This edition of St Mary’s News starts with Daffodils & Hope and then continues with:
- Eco Church,
- Lent Soup Lunches,
- Vocations Evenings,
- Lent Compline, and
- the usual listings of services and contacts.
Daffodils and Hope
As March beckons, spring bursts onto the scene. The words of William Wordsworth might come to mind as we see the daffodils emerging from beneath the ground:
I wander’d lonely as a cloud
From: I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud, by William Wordsworth
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
With St. David’s day on March the first, and the Marie Curie, Spring Daffodil appeal, we really will be surrounded by Daffodils in March.
Symbol of Hope
They are a symbol of hope, as the winter months go into retreat, new life blossoms all around us, these bright yellow flowers bring joy and hope and often become the perfect gift for mums on Mothering Sunday, given away in little posies in churches up and down the country.
We can often feel all is hopeless
When we turn on the news and see the devastating aftermath of a massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria, or see the marking of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, with no end to the hostilities in sight, we can often feel as if all is hopeless. Yet, even in these most horrifying situations, hope can still be seen in the response of the rescuers on the ground, in the international community sending aid and much needed resources, praying, and rejoicing in every person found alive. In the offer of a home and place of sanctuary for a refugee fleeing war hope is found.
Where do you see hope today?
So where do you see hope today? Perhaps it is in the all the signs of new life, as spring bursts into new life, or in the kindness of a stranger.
The psalmist writes
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful for ever.
Our hope is in the Lord, he is faithful to ever. May we trust in him, and always hold fast to hope.
May God Bless you
Heather
Eco Church
St Mary’s Church is taking part in a scheme to become anEco Church. Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate their care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbour and following God faithfully.
The scheme is run by A Rocha UK, part of a worldwide family of A Rocha organisations committed to nature conservation as an expression of Christian mission.
Looking at the life of our church
It looks at the life of our church in relation to worship and teaching, buildings, land, engagement with the local community and in lifestyles. The actions taken count towards an Eco Church award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. St Mary’s is currently working to achieving the Bronze level award.
Lent Soup Lunches
Join us every Tuesday from 11.30am throughout Lent. The lunches will move around the churches of the six parishes with donations going to Mary’s meals, a charity providing hot meals for pupils in Sub Saharan Africa, and you are also encouraged to bring items for the Food Bank collection points in each of the churches. All are welcome.
| 7th March | St John the Baptist, Mount Bures |
| 14th March | St Mary’s, West Bergholt |
| 21st March | St Peter’s, Boxted |
| 28th March | St Andrew’s, Wormingford |
| 4th April | St John’s, Great Horkesley |
Vocations Evening
WHAT’S MY CALLING? – Colchester Episcopal Area Online Vocations evenings. Mondays 13th and 20th March, 7.30 – 9.00pm. The webinars will allow you to explore your vocational call from different angles and with the support of fellow Christians and guided by the Vocations team. They are open to anyone over the age of 16 and at any stage of life and faith.
In order to access the webinars you will need to register through Eventbrite. If you have any questions, please contact the organiser, Revd. Ian Hilton at [email protected].
Lent Compline
Join us on Zoom every Thursday evening, from now and up to 30 March, for a short, reflective service based on the night time prayer service known as Compline.
Below is the meeting ID and password for anyone wishing to take part. All are welcome.
COMPLINE FOR LENT via ZOOM – every Thursday at 9pm. Meeting ID: 816 1375 0048 Passcode: 40266
Services & Other Dates
| 5th March | 9:30 am | Holy Communion |
| 12th March | 9:30 am | Messy Church |
| 13th March | 7:30 pm | Vocations Evening 1 |
| 14th March | 11:30 am | Lent Soup Lunch at St Mary’s |
| 19th March | 9:30 am | All Age Mothering Sunday Service |
| 20th March | 7:30 pm | Vocations Evening 2 |
| 26th March | 9:30 am | Café Church |
| 2nd April | 9:30 am | All Age Palm Sunday Service & Baptism |
| 9th April | 9:30 am | All Age Easter Celebration Service |
Our Team at St Mary’s
- Priest in Charge: Revd. Heather Wilcox
email: [email protected]
tel: 01206 240906 or 07503 151715 - Assistant Priest: Revd Anne Mason
email: [email protected].
tel: 07895 970834 (Sunday & Tuesday – Thursday). - Church Wardens:
Peter & Caroline Finlay, — [email protected] or 07926 387551 and
Kate & Stephen Penrose, — 07973 421306 - Licensed Lay Ministers (LLMs):
Richard Chadborn—01206 240541;
Michael Foster—01206 241022;
Joy Budden—01206 241871;
Liz Dixon—07914 001212. - Parish Evangelist
Ron Seymour—01206 272579. - Church Administrator:
Donna Luxton — 01206 243683,
email: [email protected].
Church Office Hours — Monday – Friday 10 am – midday. - Hall Bookings:
Nicole Long—01206 240443. - Newsletter Editor:
Liz Dixon
tel: 07914 001212
email: [email protected]. - Website: Stmaryswestbergholt.co.uk
- Follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stmaryswestbergholt.