St Mary The Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough

St Mary The Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough

St Mary The Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough

The Church Community

The Church is an integral part of village life and its congregation are active in all key village organisations.

We offer a balance of traditional and less formal worship suitable for all ages and would love to welcome you to join us at our friendly and inclusive gatherings.

In addition to our regular pattern of worship, the church hosts a number of fun and fundraising events in both the church and in the village hall, ranging from an annual barn dance through to carol singing accompanied by a brass band.

As part of our commitment to the village we give a welcome pack to all new people to the village, describing the church and village activities and produce the Woodnesborough Village News a free magazine which is distributed to 600 homes and is available online.

We also run popular regular groups including a weekly Coffee Pot and a Baby & Toddlers group.

 

The Church as a Building

St Mary’s Grade 2* listed building dates from 1182, and has some outstanding features, including a 14th century sedilia and three modern stained glass windows. Its’ spire was removed following a storm in 1745 and replaced by a wooden tower topped by a cupola; an unusual design feature which has been attributed to the influence of Dutch refugees who settled locally after escaping political and religious persecution. Following a recent reordering we have improved heating, kitchen and toilet facilities and a social area with flexible seating.

As part of our commitment to greening the church we have recently created a wildflower meadow area to encourage wildlife diversity and are looking to increase the number of outdoor worship opportunities.

Woodnesborough Church is one of five churches in the Eastry and Woodnesborough Benefice.

Please click on the link below for more information.

https://www.ewbchurches.org.uk/woodnesborough.htm

 

St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough Church Services

  • 1st Sunday of the month 8.00am Holy Communion Service 10.00am Come and Praise – Family Service
  • 2nd Sunday of the month 10.00am Holy Communion Service
  • 3rd Sunday of the month 10.00am Morning Prayer (informal)
  • 4th Sunday of the month 10.00am Holy Communion Service
  • 5th Sunday of the Month 10.00am Benefice Service – see website for venue www.ewbchurches.org.uk

We are a very friendly church and everyone of all ages is welcome to our services.

The church is open every day from 9am-5pm for private prayer and reflection.

 

St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough Church Directory

Rector Revd Andrew Brown 01304 273836 rev.andrewewb@gmail.com

Benefice Office Trisha Wells 611323 eastry.benefice@gmail.com (Weds 11am-1pm Fri 10am-12pm)

Reader Hilary Baldwin 613346

Church Wardens  Alison Hilton 07460 839319

PCC Secretary Caroline Pearce 619190

PCC Treasurer Roger Bailey 613036

Church Flowers Linda Flower 614142

Baby & Toddler Group Linda Flower 614142 (Thurs term-time 9.30-11 Village Hall)

Children’s Society Martin & Gina Bedford 617636

Church Breakfast Ken Flower 614142 (Sat 9-11 during winter months Village Hall)

Coffee Pot Hilary Baldwin 613346 (Tues 10-11.30am in Woodnesborough Church)

Coffee, Cake & Chat Hilary Baldwin 613346 (Sat 10-11.30 in Woodnesborough Church)

Woodnesborough Village News Alison Hilton

woodnesboroughnotesandnews@gmail.com

St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Woodnesborough Social Events

The church organises several social events throughout the year. Details of upcoming events will be posted here and in the Woodnesborough Village News magazine.

Dates for your Diary:

Saturday 13th July 2024 at 7.30pm

Concert in Woodnesborough Church by the Aldington Quintessentials wind quintet who are members of Folkestone Symphony Orchestra

Free admission with retiring collection for ’Sounding Out’, a local musical charity. Refreshments provided.

The programme will include a narrated musical version of Hansel & Gretel by Humperdinck with Jan Leeming as the Narrator.  Jan Leeming is the President of Folkestone Symphony Orchestra as well as a retired TV presenter.

Rosemary Rathbone – Flute

Hilary Sell – Oboe

Belinda Pidgen – Clarinet

Nick Ward – Bassoon

Nigel Batho – French Horn

(Belinda is also our church organist)

NEWS: Eco Church Bronze Award for St Mary’s Church, Woodnesborough

We are pleased to announce that Woodnesborough Church has achieved a Bronze Eco Church award. The overall aim of the Eco Church award scheme is to celebrate the ways that church communities have been engaging with caring for the earth as a key part of our Christian faith. The categories assessed for the award are Worship and Teaching, Buildings, Land, Community and Global Engagement and Lifestyle. We achieved a gold level in 2 categories, silver in 2 categories and bronze in one category.

We are now working towards achieving our Silver award.

To find out more about Eco Church please visit the Eco Church website ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/