The Rector Writes – September 2014

Dear Friends,

We are resuming normal service at St.Nicholas on a gradual basis.

It is good to report that Rachel is back with us but she is taking a couple of Sunday’s off as holiday.

We have been fortunate to welcome a number of visiting Priests to take our Wednesday and Sunday services. With the help and support of our Area Dean Rev’d Stephen Edwards we managed to cover every service during Rachel’s absence .

As I write this letter Rachel, Ollie, the cast and crew of our new production ‘A Tree of War’ are very busy in the final week of rehearsals. Burnage Community Choir are singing in the musical. We are very pleased to report that Manchester City Council have awarded us a grant to help with funding for the event. All we need now is a full house at each of our performances. Tickets are available on line via the church website or can be purchased via a telephone ticket line 0161 432 7009. We do hope you will come and experience this wonderful event commemorating WW1.

September brings National Heritage Weekend and we will be opening the church doors to welcome visitors to our Grade 2* listed building. Do pop in between 10.00 and 4.00pm on Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th September and have a good look round the building—we will have guides available to take you on a tour. Our Harvest collections for Burnage Food Bank and Barnabus Charity for the Homeless will continue until Harvest Sunday on 5th October.

As the schools and colleges return for a new term it always feels as though our new year starts at this time of year. Two of our young people will be starting a new phase in their life as they leave for University in late September. Good luck to Emily Crossley off to Sheffield Hallam University and to Clare Lancaster who is to study at University of York.

The repairs to the church roof are entering a new phase. Initial surveys have been completed and we have been granted the next phase in the Heritage Lottery Funding. More grant applications will be made to help us to fund the work required. As a congregation we have to raise funds to contribute to the grant funding. You can all help by supporting our fund raising events.

After a hectic few months we should perhaps reflect and be grateful for all the wonderful support we have received from so many people…..

With love, Alison & Jane