsibility of the minister, elders, or simply “others” to grow the church and to encourage people to come.
I want to commend to you an event taking place here on Saturday 12th April when Michael Harvey will be coming to speak to us about the “Back to Church Sunday” campaign; a campaign that takes place in churches the length and
breadth of the country each September. Michael was one of the people behind the campaign first taking place some years ago. He spoke to the North Western Synod in March and he was excellent! Don’t just take my word for it ask Ken Greer, Barbara Redmond, David Watson or Gillian and Finlay Galloway as we all heard him and all agreed he was excellent.
I spoke to him at lunch time at Synod and invited him to come to Bamford to speak to us (and others from local churches). I can guarantee he will be good. He speaks with great passion, humour and enthusiasm about people not only welcoming others but also inviting others to come to church. If you can come on that day please do so.
What Michael says will fit in with the new vision we have adopted as a church. I hope, by the time you read these words, the church meeting will have discussed and approved the recommendation brought from Elders about the suggested new groups to develop various areas of the church’s life and work. Doing this will mean we can seek together what God is calling us to be and calling us to do as
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Bamford Chapel URC.
I have been praying daily for the vision of the church. I have had several people say to me that they think we need to run with the new vision now and I sense a real enthusiasm among those who have spoken to me.
I feel VERY excited at present about the possibility and the potential here at Bamford Chapel. But I am going to speak passionately and honestly when I say we have to be one people and pull together as one people.
In many of the epistles that Paul wrote he is speaking to challenge the churches he planted or pastored. No church is perfect. We may get things wrong, but what God wants from us is for us to listen to what He is saying to us and to walk faithfully and obediently with Him. There may be changes that are suggested through the vision. There will certainly be new ideas that I feel strongly should be tested and tried. And for all these I want to ask for two things from you:-
Your prayers. Without prayer and listening to what God is saying we will struggle with moving forward. There is huge potential here but only if it is fully harnessed; which leads me on to the second point….
Your commitment and support. Without us ALL using the gifts God has blessed us with we will struggle to move forward and grow spiritually and numerically.
We serve and worship an amazing God who does amazing things through you and I. Let us place our hands into His and walk the path He is calling us on.
Your servant in Christ
Richard
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A Special Evening Service – Sunday 27th April
The Elders will lead the service & it will be a focus on the Vision. We hope as many people as possible will come along for a service of celebration & commitment. Geoff and Lifeline will share in the worship music as we praise God for the gifts He has showered & will shower on His people here at Bamford. We will give thanks for the team which has brought us to this point under God’s guidance – Richard & Ruth Bradley, Cameron Baines, Sarah Finnigan, Sarah Fitton, Anna James. We now have working groups established for each aspect of the Vision: WORSHIP, DISCIPLESHIP, MINISTRY, FELLOWSHIP & EVANGELISM. There are elders attached to each group and throughout the service they will help us to bring everything before God for His blessing and direction. Let’s remember that for His Kingdom to come, God’s relying on us. Please come along and share as we offer ourselves afresh in His service.
Joan Warner (Service coordinator)
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QUIET DAYS
When I first went to Greece about 30 years ago one of the
things I loved was visiting the churches which in those
days were open 24 hours a day and anyone could go in
to look around or just sit; of course all that has changed
now.
But there is a team who are opening up Bamford Chapel
on certain days of the year for people to do just that, to
sit, to pray, to meditate, however the feeling takes you.
They are called Quiet Days. Joan Warner asked me to
come along to the last quiet day on the 5th
March (Ash
Wednesday) to give her some feedback of what I
thought. I had no idea what to expect or what was
expected of me. When I opened the sanctuary door I was
greeted with calm music, soft lighting and a wonderful
atmosphere, at that moment I realised nothing was
expected of me, so I just sat. I watched the images on the
screen and listened to the music. I then wandered
around looking at the displays looked through some
books and then sat again, just like I used to in Greece, it
was wonderful.
I would recommend to everyone to come along to these
Quiet Days. The opening times are ideal because they
open for people who can come during the day and also
in the evening, which is an ideal time for those who
work to unwind after a hard and stressful day at work.
You will then arrive home calm, peaceful and stress free.
The next Quiet Days will be during the week leading up
to Easter Sunday 14-19 April. Check out the details
elsewhere in the magazine. Go along & see what you
think.
Lyn Jefferies
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Please pop in to pause, pray and ponder during this, the most significant week of the Christian
year. In the sanctuary you can watch a slideshow, listen to the music and wander round our 4 focus
areas: or you can just sit & be calm You can stay for as long or as short a time as you wish & enjoy fellowship & refreshments in the
school room afterwards
HOLY WEEK 2014 Quiet Days at
Bamford Chapel
Everyone is welcome to our Holy Week Experiences. Chapel is open 5 days in the week Monday 14th evening 6-8pm Tuesday 15th twilight 4.30-6.30 Wednesday 16th afternoon 2-5pm Thursday 17th morning 10-12am Saturday 19th afternoon 2-5pm
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Food For Thoughtpresents by arrangement with RADIUS
Waitingfo
r the
king
by Roy Chatfield
Good Friday 18 April 2014 7.30 pm
No admission charge
All Welcome
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News of the family
Concerns are expressed for Marjorie and Ken Farrington, Don
and Win Schofield, Joan Warner, Sylvia and Ian, Joyce and
Derek Yates, Eric Lumb, John Hall, Ray Atkins, Audrey Morris,
Diane Davies, Dorothy Hartley and the Greaves family.
Please continue to pray for Ian and Ann Newman. Ian is now
at home, receiving care from the "Hospice at Home" service.
It was good to see Joyce Cooper back at Ladies’ Fellowship, in
her capacity as Chairman last week.
Please remember all these people in your prayers, along with
any others you may know about or who I have omitted to
mention.
Happy New Ear
My Consultant has now discharged me from
Wythenshawe Hospital and I have a new,
reconstructed ear after 3 years and 6 operations.
Each of you who offered words of
comfort and your prayers helped
me through a difficult time. Your
acts of kindness helped my
recovery.
Jennifer Lee
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NW Synod
Chaiyi
Youth Visit to Taiwan
What will we do?Visit familiesAttend church
Sightseeing
Are you interested?Speak to Barbara Redmond
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Worship Leaders’ Training The sessions are intended to inform, educate and entertain! Although aimed at our preaching team, all are welcome to attend; even if you are not interested in becoming a worship leader you may be curious about how it all works. Each session begins at 8pm and lasts no more than one hour; venue varies so if you would like to attend please contact either myself on 07702883067 or the session leader. Joanne Ackroyd
Worship Leaders Training Sessions
Date Leader Topic
29 April Joan Warner Prayer
18 June Andy Platt All Age Worship
3 September Joanne Ackroyd Bible
14 October Revd Richard Bradley Technology
The Craft Club
After a break of a few months last year,
we decided to restart the meetings on
alternate Tuesday afternoons in the hope that more
people would be able to join us. However,
it was not meant to be. Instead, we have
joined with Norden URC Craft Group who
have a thriving membership. We meet
every Tuesday between 12.30 and 3.00pm.
There are people to help if you are stuck and to teach
you new skills if you wish to learn. Why
not join us? Speak to Margaret Watson,
Muriel Sturrock or myself if you want to
know more.
Linda Kerford
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Favourite Quotations
No-one has given a favourite quotation this month but
Gillian Galloway has submitted this item from the
February Magazine of KINGSWAY United Reformed
Church, Blackburn
That’s what the 23rd Psalm is all about ……….
The Lord is my Shepherd that’s relationship
I shall not want that’s supply
He makes me lie down in green pastures that’s rest
He leads me besides the still waters that’s refreshment
He restores my soul that’s healing
He leads me in the paths of righteousness that’s guidance
For His names sake that’s purpose
Yes, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death that’s testing
You are with me that’s faithfulness
I will fear no evil that’s protection
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Your rod and your staff, they comfort me that’s discipline
You prepare a table before me in the
presence of my enemies that’s hope
You anoint my head with oil that’s consecration
My cup runs over that’s abundance
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life that’s blessing
And I will live in the house of the Lord
for ever that’s security
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Ladies’ Fellowship
March Meeting 2014
Elizabeth Greer certainly pulled in the crowds as she delighted us with an evening of flower arranging. The variety and beauty were amazing; from large multi flower displays to a simple flower head floating in a single glass. Useful hints – all new to me
CIRCULAR DISPLAY - greenery as on clock points 2,4,6,8,10,12 OASIS - drop in water until it sinks, don’t push down, chamfer
edges ROSES – to condition - cut stems, hold immersed in boiling
water for 1 minute, immerse in cold GERBERA – to condition put stems in water with tiny amount of
household bleach / wire into head, twist gently & loosely round stem
CARNATIONS – if blooms not open, spread out heads with thumbs
TULIPS – grow in water, so keep water shallow & top up every day / to keep stick a pin in stem 1 inch from flower head
GIFT BAGS – line with plastic bag, add oasis, fill with flowers We also heard all about her family as she created each display, which was an added bonus. At the end of the evening two displays were reserved; one for our chairman, Joyce Cooper who was present for the first time in many months following a long illness; one for our treasurer Anne Newman who is caring for her husband Ian.
The others (maybe 8) were raffled and some ladies went away very happy carrying their precious prize – including me, who won a bowl with tulips, glass stones and WATER but it arrived home safely without spilling. We thank Elizabeth so much for all the time &
talent & treasure she spent providing such a memorable evening.
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And for missing the presentation as winner of the Rochdale Golf Club Winter League Trophy in order to fulfil her commitment to Ladies’ Fellowship. The next meeting on April 10th is an evening of entertainment from MTM (More Than Melody). There will be choral numbers, solos and various other items. The AGM is on 15th May, which is a date change – short business time + pot luck supper. Our June evening outing is to the Red Hall Restaurant in Walmersley – a pleasant country drive over ‘Owd Betts’ and a 3-course meal + tea & coffee for £23 including gratuities. Watch for the signing up list & menu on the LF notice board. Thanks once again to Elizabeth, to the committee and extra helpers, Marilyn Hinchcliffe (who ran the raffle & was a little miffed she didn’t win a prize!!) & Lesley Stiles, an ever present help in the kitchen. And thanks to all who came. We would like more volunteers on the committee. It’s a friendly bunch but we’d love some new ideas for speakers & meetings. Please think about it – you’d be very welcome. Joan Warner
Retirement of Revd Howard Sharp
(Mersey Synod Moderator)
A Service of Celebration & Farewell
Saturday 21st June 2014 at 2.30 pm
at Liverpool Hope University in the Chapel.
Followed by light refreshments
Pease speak to Ian Sturrock as soon as possible if you wish to attend
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Fair trade Fortnight 2014Thank you to everyone who supported Fairtrade Fortnight.
We raised £78 to send to Traidcraft Exchange.
Thank you to those who signed the petition to
Make Bananas Fair on http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/(and those who posted it on Facebook)
It has been good to hear of those who were inspired by Fantastically FairtradeFred.
Don’t forget to try out the
new Clean and Fair household essentials – handwash, washing up liquid, laundry liquid and surface cleaner. Also you can find washing up brushes and scourers on the Sunday morning Traidcraft stall.
Still time to buy a Real
Easter Egg which contains a book telling the story of the first Easter.Also Easter cards are available on the stall.
Look out for new giant chocolate
chip and double chocolate cookies which are coming soon.
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Running for UNICEF: London Marathon 13 April
I know from comments received, horns “beeped” and cheery “hello’s” said that many of you have seen me, if not pounding, then certainly jogging along Bury Road in the past few weeks or so. Why? you may ask. A very good question and one which I often ask myself before stepping out of the front door! Seriously, mad as it may appear to many, distance running is extremely enjoyable. Nobody can listen to or criticize your musical tastes and you get to appreciate everything and everybody whilst spring-cleaning your thoughts. In a couple of weeks I will be embarking upon the Virgin London Marathon 2014. Whilst this will actually be my third marathon it is the biggest and most eagerly anticipated by far. It would be remiss of me to pass up on the opportunity of sponsorship. After careful thought UNICEF encompasses a Fundamental belief of mine. “Sport has the power to change children’s lives (and) that every child has the right to play”. Please support me as much or as little as you feel able to do so. Either sign up on the sheet on the Notice Board or look me up on Twitter @martynjames10 where you can follow links, post messages of support, send me happy/motivational music suggestions to add to my playlist or even watch Colin Jackson’s personal message of support! Finally, please keep “beeping” your horn, waving and saying “hello” should you happen to see me trotting down Norden Road!!
Thank-you — Martyn James
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The Many Names of CHRIST
To the ARTIST he is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the ARCHITECT he is the Chief Corner Stone.
To the BAKER he is the Living Bread.
To the BANKER he is the Hidden Treasure.
To the BIOLOGIST he is the Life.
To the BUILDER he is the Sure Foundation.
To the CARPENTER he is the Door.
To the DOCTOR he is the Great Physician.
To the EDUCATOR he is the Great Teacher.
To the ENGINEER he is the New and Living Way.
To the FLORIST he is the Rose of Sharon and the
Lily of the Valley.
To the FARMER he is the Good Shepherd.
To the FRIGHTENED and HELPLESS he is a
very present Help in Trouble.
To the GEOLOGIST he is the Rock of Ages.
To the HORTICULTURIST he is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE he is the Righteous Judge,
Judge of All Men.
To the JEWELER he is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the LAWYER he is the Counsellor, the
Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the NEWSPAPER he is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
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To the OPTICIAN he is the Light of the Eyes.
To the PHILANTHROPIST he is the
Unspeakable Gift.
To the PHILOSOPHER he is the Wisdom of
God.
To the PREACHER he is the Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR he is the Living Stone.
To the SERVANT he is the Good Master.
To the STATESMAN he is the Desire of All
Nations.
To the STUDENT he is the Incarnate Truth.
To the THEOLOGIAN he is the Author and Finisher of our
Faith.
To the TOILER he is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER he is the Lamb of God that taketh away the
sins of the World.
To the CHRISTIAN he is the Son of
the Living God, the Saviour, the
Redeemer and the Lord.
To me...he is all of this. He is my
everything, my Saviour, my King, my
God.
What is he to you?
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Flower Rota
You may have wondered who provides the flowers displayed in
Chapel each Sunday and who arranges them. The Flower Rota
enables families or individuals to donate money or flowers, often in
memory of a loved one. Flower arrangements are also donated by
Wedding Families. Flowers are then distributed on Monday to
members of the congregation who may be ill or would appreciate
them for some other reason. The rota is on the notice board in the
coffee area if you would like to add your name; or speak to Pamela
Harrington or Gillian James for further information.
Date Donated By Arranged By
January 5th Hazel & Robert Gordon Diane Healey
12th Betty Ainsworth Pamela Harrington
26th Gillian Galloway Olive/Elizabeth
February 2nd Brenda Griffiths Gillian James
9th Philip & Jennifer Mackimm Elizabeth Greer
March 2nd Carolyn Divers Pamela Harrington
9th Wedding Norma Milnes
16th Linda Peacock Olive/Elizabeth
23rd Hilda Howard Gillian James
BUILDING SAFETY & SECURITY Due to recent reports of an intruder entering the building (whilst groups are in) PLEASE CAN ALL USER GROUPS make sure that the rear entrance door is always locked with the Yale Lock. This enables people to get out of the building from inside, but no-one can gain access from outside without a key, or by being let in by others. Sorry for the inconvenience; your co-operation would be appreciated.
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23rd April— St George’s Day
Our Patron Saint who isn’t English— by David Winter
It’s perhaps typical of the English that they
should have a patron saint who isn’t English,
about whom next to nothing is known for sure,
and who may not have existed at all. That didn’t
stop him being patriotically invoked in many
battles, notably at Agincourt and in the Crusades,
and of course it is his cross that adorns the flags
of English football fans to this day.
It’s most likely that he was a soldier, a Christian
who was martyred for his faith somewhere in
Palestine, possibly at Lydda, in the early fourth century. At some point in
the early centuries of the Church he became associated with wider military
concerns, being regarded as the patron saint of the Byzantine armies.
There is no doubt that he was held as an example of the ‘godly soldier’,
one who served Christ as bravely and truly as he served his king and
country.
The story of George and the dragon is of much later date and no one
seems to know where it comes from. By the middle ages, when George
was being honoured in stained glass, the dragon had become an invaluable
and invariable visual element, so that for most people the two are
inseparable. Pub signs have a lot to answer for here: ‘The George and
Dragon’.
However, it’s probably more profitable to concentrate on his role as a man
who witnessed to his faith in the difficult setting of military service, and in
the end was martyred for his faithfulness to Christ.
The idea of the ‘Christian soldier’ was, of course, much loved by the
Victorian hymn-writers - ’Onward, Christian soldiers!’ The soldier needs
discipline. The heart of his commitment is to obedience. The battle cannot
be avoided nor the enemy appeased. He marches and fights alongside
others, and he is loyal to his comrades. In the end, if the battle is won, he
receives the garlands of victory, the final reward of those who overcome
evil.
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St George’s Day presents a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is
to distance the message of his life from the militarism and triumphalism
that can easily attach itself to anything connected to soldiers and fighting.
The opportunity is to celebrate the ideal of the ‘Christian soldier’ - one
who submits to discipline, sets out to obey God truly, does not avoid the
inevitable battle with all that is unjust, wrong and hateful in our world, and
marches alongside others fighting the same noble cause. Discipline,
obedience, courage, fellowship and loyalty - they’re not the most popular
virtues today, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve our gratitude
and admiration.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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BAMFORD CHAPEL MAGAZINE
EDITORS:
Linda Peacock 01706 522593
Martyn James 01706 868885
SECRETARY:
Joan Ashton 01706 360395
DATES FOR THE NEXT MAGAZINE
Articles to be handed in by: Sunday 13th April
Magazine to be completed by: Thursday 24th April
Magazine distributed: Sunday 27th April
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BAMFORD CHAPEL United Reformed Church
Charity - Reg’d No 1128387
(FAIRTRADE CHURCH) Norden Road, ROCHDALE, Lancs. OL11 5PQ
The Manse, Norden Road, ROCHDALE,
Lancs OL11 5PQ
Telephone: 01706 369622 www.bamfordchapel.co.uk
Minister : Rev Richard Bradley Email: [email protected]
Church Secretary: Ian Sturrock Telephone: 01706 653109 Email: [email protected]
Wedding Secretary: John Lapworth Telephone: 01706 632460 Email: [email protected]
Lettings Manager: Linda Kerford Telephone: 01706 624256 Email: [email protected]
Times of Services: Family Worship : 10.30 am : Holy Communion 1st Sunday in month Evening Worship : 6.00 pm : Holy Communion 3rd Sunday in month