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Winter 2025 - Photographs
Autumn 2025 - Photographs
Summer 2025 - Photographs - Work in Progress
Sunday 8th June 2025
Thank you to everyone involved in supporting this event. The ice creams went down a treat as you can see and our refreshment team were relaxing after the service.
Sunday 28th June 2025
Reverend Chris Hegg was ordained priest at Blackburn Cathedral on the 28th June 2025. Chris has mainly been taking services at St Leonard’s church Downham and St. Mary’s church Clitheroe. We all congratulate Chris and wish him well in his ministry.
Sunday 29th June 2025
29th June 2025 Reverend Anne took the Morning Prayer service with the theme of St.Paul and St. Peter. Anne explained in her sermon that we are all individuals but God has a plan for each of us. God answered prayers and she felt that we should perhaps pray more collectively.
(Food for thought)
The Sunday club took on the theme colouring emblems of keys and a sword. With Eileen’s energy and enthusiasm our service ended with the song ‘Oh Oh Oh how good is the Lord.’ Henry, Jessica and Theo were little stars.
Sunday 6th July 2025
Lots of fun at our service on Sunday 6th July 2025. Reverend Anne’s talk was about the 72 disciples who went out to spread the good news about Jesus. It isn’t always easy to talk about our faith. The disciples were to set out with nothing, no bag, no purse, no sandals!
Our Sunday club carried on the theme saying what they would take with them. Among the suggestions were peanut butter, honey, sweets, a football etc.
To end Eileen had put new words to a well known song. Brilliant.
There is a video to follow and a photo of the children with their paper suitcases.
Sunday 13th July 2025
On Sunday the 13th July 2025 at our Morning prayer service Reverend Anne told the well known story of the Good Samaritan. Our Sunday club were on form and helped Anne to tell the story.
We were also treated to an appropriate song which is becoming a popular finale to our services.
Vikki also told a very emotional story which was about an International Summer camp where Russian and Ukrainian children amongst others were attending. Although in separate quarters the Ukrainian child wanted to spend time with the Russian children. Before the war they had been neighbours you see and part of a friendship group.
This boy a ‘true Samaritan’ did spend the evenings playing games and having fun despite the atrocities that happened to his family.
There is hope for the future !
Sunday 20th July 2025
On the 20th July 2025, the Gospel theme was on the Martha and Mary story from St. Luke’s gospel. In her talk Catherine reminded us all about finding a healthy balance between serving others and seeking God’s presence, between activity and rest, between doing and being.
Our Sunday club carried on the theme and Joanne said the children had been outside and found a quiet spot to say some prayers. At the end of the service they sang a song but unfortunately I didn’t video it. A technical hitch !
Ben who is one of our IT team demonstrated his guitar which he made himself. Well done Ben you are a star!
Other great news to share St Mary Magdalene Church, Clitheroe and St Leonard’s Church Downham are looking forward to the Reverend Paul Sherwood from Canada joining them as Assistant Curate. Once the legal issue of dividing the Benefice has been legalised then he will become the Vicar.
Reverend Catherine will become a Vicar, rather than an Associate Minister. She will continue to preside over St Paul’s Church Low Moor and Christ Church.
We send our congratulations also to Reverend Catherine and her husband John as they welcomed a granddaughter Rita Grace into their family.
Sunday 27th July 2025
Reverend Anne led the Holy Communion service. Anne’s sermon concentrated on the Gospel theme and the Lord’s Prayer. Prayer, Anne said is all about creating a relationship with God. He may not answer our prayers in the way we may want and sometimes God says no because it is not right for us. We are encouraged to keep on asking. As the Gospel reading said ‘Ask and it will be given unto you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened unto you.‘
The Sunday Club took up the theme and talked about ‘dads’ and what they would ask God to help them with.
Some answers were ‘a personal best in the park run, help with a horse, sunshine and finally the lionesses to do well in their final against Spain. The service concluded with the Sunday Club singing ‘My God is so big. ‘
In the afternoon at Downham Hall Gardens our church members helped to raise funds for charity and our churches in the Benefice.
A great afternoon of fellowship.
Whalley Abbey - Quiet Day
Quiet day held at Whalley Abbey praying for Leading Your Church into Growth.
Christ Church joined with St Paul’s, with Reverend Catherine and Reverend Anna Walker Spiritual Director at Whalley Abbey.
Palm Sunday
Estelle's Birthday
At the end of our service Estelle was presented with a gift and flowers to mark her 80th Birthday. The congregation were treated to cake and fizz after the service.
A Benefice Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service was held at St Paul’s Church, Low Moor.
I found my self looking at the beautiful stained glass window as I ponder the solumn occasion.
On Good Friday we met in church for a very moving service of reflection with hymns and readings. Thank you Reverend Anne your reflections gave us plenty to contemplate.
Our flower team were busy on Saturday morning decorating the church for Easter Sunday.
On Easter Sunday the new Paschal candle was lit by Grace and blessed by Revd. Catherine. Thank you to the Mewis family who provide the candle every year.
We were blessed with a large congregation of all ages on Easter Sunday. The children were magnificent singing their hearts out and enjoying crafts and an Easter egg hunt.
Thank you Joanne and the team for your enthusiasm and commitment.
One of our regular church members displaying her Easter bonnet. Well done Julie you certainly keep us entertained.
Thank you.
Our organist Roy Porter is always so busy and we are so grateful to him for his music and ability to adapt to an situation. Thank you.
In the afternoon the truck run came past Christ Church raising money for Ribble Valley charities.
School Visit
Friday the 25th April was a busy day. Following the Winter Warmer lunch some of our congregation visited Chatburn school at the invite of the Christian Ambassadors.
What a very informative and enjoyable occasion talking with the pupils and staff. We were made very welcome.
Some pocket prayers were on display including religious essays and pictures.
Refreshments were provided and a grand tour of the school and play ground by Year 6 pupils. Thank you to the Headteacher Emma and staff for organising the afternoon but above all thank you to the pupils.
The following day on Saturday was a visit St.Paul’s church, Low Moor to support their Arts and Craft Fair. The church was buzzing and people from Christ Church had booked stalls to sell their handiwork. Well done Valerie, Ben, Sam, Tom and Rachel you are all very talented.
The hot air balloons have started flying again through the Ribble Valley. This one looked like it was going to land in Ribblesdale View. It needed a Pentecost flame and mighty wind as it seemed to be struggling.
On the 3rd Sunday of Easter the Sunday Club made boats to demonstrate how the disciples received Jesus’s help to catch 153 fishes.
A light bulb moment. Reverend Catherine launched the lighting appeal to enable us to improve the lighting in our church.
Clean up Monday was a huge success with people helping with jobs in the village and church.
Following the clean up and splendid refreshments a Service of Reflection for VE Day 80 was held around the War Memorial. Reverend Catherine led the short commemorative service.
All Age Service
On the 11th May 2025 which was an All Age Service we heard a story about Tabitha who was raised from the dead by Peter.
We also heard St John’s account about sheep always hearing the shephard’s voice.
Sunday Club concentrated on the sheep aspect and Joanne told us some funny stories about the sheep that she had looked after.
The main theme was that we hear Jesus’s voice through other human beings and the power of prayer cannot be underestimated.
On Sunday the 18th May 2025 the Sunday club sang a song which was very appropriate as the theme was love and how we could show it in our community.
The Benefice Ascension Service on the 29th May 2025 was very well attended at St Paul’s Church Low Moor. Reverend Anne used a hat theme to illustrate her sermon. What hats might Jesus wear in heaven ?? A crown for a King, a wig for judgement and a bishop’s mitre as our high priest.
Last Sunday of Easter
On the 1st June 2025 we celebrated the last Sunday of Easter. The children blew bubbles to represent Jesus ascending to the Father and sang a brilliant song about prayer.
Prayer is like a telephone.
Reverend Catherine reminded us all in her sermon about we all have a different story to tell about our faith. On the final Sunday of Easter we were thinking about the story of Paul and Silas in prison and how their chains fell off. Perhaps we too can let go of those chains which imprison us.
I am reminded of the hymn "And can it be I woke, the dungeon flamed with light. My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose went forth and followed them."
We also sang Happy Birthday to Joanne our Sunday Club Leader, thank you for all her work in leading our Sunday Club and Messy Church.
Not forgetting Valerie who celebrated a special birthday the day before receiving flowers from church to mark the occasion and to say thank you for all the work she does for us.
Thank you Valerie and Joanne.
Spring 2025 - Photographs
The Rev Sarah O'Donoghue, a member of the Diocesan Renewal Team, came to preach on the 23rd March 2025. The theme was about the parable of the Fig tree.
The Sunday Club enjoyed drawing pictures of trees and led the congregation in an action song.
Deanery Synod
On the 26th March 2025 (to which Vision Champions were invited) we received feedback from Carolyn Barton Director of Vision Delivery regarding the Vision 2026 survey undertaken in December 2024. The Right Reverend Dr Jill Duff was in attendance too.
Winter Warmer 28/03/2025
A very enjoyable Winter Warmer was held on the 28th March 2025. Guests were treated to a chicken casserole lunch with peach sponge and custard to follow. Roy organised a quiz.
Our last winter warmer for the season will be on the 25th April, with pie and peas on the menu.
Thank you to all who supported and to the Winter Warmer team.
Mothering Sunday 30th March
Altogether a lively service with lots of praise, crafting, a new song and cake!
Reverend Catherine brought Paddington Bear along and compared his life to Mosses life.
Winter 2024 / 2025 - Photographs / Video's
Messy Church 15/03/25. We enacted the Bible story of Moses in the bull rushes and related this to Mothering Sunday. Lots of fun, singing, games, craft and worship.
Enjoyed by all.
Thank you Joanne and team you are an inspiration.
Our Lenten Bible Study began using the Blackburn Diocesan Booklet.
What is Vision 2026?
"Healthy Churches Transforming Communities"
We desire to make the Good News about Jesus Christ more widely known, because we believe:
- He is the One who brings "life in all its fullness"
- Healthy church communities have a positive and transformative impact on our society.
We will work together to achieve this by:
Making disciples of Jesus Christ
- Knowing the Scriptures better through reading, teaching, preaching and study
- Praying with greater depth and urgency for the Kingdom of God to come
- Giving generously of our time, talents and money to the cause of Christ
Being witnesses to Jesus Christ
- Sharing the Gospel of salvation with confidence
- Holding regular enquirers courses in as many local churches as possible
- Showing God's love in action through projects that meet a local human need
- Offering thorough and accessible Baptism preparation and follow-up
- Planting or renewing 50 new strategic congregations by 2026
Growing leaders for Jesus Christ
- Supporting and equipping the current leadership for today's context
- Enabling missional leadership in every Christian community
- Liberating lay leadership for greater participation
- Creating the varied patterns of Sunday and weekday worship necessary to welcome all kinds of people, especially the newcomer
Prioritising work among children, young people and schools to raise up a new generation for Christ
The Diocesan Vision Prayer
Heavenly Father, we embrace Your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses and to grow leaders. Give us eyes to see Your vision, ears to hear the prompting of Your Spirit and courage to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
New Vision Champion for Christ Church.
- My name is Lynn Farrimond and I will be commissioned on the 20th May, 2019 at Accrington Parish Church.
- I am a regular member of the congregation here at Christ Church, having moved to the area seven years ago, from St. Georges, Tyldesley in the Manchester Diocese. I have served in various church roles for over 50 years. Now retired, I am currently a member of the Parochial Church Council here at Christchurch and help out with Children's activities, reading lessons and leading prayers at Sunday Worship amongst other things.
- I see my new role being to gently nudge and encourage our parish and Benefice leaders and the congregation to plan and deliver activities that make disciples of Jesus, be witnesses to Jesus, grow leaders and prioritise work among young people.
- At Christ Church under the guidance of Reverend Catherine, we have formed a Worship and Mission Group so that we can focus on developing our Mission and vision for the church and community here in Chatburn.
- We will all need to work together to develop our action plan using our discipleship to the full.
- Over the years Christ Church has been undertaking discipleship and mission in the community and has established strong and close links in the village, with the school, nursing home and with the Methodist Church. A lot has been achieved so far with people's commitment and dedication over the years.
- We hope to build on this established foundation to enable Christ Church to move forward and become an even more effective church hub in the village and to make sure that our doors remain open in the future. We must also be aware of our commitment to the Diocese and the world-wide church.
- I feel my role is to be an advocate for our vision and mission here in Chatburn, linking with the Vision Champions in our partner churches, ensuring that our local vision is an integral part of the Blackburn Diocese Vision 2026.
- I will not be a high profile figure, but working to support the vision quietly and encouraging people to become disciples and leaders in our Christian community and in line with the Diocese priority for 2019. I hope to keep you informed of our progress over the following months. This is an exciting time in our church life although it is recognised that this can be rather daunting for some people.
- If you have any comments which you would like to make please feel free to do so. I welcome comments that could be fed to the Worship and Mission Group regarding how you see the church helping in our local community and any specific needs, or if you have any feedback on Church Services.
Please give us some