A LEADING member of Anglican clergy is to spend the lead-up to Easter in Flixton.

The Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, will be in the area during Holy Week — March 25 to March 31 — meeting people, visiting schools and taking part in special services at St Michael’s and St John’s C of E churches, which are part of the Manchester Diocese.

It will be the first time Bishop Davies has devoted the most important time in the Christian calendar solely to a part of the Urmston area and forms part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the consecration of St John’s church, Flixton, now being shared with its ‘parent’ church, St Michael’s.

Highlights of the special programme of events include: Meet the Bishop, at the Roebuck Inn, Church Road, Flixton, on Monday, March 26; a service of wholeness and healing at St Michael’s on Tuesday, March 27; a Bible study at St John’s on Wednesday, March 28, and a walk of witness from St John’s to St Michael’s on Good Friday, March 30.

Bishop Mark will also take part in services and events at St Michael’s and St John’s on Maundy Thursday, March 29, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, March 31, as well as preaching at St John’s on Sunday, March 25, and visiting local schools during the week.

He said: “I am excited to be visiting Flixton and looking forward to meeting its people.

"Easter is a time to share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection, and I hope my visit will help to invigorate and support Christian life in the area and at the same time welcome others to see what we’re all about.”

For more information on St John’s and St Michael’s churches, visit stjohnsflixton.org.uk/holy-week-2018-a-week-to-remember/