We are having an All Souls Service at 4pm on Sunday 2nd November. We will be remembering the faithful departed during this service and there will be an opportunity for you to light a candle in memory of a loved one.There is a clipboard on the bookcase in the church [as from 12th October] for you to write down names of the faithful departed you would wish to be remembered at this service.We will routinely remember all those by name who have had funerals or interments at St Mary’s during the past three years.
To mark our Patronal Festival we are having weekend of events on a theme of Musical Theatre. Friday September 5th - on Friday evening we have a Preview Evening to launch the weekend 7pm to 9pm - come along and be amongst the first to see the colourful and imaginative tableaus made by ten groups and business within the village, each display is based upon a different show. (Admission is Free)Saturday 6th September During the daytime we have a mix of things to come an enjoy.Walk around the church to view the colourful and imaginative displays made by ten groups and business within the village We have a Children's Story time at 11.30am and 2.30pm.There will be Coffee served from 10.30am and then later we will be serving Tea & Cake between 2 - 4pm. During the afternoon there will be live music - There is a return visit to St Mary's of the Hurdy Gurdy duo playing on their amazing instruments and Quintessential will also be performing.(Admission is Free)Saturday evening at 7.30pm We have a special concert by White Horse Opera who will be presenting a varied programme tilted Music from the Shows. (It could not really be anything else !)Ticket are £10 from the Village Shop [also on the door subject to availability]Sunday 7th September our Patronal Service is at 11am and is a service of Holy Communion led by Revd Katey Minshall.From 12.30 pm the church will be open for further viewing of the colourful and imaginative displays on the theme of musical theatre.
On 17th July St Mary’s was awarded Bronze Status in the Eco-Church scheme - read Rosemary's introductory article below. For more info on the Eco-Church programme see https://arocha.org.uk/what-we-do/eco-church/ St Mary’s is a grade 1 listed building, deservedly so, it is a beautiful church dedicated in 1500 so being awarded an Eco-Church bronze award is very gratifying. Over many years the small team have worked to fulfil our obligations to our creator God.Caring for those in need wherever they are and whatever their needs is an accepted Christian duty and a comparatively, and long standing, easy response. Caring for the rest of creation was we felt more of a challenge! But we have reduced our carbon footprint by several initiatives –LED lighting to have been the simplest and offsetting the carbon used at events buy planting a tree being a joy. We are dedicated to recycling and using ethical products wherever we can. Sharing and encouraging one another in the congregation is important.Our wild area is important but on heavy clay hard work! Easier is the releasing of butterflies on our brambles each year. Within the church we have information about wildlife and we enjoy an annual Creation week end which includes the wildflower count and a children’s activity. There is much more we do, and much more to do, but we are proud to have moved this far, so far!Well done to Rosemary for all her hard work on guiding us to this wonderful achievement - next stop on the journey Silver?
