St Mary’s Newchurch
Looking to the past, present and future...
Janus is the Roman god of January as the guardian of the door or gate. The two heads facing in opposite directions remind us to look back as well as forward. Christianity has a long history and the basis of our worship are the Bible and the 1662 services. Our own church of St. Mary’s, celebrating its 500th birthday in 2044, encompasses old traditions and those newly introduced e.g. the Narthex for food and fellowship. Those who have ben coming to this church for decades can look back with fond memories but also look forward with those who have come more recently.
The culmination of the Diocesan Vision 2026 is next year so this one is a Year of Prayer, again looking back over the last ten years but also forward to 2033. Various events have been organised which will be publicised. St. Mary’s is also celebrating the arrival of the Reverend Nick Murray as our Vicar. We are looking forward to working and worshipping with him and hearing his ideas for our church.
The poem ‘The Gate of the Year or God Knows’ by M.L. Haskins was quoted by George VI in his Christmas broadcast 1939; and fits the fact we do not know what this year will bring but we do have support:
I said to the Man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”
Happy New Year Everyone
The Church Wardens of St Mary’s Church, Gin and Doug, would like to say a big thank you to everybody who has supported St Mary’s during 2024. In an exciting year we have completed the Narthex and used this space to hold a number of concerts, hospitality afternoons, school services and the Parish Council have been holding their Parish Meetings in the Narthex amongst many other events.
Our new vicar is now very actively in post (Revd Nick Murray), and is keen to continue these events and activities, and add more.
We look forward to welcoming you to services and events during 2025, which will be advertised on the Benefice FaceBook page and On A Church Near You.
We hope you have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas and offer our best wishes for the new year.