Maggie Flint and Louise Britton from St Barnabas, Hattersley spent VE Day (8 May) enjoying tea at Buckingham Palace after Maggie was nominated to attend the King's garden party for her interest in mental health having fought and been a voice for those who needed it, particularly those struggling with addiction and related mental health issues. The women were also invited to attend a tour of Westminster by Jonathan Reynolds Business secretary who is part of Christians in Parliament and his wife Claire Reynolds the political advisor to the Prime Minister, both Christians from Tameside.
Whilst in London, they even bumped into the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell on Westminster Bridge and were blessed that he took the time out of his day to chat with them on his way to preach in Westminster for VE day! They told him about their work at ‘Barneys’ and were also able to pray for him throughout the day.
Maggie explains: “I was asked to take a plus one so immediately invited Louise who also attends Barneys and is Families Worker. We are both qualified mental health first aiders and I am deputy safeguarding officer. We have both been attending Barney's for a couple of years now and are thrilled to see the difference that the newish Vicar Sam has made in the local community and his heart for the lost.
“Our church values are "Enjoying God, being family and sharing hope" and we try to live them out daily. The church is growing, and it was amazing to see so many people from Hattersley at Barneys on Easter Day. We were blown away by the hunger for Jesus in the room as many responded to the call to have Jesus in their lives. Please pray we can continue to walk with those who came forward.”
“It is the 45th most deprived in the UK, male life expectancy is five years lower than average and there are higher rates of poverty than nationally. The community are finding a safe and welcoming place in our lovely church, and we just want more and more to be saved.”
Louise added: “St Barnabas is growing rapidly and now with a parent/carer tots group I set up in September, we welcomed our 60th family last week through the doors for free breakfast, play, chat and song/story time about our friend Jesus!
“What an utter privilege it is to be part of such a diverse church with an awesome leader in Rev Sam Durdant-Hollamby. Barneys is truly a home where everyone is given the best welcome and we enjoy God, be family and share hope.”
Rev Sam said: "It really has been a great joy to serve Jesus in Hattersley. He’s up to something and it’s very humbling that he’s invited us to join in. We are continuing to pray that God would mould us and shape into the the likeness of his Son, and embolden us to join him on his mission in our Parish. It’s been wonderful to see how both Maggie and Louise have flourished at Barneys, and that their time in London meeting with the King, and Archbishop has clearly been so blessed."