St Michael's Church, Flixton

31/05/2026

Nick’s Sunday Message

Mark 11:11-26

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve 12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[a]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[b]”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[c]went out of the city.
20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[d]I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” [26]

They tried to make me go to rehab.
I said yes, yes, yes!

In my reading today from Mark’s gospel, we find Jesus sharing some powerful thoughts on faith, prayer and the cleansing of the Temple. At first glance, it might seem like an odd reading to select when reflecting on life in a rehabilitation ward, but perhaps it speaks to a place like this more than we might ever realise.

In recent days, I have met some truly remarkable people here. Fellow patients dealing with pain, uncertainty, frustration and exhaustion. Some are learning to walk again. Some are rebuilding strength and confidence day by day. Some are dealing with life changing news. Yet, alongside the struggle, I have also witnessed extraordinary kindness and grace.

One of the unexpected gifts of places like this is how quickly strangers become friends. We encourage one another in corridors. We celebrate tiny victories together. We listen to each other’s stories. In moments of vulnerability, people often become gentler, more patient and more compassionate.

Jesus clears the Temple because he longs for a place where God’s presence can truly dwell. Perhaps God’s presence is especially visible wherever people care for one another through suffering. A reassuring smile, a shared laugh, a word of encouragement or simply sitting beside someone who is struggling can all become signs of God’s love.

Faith is not pretending everything is fine. Faith is trusting that God is still with us in weakness as well as strength. And as we support one another through pain and recovery, we ourselves are changed. We grow in grace, compassion and hope and mercy. No future is guaranteed. But wherever the path takes us Christ will walk with us for eternity.

Amen.

30/05/2026

Today the church remembers

Joan of Arc, Visionary

Joan of Arc was born at Domrémy in 1412, the daughter of a peasant farmer. She first heard voices of particular saints when she was fourteen years old, telling her to save France, which was caught up in the Hundred Years War with England. Though at first she was dismissed, her credibility increased when some of her predictions began to come true. She managed to identify the disguised dauphin -- later to become Charles VII -- whose approval she gained. She persuaded troops to be set to relieve Orléans and rode at their head, wearing white armour. They were successful in battle, which increased the morale of the army and enhanced the reputation of Joan. When the dauphin was crowned king at Rheims, she stood at his side. Her voices had warned her that her life would be short yet she was dangerously naïve in not seeing the jealousies she provoked. After some failures in battle, she lost favour and was eventually sold by the Duke of Burgundy to the English, tried in a court for heresy by the Bishop of Beauvais and eventually burned at the stake on this day in 1431. Twenty-five years later, the pope formally declared her innocent. She was made second patron of France after her canonisation in 1920.

Josephine Butler, Social Reformer

Josephine Butler (née Grey) was born in April 1828, and baptised on this day that year, in Northumberland. She married an Anglican priest in 1852. She became incensed by the way contemporary society treated prostitutes, most of whom were forced into such activity through desperate poverty. From 1869, she campaigned for the repeal of the legislation which put all opprobrium onto the women concerned, and the issue became international after she travelled in Europe addressing meetings in 1874-75. Her campaign succeeded with the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act in 1883. She was a devout Anglican and a woman of prayer, basing her spirituality on that of St Catherine of Siena, whose biography she wrote. She died on 30 December 1906

Apolo Kivebulaya, Evangelist in Central Africa

Apolo Kivebulaya's first contact with Christian teaching was in 1884 and he was baptised the following year, becoming a teacher in the Church of Uganda. He went as an evangelist and catechist to Boga in the Belgian Congo and was ordained priest in 1903. He built many churches and prepared countless catechumens for baptism. He spent the rest of his life at Boga, training teachers, supervising the school and evangelising the people of the forest. After his death on this day in 1933, the Church Missionary Society sent British missionaries to carry on his work.

28/05/2026

A new free course from Greenpeace

Pollinators like bees, butterflies and bugs are vital to our food supply chain and keeping nature healthy – but they’re under threat! So I’ve joined a free email course on how to protect our pollinators, you can sign up too.

26/05/2026

Yesterday the church remembered
The Venerable Bede

Bede was born in Northumbria around the year 670. When he was seven years old, his family gave him to the monastery of St Peter and St Paul at Wearmouth. He then moved to Jarrow, where he lived as a monk for the rest of his life. Although it seems he never travelled further than York, his monastery -- first under Abbot Benet Biscop and then Abbot Ceolfrith -- was a centre of learning, and Bede studied extensively. He used all the resources available to write the most complete history of Christian England up to the year 729, as well as commentaries on books of the Bible. He was renowned for his monastic fidelity and his love of teaching, and was fondly remembered by his pupils, including his biographer. He died peacefully in 735.

Today the church remembers
Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury

Augustine was prior of the monastery of St Andrew in Rome. In 596, at the instigation of Pope Gregory the Great, he was dispatched as the leader of a group of forty monks to re-evangelise the English Church. Augustine appears not to have been a particularly confident person, and in Gaul he wanted to turn back, but Pope Gregory's firm resolution held the group to their mission. The monks finally landed in Kent in the summer of 597 where they were well received by King Ethelbert whose wife, Bertha, was a Christian. Once established, Augustine returned temporarily to Gaul to receive ordination as a bishop. Pope Gregory would have preferred London to have become the primatial see, but in the event Canterbury was chosen, and thus Augustine became the first archbishop of Canterbury. He died in either 604 or 605.

25/05/2026

24/05/2026

Nick’s Sunday Message:

John 21 15-19

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

In today’s Gospel from John 21, we see Peter at a turning point in his life. Just days before, he had experienced failure, fear and heartbreak, having denied Jesus three times. His future seemed uncertain.

But by the fire on the shore, the risen Christ offers no judgement but instead restores Peter. Jesus asks, ‘Do you love me?’ three times before entrusting Peter with a future. “Feed my sheep.’

I was so honoured to be invited to preach this morning at the Hospital Chaplaincy. I spoke about how the fire of Pentecost travels up and down the corridors and wards of Salford Royal and how also Christ meets us wherever we are and speaks a language we can all understand with ease, if we’re prepared to listen.

As I move to the rehabilitation ward, I deeply resonate with this sense of change. The past days have been frightening and uncertain, life feeling fragile and overwhelming. Yet today feels like a quiet step forward, a glimmer of hope and healing. I’m not at the end of my journey but no longer where I was.

What strikes me in this Gospel is that Jesus meets Peter precisely where he is, not when Peter is strong or confident but while he’s wounded, uncertain and still recovering. Perhaps that’s how Christ meets us too, not after the struggle is over but amidst it.

As I move wards, I’m filled with gratitude for the goodness I’ve encountered from so many, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, chaplains, family, friends and fellow patients. Their care, encouragement and compassion have shown me a glimpse of Christ’s love.

Jesus instructs Peter, ‘Follow me.’ Today, I believe that call continues, one careful step at a time, one day at a time. Even in weakness and uncertainty, Christ walks beside me, gently guiding me towards hope, healing and new life.

Joyfully he guides us all.

24/05/2026

Today the church remembers

John & Charles Wesley

Born at Epworth Rectory in Lincolnshire, John Wesley was the son of an Anglican clergyman and a Puritan mother. He entered Holy Orders and, following a religious experience on this day in 1738, began an itinerant ministry which recognised no parish boundaries. This resulted, after his death, in the development of a world-wide Methodist Church. His spirituality involved an Arminian affirmation of grace, frequent communion and a disciplined corporate search for holiness. His open-air preaching, concern for education and for the poor, liturgical revision, organisation of local societies and training of preachers provided a firm basis for Christian growth and mission in England.

Charles shared with his brother John the building up of early Methodist societies, as they travelled the country. His special concern was that early Methodists should remain loyal to Anglicanism. He married and settled in Bristol, later in London, concentrating his work on the local Christian communities. His thousands of hymns established a resource of lyrical piety which has enabled generations of Christians to re-discover the refining power of God's love. They celebrate God's work of grace from birth to death, the great events of God's work of salvation and the rich themes of eucharistic worship, anticipating the taking up of humanity into the divine life.

John died in 1791 and Charles in 1788.

Collect
God of mercy,
who inspired John and Charles Wesley
with zeal for your gospel:
grant to all people boldness to proclaim your word
and a heart ever to rejoice in singing your praises;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

23/05/2026

Join us for our service of Holy Communion in celebration of Pentecost - the birthday of the Christian church

23/05/2026

Congratulations to Karen who attended the Foundations for Ministry celebration event in Chorlton this morning, where she received her well deserved FFM certificate.

Foundations for Ministry is an exciting and vibrant course, open to anyone active in church life who feels a sense of vocation or calling to Christian ministry.

We are all so proud of what Karen has achieved and the commitment she has shown on this journey of faith and discernment.

Please pray for Karen, and for all those across the Diocese of Manchester who took this important step in ministry today.

Find out more about FFM here: https://www.manchester.anglican.org/faith-calling/vocations/lay-ministries/ffm/

22/05/2026