Thursday Communion

 

A few years’ ago, my family were rather mystified by a note on my calendar, on most Thursdays, which read: “12 noon BPC HC”. It was interpreted as: “Blood pressure check, Health Centre!” I hastened to assure my family that on these occasions, this was not the case – the abbreviation stood for: “12 noon, Bolton Parish Church, Holy Communion.”. It just goes to show, you never know who reads your calendar, or keeps a check on you!

 

Joking apart, I think we are fortunate at Bolton Parish Church to have a mid-week service, available and open to all. To my knowledge it is quite rare these days.

 

This short service at lunchtime has been named a Shoppers’ Break, or respite for workers, as the case may be. I have grown to love and look forward to it, held in the beautiful, peaceful Ormrod Chapel. I miss it whenever I’m unable to go.

 

It has been encouraging to see the Thursday Communion growing in numbers. People from all walks of life attend; if you cannot receive the Sacraments, do sit in on the service. If you wish, you may join other communicants at the altar rail, and be blessed.

 

The Service of Holy Communion, mid-week, may prove to be an excellent option if people are not able to attend the Church Services on a Sunday.

 

Verse:

 

           “Come apart a little while,

If you can,

           Step away from worldly care,

           Into a peaceful Chapel,

           When you have moments to spare,

           For a quite prayer.”

 

FR

 

PS This is also an opportunity to thank our Verger, Jean, for her care of all the people who come in to Church, and for all the other Church volunteers.

THE VICAR HAS ARRIVED ....

 

...In front of a congregation of nearly 400 people and presided over by the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt. Revd. Chris Edmondson, and in the presence of about 20 members of the clergy, the Revd. Matt Thompson was duly Licensed and Commissioned as Priest in Charge of St. Peter and St. Philip with the words “Matt, receive this cure of souls which is both mine and yours”

 

Matt was duly conducted to those parts of the church which have so much significance. Firstly, he was taken to the Vicar’s stall by the Area Dean, the Revd. Chris Bracegirdle, and then to the Font where unannounced he was met by Ellie, his 2-year-old daughter, with those immortal words “Hello, Daddy”. He was presented with water, and with candles. Then to the Lectern to receive a Bible, followed by processing to the Altar where he was presented with bread and wine.

The organ was triumphant throughout, having nearly recovered from many months of restoration, and Stephen really put it through its paces to accompany a combined choir singing Parry’s anthem “I was glad”.

 

There is nothing more thrilling than to hear a large congregation singing and we were blessed with five great hymns: “Be thou my vision” … “Come down O love Divine” …..”Praise to the holiest in the height”…. “Jesus Christ is waiting”…… “O for a thousand tongues to sing”. For virtually the first time we heard Matt speak when he led us in the prayers.

 

Next came the greetings by representatives of the local community, led by the Mayor of Bolton.

 

Matt had previously made the Declaration and Oaths before Bishop Nigel, when he affirmed and declared “My belief in the faith which is revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds and to which the historic formularies of the Church of England bear witness; and in public prayer and administration of the sacraments I will use only the forms of service which are authorised or allowed by Canon Law”.

 

I wish to add that I was very impressed with the service: it went beautifully well and seemingly without a hitch. A lot of hard work must have gone into this smooth running. Congratulations are due to the organisers, and in particular Evelyn Weston and David Morlidge, St. Peter’s wardens, Marjorie Johnston and Mike Holding, wardens of St. Philip’s, and Trevor Whillas and Alan Forrester who completed the planning group. Of course there were a large number of other people involved as well, and it would take many more lines to name them, but I’m sure everyone will join with me in thanking them. But I can’t end without expressing great thanks to the ladies who supplied the refreshments to send everyone home satisfied.

 

David Bevis

 

Holidays

 

Holiday acquaintances,

It’s sad they pass by;

Their impromptu chatter

And laughter, happy talk,

Beneath the summer blue sky.

(or heavy rain, like 2008!)

Drawn together merely by chance,

We were holiday-makers,

You could tell at a glance.

Stopping to pass the time of day,

Before saying goodbye and drifting away.

The sea lapped gently over the shore,

And the evening sun sank lower and lower.

Nature’s reminders that life moves on;

A holiday is only a brief sojourn,

A chapter of memories stored away,

To be re-lived for many a day.

 

FR (written 2000)