A said service of Communion from the Book of Common Prayer will be steaming on our website at 10 am:
https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

After the service there will be quiet prayers at 11 am https://rawchurch.org.uk/prayer/
The Ross Parishes: Ross-on-Wye, Walford & Brampton Abbotts
Inspiring faith, hope and love in each generation.
A said service of Communion from the Book of Common Prayer will be steaming on our website at 10 am:
https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

After the service there will be quiet prayers at 11 am https://rawchurch.org.uk/prayer/
Have you uploaded your lockdown creativity yet?
We’ve launched an online exhibition of creativity from the lockdown. It’s open to everyone. We’d like you to upload anything you’ve had a hand in creating in the last few weeks.
So far we have paintings, musical compositions and performances, literature, quilts … but Ross has to be more creative than the gallery suggests at present.
Visit the gallery https://rosslockdownexhibition.gallery where you can see what’s been exhibited so far and upload your own work.

We’re experimenting with a mid-week Book of Common Prayer Eucharist which will go live on the website at 10.00 on Thursday 4th June at 10 am.
https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services
If you think this is worth continuing, please let us know
Hi to Toast and Toddler mums! – A message from Alyx
I have offered to organise T&T while. I do hope you will all be able to join us at 10.00am on zoom on Wednesday for an hour of fun with your toddlers. We have various activities to involve you and your little ones: a story read by Ann Stirrup, scavenger hunt from Gill and Geoff Tipton, craft by Kelly Delves, and to finish songs from Helen Setchfield.
Craft this week will be make your own gift bags, great for avoiding wrapping an awkward shaped gift.
You can use wrapping paper, or left over wallpaper or any other kind of paper as long as it’s big. A3 size or bigger is ideal. The thicker the paper the stronger the bag. You also need sellotape and ribbon/string for the handle, a hole punch (or something you can make holes for the handles with!)
Please join us, all are welcome.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83608422213?pwd=b3F2NjZsRUI5dVVLWHZ4UWt6Qis1QT09
Password: 402806
See you tomorrow.

Today’s evensong is live on the website now … at last … phew!
https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

Today is the Day of Pentecost, or Whit Sunday. A service created for the Ross and Archenfield Deanery by The Revd Ben Bentham is now on the website: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services


The Friends of St Mary’s is making tentative plans to celebrate the hard work that has been going on in gardens around the area during the long lockdown.
At the moment we’d just like to hear from you if you are interested in being a part of it. You will not be committing yourself to anything and plans may well have to change or even be cancelled in the light of lockdown restrictions at the time.
Our intention is not to charge entry for this one but invite donations to local charities. We welcome gardens outside the town as well as in it for this one.
Please contact us by email if you’d be interested in opening your garden.
We’ve launched an online exhibition of creativity from the lockdown. It’s open to everyone in South Herefordshire. We’d like you to upload anything you’ve had a hand in creating in the last few weeks.
Visit the gallery https://rosslockdownexhibition.gallery where you can see what’s been exhibited so far and upload your own work.


Take a look at our Virtual Gallery and upload your images or videos by submitting the form.
We are collecting poetry, short stories, sound recordings, photographs, or photos of your pictures, sculptures, handicrafts, woodwork, garden or anything else you have created. The only criteria is that you created or completed it during lockdown. We welcome submissions from all ages and from anyone with connections to the Ross-on-Wye area.
There is also the opportunity for visitors to the exhibition to make a donation, ans you will be asked to name a charity of your choice when you upload your exhibit. You may choose St Mary’s Church, but if you have any other charity you wish to support, then please give its name.
At the end of lockdown, we are planning to bring our virtual exhibition to life in St Mary’s Church and are hoping to work with other Ross organisations to display some of the work around the town. We want this to be a community effort supporting the things local people care about.
This morning’s service is now live on the website: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services

Here is this week’s message from Sean on the subject of prayer.
Look someone’s preparing for Ross does Come Dine With Me. It’s Melanie Mellor. The meal takes place tonight at 7 via Zoom and everyone anywhere is invited to join us for a bit of company while you eat a meal. The Bishop of Hereford and Deborah are coming.



There are three tasty dishes from three Ross TV chefs on the website, but you can eat what you like. Joining instructions and much more at https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine.
Ross does Come Dine With Me is tomorrow. There’s still time to book your place at the table (or indeed, just turn up at 7pm) we’ll be pleased to have your company. Joining link and info at https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine
You can eat what you like, just join in for company. But if you want more inspiration here is a dessert from Lindy Wildsmith.
Here’s a recording of this morning’s live service.
Today (Thursday 21st May) is Ascension Day, an important day in the Christian calendar.
We have a live service from around our three churches in Zoom at 10.30. Joining link (Zoom) is at https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services If you can’t make it there will be a recording of the service on the same page shortly after the service.

Thy Kingdom Come – Each year between Ascension and Pentecost, the Archbishop of Canterbury invites us all to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom on earth as in heaven.
On our website you’ll find some ways to help you pray “thy Kingdom Come” this year. https://rawchurch.org.uk/tkc
The Rev’d Canon Christopher Blanchard was licensed as House for Duty Priest of St Michael and All Angels’ Church Walford for another year by Bishop Richard Jackson on Friday.

The Zoom service attended by the Bishop’s Chaplain, Prebendary Brian Chave; Churchwardens Gay Chinn and Murray Alston; Rector the Rev’d Sean Semple, and Mrs Sarah Blanchard. We wish Chris every blessing for the year ahead in his valued ministry at Walford.
Zoom is not working today, and it looks like the problems persist. That is why our virtual coffee session this morning was a flop and why many were unable to join.

We plan to try again at 7.30 for a virtual drink. Please use the same link as for virtual coffee https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services
This morning’s service is live on the website now: https://rawchurch.org.uk/digital-services
Have you booked your place at the Ross does Come Dine With Me table yet? The feast happens on Saturday at 7.
Three videos of three tempting recipes by three local chefs: https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Here’s this week’s pastoral video from Sean – Week 8 – Waiting
Have you booked your place at the Come Dine With Me Table? https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine

Here’s a suggested starter for Ross does Come Dine With Me. If you’ve not booked your place at the table for Saturday 23rd May yet visit https://rawchurch.org.uk/come-dine
