Rochdale Churches Prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter Celebrations
Churches across Rochdale are gearing up for a series of events to mark Palm Sunday and the upcoming Easter week, offering services, community meals, and activities for all ages.
St Luke's Church, Deeplish
St Luke's Church in Deeplish will hold a Palm Sunday service of Morning Praise on March 29 at 10:00 am, officiated by Reader Sue Horobin. Following the service, a Lent lunch will be served, featuring homemade soup, bread, cheese, jams, tea, or coffee, providing a chance for fellowship. Donations for the food will be collected for Tear Fund. The church extends a warm welcome to regular members and newcomers alike, inviting everyone to join their friendly and caring congregation.
St Mary's, Balderstone
At St Mary's in Balderstone, a monthly Women’s Breakfast is scheduled for this morning from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, offering a relaxed atmosphere to catch up with friends or meet new people. All ladies are encouraged to attend, and bringing a friend is welcomed.
Tomorrow, the church will celebrate Palm Sunday at 10:30 am with a service for all ages. Highlights include exploring a familiar passage, announcing the winners of a recent children’s art competition with a prizegiving ceremony, and displaying artwork from the day school. Afterward, refreshments with cake will be served, and everyone is invited to attend as they are.
Midweek activities include SMURFS (St Mary’s Under FiveS) on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm, offering toys, stories, and snacks for children aged 0 to four, along with tea for adults. This session will be the last before the Easter holidays, resuming on April 21. Additionally, study groups meet on Wednesdays, with a daytime session at 10:00 am in the church lounge and an evening session at 7:20 pm at a member's home, also accessible via Zoom.
As Easter approaches, St Mary's invites the community to join their services, starting with a Good Friday meditation service on Friday from 11:00 am to noon. For more information, visit their website or contact via email or Facebook.
St Chad's and St Mary in the Baum
With British Summer Time beginning on March 29, St Chad's and St Mary in the Baum will observe Palm Sunday, the Sixth Sunday of Lent, featuring the Liturgy of The Passion from Matthew's Gospel. Palm crosses will be distributed to commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.
At 10:15 am, a Choral Eucharist will be held at St Chad's as a joint service with St Mary's, including psalm 69 and 'O Saviour of the World' (Somervell). The celebrant and preacher is Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto, followed by a bring-and-share meal for both congregations, marking the start of Holy Week.
Weekly activities include the Red Cross providing help for refugees at St Mary's every Monday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, with free admission and refreshments. Upcoming events during Holy Week:
- March 31 at 7:00 pm: Stations of the Cross at St Mary's, led by Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto.
- April 1 at 10:00 am: Lent Study at St Luke's Deeplish, followed by Morning Prayer at 11:00 am.
- April 2 at 7:00 pm: Maundy Thursday Holy Communion at St Chad's, with voluntary foot washing, led by Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto.
- April 3 at noon: Good Friday service 'The Last Seven Words from the Cross' at St Mary's, led by Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto.
- April 5: Easter Day services include The Eucharist at St Mary's at 9:15 am and Choral Eucharist at St Chad's at 11:15 am, both led by Rev Duke O'Baka-Torto.
Children's activities are available during Sunday morning services, with refreshments provided afterward. For details on the Asian Christian Fellowship, contact 07983 388169.
St Andrews, Dearnley
St Andrews in Dearnley recently held a service on March 22, with readings from Ezekiel, Romans, and John. Weekly services include Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 9:30 am and a Midweek Eucharist on Thursdays at 10:30 am, followed by light refreshments.
On March 29 at 10:30 am, a Palm Sunday Eucharist will feature donkeys. The Lent course continues on Thursdays at 11:15 am for one more week. The church is also seeking volunteers to create poppies for a November display, with requests for spare red wool.
Opportunities for lay leadership are available, with training for Lay Readers tailored to all ages, including those over 70. Upcoming events include a Mothers' Union meeting on April 6 at 2:00 pm and a retirement service for Councillor Ashley Dearnley on April 19 at 3:00 pm. Donations are encouraged for the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Omboloka, Easter flowers, and Easter eggs for the food bank.
The church shares a message from Luke 6:37, emphasizing compassion and non-judgment in faith. For news submissions, email info@inyouarea.co.uk by 4:00 pm each Wednesday for inclusion in local publications.
