St Thomas and St John, Lostock

On Friday December 8 2006 Bishop Nigel visited the parish of St Thomas and St John, Lostock. Graham Parkinson, who was the main organiser for the Bishop's Run the Race visit to Lostock enthused: "The date of the race was set for a 4:00pm start on Friday December 8 2006. The race had to be organized, two race timekeepers were co-opted. They contacted people to arrange for organisations to send representatives to be part of the race. When all was in place, venue set, numbers taking part and catering provided, the Bishops office was notified, we were ready. We were ready to run the race and Look to Jesus."

Bishop Nigel and his support staff arrived and the Pilgrimage to Lostock commenced.
The Bishop first held a short service with Clergy, lay readers and churchwardens in church. Prayers were said for the parish.

Next followed the parish visit element of the pilgrimage. Bishop Nigel went to see the Parish Centre, where he met the centre manager and representatives of the centre users. This part of the visit included meeting a group of children from Johnson Fold and a representative from the Chernobyl group, which St Thomas and St John, Lostock supports via outreach. Light refreshments were served.

In the evening people gathered in church and sang the hymn "Guide me o thou great Jehovah" as part of the service of Pilgrimage. During the service two stories were read. The church in Lostock, related by Mr Cyril Shaw, and God's story: a reading from the scriptures. As the Bishop anointed individual members of the community his staff distributed a gift in the form of a cross in the

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

shape of a running track. The Choir and music group provided music to a selection of hymns.

The Bishop then commissioned all present "to dedicate yourselves afresh to God in the service of the gospel, passing on to each generation." The baton was returned to Bishop Nigel by Mrs Mollie Bingham, Bishop Nigel held the Baton aloft and asked those present to receive it as a sign of their commitment. The service closed with a Blessing from the Bishop Nigel.
lapels."