St Anne's Church, Longsight, Royton

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

Walking around the Glade of Light, created as a memorial garden to the those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing on 22 May 2017. The plaque explains, "It's a place to reflect, to remember and a lasting testament to love. We will never forget."

Remembering especially and holding in prayer, Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, from our community and church family, and ther families and friends who will always love and miss them.

Walked over to Sacred Trinity, Salford, praying for the mission and ministry of this church and for the Revd Canon Andy Salmon, the Rector.

6 miles walked today and still in the way to Stanbrook Abbey.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

Praying for and giving thanks for the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral, the vergers and Cathedral staff. Good to see the newly minted verger Nathanael with Head Verger, Gareth today. Prayers for the whole Cathedral community

Praying too for Bishop David, Bishop Mark and Bishop Chris and Archdeacon Karen, Archdeacon Rachel and Archdeacon Karen.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

I made a pilgrimage to Manchester Cathedral for the 1.10pm Eucharist today to give thanks for 15 years as a priest. I didn't walk there today- but I intend to as part of this pilgrimage. I did walk around Manchester and Salford though afterwards.

Giving thanks for the privilege to serve in the Church of God as a priest. Giving thanks for all those who have supported me in the discernment process and in the years of ordained ministry since.

And giving thanks for the Church Communities I have served- St Anne's Royton, St Matthew's Chadderton, St Mark's Heyside snd in St John the Evangelistt, Hurst.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

Walking through the Memorial forest and remembering with thanks those who have walked with me on my faith journey and are now worshipping and serving God in His nearer presence. Remembering especially Fr Harry Edwards and Fr Alan Butler.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

Holding in prayer and giving thanks for the priests who have served faithfully here in the parish of St Luke, Chadderton in the past 170 years. I was lucky enough to know two of them, Revd Lindsay Owens and Revd Capt David Penny. Thankful I have been called to follow in their footsteps.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

As I walk up through St Matthew's beautiful churchyard I hold in prayer all whose funerals and burials of ashes I have conducted this year and their families.

Praying too for our amazing team of volunteers who take care of our churchyard at St Matthew's and our wonderful Beekeepers at Millbrow Beekeeping Association.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne

Praying for those to be ordained Priest by the Bishop of Middleton on Saturday 27 June 2026 at 2:30pm

Alexios Andriopoulos, Jan Bennett, Beccy Clark, Debs, Crossland, Michele Evans, Angie Foster, Susanna Hewitt, Paula Holmes-Patel, Andrew Jyothi Isaac Susan, Helen Kidd, Abby Latham-Holt, Kenson Li, John Muyita., Ellise O'Hara, Maryam Razavo Mehr, Tim Roman, Elizabeth Roney, John Rosenbloom and Dean Stott.

Please also pray for Alex Walker, curate at St Mark's Church, Chadderton St Gabriel's Church, Middleton Junction, who lives in St Matthew's parish as he is to be ordained priest at 2pm on Sunday 27 June 2026 by the Bishop of Beverley.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne

Praying for all those to be ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Manchester on Sunday 28 June 2026 at 10:30am.

Joseph Bright, Iona Christie, Paul Dent, Matthew Dunne, Solomon John, John Mars, Victoria Mcquarrie, Alison Peacock, Andrew Stewart and Sue Aveyard.

18/06/2026

Day 19 of Walk with the Northern Saints - a pilgrimage to Lindisfarne.

Good to see the sun this morning as I set off to pray. As always I began the walk I prayed this Mary Fleeson prayer.

Be by my side Creator God, every step I take
Be before me Saviour God, every step I take
Be behind me Merciful God, every step I take
Be within me Strengthening God,
every step I take. Amen.

As Petertide approaches praying for all those exploring their vocation. Praying for those experiencing "road blocks" as they explore their vocation or are forced to take unexpected and unplanned for paths.

Saints Pilgrimage

18/06/2026