Dear Friends,
Where do I begin? At the beginning, I suppose!
Over four years ago, I began my discernment journey and, if I am honest, I didn’t envisage the joys or the challenges in either the journey or the destination. I have encountered both on the way, but the positives have definitely outweighed any negatives.
The few days before my Ordination was spent on retreat at Hyning Monastery and it was an invaluable three days to be quiet, to pray and to reflect on the momentous day to come.
The culmination was my Ordination Service on Sunday 29th June at Manchester Cathedral and it was a wonderfully exciting and joyous occasion. It was lovely to have so many of you present in the Cathedral for an uplifting and beautiful service. I am only sorry that I couldn’t invite you all. However, many of you were able to join the celebratory gathering in the afternoon at St. Andrew’s and it was amazing to share that time with you.
I really just wished to go on record to say a very big THANK YOU to each and every one of you for your cards, the beautiful flowers and your contribution to my Ordination present of a Home Communion Set, which has been engraved to mark the occasion. I will treasure it and use it in the parish and on my hospital ward visits, so it will be invaluable throughout my ministry.
The whole experience has been so memorable and in some ways overwhelming. I am so grateful to be part of such a caring and loving congregation and community. I am now looking forward to hopefully serving you all in the weeks, months and years to come.
With every blessing,
Angie Foster
What an exciting morning on Sunday 6 July at Christ Church Walmsley: Rev Angie Foster – newly ordained Deacon of the Turton Moorland Team – was formally welcomed at the 8am BCP service by Team Rector, Rev Ian Hepburn 
Rev Angie then led the 9:30am Family & Parade Service, when the Gospel Reading was given superbly by a young Cub Scout, the children enjoyed joining in with percussion accompaniment to the music by River of Life … and Kathy Browning came up with her beautiful daughter to thank everyone for their prayers over the months of her illness and recovery.
And to follow: a brilliant BBQ down at the Hideaway organised by the Scouts, where folk gathered to enjoy a tasty bite to eat, browse the stalls and listen to music. What a splendid morning 
[Thank you to Annabel, Julia & Dawn for the photos]
