Please pray for all who preach the word of God and all who seek to live by faith, that through our witness here as a church community, people might know the  love of Christ.

In 2006, church was re-ordered, under-floor heating installed, some pews removed and a prayer corner enlarged. Some new things were introduced into church, as aids to prayer. This guide should help you to notice the things-some old and some new- in church, and to use them to help you to pray during your visit.

The first thing you will see on entering church is a Celtic Cross. This was carved by Michael Catterall,  who contributed much to parish life, loved the Book of Common Prayer, and was a man of great integrity. May he rest in the peace of Christ.  His cross features St Chad and the Diocesan Coat of Arms among other things.

We hope that while you are here you will find the peace of Christ and that as well as laying your cares and concerns before him, your will say a prayer for those who worship and work here too.

The Blessed Sacrament (the bread and wine of holy communion) is reserved (kept) here for the communion of the sick and the adoration of the faithful; Christ’s presence with us, and a focus for prayer.

As you come into church you will hear music playing quietly; this is changed to reflect the seasons of the church year, but is usually from one of the religious communities, such as Taize.

St Chad’s was built as a daughter church of St Luke’s Skerton, and originally worship was in the building next door, now our Parish Centre. It was placed under the patronage of St Chad, a  7th century Bishop of Lichfield, who was a missionary to his own people; a simple, humble and prayerful man.  

On 6 June 1964 the present building was consecrated, having been saved for over 28 years by our local community. It was designed by Bramley and Pate, and built by Thompson and Jackson, a local firm, among others.

St Chad’s was based on a modern Roman Catholic design which the architect John Bramley had encountered on his holidays. He hoped that the clear glass windows would encourage a congregation to be outward looking, and the distinctive wooden roof and open spire would encourage people’s hearts and minds to be drawn “upwards” to the things of heaven. The gathering space in the middle is intended to  emphasise the need for church to be a place of community and welcome.

When our church was consecrated, the Rt Revd Charles Claxton, Bishop of Blackburn said, “Today we need a greater vision of the majesty, love, holiness and greatness of God, and we are only going to get this vision when we worship him.”

He also expressed the hope that “people would enter the church not only on a Sunday, but whenever they were passing, and say a prayer.”

In being here today and doing this, you are part of the answer to his prayer and ours, that church is used by everyone, no matter what their beliefs, to find something of beauty, goodness and peace in the midst of busy lives, and in doing so, to find something of God.

Lord by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the saviour of the world.

Oh Christ, you calm the storm at sea;
In tempest sore, be calming me.

Oh Christ, you walk upon the wave;
when sinking fast, my footing save.

Oh Christ, the stricken child you raise;
my spirit lift in joy and praise.

Oh Christ, you heal the man born blind;
make bright the darkness in my mind.

Oh Christ, you feed the crowd with bread; with words of truth let me be fed.

Oh Christ, you make the water wine;
Take humble gifts and make them fine.

Oh Christ the Resurrection Morn,
with your new life, my life adorn.

Pray for all those who mourn the loss of one they have loved, and all those who are near to death.  Pray for those who have lost hope, and all for whom life is darkness, pain  and struggle, that Christ might strengthen them and give them people to help them. Is he prompting you to some act of kindness to someone in need, to help them see they are not alone?
Give thanks for the love of God shown in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

From time to time, there are also pictures in this corner by children from Ryelands School or the Loyne School, after they have visited church as part of their RE lessons.

Please pray for all who teach, and for the pupils at both schools, and for our friendly links with both.

As you continue round church you will notice a poster or icon on the wall near the pulpit, over the table we use as an altar for our small weekday Eucharists. The poster is varied to reflect something of whichever season we are in in the Church year.

In Trinity Season (ordinary time), Rublev’s icon of the Trinity hangs there, with a prayer from the Eastern Orthodox Tradition below it. Icons are designed to be windows to heaven for those who look at them, and in this icon, the viewer is welcome in to join the angels at their meal, just as we are welcomed into the life of God, to share in friendship with him as his guest. (you can read about the angels in Genesis 18;  the Early Church understood them as representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  Orthodox Great Vespers Of Pentecost.

If you look up to the left, you will see a candle burning, over a cupboard in the wall (the aumbry). This light is never allowed to go out, except on Good Friday. It shows that this is where the Blessed Sacrament is kept.

Pray in thanks for Christ’s presence with us in Holy Communion. Pray that all people might be strengthened in their journey of faith, and for those who have no faith. Pray for those who receive holy communion at home and those who take it to them. Pray for those throughout the world who cannot receive holy communion often because of a lack of priests or long distances to travel, and for those in this country who work such long hours that it is hard to make time to come to church. Pray too for those who go without food day by day.

We keep the oils used at baptism, confirmation, and for the anointing of the sick in the cupboard (aumbry) too;

Please pray for those who are ill, and for the recently baptised and confirmed.

Our other processional cross is usually kept near here; it depicts the symbols of the four evangelists, Matthew Mark, Luke and John.

The fabric hanging from the pulpit (from where the sermon is preached) changes according to the season of the Church year, or for special festivals.

The lectern, where readings from Scripture are read each Sunday and through the week, was donated in memory of Marjorie Otterson, a longstanding communicant and home communicant, who had an affection for St Chad’s even after she moved away to be nearer to family. She was bright and lively character, and well loved by those who knew her. May she rest in peace.

“Blessed Lord, who caused all holy scriptures to be written for our learning, help us so to hear them, to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them that through patience and the  comfort of your holy word we may embrace and for ever hold fast the hope of everlasting life which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (the collect for the Last Sunday after Trinity)

As you continue round, the figure above the altar is of Christ ascending into heaven, and blessing his followers. It was given by John and Margaret Robinson in thanksgiving for the birth of their grandson.

Pray that all who follow Christ might be blessed in doing so today, especially where faith is hard to maintain. Give thanks that Christ, ascended into heaven,  prays for the Church, and pray for its unity and peace.

The altar cloths have been donated in memory of Amy Hayhurst, a home communicant, who was a gentle person with a lovely sense of humour and adventure. They are laundered by a parishioner.

Pray for all those in nursing homes, and for all who work to keep church clean and tidy.

The altar rail has kneelers reflecting words from the Te Deum, a song of praise to God, and were beautifully restored recently by parishioners.
Pray for all those who kneel at this altar rail to receive Christ in holy communion; that we might be conscious of the grace we receive, of Christ’s presence with us, and of the generosity of God’s redeeming love for his whole creation.
Pray that as we receive him in the simplicity of bread and wine, we might serve him in simplicity of heart and serve him in the lost, the broken and the neglected. Pray that we might allow him to rest in our hearts, to heal our brokenness, and cleanse our sin.

The Bishop’s Chair is behind the altar, used by the celebrant at the Eucharist, since priests are at the altar when the Bishop cannot be.

Pray for Nicholas our bishop, and Geoff and John his suffragans; for vocations to the priesthood, and that all clergy might be given the help of the Holy Spirit to fulfil their calling faithfully and serve Christ in those entrusted to their care.

The flower arrangements by the altar and elsewhere (other than in Advent and Lent) are done weekly by parishioners, and beautify the church, showing off the beauty of creation.

Please pray for those who arrange the flowers, and that we might all be good stewards of creation,  and be generous and creative in sharing the good things entrusted to us in the world.

The vases used are given in memory of Joan Catterall, who was married to Mike who made the cross by the door. She was a gracious and faithful person, who had begun a flower group in Northern Ireland which included both Roman Catholics and Protestants. She was proud of this, and used to arrange flowers beautifully here too. May she rest in peace.

Please pray for peace throughout the world, and for reconciliation among all in dispute. Pray especially for peace in the land where Christ lived, and for all who are victims of the violence and hatred of others. Pray also for a growth in forgiveness, and that faith may never be used as an excuse to oppress others.

The vicar’s stall is used by visiting preachers on occasion, and is where morning and evening prayer are said. As you move on, you will come to an icon of St Chad, bought by John and Margaret Robinson on a parish pilgrimage to Walsingham. The Prayer for St Chad’s Day is beneath it.

Please pray that, helped by all the prayers of heaven, this parish might reflect the character of Chad, and follow Christ humbly, faithfully and joyfully.  

In the prayer corner is a Bible, donated by a parishioner so that people coming into church might find comfort in God’s word.

There is also a book for you to write down  anyone you would like us to pray for at our services. You will find different books or things in the prayer corner, depending on the season of the Church year.

For example, in Lent, you will find wooden crosses to hold, books on forgiveness, and information on making your confession. In Lent  we also have posters up of situations of penitence and reconciliation from the Bible. The crucifix over the kneeling desk was found broken across the chest, and has been restored by a parishioner. It is used on Good Friday, when we ask the help of Christ in tending the wounds of a broken world, and give thanks for his love, shown most fully in his death on the cross.

In Eastertide, you will find the Easter Garden  in the prayer corner. At Pentecost, we assemble a display on the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and at Advent, you will find the empty crib, which is filled with the figures of Christmas and Epiphany as time goes on.
In Trinity/Ordinary Time, you will find posters on various aspects of prayer, which you can look at one by one and reflect on. They are entitled, open to God, stillness, listening, and rejoicing.

We hope that these bits of art will help people to pray and reflect, and help create a flexible atmosphere of stillness and peace as well as sometimes challenge.  

If you sit in any of our pews, please say a prayer for those who are part of the Church in this place, and if you notice the kneelers, each has been made by a parishioner for some special reason; you can look on the back to see who and what for, and include them in your prayers too.

As you move on from the prayer corner towards the door, you will see magazine racks with publications from the Anglican missionary organisations we support, caring for people regardless of their faith or lack of it, in a variety of situations, and working for justice. We give 10% of our income to two of these societies on rotation each year.

If you have valued your visit here and would like to make an offering to the work of the church, please put it in an envelope, and put it through the vicarage door, across the road from church, at 1 St Chad’s Drive. Don’t leave it in church as a source of temptation to other visitors! Thank you.

Please help yourself to a copy of the parish magazine from the table on the way out of church. It tells you about all that is happening in our parish. If you’d like to come to anything at all, you’d be very welcome.

As you prepare to go out of church and into the grounds, please give thanks for the work of those who tend our garden, and keep it looking beautiful. It is intended as a sign of the beauty of God and the diversity of creation. And pray too for the various community and church groups who use our parish centre throughout the week, caring for people’s practical needs in our area and elsewhere. Details of these are on the inside back page of the parish magazine. All are welcome.