St Mary’s News Update – a New Administrator
This update starts with news about a new administrator for the 3 parishes and also addresses:
- Mixed media services,
- An Online Alpha Course,
- The Priesting of Rev. Anne Mason,
- Light relief & prayer,
and the usual listings of services and contacts but first, the new administrator:
From Sadness to a New Welcome
With sadness we have accepted Janine Wilde’s resignation as our Three Parishes Administrator. We are delighted for Janine, however, as she has been accepted to train for Ordination into the Church of England. She will be leaving us towards the end of September.
Janine, we send you our very best wishes for your training and your years to come.
A few days ago on 26th August, we held interviews for Janine’s successor. I am delighted to say that Mrs. Jo Rassell was chosen as her successor. She has had a career in banking administration, at all levels, and is an accredited civil and commercial mediator. She is deeply involved in St Luke’s Church in Highwoods, being their Pastoral Assistant, financial adviser, PCC member and Deanery Synod Representative. Jo will be taking up her post towards the end of September after the necessary references and checks have been completed. We give you a very warm welcome Jo.
Both ‘Gathered’ and Zoom Services Continue
It is wonderful that we are now allowed to have services in church and in August we have managed to have a gathered service (where people can attend in person) in each of the villages for which I am Rector.
We have agreed to continue the same pattern of services for September and October and they are listed below. All of the 10 am Communion Services will continue to be available via Zoom and a recording posted on all the churches’ websites.
Under Review
We will keep the situation under review and if things change we will respond appropriately. Should you wonder why West Bergholt appears so often it is because it is the only church in the group that has Wi-Fi and an adequate mobile phone reception.
Online Alpha Course
The Alpha Course is a wonderful introduction/refresher course to the Christian faith for those who are curious, exploring faith or who would simply like to know more, and for Christians who would like to deepen their understanding. This September, our curate, Rev. Anne Mason, will be hosting the Alpha Course via Zoom. The course will run on Wednesdays 7.30 pm—9 pm starting 30th September through to 16th December.
Please be thinking about whether you would like to attend and/or who you could invite along. To register your interest, please email Anne at [email protected].
Priesting of Rev. Anne Mason
Anne was ordained as Deacon last year but will be formally ‘priested’ on Sat 26th September at St John’s Colchester. Sadly she can only have one guest, due to the Covid restrictions, but we will keep her in our prayers and look forward to her celebrating her first Holy Communion with us on 27th September.
Prayer & Light Relief
A Prayer
Keep us, good Lord, under the shadow of your mercy in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful, and lift up all who are brought low;
That we may rejoice in your comfort knowing that nothing can separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
From the Notices
- The sermon this morning: Jesus walks on water;
- The sermon tonight: Searching for Jesus.
Kate asked her Sunday school class to draw a picture of their favourite Bible story. She was puzzled by Sam’s picture which showed four people sitting in a plane, so she asked him which story it represented.
‘The flight to Egypt’ said Sam.
‘I see, so that must be Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus’ Kate said, ‘but who is the fourth person?’
Services & Other Dates
All events are at St Mary’s unless stated otherwise. Kids’ Church is our new form of Sunday school for children. Note, no Evening Prayer Service during winter months.
| 6th September 4th October |
10:00 am | Gathered Communion Service via Zoom at St Mary’s, West Bergholt |
| 13th September 11th October |
8:00 am | Gathered Eucharist at St Peter’s Boxted |
| 9:15 am | Messy Church via Zoom | |
| 10:00 am | Communion via Zoom (broadcast from West Bergholt) | |
| 20th September 18th October |
8:00 am | BCP Gathered Communion at St Mary’s, Langham |
| 10:00 am | Communion via Zoom (broadcast from West Bergholt) | |
| 27th September 25th October |
8:00 am | BCP Gathered Communion at All saints. Gt Horkesley |
| 9:15 am | Café Church via Zoom | |
| 10:00 am | Communion via Zoom (broadcast from West Bergholt) |
If you would like to attend any of the gathered services, or receive the Zoom link for the 10am Communion Services and Messy Church and Café Church services, please email: [email protected].
You are encouraged to wear a face mask please at the gathered services.
Contacts
- Priest in Charge:
Revd Dr Mandy Elmes, 1 Church Close, CO6 3JZ
email: [email protected]
tel: 01206 240906. - Assistant Curate:
Revd Anne Mason
email: [email protected]
tel: 07895 970834 (Sunday & Tuesday – Thursdays). - Church Wardens:
Sue Day—01206 241040;
Ron Seymour—01206 273579. - Lay Readers:
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022;
Joy Budden—01206 241871. - Parish Evangelist
Ron Seymour—01206 272579. - 3 Parish Families’ Worker:
Jo Jeffery—07853 586683. - Church Administrator:
Church Office Hours — weekdays 9 am—1 pm
Janine Wilde — 01206 243683,
email: [email protected]. - Newsletter Editor:
Liz Dixon—01206 243683
email: [email protected]?Subject= Enquiry from WBPC Website. - Hire our hall:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Website:
Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk. - Follow us on Facebook:
facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.