Rededication, Thanksgiving and Confirmation

Rededication, Thanksgiving and Confirmation

We were delighted to be joined by the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, this morning for a service of Thanksgiving and Rededication following the completion of the redevelopment to the west end of St Mary’s. We were also joined by our patron, Robert Brudenell, representatives of the contractors (Roy C Smith Ltd) and other local dignitaries.

As part of the rededication, Gemma Hornby was confirmed by Bishop Nick.

The vision of the redevelopment started in 2009 when feedback from organisations and the community all pointed towards a more flexible space in church including a kitchenette and toilet to move the church forwards. This became the core of our Transformational Plan and 6 years on this vision has become a reality. We now have a disabled ramp, toilets (disabled as well), and kitchenette all disguised by curved seating which harks back to the monastic beginnings of St Mary’s near 1000 years ago.

This service was not held to mark the end of the project, but the beginning of a new chapter in the life of St Mary’s. One which is more outward-looking to minister further into the community.

St Mary’s embarks on a new chapter of its ministry. We give thanks for God’s provision, and rededicate our building and ourselves to serve God afresh in this generation.

Thanks be to God!

IMG_1501

Bishop Nick with Gemma Hornby, confirmed this morning.

IMG_1502

A large congregation joined us for the service. The font can be seen in its new position. Many have commented they cannot imagine it being in another place now!

IMG_1504

Bishop Nick with Vicar Amanda Barraclough

 

Special Remembrance Service

Special Remembrance Service

DohertyBible1

Our Remembrance Service is at 10.30 on 9th November. This would normally be our All-Age worship, and activities will be in the Parish Centre organised for children if they wish to remember in that way.

As the centenary of the outbreak of World War I it will be especially significant and poignant. We will be distributing replica copies of the Gospel of St John which relive those given to each soldier serving during the Great War. For many of these young men the comfort and strength they found in the words in that small gospel were a lifeline to them. For some the physical presence of that small gospel in their breast pocket proved to be the difference between life and death.

Each gospel has a page within it where a soldier is invited to complete a personal declaration of personal commitment to follow Jesus as a Christian disciple. These pages, returned to relatives with their personal effects in the event of their death, have brought deep comfort to families.

We are asking people to take one of these gospels only if they have a serious intent to read it and find the same comfort and strength for themselves which these soldiers found. Each deserves to be treated as much more than a souvenir. Generally speaking it is not the book which saves lives – it is the words within it. To put on a shelf or in a cupboard misses the point.

Easter Services 2014

Easter Services 2014

The_Crucifixion004.jpg

Easter Services 2014

Sunday 13th April – Palm Sunday

10.30am Palm Sunday All-Age Worship – start in the Parish Centre
12.00pm Palm Sunday Communion in church

Monday 14th April

7.00pm Compline – short reflective service

Tuesday 15th April

7.00pm Compline – short reflective service

Wednesday 16th April

10.00am Holy Communion (1662 setting)

Thursday 17th April – Maundy Thursday

7.00pm Passover Meal in the Parish Centre, and church will then be open until 10.00pm for prayer

Friday 18th April – Good Friday

2.00pm An Hour at the Cross

Saturday 19th April – Easter Saturday

8.30pm Easter Eve Reflective Service

Sunday 20th April – Easter Sunday

10.30am All-Age Communion for Easter

Advent Prayer Calendar 2013

Advent Prayer Calendar 2013

Screen Shot 2013-12-02 at 21.09.39We have again designed an Advent Prayer Calendar with a little reading and/or thought for each day in order to prepare during December for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.

Please feel free to download the calendar, print it, and share this post with your friends so they can do the same.

Our Christmas services are on the bottom of the calendar, so make sure you put these in your diary to complete the path of Advent to Christmas.

Click to download the Advent Prayer Calendar 2013