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 29th September 2024
Carol Avery, R.I.P.
Carol’s funeral will be taking place on Tuesday 8th October at 1 pm in Peterborough Cathedral and all are invited to attend dressed as they feel comfortable, as Carol would have wanted it. In addition, there will be a special remembrance of Carol at next Sunday’s service as we give thanks for her contribution to Stone.
Volunteer at Messy Church
Are you able to spare two hours on a Wednesday afternoon seven times during the next academic year? We hold a monthly Messy Church at Stone St Mary’s School hall, open to all ages, and this is a significant ministry to families with children. Our first Messy Church will be on Wednesday 16th October at 3.15pm. Helpers can do all sorts of jobs, from behind the scenes to interacting with the children and adults. A formal recruitment process takes place, but in the first instance signal your interest to Kenneth or Kathryn.
Healing Service
On Sunday 27th October the autumn quarter’s healing service takes place, with prayer for healing, laying on of hands and anointing.
All Souls’ Service
The annual remembrance of the faithful departed will be held on Sunday 3rd November at 5 pm and all are welcome, especially those grieving someone dear to them who is recently departed.
Christian Initiation
If you have been coming to church wanting to join in but are not sure how, please contact the clergy. Preparation for Baptism and Confirmation, the rituals of admission, begins again now. A service at St Peter’s, Hextable on evening of Sunday 17th November provides the next opportunity to receive these sacraments.
Summer Dates - Pop these in your diary now
Sunday 6th October ~ Dedication Festival
MCK
Whilst you do your weekly shop, don’t forget to buy something to put into the trolley for local vulnerable families and individuals. Tinned meat is always a good buy, along with squash, tinned fruit, rice pudding, toiletries and hygiene products.
This Week at St Mary’s: -
Daily (except Tuesday)
9 am Mattins (not Monday)
5 pm Evensong
Thursday 3rd October
2-4 pm Open Church
7.30 pm Bell-ringing practice
Friday 4th October
7 pm Choir practice
Next Sunday is the Dedication Festival
9 am Mattins
10 am Holy Communion with a Remembrance of Carol Avery
5 pm Evensong
7 pm online Compline
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.