Thorpe St Andrew celebrate the summer

Author: The Revd James Stewart

Published on: 4 May 2021

Like many parishes Thorpe St Andrew has enjoyed online worship and fellowship during the lockdown, through Zoom and Facebook, but after returning to worship in church in July, they wanted to do something to celebrate the summer which was safe, but face to face.

On Sunday 9 August they enjoyed a wonderful open-air Eucharist in their churchyard in the beautiful summer sunshine.

Parishioners were encouraged to bring their own rugs and garden chairs, so the worship had a really summery feel. The parish put up several gazebos and brought out a lot of what was needed from the church.

There was much for the parish to celebrate that day since their new curate, the Revd Taylor Wilton-Morgan had been ordained deacon in the Cathedral a few days before, so this was his first service as a deacon within the parish. He was vested in a dalmatic and preached the sermon. The parish also celebrated the beginning of a new ministry for Nicole King, a faithful member of the congregation for many years and organiser of the Parish’s Cafe Church, who was commissioned in the service as Authorised Worship Assistant.

Rector of Thorpe St Andrew, the Revd James Stewart said: “I had been planning an open-air service in the churchyard for a number of years, but our return to church after lockdown seemed like something to rejoice in on its own. Our ministry team here is growing with a new curate and AWA, so with the lovely sunny weather it turned in to a real festival. It was a joy to behold!”

People sat in family bubbles, were socially distanced and since it was outside there was no need to wear face coverings, which became mandatory in churches the day before. After the service the large number of socially distant parishioners stayed for a picnic, with the food provided by themselves, due to current COVID-19 restrictions, following an appropriate risk assessment. The parish has got a real taste for outside worship and plans a number of other services before winter arrives!


The author...

The Revd James Stewart

Licensed clergy - Incumbent: Rector, Thorpe St Andrew (Norwich) (Benefice)

This article is from...

Articles in this issue...

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:8

I had the privilege of leading the drive-in Songs of Praise at the Norfolk Showground

More

An opportunity to build anew

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity" - Colossians 4:5.

More

Tap and grab

In the parish of Mundesley, the PCC explored the issue of giving in services across their two congregations as we’ve always struggled and often sought additional fundraising to bridge the gap.

More

Experiment pays off

How can a church future proof its giving? Well, it’s a journey, and it’s one we’re still on but these are some of the steps we – as a market town parish church - have taken so far.

More

Supporting the church, supporting community

When lockdown began our first thoughts were how we could meet the pastoral needs of the church and wider community and provide worship. We soon had systems in place to keep the church running while our buildings were closed.

More

Be prepared for Christmas in a variety of ways

It seems a lifetime ago when I penned the article for PCC News last year, encouraging churches to hold services and events in a variety of ways so that communities could find God in different places.

More

Filling the Gap

Nationally, up to three million estimated children are at risk of being hungry in the school holidays*, and for some families, the recent season of coronavirus lockdown has brought additional fear, worry and hardship, and left them facing greater adversity than ever before.

More

Lunch supplies for families

Here at St Mary’s Church, Watton we have been very busy.

More

Looking after Ludham in the Waterside Benefice

“We must do something,” said Dr Christine Wall at the end of a PCC Fund Raising Committee Meeting in Ludham on Tuesday 10 March, as we realised that lockdown was imminent.

More

Tweaking in Pakefield

The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us kicking and screaming into the 21st Century!

More

Keep up to date

Subscribe to our eNews for a snapshot of news, events and resources, usually emailed once a fortnight

Signup to newsletter