St Stephen’s Church in Middleton is seeking a new Pastor to lead the congregation and take the church into the future.

St Stephen’s is a small evangelical church with a long history of work and witness in the town. Its Christ centred congregation has a vision for ‘Reaching the Community for Jesus Christ’, and a heart for sharing God’s love and the message of the gospel in areas outside the church.

St Stephen's is situated in a residential area in one of the highest parts of Middleton, approximately six miles from Manchester City Centre. Historically the church was the ‘hub’ of the community with a very large congregation and thriving children’s ministry, but following major rebuilding in the region, connecting with the community, particularly in deprived areas, has been more difficult.

The Future

After 200 years of worship and witness at St. Stephen’s we believe God still has a plan and purpose for our fellowship, and He has work for us to do.

New Pastor

The pastor we are prayerfully seeking is one with vision, called by Him to lead, encourage, empower and equip us in fulfilling the plans and purposes God has for our fellowship and the community around St Stephen’s.

The position is part-time, up to 60% FTE, with a salary of £27,000 per annum pro-rata. A free three-bedroom Manse is also provided as part of the position, with council tax and water bills paid.

For more details and to apply, please click on the links below:

Full Job Description

Application Form

About St Stephen's Church

Simon Allaby, Connexion Trustee and Pastor at Bolney Village Chapel, has recently returned from his 7th visit to Pakistan. Read his account of the trip below:

'As always it was a very busy programme with many opportunities to preach and teach, including pastor’s seminars, youth Bible studies, a nurses’ conference, men’s fellowship meeting and outreach to villages and brick kiln factories. I thought it might be most helpful to use this photo to give a glimpse into the lives of many living in Pakistan today and the difference Christians can make by showing the love and compassion of Jesus.

In the background you can see smoke rising from the chimney above the kiln where the bricks are being fired. There are thousands of such factories and in this part of Pakistan some two million people live and work in them. Families are caught up in bonded slavery with generation after generation trying to gain their freedom by making bricks to repay debts, mostly without success. A family of four have to make 1,000 bricks a day for which they will be paid £3. Living conditions are basic with no schools, shops or healthcare and inadequate diet. But there is hope for some.

In the foreground are two groups of children. The children on the right are able to attend a school which has been set up by the church and which has been permitted by the brick kiln owner (sometimes they refuse permission). As well as schooling they are given a decent meal including an egg, bread, fruit and milk. They might easily have been children from a school in England. But there is only enough funding to pay for half the children. So the children on the left of the picture do not attend school and do not get the meal. The contrast could not be more striking as they looked tired and depressed. My friend who runs the school longs for the day when the school can be expanded to include all the children.

While education provides the best route out of the brick kilns for the next generation, a fortunate few gain their freedom by having their debt paid. My last preaching engagement was at a church in the Butter Colony just outside Lahore. The colony is made up of families who have been redeemed. Why the Butter Colony? In the process of making butter a residue is left behind called lasi. So those who have been redeemed are called the butter, while those still left in brick kiln slavery are known as the lasi.

Thank God that in Jesus we have a Saviour who has paid all our debts so that we can all live in the ‘Butter Colony’. Thank God too that with the wealth he has blessed us with we can improve the lives of others by sharing both our material and spiritual riches.

I hope to return in 2026.'

Simon

 

Anglican evangelist, George Whitfield, served as the Countess of Huntingdon's chaplain from 1749 until his death in 1770, when he bequeathed her Bethesda Orphanage, Savannah.

Whitfield’s missionary work led him to Savannah in colonial Georgia, but rather than taking on Indian conversion, as planned, he was struck by the number of orphans, who were in bondage. Many settlers had died of tropical fevers, leaving their children bonded as servants and labour for other settlers. Whitfield was drawn to their plight and dedicated himself to the mission of providing an orphanage for the children, where they could also benefit from instruction and guidance. This mission dominated the rest of his life and Bethesda became integral to his religious calling.

Whitfield’s story is complex, but when he died, he left the Bethesda property and its care to the Countess of Huntingdon. Selina accepted the responsibility for the orphanage and also entertained hopes for Whitefield’s previous aim to develop an institution of learning and preparation for young men to enter the ministry and send out missions to the Indians. The Orphan House was catering for orphans from indigenous Indians, slaves and white Americans.

Many folk were involved with raising funds over the years towards the orphanage, including Whitefield. On 18 January 1770, the formal opening ceremony was attended by distinguished people from America and England. The Countess retained her interest in its care and development, but she was never able to visit the Orphanage and did not personally contribute to the funding. When the original building was nearly destroyed by fire, all the costs of rebuilding were funded from other sources, mostly American. Following The Revolutionary War and Selina’s death in 1791, the property was taken over by the State.

Today The Orphan House has become a private school for young men, Bethesda Academy, which retains its Christian emphasis. The student body is diverse with a strong focus on developing a love of God, a love of learning, a strong work ethic and a strong sense of community, helping young men to become productive citizens who are prepared for future success.

Read below a more detailed account of the founding of Bethesda Orphanage, supplied by Bethesda Academy

The Intricate Dance

(Resources include The Connexion's Brian Baldwin and Bethesda Academy Development Office, who generously supplied us with historical accounts and images from their archives.) 

Bethesda Academy website

David Vaughan at Hailsham Gospel Mission (HGM) treated the community to some rock 'n' roll entertainment with Rockin' Mike. Read about David's initiative below:

During a walk along Eastbourne seafront with friends I discovered that one was a member of a local church music group with Mike Howell, who is also a professional singer. Mike's repertoire is rock 'n' roll music from the 1950s and 60s and he gives regular performances at nursing homes, care homes and local community centres.

I had been thinking of ways in which HGM could extend its programme of outreach events and decided to discuss the idea of asking Mike to give an evening performance at the church with the church elders, Martin Brown and Dave Sweetman. My initial concern was that they might not consider this an appropriate setting, but I was wrong! The idea was met with great enthusiasm by Martin and Dave, and well supported by our congregation.

So, I got in touch with Mike and he readily agreed to come along and sing for us. He has a wide variety of material from such artists as Buddy Holly, Eddy Cochran, Cliff Richard and, of course, Elvis! The songs are all sung to original backing tracks and his stage outfits and presentation are in keeping with the period.

Mike's first visit was in April last year. The church was decorated with musical notes and old album covers, and a team of volunteers worked hard to cook and serve a tasty hot meal and pudding. Tables and chairs were laid out and we asked our church members to bring along family and friends from outside of the church. 

I am sure I shared my personal trepidation with our elders as the hall filled with people, as to whether the evening would go down well. I need not have worried because as soon as Mike got started, the smiling faces of our audience confirmed we had a winner on our hands! Indeed, such was the success of the evening, a later church meeting called for a vote of thanks and asked for a repeat performance!

Hence in October, as part of the Harvest Festival celebrations, Mike was asked back for a second performance. Once again, our team pulled out all the stops to decorate the church in rock 'n' roll style, and help to make it as welcoming as possible.

Mike performed to an audience of around 50 people, which included roughly half that were not regular members of our church. And because evening was unseasonably warm, we opened up the doors and invited some passers-by to join us. It wasn't long before the tables were pushed back and there was some energetic jiving, including our 96 year-old church member Len!

I appreciate some readers may be thinking 'What has all this got to do with our love of Jesus and His teaching?' But I am reminded that the Gospel is full of stories where Jesus made it his mission to talk to ordinary folk in the places he visited - with publicans, fishermen and beggars among them. He invited all of us to knock on His door and enter His Kingdom and our mission is to do the same. We welcome all comers with a prayer and celebrate Psalm 150, where David urged his people to praise God with singing and all manner of musical instruments.

We were also delighted to hear Mike incorporate some well-known Gospel songs from the period in his act, inviting us to join in with singing, including 'How Great Thou Art' recorded by Elvis.

The experience has inspired me to say that if you are thinking of reaching out to people in your town or local area, don't be afraid to step 'outside of the box' of everyday church activities!

 

(Pic of Rockin' Mike is from his Facebook page)

 

Simon Allaby has recently produced a new book The Word on the Street featuring stories relating to real-life experiences of those who find themselves homeless and the struggles they face.

Simon is a Connexion Trustee and Minister at Bolney Village Chapel. He is also the author and narrator of The Connexion's weekly Short Thought, creating inspiring and informed stories in 60 second recordings.

The Word on the Street is designed to be given to those living on the streets or in temporary accommodation. It is priced at just £1 per copy, with discounts for quantities above 10, and even cheaper rates for bulk orders. Each book includes a section at the back for churches and charities to include their own information and contact details.

The book begins with a foreward by Julio Abraham, CEO of the Off the Fence Trust: 

Dear Friend,

Wherever you are reading this I want you to know that you matter. Whatever brought you to this moment, you're not alone.

I meet people like you every day, some sleeping rough, others sofa-surfing, many just one pay cheque away from losing everything. But I've also seen how lives can change, sometimes in ways we never expect.

Some of the stories you're about to read are about real people who faced real struggles. Like Charlie Chaplin, who spent time in a workhouse before anyone knew his name. Or the man in the suit who chose to live on the streets but still kept his dignity and family connections.

You might be feeling invisible right now, tired of systems that don't seem to care, of doors that keep closing, or of nights that feel endless. I hope that these stories will inspire you to keep going.

Across the UK, there are people and places ready to help. At the back of this book, you'll find information about local support - please do take a look to see what’s on offer.

Remember this: your current situation is just that. It's not permanent, and it's not who you are. You are precious, you are valued, and you are worthy of a better tomorrow.

With hope and care,

Julio Abraham

Off The Fence Trust
Chief Executive Officer 

The Word on the Street can be purchased from www.turn-the-page.co.uk/shop

(Priced at £1 per copy, with discounts for quantities above 10 and cheaper rates for bulk orders.)

Members of The Chapel at Mortimer West End were delighted to welcome Ben Quant, from Wormley Free Church, to their special Baptism Service on Sunday.

Ben, who is a Connexion Trustee and Minister at Wormley, delivered a celebratory message, focusing on John 2: 1-10. A recording of which can be accessed via the link below.

After the service, despite the chilly weather, Audrey and Jordan braved the outdoor pool witnessed by applause from The Chapel's fellowship, to complete their Baptism.

Many congratulations!

Please click here for a link to Ben's Message

 

(Ben is pictured here with the fellowship at Wormley)

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas from The Connexion.

 

'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel.' (Isaiah 7:14)

Amen!

 

(Image by Walter Chavez, Unsplash Photos)

Many thanks to Helen Weller, Archivist for Westminster College, Cambridge, for supplying us with her blog post featuring the Countess of Huntingdon's connection with Thomas Coram, who opened his Foundling Hospital in London in 1739.

 

 

Woodmancote Church is a small, welcoming and outward focused fellowship of Christians who are looking to grow!

The church feel that God is moving them into a fresh new season, which is hugely exciting for all, and as part of this, they are seeking a new Minister with energy and a passion for Christ to join them and help to take their ministry forward.

The new minister will join the current Leadership Team of three. A small stipend is available and all work expenses would be covered. The key aims are to:

- Preach the Word of God

- Pastor and equip Woodmancote's congregation

- Reach out to the 'unchurched'

If the Holy Spirit is prompting you to enquire further about this opportunity, please visit Woodmancote's website page for more details about the vacancy: woodmancotechurch.org.uk/recruitment

 

Last year Simon Allaby wrote the book Greater Love for Remembrance Sunday, which is now available to purchase in time for 10 November 2024.

Greater Love contains twelve short stories that reflect on conflict, sacrifice and where we can find true peace in God. Each story is accompanied by a simple illustration, a Bible verse and questions for reflection.

In his foreword, former Royal Marines Commando, Rev Tim Saiet, writes: ‘At last an accessible book which includes faith and stories of sacrifice – a brilliant book that I will pass on to my friends’.

Ideal for both Christians and not-yet-Christians, Greater Love is an excellent resource for Remembrance Sunday Services, and also as a giveaway for churches and individuals to share with friends, family members and enquirers.

To Order

The book is priced at £1 per copy. For more information and to order visit Simon's Turn the Page Online Shop

Simon will also bring some copies of the book to the Conference next week for purchase there.