Category: Parish news

Acorn Cafe would welcome volunteers to join their team.  It would involve setting up and serving coffee to people who come.  It could be a duty once a month or even once every six weeks. It is a very relaxed happy time when friends are able to meet up and chat. Do have a word with Libby if you are able to help.

Would like to contribute to the services week by week by becoming an intercessor?

We are very short of intercessors at the present time and consequently people are being asked to do them rather often; it would be good to have some new blood.  It is not difficult, you are given the scriptures for the week and the names of those sick to pray for and those whose deaths fall on the particular Sunday.  You can make up your own prayers or you can use prayers from the large variety of books available.  We can take you through the procedure and give you an opportunity to have a practice to get the feel of doing them.  There is always someone available to help you whenever you feel you need support.  If you are interested please speak to either Margaret Horwood or the Rector.  Thank you.

Traidcraft Christmas Stall

Next Sunday, 21st November, Traidcraft will be back again in the church Hall with their usual beautiful cards and gifts for us to buy as we enjoy our coffee after church. Do come and support them!

Evensong during Winter

During November and December, Evensong will be at 4pm on Sunday afternoon to make it easier for people to come out during the darker inclement evenings. We will review this at Christmas and make a decision for the rest of winter at that point. Do let us know if you have strong feelings one way or the other.

This means that our Advent Carol Service on Sunday 28th November and our Christmas Carol Service on Sunday 19th December will also be at 4pm this year.

We look forward to welcoming you at our services.

Churchyard News

Posted on by Peter Toon

Thanks to all those who came to the working party last Wednesday to open up the woodland at the south-east corner of the churchyard. Already this area looks better, is safer and more accessible – if you haven’t been there lately do go and take a look. Once it has had a couple of weeks to settle we need to decide how to make this area more attractive and welcoming for the future. Please send any ideas on how to do we might do this to churchyard@ststephenscanterbury.net.

We had so many people join us that we were also able to start clearing some of the neglected graves, and one of these has already been adopted – that is, someone has agreed to plant it up appropriately and keep it in order in future. There are a number of graves in the churchyard which no longer have friends or relatives to care for them; if you are interested in adopting one of these please also contact churchyard@ststephenscanterbury.net to discuss the possibilities.  

We’re ringing our bells again!

Posted on by Stephen Barker

It’s been wonderful to hear our bells calling us to worship again in recent weeks after nearly 18 months of silence.

Perhaps you’ve thought about taking something new up after lockdown – have you considered bell ringing? If you’re interested in finding out more you will find the Tower Captain and Secretary’s contact details on the Church Website.

For us to teach you to ring would mean a commitment from you for our Monday evening practices and the teaching to handle a bell could take up to 6 months. However, the more practice you put in the quicker you will learn!

Anyone can learn to ring so why not make it a family activity. We are happy to teach anyone from the age of 11 upwards.

During August our Monday evening practices will take place on alternate weeks: 2nd, 16th, and 30th from 7.30–8.30pm. Those wishing to attend must book a place in advance with Jane Huxley so that we can keep to a safe number.

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