Auction of Promises

Saturday 16th October 2010

Can you offer your time or expertise to help raise money for St Mary's Charities and our contribution to the Parish Share?

In the past people have offered such things as free use of holiday accommodation, car cleaning, valeting or servicing, babysitting, catering for a children's party or dinner party, language, maths or music tuition, massage and beauty treatment, family tree research, golf lessons, flower-arranging lessons, and lots of other ideas, including profesional services such as making a will. Or you could offer an item for auction, such as cakes, party food, paintings, a cricket bat, team photographs.

For more details or to offer a promise, please contact David Thomas or Barbara Brookes (230533).

 

 

 

Welcome to our new Rector

 

We are pleased to welcome our new Rector, The Rev David Thomas, and his wife Alison and family to The Parish of St Mary the Virgin, Shenfield and we hope they will be very happy with us.

 

On Tuesday May 12th, over 250 people came to St Mary’s to join in the Institution and Induction of our new Rector, The Reverend David Thomas.

The Service was conducted by the Bishop of Bradwell, The Right Reverend Dr Laurie Green and The Archdeacon of Southend, The Venerable David Lowman.

Beginning with a procession of St Mary’s choir, our clergy, David Thomas and the Patron, Charles Courage, were followed by robed clergy from local churches of different denominations. 

The Service continued with a cordial introduction to David Thomas by Bishop Laurie. There was a reading from Mark 16, a sermon by the Archdeacon and then came the legal parts of the Service. David Thomas and his wife Alison were then introduced to the people of Shenfield with welcoming speeches from local community representatives such as the Mayor, Councillor Dudley Payne and St Mary’s Primary School Headmaster, Chris Beazeley.

During the Service there were symbolic presentations to the new Rector of a key to the door of the Church and a map of the Parish by the Churchwardens, after which the Rector tolled the church bell (with a little help from the Tower Master).

There were also presentations to the new Rector around the Church of water, the sign of Baptism, a bible, a book of prayers and a chalice and platen for communion.

The Service was interspersed with wonderful hymns such as “Be thou my Vision”. The singing, which was swelled by members from other churches, and with every pew full, the hymns were sung with great gusto.

After the Service, the congregation proceeded to St Mary’s School where a splendid buffet and drinks were enjoyed by all.  Everybody was able to greet the new Rector and he was also able to say goodbye to nearly 40 people who had come from his previous parish of Wivenhoe to wish their Minister good luck in his new parish.

 

Click here to go to the Confirmation page and to see the pictures of the candidates with the Bishop.

St Mary's Choir

There is still need for more singers to join our choir on a regular or intermittent basis. Please contact Sylvia Bridger, choir leader, for further details. Tel. 219853.