Holy Trinity Tunstead and St Saviour's Bacup

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd. Nigel McCulloch spent two days visiting the four parishes of the Bacup and Stacksteads Team Ministry over June 26th and 27th 2007. He began at Holy Trinity CE Primary School at Stacksteads, leading an assembly in which he showed the children what bishops wear and talked about what bishops do, ending with a question and answer session. After a tour of the school, the bishop enjoyed refreshments with staff and pupils.

After moving over to Holy Trinity church, where the Bishop prayed with members of the clergy staff team, Bishop Nigel was taken on a number of pastoral visits in the St Saviour's part of the benefice. The bishop visited two of Bacup's longest-married residents, Harold and Jennie Parkinson, both in their 90s and who have recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. After a cup of tea and Jennie's home-made cake, the Team Rector took the bishop to visit Vera Woodhouse, a longstanding member of Saint Saviour's. After 142 years, Saint Saviour's had been designated for closure in September 2007 and Vera and others had expressed great anxiety at the closure of their church. The bishop spent time listening to Vera's concerns before accompanying members of the church for a short prayer service in Saint Saviour's. The bishop's day ended by visiting St John's in Bacup town centre where he also prayed with congregational members.

The Pilgrimage service, on the following evening, was not only moving, but also engaged with some very difficult issues for the Team Ministry. Telling the story of the

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

Christian Community in Bacup over the years, the Team Rector spoke of the history of the churches of the benefice, acknowledging people's sadness over the forthcoming closure of Saint Saviour's and the uncertainty of the future as St John's and Christ Church have agreed in principle to merge, which will necessitate the loss of another building.

"The Bishop responded with honesty and encouragement, speaking of the challenges and not shying away from the serious issues of the current situation." said Team Rector, Garry Whittaker.