St Stephen’s is an Anglican (Church of England) Church in the modern Catholic tradition. We are a friendly congregation drawn mainly from the local community and reflecting the rich diversity of this part of London.
We aim to be an inclusive church welcoming everyone, whatever their age, background, sexuality or relationship status and regardless of how much or how little faith they may have. Honest doubters and people with questions are positively welcomed! You will find unconditional welcome and blessing at St Stephen’s.
Now we are in the third lockdown St Stephen’s has returned to the pattern of no public services. The 10am Mass on Sundays will be live-streamed (https://www.facebook.com/ststephensNTH/live/) and the church will be open for private prayer between 9am and 11am Tuesdays to Saturdays.
From the Vicar
Dear friends,
In normal years we would expect perhaps 150 worshippers or more on Easter Day. The fact that having about 60 with us in person or online feels like a very odd sort of good news but it is a very important start. Mass is once again celebrated at 10am on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Booking still required for Sunday.
Easter brings us renewed hope. I hope you feel something of that hope in your heart as we move ever so carefully towards the new normality. The link for live-streamed worship if you can’t make it to church is in the newsletter.
Better news, too, from Walsingham. The Shrine is hopeful that it will be accepting larger groups like ours by September. Please keep the second weekend in September clear and watch out for more news as we will have to seat the booking procedure afresh – those who booked for last year will have priority.
Attached to this message is the link to the YouTube video created by the Woolwich and Croydon Areas Youth Forum. It gives a valuable snap shot of where many of our younger people are in creating an anti-racism charter. I commend it to you.
Yours in Christ,
Fr Geoffrey
Vicar
Follow this link to see the video from the Woolwich and Croydon Youth Forum’s take on an Anti-Racism Charter. It includes contributions from St Stephen’s.
https://youtu.be/GJo4Wt_IoL4
View Act of Spiritual Communion
SUPPORTING LOCAL FOOD BANKS
St Stephen’s has supported local food banks for several years but now the pressure on them is greater than ever. Gifts of non-perishable items can be left at St Stephen’s vicarage (9 Warwick Road) at any time.
WAYS TO SUPPORT ST STEPHEN’S
We encourage all our regular worshippers to give to the church by monthly standing order or through our weekly envelope scheme.
For One-off donations please consider using our Just Giving Page please follow the link below –https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/St-Stephen2020
We can also accept payment by the following methods:
Bank transfer to “St Stephen’s PCC” Sort code: 40-35-01. Account: 61059572.
Credit or debit card – please speak to Fr Geoffrey or Ian Pudney (our treasurer) for more details.
Cheques payable to St Stephen’s PCC.
Cash (It is difficult and time consuming to process cash, but we are happy to accept payments if you cannot use other methods)
Other methods of helping St Stephen’s
SHOPPING – no doubt many of you will have tried on-line shopping and if so, you can support our church without it costing you a penny.
First, there is EasyFundRaising – by using the link below you can set up an account to support St Stephen’s – the retailer will give us a donation every time you use them.
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ststephennorburythorntonheath/
Once in your account search on their website for your favourite retailer Argos, John Lewis, Boohoo – they are all there, and click the link though to start shopping.
Remember you must log in to EasyFundRaising and use the link each time you shop, do not go direct to the retailer’s website.
Amazon likes to do things differently – so next time you use it (or maybe it’s the first time) go to:
Log in as usual (or set up an account) and you will see all your old Amazon history – it’s exactly the same!
It will prompt you for a charity you wish to support so enter – ‘St Stephen’s PCC’ select it and start shopping
Remember you must log into Smile Amazon (Not Amazon) each time you shop.
PLEASE ADD THESE LINKS TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND SHARE THEM WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY
Weddings & Baptisms at St Stephen’s
We welcome enquiries about Baptisms (Christenings) and Weddings. Numbers attending are currently (October 2020) restricted to 15 but we are taking bookings. Please contact Fr Geoffrey. ststephens@fastmail.uk
View more Weddings details
View more Baptism details
SAFEGUARDING
The parish of St Stephen, Norbury & Thornton Heath takes the safeguarding and care of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. Further information about safeguarding can be found here
