Church Newsletter Issue #121 8th November 2026
Autumn's Colours – Remembering with Gratitude
As autumn unfolds around us, Meriel has shared three beautiful photographs that invite us to stop, look and reflect. Golden leaves still clinging to the trees, scarlet leaves scattered across green grass, and bright red berries resting on the earth. Each captures something of the changing seasons and the beauty found in letting go.
Meriel wrote as she shared her photos with me:
“Useful for newsletter as we thank God for those and He who gave up their lives for our freedom.”
On this Remembrance Sunday, these images offer a gentle invitation to gratitude. As leaves fall and seasons change, we remember those whose lives were lost through war, and the freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifice.
We remember, too, Jesus Christ, who gave his life in love for the world.
Amid the beauty and fragility of creation, we pray for all who suffer through conflict today, and ask God to make us instruments of his peace.
We remember with gratitude. We pray with hope.
Revd Tom
St Edmund’s Gift Day – Raising the Roof for the Future!
Sunday 22 November 2026 | St Edmund’s Church, Whalley Range
As we celebrate our patron saint, St Edmund, we invite our church family to join in a special Gift Day, investing in the future of our church and its mission.
Our flat roofs have served us well but are now far beyond their intended lifespan. Our immediate priority is Roof 1 (165 m²), which is in serious need of repair and requires complete stripping and replacement.
Two contractors have quoted for this essential work:
JMB Weatherproofing: £49,950 excluding VAT
Crescent Roofing: £51,964.45 excluding VAT
The wider project also includes waterproofing Roofs 2 and 3, bringing the overall estimated cost to £95,400–£99,986 including VAT. More info on the quotes can be seen here>>
This is a significant financial challenge, but together we can protect our church building for future generations.
All Gift Day donations will be held as restricted funds specifically for the necessary roof works.
Please pray and consider giving generously according to your circumstances.
Together, let's secure a place of worship, welcome, life and hope for generations to come.
🙏 Overflowing with Joy, Hope and New Life!
What an encouraging start! We've enjoyed two lively prayer gatherings this week, seeking God's guidance and fresh life for our churches. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
As we explore Leading Your Church into Growth (LyCiG), grow Dwell @ The Well and seek renewal across St James and St Edmund's, let's keep praying with joyful expectation!
Join us Mondays and Wednesdays at 8am on Zoom for just 20 minutes, continuing until Advent.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” — Romans 15:13
🙏 Click here to join on Zoom
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LIFE + HOPE | THE WEEK AHEAD |
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Sunday 8th November - Remembrance Sunday |
Readings: Amos 5.18–24; Psalm 70; Matthew 25.1–13
St Edmund's
9.15am for 9.30am – Short Communion (arrivals from 9.15 for refreshments - ends 10am)
10.30am – Intergenerational Worship prayers and remembrance at the War Memorial
St James'
10.30am – Communion with Call of the names from the War Memorial
Grace Community at St Edmund's
4.00pm – Urdu-language worship |
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The Week Ahead |
Monday 9 November
9.30am – Morning Prayer, St Edmund's
7.15pm – JPCC at St James' |
Tuesday 10 November
9.30am – Morning Prayer, St James'
10.00am – Place of Welcome, St James' |
Wednesday 11 November
10.30am–12 noon – Coffee Morning, St Edmund's
Diane joins us and will lead an seated exercise session to music, her 'exercise by stealth'. It is great fun. Do come along and join in. See you on Wednesday morning. |
Thursday 12 November
11.30am – Grieving Together Café, St James'
7.15pm – The Chosen, St Edmund's - Final episode of Season 5 |
Friday 13 November
10.00am – Happy Cats Toddler Group, St Edmund's |
Saturday 14th November
6pm - Tear fund Big Quiz Night at St Edmund's |
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Next Sunday – 15 November - Second Sunday before Advent |
Readings: Zephaniah 1.7, 12–end; Psalm 90.1–8 [9–11] 12; Matthew 25.14–30 View readings in Oremus ↗
St Edmund's
9.15am for 9.30am – Short Service of the Word (arrivals from 9.15 for refreshments - ends 10am)
10.30am – Communion with Sunday School
St James'
10.30am – Service of the Word
Grace Community at St Edmund's
4.00pm – Urdu-language worship
Dwell @ the Well
1-4pm at St James |
Full worship teams and volunteer availability:
View our live service rotas » |
🙏 JPCC Meeting – Monday 9 November
St Edmund’s Church | 7pm refreshments, 7.15pm start
Please pray for our Joint PCC as we gather to discern God's direction for St James and St Edmund's.
We'll be reflecting on Leading Your Church into Growth (LyCiG), our mission and renewal, safeguarding, finances, buildings and the priorities emerging from our parish committees.
Pray for wisdom, unity and joyful expectation as we seek Life + Hope for All, serving our churches and communities together.
Big Quiz Night – Fun, Friendship and Compassion!
Saturday 14 November, 6.00pm | St Edmund’s Church
Join us this Saturday for Tearfund’s Big Quiz Night – an evening of laughter, friendly competition, delicious soup and bread, and good company!
A big thank you to Deborah for organising sign-up sheets at both churches, and to everyone who has already offered to help.
But this is about more than a quiz! It’s an opportunity to put compassion and social justice into action, supporting Tearfund’s vital work alongside communities facing extreme poverty, helping people access clean water, build sustainable livelihoods and overcome injustice.
Please come along, bring a friend or neighbour, and enjoy an evening of friendship and generosity.
Together, even a simple quiz night can make a difference!
Help Shape Our Worship – Rotas & Volunteering
Worship is something we share together, and everyone has gifts to offer! As we put into practice what we've learned through Leading your Church into Growth, we want to encourage more people to take part in worship.
Whether you enjoy reading Scripture, leading prayers or helping with technology, there's a place for you. Thank you to everyone who already serves so faithfully — and if you're new to volunteering, we'd love to help you find your place.
Live rotas: St James' | St Edmund's LINK>>
Offer your availability: St James' | St Edmund's LINK>>
Message from Mothers’ Union - Come Dine with Us
We have a date for our Mothers’ Union Come Dine with Us
Sunday Lunch Fundraiser - 29 November at St Edmund’s Church 1pm,after the joint service.
Join us for a homemade 3-course meal, cooked and served at St Edmund’s by our Mothers’ Union members
To book your seat at the table contact:
St James' – Jessica/Madhuri/Barbara
St Edmund’s – Lyn/Deborah/Carol B
Or write your name on the list circulating at both churches
Tickets are £7 per person or £15 per family (2 adults and up to three children up
to 13yrs)
We’ll enjoy food and fellowship and hope to get a top score from everyone!!
An Indian Classical Music Invitation
We were sent the following and now advertise as it may be of some interest:
Dear Team,
We are Rajeev Kumar and Shabd Pyari, and we run KalaSudha. We present Indian classical music concerts independently, without external funding, and we are writing to ask St James with St Clement, Moss Side for a small piece of help.
On Friday 20 November 2026 we bring four musicians to The Stoller Hall, next to Manchester Victoria station. Vinay Desai plays the santoor, Kashmir's hundred-stringed instrument. Adnan Khan, the Grammy-nominated sitarist from Delhi, plays in the gayaki ang, which shapes the sitar on the singing voice. Two tabla masters share the night: Ustad Akram Khan of the Ajrada gharana, and Ustad Shahbaz Hussain, who lives and teaches in Manchester. Doors open at 6:45 PM and the music runs from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM.
Tickets: front stalls £30 and stalls £25 early bird until 5 November, then £35 and £30. Students £15.
Tickets and details: https://kalasudha.com/event/a-hundred-strings-in-manchester-strings-of-kashmir-and-delhi
Thank you for reading. We would be glad to welcome you on the night, and if you come, please say hello.
BBC Song of Praise invite
You are warmly invited to join us for a BBC Songs of Praise hymn recording at Christ Church West Didsbury.
We are looking for enthusiastic singers of all ages, so please do spread the word among your congregation, choir members, friends and local community.
