“Attende, Domine”, or “Listen, Lord” is a liturgical chant for the season of Lent, more commonly known as the Lent Prose. It matches Rorate Caeli, known as the Advent Prose (see my article in the December 2024 issue of this magazine). Surprisingly, this plainsong melody was created as recently as the 19th century. The text … More Attende, Domine (The Lent Prose)
Rev Sue preached this sermon during the Easter Vigil last weekend. Here it is for you again: The first time I experienced an earthquake was in the early hours of September 23rd 2002. We were living in the West Midlands at the time. We woke up to the floor shaking and furniture rattling. I put … More The Easter Vigil
This month’s letter to the parish comes from hte keyboard of Rev Helen, and reflects on the hymn “Let all mortal flesh keep silence”: Let all mortal flesh keep silence,and with fear and trembling stand;ponder nothing earthly minded,for, with blessing in His hand,Christ our God to earth descendeth,our full homage to demand. King of kings, … More April letter from the clergy
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Passion Sunday, 22 March 2026. Here it is for you again: I love a good story. One of the pleasures of my life is cooking a meal while listening to an audiobook. For me good fiction has convincing characters that I really care about, an absorbing plot and a … More The God who weeps
This article first appeared in the March 2023 issue of our parish magazine. So often I have written that carols are not just for Christmas – and here is another example. “As Dew in Aprille” is from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”. During Lent we celebrate both Mothering Sunday and the Annunciation of Mary … More As Dew in Aprille – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Sunday 8 March. Here it is for you again: Today’s readings draw us into the human experience of thirst — not justfeeling thirsty for water or a drink, but we are here talking about the longing and thirstof the soul. We read In Exodus, that the Israelites were weary … More Third Sunday in Lent
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Wednesday 25 February. Here it is for you again: What a pushy mother! Imagine going up to Jesus and asking for your sons to be given the best places in heaven. Yet Jesus directs his answer not only to her, but to James and John themselves: “Are you able … More Can you drink the cup that I drink?
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Sunday 8 March. Here it is for you again: The Old Testament reading today comes from the book of Deuteronomy, which is probably one of the books of the Bible that people know least about. It is the fifth book of the Bible and the final book of the … More Teach them to your children
Dear Friends The seasons of our churches walk in step with the seasons of the natural world. Christmas comes just after the shortest day of the year, and Easter follows the spring equinox (when day and night are both exactly 12 hours), its date shaped by the cycle of the full moon. March brings the … More Clergy letter to the parish – March 2026
This article first appeared in the March 2023 issues of our parish magazine. I can’t remember when I was introduced to this anthem (other than pre-pandemic), but I sang it with the Manchester Chorale, and probably in a couple of concerts. It is scored for two unaccompanied choirs, both singing at the same time, so … More Bring us O Lord God – Words John Donne (15572-1631), Music William H Harris (1883-1973)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 