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.

Comments

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

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 Metropolitan Food Bank

An article in the March Link stated that, after April, the foodbank operated by the Light Church will limit its service to postcodes which extend into the centre of Bradford. However, there is a food bank which provides food bags for the whole of the Bradford district and surrounding areas. The following is an account of this bank; I am indebted to Keith Thomson, a member of the committee, for this information. Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank is the original food bank in Bradford. It opened in 2004, as an extension of the Curry Project for rough sleepers, started by Lashman Singh. It provides food bags for the whole of the Bradford district and collects food from the same area. It is non-sectarian, supporting people of all faiths and none, and the volunteers are from all sections of the diverse Bradford community. The main committee, the original seven and up to fifty volunteers are just that. We are all volunteers and no-one is paid. We never see the people and families that...

Bradford North Circuit

Search This Blog