what's_on-churches


What's On
Churches Out-of-Town Churches

St Mary's Parish Church Church of England Nantwich Town Centre, CW5 5RG One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Sunday services 8am: Holy Communion (Common Worship, traditional form, except the first and third Sundays of the month when the Book of Common Prayer is used) 9.30am: Family Service (Holy Communion, first Sunday of the month) 10.45am: Parish Eucharist 6pm: A variety of services including Choral Evensong, Evening Prayer, Compline and Holy Communion using Common Worship in traditional language 7.15 pm in the Parish Hall: Encounter Cafe Church (on the first and third Sundays of the month). A café-style service with a themed programme. Coffee available from 6.45pm. Rector: The Rev Dr Mark Hart. He was previously Rector of Plemstall and Guilden Sutton churches, and a former Rural Dean of Chester. [The former Rector, the Rev Canon Dr Barry Wilson, became Vice Dean at Chester Cathedral and has since moved to St Asaph Cathedral in Denbighshire, to become the Archdeacon of Montgomery.] Associate Minister: The Rev Professor Bernard Moss. Curate: (Post vacant). The Curate, the Rev Kaushal David, moved to Bedfordshire to become Priest-in-charge of three parishes in the St Alban's diocese. The church is situated in the town centre and is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm. Stewards are on duty to welcome visitors and guided tours are available. Sundays, open during services only - 8am to 12.30pm and 5.30pm to 7pm. Parties can arrange a coach visit to the church. The Parish Office can be found in Church Walk which leads to St Mary's from The Square. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 2pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 9am to 1pm. Telephone: 01270 625268. E-mail: office@stmarysnantwich.org.uk. Rector's Surgery in the Parish Office on Saturdays at 9.30am or 10am, Book a time through the Parish Office (appointment only). This is a chance to talk to The Rector or another member of the parish staff or to book a date for a wedding, etc. The Visitors' Centre or Church Shop in the south porch is open from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday. The south porch is one of two main entrances to the church. The West door is the other. It is closed from just before Christmas to a date to be announced, in March. Further information appears in the "This Week" leaflet or "This Month", the church magazine. Re-ordering (changes in the church) The church "re-ordering" included new inner glass doors at the west end of the church, the removal of some of the pews to make more open spaces (including a place for a grand piano in the south aisle), a platform lift to replace the wheelchair lift, stone ramps for wheelchairs (replacing the temporary wooden ones), toilets and a new door for the choir vestry. The Jubilee Curtain, marking the 25th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, and the pew kneelers were removed during the re-ordering so that dust from the work wouldn't affect them. Pew seat cushions were added. Earlier work at St Mary's \| The Re-ordering over the weeks \| Website Seniors’ Lounge. Second Sunday of the month, 3pm to 4pm, in the Parish Hall. A chance to enjoy friendly company and a chat over a cup of tea or coffee and cake with a varied programme of activities and a short talk. Messy Church. 3.30pm to 5pm in the Parish Hall, Suitable for families with children aged 11 years and under. Games, craft, Bible stories, worship, messy play and refreshments. For more information, including dates of the events, contact the Parish Office. Who Let the Dads Out? Second Saturday of the month, 9.30am to 11am, in the Parish Hall. For dads, grandads and other male carers, with their pre-school children. £1.50 per family, which includes drink, biscuits and a bacon butty. Open House. Held in the Parish Hall (opposite the Church) on one Wednesday a month between 2pm and 4pm, with an invitation for people to drop in for tea and a chat. On this website: Listed in Places to See \| View of church restored \| £1m appeal A location on the Two Saints' Way (walking route)		Wednesday, December 12, 7.30pm in Church: Cheshire Age UK Carol Concert featuring entertainment from Brine Leas School choir, chamber choir, school band, chamber band and soloists. Tickets £9, concessions £7, including refreshments. Saturday, December 15, 6.30pm, a Family Carol Concert, featuring Nantwich Choral Society with Nantwich Young Voices (conductor Victoria Palethorpe). Simon Russell, organ and piano; John Naylor, conductor. Tickets £10, students £5. Accompanied children under 16, free. Tickets from the Civic Hall, Market Street, Nantwich; St Mary's Church Shop (south porch), all choir members, and at the door. www.nantwichchoral.org.uk Christmas at St Mary's Sunday, December 16, 9.30am: All Age Nativity; 6pm: Carol service. Christmas Eve, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm: Crib services; 11.30pm: Midnight Communion. Christmas Day, 8am: Holy Communion; 10am: Family Communion. The Tree of Light MEMBERS of the public gathered outside the Parish Hall where a Tree of Light (right) was illuminated during a short service of prayer, hymns and poetry. The Rector of Nantwich (the Rev Dr Mark Hart) led the service, and there was an address by The Mayor of Nantwich, Councillor David Marren; a poem read by the Deputy Mayor of Nantwich, Councillor Arthur Moran; and singing from the choir of St Mary’s. The tree offered a chance to remember the loss of loved ones and to think about those less fortunate than ourselves. People were invited to make a donation of £5 to dedicate a bauble to a loved one or a special cause (left). These will be on the Tree of Light until after the Twelfth Night of Christmas, when the lights will be turned off and baubles removed. Baubles can be collected from the Civic Hall after Monday, January 14. Text from a press release sent out by Nantwich Town Council. Pictures, A Dabber's Nantwich BELL ringing is an activity that can be learned and enjoyed by people of all ages from around 11 until well into their 80s. To find out more about the benefits of ringing, particularly for youngsters, get in touch with me at St. Mary’s. - Stefan Zientek, Tower Captain, St Mary's A kneeler in the North Transept marking the visit of the newly appointed Rt Rev Libby Lane, Bishop of Stockport, to conduct a Confirmation service in 2016. She was the first female bishop to be consecrated by the Church of England. Picture: Andrew Lamberton

Nantwich Methodist Church Centre Hospital Street, CW5 5RP The Church with the Train One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Services Sunday: 10.30am, Worship. 10.30am, Sunday Club for young people aged four to 13. Occasional Sundays: 6pm worship. Cafe Church - more relaxed worship in a café-style atmosphere. Refreshments. Communion (11.30am) and Lunch (12.15pm), on the fourth Sunday of the month. For other services and activities, see the website or call in to the Church Centre for various information leaflets. Also the quarterly magazine, "On Track". Minister The Rev Charlotte Lorimer (telephone: 01270 618872). E-mail: clorimer826@btinternet.com. The Rev Malcolm G. Lorimer has retired from active ministry after 40 years' service. Telephone: 01270 625278. E-mail: maxcricket@btinternet.com. The Church office is open most Thursdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12noon. Tel: 01270 626340. E-mail: nantwich.mc@btconnect.com. Website: www.nantwichmethodist.wix.com/nmcc Nantwich Mission Area: Nantwich, Barbridge, Broad Lane and Poole. Cheshire South Methodist Circuit, a grouping of 37 churches. www.cheshiresouth.org.uk On Track is the name of the quarterly magazine published by the Nantwich Methodist Mission Area. It is based on the Hospital Street church's slogan, "The Church with the Train." (See Poole Methodist Church entry for details of a community garden and labyrinth). Whistleblower Cutting Model steam train rides at the side of the church, every Saturday from 10am to 12 noon (52 Saturdays a year). The rides are free for all ages but a donation for four children's charities is welcome. Entertainment closes. Nantwich Family Films @ 4 was a community cinema project by Nantwich Methodist Church. Falling audience numbers caused it to close down in March 2018 Funded by Nantwich Town Council, Nantwich Rotary Club, The Rank Foundation, The Co-operative Community Fund, Chester and Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District Families Fund and Cheshire South Methodist Circuit. See https://www.facebook.com/nantwichfamilyfilmsat4.		Christmas at the Methodist Church Centre Thursday, December 20, 7pm: Folk Carols and Stories. Christmas Eve, 11.30pm: Communion Service. Christmas Day Service at 10.30am. Drop 'n' Shop, between 10 am and 12 noon on Saturday mornings. A club for children aged 4 to 11. For a maximum of one and a half hours parents can leave their children at the Methodist Schoolrooms to be entertained by church members while they shop. Climbing wall, Wii, air hockey, snooker, craft table and more. All volunteers are CRB checked. £1 per morning including light refreshments. Contact: Heather on 626168. Pizza Club, on the first and third Saturdays, 6pm to 8.30pm. DVD and games evenings for youngsters aged 11 and over. All volunteers are CRB checked. Contact: David on 627170. Sunday Club, every Sunday at 10.30am. Contact: David on 627170. Friendship Group, first Monday of the month, 2pm to 4pm Brownies. Mondays in school term time, 6.15pm to 7.30pm. Age 7 to 10 years. Information: www.girlguiding.org.uk Wesley Guild, 7.30pm on the second Tuesday of the month Men's Supper Club, 7pm on the second Wednesday of the month. Totstop. Wednesdays in school term time, 1.30pm to 3pm. For children up to the age of four. Contact: Liz on 663972. Other activities include: Soup 'n' More on the first Saturday of every month, 12 noon to 2pm. Coffee mornings are held on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10am to 12 noon. A lunch is held once a month on Saturday between 2.30pm and 3.30pm Women's Fellowship, 2.30pm, on the second Thursday of the month l READ about The Church with the Train here.

Market Street Church Baptist and United Reformed Church CW5 5DG One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Sunday services 10.30am: Morning service with Junior Church and creche. 6pm: Evening service (Communion service 1st Sunday). Minister: the Rev Garry Wareham (01270 627261). Contact: 01270 611634 www.marketstreetchurch.co.uk		Christmas at the Church Sunday, December 16, 6pm: Carol Service. Christmas Eve, 7pm: Reflective Carol Service with Communion. Christmas Day, 10.30am: Family Celebration of Christmas. Nantwich Young People's Fellowship A Christian youth group for teenagers in Nantwich, meeting at Market Street Church. www.nantwichypf.com

St Anne's Catholic Church Pillory Street (opposite Railway Station) One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Services 9am: Mass (Monday to Friday) 10am: Mass (Sunday) 6.30pm: Vigil Mass (Saturday) Parish Priest: the Rev John Daly Telephone: 01270 625494. Deacon: the Rev Peter Mascarenhas. www.stannesnantwich.org.uk		Christmas at the Church Christmas Eve Mass: Family Mass 6.30pm; and 9pm. Christmas Day: 9.30am Mass.

Broad Lane Methodist Church Audlem Road One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Sunday services 2.15pm: Afternoon service (November to February). First Sunday of the month: Sankey Gospel Service. 6.30pm: Evening service (March to October) The church is in the Nantwich Mission Area and the Cheshire South Methodist District.		Christmas at the Church Sunday, December 23, 2.15pm: Christmas Carol Service.

Nantwich Elim Church Pentecostal The Chapel, Regents Park, 129 London Road, CW5 6LW. Telephone: 626749. One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. Sunday services 10.30am: Celebration service in the Chapel. 10.30am: Youth Church. The two events combine at 11.30am. Senior Pastor: Michelle Nunn Associate Pastor: Paul Hampton Pastor Linda Potter Pastor Chang Myung-Chul Chapel telephone: 07738 179835 Church office: telephone 01270 615401 Disable access available See website for other activities and information, and Facebook. See this page for events at Regent's Park.		Christmas at the Church Sunday, December 23: 10.30am to 12 noon, Family Carol Service; 11am to 11.45am, Family Christmas Day Service. Sunday, December 30, 10.30am to 12 noon: Family Celebration Services. Regents Theological College has moved to Malvern. The former Willaston School where Nantwich Elim Church now worship in the chapel History group acquires lantern slides of the school

Churches Together in Nantwich A group of seven churches in the Nantwich area - the six above and St Mary's Parish Church, Acton, below. Chairman: Rod Greenow, 07967 741359 Secretary: Simon Bowen, 01270 628086		Nantwich Street Pastors have volunteers from the six churches in town. They are on patrol from 11pm until 3.30am on some Tuesday (student night at the clubs), Friday and Saturday nights. They are supported by at least two Prayer Pastors at their base. They are trained volunteers "who care about their community" and are on hand to help young people in the town centre. l Nantwich Street Pastors will be in town on Friday, December 23; Boxing Day night and New Year's Eve. A Christmas Day lunch will take place at Nantwich Methodist Church Centre in Hospital Street, 11.30am to 3.15pm. Transport can be arranged. To book a place, telephone Audrey Bennett on (01270) 629963. E-mail: nantwich@streetpastors.org.uk Website: www.streetpastors.org/locations/nantwich
Out-of-town churches
The Benefice of St Mary, Acton; St Bartholomew, Church Minshull; St David, Wettenhall; and St Oswald, Worleston (The Cross Country Group of Parishes) (Church of England) The Vicar: The Rev Anne Lawson. St Mary's, Monks Lane, Acton, CW5 8LE. 01270 628864. One of the seven Churches Together in Nantwich. St Bartholomew's, Cross Lane, Church Minshull, CW5 6DY. St David's, Long Lane, Wettenhall, CW7 4DN. Officiating Priest, the Rev Keith Hine, 01829 732491. St Oswald's, Church Road, Worleston, CW5 6DR. Associate Minister, the Rev John E. Varty, 01270 877360. Websites Acton: www.stmarysacton.com Church Minshull: www.stbartschurchminshull.org.uk Wettenhall: www.wettenhallchurch.org.uk Worleston: www.worlestonchurch.org.uk		Christmas at St Mary's Church, Acton Sunday, December 23, 5pm: Carol Service. Christmas Eve: 5pm, Crib Service; 11.30pm, Midnight Communion. Christmas Day Holy Communion at 11am. Tea in the Tower is held every Sunday afternoon (2.30pm to 4.30pm) in a community cafe at St Mary's Church, Acton. A chance to have a chat and enjoy tea and cakes. There is no set charge, but voluntary donations are welcome. Well-behaved dogs are also catered for (a bowl of water is available!). And there are guided trips up the church tower - as far as the bell ringing chamber - for the energetic. Contacts: Stephan Davies (07731 800663) or Deana Emerton (01270 624889). Guided Walks NICK Harley leads two-hour (approximately) walks from St Mary's, Acton, on Sundays at 1pm. Leaflets are available. The walks will be followed by tea and cakes in the tower (see above) and trips up the church tower. Telephone Stephan Davies (01270 624135) to reserve a place on the walk. Or e-mail stephan.davies1@talktalk,net. There is no charge but donations will be gratefully received. The next walk will be on December 9 - with mince pies afterwards.

United Benefice of Audlem, Wybunbury and Doddington Vicar: the Rev Canon Helen Chantry (Rural Dean). 01270 811543. Curate: the Rev Rachael Griffiths. 07568 264229. St James' Church, Audlem: www.audlemstjameschurch.org.uk The church is running a Church Fabric Fund appeal for substantial repairs to the church, particularly the tower. St Chad's Church, Wybunbury: www.achurchnearyou.com/wybunbury-st-chad/ Main Road, Wybunbury, Nantwich, CW5 7LS. St John the Evangelist, Doddington: www.achurchnearyou.com/doddington-st-john-the-evangelist/ CW5 7PS

United Benefice of Baddiley with Wrenbury and Burleydam Three congregations of Anglican Churches in South Cheshire - St Margaret's, Wrenbury; St Michael's, Baddiley; and St Mary and St Michael's, Burleydam. Joint website Ministry team: o Vicar: the Rev Alison Fulford. The Vicarage, Wrenbury, Nantwich, CW5 8EY. Telephone: 01270 780742. oThe Rev Ruth Harrison, 01270 812010

Cheshire South Methodist Circuit A grouping of 37 churches, Cheshire South Methodist Circuit is part of the Chester and Stoke-on-Trent Methodist District. See the website for details of services at the various churches, together with information about the churches. www.cheshiresouth.org.uk		Mission areas Audlem: Audlem, Hankelow. Nantwich: Nantwich, Barbridge, Poole, Broad Lane. Wrenbury: Baddiley and Ravensmoor. Broomhall and Sound. Lightwood Green. St Andrew's, Aston

Audlem Baptist Church Services: Sundays 10.30am. 1st Sunday of the month, Holy Communion. www.audlembaptistchurch.org.uk

Audlem Methodist Church Shropshire Street, Audlem, CW3 0PE Minister (part time): Rev Gary Windon 07929 708976 www.audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk minister@audlemmethodistchurch.org.uk

Aston Methodist Church, Aston (St Andrew's)

Wrenbury Road, Aston, CW5 8DQ.

Sunday service: Each week at 11am.

Minister: The Rev Rob Weir
01948 663936
rob@albatross.me.uk

Contact: Mrs Jackie Wright
01270 560003
jackie_wright445@hotmail.com