Out and about
Summer in spring has been a boost for us all. Have we ever had such a wonderful May with day after day of unbroken sunshine and worthy temperatures to allow us to enjoy God’s creation in all its beauty.
The roving reporters have been busy making notes of certain services and events and you can read their contributions elsewhere in the magazine. I am very keen to develop this further and do encourage your views on anything attended yes YOU!
Suffice for me this month simply to say that a number of trips were enjoyed in the glorious weather and none the more so than the mystery luncheon which found us at The Grapes, a delightful pub on Wrea Green. Not only did we enjoy a splendid meal but also afterwards either sitting on a bench or going for a walk on the green in the glorious dazzling sunshine.
Messy Church was once more well attended at Woodlands. We looked at the story of Jacob’s ladder. The families made dream-catchers among other craft and enjoyed other activities. Then we all sat round for a potato pie supper.
Fellowship News
As the last magazine was prepared we were greatly concerned about the health of two of our members ELIZABETH HOWlE (Liz) and DOROTHY JONES. Sadly both died during the month. ‘
LlZ passed away peacefully on 14th. May in her home and her funeral was held at Kingsway and the Crematorium on the 30th. In his eulogy Alan spoke of how we had valued the support Liz gave to everything at Kingsway since moving into her apartment just over three years ago. From the church perspective we welcomed her into worship where she settled. On her 90th. birthday we presented her with flowers and she cut a cake (a tradition for anyone attaining that age). How much she seemed to enjoy that morning.
Her daughter Janet spoke about her mum at Pleasington and gave a resume of her life from the early days spent in Scotland where she was born, through the times she was in Blackburn with stories of her contribution to the world of work which went well beyond retirement and her interests. Liz especially liked roses and her love of such was reflected in the floral tributes.
We continue to remember her children Janet, Elizabeth and James, together with family members in this time of loss.
DOROTHY died in the early hours of Sunday 27th. at Royal Blackburn hospital where she had been a patient for five weeks. Her funeral service will be at Woodlands on Monday 11th. June at 11 em.
Dorothy had resided in Kingsway regularly since the building opened in 2011 and attended church regularly. In earlier says she had been in fellowship at the former Mill Hill church before it united with Cherry Tree to become Woodlands in the mid-eighties. Her appreciation of music led her to be organist there for quite a few years.
Other interests included bowling, G & S society and Darwen Ladies Choir and writing pget Married to Neville for sixty years until his death just before last Christmas, her working life ‘ Was for many years at their newsagents.
In our prayers are her sons Steven and Michael and all the family as they grieve one who was much loved and respected by so many.
We have also been thinking of OLIVE SHARPLES following the death of her brOther Philip, a keen member of Woodlands Walkers.
MARY GREAVES had a nasty fall as she was on a weekend break with family celebrating her 99th. birthday. We are glad to say she is up and about again. Also soon to be 99 is EVA WALMSLEY who lives quietly at home with support from friends and carers. Happy birthday.
FRANCES TOWNLEY continues to make progress towards better health and hopefully will soon be fit enough to move back into the community from Hazeldene Nursing Home.
There are a few friends who are so often in our thoughts, namely those who are either mostly confined to their home or in residential care DOT, MARION,SONYA, NELL & ELSIE.
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Thank you for your recent giving.
The Charity jar (Percy Penny Pot) is still collecting for The Red Cross until the end of June and throughout July and August will welcome gifts for Derian House Children’s Hospice who are celebrating the 25th. Anniversary of their opening this summer.