What's On

(See also Music News and Events).

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St Mary's Saffron Walden

Prayer Retreat. 17th -19th February 2012. There are still a few places left. If you would like to make a last-minute decision to go, please ring Margaret on 500292. Fees: The balance of £92 per person needs to be paid by 31st January. Would retreatants please send a cheque to the Parish Office, made payable to "Saffron Walden DCC" and labelled "Prayer Retreat." Many thanks.

Leicester Cathedral Visit: 19th February 2012. The Choir will be singing both the morning Eucharist and Choral Evensong on Sunday 19th February 2012 at Leicester Cathedral. More details to follow.

Aftershock Spring 2012 Programme. Click on the image on the left to download the Spring 2012 programme for 11 to 18 year olds. Or click here to visit our Young People's page or click here to go to our Aftershock webpage.

Lent & Eastertide Schools 2012 - a series of short courses running across the diocese between Ash Wednesday and Pentecost. See poster in church or contact the Parish Office for details.

SAFFRON WALDEN ASSEMBLIES TEAM: We conduct Assemblies with a Christian theme in RAB, Katherine Semar, Dame Bradbury’s, Debden, Wimbish, Radwinter, Chrishall and Ashdon Primary Schools on a regular basis. We are always delighted to add to our team of helpers, and if you think you might feel called to join in this work or would like to know more, please speak to David Tonlinson or Val Bowtle (Tel 01799 526271). Training available.

St Mary's Youth Newsletter

Saffron Walden Choral Society with Britten Sinfonia, Granta Chorale and SignuptoSing present MazeMusic: A gala evening celebrating the rich history of Saffron Walden Saturday 3rd March 2012 at 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden.

This forms part of Music Nation, a spectacular weekend of music around the UK setting the scene for the London 2012 Festival, the finale of the Cultural Olympiad.

The concert will première a specially commissioned cantata by Janet Wheeler for choirs and orchestra, with libretto written by Nick Warburton. The programme will also feature music by Byrd, Holst, Vaughan Williams and Michael Tippett as well as Sting, Bob Chilcott and Paul Mealor plus church bells and dancers!

In Autumn 2011, composer Elspeth Brooke and members of Britten Sinfonia began a series of composition workshops with A-level students at Saffron Walden County High School; some of their resultant work will also be performed in the concert.

Tickets for concerts are available from me, Linda Pollard (Tel: 01799 530759, mail:tickets@swchoral.org.uk), over the counter from the Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre in the Market Square, from SWCS members, at the door or by debit/credit card purchase from www.wegottickets.com

Lots more information can be found on our website www.mazemusic.org.uk and press coverage can be found here if you missed it http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Saffron-Walden/Choral-spectacular-chosen-to-be-in-nationwide-spotlight-12012012.htm

MEN’S WALK The next Men’s walk will be on Saturday 10th March We meet at 10am at St Mary’s for a walk in the local countryside followed by lunch in a pub. Contact Jeremy Collingwood 529055 or Mike Watts 502048 for more details. Click here for details of other activities for our Men's Group.

The photo shows 8 of us enjoying a lovely 4.5 mile walk in the Chrishall area ending up with a pub lunch at the Red Cow. Thanks to Andrew Pickering for organising this walkon the 14th Jan.

Service to mark the formation of Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry - Sunday 11th March at 4pm at St Mary’s, Saffron Walden Members of all our churches and local community are welcome to this celebration of our shared mission and ministry across the Team. Refreshments will be available after the service. If you would like to sing with the Team Choir assembled for this service, let the Parish Office know. The anthem will be “And the glory of the Lord” from Handel’s Messiah and there will be a brief rehearsal at 3pm before the service. David

Vocations Day - Saturday, 17th March - a chance to find out more about opportunities to serve God and his people. Held at John Owen Barn near Fordham Church, Colchester, 9.30am to 3.50pm. Contact the Parish office for details.

DEANERY MISSION WEEKEND: 18th to 20th May 2012. Please put this date in your diaries and pick up a newsletter from the back of church.

An evening with Henry Olonga (Test Cricketer) - Friday, 22nd June - a Christian event hosted by Gold St Chapel. More details and tickets (£25 ea) available in early May.

Music & Flower Festival to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Saturday, 2nd to Sunday, 10th June - St Mary’s will be holding a Music & Flower Festival to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. As this event will replace our Summer Fair, your help to make it a great success is needed. Please put these dates in your diary. The programme of events includes:

Saturday 2nd June in the evening: a three-course dinner with musical entertainment.
Monday 4th June to Friday 8th June there will be lunchtime conCerts each day.
Saturday 9th June in the evening: Tina Brooks and the Whittlesford Gospel Choir will be giving-a concert.
Sunday 10th June: close of the festival with Choral Evensong.

Refreshments will be available throughout the week

We would be grateful for help as volunteer stewards, with the making and serving of refreshments and any other offers of assistanCe. So if you feel you can help in any way, please speak to one of the committee members. Those on the steering committee are:
Gill Lovegrove(Chairman)
Pam Russell (Flowers)
Oliver King (Music)
Lesley Green (Music)
Peter Taylor (Refreshments)
Liz Lingley (Publicity)
Jim Butler (PUblicity)
Steve Hasler
Denis TindJey (Stewarding)

Children’s & Youth Activities in the Parish Rooms

Sunday Club: Meets in the Parish Rooms during the 10am service during term time. Children aged 3 to 16 are welcome. Unaccompanied children may be collected at 11am. Contact Debbie Flicos on 524177.
Aftershock Youth Club: for young people aged 11 - 18 years. Meets on Sunday 7.00pm - 8.30pm. A chance to socialise, learn & enjoy each other’s company. And there’s normally food involved!
Contact Andy Finn on 07794518907.
Guides: Tuesdays 7.15pm - 8.45pm.
Brownies: Tuesdays at 5.30pm.
Rainbows: Mondays 4.15pm - 5.30pm. (Girls aged 5-7 years.)

Normal pattern of services at St Mary's (Please check with calendar below)

Sundays:
8.00am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
10.00am Holy Communion, with Sunday Club for children - (all Sundays except 3rd of the month)
or Family Service on the 3rd Sunday of the month
4.00pm Evensong - (2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays of month)
4.00pm Evening Communion with laying on of hands (3rd Sunday)
6.30pm H2H Youth Service (1st Sunday)
Mondays: 8.30am Morning Prayer
Tuesdays: 8.30am Morning Prayer & in term time: 2.00pm St. Mary’s Tinies (in the Parish Room)
Wednesdays: 8.00am Morning Prayer & 9.30am Holy Communion (also on Saints Days)
Thursdays: 8.30am Morning Prayer & ( Until the end of July - 1.00pm Holy Communion on the 2nd, 3rd & 4th Thursday of the month) and Healing service at 1pm on the first Thursday of the month.
Saturdays: 9.00am Morning Prayer