Category: Activities

Bill Shankly famously said “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I can assure them it is much more serious than that”. Seeing the reactions of followers of Bury FC over recent days gives credence to that point of view. It comes home to you that football supporters do have a great sense of community, of belonging, of common identity, of being in fellowship, in a family.

Here’s our packed September 2019 magazine. There’s a lot going on in the Walmersley Benefice at the moment and you’ll find plenty of news about upcoming events. There are also articles from the Walking Group, Open Group and Mothers’ Union. But there’s space too for prayer and reflection – plus some celebratory photos (including the one above with Vivienne and Barry being photo-bombed by the Bishop).

There’s lots going on in the next few weeks at St John with St Mark’s and Christ Church Walmersley. So, don’t miss out! Next up: Saturday 28th Sep is a Coffee Morning & Book fair at St John’s. Then on Sunday 29th we have our ALM Celebration service at Christ Church then Sunday@Seven in the evening.

We were very grateful for the homemade scones with jam and hot drinks when we arrived back at Ralph’s. Helen was very insistent we came in. However, we were rather wet and had no wish to cause any mess, so we were happy under the porch-way.

Our Walking Group on 6th July was a much anticipated visit to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Some of us had never been before. Others had not been for a good number of years. The walk included Janet’s Foss, a picturesque waterfall, in which people were already cooling off.

Attached is our Benefice of Walmersley Road July and August 2019 magazine. It’s a bumper edition so grab a brew and find a comfortable chair… Alongside all the normal news, views and ‘what’s on’, you’ll find an article on Spring Harvest with Archbishop Sentamu’s challenge for 2020.

St John with St Mark School has been chosen by Tesco Bury as one of their projects in their Bags of Help scheme. If they get the most tokens they will receive £4000 towards improvements to their Early Years Playground. Please support the school by asking for your blue tokens – and put it in their collection box.

We’ve just registered with easyfundraising. This is a great site where you can raise money for St John with St Mark’s Church with your everyday online shopping. At no extra cost to yourself! Each time you shop online via the easyfundraising website the retailers give the church a percentage donation as a ‘thank you’.

This year’s retreat to the St. Joseph’s Prayer Centre near the National Trust reserve in Formby was once again held in the week leading up to the second May Bank Holiday. The theme this year was the ‘Miracles of Jesus’ and we had several thought provoking sessions on some of these miracles and how they relate to our daily lives in the year 2019.

Here is our June 2019 magazine. In it you’ll find articles on the fantastic Open Group talk by Jim Metcalf on Community Action Nepal, our Benefice Boundary walk and updates from the very active Mothers’ Union. We also look forward to the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ season which runs from Ascension to Pentecost.

Our very popular Summer Fair will be on Saturday 1st June at St John’s Church Hall, BL9 6NY. Opening time is 11am and we’re normally done by 2pm. So, to avoid missing out on that special pre-loved book, toy or jigsaw please come early. There will also be a plant stall, bric-a-brac, tombolas, games, cakes and lunches. And yes, a raffle…

Abooo Theatre will be using our hall this Friday 17th May to rehearse for a performance at The Lowry of MotherAct. This is a piece about mothering in all it’s messy glory. It’s being created by a team of mums including a musician, writer, director and several actors. If you’re a mum with a young child and want to participate in their community chorus next week then please read on…

As is now traditional for May, the Walking Group met on the first Saturday to ‘beat the bounds’, i.e. walking the full boundary of both Parishes and reflecting at various points on the route. We were also pleased to be joined by Heidi, Lisa and Natasha, who were in training for a 26-miler later in the year.

Here’s our May magazine. There are articles here on the recent Muslim Christian Forum and details of the walk around our Benefice Boundary. This is about 12 miles long and will be on May 4th. A particularly special date is Wednesday 8th May when Jim Metcalf will be talking to the Open Group about his work with Community Action Nepal. This is a charity founded by Doug Scott CBE. Jim will also be sharing some of his stunning mountain photography.

The Eagles Wing are a mutual support group for asylum seekers and local people in Bury, Lancashire. They have drop-ins and support groups operated by volunteers throughout the week in a number of locations in the town. St John & St Mark’s are very pleased to host the monthly Socials, which meet on the afternoon of the second Saturday.