St Mary’s
Public call to private prayer
Each evening during the November Covid lockdown a single bell has sounded at St Mary’s. This has been our response to the call from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the House of Bishops for a national period of prayer for … Continue reading
Tenor tolls for Remembrance
Ringing for Remembrance Sunday is normally a very special and high priority event for the ringers, with the bells half muffled to produce a mournful faint echo every other blow. This year the ceremony on November 8 was different with … Continue reading
Sermon: Last Sunday after Trinity, 25 October 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Preacher Revd Alan SykesReading Matthew 22: 34-46 Imagine you’re living in Amsterdam in, say, 1942 – so under Nazi occupation. A few moments ago, an out-of-breath young man – let’s say, in a red shirt – knocked on your door … Continue reading
Sermon: Trinity 18, 11 October 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Readings: Matthew 22.1-14; Philippians 4.1-9Preacher: Ruth Martin There was a great deal in the news yesterday, and on social media, about the unsung heroes who received honours in the Queen’s delayed birthday honours. Supermarket assistants, drivers for ASDA organising help … Continue reading
Sermon: Trinity 15, 20 September 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Readings: Matthew 20.1-16, Philippians 1.21-endPreacher: Ruth Martin What does the kingdom of heaven on earth look like to us, in our times? I was coming down the steps on the south side of Blackfriars Bridge this week, having crossed the … Continue reading
An expert eye spots the need for repairs
The lockdown months when there was no ringing was an opportunity for a thorough check of the state of St Mary’s bells. We asked the bellhangers Whites of Appleton to inspect and carry out routine maintenance, rather like an MOT. … Continue reading
A single bell marks VJ Day anniversary
We played our part in the country’s commemoration of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day when the second world war finally came to an end with the surrender of Japan. Church bells around the UK combined to take part in the … Continue reading
Sermon: Trinity 6, 26 July 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Reading: Matthew 13.31-33 & 44-52Preacher: Revd Alan Sykes Well, we’ve just heard a couple of very rich readings. There’s almost too much meat on the bone for easy digestion. When I thought about this sermon a few days ago, I … Continue reading