Holocaust Memorial Day
Be the light in the darkness… Image © Wiener Library – Soup Kitchen in Łódź Ghetto
Bank Topics “Lite” – Dec 2020
Still in lockdown so it’s “Lite” again! Click here to download the current issue, December 2020 All the news of what’s going on (or not going on) for the next…
Just so you know… The Church building is (once again) shut. This time until Spring is sprung!
You can find us here on the web and join us for a Sunday Service over Zoom, or just if you need a hand… Just leave your contact details below…
Bank Topics “Lite” – Sep 20
Mid lockdown we’ve gone “lite.” Click here to download the current issue, Sep 2020 (Almost) all the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of…
Just so you know… Update
You can find us here on the web and join us for a Sunday Service over Zoom, or just if you need a hand… Just leave your contact details below…
Covid-19 Risk Assessment, July 2020
To enable us to open Church for worship we have completed a risk assessment which can be found here. Andy Guthrie Church Leader July 16 2020 Image by Sumanley…
Bank Topics – June 2020
Click here to download the current issue, June 2020 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Just so you know…
You can find us here on the web and join us for a Sunday Service over Zoom, or just if you need a hand… Just leave your contact details below…
Getting through tough times…
This comes from a Catholic priest called Fr Richard Rohr, just seemed something worth sharing in these strange times… When triggered or caught by something unpleasant, begin by simply being…
One to remember when the church door is shut…
Thanks to Cartoonist Dave Walker who has great stuff at CartoonChurch.com
Bank Topics – March 2020
Click here to download the current issue, March 2020 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Bank Topics – December 2019
Click here to download the current issue, December 2019 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the…
Bank Topics – September 2019
Click here to download the current issue, September 2019 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Bank Topics – June 2019
Click here to download the current issue June 2019 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Notre-Dame de Paris
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5
GK Chesterton: The Donkey.
After Palm Sunday’s service, Jim told me of a poem he had to learn at school… The Donkey BY G. K. CHESTERTON When fishes flew and forests walked And figs grew…
Our Church Profile
As we head towards the new Missional Partnerships we were asked to prepare our church profile. This is a document we created towards the end of last year and it…
Bank Topics – March 2019
Click here to download the current issue March 2019 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Bank Topics – December 2018
Click here to download the current issue December 2018 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Bank Topics – September 2018
Click here to download the current issue September 2018 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Homepage
What drives the Homepage? Appearance -> Theme Options -> Content -> Top of page, Custom Template Andy MsR
Bank Topics – June 2018
Click here to download the current issue June 2018 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Bank Topics – March 2018
Click here to download the current issue March 2018. All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Samaritan’s Purse 2017…
Christmas started off early at the end of last month with 62 carefully packed boxes of love collected so that they can be distributed to children who really need evidence…
Bank Topics – December 2017
Click here to download the current issue Newsletter December 2017. All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
URC Daily Devotions
You may or may not be aware that the United Reformed Church makes available daily devotional reflections, written by all kinds of contributors. You can now find them on our…
Blake’s Jerusalem
A really brilliant discussion from BBC Radio 4 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b092m4s2
Bank Topics – September 2017
Click here to download the current issue Newsletter September 2017 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Thy Kingdom Come… #P2P
I heard about this on Thought for the Day this morning… Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement, which invites Christians around the world to pray between Ascension and…
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
And, still today, the darkness will not overcome it. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those people caught up in last night’s ghastly attack in Manchester. May He watch…
Bank Topics – June 2017
Click here to download the current issue Newsletter June 2017 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on…
Grace is kind of amazing!! So, you might want to quit worrying so much about how bad you think you are…
Thanks to Sad Jesus, once again!
Have there been times that you’ve spoken about peace, love or helping someone – and been told that you’re not really a Christian?
Thanks to I’m not that kind of Christian
Christ has no body but yours…
Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet…
Bank Topics – March 2017
Click here to download Newsletter March 2017 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
I think it’s not asking nearly enough, but it’s a start…
Thanks, as ever, to Sad Jesus, and this time to (the quite hard to find) Him Above too.
Peacemaking is not about having more bombs and guns and soldiers than the enemy… Peacemaking is about love!!
And thanks, Sad Jesus, Again!
St Georges Cathedral Barcelona (Cape Town) at the door… Amen!!!
And presumably Coventry as well!! Thanks to Immanuel Van Tonder
Hmmm… How the Daily Mail sees the Nativity story..
Yes once again thanks to the Church Sofa Originally found over at Homeless Britain on Facebook.
Bank Topics – Dec 2016
Click here to download Newsletter December 2016 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
76 Shoeboxes of love
Big fanfare from 76 trombones! On Sunday 20th November we collected 76 little boxes of love for the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child – the Shoebox appeal. If you want…
Following Jesus means erasing the lines of hatred, xenophobia, misogyny, racism, classism, and all separation between people!
Thanks to Sad Jesus And another thing…. Someone once said that whenever we draw a line in the sand to exclude others, we find that Jesus is always standing with those…
The story of the poppy
Remembrance Day Service, Bank Top URC, Ashworth Lane, 10:30 Sunday 13th November Thanks to The Royal British Legion
Bank Topics – September 2016
Click here to download Newsletter September 2016 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
A Prayer for when you feel like you’re drowning…
For those in peril on the sea, and refugees everywhere The Church Sofa inspiring again
There’s a Church Meeting on Sunday… this is important!
10 tips to survive a church meeting… It’s a new week. It’s the start of a new month. You may have a meeting coming up at church. Yes. Another church meeting. The…
Church start time…
OK, we’re 10:30’ish rather than 10:00’ish but it seems we’re not alone! The Church Sofa lightens our day once more!
Church survival kit for new parents…
Have you got to the stage where you have a little version of yourself? (Otherwise known as a baby). Are you worried about what you need to keep a baby…
EU Referendum: the morning after…
URC General Secretary John Proctor asks, what do churches say and do in immediate response to the decision to leave the EU? Most of us managed to vote. We knew…
Snoopy Theology
But, apparently, with only a cameo appearance by Snoopy! Once again, thanks to The Church Sofa
Need Something For Fathers Day?
Thank goodness this one passed them by, and I certainly don’t have 50 favorite worship songs! Once again thanks to TheChurchSofa
How many of you remember this?
And is that you in the middle of the road? Bank Top 1939 More photos of old Bolton from A M Andrews here
Bank Top Sermons Sunday – 15th May 2016
On 15th May 2016 we celebrated Sermons Sunday with a BBQ in the Bank Top Community Garden and… it didn’t even rain! You can see more pictures by clicking here.
Bank Topics – June 2016
Click here to download Newsletter June 2016 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
Think, Vote, Pray – The Church’s EU Referendum resource
Four major Churches in Britain have today released a resource to help churches and individuals think, pray and vote in the upcoming European Union referendum. Read more about that here. Click here…
Contemporary Christianity Exam…
The good people who are the Beaker Folk of Husborne Crawley have an excellent website which includes this… Contemporary Christianity Exam Announced by Archdruid Eileen 3 hours. No talking, mobile…
Bank Topics – March 2016
Click here to download Newsletter March 2016 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
Holocaust Memorial Day 2016
Click on the image for a wonderful resource from St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Monkseaton, via the Windermere Centre http://windermere.urc.org.uk/wo16-holocaust-memorial-day/
Cranberries at Christmas…
In the run up to Christmas, Bank Top helped the Bolton Urban Outreach Christmas hamper project. There’s more detail on their website here but in summary… “In total 1200 hampers blessed…
Bank Topics – December 2015
Click here to download Issue 19 December 2015 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
**Yoga Classes at Bank Top Church every Tuesday at 7.45pm – 9.15pm**
**Yoga Classes at Bank Top Church every Tuesday at 7.45pm – 9.15pm** WHAT IS YOGA? Yoga is all about harmonising the body with the mind and breath through the means of…
Bank Topics September 2015
Click here to download Newsletter September 2015 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
Bank Topics June 2015
Click here to download Newsletter June 2015 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
Bank Topics March 2015
Click here to download Newsletter March 2015 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
Bank Topics December 2014
Click here to download Newsletter December 2014 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
Bank Topics September 2014
Click here to download Newsletter September 2014 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
Operation Christmas Child
On the website www.samaritans-purse.org.uk there is a simple quote that explains Operation Christmas Child . (Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal) “ The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s…
Bank Top Offerings
This article is a follow-up from the financial breakdown that Val Singleton explained to us during our recent service. First let me thank each and every one of you for…
Supporting our Charities
HARVEST (Family Service 21st September) Once again, with your help, we will be supporting BOLTON HOSPICE and WINTERWATCH BOLTON HOSPICE – with gifts of food and other items – see…
Help Needed!!!!
Bank Top Memories Book – currently a lost memory!!!! Syd and Maureen had collected memories from people about their time at Bank Top URC. It was in a plastic folder…
Remembering our First World War dead…
On the war memorial in church are the names of seven men who gave their lives for their country in the First Word War, 1914-1918. These are: Walter Boardman Arnold…
Bank Top Village Fair – Saturday 5th July 2014
The Fair is this Saturday, 5th July 11:30-3:00 BBQ, cream teas, beer tent (thanks to the support of Bank Top Brewery), bouncy castle, stalls and children’s…
BankTopics June 2014
Click here to download Newsletter June 2014 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and it…
Florence Avenue Allotment Plant Sale 2014
Come and join our friends at the allotment for their open day after Sermons – Sunday 18th May, 12 – 4pm
BankTopics March 2014
Click here to download Newsletter March 2014 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter – except there’s only this month left!!!!! (This is a pdf of the…
We now have a GrubTub for the donation of food for StoreHouse.
We now have a GrubTub where you can donate food to support StoreHouse – a Church related foodbank for Bolton
Be a donor! – it can be part of your giving!
FAB – fleshandblood.0rg …is a campaign to encourage the church to see blood and organ donation as part of its giving for more information click here
O come, O come, Immanuel,
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to thee, O Israel….
BankTopics – December 2013
Click here to download Newsletter December 2013 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter – except there’s only this month left!!!!! (This is a pdf of the…
Samaritan’s Purse – Alex’s Story, the bit you missed!
We collected 105 boxes of love and hope which are now on their way to Uganda! Well done everybody for this fantastic effort – it really will make a difference…
Val’s TRIO presentation, what you missed on the screen….
You can download a copy of Val’s powerpoint presentation on TRIO be clicking here.
What is the URC?
Where do we come from? The United Reformed Church is one of the smaller mainstream denominations – but although it is small it plays a dynamic and challenging part in…
September 2013 Newsletter
Click here to download Newsletter September 2013 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter – except there’s only this month left!!!!! (This is a pdf of the…
And the banner rises again…
A number of Bank Toppers have been part of Adrian Yapp’s Eden Singers and we had many of our early rehearsals at Lee Clough Mission. When the Mission closed at…
Dear Parents With Young Children in Church
(Even if it come from the States this says it all…) You are doing something really, really important. I know it’s not easy. I see you with your arms overflowing, and I…
A Faith For Today – Windermere Centre, end of August 2013
A Faith for Today The Christian faith today is under threat intellectually by the aggressive atheism of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, and by secular materialism which seems to have…
Bolton News tribute to Kath Tyldesley
TRIBUTES have been paid to a charity champion who strived for better care for dementia patients. Kath Tyldesley, the chairman of Bolton’s The Dementia Support Group, died aged 84 at Bolton…
June 2013 Newsletter
Click here to download Newsletter June 2013 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and…
Bank Top celebrates two new Elders!
We’re delighted to announce that at last Sunday’s AGM Alison Spence and Maureen Flitcroft agreed to become Elders. We’re very grateful for this commitment and wish them every blessing.
Lenten course – Part 2, tomorrow, Tuesday 5th March at 8:00pm
Digging a little deeper After a great turnout last week we’re onto part 2. Starts at 8 with physical nourishment from 7:50 ready for a prompt 8:00 start and an…
A major report from the church about myths around poverty…
Executive Summary…. In 1753 John Wesley, the founder of Methodism said, “So wickedly, devilishly false is that common objection, ‘They are poor, only because they are idle’.” Yet today many…
Brunches 2013
Come to the Bank Top Brunch experience! Some say it’s cheap as chips but we think of it as a fair priced rounded meal. Main course, pudding and a…
Elders’ and Church meetings 2013
Sunday 20th January Church Meeting Wednesday 6th March Elders Meeting Sunday 21st April AGM Wednesday 1st May Elders Meeting Wednesday 5th June Elders Meeting Sunday …
March 2013 Newsletter
Click here to download Newsletter March 2013 All the news of what’s going on for the next quarter. (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link…
Lent course – time to dig a little deeper…
We talk a lot about “outreach” but sometimes there’s also a need for a bit of “InReach” and Lent is probably a great time to do that. So starting on…
Happy New Year!
Now that the first week of January is out of the way….. God Bless and have a great 2013!
Elders’ duties Spring 2013
DATE SERVICE DOOR VESTRY 6-Jan-13 Christine Sue 13-Jan-13 Communion Service Joan Andy 20-Jan-13 Maureen Jill 27-Jan-13 Family Communion Service/Church Parade James Val 3-Feb-13 Julie Maureen 10-Feb-13 Communion Service Andy Mark…
Elders’ Communion Rota Spring 2013
ELDERS COMMUNION DUTY LIST JANUARY – APRIL 2013 DATE 13 January Val Singleton** Jill Partington Andy Guthrie Julie Skidmore 27 January (fcs) Sue Seddon** Christine Counsell Joan Seddon James…
The hour approaches!
Come and join us on Sunday! 10:30 – Nativity with proper carols 5:45 – Bank Top Gardens, mulled…
Shoe Box Appeal 2012
A magnificent effort from everyone at church (and beyond) enabled us to collect 124 boxes. These are off to Swaziland (where the bad king reigns – for those of you…
December 2012 Newsletter
December 2012 Newsletter (This is a pdf of the newsletter – click on the link and it will download to your pc/device) All the news of what’s going on for…
ADVENT BRUNCH – Saturday 1st December
10:00 until 1:00 – come early to hear the Brownies and Rainbows singing, or avoid the early rush by coming after 11:00. Then it’s time to visit Santa or win…
Sunday School Quiz
Which brave young boy had a fight with a giant called Goliath? Who did God give the job of building a massive boat called an ark? What was the name…
Christmas Events
We have arranged a ladies’ Christmas meal at Angelo’s in Egerton on Tuesday 11 December 2012. The cost is £15.95 and the menu will be available this week….
Christmas Services
The Nativity play is on Sunday 23 December 2012 at 10.30 am. The Christingle service is on Sunday 23 December 2012 at 6.15 pm. Carols in the garden at 5.45…
Lace and Craft
Our craft class at Bank Top has been meeting every Wednesday evening for nearly twenty years. The group is about twenty strong and comes from near and far and keeps…
September Newsletter
Issue 6 (2) Click on the link above for the September 2012 newsletter
Housegroup
The Church House Group meets informally at Val’s house on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. Recent studies have included the Old Testament book of Daniel, Paul –…
Art Group
The Art Group meets on Monday from 1 pm – 3 pm. The group is a self-help group of about 13 ladies who draw and paint in a range of…
Toddler Group
Bank Top Toddler group meets on Tuesday from 9.30 am – 11 am. Mums, Dads, grandparents and carers are welcome with their babies and pre-school children. The children enjoy playing…
December and January Services
December 2012 Sunday 2 December – Morning Service – Mark Bates Sunday 9 December – Communion Service – Rev George Mwaura Sunday 16 December – Morning Service – Andy Guthrie Sunday 23 December – Nativity Play – Sunday…
Windermere Weekend May 2010
Our next visit to the Windermere Centre will be Friday 22 June – Sunday 24 June 2012. The…
Meeting dates for 2012
Sunday 5 February 2012 – Church Meeting Wednesday 7 March 2012 – Elders Meeting Sunday 15 April 2012 – AGM Wednesday 2 May 2012 – Elders Meeting Wednesday 6…
A Blessing As You Journey Into the New Year
May your eyes be opened to the daily miracles around you and your sense of mystery be deepened. May you be aware of the light that shines in the darkness,…
Where it all began
OUR HISTORY – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Bank Top Church was built in the 1830s and appears on a map of the area dating back to 1847. Originally it was…