Since the last bulletin we have received a donation of £30 from Raymond Armstong. Thank you, Raymond. We are pleased to report that the total amount raised now stands at over £80 000 with more coming in from the Ladies After Eight Coast-to-Coast Walk.
The walk was a tremendous success on all levels. We were graced with excellent weather for the majority of the time. We made friends along the way and we all shared in a great deal of fun and fellowship and are all enriched by the experience. We could not have done it without our support team. We are indebted to Jacqueline and Derek Clarke who daily carted our luggage from place to place and did much of our food shopping. We were pleasded to have Jacqueline’s company from time to time on our walk. Our thanks go to Dave Ridout for his assistance with navigation over High Street. We enjoyed the company of Eric Waterhouse, Marjorie and Don Talbot, Jill and Roy Jolley, Stephen and Cynthia Grice along the way as well as Caroline and Keith from Penwortham, whom we met previously on the Cumbrian Way. Occasionally we required transport at the beginning and end of the days and there is a long list of folk who fulfilled this rôle. They include fellow Methodists from the Whitehaven Circuit; Joan’s husband, Bob; Martin Burt; Allan Clarke; Geoff Oldham; Joan and Arnold Barker; Stephen and Cynthia Grice; and Dorothy and Roy Smith. Chris Squire also cropped up from time to time with vital supplies. Each day we shared a time of prayer using Christine’s book and we were happy to know that folk were thinking about us and praying for us. The sponsorship moneys are coming in now.
Forthcoming events
Mike Atkinson: Alcoholism and recovery continued
Mike will continue his story on Thursday, 29th September at 7.30pm in the parlour. Tickets, costing £3 (under-18s free), are available in the Hall after the service, from the Fund-raising Group or on the door.
Winter pansy sale
This will take place on Saturday, 15th October. Advanced orders may be collected from 1pm. Phil from Ribblesdale Nursery will be with us, selling some plants and giving advice.
Avenham singers
The Avenham Singers will be performing in church on Saturday, 15th October at 7.30pm. Tickets, costing £7.50, which includes a light supper, will be on sale soon.
There will be a craft fair the following Saturday. In November you can look forward to the St. Leonard’s Choral Group Concert on Tuesday, 8th and the Jigsaw Puzzle sale on Saturday, 19th (one week later than previously stated).
The new coordinator of the Church Rambling Group, having now returned from her adventures walking across England, feels that it is now time to appeal to the walkers in our midst to once again (or even for the first time) offer their services as walk leaders. Dave Ridout has broken the Ribble Way down in to sections and we intend to set off on the second leg (Penwortham Bridge to Elston Lane) some time soon. As before, we are hoping to include day- and half-day-walks and, in the spring and summer, evening walks.
We had a very enjoyable and varied programme last year and hope to do the same this year. If you are willing to lead a walk please contact me on 716203.
Barbara Hothersall
A pedal cycle is needed by a young man from East Africa who is working and lodging temporarily in Ashton. If anyone has a cycle which is no longer needed, would they please contact Allan Clarke (718547).
We are pleased to have received another £50 from Evans Halshaw and over £160 from Brian Sumner which he had received from friends and family in lieu of birthday presents. Thank you very much to both Richard and Brian.
The Ladies After Eight’s sponsored Coast-to-Coast walk will be well under way when you read this! We ask for your prayers for our safe passage and success in this venture. If you have not sponsored us it is not too late! There are still sponsor forms on paper and on the church website, from where you can also download the walk’s prayer handbook.
Forthcoming events
Mike Atkinson: alcoholism and recovery— continued
Mike will continue his story on Thursday, 29th September at 7.30pm in the Parlour.
Tickets cost £3 (under eighteen year olds free) including tea or coffee and are available in the hall after the service or from the Fund-raising group.
An extra date for your diary is Tuesday, 8th November when the St. Leonards Choral Group will entertain us to an “Autumnal Extravaganza” in the church. On Saturday, 15th October we have the Autumn Plant Sale in the afternoon and welcome the Avenham Singers in the evening. On Saturday, 22nd October there is a craft sale and there will be a jigsaw puzzle sale on Saturday, 12th November. The Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, 26th November and we hope to arrange an informal carol singing evening in the Parlour on Wednesday, 14th December.
The 1st of September will see the launch of 
a website dedicated to the children of the Methodist Church, thought to be the first of its kind produced for 0-12 year-olds by a major British denomination. The site seeks to give children a chance to have their say about what is important to them, both in terms of church life and wider social issues. There will be regular polls, finding out their opinions about issues such as what the government could change in schools and message boards so that they can discuss their experiences and beliefs with one another. Children can send in their pictures for display in the gallery, read an animated storybook, or explore the Methodist Story online, but the website will also seek to address serious issues such as advice about staying safe on the Internet.
