The Lord sitteth above the water-flood : and the Lord remaineth a King for ever.
Psalm 29.9
On Monday 21st July there was an afternoon of torrential rain. That rain overwhelmed the drains at the bottom of Hales Drive and then poured down the church path, and once our own drains were filled, into church. This happened not once, but twice. The videos below are from the second downpour.
One of our choir’s tenors, Joseph, has been successful in applying for a masters in vocal performance at music college in Switzerland in September 2025, and is currently fundraising in order to afford to live there. As part of his fundraising efforts he is putting on an opera gala at St. Paul’s Church on 12th July with the support of two fantastic professional musicians. If you would like to support Joseph, please find details of the event below:
Opera Gala
St Paul’s Church, Church Street (St Pauls), Canterbury, CT1 1NH
Saturday 12 July 2025
5:00PM – 6:00PM
International bass Matthew Rose
(played major roles at the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne)
with Joseph W G Morris (tenor) and Helen Crayford (piano)
Join us for an evening of fantastic music and fine wines. Your ticket will help support Joseph’s ambitions to study singing in Switzerland in September 2025.
With sincere thanks to Matthew and Helen for their generous contribution of time and talent.
Tickets available here for £40: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/josephwgmorris/opera-gala/e-ykeakv
If you are unable to attend the opera gala, Joseph is also running a Crowdfunder campaign and any contributions would be extremely gratefully received: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/josephwgmorris
While financial support is deeply appreciated, Joseph understands that not everyone will be in a position to give. He would also be grateful to be held in your thoughts and prayers as he prepares to relocate to Switzerland and begin this new chapter of study over the next two years.
As the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine passes, join us for a special service of Choral Evensong Music, Readings and Prayers for Peace in Ukraine and other war-torn places around the world. Music sung by our choir will include ‘A Prayer for Ukraine’ by Mykola Lysenko.
Join us at 6pm in church and online.
Don’t miss out on our spectacular Christmas Tree Festival at St Stephen’s, opening at 2.30pm on Friday 6th December, and open from midday until 6.00pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December. Trees will be decorated by groups from within St Stephen’s Church alongside trees decorated by groups representing all parts of the wider community of our parish.
Everyone is warmly welcome to come along! There is no entry charge, although donations are welcome and will be divided between St Stephen’s Church and All Saints’ Community Larder project.
St Stephens bellringers have had a very successful year under the direction of Tower Captain, Jane Huxley, winning 3 cups in one year: The Canterbury District Call Change, the 6 Bell Striking Competition, and finally the Kent County 6 Bell championship today (Saturday). They do not remember when (or if ever) the Tower was in possession of all 3 cups at once!
Congratulations and thank you for calling us to worship to such a high standard each week!
Congratulations to Rev. Sally Pickersgill, who was ordained Deacon in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday morning. Sally is, of course, known to all of us at St Stephen’s as she has been our Lay Reader for several years, but now she begins her new ministry as our Curate.
The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is being held in church on Sunday 28th April 2024 at 12 noon in the Church Hall, following the Sung Eucharist. You can download the Agenda and Reports document below.
Our choir will be singing the services in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Bury St Edmunds on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April. Music will include some of our favourite Easter anthems, as well as a celebration of Stanford’s music to mark 100 years since his death. The choir will be singing The Canterbury Service composed by our Organist and Choirmaster, Stephen Barker, at the Choral Eucharist on Sunday morning.
You can join the choir at any of their services on St Edmundsbury Cathedral’s YouTube channel.
For full details of the music being sung, see the trip page on this website.
At Choral Evensong on Sunday 10th March, we will be remembering Lady Loretta, an Anchoress who was enclosed at St Stephen’s from 1221 until she died in 1266.
A Collect for Loretta
Hear us God our Saviour
that as we rejoice in the memory of your servant Loretta,
so may we be instructed by feelings of pious devotion.
Through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns
in the unity of the Spirit, ever one God.
Amen.
(Written by Rev. Dr Kevin Maddy, former Rector of St Stephen’s)
The Collect for Holy Women
Almighty Father,
you have built up your Church
through the love and devotion of your saints:
inspire us to follow the example of Lady Loretta,
that we in our generation may rejoice with her
in the vision of your glory;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
(from Common Worship)
For more information about Loretta, click here.