<h1>National Day of Reflection</h1> We’re supporting the National Day of Reflection on 23 March, the first anniversary of the UK lockdown, to commemorate this tragic loss of life and to stand together with everyone who’s grieving.We will be open after morning service from 11.30 until 12.30 for anyone who would like to come in for quiet prayer and reflection on this day.
<div>Today the 17th March we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick; Ireland's patron saint, known for spreading Christianity throughout the country as a missionary during the 5th century.</div><div>He was captured by pirates as a child and brought to Ireland. </div><div>During his enslavement, he was called to Christianity and escaped his captors after six years. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands. Patrick's efforts against the druids were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove "snakes" out of Ireland, despite the fact that snakes were not known to inhabit the region. He died on 17 March and was buried at Downpatrick. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century</div>
We are delighted to announce our Holy Week and Easter Plans....Pam Thomas will lead a short time of reflection for Holy Week on Monday (29th March) Tuesday (30th) and Wednesday (31st) at 7.00pm at Edenfield Parish Church.There will be a service of Holy Communion at St Philip's at 7.30pm on Maundy Thursday and an Hour at the Cross at St Paul's at 10.30am on Good Friday. All are welcome at any of these team services.On Easter Sunday there will be a Sunrise Service at 7.00am outside Holcombe Church instead of the usual venue on Holcombe Hill.Our Easter Sunday Services will be held at each of our Team Churches.St Philip’s at 9.30amEdenfield at 9.30amSt Paul’s at 11.00amSt Andrew’s at 11.00am
Today is #internationalwomensday2021 and Ramsbottom and Edenfield Team Ministry, have a long history of women dedicating their gifts and skills to the church. Today we are fortunate to have the Rev Susan Wood our much-loved OLM, Pam Thomas our Reader Emeritus, Jane Thompson, our ALM’s, as well as all women who currently help throughout the Team without whom we ‘could not’ do without. God of all, God of hope, We pray for women and girls today. That they will be all they can be. Give us courage to speak and work For equality and justice Until the earth is filled With righteousness and love. Amen.
