St Edmund,
Whalley Range

The Bishop of Manchester's visit to St Edmund's Whalley Range on Thursday July 3rd 2008 gave an opportunity to celebrate the partnership between diocese and local parish community as a community room was dedicated in memory of former Church House Officer, Joyce Humphries.

After praying in church with church members, the bishop visited two homes in the parish which gave an insight into the many contrasts of this parish. First, the bishop visited the home of Mavis on the Alexandra Park Estate, Moss Side. Mavis invited two neighbours in to meet the bishop, among them a Methodist Minister from Sierra Leone. A second visit, to the older part of the parish in Whalley Range, saw the bishop meet Steve and Margaret, a couple who have been a part of St Edmund's for about five years, who also invited their neighbour.
A community reception including a feast of curry, rice and peas welcomed a diverse group into St Edmund's including the many community groups who use the church buildings during the week. Community workers, councillors, council staff mixed with church members and their invited guests as well as staff and former colleagues from Church House and members of Joyce Humphreys's family.

During the Pilgrimage Service two members of the church spoke about their story of faith and their engagement with the life of the church in the parish. Yomi Akinade, Churchwarden and Reader-in-training, described his experience of coming to the UK from Nigeria, and how his wife and children had drawn him into church life. Doreen Huggins, a resident of Moss Side for sixty years with longstanding family connections to St Edmund's throughout her life, told how she had started coming to church two

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

years ago, after the death of her husband.

During the service the Bishop led those present to the newly refurbished community room which was then dedicated in memory of Joyce Humphreys, former Church and Community engagement Officer for the diocese of Manchester. Rector, Canon Sarah Bullock said, 'The bishop's visit was an  appropriate occasion to remember Joyce and to celebrate our deep connection with the life of the parish and its people today.'

Prior to her final illness last year, one of Joyce's final
achievements was to help secure funding for St Edmund's to
refurbish the church and its
various community facilities -
inside and out. A dedication prayer was specially written by Joyce's former colleagues at Church House.

After returning to the worship area, the service ended with an opportunity for those present to rededicate themselves in faith and service and the baton was returned to the bishop.

Prayer of Dedication
of the Joyce Humphreys Room
written by her colleagues

In the name of God the Creator
may this be a place
of warmth and welcome
where joys are named
and sorrows can be shared
where life is found in all its fullness.

In the name of God With Us
may this be a place
of encounter and exchange
where differences are valued
and respect is paid
where each may learn
to find you in the other.

In the name of God the Spirit
may this be a place
of laughter and listening
where friendships form
and people grow together
where visions of community
flourish in your love.