Some Suffolk churches are taking part in an Eco project Give to Go Green. All monies raised during a six week period will be matched funded by the Church of England. St Mary's hopes to raise £1,500 to buy heavy duty curtains to keep out the cold and cut out draughts, thereby help reduce our heating costs which last year totalled over £2,000.7th Sept at 9:00 Men’s breakfast. Speaker: Malcolm Lawson, Hadleigh Men’s Shed @£614th Sept at 19:00 Tim Pells and special guests. Classical guitar & accompaniment @£1021st Sept at 19:00 Da Capo singers. Songs on the theme of “Dreams” @£1028th Sept at 19:00 Francis Franks. Handbell demonstration @£65th Oct at 19:00 Brass & Ivories. Piano and trumpet duo @£10To reserve your tickets and ensure we have enough refreshments, please contact stmarysebfundraising@gmail.com. Payment will be taken on the door. Tickets range from £6 - £10 depending on the event.
Over 200 people were at St Mary's church to witness the licensing and installation of our new Rector, Rev Chris Willis. It was a most joyous occasion with a perfect mix of pomp and ceremony with lighter moments that included churchwarden limericks and a spontaneous one from the Bishop! The full service can be found on our YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhVpkvqPmI&t=708s&fbclid=IwAR1K5r0ozASCU9uCHF6U4jWEsFn-mS-jgF4iC2elpp1tAqoX4T-9IORT5lM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhVpkvqPmI&t=708s</a>
A happy new year to you all. With Christmas now over, and the New Year arrived, my wife Rachel and I are very much preparing for, and looking forward to moving from Colchester, where I am currently assisting at St. Johns Church, to come to the newly formed Benefice (church speak for a group of churches) of Bentley, Brantham, East Bergholt and Tattingstone. We shall be living at the Rectory in Brantham, but very much want to be involved in the life of the wider communities. It is my hope to be regularly visible in the villages. So please, feel completely welcome to say hi if you see me out and about. (I’ll be the tall bald bloke with the clerical collar!) The great thing about parish churches is that they are in effect everyone’s church – whether we enter them or not! And at the same time, the local Rector is charged with the [spiritual] care of everyone in the community. Of course, I am just one person, but I know there is already a considerable amount of commitment and hard work being given by many, mostly volunteers, in the four parish churches, as they seek to live out faith in Jesus. But for my part, I really look forward to meeting and exploring with those who want to find out more of what it means to be a Christian. Especially exploring in ways where there is no pressure, such as the wonderful ‘Alpha Courses’. A bit about me: I love walking, cycling, and if I can do it on a budget, skiing. I also like playing the drums (although I rarely get the chance now), and guitar. For several years, I was a Scout leader, and a church youth leader – and particularly want younger members of the community to find a welcome place in the local church. I wasn’t ordained until in my 50’s, as I’d spent thirty years in the Police, retiring as a Police Inspector, having spent most of my service in community policing. As a Church leader, I have a simple belief that every person has an inherent need for Jesus. Some people have referred to that as a God shaped hole. And we can be really good at trying to fill that hole with all sorts of other things. But ultimately, only one thing – or one person - is the right fit, and that, for all of us, is Jesus. But whatever your view, faith, or none, I very much look forward to meeting you, and Rachel and I are also very much looking forward to being part of the communities. God bless you. Rev’d Chris WillisJanuary 2024
