Holy Rood, Swinton

On Friday 14th September, appropriately, Holy Cross Day; the parish's patronal festival, the Bishop of Manchester the Rt. Revd Nigel McCulloch visited Holy Rood Church in Swinton as part of his three-year pilgrimage to visit every parish within the Diocese of Manchester.

Carrying the baton, originally made for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and which is taken by the Bishop to every church he visits during his pilgrimage, the Bishop led a short service of prayer in church.

Accompanied by the Priest in Charge, the Revd Charles Clapham, the Bishop was then shown around the parish, calling at Moorside High School where he met headteacher Charles Mills, staff and pupils.

After having been placed in special measures several years ago, the school, where priest in charge,
Charles Clapham is a member of the Governing Body, has made dramatic improvements; the school's RE teaching being recently described in a Ofsted report as 'outstanding'.

The Bishop enjoyed meeting one of the Yr11 GCSE Religious Education groups as well as a group of senior students who had recently undergone training as mentors to younger pupils. The bishop observed: "They were so warm and friendly, courteous and informative, a real credit to the school. My  conversation with those doing RE was stimulating, and their knowledge and sense of enquiry hugely impressive."

The Bishop then joined church members for a community reception in Holy Rood's Memorial Hall where he met members of the local community, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Salford, and  members of the many groups which are based at Holy Rood's Memorial Hall including the parent and Toddler Group,  Stage Society, and after

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

school club, as well as local Guides, Cubs and Brownies .

The Revd Charles Clapham said, of the bishop's visit:
"It was a great affirmation of the life of the church and a real encouragement to people to keep going with what we are doing. People have told me how impressed they were with how the bishop made a deliberate point of talking to everyone who came to reception. No-one seemed to be left out."

Following the reception there was a Commissioning Service in church, attended by an all-age congregation of over 100 people. The service, which included a digital slide show, celebrated the faithful witness of former generations at Holy Rood as well as reflecting the richness of contemporary church life.



The Bishop encouraged those present to renew their vision of the church's life and ministry, inviting all who wished to receive a blessing before being re-commissioned to 'Run the Race - looking to Jesus - passing on the gospel baton of faith, hope and love.