Plunge Into It and Priest Idol

The Reverend James proved to be dog collared Derren Brown

This week a reality star who had really earned his title was with us to bid us a fond farewell.

Long before we settled onto the sofa on a Saturday evening searching for the X-Factor or to criticise the heel turns of some well meaning ex-soap star, Channel 4 offered us the ultimate in religious reality programming with Priest Idol.

The prize was to take charge of a run-down wilderness of a church in a socially, culturally and economically challenged part of Barnsley. There was no second prize.

The winner was a plucky vicar from America called James McCaskill. The Reverend James proved to be dog collared Derren Brown, transforming St. Mary Magdalene Church at Lundwood in Barnsley into a vibrant meeting place with congregations doubling and trebling long after the cameras had left in search of the next Big Brother winner.

Family values

This week, the Reverend James has left the parish after five turbulent years which have seen numbers once again fall, but James told us he feels he has left that pocket of South Yorkshire in a better state than when he found it.

Blackburn Cathedral were offering communion bread blessed by a male

Also this week we met retired vicar Kevin Logan who has helped to launch the Hyndburn branch of The Christian Peoples Alliance Party. Kevin told he will stand at the next general election on a ticket of Christian principles and family values.

In other news, we heard that Blackburn Cathedral has made a u-turn over the decision to offer communion hosts blessed by a male priest, even when a female priest is dispensing holy communion. It was all to do with some people opposing the ordination of women priests. In a statement the Cathedral says it now regrets the decision, and apologises for any pain it caused.

Over in Plungington they are inviting people to Plunge Into It at Plungington at an event next weekend at the Emmanuel Parish Church and Community Centre.

The Reverend Stephen Johnson told us the church has recently been looking at how they can become more relevant to the lives of people living in the area and this is an event to marry church and community life in a more cohesive way.

Dominant force

Looking at the list of attractions they have left no stone unturned to show off the many interests and opportunities for people living in this vibrant part of Preston. It take place on Saturday 19 September 2009 at the church is being opened by the legend that is Sir Tom Finney.

Reverend Gareth Higgs spoke to Joe about Wheatley Lane Methodist Church

Finally, I was in Burnley this week to meet people from the Wheatley Lane Methodist Church and Primary School who are celebrating 150 years of Christian education. We heard from Minister Reverend Gareth Higgs and Head Teacher Mandy Crowcamp.

I met two pupils, firstly Ruth Clarkeson who has spent her life associated with the school. Ruth first crossed its door in 1939, later she taught there for 20 years and is still a regular visitor.

Ruth told me how the school had underpinned her life-long faith and was a dominant force in her early Christian development. I also met Sophie, a current pupil from Year 5, who was so proud of her school.

Join me next week when I'll be at the Laity Conference taking place in Lancaster... I wonder who we will meet there?

Joe Wilson

Joe presents the faith programme on BBC Radio Lancashire from 6am each Sunday.