St Nicholas Parish Church Fleetwood. Week beginning 22nd January 2023
We seek to be a church that lives by faith, is known by love and
is a voice of hope to the community we serve.
Website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/11671
Sunday 22nd January
8.30 am Holy Communion in Church
9.30 am Worship on Zoom
10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Karen & June. Reader - Joy
4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms
Tuesday 24th January
2.00 pm Holy Communion in Church
7.30 pm PCC Meets in the Jubilee Room
Wednesday 25th January
2.45 pm Funeral of Mary Gregson at Carleton
Thursday 26th January
10.00 am Community Coffee Morning & Warm Hub in the Jubilee Room
11.00 am Funeral of Charles Whiteside at Carleton
Friday 27th January
9.00 am Little Gang in the Broadway Rooms
10.00 am Visit to Church from St Kentigern’s School
12.00 pm Funeral of Trevor Ainley in Church
8.30 am Holy Communion in Church
9.30 am Worship on Zoom
10.45 am Holy Communion in Church Sidespersons Elizabeth & Margaret. Reader - Karen
4.00 pm Family & Co in the Broadway Rooms
8.00 pm Lancaster Priory – Book Launch Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff
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The last ten days have heralded the announcement of two seismic changes which affect the Church of England going forward. The first announcement was the appointment of Bishop Philip North of Burnley to become the Diocesan Bishop of Blackburn. Whilst this news was mostly received with joy and congratulations in Lancashire, it has attracted some criticism nationally. Bishop Philip is the first senior Bishop to be appointed who opposes the ordination of female priests. That said, those of us who have had the privilege of working with him over the last eight years in this Diocese, know that he supports and sponsors women fully in ministry and is hugely appreciative of the ministry of his female colleagues. Bishop Philip is quoted this week as saying, “Female clergy are fully and equally part of the diocese. As in every C of E diocese, there are provisions in place for an exercise of conscience for those who hold different views on the ordination of women. I delight in the theological breadth that this allows and the diversity of gifts that it releases.”
The second major announcement which hit the headlines this week was that under new proposals made by the House Of Bishops, Clergy will be able to offer services of prayer and thanksgiving for same-sex couples and bless same-sex civil marriages in church for the first time under proposals due to be presented to the General Synod next month. These proposals, are the result of years of discernment over the issue of sexuality and the Church through what was called the Living in Love and Faith process.
The Bishops’ proposals do not include a vote to change canon law on marriage to allow clergy to marry same-sex couples in church. Archbishop Welby said on Wednesday: “This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships, and marriage — I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our Church.”
The Vicar is happy to converse fully with anyone who wishes to explore either of these two issues further.
Please remember in your prayers – Rev Jane Everitt, Rev Martin Keighley, Elizabeth King, Ruth, Chris Kelsall, Michaela Jones, Emily Lowe, & Mark Price. Please also remember the families of, Mary Gregson, Charles Whiteside, Trevor Ainley, Betty Hart, Janet Smith and Davina Kennedy whose funerals are due to take place.