Church Newsletter Issue #94 29th March
Hope in Action: Celebrating 30 Years and Walking Toward the Cross
Tonight at St Edmund’s we gathered for a truly joyful and moving celebration of 30 years of Christian Relief Uganda. What began with Maria Maw’s courageous step of faith in 1991 has grown into a remarkable ministry of hope, now seen in Maria’s Care School in Kamuli, where over 300 children are being educated and nurtured.
The evening was full of life—rich Ugandan food, vibrant music from the choir and drummers, powerful stories of transformation, and heartfelt thanksgiving to God. It felt like a glimpse of the global Church: diverse, joyful, and united in Christ.
As we now step into Holy Week, this celebration becomes a beautiful threshold moment. Like the crowds on Palm Sunday, we are invited to cry Hosanna!—to welcome Jesus afresh into our lives with joy and expectation. The same God who has been faithful over 30 years to Marias Care School community continues to work among us today.
May we continue in the Lord’s service, trusting that we will know His joy.
We warmly invite you to join us for our Easter prayers and services as we journey together to the cross—and beyond, to the glorious resurrection of our Lord. We are a resurrection people: He is alive!
But first, let us walk the way of the cross, listening deeply as the Passion story unfolds and allowing the Spirit to speak anew into our lives.
Revd Tom
Lent and Easter: Walking the Way Together
Good Friday Walk of Witness
Churches Together in Whalley Range, Moss Side and Hulme warmly invites you and all your church congregation to join our Good Friday Walk of Witness in Alexandra Park.
We will begin inside the Claremont Road – Alexandra Road South gate entrance and walk together through the park. Along the way we will stop at several points to hear the Passion story, pray, and sing together. The stopping points are shown on the event poster map (download here>>).
This route is different from previous years, designed to make the walk safe and accessible for everyone and to add variety to our traditions. Please do come and join us as we walk, reflect on the cross, and enjoy fellowship together this Good Friday. We aim to gather back at St Edmunds, Whalley Range for a short concluding service at 11am ish.
Life Giving Fellowship
You are warmly invited to join our Lent reflection on Zoom this Wednesday at 7pm.
Bring whatever Lent resource you are using.
Make the space.
Notice what God is doing.
Draw near — together.
Zoom link - click here - starts 7pm - last meeting Wed 1st April
St James' is Getting a Free Lick of Paint
A huge thank you to Tony and The Claremont Exclusive for coming down to St James' on Friday and beginning to repaint the church foyer and main church space. More news next week on this collaboration and team effort with the wonderful families who come to the youth club at St
James', ran in partnership by us and the Claremont Exclusive group.
Serving Our Church: APCM Nominations Open + Electoral Role
The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.
As we prepare for our Annual Parochial Church Meetings (APCMs), nominations are now invited for several important roles in the life of our churches. These include Deanery Synod representatives for St James and St Edmund’s, Joint PCC members (one place to be filled for each of our four congregations, including St James), and churchwardens representing each congregation, either through re-nomination or new nominations.
These roles are part of the Church of England’s shared and democratic way of discerning leadership together. Please pray about who God may be calling, and consider whether you might serve. Your voice and gifts matter as we shape the future of our church communities together.
2 weeks to complete an electoral role form before the roll closes until after the APCM - deadline 12th April
If you are not already on our electoral role please do make an application using these webforms below and the electoral role officer and clergy team with review your application:
St James online Electoral Role Form - Click Here>>
St Edmund's online Electoral Role Form - Click Here>>
Register and help update our church contact details for you?
Please could everyone complete the registration form on our new church website (CLICK HERE) so we can refresh our church database. This allows you to share your details and give consent for us to hold your information, helping keep our GDPR records up to date.
We want to ensure everyone is correctly listed on our Church Hubb system. Accurate records help us communicate well, care for one another, and support the life and mission of our church. Thank you.
What's on at a Glance
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Liturgy of the Palms: Matthew 21.1–11
Liturgy of the Passion:
St James: Isaiah 50.4–9a and Matthew 27.11–54
Full Passion reading- Matthew 26.14 – end of 27
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9.30am - Communion Service at St Edmund's
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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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Monday
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9.30am Prayers at St Edmund's
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Annual service for the Renewal of Vows and the Blessing of Oils which
will take place in Manchester Cathedral at 10.30 am on Monday 30th March 2026. This year Bishop Mark will preside and Bishop Matthew will preach. Bishop David writes 'Please encourage lay people – especially, but by no means only, Readers and Churchwardens – to join
with us, not least both to witness our renewals and to make their own response, as fellow disciples engaged in the ministry of all the baptised.'
Tuesday
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Morning Prayer 9.30am at St James'
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Place of Welcome 10am at St James'
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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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Holy Week Prayers at St Margaret's at 9.30am
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No Coffee Morning until Wed 15th April
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'Draw Near' lent Group Zoom 7pm - Zoom Link here
Thursday
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Grieving Together Cafe meets next on 16th April
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No Chosen Bible Study this week
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Maundy Thursday Joint Service - 6:30pm refreshments (bring and share dips) for 7pm Worship with Communion and foot washing at St James'
Good Friday and Holy Saturday - see events above
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Acts 10.34-43, Psalm 118.1-2, 14-24 and John 20.1-18
Acts must be read for Easter
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10.30am - Easter Celebration with Communion at both St James' and St Edmund's
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4pm - Grace Community Urdu Church - Communion
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Advance Notices
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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.
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The APCM dates are 26 April at St James and 3 May at St Edmund’s.
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Sound and Spirit – Saturday 25th April at St James' @ 7pm (POSTPONED TBC)
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Iona's last Sunday with us 19th April - join us at St James after the 10.30am service for a celebration and Cafe Church until 4pm. More details coming soon.
Keep up to date at any time by checking our calendar - click here>>
Prayer Pointers for this Week
7 brief prayer pointers shaped by the Liturgy of the Palms and the Passion readings
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Welcoming the King – Lord Jesus, help us receive you with joy, not just in words but in lives surrendered to your kingship.
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Faithfulness in suffering – Strengthen us to trust you, like the servant in Isaiah, when we face opposition or weariness.
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Courage under pressure – In moments of fear and compromise, keep us close to you, faithful as you were before Pilate.
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Compassion in betrayal – Teach us to respond to hurt and betrayal with your mercy and forgiveness.
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The way of the cross – Help us walk your way of humility, sacrifice, and love in our daily lives.
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Seeing the true King – Open our eyes, like the centurion, to recognise Jesus as the Son of God.
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Hope through the cross – In places of darkness, lead us to trust that your suffering brings life, redemption, and new hope.