Recent events

I am afraid we have had to put the Singalong Night on hold for the time being. We will try again after the Summer. Anyone interested in helping run this - please give me a call in the office or email me and we can have a chat. What about a partnership with the Film Club at the University?! Any students interested in getting involved?

Monthly prayer meetings have started and are going well. Come along if you're free. The first Wednesday of the month at Chorlton Central Church 7.30pm. They are a very relaxed affair with tea and coffee afterwards. The next is on Wednesday June 1st - during half-term I know but I hope that means that more people will be free to come along!

Boogie Night on May 20th was a great night with a mixture of new faces and old. Good fun but too much food left over. We're still eating cold sausage rolls in our house a week on!

Some progress being made in the search for a house. We mustn't get carried away but if talks with the Housing Association go well in the the next week or two we could have exciting news soon.

Remember there is the National Gathering coming up July 8th to the 10th. There is a 'mini pilgrimage walk' from St Augustine's RC church (in All Saints) to Manchester Cathedral on the Saturday morning and in the evening there is a big July 4th party at Owen's Park. Elvis will be there - will you? See the webpage for further details.

Prayer Night

We held the first of our (now to be regular) Prayer Evenings at Chorlton Central Church. It was nice to be in a new venue and to welcome new faces to the group. It was a good evening. Stewart led us in the service and I did a cameo. I'm looking forward to the next one on June the 1st.

Boogie Night

Dad, no one goes to "discos" anymore. So it's not a disco it's a Boogie Night - and they have been thoroughly enjoyed by all who have attended the last few. The next Boogie Night is on Friday 18th Feb at St Cuthbert's again. It's free remember but there is a bar so bring a few quid for a drink and come on down. Please remember to bring a plate of food to share so we can stop and have a chat and a bite to eat in the middle.

See you all there.

Christmas News from L’Arche Manchester Project

Good news! We have a Community Leader

The Porticus Trust recently granted L’Arche Manchester funds for a Community Leader for 2 years and we are pleased to announce our new leader from January 2011. Kevin Coogan currently works for Manchester Social Services as a team manager in Manchester Learning Disability Partnership and is a qualified social worker. He has lived in L’Arche communities in Northern France, India, Liverpool and Jerusalem. He has served on the committee in the Preston community for 9 years and lives in Withington with his wife Heather, who also works for L’Arche UK, and their three children.

Programme of Events for 2011

Our programme of events for people with and without learning disabilities, which include Boogie Nights Discos, Movie sing-a-longs and prayer and reflection events is here and in the post below.  Everyone is welcome. If you know anyone who may want to join in please pass on the details.

'Ramble Through North Lancashire'

Steve Saxton, a keen walker, musician and observer of natural and social history, has produced a fascinating guide book titled 'Ramble through North Lancashire ' to benefit four different charities, one of which is L'Arche Manchester, which retains the full amount of all copies sold by us. Priced at £7.99 per copy and available from the office. It would make a great Christmas present. Steve describes his book as 'not really a guide book, much more a slow travel diary', this book is intended for the armchair traveller but may also inspire the active walker.

L’Arche National Gathering Manchester

Every three years all the communities in the UK send delegates with and without learning disabilities to attend the National Gathering. It is a time when we celebrate our journey as members of a federation of communities together. The next National Gathering will be held in Manchester from July 8^th to the 10^th at Owen’s Park, Fallowfield. It will include a walk through the city from St. Augustine’s RC Church to the Anglican Cathedral for a celebration on Saturday lunchtime followed by an ambitious July 4^th style party in the evening. The cathedral event and party (Saturday 9^th July) are open to the public. If you know anyone who would like to attend either event or would like more information please email manchester@larche.org.uk

Help! – we need a Treasurer

We are looking for a qualified accountant to join our committee of trustees as treasurer. Do you know anyone who may be able to help?  If you do please contact manchester@larche.org.uk

Supporting L’Arche Manchester

At the heart of our L’Arche project is our commitment to authentic and transforming relationships. All our friends with learning disabilities will be vital to ensuring this vision inspires and directs our work. It is not clear yet what model of support the new community will begin with. Maybe accommodation but possibly day services, outreach support or even advocacy.  However, with the coming cuts, we know that any new service will have to prove its worth, pay its way and will require some significant set-up funding. We also know we will need to move quickly when an opportunity arises. In order to have these choices, we are fundraising for start-up costs. L’Arche is a mixture of gifts, commitment, talent and expertise. If you could support the community this way please complete the form enclosed.

Programme of events for 2011

Boogie Nights

These are discos which welcome people with and without learning disabilities. The venue is the St. Cuthbert’s Parish Hall. There is a licensed bar. 

Sing-a-longs

The Sing-a-longs are times when we watch some of our favourite musicals (like Grease, Mama Mia and The Sound of Music) and . . . sing-a-long. And if the film is a bit long . . . we skip the boring bits. Half-way through we have an interval for a snack – just like they used to do in the movies. These are at St Cuthbert’s too

L’Arche Liturgies

Times of reflection and prayer around different themes for people with and without disabilities. Refreshments here too, of course.

Events Diary 2011 (for printable version see here)

Friday 18 February: Boogie Night, St Cuthbert’s Parish Hall           

Wednesday 9 March: Ash Wednesday Liturgy, St James Emmanuel

Friday 20 May: Boogie Night, St Cuthbert’s Parish Hall           

Thursday 9 June: Sing-a-long, St Cuthbert’s Parish Hall        

Friday 9 to Sunday 11 July: L’Arche National Gathering, Manchester@larche.org.uk

Friday 23 September: Boogie Night, St. Cuthbert’s Parish Hall          

Thursday 27 October: Sing-a-long, St Cuthbert’s Parish Hall       

Saturday 19 November: Autumn Day of Retreat for People with LD, Manchester@larche.org.uk

Friday 9 December: Boogie Night, St Cuthbert’s Parish Hall                                                                                                                                  

Community Group and Committee Dates 2011

Both groups meet on a Tues evening at 7.30 at 6 Barlow Moor Road.
The first 45 minutes is a prayer meeting then the two groups split and the community group plan community and fundraising events. 
All are welcome.

January 18                            July 19

February 15                                   August 16

March 15                                     September   20

April 12                                  October 18

May 17                                  November 15

June 21                                  December 13

           

L’Arche Manchester Project:

0161 438 2832, manchester@larche.org.uk

The Parish office, 6 Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 6TR