THE new Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd David Walker, borrowed
one of the camels from the three Wise Men, and rode - "at some
speed", I'm told - to answer questions from members of the local
community. The Wise Men on their camels, echoing the journey of the
magi who followed the star 2000 years ago,were seeking for answers
to questions from people who have migrated to the
neighbourhood.
Starting and ending at the proposed site of a new development by
the Trafford Housing Trust, they paused at primary schools on the
way before the Bishop, in bare feet and sandals, mounted a camel as
a Wise Man at St John's, and rode to St Bride's, where he was asked
questions by women from the multi-ethnic community.
"What guides you?" was the first question. "I try to follow
Jesus Christ by the example set by St Francis of Assisi," the
Bishop replied. And, when asked what gifts he brought, he said:
"The gift of fun. Whatever we do we should try to have fun. I also
bring knowledge of issues around housing and regeneration. I bring
a love of God which I hope might be visible to others."
The event was arranged by the Priest-in-Charge of St John's, the
Revd John Hughes, and Elaine Eland, from the St John's Centre, and
brought a number of people from different communities on to the
streets to take photographs of the camels and join the excitement.
It finished with a nativity play performed by teenagers from St
Bride's.