• Monday 29th June
  7.30pm: Bible Study at 61 Chaigley Road.
• Tuesday 14th July
  7.30pm: Christ Church Council Meeting. All welcome to attend.
  Also: Ladies Guild trip to Pendle Outlet Centre and Oswaldtwistle Mill, leaving the Townley Arms at 10am, returning 5.30pm. Cost £8.50. Ask your friends to join us – we need more names.
• MHA exists to improve the quality of life for older people inspired by Christian concern. Please consider supporting this work by your prayers and giving a donation using the envelopes provided on the chairs. Thank You.

“What can I write for my pastoral letter”, I asked my husband and daughter the other evening. “How about ‘Keeping your faith in the political and economical climate’”, came back the reply! (Serves me right for asking!)

I was about to dismiss it, when I thought actually this is something which is affecting us all at the moment, in one way or another. Our newspapers are full of the ‘Ministerial Expenses’ revelations; European Elections and the threat of the BNP loom on the horizon; and the credit crunch has ramifications in all walks of life.

I suppose, firstly, we are reminded that no-one is infallible. Political party representatives who claim that they have just been following (and perhaps bending) the rules, have now been ‘found out’ – and hopefully whatever sort of system emerges from all the mayhem will prevent this sort of thing happening again.

Of course there have now been calls for the general voting public not to ‘punish’ those standing for the main political parties in the European Parliament by not bothering to vote at all, because of what has happened in recent weeks. We all have a duty of care in the way we use our vote, but not using it may mean that the racist and questionable views of those running for the BNP come out on top by default.

The ‘credit crunch’, the recession, whatever we call the financial climate at the moment, has had far reaching consequences for people all over the world and may take us years to recover from, and it’s hard not to be affected by news of those who have lost money, homes or businesses.

So do we as Christians feel we have an advantage when it comes to getting through difficult times in our lives? How do we keep our faith strong and positive, when all around us may be losing theirs?

Someone once said, ‘Faith is not faith until it’s all you’re holding on to’ – so I suppose when all we have is faith in the God who said ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have…. I will never leave you or forsake you’ – we will truly be able to
reply with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’ (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. is quoted as saying, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase” – so although we may not see the bigger picture, or be able to prevent all the evil which invades our world, putting our faith and trust in God, who loves us
unconditionally, will enable us to ride the storms of life.

I leave you with this last thought from D Elton Trueblood (American Quaker author and theologian), who said,

“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.”

Yours in Christ, Helen <><

On behalf of everyone at Christ Church and especially those who have attended the meetings over the years, we want to say a really big THANK YOU. If any one would like to help run Tuesday at Two in the future, please see Helen Higgin-Botham, Carol Spencer or Margaret Mohyla.

We have also recently purchased a new book trolley so the hymn books are no longer under the chairs and have to be collected as you come in and returned to the foyer at the end of the service. Bibles are available under the end chairs of each row.

The library has been discontinued but the library cupboard is now being used to store fair trade products which can still be purchased from Carol Rose. The bookstall is available on a seasonal basis which means there are new books to be looked at the significant periods of the church’s year.

Starting from the car park in Garstang, six of us, two Spaniels plus three walkers from the Bolton section set off in pleasant conditions along the riverside path, over the Wyre footbridge onto a short stretch of quiet lanes then across fields, the motorway, railway and on to another lane. Shortly, we joined the beautiful track through Grizedale, climbing steadily up to the reservoir. From here, we took the steep ascent up to the summit of Nicky Nook and were met by a ferocious westerly gale that nearly had us off our feet. Here we found a convenient big hollow that provided a suitable, sheltered lunch stop.

On our way again, we first grabbed a passing lone hiker to take photographs and then started the steep decent down the fell. Then it was down Snowhill Lane towards Scorton, but instead of entering the village we took a path to the left that took us into a very pretty narrow steep sided valley with a brook at the bottom. Then it was back to familiar territory through fields and dense woodland, stopping to take photos of the group amidst a carpet of bluebells. From here, we recrossed the M6 and returned to Garstang just as the heavens opened.

Many thanks to Jim & Janet for a splendid local walk and for providing some new variations on an original theme.

Linda & Eddie Grange

Starting from the Plough Hotel at Wigglesworth. (The Plough IS Wigglesworth, the place is so small), our party of five plus two from the Bolton section started walking up-hill past the hotel along a short stretch of road before we entered the fields. The layout of this walk consisted of a steady climb up a south facing slope followed by a decent further to the west. Consequently, we were able to take advantage of the pleasant sunshine that lasted throughout the walk.

Climbing steadily, crossing field after field, we were able to admire the excellent views opening up ahead, including Whernside in the distance and noting that the Ribble Way passed closely to the east of us. Naturally, we crossed many stiles of every variety and it was sad to note that some of these had been obscured by thoughtless farmers placing barbed wire across them. Arriving at the top of the hill, we stopped for lunch, having discarded much of our winter clothing on the way up as it was now tee shirt weather.

The second part of the walk was now downhill, with views to the south. We started walking along a farm track leading down to Tod Holes Lane where we came across a vintage farmer driving an equally vintage tractor with considerable verve. Obviously, he was very proud of the old girl.

The final part of the walk was along lanes and tracks leading back to the Ribble Valley road and down to Wigglesworth.

Many thanks to John for organizing a very pleasant walk before leaving us to take up his other life of cricket for the summer.

Eddie Grange

• I would like to say a big thank you to the members of congregation who have so generously contributed to the Baptismal Font Fund. Guild members are also holding a Coffee Morning (two course hot lunch - £3.50) on Thursday April 2nd at the Civic Hall to add to this fund. Any help would be welcome - specially from guild members who have not contributed previously. Please look at the list in the foyer or see Pam or Olive at the end of the service – Olive.

Circuit News….

• Circuit Prayer time at Ingol is on April 4th at 9am.
• Circuit Quiet Day at the Rufford Centre is on 1st May from 10am-4pm.

• Readers In Worship Would vestry stewards please note that the list of readers on the noticeboard has been updated and copies for reference are available on the table. If anyone is interested in being a reader in worship, please add your name and contact details on the list or see me. Thank you - Henry.
• “Allo, Allo - ADA Calling” On Saturday 28th March at 7.30pm in Knowle Green Village Hall. Adult Disability Arts present a nostalgic ramble through the crazy world of Rene Artoir during the 2nd world war; starring Pauline Hall as Mimi the waitress. Tickets £3.50 from Hazel Scott or at the door.
• Lenten Lunch Any help would be welcome for the coming Friday’s Lent Lunch at Christ Church. Please see Pam Cliff if you are able to help.

• The Ladies Guild is donating a Baptismal Font to church. Delivery has been promised for early April. A photograph of the Font is on the notice board in the foyer. The congregation is invited to make donations toward the cost. These may be put in an envelope marked “Baptismal Font” and placed in the collection plate, or may be given to Mrs Betty Warren.
• Lent Lunch: Thank you to all who helped with the Lent Lunch at Christ Church. A sum of £272.50 was raised for CAFOD and Christian aid.

Circuit News….

• Circuit Meeting at Lea is on March 17th at 7.30pm.
• Fulwood Methodist Film Club “Leap of faith” is on March 19th at 7.30pm.
• Make Space for remembering mum: a special service at Central Methodist Church, King Street Great Harwood, Friday 20th March at 7.30pm.
• Circuit Quiet Day at the Rufford Centre is on 1st May from 10am-4pm.

Leaving the car park we crossed the main road and soon took a path that led us across a very muddy field and then down through a copse of Chestnut trees to a lane with a view point which overlooks the canal to the Lancashire Plain and a view of the large gasometer at Southport. A short way along the lane we turned down a track and joined the tow-path of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This was started in 1773 and completed with the final link in 1817. A distance of 127 miles.

This led us to the hamlet of Withnell Fold which lays claim to fame by being the home of a paper mill built by the Parkes Family in 1843 which in its latter years produced bank-note paper. It closed about 1970 and in recent years new housing has been added to the old core of the village. Our route now followed the cobbled road up to the main Chorley – Blackburn road and then across to Oakmere Avenue. This led to Snape’s Heights Farm and from where it was possible to see across Preston but it was not clear enough to pick out Blackpool Tower nor Heysham Power Station. From here we followed a track to Pike Low Farm and eventually entered a fairly new estate in Brinscall. A tarmac footpath cutting down between two estates led us down to the old part of Brinscall. At the bottom of the hill we came to the old mill lodge which has become a village pond with a wide selection of bird life. Here there were three conveniently seating benches sited and this was our lunch stop. There was a fairly strong wind blowing and as the writer got up to pack his rucksack, his seating mat took off. Fortunately the wind was blowing from the pond and Eddy valiantly chased the offending article with a creditable hop-scotch a good 50 yards before managing to pin it down.

After being fed and watered, we continued up Well Lane to cross a stile into Wheelton Plantation Woodland. It had been expected that we would see a wide selection of birds but none were around at the time of our passing. Following the path we eventually crossed over a fast flowing stream and down to the track bed of the disused Chorley – Blackburn railway line. Here we crossed over the railway bridge and turned left along the road then over a concrete bridge across a brook to reach a road. Following the track uphill and over numerous stiles we eventually came to a point with good views to the left of Chorley and the Lancashire Plain. From here our path was through the paddock and across three stiles in quick succession. At the farm drive we turned right to walk up to Briars Brow and turned left down the road to return to the Dressers Arms.

Distance 7 miles. Thanks to Eddy Grange for an enjoyable walk and arranging the good weather.

Derek Gunnell