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.

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.

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.

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.

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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Peter's talk on "Word on Fire"

Peter Temple, one of Lay Assistants, who is participating in the Foundations for Ministry Course spoken on Thy Kingdom Come Sunday, 13 May.

He talked about what helped in in his Christian journey and particularly references Bishop Barron’s “Word on Fire” daily scripture reflections. 

The Collation of the new Archdeacon of Bolton

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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.

Did you know...

Did you know that Bury Parish Church hosts it's own Youth Group for 10 - 16 year olds?

It's called TBC and runs between 7:30pm and 9pm every Monday evening and costs just £1. There are may activities for all involved such as table football, pool, board games and many other activities! 

There are also nights where you can do something different, such as film nights, going bowling or having a theme for the evening. The organisers of TBC will listen to the children and any idea they have will be taken into consideration.

If your child is between 10 and 16 years old and bored on a Monday evening, please feel free to bring them to the church hall located behind the church in the car park. Introduce yourselves to Richard, Richard or Elin and for the tiny sum of £1, your child can join in with the activities and make some new friends.

If you would be interested in helping run TBC, Richard, Richard and Elin are always looking for some new helpers. Introduce yourselves to them, and see what you can do!

Our newest member to the Faith

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Yesterday, we welcomed Nonso Uzendu to the faith of Christ after being baptized in church. We welcome Nonso into our family, and hope you will keep him in your prayers.

If you are thinking of baptism either for your child or for yourself (remember, there is no age limit to follow Christ), visit our Baptism Page here where you learn more information about how to organise it.

Details of Flo Leeming's Funeral

Many of you will have heard of the death of our dear Flo last weekend, but may not have heard about the funeral. It will take place at Bury Parish Church at 2:!5 on Friday 9th February. 

Flo was a much loved member of our congregation, and also our Verger for a while. She will be terribly missed by us all here at Bury Parish Church. Her smile and humour was infectious and even though she was small in stature, she had a huge heart.

Rest in Peace Flo. 

Christmas at Bury Parish Church

We've had a busy December so far, and it isn't stopping any time soon!

For information on services, click on this link, or try clicking on the subtle Christmas Tree on the Homepage!