Rev David Warner column: The power of St George

In his latest guest column for the Tameside Reporter, the Vicar of Mossley, Rev David Warner, talks about two key dates the parish is marking this week.

During this week we celebrate two particular days of importance in our parish.

Today (Thursday) is St George’s Day and so we give thanks for our church and school and also for George’s example which has inspired so many, and continues to do so, across the world. 

On Friday, we mark the anniversary of the opening of St John the Baptist Church Roughtown in 1878. 

Two important days to remember and take stock of all that has been, and look forward to all that can be in the days and years ahead.

This week we’ve been working with St John’s (Mossley) band to see how we can recall the 75th anniversary of VE day on May 8 - we had planned lots of celebrations and an exhibition, but as that’s not to be, there will be a ‘virtual’ celebration instead - we now have recordings of a member of the band playing Last Post and Reveille which will be made public on the day as we remember and give thanks.

You may like to start planning your ‘street party at home’ and get the red, white and blue stuff ready!

Thanks to all continuing to support our foodbank and community in so many and varied ways.

It’s so inspiring to hear of all those people working hard to look out for neighbours, make scrubs for medical staff, and of course we must never forget our keyworkers doing all they can to keep the wheels of our community turning.

St George is famous for slaying the dragon and saving the community it had been terrifying. 

We all have ‘dragons’ in our lives (hopefully not fire-breathing ones) that need to be put back in their proper place so we can look forward without fear.

The fight against Covid-19 is one such fight that all of us can engage in every day: just by staying at home, and by helping any in need. 

St George, patron of England, be our inspiration and guide today and always!

Main image:

The Vicar of Mossley, Rev David Warner