Thackley Methodist Church and Community Centre

It’s been a busy year for Team TMC - here’s a quick round-up of some of the events in 2012 ...   Table Top Sales 2012 saw the start of our monthly Table Top Sales.  Our stallholders have commented on the calm and peaceful environment our church provides and they’ve come back again and again!  Lots of people from the local community have supported us and it’s been great that passersby have seen the doors open and popped in to take a look at the church where they married or grew up!  We’ve also made a steady income to support the upkeep of our buildings and the aroma of bacon butties is never far away.   Charitable donations We’re always conscious of the need to support others and these are just some of our fund-raising efforts during 2012: £279.88 during FairTrade fortnight. £88.91 collection for Methodist Homes Sunday. £363.15 for Breast Cancer Care. £361.51 for Help the Heroes from our contributions to Thackley’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Community relations We’ve be

At a recent meeting a discussion was held about what happens at TMC and how it is and should be organised. The concept of Single Point of Contact (SPoC) was mentioned, designed to ensure that for any activity or duty, one person would be available to field enquiries or requests and to then assemble and direct a group of people to undertake whatever actions needed to be done. Agreed next steps were to include a supplement in Shine, explaining what tasks are required to allow TMC to operate, inviting readers to consider prayerfully what we have missed, what else we need to do, and what activities each reader might be able to assist with. We should invite responses to any of the stewards. Our aim is for Church Council to ratify what we finally agree as a vision that is fit for purpose. Identified activities included (in no particular order) the following: Church Council – to receive and approve strategy, proposals and initiatives Stewards – to enable worship on a Sunday morn

Christmas Services 3.00 pm Sunday 16 December Family Nativity The cash offering from this service will go to Action for Children 10.30 am Sunday 23 December Carol Service 7.30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelit Carol Service Rev Sarah Jemison The cash offering from this service will go to Bradford Soup Run 10.00 am Christmas Day Family Worship Rev Phil Drake The cash offering from this service will go to McMillan Cancer Support You are warmly invited to join us.

Christmas Fair Saturday 24 November 2012 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Entrance £1.50 including prize draw Refreshments available (inc bacon butties!)

Table top sale Saturday 17 November 2012 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Refreshments available including bacon butties. Our table top sales are one way of us supporting the local community.  Tables are offered free of charge to those in the local area and so far we've had a wide variety of talents on display with jewellery, crafts, crystals, bric-a-brac, baking etc. We hold the sales in church as the community hall is often being used by our groups.  Many have commented about the calm and friendly environment that this provides; it also provides a first look inside for those who have passed by on the outside many times.  We have been particularly delighted that our open doors have drawn in couples who were married or worshipped here many years ago.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Mike Terry on 1 November 2012.  We have been praying for Mike and his wife, Chris, since the beginning of the year when Mike was diagnosed with terminal illness.  We give thanks that God has released him from his suffering. Our thoughts and prayers are with Chris and the rest of the family. Mike's funeral is at 12.45 pm on Wednesday 14 November followed by creation at Nab Wood. Full details .

Thank you to everyone who supported our October Table Top sale.  We raised £163.79 for church funds from our bric-a-brac and book stalls and the sale of refreshments raised. Our next Table Top Sale will be on 17 November 2012 - all tables are booked, but we hope to see you there.

In the words of one of our members "It was a cracker of a service today!". It was another of our "Own Arrangement" services where members of the church family took responsibility for leading worship.  As it was our Table Top sale yesterday, we decided to leave the tables in church and to have cafe style church where we started the service with coffee and biscuits. The service provided another opportunity for us to look at some of the hymns in the new hymn book, Singing the Faith  and it was great that three of our young folk and one not so young brought their guitars to accompany two of the new songs - Light of the World and In Christ alone .  More awesome was that our very young picked up the tambourines and did a great job at keeping time.   Johnny and Katherine led our prayers of adoration and confession and Chloe led our prayers for others. Margaret read Matthew 25 31:46 and John read Luke 16 v 10-11 and 13 Rachel, one of our members, works for Christi

Table top sale Saturday 27 October 2012 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Refreshments available including bacon butties. Our table top sales are one way of us supporting the local community.  Tables are offered free of charge to those in the local area and so far we've had a wide variety of talents on display with jewellery, crafts, crystals, bric-a-brac, baking etc. We hold the sales in church as the community hall is often being used by our groups.  Many have commented about the calm and friendly environment that this provides; it also provides a first look inside for those who have passed by on the outside many times.  We have been particularly delighted that our open doors have drawn in couples who were married or worshipped here many years ago.

When we first mooted the idea of having a Scarecrow Festival it seemed months away – it was!  But the months passed so swiftly it was upon us before we realised.  Thank goodness for the Internet as September saw a flurry of emails from which materialised volunteer signup sheets, posters, flyers, leaflets and a most amazing weekend! A few of us went to church on Friday afternoon not sure who would turn up, whether there’d be any scarecrows and with no specific plans; they did, there were and gradually it all started to come together.  Having seen the work that our groups had put into making their scarecrows, we left praying that people would turn up on the Saturday to see them. We needn’t have worried as there was a steady stream of people both morning and afternoon and we were thrilled by the length of time our visitors stayed with us.  They offered prayers on sheaves of wheat, and the children’s table was a constant hive of activity as young and not so young made paper plate

This photo was taken a few years ago when our church family went to Abbot Hall , Grange Over Sands, and last weekend many headed back there for our latest Family Weekend away.  As always, we've heard only positive remarks about what a super time they had, and, of course, the hat game was just one of the highlights. On the afternoon they left, we welcomed a new group, Bump to Babies , run by Baildon Children's Centre. Inevitably, we were low in numbers but in high spirit for last week's service when we welcomed Sarah Jemison; it was the first time Sarah had preached at Thackley since we joined the Bradford North Circuit.  Continuing the theme of Team TMC we explored what it is to be an inclusive church through Mark 7 vv 24-35  and a modern version of James 2:1-17  and thinking of times when we went into an unfamiliar setting and felt welcome and included or felt unwelcome and left out. We saw Sarah again on Tuesday as she chaired our Church Council. Our chur

Bump to Babies 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm - Fridays Support, help and practical advice Informal and relaxed Share experience. Run by Baildon Children's Centre For more information phone 01274 431691

Scarecrow Festival Saturday 6 October Church open for viewing community group scarecrows:  10 am to 12.00 noon and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm Donations welcomed for church funds and WaterAid. Refreshments available at nominal cost. Sunday 7 October 10.30 am Harvest Festival service led by Rev Sarah Jemison - everyone welcome 2.00 pm Concert by the Glen Singers, an 80 strong mixed voice choir.  Tickets £4 adults, children free with a paying adult, otherwise £2.00 (includes refreshments). We are grateful to Martin S Lonsdale estate agents and Northern Lights hair studio for contributing prizes for the raffle - look out for a scarecrow in the village!  If anyone else wants to create and display a scarecrow during the weekend let us know.

The Methodist Church year runs from September to October, so Happy New Year! Our New Year sees new changes in the  Bradford North Circuit  as we move to a team ministry.  It will take us a little time to get used to not having our own minister; however, we look forward to working with the ministry team and exploring the new opportunities that their different perspectives will offer. Many of our usual  weekly activities  have recommenced after the summer vacation; however, this week provided additional blessings: On Sunday 9 September 2012, Rev Keith Knight, led our  Covenant Service .  This is a special service where we accept God's love for us and make promises to serve Him through the words of the  Covenant Prayer .  This is not an easy promise to make as it involves our whole way of living.  Keith talked of God having a "memory like a sieve" for if we recognise the imperfect things we say and do, God will readily forgive us and, more importantly, forget th

Table top sale Saturday   29   September   2012 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Refreshments available including bacon butties. Our table top sales are one way of us supporting the local community.  Tables are offered free of charge to those in the local area and so far we've had a wide variety of talents on display with jewellery, crafts, crystals, bric-a-brac, baking etc. We hold the sales in church as the community hall is often being used by one of our groups.  Many have commented about the calm and friendly environment that this provides; it also provides a first look inside for those who have passed by on the outside many times.  We have been particularly delighted that our open doors have drawn in couples who were married or worshipped here many years ago. The sales are usually on the 4th Saturday in the month; however, you'll have noticed that this is not the case this month.  This is because our church family weekend away at Abbot Hall, Grange-over-Sands, fa

We were shocked and very saddened to hear of the sudden and untimely death of one of our church family, Nick Dowling, on 22 August.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Mandy, beautiful daughters Ella and Molly, and Nick's parents who belong to the church family at Bolton Methodist Church. A service to  celebrate Nick's life will take place at Thackley Methodist Church, on Tuesday 11 September  at 11.15 am followed by cremation at Nab Wood Crematorium at 12.40 pm (Casual wear please).  Full details.

See & Know Group for parents, carers and toddlers 9.30 am to 11.15 am Weekly on Thursdays £2.00 (plus 50p per extra child!) * story time * playtime * craft time * singing time * snack time *

We're taking a summer break with the monthly table top sales.  Our next one will be in September.

Thackley Wives Group have just celebrated 50 years! It’s quite amazing to see some of the ladies who are still active members and actually started the group back in 1962. Founder members included Pat Farrar, Mary Souter, Mary Metcalfe, Jeanne Peckover, Jean Heggs and Margaret Austin. Over the past years the Wives have raised considerable amounts of money for the church, and helped at the Christmas and Summer Fairs. Well done Ladies! A celebration took place at Oakwood Hall.   

The amount raised at the Ladies Group Summer Fair was £385.70. I think that this was a really good result and amply repaid all the time and effort put into it by many people. Thanks very much!   Margaret V

When we arrived at church this morning, there was already a buzz around the place as the Guides had had a sleepover in the church hall and were busy putting the finishing touches to their plans for morning worship.  Well, we say sleepover, some got more sleep than others; we suspect those who were still awake at 4.30 am may be taking an afternoon nap. The theme of their service was "Words" and their wonderful words took us on an inspiring and thought provoking journey: Introduction & Opening Prayer Hymn: MP 307 I will enter his gates The Power of Words Hymn MP 225 He’s got the whole wide world Words & Their Meanings The Use of Words Hymn: MP435 Lord Jesus Christ New Testament Reading 1: Mark 4: 35 – 41 Hymn: MP 456 Make me a channel of your peace Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones New Testament Reading 2: Titus 3: 2 Purple Feather Film: Hymn & Offering:  MP 179 Go tell it on the mountain Prayers, Prayers of Intercession & Lord’s Prayer Pra

The amount raised for MHA from the envelopes distributed on 10th June totalled £88.91, including £13.38 tax that will be recovered under the GiftAid scheme. Many thanks to all who contributed to this worthwhile total. John V

The Mosaic Church from leeds is running an Alpha course at Thackley for the next 6 weeks, starting this Sunday 1st July at 6pm ending at 8pm. If you want to attend, please tell Jackie D who can give numbers to the group running the course.

Jackie Marshall, with help from Greens Health and Fitness, has organised a sponsored Jubilee Swim in aid of Bradford and Airedale Cancer Support, who provide assistance for cancer patients and their families in our area. During this Jubilee month, 60 gym members will be swimming 1 km each to reach the Diamond distance. If you are able to sponsor Jackie, she would be very grateful - she'll have her sponsor form with her this Sunday, or give her a ring.

Many thanks to all who supported the Dev's Open Garden on Saturday 16 June. They raised a total of £127, and a further £50 was given in donations. If you missed this and would like to see the garden again at a better time for you or would just like to see the garden again (and in better weather!) please let John or Jackie know. They will be very pleased to share it with you and can arrange transport if necessary. Tea/coffee and scones will be served as usual!

We were very saddened to hear of the death of Nina Holloway on Monday 18 June 2012.  Nina has been at Thackley for many years and is remembered fondly for her work as a Sunday School Teacher and many other contributions to the life of the church.  Her funeral will be at 2 pm on Friday 6th July, with refreshments in the New Hall at 3:20 pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with her daughter Mary and family.

10.00 am - 12.00 noon Lots of community stalls for you to browse and buy. Tea/coffee/biscuits - £1 Bacon butties/tea/coffee - £2

Elaine would like to thank everyone who came to support the Strawberry Cream Tea on Saturday 9 June. Special thanks to all those who helped on the day, and to those who donated prizes. The total raised was £363.15 - a fantastic amount raised for the continuing work of the Breast Cancer Care charity.

What a wonderful day we had on 4th June! It’s a good job that the weather played its part! Many thanks to all who helped in any way – our efforts have been appreciated by Mike Smith, the celebrations’ organiser. He has announced that over the whole day a total of £1243.64 was raised for the chosen charity, “ Help for Heroes ”, in addition to £152.70 raised through a tombola stall run by and for the Sue Ryder Foundation . And what was TMC’s contribution to this worthy effort? The refreshments bucket when emptied held £69.61: the sale of the souvenir brochures raised £75.00 and the bookstall £216.90. So, in all we contributed £361.51 to “Help for Heroes”. Well done!

Saturday 9 June 14:00 – 16:00 Tickets £2.50 (available at the door) Cakes, handmade crafts, tombola, raffle, quiz.

We are delighted to be involved in the village's celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and look forward to seeing you. Monday 4 June 2012 Thackley & District Specsavers Gala 10.30 am - Fancy Dress Parade for children under 14 years, leaves care park of Shoulder of Mutton to march via Leeds Road, Crag hill Road to Thackley Cricket Club. 10.30 am - Book sale and refreshments at Thackley Methodist Church. 10.30 am - Bouncy Castle opens at Thackley Football Club 10.30 am - Bungee Pull open Thackley Football Club. 11.00 am - Burger Bar opens at Thackley Football Club selling ot food and drinks. 11.00 am - Fancy dress  judged by Mr 7 Mrs J Ludgate of Nabwood, Shipley.  Best dressed Girl and Boy receive trophy and medallion. 11.15 am - Karate demonstration   - Thackley Methodist Church 11.30 am - Ladies tug of war competition takes place at Thackley Cricket Club. 11.30 am - First domino challenge at Thackley Commercial Pub. 11.30 am - First poo

10.00 am - 12.00 noon Saturday 28 April 2012 Tea/coffee & biscuits £1

10.00 am - 12.00 noon Saturday 21 April 2012 The last time I wrote to you about Gift Day I reported that the circuit was facing severe financial difficulties and had appointed a strategy group to explore ways of making the most of our limited resources. After some very difficult discussions, the Circuit Meeting subsequently made the decision to reduce staffing from 6.5 ministers to 3,5. Alistair Newton (Superintendent), Freddie Takavarasha and I will leave the circuit in August. From September the Circuit will be served by Nick Blundell (Superintendent), Ian Griffiths, Sarah Jemison, and Phil Drake. The strategy group was again deployed to build on their previous work and consider ways of moving forward; their second report will be considered at the March Circuit Meeting. At the recent Treasurers’ Meeting, it was agreed that Thackley and most other churches in the Circuit would increase their assessment for 2012/13 by 5%. The assessment is a substantial financial contributi

We are saddened to report that Maria lost her fight against cancer on 2 April 2012.  We pray for God's blessing on her family and friends at this difficult time.  Her funeral will take place in church at 10.30 am on Wednesday 11 April 2012.

Thank you to all those who attended our 2nd Table top sale.  Regrettably, we didn't have as many visitors as at our first event; however, it's early days and we hope numbers will increase as the sales become more established. The church raised: Books £4.70 Catering £40.95 Stall £26.80 Our next sale is on Saturday 28 April 2012 - 10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Following the success of previous years, there will once again be a pie and pea supper followed by a Bettle Drive to raise funds for Christian Aid.  Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for under 16's and are available from John and Margaret V.

Many thanks to those who supported the Fair Trade stall during Fair Trade fortnight.  We took £279.88 and helped to raise the profile of Fair Trade issues.  Thanks to those who helped on the sall and those who bought from it.

Lent Communion 10.00 am to 11.00 am Six tuesdays in Lent commencing 28 February 2012 Good Friday 10.00 am to 11.00 am Drop in for 5 minutes or 1 hour for quiet reflection and self-served communion Everyone welcome

Table Top Sale 10.00 am to 12.00 noon Saturday 24 March 2012 Refreshments £1

We had an "arty" morning when Moira led our service a week or so ago.  We looked at the Fairtrade logo and then picked out the Good News from a selection from bible readings and turned them into our own Good News Logos.  Here's the results - nice job everyone!

Acts Ch 2 vv 43 - 47 John Ch 14 vv 12 – 31a We had a wonderfully inspiring service this morning led by Martin Bashforth.  Martin likened the situation that our churches face in moving from a named minister to a team ministry to that of Jesus and His disciples.  They, too, had been dependent upon Jesus to lead, to preach, to heal ... they, too, faced an uncertain future, not knowing how they would cope without Jesus being around.  Jesus promised he would never leave them, and sent the Holy Spirit to work within them.  He does the same for each one of us "whoever believes in me will do the works that I do". Jackie Marshall also shared her encounter with God yesterday: Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me

Saturday 24th March at 5.30pm Following the success of previous years, there will once again be a pie and pea supper followed by a Beetle Drive to raise funds for Christian Aid. Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for under 16’s and are available from John and Margaret V.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Joan Rawlinson on Wednesday 22nd February. Also this week we’ve heard of the death of Joyce Holdsworth, who was a member of this church for many years before moving to Buckinghamshire to be near her family a few years ago. Our prayers are with the families of both these ladies.

There will be a Fairtrade stall in church after family worship on 4th March, it will be open for the other users of our building between Tuesday and Thursday, and then on to St Andrew’s for the Big Brew coffee morning on Saturday 10th March. Please support us in raising funds and awareness this Fairtrade Fortnight.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Table Top Sale.  This was a great success. Here's the church's results: £10.35 on the books £48.60 on the church stall £68.20 in the cafe £56.00 on the Junior Church stall - this will go towards paying for our children to go away with us for our Family Weekend to Abbot Hall in September. Please join us for our next one - 24 March 2012.

It was only last August when we first met to discuss the way ahead for Thackley.  We’ve just been looking at some of the things we said we would do and we’ve made a brilliant start: 1)      Singing in the homes for the elderly – Tick, that’s ongoing – if you want to join in contact Jackie D. 2)      Singing at the switch on of the Christmas lights – Tick, we did that, even though it was so dark we couldn’t find each other, there was a good group from Thackley to boost the singing. 3)      Community table top sales/coffee mornings – Tick, our first is on 25 February 10.00 am to 12.00 noon – good news is all the tables are booked for February and March!!!   – we now need folk to turn up so please drop in for a cuppa. 4)      Prayer links – Tick, Chris T has distributed our first prayer card this morning – if you want one, contact Chris T. 5)      Scarecrow festival – Looks as though it will go ahead  on 6/7 October – at least 6 folk have volunteered

Please pray for: Our children, that we can offer them a loving place in which to learn of God's love and show them the excitement and joy of a life lived with God. Those members holding office within our church, that their stress levels do not rise and that more members of our congregation will come forward to offer to share in the work. Our older members, that they feel the fullness of God's love in our fellowship, the importance of their wise and loving contribution to our church life and the need we have of their prayers. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Matthew Chapter 6 v 6 & 7