By Father Christopher Halliday
IN THE Acts of the Apostles in the Bible we read about the first years of the Christian community.
On Easter morning and for some time after we are told the disciples met together behind closed doors because they were frightened they would suffer the same fate as Jesus.
Gradually they became convinced the risen Christ was with them and giving them strength to venture out to proclaim the good news about Easter.
On the Feast of Pentecost (the 50th day after Easter) we read the Holy Spirit drove the disciples out into the market place and gave them the power to proclaim the story of Jesus. The Church has been doing this ever since.
Pentecost gradually got the name in England Whit Sunday because it became the day when the Church, decked out in the festive colour white, walked through towns and villages with banners and crosses remembering that most important event.
Our Saddleworth Whit Walk is a continuation of this great tradition. All the local churches bring banners, bands, and people together for the Walk of Witness through our villages.
This year the Saddleworth Anglican churches have invited our link parishes in Forssa in the Lutheran Diocese of Tampere, Finland, to walk with us. Join us for a great church celebration and see if you can spot the Finns.
Whit Friday Services and Walks on Friday, May 29
| Delph | Service in St. Thomas’s at 10am. Then Whit walk and service on King St. with the Methodists. |
| Denshaw | Meet at 9.45am at church ready for a 10am set off. |
| Diggle | Kilngreen meet at Sam Road at 9.30am. Process to King George Playing Field, Uppermill for United Church Service at 11am. |
| Dobcross | Holy Trinity and Community Church meet Dobcross Square at 10am. Process to King George Playing Field, Uppermill for United Church Service at 11am. |
| Friezland | Christ Church and St Anne’s meet at 9.45am at Christ Church. Process to King George Playing Field, Uppermill for United Church Service at 11am. |
| Greenfield | Short Service at St. Mary’s Church at 9.15am. Process to Road End for joint service with Greenfield Methodist at 10am before one procession around the village. |
| Uppermill | Sacred Heart and St Chad’s meet at 9.30am at Saddleworth Church. Process to King George Playing Field, Uppermill for United Church Service at 11am. |
| Uppermill | Uppermill Methodist and Ebenezer meet at School Street at 9am. Process to King George Playing Field, Uppermill for United Church Service at 11am. |
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