My Time in Lahore

I spent two weeks of October in Lahore, Pakistan, which has a longstanding link with Manchester Diocese. What most people have asked me before and since, my mother being one of the loudest voices, is why do you want to go to Pakistan? It is a question I asked myself many times after registering interest in the visit … More My Time in Lahore

Celtic Spirituality

The Christian life is one of continuous conversions and crises as we deepen our faith. Throughout our life, we undergo a number of conversions with regard to our relationship with God. Spirituality is the process of allowing ourselves to grow in Christ through these conversions and ultimately, it allows us to grow in love by reflecting the divine. Spirituality focusses on how we live out our lives as Christians – it is something that cannot be seen as separate from our everyday lives. As Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words”. In other words, spirituality is a way of life … More Celtic Spirituality

The Feast of Epiphany

Good morning and welcome to our service of holy communion for Sunday 8 January, on which we celebrate Epiphany – the arrival of the Magi and presentation of their gifts.
We also welcome Fr Shaun who is presiding at our services today. Our ALM Carol will deliver the sermon and intercessions.
We begin with the hymn “We Three Kings of Orient Are” … More The Feast of Epiphany

When is a ‘Performance’ not a ‘Performance’?

Regular readers will know how important music is to me, and much has been said about the importance of music in worship over recent weeks – in a weekly course, in our church services and in magazine articles. It has been all the more poignant for the long absence of music from our worship, and its reintroduction at the end of July … More When is a ‘Performance’ not a ‘Performance’?