News

WEEK BEGINNING 18th January 2025 

Worship

St James’ will have a Service of Holy Communion on  Sunday at 9.30am, led by Rev'd Dr Malcolm Wearing

We will have Wiggle Worship on Wednesday at 9.30 AM

We will have our regular Book of Common Prayer Communion Service on Wednesday at 10.30 AM

The link for the Church of England online service is below 

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/church-online/weekly-online-services

Ignite Youth - Sparks Initiative (with the Places Team)

The Ignite team are holding a special event in January.   Ignite Youth will be taking place on four Saturdays (10, 17, 24 & 31).   

Usual time & place : 7-8.30pm at St John’s Wingates.  

Come along on Saturday 10th January to St John’s Wingates at 7pm to see what it’s all about!

Olga from the Places Team will be helping us lead the Sparks Initiative sessions. 

These will help you explore how God can help you to use the gifts he has given you to serve others.  

The sessions are for Year 6 & up and will include activities, food and games. Don’t worry if you can’t make all of the sessions!

RSVP or any questions to: igniteyouthwesthoughton@gmail.com

Toys and Beanie Hats

The mission group would like to express their thanks to everyone at St  James for their generous donations to our Christmas appeal for toys for Sarah Lodge and Toiletries for the Children’s Society. Both were very very pleased and most appreciative, and have sent their thanks to us all. We must mention the Beanie Hats and the grand total this year was 646 - Isn’t that marvelous!   We thank everyone who knit the lovely hats, people from St James and all those kind friends of friends who joined in. Thank you! 

Although this seems a great number please remember there are thousands of needy children throughout the world so…Keep Knitting!

Study Group

Our regular Study group will meet on Sunday 25th January at 6.00 PM

Mayor’s Charity Ball

The Mayor of Westhoughton's Charity Ball is being held on Saturday 21st February, poster and menu below

The Charities supported this year are Westhoughton Assist Service and The Hoggery, both local Westhoughton charities.

Team Retreat

The date has now been set for next year’s retreat at Foxhill as 15th to 17th May 2026. More details will follow.

Supporting St James’ for the Future

Ealier in the year we spoke about how we support our church in the future, if you were not at the service, we would ask you to please have a look at this video, it essentially says the same things spoken about last Sunday:

St James' Stewardship Video

If anyone would like to pay by standing order in future, our bank details on bottom of back page of the pewsheet each week and are:

If you would like to pay by standing order in future or learn more about Gift Aiding any giving, please email us stjamescofedaisyhill@gmail.com.

Reengage Social Group 

The charity Reengage is hosting monthly social groups at the John Holt Community Centre.  It will be held on the last Wednesday of each month 12:30-2:30. The group aims to bring friendship and companionship to older adults in the community.

Each month there will be mixed games including indoor bowls, skittles and cards. There are complimentary hot drinks, and biscuits, and plenty of time to socialise and meet new friends. The group is friendly and led by our wonderful volunteers who take time to chat with the attendees. 

Please see flyer below for more details.

TALKIN' TABLES - Conquering Loneliness one Table at a Time!

We now have two groups in the area:

St John’s Wingates Church on a Wednesday from 10.30am - 11.30am.

Thyme for Tea, 96 Church Street, Westhoughton BL5 3RZ, on a Tuesday from 10am - 11am.

Everyone is welcome and it's free.  For more information, please visit talkintables.co.uk

Thyme to Grieve 

Jane who has been running the talking tables at Thyme for Tea, as a new initiative for the recently bereaved

 called Thyme to grieve.  It is held at:

Thyme for Tea, 96 Church Street, Westhoughton BL5 3RZ.