Divine invitation

GET the message . . . Bishop of Middleton, Mark Davies (right) and the Area Dean for Oldham West, David Penny

OLDHAMERS are being given a gentle nudge in the holy direction.

A giant 20ft x 30ft billboard is crossing Greater Manchester by truck.

And after spreading the gospel in Bolton and Bury, the message rolled into Oldham to publicise Back to Church Sunday this weekend.

Handing out the invites were the Bishop of Middleton, the Right Rev Mark Davies and the Area Dean for Oldham West, the Rev David Penny, who is also vicar of St Matthew’s, Chadderton. Back to Church Sunday began in the Manchester Diocese in 2004. Now, all England’s 44 dioceses take part.

The Bishop said: “We invite people to ‘come as they are’ and experience an extra special warm welcome from their local parish church.

“We look forward to meeting acquaintances old and new.”