A New Season Together

Hello everyone,

Firstly, I wanted to say a big thank you for welcoming Anna, Isabel, John, Sam and I to the parish of Gatley, St James. It was such a joyful occasion on the 14^th October and without the help of so many it wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you for your kindness and care.

Secondly, I wanted to say how excited I am to be joining you all here at St James. It is a beautiful church with a wonderful history and I’m so looking forward to us going into this new season together. With God’s help we can grow into the people and the place he is calling us to be as the church on the green for the people of Gatley.

I was recently struck by those words from our reading for All Saints Day – Ephesians 1:15-16 ‘I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.’

What a great encouragement that is, especially in light of all that you have been doing over these past months and years! God knows and sees your service of love for him. Thank you for all your hard work keeping the ‘show’ on the road!

But also what a great witness this passage is for us of what St James can be going forward. A place of deep faith in the Lord Jesus, and of deep love for each other. As we remember all that Jesus has done for us and look outward to how we can show that love to others, we can pray for what our reading calls ‘a spirit of wisdom’ (Ephesians 1:17) – so that we would know what plans God has in store for us for 2026 and beyond.

God bless you all as we approach Advent and Christmas.

Every blessing,

Jack

Comments

Parish Update

When are we going to get a new vicar at Gatley? We are pleased to announce that we have a candidate who will be interviewed on Thursday 5th June, by representatives from our Parochial Church Council (PCC), the Bishop of Stockport, our patron who is the vicar of Stockport and the Archdeacon of Macclesfield.

St James Weathervane

On top of the tower at St James’ Church in Gatley perches a splendid weathervane, shaped as a cockerel. He is a bit worse for wear but not only does he point to the whims of the wind, he also carries a reminder of history and faith, and a touch of wartime intrigue.

80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) on 8th May 2025

Rev Phil writes Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day. This year, the nation will unite to remember the end of the Second World War in Europe *. Around the country, events will take place to pay tribute to those involved in that conflict, as well as reminding us to pray and work for peace in our communities and in the world. At 6.15pm at St James, Gatley, there will be a short service of prayers for peace and for all who serve in our Armed Forces today. At 6.30pm the bells will be sounded along with churches and cathedrals around the nation as they let their bells ring out - an opportunity to reflect and give thanks for the peace that so many sacrificed their lives for during the Second World War. As an Army chaplain, I offered a copy of the New Testament and Psalms to every soldier in my battalion before we deployed to Afghanistan. This maintained a long tradition for soldiers going off to war - dur...

Search This Blog