St Andrew’s, Dearnley

St Andrew's, Dearnley and Smithy Bridge

Sharon, our priest in charge for the last ten years, has gone and now we face a long interregnum in which our curate, the Rev Michael (Mike) Howarth will carry a lot of weight on his shoulders.

Writing in this month's 'Fisherman', our parish magazine, Mike says: "We are now on our own, as it were.

"As we all look to the future we will each have things we miss from Sharon's tenure here. For me, it will be meeting to say Morning Prayer and reading and reflecting on scripture together.

"Our head is Jesus Christ as much now as it was when Sharon was here. Remember Sharon's final sermon in which she encouraged us to seek new things and to embrace change.

"Any change is unsettling, but to borrow Sharon's phrase, 'It will be fine if we do it together'."

Sharon has left to take up a new challenge as Team Rector for Saddleworth and her licensing over there will take place on Sunday, July 24. We are planning to run a coach so that she will have plenty of support from St Andrew's and details of this can be found in the parish room.

On the Saturday before her final service we had an afternoon tea party in church, during which farewell speeches were made and gifts from the congregation were presented, including a new set of chasubles.

The church was packed on the Sunday for her final Sung Eucharist which was attended also by members of Wardle Village Church.

The service was one to remember with anthems provided by the choir, while the Sunday School presented their own special farewells.

The parish rota for this Sunday (Sung Eucharist at 9.30am) is: lay assistants, J Mills, H Walker; readers, P Shrigley, J Mills; Intercessions, C Cook; sidespersons, P Shrigley, B Kelly; refreshments, Dennis, Pam, Judith.