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<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Deanery Synod meetings” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1707219643857{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Deanery Synods are formal meetings, which are mainly for information and discussion about mission and ministry in the area. Occasionally they are required to take formal decisions, sometimes by means of a vote. All Licensed Clergy in the Deanery are automatically members of the Chapter and Deanery Synod. Deanery Synods also have Lay Members, i.e. those who are not Clergy. Every three years, Annual Parochial Church Meetings elect their Lay representatives to Deanery Synods. The Lay representatives form the electorate for the House of Laity on the Diocesan and General Synod.[\/vc_column_text]
- \n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Tuesday 10th February St Andrew\u2019s, Wickford – Topic: Parish Administration and Mission<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Wednesday 20th May \u2013 Venue to be confirmed. Speaker:\u00a0Rev Graham Dowling,\u00a0<\/span>Bishop\u2019s Advisor for Healing Ministry.<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Thursday 17th September \u2013 St Mary\u2019s, Great Burstead<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Tuesday 17th November \u2013 Venue to be confirmed<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Unveiled” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1707224108229{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]A regular Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew\u2019s Church, 7.00 \u2013 9.00 pm<\/strong>, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN.<\/p>\n
Exhibitions, open mic nights, performances, talks and more!<\/p>\n
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[\/vc_column_text]<\/div>- \n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Unveiled \u2013 a wide range of artist and performers from Essex and wider, including Open Mic nights (come and have a go!).<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>Unveiled \u2013 view our hidden painting by acclaimed artist David Folley, plus a range of other exhibitions.<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”Summer Programme 2026″ font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1776026644738{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]<\/div>
- \n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>11 April (7.00 pm) \u2013 Poetry reading. Spencer Reece is Rector of St Paul\u2019s Episcopal Church, Wickford, Rhode Island. Hear this internationally acclaimed poet read poems from his future collection Farewell Symphony<\/em>.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>24 April (7.00 pm) \u2013 Exhibition viewing evening. View our new exhibition \u2018Light in the Darkness\u2019 and hear artist Tracey Walker speak about her work.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>8 May (7.30 pm) \u2013 An Evening with the Brandy Hole Sea Shantymen. An evening of sea shanties. All welcome! Includes an auction of art and music items.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>22 May (7.00 pm) \u2013 Showing of \u2018Voices Beyond the Wall: 12 Love Poems from the Murder Capital of the World\u2019. An award-winning film on Fr Spencer Reece\u2019s project teaching poetry to abandoned girls at the Our Little Roses orphanage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>5 June (7.30 pm) \u2013 Open Mic Night<\/em> organised with John Rogers. Everybody is welcome to come along and play, read, sing or just spectate. See you there for a great evening of live performance!<\/span><\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\t<\/i>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>19 June (7.00 pm) \u2013 An evening with the Ladygate Scribblers. Hear poetry and prose from a long-established Wickford-based writers\u2019 group.<\/span><\/div><\/li>3 July (7.30 pm) \u2013 Tim Almond in concert. 4 continents, 80 countries, 30 years, 1 guitar. A wealth of stories from humour to heartbreak, intriguing and thoughtful, extraordinary storyteller.<\/span><\/div><\/li>17 July (7.00 pm) \u2013 Art talk: Churches and cultural programming. Jonathan Evens speaks about a range of ways in which churches can engage with culture.<\/span><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>[vc_column_text]These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs. \u2028See http:\/\/wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk\/whats-on.html<\/a> for fuller information.[\/vc_column_text]<\/div>[vc_custom_heading text=”” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1740686778183{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]<\/div>
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<\/p>\n\u2018Light in the Darkness\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n
An exhibition by Tracey Walker<\/strong><\/p>\n
8 April \u2013 17 July 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n
St Andrew\u2019s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN<\/strong><\/p>\n
View the exhibition and hear Tracey speak about her work at \u2018Unveiled\u2019, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew\u2019s Wickford, Friday 24 April, 7.00 pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n
St Andrew\u2019s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm. <\/strong>https:\/\/wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk\/whats-on.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
Tracey Walker<\/strong><\/p>\n
From a traditional art background, through a long career in commercial art, Tracey now finds freedom in her artistic practice, allowing her to express her joyful, spiritual creativity.<\/p>\n
She loves to explore themes of light, faith and hope in her paintings, using colour, form and texture to evoke emotions and create atmospheres, drawing the onlookers into a bright and beautiful world.<\/p>\n
She is passionate about encouraging people to explore their own creativity through a variety of art groups and workshops.<\/p>\n
A member of Chelsea Arts Club and Artists at the Meadows, she exhibits and sells her work throughout the UK and internationally.<\/p>\n
www.tawalker.com<\/p>\n
IG: tawalker_art<\/p>\n
FB: Tracey Walker Art[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]
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<\/div>\nThe next Indoor Community Market at St.Mary Magdalen, the Church in Billericay High Street, will be on Saturday 21st February 10-4pm.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\nLunches served 11.30-2pm.<\/div>\nRefreshments 10-4pm.<\/div>\nAll very welcome.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\nPrayer Gathering Dates 2025<\/div>\nSt Andrews Church, The Fremnells, SS14 2QX<\/div>\n2nd Wednesday of each month \u2013 11:00am-12:30pm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\nContact: 07309 749495<\/div>\nfamilies@standrewholycross.org<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
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<\/strong><\/p>\nLaunch <\/strong><\/p>\n
of the 3 R\u2019s history trail<\/strong><\/p>\n
Open Days at <\/strong><\/p>\n
St Nicholas Rawreth, All Saints Rettendon, and <\/strong><\/p>\n
St Mary\u2019s Runwell <\/strong><\/p>\n
on <\/strong><\/p>\n
Saturday 16 May<\/strong><\/p>\n
from 10am – 4pm<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Visit all three churches, discover their history, see heritage displays, and enjoy refreshments.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n150th Anniversary events<\/div>\nSt Catherine\u2019s Church, Wickford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSaturday 30 May, 7.30 pm, St Andrew\u2019s Church \u2013 Ladybirds Singing Group \u2013 Fundraising concert for St Catherine\u2019s.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSunday 31 May, 10.30 am, St Catherine\u2019s \u2013 Joint Eucharist for 150th Anniversary. Preacher: The Ven. David Lowman.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSaturday 6 June, St Catherine\u2019s \u2013 Flower Festival with Coffee Morning and Cream Tea Afternoon.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSunday 7 June, 11.00 am, St Catherine\u2019s. Anniversary Eucharist led by Archdeacon of Southend.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSaturday 13 June, 2.00 pm, The Rectory \u2013 Parish Garden Party.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nSaturday 20 June, 3.00 pm, St Catherine\u2019s \u2013 Rumatica – Fundraising concert.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\nFundraising Campaign<\/div>\nSt Catherine\u2019s Church, Wickford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nDue to the long dry summer of 2022, the foundations of the NW corner of St Catherine\u2019s Church subsided. This caused large cracks to appear in the walls. In 2023, we completed Phase 1 of our campaign involving safety and weather protection work costing \u00a320,000, with funds raised by donations, events and grants.<\/div>\nIn 2024 we began Phase 2 involving groundwork investigations and design of an underpinning solution. This cost \u00a313,560 and is essential to design a long-term solution. Phase 3, for which we are now raising funds, will be when the church is underpinned.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nIf you wish to contribute, please use the QR Code below or go to https:\/\/givealittle.co\/c\/CXlEMNUoerIeTUtbQmvYS<\/a><\/span> to donate online.<\/div>\nSend cheques to Wickford and Runwell PCC to The Rectory, 120 Southend Road, Wickford SS11 8EB or phone 07803 562329\/email jonathan.evens@btinternet.com for bank details for a transfer.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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<\/h4>\nVisit of Rector from Wickford, Rhode Island<\/h4>\n
Fr Spencer Reece is Rector of St Paul\u2019s Episcopal Church in Wickford, Rhode Island, and an internationally acclaimed poet. His project teaching poetry to abandoned girls at the Our Little Roses orphanage in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, was made into an award-winning film, Voices Beyond the Wall: 12 Love Poems from the Murder Capital of the World<\/em>. His dream, prayer, and ultimate goal for his time with St. Paul\u2019s Church is to continue the ongoing work of the parish in spreading Jesus\u2019 radical love. \u201cLet kindness be our legacy,\u201d he has said.<\/p>\n
In April 2026, he visited the Parish of Wickford and Runwell to reanimate the historic links between Wickford in Essex and Wickford in Rhode Island. Following this visit, further visits are planned ffor November 2026 and Easter 2027. See the following for more information:\u00a0 https:\/\/www.wickfordhistory.org.uk\/content\/category\/topics\/wickford-rhode-island-usa<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.stpaulswickford.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.spencerreece.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
During his visit, Fr Spencer spoke at the <\/strong>Bread for the World Service at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, gave a talk on George Herbert <\/strong>\u2018The Broken Altar\u2019 at St Andrew\u2019s Lower Bemerton, gave a<\/strong> Poetry Reading at St Andrew\u2019s Wickford, contributed to a <\/strong>Quiet Day on Poetry & Prayer at St Mary\u2019s Runwell, preached at <\/strong>St Mary\u2019s Runwell and St Catherine\u2019s Wickford, and introduced a showing of the film Voices Beyond the Wall at<\/em> St Andrew\u2019s Wickford.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Vandalism at St Margaret’s Bowers Gifford<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\nSt Margaret’s Bowers Gifford suffered two bouts of significant vandalism. On the second occasion the culprits were caught and arrested. The Church was closed for a period while initial repairs were undertaken and services during this period were held at St Margaret\u2019s Academy Community Room.<\/div>\nOn Easter Sunday, the church was rededicated in a special service led by The Rt Revd Adam Atkinson, Bishop of Bradwell.<\/div>\nThe congregation thank the community for their support. Congratulations to all those who have put in such a lot of hard work to enable the reopening of the church after the vandalism.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column]
<\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Wickford Church of England School shortlisted for national award” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1721047898382{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]![\"\"](\"https:\/\/basildondeanery.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/logo.png\")
<\/p>\nNot only is The Wickford Church of England School rated an Outstanding School by Ofsted, but it has also been on the shortlist of this year’s Times Educational Supplement awards for Primary School of the Year.<\/p>\n
Check out this article<\/a> in The Echo about the school being shortlisted for this prestigious award.<\/p>\n
Miss Bristow, Head of School, says of the School:<\/p>\n
“The school provides education for children from the ages of 2-7 in the local area. As a team, we aim to create a respectful, caring and secure place for children to explore, learn and be happy together. As a distinctively Christian school, spirituality is at the heart of all we do and we are supported in doing this by the close links we have with the Wickford and Runwell Parish.”<\/p>\n
Jon Severs, editor of Tes Magazine said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted entries – the standard was so high this year despite the challenges schools face.<\/p>\n
“It is critical we celebrate excellence and share it widely so we can ensure that the fantastic work happening in education is properly recognised.”<\/p>\n
Wickford Church of England School is part of The HEARTS Academy Trust, which was established in 2011 and is inspired by its values of happiness, self-esteem, achievement, respect & responsibility, truth, spirituality and service. The Trust was founded by The Wickford Church of England School, and also now includes Briscoe Primary School and Nursery, Waterman Primary School, Stambridge Primary School, Hilltop Junior School and Hilltop Infant School. In 2018 they were proud to open The Atrium, a specialist alternative provision for children with social and emotional needs.<\/p>\n
HEARTS Academy Trust are also extremely proud to announce that their CEO, Mrs Debbie Rogan, has been given the prestigious Pearson Silver Award for Lifetime Achievement. This year saw exceptionally high-quality entries from educational settings across the UK with Debbie being highlighted as a particularly strong candidate.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Bronze Award for Wickford and Runwell MU” font_container=”tag:h5|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1721047904665{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
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<\/p>\nWickford and Runwell Mothers’ Union Branch has been awarded a bronze award for their support and raising awareness of domestic abuse using the Rise Up campaign. Two members were invited to the head office, Mary Sumner House, in London in recognition of this.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
St George’s Day celebrations<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRev. David Ibiayo, Rector of St. Chad, Vange, and Priest-In-Charge of St. Margaret\u2019s Bowers Gifford with North Benfleet, shares the reasons why St Chad’s Vange has a special annual celebration of St George’s Day:<\/p>\n
“We sometimes tell people things we are up to, and their response to what we tell them is sometimes heartwarming.\u00a0 You can imagine saying the following to a friend, \u201cI am going into hospital next week for a minor procedure,\u201d and then the friend responds, \u201cI will be thinking of you\u201d or \u201cI will be praying for you.\u201d\u00a0 I am sure this will make you feel good.<\/p>\n
The question I ask myself is this, in addition to what the Church of England is already doing in England, what more can the Church of England do?\u00a0 Hence my suggestion is this, the church should make the most of St. George\u2019s Day, which can also be seen as England\u2019s national day.<\/p>\n
The Church of England can use this day to remind everyone in England that the church is praying for their wellbeing and hoping the best for them in whatever situation they are in, and that the church is also praying that we can be good neighbours to each other.<\/p>\n
Every year at St. Chad, Vange, we celebrate St. George\u2019s Day, and as part of the celebration we invite four primary schools to church to be part of our St. George\u2019s Day Schools\u2019 Celebration.\u00a0 Each school then talks about the values of their schools and how it is beneficial to the community.<\/p>\n
Just imagine on the 23rd<\/sup> of April every year we are able to wish each other happy St. George\u2019s day, wishing the best for our neighbours, this will definitely transform the beautiful green and pleasant land \u2013 England, where we live.<\/p>\n
Although as a church we think of everyone every day, it is important we can be emphatic every year on the 23rd<\/sup> of April letting everyone in England know that we are praying for them, and also praying for other countries who are our neighbours.<\/p>\n
The Church of England as a national church should find opportunities to show their relevance in the everyday life of people in England.”<\/p>\n
Click on the links to view the 2024 St. George’s Day Schools’ Celebration<\/a> and\u00a0St. George’s Day Concert<\/a> at St Chad’s Vange.<\/div>\n