This month’s letter to the parish comes from Rev Helen: Well, it’s September, the sort of unofficial end of the summer. Soon the autumn will start, the leaves will change colour and fall and the winter will draw in. It’s back to school/college/university for many, enjoying that last holiday with the last bits of summer … More Letter to the Parish
This is the first of a series of four motets written by Maurice Duruflé in 1960, based on motifs of Gregorian plainsong. The others are Tota Pulchra Es (see last month’s magazine), Tu es Petrus (Thou art Peter) and Tantum Ergo (Only Then). Ubi Caritas (where there is charity) is an antiphon for use on … More Ubi Caritas – Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
This month’s letter comes from Rev Christine: As I begin to write this, I realise this is the first letter I have written since my ordination as a Priest and I am still coming down from the mountain top and getting used to being called Rev and being more active on the rota, presiding and … More August letter to the parish
This sermon was given by Rev Sue on Sunday 20 July. Here it is for you again: One of the most unusual and engaging books I have read in recent years is Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce. It’s the story of Margery Benson, a lonely and bored middle-aged teacher weighed down by years of … More The one necessary thing
This article was written for the June 2025 issue of our parish magazine. This is the second of a series of four motets written by Maurice Duruflé in 1960, based on motifs of Gregorian plainsong. The others are Ubi Caritas (Wherever there is Charity), Tu es Petrus (Thou art Peter) and Tantum Ergo (Only Then). … More Tota Pulchra Es – Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)
This month’s letter comes from Rev Steve: I begin and end each day alone with the 23rd Psalm. It may seem over-familiar to you. But the words lead me to the one who, in turbulent and chaotic circumstances, somehow has the power to reach beyond them – and guide, accompany and protect me. The Hebrew … More July letter to the parish
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)
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 