Church Officers

 

Rector:

Revd Karen Herschell

01200 871254

07891 915671

 

Churchwardens:

Stuart Beattie (Whitewell) 01200 446630

John Cowking (Slaidburn) 01200 423855

Rosalind Hope (Slaidburn) 07796 174994

William Leeming (Whitewell) 01200 448100

 

Deanery Synod:

Wendy Leeming

Helen Owen

 

Vice-Chairman:           Secretary:

    John Cowking            Janet Haigh

 

      Treasurer:                   Electoral Roll:

David Taylor                 Eileen Joy

 

                Safeguarding:            Wedding Co-Ordinator:

  Margaret Brenchley          Wendy Leeming

                                                          01200 448100

 

Additional Members of the

Parochial Church Council:

Mary Beattie             Allan Carr

David Mehers          Marjorie Pinder

Helen Wallbank       John Whitaker

 

Rector’s Reflections

 

Well, I don’t know about you but July has been really busy. I thought things may have started to slow down slightly over the summer months but in both Parish ministry and in my work with the Diocese that just hasn’t been the case. I have also been away on three conferences, either as a delegate or host which have been good for the various necessary reasons. However, inspired by the Diocesan Conference I have taken time to read again the Gospel of Luke and Book of Acts, slowly and carefully, asking the Lord through the Holy Spirit to inspire me afresh. And I haven’t been disappointed.

I have really been struck on reading ‘Luke’ of the person of Jesus Christ who I feel challenges us through his promises that he keeps, through his work and the handling of many competing prirorities and pressures of public ministry that seem to come to him from all angles. I have been inspired by Jesus’ teaching, especially through the parables which on the surface seem fairly straight forward but actually dig a little underneath have a depth and not necessarily an easy answer for the struggles and challenges of everyday life. This is a Jesus who is moved by compassion, who heals, walks alongside us but also holds up a mirror to how we live our lives and address the evil in the world.

These themes are carried forward into ‘Acts’ with Jesus’ disciples being given the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of Jesus death and resurrection to all nations.  We see the Holy Spirit powerfully at work, but these struck me most:

In Chapter 2 of Acts, Peter filled with the Holy Spirit boldly declares to the questioning crowd, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” (Acts 2.32) That’s indeed a bold statement to make if Peter and others hadn’t witnessed the risen Jesus in the flesh. This then leads to Peter calling the people to “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2.38). He goes on to say, “Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshment may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3.19)

Wow, this is courageous preaching indeed from the one time ordinary fisherman turned Apostle, and is really at the nub of what the good news is and how Jesus’ saving grace can be ours. It reminds me of St Paul’s letter to the Romans where he says, “…if you declare with your mouth; ’Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10.9-10)

Maybe there is something in these readings for us to ponder on…maybe reflect on these scripture verses, or read the Gospel of Luke and/or Book of Acts. What does it mean to you that Jesus died? How do you see the resurrection? Do you feel forgiven? For “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3.23) Do you need a time of refreshment? “In repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isiaiah 30.15) Or, maybe you feel challenged, or are thirsting to find out more about ‘this Jesus’…for Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4.13-14)

In all of this though Jesus invites each and every one of us to come to him, you may wish to use the words of the worship song All Who Are Thirsty as a prayer for rest and refreshment this summer, and may you invite the Lord Jesus to come into your heart and life. Amen

All who are thirsty

And all who are weak

Come to the fountain

Dip your heart in the stream of life

Let the pain and the sorrow

Be washed away

In the waves of his mercy

As deep cries out to deep

We sing

Come Lord Jesus come.

 

Blessings

​

Revd Karen

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

 

From the Registers:

Baptism:

14th June – Lainey Rose Walker

at Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell

 

Weddings:

6th June – Harry Richardson and Anne Blakey  

at Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn

6th June – Philip Richards and Helen Fox

at Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Tosside

13th June – Clyde Baxter and Claire Hamilton

at Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell

 

Interment of Ashes:

26th July – Reginald Melton

at Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

 

 

If you or someone you know would like a visit from Rev’d Karen

please let her know by telephoning 01200 871254

or email: revdkarenherschell@gmail.com

 

Please note that Rev’d Karen’s rest day is Saturday

and her usual Parish Days are Sunday to Tuesday.

​

The Parish Home Group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at the Rectory from 2.00 pm for approximately an hour to an hour and a half. The aim is that we can come together in fellowship, to grow in faith through prayer, studying the Bible and exploring different aspects of the Christian faith so that we can deepen our love for God and for one another. You are all warmly invited. Please let Rev Karen know if you are interested in coming along.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

 

A service of Morning Prayer takes place each Monday morning in Saint Andrew’s Church at Slaidburn, commencing at 9.00 am and lasting for about half-an-hour. You are most welcome to join us.

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

 

We are grateful to the team at Slaidburn Archive who have mounted displays in Saint Andrew’s Church over the years.

Many parishioners and visitors comment on the informative collections and quite a few locals take delight in finding themselves on the photographs, some of which have a certain vintage! 

Do call in to have a look – you could find yourself on a display board!

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +  

“Parishes in Bloom” at Blackburn Cathedral

 

From Friday 21st to Monday 24th August churches from across the Diocese bring Parish Life into the Cathedral in the form of stunning floral displays. The exhibition is open from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm each day. Admission is free and donations are invited.

 

 

Services in the Parish of Hodder Valley during August and

 

 

Sunday 9th August – Trinity 10

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

A service of Morning Prayer

Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am

A service of the Eucharist

 

Sunday 16th August – Trinity 11

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

A service of Holy Communion 

 

Sunday 23rd August – Trinity 12 and Saint Bartholomew

No service at Slaidburn

Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am

A service of the Eucharist

Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Tosside – 7.00 pm

A Patronal service of Holy Communion

 

Sunday 30th August – Trinity 13

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

A service of Holy Communion from 1662 BCP

 

Sunday 6th September – Trinity 14

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

A service of Holy Communion

No service at Tosside

 

Sunday 13th September – Trinity 15

Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am

A service of the Eucharist

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 2.00 pm

“Hymns and Pimms” – a Songs of Praise service

 

Sunday 20th September – Trinity 16

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

A service of Holy Communion

 

Sunday 27th September – Trinity 17 and Saint Michael

Saint Andrew’s Church, Slaidburn – 9.45 am

The first School/All Age Service with Baptism

Saint Michael’s Church, Whitewell – 11.15 am

A Patronal service of the Eucharist

 

Some Dates For Your Diaries!

​

Sunday 16th August – the second Ribble Valley Music Festival concert at Slaidburn Village Hall, when the singing group “Trovatori” will provide entertainment. Tickets at £10.00 each, including light refreshments, can be obtained by ringing 01254 384893. Profits from the afternoon’s concert will go the Hodder Valley Parish.  

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The Harvest Season Is Nearly Here!

 

Our series of Harvest Thanksgiving Services in the parish will commence at the end of September and run on into October.

Saint Michael’s Church at Whitewell begins the celebrations on Sunday 27th September with a service at 11.15 am, coinciding with their Patronal Festival.

Saint Andrew’s Church at Slaidburn has a service on Sunday 4th October at 9.45 am, followed by a parish lunch in Slaidburn Village Hall.

On Sunday 11th October Saint James’ Church at Dalehead will hold their service at 2.00 pm, followed by a “Jacob’s Join” at Tosside Community Hall.

The final harvest service takes place at Saint Bartholomew’s Church at Tosside on Sunday 18th October at 7.00 pm.

Would you like to become the Parish’s “Eco Champion?” As part of our ongoing development we would like to ask if anyone would be willing to oversee the Ecochurch project on our four buildings. The Blackburn Diocese has a designated officer who would assist in setting up the scheme and helping us to gain accreditation. If you would like more information then please have a word with John Cowking.

 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

​

You may have seen the legal notices announcing that we are carrying out safety work on headstones and monuments in our four graveyards.

We are required by law to carry out a type of “tilt test” to check that gravestones are secure. Please don’t be alarmed if you see red and white tape on some of the monuments – these will be checked over the coming months for security. If any are found to be in a dangerous condition they will be laid flat on the ground.

 

X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X + X

 

A New Monthly Service in our Parish!

 

Following discussions between Saint Andrew’s Church and Slaidburn Brennands Endowed School it has been decided that we will collaborate on a service at Saint Andrew’s Church on the fourth Sunday of the month. We are inviting parishioners, parents and children to join us for a more relaxed and informal style of worship with input and involvement from the young people, and the more senior too!

 

We are still working on the project (including trying to think of an all-purpose title for the service) and we hope that everyone will be encouraged to come along, take part in the worship, and experience the presence of God with us.

 

The first service will take place on Sunday 27th September at Saint Andrew’s Church, commencing at 9.45 am. Keep a lookout for more information via the School and Church, and do come along to join us! 

 

 

The Diocese of Blackburn’s

Centenary Mission weekend

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As part of the Diocese of Blackburn’s Centenary Celebrations every parish is being asked to be involved in the Centenary Mission Weekend taking place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September and organise events to mark the occasion.

 

As part of our contribution, we are delighted that Bishop Philip will be calling in at the Hodder Valley Show on Saturday 12th as he carries out a “whistle-stop” tour of the Diocese. The Bishop’s itinerary has not been finalised, but we look forward to welcoming him to this great community event in the Hodder Valley.

 

On Sunday 13th we are presenting a “HYMNS AND PIMMS” afternoon at Saint Andrew’s Church. This is in the style of a Songs of Praise service and we are asking anyone who would like to choose a favourite hymn, Sunday School chorus or worship song to fill in a request form which can be found in our four churches. We will then compile the most popular requests for us all to sing that afternoon and then enjoy hospitality over a glass of Pimms after the service. 

 

We hope you will come and join us for a “good sing.”

 

 

 

The Parish of Hodder Valley

presents

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

“AN AUCTION OF PROMISES”

 

On the evening of Saturday 10th October

at Newton in Bowland Village Hall

the Parish is holding a fund-raising

“Auction of Promises.”

​

We are hoping that parishioners and friends might contribute gifts of time, talent, products or anything that will help us to raise funds for our parish and create a fun-filled evening of enlivening entertainment!

It might be offers of gardening, cleaning, meals, car valeting, holidays, washing, ironing, new car, decorating, baby-sitting, tickets for a show,

walking the dog, boxes of chocolates, tins of biscuits, photography, in fact anything you can think of that folk could bid for that evening.

 

William Leeming is co-ordinating the event and if anyone wishes to contribute something towards the auction then please get in touch with William, or one of the other churchwardens, who will gratefully accept your contribution. Thank you in advance!

​

​

Letter from St James the Least of All –  

 

Happily, the Church of England still retains some singular parish clergy.  Take the parish of St James-the-Least.   Here the elderly vicar Eustace, continues his correspondence to John, his nephew, a curate recently ordained… 

 

On war between parishes

 

The Rectory

St James the Least of All

 

My dear Nephew John

 

So, now you have enjoyed your first Summer Fete. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It may be small consolation but remember that they only happen once a year - although in your case, you still have another 30 to endure before retirement.

 

I negotiated our own last week. As usual, the band from our neighbouring parish of St Eusebius played. There has been much bad blood in the past between our two villages. The trouble started on the day that St James the Least of All never told St Eusebius that the Vikings were coming up the river. We may have long since buried the hatchet, but both sides remember where they put it.

 

Tension between the two communities down the centuries has moved on from occasional slaughter to something a little more refined. Just as I began my opening speech to crown the Rose Queen, the band struck up with the National Anthem. When the hog roast started, they played “smoke gets in your eyes” and when it came to the necessary music for the maypole dancing, they all disappeared into the beer tent.

 

With great Christian charity, we shall bide our time. In September we have the annual football match between the two churches’ Servers. Last year, in addition to winning the match, the St James’ boys sent three of their side off with concussion. Naturally, I visited them in hospital.

 

Miss Prendergast, as always, played Gypsy Rose Lee. If the tall, dark, dear lady tells me one more time that I am about to find romance with a tall dark lady, while she flutters her eyelashes at me, I swear I shall throttle her with a bell rope. Besides, I already have a beautiful dark lady in my life - and my Labrador is devoted to me.

 

The only real hiccough came when I bought 12 packets of fudge from Mrs Masheder to present to our choirboys. Yet again, she had misread salt for sugar in the recipe. After I presented the packets at Mattins the following day, a formal complaint was rapidly made by a parent to the police that the Rector was attempting to poison their son. But as I explained to the officer, if I had intended to poison anyone, I would have done it far more discreetly - and infinitely more efficiently.

 

Your loving uncle,

Eustace

​

Some Quotes:

 

All that Jesus was and taught and did is but a revealing of the eternal God. - E F Hallock

 

Prayer is the pulse of life. - Anon

 

Eternal life does not begin with death, it begins with faith. - Sam Shoemaker

 

Music: the speech of angels. - Thomas Carlyle

 

Joy is the serious business of heaven. - C S Lewis

 

The only thing worse than an alarm clock that goes off is one that doesn’t. - Anon

 

​