From the Vicar
Parish Magazine, June/ July 2025
Dear Friends,
As I write this my final letter before moving onto new pastures at Mossley Hill, I have been reflecting on what has happened during my time here in West Warrington. There are three things which I think have been particularly significant.
Firstly, the faithfulness of God. It has been a challenging time health-wise for all of us as a family, and it has been challenging at times for me as the Vicar too. Yet throughout it all, God has been faithful. He has never given up on me, and I do not think He has given up on us as a church. As St. Matthew reminds us at the end of his gospel, “And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Secondly, my levels of expectancy about what God can do have risen. I’m thinking here particularly about the wonderful ways in which God has used the Alpha Course, the Growing in Faith course, and Talking Jesus course (amongst others) plus our small groups to help people explore and grow in faith. I’m thinking also about the wonderful ways in which God has met our needs financially as a church through the various gift days we have had (including for our new extension), as well as the stewardship initiatives. New people have also offered to take on new roles in the life of the church, and what a blessing that has been. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3: 20-21)
Thirdly, I have learnt the benefits (as well as the challenges) of being part of a team ministry. Team hasn’t always been easy, but it has opened up some wonderful opportunities to share together in mission and ministry, as well as to get to know a great bunch of people across West Warrington. Do get involved with our new Parish of Warrington as it comes into effect in the New Year and discover for yourself what the Psalmist said, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133: 1)
So as I sign off this letter, I would like to say thankyou to all who have journeyed with me here over the course of the nearly past 10 years. Thanks to all who have served in various capacities and to those who have given. Please support John as the churchwarden with Ian, Margaret and Nathan as assistant wardens, plus the members of the PCC, and support each other. Please pray for one another and for me in the new ministry God has called me to, as I will be praying for you.
With my best wishes and prayers,
Jeremy Tear
Pioneer Team Rector
Team Letter, April 2025
Dear Friends,
The months of this year are flying by, and we are now in Holy Week on the cusp of Easter. Please do join in our Team services and other special services this Holy Week, alongside whatever is going on in your own churches. Our celebrations at Easter only make sense if we journey through this week with Jesus, rather than simply jump from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. Our team and special services are:
| Maundy Thursday 17 April | Team Communion | St. Mary’s, 7.30 p.m. |
| Vigil | St. Mary’s, 8.30 – 9.30 p.m. (you are welcome to stay for as short or as long as you wish) | |
| Good Friday 18 April | Churches Together Service | Honiton Square, Penketh, 12 noon |
| Last Hour at the Cross | St. Philip’s, 2 p.m. | |
| Holy Saturday 19 April | Deanery Vigil | St. Margaret’s, Orford, 7 p.m. |
Part of the busyness of this year has been taken up with the ongoing work surrounding Fit for Mission. Our deanery PCCs have been voting on whether to continue their involvement in creating a larger single parish, and the results of this will be known shortly. Whatever is decided, it will be important to try to find ways of remaining united as Christians in our deanery churches, given the differing views on this issue. That remains the case in relation to the Living in Love and Faith process as well, including the use of prayers of blessing within public worship and potentially within stand-alone services too.
Within our Team, the process of trying to find a new Vicar for St. James (to be shared with St. Barnabas) continues and it is hoped that an appointment will be made by the end of this year. An appointment process will also begin as I leave St. Mary’s on Sunday 1 June to take up a new role as Pastoral Co-ordinator at Mossley Hill Parish Church in South Liverpool. There will be a faith (bring and share) lunch after the 10 am service and I would be delighted to see people from across the team at that. It’s been an honour to serve as the Team Rector here and I am very grateful for people’s support and prayers for myself and my family during what has been an encouraging and challenging nearly 10 years. Please do pray for Sarah, Rebecca, Mal, Steve and Andrew as our clergy, and for Marise, Paul and June as our local missional leaders, and for each other as you continue to serve God and share Jesus with others here.
Finally, I wanted to promote the use of the Church Warrington prayer app for the prayer walking that we are invited to participate in as churches across our town from Easter Sunday (20 April) to Pentecost Sunday (8 June). Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone could pray for every street in our town during this time? Visit https://churchwarrington.prayerwalk.app/
With my best wishes for a very Happy Easter,
Jeremy Tear, Pioneer Team Rector
Get In Touch
ST Mary's Church of England
Liverpool Road, Great Sankey,
Warrington WA5 1RE
HOW TO GET HERE
Travel by Bike: There are cycle racks to lock your bike to in front of our extension.
Travel by Bus: The number 14 and 15 services run from Warrington Town Centre to near the church and take about 15 minutes.
14 - Warrington - Hood Manor - Penketh/Gt Sankey (Circ) | Warrington's Own Buses
15 - Warrington - Hood Manor - Gt Sankey/Penketh (Circ) | Warrington's Own Buses
Travel by Train: The nearest station with a regular service is Warrington West. Trains from both Liverpool and Manchester take around 30-40 minutes. It takes 15 minutes to walk from the station to St.Mary's.
Warrington West Station | Trains to Warrington West & Times | Northern
Travel by Car: The church is situated just off the A57 road from Warrington Town centre to the M62 motorway at Junction 7. There is a small area to park in front of the church, which takes about 5 to 6 cars. Otherwise, there is parking at the Sankey for the Penketh train, which is a 5-minute walk away.