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Church of St Mary the Virgin
St MARY-THE-VIRGIN CHURCH, GREAT BRICKHILL
Contacts
RECTOR: John Waller 01525 261062 john.waller1@virgin.net CHURCH WARDENS:
Christine Agambar 01525 261527
mailto:261527christine.agambar@btinternet.com
Julia Turner 01525, 261213
PCC SECRETARY: Phillipa Cook 01525 261521 neilacook@aol.com
Church Services - There is a wide range of services held throughout the month ranging from 1662 (Said) Holy Communion and Sung Evensong, to Holy Communion (Common Worship), to more informal Family Worship. "Hymns and Psalms" and occasionally "Songs of Fellowship" are the hymn books used. The organ is played for most services, sometimes accompanied by a choir. A band provides the music for the informal services. The average attendance for the regular services is 28.
The general pattern of services per month is:
1st Sunday, 9.30am: 1662 Said Holy Communion, led by visiting clergy
2nd Sunday, 9.30am: Morning Worship (Common Worship), led by the laity
2nd Sunday, 6.00pm: Sung Evensong, led by the Rector
3rd Sunday, 9.30am: Holy Communion (Common Worship), led by the Rector
4th Sunday, either: 11.00am Family Service or 4.00pm Service@Four, led by the Rector.
If there is a fifth Sunday in the month there is one service only in the Benefice, Holy Communion (Common Worship) in one of the parishes at 10.00 am. Baptisms usually take place during a normal Sunday Service. Details of the Great Brickhill Church Services can be found in the current Parish Newsletter. The Rector produces a monthly Rector's Newsletter, which gives details of the services throughout the Benefice, and there is also a weekly Pew Sheet giving up-to-date information - a copy of these can be obtained from the bookcase just inside the main door to the Church.
The Church and Clergy - The Parish Church of St Mary-the-Virgin, now the only place of worship in the village, dates from the thirteenth century with later additions and is a Grade 2* listed building. It can seat 300 people, has a very fine organ and a peal of six bells of which only a restricted number may be rung at present for services. It is the largest of the four Churches forming the United Benefice of The Brickhills and Stoke Hammond.
In recent years a new cemetery was consecrated in the village which is run by the Church but is maintained by the Parish Council.
The Reverend John Waller is the Rector for the four parishes of the Benefice. He is also Area Dean for the Mursley Deanery. The Rectory is located here in Great Brickhill, at the bottom of Pound Hill. The Rector is unable to take all the services within the Benefice. As a licensed Lay Minister Mr Jeremy Hopkinson regularly takes Services at Great Brickhill and at the other Churches within the Benefice. Visiting clergy take some services and the remaining services are led by members of the laity.
Restoration Work - 'St Mary 2000' is the project to raise funds to repair the Church and provide the facilities needed to enable the Church to fulfil its role in the 21st century. Work on the first Phase of the Project was carried out two years ago with the re-roofing of the south aisle and the tower. Detailed plans are currently being drawn up to re-roof the north aisle - the work is due to be undertaken in 2008. A grant was received from English Heritage for the south aisle work and a similar grant has been approved for the north aisle work. The cost of the re-roofing of each aisle is in the region of £200,000. The next stage will be to strengthen the tower and to re-hang the Bells. This will be done as soon as the necessary funding is in place. Once this work has been completed all efforts will be focused on the second Phase of the Project, which is to provide new facilities such as kitchen and toilets. Some funding is already in place towards these latter stages.
The PCC and the Congregation - The PCC meets five times a year and has a total membership of 14 including the Rector, two Church Wardens and two representatives on the Mursley Deanery Synod. The current number on the Electoral Roll is 58, some of whom live outside the parish. Anyone who is resident in the parish or who regularly attends services at the Church may have their name added to the Roll at any time. Members of the congregation are encouraged to assist with the services. There is a team of sidesmen who take it in turn to welcome people to each service. Lessons and intercessions are read by members of the congregation. Others within the congregation contribute freely to help in the running of the church life, including maintaining the church and churchyard, leading junior groups and assisting with fund-raising.
Church Groups / Activities
Choir: There is a four-part choir who on occasions are joined by members of other local choirs. Anyone interested in joining the choir please contact: Robin Dawson - 01525 261425
Bell Ringers: Due to the state of the bells only three bells can be rung for services at present. Re-hanging of the bells will be done at the earliest opportunity. Anyone who would like to join the team of bell ringers please contact the Tower Captain, David Middleton - 01525 261024
Junior Quest (for children up to age 9) have in the past met twice a month on Sundays during term-time. It has temporarily ceased until new leaders can be found.
Crusaders (for children from age 8 to 11) is a Christian outreach group which meets every Tuesday evening during term-time. Contact: Carol Clements - 01525 261703
Bible Study Group: the Rector leads a Bible Study Group fortnightly on a Wednesday morning. Contact: Betty Kinsey - 01525 261836
Alpha Courses: a course has been held in recent years in each of the four churches in the Benefice. For details of current courses contact: Clare Amies - 01525 261243
Thursday Group: The Thursday Group meets fortnightly on Thursday afternoons for discussions or talks; the programme also includes a number of outside visits. Contact: Betty Kinsey - 01525 261836
The Drop-In Centre opens each week on a Monday afternoon in the Parish Hall to co-incide with the opening times of the visiting Post Office.
Parish Discussion Groups are held each year during Lent.
Newspaper Collection: There are two containers at Lower Rectory Farm for storage of old newspapers, cardboard, magazines and junk mail. Funds raised from this collection go towards the running costs of the Church. Anyone unable to deliver their newspapers/magazines/cardboard to Lower Rectory Farm can call Frank Kinsey (261836) who will arrange to collect them.
Church Finances - In addition to all the fund-raising that has taken place for the St. Mary's restoration work the Diocesan quota has been met in full. The daily running costs of the Church are currently in the region of £72 per day, excluding any major repair costs. The annual Parish Share payable to the Diocese for the year 2006 was £17,044. A significant part of our income comes from regular giving under the Gift Aid scheme.
The Church also likes to give donations to Charities both at home and overseas. The total of all the donations sent to charitable causes for 2006 represents approximately 10% of the Income Received (excluding Assignables) for the year. Anyone who would like to consider making a donation to the Church, either for the restoration work or towards the general running costs, is asked to contact the Treasurer, Neil Cook: 01525 261521neilacook@aol.com
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