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The Bishop of Manchester's pilgrimage visit to St Paul's, Peel, on Friday 11th July 2008 began an exciting weekend of community-focussed activities including an open day with colourful exhibition, special all-age service and barbecue.
After praying with members of the church council and parish staff team, the bishop's first visit was to Kenyon Lodge Nursing Home, where he met 105 year-old Doris Fletcher as well as other residents and staff. The bishop chatted and offered a prayer of blessing with those who wished.
The bishop was then taken to St Paul's CE school, where he met leaders, parents and children of the after-school club.
The bishop also visited a Christian family from Pakistan, now living in the parish and seeking asylum in the UK. The bishop was moved to hear their story as they spoke of living with the perpetual threat of violence.
A community reception in the church hall for over sixty guests welcomed representatives of schools in the parish, neighbourhood networks, local residents' groups, users of the parish community hall, as well as the probation service, who assist in the upkeep of the churchyard. Staff from the Salford One-Stop Shop in Little Hulton also attended, together with the Mayor of Salford and her consort and MP for Worsley, Barbara Keeley. Clergy from the Walkden and Little Hulton Team Ministry were joined by Sr Angela, a RC nun based on the Kenyon estate.
Team Vicar, David Green says "the service was brilliant. A particular highlight was the choir of St Paul's School singing the song 'Light of the World'. The story of the parish was told by three generations: Derek (vice-chair of governors at St Paul's School), Joanne, and Lewis (13) the youngest member of our church choir.
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