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The Bishop of Manchester's visit to All Saints' Hamer on March 26th, 2009 strengthened links between the church and local schools, Anglican, Roman Catholic, Muslim and Community.
After prayers in church, Vicar, Rev. Karen Smeeton took the bishop to meet staff and governors at All Saints' CE VA Primary School where the bishop was pleased to inspect a display of 'psalms' which had been written by year 6 pupils.
The bishop also visited Rochdale Girls' School and met headteacher Abdul Razzak. The Islamic girls' school has struggled in recent years to achieve local authority planning permission and Mr Razzak expressed the school's gratitude for the bishop's visit as well as for his words of sympathy and support.
The Vicar and Bishop paid a visit to a church member to share holy communion with them in their home before returning to the church for a community reception.
The reception was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, the Headteachers of All Saints' Primary School, the RC High School, the Girls' School, and teachers from the local Community School, as well as representatives from Age Concern, Churches Together and Sea Cadets from TS Frobisher. At 101, Edna Kettleton was the oldest attender.
Hospice chaplain, Martin McGonigle provided a stall explainng the work of the Hospice. The bishop also met retired teacher Sheila Acton who set up Syke Community Base in 2002 to provide a luncheon club for pensioners, and club for youngsters (the base was featured in Channel 4's Secret Millionaire programme in 2008).
Most of those at the reception stayed for the pilgrimage service
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