On the 10th of June 2024 we welcomed Fr Jordan McDermott as our new Rector, Instituted and Inducted in a special service at St Mary the Virgin, Eccleston. This marks the start of a new chapter for both our churches, and indeed our villages as we look forward to discerning what God next has in store for us.

A congregation of over 180 people packed in to Eccleston Parish Church to witness the making of a new Rector. The Choir were in fine voice, leading the singing as the various ceremonies took place within a celebration of the Eucharist. Bishop Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, encouraged us to be a Beatitude people (and Fr Jordan a Beatitude priest) - using the Beatitudes as a manual of how to live our lives.

The service had a celebratory atmosphere, which continued long into the night as we greeted the new Rector over refreshments of cheese and wine. There will be lots of time to get to know both him and Becky, but in the meantime please continue to pray for them as Fr Jordan moves takes up his new role.