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Here’s a link to our October 2025 magazine. Paper copies are available in our two churches from this weekend.

Inside this Harvest edition you’ll find a write-up of the recent Eden Singers concert together with updates from most of our groups and organisations as well as news and information about upcoming events.

The October 2025 magazine also includes an article by Alan Thew on joy in Psalm 126. And there is this reflection from Barbara Taylor about a talk given at Christ Church by the Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry, Phil Cansdale…

A letter to…?

AFFIRM, CHALLENGE, CALL – elements of the letters to the seven churches, in the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3.

Maybe like me, it is a while since you studied this last book of the New Testament but it was the focus when the PCC at Christ Church invited the Revd Phil Cansdale to a recent meeting. Phil is the ‘newish’ Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry and I feel it would do us no harm to consider what he had to share with those of both our churches. Phil used in particular the letter to the church in Ephesus. What would a ‘Letter to Walmersley Road’ contain?

“I know your deeds.”
What can we affirm?

We know we have many positive, faithful people in our Church community. We have good leadership. We have many who work hard, often unseen, to maintain our buildings and keep them open for the communities where we are. We are supportive of each other. We have a breadth of worship, encountering God in all we do. We are warm and welcoming and are really good at providing hospitality!

“Yet this I hold against you.”  
What challenges do we face or what need we correct?

We need to listen
– to each other;
– to our youth organisations and our schools;
– to members of our community, to those who use our halls;
– to . . . . (who have I forgotten?)

We could easily invite others to tell us how we could make our churches more relevant to them.

Phil made some suggestions for possible opportunities, then a couple of questions to ask:
* What made you come?
* What would make you invite a neighbour/friend to come with you?

A question for us:
What might our Church be like in three years’ time?
We have asked each other what we think it will be like in 10 years, or 50 years, but maybe we should be a little less ambitious. Let’s give ourselves a more realistic challenge – and then work to achieve it.  

“Whoever has ears…”

What might God be calling us to do next?

Sometimes the wisdom of others shows us the wisdom of God.

Question: You have been to this – what might you like next?
Question: If God answered all your prayers – what would Church look like?

So, these are the three elements which form the basis of the seven letters to the churches of Asia Minor, but the lessons are timeless.

It is not totally the responsibility of the PCCs to determine the future of the Benefice of Walmersley Road. It requires each and every one who considers themselves part of the Church here to give it lots of thought and prayer.

Maybe also we could each consider what affirmations, challenges and calling would be included if it were a “Letter to YOU“.  Except that in Isaiah 43 we read that the Lord says: “I have called you by name, you are mine.” So, the letters to us will be personally addressed. Surely, we then have to respond…!

Barbara Taylor
(with thanks to Phil Cansdale)