This month sees the celebration of Pentecost, the time in the Church calendar when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples, visible as tongues of fire, and they began to speak in many different languages. Then the disciples went out and preached, telling everyone about Jesus and his sacrifice and love for us all.
Many of us often call this celebration Whitsuntide. It appears to have begun on 19th July 1821 when the children of Manchester processed to commemorate the coronation of George IV. On that day children of all denominations walked in procession from their Sunday schools and assembled at Ardwick Green to sing "God save the King". From then on, this annual festival flourished, and the children’s walking took place at the time of Pentecost. It is thought it became known as Whitsuntide because the children wore new clothing, the girls in white dresses and the boys with new trousers and white shirts; although it is also said it is because we are witnesses of Christ as the disciples were during their lifetime.
Whit Friday, later on, seems to have become the most popular day for walking. I grew up in Bury, where during the 50’s and 60’s, the Catholics walked on Whit Sunday and the Anglicans walked on the Friday. The Methodists began their walks just as the Anglicans were returning to their churches. This was because it would not have been possible to have all walked at once, as the meeting point for all the churches in Bury, (Union Square), would not have fitted everybody on; wonderful to hear so many people praising God, usually to the accompaniment of a Brass Band.
And so this month, weather permitting, we shall continue this long-held Northern tradition of Whit walking. This year, at Pentecost, Sunday May 27th, we shall meet at 2.00pm and walk around part of the parish, before joining members of other North Chadderton Churches in Chadderton Hall Park for an afternoon of fun and games with refreshments to consume. This will culminate with a service of worship.
Let us not forget that at this time of the celebration of Pentecost, we are thanking God for sending us the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate, as we aim to spread the Message of our Lord Jesus Christ to others who do not yet know Him.
Ann Tattersall
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This month sees the celebration of Pentecost, the time in the Church calendar when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples, visible as tongues of fire, and they began to speak in many different languages. Then the disciples went out and preached, telling everyone about Jesus and his sacrifice and love for us all.
Many of us often call this celebration Whitsuntide. It appears to have begun on 19th July 1821 when the children of Manchester processed to commemorate the coronation of George IV. On that day children of all denominations walked in procession from their Sunday schools and assembled at Ardwick Green to sing "God save the King". From then on, this annual festival flourished, and the children’s walking took place at the time of Pentecost. It is thought it became known as Whitsuntide because the children wore new clothing, the girls in white dresses and the boys with new trousers and white shirts; although it is also said it is because we are witnesses of Christ as the disciples were during their lifetime.
Whit Friday, later on, seems to have become the most popular day for walking. I grew up in Bury, where during the 50’s and 60’s, the Catholics walked on Whit Sunday and the Anglicans walked on the Friday. The Methodists began their walks just as the Anglicans were returning to their churches. This was because it would not have been possible to have all walked at once, as the meeting point for all the churches in Bury, (Union Square), would not have fitted everybody on; wonderful to hear so many people praising God, usually to the accompaniment of a Brass Band.
And so this month, weather permitting, we shall continue this long-held Northern tradition of Whit walking. This year, at Pentecost, Sunday May 27th, we shall meet at 2.00pm and walk around part of the parish, before joining members of other North Chadderton Churches in Chadderton Hall Park for an afternoon of fun and games with refreshments to consume. This will culminate with a service of worship.
Let us not forget that at this time of the celebration of Pentecost, we are thanking God for sending us the Holy Spirit to be our Advocate, as we aim to spread the Message of our Lord Jesus Christ to others who do not yet know Him.
Ann Tattersall
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