The Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross is open daily between 10am and 4.00pm for individual prayer and contemplation.

Priory Church of St Mary and the Holy Cross is open for worship  as listed under Services.

*************************

ZOOM SERVICES 

Zoom Services on Sundays will continue on a monthly basis  – the first Sunday of the month at 5pm.To participate please telephone Ian Newton on 01328 830947 or email iannewton46@ gmail.com. You will be warmly welcomed.

************************************

Dear Friends and Parishioners,

May I wish you a belated happy, peaceful and healthy New Year.  Every New Year is new and full of promise, though sometimes it comes with loss and sadness.  My best friend in Norfolk died in December and a lovely friend died at New Year.  I had though a thoroughly, though sad, splendid time.  I shall not, though, take three Carol Services on one day again.  I am 65, not 35!

I say thank you to all who made a wonderful Christmas: flowers, trees, a warm welcome, excellent musicians, mince pie makers and brewers of hot wine and juice. I love hot apple juice.

Some have died and many have celebrated eternal life and resurrection.  That’s what Church means: reality and hope.  Thank you all.

I write this at the very beginning of January, with, admittedly, very early daffodils flowering, and snowdrops, wintersweet and daphne and the usual cheerful weeds, in full flower.  They cheer me every day; and when I have to leave here may I ask you to save this house, which has never been bought or sold, for my successor in Office.  It’s your Church and your Rectory.  I’m broke but cheerful; and these lovely villages deserve a decent shepherd.  I’ve done my best, and as my late mother often said, that’s enough,

May we look to Christ Jesus and care for one another. That’s enough,

This comes with my abiding absolute insistence that we Keep the Faith, in all humility and expectation of Glory.

Yours truly,

Ian Whittle

In Expectans, Vivat!

                                                                                      ***********************

Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening/ into the house and gate of Heaven,/ to enter into that gate and dwell in that house,/ where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light;/ no noise nor silence, but one equal music;/ no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession;/ no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity;/ in the habitations of thy glory and dominion,/ world without end.

John Donne (1572-1631)