This article first appeared in the May 2023 edition of our parish magazine. Tom and I are always open to suggestions of music – instrumental or vocal, hymns or anthems – that could be incorporated into our services at St Margaret’s. Sometimes, the suggestions are not seasonally appropriate, so they have to wait until later … More Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective
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
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
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
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.
There was once a mirror-maker whose greatest desire was to create a mirror that would reflect his image perfectly. He experimented with different materials, tin, silver, mercury, crystal rock, and after weeks of hard work, he finally perfected the formula for a wonderfully accurate looking glass in which he could see a clear reflection of himself. One night an envious neighbour broke into the workshop, took his mirror and threw it on the floor … More Pentecost at St George’s 2024
How do you get up in the morning?
I used to get up at 4.30 on a Sunday morning to get into a local radio station for 5.30, ready to present a religious breakfast show that I was also responsible for producing. I did this for eight years. So it was important for me to have an early waking-up routine: something I could rely upon when I was drowsy and bleary-eyed … More Pentecost 2024
The person speaking is Peter and he is explaining to the Jews in Antioch why he has been in the house of a Roman centurion called Cornelius, a Gentile. Peter is eager to explain how he himself was surprised to find himself asked to go to Cornelius in Caesarea and at the beginning of the chapter Peter explains a dream that he and Cornelius have. If you are not familiar with it, I encourage you to read it … More The Holy Spirit
Good morning and welcome to our service of holy communion for #Pentecost Rev Sue presides and Rev Steve will preach.
We begin with the ancient plainsong hymn “Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire” … More Pentecost 2024
Before his Ascension, Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans, but instead gave them a Comforter. This is of course the Holy Spirit.
“Litany to the Holy Spirit” is a beautiful setting of the first three verses of the Herrick poem: … More Litany to the Holy Spirit – Hurford (1930-2019)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 