ST CHAD’S AND ST MARY IN THE BAUM

ST Chad’s, on Sparrow Hill, overlooking the town centre, has been Rochdale’s Parish Church for over 800 years.

Together with our sister church, St Mary in the Baum, we provide mainly traditional forms of Anglican worship and you are warmly welcome to join us. Children’s activities are available during Sunday morning services and refreshments are served afterwards.

Last Sunday, a service of Confirmation was held at St Ann’s Parish Church, Belfield. A good number of candidates were presented before the Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, including nine candidates from St Mary in the Baum and three from St Chad’s.

During the service, the Bishop was assisted by the Borough Dean, the Rev Gill Barnett. The following prayer for the confirmation candidates says: “Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.” Tomorrow, Saturday, October 28, at St Chad’s at noon, a Lunchtime Concert features Dimitra Ananiadou, violin, and Richard Whalley, piano, with music by J S Bach, Beethoven and Massenet. Admission is £6 including light refreshments beforehand from

11.30am.

Tomorrow, Sunday, October 29, the 21st after Trinity, is Bible Sunday, a day set aside in the Church calendar to celebrate the gift of God’s word. The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at

9.15am.

Choral Eucharist is at St Chad’s at 11.15am, when the anthem is Attwood’s “Teach me O Lord”. The choir will also sing verses 105-112 from Psalm 119.

At both services the celebrant and preacher is the Vicar, the Rev Anne Gilbert.

Also on Sunday at St Chad’s, at 3.30pm, the Annual Service of Commemoration of Souls of the Departed - known as All Souls - is led by the Vicar. Candles will be lit in memory of those who have died, and names of loved ones may be given to the Vicar or Wardens beforehand.

Each Monday, at St Mary’s, the Red Cross provides help for refugees from 10am until 2pm. Refreshments are available and admission is free.

On Wednesday next, November 1, at St Mary’s at 12.30pm, the Toad

Lane Lunchtime Concert features Hanna Csermely, piano. Admission is £6.

On Thursday next, November 2, at 10am, Morning Prayer is at St Chad’s.

Sunday next, November 5, is All Saints’ Sunday, when we remember all who have died for their faith. First observed by Christians in Jerusalem in the 4th century, it is a time for reflection, prayer and the celebration of life and faith.

The Eucharist, with hymns, is at St Mary’s at 9.15am. Choral Eucharist is at St Chad’s at 11.15am. At both services the celebrant and preacher is the Area Dean, Canon Karen Smeeton.