ST MARY THE VIRGIN MENDLESHAM
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Recent Events

Christmass 2020 Charity Appeals for the homeless & destitute

Thank you to all who generously gave money, socks, food or toiletries; to Val for arranging the Christian Aid collection and JustGiving page; Graham & Anita for arranging the St Martin's Housing Trust 'Sockbank' and Andi for arranging that JustGiving page. See below for the results.

St Martin's Housing Trust, Norwich ('Night Shelter')

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The total raised through Just Giving was £155 + £31.25 Gift Aid. The money collected in the churn was £64 
So the grand total to benefit those helped by St Martin's is: 
​£250.25..... as well as the

'Sockbank'

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An amazing total of 271 pairs of socks, plus 6 scarves, 2 hats and a pair of gloves, plus a few assorted clothes have been given for those helped by St Martin's, Norwich. The first 124 pairs of socks were taken by Graham before Christmass so they could be used immediately.

Christian Aid

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Just Giving: £525 plus £101.25 Gift Aid; Churn in church: £110 plus £17.50 Gift Aid.
​So the grand total to benefit those helped by Christian Aid was £753.75

Stowmarket Foodbank

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Despite being able to collect only in 6 months last year because of lockdown, the boxes in St Mary's collected 226 kg of food and toiletries in 2020.

The 2 red boxes are still in place for food and toiletries and will continue to be collected throughout the current lockdown.

Christmass Eve Carol Service 2020

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Just the socially-distanced choir and organist in church, Fr Philip at the entrance to the Holy Cross chapel and a brave, socially distanced congregation in the South churchyard singing in pouring rain. Thanks to Stuart & Simon for arranging the PA system, Andy, Michael, Tom, Andrew, Andrew, Graham and Anita for stewarding, Tim  for setting up the Football club lights and Hugh for loaning and putting up a string of lights by the wall.
It was certainly different from usual and a great community effort - and although short (and very wet), still a  fitting act of worship to mark the beginning of Christmass. It's still available to view on the church Facebook page at 
Carol service - St Mary the Virgin Mendlesham (facebook.com)

Doorstep Carols in conjunction with Radio Suffolk, 16th December 2020

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2020 was the 47th time we sang carols around the streets of the parish, but we couldn't knock on doors and collect for the homeless as usual.
However, thanks to Radio Suffolk's Doorstep Carols, people could tune in, stand on their doorstep - and also join in with the travelling carollers from St Mary's, who toured  Mendlesham with the carols playing on the PA system courtesy of the Parish Council - and to all who gave to the Christmass Appeals for charity either in the churn in church or through the Just Giving pages or donated new socks for the homeless. Thanks to Stuart Larkin for sorting out the sound and to all who came to sing.

Santa Claus' flying visit
13th December 2020

Some members of St Mary's congregation and others in the wider community helped when Fr Christmas, aka Santa Claus  paid a flying visit to Mendlesham and Mendlesham Green in the early evening of Sunday 13th December to bring a little cheer to children and their parents .. all in the spirit of St Nicholas!

Thanks to Stuart for sorting out the sound, and to Santa Claus for giving his valuable time - and to Margo, Anthony, Eric, Graham and Anita for your involvement.
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Remembrance Sunday - 8th November 2020

For the first time we livestreamed to our new Facebook page and the recording remains available. Click on the image below or go to https://www.facebook.com/stmarysmendlesham/   
Also available on YouTube by clicking here 
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Accompanying Bulletins with the readings and prayers, including the Roll of Honour of all Mendlesham Men who gave their lives in WW1, WW2 and the Korean War, can be downloaded below:

Printable bulletin
08/11/20
Online bulletin
08/11/20


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There is also an order of Mass here, 

Graham, Shane and Paula's Confirmation - 30th August 2020

This took place at the Parish Mass and we welcomed +Norman, BIshop of Richborough, who preached and Confirmed. Photos show Shane, Paula and Graham with their sponsors, Bishop Norman, Fr Philip and the two churchwardens.

Paula's Baptism, Graham, Shane and Paula's First Communion & Picnic after Mass on the Feast of the Assumption 16th August 2020

Candlemass

Sunday 2nd February
The 9.30 Parish Mass started with the Blessing & Procession of Candles - a symbol of proclaiming Jesus as the Light of the World and spreading that light. During the Mass, the new wrought iron gate to the rood stairs was dedicated   in memory of John Herron.
After Mass the congregation enjoyed a delicious brunch at the back of the church.

Blessing of new gate to rood loft stairs
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What is a Rood Screen? In mediaeval churches, Rood Screens were used to mark the separation between the nave (the body of the church) and the chancel (where the High altar is situated). The word rood comes from the old English rōd, meaning the Cross of Christ and the rood figures consisted of Jesus on the Cross, with Mary and St John on either side. In our church the original screen and figures were removed at the Reformation, but the original steps leading from the Lady chapel remain. Our Rood figures were restored in 1981 above the chancel arch and for many years I have wanted a beautiful gate primarily for safety reasons. 
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The restored Rood held a fascination for John Herron for many years, and so the new gate given by his widow Anne, is a fitting memorial.​ 
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It bears a symbol copied from the South porch – a crowned AMR – standing for Ave Maria Regina – Hail Mary, ​​Queen, and the lock cover has an amusing and fitting rebus (an image like a pun, representing a name) of a heron.
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​John was for many years a faithful member of St Mary’s congregation. It was designed by Philip Orchard, who was present for its dedication, together with Anne Herron and some of her family.
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Plough Sunday

Sunday 12th January
A lively celebration at the start of the new year in this rural parish.

At the 9.30 Sung Mass the Plough was blessed as we asked God's blessing on the land this year. Again we welcomed the East Suffolk Morris Men, who danced during the Mass.
At 11.15 there was a procession of the Plough and Morris Dancing through the village to the King’s Head for more dancing by the Morris men and drinks kindly provided by Paul. Aferwards there was a shared lunch in church.

​Mendlesham Summer Festival

A few photos from our patronal festival Mass of the Assumption of Our Lady on 16th August. Bishop Norman blessed the 10th edition of our own label real ale before Mass and it was sampled afterwards with hot dogs and a magnificent firework display to music. Thanks to John and Becky who donated them and braved a downpour most of the afternoon to set them up! You can watch a YouTube clip below the photos.


​To see photos of other past events, see the Photo Gallery

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  • Home
  • Worship during current crisis
    • Previous Online Worship March - June 2020
  • What's on
  • Recent News and Events
  • About
  • Who's who
  • Father Philip Writes...This month
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
  • Contact
  • Prayers
  • Donations
  • Links
  • Bereavement links
  • Where we are
  • The church building
  • The Friends of St Mary's
  • The 5 Guiding Principles of the House of Bishops
  • Photo Gallery
  • The USAAF 34th Bomb Group Memorial Dedication
  • Social Distancing and Hygeine during current pandemic