Today’s reflection is on Saint Luke, with Revd Erwin Lammens.
Annual Parish Church Meeting
A reminder that this will take place by Zoom on 17 October.
Any parishioner whose name is on the Electoral Roll can attend.
See the Notice for details of how to get a Zoom link to the meeting.
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Midweek Reflection 7 October 2020
With Revd Erwin Lammens, reflecting on St Francis of Assisi.
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Midweek Reflection 30 September 2020
With Revd Sara Batts-Neale
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Harvest Thanksgiving 2020
Remember back in March, when we said we’d be doing Church differently?
Now more than 6 months later, we’re still having to think how to adapt one of the church’s annual highlights to the new circumstances.
This year there will be no large gatherings of people, bringing Harvest gifts to St Mary’s; 
no schools choirs in a beautifully decorated church; no parcelling up of gifts and distributing to the Colchester Night Shelter, Beacon House or Soup Kitchen.
This absence of an opportunity for collective thanksgiving and celebration will sadden many and understandably so.
Yet, there was a harvest – and it was good.
And though we cannot make it a rousing thanksgiving this year, it is right and possible to give our individual thanks to the Lord of the Harvest for (as we say Sunday after Sunday) ‘all the benefits you have given me‘, and sublimate our feeling of loss into gains for others.
On Sunday 4 October Erwin will use the Harvest readings in the morning service.
Collecting and distributing food stuffs this year is problematic – but the need for them still is great.
So may we urge you to express Harvest thankfulness through gifts to the Wivenhoe foodbank;
or a financial donation to the Colchester foodbank (we’ve found the link for you here),
or to Beacon House (this is their donate link).
Wishing you all a HAPPY HARVEST TIME!
Church opening changes October 2020
Beginning on Sunday 4 October and remaining so until further notice, the church will be open as follows:
- every Sunday for the 10.30 Communion service
- except on the Third Sunday, when there will be
Communion service at 9 am, and
Morning Prayer at 10.30 am
As physical distancing still needs to be observed it will however be necessary to book a place at any of the services (and each time when wishing to attend)
by calling 07754 217 399 on Fridays between 4pm and 6pm.
The on-line services will continue via the website and Facebook,
every Sunday at 10.30 am, Communion service from the Rectory,
every Wednesday around 5 pm, Midweek Reflection
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Midweek Reflection 23 September 2020
With Revd Sara Batts-Neale
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We have a new DONATE page
Our website has had an update with the addition of a DONATE tab in the top line.
Clicking on it will take visitors to the DONATE page where they will find a new way to support St Mary’s church.
While services are not held in the building and giving through the collection plate is not possible, this will be another route to continue contributing towards St Mary’s general running costs.
The page will still be there even after we can resume services in the church because the PCC together with Revd Erwin have decided that on-line services will remain a fixture alongside physical services.
So those attending on line instead will also always have the opportunity to support St Mary’s in the future.
Give a Little is the company behind the set-up. Donors can choose their own amount or pick one of the pre-sets.
Gift Aid can be added by those who are eligible.
Donations will go to St Mary’s general fund which includes the costs of day to day running of the historic building.
We hope this new, easy way of giving will find a positive reception.
THANK YOU!
Midweek Reflection 16 September 2020
With Revd Elisabeth Ring
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Revd Elisabeth Ring
Congratulations to all the new Colchester area Deacons, and especially to our own Elisabeth Ring (second from right), on their ordination at Chelmsford cathedral today.
This is the after-service photo, when Bishop Roger had led the new revs out from the cathedral.
The service was live streamed from the cathedral and the tech staff are also to be congratulated on their engaging production.
