Mothering Sunday Service
Today, we have a special service for you… it’s online!
A specially recorded eucharist service to celebrate Mothering Sunday is now available on Soundcloud for you to listen to and join in.
Today, we have a special service for you… it’s online!
A specially recorded eucharist service to celebrate Mothering Sunday is now available on Soundcloud for you to listen to and join in.
The service is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, and the readings and theme are taken from looking at stewardship of God’s wonderful creation, which is what we are looking at during this period of Lent.
Click the button below to listen to the service!
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
Events During December
From Story Telling for children and Book Club for adults to Christingle making and Christmas Dinner. Have a read what’s going on at Bury Parish Church during the busy month of December!
Christmas Services Note
This year, as part of our campaign to reach out beyond those who cross our doors, we have created a small notelet to drop through people’s doors. It tells about the services that we have coming up over the Christmas period. Research says that these are the easiest services for strangers to cross over the threshold. We need to distribute these into the houses of our parish. If you are able to offer an hour of leg time, we can knock this task off really efficiently. Please have a word with one of the clergy.
Adult Sunday School with Archdeacon Jean
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 December.
This month we have a real treat. The Archdeacon of Bolton, Ven Jean Burgess, will join us and lead us. 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.
Book Group
The Book Group meets for its final time in 2019 on 12th December at 7.30 pm in the Rectory. We will discuss ‘The line of beauty’ by Alan Hollinghurst.
- Jackie Heaton
Story Telling Service
14 December 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.
Churches Together in Bury Carol Singing
Saturday, 21st December at 10.00am
Everyone loves a carol. You love singing. How about combining the two and being part of the CTiB Carol Singing gig in the busy Bury Market the Saturday before Christmas? Simply turn up and follow the noise! A great chance to meet other Christians and to break down the barrier between Church and World.
Help make Christingles.
We welcome lots of people to our Christingle on Christmas Eve. This service is at 3.30 pm. We need help in putting the Christingles together. Over the last couple of years, we have had a great team of volunteers gathering on 23 December in the Ashton Room. If you are able to join us, we will be in a creative mood at 9.00 am that morning.
Christmas Parish Lunch
Three Course meal on Sunday, 8th December at 12 noon. Tickets at £5.00 are available after services and at The House on the Rock
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.
The Revd Dr Sheila Beattie; Ordination
Sheila, our Curate, is to be ordained priest by Bishop David on 22 June at Manchester Cathedral. Sheila will preside at the Eucharist for the first time at St Mary the Virgin, Bury, at 10.30am on Sunday 23 June. This will be foll
Sheila, our Curate, is to be ordained priest by Bishop David on 22 June at Manchester Cathedral. Sheila will preside at the Eucharist for the first time at St Mary the Virgin, Bury, at 10.30am on Sunday 23 June. This will be followed by a “Jacob’s Feast” Bring and Share lunch in the Blackburne Hall. Can we encourage all readers of this to come along to the Sunday service and stay for lunch? It would be wonderful if as many as possible can join Sheila on this day.
And a note about the ordination. There will be fewer tickets available for each candidate being ordained. Sheila would like to provide for all but that, clearly, is not possible! She will approach a number of people with the opportunity to attend. Please do not be offended if you are not asked. What we do ask you to do is to come to her first Eucharist.
Mothering Sunday
Join us for a special Mother’s Day service at 10am tomorrow.
Don’t forget the clocks go back an hour tonight!
Tomorrow is Mothering Sunday, and at Bury Parish Church, we will be praying for all mothers everywhere.
We will be holding a special service at 10am, so why not come and join us and say ‘Thank You’ to your mum in the presence of God?
Armistice at Bury Parish Church
Bury Parish Church is hosting artwork to help remember the Armistice that is free to come and view, as well as several events that you can be a part of.
To remember the 100 years since the end of World War One, Bury Parish Church has many events to keep in mind the many men that never returned to their loved ones.
In the run up to November 11th, the church has many displays of artwork from the surrounding community that you can come in to view for free.
The scouts have mounted a display of Scouting during the war
Two local art groups, including an art therapy group, are displaying their work
Some beautiful silk artwork by Year 10 pupils of Bury C of E High School
Cascades of poppies over the chancel and banners in the nave
A tree of memories that you can add a picture of someone that fought in the war
‘There but not There’ - transparent figures highlighting the space created by the young men who did not return from war
There are services taking place on the 11th and poetry readings, as well as a Come and Sing on the 10th.
All monies raised from the events will be given to the Royal British Legion.
For further information on the events, click here.
Besses o' th' Barn Band 200th Anniversary Concert
Featuring the Besses o’ th’ Barn Band and MD Trevor Halliwell, plus special guests the Besses Reunion Band.
Saturday 27th October at 7pm here at Bury Parish Church. Tickets are only £10 and available in church, telephone or from a member of the band.
Holy Week Services
For details on services this week, please visit our Holy Week Services page here
This week, known as Holy Week, starts with Palm Sunday and the triumphant arrival of Christ, and follows his last days before his final meal and eventual betrayal, arrest, crucifixion, death and burial.
It is a time of reflection, prayers and thinking, and Bury Parish Church is open each day this week to help you if or when you need it. Each day this week there is a Eucharist service at 7:30pm, with other services throughout the day depending on the day of the week.
We welcome everyone to come and take part in the services, whether you come to church every Sunday of you have never stepped foot inside our building, you are all welcome to come and pray with us as we remember our Lord's last days on this Earth.
For details on services this week, please visit our Holy Week Services page here
The Collation of the new Archdeacon of Bolton
Tomorrow, on Palm Sunday at 3pm, we are delighted to be hosting the collation of the new Archdeacon of Bolton, the Revd Jean Burgess
Tomorrow, on Palm Sunday at 3pm, we are delighted to be hosting the collation of the new Archdeacon of Bolton, the Revd Jean Burgess here at Bury Parish Church.
We all hope and pray that her time as Archdeacon of Bolton is fruitful and exciting, and we are all looking forward to meeting her in her new role. You are welcome to join us in our celebrations, but please be aware that parking is limited.
Licensing Service for the Reverend Julian Heaton
Tomorrow, Sunday 19th November at 2:30pm we will be holding the license service at Bury Parish Church for our new Rector of St. Mary the Virgin and Vicar of St. Paul's, Julian Heaton.
Tomorrow, Sunday 19th November at 2:30pm we will be holding the license service at Bury Parish Church for our new Rector of St. Mary the Virgin and Vicar of St. Paul's, Julian Heaton.
It will be a very special day, and our thoughts and prayers are with Julian and his family who are looking forward to their new lives in Bury. We hope you can join us for the service, and that you join us in praying for the future.
We are expecting a lot of people to attend the service, including some that will have travelled far, so we ask if the local congregation could find alternative parking to church, to allow our visitors space in the car park.
There will be an 8:00am Holy Communion service and then the licensing service at 2:30pm. There is no 10:00am or 6:30pm evensong this week.