Valentine’s Day – Tuesday 14 February We love because He first loved us – 1 John 4:19
St Mary’s Good News Valentine’s Update
This Valentine’s Day edition of Good News, St Mary’s Parish Magazine, is reproduced below (together with additional material from various notices), use the links to the stories & news items.
The following are a selection of activities, mostly for kids and young people, over the upcoming Easter holidays, enjoy!
Easter fun at Colchester Leisure World
Leisure World will be running a full programme of holiday activities including our popular Kids Camp and Base Camp during the Easter holidays. There are extended opening hours for our Leisure Pool and extra Aquafun and Aquasplat sessions in the Fitness and Teaching pools. With fun in the pools, sports, dance and arts and crafts Leisure World can help you keep boredom at bay. More information online.
Easter fun at High Woods
This Easter you can also join in an Egg-travaganser, search for fairies, build a bird box, learn how to survive in the forest and much more.
Fenwick Treasure coming to Colchester Castle!
The Fenwick Treasure is set to be unveiled to the public at Colchester Castle with an open event on Thursday 24th March 2016. Found underneath the Williams and Griffin store on High Street Colchester the hoard has been dubbed the Fenwick hoard.
The hoard includes: 2 pairs of gold earrings, 1 gold bracelet, 2 gold armlets, 5 gold finger-rings, 1 silver chain and loop, 1 copper-alloy bulla, 1 silver armlet, 2 silver cuff bracelets, 1 glass intaglio, a collection of Roman republican coins, and the remains of a silver pyxis (jewellery box).It is presumed that the hoard was buried during Boudica’s sacking of Colchester in AD 60. Further details on the hoard can be found to the right.
Visitors to the Castle will be able to view first hand a fascinating display of these captivating archaeological finds, which are of international significance. The objects and their stories really bring the vivid tale of the Boudican uprising to life. Find out more here: www.cimuseums.org.uk/fenwickhoard.
Eggs-ilerating fun at Sky Ropes this Easter
Great Notley Country Park’s Sky Ropes will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt over the upcoming Easter holidays between 25 March until 10 April.
Get the kids outdoors this Easter for less
Essex Outdoors is running a ‘five days for the price of four’ promotion over the Easter Holidays. The award-winning Activity Days offer children aged 8 to 16 years old a great way to keep active during the holidays. The activity days cost £30 per child but as a special offer this Easter, Essex Outdoors is offering a fifth day free if four School Holiday Activity Days are booked.
Transport Fest
27th March at the Museum of Power, Hatfield Road, Langford nr Maldon CM9 6QA
Our special theme this year is ‘Retro Cars’ featuring all forms of 1950’s – 1990’s transport and classic vehicles. With live music, craft stalls 1950s -1990s transport displays, retro and vintage stalls, nostalgic live music, steam train rides, Steam Pump Tea Room and traditional Ice Cream Parlour.
Adult £6:00; Concessions £5:00; Children five to fifteen: £2:00; Children under five: Free.
Miniature steam train open for rides (extra charge applies)
Entry to Museum and ‘Astaria’ Model Village included.
Children’s Activities including Easter Egg Hunt
“Marshall” the Lilleshall pumping engine will be run by STEAM and other oil / diesel engines will be running.
Join us for British Science Week at Hollytrees Museum as we celebrate all things clocks! Come along Saturday for activities from how to make electricity from fruit and veg to creating your own crafty clock face! Events are all FREE.
Looking for fun, engaging activities to inspire your family over Easter? Look no further than Colchester Museums. There’s so much to do, from an Eggstravaganza to animal activities, archery, dream catcher workshops and more!
RHS Hyde Hall Easter Fun
Chicks, bunnies and ducklings, interactive story trails, art and craft workshops and the Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt are all part of the daily Easter activities happening on various dates between Sat 19 March and Sun 10 April at RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford CM3 8ET.
Production of ‘Amazing Grace’ by Oddments Theatre Company at Christ Church, Colchester 7.30pm on Friday 11th March, tickets from tel: 542307.
Good Friday at the Mercury Theatre – Hope Undefeated – 25 March @ 7.30pm – free admission.
Messy Church
Our next Messy Church is this Sunday @ 9.30am when the theme will be the events leading up to Easter. There will be something for all ages so everyone is welcome. Don’t forget the pre-Messy Church prayer meeting on Thursday @ 7pm in church.
Other Diary Dates
All the following are at St Mary’s, West Bergholt unless otherwise stated:
Tues 8 March – 11am Village Communion at St Mary’s
Tues 8 March – Lent Group – refreshments at 8pm and end at 9.30pm. This year’s theme is personal prayer.
Weds 9 March – 11.45am Funeral for Don Turner
Thurs 10 March – 9am Coffee morning;
Thurs 10 March – Messy Church Prayer meeting @ 7pm
Sun 13 March – 9.30am Messy Church; 4.30pm Evening Prayer
Sun 13 March – 9.30am Communion, St Peter’s, Boxted;
Sun 13 March – 11.15am Communion, All Saints’, Gt Horkesley;
Sun 13 March – 6pm Storytime Club @ New Village Hall, Gt Horkesley
Tues 15 March – Lent Group – refreshments at 8pm and end at 9.30pm. This year’s theme is personal prayer.
Thurs 17 March – 9am coffee morning; 2.30pm 5T’s
Sun 20 March – 11.15am Palm Sunday Communion Service
Sun 20 March – 8am said Communion
Sun 20 March – 9.30am Sung Communion, St Mary’s, Langham;
Sun 20 March – 11.15am Palm Sunday Praise Service, St John’s, Gt Horkesley;
Sun 20 March – 4.30pm Evensong, St Peter’s, Boxted.
Maundy Thursday – 24 March – 8pm Fellowship Meal at St John’s, Great Horkesley
Good Friday – 25 March – 10am service at St Mary’s, West Bergholt
Easter Sunday – 27 March – 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, West Bergholt
Sat 16 April – training day at West Bergholt on prayer & healing ministry
Annual Parochial Church Meeting – Sun 17 April after 11.15am Communion
Senior Citizen’s Lunch – Sat 23 April
Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 4 March @ 4pm at St Mary’s
Thank you to Kate Penrose and Judith Fletcher for organising this years’ service and to all who baked cakes and served refreshments for the afternoon team beforehand. It was a lovely service and very well attended.
Sunday Bible Readings
Sun 13 March – John 12:1-8– A woman anoints Jesus with perfume.
Sun 20 March – Luke 19:28-44 – the events of Palm Sunday.
This news update includes notices of upcoming services and other events of interest both in the Easter period and after.
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is being performed by the Oddments Theatre Company on Friday 11th March at Christ Church, Ireton Road, Colchester. Starting at 7:30pm tickets are £7.50 booked in advance (call the Church office on 01206 542307) or £10 on the door.
Amazing Grace is the incredible true story of John Newton: a sailor who turned his back on God, a man of no morals and a trader of slaves. Set in the height of the slave trade in the 18th century, a cast of five take the audience on a dramatic journey of discovery as John finds out about God’s infinite love and saving grace. The production is an hour and a half long plus an interval and will be an enjoyable and moving evening of entertainment. It is suitable for ages 14+ and features music, an exciting set and period costumes.
Good Friday at the Mercury Theatre
Being led by Seeking God’s Blessing for Colchester, this event is themed on “Hope undefeated” and it takes place on Friday 25th March commencing at 7:30pm, the Speaker will be Rev Mark Ambrose, admission is free – retiring offering. Seeking God’s Blessing for Colchester works to enable Christian Churches and Agencies in the Borough of Colchester to work together so that the world may believe in Jesus. The group is also planning a ‘Walk of Witness’ through the town centre on Good Friday with further details being announced once agreed with the various statutory bodies.
Other Diary Dates
All the following are at St Mary’s, West Bergholt unless otherwise stated:
Tue 23 Feb – 8pm – Lent Group
Thu 25 Feb – 9am – Coffee Morning
Sun 28 Feb – 9:30am – Morning Worship
Sun 28 Feb – 8am – BCP Communion, All Saints
Sun 28 Feb – 9:30am – Communion, St Mary’s, Langham
Sun 28 Feb – 11:15am – Communion, All Saints’, Gt Horkesley
Tue 01 Mar – 8pm – Lent Group
Thu 03 Mar – 9am – Coffee Morning
Thu 03 Mar – 2:30pm – 5T’s
Fri 04 Mar – 4pm – Women’s World Day of Prayer (see below)
Fri 04 Mar – 7:45pm – Wired
Sat 05 Mar – Vocations Day, Christ Church, Ireton Road (see below)
Sun 06 Mar – 9:30am – Mothering Sunday Communion Service
Sun 06 Mar – 9:30am – Communion, St Mary’s, Langham
Sun 06 Mar – 11:15am – Mothering Sunday Parade Service, All Saints’, Gt Horkesley
Sun 20 Mar – 11:15am – Palm Sunday – Communion
Thu 24 Mar – 8pm – Maundy Thursday – Fellowship Meal at St John’s, Great Horkesley
Fri 25 Mar – 10am – Good Friday – Service
Sun 27 Mar – 9:30am – Easter Sunday – Communion
Sat 16 Apr – Training day at West Bergholt on prayer & healing ministry
Sun 17 Apr – 11:15am – Communion
Sun 17 Apr – Annual Parochial Church Meeting – after communion service
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This year we will be having afternoon tea at 4pm followed by the service at 4.45pm. The service has been written by Christian women from Cuba on the theme ‘Receive children, receive me.’ Children & men welcome!
Vocations Day
Being held at Christ Church, Ireton Road, Colchester this is a day’s course to think about your discipleship in the church and the world. For further details please phone 01245 294453 or email Geoff Read – [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Sunday Bible Readings
Sun 28 Feb – Luke 13:1-9 – Jesus calls the people to repent.
Sun 06 March – Luke 2:33-35 – Mary & Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple.
I used to love doing jigsaw puzzles when I had the time (before I became a parent and a working Mum!) but isn’t it frustrating when you realise that there is a vital piece of the puzzle missing?
Information published by a Christian group called ‘Journey into Wholeness’* indicates that although the percentage of the population who would describe themselves as Christians is in decline, the percentage of people who claim to have had a ‘spiritual’ experience is on the rise. These spiritual experiences may include seeing a pattern in events, being aware of the presence of God, answers to prayer and being aware of a sacred presence in nature. Apparently, over 90% of people in Britain believe in something.
Many people search in all sorts of places for that elusive feeling of inner peace, or purpose in their lives, not realising that Jesus could in fact be the vital missing piece which makes sense of their lives.
If you are curious to know more, you are very welcome to come to the Lent course on Tuesday evenings starting on 16 February, when we will be looking at personal prayer (see page 5 for more details). You will also be very welcome at the Good Friday service on 25 March at 10am, which is a time for quiet reflection amidst the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, or at our Easter Sunday service on 27 March at 9.30am, which is a livelier occasion!
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Best wishes, Liz Dixon
* Journey into Wholeness, Essex Group, is a Christian group which seeks to connect with Spiritual Seekers who come to Mind, Body and Soul exhibitions.
For all the Saints
Yes – I know I’ve missed All Saints’ Day (November 1st), but I had other things on my mind during the autumn. The main source of distraction for me was a course of radiotherapy for prostate cancer which took place from Mondays to Fridays for nearly two months. Although I wouldn’t have chosen this lifestyle for the relevant period, nevertheless it wasn’t a negative experience. For a start, I received the treatment in the radiotherapy department at Colchester General Hospital. This environment has been well-planned and is pleasant, relaxing and sociable. The equipment there is state-of-the-art and represents some of the most modern in Europe. If you want to know what £25 million looks like, then pop your head round the door! The staff were friendly, professional and efficient. It’s the sort of place that makes me feel pleased that I’ve been conscientious in paying my taxes throughout my life, as well as making me proud to be a supporter (and ex-employee) of the National Health Service.
But what particularly made my experience a positive one was the range of wonderful people I met there – people I wouldn’t otherwise have encountered. There were the members of staff, fulfilling various roles, all of whom were conscientious and caring. And there were my fellow-patients (and their families and friends), some of whom were facing difficult situations – but were getting on with their lives as best they could with a cheerful and positive outlook. There was a great deal of good-humoured support given to each other, without which I for one would not have completed the course of treatment as well as I did. When I needed some quiet time on my own, I could retreat to the chapel which is an oasis of calm and peace in the middle of a busy hospital – and which is maintained by another band of saints.
So although this wasn’t an experience that I would have chosen, I do give thanks to God for all the saints I met in this process – many of whom would be very surprised (and possibly offended) to hear themselves referred to as such! If you’re faced with the prospect of radiotherapy treatment then there really is no cause for alarm – and be prepared to encounter a number of living saints!
Michael
Lent Group 2016
St. Mary’s will be holding a series of 5 Lent studies in the church hall on the following dates:
Tuesday evenings @ 8pm in the church hall:
February 16th & 23rd
March 1st, 8th & 15th
The sessions will start with refreshments at 8pm and will finish by 9.15pm. The studies will be looking at the topic of personal prayer (this is in response to a need identified in the church survey). All are welcome – you do not have to attend each session – just come to what you can – you will be made very welcome.
As with last year’s Lent Group, folk from West Bergholt Methodist Church and Great Horkesley, Langham and Boxted parish churches will be joining us.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Sunday 17 April 2015 at 12.15pm in the church
Our Annual Church meeting will be held this year on Sunday 17 April at about 12.15pm, straight after the 11.15am Communion service. More details will follow in the April Good News.
Senior Citizens Lunches
We would like to hold our popular Senior Citizens lunches more frequently, perhaps every 2 months instead of only once a term. The lunches are a much valued opportunity for the older members of our village to enjoy some company and a home cooked meal, particularly for those who live alone. If you can help with the organisation of the additional lunches, please contact Kate Penrose (210225) or Murray Harlow (07989 720256).
The River of God – Heathlands School Worship Display
In October last year, Heathlands School unveiled their new Worship Display for the school hall. The display focuses on a river and was lovingly created by Jo Jeffery from various shades of blue material. The photograph opposite gives an idea of what it looks like, although it’s a shame we can’t show it in colour!
In a whole school assembly, Jo explained to the children the key features of the river:
The River has been deliberately handmade to reflect the uniqueness of each of us and how we are carefully thought of and created with time, care and attention with our own mix of unique personalities and abilities.
The sides of the River are deliberately not stitched to reflect the fact that we are capable of big dreams and visions for an unlimited life.
The River is all stitched with a triple gold thread to reflect Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It’s matt gold to show the humility of Jesus who came as a servant.
The back of the River is all in gold to reflect how God’s love never leaves us throughout the whole of our life, even when we can’t see it (just as we can’t see the gold background).
Inside the river all the threads have been left loose rather than cut off or stitched in. This demonstrates that sometimes we have regrets, things we’re sorry for, things we wish we hadn’t said or done. When we give these loose threads to God, He can weave them back into our lives as something beautiful, even if this is painful and may require us to say sorry, or to work hard to finish something we’ve started.
The plan is for all pupils, and staff, to add to the display so that eventually all pupils are represented on it. This term, each class has been asked to design a fish to reflect one of the school’s Christian values, such as hope, forgiveness and thankfulness. Every pupil and member of staff will then contribute in some way to the making of the fishes, so that the whole school will be represented in the Worship Display.
I look forward to seeing the fishes in due course and am grateful to Jo Jeffrey and head teacher Jeremy Hallum for allowing me to reproduce the article which appeared in the school newsletter last October.
Liz Dixon
Noticeboard
Easter Flowers
Easter is rapidly approaching!
This year Lent begins on Wednesday 10 February so we will soon be thinking about flowers for our church for Easter Sunday on 27 March. Hopefully by then, after our topsy turvey winter, there will be lots of bright spring flowers to choose from.
Please put Easter Saturday 26 March in your diaries now and come along to help from 9.45am on that day. Ideas and suggestions gratefully received at any time. Thank you.
Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 4 March – 4pm at St Mary’s Church, West Bergholt
This year we are doing something different for Women’s World Day of Prayer: we will be having afternoon tea here at St Mary’s at 4pm, followed by the service at 4.45pm. The service has been written by Christian Women from Cuba and the theme is ‘Receive children, receive me’.
Everyone is welcome, including men and children! So that we have an idea of numbers for catering, please contact Kate Penrose:
The next edition of the monthly Diocesan newspaper is now available – please do pick one up from the back of the church – it’s well worth a read!
Vocations Day – Saturday 5 March
Being held at Christ Church, Ireton Road, Colchester this is a day’s course to think about your discipleship in the church and the world.
For further details please phone 01245 294453 or email Geoff Read – [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Christian Aid co-ordinators needed!
A reminder that Richard Chadborn is stepping down from his role as co-ordinator for the village Christian Aid collection and is looking for a team of 2 or 3 people to take over from him. If you feel you could help out in any way, please contact Richard on 01206 240541.
It is a very worthwhile cause and raises around £2000 a year to help people in need all over the world.
Dates for Your Diary
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
Sunday 17 April after the 11.15am service
Home Groups
Our home groups will continue on the following dates:
Thursday 10am (Rachel Hutchings): 4/2, then break for Lent.
Tuesday 8pm (Michael Foster) – continues after Easter on 12/4, 26/4, 10/5, 24/5 & 7/6.
Lent Groups
16/2, 23/2, 1/3, 8/3 & 15/3 – see above for more details
Open House & 5T’s
Open House every Thursday morning at 9am in term times
5T’s – 2.30pm on 4/2, 18/2, 3/3, 17/3 & 31/3.
Wired
Youth Group for Secondary School Students
Fridays @ 7.45pm in the church on the following dates:
5 February – Talent night;
4 March;
1 April – chocolate night;
6 May;
10 June – Boxted v Bergholt;
8 July – Pool Party
Contact Mark for further details (241617).
Lent & Easter Services
10 February – Ash Wednesday Holy Communion – 8pm @ St Mary’s
24 March – Maundy Thursday Fellowship Meal & Communion service – 8pm @ St John’s, Great Horkesley
25 March – Good Friday service – 10.00am @ St Mary’s
27 March – Easter Sunday Holy Communion – 9.30am @ St Mary’s, led by Rev. Geoff Read
Sunday Gospel Readings – February and March
Our Bible readings for every Sunday are taken from the Lectionary, a table of psalms and readings authorised for use in public worship of the Church of England.
Date
Reading
Theme
Sunday 7 February
Luke 9:28-36
Jesus is transfigured on the mountain
Sunday 14 February
Luke 4:1-13
Satan tempts Jesus in the desert
Sunday 21 February
Luke 13: 31-35
Jesus grieves over Jerusalem
Sunday 28 February
Luke 13: 1-9
Jesus calls the people to repent
Sunday 6 March
Luke 2: 33-35
Mary & Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple
Sunday 13 March
John 12:1-8
A woman anoints Jesus with perfume
Sunday 20 March
Luke 19: 28-44
Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey (Not the set reading)
Sunday 27 March
Luke 24: 1-12
Jesus rises from the dead
Regular Events
1st Sunday in the month
9.30am Holy Communion + BUGS
2nd Sunday in the month
9.30am Family Worship
6.30pm (4.30pm in winter) Evening Prayer
Combined service with Methodist Church and the parishes of Great Horkesley and Langham with Boxted. The location and times of the service rotate between the 5 churches.
Thursdays at 9.00 am
Drop in for coffee during term time.
Thursdays at 2.30 pm
5Ts (Together for Tea on Thursdays at Two-Thirty) 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays in the month.
Contacts
Priest in charge:
Rev Dr Mandy Elmes,
The Rectory, 1 Church Close,
West Bergholt CO6 3JZ
Tel 01206 240906
Mob 07872 649967
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Rainbows, Brownies and Guides
Enquiries regarding Rainbows, Brownies & Guides to 07757 636446, [antibot mailto=”[email protected] or www.girlguidingessexne.org.uk”]
Cubs & Beavers contact: 241666
Scouts contact: 240549
Services at a Glance
February
Sunday 7 February 9.30am Holy Communion with BUGS
Tuesday 9 February 11.00am Combined Communion service at St Mary’s
Weds 10 February Ash Wednesday 8.00pm Holy Communion service Also 11 am Communion at St Mary’s , Langham
Sunday 14 February 9.30am Messy Church (No BUGS)
4.30pm Evening Prayer Service Also 9.30am Communion, St Mary’s, Langham; 11.15am Communion, All Saints’, Gt Horkesley; 6pm Storytime Club, New Village Hall, Great Horkesley
Sunday 21 February 11.15am Holy Communion with Baptism and BUGS Also BCP Communion, St Mary’s, Langham; 9.30am Family Service, St Peter’s, Boxted; 11.15am Morning Praise, St John’s, Gt Horkesley
Sunday 28 February 9.30am Morning Worship with BUGS
March
Sunday 6 March Mothers’ Day 9.30am Holy Communion with BUGS
Tuesday 8 March 11.00am Combined Communion service at St Mary’s
Sunday 13 March 9.30am Messy Church (No BUGS)
4.30pm Prayer Book Evening Service
Sunday 20 March Palm Sunday 11.15am Holy Communion (No BUGS)
Thursday 24 March Maundy Thursday 8.00pm Holy Communion Service @ St John’s, Great Horkesley
Good Friday 25 March 10.00am Good Friday Meditation service
Easter Sunday – 27 March 9.30am Holy Communion service
As we approach Easter there are a lot of services taking place in West Bergholt during Holy Week leading up to Easter and of course for Easter itself. Services will be taking pace in both the Methodist and St Mary’as Churches, those we are aware of to date are:
Methodist
At the Methodist Church the following services are taking place, all to be led by Rev Ruth Ridge:-
Friday 3 April – Good Friday -11.00am service.
Saturday 4 April – 8.00pm a short reflective service.
Sunday 5 April – Easter Day – 11.00am service with Holy Communion.
Thursday 2 April – Maundy Thursday – 8pm Passover Meal and Communion Service. Please could you let Dorothy Chadborn know if you would like to come so that she knows how many to cook for (there is a list in church or you can phone her on 240541).
Saturday 4 April – Family Fun Easter Eggstravaganza –10-12 noon – there will lots of activities for Children and their parents to enjoy, including a prayer station.
Sunday 5 April – Easter Sunday – 9.30am Family Holy Communion Service led by Rev Mandy Elmes.
Colchester Service
Friday 3 April – Good Friday at the Mercury Theatre – @ 7.30pm – A time to reflect through music and word, led by the Bishop of Colchester, Rt Rev Roger Morris
Everyone is welcome to any or all (!) of the above services.
West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding another of their popular Easter Coffee and Craft mornings for young families. This is taking place on Monday 30th March from 10.30 to 12.00 and promises fun activities for young families. The session will take place in the Methodist Church Hall, Chapel Lane and ALL ARE WELCOME but, sorry, we are unable to accept unaccompanied children. The cost is £2.50 per family.
Further details from Andrew Wilks on 01206 242511.
If you are looking for something crafty to do over the Easter holidays why not try your hand at:
decorating a mug (3rd & 10th April – £2.50),
doing some scratch art (4th & 11th April – making a book mark (50p) or key ring (£1)),
making a mobile (9th April – bird house design or jungle animal £1.50 or snake £1) or maybe
doing some decopatching (5th & 12th April – small box or heart – £2.50).
There’s no need to book, just turn up at Blue Owl, 10a Colchester Road, between 10:30 – 3:30 on each day although please note children must be supervised.
