Church Newsletter Issue #100 24th May
Come, Holy Spirit: Expectation for Pentecost
This Pentecost weekend, the readings invite us to expect the Holy Spirit to move both powerfully and personally among us. In Acts 2, the Spirit arrives with wind, fire, energy, and boldness. Ordinary people are filled with courage and begin speaking words of hope across languages and cultures. Creation itself seems alive with the breath of God as barriers are broken down and fearful disciples become courageous witnesses.
Yet alongside this dramatic public moment stands the deeply intimate scene in John 20. Behind locked doors, among anxious disciples, the risen Jesus comes close and says, “Peace be with you.” Then, in one of the most tender moments in the Gospels, Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit is not only poured out dramatically upon crowds but also shared personally, gently, breath to breath, into fearful and weary hearts.
The Church of England’s Pentecost liturgy beautifully encourages us to pray with openness and expectation:
“As we long for your renewing,
fill us with your Spirit.”
And again:
“Breathe on us, breath of God;
fill us with your saving power.”
This Pentecost, may we fully embrace the invitation to pray: Come, Holy Spirit — across creation, within our fellowship, and personally within each one of us.
Revd Tom
A Special Visit
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that the Bishop of Lahore, Bishop Nadeem Kamran, will be visiting the UK in June 2026. We are especially honoured that he will be visiting Grace Church on Sunday, 14th June at 4:00 PM.
This will be a joyful and blessed occasion for our church family. We kindly request everyone to arrange their work schedules or time off where possible, so that together we may warmly welcome Bishop Nadeem Kamran and enjoy fellowship with him.
Your love, support, and presence will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, and please keep this special visit in your prayers.
Revd Kausar
JPCC and Wardens - come to the Cathedral on 17th June
Visitation services are held each summer following the election of churchwardens at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM).
These services, which take place across the diocese, mark the formal admission of parish churchwardens to their office, with sidespersons and PCC members also making declarations of support.
Visitation services are an important part of the Church calendar with special legal significance. A churchwarden is not considered to be in office until officially admitted by an archdeacon. Historically, when churchwardens were admitted, they would report on the moral standing of the clergy, the state of the parish, the condition of the church, and the administration of divine service. Today, visitation services focus on prayer, encouragement, and support, offering an opportunity to celebrate the vital role and work of churchwardens. These services also provide a chance to meet fellow churchwardens, Area Deans, and your Archdeacon.
7:30pm, Wednesday 17th June, Manchester Cathedral
PLEASE REGISTER NOW!! and help us celebrate who is part of our church family
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website (CLICK HERE), as not everyone is registered yet. Our ChurchHubb website is now the best way for us to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of contact details for our church family.
By sharing your details, you help us build a clear understanding of who is part of our church community and how we can best communicate, care for, and support one another. It also helps us keep our GDPR records up to date on our ChurchHubb system.
Please do complete the online form, or ask one of the Churchwardens for a paper copy. Thank you for helping us strengthen the life and mission of our church.
Whit Walk 2026
The 2026 Whit Walks also mark a notable moment in the life of the event, with the highest number of participating groups in recent memory, reflecting renewed enthusiasm for this shared expression of faith and fellowship across Greater Manchester. The event features a public procession through the city centre followed by an act of worship in St Peter’s Square, during which the Revd Canon Kate Bottley will preach.
Manchester Whit Walks procession schedule:
9.30am – Assemble in Cathedral Gardens (behind Manchester Cathedral)
10.00am – Procession to St Peter’s Square via Deansgate
10.45am – Act of Worship at St Peter’s Square
11.30am – Return procession to Manchester Cathedral
What are the Whit Walks for?
Honouring a tradition that began over 200 years ago, the Whit Walk processions, first held in 1801, celebrate the birthday of the Church and bring together Christians from across the region in a joyful expression of faith and community. Each year, crowds line the streets of Manchester City Centre to support the churches as they take part in this much-loved event.
Credit: Paul Heyes/Diocese of Manchester
What's on at a Glance
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Readings: Acts2.1-21, Psalm 104.26-36,37b*, John 7. 37-39.
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9.30am - cancelled due to Revd Tom supporting St Crispin's so they can have a service
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10.30am - Intergenerational Worship at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion
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Bank Holiday Monday
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NO 9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
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Whit Walk (see above)
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
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Place of Welcome 10am at St James'
Wednesday
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NO Coffee Morning at St Edmund's on 27th May
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe 11.30am at St James'
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Chosen Bible Study - 7.30pm at Roger and Chris' for The Chosen
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Readings: Isaiah 40.12-17, 27-End, Psalm 8, Matthew 28. 16-20.
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9.30am - short Morning Worship service at St Edmund's.
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10.30am - Joint service - NO morning worship on this 5th Sunday at St James. We rotate back to St James in August.
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NO Grace Community Urdu Church as they are invited to join us at 10.30am at St Edmund's.
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Service Rotas
Advance Notices
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23rd May Cricket Match - see below and get in touch with Malik to register.
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Bishop of Lahore Visit June 14th
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Archdeacons Visitation with as many PCC members as possible attending the Cathedral Together with out Wardens at 7.30pm.
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Rev'd Elizabeth's Ordination to the Priesthood 27th June 2pm at Manchester Cathedral
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Iona's Ordination: June 28th 10.30am at Manchester Cathedral.
St Margaret's Church Fair
Hi Everyone, St Margaret's Church Summer Fair is on Saturday 11th July 11.30am-2.30pm. Stalls are £20 per space all proceeds going to the wonderful Congo Children Trust. We are also looking for volunteers to help out on the day. If you would like to be involved please let me know. Please spread the word too.
Many thanks Jenny 💕
Prayer Pointers
Based on Acts 2.1-21, Psalm 104.26-36, 37b, John 20.19-23
Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our churches, that we may be renewed with courage, joy, and boldness to share the good news of Jesus with others. (Acts 2)
Pray that the Spirit would break down barriers of language, culture, fear, and division, helping us become a truly welcoming and diverse community reflecting the Kingdom of God. (Acts 2.5–12)
Pray for those who feel weary, anxious, or spiritually dry, that they may know the peace of the risen Christ who comes among his disciples and says, “Peace be with you.” (John 20.19)
Pray that we may receive afresh the breath of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to renew, heal, strengthen, and guide us in daily life and discipleship. (John 20.22)
Pray for creation and the natural world, giving thanks for the God who continually renews the face of the earth and sustains every living thing through his Spirit. (Psalm 104.24–30)
Pray for forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing in places of hurt, conflict, and broken relationships, that we may become people who carry Christ’s peace into the world. (John 20.23)
Pray that our worship this Pentecost may be filled with wonder, praise, and expectation, as together we declare: “Come, Holy Spirit,” and rejoice in the glory of God. (Psalm 104.33–35)