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 December 2025
Christian Initiation (Baptism & Confirmation)
As the beginning of the new year approaches, take time to consider your membership of the Church. If you are yet to receive these sacraments of initiation speak to the ministry team. Preparation will begin in January.
Volunteering
Consider again how you may get further involved in the life of St Mary’s church during 2026. Welcoming, reading lessons, helping at Gemstones, singing in the choir, pastoral visiting, churchyard maintenance, bell-ringing, organizing sponsored activities to raise funds, cleaning & polishing, arranging flowers; so many different ways to serve God alongside Sunday worship. Just speak up.
Advent Hamper Raffles
The four draws throughout December have raised about £350 towards the Lantern Appeal. Thank you to Jeanne and Robin for organizing this. What good ideas have you got for raising some money in 2026 for this all-important goal?
“A Time of Gifts”
In this season of gift-giving we plan a Gift/Pledge Day to encourage giving towards the Lantern Appeal as we seek funds for the final phase of fitting out. Recognising that the congregation has given so much the aim is to cast the net wider across the local community. But your support in publicising the appeal is important. More details to follow shortly.
100 Club
There is a draw on the second Sunday of each month 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.
The Epiphany of our Lord
On Tuesday 6th January the Church celebrates Christ’s manifestation to the Gentiles, embodied by those Magi who followed the star, one of the earliest holy days in the calendar. Holy Communion in church at 7 pm.
Stone Town
A special celebration to mark the redesignation of Stone Parish as a Town Council on Sunday 11th January at Family Communion at 10 am. Parish (or Town?) Breakfast to follow.
Healing Service
The first quarterly healing service of 2026 will be on Sunday 18th January which also marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Unity. Our regular focus for prayer for healing and opportunity to receive Laying on of Hands and Anointing. The other dates will be 19th April, 19th July and 18th October (St Luke’s Day).
This Week at St Mary’s: -
Daily (except Tuesday & Friday)
9 am Mattins
5 pm Evensong (not Monday)
Wednesday 31st December ~ New Year’s Eve
11.30 pm Ringing in the New Year
Friday 2nd January
7 pm Choir Practice
Next Sunday is Christmas 2
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.