Chorlton Central Church

During Advent, some of us in Chorlton, and beyond, re-enacted the Posada – a Mexican tradition, where small figures of Joseph and Mary (or sometimes even real people) are taken around the villages searching for shelter, symbolising the journey to Bethlehem. Sometimes they were sent away – other times they received hospitality. In Chorlton, we used small pottery Peruvian figures, with some suggested prayers, and this is the story of their journey:

1 December: Sue and Steve Rowe looked after Mary and Joseph.
2 – 4 December: Helen Wright and her family looked after them, and prayed for homeless people around the world, that they would feel the presence of God in their lives.
5 December: they travelled to Lyn, Dave and Meg Gallimore’s home, who remembered all people longing for a place to call home.
6 December: they joined the Early Morning Reflections group at Central, then went to John and Margaret Westbrook’s.
7 December: they accompanied Margaret on a march in London to call for urgent action on climate change. John and Margaret prayed for justice, peace and action across our world to prevent catastrophe.
8 December: they rested with John and Margaret again.
9 December: they went home with Anthony and Margaret Morris.
10 December: they went to work with Margaret Morris at the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation. Margaret explained their presence to her Muslim colleagues. She prayed that we may all learn from each other more about the God who loves us all.
11 December: they travelled to the Lloyd’s pub for the ministers’ lunch, then to Oswald Road Primary School for the Christmas concert. Then they went to the home of Sarah, Ian, Naomi and Hannah Brewerton.
12 December: they went to Central, for the Taize service, then to the home of Sally, Karl, Sam, Ben and Eve Ferris.
13 December: they went to Chorlton Park Primary School, to Class 4SH, with Eve Ferris.
14 December : they watched the Christmas Tree being put up at the Ferris’ house, and listened to the chatter as Sally invited a friend for coffee.
15 December: they went carol singing for Christian Aid outside Chorlton Post Office. That afternoon they went to a party for asylum seekers at Mount Street Meeting House, then mingled with shoppers in a crowded city centre. In the evening they went to a concert (The Messiah) at Manchester Cathedral. They spent the night at Alison Peacock’s home and rested by the Advent Candle. Perhaps that is all that they needed? Pray for those whose greatest need is simply rest ….
16 December: they attended worship at Central and rested a while on the communion table, sharing our prayers for the bereaved, the poor, the troubled and the homeless. They were then welcomed into the home of the Garvey family.
17 December: they were the focal point of an Advent assembly at St Anne’s primary school in Oldham, and spent the night with the Garvey family again.
18 December: they were at the home of Kate Grand.
19 December: they accompanied Kate to the Café Church at Central where they contributed to the understanding of a “Blue” Christmas, for people who struggle to share in the festivities. From there they went to the home of Frances, Steve, Luke, Laurie and Jess Taylor.
20 December: they went to St John’s Roman Catholic School with Frances Taylor. The children loved hearing about the Mexican tradition. Prayers were said for homeless people while candles were lit by the figures. A little boy called Robert enjoyed blowing the candles out!
21 December: they went to the home of Kim and family, who enjoyed sitting quietly and thinking about the journey already made and about all for whom life is hard.
22 December: from Kim’s home, they came to the Brewertons again, and stayed under the Christmas Tree with the presents, helping us to remember what Christmas is really about.
23 December:they came to the Christingle service at Central, where we learnt how Christmas is celebrated in other countries.
24 December: they travelled with Sarah Brewerton to the Manchester Royal Infirmary Chaplaincy Office, and listened to our concerns for people who will be in hospital over Christmas. They were also present at the Catholic Mass in the hospital chapel, where Sarah talked about their journey so far and explained the Mexican tradition.

Then they went with Sarah to the midnight service at Wilbraham St Ninians, where just after midnight baby Jesus arrived. Then they walked back home to Whalley Range with Jan Berry and Alma Fritchley, and met Bing the dog. They spent the night sheltered by the Advent Candles and the Christmas Tree, ready to make their journey to Central on Christmas morning.

May we arrive at our journey’s end
in wonder and in worship
and commit ourselves to travel on with Jesus
to whatever lies ahead.

new page 13 Jan 2008