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One in the Spirit, one in the Lord

Today we begin the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. It's our annual call to seek the reconciliation of Christians which will only be found in Christ, in whom all barriers are torn down. Our Lord prayed that his friends would be one, so that the world might believe. This week we make a special effort to join our prayers with his.

We've got services, prayer gatherings and events with our brothers and sisters at other churches in Attleborough every day until next Thursday, the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. We're hosting the main service for the week at St Mary's this Sunday at 4pm. It'll be an Epiphany Carol Service, followed by tea. We'd love to see you there.

There are also Prayers for Unity at 12 noon each weekday in various locations: details below!

We'll be thinking and praying about Christian Unity at the 10am Parish Eucharist in St Mary's this Sunday, and again would be delighted to see you and yours. In the Gospel we hear about our Lord's first miracle at Cana in Galilee; the choir is singing the anthem 'Almighty and everlasting God' by Orlando Gibbons. And there's Sunday Club for children!

Messy Church meets this Saturday at 9.30am at Attleborough Methodist Church. After breakfast bacon rolls, there'll be a selection of fun crafts to explore the story of Noah and the Rainbow, followed by a time of prayer and worship at 11am. All are welcome!

Sunday Club and friends enjoyed their annual Epiphany Party on the feast itself this year, Saturday 6 January. There were some games, a visit to the Crib in church to see the Magi, and lovely 'authentic Magi food' including goats' eyes (...made from icing!). Click here to see some photos.

Every Monday our Bible Study group meets at 7.30pm at 32 Tantallon Drive, the home of Bob and Glynis Baker. There's an hour of informal study and discussion followed by coffee. Everyone's welcome, whether you've been before or not! This term we're looking at some figures from the Old Testament.

Festal Evensong
for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Sunday 28 January - 6.30pm
St Mary's Church

Music includes
Lassus - Adorna thalamum
Smith - Responses
Gibbons - Short Service
Eccard - When to the Temple Mary went

All welcome

After the Sung Eucharist on the Eve of the Epiphany, we toasted Sue Strutt who was commissioned as Priest Associate of the Shellrock Benefice in Rocklands St Peter's Church the following Sunday. We look forward to Sue and David's continued part in our Church Family.

Click the image below to watch our three-minute video review of the year 2017 in our Church Family!

St Mary's Choir is a growing and friendly group of amateur singers who enjoy making music together in the service of the Church. The Choir welcomes new members - children AND adults. We've just produced a new leaflet with full details about choir membership: click here to download it and forward the link to anyone who you think might be interested.

The Candlemas Supper in St Mary's Hall at 7.30pm on Sunday 28 January (immediately following Festal Evensong at 6.30pm) will be a vegetarian meal - a choice of three main courses followed by a choice of puddings, together with a glass of wine, coffee and mints. Tickets cost £10: gets yours from the Church Office (454977) or Dorothy Woolliscroft (456211) by next Wednesday. All proceeds will be given to Christian Aid.

Children and young people are a valued part of our Church Family. Sunday Club for children aged 3 and over meets this Sunday at 10am, and there's also a creche for little ones. Click here for all this term's Sunday Club dates.

St Mary's Ladies will meet for their New Year dinner at the Griffin on Monday 29 January. All are welcome and we'd love to see as many of you as possible. Menus and booking details are at the back of the church; please give your choices and payment to Dorothy Woolliscroft or the Church Office by this Sunday, 21 January.

Join us at St Mary's on Sunday 28 January, Candlemas, for a glass of wine after the Parish Eucharist and the launch of the new book collecting forty of Fr Val Hollands’ biographies of holy men and women. 'Saints Ancient & Modern: Articles written for the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Attleborough' will cost £5 (£6.50 with p&p).

MU2, our evening group exploring membership of Mothers' Union, meets next Thursday, 25 January at 7.30pm in the Rectory. All are welcome, especially those whose day-time commitments keep them from afternoon gatherings.

During 2017 we raised a magnificent £4157 for the work of Christian Aid. This is a great achievement: thank you to you all for your generosity, and to the Committee for their hard work.

Over 80 singers gave a festive rendition of Handel's Messiah in St Mary's during Christmas Week. They were joined by visiting soloists, string players and the organ, under the direction of Rob Goodrich. This scratch performance is a Christmas tradition which began at Kimberley Hall over thirty years ago.

United Service of Epiphany Carols in St Mary's this Sunday, 21 January at 4pm, followed by tea: all welcome!

Worship with us

Every Sunday: 8am Holy Communion 10am The Parish Eucharist (with children's activities; coffee after the service) 6.30pm Evening Prayer

Every Thursday: 10am Holy Communion

Every day: 8.45am Morning Prayer 5pm Evening Prayer

St Mary's Church is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm every day for prayer, quiet and visiting.

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