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St Mary Abbots Church regards the safe care and protection of children and vulnerable adults as of the utmost importance. Our Safeguarding office is Rona and can be reached by email
[email protected] or please contact the Diocesan helpline: 02079321224. |
The church is open daily
from 8.30am - 6pm and on Saturday 10am - 6pm
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Dear friends
Did you know that the Church of England celebrates five separate feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary? They are scattered throughout the liturgical year and remind us of the significant role played by Jesus’ mother throughout his life. The number of church buildings across the land (over 2,300!) dedicated to St Mary also witness to her importance in the life of the Church. Our upcoming Patronal Festival on 6th September at 11.15 am is therefore a useful opportunity for us to reflect on Mary’s place in the Christian faith and her place in our own personal faith. The Council of Ephesus in 431AD declared ‘ If anyone does not confess that Emmanuel is God in truth, and therefore that the holy virgin is the mother of God, for she bore in a fleshly way the Word of God become flesh, let him be anathema'. This somewhat obscure theological statement is a useful reminder that if we hope to understand ‘the Word made flesh’ as John writes in his gospel, we need understand the woman who bore that ‘divine Word’. Mary’s faith, her willingness to assent to the angelic message, and her patient endurance of suffering as her beloved son was nailed to the cross are examples to us of a holy life. Her presence at Pentecost shows us the reward of that life: full, personal communion with God. We celebrate our Patronal Festival on 6 September, the Sunday closest to the feast of the Nativity of Mary. At 11.15am there will be a Choral Eucharist followed by a garden party at the vicarage. Please bring food to share with others. And perhaps consider the Patronal as your opportunity to reconsider how you view Mary and what her example might teach you. Following closely on the heels of the patronal is ‘Blokes in the Belfry’ on 9 September at 7pm. This is an opportunity for the men of the parish to get together, learn about the church’s 10 bells (5 of which date back to 1772), and have a go at ringing in the tower. A friendly wine tasting will follow in church, with a variety of wines provided by Tuggy Meyer of Huntsworth Wine Company, Ltd. Tuggy has promised me a ‘church-themed’ set of wines, so I wait with interest to see what he’s come up with! Please email me HERE if you would like to attend. Places are capped at 20 individuals. Finally, as we all know the prospect of rain continues to look increasingly slim (unless the Lord miraculously intervene). As an eco-church, St Mary Abbots tries its best, despite its Victorian bones, to be a good steward of the environment. Care for creation is an area of theology we don’t often talk about but it’s important to remember that God’s good world requires good stewards. I’d like to encourage you to think about how you can save water over the next month. You might consider using a bowl or basin in your sink or shower to catch greywater which can be used to water house and garden plants. OFWAT has some other helpful tips www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/conservingwater/help/ I conclude below with a prayer for rain, remembering that above all that we may do, the Lord still rules supreme over creation. O God, heavenly Father, who by thy Son Jesus Christ hast promised to all them that seek thy kingdom, and the righteousness thereof, all things necessary to their bodily sustenance: Send us, we beseech thee, in this our necessity, such moderate rain and showers, that we may receive the fruits of the earth to our comfort, and to thy honour; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1662) With love, Fr Evan 13th August 2026 |
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The PCC of St Mary Abbots Church
Charity No: 1132235 |
