Deanery Gatherings Start in Bury and Rossendale
Yesterday evening, we gathered at St Peter’s, Bury for the first of eight deanery gatherings taking place over the coming weeks.
Yesterday evening, we gathered at St Peter’s, Bury for the first of eight deanery gatherings taking place over the coming weeks.
The evening was filled with fellowship, worship and prayer, alongside an opportunity to share more about our vision and how national funding will support our mission and ministry together.
Bishop Matthew and Revd Canon Donna Williams opened the evening by thanking everyone present for their continued commitment, recognising their faithful service across parishes, chaplaincies and schools.
Through presentations from Karen Higgins, our new Diocesan Secretary, the Revd Phil Cansdale and Deborah Smith, we explored the four themes of our strategy: Parish Renewal, Growing Younger, Church Planting and Revitalisation, and Developing Missional Leaders.
A panel discussion highlighted inspiring examples of local mission, including Forest Church at Christ Church, Ainsworth; the development of a new Resource Church in partnership with St Thomas, Pimhole; Messy Church in local schools; and the ways the deanery is supporting and encouraging lay leaders.
We were blessed to be joined by the Sing My Soul Choral Scholars, whose beautiful singing enriched our worship. Those attending also left with resources to help share this information with others.
Thank you to all who made the evening possible, and to everyone who attended, bringing such positivity, energy and commitment to our shared ministry.
There are plenty of opportunities to attend one of these gatherings, either in your own deanery or elsewhere. These gatherings are for everyone – clergy, lay leaders, PCC members, school staff, chaplains, volunteers, new worshippers and anyone curious about where God may be calling us next.
Dates and Locations
Each venue will open at 6.45pm for refreshments and the event will start at 7.15pm. As each gathering follows the same format, you only need to book onto one event.
Thursday, 16th April – Manchester North and East Deanery Book Your Place Here
Holy Family Failsworth, Lord Lane, Failsworth, M35 0QS
Tuesday, 21st April – Bolton Deanery Book Your Place Here
St Peter’s Halliwell, Church Road, Bolton, BL1 5RR
Wednesday, 22nd April – Oldham and Ashton Deanery Book Your Place Here
Christ Church Ashton, Taunton Road/ Oldham Road, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL7 9DR
Thursday, 23rd April – Manchester South and Stretford Deanery Book Your Place Here
St Bride’s Church, St Bride’s Way, Old Trafford, M16 9NW
Tuesday, 28th April – Salford and Leigh Deanery Book Your Place Here
St John’s Church Pendlebury, Bolton Road, Pendlebury, M27 8XS
Tuesday, 5th May – Central Manchester – All Deaneries Book Your Place Here
St Ann’s Church, St Ann Street, Manchester, M2 7LF
Wednesday, 6th May – Rochdale Deanery Book Your Place Here
Nelson Street, Rochdale, 6 Nelson Street, OL16 1NL