From the Vicar

The month before last I wrote about, amongst other things, my love of walkng and the journeying, physical and spiritual, that we all undertake during the course of our lives. We began Holy Week of course with a short journey/procession on Palm Sunday, and later that week recalled the journey of Jesus to Golgotha and the cross. And following Jesus’ resurrection, which we celebrated in large numbers in Church on Easter Day, there are some wonderful accounts of journeys in the Bible, foremost amongst them that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, where they encounter the risen Lord but don’t recognize him straight away.

One journey that really struck me however during this period, and about which I preached on Palm Sunday, was the pilgrimage to Canterbury of the newly appointed and soon to be installed 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally. Writing about that 87 mile journey from St Paul’s Cathedral in London to Canterbury Dame Sarah mentioned making the journey “with others and in the footsteps of the past.” Clearly referring to one of her predecessors, Thomas Beckett, she also mentioned those people who, across the world and across time, walk and have walked the pilgrim paths of faith each and every day.

The installation service in Canterbury Cathedral was very striking, moving and deeply inspirational, not least at the very beginning when Dame Sarah knocked on the outer door with her staff requesting entry. On being challenged by a small group of schoolchildren as to who she was and why she was requesting entry, she replied “I am Sarah, a servant of Jesus Christ and I come as one seeking the grace of God, to travel with you in his service together.”

It’s unlikely, though not impossible, that Archbishop Sarah will ever find her way to Great Budworth or Antrobus, but the shared sense of purpose and journeying that she has conveyed in only a short time is, for me, quite wonderful and truly inspirational, and I look forward with great hope and expectation to her ministry among us. Dame Sarah’s Archiepiscopal colleague the Archbishop of York will, however, be visiting our Diocese in June, promoting Pilgrim Places in the North, a venture taking place over the next year
or so and celebrating the 1400th anniversary of the baptism of the pagan King of Northumbria, Edwin, by the first Bishop of York, St Paulinus, in 627 AD.

As a Parish, and Deanery, we are taking part in this initiative, so please watch this space, and others, for details of local journeys, events, pilgrimages and so on. There are some Pilgrim Places leaflets and prayer cards at the back of Church. You might also be interested in watching the Celebrity Pilgrimage programme which was broadcast in the week after Easter, with an interesting group of celebrities, of all faiths and none, making their way from south of Whitby Bay to the holy island of Lindisfarne, following in the footsteps of St Cuthbert, one of the most celebrated of the northern Saints.

And as we all make our Easter journeys towards Ascensiontide and Pentecost let us continue to refresh, deepen and strengthen our faith in the one who lived, died and rose again for us, and who walks before us on all our journeys, each and every day.

May God bless each one of us in this coming month.

Amen.

The Revd Alec Brown

From the Curate

Dear Friends

“Blessed are those who strength is in you,
Whose hearts are set on pilgrimage”
Psalm 84:5

As we enter the month of June, with its longer days and the fullness of summer beginning to unfold round us, we will be thinking about “Pilgrimage” The Archbishop of York, as part of Faith in the North, has encouraged churches to sign up to be “Pilgrim Places” St Mary`s has become one of those places. We are open every day and we can offer a welcoming, peaceful and safe place where people can relax and reflect. We pray that when people visit us, they find peace, hope, comfort and understanding. If you feel we can improve our welcome, or there is anything we can do to make the building more welcoming, we would love to hear from you.

Pilgrimage is woven deeply into the Christian story. Abraham journeyed in faith towards an unknown land. The Israelites travelled through the wilderness learning dependence upon God. The disciples walked alongside Jesus on dusty roads, often uncertain of the destination, yet transformed by the journey itself. Our faith has never been static. We are always being called onward.

To be a pilgrim people is not only about travelling to holy places, although many may do so this year. More profoundly, it is about recognising that the Christian life itself is a pilgrimage: a continual turning towards God, a daily renewing of hope, and a shared commitment to walk together in faith, love, and service.

We have just celebrated the great feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples and sent them out into the world with courage and joy. The frightened followers of Jesus became pilgrims of hope, carrying the Good News across boundaries, cultures, and nations. Pentecost reminds us that the Church was born not to remain still, but to move outward in mission and compassion.

We should always be attentive to Christ on the journey but also ask ourselves in what ways can our church become a place of welcome and companionship for others who are searching, questioning, or weary?

Pilgrims rarely travel alone. They encourage one another, share burdens, and offer hospitality along the way. In a world often marked by division and uncertainty, the Church has a precious calling to model a different way — one of kindness, patience, reconciliation, and hope.

Over the coming weeks, there will be opportunities within our parish to explore this theme together through prayer, worship, fellowship, and acts of service. Whether through a simple walk, quiet reflection, supporting a neighbour, or gathering at the Lord’s table, every faithful step becomes part of the pilgrimage.

May we never lose sight of the truth that Christ journeys with us still. On roads both familiar and unexpected, He walks beside His people, guiding, strengthening, and renewing us.

As part of my training, I worked at Scargill which is a retreat centre in the Yorkshire Dales. Whenever a group leave after staying there, these words are always said to them:

“May the peace of Christ go with you,
Wherever He may send you
May He guide you through the wilderness and protect you through the storms
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors”

With love, prayers and every blessing,

Christina