Church Newsletter Issue #88 8th February
Opening Up and Making Changes
Sometimes the most ordinary changes reveal something deeper about who we are becoming. This week, we moved the large toy shelving from the main hall at St Edmund’s into the foyer outside the kitchen and lounge. On one level, this was a practical decision — freeing up space, uncovering a radiator, improving flexibility, and making better use of the building. Yet, like so many changes in church life, it also carries a quieter spiritual significance.
By opening up the hall, our regular groups — our church youth, Brownies, Guides, Rainbows, and Happy Cats — now have more room to gather, play, learn, and flourish. The space feels lighter, more open, and better able to respond to the needs of those who use it week by week. Meanwhile, the toys now sit in a place of welcome and hospitality, visible as people arrive, quietly signalling that joy, care, play and creativity belong at the heart of our shared life.
This change also comes as we prepare to welcome Together Dementia Support, who begin their first weekly music session on the first Saturday of each month, starting this weekend, from 1.30–3.30pm. We are delighted to offer space for music, memory, and connection to grow.
As our mission and ministry continue to develop — with Revd Elizabeth now based full-time in Whalley Range for her curacy, and our wider team working closely together — we sense God drawing us near. By opening up our spaces, we are opening our doors and our hearts wider — making room for people, for community, and for the next steps God is calling our benefice to take.
Revd Tom
Lent and Easter: Walking the Way Together
Ash Wednesday – 18 February, 6pm
Joint service at St Edmund’s to begin Lent, with prayer, reflection, and the option of receiving ashes.
Sunday 22 March, 4pm
Grace Community Sham-E-Calvary – a creative service exploring the road to the cross through worship and storytelling.
Palm Sunday – 29 March
10.30am – Palm Sunday services at St James and St Edmund’s
3pm – Grace Community, including a joyful palm procession.
Maundy Thursday – 2 April, 6pm
Holy Communion at St James’, with the optional act of foot-washing, reflecting Jesus’ call to love and serve.
Good Friday
Churches Together Walk of Witness 10am start from St Edmund's (details to be confirmed)
1pm – Grace Community, reflecting on the Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross.
Holy Saturday
2–5pm – St Edmund’s open for prayer, led by Revd Kausar, offering quiet space to wait with God.
Easter Day
9.30am – Short Drawing Near service at St Edmund’s (20–30 minutes)
10.30am – Easter Day celebrations at St James and St Edmund’s
4pm – Grace Community Easter Celebration
Draw Near..., Will you join: Wednesday Zoom Group
“Draw Near” is the Church of England’s theme for Lent 2026, inviting us to open our lives more fully to God through prayer, Scripture, and loving service. Produced by Church House Publishing, the resources offer gentle daily reflections, with children’s materials shaped around 40acts, encouraging generosity and kindness throughout Lent. Each week a different contributor explores a different aspect of Christian discipleship – worshipping together, praying, exploring the Bible, sharing communion, offering service and sharing the good news with others.
As a benefice, we sense that drawing near to God also means opening our doors and our hearts — making space for God to shape who we are becoming and where we are being led. To support this shared journey, we will host a weekly Zoom Lent group each Wednesday at 7pm, from 25 February to 1 April (Wednesday of Holy Week).
These gatherings will offer space to reflect, pray, and listen together. Each week, we invite you to bring your reflections on the Draw Near material, available via the Everyday Faith app (cofe.io/DrawNear), as we notice together how God is drawing us closer and opening us towards the unfolding future of our life in Christ.
Zoom link - click here - starts 7pm 25th Feb 2026
Reflections for Racial Justice Sunday - 8th Feb 2026
In her reflection for Racial Justice Sunday, Diane Gray-Stephenson, Racial Justice Programme Lead, reminds us that this day is not an isolated moment but a call at the heart of Christian discipleship. While Racial Justice Sunday offers space for prayer, truth-telling, and hope, Diane is clear that racial justice cannot be confined to one Sunday, theme, or event. It is a way of being Christian — rooted in loving our neighbour, challenging injustice, and dismantling systems that harm and exclude.
She describes how lasting change is found in year-round faithfulness: courageous conversations, deep listening, softened hearts, and cultures that begin to shift. Racial Justice Sunday, she writes, is a spark — but the fire is the daily work of love.
Read the full reflection here:
https://www.manchester.anglican.org/racial-justice-sunday-reflections/
Register on Our Website
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website CLICK HERE so that we can refresh our church database. This will allow you to share your details and give us permission to hold your information, helping us to keep our GDPR records up to date.
We want to make sure everyone is correctly listed on our new church data management system, Church Hub, which is part of the tools provided through our new website. Keeping our records accurate will help us communicate better, care well for one another, and support the life and mission of our church.
Thank you for taking a few moments to help us with this.
What's on at a Glance
Genesis 1.1-23, Psalm 136.1-9, 23-end and Matthew 6.25-end
-
9.30am - Short Communion Service at St Edmund's
-
10.30am - Morning Worship at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
-
4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church
-
Cafe Church is PAUSED and not happening in February and March. Join Revd Tom to pray at St James', and prepare for our Cafe Church relaunch at 4.30pm on 8th March
Monday
-
9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
Tuesday
-
Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
-
Place of Welcome 10am at St James' followed by a new creativity session with Revd Tom and Lorraine (a creative local collaboration)
Wednesday
-
Coffee Morning 10.30am at St Edmund's
Thursday
-
Grieving Together Cafe 11.30am at St James'
-
The Chosen Bible Study - Join us on Thursday 12th February 7.30pm at St Ed's for Season 2, Episode 3: Jesus spends the day healing a massive crowd while his disciples manage the chaos and navigate interpersonal tensions.
-
9.30am - Short Service of the Word at St Edmund's
-
10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James'
-
4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church
Advance Notices
-
The next Mothers’ Union meeting will be on Tuesday 10 February, 6.00pm – 7.30pm at St Edmund’s. You are welcome to come along if you’re interested in becoming a member or if you just want to come to a meeting as a guest – please call Deborah on 07855 181941 if you would like to join us.
-
Preaching Workshop — Feb 22nd - with lunch provided.
-
You're all invited to the 30th Birthday Party of Christian Relief Uganda and Maria's Care School. On Sat 28 March 6.30 to 9pm. Do join us to celebrate in songs and testimonies with good food, crafts and more!
Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>
Prayer Pointers for this Week
10 prayer pointers shaped by Racial Justice Sunday and grounded in Genesis 1.1–23, Psalm 136.1–9, 23–end, and Matthew 6.25–end
For creation’s dignity
Creator God, as you speak light, land, and life into being, help us honour the dignity you have given every person, made in your image, without hierarchy or exclusion.
For truth-telling
God of light, expose the shadows of injustice in our histories, structures, and assumptions, and give us courage to face what needs repentance and repair.
For thankful remembrance
We give thanks for your steadfast love that endures for ever — present in liberation, resilience, and hope within communities who have suffered injustice.
For justice rooted in mercy
As you remembered us in our low estate, teach us to stand with those who are marginalised, unheard, or treated as less than fully human.
For freedom from fear
Jesus, who tells us not to worry, free us from the fears that prevent us from speaking out, sharing power, and trusting your justice.
For daily provision
We pray for equitable access to work, housing, healthcare, and safety — that all may experience the dignity of daily bread.
For listening hearts
Give us the grace to listen deeply to stories not our own, especially where pain, anger, or fatigue are present.
For transformed priorities
Help us seek first your kingdom and your justice, re-ordering our lives, churches, and decisions around what truly matters to you.
For the Church’s witness
May your Church reflect the beauty and diversity of your creation — united, truthful, and committed to justice beyond words.
For faithful perseverance
Sustain us, Spirit of God, in the long work of racial justice, that love may shape our actions today, tomorrow, and always.