St Marys’ Notices – 11th October 2015

Events for the next week:

Monday 12 October – 4.45pm Children s’ confirmation class at the Rectory, West Bergholt
Tuesday 13 October – 11am Village Communion service at St Mary’s, West Bergholt
Tuesday 13 October – 8pm Home Group @ Pat & Roy’s
Wednesday 14 October – 7.30pm Adult Confirmation Class at the Rectory, West Bergholt
Thursday 15 October – 9am Open house in church; 2.30pm 5T’s in church hall
Thursday 15 October – 10am Rachel’s Home Group
Saturday 17 October – 9.30am-4pm – PCCs Away Day at Assington Hall
Sunday 18 October – 11.15am Holy Communion led by Mandy Elmes

Services in Langham with Boxted & Great Horkesley

Sun 18 October – 8.00am BCP Communion at St Mary’s, Langham; 9.30am Morning Worship, St Peter’s, Boxted; 11.15am Morning Praise, St John’s, Great Horkesley

Sunday Bible Readings:

Sun 18 October – Mark 10: 35-45 – Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.

Latest News

Congratulations to Dorothy Chadborn who was licensed as a Pastoral Assistant yesterday at Chelmsford Cathedral, following her successful completion of the Diocesan Pastoral Care Course. In case you are wondering what is the role of a pastoral assistant, the following is a definition from the Diocesan web site:

“Pastoral Assistants are those in whom the Church has discerned special gifts for ‘pastoral care in the church and wider community. They are not people who know all the answers. But they are men and women of prayer; people who reflect on the dilemmas of modern life in the light of the Bible and Christian tradition, and people who want to communicate to others the message of Christ through caring action”.

Our prayers are with Dorothy as she begins her new role.

Messy Church – well done to Caroline Finlay and the Messy Church Team for another great service this morning on the theme of the Rugby World Cup. Lots of children had fun decorating (and eating!) rugby ball shaped biscuits, making puppets and taking part in a quiz. There will be no Messy Church in November as St Mary’s will be joining in with the Village Remembrance Service at the Orpen Hall on 8 November, so the next Messy Church will be on 13 December, when we will have a Messy Nativity!

Christmas Shoe boxes – thank you to everyone who has signed up to complete a shoe box or donate particular items. Completed shoe boxes need to be brought to church or to the parish office by Sunday 1 November, but if you are donating individual items, please could we have them by Sunday 18 October to allow time for making them up into complete shoe boxes. If you need labels for your boxes, there are a few left in church and in the parish office.

All Saints Day Service – Sunday 1 November @ 9.30am – Rev Paul Norrington will be leading and preaching in a special service on the theme of ‘gifts for the building up of the church’. Mandy will staying with us at the end of the service because she no longer has to rush off to take another service on the first Sunday in the month. Everyone is invited to stay for coffee and cake after the service and there will be a chance to discuss the Mission and Opportunity Fund.

Reminders:

Tools with a Mission – thank you to all those who have already donated their unwanted tools. The tools will be collected on 23 October, so there is still time to bring them to the parish office or Richard Chadborn if you haven’t yet had chance to look through your garage.

Dates for Your Diary

Sunday 8 November – 10.45am Village Remembrance Service at the Orpen Hall – please note there will be no Messy Church at St Mary’s that day (apologies for the error in the Good News Magazine).
Sunday 29 November – 11.15am Joint Service at All Saints Church, Great Horkesley, led by Mandy Elmes

Best wishes
Liz Dixon, on behalf of St Mary’s

September 8, 2015September 8, 2015

People, Priests & Problems

Jon Lander, who was a resident of West Bergholt for many years has written a book about the history of St. Mary’s Old Church, titled ‘The People, Priests and Problems of a Country Parish’. The Friends have recently had this published in a booklet form. It is illustrated with colour photographs and is an interesting read, especially for anyone who lives or has lived in West Bergholt.

On Sunday 20th September from 2.30 – 4pm, Jon Lander will be at the old church to meet people and discuss his work. Peter Noakes who provided the photos for Jon’s book will also be there. Peter is putting on a slideshow of photos that he has taken of the interior and exterior of the Old Church. We are offering visitors tea, cold drinks and homemade cake. We hope you will come and join us.

The friends are selling the 20 page booklet for £2.50. All profits from the sale of this booklet will be used by the Friends to care for the Old Church.

August 21, 2015

Environment & Highways – 9th July 2015

The Environment & Highways Sub-Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met on 9th July 2015 when they discussed a range of issues including handymen, traffic safety, Heath footpath and requests from the Scouts & St Mary’s

Environment & Highways Report

Sub-committee Meeting held on Thursday 9th July 2015 in John Lampon Hall

Councillors present	John Gili-Ross, Harry Stone, Rachel Howard, Jenny Church, Phil Walby, Murray Harlow, Rosemary James
Apologies	None

1	Election of vice chairperson
	Rosemary James agreed to take on the role of vice chair for this sub-committee.	RJ
2	Terms of Reference
	The original terms were discussed and it was felt by all that they were suitable. It was proposed that 2 items of the Terms of Reference for the Premises and Recreation sub-committee would sit more suitably in this subcommittee. They are as follows Maintenance of field markings on Lorkin Daniell Field and Poors Land. Liaison with WB Football Club and WB Heath Youth Football Club.
	To be discussed at next Premises and Recreation sub-committee meeting.	PW
3	Traffic Safety Plan
	Since the yellow lines were set in place, there has been little problem with poor parking. Forms have been printed for Parish Councillors to place on the window screens of any cars found parking illegally. As yet none have been needed. The NEEP will be asked to monitor this situation in future.There has been no communication confirming when the remainder of the Highways tasks planned will be carried out.	JGR
3	Handyman work schedule
	a) It is proposed that we employ a temporary handy man for 5 hours a week (possibly a holiday job for a young person) at £5.30 an hour to cover for peak summer times, July and August, when there is more handy man work needed. Propose to advertise on Web site and notice boards. Steve could possibly give extra hours in the meantime.	JGR
	b) The Beacon needs setting on the pole. Steve and Ivor will do this. John to arrange.	JGR
	c) A plaque for the beacon will be ordered by Murray.	MH
4	Footway across Heath by school.
	The surface of the path is slightly rutted, but not a problem at the moment. To be monitored over this autumn and winter.	JGR
5	Scouts
	A letter from the Scouts was received requesting that the PC should cut the grass surrounding the hut. Steve or Ivor could do this but we need more time to consider the request. Need to respond to Scouts for more information for this new request.	JGR
6	Letter from St Mary’s Church
	The Church Warden has requested help from PC with tidying the churchyard. The Church Warden will be asked for a specific proposal on this.	HS
7	Purchase of garden “Blower”
	This has been purchased and is ready for use.
8	Cleaning of Signs at Orpen Hall
	Steve to be asked to clean the “No dogs on Field” signs	JGR
9	Date of next meeting – Thurs 10th Sept 2015 at 5pm (no meeting in August)

March 26, 2015

Holy Week 2015

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.

St Mary’s

Sunday 29 March – Palm Sunday – 9.30am Joint Holy Communion Service.
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.

November 27, 2014December 4, 2014

Christmas is Coming

Christmas Events 2014

Will you meet Mary and Joseph on their journey this year?

The churches in West Bergholt and Great Horkesley, as part of their Christmas preparations, are supporting Mary and Joseph on their journey around the villages.

They will be visiting the various West Bergholt Guide, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers and Rainbow packs in the lead up to the Gift and Parade service with the Uniformed organisations on Sunday 7th December at 11.00am. This will take place in the West Bergholt Methodist Church, Chapel Road and all are welcome to come to this celebration service.

Mary and Joseph will also be visiting other groups/organisations that are happy to offer them hospitality. Their itinerary is still being finalised but it is already known that among others they will be visiting:-

Bluebell pre-school,
Christmas tree festival at Great Horkesley,
St. Marys for young people’s activities.

This custom of the figures of Mary and Joseph going on a journey in the local community stems from Mexico where it is known as ‘Posada’. As we welcome the figures of Mary and Joseph we are encouraged to remember those who are homeless and outcast today and to reflect on how we might offer hospitality to others this Christmas. These figures of Mary and Joseph are travelling around West Bergholt and Great Horkesley to remind us of that first Christmas journey to Bethlehem. When they arrived no room could be found for them, except in a stable, but hopefully this year they will receive a warm welcome in the groups that they visit and there will be places for them to stay. They are keeping a diary of their travels which will be available at West Bergholt Methodist Church from their Candlelight Carol service at 6.30pm on 21st December onwards. All are welcome to join us on December 21st.

If your group is interested in having a visit from Mary and Joseph and would like to welcome them please contact Andrew Wilks to arrange this (01206 242511; [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]).

West Bergholt Methodist Church, St Mary’s Church West Bergholt and All Saints and St John’s Churches Great Horkesley.

Other Christmas Events not to miss are:

Christmas Coffee Morning 29th November

West Bergholt Methodist Church are holding a special “Christmas Coffee Morning”on Saturday November 29th from 10.00 to 12.00 in the Church Hall, Chapel Lane. Entrance is free and all are welcome. Coffee, tea, biscuits and mince pies will be available. There will be a variety of stalls including Home made cakes and preserves, books, jigsaws, cards and Christmas wrap, bric-a-brac, mystery parcels and novelty gifts.

Wired Christmas Party 5th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church starting at 7:45pm for Youth Group members.

Gift & Parade Service 7th December

The Gift and Parade service at the Methodist Church on Sunday December 7 at 11.00am led by Rev. Ruth Ridge is one of the Posada events. Gifts of toiletries will be distributed after the service to the Colchester Womens Refuge, the Night Shelter and Beacon House. All are welcome to join in, with the youngsters from the uniformed organisations and their families, for this special young peoples service.

Carol Singing at the Coop 19th December

A group from the Methodist and Anglican churches will be Carol Singing outside the Co-op in Chapel Road from 6.15 to 7.30 on Friday evening December 19th. More voices are always welcome so come and join us if you can for all, or just part, of the time – you will be very welcome.There will be coffee and mince pies available afterwards.

Candlelight Carol Service 21st December

On Sunday December 21 there will be a Candlelight Carol service in the Methodist Church at 6.30pm led by Rev. Ruth Ridge, followed by coffee and mince pies in the hall. All are welcome.

Carol Service at The Old Church 21st December

Starting at 2:30pm.

Crib Service 24th December

Being held at St Mary’s Church, starting at 3pm

Christmas Eve Carol Service 24th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 6:30pm.

Christmas Day Service 25th December

St Mary’s Church starting at 9:30am.

April 6, 2014

St Mary the Virgin to get a new priest

The Archdeacon of Colchester, the Venerable Annette Cooper, has recently issued the following announcement which affects St Mary’s Church:

I am pleased to let you know that The Revd. Mandy Elmes has accepted my invitation to become the Priest in Charge of Langham with Boxted and West Bergholt with Great Horkesley. Please make this announcement in all of your churches on Sunday morning. It is of course subject to the completion of all the necessary legal checks. Currently Mandy is serving as a Self-Supporting Associate Priest in the West Mersea benefice. Mandy, who is married to Paul will be moving to the Rectory at West Bergholt in the early summer following her holiday already booked in the first half of July.

November 11, 2013

Pop-up tea room comes to the village

Having lived in the village for many years Aaron & Misty have often gone on walks around the village and felt that something was missing. Add to this that Misty is so keen on baking & catering that she catered her own wedding, it is probably not a total surprise that she is now embarking on her ‘pop-up tea room’ venture. Opening every Sunday in St Mary’s Church Hall between 12:30 – 4:30 you will be able to enjoy a variety of hot drinks and sweet & savoury treats. In Misty’s words:

I have made quite a few wedding cakes and birthday cakes, and my gingerbread house and Christmas cakes are very popular at Christmas. I wanted to start up the little tea cosy in West Bergholt because I feel the village is really missing a nice welcoming place to enjoy a variety of hot drinks and sweet and savoury treats. We have so many lovely places to walk in the village and what way to finish it off with a nice sit down with some refreshments. I hope that people understand where I am trying to go with this idea and come give it a try.

November 6, 2013November 6, 2013

Coffee for St Helena Hospice

Poster for St Helena Hospice coffee morning November 2013 The Final Push is almost here! On Tuesday 19 November there will be a Coffee Morning with a Christmas theme in aid of St. Helena Hospice, at St. Mary’s Church Hall, West Bergholt from 9am – 12pm.

As well as a play area for small children, we will be serving hot and cold drinks and offering a selection of scones – donations of £2 are requested for a drink and scone.

There will also be an opportunity to buy Christmas foods, decorations, tickets for a grand raffle, St. Helena Hospice Christmas cards, diaries and calendars.

Our goal is raise about £600 to bring the total of money raised for St Helena Hospice in 2013 to £4,000, in memory of our friend Maria. Please come and support us.

We look forward to welcoming you.

September 2, 2013December 4, 2014

Heritage Day at St Mary’s (Old) Church

Heritage of St Mary's Old Church — Heritage at St Mary’s Old Church, West Bergholt

The Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Heritage Day in the Old Church in conjunction with the Churches Conservation Trust between 10am – 4pm on Sunday 15th September.

Heritage walk around

A walk round leaflet costing 50p will tell you more about this old building so come and find out more about the Old Church:

view the Royal Coat of Arms, which was painted over the chancel arch by order of King James 1 (reigned 1603-25) and only discovered in 1986;
examine the massive oak chest which dates from about 1400; and
try the seats in the 18th C gallery.

Other attractions

There will also be:

an exhibition by professional and amateur artists;
Christmas cards of the Old Church for sale; and
Refreshments available

Find out more about the Old Church on our webpage, the location for those unsure is St. Mary’s (Old) Church, Hall Lane, West Bergholt, CO6 3DU.

July 17, 2013

Drawing & Learning How to “See”

New Drawing Classes in West Bergholt

Do you want to learn to draw or improve on your ability?

If so, a new class is starting in St Mary’s Church Hall, West Bergholt on 17th September and running for 6 weeks (although if there is enough demand will continue to run on thereafter). In this six-week course you will learn all about line, tone, negative spaces and perspective. All tools to help you translate what you actually “see” to paper and help build confidence in your skills and achieve great results.

Anna promises small, friendly classes with an experienced tutor who will give encouragement and advice. This short course will cost just £45.

For more information and register your place please contact Anna Boon BA (Hons) Fine Art on 01206 262780 or by email [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]. If you would like to see some of Anna’s work you can also visit her website at http://www.annaboon.co.uk/.

More about Anna

Anna grew up in Cornwall, moved briefly to Glasgow and has since settled in Suffolk. After a career in the travel industry, and bringing up two children, she fulfilled a long held ambition to study art and gained a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art from Colchester School of Art and Design.

At present Anna is building a portfolio of work to exhibit and teaching adults the joys of drawing and painting.

Anna is also a founder member of “Quartz” a group of artists who meet regularly to exhibit and to help and encourage each other in their individual practice.