The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts
Inspiring faith, hope and love in each generation.
Do you know a child that likes singing? Then why not suggest that they come along to find out more about a new youth choir for Ross on September 18th and be a part of building it back better at St Mary’s. More details at https://rossparishes.uk/youth-choir
Janet and Nick are making good progress! Here are a few pictures from the last three days, and an update from Janet:
” Due to problems with the internet earlier in the week, we were unable to book admission to St Fagan’s Museum, so Day 5 is Caerphilly.The walk starts from the car park at the top of Caerphilly mountain, with wonderful views of the town and castle, but we did miss starting our walk at a church. It then takes you down to the Castle, the largest in Wales. Unfortunately, it’s a very long, steep climb back up to the car!”
Total raised so far is nearly £2000 but we can do better for them! Donate here: https://rossparishes.uk/st-thomas-way
We started the day worshipping at Christ Church, Swansea before driving to Margam for Stage 2 of the pilgrimage at Margam Country Park.
The walking route took us up the biggest hill in the area, about a 600ft climb.
Here’s Nick near the top, looking relieved to have got so far! (We got down again too, you’ll be pleased to know)
This morning’s service is starting now in St Mary’s. You can join in online on our YouTube Channel.
Janet and Nick have started day one of their walk at various sites from Swansea to Hereford. They’ve begun in a very wet Swansea.
Total raised so far is about £1500, there’s still plenty of time to give and you can do that online: https://rossparishes.uk/st-thomas-way/
Don’t forget, you can join them next Saturday for a walk around Usk. Details of that at the same link.
This morning’s service is live now on YouTube. https://youtu.be/OT5jHCd2QGs
There’s a new exhibition in St Mary’s. Ross Photo Club have displayed photos from Ross and the Wye Valley, taken over the last three years. Most relate to recent events or tourist attractions.
“The 21st Century Wye Tourist” is a free exhibition. Pop in and see it sometime this month.
This morning’s service is about to start in St Mary’s. If you run you may get there! You can sing now – quite a novel idea! If you’re not up for that then you can join us online on YouTube
Join us at St Mary’s tomorrow (Sunday) at 6 for the last choral evensong of the choir year (and the first this year where you’ll be able to join in with the hymns).
We’re celebrating the fisherman, St James, with Herbert Sumsion’s great anthem “They that go down to the sea in ships,” carrying “you up to the heavens and down again to the deeps” and all while we “stagger like a drunken man.” Come and join in the fun. Here it is sung by the choir of Hereford Cathedral.
Our two intrepid travellers on foot are at it again. This time, Janet and Nick are planning to walk the St Thomas Way, starting in Swansea and ending in Hereford. The walk follows a trail used by medieval pilgrims to the shrine of St Thomas Cantilupe. They will complete the walk in stages. The total distance is 56 miles and while this is a short walk for Janet and Nick, Nicks current health problems mean that it will be a substantial challenge for them both. You can learn more about their walk at https://thomasway.ac.uk/explore-the-way/
Nick and Janet plan to start on 7th August and to complete the walk on Sunday 22nd August. We ask you to sponsor their endeavour as they raise money for St Mary’s Church in an attempt to address the £43,000 deficit we built up last year. They are seeking donations and will be very happy if you’d sign their form, alternatively you can give here.
Please give as generously as Nick and Janet!
On Saturday 14th August Janet and Nick would like to invite anyone wishing to join them, to do so for an easy section of the walk. If you’d like more information please contact Nick & Janet
This morning’s service is starting now in St Mary’s. You can join us on YouTube.
From next week we are removing the limit on the number of people at services. There is also no need to book to be present with us in the building. Please come along.
Some social distancing measures will remain: flexible, spaced seating, wear a face covering if you wish, Communion will still be given in “one kind” (no wine)…
Toast & Toddle at St Mary’s will continue through the summer break, just at the later time of 10am (until 11.30) from next week (21st July) onwards. Come up and see us.
The perfect summer holiday time-out slot!
This morning’s service from St Mary’s is getting underway shortly. You can join it on YouTube.
Lex is streaming this morning, all music is prerecorded as our choir is away singing the services in Wells Cathedral this weekend. (Sadly no live stream from there to point you to.)
This morning’s service is starting now on YouTube. Please join us.
The July Exhibitions are now open, FREE OF CHARGE. One by Ross Civic Society looks at listed buildings in the town (as described by the Royal Commission in 1929 & 1930) that were around in 1770 and compares then and now. The second is a display of 18th / 19th Century sketches of the Wye Valley by James Wathen with accompanying photographs of the same scenes today taken by Ross Photo Club.
Both are FREE and open every day from 9 -5.
More exhibitions follow this for the rest of the year – right through to the Christmas Tree Festival. More details of those at https://rossparishes.uk/exhibitions
Please remember to leave us a review on Trip Adviser or Google
This morning’s Eucharist is about to start in the building. Join us on now YouTube.
Choral Evensong is taking place at 6pm this evening join us in church or online.
This week we’re “building it back better” at St Mary’s by reinstating Choral Evensong (2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 6pm). Come and join us in a service that our choir will be singing in Wells Cathedral in a couple of week’s time.
“Every man and woman in England has a birth-right. Walk into any cathedral [some parish churches and college chapels] at about tea time, … and you will hear the most exquisite music beautifully sung. In the streets outside people are scrambling to get to the shops before they close, unaware perhaps that, behind the decorative medieval facade, a religious event of the most timeless beauty is about to take place. Choral Evensong is part of our cultural heritage … something extremely precious, to be jealously guarded by those who sometimes need to be still, to think upon their divine creator, and to discover the immense capacities of the human soul. – Joanna Trollope (1996)
The July Exhibitions are now open, FREE OF CHARGE. One by Ross Civic Society looks at listed buildings in the town (as described by the Royal Commission in 1929 & 1930) that were around in 1770 and compares then and now. The second is a display of 18th / 19th Century sketches of the Wye Valley by James Wathen with accompanying photographs of the same scenes today taken by Ross Photo Club.
Both are FREE and open every day from 9 -5.
More exhibitions follow this for the rest of the year – right through to the Christmas Tree Festival. More details of those at https://rossparishes.uk/exhibitions
Please remember to leave us a review on Trip Adviser or Google
John Taylor is well known by individuals and organisations all around Ross, not least, at St Mary’s as chairman of The Friends of St Mary’s for several years.
John’s life and gifts will be celebrated in a special service at St Mary’s Church on Saturday 26th June at 2 pm. Unfortunately, Covid restrictions mean that the service is by invitation only but it will be streamed on YouTube should you wish to join in.
If you’d like to make a donation in memory of John, Avril has asked that it be given to www.prostatecanceruk.org
We’re working hard at St Mary’s to achieve Eco Church status, we’re well on our way; very confident about bronze and we might even make silver!
On Sunday we focussed on the environment in our 9.30 service, then went outside to see what species of plant and wildlife we could spot. AMAZING!
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 