For various reasons this piece needed to be written on the 2nd January. It was hard to get my head around where we’ll be in February! Lent is the obvious topic so it got me thinking. What is the difference between New Year’s Resolutions and Lenten disciplines? They can look very similar but delve deeper and there are big differences … More Resolutions: Beginning again
Saul’s conversion must surely be the most radical change of direction in history. He was a murderer, perhaps of the worst kind, because he was not himself violent. He did not act from passion and lack of self-control, swept away in the moment, but was fuelled by a cold and fanatical religious hatred … More The Conversion of Paul
When I was at school I had a friend, Isobel, who had a Scottish mother. I knew that the family went to church every Sunday. We talked about how we found Sundays. My parents viewed it as their day of rest and would sit and doze after lunch, and I would do my homework. Isobel said that she wasn’t allowed to do homework on a Sunday – or anything that constituted work. Nor did they watch television. The debate in their house was whether knitting was work … More Should we keep Sunday special?
Good morning and welcome to our service of holy communion for Sunday 22 January, streamed from our church hall. This is because the boiler is faulty, and there was no heat in church this morning.
Hopefully back to normal next week. Rev Sue presides and Matt will preach … More Sunday Service 22 January 2023
Good morning and welcome to our service of holy communion for Sunday 8 January, on which we celebrate Epiphany – the arrival of the Magi and presentation of their gifts.
We also welcome Fr Shaun who is presiding at our services today. Our ALM Carol will deliver the sermon and intercessions.
We begin with the hymn “We Three Kings of Orient Are” … More The Feast of Epiphany
What’s in a name? Some people like the names they have been given, some don’t. Sometimes names are given to babies to remind us of people that we love, or because we like the meaning. Grace, for example, can evoke either graceful movement, or the grace of God in all its generosity. Faith speaks for itself … More What’s in a name?
Blue Monday, this year January 16th, is officially the most depressing day of the year. It has been carefully calculated using a scientific formula based on the weather, credit card bills coming in, the time since New Year’s resolutions have failed and low motivation levels. It is a very complex and impressive looking formula. And is complete rubbish. There is no scientific backing whatsoever – it was part of an advertising campaign by Sky Travel … More Rev Sue’s January Letter to the Parish
What does tonight mean to us? Is it joy, wonder or worry?
Christmas can be difficult for many of us as we are bombarded by adverts and demands that we should be having fun all the time and spending more than we have. This then adds to the pressure of Christmas and can affect relationships when people are rushing backwards and forwards to the shops and doing everything else that goes along with it … More CHRISTMAS EVE 2022 – Midnight Mass
Our first Eucharist of Christmas was celebrated at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve. Due to illness, Rev Sue was unable to officiate, but Reader Christine stepped up and did a wonderful job for us.
Before the service we heard Britten’s “There is no Rose” from his “A Ceremony of carols”, then a special medley of Christmas carols sung by our singing group, Maggie’s Music Makers. We then began the service with the perennial favourite, “Once in Royal David’s City”, with the equally traditional solo first verse … More First Eucharist of Christmas
Whilst walking, I have begun to find respect and beauty for this time of year as the leaves fall off the trees, creating various colours. On a good day, you can see the sun come through the trees, and I begin to see why this is some people’s favourite time of the year. This diversity in nature reminds me of a beautiful quote from Therese of Lisieux … More Matt says “Hello”
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 