Milnrow & Newhey Nov 2022

Update from St Thomas’, Newhey
and St James’, Milnrow
Whatever happened to November?
I’m sure it used to have its own character but now November is
the gap between Halloween and Christmas. In the church it is
the season of Remembrance, beginning with All Saints (when
we remember famous saints) followed by All Souls (when we
commemorate the saints who weren’t famous, but the people who
inspired us and those we love) and then Remembrance Sunday
(when we remember those who have died or been permanently
affected by war). Apart from this, November doesn’t seem to
have anything much going for it – unless you count my birthday
(which is hardly a widespread cause for celebration!). Oh, and
moustaches!
Perhaps we need to reclaim November from the ‘festive’ season.
We need to gather our strength for the winter and make space
for this unique month. Its true that the weather is often cold
and wet, and it is now that we start to really notice the darkness
encroaching on our evenings but there is nothing like a good walk
with friends on a crisp November day followed by a hot drink or
soup. I’m sure the Milnrow library walking group can offer some
ideas if that’s your thing, take a look back on all the great walks in
past issues of Streetwise!
Or maybe you could try a new craft – there’s always something
going on at the Albert Mill and it is a great way to make new
friends or have fun with the ones you already have. Take up
knitting or crochet and you could make some warm socks or
blankets to keep chills at bay now that we’ve all turned our
heating down! Doing something practical like this is good for your
health and doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. It can also have the
added advantage of being sociable, which means we can support
each other when life feels difficult.
Jesus spent a lot of his time healing people, often people for whom
illness meant isolation or rejection by society. God did not intend
for humans to live completely separate from one another, although
I know there is such a thing as too much company and we all have
our own different comfort zones on that one. In a world where we are all ‘doing our own thing’ I think
it is important, and Christ-like, to do some things together, to share with others and to laugh and cry
together sometimes. Most of all, it is important that nobody gets left out or forgotten.
Whatever you choose to do, I hope you find some fun this November and let’s keep looking out for
those who are less able to get out and about as winter approaches.
Revd Janet Pitman
42
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Dates for November:
Remembrance Sunday,
13th November
The Service will be held
at St Thomas,’ Newhey at
9.30am followed by the usual
observance in the Memorial
Park with two minutes silence
at 11am.
There will be no remembrance
service this year at St James,
Milnrow.
You are welcome to join us at
9.15am at St James or 11am
at St Thomas every other
Sunday in the month.
St James Church will hold its
Season’s Fair on November
26th at Milnrow Parish School
– all are welcome.