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Strict covid safety measures are in place – please wear a mask, observe social distancing, sanitise hands on arrival
and sit on a green tick – thank you
Due to the latest Govt. Covid guidance update the choir will not be singing during the 09:30am service
There will be congregational hymns outside at the end of the service (weather permitting).
Evening prayer on zoom at 6pm details below
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St Mary’s Church, Finedon
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On behalf of the whole parish of Finedon may I invite you most warmly to step over our virtual threshold. You will find within our contact details and details also of forthcoming services and events here at St Mary’s. We are, of course, the parish church not only for the those who worship here but for everyone in Finedon, and the social calendar is almost as busy as the ecclesiastical calendar. Whatever you seek – friendship, community, something to challenge and stretch you, something to give you comfort and peace, the love of Jesus Christ, or simply the satisfaction of curiosity – you are most welcome to step over our real threshold too and see what we have to offer.
Yours in Christ, Fr Richard.
The church of ST. MARY-THE VIRGIN consists of chancel, north and south transeptal chapels, clearstoried nave of four bays, north and south aisles, south porch, and west tower. The tower is surmounted by a lofty spire and the porch has an upper story. There is a modern vestry on the north side of the chancel.
Of the original 12th-century building nothing remains except the font, the church having been entirely rebuilt at the beginning of the 14th century. With the exception of the tower and spire it is all of one date, and is one of the finest examples in the county of a church of this period. The tower and spire were erected about fifty years later. The whole building is therefore substantially of one style and it preserves a unity in design which gives it particular distinction.
20th June 2021
the ramblings of Hubert James
Sumer is ycumen in, the old English lyric promises, but I’m writing this half way through May and the year feels like it is going into reverse. Cold winds shaking darling buds rather than the cuckoo’s call and when I checked the long range weather forecast for south west Scotland before I went on holiday, ten days of rain bearing clouds were rolling in form the Atlantic.
Never mind, there are more important things than the weather, if not the climate, that will reward us. The easing of lockdown, for starters, which will feel like a summer festival in itself, if all goes according to plan. We will once again be together, doing what we like doing – singing hymns, enjoying the Flower Festival, just chatting with friends in the church porch.
All depends, of course, on the numbers, but they are looking very encouraging, and the vaccination programme, world beating, seems to be delivering what it promised, a sure defence against COVID 19, and an end to the pandemic.
What are the lessons to learn? Too early to say, apart from a general one, that we never know what is around the corner, but whatever it is, we will find the resourcefulness to handle it.
Resourcefulness required in the parish too, not only as we restart but looking forward, and power on real changes. Jane Burns, our esteemed curate, will be leaving in the autumn now she’s fully qualified, and takes up a new appointment. What a joy and delight it has been to have her with us.
Neil Forster, our esteemed church warden, will also be stepping down from that post at Christmas, to spend more time with his camper van. He’s done more than a decade too, and has contributed in so many ways. And of course he will still be around to solve the mysteries of the boiler.
Jonathan Harris, our Director of Music, who has also contributed an immense amount to the life of this place has already departed. After more than a decade in post the time had come to seek a new challenge.
And I too will be leaving, after more than a decade, next year, after Easter, when our post COVID recovery is underway; not to seek newer challenges but fewer challenges, in retirement.
That’s a lot of departures close together – it just happened that way, I’m afraid – but vicars and curates and directors of music and churchwardens, like buses, come and go, and others will come along, bringing freshness and new vision to the task ahead.
But enough valedictory, the time for goodbyes is not now, apart from the usual sing-off.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Richard
All copy should addressed by the 15th of the month prior to publication
To: Gill Barlow
Tel: 07952 195816
email: gill.barlow@ntlworld.com
Fr. Richard invites you to Parish Eucharist in church on Sundays at 9.30am and Wednesdays at 11:00am
and also Evening Prayer on Sunday evenings at 6pm on Zoom
Detailed information in the Sunday Sheet each Sunday morning
Cancelled
(the plan is for this group to meet on the first Wednesday ofevery month) All welcome. Approx. 40 minute session in church.
