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The Bishop of Manchester visited Saint Paul with Emmanuel, Bolton le Moors on September 20, 2006 to dedicate a new Baptistry and Prayer Room and, at a time of change, to celebrate the continuing worship, witness and service of the parish.
Janet Hardy, PCC Secretary, explains 'The visit was the last major event before the Revd Bob Horrocks, our Priest-in-Charge, moved to his next parish as Team Rector. The dedication of our new extension was the culmination of years of hard work and soul searching that had involved the closure of St Paul's Church building and the relocation of parish activities and services to one site at Emmanuel Church Centre.
'It also marked the beginning of a new future for the parish, so it was appropriate that the bishop should visit us then to pass on the baton of the Gospel of the Risen Jesus.'
The bishop began his visit by meeting and praying with members of the church council. Afterwards, a reception in the church centre, brought together a number of representatives from user groups including a local authority-run 'Drop In'; a Sequence Dancing group, a Martial Arts class, the over-60's, Saheli, a multi-cultural group for women, and 'Crossroads Club', for 7 to 11 year olds.
Conversations flowed easily as the bishop met training groups that use the Centre, local headteachers, ward councillors and members of local churches and christian groups.
Refreshments were served by members of Bolton Council Youth Services' Wellfield Project, which is sited in the parish, and a cheque (from a parish 'Tea at Three') was presented to staff of Bolton Hospice.
At the pilgrimage service, which followed, the church centre was full of a wonderful cross section of the local community, many of whom came
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