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THE UNITED CHURCH of SOUTH INDIA
Tradition has it that Christianity was taken to the Indian sub-continent by St Thomas the Apostle – Anglican missionaries arrived with British colonial rule in the eighteenth century, and found a Christian church of ancient tradition already existing in parts of the sub-continent, known as the Mar Thoma Church. This church still exists today and has cordial relations with the Anglican Communion. By the time of Indian independence in 1947, there were twenty dioceses in the Church of India, Burma, Pakistan and Ceylon. Shortly after Independence, the four dioceses of Southern India decided to enter into a United Church with Methodist, Congregationalist and certain other Reformed churches. There are now twenty-one dioceses and some 2,000,000 members. The bishops elect a Moderator from their ranks, a post currently held by the Bishop in East Kerala, the Most Revd Kunnumpurathu Joseph Samuel.
GAD |
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Church Flowers
Many thanks to those people who have made donations towards the cost of flowers in Church during the last year. The list for 2008 is now available.
If you wish to celebrate a happy occasion or remember a loved one with flowers, please sign on the appropriate date or speak to me personally.
Joan Heys |
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Meditation Group
The Christian Meditation Group meets each week (except Bank Holidays) at the Friends’ Meeting House, Silverwell Street, Bolton on Monday evenings at 7.30 p.m. and Thursday afternoons at 2.00 p.m.
New members welcome - contact Sheila Wrigley 01204 409620 or by email she-bab@tiscali.co.uk
Sheila Wrigley
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“There, but for the grace of God…”
It was exciting to witness the arrival of the church’s new piano. Of course, I couldn’t help mentioning to the removal men the catastrophic dropping of a Bösendorfer Imperial grand piano (the largest and most expensive piano available) earlier last year. This event was embarrassingly captured on camera, and featured in all the national newspapers at the time.
But it was not until I saw the pictures again, in a satirical TV programme marking the end of 2007, that I realised our piano had been delivered by the very same specialist firm, G & R Removals. Perhaps it’s not too surprising that my comments were met by rather hollow laughter!
Stephen Carleston |
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Visiting Clergy
In February, we welcome:
Sunday February 3rd 8.00 Revd Robert Warner 10.30 Revd Eric Ruehorn 6.00 Silverwell
Ash Wednesday, February 6th 7. 30 Venerable Alan Wolstencroft
Sunday February 10th 8.00 Revd Phil Edwards 10.30 Revd Ralph Mallinson 6.30 Revd Paul Brody
Sunday February 17th 8.00 Revd Kenneth Newport 10.30 Revd Kenneth Newport 6.30 Barrie Gaskell
Sunday February 24th 8.00 Revd Paul Brody 10.30 Revd Ray Coward 3.30 Revd Roy Iddon |
