Could you help with our Online Church? Questions about Confirmation?

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.

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.

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!

Parish Pod

Welcome to the first episode of Bury Parish Church’s podcast ‘Parish Pod’.

Parish Pod is a short podcast featuring music, readings and prayers from some members of the Bury Parish Church family to help get you through this time of social distancing and isolation - have a listen!

Rev. Rhiannon introduces us to our first of many recordings, speaking to guests, listening to readings and poems and music from our very own Elin Rees.

Parish Pod is hosted on Soundcloud where you can listen via the website or using the Soundcloud app on your phone. Click the button below to go directly to it.

If you have any feedback, ideas or suggestions, please let us know and we’ll get in touch.

We would like to thank Rev. Rhiannon Jones, Graeme Bigg and Elin Rees for their contributions to the Parish Pod, and also Stephen Davies, our Recorder and Producer, for the hard work.

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 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 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

Pancakes!

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

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.

Bury Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival

You are warmly invited to come and enjoy one of the most popular Christmas events in the country.

We are holding a Christmas Tree Festival in Bury Parish Church, and this will be an opportunity for you to see this stunning building beautifully decorated for Christmas.

The Festival will be open 5 days/week 9.30am - 4.00pm and during Sunday Services and other events, from Tuesday 10 December to Friday 3 January.

Admission is free but we welcome donations, all of which will go to Bury’s charity for homeless people, Caritas, The Red Door.

Everyone is welcome both to the Festival and to our many other services over the Christmas period. Disabled facilities are available.

Events During 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.

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Archdeacon of Bolton, Jean Burgess

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.

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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

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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.

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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

Adult Sunday School

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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

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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.

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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 ?

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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

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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. 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.

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.

Heritage Weekend 14th and 15th September

Every year, in mid September, churches, museums, galleries and all sorts of other places throw open their doors and invite people in.

On 14 September, we are getting involved in this. We will

• display our Silverware,

  • our Registers,

  • our vestments.

• invite people up the tower and to the Clerestory (gallery above the nave).

• have Choral Matins a la 1876 (when the present church was opened) at 11am.

• guided tour

Our refreshments will have a distinctly Victorian flavour.

To do all this, we need;

• volunteers to keep our valuables safe.

Can you give an hour?

• manikins for our vestments.

• folks to manage the stairways to tower and gallery

Put the date in your diary.

Let’s make this a great event.

Make time and come and help.

Let us know if you can.

List at back of Church.

Posters and flyers are available for distribution.

Revd Dr Sheila Beattie was ordained priest - A Joyous Occasion

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It seems like only yesterday since I was writing about my ordination to being a deacon. The year has certainly flown by! They say that time flies when you are having fun and, looking back, I have certainly enjoyed my first year of curacy.

As ordination to priesthood approached, I must confess that I did have reservations, doubts about worthiness. Perhaps I should take what appeared to be the easier option – to simply remain a deacon. Despite these reservations, God kept nudging me as God seems prone to do.

Taking advantage of being on retreat prior to the ordination, I took the opportunity to do some reading. In doing so, I came across a reminder to the effect that priesthood was a joyous and fantastic privilege; when Jesus ate and drank with tax collectors and prostitutes, it was not a duty. It was utter delight in their company, in their very being. When Jesus touched the untouchable, it was not a clinical gesture, but the hug of joy. And what better role model can we have than Jesus himself. This made me realise that focussing on my anxieties was all about self when instead I should be looking forward with excitement to sharing the love and joy of our Lord.

It was lovely to share the celebration of both the Ordination Service and the presiding at my first Eucharist in June with so many of you. You have all played a part in the journey so far, so it feels right that we should be embarking on the next stage together!

With every blessing

Sheila

More Than Sunday - Manchester Diocese Podcast

The first episode of the #MoreThanSunday - a year of discipleship, the podcast that aims to help you on your journey of discipleship - not just on Sundays but on every other day of the week as well.
The theme this month is Doubt. We start off where our faith can sometimes falter.
To sign up to the #MoreThanSunday monthly email, visit: www.manchester.anglican.org/more-than-Sunday/

The Revd Dr Sheila Beattie; Ordination

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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

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?

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Armistice at Bury Parish Church

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.

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• 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.

The Brighouse and Rastrick Band Concert

Here are Bury Parish Church, the Rector of Bury has had his own troop of scouts for a long, long time. We are pleased with how many youngsters join in with activities and that we have some fantastic leaders who help with the activities and look after them.

Angus MacRae has received his certificate for being involved in Scouting for 30 years

Chris Brown and Keeley Knight are just starting out as Leaders.

We congratulate them all and wish them well as they work with our amazing young people in 44th Bury (ROBOT) Scouts.

For further information on our Scouts, visit the webpage here

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