Curate's Egg by Revd Bec Wilkinson
Well, I can hardly believe that it’s been a whole 10 months since I arrived at the Ascension. I have really enjoyed getting to know the team, congregation and people in the local community. Thank you for your welcome to me and my four legged amigo, Barney the whippet. I have had the opportunity to get involved with all sorts of groups but some of my highlights include:
*Sundays @ Sanctuary: The heart of priestly life is being with God's people and worshipping together. Its been great to worship and pray together creatively; praying about the environment, using our commemoration and prayer tree, making bunches of flowers together. I have been particularly pleased to see the number of people involved with church leadership grow, providing our readings, carrying the gospel book and ringing the bells.
* St Philip's Primary School: We have had the pleasure of being involved with St Philips taking monthly assemblies on a variety of biblical themes and singing lots of songs. We have gone into school to help with RE lessons and interview the school council. We have also hosted the different year groups at St Philip's at the church. Talking to them about Christmas, and Easter, helping them to imagine themselves in the stories. In the coming months we look forward to teaching Year 1 about baptism. We love working with the school and always get out far more than we give.
* International Women's Day: It was a great pleasure to take part in this year's International Women's Day. I represented the church in my cassock with my stoles arranged like a Suffragette sash and walked with my placard through Manchester town centre as part of the parade for International Women's Day. Then on the day itself we hosted 40 women at church, 20 for a sewing workshop - a collaboration with local sewing co-op Stitched Up to make a table runner for our Banqueting table and then another 20 in the afternoon for the launch of our Radical Reading room - with cake and a ribbon.
What's next? Well, in a few weeks I will be ordained priest, I am looking forward to being able to serve you in new ways especially at the altar. But before that we have Ascension Day on 26th May, we will be doing different things to celebrate. We have our patronal Eucharist at 12 midday with songs, and a contribution from the local school children. Then in the evening we are preparing for a birthday party with music and poems and street food. It will be good to share our joy with our local community.