Could you help with our Online Church? Questions about Confirmation?
A huge thanks to those who committed time and energy to enable our online provision to be a huge gift to the parish and beyond.
Online Church
A huge thanks to those who committed time and energy to enable our online provision to be a huge gift to the parish and beyond. We did not get everything right but, I think, we can say that we improved. As we go into our church, we have a serious learning curve to do all over again.
And, to say this. We need to think in terms of someone or more than one, listening to whether God is calling them to be our online pastor – overseeing the technology and the “content” that goes out past our parish and into Bury and beyond.
If you think that you might be called to this role, training is available.
Confirmation
We were going to have a confirmation service on Pentecost Sunday. We didn’t. Bishop Mark did come, but only virtually. If you would like to be considered for confirmation or have a family member who might be considering this, please have a word with either Sheila or Julian.
Important Message Regarding Daily Services
Archbishops call for Church of England to become radically different as public worship put on hold to help stem spread of coronavirusArchbishops call for Church of England to become radically different as public worship put on hold to help stem spread of coronavirus
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17/03/2020
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are calling for Church of England churches to put public worship on hold and become a “different sort of church” in the coming months to face the challenge of coronavirus.
In a joint letter, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu said it was now necessary to put public services on hold until further notice.
But they said that far from having to “shut up shop”, the Church of England must face the challenge by becoming a radically different kind of church rooted in prayer and serving others.
It comes after the Government announced unprecedented peacetime measures to try to control the spread of the virus, with restrictions on public gatherings, transport and working.
The Archbishops expressed the desire that church buildings may, where practical, remain open as places of prayer for the community, observing social distancing recommendations.
They also invited clergy to maintain the ancient pattern of daily prayer and, where possible, the eucharist – live streaming their worship if they have the resources to do so.
And they urged congregations to be in the forefront of providing practical care and support for the most poor and the most vulnerable during the crisis.
“Being a part of the Church of England is going to look very different in the days ahead,” they wrote.
“Our life is going to be less characterised by attendance at church on Sunday, and more characterised by the prayer and service we offer each day.
“We may not be able to pray with people in the ways that we are used to, but we can certainly pray for people. And we can certainly offer practical care and support.
“Please do carry on supporting the local foodbank and buy extra provisions for it. Ensure the night shelters wherever possible are kept open. There are many very encouraging schemes happening right across our country in communities to focus on caring for the most vulnerable and do continue to play your part in those.
“Then by our service, and by our love, Jesus Christ will be made known, and the hope of the gospel – a hope that can counter fear and isolation - will spread across our land.”
They added: “This is a defining moment for the Church of England. Are we truly are a church for all, or just the church for ourselves.
“We urge you sisters and brothers to become a different sort of church in these coming months: hopeful and rooted in the offering of prayer and praise and overflowing in service to the world.”
The archbishops have joined other church leaders in calling for a day of prayer and action this Sunday (Mothering Sunday) particularly remembering those who are sick or anxious and all involved in health and emergency services.
Further information on what the suspension of public worship will mean will be available as soon as possible on the Church of England website. This page will be regularly updated.
The Church will be providing a range of resources to enable people to continue to walk with God at this difficult time. This includes #LiveLent daily reflections, prayer for the day audio and text and Alexa and Google Home smart speaker apps.
In the days and weeks ahead, the Church will be significantly expanding this output with audio of a simple daytime prayer and night prayer service, more video content and some live-streaming, new mental health reflections to support people, and webinars to help churches stream sermons, events and make the most of social media. Read more here. The aim will be to make as much as possible available in simple downloadable and printable formats for those who can’t easily access the technology.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CONCERTS
Following the developing situation around COVID-19, the Friday Lunchtime concerts, Black Dyke Band concert and our ‘Come and Sing’ are postponed until further notice.
Following the developing situation around COVID-19 and to prioritise the health and wellbeing of our community, the Friday Lunchtime concerts, Black Dyke Band concert of 2nd April and our ‘Come and Sing’ of 10th April are postponed until further notice.
Where reinstatement of the performance at a later date is not possible, or if patrons are unable to make a rescheduled date, a full refund will be issued when services are resumed.
Audiences should visit our website and social media channels for further updates. https://www.buryparishchurch.com/
Marc Murray, Director of Music
Bury Parish Church
Further to the above, the ALFA Concert, Quiz Night and Bury Grammar Schools 450th Anniversary Concert have all been POSTPONED.
Choir School and Choir Practise have been POSTPONED whilst the situation develops. The House on the Rock café is still open, but we will continually update the website as we learn more.
Services are going ahead as usual. Please keep checking back for further updates
Events During March
From Mothering Sunday to Confirmation, via Book Clubs and #LiveLent, there’s a lot going on in March! Click here for further information of events that may interest you
Confirmation
We are beginning our search for any candidates, adult or child (from Year 6 onwards) who might like to explore Confirmation. Confirmation is when, after looking at the claims of the Christian Faith, we feel moved to stand and publicly say that we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ.
Requirements; that
• you come to church regularly (it’s really tricky, nay, not possible to explore the Christian life without joining in worship with our sisters and brothers),
• you join in a course of faith exploration,
• you commit yourself to explore faith through prayer and bible reading on your own.
Not a requirement;
that you are baptised. Confirmation is sort of the adult version of baptism and we can include baptism in the service.
Interested?
Have a word with one of the clergy. Oh, and if you would like to remind yourself about the faith, have a refresher course, as it were, you would be really, really welcome.
Date for Confirmation: Sunday 14th June at 10am.
Adult Sunday School
We continue our rhythm of monthly Adult Sunday School gatherings at the Robert Peel on the third Sundays of the month. We will gather on Sunday 15 March.
If you’ve not joined us, do come. We start at 8.45 am, straight after the early service and finish in time to potter over to church for the 10 am Eucharist. Nourishment for the body and soul.
A Church of Many Voices
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it!
As St Paul reminds us, we are all part of one body worshipping together so the more who share in leading our worship, surely, the more enriching it becomes.
We now have a very loyal band of people who regularly read, lead intercessory prayers and serve as lay assistants and crucifers.
However it would be wonderful if we could encourage more of you to volunteer to participate in any of these areas. No qualifications required just a loyal and willing heart. Friendly training and assistance in abundance. To find out more, why not have a chat at coffee with any of the current band of volunteers. If you think that you may be interested please do have a word with Julian, Rhiannon or myself.
With every blessing
Sheila
Mothering Sunday
After-Church refreshments – 22nd March
There is a bit of a tradition in many houses that, on Mothering Sunday, the ladies of the house step back and the gentlemen step forward. It’s a good tradition. And I would like to extend it to the families who gathers at Bury Parish Church. So, this is a call-out to the gentlemen of the parish. We need volunteers to staff the counter after Church on this Sunday. And to do the washing up after. If you would like to be part of this ministry on this day, can you have a word with Susan Sugden? It would be rather wonderful to hear that the response has been somewhat overwhelming. Rumour has it, too, that that traditional food on Mothering Sunday, Simnel Cake, will be on offer.
Book Group
The Book Group meets on 12th March at 7.30 pm in the Rectory. “The Diary of a Bookseller” by Shaun Bythell. The one after that is on 23rd April; “Bridge of Clay” by Markus Zusak.
-Jackie Heaton.
Lent in Bury 2020
Our Archbishops this year have launched a #livelent campaign seeking to encourage us all to respond to God’s plea to care for his creation.
We have taken the themes and ideas suggested as part of this campaign to devise a local approach to care for God’s creation in and around Bury.
Please take time to explore this site. There are resources to download for use in churches and schools as well as some individual challenges to think about.
If you would like to get involved online search and use #livelentbury and #livelent in your posts.
To find out more about the #livelent campaign, CLICK HERE
Lent 1 Light & Energy
Lent 2 Water
Lent 3 Land & Plants
Lent 4 Stars & Seasons
Lent 5 Creatures of Sea & Land
Pancakes!
We invite you to come and eat a small pancake after our 10 am Sung Eucharist on Sunday 23rd February.
Pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday. This year we will be inviting you to come and eat a small pancake after our 10 am Sung Eucharist on Sunday 23rd February.
A chance to do something traditional on an unusual day and for us, as God’s community, to feast together before we fast.
Police Carol Concert
Tonight’s concert will start at 7:30pm, not 7pm.
We have just received news that the starting time for the Police Carols Concert tonight is at 7:30pm, not the earlier stated time of 7pm.
We hope this does not effect your plans and hope to see you there. Please remember that parking is limited at the church, so if you are able to do so, please park away from the church.
Events during November
During November, we have several events taking place both for children and for adults! You’re welcome to come and join us for any of the meetings.
The flowers are from our Flower Arrangers from Harvest. Aren’t they beautiful!
Adult Sunday School
We continue our rhythm of monthly Adult Sunday School gatherings at the Robert Peel on the third Sundays of the month.
We will gather on Sunday 17th November. If you’ve not joined us, do come. We drink coffee/tea, some treat themselves to a cooked breakfast or bacon roll or toast and marmalade and will indulge in that most Christian of activities, a good argument – usually over the scriptures, occasionally over other parts of our tradition. We start at 8.45am, straight after the early service and finish in time to potter over to church for the 10am Eucharist. Nourishment for the body and soul.
Story telling service
16th November at 4.00pm
This new venture is aimed at young children and their families. Families whose children have been baptised at Bury Parish Church and any young children with an adult, whether they be parents, grandparents, godparents or other family friends, will be very welcome.
The service will only last about half an hour and will include a drink and a biscuit. It will consist of bible stories, simple prayers and children’s songs, mainly to the tunes of nursery rhymes. The children will be provided with shakers, bells or tambourines so they can join in, even if they are too young to sing.
The next dates will be December 14th.
Book Group
Our November meeting will be discussing ‘Conclave’ by Robert Harris, a novel exploring the appointment of a new Pope. This will be on Thursday November 14th at 7.30pm at the Rectory. We will also meet on December 12th at the same time and place to discuss ‘The Line of Beauty’ by Alan Hollinghurst.
Wednesday Study Group
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED B.P.C.’s WEDNESDAY EVENING STUDY GROUP ?
FAITH PICTURES is a 6-week course designed to help us to find a way to talk about our faith to people in a way that is natural and life-giving to both us and them. Why not join us at 7pm in the Ashton Room if you’d like to know more? Starts 23rd October.
23rd October Opening the Conversation
30th October The Power of the Ordinary
6th November Travellers’ Tales
13th November Talking Pictures
20th November Companions on the Journey
27th November Hidden Opportunities
Harvest Flowers
Our dedicated Flower Arrangers have been hard at work again throughout October, making the church look beautiful for Harvest. Here’s a picture of a display by the Pulpit.
Welcoming Hannah Lane to the ministry at Bury Parish Church
My name is Hannah and I am from Westhoughton, where I have lived for most of my life apart from when I was away studying at University in Keele. I live with my husband, Dean and our Sealyham Terrier, Oscar.
My name is Hannah and I am from Westhoughton, where I have lived for most of my life apart from when I was away studying at University in Keele. I live with my husband, Dean and our Sealyham Terrier, Oscar. Up until the beginning of September I was a teacher. I initially trained as a Science teacher. Following 2 years in a big mainstream school in Manchester, moved to Rumworth Special School in Bolton. I spent most of my teaching career there until I left to take up my place on the course I am now on. In my spare time I am a Brown Owl and I play tuba in Astley Youth Band.
I have always had a faith, I have grown up in the church and I find it impossible to separate my faith from who I am. I started exploring a call to public ministry in 2014. I initially put myself forward for Reader Ministry but quickly realised that I didn’t feel like it was the right thing to be doing. As I discussed this more with Vocations Advisors it became apparent that I should look deeper into ordained ministry training. I followed this through to an interview at a Bishop’s Advisory Panel earlier this year where I was recommended for training.
And so, I find myself placed here at Bury Parish Church and St Pauls. I have weekly college days at St Mellitus College which is based at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and my time as part of the worshipping community in Bury forms my '“on the job” training. I am delighted to be here, and I would like to thank you for a wonderful welcome. I look forward to getting to know you all, finding out about your faith and the good news shared here in Bury.
Various News and Events that are happening over the following weeks that could interest you
All Souls – Fabric Material
We all have favourite clothes, things we love to wear, that make us feel good, that remind us of people and events. I have a number of jackets and waistcoats that were my father’s. I love to wear them as they physically remind me of him. You will possibly have your own item or two that connects you with your loved ones.
On All Saints/All Souls Sunday (3 November) we would like to put up a drop on which pieces of cloth which you have given us will be sown. These pieces of cloth may be from the actual clothing worn by someone or may be a token, a visual reminder, of him/her.
If you would like to offer us material, here is the way to do it.
Any cloth, pre-cut, to approx. 6” x 3”.
One piece per person you would like remembered.
Place this in an envelope and write FOR ALL SOULS on the outside.
Leave this with the Wardens/Sidespeople at the back of church.
Please note that we will NOT be able to return material.
We need the material by Sunday 13 October.
Mission Action Planning.
When we prepared our MAP, we had to set out some specific actions we are going to take to nudge our life forward. Over the next few months, we will be looking at these. One of our ambitions is to increase our sense of community
Cake, Coffee and Conversation
1st September
After the service on a Sunday, we are encouraging folks to come and sit and chat. On the first Sunday of the month, we are inviting people to bring some cake. If you would like to contribute, can you let Pat Webber know. Please do this, so we are not swamped one month and left hungry the next!! This starts on 1st September.
Bury 10K
Even though this event takes place accross Bury on Sunday, 15th September, we are open for business as usual. There are parking restrictions around Bury, but our parking facilities are operational. Bolton Street has access to the Parish Church.