This article first appeared in the July 2022 issue of our parish magazine: At first glance, this may seem to be an odd choice for this month’s article. Taken from the musical Sweet Charity, the scene featuring this song is widely thought to be a pastiche on west-coast American hippie pseudo-religious cults of the mid-sixties. … More Rhythm of Life – Coleman & Fields
Each year, midway through the Easter season, we celebrate Jesus as the Good Shepherd. You’ll know when it’s Good Shepherd Sunday as the hymns all have a distinctly sheepy theme. There are a few “go to” anthems for that day too, including various settings of Psalm 23, as well as “He Shall Feed His Flock”. … More He Shall Feed His Flock – G F Handel (1685-1759)
This month’s letter comes from Rev Sue: June 8th this year is the Feast of Pentecost—the climax of the Easter season, coming ten days after the Feast of the Ascension. We hear in Acts chapter 2 the dramatic account of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Around 120 followers of Jesus were gathered together, waiting … More June letter to the parish
This article first appeared in the May 2022 issues of our parish magazine. That’s a big jazz-hands gospel-style “A-men!” It’s not a refined English “ah-men”. This is a joyous song in the American gospel tradition. It encourages us to celebrate and give thanks for all the small blessings in life – a sunny day, the … More Sing Amen (Stuart Overington 2018)
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Sunday 25 May 2025. Here it is for you again: I read this quotation from CS Lewis many decades ago, but it has stuck firmly in my mind. He was asked the question: “Which of the religions of the world gives to its followers the greatest happiness?” He replied: … More The gift of peace – but not as the world gives.
On Palm Sunday 2025, Franki began a training placement with us. She introduces herself here: The Journey of “Being” The word being can feel abstract to Chinese speakers. In English, it’s more than just “existence”. The “-ing” form shows that it’s something ongoing—something that’s happening. When God said to Moses, “I am who I am”, … More What “Being” Means to Me
This article was written for the April 2025 issues of our parish magazine: I have written before about Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” (September 2024), but this version has new lyrics, written by Kelly Mooney: A crown of thorns placed on His head, He knew that He would soon be dead, He said did you forget … More Hallelujah! (Cohen, arr. Rickley)
Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!! That first announcement of the Resurrection of Jesus at the Easter vigil. Jesus is dead, he’s descended into hell. Everything he promised and all the hope he brought has died with him. His followers are despondent and broken hearted, his mother and some other women are … More May Letter to the Parish
QR codes are now commonplace, on posters, leaflets, TV screens, and on our weekly service sheets. QR codes are clever bits of technology – a bit like bar codes – that link the real world with the online world. Those of us comfortable with using smartphones can simply point the camera at the QR code, … More Give a Little
Rev Sue preached this sermon on Sunday 27 April. Here it is for you again: It’s the evening of the first Easter Sunday. That morning, Mary Magdalene and then Peter and John — had seen the empty tomb for themselves. Mary had also encountered the Risen Christ in the garden. Though she had shared this … More Encountering the Risen Christ
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 