CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEBDEN BRIDGE. A number of years ago various members of the clergy and laity of Hebden Royd felt a united front was needed. A meeting was held and they decided to draw up a Covenant in which the following was agreed on:
That the richness of diversity in traditions could complement each other. That God was leading them to a greater sharing of their mission to the world. That they would undertake to do whatever they could to encourage co-operation in setting up local ecumenical projects. That they would act together on social issues when need and opportunity arose. That they would encourage all Christians in Hebden Royd and district to support them in the covenant. The Covenant was signed by all present.
Each season brings a different activity in the area, which is carefully planned and to which everyone is invited.
Some highlights of the year are:
Procession of witness on Good Friday
Son/sun rise service on Easter morning
Harvest Service with collections for local good causes (most recently, food for the Drop-In Centre)
Christmas Eve gathering in the square in Hebden Bridge, involving hundreds of local people, a heart-warming event of Christian witness.
Churches Together also plan the Lent house groups, various services and public meetings.
New members are always very welcome, particularly now when the need for Faith, Hope and Love has never been greater.
Christine Jackson, representative for St. Michael's for Churches Together.
KIMBILIO. St. Michael’s Mytholmroyd support a street Kids project in D R Congo, set up by a young man Ian Harvey, serving with Christian Missionary Society (CMS)
Street Kids in Congo. Kimbilio Centre.
DR Congo has many 1000’s of Street Kids, most of them living rough on the streets because of poverty. Poverty has various roots - civil war, being ex-child soldiers, parents’ death through HIV/Aids, children accused of witchcraft or a new partner rejecting children from the earlier marriage. In 2009 Ian Harvey (from Manchester) and his African colleagues set up a project in the huge city of Lubumbashi to make contact with street kids. It was called ‘Kimbilio’ (in Swahili = ‘a place to run to for safety’) They have got to know 30 or 40 and provide them with basic schooling and training, as well as a bed, food, clothes - all this in a caring family atmosphere. A few they have managed to reunite with their families. During 2010 they made 1000’s of sun-dried clay bricks by hand, and they’ve now completed the first buildings of the centre out on the edge of the city. It’s away from the street gangs and their bad influence, and so gives young people a period of stability, education, Christian teaching and personal care.
Hostel for Girls In 2014 they added a hostel for girls, and want to develop that side of their work.
For more info’ about the project go to www.congochildrentrust.org
QUIZ NIGHTS. In St Michael’s Hall at 7.30pm on 1st Friday of the month. Bar open, Pie & pea supper (optional). New quizzers welcome.
COFFEE MORNINGS. Are held in the Erringden room of St Michael’s Hall each Saturday morning at 10am - Great cakes for sale.
ST MICHAEL'S AMATEURS. An Amateur Dramatic Society based in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire connected with St Michael's Church. Visit their FB page or EMAIL THEM for further details.
SMAJIC. The junior version of St Michael's Amateurs. Use the same links above to contact them.
BOOK CLUB. We are a group of people who enjoy reading a wide range of books. Everyone reads the book chosen for that month before the meeting and we discuss it over coffee/tea and biscuits. We select each book 2 months ahead from recommendations by group members. Our meetings take place in the Erringden Room at St Michael's Church Hall on the second Wednesday of the month at 2.00pm. A good time is had by all.
Everyone is welcome. Hope to see you there