An Important Announcement!
To save energy costs, from Sunday October 16th, and until further notice, we have moved most of our Sunday morning services into St. Elizabeth's Church Hall. There are a few exceptions when...
Please be assured that this decision does not affect any weddings or funerals, which will always take place in our Church Buildings.
This is a temporary move and is just for these colder months. No solid ‘end date’ for this temporary move can be set as this is entirely dependent upon the weather but be assured it will be kept under continued review by the PCC.
- it is Hub Worship on the first Sunday of each month
- there is a baptism taking place within the service
- there is a special Festival service
- any special Concerts etc.
Please be assured that this decision does not affect any weddings or funerals, which will always take place in our Church Buildings.
This is a temporary move and is just for these colder months. No solid ‘end date’ for this temporary move can be set as this is entirely dependent upon the weather but be assured it will be kept under continued review by the PCC.
Our Services @ St. Elizabeth's for February. Plus details of Services and Events around the Hub...
Sunday February 5th:
Hub worship at St. Elizabeth's @ 10am. Refreshments will be after the service.
Sunday February 12th:
All age worship @ 11am
Sunday February 19th:
Holy Communion @ 11am
Sunday February 26th:
Holy Communion @ 11am
Regular Events
Come and See:
This is a community of people exploring what it means to love God and love others as we discover the wonder of His story. All are welcome to join us as we grow together, serve together and laugh together. Email: comeandseewigan@gmail.com
Journey Groups (there are three groups that meet fortnightly):
We are currently exploring “What’s so Amazing about Grace” using a DVD and a guide. Both Wednesday groups have space for new members – do join us!
Bible Course on Tuesdays 1.30pm to 3pm - Contact Mike/Cathy Perrin
Or Wednesdays 7.30pm to 9pm – Contact Dean Kearsley or Peter Walker.
NOOMA – Faith based discussion. Wednesdays 2pm to 4pm – Contact Andrew Turton.
Men Who Mourn:
We are a totally informal group to support men who have lost loved ones. We have no set agenda; you will be able to talk freely about anything you choose or just have a chat. If you feel you need to talk to someone on a one-to-one basis, then we are there for you. We are not counsellors but have all lost loved ones so understand some of what you are going through. Next meeting: Tuesday 7th February, 12:30pm at the Balcarres Arms, Haigh.
Other Events at St. Elizabeths:
Mothers’ Union: Tuesday 14th February 2pm @ Elsie's house.
Quiz Night: at St Elizabeth's Parish Hall on Saturday 25th February at 7.30 p.m. Teams of up to 6 people. £5 each which includes refreshments, pay on the night. You are welcome to bring your own tipple. To book please contact Sheila Ryding 01942 832369.
Aspull Worm Charming Championships: Saturday June 10th. Will you be there? More details here!
For all enquiries about Church/Events: text or leave a voicemail on 07759 252501
Or email: nehubwigan@gmail.com
Facebook: @NEHubWigan
October 29th 2022: St. Elizabeth's again hosted our very popular "Last Night At The Proms" event. Greater Manchester Police Band were in fine form. Many thanks to Andrew Turton for this superb picture!
‘My life stopped’ – why bereavement ministry is vital
The Rev Canon Yvonne Richmond Tulloch was Canon for Mission at Coventry Cathedral when she was widowed suddenly in 2008, causing her “life to go into freefall”. Her experience of grief led to her passion for helping other bereaved people find support. She established the charity AtaLoss, which offers a bereavement signposting website, and went on to help run The Bereavement Journey – a course which helps equip those grieving to come terms with loss.
According to Rev. Tulloch, we don’t get over grief, we learn how to live with it – but people need to be helped in this. “Grief can affect every aspect of a person’s life – not just emotional well-being, but physical and mental health,” she explained. “Bereavement is one of the most stressful times in life, but for many people, it’s devastating. “Those grieving are so often left feeling isolated, floundering, and confused. “People don’t know what to say to bereaved people, so they steer clear of them – or they assume when they see them that they’re coping well, when they’ve just managed to pull themselves together or are still feeling numb in the early stages.”
For anyone bereaved during Covid restrictions, all the usual problems were exacerbated.
This was the case for Ounissa Benali, who lost her mother during the pandemic. “When my mum went into hospital, it was a nightmare: I couldn’t see her or visit her – I went from being with her 24-7 during lockdown to not being able to see her at all and having to isolate,” she explained. “When my mum passed away, I really struggled. I was crying all the time, it was so difficult. I didn’t know where to turn or what to do. “My life stopped. I felt like an alien everywhere, and like nothing mattered. “It had a terrible effect on my health. I had to stop working for about three months. “I was praying to find something that could help me. I did not know yet that The Bereavement Journey course was something that was even available.”
She first heard about the course - a series of films and facilitated discussion groups - after hearing about it through a friend at church. “It came at a time when I was feeling guilt that I was somehow not a good enough Christian – otherwise my prayers would have been answered, and my mum would have been healed," she said. “At the first meeting, I was still in so much pain, but I started to understand what loss is, and the weight of the grief that I was carrying. “The course films were so good; I recognised myself in almost everything."
The course concludes with an optional seventh session offering a Christian perspective on commonly asked faith questions. “The last session on faith was amazing. It took away my guilt and gave me hope,” she added. “Sharing faith questions with other people, I realised I was not the only one wondering about these things, like why God heals some, but not others."
She reflected: "For the first time in my life, I really started to feel God’s love – I knew it intellectually before, but I didn’t feel it. “The Bereavement Journey was one of the best things I have done in my life, it brought me so much peace – although the pain was still there, I now had something I could fall back on. I was reminded that even Jesus wept.
“During such a horrible time in my life, it brought me closer to God."
More information here.
(News courtesy of the Church of England Website).
Click on the banner above to read all the latest news and events from the Diocese of Liverpool.
|
|
|
|
|
|
