We are making a special push this year with our All Saints Worship, since the actual day of All Saints - November 1st - falls on a Sunday.

Once again, we are hosting our ever-popular and moving Act of Memorial during the All Saints Day Communion Service at 9.30 am. We are inviting all of those who have been recently bereaved. There will be lovely music, carefully chosen words and, of course, the act of Memorial itself, when people will be invited to light candles in memory of their loved ones.

I would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone to this special occasion, which will be very much our main service of the day this week. There will also be The Gathering at 11.00, when we will be having a relaxed time of worship, testimony and teaching called 'Saints Alive'

Here is the official announcement from the Bishop, as read in St Cuthberts on October 4th

Bishop David is pleased to announce that after consultation, he has invited the Reverend Paul Walker to become the priest-in-charge of St James Bolton, whilst continuing as the vicar of St Cuthbert, Wrose. 

This will mean changes for both churches and the Bishop sympathises with those who fear that sharing a minister may hold back the mission and minisry of the church. However, it need not be so.  The Bishop asks   the two churches to plan together how this shared ministry will work and also to develop new opportunities for the  churches to support one another in mission. 

It is expected that Paul will take up this appointment early in the New Year.

On Sunday October 11th I will be devoting the 'sermon slot' in both morning services to a fuller explanation of this new arrangement, together with some initial thoughts as to how this might work out in the future.

You can also find out a bit more about St James by visiting the church website.

Suitable for people who are just finding their way into church, maybe through baptism or a wedding - or those just curious to find out what Christianity is about, the course has proved extremely popular and helpful in churches up and down the country.

We've got a Start! Course just about the kick off - it all gets started on Sunday October 11th. We meet from 6.30 until just before 8.00 pm (it will actually last about an hour and a quarter) at the Bold Privateer on Wrose Road. The bar will be open and we'll provide nibbles!

Come and join us!

It will also be 'Back to Church Sunday' the annual initiative to invite people back who maybe haven't been for a while. Our two services on Harvest Sunday will have a particular 'outward looking' focus - well known songs and hymns and plenty of traditional Harvest cheer.

This is the run down for the day

9.30 HARVEST COMMUNION A traditional Harvest service with well-loved hymns, a sermon, and the Common Worship Harvest liturgy. A great re-introduction for those used to Church of England Worship.

11.00 HARVEST FAMILY WORSHIP A service for all ages, with lively singing, puppets, fun and activities. This will also be a Parade Service for Uniformed Groups. A great service for people less used to coming along to Church - very friendly, and lasting less than one hour.

We hope to welcome you on Harvest Sunday, whether a regular, a visitor, a guest or someone coming 'Back to Church'...

I would love to hear from you regards things you would like to see on the website, whether you are a regular attender of the church, or someone further afield, who likes to see what we are up to here in Wrose.

Here are a few pictures of the ongoing work.

Although there will be an inevitable slow down over the Summer, there is still plenty to look forward to during August at St Cuthberts. All of our regular services, small groups, childrens groups and so on will be continuing through the summer period, so there's no need to stop coming along to things unless you happen to be away from the area on holiday!

We have a couple of special things to mention. Firstly, the Gathering will be operating under a chilled out cafe format during August. This is partly because the Hall might well be unavailable for coffee for the first couple of Sundays and it will be better to have coffee in the Church. But it also presents an opportunity to have a more relaxed style of worship. The series on Mark's Gospel continues, together with our worship led by the worship group - although the cafe format perhaps gives us the chance to try one or two different things as well!

On three of the Sundays we will be having an optional 'after church' activity - basically as a 'getting to know you' exercise. This kicks off on Sunday August 2nd with a meal at the George and Dragon (2 for 1) followed by a short walk along the Canal. Let us know if you want to come!

Finally, the Sanctuary area of the Church will be revamped on an experiemental basis over the Summer. There will be a range of prayer stations provided and the seating will be re-organized into something more relaxed. Why not come along for Wednesday Communion (9.30 am) or any of the other special activities that will be announced via the weekly sheet.

As a result of this rapidly spreading infection, the Bishop of Bradford and the Archbishops have issued advice to parishes which we are now implementing at St Cuthberts. Principally this means the suspension of the common cup at Holy Communion. Where possible (for example at small midweek services) we shall offer communion wafers that have been 'intincted' with wine - but for main Sunday services this is not practical and we shall take communion in 'one kind'. As an additional measure, the sharing of the Peace will not be taking place during services. You are also asked to stay at home and not come to church if you think that you are suffering from the swine flu.

I have to say that I'm not at all convinced that these measures will make much difference in the likely spread of swine flu. However, we are part of the wider Church of England and as such will be heeding the advice offered. For those who want to see the actual letter that we have received it printed here.

The 11.00 service will be one of our All Age events - and will be a lively mix of songs, stories, activities and fun.

Also don't miss our fabulous puppet group - they are supposed to be for the kids, but adults like them just as much!

Immediately following the service we'll having a FREE Barbeque outside the Church (or in the Hall if wet) so do stick around and have lunch with us. There will be a Bouncy Castle for the kids, face painting and children's games on the front lawn outside Church. It should be a whole lot of fun!

We want as many people as possible to come along on Sunday. It's fun for all ages, from babies upwards! Don't worry if you haven't been for a while, you will be more than welcome to come along and enjoy the day. Feel free to bring friends, neighbours, whoever you like.... just come!

Hope to see you there!