Although Father Ross’s actual retirement date is not yet fixed, it has been agreed with the Bishop of Buckingham and the Standing Committee of the Parochial Church Council that his final Sunday services in the parish will be held on the following dates:
All Saints 11:15am on Sunday 6th February 2022 with a Farewell Reception immediately following
St Mary & St Giles on Sunday 13th February 2022
09:30 Parish Mass
16:00 Evensong & Benediction with a Farewell Reception afterwards.
The terrible loneliness of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane as he prayed while his disciples struggled to stay awake is commemorated by the Altar of Repose on Holy Thursday.
The annual Parish Duck race took place on 28 March 2015 from the weir by the Millfield. This event was founded in 1992 by Pauline Cavell-Northam, wife of Fr Cavell-Northam, the Vicar of Stony Stratford and Rector of Calverton from 1968-1997. She bought 100 plastic ducks (for £50) and a wetsuit. Each duck was sponsored for a £1 and thrown into the river on the Duck race day. The first past the finishing line was the winner. It has become a much loved Parish tradition, now run by Lesley Salter. Most of the original ducks plus another 50 are still in the collection. Some swam away over the years and one escaped duck was the subject of a rescue and ransom saga some weeks after that year’s duck race. Sometimes the duck race has been weather bound so the draw has happened from the black sack of ducks, however yesterday the rain held off long enough for the children and adults alike to have lots of fun fishing ducks out of the water once the first, second and third ducks had been declared. Photos of the 2015 Duck Race can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78058413@N06/sets/72157651624451572/
Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so kind this morning when we were due to process along the High Street in Stony Stratford singing ‘All Glory Laud and Honor’ at the start of our Palm Sunday service. So the procession happened within the church instead as the rain fell outside, followed by the solemn reading of the Passion of our Lord from the Palm Sunday events until his Crucifixion.
“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young ass and sat upon it; as it is written, ‘Fear not, daughter of Zion, behold, your king is coming, sitting on an ass’s colt (John 12:13-15)!”
See Holy Week and Easter for service times and confessions during Holy week.
After the 9:30 am Christmas Eucharist at St Mary & St Giles Church.
The Parish Nativity Play took place in All Saints Church, Calverton on Sunday 21st December at 4pm by candlelight. The church was packed with people. SMSG church band conducted by Lesley and the small Willis pipe organ played by John provided the accompanying music. Staging to make the children a bit more visible from the box pews was provided by SMSG church school.
Carol Singing around Stony Stratford and Galley Hill was on 18th and 22nd December this year. These photos are of the carol singers just before they got mulled wine and snacks after 90 minutes of singing outdoors in Stony Stratford on Monday night. Over £120 was raised for ‘Let the Children Live’ on these two evenings.
Bishop Jonathan confirmed 11 people (and baptised three of them first) at St Mary & St Giles Church on 8 May 2014. This lovely service was followed by a bring and share supper.
See more photos of the confirmation at https://www.flickr.com/photos/78058413@N06/sets/72157644583842085/
Easter eggs for the children and the Easter garden
A stained glass window in St Mary & St Giles Church, photographed 18 April 2014
Altar of Repose in St Mary & St Giles at the start of the Watch of the Passion
