The parish of St Bede, Morris Green has an official population of approximately 7000 people with over 4500 houses and an electoral roll of 69.
Houses are just within the average first time buyer’s price range and they are slowly replacing the older population, many of whom have lived in the area all their lives.
Within the parish there are a number of schools, institutions and voluntary groups. The main school in the parish is St Bede C of E Primary Academy which has strong link’s with our church. The main secondary school is ESSA Academy which serves the local community and the neighbouring area of Great Lever.
The parish has many thriving shops and businesses which serve the community including engineering companies, Funeral Directors and a local Post Office.
The fabric of the church building has been kept in a good state of repair. The building seats over 240 people in traditional carved pews and has a has a small meeting room and a community room with small kitchen and both of these rooms are available for hire. Please contact any of the Wardens.
We organise regular social events in the parish both to swell funds but mainly to enrich our fellowship and encourage others to join in. The congregation of St Bede’s offer a wide range of skills and experience to support our minister. The ministry of lay people and Readers continue’s to be an important feature of our worship. Carol Hardman and Gillian Blackburn have both recently been commissioned as Accredited Lay Ministers to assist in our Worship and prayer and pastoral ministry at St Bede’s.
St Bede’s has a ‘middle of the road’ tradition, leaning towards evangelical and worships predominantly from the Book of Common Worship. There is lay participation in reading lessons, intercessions.
We have a long tradition of music being used to support our worship. This is lead by our organist and a small robed choir. We use Mission Praise as a resource for our Hymns.
Our ministry team is staffed by The Revd Malcolm Bristow (Ordained Local Minister) assisted by his Wife Patricia as Licensed Reader Emeritus, and Gillian and Carol Accredited Lay Ministers. In fact we believe in the Biblical principal of ‘The Priesthood of all Believers.’ Ie, every member ministry, all who are members have a ministry!
There are a number of well established church-based organisations such as Ladies Fellowship.
St Bede Parish is now part of the LAMB partnership incorporating Lostock Parish, St Andrews Parish, St Mary’s Parish and St Bede’s Parish. This is a brilliant opportunity for us to work together, bringing the Christian message of love, hope and salvation to the people we are here to serve through the wonderful God we worship through Jesus His Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit.
We all look forward to working in a ‘Mission Partnership’ together and a warm welcome awaits anyone new to our fellowship or those who may be returning. Welcome in Jesus’ name.