Sunday 6th October 2024
Dear Parishioner
In our last newsletter in June, I commented that it was hard to believe that we were half way through the year and the longest day would soon be upon us, and here we in October and autumn!
As we wrote our last newsletter in June it was with great joy and excitement, the builders have started work on forming the long awaited toilet, kitchen, servery and hopefully the accessible ramp. Well, considering all things and one never knowing what may crop up when you start disturbing a medieval building, apart from coming across a burial crypt beneath the floor of what was the choir vestry, things have gone as well as one could expect. We were fortunate that the chancellor acted very promptly and gave permission for the builders to cap the crypt off so they could proceed with laying the new limestone flooring.
Having only lost a week through having to close the site off whilst permissions were sought, we are pretty well on target and should complete the toilet and kitchen / servery phase around 2nd week in October. We are still working frantically with the architect and the builders to secure a competitive figure for the accessible ramp that will fall within our budget and grant figures.
The aim still is that both phases of the project will be completed ready for our Patronal Day Service when the Archdeacon will be preaching and dedicating the new works and this will see the re-launch of St Martin’s Church mission.
Please note:
Our Patronal Day & Gift Day service this year ONLY will be at 10-30am on 17th November. The reason being that following the service, there will be drinks and a light buffet lunch for everyone. Please RSVP to Julie by 3rd November if you will be attending the luncheon, so we have an idea for catering purposes. Please also indicate any allergies etc.
Of course, once the building works have finished and before we can hold our Patronal Service, there is going to have to be a considerable amount of cleaning done everywhere. The cleaning day is planned for Saturday 9th November and we are afraid it will be far greater that than we normally have to do because of the dust. As we feel it may go on beyond lunch, we will provide a snack lunch and drinks for those who feel they can stay. Please let Julie or myself know if you are able to assist.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Director of Music, Nigel Stark, for organising the wonderful organ recitals in August. A big thank you must go to all the musicians who gave their time for free, and we are pleased to say that through their kind generosity, along with donations on the door a total of £921.22 was raised. This sum was divided in half between Citizens Advice South Lincolnshire and St Martins Church.
Our new fan Harry the Doberman at the concerts in his organ-induced trance:
Special news from our own Revd James:
Revd James McWhirter RN was awarded the King's Coronation medal and the LSGC medal for long service and good conduct on 16 July.
Lizzie (Mrs Bish) was presented with a bouquet of Buchanan clan themed flowers at the ceremony for serving Royal Navy personnel at DMRC Stanford Hall in Nottinghamshire.
Lizzie, as Vice Lead of the MWC Regional Voices Group and an MWC Trustee, recently spoke on Music and Wellbeing, with particular reference to the Military Wives Choirs, at the weekly Stanford Round lecture series to an international audience.
James has spoken several times in the DMRC Stanford Round series on the role of a chaplain in a health care context as DMRC's full time chaplain, otherwise known as The Bish.
Forthcoming services and events for your diary:-
13th October will see our Harvest Festival service at the usual time of 9-30 sung Eucharist. As in previous years, there will be collection of provisions for donation to support our local Food Bank.
The Food Bank particularly need the following:
UHT Milk, Long- life fruit juice, Cereals, Canned sponge pudding & rice pudding, Canned tomatoes, vegetable & fruit Soup, Tea bags & instant coffee in, Canned meat & fish, Biscuits & snack bars. In the past St Martin’s parishioners have been very supportive in doing their bit to help the Food Bank.
There will be a box at the rear of the church for your gifts.
Also Sunday 13th October Choral Evensong – 5.30pm in St Martins Church with the choir from Stamford Endowed Schools. All are welcome.
Friday 18th October St Martins Church Conservation Trust are running a Town Tour for members from St Martin’s Church at 1pm. Parishioners are very welcome, but numbers are limited. Please contact the Church Wardens or email SMCCT2018@gmail.com Tickets are £5.00 with funds going to the Conservation Trust.
Sunday 20th October Parish Eucharist at 11: 00, The Burghley Sermon,
Preacher: the Rev Dr Helen Dawes, Principle, Westcott House
(Please note there is no 9-30am service that day)
Saturday 9th November - Cleaning of the Church before Patronal Festival with lunch.
Thursday 14th November there will be a talk at Burghley House in The Cheke Room by Jon Culverhouse on 20 Years of Discoveries at Burghley. Tickets are £10.00, which include a glass of wine, and funds are in aid of the Conservation Trust. Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1008476118217?aff=oddtdtcreator or speak to the Church Wardens.
Sunday 17th November, St Martin’s Patronal Festival, Dedication & Gift Day
Parish Eucharist at 10-30am, please note the amended time change for this service, this will be followed by a buffet luncheon.
Preacher: the Venerable Dr Justine Allain Chapman, Archdeacon of Boston
The completion of the new toilet facilities, kitchen & servery will be celebrated.
Saturday 7th December there will be a concert by EAGA Gospel Choir. Timings and ticket details to be announced shortly.
Monday 23rd December Nine Lessons and Carols at 7.30pm in St Martins.
Looking ahead to 2025 – we have gotten very organised and the parish lunch will be on Sunday 15th June 2025 at Shacklewell Hollow Scout Site. More details to follow next year!
With very best wishes.
Alan & Julie
Churchwardens
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