St Stephen’s is an Anglican (Church of England) Church in the progressive 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.
With the easing of lockdown restrictions we once more have services at 10am on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mass is also celebrated at 12.30pm on Tuesdays and at 8am on Sundays. – no booking is required. The 10am Mass on Sundays is live-streamed (https://www.facebook.com/ststephensNTH/live/). The church is open for private prayer between 9am and 11am Tuesdays to Saturdays.
From the Vicar
Dear friends,
As Black History Month progresses we are now only a week from our special showing of Hidden Figures. Our lovely restored hall is the venue on 30th October – 7 for 7.30. No ads or trailers and all for £10 (children under 12 £5)! Refreshments included in the ticket price with a pay bar available. Tickets can be reserved via me or with Denise Gravesande who is in church this Sunday. The running time is just over two hours but we get the bonus hour as the clocks go back that night.
The Gospel this week tells the story of the healing of blind Bartimaeus. On the surface a healing miracle pointing to Jesus’ divine power but also a story with many layers for us to explore. There are all kinds of blindness, after all.
This coming week the wardens, treasurer and I are having an important meeting with the Archdeacon of Croydon, Mtr Rosemarie Mallett. We will be explaining our decision to reduce the amount of money St Stephen’s gives to the diocese of Southwark each year. Parish giving to the diocese is incredibly important but the PCC and I have decided that the time has come for St Stephen’s to invest directly in its own maintenance and development if we are to face the next five years and more with confidence, with buildings that are sound, safe and attractive.
Investment comes in a financial form but it also manifests itself in the time and energy we devote to the well-being of the parish. With that in mind I will be sending round a Time and Skills survey. It will be self-explanatory when you see it but PLEASE respond to it so that we can all make a contribution to the life of St Stephen’s even if we don’t have deep pockets.
Exciting times!
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 longer restricted and 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
