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St Mary’s News – The Summer Edition

AI generated abstract image to reflect the idea of the Taste of Summer in a church context.

The Taste of Summer & Other News From St Mary’s

This month’s news starts with Revd Heather’s ‘Taste of Summer’ message.  Following this, you can find out about events including:

… the usual listings of services & contacts.

The Taste of Summer

Popping into the supermarkets at this time of the year, we are often met by signs which say something along the lines of ‘The taste of summer’, which have all been hung strategically in aisles full of foods suitable for picnics on the beach and BBQ’s in our gardens, outdoor, social gatherings with friends and family.

What is it?

So what is the taste of summer? I guess it’s fresh salads, ice cream, BBQ with the hint of charcoal as an added extra, all washed down with our favourite ice-cold drinks. These are the foods that the supermarkets hope will evoke the image of long hot summer days.

Fresh Veg…

In the last couple of days, I have started picking the first vegetables from my garden, you can’t get any fresher than that. The cucumbers, courgettes and raspberries, will soon be joined by peas, runner beans, tomatoes, sweetcorn, chillies and eventually in the autumn pumpkins. That is the taste of summer to me, fresh produce straight from the garden and onto our plates.

Discover the Goodness of the Lord

In psalm 34.8 the psalmist invites us to:

‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’

… the psalmist is inviting us to experience Gods goodness personally. To taste involves testing or sampling; to see involves understanding or perceiving. The phrase ‘Taste and see’, then means ‘try and experience’. The writer is urging God’s people to discover the goodness of the Lord by personal trial and experience it for themselves. He doesn’t want readers to merely take his word for it that the Lord is good; he wants them to actively experience and know for themselves that the Lord is good.

So as we experience the ‘Taste of summer’ may we also ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’. May we make time to try and experience that goodness that God, that Jesus offers us, this summertime and always.

May God bless you and all your senses!

Spotlight on Safeguarding

Jenny Noakes

‘I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers , and under his wings you will find refuge.” “Because he loves me” says the Lord, “I will rescue him, I will protect him”.’
Psalm 91:2-4 & 14

These words from Psalm 91 remind us that safeguarding is at the centre of everything the church does. In the same way that God protects and cares for us and hears us when we cry out in distress, so must we all model this aspect of God’s nature. In this way we help create a safe space for people to come to know God and reflect God’s love for them in our own actions.

If you have any concerns of a safeguarding nature, please do speak to our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Jenny Noakes, whose contact details are below. Copies of a Pocket Guide to Safeguarding are also available at the back of the church—please feel free to take one.

Church Flowers

Eco-Church logo

As an Eco Church we have been thinking hard about how we consider the planet’s resources and waste in our arranging.  We have purchased some flower “pins” – which can be used with chicken wire, an Agra-Wool block and 2 x Bio Oasis blocks to trial.  Feedback on them to Gemma would be appreciated ([email protected]).  House Plants, simple vases of flowers and dried flowers could also be considered to minimise our reliance on oasis blocks – all ideas are welcome!

July & August Events

Songs of Praise at St Mary’s Old Church—Sunday 20 July @ 2.30pm

Join us as we sing some favourite hymns in the beautiful setting of the Old Church at West Bergholt, followed by refreshments.

All welcome!

Afternoon Tea at the Rectory—Sat   19 July—3pm-5pm

Afternoon Tea

£12 per head for full Afternoon Tea, Children under 16, £5.

All dietary requirements catered for on request.

To book contact Rev Heather 01206 240906 or email:  [email protected].     

Food in School Holidays Club (FiSH)

During the summer holidays, we will be running sessions at St Mary’s Church on the following dates:

Food in School Holidays
  • Monday 28 July & 4, 11 & 18 August
  • Tuesday 26 August & Monday 1 September

The activities and meal are free but please book through the parish office to help with catering.                                          

All Families Welcome!

End of Summer BBQ—31 August

Come and enjoy a BBQ and games in the Rectory garden as summer draws to a close. ALL FREE. Donations of drinks & desserts may be brought on the day. Time TBC.

Services

6 July9:30 amBaptism
13 July9:30 amMessy Church
 5:00 pmEvening Worship
20 July9:30 amHoly Communion
 2:30 pmSongs of Praise at St Mary’s Old Church
27 July9:30 amCafé church
3 August9:30 amBaptism
10 August9:30 amMessy Church
 5:00 pmEvening Worship
17 August9:30 amHoly Communion
24 August9:30 amCafé church
31 August10:30 amJoint Service at St John, Mount Bures

Our Team at St Mary’s

Part of the King’s Ridge Parishes