After 900 entries and 42 finalists, Blackburn has been judged both the overall champion and winner of the local centre category of the Great British High Street Awards 2016. The town greatly impressed the judges with its hard work to turn around the centre. The many improvements undertaken by the Business Improvement District and Blackburn…
Collect O Lord Jesus Christ, who at your first coming sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready your way by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming…
In the last week I have attended three lovely services where 3 priests have been licensed to serve in parishes. The first was in Liverpool Diocese where my friend Reverend Janet Ashton was licensed as Vicar of Hightown. A Blackburn lass, it’s lovely to have Jan back in the North again as she has been…
On the second Sunday of Advent the tradition is to focus on the prophets of the Old Testament. John the Baptist makes an appearance in our Gospel reading, but he has a whole Sunday to himself next week so we’ll put him aside for now. The prophets of the Old Testament give us some of…
Collect O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power and come among us, and with great might succour us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness we are grievously hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ your Son…
Renewal and Reform is the current process of structural change in the Church of England; ‘an ambitious programme of work, which seeks to provide a narrative of hope to the Church of England in the 21st century’. The main aims are to contribute as the national church to the common good, to facilitate the growth of…
The Weaver’s Wheel cycle trail through Knuzden and Shadsworth’s Arran Nature Reserve is now almost complete. The path is now wide and very comfortable to walk and cycle on.
The lower section near Accrington Road is finished with tarmac while the stretches through the Knuzden Brook woodland and Arran Nature Reserve have naturalistic compacted gravel which fits better with the natural qualities of the landscape.
Already, there are more people using the path which is very good news.
The 2016 Christmas Services leaflet is now printed and copies are available at church and schools in the parish. Take as many as you need for family, friends and neighbours. Download a pdf copy HERE …
Collect Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility; that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty…
I was away for a few days this week visiting a friend in Suffolk. One of the things we did was to visit the ancient church in Grundisburgh where a very busy Crib (Nativity) Festival had been running all week – over 1400 people had come through the church doors! On Monday, after most of…