Fr Patrick writes… It felt very unusual to be observing Holy Week and Easter with the churches closed. At 11am on Maundy Thursday we usually have the “Chrism Mass” with the Bishop in the Cathedral. This year I followed it
Holy Week and Easter 2020
Church Buildings in the CofE closed to prevent spread of the Coronavirus
Fr. Patrick writes… It is rare to get a joint letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, but in March 2020 the clergy of the CofE received four! On 10th March, the Archbishops wrote to us advising us to
Bronze Eco Church Award
Mr Mike Parkes, Churchwarden at St Mary’s, writes… Eco Church is an award scheme for churches in England and Wales that has been set up by A Rocha UK. Participants fill in an online survey which gives an idea as
The New Verger – Michele Twelftree
Fr Patrick writes… On Sunday 1st December 2019 Michele Twelftree started as the new verger/sexton at St Mary’s Lapworth. A few days earlier she and her husband Michael moved from Garretts Green to the Clerks House, by St Mary’s Church.
The Crib at St Mary’s Lapworth
Fr Patrick writes… We enjoyed assembling our crib scene at the Crib Service with all the children on Christmas Eve. Lots of children brought paper angels which they brought forward as we sang the carol, “It came upon a midnight
Remembrance Sunday
Fr Patrick writes… Remembrance Sunday was observed on 10th November 2019. This year the Royal British Legion, Brownies, Guides and Rangers attended at St Mary’s Lapworth. (In even numbered years they attend at Rowington.) Every seat in the church was
Bishop of Birmingham’s Visit for St Michael’s Day
Left to right: Graham Hughes (Churchwarden), Bishop David, Patrick Gerard (Rector) and Ruth McCormack (Churchwarden). Fr Patrick writes… This year St Michael’s Day (29th September – Michaelmas) fell on a Sunday. The Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd David Urquhart
William Uglow moves to Rugby
Fri Patrick writes… This September William Uglow starts a new job as a maths teacher at Rugby School. Whilst this is undoubtedly a good career move for William, it is very sad for us at St Mary’s because he will
Reader Licencing at Birmingham Cathedral
Fr Patrick writes… On the 2 March 2019 Bishop David admitted and licenced eight new Readers. Among them was Clare Kimpton (on the Bishop’s left) who was licenced to Lapworth and Baddesley Clinton. It was a wonderful service in the
Family Service – 3 March 2019
Fr Patrick writes… On the last Sunday before Lent the CofE Lectionary specifies readings on the Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9: 28-36). We get a glimpse of Jesus in his glory before the downbeat season of Lent. This year we