The UK Government announced yesterday that an outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) has been identified in parts of Greater Manchester, East Lancashire and West Yorkshire. Working with local authorities it has introduced a number of rules which came into force at midnight to control the spread of the virus. The key element of the new rules … More COVID-19 Local Restrictions
The Church continues to serve God, and this community, through daily pastoral care, practical support and online worship. H.M. Government has announced that from 4th July places of worship may be opened for public worship under strict conditions – following a local assessment of the risks, maintaining social distancing. In the Benefice of Wigan this … More Phased Reopening of Church Buildings
#prayerandcare Update: We’ve now launched a JustGiving page to complement the text giving option. Click on the button to visit the page and make a donation using your choice of payment methods. Keep giving. Every pound counts. Church Wigan staff and volunteers are working flat out with Fur Clemt, the Real Junk Food Project and … More Keeping Wigan fed during COVID-19
Are we God-gazers? Isaiah 40.26 (The Passion Translation) Lift up your eyes to the sky and see for yourself. Who do you think created the cosmos? He lit every shining star and formed every glowing galaxy, and stationed them all where they belong. He has numbered, counted, and given everyone a name. They shine because … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Friday 7th August
Snake in the desert Today’s reflection is entirely in audio format, with the image below to accompany the spoken word. Genesis 3.8-14 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Thursday 6th August
The return of a library book… Hebrews 4.12-20 (New Revised Standard Version) The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Wednesday 5th August
We have a higher loyalty Daniel 3.13-18 (New Revised Standard Version) Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought in; so they brought those men before the King. Nebuchadnezzar said to them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Tuesday 4th August
Faith and bamboo Fifteen years ago, almost to the day, I stood amongst towering bamboos in the East Malaysian province of Sabah, trying to catch my breath in the cloying humidity. It was a strange experience, quite different from any forest I had ever seen. Inspired by the memory of those great bamboo trees the … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Monday 3rd August
Birthdays A Birthday by Christina Rossetti My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water’d shoot; My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent with thickset fruit; My heart is like a rainbow shell That paddles on the halcyon sea; My heart is gladder than all these Because my … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Sunday 2nd August
Be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things Luke 19.1-10 – Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (New International Version) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Saturday 1st August
A motley crew Luke 5.1-11 (New Century Version) One day while Jesus was standing beside Lake Galilee, many people were pressing all around him to hear the word of God. Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Jesus got into one of … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Friday 31st July
Jesus laughed Reflection “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17.22 I wonder what makes you laugh? I have lots of things, old episodes of Only Fools and Horses, comedians like Peter Kay, Jim (husband) and me dancing – we are no Fred and Ginger! It is … More Seeing Deeper…Looking Beyond – Thursday 30th July
