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St Mary’s News – The Light Edition

St Mary’s News – The Light of the World

A lit candle

This month’s news with Revd Anne’s New Years Message on the Light of the World.  Following this you can find out about:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christmas Message from Revd Anne – The Light of the World

Snowdrops

The shortest day in 2024 was 21st December and since then the days have been getting longer and we’ll get more daylight each day until we reach the longest day in June.  During these sometimes gloomy months bulbs that start flowering early, such as snowdrops, crocus and hyacinths, grow away in the dark, pushing their way through the cold soil, until they reach the light and give us the joy of seeing their flowers.

Keep warm together

The sun gives us light and warmth for free, but often in the winter we have to rely on electric lights and central heating, and may be worrying about the increased costs.  A good way to keep warm and reduce loneliness is to meet up with others – invite a neighbour or friend round, or go along to a café for a hot drink and a chat.  Mental health studies have shown that it is good for us to be connected with other people.  And faith is good for us too – some MRI scan results indicate that in terms of brain function, talking to God resembles conversing with a friend.

Thought-Provoking Painting

The Light of the World Painting by William Holman Hunt - [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67643210

Thinking of light, I’m reminded of an amazing and thought-provoking painting of Jesus by artist Holman Hunt called ‘The Light of the World’, depicting Jesus standing outside a door and knocking to be let in.  He is waiting in the dark with a lantern in his hand, but there is no door handle on the outside – the decision needs to be made by the person whose life and heart is being touched by Jesus.  In the Bible we can read that Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’  

So, whether it’s enjoying the early Spring flowers, having coffee with a friend, snuggling up in the warmth of your own home with a good book or TV programme, or having a chat with God, I pray that you look forward to longer days as the sun shines higher in the sky, and also that you feel the constant warmth of Jesus’ love in your life. (You can see the full sized painting in St Paul’s Cathedral.)

Reverend Anne Mason

Silver Eco Church Award

Silver Eco Church

We are delighted to have achieved our Silver Eco Church Award. It’s been a whole church effort. Some of the things we did include switching our energy provider to a green supplier and committing to reducing our energy footprint year on year; switching to using recycled paper in the church office, using fairtrade items wherever possible, offering meat free options at any meals we provide, and holding a Climate Sunday service with displays and prayer spaces to encourage people to commit to actions to care for the planet.

Eco Church is a national award scheme run by A Rocha UK to encourage churches to care for the planet as an expression of their faith.  

Happy Sustainable New Year

Have you made any new year’s resolutions? Our Deanery Environmental Advocate, Kate Clifton, has helped produce an A-Z of New Year’s Resolutions to care for our planet. Here is a snapshot from them (full copy available in church):

Always remember the principles of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle—explore free exchange sites like Freecycle.

Buy fairtrade products where possible.

Consider travelling by train instead of by plane (it costs 10 times less carbon than flying)

Do support local refill shops such as the one in Layer Road or the Colchester Food Co-operative now based at the Minories in East Hill, Colchester.

Ethical investments  = consider changing your bank to one that does not invest heavily in fossil fuel industries.

Coffee, Tea & Café @ St Mary’s

Café @ St Mary’s—Sat 4 January & Sat 1 February—10am-12pm

Coffee & bacon bap

On Saturday 6 January & 3 February, the church will be open between 10am and 12 midday serving coffee, bacon butties and other refreshments. There will be fun activities for children, games for all ages and the weekend newspapers for the grown-ups to read.

So, if you’d like space to relax or chat, or somewhere to come and warm up while taking the dog out for a walk, do come and visit us. You will be very welcome!

Coffee/Tea and Cake Drop-ins on Thursdays at St Mary’s

Coffee & cake

January can be a gloomy month so, as Revd Anne suggested in her reflection, it’s good if you can meet up with others for a chat! As well as our Saturday morning café on the first Saturday of each month, all are very welcome to join us on Thursdays in the church hall:

  • 10am-11.30am—coffee and cake (term time only—starting back on 9 Jan) – pre-school children welcome, toys available.
  • 2.30-4pm—5Ts Social Group—tea, cake and quizzes (starting back on 16 Jan).

Services

5 January9:30amHoly Communion
5:00pmTaize Service @ St Peter’s Church, Boxted
12 January9:30amMessy Church
19 January9:30amHoly Communion
26 January9:30amCafé Church
2 February9:30am Holy Communion

Our Team at St Mary’s