MISSION week begins on Sunday when Atherton churches, schools and the Church Army combine with visitors from Africa in a week of events.

Organiser the Rev Keith Baines has thrown out an open invitation to Athertonians to join in and support the events which he feels can only strengthen community spirit.

Mission week runs from June 8-15 with lots of events and visitors from Atherton's link parish of St Peter and St Paul in Etale, Northern Namibia. Namibia's representatives are Father Risto Haipinge and Hilya Nashivella, an English teacher in a school in Etale.

Daily services, a barbecue, brass band music and a faith lunch are some of the events planned at St John's, St George's and St Philip's churches.

On Sunday, the mission begins with a community service at 11am in the Parish Church conducted by the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev David Gillett, followed by a faith lunch.

At 2pm there's a barbecue at St George's Church, and walkers will set out from St Philip's on a hike to Rivington. At 3pm the Mayor and Mayoress will attend a Dunkirk and D-day Veterans Remembrance Service in the Parish Church. Services will be held at 6.30pm at St Philip's and St George's.

Throughout the week daily services will be held at 12.30pm at St John's. On Monday at 3.45pm a Teddy bears' picnic will be held at St Philip's with a healing service at 7pm.

A craft morning has been arranged from 10am on Tuesday at St Philip's with healing in the Parish Church at 7.30pm. On Wednesday there will be a community evening in the Formby Hall at 7.30pm and on Saturday, June 14, there is a social night at Hag Fold Community Centre. On June 15 normal services will be held and Skelmersdale Brass Band will feature at a songs of praise outside the parish church.