Ways to Give to St Mary's
There are many ways you can give to St Mary’s:
- Regular Giving: Standing Order and Pink Envelopes;
- Within Church;
- Online;
- By post;
- Legacy.
REGULAR GIVING
Standing Order
Giving directly from an individual's bank account on a regular basis to the Church's bank account.
It is necessary to make a signed Declaration to put this in place, which gives the Donor's name and address, date when the giving is to start, the amount and the details of the Donor's bank account. Giving can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
Set up a Standing Order with your bank or building society using these details:
Payee: PCC of Riverhead with Dunton Green
Payee's Bank: CAF Bank Ltd, 5 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account No: 00024384
Or download a Regular Giving Pro Forma, including Banker's Standing Order form, here.
If you are a UK taxpayer, please also fill out a Gift Aid (multiple donation) Declaration form, which allows us to reclaim tax on any donations you make to us.
Pink Envelopes
The Pink Freewill Offering Envelopes are for people who Gift Aid their weekly payments. You will be provided with a set of 52 envelopes into which a weekly offering can be placed and then put into the collection plate at Church services.
IN CHURCH COLLECTION
There are two main ways of giving whilst in Church:
Collection in service
You can give to the Church when attending a service either using the offering baskets which are passed along the pews during our Sunday services, or
Yellow envelopes
If you are a tax payer and wish the church to reclaim tax on your gift then you can place your collection within a yellow envelope, which can be found on each pew. All you have to do is put your gift in the envelope and complete the details on the front of the envelope and put it into the offering baskets that are passed along the pews during the service.
DONATE ONLINE
BY POST BY CHEQUE
Please address cheques, made payable to 'PCC of Riverhead with Dunton Green', to:
St Mary’s Church Treasurer
c/o 8 The Stables
Wildernesse Avenue
Sevenoaks
Kent TN15 0ED
BY MOBILE
Text: MARY31 £10 to 70070
LEGACY
At St Mary's, we welcome all gifts in Wills, however large or small, and we promise to use your gift to make a difference in our Parish.
Our PCC legacy policy is to use gifts to help fund significant development projects, whether buildings, equipment or staff.
Since needs change over the years, we encourage you to leave a gift in your Will for the general purposes of the Parish rather than for a restricted purpose.
We will discuss possible uses of your gift with your executors when the time comes, bearing in mind your known areas of interest in the Church (e.g. music, buildings, children and youth, overseas mission or aid) and the Church's priorities at the time.
You can be confident that your gift will be used to make a real difference to our future mission and ministry.
We will acknowledge gifts in whatever way the donor and/or his/her executors feel most appropriate too. Equally, we can make sure that gifts remain anonymous if the donor prefers.
If you would like to make a gift to our Church in memoriam, please come and discuss this with us too.
It can be a wonderful and appropriate way to remember a loved one.
OTHER WAYS OF GIVING
Time and Talents
Being part of St Mary's Church does not just mean coming to Church on Sunday, although that's a very good start! This Parish thrives because its members get involved and support the life and worship of the Church, and its role in the local community. Many people make a huge contribution by giving time, practical ability and creativity.
Sunday Club Leaders or Helpers
Leaders and Helpers are needed for the children's groups (aged 0-11) on Sundays, as are Helpers to facilitate the group. Training and support are provided.
Drivers for the housebound
Volunteers are needed to drive people to Church and home again.
Church
We need the following help to assist at Sunday services: readers, sidespeople. We also need people to be involved in the leadership and management of the Church by becoming a member of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Choir
We would encourage, young or old, whatever you consider your ability, to think about helping out with the Choir. You don't have to be a 'great singer'; you don't need to read music. You'll get all the help, guidance and encouragement you need. It's a very friendly Choir and singing with other people is hugely enjoyable and fulfilling. Rehearsals are usually on a Thursday evening, but please don't let that put you off if you can't attend every time.
If you would like any further information about any of the above, please also see the information on the Contact Us page.
Services (2) - old
Details of our general services can be found listed below.
Please see the "Calendar" page or "Latest Events" to the right for weekly service information.
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Sunday |
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8.00am |
Holy Communion at St. Mary's each Sunday morning. |
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9.30am |
Parish Eucharist at St. Mary's each Sunday morning. Family Eucharist encompassing Sunday School for Primary School children who return in time for blessing with their parents. |
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Family Service 1st Sunday of each month. Especially designed to appeal to the younger congregation. |
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Tuesday |
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9:00am |
Morning Prayer at St. Mary's |
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Wednesday |
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9:00am |
Morning Prayer at St. Mary's |
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10.30am |
1662 said Communion, quiet and contemplative - celebrated at St. Mary's |
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Thursday |
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9:00am |
Morning Prayer at St. Mary's |
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11.00am |
Holy Communion at Dunton Green Village Hall on most Thursdays, but not on 3rd Thursday |
Please note: The Vicar's day off is Friday.
Christmas Tree Festival 2014
(#) Assistant Churchwardens: The PCC has also elected Bennet Smith and Karen Forster-Pearce to serve as Assistant Churchwardens.
Further information about the PCC election process can be found by following this link
Easter Cross
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ESTONIA LINK SERVICE - 5 OCTOBER 2014
On 5 October 2014, St Mary's acted as host Church for the 'Partner Diocese Celebration 2014', with the emphasis this year being on Rochester Diocese's links with Estonia.
Bishop Brian welcomed friends from Estonia, and friends connected with our other Partner Dioceses in Harare (Zimbabwe), and Kondoa and Mpwapwa (Tanzania).
Bishop Brian gave a Talk about his very memorable experiences of visiting an Estonian music festival. Revd Gustav Piir, Pastor, Church of Holy Spirit, Tallinn (Estonia) gave the Address, concentrating on the many shared experiences between our nations, and in the shared love of God.
The service included a choral presentation given by The Estonian Choir of London (Director: Helen Aun), and the Choir of St Mary's; singing pieces separately and jointly. Intercessions were led by representatives from our Partner Dioceses.
You can listen to audio extracts from the service, below.
Full audio versions of the Talk and Address can be found on the Sermons page.
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Attending Church - What to expect?
How do I 'do' Church?
New to this? Perhaps you are not sure how to go about 'coming to Church' - do not worry, it is perfectly fine just to visit, as often or infrequently as you like, and here are some hints...
What is the best service to come to?
If you are coming with children, come to the Sunday, 9:30am service, which is our 'main' service. It lasts for 60-75 minutes, and, during term time, we have the Sunday Club for children.
If you want something a bit quieter, you could also try the Sunday, 8:00am service.
On the 1st Sunday in the month, the 9:30am service is an "All-Age or Family Worship" so that we all stay together. It lasts typically about 45 minutes.
What should I wear?
Whatever you are comfortable in. People wear anything from jeans and t-shirts to jacket and tie.
Can I park?
Yes - there is a Church car park with lots of space. It can be accessed from the east of the Church, via Shoreham Lane and Church Field, and if it is full, you can park in the roads just outside the car park. The 'Find Us' page contains a map, and can provide detailed directions to the Church.
What time should I arrive?
Why not try to get here at least 5 to 10 minutes before the start time. Then you can get settled.
How do I make sure I am not in someone's seat?
There is no such thing, really, even though people tend to sit in approximately the same place every week! If a seat is empty, with no 'reserved' sign on it - you can sit there. We are always very happy to welcome visitors, and it does us good to get a different view from time to time.
How do I get into the Church?
There are two main entrances: at the West end main door, at the top of the steps overlooking the mini roundabout of the A25, and through the porch on the South side. The West door entrance has steps. The South door entrance has fewer steps, and if necessary a ramp can be deployed there. The Church Hall can be accessed with no steps.
What books do I need, and where do I get them?
All the words you need for the service are in printed service sheets and hymn books, available from both entrances to the Church. There are large print and braille versions available - just ask if you would like one. There are friendly people who take it in turn to act as stewards; to welcome and help visitors, and to distribute the books.
Can I bring my children?
Yes! Children are very welcome - at any age, bring them along with you.
What if my child makes a noise?
Your child probably will make a noise, and that is fine - we would rather have the noise and your lovely child and you. We are happy for you to get up and move around if it helps you to comfort your child - there is a carpeted area at the back, and some books and toys, if it helps. We have Sunday School in the adjacent Church Hall for 3 to 11 year olds.
When do the children go to the Sunday Club?
The service leader will announce that it is time for the children to go to the Sunday Club. Your children can either go on their own with all the others, or you are welcome to take them round, and stay while they settle in.
The children return to the main service towards the end.
How do I know when to stand or sit?
The person leading the service will make that clear. We usually stand for hymns and songs (it is easier to sing that way), and at a few other times. Just look around and see what other people are doing if you are not sure.
What if it is a Communion service?
There is nothing to worry about. At the appropriate point in the service, everyone will be invited to approach the altar rail, to either receive Communion, ie. the bread and the wine, or to receive a Blessing. If you are receiving a Blessing only, then please take up with you a service sheet which indicates to the person giving Communion that you are receiving only a Blessing. If you prefer, you can remain in your seat during Communion.
Who can receive Communion?
The altar is the 'Lord's table' not ours so all are welcome to receive the sacrament. However you may wish to receive a Blessing. Either way all are welcome.
Do you have toilets?
Yes - in the Church Hall, including facilities for people who are disabled.
What happens after the service?
At the end of the service the leader says a brief closing prayer, and then walks down the aisle to the back of the Church. The organist or music group will play for a short while, but you are welcome to get up during this. People will tend to chat for a few minutes in the Church building, and refreshments are served at the back of the Church - so please do join in.
Any other questions? Please just ask...
Picture
Vicar's Message for Easter
Easter Greetings!
"He is not here."
What a surprising thing to say. Two thousand years or so ago, some people went to a graveyard in Jerusalem. They were going to one of the tombs, just one among countless other similar tombs there: carved out of rock like little caves. According to their culture and tradition, they were going to anoint the body of their friend who had died and had been buried there a couple of days previously. But as they approached the place, they saw that the huge stone that had been put across the mouth of the tomb had been moved, by persons unknown. And, even more surprising, they were met by someone who said this odd thing: "Why are you looking for your friend? He is not here."
He is not here? But he must be here. We saw him laid here with our own eyes two days ago, surely?
And so the most baffling, extraordinary and sensational story of all time began in earnest.
As you pass St Mary's, your parish church, this Easter time, look up at the the little hill upon which it stands. You will notice on its shining green slopes the splashes of colour from spring flowers - a sign of new life, new growth, new hope. And among the flowers you will see the three empty crosses. Immediately beneath them will be a garden - lovingly and painstakingly created by the church families. Set in that garden will be our version of the tomb in Jerusalem. The empty tomb. A tomb that looks like someone's mouth is open in a great capital O of surprise.
It is surprising, the Easter story, the arrest, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Christian Church was born out of a surprise and continues, to some surprisingly, to this very day. It will continue surprising everyone long after you and I have gone. If, after looking at the tomb, you look at the church itself, you will see the doors of the building are like another mouth open in surprise. Inside, on Easter day, however, you will not find it empty. You will find it full of joy and of colour and of hope and of love. That is perhaps the most surprising thing about Easter. From the empty tomb comes a full building. Join us, if you can. You will be pleasantly surprised. Not least because nowadays, we no longer say 'he is not here'. We are able to say with complete confidence:
"He is here; his spirit is with us. Alleluia!"
May God bless you and those you love this Easter and always.
Amen
Martin Booth
Vicar=
GAP Concert 1995 - Extract