Here is your start-of-the-week newsletter. It should have all you need to know about what’s happening amongst us. And a quick look should mean you are updated each week.
Coming Up
Our Sunday Gatherings
We want to invite you to pray together before the service. From 11am there will be chance to gather together in the small room at the front of the church. It would be great if you could be there.
If you can’t be with us onsite 11.30am at St James, you can also join us online at live.salfordelimchurch.org, including a live chat so that you can be part of our service and interact with us live.
After each service there will be chance to be prayed with personally in the side chapel. If you have been part of the prayer team, or would like to pray with people, let Neil know.
What will be happening on Sundays in July
Sunday 25 July: Prayer & Ministry – a chance for us to have more time to offer prayer to those needing God to act. Ian will be preaching
Sunday 1 August: Communion – while we are adjusting to the new Covid-situation, can we bring our own bread and wine to this service again. Thanks
Sunday 8 August: Chance to reflect on the sermon together
Sunday 15 August: Interview
Sunday 22 August: Prayer and Ministry time
Sunday 29 August: More time to worship together
From 19th July: Everything changes
As you all now from the 19th July, the laws around distancing and face covering will be dissolved. It’s all down to individual responsibility now.
So we need to think what we will do in church.
This is our plan from Sunday 25 July:
- We will no longer be taking your names and contact details as you arrive.
- Because we know that some people will still be very cautious, we ask that while moving around the church we all continue to wear masks.
- If you want to continue to wear masks during the service and be with people who sing with masks on that you sit on the left hand side of the church as you come in.
If you want to sit with people who take masks off, that you sit on the right hand side of the church. - That we all stay sensitive to giving people space and distance.
- We will continue with children’s and young people’s work
- We will review this at the end of August.
Car Parking
A quick reminder that there is a small car park onsite at St James, but if you find this is full you can also park on Lancaster Road (do check the signs, but the single yellow lines there aren’t in force on a Sunday). If you’d prefer to park in a car park than on a road, you can also pay to use the hospital one round the corner on Stott Lane if the church’s car park is full.
Getting Involved in the New Phase of Church
Now that we have moved back to onsite worship there are lots of opportunities to be involved in the ministry of the church.
You might be wondering where you fit into the church after all this time of scattered worship. You might wonder where your gifts and passions fit in. Or you might just want to know how you can serve generally.
Please talk to us – we want to help you feel confident in knowing how your gifts can be a blessing to us all.
We need particular help with these areas:
People who will learn how to stream the services online. This is an easy process, you will be taught, and it will mean that those who watch online can continue to be part of us. Talk to Ian.
We need someone who will lead a Cleaning Team. We have said that we would clean the church and hall once a month. We need someone who will be the leader of this team. Is that you? Talk to Neil.
People who will be involved with Kids Church. If this is you, please talk with Morag.
Everyone is new to church again! So don’t think that you have not been here long enough!
A New Phase of Life for The Vine
As we spoke about on Sunday, The Vine is going to have a new lease of life!
We are moving from Bolton Road to Cholmondley Road (the old SAYF building, or if you have been around longer the old ‘Blockbuster’ store).
It will give us:
- Three times more space than the present Vine has.
- A flexible space for midweek activities such as Stay and Play, prayer meetings in the day and evenings, counselling and listening services, messy church, social activities for church, youth work etc.
- A potential space for the children’s work on Sundays (with outside space)
- A shared space with Citywall (a local Christian organisation offering alternative educational provision) in a way that would meet their needs and allow us to do our work at the same time safely.
We are hoping that this will begin in September.
We are doing it because if we are going to develop all the plans we have to bless and minister to the area we need a bigger space. In the same way as we moved from Holy Angels because we need space to grow, so we are moving The Vine operations because we need space to grow. These are exciting days!
If you have questions or ideas, then please don’t hesitate to contact Ian.
An Offer of Counselling Support
One of the ministries we have as a church is the Community Counselling Service. During this Covid crisis we have continued to offer Counselling remotely via zoom or telephone. There are however, limitations with remote sessions.
We are now offering Walk And Talk Counselling to anyone from church who would benefit from counselling or those known to church members. We would agree a time to meet at the Tea Kiosk in Lightoaks Park and would walk at a slow pace for the 50 minute session.
If you feel you would benefit from this please don’t hesitate to contact Judith Thompson, Neil, or Ian or fill in the form on the church website.
Looking for Help
Yvonne and Martin run a food-poverty programme, Salford Food Parcels. They would be grateful if there are any of you available to deliver parcels to people who are unable to get to their offices on Langworthy Road. Please contact them if you are able to help.
Midweek Gatherings
1. This Thursday at 7:30pm: Church Prayer Together
This is our chance to come together to pray for one another and to seek God together.
It’s online and the link is: https://zoom.us/j/95385481887?pwd=UWxHSUIwdHBTdGRVWDlmUHRicllFUT09#success
Looking ahead there will be no Thursday night prayer meetings or housegroups during August. Things will start again by an In-person Praise and Prophecy evening on Thursday 2 September. More details to follow.
2. Prayer Meeting: Friday at 10.30-12.00 on Whats App
Contact Corinne Baines or Gill Oldham and they’ll make sure you are able to connect.
3. The LifeCentre
The LifeCentre, run by Langworthy Community Church, is overseeing the delivery of 15 centres offering holiday clubs Monday-Thursday 9.30-3.30, from 26 July for 4 weeks.
They have paid employees working on this project but are looking for 2 or 3 volunteers who would be willing to give some regular time (from one day a week upwards) to sit with quieter kids, do some 1-1 work, read with kids, or be involved in the sports and other activities. If you could give some time, could you contact Sam.lifecentreonline@gmail.com
Just to let you know:
Neil and Maggie will be away on holiday Saturday 24 July – Saturday 31 July. Pray for sunshine! Fast if necessary!
If in doubt
All the links to the meetings are in Church Suite and on the events calendar section of our church website.
You’re not alone
If you need help and don’t know where to turn, you are always welcome to contact Neil on 07771 558058.
