Saint George, Mossley

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch is used to media requests for interviews, but his visit to St George's Mossley on Thursday November 22^nd marked a new departure as thirteen year-old Ashley Dyson, a regular reporter and columnist for the Saint George's parish magazine in Mossley quizzed the bishop about his life and faith.

The bishop's visit was part of his ongoing three-year pilgrimage around the diocese of Manchester but also to mark the 125^th anniversary of the parish, so immediately before the interview, the bishop joined other church members in burying a time capsule under the Church Walk in the grounds of Saint George's.

Speaking about the bishop's visit, the vicar, Fr. Richard Lindsay said: "As we look back over the last 125 years, it is also right that we look forward with confidence and faith in God: this is our way of saying: 'Here's to the next 125 years!'"

After beginning his visit with prayers in church with church council members and others who were unable to attend later in the evening,  the bishop visited the Emmaus Community's furniture project in Mossley, which helps homeless men to retrain and develop new skills. The bishop also popped in on the  residents of Marsden Close, a sheltered housing community in the parish and led a short act of worship in the community lounge.

The bishop also met a cross-section of the local community, including civic leaders, teachers, community leaders, lollypop ladies, cleaners,  residential home staff, milkmen, shopkeepers, friends of St George's, at a reception in the church room hosted by the church council.

After the reception a special invitation had been extended to the whole community for their 125th anniversary celebration service.

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

Fr. Lindsay recalls, 'The service was a lovely family occasion. Almost all of the 200 people present went forward to be anointed by the bishop - all sorts of people -  and, months later, people are still talking about it!.

'Run the Race was one of the best things to happen to the church for a long time: a real 'spiritual injection'.

It was a good example of the church reaching out into the community and a reminder to the people of Mossley that Saint George's is still their parish church and that there is always a place for them here.'




The service looked back over the history of the church in Mossley, but also forward to the future. Young people built a cardboard model of the church and, as they built the cardboard model, they told the story of the real St George's.

During the worship a new Junior Church banner was dedicated and the life-long contribution of Brian Beswick, a longstanding member of the church, verger for 40 years, former school caretaker and lollypop man was recognized in a presentation made by the bishop on behalf of the church.