The Friends of St Mary's Church, Charlton Kings, is an independent charity (Registered Charity Number 1072508).
"The Friends" is established to advance the Christian faith by
Projects which the Friends have supported include replacement of the chancel carpet, refurbishment of noticeboards, handrails into St David's chapel, and a second board listing the names of vicars of the church. Several major projects are currently under active consideration.
Apart from fundraising through the sale of cards and other goods, the Association also organises a variety of social activities throughout the year, and an Annual Lecture following its AGM.
The Friends' Prayer:
God our Father, by whose inspiration our ancestors were given the faith and vision to build our parish church of St Mary, Charlton Kings, and in succeeding ages to care for its maintenance and adornment: give grace to us as Friends to serve you with the same faith and vision so that our Church may speak of faith and discipleship to people of every generation, and be a witness to your abiding presence in our world and in our lives: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
New members are always welcome. To join the Friends, or for more information, email friends@stmarysck.org.uk.
Back to topThe choir at St. Mary's Church, Charlton Kings is a traditional 4-part robed choir affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM). The choir's repertoire encompasses music of many styles from plainsong through to contemporary. The choir sings at 2 services each Sunday; these are the Parish Communion at 10:00am and Choral Evensong at 6:30pm. Anthems are sung at all services and various settings of the evening canticles are in regular use at evensong.
In addition to their normal services at St. Mary's, choir members have the opportunity to take part in external courses and events, and the choir maintains a regular program of singing visits to local cathedrals. Click here to see a few pictures of their visit to Hereford Cathedral. Suitably experienced choristers have the opportunity to prepare for and enter the RSCM Dean's and Bishop's award schemes and may also audition to sing with the RSCM Cathedral Singers. |
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Membership is open to all from the age of 8 upwards, and new members are always welcome. Practices are on Friday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30pm for junior members, and from 7:30 - 9:00pm for adults.
Visit the choir web site for further information, or contact the Director of Music by email choirmaster@stmarysck.org.uk or telephone 513475.
Back to topWe currently have 24 Servers, 4 Acolytes and 1 Boat Boy, although 4 of these are only available during the vacations. Their ages range from 7 to 77 and include men, women, boys and girls. Incidentally our oldest member has just completed 70 years of serving at St Mary’s, unbroken except for his war service. I wonder if this is a record?
The majority of these people serve once or twice a month at the Sunday Sung Eucharist whilst others do so at the Said Communion services on Sundays and weekdays. The normal complement for a Sung Eucharist is 2 Crucifers, 4 Servers and 2 Acolytes, but on Festivals when we use incense we also have a Thurifer and a Boat Boy and 9 Banner Bearers. On ordinary Sundays we wear red or purple cassocks (depending on the season) and cottas, but on Major Festivals we wear albs, amices and apparels. All these, together with full training, are provided. |
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To serve at the altar during a Communion service is a very special experience and a very great privilege and is available to anyone. If you would like to join us or have any further details or information about serving then do please email the Head Server, Derrick Walker, who will be delighted to help you.
Back to topHISTORY
St Mary's has had a ring of 8 bells since 1893, when 2 trebles were added to the older ring of 6 bells. In 1958 substantial renovation took place when a cast iron frame replaced the old oak frame, and in 2003 a minor overhaul was carried out on the bearings, clappers, pulleys and rope guides. Click here to see interesting views of the bells while the work was in progress. The oldest bell dates from 1630, but thanks to modern tuning skills has ben made to fit in well with the latest additions which are a mere 111 years old!
CHANGE RINGING
In traditional English fashion, the bells are rung in full circle, which allows their speed to be more accurately controlled. This in turn enables the ringing of 'changes' rather than tunes, which over the past few centuries has become the hallmark of English bell ringing.
ST MARY'S BAND
For as long as local records have been kept, St Mary's has been fortunate to have had an active band of ringers. Indeed, in recent years Charlton Kings has hosted arguably one of the better 8-bell bands in the Gloucester Diocese, both in terms of numbers and the variety of ringing 'methods' we are able to tackle.
WHAT SKILLS DOES A BELLRINGER NEED?
Ringers do not need to be strong or athletic; having a reasonably good sense of rhythm, and the ability to listen critically, tend to be more important in developing a good ringing style. Good hand-eye coordination is needed to control the swing and speed of a bell, and the ability to learn the various ringing 'methods' is also useful. Age is not really an issue - the age range of our band spans teenage years up to retired people. Whilst in general the younger learners tend to acquire certain skills more quickly, there is no reason why, with practice, anybody could not reach a reasonable standard of proficiency. And, of course, individuals can also make a useful contribution in supporting activities, such as organising tours or occasional social events.
IF INTERESTED, WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?
We practise on Tuesday evenings between 7.30 and 9.00. Why not arrange to come along and see for yourself what goes on? We can show you the bells and demonstrate how they work, and you can meet the ringers and see how they perform their mysterious art! If still interested, you could also have a first lesson. Better still, bring a friend with you! Contact details in the Parish magazine.
Back to topChildren between the ages of 4 and 10 are invited to join the Junior Church group which meets in the church at the start of the 10am Parish Communion on Sundays, during school term-time. The children enjoy a variety of physical, creative and educational activities allowing them to explore the current week’s spiritual themes in a fun and memorable way.
For more information email juniorchurch@stmarysck.org.uk.
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Little Fishes
Little Fishes is a group for all pre-school children and their parents or carers. We meet every Thursday in St Mary's Church at 1015 for a short service. We then go to the Parish Centre for refreshments, art and free play. We end with a singing session in time to pick up other children from playgroup or nursery. Any children are welcome to come along - we continue to meet in the school holidays and older siblings are welcome.
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Comitas is St Mary's Youth Group for those aged 8-13. The exciting re-launch of the group happens on 11th October. It meets at the Parish Centre from 6pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, and is open to all 8-13-year-olds living in Charlton Kings - you don't have to be a member of St Mary's. If you like active games, drama, craft, sweet-making, and other zany, fun activities, then Comitas is for you.
If you think you would be interested, just come along - only 50p a session. Or for more information, email the webmaster.
Back to topSt Mary's Youth Workers also run a club called Koinonia, for those aged 13 and over. This meets on Sundays at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre Lounge, and undertakes a very varied programme of events encompassing social, educational and spiritual activities. Occasionally extra events take place, such as maintaining the Maundy Thursday Watch (with adult supervision) throughout the night in church.
New members are always welcome - just come along to a meeting.
Back to topSt Mary's Brownies and Guides are well-supported and have a busy programme of activities. Meetings usually take place in the Parish Centre, but various other events are held throughout the year as well. Last year, for example, the girls took part in outdoor cooking, played wide games in the local woods, and completed a low ropes assault course in the dark. Click here to see what they got up to.
Back to topThere is a team of ladies under the leadership of Margaret Walker who arrange flowers in the church each week.
They meet on a Friday morning and arrange flowers from money donated by the parishioners. They also arrange flowers for weddings, funerals or any event for which flowers are required.
There are four Church Festivals in the year when the whole church is decorated. On these occasions we have to increase our number of arrangers and this is when the members of the Charlton Kings Flower Club come along to help. Click here to see photographs of the magnificent flower festival in May 2007.
If you would like to join in, or for more information, email flowers@stmarysck.org.uk.
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Mothers' Union
The Mothers’ Union is a worldwide Anglican organisation, with over three million members in 71 countries. Its prime purpose is to support all aspects of family life, as a praying, teaching and caring society across the world. The MU Branch at St Mary’s was founded in 1892.
Meetings are held once a month, usually on the first Monday at 2.30pm. The MU House Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month for discussion and/or Bible study. Meetings are held in the Parish Centre. Corporate Communion takes place each month, usually on the first Tuesday at 9.15am.
Our members also give valuable help to St Mary's in various ways, from cleaning the church, flower arranging, helping with Prams and Pushchairs, and arranging rotas of various kinds.
We should be delighted to welcome anyone who would like to join us. For more information, email MU@stmarysck.org.uk.
Back to topThis is a very friendly group, open to anyone who would like to come to any of the meetings. We meet on the fourth Friday of each month at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
We have a varied programme through the year. It includes a Christmas dinner, and an outing in the summer. We have a guest speaker each month, covering a wide range of topics. Click here for the programme. For more information, email opengroup@stmarysck.org.uk.
Back to top'I sought my soul, but my soul I could not see;
I sought my God, but my God eluded me;
I sought my neighbour and found all three.'
One of the many ways the five churches in the village work together is to welcome people new to the area. An information sheet listing many of the facilities available in the community (including health, education, public services and leisure) is regularly updated and delivered to families when they move in. Christmas and Easter cards are distributed to 5000 homes by over 100 Church Neighbours, giving details of each church's services. There is a coordinating committee which is currently revising guidelines to assist Church Neighbours.
For further details email churchneighbours@stmarysck.org.uk.
Back to TopCharlton Kings Community Players were set up in March 1992 to "encourage faith, fun and fellowship through ecumenical involvement in a variety of drama and musical activities for all ages."
Members are drawn from all the churches in the village, but anyone who lives, works, attends school in Charlton Kings or has strong connections with the village is welcome to join us in any of our activities. Past productions include: |
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Although fund raising is not our main purpose we have donated over £12,000 to local charities since 1992.
As well as major productions we have performed sketches on the annual Walk of Witness and regularly visit old people’s residential homes in the village at Christmas. We are always on the lookout for new material and venues.
In 2009 we are intending to put on 'Spider's Web' by Agatha Christie in March/April, and 'Blitz', musical director probably Keith Mead, in October/November. Look out for notices of our auditions or ask for our newsletter - all available through our website.
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