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St Andrew's Church |
| Services in March |
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| All services suspended until further notice | ||||
| Services in April |
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It may be that some of you might want to use the church for a period of quiet reflection and so it will be unlocked for most of the day from now on. There will be some gel inside - please use it, and if someone else is in the building, remember to keep a safe distance.
As I sit writing this letter it is a cold, dark, blustery day. Thoughts of Christmas are beginning to fade and I long for warmth, light, and the onset of spring, that promise of brighter things that lays on the horizon before us.
Looking ahead really is my theme for this letter. The BBC are currently running a trailer highlighting the new programmes that they will be broadcasting in 2020. This is our church trailer outlining some of the new things that we shall be starting in the Spencer Benefice during the first half of this year.
In our last letter Rev Kathryn told you about our new "Singing for wellbeing" sessions. Just to remind you that this is being held at East Haddon Church on the last Saturday of every month from 2:30 till 3:30pm. Everyone is welcome and you don't have to be able to sing a note, it’s all about having fun!
We plan to run "Scripture inspired art and craft" sessions for those of you who like to make and create things. We shall also be starting a "Sew and sow" group, the idea being that we can come together to make seasonal wall hangings etc. for our churches or to work on our own sewing projects.
There will also be a lent bible study group, confirmation classes will begin and following on from the success of "Experience Christmas" we shall be running "Experience Easter" to engage with our local schools and communities.
Keep an eye out for details of these and other activities that will be happening within our benefice. The new year tends to be a time when we try something new so why not come and try church? You may have attended church in the past or you may never have been to a service, either way, you will always be made most welcome. Details of church services can be found above or you can give me a call on 01604 771338.
I hope to see you soon.
Rev Andrea Watkins.Mar 2020
See Andrea's 17th March pastoral letter on coronavirus here.
Thanks to all who supported the recent very popular Village Quiz by providing puds and especially Neil Phillips for putting the questions together.
We see some great opportunities to provide a social focus for the village. When we host coffee mornings these are well supported and give you all chance to catch up with neighbours and village gossip. Similarly drinks after the Carol Service generated a good buzz and natter.
We would like to be able to run more events like this but as always with these things we are reliant upon a small nucleus of people (who can become quite tired!) and so there is a limit to what we can do. There is always room for more volunteers and if you think you would like to get involved in helping with a coffee morning, running a social event, getting involved in the running of the building or even doing a bit of weeding in the churchyard then do let me know.
We should try some new ideas to get new village residents involved and to feel part of the community. If you have any suggestions, no matter what, please send me an email.
The weekend of 8 - 10 May will mark The 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Again this is a good opportunity for a village event. Friday 8 May is a bank holiday. A coffee morning, afternoon tea, evening drinks would be good. What do you think?
Jon Brierley on 07759 443178 or email
Linda Treacy on 07752 885900 or email
Churchwardens
Dedicated to St Andrew, the parish church is one of six within the Spencer Benefice of the Diocese of Peterborough. Built in the 
12th/13thcentury the only original parts of the building remaining are the base of the tower and parts of the nave. The remainder of the nave and the upper parts of the tower were built in the later part of the 18th century. A ring of 6 bells was given in 1777 by the patron of the time ~ William Lucas Rose ~ who also paid for their installation and the building work. In 1779 he also gave a gift of communion vessels which are still in use today.
Considerable restoration work was carried out in 1878/9 when the chancel was reconstructed and the vestry and organ aisles added. Most of the existing windows were also restored. The tower and nave roofs were restored in 1957/8.
The east window contains the only stained glass in the building – the subject is Christ’s Crucifixion and dates from 1878. It is believed to be the work of Burlerison and Gryll – the purple/blue colouring being typical of their work and the stained glass designs used based on those of Germany and the Netherlands around 1500.
The Reredos behind the altar is a picture in mosaic depicting the Last Supper – a copy of the painting by Leonardo da Vinci, with the inscription beneath “Do this in remembrance of me”. The mosaic continues on either side depicting on one side ears of wheat, and on the other a grapevine.
The church clock is unusual as it was originally a one handed clock divided into ¼ hours and therefore does not have 60 minutes.
The church is surrounded by a churchyard of 0.649 acres with lovely country views looking eastwards. The earliest known gravestone is that of Thomas Embry Woolwinder who died in 1687.
In April 1994 the 6 bells and the frame were removed. The bells were taken to Whitechapel foundry in London, recast, and 2 new bells added to make a ring of 8.Tenor weight 13-1-5.
All the bells have inscriptions on them. The treble having “The Rose Bell, in memory of William Lucas Rose who gave the original six bells in 1777”. The new bells were rung for the first time on August 13th for a village wedding and were dedicated by the Bishop of Peterborough at a special service on September 29th1994.
The Bellringers practise on Monday evenings 7.45 to 9.00 pm. Anyone from 10 years can learn to ring – contact Justin Baker on 01327 844263 (e-mail) or Janet Bowers on 01327 842851 (email).
Visiting bands of ringers please contact the tower correspondent Janet on 01327 842851 (email).
St Andrew's is a small church with a friendly atmosphere which welcomes you to any of the services.
Special services include Pet Blessing, Christingle and others which rotate around the Benefice.