| Visit to Lichfield Cathedral 8 April 2025 | | 33 of us from the Friends of St Mary's Church visited Lichfield Cathedral on 8 April 2025 and explored the cathedral on guided tours and learned a lot about St Chad and this magnificent cathedral with three spires.
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| H2H and Living Stones are combining | | All are invited to join us for an hour of café-style contemporary worship, bible teaching and prayer ministry, led jointly between the Ministry Team and our Youth Group, Aftershock, in the Parish Rooms at 6.30pm on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
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| Pastoral Care Awards | | Congratulations to Vivian Falk and Claire Dunn on being awarded their Diocesan Pastoral Care Certificates. These were awarded by Bishop Lynne on Saturday 8th February at Chelmsford Cathedral. There were two Pastoral Care groups receiving certificates.
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| Holocaust Memorial Service 27th January 2025 | | Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January was marked by a service at St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden. The congregation included pupils from RA Butler Academy, Dame Bradbury’s School, St Mary's C of E Primary School and St Thomas More Catholic Primary School
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| Deanery Confirmation Service | | A well attended Confirmation Service was held on 26 January 2025 for 11 candidates of all ages from the Saffron Walden Deanery with the majority of the youngsters from Great Chesterford. The service was presided over by the Bishop of Colchester.
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| Christmas Fair Photos 30 November 2024 | | A selection of photos from Saturday's Christmas Fair. A number of these will also be printed and dispalyed on a board at the back of the church. More information about amount raised will be posted here.
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| Rev’d Lynda Sebbage’s Licensing as Team Vicar | | Rev’d Lynda Sebbage was welcomed as Team Vicar with responsibility for Debden and Wimbish at a service of licensing and installation on October 24th at Debden Church with
the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Archdeacon of Stansted, and the team clergy.
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| Choral Evensong at Norwich Cathedral 19 October 2024 | | The choir visited Norwich Cathedral on Saturday 19 October 2024 to sing choral evensong. They consisted of 22 adults, 5 choral scholars, 8 Juniors, our organ scholar, organist and Director of Music. Listen to the recording plus a few photos.
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| Hilary Walker's Priesting | | Congratulations to our Rev'd Dr Hilary walker on her ordination to the Priesthood at Great Notley Church on Saturday 28 September 2024 by the Rt Rev'd Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester.
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| Farewell to Matt Williamson | | At the end of September we said goodbye to Matt Williamson. Matt has worked in the Team for 11 years as our Youth and Children’s Leader. He has done a terrific job of engaging with young people of all ages, in our churches, schools and the wider community
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| Lighting Project Gift Day | | We have received the Detailed Design for the replacement lighting in the church and now need to raise funds to cover this exciting and very necessary project. Your support will be much appreciated.
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| New - Sunday Club for Children | | Sunday Club is held in St Mary’s Parish Rooms every Sunday for Primary age School Children from 10.30-11.30am except when there is a Family Service which is normally held on the 4th Sunday of the month. Just turn up
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| From the Archives! | | In the Bleak Midwinter by Darke from the late 1990s. The Choir of St Mary's Church Saffron Walden recorded by the BBC in the late 90s as part of their Advent series.
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| Eco News July 2024 - An Exercise in Futility | | We have re-elected our MP. It was never going to be me, but I stood anyway to try to raise some sense of urgency about the Climate Crisis which was so studiously ignored during the General Election campaign.
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| Youth Group Fundraiser for DTI Summer Camp 2024 | | Young people from Aftershock and the Community Church will be cycling 130 miles from Saffron Walden to Stafford show ground on turbo trainers in 12 hours to raise funds for a minibus to take them to the Dreaming the Impossible Summer Conference.
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| New Facebook Page for St Mary's | | We now have a new Facebook page for St Mary's Church, SW. Do visit us at www.facebook.com/stmaryschurchsaffronwalden and like. There is also a link to this at the bottom of each page of St Mary's website. Hannah Razzell is kindly managing this page.
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| Jonathan Scott Organ Trumpet Fanfare | | In case you missed last Saturday's excellent Organ Recital by Jonathan Scott, here is a chance to listen to his solo organ arrangement of Fanfare pour précéder "La Péri" by Paul Dukas on the organ of St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden on 1st June 2024...
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| Eco News June 2024 - Sort this Ruddy Weather Out! | | “If anyone can sort this ruddy weather out, they’d definitely get my vote!’ I woke to hear these closing words on Farming Today two days after the General Election was called. Spoken by a farmer with passion and exasperation...
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| Eco News May 2024 - Opportunity and Hope denied | | We have all seen, either first hand while on holiday, or in the media, the appalling tonnage of plastic waste building up in our oceans and in countries where it has been shamelessly dumped. In 2019, the WWF found that each of us could be ingesting the ..
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| Aftershock Programme Spring 2024 | | Aftershock is for 11-18 year olds and meets on Sundays in the Parish Rooms, from 7.00 to 8.30pm during term time. It is a chance to socialise, learn and enjoy each other’s company and there’s normally food involved!
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| Eco News February 2024 - Whatever can I do? | | We can no longer be unaware of the facts of the climate crisis: the never-ending news stories of fires, floods and disasters; the constant breaking of temperature records; the sequence of rain and storms that make roads impassable and scupper enjoyment of
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| Wiggle Church to replace Team JC from January 2024 | | We have made the decision to stop Team JC at the end of this term. We feel it is time to bring in a new Sunday morning provision for families at St Mary’s Church and in Saffron Walden. I’m pleased to announce that we will be starting Wiggle Church ...
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| Contacting the Rector | | If you need to contact Rev'd Jeremy Trew, please use his email saffronrector@gmail.com or phone the Parish Office 01799 506 024 as the rectory telephone line is awaiting repair.
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| Ordination of Rev'd Ella Harris as Priest | | Rev’d Ella Harris was ordained Priest at St Peter ad Vincula, Coggleshall by the Bishop of Colchester, the Rt Rev’d Roger Morris, in a service on Saturday 30th September 2023, together with other candidates from the Stansted and Harlow Archdeaconries.
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| Ordination of Hilary Walker as Deacon | | Rev’d Dr Hilary Walker was ordained Deacon at Chelmsford Cathedral by the Rt Rev’d Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford, on Sunday 10th September 2023, together with other candidates from the Chelmsford diocese.
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| Vacancy for Team Administrator | | There is a vacancy for the post of Team Administrator based in the Parish Office at St Mary's, Saffron Walden. Closing date for applications is Wednesday 20th September and Interviews will be held on Thursday 28th September.
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| Organ Scholar Appointed | | St Mary’s Saffron Walden and St Mary’s Wendens Ambo have appointed the third Michael Swindlehurst Organ Scholar, Ziyi Wang, a year 11 pupil at Saffron Walden County High School
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| Friends' Visit to Southwark Cathedral | | Thirty Friends members visited Southwark Cathedral on Tuesday 25th July 2023 in glorious sunshine. Two excellent Tour Guides gave us 90mins of their time, knowledge and wit to take us around this beautiful Cathedral by the Thames.
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| Clergy News July 2023 | | We will be very sorry to lose our two team vicars in the autumn of this year but wish them both well in their exciting ministry challenges ahead. Please do pray for them and the the Saffron Walden ministry team in the light of the changes taking place.
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| Eco Church Lifestyle Questionnaire Results | | We already have the Bronze Eco Church Award and we are now working towards the Silver Award. Within the lifestyle category, we were asked: "As part of our life together, the members of our church should undertake an environmental lifestyle audit". Results
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| Team Ministry visit to Peasgood and Skeates | | Peasgood and Skeates Funeral Manager, Lee Wilkins and his team recently welcomed ministers and administrative staff from Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry to give them an insight into their profession.
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| 400th Anniversary of Great Ringing Day | | Weekend, 10th - 11th June 2023, the bell ringers of St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, will once again celebrate “Great Ringing Day” (GRD). This event is held annually and results from a bequest by Thomas Turner, a local mercer and benefactor
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| Ring for the King | | Ringing of church bells for the Coronation of King Charles III If you were anywhere near a church on Coronation weekend, you might have heard the bells being rung in celebration.
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| Friends of the Parish Church - Latest Newsletter | | View our latest Newsletter which shows what we have been up to during the last year and plans for the future. We have a mission to fulfil the duty that is ours of preserving this Church in all its beauty for those who come after .
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| Junior Choir Cake Stall | | Members of our Junior Choir running their cake stall on Saturday 4th February 2023 to support their forthcoming trip to Ely.
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| Holocaust Memorial Service 27 January 2023 | | St Mary’s held two events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. In the afternoon, over 250 school children and 60 adults attended a memorial service at St Mary’s Church and Baroness Cox gave a further talk in the evening.
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| London to Walsingham Pilgrimage | | St Mary's Church Saffron Walden is on the resurrected London to Walsingham Pilgrimage route and where visiting pilgrims can stamp their official passbooks which can also used on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain.
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| Congratulations Rev'd Ella Harris | | Ella Harris was ordained Deacon at Chelmsford Cathedral on Sunday 11th September 2022 by Bishop Guli. Ella is licensed as Assistant Curate to the Team but will focus her ministry jointly on the Cam Villages Churches and St Mary's, Saffron Walden.
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| Bishop Guli: Address and Q+A 20 July 2022 | | A chance to listen again to the address given by the Rt Rev'd Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford at the Saffron Walden Deanery service at St Mary's Church Saffron Walden on Wednesday 20th July 2022, followed by Questions and Answers.
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| Andy Colebrooke’s Book | | Andy Colebrooke’s book is being published on the 29th July and is based on the film 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' - suitable for individual or group use.
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| Paula Griffiths's book of poems | | Paula's book of poems, price £5, can be bought at Hart’s and the Tourist Information Office or ordered via the Parish Office. Or after the 10am service this Sunday 24th July. All proceeds to the church.
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| Weekend Away 27-29 May 2022 Photos | | Our Weekend Away at Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, was attended by 75 parishioners of all ages from the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry. It was a great opportunity to meet together in a relaxed, spiritual and inspiring setting.
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| Friends' Trip to Ely Cathedral April 2022 | | Above photo taken on Friends of the Parish Church's day trip to Ely Cathedral on Thursday 28th April 2022. Find out more about our next outing to Bury in June and how you can support our church by joining the Friends of the Parish Church
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| Fundraising for Ukraine | | Two recent events organised by St Mary's Church Saffron Walden to raise funds for the crisis in Ukraine. A concert featuring our choir and friends and our most junior choir Joyful Noise
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| Choral Evensong - 13 February 2022 | | A chance to listen to a recording of this service. The conductor was Jeremy Allen, organist was Oli King, cantor was Eden Faith and soloist in the Bairstow was Alison Lawrence.
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| Covid-19 Update | | It is no longer necessary to pre-book to attend services at St Mary’s but we are keeping some measures in place for everyone’s benefit and face coverings must be worn during services.
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| New Assistant Curate | | Ella Harris will be our new assistant curate from September 2022. She will be licensed to the Team but will focus her ministry jointly on the Cam Villages Churches and St Mary's, Saffron Walden.
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| Opportunities for enthusiastic young singers | | Opportunities for enthusiastic young singers to join one of our two lively groups. Age ranges are 5½ to 7½ for Joyful Noise and 7½ to 13 years for the Junior Choir. If you think this is for you and would like more information, please contact Bron Ferland
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| New Organ Scholar appointed | | The second Michael Swindlehurst Organ Scholar is Yechan Yun, a 16-year-old pupil in the sixth form at the Perse School. Yechan says, “I was motivated to start playing the organ 6 years ago ...
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| Scything the wildflower areas of the churchyard | | Scything the wildflower areas of the churchyard is now complete, and the grasses or ‘windrows’ will be raked and removed next week. This is all part of our work as an Eco Church, which is also why we are taking part the Great Big Green Week.
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| Repair to the Chancel Roof | | We need to replace the Chancel roof which was last renewed in 1959. The work will start in mid September and last about 16 weeks and will involve scaffolding on the outside of the Chancel.
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| Church Eco Group | | Hannah and James Razzell from the St Mary's Eco Group placing a nesting box in one of the trees in the churchyard. Photo by Alan Hawkes. Visit our Eco Church pages for more information about our Eco Church Group and Climate Change.
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| Ascension Day Sunrise Photos | | Many thanks to Celia Bartlett Photography for these very atmospheric photos taken from our church rooftop at sunrise on Ascension Day 13th May 2021.
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| Updated Organ Leaflet | | There was apparently an organ in St Mary’s as early as 1451. The present organ is a descendant of one built in 1824 by John Vincent. Rebuilt in 1885 by T. C. Lewis and subsequent further rebuilds. Find out more in our recently updated Organ Leaflet..
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| New Team Rector | | We are delighted to announce that the Rev’d Jeremy Trew has been appointed Team Rector of the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry and Area Dean and will start his ministry here in early March 2021.
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| Download our App for your Smartphone | | We now have an App that can be downloaded to your smartphone. This will mean that at a touch of a button you can access the whole website and also visit the main areas with ease. To download our App for your smartphone .....
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| Online Choral Evensong - October 2020 | | We have put together an online Choral Evensong for October 2020 despite the extra challenges of doing this online during the Covid-19 restrictions. Thanks to members of our choir including soloists, organist, Director of Music Oli King and Marisa Baltrock
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| Ave Maris Stella - Titelouze. | | Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea) recorded live in St Mary's Church Saffron Walden for our Patronal Festival September 2020. The singer is Peter De Vile and Oli King is playing the organ.
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| Next Bishop of Chelmsford | | The process to identify the next Bishop of Chelmsford is well underway and the Diocese of Chelmsford’s Vacancy in see Committee - the group that manages and oversees the Diocese’s role in the process- has published its Statement of Needs.
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| Locus iste | | Locus iste - Anton Bruckner - sung by the choir of St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden. This sacred motet was composed by Anton Bruckner in 1869. Often sung for the annual celebration of a church's dedication.
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| Our Eco Churchyard | | The Eco Church has been working in the churchyard for several months, planting wild flowers and encouraging biodiversity. Here are some photos of the wild flowers that have been thriving because of our new reduced mowing regime.
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| Organ and Choral Scholars during lockdown | | Music extracts from online worship - May 2020. St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden: Organ and Choral Scholars during lockdown.
God is Love:his the care, Come, my way, my truth, my life - Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Sing Hosanna.
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| 'The Lord ascended up on high' | | Sung by the the Under 18's of St Mary's Church Choir, Saffron Walden with music by Director of Music Oli King. Recorded individually online. 31st May 2020. Pentecost.
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| Sewards End 75th VE Day Aniversary | | The church bell rings to mark the silence and afternoon tea is taken St James church, Sewards End, along with the rest of the village, hung out flags to commemorate the anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2020.
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| The music plays on | | The adults and choral scholars of our nearly 70 strong choir are continuing weekly choir practices online by Zoom. All parts of the choir (adults, choral scholars and juniors) are also working towards various online recording projects.
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| Waiting here for you | | 'Waiting here for you' - sung by Alison Knights at our Family Service on 15 December 2019 accompanied by Oli King on piano.
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| Lay Funeral Minister | | Judith Hasler has been authorised by Bishop Stephen as one of the first Lay
Funeral Ministers in the Diocese. She was commissioned on 12th October 2019, along with three others in a Celebration of Lay Ministry at Chelmsford Cathedral.
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| Do you play a Brass instrument? | | St Mary’s Brass meets on Monday evenings 6.15–7.15pm during term time. The group plays at various events in the year including our Easter Service, Christmas Carol Service and Christmas Fair. New members of any age are always welcome.
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| Soul Survivor Photos 2019 | | A selection of photos from the last Soul Survivor camp at the Peterborough showground from 17th to 21st Aug 2019 which 5 members of our Aftershock youth group attended.
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| St Marys Flower Festival Photos 23-26 August 2019 | | St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, was thronged by around 2,000 visitors enthralled by a grand Flower Festival during the August Bank Holiday Weekend. There were over 40 splendid exhibits by local flower arrangers, each representing a saint.
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| U3A Photoshoot at St Mary's | | Here is a selection of photos taken by members of Saffron Walden U3A's Photography Group in April 2019. Many thanks to Brian Eascott, David Powell, Graeme Cowling, Hugh Herdon, Martin Hugall, Tony Marks and Tony Treglown and to Gill Caswell for her help.
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| Songs of Praise 1986! | | BBC Songs of Praise at St Mary's Church in Saffron Walden in 1986. There are a number of familiar but younger faces that you might recognise!
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| David's Book | | David Tomlinson's Book called ‘Leading a Church to maturity in love’ is available for pre-order from Sacristy Press - go to their website - or any good book shop. ISBN: 978-1-78959-023-4, only £12.99.
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| Welcome to our New Website - 29 January 2019 | | Our new church website went live on Tuesday 29th January 2019. It is hosted by ChurchInsight.com who look after over 600 church websites and are based in Cambridge and are able to provide us with the level of support that we need.
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| There but not there... | | The seated silhouettes in the church and in the memorial garden are a commemorative installation to the fallen of the First World War who were linked to Sewards End, as part of a project called "There But Not There".
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| Soul Survivor 18-23 August 2018 | | 5 young people from our church joined with another 15 people from the Colchester area to attend Soul Survivor at the Peterborough Showground for 6 days in August 2018.
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| Ordination to the Priesthood - 29 Sept 2018 | | Ordination to the Priesthood on 29th September 2018 at St Mary’s Church Saffron Walden. Rachel Prior and John Saxon and others were ordained priests by Rt Revd Roger Morris, the area Bishop of Colchester.
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| Harvest Festival 16 Sept 2018 | | On 16th September 2018 – St. Mary’s celebrated Harvest Festival at a special family service. Members of St Mary’s Church Guides Section attended the service and the church junior choir led the singing of traditional and contemporary harvest hymns.
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| New Team Vicar | | Revd Alex JeewanThe Rev’d Alex Jeewan was licensed on Wednesday 25th July 2018 as Team Vicar for the parishes of Great and Little Chesterford, Littlebury, Littlebury Green and Wendon’s Ambo within the Saffron Walden and Villages Team Ministry.
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| Christmas Fayre Nov 2017 Photos | | In achieving the much needed funding of £6,770, your contribution to the event, whether large or small, added much needed variety to attract people into our church. The mix was vital! Your co-operation was amazing! Thanks again!
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| The Making of Mary | | Tessa Hawkes gave an account of the making of Mary in Parish News for October 2014. In retelling the story to 20 fascinated listeners, she gave some new details.
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