Church Newsletter Issue #89 15th February
A Hive of Activity - and Something Deeper
St Edmund’s was buzzing this Saturday. Morning and afternoon congregations came together not for worship as usual, but for polish, paint, sorting, lifting and discoverving hidden items. Cupboards were emptied and reordered, kitchen spaces refreshed, forgotten corners cleared. There was unity in the shared task — a sense of care for a building that serves prayer, praise and community week by week.
Working side by side across congregations felt quietly significant. We were not just maintaining bricks and mortar; we were expressing love for one another and for the ministry rooted here. Order emerged from clutter. Space was made for welcome. The church quite literally breathed a little easier.
I was reminded of Charles Wesley’s great hymn, “Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I Go”, with its searching line: “Let all my works in thee be wrought… and let my ordered life confess the beauty of thy holiness.” There is something profoundly Christian about practical service done together.
And yet, as Lent unfolds, we know the deeper work lies beyond polish and cleaning products. Psalm 51 gives us the truer prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” The transformation we seek cannot be scrubbed into existence; it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you, Revd Kausar, for inspiring and organising the day so thoughtfully. And thank you to everyone who gave their time. As we draw near this Lent, may outward order reflect inward renewal, trusting in God’s steadfast love and compassion.
Revd Tom
Thank You for a Powerful Beginning to Lent
A huge thank you to everyone from across our congregations who gathered for our Ash Wednesday service. It was a strong and prayerful start to Lent, and it meant so much to begin the journey together.
Ash Wednesday invites us to honesty before God. The ashes remind us that we are dust — dependent on his grace — and that Lent is a season of returning, of drawing near again in repentance and trust. It is not about gloom, but about grace. Not about ritual for its own sake, but about renewed hearts.
Thank you for your presence, your prayers, and your openness. Let’s continue the journey together.
Celebrating 30 Years of Christina Relief Uganda
You are all warmly invited to celebrate CRU’s 30th Anniversary with us in March!
In 1991, Maria Maw, a Dutch lady from Macclesfield, went to Uganda as a missionary. While working in the Jinja Baptist Seminary library, she was often surrounded by curious children. They told her of returning each evening to mud huts - orphans cared for only by older brothers or sisters. They were victims of Uganda’s turbulent history and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Deeply moved, Maria felt drawn to the Kamuli area, north of Jinja. There, needs were overwhelming and compassion turned into action. Maria set up an orphanage offering children not just shelter, but stability, care, hope and an education. Thus Maria’s Care School was born - now a primary school with over 300 pupils.
In 1995, Rhona Marshall MBE visited Maria and saw the scale of the task she had taken on. Inspired and determined to help, Rhona returned home and began raising awareness and support in churches and schools across the UK. Her efforts led to the foundation of Christian Relief Uganda (CRU) in 1996. For the last 30 years, CRU and its wonderful donors have faithfully supported the School, sponsored pupils from poor families and provided aid to other needy people in the Kamuli area. Long may our work continue!
You are warmly invited to celebrate our 30th Anniversary:
Saturday 28th March 6.30 to 9pm at St. Edumund’s Church, Whalley Range, Manchester M18 8EZ for Ugandan food, Manchester Ugandan choir and drummers, stories and thanksgiving.
Please book in by contacting Julie Parker on julie@mwfnorthwest.org.uk or text her on 07732556381.
Lent and Easter: Walking the Way Together
Ash Wednesday – 18 February, 6pm
Joint service at St Edmund’s to begin Lent, with prayer, reflection, and the option of receiving ashes.
Sunday 22 March, 4pm
Grace Community Sham-E-Calvary – a creative service exploring the road to the cross through worship and storytelling.
Palm Sunday – 29 March
10.30am – Palm Sunday services at St James and St Edmund’s
3pm – Grace Community, including a joyful palm procession.
Maundy Thursday – 2 April, 6pm
Holy Communion at St James’, with the optional act of foot-washing, reflecting Jesus’ call to love and serve.
Good Friday
Churches Together Walk of Witness 10am start from St Edmund's (details to be confirmed)
1pm – Grace Community, reflecting on the Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross.
Holy Saturday
2–5pm – St Edmund’s open for prayer, led by Revd Kausar, offering quiet space to wait with God.
Easter Day
9.30am – Short Drawing Near service at St Edmund’s (20–30 minutes)
10.30am – Easter Day celebrations at St James and St Edmund’s
4pm – Grace Community Easter Celebration
Draw Near - Lent Zoom Group this Wednesday
“Draw Near” is the Church of England’s theme for Lent 2026, inviting us to open our lives more fully to God through prayer, Scripture, and loving service. Each week a different contributor explores a different aspect of Christian discipleship – worshipping together, praying, exploring the Bible, sharing communion, offering service and sharing the good news with others.
Join us on Zoom as we explore this year’s Lent material together, making space to reflect, pray and encourage one another. Whether you’re using our booklet or another resource, this is a chance to draw near to God in community.
Printed Lent booklets (RRP £2.99) will be available this Sunday for a suggested donation of £2. Please do pick one up and join in. Also available on the Everyday Faith App.
Let’s not travel through Lent alone. Come on Zoom. Pick up a booklet. Make the space. Draw near.
Zoom link - click here - starts 7pm 25th Feb 2026
Refugee Lodgings Project - Greater Manchester Together
This project was created to address the growing issue of newly recognised refugees becoming street homeless soon after leaving Home Office accommodation.
We wanted to offer a compassionate, community‑focused solution. We’re inviting people across Greater Manchester with a spare room to provide a temporary home for a refugee who has recently received their status. These placements typically last between three and six months and are designed to offer safety, security, and the chance to connect with the local community.
We will support both the resident landlord and the refugee lodger throughout the entire placement. This ensures that every match is safe, positive, and mutually respectful.
During this period of stability, refugees gain the time and support they need to move confidently into private rented accommodation or another long‑term housing option.
By opening your door, you can help a refugee avoid homelessness and begin their new chapter in the UK with dignity and hope.
If you’re interested in getting involved or would like to learn more, please reach out via the contact details below;
Email: lodgings@greatertogethermanchester.org
Phone: 07732403929
Register on Our Website
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website CLICK HERE so that we can refresh our church database. This will allow you to share your details and give us permission to hold your information, helping us to keep our GDPR records up to date.
We want to make sure everyone is correctly listed on our new church data management system, Church Hub, which is part of the tools provided through our new website. Keeping our records accurate will help us communicate better, care well for one another, and support the life and mission of our church.
Thank you for taking a few moments to help us with this.
What's on at a Glance
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9.30am - Short Communion Service at St Edmund's
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10.30am - Intergenerational Service at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
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Preaching Workshop for all those preachers who did not attend the last session. 12.15 for 12.30pm at St Edmund's
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church
Monday
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9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
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Place of Welcome 10am at St James' extending to a creative arty and crafty session from 11am
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New 'Chatty Cafe' at Bembe Cafe in Alexandra Park facilitated by Joy (St Edmunds congregation) and the cafe team. Join in and tackle loneliness: Tuesdays 11am-12.30pm.
Wednesday
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Coffee Morning 10.30am at St Edmund's
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'Draw Near' lent Group Zoom 7pm - Zoom Link here
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe 11.30am at St James'
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The Chosen Bible Study - Join us on Thursday 26th February 7.30pm at St Ed's for Season 2, Episode 6: "Unlawful". Mary Magdalene reverts to her old habits. Simon and Matthew bring her home. Jesus heals a withered hand and His disciples pluck wheat on the Sabbath. Pharisees accuse them and Jesus pronounces that He is Lord of Sabbath.
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9.30am - Short Service at St Edmund's
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10.30am - Communion St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James'
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church
Advance Notices
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You're all invited to the 30th Birthday Party of Christian Relief Uganda and Maria's Care School. On Sat 28 March 6.30 to 9pm. Do join us to celebrate in songs and testimonies with good food, crafts and more!
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Manchester South & Stretford Deanery Celebration
Join Revd Tom and team on Thursday 23 April, 6.45–8.45pm at St Bride's Church, for a deanery-wide celebration hosted by the Diocese of Manchester.
An evening of worship, stories, vision, and encouragement as we explore Parish Renewal, Growing Younger, Church Planting, and Missional Leadership — and discern our next steps together.
Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>
Prayer Pointers for this Week
Prayer pointers prayer pointers shaped around Genesis 2–3, Psalm 32, and Matthew 4.
1️⃣ For Trust in God’s Word
Pray that we would trust God’s boundaries as gifts of love, not restrictions to resist.
2️⃣ For Discernment in Temptation
Ask for wisdom to recognise the subtle voice that twists truth, as in Eden and the wilderness.
3️⃣ For Honesty Before God
Pray for courage to step out of hiding, confessing sin rather than covering it with shame.
4️⃣ For the Joy of Forgiveness
Give thanks for the freedom Psalm 32 proclaims — that confessed sin leads to restored joy.
5️⃣ For Strength in Testing
Pray for resilience in times of spiritual testing, following Christ who stood firm in the wilderness.
6️⃣ For Hunger for God’s Word
Ask that we would live “not by bread alone,” but by every word that comes from God.
7️⃣ For Victory Through Christ
Thank God that where Adam fell, Christ prevailed — and pray that we may share in his victory.