Greetings from the North West of England!
I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Ecumenical Facilitator for Greater Manchester Churches Together. It has been a somewhat challenging time for GMCT in recent years but with my appointment to the role, the trustees and I are looking forward to a season of renewed engagement and ecumenical witness in the region.
I have re-established links with the Denominational Ecumenical Officers in GMCT and am currently seeking to do the same with local CT Groups.
One thing the trustees thought of doing to signal that GMCT was `back in business`, was to hold a service on Pentecost Eve at St Ann’s Church in Manchester city centre. I compiled and led an act of worship which included participants from various denominations and cultures. Bishop Mark Davies, Chair of Trustees welcomed everyone to the service. The Pentecost story from Acts was read to us in different languages, we heard news from a local CT Group in Whaley Bridge and gospel music was provided by World Harvest Christian Centre. We were very grateful to St Ann’s for their hospitality which included the participation of the Rector, the organist, sidespeople and not forgetting the catering department! We have already provisionally booked a venue for next year’s Pentecost Celebration, this time in Sale.
We are now looking forward to our Annual Assembly and AGM at Salford Cathedral Centre on 8 October, when our theme is Hope for the Future. The keynote speaker will be Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England and there will be workshops on: Hope for the Church, Hope for Creation and Hope for the County.
The hope we have for GMCT is the hope we have for our community and our world and its source is in the One who said,
‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.‘ Jeremiah 29:11
If you are based in the North West and would like to connect or re-connect with Greater Manchester Churches Together, please contact Rev Alan by email on [email protected] or on 07733 153203.
Rev Alan Kennedy is the Minister of Walkden Congregational Church, part of the Congregational Federation. In the top photo, he is in the centre just behind the left shoulder of Bishop Mark Davies.