Stone Church, St Mary the Virgin
13th Century parish church of Stone-next-Dartford, Kent
A place of welcome, prayer, healing and peace.
Notices for the week beginning Sunday 28th April 2024
Helpers for Gemstones
As our children’s group on a Sunday morning grows, we’re looking for some more volunteer help. Please speak to Kate Stock or Jeanne Hoadley about how you can help. (A DBS check will be made on volunteers as part of our safeguarding responsibilities.)
Charity of the Month
For the month of May we support Kent Workplace Mission, an ecumenical charity set up to direct mission and to support Christians in their place of work. Special collection next Sunday 5th May when we welcome as guest preacher Penny Culliford, KWM co-ordinator and Lead Chaplain at Bluewater.
Last Evening of the Proms
Next Sunday 5th May between 5 pm and 7 pm, St Mary’s plays host to the Mayor of Dartford’s last charity fundraiser a concert featuring soloists from the church choir, the school choir and other performers guaranteed to bring the house down.
May Ramble
Come and enjoy the valley of the Darent for a 5-mile ramble in the country on bank holiday Monday 6th May, leaving from church at 9.30 am.
Mothers’ Union Evening
Sharon Bryan is hosting the meeting on 8th May at 7.30p.m her house and invites all members of the church to join her.
Revd. Paul Davies, Associate Rector
On Ascension Day (Thursday 9th May) the Archdeacon of Rochester, Andy Wooding-Jones, visits to give Paul the bishop’s license to be assistant priest in this parish. The licensing will take place during Holy Communion at 7 pm after which there will be refreshments and rockets. Ascension Day is a major feast of the church. Try to observe it as a holiday.
MCK Afternoon Tea
On Saturday 11th May between 2 pm and 4.30 pm in Greenhithe Church Hall, a fundraiser for the work of MCK. Tickets £10.
Summer Fair
At the school on Saturday 8th June between 11 am and 2 pm. Please be ready to offer you help, support and publicity for this important bi-annual fundraising event.
Pilgrimage to Canterbury
Having completed the next stage as far as Sittingbourne (34 miles from Stone), the pilgrims continue their way along the coastal path to Canterbury next Saturday, walking from Sittingbourne to Whitstable. Follow their progress through posts on our Facebook page. If you would like to sponsor their efforts, donations will go to the Lantern Appeal. (Scan the QR code on this page) or click on this link .
This Week at St Mary’s: -
Daily (except Tuesday)
9 am Mattins (not Monday, Wednesday)
5 pm Evensong (not Saturday)
Thursday 2nd May
2-4 pm Church open for prayer
7.30 pm Bell-ringing practice
Friday 3rd May
7 pm Choir practice
Next Sunday is Easter 6
9 am Mattins
10 am Holy Communion
Guest Preacher: Penny Culliford
5 pm “Last Evening of the Proms”
Calendar & Dates
In accordance with the very practical Epiphany tradition of announcing the year’s moveable feasts, please note the following dates for 2024: 6th January – Baptism of Christ; 11th February – Ash Wednesday; 24th March - Palm Sunday: 31st March – Easter Day; 14th April - Annual Parochial Church Meeting; 9th May – Ascension Day; 19th May – Pentecost; 2nd June – Corpus Christi (transferred): 8th June – Summer Fair; 29th September – Harvest Thanksgiving; 1st December – Advent Sunday.
Hymns, Reflections & Prayers
Daily hope from the Church of England. Do share the following free phone number with anyone, especially those without access to the internet: 0800 804 8044
A Guide to getting on to Facebook
1.Type ‘Facebook’ into your computer or tablet or phone search box
2. Click the link ‘log into Facebook’ and you will arrive at a screen which will let you create your own account.
3. Enter your email address as directed and create a password that you will remember (e.g. an old address or phone number or a car registration number)
4. Enter a birth date
5. Click ‘sign up’ and an email will then be sent to you with a number code to enter into the box on the next screen.
6. Enter the code from the email into the box and click ‘continue’.
7. A message should appear to say your account is confirmed and that you will use your email address to log in. Click OK.
8. To find the St Mary’s page type st mary the virgin church stone-next-dartford into the search box at the top of the screen and then click the first post on the screen that appears next to see the most recent posts.
9. To make sure you see all new posts from St Mary’s as they appear, click the ‘Like’ button (the thumbs up symbol).
10. If you only want to follow St Mary’s this is all you have to do.
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General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
You are invited to give consent that we may contact you from time to time. To continue hearing from us or to join our contact list for the first time please complete the online form on our website or the sheet available in church. Our privacy notices are on the noticeboard in church and our website here www.stmarystone.org/gdpr.
