NEWS FROM
MERSEA CofE
APRIL 2016 | ISSUE 15
PAPER EDITION donation £2 | EMAIL EDITION FREE
Editorial
A very Happy Easter to all our readers. This month we can recommend a bright article written by Victoria
Norton called Rectory Revelations and one regarding the post of Lay Evangelist by Stephen Rice. The Rev
Sam also tells us how he and Victoria have ended up as the new Editors of the Courier.
The deadline for the next issue is Sunday 15th May 2016.
The Editors: news@merseacofe.org
Spring Daffodils for
Mothering Sunday
Children’s Zoo Trip 8 April
On Friday the 8th April Heather King will be
running the annual children’s trip to Colchester
Zoo. All children, parents and carers from
Sparrows, Sunbeams and Junior Church are
invited. The coach leaves the church at 10am
and returns at approximately 4 pm. The coach
is funded by the PCC. The zoo entrance price
will be reduced if there are more than 15
people without pre paid entrance in the party.
If you do not want to eat in one of the zoo
restaurants, please bring a picnic lunch. We
look forward to a lovely day out. 07967 017733
Easter Egg Hunt 12 April
Come and join in the fun at the next Messy
Church on 12th April at 4pm, and take part in
an Easter Egg hunt.
Church Open Day and
Tower Tour 23 July
11am – 5pm
Climb our medieval tower, and see the newly
installed upper stairs, funded by the Friends,
and at the top marvel at the spectacular views.
Heather King the Families Worker, with her daughter
Laura, bringing baskets of beautiful bouquets of daffodils
for Mothering Sunday 6th March.
Down in the church an expert will be on hand
to give tours and information on the building’s
fascinating features.
Teas and cakes will be on sale in the church
hall.
To book a Tower Tour in advance, ring Lizzie
01206 384010
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ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
How did we end up editing the Courier?
By The Reverend Sam Norton
act in haste, and so I asked how
much time commitment was
involved, which provoked the
answer 'three afternoons a
fortnight'. This still seemed to be
too much of a commitment for
me, but I said that I would think
about it.
Sometimes there really are events
in our lives which count as 'bolts
from the blue'. In early February
I was contacted by the outgoing
Editor of the Courier and asked if
I would take on the role. The
Courier had ceased publication
just before Christmas after a
potential sale fell through.
However, a local businessman
caught wind of what was
happening and decided to take on
the role of newspaper proprietor
for himself. There was just one
main problem – no editor! Hence
the phone call.
My first reaction was 'that would
be impossible' but I didn't want to
What was going through my mind
was the knowledge that, first off,
Victoria was looking for a parttime job, and second, she has a
number of relevant skills that
could easily be brought to bear.
So after a few days of thought and
conversation we agreed that we
could take on the job if we did it
as a team, with Victoria doing
rather more of the work than me!
So we have now become coeditors of the Courier.
I see this as an immense
opportunity in many ways. Partly
it is simply allowing us to become
fully immersed into Mersea
community life, as we try and
hoover up as much interesting
news from the island and nearby
villages as possible. Partly there
will be some direct benefits in
terms of enabling the church to
communicate directly with the
community – there will be lots of
details about the Easter services
in the next issue for example.
What is really on my mind,
however, is that this is a heavensent opportunity for mission and
outreach. Jesus tells us that we
are to be salt and light in our
communities, and by this I
understand him to mean that we
are to be fully integrated – we
are not to be a dish of salt to the
side of the pot, rather we are to
be in the pot alongside the meat
and vegetables adding savour to
the whole.
As I said at my first APCM, we
don't need to set up a Christian
yacht club on the island – rather
we are to join in with the existing
groups and simply live as
Christians within them. That's
how I understand our work as
editors – we cannot help but do
the
work
according
the
framework of values that we
bring. I hope and trust that this
will not just make a difference,
but that it will be seen to make a
difference, and in some small
way bring the Kingdom a little
closer here on Mersea.
Lay Weeders Saturday 14th May 9.30am – 12.30 (ish)
Having consulted the Parish Office it seems that
Saturday 14th May from 09.30 – 12.30 (ish) would
be a good time for us to gather for our regular
Spring churchyard clearance session.
I will circulate more details closer to the time but
would be grateful if you could mark your diary
now if you would like to join us.
Please feel free to forward this to anyone else you
feel may be interested.
Many thanks, Alan Hammond 01206 383383
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NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
PCC Jottings
At 7.30 pm on
Monday
the
th
14 March the
Rector chaired
the final PCC
before the new
council
is
elected at the Annual Parochial
Church Meeting on April 18th..
Apologies being recorded, minutes
of the last meeting accepted and
matters arising having been taken,
the meeting was presented with
the fabric report. The Fabric
committee, Barbara Peter, Val
Bocking, Alan Hammond, Roland
Gardener, and Geoff Sexton, were
thanked by the Rector and the
PCC for their important and
much valued work.
Fabric
The bell chamber refurbishments
have been completed. The cost
has been fully covered by the
‘Friends of West Mersea Parish
Church’.
The PCC warmly
thanked the ‘Friends’ for this
remarkable commitment to the
church building. Tower tours are
now possible and arrangements
are being drawn up.
The Chancellor has issued the
faculty for the construction of the
New Orleans gate providing
access for New Orleans residents
to the village via the churchyard.
The work should be done within
two months. The cost will be
covered by the residents with a
watching brief from Geoff Sexton.
Plans and proposals for the
decoration of the church are being
discussed by the fabric committee
who have asked the PCC for
advice on particular aspects of the
work, such as colours for the
chancel and nave ceilings.
additional gifts.
The crucifix needs repair and its
fixings need to be checked.
Similarly the chandelier pulleys
and wires should be surveyed.
Geoff Sexton is due to assess what
needs to be done. The fabric
committee have asked the PCC to
discuss, at some point, whether
the crucifix should remain where
it is or be relocated.
Full reports will be made at the
April APCM.
The work on the church electrics
has been completed, and the
invoice received.
The shed in the churchyard has
been cleared for ‘Sparrows’ to
store outside toys.
There has been some difficulty
using the keys for the main door
and the doors to tower and vestry.
Replacement of locks and keys is
anticipated. This is now being
researched and it is likely that the
current locks and keys will be
replaced and a more secure
register for key holders will be
instigated when this is done.
The Rector has asked the PCC to
consider replacing the altar
frontals. It was suggested that a
group of gifted church members
might design and make these, and
an appeal could be made for
finance. A notice on the pew
sheet will ask for volunteers from
the congregation.
Finance
The treasurer Rowland Gardener
presented the 2015 final accounts
and projections for the 2016
budget. Remarkably the deficits
anticipated in his last report have
been met with increased giving
largely due to legacies and other
Main Items
The APCM annual report was
considered and passed. A subcommittee for ‘publicity’ is
required. This will be under the
chairmanship of Sue Brook.
Home communions are currently
taken to parishioners by a small
group of accredited volunteers.
The training and accreditation
(via the Bishops authority) was
discussed.
The Rector asked for a ‘serving
with accountability’ away day for
the PCC members and other
appropriate parishioners. This
will take place on 21st May, the
arrangements and venue to be
announced later.
The next meeting of the new
PCC will take place in the
church hall at 7.30 pm on 13th
June 2016.
~~~~~
Further news from
the Fabric Committee
The organ has been tuned.
The upper lobby ‘slave’ door bolt
in the church hall could drop
unintentionally and has now
been reinforced.
On 1st January 2016 new
simplified Faculty Jurisdiction
Rules came into force which
should help to ease the path for
the redecoration of the church.
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ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Rectory revelations from Victoria Norton
The last few months have been a
whirlwind of moving bags and
boxes of belongings from my
beloved, quirky cottage in the
Hedinghams (where I have lived
for the last sixteen years) to The
Rectory on Mersea Island. Visitors
to the Rectory are currently
having to navigate their way
through a changing sea of ‘stuff’
(the polite description) which I am
sure will not find a home until the
works at The Rectory have been
finished. Works that have been
approved for the last two years are
now in progress: we have had new
windows installed, for which we
are all very grateful. The Rectory
is much warmer as a result. We
are looking forward to other work
being completed as the year
unfolds.
I have been busy in the Rectory
garden. Mainly clearing more
‘stuff’ (now I am being very polite)
and mowing the lawn towards
submission! I am excited at the
prospect of establishing two large
borders for flowers and vegetables,
for which I have already ordered
the seeds…seeds of motivation.
Spring is a time of renewal and it
certainly feels as though plans,
which Sam and I have discussed
through the dark winter months,
are beginning to blossom. The
renewal of our lives through our
marriage in November and our
new commitments to each other
Messy Church Puppet Story
and to the wider parish, feel very
much in keeping with the
unfolding season.
I wish you all a spirit filled
Easter, in which you are able to
feel the new life of the beautiful
world bring you energy and
happiness.
Kind regards,
Victoria Norton
Becka the talking
bear, star of the show
Everyone at Messy Church on
Tuesday 8th March was able to
enjoy the Professional Children’s
Entertainers Puppeteers ‘Smile
It’s a Party!’ and listen to Ella
and Paula tell a story with the
puppet Becka the Bear.
Seventy two people attended that
day and everyone enjoyed the
activity as well as the hot meal
afterwards.
Many thanks to all our wonderful
volunteer cooks.
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NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
Our Lay Evangalist Stephen Rice
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
subsequently licensed as a
Lay Evangelist by the Bishop
of Chelmsford, which in turn
led me to the best job I have
ever had, but that is another
story…
One of the aims of the
course was to introduce Lay
Evangelists into as many
parishes as possible and as I
saw it, as a contact point
outside of the church. We
were given an unparalleled
opportunity to work with our
clergy and the church
organization and adopt a
style necessary for the
environment in which we
found ourselves.
Photograph by Lily Mehalah Rice
I was delighted to by the Editors to
submit an article regarding the post
of Lay Evangelist. Here goes!
In 1958 I was baptized as a baby in
Dagenham Parish Church.
In
common with most parents, my
mother and father only wanted the
best for me, and receipt of the love
of God was a strong, but unspoken
instinct. Thereafter, I had little
further positive contacts with the
church, but during my teens, I met
some Christians (marrying one of
them), which led me to an on/off
relationship with the church until I
was confirmed in my thirties.
I moved to Mersea Island in 1992,
following the collapse of my first
marriage.
I felt unworthy and unable to call
myself a Christian until an
unexpectedly firm question from
Rev John Swallow over a cup of tea
and a custard cream, namely, “Are
you so arrogant that you think you
have a sin that cannot be forgiven?”
led me to think again.
Following
the
sacrament
of
Reconcilliation (also known as,
‘Confession’ – yes, the Church of
England offer confession) I once
again found myself on the winding
journey of faith.
Fast forward to 2006 and another
challenging question, this time from
Rev Sam Norton – “The diocese
runs a Lay Evangelist course.
Would you go?”
Like most people, I associated
evangelists with adherence to
fundamentalism, zealous ardour to
‘convert’ people, and America. This
sat uneasily with my Anglo-Catholic
preferences.
However, I went,
knowing that I did not need training
in order to host a game show or
manipulate people, and if the course
was what I thought it would be, I
could simply quit, with no blood
spilt.
Instead, I discovered a diverse group
of prayerful people from a variety of
backgrounds and over the next year
we learnt about evangelism. I was
Mersea Island is blessed with
numerous
supportive
community activities, so I do
not feel a need to reproduce
any of them with Christian
overtones.
Instead, my
activities have followed a
‘one by one’ pattern. This
may have done little to swell
attendance
numbers
at
Sunday services, but has
introduced
a
spiritual
questioning in many lives. I
rarely initiate discussions
regarding faith, religion,
Christ. Instead, the most
unexpected people in the
most
unexpected
circumstances start such
conversations with me.
Every element of my work is
underpinned with prayer,
and you can often find me –
sometimes alone – at the
Morning and Evening offices
at St Peter & St Paul. I
would ask you, of your
charity, to continue to pray
for me and my work as your
low-key Parish Evangelist.
Without prayer, I can do
nothing.
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ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Lent Groups
Once a week each year during Lent, a mixture of people from all the churches in Mersea meet in groups to discuss set subjects or
passages from the Bible. The groups have a leader and are usually held in someone’s house. This year was no exception and
there were eight groups, seven studied the York Course pictured below and one was based around the film ‘The King’s Speech’.
Thank you to the members of our church who sent in their comment, see below:
Peter and Anne Owen
Jackie Pantry
We enjoy Lent groups particularly
for the range of people we meet
there. It is a joy to meet with others
and exchange views and
experiences. We learn from the
course and from each other and
faith is deepened as a result. It is
good to build bridges between
churches and get to know other
Christians. The fellowship is very
enjoyable! Everyone has something
to contribute and if some church
members choose not to attend a
Lent group, then the rest of us are
the poorer for their absence!
Since coming to Mersea I have
been to a Lent group every year
and I am now in my 12th year,
For me Lent wouldn't be Lent
without going to a group. Not
only have they enabled me to get
to know people from our church
but also lots of people from
various other churches on the
island.
They have been a source of
fellowship, friendship and insight
into the various topics that have
been covered by the course
material and the five weeks that
the group meet goes in a flash. I
would highly recommend them
to anyone who has yet to try
them!
Annette Sapsford
During the Lent period I give
extra time for studying various
books in the bible. It is a way of
disciplining myself to give more
time to God.
I have been attending lent groups
for about10 years now and have
sometimes found it to be
stimulating although its not like
this all the time.
There are 6 ladies and 5 men in
our group from the various
churches on Mersea.
We discuss issues which we may
have experienced or seen which
can be identified with the words of
the Psalms. Any matters
discussed are strictly confidential.
However, we are not obliged to
contribute to the discussion. It is
quite a relaxed atmosphere.
Meeting and discussing with
people from different churches
helps me to look and understand
things from another perspective. I
don't know if other groups follow
the same pattern.
Jill Jones
Anthea White
I really enjoyed last year’s
Lent Group at Mersea Court
and have been very sad
because, due to various
happenings and problems this
year, I have hardly been able
to attend this year’s course.
Having said that, I am always
fearful that my woeful
ignorance will be shown up by
knowledgeable class mates! It
scares me to death, but I still
keep going back.
This year will be the 5th Lent
Group I have attended since
moving to Mersea. Joining a
study group helped me
enormously.
I choose to go to a daytime
group because I prefer to walk
during the day.
This years' group of about 12
people has brought together
good friends from several
churches, and this has developed
and stimulated the debates.
I find the choice of 6 psalms this
year has been really thought
provoking and has encouraged
me to read them again. The
Book of Psalms is now on my
agenda for the next few months.
A leader that directs and then
encourages is a bonus. I have
never been disappointed!
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ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Mugs and
Fridge
Magnets
.
It has been two years since Christy Pritchard (flautist at the 9.30 service)
organised a mug exchange for ladies in our church. The idea was that
each person swapped their mug with another person. Each couple then
became prayer partners. Last week Christy organised a get together for
people to return mugs and embark on a new venture using personalised
home magnets. The picture below shows some of the results. Anyone
else who is interested in joining in please speak to Christy who can be
found at church at a 9.30 service on a Sunday morning.
Christy Pritchard
Church Mission Society
One of the Charities our Church Supports
The Church Mission Society is
one of our chosen International
Charities. We have supported it
for a long time and our donations
go towards helping our designated
mission partner, Jill Ball. For a
long time she has worked for the
South American Mission Society,
SAMS, part of CMS, and more
recently for the Life in Abundance
Trust in Ecuador, for children
and
adults
with
learning
disabilities. She has been helping
to train them to become occupied
and possibly employed in such
things as growing fruit and
vegetables, making wooden craft
items and clothes making.
Maura Broad is our CMS
representative and in past years
has added to the church
donations by selling goods at the
WI Mini Market. She has a
letter from the Society thanking
the church for its recent gift of
£420, the amount we are giving
this year to each of our nine
chosen charities.
Paediatric First Aid Course for volunteers helping children who attend church
On the 19th March ten adults from church will complete their Paediatric First Aid course in the church hall.
NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
8
Dawn Kidman
Chris Cousins
1940 - 2016
1944 - 2015
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
After attending West Mersea
Church in the 80s, Chris
Cousins went through the
process of becoming ordained:
Dawn’s well attended funeral was held at
West Mersea church on 22 February
2016.
She was born and brought up on a farm in
Somerset but in 1962, after working as a
typist and at Boots in Yeovil, she moved to
Blackheath, Colchester, when she married
Eric. They had met through their fathers
who had been good friends.
While at Blackheath they had two
children, Neil and Julie, and Dawn
worked at Scrag’s Restaurant in
Colchester. They moved in with Eric’s
parents later, to support them, and then
finally retired to West Mersea where they
became involved with the local
community, volunteering at the Essex Air
Ambulance, the Horticultural Society and
the Bowling Club, where Dawn helped
with the catering. She and Eric were a
huge support to Stephen Kemp in his last
years. Unknown to many, Dawn was an
ace at crosswords!
She cared for everyone, but hated any
attention.
During her final illness,
attended by Eric,
she wanted no fuss
and did not want to
give
in.
Throughout
she
was always positive
and
when
sympathised with
would say, “there
are so many people
worse off than me”.
Chris Cousins returned to
Mersea with his wife Jenny
in about 1979 or 1980. A
year later their third child
was
born
and
they
approached John Swallow
the Rector, to asked him if
he would please baptize the
baby.
On his baptismal
visit, John also asked the
oldest of the three children,
Andrew aged 12, if he
would like to be confirmed.
Andrew said he would if his
Dad would! So they both
took confirmation classes
and duly became confirmed.
The adult class continued to
meet after confirmation and
in fact turned into one of the
early House Groups. Chris
became more involved and
at
John
Swallow’s
suggestion enrolled in a
Cambridge Diploma Course
in religious studies. It was
difficult for him to arrive at
the lessons on time as he
was commuting to London,
where he worked as a
Marine Insurance Broker.
However, despite missing
much of the course he
passed with flying colours.
Fairly soon afterwards and
after another meeting with
John Swallow he decided to
offer for ministry.
John
recommended him and he
was
sponsored
by
Chelmsford.
He started
training at Oak Hill in 1984
and was Ordained Deacon in
Chester in June 1987.
During his training he did his
placement at St Peter and St
Pauls and so was home at
weekends. He and his wife
became very involved with
the church children’s groups,
CYFA, Pathfinders and
Scramblers. They also took
part in several Roger Jones
Musicals held at the church.
Chris became a Curate in
Wallasey where he very
successfully reproduced the
Roger Jones’s infant nativity
musical, Away in a Manger.
His final parish before he
retired was St Andrew’s
Rochford and it was there
that a memorial service for
him was held on 8th March
2016.
~~~~~
Several other members of the
West Mersea congregation
have become ordained and
gone out as priests to serve in
the
wider
community.
There was Jill Newham,
Margaret Faulkner, Mandy
Elmes, and now Terry
Walker who is following a
similar path.
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ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This annual event took place at the Methodist Church this year. The service of celebration was designed by
the women of Cuba.
The theme was: Receive Children, Receive Me. The national flower of Cuba is the beautiful white
Butterfly Jasmine, which featured in the service. Our worship was led by Lesley Broomfield with musical
compliment from Kathy Knight. It was a moving tribute to the struggles encountered by Cuban woman and
children.
LAMA one of our Church Charities
We have received emailed newsletters from LAMA, our church charity in the Philippines, telling us of their
daily lives and problems, and of the difficulties they faced recently when they took in a young Muslim boy.
For Lesley the founder, running LAMA is not easy as she is still not completely well. She spent most of last
year in the UK having treatment. You can read more on their website: www.lamaministries.org and on
their facebook page ‘LAMA Ministries’.
Annual Parochial Church
Meeting Monday 18th
April at 7.30pm in the
The following groups of
people may sit on a
Parochial Church Council
Church Hall
All clergy
Any Lay person licenced to the parish
Church Wardens
Readers
Deanery Synod Reps elected
6 of laity (for congregation of 50)
9 of laity (for congregation of 100)
3 for each 100 thereafter
Up to 1/5 of laity may be co-opted or 2
whichever is greater.
Elections will take place for the following:
Churchwarden: 2 vacancies
PCC members: 5 vacancies
Deanery Synod: 3 vacancies
Nomination forms can be found on the table near
the Vestry door to the Hall. Completed nomination
forms must be received by the Parish Office by 8th
April 2016. Meeting packs will be available in the
Church on Sunday 3rd April.
There were 118 people on the last West Mersea
electoral role. (Some will have left or died and
other new members will enroll next time.)
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NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
Diary
March
24th Thursday 6.30pm
Holy Communion Maundy
Thursday
25th
Good Friday 9.30am
All Age Service
11am CTIM Walk of
Witness led by Rev Sam
Norton from Women’s
Institute, Kingsland Rd,
ending outside Library at
about 11.40am
1.30pm Liturgy of Good
Friday
27th
Easter Sunday 6.30am
CTIM Sunrise service on
the Beach at bottom
Empress Avenue led by Rev
Duncan Dormor (please
remember the clocks have
moved forward one hour).
All welcome
April
2nd Saturday 8.15am
CTIM Prayer Breakfast
St John’s Hall, Melrose Rd
3rd
Sunday 8.45am
Parish Breakfast Church
Hall
6.30pm NO EVENING
SERVICE
10th Sunday 6.30pm
Holy Communion
12th Tuesday 4pm
Messy Church
15th Friday 7.30pm
Friends Evening with
Vocalise and Eclipse
Tickets from Marfleets
16th Saturday 8.30am - 9.30am
Prayer Breakfast, Church
Hall
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Register
Weddings
13th Feb 2016
Judith Hymns and
Trevor Southey
Funerals
6th January 2016
Beatrice Barker
16th February 2016
Donald Rogers
18th February 2016
William Whitehead
22nd February 2016
Dawn Kidman
st
1 March 2016
Estelle Murray (27.3.16
interment of Ashes WM
churchyard)
th
18 March 2016
Trevor Wright
7th April 2016
David Tippett
9.30am Morning Praise
18th Monday 7.30pm
Annual Church Meeting
Church Hall
11am Holy Communion
May
Mersea Island
Choir
21st Saturday
Away Day for PCC
Please can we draw your
attention to Choral Evensong
with the Mersea Island Choir on
Easter Day at 6.30pm.
7am Liturgy of Easter Day
6.30pm Evensong
28th until 8th April
Parish Office Closed
14th Saturday 9.30am-12.30
Lay Weeders
Sharing resources in our Ministry Unit/Benefice
Members of the small rural
parishes of our local Ministry Unit
(the churches run by Sam Norton
and Patrick McEune) met at the
end of January to talk about how
they could join forces and share
their skills and expertise. They
discussed such things as how they
could join together to run events
like fetes, and to choose dates and
times for special services which
did not clash with anything going
on in other churches. That way
people from a wide area would be
free to attend.
Doing things
together could ease the burden of
churches
with
small
congregations.
Representatives from East and
West Mersea did not attend, but
the group look forward to further
meetings with the whole Ministry
Unit. This would include East
and West Mersea, Peldon, Great
and
Little
Wigborough,
Fingringhoe, Rowhedge and
Abberton with Langenhoe.
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NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
Rotas and Readings through to the end of May 2016
20th March
Palm Sunday
24th March
Maundy
Thursday
25th March
Good Friday
27th March
Easter Day
3rd April
Easter 2
10th April
Easter 3
17th April
Easter 4
24th April
Easter 5
1st May
Easter 6
Thurs 5th May
Ascension Day
8th May
Easter 7
15th May
Pentecost
22nd May
Trinity
29th May
Trinity 1
Zechariah 9.9-12, Psalm 118.19-end, Philippians 2.5-11, Luke 19.28-40
8am HC – JP 9.30am MP – JP 11am HC – SN 6.30pm No service
Exodus 12.1-14, 1 Corinthians 11.23-26, John 13.1-17, 31b-35
East 9.30am MC West 6.30pm HC - SN
Isaiah 52.13- end of 53, Psalm 22, Hebrews 10.16-25, John 18.1-end of 19
9.30am All Age Service - SN 1.30pm Liturgy - SN
Acts 10.34-43, Psalm 118.14-24, 1 Corinthians 15.19-26, John 20.1-18
8am HC – SN 9.30am HC – JP 11am HC – SN 6.30pm EP – DD Choir
Acts 5.27-32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1.4-8, John 20.19-end
8am HC – BL 9.30am MP – JP 11am HC – SN 6.30pm No service
Acts 9.1-20, Psalm 30, Revelation 5.11-14, John 21.1-19
8am HC – SN 9.30am MP – SN 11am HC – SN 6.30pm HC - JF
Acts 9.36-end, Psalm 23, Revelation 7.9-end, John 10.22-30
8am HC – JP 9.30am MP – JP 11am HC – DD 6.30pm No service
Acts 11.1-18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21.1-6, John 13.31-35
8am HC – SN 9.30am HC – SN 11am HC – SN 6.30pm No service
Acts 16.9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21.10,22-22.5, John 14.23-29
8am HC – SN 9.30am MP – JP 11am HC – SN 6.30pm EP – KL Choir
6.30pm HC – KL at West Mersea
Acts 16.16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation22. 12-end, John17.20-end
8am HC – BL 9.30am MP – SN 11am HC – SN 6.30pm - JF
Acts 2. 1-21, Psalm 104. 26-end, Romans 8.14-17, John 14.8-17
8am HC – JP 9.30am HC – JP 11am HC – SN 6.30pm No service
Proverbs 8.1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, Romans 5.1-5, John 16.12-15
8am HC – SN 9.30am MP – SN 11am HC – SN 6.30pm No service
1 Kings 18: 20-29, Psalm 96, Galatians.1.1-12, Luke 7.1-10
8am HC – PJM 9.30am MP – JP 11am HC – DD 6.30am No service
Although this information is correct at the time of publication, please note it could change.
HC–HolyCommunion
MP–MorningPrayer
EP-EveningPrayer
LS–LearningSupper
OR–OwnResources
MIchoir–MerseaIslandChoir
SN–RevSamNorton
JP–RevJohnPantry
BL–RevBernardLloyd
BS–RevBrianSnelling
MC–RevMartinClark
DD–RevDuncanDormor
KL–RevKeithLovell
SS–RevScottSanderson
JF–RevJohnFieldgate
JIF–MrsJillFieldgate
APO–Anne&PeterOwen
PJM–RevPatrickMcEune
Regular Services etc.
Sundays
8.00am Holy Communion 1662 BCP, said
9.30am Morning Praise
Subject to Change
11.00am Holy Communion, sung
6.30pm
Coffee
1st Sunday in the month Choral Evensong
2nd Sunday in the month Holy Communion
3rd Sunday in the month No Service
4th Sunday in the month Learning Supper (or no service)
5th Sunday in the month No service
Coffee is served after the 9.30 and 11am services.
Wednesdays
10am Holy Communion
Monday to Saturday
9.00am Morning Prayer
Weekdays
5.30pm Oct to March, 6pm April to Sep, Evening Prayer
Bank Holidays
There are no services on secular Bank Holidays
Parish Breakfast
8.45am First Sunday in every month
12
NEWS FROM MERSEA COFE
Directory:
ISSUE 15 | APRIL 2016
St Peter & St Paul’s Church, High St, West Mersea, CO5 8QD
www.merseacofe.org, admin@merseacofe.org, 01206 383222
Clergy
Rector
Rev Sam Norton
revsamnorton@gmail.com
385635
Associate Priest
Rev Patrick McEune
07411 761883
mceune@googlemail.com
Assistant Priest
Rev John Pantry
johnpantry@outlook.com
386910
Readers and Retired Clergy
Rev Martin Clarke
383952
martinandangela2@btinternet.com
Rev Duncan Dormor
386500
mandd@maryandduncan.plus.com
Rev John Fieldgate
386851
j.fieldgate123@btinternet.com
Mrs Jill Fieldgate
386851
jillwithajfieldgate@yahoo.co.uk
Rev Bernard Lloyd
383892
Rev Keith Lovell
386626
klovell956@btinternet.com
Anne and Peter Owen
383843
annemowen@gmail.com
Rev Scott Sanderson
385571
scott.sanderson@lineone.net
Rev Brian Snelling
383717
revbrians@aol.com
Church Officers
Church Wardens
Barbara Peter
383948
barbara.d.peter@btinternet.com
Valerie Bocking
386750
bocking@keme.co.uk
Sacristan Angelina Nash
c/o Parish Administrator
383222
Treasurer
Roland Gardner
roland@thegardeners.eu
617306
Verger Roy Nash
384220
Useful Contacts
Belleplates Group
Pat Kirby
Patkmersea@aol.com
Brass Cleaning
c/o Parish Administrator
382533
383222
383222
Hall Bookings
Parish Administrator
admin@merseacofe.org
Health and Safety
Geoff Sexton
jeff.empress@tiscali.co.uk
384153
House Groups
Val Bocking
bocking@keme.co.uk
386750
Charities:
Children’s Society
Georgie Hewes
383300
georgiehurst@hotmail.com
Church Missionary Society
Maura Broad
383028
maurabroad@talktalk.net
Leprosy Mission
Annette Sapsford
383665
annette.sapsford@btinternet.com
Mission to Seafarers
John Talbot
382807
jet@talbotmersea.co.uk
Child Protection
Barbara Peter
383948
barbara.d.peter@btinternet.com
Church Legacy Policy
The Rector or The Treasurer
Info at http://www.churchlegacy.org.uk
383383
Organist
Peter Dollimore
07544 519890
theorganist1952@gmail.com
Clock & Bells
John Talbot
jet@talbotmersea.co.uk
382807
Parish Administrator and Secretary
to the PCC
Carol Binmore
admin@merseacofe.org
Office Hours 9.30am to 1.30pm
Mon, Tues & Fri
383222
Churches Together In Mersea
Lesley Talbot
382807
Pastoral Assistant
Terry Walker
terryinmersea@live.co.uk
Newsletter link:
383640
Friends West Mersea Parish
Church
http://www.fwmpc.org
Gill Laver
07927 606579
admin@fwmpc.org.uk
383383
Cleaning Rota
Sue Hammond
sue@3stablemews.co.uk
385586
617306
Gift Aid
Alan Hammond
Alan@3stablemews.co.uk
Families Worker
Heather King
07967 017733
coastguards15@yahoo.co.uk
Parish Evangelist
Stephen Rice
Flowers
Rosemarie Gardener
rose@thegardeners.eu
Deanery Hilary Gay
383648
hilarygreenstorthe@gmail.com
Pat Moore
385361
moorepa@btinternet.com
Faith Richardson
381966
richardsonfaith70@yahoo.co.uk
Fabric
Barbara Peter
383948
barbara.d.peter@btinternet.com
Junior Church
Heather King
07711 40932
coastguards53@yahoo.co.uk
Lay Weeders
Alan Hammond
Alan@3stablemews.co.uk
383383
Mersea Island Choir
John Davies
pollygdavies@btinternet.com
382757
Messy Church 2nd Tuesday of every
month 4-6pm
Sue Hammond
383383
sue@3stablemews.co.uk
Mothers Union
Bridget Smith
383166
davidbridgetsmith@gmail.com
Social (Catering)
Cathy Roberts
cathy.roberts@talk21.com
385091
Sunbeams Mother & Toddlers
Monday 1-3pm in term time
Keary Hill
kearyhill@aol.com
07896874519
Vulnerable Adults
Terry Walker
terryinmersea@live.co.uk
383640
http://www.merseacofe.org/index.cfm/id/191 Editors: Lizzie Dumas and Hilary Gay
Please email us at news@merseacofe.org with items for the Newsletter or to add or remove your name from the mailing list.