Church Newsletter Issue #95 5th April and 12th April - Double Issue
A Glorious Easter Across Our Churches
Browse the pictures in the slideshow above - arrow on the right of images
This Easter has been a beautiful journey of faith, creativity, and community across St James, St Edmund’s, and our wider church family.
We began at St James with a joyful Last Supper bring-and-share meal, gathering around tables in fellowship. Foot washing offered a powerful moment of humility and love, accompanied by live music from one of our newer church members—already a sign of the gifts God is bringing among us.
On Good Friday, we had the privilege of hosting Churches Together, leading a moving Walk of Witness through the park—publicly sharing the story of the cross. Grace Community reflected deeply on the Seven Sayings of Jesus, holding space for prayer and encounter. Meanwhile, our St James Marathi families gathered in Sale for their national Marathi celebration—an inspiring expression of our intercultural life.
Easter Day with filled with triumphant and joy-filled celebrations. Our worship was alive with hope: Christ is risen!
Behind the scenes, so many gave their time and gifts. A huge thank you to Tony and Ashley for painting St James, and to Janet, Chris, and the team for beautifully reupholstering the chairs at St Edmund’s.
It was a glorious morning—welcoming new faces, sensing fresh energy, and celebrating the risen Jesus, who defeats death and brings us new life and hope. Alleluia!
Revd Tom
Chairs Complete!
With huge thanks to Janet and team as the St Edmund's chairs are now ALL re-upholstered. What a act of service and love for our church. Money saved but more so gifted used to the Glory of God! A few thanks you quotes:
Alleluia! Thank you very much, Janet and team. May the good Lord bless you abundantly and continue to use for you for His service.🙏🏾🙏🏾 Addy
You all did a fantastic job! Thanks for heading it up, Janet and Chris. We certainly do appreciate how smart the church now looks. Julie
Thanks from Janet:
I would like to thank all the people who have helped and been part of the chair recovery team. We are now finished
Praise the Lord
Serving Our Church: APCM Nominations Open + Electoral Role
The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.
As we prepare for our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs), nominations are now invited for several important roles in the life of our churches. These include Deanery Synod representatives for St James and St Edmund’s, Joint PCC members (one place to be filled for each of our four congregations, including St James), and churchwardens representing each congregation, either through re-nomination or new nominations.
These roles are part of the Church of England’s shared and democratic way of discerning leadership together. Please pray about who God may be calling, and consider whether you might serve. Your voice and gifts matter as we shape the future of our church communities together.
Electoral role deadline 12th April- St James and 19th April at St Edmund's
If you are not already on our electoral role please do make an application using these webforms below and the electoral role officer and clergy team with review your application:
St James online Electoral Role Form - Click Here>>
St Edmund's online Electoral Role Form - Click Here>>
Register and help update our church contact details for you?
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website (CLICK HERE) so we can refresh our church database. This allows you to share your details and give consent for us to hold your information, helping keep our GDPR records up to date.
We want to ensure everyone is correctly listed on our Church Hubb system. Accurate records help us communicate well, care for one another, and support the life and mission of our church. Thank you.
Iona's Bring and Share Farewell Gathering - 19th April at St James' from 12 noon
Come and celebrate Iona's, our ordinands time with us in the benefice as she prepares to start her curacy at Sacred Trinity in the summer. Bring and Share meal after the morning service at St James on Sunday 19th April. Please do come and support! Iona has been a huge blessing to us and we want to say a proper farewell. Iona will be at St Edmund's on 12th April for those who cannot make the 19th. This also marks the start of our new Cafe Church provision until 3pm or so.
What's on at a Glance- 2 week update to cover Revd Tom's family time away
|
|
Acts 2.14a, 22-32, Psalm 16 and John 20.19-end
|
-
9.30am - No service
-
10.30am - Intergenerational Worship at St Edmund's with Baptism and Communion at St James'
-
4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion
|
Monday
-
9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
Tuesday
-
Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
-
Place of Welcome 10am at St James'
Wednesday
-
No Coffee Morning until Wed 15th April
Thursday
-
Grieving Together Cafe meets next on 16th April
-
Chosen Bible Study meets again after Easter from 9th April
|
|
Acts 2.14a, 36-41, Psalm 116.1-3, 10-end and Luke 24.13-35
|
-
9.30am - Early Service at St Edmunds
-
10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James'
-
4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion
|
Advance Notices
-
Safeguarding Training and DBS checks - Thursday 16th April 9.30am - 11am at St James' and 30th April 6pm-7.30pm at St James'.
-
Manchester South & Stretford Deanery Celebration - Join Revd Tom and team on Thursday 23 April, 6.45–8.45pm at St Bride's Church, for a deanery-wide celebration hosted by the Diocese of Manchester.
-
An evening of worship, stories, vision, and encouragement as we explore Parish Renewal, Growing Younger, Church Planting, and Missional Leadership — and discern our next steps together.
-
The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.
-
Sound and Spirit – Saturday 25th April at St James' @ 7pm (POSTPONED TBC)
-
Iona's last Sunday with us 19th April - join us at St James after the 10.30am service for a celebration and Cafe Church until 4pm. More details coming soon.
Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>
Prayer Pointers
As this is am double issue we will resume prayer pointers week of 19th April. In the meantime keep praying!