Page 10 - Moravian Messenger August 2019

Bishop Hopeton Clennon and wife Sheila
Cliftonville
Br Jared Stephens held a further series of Bible studies on Genesis entitled 'In the beginning' at 10am on Wednesdays in May. While he was on holiday in June, we appreciated Rev. Ken Doherty, a hospital chaplain and retired Presbyterian minister, and Sr Eunice Hoey taking the services.
It was a great pleasure to welcome a group
of 30 Moravians from Zeist in the Netherlands,
and Bishop and Mrs Hopeton Clennon from Bethlehem Pa. on Thursday 20th June. They were given a brief outline of the history of the Moravian Church in north Belfast, first in Perth Street and then the present building at Cliftonville, and a copy of the short history prepared for the centenary in 2009. A time of fellowship followed over a cup of tea and an opportunity to chat. We hope they enjoyed their visit to the Irish District congregations.
Royton
It was a nice start to the year,
(especially for me) in January my
family invited the congregation to
come, after the morning service, to
what they called a 'Get Together
Lunch' in the church hall, to celebrate
my 90th birthday. It was a lovely day
full of love and warm fellowship. In
February the church was saddened by
the death of Sr Miriam Osborne and
in March with the death of Sr Sally
Ashworth. Miriam and Sally were loved
by so many people which was evident
from the funerals which were so well attended.
Every year at Sisters Breakfast a speaker is invited, this year the speaker told us about the 'Oldham Street Angels' a scheme set up by the Oldham Town Chaplaincy, Oldham Council and Oldham Police. The aim is to watch over partygoers over the weekend, to keep people safe and to demonstrate pastoral care: all faiths are involved, and the work is voluntary and unaided. With a collection and sponsorship, we were able to donate £237 to this very worthwhile cause.
The MWA meet regularly, and some of our members were able to travel to Birmingham to the Rally which they enjoyed very much. We held in aid of the MWA projects, a talk 'Remarkable Lancs. Women' and an Afternoon Tea, which went down very well and we learned of some very remarkable women who achieved amazing things in their lifetime. We also held a joint meeting with our other Sisters at Dukinfield, it is always good to meet, to share and discuss the MWA topic papers, to have a good old natter not to mention the lovely scones and cakes.
We were saddened by the death of Br Bob Maginnes, a member of the Church Committee, on 11th May. The respect in which he was held in the several organisations to which he belonged was shown by the large attendance in church at his funeral on the 16th. Our oldest member, Sr Rosemary
Hall, passed away peacefully in Larne Care Centre on 21st June and her funeral took place on 26th in Roselawn Crematorium. Br Jared Stephens led the service and Br Len Broadbent gave the address. Our love and sympathy are with the Maginnes and Hall families.
Sr Edna Cooper
After the Walk of Witness
© Trinity Methodist Church
The sun didn't shine as brightly this year as it did last year, when we joined with local churches for the annual Walk of Witness on Whit Sunday, though fewer in number it was good to take part, especially when we walked in the middle of the procession and were able to enjoy two Brass Bands.
The Moravian Gathering which was held for the third year at Fairfield, is an event enjoyed by Royton, we appreciate these Gatherings when we all meet. This year Sr Lorraine Parsons, the Church Archivist, told us about 'The Tibet Typewriter' and Br Norman Driver's involvement with it.
Br Martin leads a Bible Study group on the first Wednesday of the month. Two of our church members represent us on 'The Royton Churches Together'. A Band rehearse on our premises each Sunday evening in the summer. Social Events are held - Beetle and Bingo go down very well. In June a Mini Fair was held and at this event the Band played. A coffee morning is held each Wednesday. We recycle milk bottle tops, batteries and collect for the Food Bank, which in Oldham is very much needed.
Sr Annie Geary
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CONGREGATION NEWS