Church Newsletter Issue #114 20th September 2026
Sharing Our Mission Giving in 2026
Following prayerful discussion at our September Joint PCC, members voted to agree our Mission Giving for 2026. As a church family, we continue to set aside 10% of our general giving for mission beyond the immediate life of our churches — this year, £6,910.
Our giving will support Church Mission Society, House of Joshua in the Philippines, Christian Relief Uganda, Indian Evangelical Mission, Tearfund, Hideaway Youth Project, Pioneers and the Boaz Trust. We have also set aside £582 to develop an Educational Sponsorship Mission Fund.
Reviewing our giving inevitably means making difficult choices, and some organisations we have previously supported do not receive a direct allocation this year. This does not mean that we stop valuing or praying for their work.
The JPCC is working to ensure that our charitable giving is sent through appropriate, accountable and sustainable routes, as part of our responsibility to steward the money entrusted to us well.
Over the coming months, we will gradually introduce our mission partners, sharing stories, news and prayer needs.
We will also keep you updated as we carefully develop an appropriate way of using our new Educational Sponsorship Fund.We also hope there will be opportunities for special appeals and fundraising during the year, alongside our regular Mission Giving. This will help boost the funds of those like Tearfund who we agreed to send less to or those who now receive no funds but are so close to our hearts that as a church family we want to raise extra funds for them. One thing to look forward to is the Tearfund Big Quiz Night on Sat 14th November as a key way of moving our set funds of for 2026 back towards the 1K amount they received last year.
Thank you for your generosity. Our giving is part of our worship — sharing God's generosity, locally and globally.
Revd Tom
Introducing Boaz Trust- New Mission Partner
As we begin introducing our 2026 Mission Giving partners, we start close to home with the Boaz Trust.
Boaz is a Manchester-based Christian charity supporting people who face homelessness because of insecure or changing immigration status. Through accommodation and practical, trauma-informed support, they help people seeking sanctuary find stability, access essential services and begin rebuilding their lives. Their work is rooted in the Christian call to welcome and serve those who are marginalised.
There is already a growing connection with our churches. Boaz recently held their annual Family Night at St Edmund’s, while their local work includes supporting refugees and people seeking sanctuary in Moss Side.
Through our Mission Giving, we are delighted to strengthen this local partnership: supporting, praying for and learning more about their work.
Raised Voices in Worship at the Cathedral - Well done Grace Community
Last weekend, Grace Community had the wonderful opportunity to help lead worship at Manchester Cathedral as part of the Diocese’s intercultural worship celebration.
Invited by Canon David Onabanjo, the Diocese’s Intercultural Mission Enabler, Grace Community led the congregation in a song. They offered a powerful and joyful witness — confident, well prepared and beautifully resourced. It was encouraging to receive thanks afterwards from Archdeacon Karen Best and our Area Dean, Revd Peter Matthews.
The Kannada congregation Revd Solomon helps lead also prepared to contribute, although unfortunately time prevented them from taking part on this occasion.
Grace Community continues to play an important part in the Diocese’s commitment to racial justice and intercultural mission, sharing the gifts and experience of our congregation with the wider Church.
Keep up the great work, Grace Community! Thank you for helping us celebrate a Church of many cultures and languages, united in worship of one Lord.
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.
The Only King – at the RNCM - last chance - Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th Sept.
Giles has recommended The Only King, a lively musical presentation of the biblical story of David, coming to the Royal Northern College of Music. Told through drama and music, the production follows the story at considerable length, with a text that often stays close to the familiar biblical account while bringing its own emphasis and interpretation.
The performance is sung in Cantonese with English surtitles, so it is accessible to English-speaking audiences. Giles describes the music as very accessible for a Manchester audience and the storytelling as lively and clear.
It could be a fascinating opportunity for anyone interested in the Bible, music and theatre — and to experience a familiar biblical story being told through another cultural and musical tradition.
Find out more and book tickets:
The Only King – Royal Northern College of Music>>
What's on at a Glance
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Readings: Exodus16. 2-15, Psalm 105. 1-6,37-45* Matthew 20.1-16.
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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 Word - Lay Led at St James'
1-4pm - Dwell @ the Well - St James - All are welcome - bring a friend to our New Worshiping Community
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 meet at St Edmund's each Wednesday morning between 10.30 and 12.00 for hot drinks and chat. Next week on Wednesday 23 September, we welcome Anne Knowles, our local guiding leader, as she tells us all about the Saints of our local churches. Who was St Margaret and St Edmund? Do come along and find out more.
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
This coming week on Thursday 24 September we will be meeting at Carol's house at 7.15pm as we continue to follow the journey of Jesus and the disciples throughout Jesus's last week. Do ask Carol, Janet or Chris for more details.
Friday
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Happy Cats toddler group meets Friday mornings at St Edmund's from 10am.
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Readings: Exodus 17.1-7, Psalm 78.1-4,12-16*. Matthew 21.23-32.
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9.30am - Short 20-30min Communion at St Edmund's
10.30am - Intergenerational Lay Led - Morning Worship at St Edmund's & Morning Worship at St James' (Clergy team are on a Diocesan Leading Your Church Into Growth (LyCiG) conference this weekend).
4pm - Grace Community
6.30pm - Communion at St Margaret's, Whalley Range - new new 4th Sunday of the month offering each month you are welcome to come along to. |
Advance Dates
Service Rotas
Please note a few tweaks will be made to these rota but this is always going to be the live new rota link.
Links to:
St Edmund's Next Rota - Sept 26-Jan 27>>
St James' Next Rota - Sept 26 - Jan 27>>