The Church of England has recently developed a tool to enable us in developing our Church community and I would like to invite as many people as possible to take part in the survey questionnaire that has been designed for this purpose. The link to the online survey (which is St Stephen’s specific) is: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/2831/surveys/church-development-tool/survey/
Alternatively, there will be some paper versions of the survey available at Church and a poster with a QR code for those who are tech savvy. Please do help us with this survey as it will help us to plan our future activities and programmes.
Many thanks, Kevin.
St Stephen’s Choir singing in Southwark Cathedral
This Sunday, 17th July, our choir will be singing for the 11.00am Sung Eucharist and 3.00pm Choral Evensong in Southwark Cathedral.
On Tuesday 5th July, our Rector Kevin Maddy graduated from Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands, with his PhD thesis ‘Approaches to Monasticism in the Context of Christian Responses to Modern Culture’. Congratulations!
Fund Raising Wine Tasting Saturday 16th July 2022, 7.00pm
Join us in the Church Hall for a fund raising wine tasting led by Roshna Ahmed (one of the altos in our choir) who is has worked in the wine trade for nearly 40 years, and has been Shepherd Neame’s wine sales development manager for the last 20 years.
Roshna will present us with a selection of different and contrasting wines to taste, together with some nibbles.
Please note that this event is only suitable for those over 18 years old.
Book your place by giving a donation of £20 per person to Kevin, or you can book and donate online by clicking the button below. Please note that in order to ensure we have enough wine and nibbles, bookings will close on Monday 11th July.
Now in her 38th year in the wine trade, Roshna Ahmad is an expert in wine training, tastings, exhibitions, wine writing and food and wine matching events. Having taken to wine lectures with great enthusiasm while working for Sopexa (a national French wine and food promotion company) in 1989, the following years brought presentations for groups ranging from the forensic science unit of Scotland Yard to teenage catering students on courses from Brighton to Edinburgh. She once masterminded a gathering of BA cabin crew wine enthusiasts at an exclusive hotel in Buckinghamshire for a whole weekend of wine lectures and dinners. This and appearances at Vive la France exhibitions over the years have been particular highlights. Although knowledgeable on wines from around the world, French wines remain Roshna’s great love, and a particular specialism. She has been a member of the Circle of Wine Writers since 2005 and wine sales development manager for Shepherd Neame since 2002. Wine and food matching is now a regular activity with the aim to encourage us all to spend money more wisely in order to create enjoyable occasions.
“These days, good wine can be enjoyed without breaking the bank. The trick is knowing what to look for and how to shop, and it is my job to show you how.”
Roshna Ahmad
Corpus Christi
Join us for a special Sung Eucharist at 6.00pm on Thursday 16th June, followed by a fish & chip supper. To pre-order your supper, please sign up in church.
Ascension Day Sung Eucharist
Join us for our Festal Sung Eucharist for Ascension Day, this Thursday 26th May, held in the intimate surroundings of the Chancel of our beautiful church at 7.30pm. The service will also be live-streamed for those unable to get to church at this time.
St Stephen’s Bellringers win the Canterbury District Striking Competition!
The Canterbury District Striking Competition which took place at Monkton Church on Saturday 14th May 2022 (The first one since 2019 due to ravages of the pandemic). 7 teams entered and the St Stephen’s Sunday Quarter Peal Band won, just pipping our friendly neighbours (St Dunstan’s Church) by 2.50 points.
Whilst called the Canterbury District, it is not just the immediate Canterbury area. This Bellringing District stretches as far as Lynsted and Teynham, Lyminge, Dover, Whitstable and the whole Thanet area.
One of the rules of the competition is that entrants must be regular Sunday service ringers. St Stephen’s Band consisted of ringers from other towers who help Jane ring for a Sunday service each Sunday by ringing a quarter peal either Sunday morning one week and Sunday evening another week. Without their help the faithful would not be called to service, there would be no public announcement that the church is there and open for worship, the bells would be silent. The observant may recognise the Presenter of the cup as Elizabeth, Don and Ruth Nibletts daughter who learnt to ring at St Stephen’s many years ago. Elizabeth and her husband were the judges – but they do not know the teams until the end of the competition as the judges are hidden away and out of sight.
Congratulations to them all!
The presentation of the winner’s cup to Jane
Christian Aid Week 15th – 22nd May 2022
There will be a special service for Christian Aid week for the whole of the Canterbury community, held at St Stephen’s Church on Sunday 22nd May at 6.00pm.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
Following our PCC meeting on Tuesday 10th May, it was decided that we will be gradually returning to some of our pre-covid practices over the next few weeks. Please look at the Coronavirus updates page for more information.
Steven Moore Percussion Concert
Friday 13th May 2022, 7.00pm in St Stephen’s Church
Steven Moore has thrust himself into the world of solo percussion over the last few years, receiving praise from audiences throughout the UK. Determined to succeed, he returned to the academic world, completing his bachelor’s and Master’s degree with distinction. He has now began work to complete his PhD, researching Marimba performance. Continuously developing his performance skills, Steven has received tutelage from Jason Huxtable, Pius Cheung and Dame Evelyn Glennie. As a soloist, he has collaborated with solo artists and performed concerto’s with various orchestras across the north east. Following success in previous years, 2022 will see recital tours across Scotland and the UK. Check out the ‘concert’ section for details or ‘contact’ if you require details about booking a performance.
