April 2017 THE MAGAZINE OF THE HORWICH & RIVINGTON TEAM CHURCHES Price 50p

May 2017 Deadline: April 16th

Publication date: April 30th

IN THIS ISSUE Page 2: Directory Page 3: Monthly Musings; Horwich Music Festival; YOUR Magazine; Page 4 : A Trip to The Big Apple; April Sayings; St Elizabeth’s 50th Anniversary; Have you a couple of hours spare? Page 5: Line Dancing; Wonderful Love; World Day of Prayer. Page 6: Easter Nest Cake; Ding,Dong; What Have You Got in your Attic? Church AGMs; Wise Words

Page 7 : From the Registers; Horwich Community Centre Events; Dates & Reminders for April; Page 8: Fair Trade—Past, Present & What of the Future?; Confirmation photo; Brainteaser and facts; Messy Church

HOLY WEEK 2017: Archdeacon

David Bailey will be giving a short

series of Holy Week Bible

Expositions in our Deanery at

7.30pm in St. Thomas & St. John’s

Church, Lostock (BL6 4EL) on Tues

11th April & Weds 12th April.

There is also a Maundy Thursday

service which coincides with

Maundy Thursday Holy

Communion at St Catherine’s

Church.

HOMELESS JESUS SCULPTURE A sculpture of a homeless Jesus sleeping on a bench has been erected outside a city centre church. St Ann’s Church has installed the artwork outside the Grade I listed building to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people in the city. ‘Jesus the Homeless’ is a near life size bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz (see photograph left). It depicts a figure lying on a bench, with its pierced feet indicating it is Jesus. There is room for one person to sit on the bench next to the figure. Bishop David said “Jesus is very explicit in the Bible; when we offer or refuse care to those in need, we will be judged as though he himself were the needy person before us. This sculpture casts Christ’s words into metal. It links them directly to one of the most visible expressions of human need. Its identical twins can be found in other great cities around the world; a reminder that Manchester today is a truly global city.”

HORWICH AND RIVINGTON TEAM CHURCHES

EASTER SERVICES 2017

PASSION SUNDAY 2ND APRIL - HOLY TRINITY PASSIONTIDE CHORAL

SERVICE ‘THE CROSS OF CHRIST’ 6.30pm

PALM SUNDAY 9TH APRIL—SERVICES AS USUAL

MAUNDY THURSDAY -13TH APRIL

ST ELIZABETH’S PASSOVER MEAL 7pm

ST CATHERINE’S HOLY COMMUNION 7.30pm

GOOD FRIDAY - 14TH APRIL

HOLY TRINITY—10am ALL AGE WORSHIP; 2pm REFLECTION

ST ELIZABETH’S—1Oam

ST CATHERINE’S 10am

RIVINGTON—10 am REFLECTION

EASTER SUNDAY—16TH APRIL

HOLY TRINITY—10.45am FAMILY COMMUNION; 6.30pm REFLECTIVE

COMMUNION

ST ELIZABETH’S—1Oam COMMUNION4ALL

ST CATHERINE’S 10.30am ALL AGE COMMUNION

RIVINGTON—10.45am BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER HOLY COMMUNION

Holy Trinity Church Playcare: Weekdays Lisa Entwistle 667606 Parents & Toddlers Mon. 09-11 am. Jaffa Tots (3-6) Sunday 09.15 Andy Ruaux 460776 Jaffa Juniors (7-10) Sunday 09.15 Anne Fletcher 468263 Jaffas (11-13) Sunday 09.15 Andrew Ruaux 460776 Tuesday Beavers Nigel Anderson Nigel.Anderson@brooks.com Thursday Cubs Brian Boyne kathboyne@hotmail.co.uk Beavers, Cubs & Scouts (overall) Christine Bradley 410811 Rainbows & Monday Brownies Angela Alcroft angela_alcroft@tiscali.co.uk Wednesday Brownies Katie Webster katie164@btinternet.com Friday Guides Kathryn Tomkinson kath.tomkinson@btinternet.com

St. Catherine’s Children’s Club Sunday 10.30 Michael Behrend 697162 Tiny Tots Wed 09.15-11.15 Michael Behrend 697162 St. Elizabeth’s Church Energize (4-11) Sunday 10.00 Jane Halstead 468273 Pathfinders (11-14) Sunday 10.00 CYFA (14+) Thursday 20.00 Gill Smart 468271 Beavers, Cubs & Scouts Derek English 469972 Brownies Monday : Beverley Gowen 468581 Rainbows Tuesday : Meriel Gregson 697255 Rivington J.A.M. (1-14) 3rd Sunday 10.30 Susan Firth 01257 480084 (Jesus & Me) Church Hall

YOUTH ORGANISATIONS ACROSS THE TEAM

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CHURCH SERVICES SUNDAYS Holy Trinity Church: Every Week 08.00 Holy Communion 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays 09.15 Informal Worship (with K4C) 10.45 Choral Service (Communion) 3rd Sunday 10.45 Parade services termly for information on other services check newsletter and monthly notices Evening Services 18.30 Holy Communion (1st Sunday) 18.30 Evening Praise (2nd Sunday) 18.30 Celtic Communion (3rd Sunday) 18.30 Enigma (4th Sunday)

Rivington Parish Church: 10.45 Holy Communion 1662 10.45 Family Communion (2nd Sunday) St. Catherine’s Church: 08.45 Holy Communion 1662 10.30 Holy Communion (1st, 3rd & 4th Sundays) 10.30 Church Family Worship (2nd Sunday) 10.30 Morning Worship (5th Sunday)

St. Elizabeth’s Church:

08.45 Holy Communion 1662 (1st Sunday)10.00 Home4All (1st Sunday) 10.00 Communion4All (2nd Sunday) includes our children 10.00 Word4You (3rd Sunday) 10.00 Communion4You (4th Sunday)

WEEKDAYS 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month 09.30 Holy Communion—St. Elizabeth’s 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month 09.30 Holy Communion—Holy Trinity 4th Thursday of each month 10.30 Holy Communion St Catherine’s Every Wednesday 6.30p.m Evening Service with Holy Communion—St Elizabeth’s 1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesday each month 09.30 Midweek prayers for all church members at the Independent Methodist Church, Lee Lane Last Saturday of month—Mattins at Rivington Church

PEOPLE & PLACES

THE MINISTERIAL TEAM Rector: Stephen Fletcher Vicar: Michael Behrend Curates: Jo Smith Associates Peter Harley Caroline Tracey Gill Smart Honorary: Glenda Bush Colin Craston Brenda Craston Anthony Greenhill David Griffiths Readers: Irvine Delamore David Hawes THE TEAM CHURCHES: Holy Trinity Church Warden: Susan Preston Treasurer: Lesley Greenhalgh Secretary: Susan Kerr Rivington Church Wardens: Peter Holden Warren Wells Treasurer: David Hawkins Secretary: Barbara Shaw St. Catherine’s Church Wardens: Ian Winnard Kath Jackson Treasurer: Andrea Shore Secretary: Pam Smith (c/oTeam Office) St. Elizabeth’s Church Wardens: Sandra Almond Jane Halstead Treasurer: Richard Skidmore Secretary: vacant post

468263 697162

240508 694611 692303 468271 691539 699972 699972 696509 469621 696437 693727

693722 693973 692760

01257 482451 307949

077105667 01257 480759

694005 770598 694613

692252

692749 468273 693415

BELOW THE PIKE BELOW THE PIKE is published by the Team Council of the Anglican Churches of Horwich and Rivington. Its aim is to link the Team Churches with each other and the wider community of Horwich. The contents are not exclusively religious, but encompass any matters of Christian or local concern. Anyone who would like to make such a contribution, through the Editorial Committee, is most welcome (details below). Please be aware that the articles printed do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Editor or Editorial team Editorial Team

Editor: Margaret Broadfoot 690283 email: mbroadfoot283@btinternet.com Stephen Fletcher (Rector) 468263 Pam Knowles 667363 Gloria Long (Holy Trinity) 692035 David Griffiths (Rivington) 469621 Judith Whalley (St. Catherine’s) 691968 St Elizabeth’s (vacancy) THE TEAM OFFICE is situated in the crypt below St. Catherine’s Church. Open Mon to Fri: 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon Telephone: (01204) 692252 Email: churchteamoffice@gmail.com Holy Trinity Parish Hall Booking enquiries to:- Susan Preston T: 693722 E: colin.preston8@btinternet.com St. Elizabeth’s Church Hall Booking enquiries to:- Jill Harley T: 694611 E: jill.harley@talktalk.net Web Site: (all churches) www.bhrmp.co.uk/ BAPTISMS Initial enquiries for baptisms Team Office or Emma Shawcross WEDDINGS Initial enquiries for weddings

Revd Caroline Tracey

692252 469355

692303

Monthly Musings for April

3

As a child, I used to really look forward to Easter egg hunts in the garden (or in the house on those wet days!). As we got older the hiding places got more and more obscure – one year we found eggs from the previous year (because no one remembered how many they had hidden). It was an exciting time of discovering and exploring those hidden corners of the house and garden. This spring, I am also discovering and exploring my garden, to see what grows there! Having moved in during the summer last year I am still seeing what appears in my garden, and there is something new most weeks – which is mostly a lovely surprise (well apart from the weeds!). The discovery often leads to surprise.

Looking back to the first Easter we see that discovery also led to surprise. Jesus had been crucified 3 days before, he was dead, and his body was placed in a tomb (like a cave). On that first Easter morning, the two Mary’s (Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of James) went to the tomb to anoint the body with spices, as was the custom. However, when they got there they discovered, that Jesus’ body was not there – what a surprise! They were told by the angel (now there’s another surprise – you don’t normally see an angel hanging out by a tomb!) that Jesus was not there because he had risen! What an incredible surprise. One I am sure that they were not expecting.

Have you ever explored and discovered the Easter story for yourself? Are you willing to discover, and maybe be surprised by what it means for you? You would be most welcome to join us in any of our churches this Easter to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection (his rising from the dead). You might just be surprised at what you find. Whoever you are, whatever you are feeling or going through, God is interested in you and loves you, in fact it was for you that he died, so that you might be able to have a relationship with Him if you choose. I have a quote on my wall which says this “I asked Jesus ‘How much do you love me?’ ‘This much’, he answered, and he stretched out his arms and died.”

I encourage you to discover this Easter, what Easter means for you, maybe for the first time, maybe in a fresh way. Keep your eyes open, you may be surprised – that the God who created the universe, is interested in you, and loves you that much that he sent his Son to die so that you might have a relationship with Him.

Rev. Jo Smith writes about …

DISCOVERY AND SURPRISE!

HORWICH MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Tickets on sale now at the venue, Horwich Community Centre, tel 01204 668157 or 01204 691090. Book early to avoid disappointment. For further information visit www.horwichmusicfestival.com or

www.facebook.com/HorwichMusicFestival

DATE TIME EVENT PRICE GENRE

Friday 5th May 2pm – 3pm HANKY PARK FREE Folk/comedy duo

Friday 5th May 6pm – 8.30pm MARK RADCLIFFE £6.00 Bolton born Radio 2 DJ and musician

Saturday 6th May 2pm – 3.30pm HORWICH RMI BRASS BAND

£6.00 Our very own Brass Band!

Saturday 6th May 6pm – 8.30pm PETE KING / NICOLA FARNON TRIO

£7.50 Jazz

Sunday 7th May

1pm – 3.30pm ALICE KIRWAN / NORTHERN STRING QUARTET

£7.50 Classical

THIS IS YOUR MAGAZINE! WE WELCOME YOUR ARTICLES & STORIES, PREFERABLY WITH CLEAR PHOTOS,

AND ALSO YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONTRIBUTIONS. Please contact your church rep or the Editor (see Page 2).

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SOME APRIL & EASTER SAYINGS -

April showers bring forth May flowers

We live and die; Christ died and lived! John Stott

April come she will When streams are ripe and swelled with rain . Paul Simon

A TRIP TO THE BIG APPLE

Last month, I had the extraordinary opportunity to visit the city that everybody has heard of- New York. It

lived up to all expectations. Arriving in JFK after an 8-hour flight from Amsterdam, the first glimpse of the city I

received was from the plane as it taxied to the terminal. The skyscrapers of Manhattan could be seen

glistening far away in the midday sun. My first impression of the city was simply “Big”. From the cars, roads

and buildings to the food, noise and people: it was huge.

I was in a constant state of awe as we walked through the checkerboard of buildings every day; occasionally

seeing something from a movie or TV programme. Even after a few hours, you can’t scratch the surface of

what this place has to offer. The people of New York make up half of the experience. More specifically, the

different nationalities are what makes New York so diverse and yet so united. For example, I was abroad for 4

days, and in that time spoke to Americans, Bangladeshis, Italians, West-Africans and Germans. Each had a

different story and all were captured in the spell of this great city. As for the Americans, I saw one prominent

demographic: The nice. Smiles greeted you all around, and people were willing to talk and have their

photograph taken. One of my friends even took a picture with a police-officer, who was more than happy to

oblige. The energy of these people was incredible, but there were areas of the city where there was a clear dip

in tone.

On the third day of the visit, which was Sunday, our group took the subway to Wall Street. The Stock

Exchange closes on a Sunday, and the streets were certainly “quiet”. After

wandering around this historic location, we discovered a church. Nestled between

the tall structures, it lay hidden in the centre of the most well-known city on Earth. We

went inside. Surrounding a wide open space were artefacts from the 9/11 attack. This

church was the closest to the twin towers, and ground-zero could be seen from the

graveyard at the rear. It was revealed that on that fateful day in 2001, this Church

had suffered only a broken window from the destruction around it. Immediately after

the attacks, when firefighters battled the flames, and bravely tried to help the

victims of Wall Street, they turned to the Church. This little Church became a place

of rest for the exhausted firemen, and a site where they could help the injured. Upon

learning this information, I felt the hand of fate on this location. That there should

be such a place just a few hundred metres from disaster, ready to help and left unscathed by the chaos around

it makes it clear that somebody was looking down on the souls of that day.

New York is a magical, historic and at times deeply moving place, which is well worth the visit.

Zac Knowles (RBHS student )

St Elizabeth’s 50th Anniversary Service on Sunday 30th April at 10 am with the Rt. Rev. Mark Ashcroft,

Bishop of Bolton, followed by Celebratory Prosecco & Cake and then Family Fun Day, open to all, on Monday

1st May in St Elizabeth’s Church grounds.

DO YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO SPARE? Our Team office

which is open from 10am –12pm Monday to Friday is looking for

more people to come on the rota—the more people the fewer

sessions you need to do! It is not hard work: answering the

phone, collating information, photocopying etc but it all helps to

keep our churches running smoothly. And don’t worry—you

won’t be dropped in the deep end, help and support is available.

If you can help please contact Susan Preston on 01024 693744.

FROM THE WILD WEST TO NAMIBIA!

The recent Line Dancing evening to raise funds for Holy

Trinity’s Namibia Link was very successful and a good time was

had by all, as you can see from the photo below! Ably led by

Ron Knott there were dancers from age 11 years to over 90!

Thank you to everyone who supported us including the Mayor

and Mayoress of Horwich, Cllr and Mrs Bullock, and hopefully

we can repeat this event soon.

WONDERFUL LOVE

Wonderful Love, Forgiving Grace – All I want is to see Your face.

You died for me, so that I may live What greater Love could anyone give.

No words can express my love for You, And the amazing thing is, that You love me too!

You see me as special in Your sight, You moved me from darkness into light.

You give me strength to do what’s right By Your Spirit and by Your might. I need you constantly by my side.

So thankful You heard me when I cried.

Show me the things Lord You want me to do, For my desire is to serve only You. Trusting in You to make me bold, To bring the lost into Your fold.

Jesus, please help me on my way – Teach me the words Lord, that I might say.

Let me love as You doth love, Reaching down from Heaven above.

Lord, use me in Your perfect plan, To seize opportunities and give all that I can, For our time is important in these last days.

Lord, I give You ALL HONOUR, ALL GLORY, ALL PRAISE! Dorothy Shaw

WDP 2017 It was with great pleasure that I was asked to take part in a small way in the World Day of Prayer (formerly known as Women’s World Day of Prayer) at New Chapel Lane church. The theme this year is “Am I being fair to you?” and has been written by Christian women of The Philippines. With special guests, the Mayor and Mayoress of Horwich, Cllr Jim and Mrs Dorothy Bullock, we were asked to look at the artwork the women had produced. On it we see fairness, balance and justice reflected in a very busy, colourful way ...but the more you look the more you see the two contrasting sides. On the right, bright colourful images, on the left predominantly dark and dull colours showing the imbalance of life in the Philippines. Throughout the service we reflect upon both sides of the picture whilst holding to the truth that God is a fair and just God. Having been to a read through of the service, some of the suggestions were that we could enter the eventual circle dressed in traditional dress and perform a liturgical dance!! A what, you ask, or maybe the less educated of us like me. So when I got home I googled it and lost 2 hours watching fantastic UTube clips of wonderful uplifting interpretive dance. Anyone fancy getting a troupe of Christian women in a Churches Together venture count me in! Trouble is with my various health problems I may only be able to take a not much moving, part. As for the traditional dress many different styles of various tribes came up. So we just went for colourful. The service contained prayers, readings, colour and music. We sang the final hymn joining hands to symbolise the song ‘Come and Join the Circle’ which we had sung several times during the service. Of course no gathering would be complete without tea and cake, much enjoyed by all who attended. Also as it was Fair Trade Fortnight, Eileen Jepson kindly ran her Fair Trade stall which tied in with the service. Jane Boyce

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SOME WISE WORDS TO HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY—IF YOU HAVE ANY TO SHARE PLEASE SEND THEM IN:

>We know not what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future >Collect moments, not things.

EASTER NEST CAKE

This cake looks really impressive but is actually quite easy to make!

Ingredients 1 tblsp Cocoa powder 3 ½oz (100g) S.R. flour ¼tsp Salt 4 oz (114g) Dark soft brown sugar 2oz (56g) Soft margarine 1 Egg Finely grated rind and juice of ½ orange ½ tsp Vanilla essence Ring mould tin - well greased, 1 ¼ pint capacity, or 700ml. Or you can substitute with a cake tin with a clean empty tin (greased on outside) with some rice or baking beans in the bottom (to weigh it down) in the centre.

Method: Sift the cocoa, flour and salt together in a bowl. Add the sugar, then rub in the margarine. Beat in the egg, finely grated orange rind, strained juice and essence. Pour this soft batter-type mixture into the prepared tin and bake in a moderate oven (180C, 350F, or gas 4) for 35 - 40 minutes until well risen and cooked through. Gently turn out to cool on a wire tray. Decoration: Melt the chocolate and butter together in a good sized saucepan. Crumble in the breakfast cereal and stir until it is completely coated in chocolate. Warm the chocolate spread separately, then quickly spread it over the cake and press on the ‘Shredded wheat’ mixture. Leave the centre clear but if some mixture remains, put it into the hole once the cake is on a board or plate. Cut the Flake into thin pieces and sprinkle over the top. Leave the chocolate to cool and set before filling the centre with mini-eggs, and decorate with Easter chicks.

DING DONG, DING DONG! Are you looking for a new hobby? Do

you like being part of a group and

enjoying other’s company? Want to

play an instrument and a variety of

music? Then why not try Hand Bell

Ringing?

Holy Trinity Church Horwich are

holding a Hand Bells open

evening on Tuesday 25th April at

7.30 pm. Come along and have a go!

Just turn up or for more information

ring 01204 697637

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT HIDING IN YOUR ATTIC?

Or garage, or tucked away in a drawer? We are hoping to have an

archive area in Holy Trinity and are looking for anything connected

with the Church - from the distant past to now. We appreciate you

might not want to part with the item/s you have so we will happily

take photos and details for display. Maybe you have an interesting

story to tell? So far we have an interesting mix—photos; a Mother’s

Union scarf; church bell information from 1913; hand typed history of

Holy Trinity; a Sunday School Bible from 1918 and a photo of a doll

made of hessian and raffia that we are not sure of the history of!

If you think you can help or just want to find out more please contact :

Pam or Chris Knowles on 667363 or Margaret Broadfoot on 690283

Decoration 3 ½oz (100g) Dark plain chocolate 2oz (56g) Butter 3 Shredded wheat 4 tblsp Chocolate spread 1 large Cadbury’s flake 4oz (114g) Cadbury’s mini eggs

HORWICH AND RIVINGTON TEAM CHURCHES AGMs 2017

RIVINGTON—SUNDAY 2ND APRIL at 12.15pm; ST ELIZABETH’S—9TH APRIL at 10.00am ;

ST CATHERINE’S—23RD APRIL at 12pm; HOLY TRINITY—30TH APRIL at 10.15am

FROM THE REGISTERS

BAPTISMS & THANKSGIVINGS We welcome to the family of the Church: 26th February Riley Phillip Greenwood & Jaxson David Greenwood 5th March Lydia May Keeler

12th March Evelyn Rose Lowis

19th March Jensen Blake Townson

19th March Sophia Jayne Tobin FUNERALS We offer love and sympathy to the relatives and friends of: 17th February Lillian Tinsley

27th February Terry Turnbull

28th February Dorothy Whittaker

1st March Joan Thorpe 3rd March Elsie Hilton 3rd March Derek Hyde

15th March Arthur Jackson

27th March Olive Stafford

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DATES & REMINDERS FOR APRIL

2nd april— Rivington church agm 12.15

2nd april—passiontide choral service holy trinity 6.30pm

3rd april—Monday matinee at Horwich community centre (see

box on left)

7th APRIL - THE FINAL WEEKLY MID-WEEK LENT SERVICE IS 7.30pm at

Holy Trinity— “What we Master Brings Us Joy.” Speaker Fr Barry

O’Sullivan

EASTER SERVICES - PLEASE SEE FRONT PAGE

8th April - Manchester Passion—Cathedral Gardens 2.00 –3.45pm

8th April - messy church at st Elizabeth's 4pm (see page 8)

9th april—st Elizabeth’s church agm after morning service

23rd april—st Catherine’s church agm after morning service

25th april—Hand Bells Open Night at Holy Trinity 7.30p.m.

29th April—Mattins at Rivington Church 10.30am

30th April—St Elizabeth’s 50th anniversary service 10am with the

Bishop of Bolton

30th April— holy trinity church agm 10.15am

Advance notice for early may:

1st may - 50th anniversary family fun day st Elizabeth’s church

grounds. open to all

5th may—pensioners advice & information fair at rmi 10am—1pm

(more info will be in May edition of Below the Pike)

5th—7th may—Horwich music festival (see page 3) ANSWER TO JOKE ON P. 8—The price

of bacon would go up!!!!

HORWICH COMMUNITY CENTRE—

A GREAT LOCAL RESOURCE

A host of regular events take place at the Horwich Community Centre, Beaumont Road, Horwich BL6 7BG see their website at

http://www.horwich.gov.uk/resource_centre.php Coming up in April: Monday Matinee April 3rd is “Absolutely Fabulous” the hilarious film of the TV series. Free entrance, refreshments £3. 2p.m.—5p.m.

Also on at the Community Centre is the Citizens Advice Drop In every Friday at Horwich Community Centre, from 9.15am – 12.15pm. No appointment necessary, just turn up & you can speak to CAB specialist advisers on money advice including debt problems, welfare benefits and tax credits, plus community care, housing, immigration, consumer rights and employment advice is available. Alternatively you can get online support: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

With many thanks to Easiprint, Crown Lane, Horwich for their excellent service & the quality and printing of this magazine

MESSY CHURCH IS BACK!!!

8th April Session start at 4pm, and includes a light meal. Everybody is

welcome.

For more information contact Jane Thompson 468541

Q: What would happen if pigs

could fly?

Answer on Page 7.

FAIR TRADE—PAST, PRESENT AND WHAT OF THE FUTURE? I count myself very lucky to have grown up in the 1960s. There was such a spirit of optimism and hope in the

air. We had free education and health care, accommodation was reasonably easy and jobs plentiful. Yes, there was 3rd World poverty but we thought we could change that!

I was also privileged at university to develop close friendships with others who shared a vision not only to challenge unjust trading systems but to bring people out of poverty through trade, not aid. This vision became Traidcraft, a Christian organisation that continues to this day, selling Fair Trade goods whilst campaigning against unjust trading practices and encouraging development work among producers.

Today, Fair Trade involves more than 1 million farmers and workers in certified Fair Trade organisations. It puts the producers first and considers both the environment and sustainability. It ensures prices do not fall below the cost of production and has no child or enforced labour. Social premiums are given to Fair trade co-operatives and the workers themselves decide how to use those premiums. Fundamentally, it gives farmers and producers new freedom, dignity, and hope. Fair trade is not about charity but about ensuing fairness and justice in a world where the odds are stacked against the poorest and most disadvantaged.

I think we should all be very proud of the fact that the churches have been a huge factor in the success of the Fair-Trade movement. A few years ago, I met Juliet Arku Menshe, a Fair -Trade banana grower from Ghana, when she came to speak in Bolton on Fair Trade. As a Christian, she was delighted to learn that congregations have made the connection between their faith and their support of Fair Trade, understanding Fair Trade as an act of biblical justice and a demonstration of core Christian principles such as love of our neighbour and a right stewardship of Creation.

So, what can we do? Well, we can start by prioritising Fair Trade goods wherever possible. Brexit means we are living in uncertain times and the trade deals that we make will have an impact not only on ourselves but also the many producers in what has been called the 3rd World. Whatever we do must not be to the detriment of our brothers and sisters overseas who produce the goods that we have come to rely on. More information on Fairtrade, how to get involved, current campaigns and fun events can be found on their website, www.fairtrade.org.uk Miranda Williams

Happy, smiling confirmation candidates from across our

Team Churches and St Peter’s Belmont, pictured with

Bishop Mark of Bolton and the Bishop of Lahore who is

currently visiting Manchester Diocese, on the day of

their confirmation.

A BRAIN TEASER FOR YOU:

1. 15873 x 7 =

2. 31746 x 7 =

3. 47619 x 7 =

4. 63492 x 7 =

5. 79365 x 7 =

6. 95238 x 7 =

7. ?????? X 7 =

8. 126984 x 7 =

9. 142857 x 7 =

Do the sums and then work out the missing numbers at No. 7

THE DIOCESE OF

MANCHESTER

(including us!)

IS:

2.1 million people

415 square miles

328 churches

33,300 adults on our church electoral rolls

188 church schools

57,200 pupils