Benefice Office

Dear Sisters and Brothers 70 years ago on Sunday her Majesty Queen Elizabeth became our Queen on the death of her father King George VI. Over these past 7 decades during which the world has changed so much she has held firm to her ideals of duty and faith which have steered her, and us through so many difficult times. Please remember her in your prayers on Sunday and give thanks for all that she has done, and will do for our Nation and Commonwealth. This is my last Bulletin before I move. Stewart Hartley is hoping to keep a newsletter going. For all sortsRead More →

Dear Sisters and Brothers Mask are not legally required in church now, but, we are asked to consider continuing to wear them whilst indoors. Remember that wearing a mask isn’t about protecting yourself, its caring for others. We should also continue to sanitise hands on entering and leaving our churches. Let’s take things steadily as we return to ‘normality.’  (I know of more people who have Covid now than I have done at any other time in this pandemic, it’s not over yet). As I move on in mid-February, this bulletin will cease as of 6 February. Services will continue to be published in theRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters No advice from the National Church so far as to what they suggest we do from next week once we return to ‘plan A’. As soon as advice comes out I will let you know. As I move on in mid-February, this bulletin will cease as of 6 February. Services will continue to be published in the Benefice magazine and on our web sites. The funeral of Mrs Cheryl McDonald will take place at St. Helen’s Denton on Thursday 3rd February at 11am. Services for the coming weeks                 26th January                                                             Denton                                  10.30am. 30th January             The Presentation of Christ in theRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters On the night before he died for us, Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed that all those who followed him would be one, just as he and the Father are one. Over the centuries we, his followers, have not done too well in following his command to love one another. Each year, the Church throughout the world focuses on prayer for that Unity which Jesus desired. From the 18th to the 25th of this monthplease try to pray each day for Unity amongst all Christians as, together, we follow the way of love taught to us by Jesus. This prayer might helpRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters A very Happy New Year to you all and as we say ‘further up North’ ‘lang may yer lumb reek!’  None of us knows what this year will bring our way. But we do know this; that God loves each of us and that we are in his care. To be honest, that is more than good enough for me. This year will bring what it brings all we can do is trust in God and do our best. So keep looking out for each other; wearing masks where we should, washing our hands regularly, taking lateral flow tests before comingRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters As a Nation we come to the end of our period of mourning for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Her Majesty the Queen and her family continue in mourning and we hold her and them all in our hearts. As a Christian community we also mourn for Jane Charman who, as many of you already know, died last week. And we continue to hold John, Eleanor and Cheri in our thoughts and prayers. Both Jane and Prince Philip went home to God during Easter week, the time when we focus most closely on what the Resurrection means to eachRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters I am possibly one of the few people to be looking forward to this Sunday. Not because it is Palm Sunday but because it is the day that the clocks go forward. Most people I know hate the thought of losing an hour’s sleep, but I am very excited about the change in time. Here’s why; I have insomnia. I have struggled with my sleep for years. I usually manage about 4 hours, often less, each night, and then every now and then I have a refreshing 7 hours! During lockdown bedtime at the Vicarage has been getting earlier and earlier.Read More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters Next Wednesday, 23rd of March, marks the anniversary of our first National Lockdown. We are asked to keep this day as a day of reflection. There will be all sorts of programs and resources on the media, and as a Nation we are asked to be silent at Mid-day to remember all those we have lost during this past year. In the evening you might want to focus on this past year as we pause at 6pm. To pray for the nation. If you do some extra prayers are attached along with this bulletin. We take a new turn in ourRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters Becky came home from University for Mothering Sunday last year. And she never went back. Lockdown came in and so she finished her time at University working from her bedroom. Having her at home this past year has been a joy. It is the longest period of time I have spent with her since she was 7. But so, so many other people have not had that joy. This past year has seen different generations of families unable to see each other or to touch each other. It has been so hard; we are almost there but this Mothering Sunday willRead More →

Dear Brothers and Sisters Well, we are still waiting for more information on how the coming months will unfold as far as church is concerned. I know that you all want to know when we can sing again, share the peace, have both bread and wine at Communion and a cup of coffee and a chat after the service. It will come but we will have to be patient. If I were a betting man (which I’m not; the Scot in me is too tight to gamble) I would think that not much, if anything, will change in church until after Easter. We will haveRead More →