Events in 2004 at Sturry Church

Events 2004

Gift Service

As usual in Sturry, the first Sunday service in December is a Family Gift Service. At this service wrapped presents are collected for children at the Smarties Day Centre in Broadstairs.

Many of the youth and children's groups helped lead parts of the service.

Presents collected at the Gift Service		Flame music group
Sunday School RAP		Seekers group light and darkness sketch

Turning On of Sturry Lights

This year Sturry Parish Council together with local shops organised the lights on Sturry High Street and a turning on ceremony on Monday 29th November. The lights were turned on by Father Christmas and there were carols organised by Sturry church choir, hot sausages and sausage rolls donated by the butcher, mulled wine in The Swan, and mince pies and juice donated by other local traders.

Father Christmas and Carol Singing at the Turning On of the Sturry Christmas Lights

First Communion

On Sunday 28th November, 5 young people received their first communion during the All-age Communion Service.

Pram and Buggy Prayer Tree

At Pram and Buggy we have been building up a prayer tree each week. This is a photo of the tree in October 2004.

Harvest Festival

In 2004, again both Junior Kings School boarders, both Sturry Brownie packs and Sturry Guides joined with the regular congregation for a combined Family Service and Parade. During the service the combined choir of church and school sang an anthem, and the two new school chaplains were welcomed.

Perishable Harvest produce from both this service, and from Sturry Primary School's Harvest Festival (on Friday) was sold off after the service in aid of the Canterbury Open Centre. Non perishable goods, including toiletries were also collected for the Canterbury Open Centre.

Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored Bike Ride

Each year on the second Saturday of September, the Historic Churches Trust in each County organise a bike ride (or walk), and large numbers of historic churches are open on this day. The Friends of Kent Churches sponsored Bike Ride is an ecumenical venture when participants visit other local places of worship.

All 3 churches - St Nicholas, Sturry, All Saints, Westbere, and St Mary's, Fordwich - within the Sturry and District group of churches were open and offered cyclists and walkers refreshments. The number of visitors at each church was 29 at Sturry church, 8 at Westbere church and 37 at Fordwich church.

A large number of cyclists and walkers from Sturry churches also took part in this annual event, visiting churches nearby and further afield.

Bicycles outside Sturry church, with refreshments served inside

   
Cyclists on route from All Saints's Canterbury to St. Mary's Fordwich
via National Cycle Route No.1, offering excellent off-road cycling.

Sponsorship money raised is divided equally between the local church and Kent Historic Churches Trust.

Joint School and Church Summer Fair

This was held on 19th June on the Milner ground and in St Nicholas' Church, Sturry. A very enjoyable day was had by lots of people. There was plenty to eat - filled rolls, a BarBQ, cakes, ice-cream and sweets. The children from Sturry Primary school entertained everyone with excellent displays of country dancing, May-pole dancing, line dancing and singing from both the Infant choir (in French) and the Junior choir.

  
MayPole dancing

Line dancing

  
Car rides

There was plenty to do - plate smashing, a coconut shy, car rides for the younger people, raffles, tombolas and a variety of other games and competitions. Other stalls were selling bottles, bric a brac, plants, cakes and cards.

Spring Harvest, April 2004.

Some of the congregation from Sturry church again went as a group to Spring Harvest - this time to Minehead in Somerset. Spring Harvest is a wonderful week of teaching, worship, fun and relaxation.

The photo shows the Skyline in the Butlins resort with the Big Top behind.

Easter Monday Pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral 2004

Members of the youth and children's groups associated with Sturry Anglican Methodist Church took part in the Annual Easter Pilgrimmage to Canterbury Cathedral on Easter Monday.

   
Assembling outside Sturry Church    Sunday School Banner

Members and leaders from Flame (the music group), Seekers (the youth group), Sunday School and Jammers (the school club) assembled outside Sturry church for the walk into Canterbury. We were carrying banners - some of which had been made by the group members.

Further pictures and details of our walk to Canterbury Cathedral can be found on our Easter Monday Pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral webpage.

Easter Gardens

This year Sunday School designed and made several Easter Gardens to decorate the church. Most of these has an empty tomb. Some of them also showed the cross on which Jesus was killed.

  
         Making the banner                One of the Easter Gardens we made.

Parish Visioning Day

On 3rd April 2004, the church organised a Parish Visioning Day to consider how church members would like to see the Anglican Methodist church in Sturry District develop in the next 3 years.

     
Pictures drawn by various groups to indicate where we wish to be in 3 years time.