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 3rd May
Jamaican Afternoon
In support of the Lantern Appeal a fun afternoon in the Rectory Garden with Jamaican cuisine and raffle this Saturday 9th May from 1pm to 6 pm. (Bring umbrellas to scare off any rain,)
Annual Parochial Church Meeting
The annual Easter Vestry and Parochial Church Meeting takes place after morning service next Sunday 10th May at 11.30 am. The annual report and accounts of the PCC is available electronically with a number of printed copies for those not online. Nominations are invited for representatives of the laity to help lead the church as follows:
two churchwardens, to serve for the year 2026/7;
two Deanery Synod members, to serve for three years;
three PCC members, to serve for three years.
Ascension Day
Thursday 14th May, one of the principal festivals of the church. If at all possible take a holiday or half-day and celebrate Holy Communion together at 7 pm with a rocket conclusion.
Charity of the Month
This time we encourage you to give to the Alzheimer’s Society, working to support sufferers and to fund research.
Special collection on Sunday 17th May.
Greek Night at North-West Kent College
Speak to Ruth Reynolds if you would like to attend on Wednesday 20th May for another excellent evening meal.
Whitsunday
On Sunday 24th May Holy Communion in the morning will be a said service so that we may concentrate our efforts on the Deanery Confirmation (with Communion) at 4 pm. Please come and support our candidates that afternoon.
St Mary’s Summer Fair
On Saturday 6th June at the school between 11 am and 2 pm. Do make sure you are ready to support this important fundraiser! Please place any donations of bottles and prizes for the tombola in the wicker basket. Thank you.
Planning meeting for those who can make it this Friday 8th May at 6 pm in church.
Evensong
Kenneth is marking 25 years since ordination as a priest this June and invites you to tea and a special evensong sung by the cathedral lay clerks on Sunday 7th June at 3 pm.
MCK Afternoon Tea
On Saturday 13th June between 2 pm and 4.30 pm hosted at Greenhithe church hall. £15 per ticket in aid of MCK funds. Call Jude on 07512 – 460221 jude@mckcharity.co.uk
Sponsor-a-Floorboard
Please encourage all your friends to sponsor a floorboard in the main hall of the new Lantern Centre. We have many floorboards to lay in the final phase of the building fit-out. Boards (which are about a metre in length) can be sponsored for £25 each and, when available, you will be able to sign the underside of them and be part of the new centre for ever.
Churchyard News
Spring has really sprung and during May and June the grass and wildflowers will be left to grow naturally. Don’t forget to check out the latest on the Eco-Board.
This Week at St Mary’s
Monday only
9 am Mattins
5 pm Evensong
Thursday 7th May
2-4 pm Church open for prayer (concluding with prayer at 3.45 pm)
7.30 pm Bell-ringing practice
Friday 8th May
7 pm Choir practice
Next Sunday is Easter 6 (Rogation Sunday)
9 am Mattins
10 am Family Communion & Parish Breakfast
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.