Reverend Lesley was accompanied by Gil from St John’s and Simon from St Anne’s along with others representing parishes from Blackburn Diocese.We met Reverend Alice from St Aidan’s, Mill Hill, Blackburn – a very different context to ours. As we journey together, we committed to walk side by side with one another and support each other in prayer and share how we are getting along. Please continue to pray for our churches and our PCCs as they commit to this programme for the next 12-18 months. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work in our church congregations and within our communities; that we see more people come to know Jesus and fill our churches.
Bishop Philip gave an inspiring and thought provoking Presidential Address against the backdrop of the current situation in our country and in many of our communities. We were asked ‘Whose side are you on?’ We are on the Lord’s side which is counter cultural in our binary society. He called us to pray for everyone, even if we don’t agree with them.The day continued with an informal consultation about the Prayers for Love and Faith (LLF). How do questions about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage fit within the bigger picture of the good news of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to live in love and faith together as a Church? Since 2017, the Church of England has been travelling together exploring these questions as part of the so called Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process.
He invites us to meet with him and to pray with him, as he will be bringing prayers from the other Deaneries he has visited. Pendle Deanery has sent a prayer for Tunstall Deanery which is the first Deanery at the start of his bike ride.
To encourage further giving, Bishop Philip is organising a ‘Pedal-along’.On Friday, 17 October, he will be going on a bike ride around the entire Diocese during which he will visit and pray in one school or church in every single one of our 14 Deaneries.Each Deanery will give the Bishop a special prayer to read and take to hand on to the next one as he travels across the County.Read much more about the Harvest Appeal for 2025 here and please note that you can donate by credit card and cheque now and via the Parish Giving Scheme.
