Welcome to the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul
St Osyth Church, Church Square, St Osyth, Clacton on Sea, Essex, Co16 8NU Charity No. X96628 (St Osyth PCC)
St Osyth Parish Church is a beautiful building which lies in the centre of the village. Whether you are a member of a congregation or a visitor, or just passing and drawn by spiritual need we hope you will find our Church a welcoming and uplifting place to be. You will not be visiting a museum but a lively centre of worship and music. It is a happy, special place and we hope you will join us both in worship and in the many activities that are organised here at St Peter and St Paul. You are very welcome at any of our services and we trust you will find peace, joy and friendship within our inclusive and enthusiastic Church family.
2024 Services
Thursday 18th April
10am Holy Communion Service led by Rev’d. Brian Kyriacou
Sunday 21st April 4th Sunday of Easter
11am Holy Communion Service led by Sarah Batts Neale
Refreshments in the Church Room
after 11am Service
Church Address:
St Osyth Parish Church, Church Square, St Osyth, Clacton on Sea, Essex, CO16 8NU
Reg Charity No: 249505
Vicar:
We are currently in Interregnum so are without a Vicar for the present
Churchwardens:
Sonia Grantham 01255 820648
PCC Secretary
Belinda Liddle
Email: pccsecretary@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
Administrator
Emma Charnock
Email: info@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
Children’s Ministry
Dianne Pile
01255 820843
Church Music and Choir
Fiona Bodmer
Bell Ringing
Helen Bridgman
07966 014511
helen.bridgman@bridgman-consulting.co.uk
Baptism and Wedding Bookings
Baptisms – contact Dianne Pile 01255 820843
For weddings contact Rachel Killington 07728 828976 weddingcoordinator@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
Parish Magazine
Michelle Morris
editor@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
Flowers
Brenda Lord 01255 820458
Church Notices
EASTER FLOWERS
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Easter flowers in memory of families, friends and loved ones
CHURCH SECURITY
Although we have CCTV in the church, if you are in the village from time to time over the next couple of weeks, please do keep an eye open & perhaps pop into the church. Thank you.
MONICA HARVEY – A THANK YOU
As you may be aware, Monica has decided to call it a day as our Office Administrator so this is her last pew sheet. On behalf of the church family and ourselves we want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU MONICA for all your hard work and dedication to the church over the last six years.
Sonia & Chris
OUR NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
We are very fortunate to welcome Emma Charnock as our new Administrator. Emma should be in the Vestry Office one day each week and the Admin contact email address for her remains the same – info@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
Summer Recitals 2024
This summer we are holding five Recitals to raise money for the Organ Fund. Dates & performers can be found at the back & in the notice board as well as in the April copy of St Osyth Life & also on the St Osyth Church website.
We are looking for volunteers to bake tray bakes, scones, biscuits or savoury items for one of the five Recitals; also for people willing to help with the serving & clearing up. There is a list on the table at the back of the Church to sign if you are willing to help.
Many thanks in anticipation of your kind response.
Sunny Bissenden
The first is an organ recital by William Saunders on 19th April @ 12.30pm
A Great Result!
Very many thanks to Anne Witten, the team of ladies and Danny Wright who with the many people who attended raised £402.00 for the Salvation Army Food Bank.
As many of you know village residents support the Food Bank on a weekly basis, but it was brought to our notice that demand is such that the Salvation Army are having to buy food. A request was made, would we consider raising much needed funds and this we did on the 9th March. It was a really enjoyable morning for us all and so good that we were supporting the Salvation Army.
REVISION OF THE CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL
The required notice of the annual revision has been posted. The revision will begins on Sunday and ends on 8th April. Only new applicants need apply to be added to our Roll and the relevant forms are available on the table at the back. Please hand completed form to Chris Pile, ER Officer.
Please note that if you are already on the Roll no action is required unless you have any amendments to your name or address.
Update on the Appointment of a new Priest
There has been progress! The role of Priest for the Benefice of Great Bentley, Little Clacton, St Osyth and Weeley will be advertised from 2nd April. A joint Benefice Profile has been written by the four parishes explaining who we are and what we do. The interviews could be on any of the following dates – 20th May, 24th May, 14th June or the 17th June. There will be two representatives from each of the four Parishes together with the Bishop of Colchester and Archdeacon on the interviewing panel.
Hopefully those ordained will apply and if one is invited to be our new Priest, should they already have a Parish they do have to give three months Notice. So it could possibly be late Autumn when we see a new Priest in St Osyth Vicarage!
Things are moving!
Best wishes, Sonia
THE SALVATION ARMY FOOD BANK
Please do keep donating items in 2024 for the Clacton Food Bank. You can leave them just inside the Church, by the right hand pillar, during the times when it is open. All donations are always gratefully received, but please make a note of their specific requests below.
The Salvation Army says that they are still seeing increasing numbers at the food bank. From the Trussell Trust website, items most needed in Clacton now are:
Tinned fruit; Tinned & pkt Custard; Long Life Milk; UHT Fruit Juice; Instant Mash; Tinned Sponge Puddings; Small Jar/Pkt Instant Coffee; Hot Chocolate Powder
LOCKING OF THE CHURCH
Please note that from 29th October the church will be locked at 1.30pm on Sundays and 3.30pm Monday – Saturday.
RETURNING TO USING THE COLLECTION BAGS
On Sunday 8th October at the 11am Service we will again be offering the collection bag to members of the congregation and passing it along the rows.
Many of us will give our offering via the Parish Giving Scheme (see below) and that is fine of course. However, I was reminded at last week’s service about informing anyone about Gift Aid.
Are you a UK tax payer? If so your donation would be boosted by 25p for every pound you donate. There are small yellow envelopes on the table at the back of the church. These can be used for your donation, the information filled in, and the envelope placed in the collection bag, knowing that, whatever you give has been considerably increased!
A win-win situation.
Thank you. Sonia.
THE PARISH GIVING SCHEME
We signed up to the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) a good few years ago and many of our congregation give through this scheme. It is free for the church as the diocese covers the admin costs. It is a simple and secure way for our church to receive gifts and donations at services, by monthly, quarterly or annually by Direct Debit. You can give anonymously if you prefer.
If you are a UK tax payer, gift aid of 25% will be added to your giving. Win-win!
It is simple to change the amount you give too. We have PGS packs available. Just ask Sonia or Chris!
SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS
We could do with a few more volunteers to be added to the refreshments rota. The rota only means doing it every 6 or 7 weeks. If you can help, please have a chat with Sue White.
Pew Sheet Diary and Notices
Please contact Chris Pile regarding the Diary & Notices. Please email: pile.chris@gmail.com as required, also copying in Sonia, email: sonia.grantham@me.com by latest Wednesday 5pm. Pew Sheet prayers: Please also let Chris and Sonia know of anyone who can be taken off or be added to the list.
POP IN
Do Pop In to Church on a Saturday morning between 10-11.30am.
for refreshments and good company in the warm Church Room .
If you would like to help with the refreshments that would be wonderful.
Just come along and tell us or phone Anne 01255 821661
PASTORAL CARE
If you are interested in developing your pastoral care skills you may be attracted to the Part 1 Pastoral Care Course, which could lead you to becoming an Authorised Pastoral Assistant in the Diocese. More details, a contact and how to apply can be found on the information sheet at the back of the church.
Pastoral Team – looking after – the needs of our church family
Please talk to Dianne Pile (or phone 820843) about anyone who is sick, would like communion in their own home or just a visit which she will organise. Dianne is also sending cards to church members on behalf of the church.
All enquiries at the present time please contact the Church Warden, Mrs Sonia Grantham, Tel: 01255 820648, email: sonia.grantham@me.com
For Pew Sheet Notices and Diary entries please contact Chris Pile by Wednesday 5pm, email: pile.chris@gmail.com
For Admin please contact Mrs Emma Charnock, email: info@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
For Weddings please contact – Rachel Killington 07728 828976 weddingcoordinator@stosythparishchurch.co.uk
PCC Secretary, pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com
Safeguarding – contact Tony Page – click here for full details.
Church Outreach – Parish Welcome Pack Anyone moved in near you?
Has anyone moved in near you? If so, there is a supply of the packs available at the back of the church for you to deliver. Please add the date, your name and the address of the recipient in the book provided so we have a record. You might like to also pop a Toosey News through their letter box too if there are spares on the table. Or better still why not knock on the door and take the opportunity to introduce yourself to your new neighbours.