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The Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester visited St Aidan's Sudden on Sunday 21 March, 2010 to lead the Sunday Service at 10.30 and met representatives of the local community and groups that regularly use the Church facilities at an informal reception after the service.
Part of Bishop Nigel's ongoing 'Run the Race' pilgrimage, the bishop's visit was also an opportunity to celebrate the completion of 'Raise the Roof'; a £157,000 fundraising campaign of reconstruction, paid for by church members' donations and helped by the English Heritage Lottery Fund and VAT refunds.
Churchwarden and project manager for the scheme, John Tolley said, 'fund-raising efforts have been so successful that there is over £4000 in hand to re-surface the drive and car park.'
'We were pleasantly surprised by the bishop' visit' John continued. 'we were expecting quite a formal affair, but the whole day was relaxed and informal. Bishop Nigel changed a lot of people's expectations of what a bishop is like. There were a couple of hiccups in the service, but it didn't matter - it was such a happy and fun occasion.'
At the reception after the service, the church had invited regular users of the church and hall, including local Sikhs, who were delighted to meet the bishop. The Sunday School also dressed up specially to meet the bishop - in home-made mitres!
The bishop's visit was also an opportunity to look forward to a new phase in the parish's life, as they await the appointment of a new priest-in-charge, pastoral reorganisation and the future re-establishing of historic ties with a neighbouring parish.
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