St Clements, Ordsall
and Salford Quays

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

On November 20 2006 Bishop Nigel visited St Clements as part of his Run the Race pilgrimage. Priest in charge Rev Rachel Ross explained: "We did it slightly differently from the expected programme. The Bishop arrived about 3pm and we did a tour of the parish first of all. We drove him around and showed him key elements of what's happening in the parish and that was a very important element, without that the community reception wouldn't have had anything like the significance that it had."

As part of the parish visit Bishop Nigel went to Ordsall Hall and the Salford Lads' Club which are currently two major areas of regeneration within the parish. Following that he had an opening prayer at St Clements church with members of the congregation. Rev Ross said: "After the prayers I asked him to have about 20 minutes Question and Answer session with members of the congregation. They asked him questions like 'have you ever had times when you have felt let down by God?' Then Bishop Nigel had some time with the churchwardens. They explained what things were like in the church and in the parish which gave him a good understanding of that."

Bishop Nigel had the opportunity to meet people at a community reception in the church. This was well attended by school head teachers, local councillors, and members of the congregation and local community.
The pilgrimage service followed the community reception. Rev Ross added: "A number of people stayed to the service and they were really moved by it. It was a very good thing

for members of the congregation and for people who come to church occasionally and are very active in the community. I think the visit as a whole was highly successful and I was really pleased."





"My reflection is that it was a really good encouragement. We're a church that is very geared towards bringing in new people and evangelism. It has been really encouraging for the work that has happened here and continues to happen. It has been a really positive affirmation of what we are doing."