Our services in our churches continue as normal, however, we recognise that through ill health, frailty, or infirmity, not everyone is able to join us every week. Therefore, if you are unable to attend in person, you are warmly invited to join in with our Rector, The Revd Mark Woodrow, who is joined by our new Curate, The Revd Dr Karen Smith, as he celebrates Holy Communion from the Vicarage.

This week we continue our journey through the season of "Ordinary Time", but there is nothing ordinary about this period of the Churches year. It is called this simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word 'ordinalis', refers to numbers in series, from which we get the English word 'order'.

The numbered weeks represent the ordered life of the Church - a period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons), nor in reflection or penance (as in the seasons of Advent and Lent), instead the Church focuses on growth and renewal, and looks forward in expectation of of the second coming of Christ.

The readings for today are Ezekiel 18:1-4, Philippians 2:1-13, and Matthew 21:23-32.

The hymns for today are, "At the name of Jesus", and, "All heaven declares".

A service booklet to accompany this service is available to download below, or please email [email protected] for a copy.

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We are delighted to welcome the Preston St Mary Popup Choir to Clare as they reprise their successful "Songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and other Shows" under the musical direction on Lyn Davis and accompanied by Sara Whymark.

This fun, family friendly performance will have you tapping your feet and singing along to some of the most popular songs from "Joseph" and a host of other popular musical shows.

FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER 2023 AT 6.30PM (Doors Open at 6pm)

Entry by Donation (Suggested £10 Adults / £5 Children)

All funds raised will go towards supporting the work of St Peter & St Paul Church, Clare

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Three Speakers will talk about ways in which we can all make a difference to the poorest in the world by
the way we shop and the way we invest our money.

Sarah Brazier will talk about Fairtrade and the impact we as consumers can have when we shop for food

Ruth Lindley will talk about how trade needs to be changed in particular in the clothing industry.

Andrew Robinson will speak about how we can do some good by choosing our carefully where we invest.

The conference is open to everybody, is free and can be booked via Eventbrite (link below), or
through the Diocesan Office.

We hope you can join us for what should be an interesting and informative day

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On Sunday 8th October 2023 we are planning a COME AND SING EVENSONG! at St Mary's Haverhill

The order of the day will be a Rehearsal of the music at 3.00 pm prompt with Tea at 5.00pm followed by Choral Evensong at 6.00 pm

The music chosen is at follows and is taken from the RSCM COME AND SING EVENSONG! selected and edited by Simon Lole and available for The RSCM Shop

Introit: If you love me by Thomas Tallis (page 181)

Precis and responses by John Sanders (page 10)

Psalm 84 O how amiable are thy dwellings chant by Parry (seperate sheet)

Maginificat from King's College Service by Joanna Forbes L'Estrange (page 39)

Nunc dimittis from Kings's College Service by Joanna Forbers L'Estrange (page 48)

Anthem: O Thou the central orb by Charles Wood (page 200)

Hymns: Praise to the holiest in the height, And can it be and The day thou gavest, Lord is ended (copies will be provided on day)
You can find recordings of the music on You Tube

If you would like to take part we need to know numbers so please email me [email protected] Telephone 01440 710077 or David Hart hartdavid@hotmail.co.uk Telephone 01440 707663 by Wednesday 27th October

Also can you also let us know if you would like a set of music (which will be available on the day) if you have no copy of The RSCM COME AND SING EVENSONG! music book.

There will be a small charge of £5.00 for each singer to cover administration and tea costs payable on the day.

Please come and support this event as it will be good to offer this to other churches in the area who have no choir

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We are very excited about our next concert on October 14. Oliver Webber (violin) and Steven Devine (harpsichord) from the Monteverdi String Band will be joining us to share their programme Con Arte e Maestria. This programme explores the remarkable musical art of "diminution", which flourished around the turn of the 17th Century. Simple melodies were given exquisitely virtuosic embellishments by performers, effectively creating new works. This programme explores the diverse musical personalities on display at the time with a performance that is part improvised and part composed.

A recording of this programme on Resonus Classics in 2021 earned rave reviews from the likes of Gramophone and Early Music Review. We are sure that in the acoustic of the church you will be transported to another time, 400 years ago, in a musical experience like no other.

The performance starts at 7.30pm.

The Course in Christian Studies is a two year course exploring the Christian Faith with others, delivered weekly on Tuesday evenings between 7 and 9pm in the Barn, Stoke by Clare (10 week terms). The new course will commence in January 2024, but there is a ‘taster evening’ planned for the 17th October at 7pm to find out what it is all about and how it is delivered.

It is expected that members will bring their own varied stories and experiences and share them, finding new truth in themselves and in each other through lively discussion. You may feel you know a lot or a little about the Bible and of the huge riches of Christian tradition, but it doesn’t matter what your starting position is, we will all learn something together.

The course covers elements of the Old and New Testaments, the history of the church, Spirituality, Baptism and Holy Communion, Christian ethics and Christian Mission.

Your tutors will be Revd Liz Paxton and Revd Dr Karen Smith – do come to the taster evening to meet us and find out a little more about it. If you would like to like to more about it before committing, please don’t hesitate to call Revd Liz on 07932160594 or email [email protected].

We join together with the other churches within the benefice to Celebrate Communion in Poslingford Church.

All are welcome.

Please join us for a special reflective service as we remember those we love but see no longer.

Whether your loved one has recently died or many years ago, it is good for us to gather together and remember the love which they shared with us.

If you would like your loved one to be named during the service, please send their name to the Rector ([email protected]) or write them on the list which will be available in all churches across the benefice.

You can also light a virtual candle for your loved one using the "more about this event" link below.

All are welcome to join us for a wonderful Carol Service where we can sign the familiar carols and listen to the timeless story of the birth of Jesus.

All are welcome to join us to celebrate the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with Carols and Readings and culminating with the first Eucharist of Christmas.

Come as you are and why not bring one of your Christmas gifts to show everyone!

Our family friendly service for Christmas morning is just the thing to continue your Christmas Day celebrations - there will be carols and singing and a few surprises!

Come as you are and why not bring one of your Christmas gifts to show everyone!

Our family friendly service for Christmas morning is just the thing to continue your Christmas Day celebrations - there will be carols and singing and a few surprises!