Here's a taste of the events we have had so far

The Holy Land talk (April)

Talk by Deacon John McKay and Jonathan Goodfellow

The Holy Land

‘In the beginning was the Word’

The Prologue at the start of the Gospel of John opened a prayerful, reflective evening led by Deacon John McKay and Jonathan Goodfellow from Hazel Grove as part of our series of events for the Year of Prayer.

The two were part of a group who recently undertook a 20 day study course on the fourth gospel, run by the Centre for Biblical Formation at the Notre Dame de Sion Convent on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem.
Inspired, enthused and moved by their experiences, they took us through several of the episodes of Jesus’ ministry, conjuring up the sights and sounds of the Holy Land, such as the healing of the man born blind at the Pool of Siloam and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.

There were gasps of surprise at a photo showing the sheer size of the stone jars mentioned in the account when Jesus turns water into wine.

They emphasised the important role of women in the gospel. And using the passage of Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus immediately after his Resurrection, we were invited to contemplate Mary’s emotions at seeing the angels and the folded grave clothes in the tomb.

The phrase ‘Mary turned round’ on recognising Jesus, was explored at different levels and ultimately became an invitation to us all to become witnesses, just as Mary was when she ran to tell the disciples the news that she had seen the Lord.

Joanna

Poetry Prayer Walk (May)

A beautiful 4km walk with stops to read from scripture or poetry was organised for a sunny Sunday in late May. Walking along the Middlewood Way and the canal we stopped at various points to be inspired by both the beauty of nature around us - the birds singing, the peace - and by a short reading. This was a truly magical way to connect with ourselves, each other, with nature and with God.

Half way round the walk we were joined by a couple out walking who asked what we were doing and joined us for 2 of the readings.

Annette

The pdf below is the poetry prayer booklet if you would like to print it out and use it for private prayer and meditation.

Poetry prayer walk.pdf

Ascension Thursday (June)

We welcomed back Mary Hardiman, author, counsellor and gifted speaker, on Ascension Thursday (May 9th) to help us reflect on the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.

Each decade that we prayed as a congregation was accompanied by Mary’s thoughts on the gospel accounts, helping us to approach well-known passages with fresh eyes. Her personal insights and moving experiences of working with young offenders and being with prisoners on Death Row gave us space to contemplate the role of Mary our Mother.

Joanna

From 2 to 10 in 2 minutes: Lectio Divina (July)

Helen and I wondered if it would just be us two but NO! 2 minutes to 2 pm and we were 10 – a lovely surprise.

Helen Bassirat led us in to Lectio Divina by sharing a wonderfully illuminating explanation as to the meaning and purpose of Lectio Divina – Sacred Reading. “Often in reading Scripture we are looking to see what we can get out of it and in so doing we don’t allow the Word to get into us! “ To listen with the ears of the hear, is the intention of Lectio Divina - so that the Word is made flesh in our own lives.

The introduction was followed by the slow reading of an extract from the Gospel. We were invited to listen and not to analyse: After a second reading we were invited to notice what words or phrases stayed with us. And after the third reading we reflected on how God might be speaking to us.

Sharing at the end of this was optional but taken up by most present. For me, this was the first time I was fully engaged by this particular spiritual practice.

Catherine