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On Sunday, February 25 Bishop Nigel visited St Andrew's Carr Clough as part of his Run the Race pilgrimage. The event began in church at 4pm with special opening prayers with incumbent, Rev Lisa Battye, and members of the Church Management Committee.
Following this short time of prayer Bishop Nigel began his visit to the parish. He was taken to a local Community Centre which is a former scout den owned by the church. The Community Centre is in the middle of the parish on an urban priority area estate. Rev Lisa Battye explained: "It is the only community building on that very poor estate. It's something we're very proud of because we helped to get it refurbished."
The visit was well attended by members from the estate of all ages, the Sunday school group, Brownies, Scouts, and Rainbows. Rev Lisa Battye said: "He sat among the children and said hello and put his mitre on the head of one of the little girls which was very well received!"
A community reception followed at St Andrew's Church. Among the invited guests attending was a local rabbi, representatives from local shops, the Principle of Prestwich Art College, members of the ladies circle who use the building, and the toddler group.
The pilgrimage service took place at 7pm. Rev Lisa Battye explained: "What was unusual about this particular meeting is that the pilgrimage service was a 'lounge' type of service. 'The lounge' is a fresh expression of church run by our 20 year olds. People attend who haven't had any experience of church at all and they came along and I think they enjoy it.
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