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Castle Community Church celebrated the Ordination and Induction of Alma Fritchley to the United Reformed Church Ministry on Saturday 23rd November 2019.

Prior to ordination, Alma pursued a BA in Contextual Theology over eight years of part time study at the Luther King House Theological College at Manchester University.

Alma, a local Kingsmead resident, has joined the ministry team at Castle Community Church which includes Methodist ministers, Rev Chris Pritchard and Rev Pat Billsborrow.

Alma is also the chaplain of the Laurel Court Residential Methodist Home in Didsbury, Manchester where she thrives in caring for those with dementia.

The service was led by Rev Jacky Embrey, Moderator URC Mersey Synod with a Call to Worship from Rev Sarah Brewerton, Chaplain at the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Rev Dr Jan Berry, from Luther King House gave the sermon, Bridget Dimbleby was the organist with Cllr Kevin Rimmer, the Mayor of Northwich, in attendance.

Rev Jacky Embrey, Moderator URC Mersey Synod, said:
“I am delighted to be ordaining Alma today.
“I am sure that the gift of her ministry to Castle Community Church will be much appreciated and that she and Chris, the Methodist minister, will work well together.”

 Rev Alma Fritchley said:
“As a newly ordained minister with the United Reformed Church, I am thrilled to be taking up this new role and looking forward very much to working alongside those at Castle Community Church and the wider community.
“This will be an exciting challenge with pastoral care being a major part of my ministry.
“I hope to draw on my skills and experiences as chaplain of a Methodist Home in Manchester to help those in need in Northwich.”

Cllr Kevin Rimmer, the Mayor of Northwich, who attended the service said:
“Alma’s ordination and induction to the United Reformed Church ministry was a very moving service attended by many from within our local community and from further afield.
“The skills that Alma brings with her from being the Chaplain of a residential home in Manchester will be much appreciated in our local community.
“On behalf of the residents of Northwich, I welcome Alma to her new role on Castle and wish her every success in her ministry.”

Our picture shows Rev Chris Pritchard, Rev Jacky Embrey, Rev Alma Fritchley and Cllr Kevin Rimmer (The Mayor of Northwich). 

Friday 8th September dawned rather wet but our Walking Group is not easily put off.
So, at about 1.30 pm our little convoy of cars set off from church to go to the famous Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm.
We parked the cars and set off down the road.
The church bells were ringing …… how did they know that the Castle Community Church Walking Group was coming?
As we walked through the village we could see that there was a wedding …. hence the bells.
Naturally, some of us had to stop and check out the fashions.
Suddenly the sun came out, coats were discarded and we had the most glorious walk through the Cheshire countryside.
Back at the  ice cream farm we enjoyed tea, coffee, scones, some wonderful ice creams and lots of conversation.
Our next walk will be on Friday 13^th October …. destination as yet unknown but you can be sure that if Dave and Olwyn have anything to do with it it will be a real treat, whatever the weather.