Church Newsletter Issue #112 6th September 2026
Praying for our Joint PCC – Mission Giving 2026
On Monday 14th September (7pm for 7.15pm), our Joint PCC meets at St James for an important evening of prayer, discernment and decision-making. Please pray for our JPCC members as together we continue to learn how best to govern the life of our churches to the glory of God and for the flourishing of our communities.
One significant item will be our Mission Giving for 2026. Following careful work by a JPCC-appointed Mission Giving Sub-Committee, members will consider recommendations and vote on how our mission giving should be distributed.
In 2025, general giving across our four congregations, including Gift Aid, totalled £69,099.41. The JPCC has agreed that 10% of this giving should be set aside for mission, giving us a Mission Giving budget for 2026 of £6,910.
But this is about much more than figures. It invites us to reflect deeply on our history of generosity, the organisations and causes we have supported, and where we believe God is calling us to invest in mission today — locally, nationally and globally.
Please pray for wisdom, generosity and good discernment. And please trust our elected JPCC representatives to listen carefully, pray faithfully, and carry the interests and hopes of our whole church family as they discuss and vote.
Ultimately, our giving is part of our worship: receiving God’s generosity and sharing it for the sake of others.
Revd Tom
Supporting Tearfund’s Nepal Floods Appeal
At our joint service at the end of August, we were invited to respond to the devastating floods in Nepal by supporting Tearfund’s Nepal Floods Appeal. Tearfund is one of the mission organisations our churches have supported over many years, and its local partners are responding with emergency food, shelter, medical care and other support.
We have therefore set up a separate campaign through our Give A Little account, and encourage anyone who feels moved to contribute.
Creating additional appeals like this alongside our regular Mission Giving helps us respond generously when particular needs touch our hearts. It also helps us notice and understand the causes that matter most to our church community as, together, we seek to grow in generosity as followers of Jesus.
Click here to read more about Tearfund’s Nepal Floods Appeal or give directly to Tear Fund
A Creationtide Opportunity – Reforesting Faith
As we journey through Creationtide, here is an opportunity to explore more deeply the relationship between our Christian faith and care for God’s creation. We’re especially delighted that the Bible study is being led by Grace, a former curate here and now Manchester Diocese’s Canon Missioner and Diocesan Environment Officer.
The Reforesting Faith Bible study, based around Matthew Sleeth’s book, begins Monday 7th September at 7.30pm on Zoom. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the book — everyone is welcome to join the conversation and discover together how trees, Scripture and our care for creation connect.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88285834812?pwd=9gRde4N2IMJ6NfpMT9WXg5iEWaYSjC.1
Meeting ID: 882 8583 4812
Passcode: 304322
The first two chapters of Reforesting Faith are freely available from Blessed Earth CLICK HERE for anyone who would like to read ahead.
Shared Interest – Ethical Investment Online Event
At Pam’s request, we’re sharing an opportunity to learn more about Shared Interest, an organisation providing finance to small businesses and producer organisations around the world.
On Tuesday 8th September at 3pm, Shared Interest is hosting a free online event exploring the impact of ethical investment, including stories from a Nicaraguan coffee co-operative and a UK-based ethical business.
Find out more and register:
https://sharedinterest.cmail20.com/t/r-l-tudyiydt-piryhjhjti-i/
Message from Mothers’ Union
1970’s Summer Fair Fundraiser update - our initial amount raised of £555 has been increased to a total £700 raised for the event. A huge thanks to everyone who joined us on the day, donated and contributed in any way; your generosity is fantastic.
To get closer to our fundraising target by the end of year, we're planning our next fundraising event:
COME DINE WITH US SUNDAY LUNCH
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Join us for a homemade 3-course meal, cooked and served at St Edmund’s by our Mothers Union members
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On a Sunday after the 10.30am church service (date to be confirmed)
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It will be reasonably priced with individual and family group tickets
We have some menu ideas, and we’d also like to know if you have suggestions of a favourite meal or dish that you would like to see on the menu so you can put your feet up one Sunday and let someone else do the cooking! Please message Deborah (07855 181941) or speak to any of the Mothers’ Union members at St James’ or St Edmund’s.
Marcio & Noemi – VISIT CANCELLED
Unfortunately, the planned visit from our CMS mission partners Marcio and Noemi on 19–20 September is currently cancelled. This means the planned Saturday gathering at the Rectory and their Sunday visit to St James and Dwell at the Well will not be going ahead as previously advertised.
We are sorry for the change of plans and will keep everyone updated if there is an opportunity to rearrange their visit.
In the meantime, please continue to hold Marcio and Noemi and their ministry through DuPark in Brazil in your prayers.
St James' Youth - School of Theology
This Sunday I’m giving our 12–17s 1st Sundays youth space, during the service a name: School of Theology.
That might sound grand, but theology simply means thinking about God. I want this to be our young people’s time to explore faith, ask real questions, have real conversations and discover how faith connects with real life.
This Sunday we begin with a big question:
Where is God?
Jesus says:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18.20
Come ready to think, question and explore together.
Dwell at the Well - this Sunday
Dwell @ The Well, between 1pm and 4pm, a place to bring a friend or yourself, stop for a bit or just long enough to have a coffee, some food and some gentle time with Jesus. Games, worship, prayer if you need, a time to go deeper in conversation or time to enjoy fellowship and connection.
Next gatherings August 16th and then September 6th.
What's on at a Glance
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Readings: Exodus 12.1-14, Psalm 149, Matthew 18. 15-20.
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9.30am - Short 20-30min Service of the Word at St Edmund's
10.30am - Communion at St Edmund's and Service of the Word at St James'
4pm - Grace Community |
Monday
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Morning Prayer - 9.30am 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'
Wednesday
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St Edmund's Coffee Morning / Place of Welcome
We will be meeting in the Coffee Lounge at St Edmund's from 10.30 to 12.00 every Wednesday morning for chat and hot/cold drinks. Any special events will be advertised in advance. There will be a clergy-led Bible Study once a month starting from October. If anyone needs a lift please speak to Chris or Janet.
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe: 11.30am at St James' - Join us as we support one another on our grief journeys
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The Chosen - Back at St Edmund's at 7.30pm as we watch the Episode 2: Season 5 of The Chosen.
Friday
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Happy Cats toddler group meets Friday mornings at St Edmund's from 10am.
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Readings: Exodus 14. 19-End, Psalm 114, Matthew 18. 21-35.
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9.30am - Short 20-30min Communion at St Edmund's
10.30am - Intergenerational Worship at St Edmund's and Communion at St James'
4pm - Grace Community |
Advance Dates
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JPCC Meeting 14th September at St James. 7PM refreshments for a 7.15pm earlier start time!
Service Rotas- Rota is complete until 13th Sept.
To get involved in our services and offer yourself to read or lead prayers in church click on the new Sept 2026-Jan 2027 DRAFT rota links below and fill in the availability forms at the bottom. Revd Kausarer will work with the team to help finalise the rota at the start of September. Please be aware this is a draft copy so there are blanks that are being populated.
Links to:
St Edmund's Next Rota - Sept 26-Jan 27>>
St James' Next Rota - Sept 26 - Jan 27>>