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The Bishop of Manchester visited Saint John's Pendlebury on Tuesday 21st November, 2006. Though his visit was part of his three-year pilgrimage around the diocese, it was also to perform the happy task of licensing priest-in-charge, Revd. Sue Timmins as Vicar.
The visit began with the bishop meeting PCC members and praying together in church, as well as the legal and formal elements of the licensing service. A former churchwarden, unable to be at the service later that evening, also took the opportunity to meet the bishop and to be anointed and blessed by him.
From 5.45pm, the church hall was filled with church and community groups, each of which had been invited to set up a display about the purpose and activities of their group. As well as an opportunity for the bishop to meet key members of the community over refreshments provided by the church, there was a great amount of networking and cross-fertilisation between the groups as people have found out more about one another and the unique contribution that these different groups make. This contact has already borne fruit in one group raising almost £4,000 to support the work of the Bridge Project, which employs schools workers in the community.
Groups included the Duchy POD project (originally funded by the Church Urban Fund), an ecumenical football squad, ANTS; a monthly children's group, JAM; a weekly after school club, Brownies, Mothers' Union, and the Probation Services, as well as Pam - the local lollypop lady.
At 7pm, those present moved into the church for a short, all-age service in which local primary schools; St John's CE, and Summerville Primary Schools, both took part. Ordained local minister, the Revd. Vera Tyldesley told "Our story and God's Story" and Jackie Brandreth, now ordained as deacon, led prayers. The service concluded with Sue, now newly licensed as vicar, leading the community in a corporate act of rededication.
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