This article was written for the April 2026 issue of our parish magazine: I have never seen the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan”. Wikipedia tells me that it’s a war epic, set in Normandy in 1944 and follows a group of solders on a mission to locate Private Ryan, whose three brothers have already perished … More Hymn to the Fallen (from Saving Private Ryan) – John Williams (b. 1932)
Dear Friends, It’s amazing to think that we are almost halfway through the year, but let’s not dwell on that. As we step into May the days are now longer, and our gardens are bursting into colour. My Magnolia’s deep red blooms make me smile every time I step outside. After the cold dark and … More Clergy Letter to the Parish
This article first appreared in the April 2023 issue of our parish magazine. At St Margaret’s we are blessed to welcome highly talented musicians to perform concerts for us. One of the more recent groups to do this is HeartEdge Manchester. This is a group of choral scholars from across Greater Manchester, led by Andrew … More The Lord is my Light and my Salvation – Brad Nix
I don’t suppose Peter had any idea what the impact would be of his first sermon in Jerusalem. Three thousand people came to be baptised. The disciples must have spent the whole rest of the day doing nothing but baptising one convert after another in the ritual immersion pools around Jerusalem. No time for preparation … More The Jerusalem Experiment
“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
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 