Author: Stephen Barker

Remembering Lady Loretta
13th century Anchoress enclosed at St Stephen’s

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.

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 14th February 2024

This year, Lent begins on Wednesday 22nd February. We will be marking Ash Wednesday with two services, our regular 10am Holy Communion, and a special Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm.  The Imposition of Ashes is when a cross of ash made from last year’s Palm Crosses is placed on the forehead remind us to ‘remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return, turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’.  This will be a part of both services for those who wish to partake.

Lent Course – Reading St John’s Gospel

Our Lent Course, led by Fr David will be at 7.15pm for 7.30pm on Thursday evenings during Lent, beginning on Thursday 22nd February.  The sessions will finish at 8.45pm.

Our focus will be on key moments in the St John’s reflective account of Our Lord’s ministry. There is no charge but a donation, from those able to make one, towards heating and lighting, tea and cake would be welcome. Please bring a Bible; Fr David will be using the NRSV.

Appointment of Interim Priest-in-Charge

Following discussions between the PCC, Archdeacon and Fr David, the Churchwardens are very pleased to announce that Rev. Dr David Vannerley will be licensed as interim Priest-in-Charge of St Stephen’s during Choral Evensong on Sunday 21st January.  This very generous offer from Fr David means that we will have continuity and priestly leadership over the next year or so as we look at what the next role of Rector of St Stephen’s will look like and subsequently an appointment can be made. David is, of course, already known to all of us at St Stephen’s and we hope that many of you will be able to join us at this special service at 6pm next Sunday.

David’s appointment is a part-time role which will mostly cover our services on a Sunday and Wednesday alongside occasional meetings and pastoral activities.  Please note that this is not how the Archdeacon envisages a future appointment to St Stephen’s, but simply the time that Fr David is very kindly offering in what is his own retirement.  Thank you, David!

Celebrating Confirmation at St Stephen’s

On Sunday 8th October, five members of St Stephen’s community were Confirmed in a special service by The Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover.

Please continue to remember them all in your prayers.

Ride and Stride 2023

Ride and Stride this year is on Saturday 9th September and sponsorship forms are available at the back of the church.  

Remember that 50% of the money received goes to our church and the remaining 50% goes to a fund administered by the Friends of Kent Churches for urgent repairs.

Please think about how you can take part, either walking or cycling around as many churches as you can on the day, and find friends or relatives to sponsor you.

The local organiser for St Stephen’s is Peter Brown who will he happy to answer any questions.

Participants can download forms by following the links below:

UPDATE!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored the choir team this year, raising a fantastic £252.00 which will be shared between the Friends of Kent Churches and St Stephen’s.

St Stephen’s Choir singing in Southwark Cathedral

This Sunday (16th July), St Stephen’s Choir are singing the services in Southwark Cathedral. Music at the Sung Eucharist (11.00am) will include a second performance of My spirit longs for thee, composed for us by Christopher Gower and our own Director of Music’s Canterbury Service. At Choral Evensong (3.00pm) the choir will sing canticles by Herbert Howells and Fauré’s beautiful Cantique de Jean Racine.

For more information visit the choir’s trip page.

New Anthem for our Choir by Christopher Gower

On Sunday 9th July, our choir sang a new anthem at our Sung Eucharist that had been composed especially for them by Christopher Gower. Christopher has had a long and distinguished career as a cathedral Organist and Choirmaster, holding positions at Exeter Cathedral, Portsmouth Cathedral and Peterborough Cathedral. On his retirement he moved to Canterbury.

Having given the world premiere, our choir will be giving the London premiere in Southwark Cathedral on Sunday 16th July.

Songs of Praise

6.00pm Sunday 2nd July 2023

We will be holding a ‘Songs of Praise’ service at St Stephen’s at 6pm on Sunday 2nd July 2023. All of the hymns at the service will be chosen by you – some will be chosen by popularity, based on the most votes that they receive, but others (as this is also an opportunity to raise some funds for St Stephen’s) will be selected by receiving the highest bid. However… it is also possible to bid to block a hymn from being sung!

To vote for your favourite hymn, please complete the form below and make your bid donation no later than Sunday 18th June. It would also be lovely to hear why you have chosen the hymn, so please indicate on the form if you’d be willing to speak about your choice during the service. If you’ve got lots of favourites, you can always submit an additional form or two!

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