St Andrew's Church

St Andrews is by no means a one man show, and our ministry team has now grown to 7 with the addition of Sam Beadle as a Lay Elder able to assist in pastoral work as well as recognizing the work she does with children in church. Our ministry team also includes: Lesley Bannister, Penny Thewlis, Lynda Lunn, Cathy Dann and Edith Halden along with Sam and myself. Together we look to the pastoral and missional work of the church – Seeking to serve Christ in the community and for the community.

We have been able to support the community through many events throughout the year some of which are noted below:

• Sunday and Midweek services – seeking to help all connect with God in relevant and profound ways
• Lunch Club – continues to thrive and provide a connecting point for elderly residents of Great Cornard
• Coffee and Cake – Thurs afternoons and Friday mornings we throw open the doors and welome in folk for coffee, cake and a chat or just a bit of much needed space.
• Comfort Club – a place for the bereaved to find support. Numbers have dwindled as folk have had less need but we’re looking to relaunch.
• Open the book – at Pot Kiln school, supported by FutureVision we tell the story of the bible in a fun, interactive and educational way which the kids really enjoy
• Assemblies in the other local schools – This last year we’ve been privileged to be invited into Thomas Gainsborough school as well and offer a pause for thought during busy term times
• Through Occasional offices – that’s baptisms, weddings and funerals – last year was a very busy one and it was a great privilege to be able to walk with folk in these important life changing moments.
• Special services –Remembrance, Harvest, Easter, Christmas – Celebrating and remembering with the community before God.
• Film nights – we had 5 altogether last year and they proved very popular – we’re running even more this year and hoping to run something on a regular monthly basis next year.
• Jubilee celebrations – We had a great Weekend celebrating the Queens Jubilee with a concert, songs of praise and a fete which we held in conjunction with the five bells and raised money for St Andrew’s and “Help for Heroes”.
• And of course – we renewed the chancel roof which looks fantastic and is water tight – we continue with renovations inside the chancel to create a truly inspiring place of worship in the heart of the community.

Pastorally we have encountered and been able to walk with many folk throughout the year, whether in the context of bereavements or of other difficulties. With the support of the Cornard Townlands Charity as well as private donations  we have been also able to provide even more practical support to many who have needed it.

Over the next year we have many plans: Renewal of the kitchen (plans are being discussed with diocesan authorities now), a flower festival joining in with the celebrations in Sudbury of the centenary of the unveiling of Gainsborough’s statue and continuing to build and develop our worship, outreach and pastoral care. We look forward to working with all the folk of Great Cornard for another Year!

Many blessings,

 

Rev Chris Ramsey,

Vicar,

St Andrews