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The churches of the Benefice of St John the Evangelist, Facit & St Bartholomew, Whitworth had agreed to hold the Bishop's pilgrimage service in a central location in the evening, so the bishop began by visiting both churches to pray. The bishop then visited the two church schools, where he met staff and children at the after-school clubs run at both schools. At St John's with St Michael's CE Primary School in Shawforth, children gave the bishop a guided tour of the new library, classrooms and computer suite.
The vicar, the Revd. James Read, took the bishop to visit a parishioner in her own home where they shared holy communion together. The lady, in her 70s, asked the bishop to pray for her grandson-in-law, on a tour of duty in Iraq. (Since the bishop's visit, Stephen has now safely returned home.)
A reception at Whitworth's newly rebuilt Civic Hall, itself a testimony to the strength of the community which has rebuilt the hall since it was destroyed by fire, was well attended. The Town Mayor of Whitworth, and members of town and Rossendale Borough councils attended, as did local charity volunteers, and representatives of local businesses, schools, and the health centre.
Unusually, the service was in neither parish church, but the Civic Hall itself; transformed into a place of worship, with a joint choir and junior brass band leading the worship. Mr Read reported, 'there was a good turnout (about 180+) and the atmosphere was joyful and uplifting. We were delighted that members of other local churches joined us.
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