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.
Services dates and times:
BENEFICE SERVICE
A reminder that the Benefice Service this Sunday 3rd December is here in St. Osyth at 10am
Sunday 3rd December – 1st Sunday of Advent
8am – BCP Communion Service led by Rev’d. Brian Kyriacou.
10am – Benefice Service with Great Bentley at St Osyth led by Rev’d. Laurie Bond.
Refreshments afterwards in the Church Room
Sunday 10th December – 2nd Sunday of Advent
11am – Rev’d. Guy Thorburn leading Holy Communion.
Refreshments afterwards in the Church Room
Church Notices
INFORMATION FROM REV’D SHARON
Hello to you all.
Sharon has asked that I share the following information with you:
“I have now heard from the Pensions Board that I can retire early on the grounds of ill health. Having had a number of tests in the past few months, the final report indicates that I may be in the early stages of dementia.
I am not sure of the next steps and am waiting to hear from the Archdeacon.
Every Blessing
Sharon”
Please do keep Sharon in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you. Sonia
St Osyth Church Christmas Fayre.
What a wonderful day we had at this year’s Christmas Fayre. An amazing £3521.56 was raised for Church funds This is just such a brilliant result and everyone who supported/helped in any way can certainly feel a degree of pride that they contributed towards it’s success.
We also offer our grateful thanks to all the customers who came & browsed & spent their money generously. The various Craft & Charity Stalls looked amazing with an exciting array of gifts for sale, and everybody was pleased to see Father Christmas at the Fayre and his Elf helper.
We extend our thanks to all those who contributed prizes to the Grand Raffle and thanks also go to the all the businesses & individuals who made sure that the Bottle & Children’s Tombolas had plenty of prizes. We must give grateful thanks to the adhoc Committee of Sue, Anne, Nicole, Lois, Dawn, Joy, Lesley & Trudy plus the many, many friends, family members & parishioners helped on the day.
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.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS CARD
Once again you can place a personal Christmas greeting in the Dec/Jan issue of St. Osyth News. The cost is £5 with the monies collected going to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Clacton.
Remembrance Sunday – 12th November led by Rev’d Laurie Bond
10.50am with a parade to the War Memorial afterwards.
Christmas Angels our 8TH Year
This year we are again offering the opportunity for people to remember loved ones in a special way. Angels bearing a personalised written message will be hung on the branches of our Christmas lights tree in the Church grounds adjacent to Church Square. If you would like to take part in this unique and special Christmas activity you can acquire your Angel in the following way:-
1. At the Church “Christmas Fayre” on 25th November
- At Pop In on the Saturday mornings of 9th & 16h December, at the Church coffee morning in the Church Room from 10.00 -11.30 am
Come along and acquire your Angel write your message and pass it back to our team who will hang the Angel in our tree.
Celebrating Advent
Advent is fast approaching and as a Church we are looking forward to exploring ‘Let It Slow – An Advent Calendar with a difference’ by Stephen Cottrell. Once again we will be making books available on a first come basis to those wishing to participate in our Advent Journey. All that we request is an email address that we can contact in order to share our thoughts and ideas on what we read.
We will also be holding meetings on Wednesdays between 14.00 – 15.30 on the following dates:-
DATE VENUE DISCUSSION/REFLECTIONS FROM THE BOOK
22nd November Church Room The introduction to 5th December
29th November Church Room 6th December to 10th December
6th December Church Room 11th December to 15th December
13th December Venue to be advised 16th December to 20th December
20th December Church Room 21st December to A Few Next Steps
It is appreciated that it may not be possible to attend all the meetings, or some individual meetings, due to the timing of them and that is why we are requesting email details so that thoughts and ideas arising from discussion can be shared, and added to, to maximise our learning outcome and better prepare us for Christmas.
Those wishing to acquire copies of the book please contact Danny Wright on 07790 521621 or dacwright49@gmail.com
CHRISTMAS WISH LIST
Once again we are asking you to consider adding the church to your Christmas gift list.
The leaflets with various suggestions together with the envelopes are now available on the table at the back of the church. Once completed would you please hand your envelope to either Pat Smith or Sonia Grantham. Christmas tags acknowledging each gift will be hung on the little Christmas tree kindly supplied by Pat. Thank you.
PEW SHEET PRAYERS FOR HEALING – REVIEW
I am reviewing the names of people in this section of the pew sheet. Some on the list I know continue to need long term prayerful support, but there are others who I do not personally know who have been on the list for some time now. I would be grateful therefore if you could please let me know by Weds 6th December of anyone who needs to remain on or who can be taken off the sheet. Thank you. Chris (pile.chris@gmail.com)
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!
THANK YOU AGAIN
Our thanks go again to Dollar & Meena of the NISA Stores for their generous gift to the church of £1005.50 from the sale of their Heritage goods & plastic bags. This means they have donated to the church from Sept’ 2019 to Sept’ 2023 the sum of £14,417.50. It is a magnificent sum and we are enormously grateful.
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.
CLACTON ROTARY CLUB
A number of us in the past months have felt that it would be helpful to have a wheelchair in church. It was discussed and suddenly we have one! It has been donated by Clacton Rotary Club.
We are very grateful to them and on behalf of the congregation say a big thank you.
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
A Thank-you to Brian Birt Carpets
As knees get older, kneeling on softer surfaces is much appreciated. A request to Brian Birt Carpets in Clacton to provide an estimate for underlay to go under the carpet in the Horseshoe Communion Rail in the Church, resulted in them providing it at no cost to the Church. They were in awe of the quality of the silk carpet which we kneel on. It was specially woven for the horseshoe rail and was given by Sir John Johnson, owner of the Priory in the 1880’s.
Thanks to Brian Birt Carpets – we kneel now in comfort and their generosity and kindness is much appreciated
Update on the Card Display Stand
You will be delighted to know that recently the little container at the side of the display stand, which holds greeting cards, was emptied and £195.39 has been raised from their sale.
In the few years that it has been in position over £1,000.00 has been raised for Church Funds. A small but very worthwhile initiative suggested by Peter Tidy.
THE CHURCH SOUND SYSTEM
We want to increase the number of those who can operate the sound system in the church so we have good cover in case of need. Another couple of people would be desirable. It is not difficult to do and full training will be given. If you think you would be interested please have a word with Sonia.
POP IN
Do Pop In to Church on a Saturday morning between 10-11.30. 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
Pew Sheet Diary and Notices
While Sharon is away 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.
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.
Rev’d. Sharon – 26.8.23.
Extract from a letter sent by Rt.Revd Roger Morris, Area Bishop of Colchester and The Venerable Ruth Patten, Archdeacon of Colchester.
We would like to give you an update on Sharon’s situation, and Sharon is happy for us to share this with you. Sharon has decided to apply for retirement on ill-health grounds. Sharon has reached this decision in consultation with those who have offered her health and medical support over the past year and after much prayer and reflection.
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 Monica Harvey, email: monmarharv@gmail.com
For Weddings please contact Mrs Jennifer Ford, Tel: 01255 821199
PCC Secretary, Mrs Claire Pearson, email: pcc.stosythchurch@hotmail.com
Letter from the Bishop of Colchester to the people of the Benefice of St Osyth and Great Bentley
Dear Friends
Re: Revd Sharon Miles
It is now nearly a year since Revd Sharon Miles began her period of sick leave. Thank you for all generous support and care that you have shown her during this time. We know that Sharon is deeply grateful to you all.
We know how difficult it can be when your vicar is unwell and unable to exercise a full ministry with and amongst you. Thank you for all that you have done during this time to support ministry and mission in your parishes. We would like to say a particular thank you to your wardens and LLM – Wendy, Mandy, Sonia and Wendy – for all of the additional tasks and responsibilities they have taken on and for the sensitivity and care they have shown.
We would like to give you an update on Sharon’s situation, and Sharon is happy for us to share this with you. Sharon has decided to apply for retirement on ill-health grounds. Sharon has reached this decision in consultation with those who have offered her health and medical support over the past year and after much prayer and reflection.
It may take some time for her application to be considered and so this means that we cannot yet set a date for when Sharon will leave her role as your Vicar. We appreciate that alongside your concerns for Sharon you will also be concerned for your future. We would like to meet with your wardens, LLM and PCC members as soon as possible and hope to do so in September. This will give us a chance to update you on any further progress and to discuss the future ministry in your parishes.
As you know, Sharon has a home in Harwich, and over the next month or so she would like to move out of the Vicarage and settle fully into her home in Harwich.
Sharon has had a long and faithful ministry in our diocese and we are grateful to her for all that she has been and all that she has done in each of the parishes that she has served whilst in full time ministry.
When a decision has been reached about her retirement application, we will be in a position to plan a fitting farewell for Sharon and a good ending to this stage of ministry for you all.
In the meantime, you all remain very much in our thoughts and prayers. We are hugely grateful to you all.
With warmest wishes
+ Roger Colchester Ruth Patten
Rt. Revd Roger Morris The Venerable Ruth Patten
Area Bishop of Colchester Archdeacon of Colchester
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.
Wedding Coordinator
Wedding Coordinator. All wedding enquiries and bookings for St. Osyth Parish Church and Great Bentley Parish Church are to go to Sonia Grantham. sonia.grantham@me.com
Bell Ringing Practice
Bell Practice will now take place on Wednesdays at 1.30 – 3.30 and 7.30 – 9pm.
If you would like to join or find out more about Bell Ringing at St Osyth please contact the Tower Captain Helen Bridgeman on 07966 014511 or helen.bridgman@bridgman-consulting.co.uk
Safeguarding
We are committed to Safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults.
The PCC has adopted the Church of England’s policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England’s website: https://www.churchofengland.org/more/safeguarding/ or on the safeguarding pages of the Chelmsford Diocese: https://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding
Details of our Parish Safeguarding representative can be found on the noticeboard in the Church. Our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Tony Page can be contacted here: Safeguarding.stosythchurch@hotmail.com
