Notices for Sundays of 17^th & 24^th July

Upcoming dates for your diary (details below)
“A Special Relationship” concert Sat 6^th Sept 5pm
Ride & Stride Sat 13^th Sept
Family Time Together Sun 14^th Sept 3pm
Coffee & Cake concert Sat 20^th Sept 11am
Harvest Festival Communion Service Sun 28^th Sept 10am

Summer Sunday services:
If you have been at our services this month, you will know that our services are more informal with some of the older children helping in various ways each week as we follow our theme for Summer Sundays: ‘Why do we do that?’
Our remaining services will continue this theme:

17^th Morning Service: Why do we say the creed?
24^th Communion: Why do we say those words?
31^st Communion: Why do we change the colours?

There is no ‘Live Wires’ Sunday School during the summer holidays instead there are colouring activities at the back of church and there will be times in the service when the younger children can join in too.
I hope you like this special time of the year - please do share any comments with me about things you liked or were not so keen on in the services. Rev Andrew

Wildflower area in the churchyard – request for seeds & bulbs.
As we continue to plan our wildflower area we would be grateful for donations of spring bulbs and wildflower seeds. All offerings from your own gardens will be much appreciated. Please speak to Sarah Challender.

Music concerts in St Mary’s
Our rich tradition of professional concerts continues with two more exciting events in September:

“A Special Relationship”: enjoy vintage cabaret music from America’s golden years, featuring songs by George Gerschwin, Kurt Weil & Benjamin Britten, and performed by mezzo-soprano Penelope Turner and pianist Helen Crayford.

Contact Tim Kidd for tickets: 07725 316617 or tim@timkidd.com
Tickets are £15 to include prosecco & canapes. Saturday 6^th Sept at 5pm.

“Coffee & Cake” concert: a voice and piano recital entitled “What a wonderful world” at which Emily Renshaw-Kidd will be accompanied on piano by Richard Ansell as they perform songs based around significant events in the singer’s life and memories of loved ones. Saturday 20^th Sept at 10.15 for 11am start.

Ride and Stride: This is a national sponsored bike ride or walk between churches,. Supported by The National Churches Trust and run by historic churches trusts across the UK, Ride + Stride raises well over £1million every year. As well as being a lot of fun for participants, the money raised helps to repair churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the UK.
The funds you raise can be split between your local trust and your chosen church. 13 th September.
Follow the QR code or contact local organiser, David Arnott (01227 470831) for more information.

Chartham Summer Fete 7th September: Could you help for an hour on our St Mary’s stall at the Summer Fete? We also hope to open our bell tower so that people can see the ringing chamber and bells. If you can help, then please sign up on the sheet at the back of church. Thank you, Rev Andrew.

‘Caring for Creation’ Ministry
A two-day course to equip participants with the confidence, knowledge and skills to grow Care for Creation ministry in their local context and beyond.
Saturdays 20^th & 27^th September 2025, 10am–4pm in Diocesan House, Canterbury.
No charge but booking essential.
This course is open to clergy and laity with a passion for actively caring for God’s creation. For more information, including the course brochure, visit the web page via this QR code.

Collects and readings

17^th August: Morning Service
Almighty God,
who sent your Holy Spirit
to be the life and light of your Church:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace,
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Acts 8: 26-38 & Matthew 28:16-20

24^th August: Holy Communion Service
Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of
your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions
make them to ask such things
as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
TBA

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at St.Mary's (details below) for our Sunday Service starting at 10am. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits afterward. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Plan your journey:

Open Google Maps

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 10am with a warm welcome..
Visit our This Sunday page for more information

Children

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Notices for Sundays of 17th & 24th July