On Saturday 26th September Leila, our Curate, was ordained as a deacon in Salisbury Cathedral by the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev'd Nicholas Holtham.  It was a small and very intimate service because of restrictions but a lovely one. 

A deacon is the person who stands with Christ in the gap between the church and the local community. We serve those around us by embodying Christ's self-giving love. We're called to preach the Gospel, teach the faith, and to seek out and serve the vulnerable and those on the fringes of society.

Well done to all those who took part in this year's ride and stride!

Particular congratulations to Andy and Jane for making it around all 6 parishes in our benefices.

St Mary's Church has been awarded a Bronze Eco-Church award by Arocha Uk. We see caring for and safeguarding God's creation as part of our worship and an integral part of our church life. 

We're already working towards our silver award! If you'd like to find out more about Eco Church, click on the badge below!

Come and Chat!

Drop in at St Mary's West Door between 4.30 and 7pm on Tuesday evenings to chat to rev'd Mark and Leila, or just cheer them on in their weekly backgammon tournament! We will be there whenever the weather permits!

Dear Friends, 

We're really happy to share that we've been back in church for seven Sundays, and that so far social distancing measures have been working well to ensure that we can all worship together again safely. We realise that this has been, and may continue to be, a very painful or difficult time for many, and we are keen to provide pastoral care and support for anyone who needs it. Please get in touch if this would be helpful.

So far our services that have returned are our main 9.30am Holy Communion, our 8am BCP Holy Communion (traditional language), and our 6pm Evensong (traditional language). 

Sadly we haven't been able to resume Messy Church, Breakfast Church or Children's ministry during our 9.30 service, because of Covid-19 restrictions. However, we are working towards being able to bring them back in an adapted format as soon as possible, so please keep in touch with us for updates. 

Tuesdays @ St Mary's may resume soon, but only in the mornings, with social distancing procedures in place. Unfortunately at the moment we cannot open up the afternoons to children, until the government restrictions allow it.

The Salisbury Diocesan prayer is an encouragement to us to focus on the hope that we have in God, through this difficult time:

Pray - Serve - Grow

God our Father renew our hope, 

by the Holy Spirit's power strengthen us to 

pray readily, serve joyfully and grow abundantly 

rejoicing in Jesus Christ our Lord, 

Amen. 

The Foy family have once again served our local community by taking our wonderful organ apart pipe-by-pipe, cleaning it and putting it back together again. The refreshed organ sounds wonderful, and was cleaned just in time to welcome the return of music into our services after lockdown!

Dear Friends

It has been good to keep in touch with so many of you through our services on Wednesday morning and now on Sunday evening on Zoom through Pew News and the Pilot during the current Covid 19 lockdown. We have learnt much about new ways of keeping in touch with you all and reconnecting with those of you who have found it difficult to get to church. No doubt we will continue to take forward beyond lockdown what we have learnt about the use of online services.

As you know, the Government is gradually easing Covid 19 restrictions and announced on Friday that churches may now open for private prayer from Saturday 13 June, subject to observing guidance on hand sanitisation and social distancing. I am delighted, therefore, to be able to tell you that St Mary’s will be open for private prayer and meditation from Tuesday 16th June. We will be open every day except Friday. We do hope that you will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to use the church once again.

We have completed a detailed risk assessment which you may find on our website. When visiting the church please observe the guidance on hand sanitisation, social distancing and where you may sit in the church. This will be displayed prominently on the church door.

Sadly, it is likely that it will be some time before we can once again worship together as the body of Christ but let us give thanks for this small step towards that goal.

Finally, we ask for your continued prayers for everyone at this time, confident that with God’s help we shall come through this crisis with increased faith and unity.

May the peace of the Lord be with you.

Revd Mark Philips  -  Rector

The Church continues to be alive and active, but our buildings must close

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of new government instructions on Monday evening, I am sorry to say that the Archbishop has instructed that all churches are now to remain closed. Therefore, as well as public worship being suspended, ours and all church buildings in the Church of England are now closed.
 This is a very sad step, but one which is vital for the safety and wellbeing of us all. We look forward to being able to open our doors again once restrictions have been lifted.
Our worship of God and our care for each other continue but cannot be done in our church buildings.

Please remember that we are here for you. If you have any concerns, wish to talk, or would like someone to pray with you, please feel free to call me (01305 262477) or email - revdmarkphillips@outlook.com

or contact Pene Kennedy (01305 251422) – revpenekennedy@yahoo.com

While our churches are closed, you might like to set aside a time or a place in your home for prayer and reflection. On the Pew News, (which will be emailed weekly Saturdays to everyone on the church Electoral Roll ), there will be a simple format for Morning Prayer. It is a daily office from the Northumbria Community, and I encourage all of us to join in with it. We shall be saying it at 9.15 every morning, but you can of course say it whenever you like.

Alternatively, you might like to access daily internet prayer resources, such as the Scripture Union’s website www.wordlive.org

Please be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all in the community.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength . . . Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”
 

May the peace of the Lord be with you

Revd Mark Phillips