St Mary’s News – The Month of Light Edition

St Mary’s News – A Month of Light, Love and New Beginnings

A month of light reflecting the John 1:5 quote

This month’s news with Revd Emma’s Message on the a Month of Light, Love & New Beginnings.  Following this you can find out about:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Message from Revd Emma – February: A Month of Light, Love, and New Beginnings

As February unfolds, we find ourselves moving further into the promise of lighter days and the hope of new growth.  Winter may still hold a chill in the air, but beneath the surface, life is stirring.  Snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils are beginning to pierce through the earth, their delicate heads reaching for the sun.  It’s a reminder that even in the coldest of seasons, new life is emerging, and God’s creative power is at work in the world around us.

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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

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Candlelight Carol Service at the Old Church

Join the Friends of St Mary’s at their Candlelight Carol Service

Once again the Friends of St Mary’s Old Church are holding a Candlelight Carol Service in the Old Church. The Friends look forward to welcoming you back on Sunday 15th December at 2:30 pm.

The service is free and open to all and there’s now dedicated car parking opposite the church.  One of St Mary’s ministers will lead the service.

The Friends are also looking for someone to pump the church organ during the service, so if anyone is interested please contact Nicole Long on 01206 240443.

Dress for the weather!

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St Mary’s News – The Perfect Gift Edition

St Mary’s News – The Perfect Gift

This month’s news with Revd Heather’s Christmas Message on the Perfect Gift.  Following this you can find out abougt:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Christmas Message from Revd Heather – The Perfect Gift

The Perfect Gift

As I write this, it is the 11th November, Remembrance Day. Yesterday in our churches, we remembered, lest we forget, the sacrifice of so many that we might know peace and freedom in our time. But as is always the way, the world is pushing us on, and we are being bombarded by Christmas adverts on the television and through social media. It seems hard to imagine, that we could ever forget that Christmas is coming.

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St Mary’s News – The Posada & Shoebox Edition

St Mary’s News – Posada & Christmas Shoebox

Remembrance poppy

We start the Advent experience of Posada (a Mexican tradition). Following this we look at:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

The Advent Experience of Posada

Mary & Jospeh Posada

Posada originates from Mexico where people dress as Mary and Joseph and re-enact the journey to Bethlehem, travelling from house to house asking for a place to stay (the word Posada means an inn). In recent years, this idea has been modified by churches in this country by sending the figures of Mary and Joseph and the donkey from house to house during Advent.

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St Mary’s News – The Change in the Seasons Edition

St Mary’s News – Change in the Seasons, Harvest & Halloween

We start with Revd. Anne’s message this month which reflects on the Change in the Seasons. This is followed by:

Harvest bounty

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Enjoying the Change in the Seasons

It’s that time of year again – a sense of slowing down, of conserving energy – a pause perhaps in the busyness of life. 

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St Mary’s News – The Season of Creation Edition

St Mary’s News –Creation, Ride & Stride & More

Season of Creation Logo

Lay Minister Liz Dixon starts off this Season of Creation edition of St Mary’s News by introducing the Season of Creation. This is followed by:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

Season of Creation @ St Mary’s

St Mary’s is taking part in this year’s Season of Creation during the month of September, and details of our events can be found below.

The Season of Creation is a global and ecumenical Christian movement, established in 1989, to celebrate and care for God’s gift of Creation. Each year, from 1st September through to St Francis Day on  4th October, Christian Communities from all over the world come together to pray and act for our common home.

The First Fruits of Hope

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Resonate Choir at St Mary’s Old Church 14th July

Free Concert at St Mary’s Old Church with Resonate

Resonate Choir who will be performing "Sacred Harp" & other a cappella music.

The Resonate Choir will be performing at St. Mary’s Old Church on Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm. This free event, hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s Old Church, promises an enjoyable and unusual concert.

All cash and card donations made on the day will go towards the upkeep of the church.  Free parking.

Resonate Choir

RESONATE, a group of singers originally from a world music choir in Colchester, has embarked on a unique musical journey. After spending approximately 15 years in the choir, these vocalists decided to explore a distinct repertoire. Their main focus includes the Sacred Harp, a musical tradition originating in the southern United States during the late eighteenth century. Additionally, they delve into traditional Slavic songs (including Bulgarian, Croatian, and Georgian melodies) and the rich musical heritage of South Africa and other African countries.

Listen to an example of Sacred Harp music below:

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St Mary’s News – The “Summer Vibe” Edition

St Mary’s News – Summer Vibes, Cèilidh & More

Summer Vibe image, happy people with musical imagery

This Summer Vibe edition of St Mary’s News starts with Revd. Emma Barr reflecting on the joy that music can bring.  It then continues with a number of events:

… the usual listings of services and contacts.

 Message from Revd. Emma Barr

What’s your Summer Vibe?

The wedding season is most definitely in full swing. What a privilege it is as a member of the clergy to walk alongside a couple as they make their preparations to marry and then be front line and centre to witness their big day.

There is so much that makes the service bespoke but for me it all starts literally with the first piece of music. We have had allsorts whether it is super traditional:

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