Author: wisbeymark

Lent 2022

This year, the date for Ash Wednesday is 2nd March 2022, which is the first day of Lent. Mass at St. Edmund’s is at the following time:

12:15 PM: Mass with the Imposition of Ashes.

Please make every effort to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday. And as I have mentioned in my last post, we will join with Pope Francis to make Ash Wednesday a day of prayer and fasting for peace following the attack on Ukraine by Russia.

On Sunday 10th April 2022 (Palm Sunday), we are very please to announce that Rt Revd Martin Gorick. Bishop of Dudley, will be presiding at the Mass, and will be starting our journey through Holy Week. Please make very effort to attend. The Mass on Palm Sunday will be at the usual time of 11 AM.

Easter Services are to be announced (please keep tuned to this website), however the Easter Sunday Mass will be at 11 AM on Sunday 17th April 2022.

This year, we will be supporting the Additional Curates Society in Lent. Giving boxes are available at the back of church, or you can give online here: https://additionalcurates.co.uk/support-us/

This year the Church of England’s #LiveLent theme is reflecting on Embracing Justice. There is an app to download, and a book to follow through Lent. You can find further information here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/livelent-2022-church-resources-embracing-justice

Have a Holy Lent as we travel together towards Easter.

Ukraine

Many of us may have troubled hearts following the attack by Russia on Ukraine. The Archbishops of Canterbury & York have sent out a pastoral letter which we may wish to read, encouraging us to prayer. You can download the letter here:

2022-02-24-ukraine-pastoral-letter-from-the-archbishops_8-1Download

The letter encourages us to pray especially on the following days:

  • To make this Sunday, 27th February 2022, a day of prayer for peace;
  • To pray at 6 PM on Tuesday 1st March 2022 with the diocese of Europe for the chaplaincy in Kyiv and the churches that serve Ukraine
  • To join with Pope Francis on Wednesday 2nd March 2022 (Ash Wednesday) to make Ash Wednesday a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

Bishop John is also encouraging us to pray, please read his comments on the diocesan website. 

Building Works Update

The archaeologists studying the floor at the back of St. Edmund’s nave have uncovered vaults, as well as various pottery pieces and stonework. The Diocese of Worcester’s medial officer paid us a visit recently, and have publish an article on the diocese website; you can read the article here: https://www.cofe-worcester.org.uk/news/historical-finds-at-st-edmunds-dudley.php

Another update concerns the Wednesday Mass. The church will not be open now until 12 PM; if you arrive a church before this time, please wait to be let in.

The Bible is full of references about the resurrection of the dead on the last day. For example Daniel 12:2 in the Hebrew Scriptures, John 5:28-29 in the Gospels, and Revelation 20:12-13 at the end of the New Testament. When we come into church to see the vaults, let us also keep these verses in our minds.

Building Works at St. Edmund’s

Work to remove the plinths, and other items, at the back of the church, will begin on Monday 17th January 2022. Please be aware of the following:

  • When coming to church for the 12:15 PM Mass on Wednesdays, the church will not be open until 11:45 AM, and everyone will be required to leave the church by 1 PM; this is to ensure that the contractors can continue with the required work.
  • The church will remain closed on Thursday mornings until further notice.
  • Please follow all instructions given by the contractors when entering, leaving, and moving around the church.
  • Mass on Sundays will continue as usual at 11 AM.

We look forward to seeing everyone at our services.

2022

2022 is now here. Happy New Year to everyone.

Services at St. Edmund’s remain at their usual times:

Sundays: 11AM Sung Mass

Wednesdays: 1215PM Mass

Rt Revd Martin Gorick, the Bishop of Dudley, will be celebrating Mass at St. Edmund’s on Sunday 9th January 2022. Please come along to support him, and to ask him any questions you may have.

Below is some news from The Society for the New Year:

No photo description available.

Bishop Glyn is thrilled and delighted that The Reverend Canon David Wyatt, Rector of St Paul with Christ Church, Salford and Priest in charge of the Ascension, Lower Broughton and Mrs Helen Wyatt have been jointly honoured in the New Year’s Honours List for services to Homeless People and to the community in Salford, Greater Manchester.

http://seeofbeverley.org.uk/fullposts.php?id=266

Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (Anglican)

‘A very special year of thanksgiving…’ Bishop Philip, Master of the Guardians, introduces the Centenary of the Restoration of The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham 1922–2022 #WalsinghamCentenary #BeAPilgrim

Christmas 2021

Below are the Christmas Services at St. Edmund’s this year:

11 AM Sunday 19th December 2021: Sung Mass with Carols

7 PM Friday 24th December 2021: Sung Mass with Carols

10 AM Saturday 25th December 2021: Said Mass with Carols

11 AM Sunday 26th December 2021: Sung Mass

O Come O Come Emmanuel

To mark the first of the Great O Antiphon days in the final week of Advent leading up to the celebration of Christmas, the Church Union and The Society, which is supported by Forward in Faith, are delighted to issue this wonderful recording of the Advent hymn ‘O Come, O Come. Emmanuel’ by the choir of Saint Stephen’s, Gloucester Road. The hymn picks up on the messages of the O Antiphons, which address Our Lord by one of His messianic titles from the Old Testament. This linking of the Old and New Testaments is a striking and profound dimension of Advent from which we can learn much as we prepare for Christmas.

The Church of England has released a single which will hopefully be the Christmas Number 1 this year. Fore more details and how to download see here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media-and-news/press-releases/church-england-release-first-ever-christmas-single

The Church of England has released a video for Christmas. It can either be watched of the Church of England’s YouTube channel, or here:

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Covid-19 Update

It is now mandatory to wear a face covering in places of worship, and other public places, following changes to the rules and guidance on Covid-19 by HM Government last week. Please endure that you wear your face covering when coming to St. Edmund’s. There would usually be a carol service this afternoon (3rd Sunday of Advent), however this will not be going ahead this year. There are exemptions to wearing a face covering, which Rev. Hugh Burton has helpfully listed for us here:

From the latest C of E guidance – some of the exemptions from the face covering requirement:

• There are exemptions on wearing face coverings for those leading a service or giving a reading.
• There is a reasonable excuse exemption which allows people to remove a face covering whilst singing if they wish to do so. However congregations may wish to consider the use of face coverings while singing depending on the local circumstances.
• These exemptions are made to enable communication, particularly with those who rely on lip-reading, facial expressions or clear sound; they do not exempt clergy and other leaders from wearing face coverings in other situations or during other activities.
• young children under the age of 11
• not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
• if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
• to eat or drink, but only if you need to

For further guidance on HM Government’s Covid Plan B, please see here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

We look forward to seeing you at our services through Advent and Christmas, but please keep safe.