Royton (formerly Westwood and Salem), Lancashire - Easter 2026

We hope you all had a thoughtful and meaningful Lent and Easter, culminating in the joy of Easter Sunday and celebrating our risen Saviour.

The Easter services were all well attended and meaningful. On Palm Sunday, Sr Penny Weir from Dukinfield led the service, which was very interesting and thoughtful, and included the traditional singing of the Hosanna Anthem. The Holy Week readings from Passion Week and Eastertide were held in church, and it was clear to see how much they meant to those attending. On Maundy Thursday, Br Gubi and Br Woolford led a District Service of Holy Communion at Fairfield, and Sr Benedek led our worship in church on Good Friday. We thank Sr Benedek and all the readers who took part in what can be a difficult and emotional service. Br Woolford led the joyful service on Easter Sunday, once again producing a little bit of magic involving a balloon which was enjoyed by the congregation!

Prior to Easter we held a few social events including The Treasure Hunt on 21st February which was as usual enjoyed by all those who took part. Br Woolford held a fun Quiz Night for all ages on 20th March, and we were pleased to welcome several of our friends from Dukinfield – competition was fierce! The supper was delicious, and as it was Red Nose Day, the £183 raised was donated to Comic Relief. Further social events have been planned, which we will share in our next update.

The Spring Congregation Council meeting took place after the service on 1st March. This meeting included the annual elections. Sr Marilyn Powell has retired from the post of Deputy to LDC (Lancashire District Conference) after many years. We thank her for her service, and wish Sr Judith Wilson well, having been elected in her place. Sr Lesley Benedek, was re-elected to Church Committee.

The other retiring member was Sr Anne Broadbent, who has now left us for pastures new. She has moved to Suffolk to be near family and has sent an email thanking the congregation for the present of a gift card, which will be used for a new table for the hi-fi, still languishing in a box! She has also been ‘trying out’ the local Methodist Church! We thank Sr Anne for all her dedicated service to the Salem and Royton congregations over many years and send her and her family all good wishes for their new life in Suffolk.

Other services and bible study sessions have taken place including local World Day of Prayer service which was once again held in our church on 6th March and was well attended and enjoyed by all. The collection raised £192 for the World Day of Prayer organisation, and we thank Sr Benedek for organising and leading the service and all the readers for taking part. We will be using the order of service again on 12th July, to allow all those who were unable to attend in March to benefit from the service put together by the Christian women of Nigeria. During Lent, Br Woolford held a series of meetings called ‘Gravity Defied’, based on the film ‘Wicked’. Br Woolford led the service on Mothering Sunday, 15th March. Thanks to Sr Ann Corr for providing gifts of bunches of daffodils.

As always, may the Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another. May you find joy in the daffodils and season of spring, where new things grow and days become lighter.

Srs Hannah Coope and Gail Holden