Community, Parish Council & Village
St Mary’s Update – 18th April 2016Mandy gave her annual report and thanked the many people who contribute to the smooth running of the church and all its various activities and services. A copy of her report will be available on the church web site next week. Richard & Dorothy Chadborn were re-appointed as church wardens, and there are some new faces on the PCC Continue reading “St Mary’s Update – 18th April 2016”
Churches Update – 11th AprilThe following dates have been advised to us from St Mary’s, note italicised services are not at St Mary’s. Continue reading “Churches Update – 11th April”
The April & May edition of Good News, St Mary’s Parish Magazine, is reproduced below use the links to the various stories & news items:
The word Pentecost comes from a Greek word meaning fiftieth and was the name of a Jewish Festival celebrating the completion of the grain harvest. This festival, also known as the Feast of Weeks, was observed on the 50th day, or 7 weeks, after Passover. However, the festival gained a new significance for the Christian Church when, 50 days after Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion (and 10 days after his ascension into heaven), the Holy Spirit descended in a dramatic fashion on the disciples gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of weeks.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (New International Bible, Acts 2: 1-6)
Peter then stood up and preached to the assembled crowd with a new confidence that God had raised Jesus back to life and urged people to “Repent and be baptised, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Some 3,000 people became followers that day, and thus the church was born.
So what does this mean for us today? I found the following quote online which really seemed to sum up the significance of Pentecost:
When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That’s what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost. (David Wilkerson).
Morsheda is a young mother of four living in Bangladesh. She has no land, few assets and no savings.
For Morsheda’s family living on low-lying islands in the Brahmaputra River, floods are a terrifying part of everyday life. Morsheda can’t even count on having a safe place to call home: the single-room, corrugated-iron house she shares with her children has been flooded four times.
I feel very scared of the river. When I look at it I keep thinking “it is coming”.
One year, her humble house filled up to her knees with floodwater. To stay dry, and keep away from the dangerous snakes that now swam through her home she raised her bed up on bricks. But during the night she was woken by a loud splash. In the pitch black, her baby son had fallen into the inky water. He could have drowned in moments.
In a bad year, huge waves crashed against her house, giving her less than an hour to uproot her home and scramble to safety. Racing against time, she gathered her terrified children together and hastily made a raft from a banana tree. At any moment, it could have tipped and plunged them into the swirling waters, but it was their only hope. She put her youngest daughter in a cooking pot and clung to it as it floated in the current.
My children were so scared. My sister was holding them very tightly and we were panicking because my neighbour’s child was washed away.
Morsheda and her children live a precarious life. They know that the floods will come again, and soon. But we can lift our neighbours like Morsheda to safety.
Just £250 is enough for a Christian Aid Home Safety Package. It could flood-proof Morsheda’s home, raising it eight foot on an earth plinth, so that she has a safe place to rebuild, keep livestock and grow crops. It could also buy a goat, seeds and a wormery to help produce compost – all of which will give her a long-term income and a solid foundation for a new life.
If I could raise my house then I would feel much safer living here with my children.
The above story is an extract from the Christian Aid website.
At the time of writing, it is uncertain as to whether there will be a house-to-house collection in West Bergholt this year. As reported in the December edition of Good News, Richard Chadborn is taking a well-earned rest as Christian Aid co-ordinator, having organised the collection at St Mary’s for the past 37 years. However, no-one has yet come forward to take his place, which means that there may not be a door-to-door collection this time. If you feel you could help, please contact Richard Chadborn as soon as possible (tel: 01206 240541).
Side Person DutiesWe have a team of 8 people who take it in turns to act as sides person each week. The duties include welcoming people as they come into church on a Sunday morning and handing out service sheets and hymn books; guiding people to the altar during communion services; collecting the service sheets and hymn books at the end of the service and locking the front of the church. A full list of duties can be found on the notice board in church. You would be one of a pair, one Sunday a month.
There are two things about Easter that I think are really important, and if we don’t get them right we don’t get Easter right. First of all the resurrection is not a happy ending tagged onto a sad story; and secondly, the church is not the Jesus Christ Appreciation Society.
Let me explain. Because those of us who are in the Church know the Easter story so well, we tend to think of the cross as the ‘sad bit of the story’ and the resurrection as the ‘happy ending’. Because we know what is coming, we are always seeing Good Friday through the lens of Easter Sunday. In many ways there is nothing wrong with this, but it can mean we are prevented from being shocked and surprised by the Resurrection. It can also mean that we leap frog over the cross and fail to stop and see the beautiful and painful reality of Christ’s death. So, in my view, it is much better to think of the Resurrection as a new beginning rather than a happy ending.
When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb on that first Easter morning she went to anoint the dead body of Jesus. She was not expecting to find anything else. When the tomb was empty, she assumed it was because people had stolen the body away. The last thing she was expecting was Resurrection. In other words the Resurrection was a surprise: as much of a surprise for people then as it is for people now. It was unimaginable and inexplicable then. It is unimaginable and inexplicable now. It is outside our experience. It is beyond our imagining. But it is the beginning of Christian faith: Jesus really died on the cross, and God really raised Jesus to life on Easter day. Without this the Christian faith is nothing, and Jesus just another good person, and the Church, therefore, just the Jesus Christ Appreciation Society, remembering the good deeds and wise words of our long dead and much loved founder.
But the real story is different. What ended in defeat and death begins afresh with Resurrection. Mary Magdalene encounters Jesus in the garden not as a resuscitated corpse, brought back to resume the life he lost, but as the first piece of the new creation. And this is a new story that we are invited to be part of.
In the risen Jesus we see our destiny and are enlisted to share this with others. Jesus is present to us today as he was present to Mary Magdalene yesterday. We, the Church, are formed by the impact of God raising him from the dead and of his gift of the spirit. More than this, the Bible says that the church is Christ’s body. We are his presence in and for the world today, a new people with a new beginning and a new identity.
+ Stephen Chelmsford, Easter 2016
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.
A big thank you to Fiona and her team of volunteers for decorating the church for Easter – the flowers are beautiful!
As a result of the closing of the Fellowship Club which met in the Orpen Hall, 5Ts is now taking place every week at St Mary’s. However, extra helpers to open up and serve refreshments would be welcome. If you can help, please contact Murray Harlow on 07989 720256.
From 1 May onwards, the collection will be now be taken during the Sunday morning service. For those members of the congregation who give regularly by standing order, there will be little cards available which can be put into the collection bag instead of money.
Don’t forget to sign up for the day of training here at St Mary’s with Rev John Ryeland from the Christian Healing Mission on Sat 16 April from 10.15am to 4pm. Please bring a packed lunch and a £5 donation.
The day is being organised by Janet Jones from St Luke’s Church, Highwoods. To book your place, please contact Janet on 01206855459 or via email – [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
Our Annual Church meeting will be held this year on Sunday 17 April at about 12.15pm, straight after the 11.15am Communion service.
The Annual Meeting gives us all an opportunity to review the past year and to thank those who have contributed to the life of the church. Churchwardens and members of the Parochial Church Council will be elected. We are delighted to announce that Pat Kinzett has volunteered to take over from Dorothy Chadborn as PCC secretary after the annual meeting. However, at least two more sides people are required. This is a very important job – there is a list of full duties on the noticeboard at the back of the church but some of the main tasks are listed below. We will also discuss ‘Where do we go from here?’ and there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Everyone is welcome to the APCM, but only those on the Electoral Roll may vote.
Please stay for a soup lunch afterwards.
After Easter, our home groups will continue on the following dates:
Open House every Thursday morning at 9am in term times .
Fridays @ 7.45pm in the church on the following dates:
Contact Mark for further details (241617).
Please contact Murray Harlow (07989 720256) if you would like to come or can help on the day.
Our next joint service with folk from the parishes of Great Horkesley and Langham with Boxted will take place on Sunday 29th May @ 9.30am at St Mary’s, West Bergholt with guest speaker Nicholas Henshall, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral.
* BUGS = St Mary’s Sunday school.
Rev Dr Mandy Elmes,
The Rectory, 1 Church Close,
West Bergholt CO6 3JZ
Tel 01206 240906
Mob 07872 649967
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Liz Dixon 01206 243683
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Richard Chadborn – 01206 240541
Michael Foster- 01206 241022
Ronnie Seymour – 01206 273579
Richard & Dorothy Chadborn – 01206 240541
Issued on 7th March 2016 this lists notices, dates, services and other events for the upcoming fortnight.
As advertised in more detail in the previous news update:
Messy ChurchOur 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.
All the following are at St Mary’s, West Bergholt unless otherwise stated:
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
This news update includes notices of upcoming services and other events of interest both in the Easter period and after.
Amazing GraceAmazing 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.
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.
All the following are at St Mary’s, West Bergholt unless otherwise stated:
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!
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
Winter Bird Walk 2016The first guided walk of the year at Hillhouse Wood takes place this coming weekend (Saturday 27th February), when Steve Hallam leads the Winter Bird Walk 2016. Walkers, who should meet at the Old Church at 10am (weather permitting), wearing stout footwear and warm clothing, can expect to see a range of resident woodland and meadow species as well as some winter visitors. You are also advised to bring a flask of hot drink with you.
Dawn Chorus walks in previous years have seen as many as 20 species registered, most being native, so who knows how many you might see with the added ‘winter visitors’?
[See the report of the walk here.]
St Mary’s News update – February 2016The February & March edition of Good News, St Mary’s Parish Magazine, is reproduced below:
For quick access to different articles please make use of the following list:
The Missing PieceI 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.
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
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:
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!
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.
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 DisplayIn 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 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 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.
Fiona.
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”] , mob: 07866 485269
Women’s World Day of Prayer – Friday 4 March – 4pm at St Mary’s Church, West BergholtThis 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:
tel: 01206 210225, email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]; or Judith Fletcher: tel: 01206 241969.
Many thanks, on behalf of 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!
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]”].
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.
Sunday 17 April after the 11.15am service
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.
16/2, 23/2, 1/3, 8/3 & 15/3 – see above for more details
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.
Youth Group for Secondary School Students
Fridays @ 7.45pm in the church on the following dates:
Contact Mark for further details (241617).
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 |
| 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 |
| 3rd Sunday in the month | 11.15am Holy Communion + BUGS |
| 4th Sunday in the month | 9.30am Morning Worship + BUGS (BUGS = St Mary’s Sunday school) |
| 5th Sunday in the month (when applicable) | 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. |
Rev Dr Mandy Elmes,
The Rectory, 1 Church Close,
West Bergholt CO6 3JZ
Tel 01206 240906
Mob 07872 649967
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Liz Dixon 01206 243683
[antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Richard Chadborn – 01206 240541
Michael Foster- 01206 241022
Ronnie Seymour – 01206 273579
Richard & Dorothy Chadborn – 01206 240541
This update includes a number of items including Messy Church report, notice of a funding appeal, being launched to avoid running into a deficit in coming years, and news of upcoming events.
Messy ChurchLast weekend’s Messy Church was great fun and featured a mini pantomime with the story of the Three Wise Men, together with lots of fun activities for children and grown-ups alike! Thank you to our Messy Church team who put so much effort into preparing the services.
The next Messy Church will be on Sunday 14 February.
Our next Senior Citizens’ Lunch will be on 16 January @ 12.45pm. If you would like to come or can help with food etc. please contact Murray Harlow on 07989 720256.
St Mary’s will be joining folk from the churches from Great Horkesley, Langham & Boxted on Sunday 31 January to worship together at a joint service @ St Mary’s Church in Langham. If you would like a lift, please contact the parish office on 243683.
St Mary’s is hosting a deanery wide course designed to equip lay people to take a more active role in public worship. The course is open to everyone at St Mary’s as well as other churches in the Colchester area. Please let Dorothy Chadborn have your contact details if you would like to attend: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].
The following appeal has been issued by the St Mary’s Parochial Church Council.
St Mary’s is dependent on regular giving and donations from its members and supporters. We do not receive any external financial support and we are spending more than we receive.
Our main expense is the contribution we make to the costs of our Diocese. In recent years, St Mary’s has benefitted from a reduced “parish share” as we have not had our own vicar. This year, we expect to pay our full share. The PCC also wants to support Mandy’s ministry to help grow our church and we are planning to fund a new administrator position to help her focus on her ministry.
This means we expect to spend nearly £10,000 more this year than we received in 2014!
We have approved changes to the use of our reserves which mean we don’t expect to run out of general funds until 2017….but that’s just two years from now!
We will be talking a lot about giving over the next 2 years and explaining how we receive and spend God’s gifts. The PCC wants to encourage an £8,000 increase in annual regular giving by 2017. So, whether you’re a long-time member, new member, village resident or visitor, we are asking you to prayerfully consider your personal financial commitment to the continued, healthy life of this church in West Bergholt.
Thank you.
St Mary the Virgin PCC
St Mary’s is dependent on regular giving and donations from its members and supporters. We do not receive any external financial support.
Most members of the Church give by standing order.
Gift-Aid allows us to claim back tax already paid on the gift. This means that every £1 gift-aided is worth £1.25 to the Church. If you already give by standing order or want to do so, please consider regularly the amount you give. Standing order forms are available in the Church.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please gift-aid your donation.
There is a plate, a donations box and white gift aid envelopes in the church for one-off donations. If you pay tax, please complete and sign one of these envelopes and put your donation inside – then we can claim tax back on these gifts too. Please don’t use these envelopes without signing them – it means you haven’t understood what they’re for!
Even if you don’t pay tax, we can claim tax back from the Government! There’s just no need to fill any forms. Please don’t give £50 notes! We cannot claim the tax on a single gift of more than £20.
Perhaps you can help with fund-raising, helping to explain church finances or with book-keeping. Your help does not need to be just financial. For further information, speak to our Treasurer, Jon Wilson, or a member of the PCC.
Returning for it’s tenth year, Colchester Borough Council have 2016 free trees and fruit bushes to give away in its popular Trees for Years giveaway. The free plants are available to Colchester Borough residents, community groups and parish councils. Residents can collect up to three plants per household and up to 15 per community group, school or parish council.
Species available this year are:
If you are unsure about which plants would be suitable for your garden, members of the Parks Department will be available to give advice on which plants would be suitable for different size gardens. There will also be a useful pamphlet giving care guidelines, the following is for the 2015 event which has some of this years plants as well:
Trees must be planted on private property. Postcodes will be recorded to monitor the distribution.
Christmas 2015 at St Mary’sWe will be decorating the church for Christmas – all helpers welcome! If you can help, please contact Liz Dixon in the Parish Office tel: 243683; email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”]
Our family friendly Crib Service especially for families with younger children, led by Rachel Hutchings.
Our popular Christmas Eve service, led by Rev Mandy Elmes, and featuring the St Mary’s Christmas Choir led by Caroline Finlay.
Our family friendly Christmas Day celebration led by Richard Chadborn. Bible reading – Luke 2:1-20 – Jesus is born in Bethlehem. (There is also a Sung Eucharist at St Mary’s Langham at the same time).
The Parish Office will close from 1.00pm on Christmas Eve and re-open at 9.00am on Monday 4 January. If you have an urgent enquiry, please contact our churchwardens Dorothy & Richard Chadborn 240541.
Senior Citizens Lunch – Sat 16 January