News update 28th December

Hope you had a great Christmas! Just a couple of updates and reminders now before we get back to the proper newsletters next weekend.

This Sunday there is no service at St Agnes' but there will be a Parish Eucharist, 10 am at St Thomas'. No Sunday school but children are most welcome to join us in church.

The carol singing around Lees and at the Co-op raised £150 for the Booth Centre - well done to all who came along. We'll be taking a cheque down to them at the end of next week, along with your gifts of toiletries, food and warm clothing. Donations of items will continue to be welcomed all year round.

If you signed up to receive daily #FollowTheStar emails but haven't got them, try checking your SPAM.

St Thomas' Church will be open to visitors as usual from 10.30 am to 1 pm on Saturday, but not on Tuesday as it's New Year's Day. 

And if you don't follow the parish facebook pages and have missed all the photos - here's a little compilation picture of what our youngsters have been up to during Advent and Christmas.

Best wishes for the new year!

News update 21st December

News Update – 21st December 2018 

This Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent, with services at the usual times at both churches. 

Monday is Christmas Eve, and at 5 pm we have the Nativity and Crib service with our Sunday Schools at St Thomas’. This is a lovely service for all the family, when the Posada figures of Mary and Joseph return to church after their long journey, and the infant Jesus is laid in the crib. 

Then at 11.30 pm we gather in the still of the night to await the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Our traditional Midnight Eucharist is a service of great joy and wonder, to which all are warmly invited.

Our Christmas morning Eucharist is at St Agnes’ Church at 9.15 am, where everyone is welcome to celebrate Jesus’ birth together in a lovely service for all the family.

Next Sunday, the 30th December, there is no service at St Agnes’, but we have a Parish Eucharist at 10 am at St Thomas’.

Well done to all our Carol singers, musicians and collectors. On Monday evening we sang around the houses in Leesfield, and raised a fantastic £80.89 for the Booth Centre for homeless people in Manchester. We’re singing again on Saturday from 1 to 2.30 pm at Lees Co-op, so please do come and join us. As well as the money which we collect, we also take your generous gifts of socks, hats, scarves, gloves, food and toiletries there to support their Christmas appeal, so please do buy a little extra Christmas present to help them.

On St Stephen’s Day, the 26th December, St Thomas’ Church will be open from 11.30 am to 1 pm so that anyone who needs company or just a break from all the hustle and bustle can drop in for a brew and a chat, or just some peace and quiet. The church is open to all visitors, as well as people who attend our services, and they are free to explore the church and to view our very special Christmas tree display. 

Also on display for a limited period is a Book of Remembrance, which St Thomas’ Leesfield School has kindly agreed to loan to us, so please do have a look at it when you’re next in church.

The Church of England invites us all to follow in the footsteps of the Wise Men from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. It’s not too late to sign up for emails, with daily readings and prayers for the Christmas season.

For more information please visit                       https://www.churchofengland.org/followthestar

 

Newsletter 16th December

Leesfield Parish – 16th December 2018 

Our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols is at 6.30 pm this evening at St Thomas’. This is a very special service for all the parish, with readings, carols and musical items, and refreshments with mulled wine afterwards in the community room. Please do come along – children are welcome too as it’s not a late service. The raffle for the Christmas Hamper will be drawn after the service, so if you haven’t already got your tickets today is your last chance. 

A group of us will meet at 6 pm on Monday the 17th to sing Christmas Carols around the village, which is a brilliant way of taking Christmas out to people who may not be able to get to church, and then at 1 pm on Saturday the 22nd we sing at Lees Co-op. Families are especially welcome to join us, as the older people especially love to hear the children sing – and they are far better at collecting money too! All of the money which we collect from our carol singing goes to the Booth Centre, which provides essential support for homeless people in Manchester. We also take your generous gifts of socks, hats, scarves, gloves, food and toiletries there to support their Christmas appeal, so please do buy a little extra Christmas present to help them.

If you haven’t already seen the information at the back of each church about what may be the best way for you to donate towards our work, please do have a look. Many people no longer carry cash, so you may wish to consider alternative ways of giving to support us.  

There will be no printed newsletter for the next couple of weeks, although there will be some updates to our website, facebook pages and by email with all the latest news. Services for next Sunday the 23rd December will be at the usual times, and all of our Christmas services are shown below. The Tuesday Holy Communion services at St Thomas’ will not take place on either Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, but lifts up to St Agnes’ for the Christmas morning service can be arranged. On Sunday the 30th December there will be a Parish Eucharist at St Thomas’ at 10 am – no service at St Agnes’ on this day.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please! There are so many really wonderful events happening at this time of year, and it would be great to share them with everyone.

Newsletter 9th December

Leesfield Parish – 9th December 2018 

This afternoon at 4 pm, there will be a Taize Service at St Thomas’. This is a short, quiet and reflective service, with no teaching or preaching, just prayer and music intertwined. Everyone is welcome to come along as we take a little time out from the busyness of our everyday lives to join together in peaceful worship.

During Advent the collection plate will not be passed around for a trial period. Instead there will be a plate or collection box at the back of each church, along with donation envelopes, gift-aid forms and details of how to give to church directly from your bank account. Please do have a look at the information, and think about what may be the best way for you to donate towards the work of the church. There will be people around at both churches to help you with anything you want to know.

On Thursday 13th December at 7.30 pm, in place of their regular monthly meeting, the Ladies of Leesfield are having an evening of Prayers, Carols and Mince Pies at Audrey’s home, 52 Spring Lane, Lees. All are invited to come and join them.

Our traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place at St Thomas’ Church, 6.30 pm next Sunday the 16th December. This is a very special service for all the parish, with readings, carols and musical items, and refreshments afterwards in the community room.

Please do come along – children are welcome too as it’s not a late service. If you would like to take a more active part in the service by reading one of the lessons please see Edith.  

During that week we will be singing even more Christmas Carols. We meet at 6 pm on Monday the 17th to sing around the village, which is a brilliant way of taking Christmas out to people who may not be able to get to church, and then at 1 pm on Saturday the 22nd to sing at Lees Co-op. Families are especially welcome to join us, as the older people especially love to hear the children sing – and they are far better at collecting money too!

All of the money which we collect from our carol singing goes to the Booth Centre, which provides essential support for homeless people in Manchester. We also take your generous gifts of socks, hats, scarves, gloves, food and toiletries there to support their Christmas appeal, so please do buy a little extra Christmas present to help them.

To find out about the Church of England Christmas campaign #FollowTheStar, please click on the following link -   www.churchofengland.org/followthestar

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please! There are so many really wonderful events happening at this time of year, and it would be great to share them with everyone.

Newsletter 2nd Decembet

Leesfield Parish – 2nd December 2018 

Today is Advent Sunday, and this afternoon at 3 pm there is a special Christingle Service for the children at St Thomas’. They will make their Christingles (please bring your own orange), learn what they represent, light the candles and sing in candlelight. Donations from this service will go to the Children’s Society, which supports vulnerable children and young people throughout England and Wales. 

During Advent the collection plate will not be passed around for a trial period. Instead there will be a plate or collection box at the back of each church, along with donation envelopes, gift-aid forms and details of how to give to church directly from your bank account. Please do have a look at the information, and think about what may be the best way for you to donate towards the work of the church. There will be people around at both churches to help you with anything you want to know.

On Wednesday 5th December from 7-9 pm the Diocese is delivering Safeguarding Training at St Barnabas’ Church, Clarksfield. The training is for Sunday School teachers and all who have safeguarding responsibilities. Booking is required to ensure that there are sufficient handouts, certificates etc. are available, and can be made by visiting bookings@manchester.anglican.org . 

Next Sunday, the 9th December, at the usual service times at both churches, will be the Toy Service. If you can, please bring a toy in good condition, which will be passed on to children who may not receive any toys at all this Christmas.

Also next Sunday, at 4 pm, there will be a Taize Service at St Thomas’. This is a short, quiet and reflective service, with no teaching or preaching, just prayer and music intertwined. Everyone is welcome to come along as we take a little time out from the busyness of our everyday lives to join together in peaceful worship.

The annual White Hart Dinner Dance is on Friday 8th March, and tickets are now on sale. We need to get numbers and deposits by the end of December to secure our booking, so please see Jacqueline or any of the retinue mums at St Agnes’ for more details. This is a great social evening for all the parish, and also one to invite our friends to.

Thank you so much to everyone who has already donated items for sharing with organisations helping homeless people and others in need. Please keep your gifts coming, especially during the cold winter weather. Underwear and socks should be new, but other warm clothing will be great as long as it’s clean. Toiletries are a big help to those organisations which are able to offer showering facilities, and moisturisers, lip balm etc. are essential for people who spend so much time outdoors. So whilst you’re shopping for Christmas presents please think about whether you can afford to buy a little extra one.

Newsletter 25th November

Leesfield Parish – 25th November 2018

This afternoon at 3 pm, Churches Together in Lees and District will be joining together at St Thomas’ for a special service “Advent hymns”. This is an opportunity to sing some of our favourite Advent hymns, and learn a little bit about them on the Sunday before Advent begins.

A further Open PCC meeting has been arranged for tomorrow at 7 pm in St Thomas’ Community Room. We will be discussing how we can all use our time, talents and money to serve God in this parish and beyond, and everyone is warmly invited to join the conversation. The last meeting was really well attended, with lots of ideas about how we can reach out to the wider community. Light refreshments will be available before the meeting.

On Saturday at 2 pm we will be Dressing the little Christmas Trees at St Thomas’. This is a fun event for all the family, with refreshments, mince pies and mulled wine served by the Ladies of Leesfield. If you would like sponsor a tree please see Karen or any of the Harvest Queen mums. From 4 pm the church bells will be ringing, and you can make your way over to the village centre (near Milan Bar) for the switch-on of the Lees Christmas Lights at 4.30. And a very special visitor may be there!  

Next Sunday is Advent Sunday, and in addition to our normal services there is a special Christingle Service for the children, 3 pm at St Thomas’. They will make their Christingles (please bring your own orange), learn what they represent, light the candles and sing in candlelight. Donations from this service will go to the Children’s Society, which supports vulnerable children and young people throughout England and Wales. 

During Advent we will be trying out different ways in which we can encourage our congregation members to support the work of the church. Many people these days don’t carry cash, so instead of the collection plate being passed around it will be at the back of church, along with information about planned giving, gift-aid, standing orders and other cashless methods of donating towards our work.

On Wednesday 5th December from 7-9 pm the Diocese is delivering Safeguarding Training at St Barnabas’ Church, Clarksfield. The training is for Sunday School teachers and all who have safeguarding responsibilities. Booking is required to ensure that there are sufficient handouts, certificates etc. are available, and can be made by visiting bookings@manchester.anglican.org . 

The cold nights are definitely here now, and the organisations helping homeless people and others in need which we support are increasingly busy. Donations of warm clothing, food and toiletries are most welcome, but there is very little which we can’t find a use for. If you’re unsure about what to bring please see Paul and Liz at St Thomas’ or Frank and Philip at St Agnes’. 

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

News update 15th November

Just a little reminder of all the events and services for the coming week or so - the full printed newsletter will be back next week!

St Agnes' school Winter Fair is this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm - so if you're not off to Llanudno with the Ladies of Leesfield why not pop along and join the fun.

On Sunday we celebrate St Hugh's day with a Parish Eucharist at St Hugh's at 11 am. There are no other services in the parish on that day, so if you're driving there please offer a lift to someone who doesn't drive.

The Ladies of Leesfield event at 7.30 pm on Thursday features guest speakers Ruth, Edwina and Liz telling the story of finding their mother's World War 2 identity bracelet. Everyone is invited to come along - you don't have to be a lady, or of Leesfield! 

Next Sunday, 3 pm at St Thomas', Churches Together in Lees and District are having a joint service "Advent Hymns". This is an opportunity to sing some of our favourite Advent hymns, and learn a little bit about them on the week before Advent begins.

Following the earlier Open PCC meeting in September, James Emmerson, the Diocesan Stewardship Advisor, is coming to St Thomas' for a further meeting at 7 pm on Monday 26th November. Please do come and join the conversation about how we can all play our part in the work of God in our parish. 

Tickets are now on sale for the Annual Dinner Dance at the White Hart on Friday 8th March 2019. The tickets are £35 each, to be paid in instalments of £15 by the end of December, £10 by the end of January, and £10 by the end of February. 

News update 8th November

Leesfield Parish 8th November 2018

On Saturday Rose Queen Ella and her retinue will be "At Home" at St Agnes' Church at 2 pm - please join us for refreshments, stalls and fun.

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday so there will be a Parish Eucharist at St Thomas' at 9.15 am on Sunday - no service at St Agnes'. We will then assemble to walk together to Lees Cemetery for an Act of Remembrance.

Next Sunday, the 18th November we have our annual Parish Eucharist at St Hugh's, 11 am to celebrate the feast day of St Hugh. There are no other services in the parish on this day, so if you are going by car it would be really nice if you could offer lifts to those who don't drive.

On Thursday 22nd November at 7.30pm the Ladies of Leesfield are presenting a really interesting story by Edwina, Ruth and Liz about the finding of their mother's World War 2 identity bracelet. This promises to be an entertaining and informative evening so please do come along.

Advance notice - St Agnes' Rose Queen annual dinner dance at the White Hart, Lydgate will be on Friday 8th March next year. Tickets are on sale now and can be paid for in instalments, with the initial deposit of £15 to be paid by the end of December. Please see Jacqueline or any of the retinue mums for more details.

Newsletter 4th November

Leesfield Parish – 4th November 2018 

This afternoon we hold our service for All Souls at 4 pm. This is a quiet and peaceful service where we remember those who were dear to us whom we see no more, and light a candle for them. 

The Monday Emmaus Group meets on the 5th and 26th November at 1.30 pm, and the Wednesday group meets on the 14th and 21st November at 7 pm, both in St Thomas’ Community Room.  

On Saturday 10th November at 2 pm St Agnes’ Rose Queen Ella and her retinue are “At Home”. Please come along and join us for fun, refreshments and stalls.  

Next Sunday, 11th November, is Remembrance Sunday. We will have a Parish Eucharist at St Thomas’ at 9.15 am, and then assemble at 10.15 to walk together down to the cemetery for the Act of Remembrance.  

Continuing with the wartime theme, the Ladies of Leesfield have guest speakers at their meeting on Thursday 22nd November at 7.30 pm, when Edwina and Ruth will tell the story of finding their mother’s World War 2 Identity Bracelet. Everyone is welcome to come along to what promises to be a really interesting evening.

Our annual Parish Eucharist to celebrate St Hugh’s Patronal Festival is at 11 am on Sunday 18th November in St Hugh’s School on Wildmoor Avenue, Holts. This is the only service in the parish on that day, so if you’re driving there it would be really kind if you could offer lifts to those without cars.

The cold nights are definitely here now, and the organisations helping homeless people which we support are increasingly busy. Donations of warm clothing and toiletries are most welcome. 

Whatever job we do in life, we all get at least one day off each week to spend with our families and relax. Edith’s only day off in the week is Friday, so please don’t call at the vicarage, telephone or email on Fridays. 

On Sunday the 25th November at 3 pm, Churches Together in Lees and District will be joining together at St Thomas’ for a special service “Advent hymns”. This is an opportunity to sing some of our favourite Advent hymns, and learn a little bit about them on the Sunday before Advent begins.

A further Open PCC meeting has been arranged for Monday the 26th November at 7 pm in St Thomas’ Community Room. We will be discussing how we can all use our time, talents and money to serve God in this parish and beyond, and everyone is warmly invited to join the conversation. During Advent we will be trying out different ways in which we can encourage our congregation members to support the work of the church. 

Please send your articles for the next issue of “Voice” magazine to Paul ( paulmdent@gmail.com ) by the 11th November. 

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 21st October

Leesfield Parish – 21st October 2018

If you haven’t yet completed an Annual Income Survey form please could you do it today and place it in the sealed box at the back of church. It is really important that everyone who is eligible completes the confidential and anonymous form, even (indeed especially) if you have little, or no, personal income. 

The PCC meets tomorrow, Monday the 22nd, 7 pm at St Thomas’. 

The Wednesday Emmaus Group meets on the 24th October at 7 pm, and the Monday group meets on the 29th October at 1.30 pm, both in St Thomas’ Community Room.  

Last week’s Boundary Walk saw twenty people in total walking the boundary, with twelve completing the whole route including four children. It’s not too late to sponsor us, there are forms in both churches.

The final Tea & Toast of the season is in St Thomas’ Community Room from 10.30 am to 12 noon on Saturday 27th October. Please do join us, and bring a friend. Tickets including raffle £3. 

The Ladies Coffee morning is on Saturday 3rd November, 10.30 am at Livingstone Street.

OPAG returns to St Thomas’ this half-term with crafts, soup and sandwiches for children on Thursday 1st November from 1 – 3 pm. Further information can be found by clicking on the link Events & Fundraising

On Friday 2nd November St Agnes’ Rose Queen and her retinue are having a Family Bingo Night. Tickets are £3 per adult (children free) and are available now from St Agnes’. Also at St Agnes’, the Rose Queen “At Home” will be on Saturday 10th November.    

This year we will hold our service for All Souls on the afternoon of Sunday 4th November at 4 pm. This is a quiet and peaceful service where we remember those who were dear to us whom we see no more and light a candle for them.

Before the service there will be a list at the back of church on which you can add the names of those you would like to remember, and those names will be read out during the service. 

Many thanks for all your Harvest Donations, which have now been delivered. Watch the newsletters for more about how we can help people who are homeless or in need.

If anyone is submitting handwritten articles for the next issue of “Voice” magazine please could they be handed in at church by Sunday, 28th October. Items sent via email will be ok to submit by the 11th November.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 14th October

Leesfield Parish – 14th October 2018

Today, regular members of our congregations are asked to complete the Annual Income Surveys. This is how the Diocese works out how much we in Leesfield Parish can afford to contribute through our Parish Share towards the cost of clergy, training and housing, and they do this by taking into account worshippers’ income. If you are aged 16 years or over, and have attended this church at least 12 times in the past year, please complete the confidential and anonymous form which is available at the back of church, fold it and place it in the sealed box. Only your own personal income, rather than household income, should be used to fill in the form. It is really important that everyone who is eligible completes the form, even (indeed especially) if you have little, or no, personal income.

The Monday Emmaus Group meets tomorrow at 1.30 pm in St Thomas’ Community Room.

The Deanery event “We are all Disciples” on Saturday 20th October at St John’s Church, Hey has now been shortened, and will finish at around 1.10 pm. There will no longer be a need to bring a packed lunch, but refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of opportunity to chat to people from other churches during group sessions and breaks.

Bishop Mark will lead a session on “Understanding St Luke’s Gospel Better”, and Jamie Mackenzie will speak about “Being more comfortable as Disciples”. The organisers of the event need to know numbers as soon as possible, so if you are able to come along please let us know.

St Thomas’ DCC is tomorrow, Monday the 15th, 7 pm at St Thomas’ and St Agnes’ Open Forum is on Wednesday the 17th, 8 pm at St Agnes’. Both the DCC and Open Forum meetings are open to all members of our congregations, so please do come along and join the conversations.

Churches Together in Lees and District is a group of Christian Churches of all denominations in our locality, who join together in several services and events throughout the year. The next Open Meeting is this Tuesday, 7.30 pm at Zion Methodist, and everyone is welcome to come and meet our fellow Christians.

The Ladies of Leesfield are hosting a Quiz Night in St Thomas’ Community Room at 7.30 pm on Thursday 18th October. Please do join us, and bring a friend. Refreshments and raffle £3.

If anyone is submitting handwritten articles for the next issue of “Voice” magazine please could they be handed in at church by Sunday, 28th October. Items sent via email will be ok to submit by the 11th November.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 7th October

Leesfield Parish – 7th October 2018

Today is our Parish Harvest Service. Many thanks for all your gifts, which this year are going to Impact Community Church, Oldham Street Angels and the Booth Centre, Manchester. After the service you are all invited to join the Ladies of Leesfield for a Harvest Brunch, with bacon or sausage barms or beans on toast, and tea or coffee. There will also be a Home Bake stall and a raffle. Tickets are £5 each and you don’t need to have bought one in advance. 

Audrey and Roy are organising a coach trip to visit Llandudno for the Christmas Markets on Saturday 17th November. All are welcome to come along, and there is a list in the community room for you to add your name. 

The next round of Parish Meetings starts with Standing Committee tomorrow at 7 pm. St Thomas’ DCC is next Monday the 15th, 7 pm at St Thomas’ and St Agnes’ Open Forum is on Wednesday the 17th, 8 pm at St Agnes’. Both the DCC and Open Forum meetings are open to all members of our congregations, so please do come along and join the conversations. 

The Deanery Day “We are all Disciples”, is on Saturday 20th October at St John’s Church, Hey. This promises to be a really interesting and inspirational day, with Bishop Mark as one of the guest speakers, so please do come along. Refreshments will be provided, but you will need to bring a packed lunch. To help the organisers plan the event please put your name on the lists in both churches.

The Leesfield Parish Boundary Walk will start from the car park near the children’s play area at the end of Station Road, Grotton, at 10 am next Saturday 13th October. This is a great day out for all the family, with lots of brilliant views and wildlife to be seen, and picnic stops where you can chat with others from the parish whom you may not have got to know yet. It’s quite a long walk at just under 9 miles over varied terrain and takes over 4 hours, but is split into stages with the easiest sections at the beginning, so you don’t have to do it all. We will be walking whatever the weather, but we may take some shortcuts if it’s really wet. The great news is that the Park Bridge café and visitor centre (with toilets) has recently re-opened. Sponsor forms are available, but by no means essential, and if you’re not able to join the walk please sponsor someone who is. For more information please see Liz or Kingsley. 

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 30th September

Leesfield Parish – 30^th September 2018

The Parish Harvest Service is at 10 am on Sunday 7th October at St Thomas’ Church. Your harvest gifts this year are going to Impact Community Church, Oldham Street Angels and the Booth Centre, Manchester, so please be as generous as you can. Items needed are tea, coffee, sugar, soft drinks, packets of crisps, biscuits and cakes, tinned goods, pasta, rice and noodles, cook-in sauces and condiments.

After the service you are all invited to join the Ladies of Leesfield for a Harvest Brunch, with bacon or sausage barms or beans on toast, and tea or coffee. There will also be a Home Bake stall and a raffle. Tickets are £5 each and are on sale now, or you can pay on the day.

The Ladies of Leesfield Coffee Morning will be from 10.30 am to 12 noon on Saturday 6th October at 2 Hopkin View, Lees.

Audrey and Roy are organising a coach trip to visit Llandudno for the Christmas Markets on Saturday 17th November. All are welcome to come along, and there is a list in the community room for you to add your name.

The proposed programme for the Deanery Day “We are all Disciples”, on Saturday 20th October at St John’s Church, Hey, is shown below. There will be several breaks and opportunities to chat to people from other churches in between the structured sessions. Refreshments will be provided, but you will need to bring a packed lunch. To make planning the event easier please put your name on the lists in both churches.

10 am	Coffee
10.30 am	Introduction & Worship
11 am	Bishop Mark “Understanding St Luke’s Gospel better”
12 noon	Jamie Mackenzie “Be More Comfortable as Disciples”
12.45 pm	Lunch
1.30 pm	Group and Plenary Sessions
2.45 pm	Closing Worship

The Leesfield Parish Boundary Walk will start from the car park at the end of Station Road, Grotton at 10 am on Saturday 13th October. The whole walk is just under 9 miles over varied terrain and takes over 4 hours, but is split into stages with the easiest sections at the beginning, so people of all ages and walking abilities can join us and leave before the tough parts. Whatever the weather, we will be walking, but the exact route may be varied accordingly. Sponsor forms are available, but by no means essential, as the main aim is to see all of our parish in the company of friends. For more information or to register for the walk please see Liz or Kingsley.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 23rd September

Leesfield Parish – 23rd September 2018

It’s not too late to join the Emmaus Group meetings in St Thomas’ Community Room. There are flyers available in both churches giving more details, so please do come along. The second meetings in the series will take place on Wednesday 26th September at 7 pm, and Monday 1st October at 1.30 pm.

Next Friday, 28th September, there will be a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the Community Room from 9 am to 12 noon. Come and join us for coffee and cake, and raise money for this really worthwhile cause. If you are able to help by baking something for this event please see Karen.

The Parish Harvest Service is at 10 am on Sunday 7th October at St Thomas’ Church. After the service you are all invited to join the Ladies of Leesfield for a Harvest Brunch, with bacon or sausage barms or beans on toast, and tea or coffee. There will also be a Home Bake stall and a raffle. Tickets are £5 each and are on sale now, or you can pay on the day.

On Saturday 13th October we will again be walking the Parish Boundary. For anyone who hasn’t been before, this is a great day of walking and companionship, where you can see the whole of our parish from viewpoints you may not have been to before. More information next week.

We are all Disciples - The Vocations Group of Oldham East Deanery Mission & Pastoral Committee has been considering how we can help people to understand their role as Christians and how they can be resourced and set free to act out their faith every day. We are making a start with a Deanery Day on Saturday, 20th October at St John’s Church entitled “We are all Disciples”.

The day starts with coffee at 10 am, followed by a programme of worship and talks that will finish at 3 pm, with a break for lunch. More information can be found on the poster and flyers in both churches. If you are able to come along, there is a list in each church for you to add your name.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!

Newsletter 16th September

Leesfield Parish – 16th September 2018

The Emmaus Group meetings start this week in St Thomas’ Community Room. There are flyers available in both churches giving more details, so please do come along. It would be helpful – but not necessary – for anyone coming to the first session on either Monday at 1.30 pm or Wednesday at 7 pm this week to bring along a favourite prayer.

Everyone is invited to come along to an important special open meeting of the PCC on Monday 17th September at 7 pm. 

The meeting will last no more than 1 hour, and there will be a guest speaker, and tea, coffee and cake. 

If you have children please feel free to bring them with you – we can arrange to keep them occupied whilst we meet.

On Thursday 20th September at 7.30 pm, the Ladies of Leesfield have a special guest speaker, Carol Talbot, who will present a slideshow and talk about our local suffragette, Annie Kenney. 

Annie lived in Springhead, and worked at Leesbrook Mill, where the plaque shown here is displayed. Alongside Christabel Pankhurst, Annie was the first to be imprisoned for direct action in the fight for votes for women. 

This promises to be a really interesting evening, with refreshments and a raffle, so do come and join the ladies.

The crowning of St Thomas’ new Harvest Queen, Evie Randall, will take place in St Thomas’ Church on Saturday 22nd September at 2 pm.

Please come along to support our new Harvest Queen and thank Ella and her retinue for all their work during the past year.

Next Friday, 28th September, there will be a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the Community Room from 9 am to 12 noon. Come and join us for coffee and cake, and raise money for this really worthwhile cause.

Items for the newsletter, website and facebook pages to Liz (lizzy.dent@googlemail.com) whenever you want to send. Lots of lovely pictures please!