A group from St Mary's went on a mini pilgrimage this week organised by Revd Sally. Setting off from the lovely St Mary's church Chartham they took a picturesque walk into Canterbury City Centre, arriving in good time at Canterbury Cathedral to enjoy Choral Evensong!As we enjoy better weather and look ahead to the Summer, it is an ideal time to plan a pilgrimage!St Mary's Minster has a a strong connection to pilgrims, being a feature along the Way of St Augustine, a 19 mile historic route of pilgrimage. On this route you can travel in the footsteps of St Augustine and discover the birth of Christianity in England in the beautiful Stour Valley from Ramsgate to Canterbury. If you don't fancy the full 19 miles, then Explore Kent have helpfully broken it down into shorter more manageable walks, one of which takes you from Plucks Gutter to Minster, where you can explore our Saxon Church and its history, along with the beautiful Minster Abbey. Maps can be found here: The Way of St Augustine - Explore KentYou can also find out more about the importance of Minster in Pilgrimage at the British Pilgrimage Trust: Minster Abbey, St Mary the Virgin Church, Minster-in-Thanet - British Pilgrimage TrustOver the coming weeks and months we will be celebrating pilgrimage in our churches as part of the Church of England's summer campaign: Pilgrim Places, Holy Lives: A Gospel Journey with the Early English Saints. So check back here to find out more events and news on this!
Eco church at St NicholasThis is the first chapter of our churchyard/kitchen garden. It has raised beds (rhubarb already doing well) and will have more. We intend to grow fruit and vegetables for the kitchen café and would like to plant new fruit trees too.We have had a marvellous tidy up right round the churchyard, so that wildlife bug/bee hotels can be installed, a wildflower corridor has been created round the edge and there will be wood piles for other creatures. Various 'natural' areas have been left for animals small and smaller to do their own thing.We are incredibly grateful to our churchwarden Budgie, plus Mark and his fabulous Thursday Men's Club chaps, who have put so much work in and are just getting started! Watch this space for more updates on our progress towards Eco Church status!Jane
You are welcome to attend any of our services across the Benefice. At each church, it is possible to sit with friends although there are also areas where social distancing is maintained should you wish. Due to the position of vicar being vacant, services may change at short notice.Services at St Nicholas:1st Sunday- Morning Praise at 10.30 in church2nd Sunday - Holy Communion at 10.30am in church3rd Sunday - Cafe church at 10:30am in the church4th Sunday - Holy Communion at 10.30am in church
