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 18th January 2026
Charity of the Month 2026
Being supported with a special collection next Sunday 25th January, Porchlight, tackling issues of homelessness locally in Kent with practical help. More details at www.porchlight.org.uk.
Christian Initiation (Baptism & Confirmation)
A group is forming to prepare for Baptism and Confirmation at Pentecost (24th May). The first in a series of preparations sessions will be on Saturday 31st January at 10.30 am at the rectory. Please speak to any of the ministry team if you are interested.
100 Club
There is a draw normally on the second Sunday of each month (but first draw next Sunday) with £40 worth of prizes to be won. Lots of numbers available for 2026. Take out or renew an annual subscription of £12 per number.
Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend 23rd - 25th January
Run by the RSPB this is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people help to build a picture of how garden birds are faring. Spend an hour watching for birds in your garden, your park or from your window and record the birds that land. Find out more and register on the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk
Kentish Night at North Kent College
Would you like to join us for another delightful evening meal at North Kent College at 6.30 pm on Wednesday 25th March? Please see Ruth who has a copy of the menu which has a Kentish theme. The cost of the three-course meal is £25 per head. Menu choices and full payment please by Sunday 8 February at the latest. Thank you.
Calendar & Dates
Please note these following moveable dates for 2026:
18th February – Ash Wednesday; 29th March – Palm Sunday (shared service at Swanscombe) 5th April – Easter Day; 10th May – Annual Parochial Church Meeting; 14th May – Ascension Day; 24th May – Pentecost; 4th June – Corpus Christi Day; 6th June – Summer Fair; 27th June – Ordinations at Rochester Cathedral; 26th September – Harvest Thanksgiving; 29th November – Advent Sunday.
This Week at St Mary’s: -
Daily (except Tuesday)
9 am Mattins (not Friday)
5 pm Evensong
Thursday 22nd January
11 am Service at Strawberry Hill
2-4 pm Open Church (ending with prayer at 3.45 pm)
7.30 pm Bell-ringing Practice
Friday 23rd January
7 pm Choir Practice
Next Sunday is Epiphany 3
9 am Mattins
10 am Holy Communion
5 pm Evensong
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
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.