St Margaret's Church Prestwich

This month we have not one but two letters to the parish, one from our ALM Carol O, and the other from our Sunday Club leader Gillian:

Dear Friends,

As I write this letter, I am at Parcevall Hall on retreat looking out over the hills and thinking about Psalm 121:

• I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
• My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

It’s easy here to quote psalms or bible passages, it’s so calm and peaceful, only the sheep breaking the silence now and again which leads me to, of course, Psalm 23:

• The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
• He makes me lie down in green pastures;
• He leads me beside still waters;
• He restores my soul.

Both of these psalms we have used in our Wholeness & Wellbeing Service here-so meaningful.

A retreat also gives you time to relax and reflect, especially as the rain beats down as it is today; which I have done particularly as my path as ALM takes a different turn from September, when I will be re-commissioned in Prayer and Spirituality only. I will not be continuing with the Worship elective which means that July was my last “talk/reflection” on a Sunday morning. Sitting here, I know I will miss this and want to thank everyone for their kind, supportive comments over the past years. But I am looking forwards not backwards at what God has in store for me and most importantly, my family. Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ above me, Christ below me, Christ is all around me no matter where I am and in all I do. (Also used in my service at Parcevall).

September is also a time when we, as a church, reflect on Creation, and our Sunday Themes this year are: The Forest, The Land, The Wilderness, The River. We all must continue to pray for our world and all that is in it, to pray for our climate and all that God has created for us to love, care for, and nurture for the generations to follow.

Also, in September Matthew leaves us to take up his ordination training at Mirfield. He has been with us just over a year and has fitted in so well with both families at St. Margaret’s and St. George’s. We will miss his ever-calming presence and his help with all aspects of the Church Services, and I am sure you will join with me in wishing him all the very best for the future as he takes the path God has chosen for him. In our July magazine Matthew wrote about “the light of the world” as a source of hope for one another in times of challenge. Take this light with you Matthew and may it shine upon you and guide you in the future to achieve your dreams. We thank you for all you have done in both communities; we will miss you but wish you every success in all you do.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

As we leave “summer” behind and approach autumn I leave you with the words from Psalm 139 which continue to give me inspiration for the future:

• O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
• You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
• you discern my thoughts from far away.
• You search out my path and my lying down,
• and are acquainted with all my ways.
• Even before a word is on my tongue,
• O Lord, you know it completely.
• You hem me in, behind and before,
• and lay your hand upon me………

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

With every blessing

Carol O

ALM Prayer and Spirituality

**  **  **  **  **

At this point in the summer break, I would usually be thinking about the preparations and admin needed to re-open Pre-School in September, so it feels strange to be writing this letter about Pre-School’s closure instead.

St Margaret’s Playgroup was started by members of church almost 60 years ago, and it has served the local community well over the years.  I have been involved with the Pre-School for 30 years, initially as a volunteer when my eldest child started to attend, and a couple of years later my role became more permanent, as I was offered the role of manager.  Over the years, St Margaret’s Pre-School has supported and helped many children and their families, and it has always been a pleasure and a privilege to be able to do this.

Throughout my time at pre-school, I have been supported by wonderful work colleagues and a dedicated committee. I remember being welcomed to the team by Anne Orrell (our Chairperson) many years ago.  I often refer to Anne as our ‘lynchpin’, as she worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the Pre-School.  Thank you, Anne.

The committee, led by Anne, made the difficult decision, earlier this year, that the pre-school would have to close due to financial constraints.  Several factors influenced this hard decision, such as COVID, funding and decreasing numbers.  Of course, everyone at pre-school was devastated about the decision, but the staff team were absolutely determined that the pre-school should remain open to the end of the school year to ensure all children had the proper transition as they moved to their new schools/nurseries.  Our trustees, Anne, David, and Steph have worked so hard, negotiating, and guiding us through all the necessary legal requirements of closing a charity.

During this letter, I have deliberately used the word ‘team’ when describing the staffing at Pre-School. I have been so lucky to have been part of such a close team, working with some colleagues for over 25 years.  I consider them so much more than colleagues, but fantastic friends whom I will miss seeing daily.  I am so proud to have been part of a dedicated, hard-working, and enthusiastic team that was always child centred.

The last few months have obviously been very difficult, and at times heart-breaking, as we put things in place to prepare for the closure of Pre-School but now it is time to look forward and plan for the next part of life’s journey.  David and I have just spent a few days in Northern Ireland, a place we love.  We reconnected with friends, met new babies, and revisited favourite walks.  It was a time to relax and reflect and now we have returned home, refreshed, and ready for the next adventure.

I just want to finish by saying “thank you” to everyone who has supported Pre-School so well over so many years.

Beat wishes,

Gillian McC