stmaryswivenhoe

After last year’s disappointment, when they had to cancel virtually all concerts because of the pandemic, St Mary’s Music Society is now set to make 2022 a resounding success if its new programme is anything to go by.
Six attractive events are listed and can be seen here, together with links to details of the performers.
And of course, it will all take place in the refurbished St Mary’s nave where acoustics have never been better.

Midweek Reflection 23 March 2022 falls on the Covid19 National Day of Reflection.

The Marie Curie charity is promoting this day and The Church of England is supporting the initiative, the first anniversary of the UK Covid lockdown, to commemorate the tragic loss of life and to stand together with everyone who is grieving.

Midweek Reflection with the Revd John Driver is here.

St James the Great in Colchester is the venue on Saturday 26 March for what sounds like a really attractive event.

Titled Playing for Parish Worship, it is an invitation to all keyboard players of whatever ability or age, from beginner to experienced, from ‘hands only’ to ‘pedals included’, to brush up on how to lead congregational singing.

The event is organised jointly by the Royal School of Church Music and the Essex Organ Academy.

Entry fee is £10 for adults, £5 for children.
The details are here.

Ukraine Relief

If you want to make a donation to help the people in Ukraine, and you haven’t already done so, St Mary’s is coordinating the collection of donations during Lent.

On Sunday 10 April after the 10.30am service a retiring collection will be held for the people affected by the war in Ukraine.

If you like to make your donation sooner please leave it in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the words ‘Ukraine Relief’ or you could transfer your donation by BACS with the reference ‘Ukraine Relief’.

All donations will be transferred to the Ukraine Emergency Appeal by USPG – United Society Partners in the Gospel who work with the Anglican Diocese in Europe to help those affected by the war.

Account Name: St Mary’s Church Wivenhoe Parochial Church Council

Sort Code: 20-22-67 – Account Number: 90103144 – Reference: Ukraine Relief.

Cheques payable to St Mary’s church Wivenhoe. Please leave in the treasurer’s box or send your cheque to:

Hon. Treasurer Douglas McCormick, River Lodge, West Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9DE

Many thanks for thinking of the people in Ukraine. Your support will make a difference.

Today is Shrove Tuesday, when one tradition tells us we should eat pancakes.
Using up perishable food stuffs before starting a period of fasting makes good sense.
Could feasting on pancakes obscure the link with and reason for fasting?

In her BBC Thought for the Day the revd Lucy Winkett links it all together:
the meaning of Shrove Tuesday, the war in Ukraine, and our own being human.

Fast forward to 07.49 on the above link to hear her make sense of it all.

AND WHAT A QUIZ NIGHT it was on Saturday 26 February!!
Great teams, great cakes, great atmosphere.
It was enough to make you want to do it again – which is just as well
as we’ve had feedback expressing precisely that hope. 🙂

Some teams didn’t get a chance to view the final score.
So by request, here it is (though Round 1 seems to have been cropped out, sorry!).
We want to thank everybody who made it happen, including all participants and
especially Quiz Master Peter Kerr.

(From the guest editor)
Chelmsford Diocese Tweeted today:

Fairtrade Fortnight starts tomorrow until 6 March.
Pray for fairness and justice in our trading system globally, for fair prices for producers and a wide perspective for consumers in the impact of their choices;
Give thanks for the Fairtrade Movement, and local initiatives in our diocese which highlight fair-trade products and raise debate about economic justice for all.

In 2022 the online Choose the World you Want Festival will run from 21 February to 6 March.
The link will take you to the Festival website and a host of informative stuff.

The prophet Amos had something to report about festivals, justice and righteousness.
Somehow I don’t think he would have included this festival.

This will be observed during the week 18-25 January and is also the subject of the Midweek Reflection by Revd Erwin Lammens this week.

This has now been posted on the on-line services page.
Glyn Stanway contemplates the fruit of the Spirit. Today:kindness.