St Mary’s
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
Return of ringing at St Mary’s
The bells of St Mary’s rang out to mark the formal easing of lockdown on Sunday July 19 when the church reopened to celebrate the patronal festival of St Mary Magdalene. Social distancing was the order of the occasion and … Continue reading
BELL RINGING SUSPENDED
We are sorry to announce that all ringing at St Mary Magdalene has been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows the decision of the Church of England to suspend all church services until further notice.
Sermon: Second Sunday before Lent, 16 February 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Reading Matthew 6.25-34Preacher Revd Alan Sykes Pretty obviously the subject of today’s gospel reading is worry. Jesus mentions the word ‘worry’ six times in 10 verses. And be warned: I’m going to be using the word ’worry’ far more than … Continue reading
Sermon: Baptism of Christ, 12 January 2020, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Readings Acts 10.34-43; Matthew 3.13-17Preacher Revd Alan Sykes Last week we went to stay with my brother. He lives miles from anywhere in the depths of the Herefordshire countryside. That’s the way he likes it. We always go there – … Continue reading
Let the bells ring out
The message of bells was heard clearly across Richmond this autumn and winter at a number of special seasonal events. The first of these was a magical evening titled ‘Upon a Ring of Bells’ which was a celebration of bells … Continue reading
Sermon: Second Sunday before Advent, 17 November 2019, St Mary Magdalene, morning
Readings 2 Thessalonians 3.6-13 & Luke 21.5-19Preacher Revd Alan Sykes Pondering that passage from Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians – our first reading – I was reminded of the Canadian clinical psychologist Dr Jordan Peterson. In the last few … Continue reading