There’s always lots of events and happenings in St Marks and in beautiful Swanage.

John and I attended the Archdeacons Visitation, on 2nd June, when we, along with the many other Churchwardens from churches around Dorset, were sworn in, once again, to serve St Marks for another year. Thank you for all your support, prayers and encouragement, in the coming year.

Our afternoon concert, on Sunday 14th June, was another great success. A big Thank you to all who took part and supported this event. With a special Thank You, to Colin Burgess, our Music Director, who organised and coordinated the event. The concert was very well supported, raising over £450, in donations, and has been doubled by a generous anonymous donor, which will be divided between St Marks funds and Allsort’d, supporting their Café in the Focus Centre.

Our traditional Pimms and Hymns will take place, on Sunday 19th July at 3:30pm, in our beautiful church garden. A chance to admire all the wonderful roses and variety of flowers in bloom. Our many thanks go to David Hudson, our church gardener, who has grown many of the flowers from seed, and planted them in the garden for us all to enjoy.

I hope you have enjoyed and had a chance to reflect on the sermons, reflections, and readings, from our Generous God, Generous People series looking at our service to our Generous God, through our giving, gifts, and service within our churches. There will be more updates and reflections on this during the coming months.

This month we will be looking forward to and, for some members, participating in the Swanage Carnival week of events starting on the 25th July. There will be some wonderful fireworks to enjoy on the Saturday evening, to ensure the week gets off to a great start with a big Bang! There will be the traditional Carnival Praise Service, on Sunday 26th July at 10:30am in the Carnival Tent, on Sandpit Field. An opportunity to come together for united worship and fellowship. In the afternoon there’s the wonderful Carnival Procession when Churches Together in Swanage, with representatives from each church, will join in the procession. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year and being a part of the great atmosphere around the procession route and in the town. Several members will also be helping in the Churches Together Carnival Tent. Hope we will see you there!

We look forward to welcoming visitors to Swanage, during carnival week and throughout the summer holidays, to our churches, and especially to St Marks, where, I am sure, they will receive a very warm welcome to the Party Church!

Just as you take a breath and recover from the fun packed events of Carnival Week…….
Our BBQ will be on Sunday 2nd August!, (now an annual event) following our morning worship service @ 11am. Further details will be in the weekly pew sheet, nearer the time.

A reflection:

Pray regularly

Read and reflect on the scriptures

Participate in the life of the local church

Enjoy God’s gifts with gratitude

Give generously to others

Serve and use your fits

Share the good news of Jesus

Challenge injustice and care for God’s creation

May God Bless and Keep You.

Anne Roper

Church Warden