The next meeting of St Stephen’s Theology Group will be in the Church starting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 5th October. The speaker will be Cressida Williams and the topic: ‘A History of St Stephen’s Church from the Cathedral Archives’. To help protect others we suggest you kindly wear a face mask at this event.
Next Sunday, 3rd October, is our Harvest Festival. It is our tradition at St Stephen’s to support the work of Catching Lives and the Canterbury Food Bank with the generous donations of members of our congregation. If you are thinking about donating something next weekend, you might find the following suggestions useful:
Catching lives are particularly looking for Bottles or cartons of water, juice or squash; Hand sanitiser, treat items – chocolate, crisps, etc; packs of tissues, baby wipes, cotton buds; totes and batteries, waterproof ponchos, foil blankets; underwear; dog treats; fruit cereal bars; lip balm; hand cream
Canterbury Food Bank is currently very low on the following items, but would also appreciate any non-perishable goods: laundry detergents; cleaning sprays; cereal; long-life milk; fruit juice; instant mash; large nappies (size 5/6); baby wipes
Donations can be made at any of our services next Sunday, and don’t forget that we have yellow bins for the Canterbury Food Bank in the church porch and church hall all year round.
Wednesday September 22nd
from 10.30
In St Stephen’s Church Hall
In aid of MacMillan Nurses
Cakes and paperbacks
Do join us
Dear All – it would be great if you were able to join us for the charity Coffee Morning on Wednesday of next week – even if you were able to pop in briefly!
There will be a stall for sweet and savoury items and also paperbacks. We will not be having other stalls so the hall will not be so crowded.
Items for the bakery stall will be most welcome!
It would be lovely to have your support!
Jenny and Libby
Svenja Powell writes:
Canterbury Welcomes Refugees is working with Canterbury City Council and other organisations to welcome and support newly arriving refugee families from Afghanistan. It has just been publicised that over 100 refugees will initially be housed in a hotel in Canterbury before being found more permanent accommodation across the country. There will be children of all ages.
We are looking for children’s toys, new or in good condition for children of all ages. These should for obvious reasons not include soldiers, toy guns or any other war related items. As the families do not have much space, please only relatively small toys, including toy cars, Lego, dolls, washed of new cuddly toys etc. Picture books or books with few words/language learning books are also welcome as are writing and arts and crafts materials. Some outdoor toys that can be taken to a park would also be welcome.
Please drop toy donations off from Monday, 23rd August at:
St Mary Bredin Church
59 Nunnery Fields
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 3JN
01227 453777
https://www.smb.org.uk/
Due to other events taking place at SMB, please drop toy donations between 2pm and 4pm at the church office if at all possible. If you have any queries, please contact Svenja via canterburywelcomesrefugees@outlook.com
I would like to thank you all and will keep you posted on other needs as we become aware of them.
On Thursday 9th September, Bishop Rose will be visiting the Canterbury Deanery. She has a full programme of visits to various activities in the Deanery that day ending with an open meeting in the Chapel of Canterbury Christ Church University, North Holmes Road, CT1 1QU at 7:30pm at which she will be answering questions from participants about the life of the Diocese and Deanery.
As part of our gradual and careful return to normal, we will be restarting our mid-week 10.15am Communion service and the Acorn Café from Wednesday 25th August. Do join us if you’d like to.
Robert and Angela will be serving tea and coffee in the church hall after Sunday morning’s Sung Eucharist service. Do join us if you feel comfortable doing so.
Ride & Stride is the sponsored bike ride or walk in which people all over England walk or cycle between churches, exploring and enjoying the countryside from Cornwall to Northumberland. The money they raise helps to save historic churches, chapels and meeting houses for future generations by helping to fund urgent repairs and the installation of modern facilities.
The next Ride and Stride will take place on 11 September 2021, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, and you can be part of it. Participants plan their own routes, and seek sponsorship for riding, cycling, walking, or manning the church. After the event the money is collected and divided between churches in need of repair, by your own choice and by the Friends of Kent Churches, the area organiser. More information and forms you will find on https://www.kentrideandstride.co.uk/ .
It’s been wonderful to hear our bells calling us to worship again in recent weeks after nearly 18 months of silence.
Perhaps you’ve thought about taking something new up after lockdown – have you considered bell ringing? If you’re interested in finding out more you will find the Tower Captain and Secretary’s contact details on the Church Website.
For us to teach you to ring would mean a commitment from you for our Monday evening practices and the teaching to handle a bell could take up to 6 months. However, the more practice you put in the quicker you will learn!
Anyone can learn to ring so why not make it a family activity. We are happy to teach anyone from the age of 11 upwards.
During August our Monday evening practices will take place on alternate weeks: 2nd, 16th, and 30th from 7.30–8.30pm. Those wishing to attend must book a place in advance with Jane Huxley so that we can keep to a safe number.
A Working Party is being arranged for Saturday 7th August to clear the gutter around the church. If you could help we will be starting at 10am.