Memorial Service - a Good News story from St Andrew's

St Andrew’s Church held a memorial service on 9 February, to commemorate an attack by Muslim extremists on the Christian village of Shanti Nagar in the Punjab, Pakistan. The church has close links with the village, where the Dutt family, who are members at St Andrew’s, grew up. It is 17 years since the attack took place, but things have not improved in Pakistan, and violence against minority faiths (not just Christians) continues to happen frequently. You may recall the recent bomb attack on the cathedral in Peshawar.

There were several Bradford Muslims in the congregation, including the Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Khadim Hussain, who lit a candle during the service. Three former Lord Mayors also attended, two of whom are Muslims. Incidentally there were also Hindus and a Jew in the congregation. We are proud to say that inter-faith relations in Bradford are an example to the world.

The purpose of the service was to pray for people around the world who suffer persecution because of their faith, and two candles were lit: one for Shanti Nagar, by Alan Stubbs, Treasurer of the Shanti Nagar St Andrew’s Trust and one for people of all faiths, by the Lord Mayor. Prayers were offered in Urdu by Joel Masih and in English by the Dean of Bradford, the Very Rev Jerry Lepine.

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Biblefresh Festival 11 June 2011 - bookings now open

Bradford North and South Circuits invite you to their city-wide Biblefresh Festival Saturday 11 June 2011 Full details and booking form

Courage, Cost and Hope

You may have seen in the press, recently, references to the Methodist Church’s report on the Past Cases Review of Safeguarding concerns in the church over the last 50 years, a report entitled “ Courage, Cost and Hope ”. The report contains many recommendations and learning from its findings will feed into church life over the next months and years (including our Creating Safer Space training). In the meantime, one obvious response is to ensure in each church, that we are doing all that we are required to do under current safeguarding guidance . Rev Nick on behalf of ministerial team

Bringing the Undercliffe community together

On the 16th May, after a lot of organising and prayer, Undercliffe Community Day arrived at St Andrew’s Methodist Church and what a response we received. The idea evolved from wanting to support groups who used our premises and to show the community that we care. Therefore the aim of the day was for the community to find out information and services available in Undercliffe in a fun, informative and free way. It certainly was fun. Amazingly we had around 300 people call in to see what was on offer and the majority of them went away with smiles on their faces regardless of age. Stalls offered support, advice, freebies and information. Demonstrations included dance, music and stories. Everyone received a free raffle ticket for prizes donated by local shops. The children had plenty to do including free face painting, a bouncy castle, crafts and a browse around the fire engine. To many people the offer of free refreshments, provided by the church, was a big surprise and...

Bradford North Circuit

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