St George's Day Parade

The Scouts, Cubs and Beavers took part in the St George's Day parade. After meeting at church we all walked down to the park, to assemble with other Scout Groups, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides from all over Widnes.

We marched through the park, and up to Farnworth Village. It was a long way for the younger children, but they all kept going .

The service was held at St Luke's Church, and was led by Rev Helen Morby

This year we obviously impressed, with both the Beaver Colony and Cub Pack taking first place in the smartest groups competition, and the Scouts coming joint second. Well done to all the children, young people, leaders and parents for their efforts.

Farnworth Methodist Walks - 25th April 2009

Today's walk was lead by Howard and Ann and took place near Keswick to the South of Derwentwater. As you can see the walk was thoroughly enjoyed by the party. The day was rounded off with a meal at a local hostalry. All in all it was an excellent day and thanks go to Howard and Ann for their leadership and hospitality!

Film Fellowship - WALL*E

We had a great turn out to see this family favourite -

- with messages of the power of love, and warnings of the dangers of ecological damage and rampant consumerism (that's a lot for one film) - and also plenty of laugh out loud moments.

The next film night is on Friday 22nd May, when we will be watching Field of Dreams

open to God + open to the World + open to You

We are looking for ways to spread this message through art and displays in the church buildings - do you have any ideas?

Because he is risen...

There was a great turn out for our Easter Morning service - which was led by Mrs Connie Smith. Connie shared Easter Eggs with everyone at the start of the service, and it was great watching people singing, praising God and eating all at once! We worshiped all together, before the children went to their own activites and the adults shared Holy Communion. Connie used this poem during the later part of the service:

Because He is risen: a poem for Easter

Because he is risen
Spring is possible
In all the cold hard places
Gripped by winter
And freedom jumps the queue
To take fear’s place as our focus
Because he is risen

Because he is risen
My future is an epic novel
Where once it was a mere short story
My contract on life is renewed in perpetuity
My options are open-ended
My travel plans are cosmic
Because he is risen

Because he is risen
Healing is on order and assured
And every disability will bow
Before the endless dance of his ability
And my grave too will open
When my life is restored
For this frail and fragile body
Will not be the final word on my condition
Because he is risen

Because he is risen
Hunger will go begging in the streets
For want of a home
And selfishness will have a shortened shelf-life
And we will throng to the funeral of famine
And dance on the callous grave of war
And poverty will be history I
n our history
Because he is risen

And because he is risen
A fire burns in my bones
And my eyes see possibilities
And my heart hears hope
Like a whisper on the wind
And the song that rises in me
Will not be silenced
As life disrupts
This shadowed place of death
Like a butterfly under the skin
And death itself
Runs terrified to hide
Because he is risen

Gerard Kelly

Easter Sunday

He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Good Friday

On Good Friday many members of the congregation attended the morning service at Trinity Church, and the lunch time gathering outside Morrisons supermarket, where worship songs were sung and the Easter story was shared with local shoppers.
At Farnworth, we had an afternoon session for children and their families.

We gathered downstairs before going to the Upper Hall to explore the Easter story, and collect tokens.

We heard the story of Jesus in the Temple, over turning the tables and throwing out the money changers; then visited the house of Mary and Martha in Bethany, where we smelt the beautiful perfume and thought about precious things.

We shared bread and wine (blackcurrant juice!) as were listened to the story of the Last Supper and saw how Jesus washed his disciples feet.

We sat at the foot of the cross and heard how Jesus died; then found the white, folded cloth, and celebrated Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday.

We spent the rest of the afternoon decorating crosses and making banners for Sunday morning!

Jesus loves us all!

Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday we celebrated communion in the church, then after singing a hymn, as the disciples did after the meal in the Upper Room, we walked out into the garden. And there in the silence, broken by the twilight birdsong, we heard the bible reading that spoke of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. How the disciples fell asleep and left him alone. How Judas came, and brought the soldiers. And how Jesus was betrayed by kiss to the cheek.

And with no blessing, we left in silence; to go into the gathering darkness, to think of the betrayal and the coming pain that our Lord was to endure.

There can be miracles

From The Prince of Egypt - our Film Fellowship presentation for Holy Week

There can be miracles, when you believe

Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill

Who knows what miracles, you can achieve,

When you believe, somehow you will

You will when you believe

Palm Sunday

The Lord needs us

The Lord needs you

The Lord needs me