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.
Choral Evensong – 6 pm on Sunday
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)
Two Exhibitions in St Mary’s for July
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
Thanksgiving Service for the Life of John Taylor
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
St Mary’s Eco Church update
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!
Morning has broken …
Our service from St Mary’s, this morning has a strong environmental feel, music, readings and prayers have been chosen with that in mind. After the service (from about 10.30) we’re going out into the churchyard to conduct a wildlife survey. Come up and join us – it’s out in the fresh air and Covid safe!
Our service is conducted by Sean and Colin is preaching. Music is by a small choir of upper voices. It’s all getting underway now.
Half Term Toast & Toddle
It’s half term but Toast and Toddle is still running at St Mary’s as usual. We look forward to seeing you!
Eucharist for Pentecost Sunday
This morning’s service for the Feast of Pentecost, from St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye is starting now on YouTube:
Toast & Toddle – TOMORROW
Don’t forget that that Toast & Toddle is back in St Mary’s Church from tomorrow, Wednesday, 19th May. We look forward to seeing you.
Toast & Toddle is a free drop in, aimed at parents and careers returning home after the school drop-off. Just call in for free toast and some lovely coffee. We particularly welcome toddlers and will be happy to supervise them while you put your feet up for a bit.
It takes place in St Mary’s Church every Wednesday from a bit before 9am. Social Distincing will be evident for now but … fingers crossed!
Come, meet the Bishop
The Bishop of Hereford is coming to Ross on Thursday 20th May. He will be saying prayers in church t 11.30 and then picnicking outside in the churchyard from 12. You are invited to join him for 30 minutes (for prayers or picnic).
Please book on Eventbrite. We’ve divided the visit into 30 minute sections with 30 tickets available for each.
Please bring your own picnic.
St Mary’s Service
St Mary’s 9.30 Eucharist is getting underway right now. Join us on YouTube.
Toast & Toddle is back
Have you heard the great news that Toast & Toddle is back in St Mary’s Church from next Wednesday, 19th May.
Toast & Toddle is a free drop in, aimed at parents and careers returning home after the school drop-off. Just call in for free toast and some lovely coffee. We particularly welcome toddlers and will be happy to supervise them while you put your feet up for a bit.
It takes place in St Mary’s Church every Wednesday from a bit before 9am. Social Distincing will be evident for now but … fingers crossed!
St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye is live on YouTube
This morning’s service is starting now on YouTube. Please join us.
CLOVER has launched
CLOVER is a brand new project, brought to you by Ross Community Development Trust, which aims to bring creative new ways for people in HR9 to access activities to improve their well-being. The first programme of courses is now taking bookings! There will be a fuller and even more exciting programmes for the autumn of 2021 and spring 2022.
These courses and activities are FREE for anyone with an HR9 postcode. If you need help to attend, because of caring responsibilities or lack of transport, just let us know when you book and our volunteers will do what they can to help. As noted below, further details can be found at:
https://www.rosscdt.org.uk/clover/
#cloverHR9
St Mary’s service this morning
This morning’s service is getting underway shortly. You can watch and join in at home on YouTube.
Come as You Are
Our informal, contemporary and monthly “Come as You Are” service is just starting in St Mary’s. You can take part on YouTube.
This morning’s service from St Mary’s
If you’ve not got yourself to church yet, the 9.30 Eucharist from St Mary’s is about to start and you can join in on YouTube:
You can download the order of service here: https://rossparishes.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/liturgy-25.4.2021.final_.pdf
Join us for coffee afterwards – The Zoom link is at https://rossparishes.uk/services
Could you be a churchyard angel?
Do you need a bit more gardening to do? Need a bit of socially distanced company? Willing to give up an hour or two for your community? Need to get fit without the gym fees?
If “yes” to any of those consider coming along to St Mary’s churchyard on Saturday 1st May, from 9.30 to join the Chruchyard Angels as they embark on the first bit of churchyard maintenance for 2021.
Bring your favourite gardening tools, or just come. All are assured a hearty “WELCOME!”
Count your blessings – total raised
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to our Lent fundraising effort and especially to Freda Davies, whose brain child this is. The final total collected is £4190.21 to which will be added approximately £700 from Gift Aid recovered in due course.
Although I say ‘final total’, this does not mean that further contributions will be refused! If you are considering making a donation please do not hesitate.
Donations: https://rossparishes.uk/count-your-blessings
Roy Milnes – Treasurer
Prayer Course 2
We’re beginning the Prayer course 2 this week, running for 5 sessions on alternate Tuesdays starting at 7.15 pm for around 1 hour, 20 minutes.
There are just five sessions which are running fortnightly: Tuesday 20th April, Tuesday 4th May, Tuesday 18th May, Tuesday 1st June and Tuesday 15th June.
The course covers the deeper implications of unanswered prayer and is good to do at this Eastertide, as it uses the themes of Holy Week and Easter.
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts 