Hundreds flock to meet Bishop

Date article online: 16/05/2008

Young and old came together at St James' Church, Milnrow, at a service to meet and hear the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch.

Bishop McCulloch was visiting the parish as part of his Pilgrimage around the parishes of the Manchester Diocese, 'passing on the gospel baton of faith, hope and love', and using the 2002 Commonwealth Games Baton as the focus of the message.

The bishop arrived in the afternoon and spent his first couple of hours in the parish visiting the After School Club at Milnrow Parish Primary School and then residents of the Rosemary Care Home.

He returned to church at 6.00 pm for a community reception, where he met invited guests from the local community, including local councillors, community workers, local business people, and others.

The Pilgrimage Service started at 7.00 pm and was attended by about two hundred people, including Cubs and Brownies.

Mr Keith Patton gave a brief history of the church in Milnrow, as part of the service, and the church youth group performed a humorous drama.

The bishop gave a lively address, which included some of the younger members racing up and down the aisle with the (precious) Commonwealth Games Baton; and he rounded off the service by individually blessing and anointing with holy oil each member of the congregation.

Vicar Robin Usher said: "It was an uplifting and inspiring occasion".