Chatteris Parish Community

Thursday, 04 February 2010 14:27 - Bereavement & Loss

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:27:38 +0100

When someone close to us dies many difficult emotions and feelings can be experienced. Grief and grieving is our response to this loss and we may feel overwhelmed and isolated at this time. It may be immediate or it may hit us months or years later. At times like this, it is important that we have someone we can turn to; someone who can provide a listening ear.

A Bereavement Support Group can offer a safe place to be with others who will understand what you are going through. The group at the Parish Church is led by Sarah Boon, a member of our Pastoral Care Team and a trained nurse.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 pm in the Bricstan Hall. Everyone is most welcome. If you feel unsure about coming the first time, please ring up a member of the clergy or ring up Sarah 694423 and we can arrange for someone to call on you.

The group is warm and inviting. Sarah leads the group in a 'thought for the day' and prayers to the God of all Comfort with the lighting of a candle. People with no faith or with faith are welcome. We will provide refreshments and there is no cost to you. Everyone is encouraged to keep in touch for ongoing support if it needed.

Sunday, 14 June 2009 09:13 - Welcome to the community part II

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:13:41 +0100

The Parish website has two parts. The first is the public site that you're looking at now. This provides general information about the church: services, facilities, history, location etc. It is open to anyone and you're most welcome to stay and look around. Please use the menu on the right to access the various parts of the site.

The second part forms our "parish community" and can only be accessed by logging in. This is a meeting place where we can make friends, share news and talk about what matters to us. We have on-line blogs, prayers, rotas and forum sections. We also have a community system similar to Facebook that allows users to create their own photo galleries and video lists, you can even add you're own twitter feed. Click the image on the left to see a preview.

Anyone can access the community site - it is not limited to the congregation of the church - but we do ask that you register and verify your email address.

Follow the links to find out more about weekly services:

Sunday 8:00 am Service	Sunday 10:30 am Service
Five O'Clock Service	Toddler Praise - Fridays@1:30 pm

If you would like to access this site then you can now get online in a number of ways.

For those with a Facebook account we now have full validation/linking. Click the button at the top of the page to access the community. This is the simplest way of accessing the full version of our website as it does not require email validation.

Also by clicking the 'sign up/login' link at the top right of this page or the 'community' button at the top. We will send you a verification email once you have registered - simply click the link in this email to activate your account. You can also request access by emailing the administrator.

Once registered you will have access to the following:

News & articles - including the ability to submit new articles

The on-line community - with wall, groups, mail, photos and lots more!

Back issues of the parish magazine

Various rotas and calendars

Downloads and shared on-line documents

~~Games~~ & videos

Monday, 23 March 2009 21:20 - Remembrance Roll Call 2008

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:20:01 +0100

Remembrance 2008 Video

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:55 - Toddler Praise - Fridays@1:30 pm

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:55:20 +0100

Toddler Praise meets each Friday during term time in the Bricstan Hall. We have a half hour of structured time - with craft, music, Bible stories and a prayer.

The children enjoy quiet music and then a time of NOISY MUSIC with lots of instruments and colourful flags to wave around while dancing. Everyone gets involved. The structured time is followed by unstructured time for refreshments, free play and socalizing.

We aim to provide support to parents and care givers of children from birth to school age. There is no cost. We hope that all parents in Chatteris know that they are always welcome to come along.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:53 - Sunday 10:30 am Service

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:53:46 +0100

The 10:30 am service is a traditional service with and organ and choir. The sermon is an important part of the service and usually follows the lectionary readings. We use Common Worship liturgy for the Church of England.

Newcomers are always welcome. We hope that you can stay and join us for refreshments at the end of the service in the Bricstan Hall.

The usual Sunday service pattern is as follows:

1st and 3rd Sunday of the month - Holy Communion
2nd, 4th amd 5th Sunday of the month - Morning Prayer

A service of Baptism may also be held on the 2nd, 4th or 5th Sunday.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:52 - Sunday 8:00 am Service

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:52:35 +0100

The 8 am service follows the Book of Common Prayer, written in 1662. This is a traditional service with Holy Communion and a short homily each week. There is no singing. The congregation is warm and welcomes visitors.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:48 - Five O'Clock Service

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:48:24 +0100

The Five O'clock Service is a modern service with a music group. We aim to follow God's Spirit in developing Christ's church for the future of Chatteris. We do this by involving all ages in the service and encourage youth to take a lead in the music. The service style is organic and informal, always followed by refreshments in the Bricstan Hall. As always, everyone is welcome - especially those who are looking to begin exploring the Christian faith. We take each other as we come and hope to travel some of the road with you.

The monthly service is as follows:

Soul Cafe - Last Sunday of the month- A place for youth to explore God and the Christian spiritual life. The music and the theme for the evening are chosen specifically for youth, although all ages are welcome.

All Age Service - on middle Sundays there is an opportunity for all ages to get together to worship God and explore what the Bible says about him. We usually have activities for children and try to involve all ages.

Holy Communion - the second Sunday of the month we remember and celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross with a modern and meditative service of Holy Communion. During the service there is usually also an opportunity to receive personal prayer ministry for those who would like.

NB: There is no full Five O'clock service on the first Sunday AFTER Christmas and the first Sunday AFTER Easter. We may have a simpler "Open to God" service - please check the events listings for details.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:37 - About the Bricstan Hall

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:37:23 +0100

The newly renovated Bricstan Hall is a multi purpose hall available for hire for community activities in line with the priorities of the church. The hall holds 120 people and includes toilets, a kitchen and an outside enclosed courtyard. The quiet room, along with a TV/video unit, childrens play equipment and an OHP are also available by arrangement.

The hall also has PA facilities, including connections for microphones and a CD player.

On week days, the Bricstan Hall is heavily used by different toddler groups. However, there are still openings at other times.

Please contact our bookings Officer, Mrs Molly Hammerton, for more information about availabilty and a booking form. She may be reached at 01354 692463.

Please be advised that no alcohol is to be consumed in the hall.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:28 - Services at the Church

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:28:45 +0100

Visitors are warmly welcome to all of our services.

Parking can be found on the drive in front of the building or in the car park on Church Lane.

Toilets are available in the building. The building has disabled access. Click on the service time for more information.

Sunday 8:00 am - 1662 communion service

Sunday 9.00am Roman Catholic Mass

This service is organised and led by a team from Our Lady of Good Council in the town of March. Father Eric is the Priest in charge. They use our building each week and have a good size congregation from Chatteris.

Sunday 10:30 am

Regular Monthly Pattern

Morning Prayer - on the 2nd, 4th Sundays of the month
Holy Communion - on the 1st & 3rd Sundays
Family Worship - on the last Sunday of the month, except December ( ie. 4th or 5th)

Five O'Clock

Regular Monthly Pattern

Family worship - every week
Communion with laying on hands for healing - 2nd Sunday of the month
Soul Cafe - on the last Sunday of the month (4th or 5th)

Sheltered Housing services - Swan House, Lyons Court and the Gables.

Toddler Praise - Fridays@1:30 pm

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:27 - What we Believe

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:27:40 +0100

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Monday, 23 March 2009 19:08 - Meet the Team

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:08:41 +0100



James Thomson Vicar 01354 692173 (every day except Tuesdays) james@chatteris.org	Wendy Thomson Associate Vicar 01354 692173 (every day except Tuesdays) wendy@chatteris.org	Fiona Godward Church Secretary 01354 693641 tgodward201@btinternet.com

Sarah Boon 01354 694423 Church Warden sarah.boon@sky.com	John Britten 01354 695696 Church Warden john@brittenpartnership.co.uk	Philip & Molly Hammerton 01354 692463 Philip - Verger & Buildings Molly - Bricstan Hall Bookings

Monday, 23 March 2009 18:03 - History of Chatteris

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:03:14 +0100

This is an extract from Kelly's Directory of Cambridgeshire 1900* for Chatteris

CHATTERIS in Domesday Book written "Cetriz" and "Cateriz", by some old authors "Chateriz" - is a parish and market town with a station on the Wisbech and St. Ives branch of the Great Eastern railway, 71 miles from London by road and 83 by railway, 19 south from Wisbech, 25-and-a-half north-by-west from Cambridge, 10-and-three-quarters north-by-east from St. Ives and 12 north-west from the city of Ely by road, but 26-and-a-half by railway, in the Northern division of the county, hundred and union of North Witchford, in the Isle of Ely, petty sessional sub-division of Chatteris and county court district of March, and in the peculiar archidiaconal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Ely.

Under the provisions of the "Local Government Act, 1894" (56 and 57 Vict. c. 73), the town is now governed by an Urban District Council, having been from 1873 under the control of a Local Board: it is lighted with gas from works the property of the Chatteris Gas and Coke Co. Limited: the water supply is derived from wells. The church of St. Peter is an ancient building of stone, in various styles, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, south porch and an embattled western tower with a low spire containing a clock and 5 bells: the chancel is divided from the body of the church by a handsome screen: there are 750 sittings, 500 being free. The register dates from the year 1650. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £1,050, with 330-and-a-half acres of glebe and residence, in the gift of the Rev. Charles Henry Brocklebank M.A. of Willoughby Hall, Grantham, and held since 1877 by the Rev. Sidney Anderson Smith M.A. of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge.

The particular Baptist chapel in Hive Lane was endowed by Miss Claridge in 1800 with lands now producing £50 yearly for the support of a minister, and has sittings for 250; there is another in Park street with 900 sittings; and a General Baptist chapel in West Park street holding 700 persons; the Congregational chapel, Park street, is a brick building in the Tudor style seating 350; there is a Primitive Methodist chapel at Slade End with about 20 sittings; the Wesleyan chapel, New road, was enlarged in 1855, and now has about 600 sittings. The Society of Friends have a meeting house in High street with sittings for about 300. There are two cemetries, both in New street: the Parochial cemetry, formed in 1856, covers an area of nearly 6 acres, with two mortuary chapels, and is under the control of the Urban District Council: the General cemetry was formed by a company in 1850 and is 3a. 2r. 13p. in extent.

The trade of Chatteris consists almost entirely in supplying the neighbourhood with necessaries, but it is also an important thoroughfare, being on the direct road from Norfolk to Huntingdon and the western country, and also on the road between Peterborough and Newmarket. The Corn Exchange is in High street. The market, established in 1834, is held on Friday, and there are two fairs. Here are two banks, a brewery and engineering, mat and rope works. At Ferry farm, in this parish, R.G. Heaton esq. has a stud farm for the breedinge of horses. The poor's land of 48 acres produces about £140 yearly. A convent of Benedictine nuns, dedicated to St. Mary, was founded here about the year 980, by Alwina, neice to King Edgar, and wife of Athelstan, Earl of the East Angles; in the reign of Henry I. the nunnery was annexed to the church of Ely, and wholly dissolved in 1538. Many antiquities have been dug up here is excavating for gravel; not many years since part of the skeleton of an elephant was found, 10 feet below the level of the ground; and in 1824 an earthen jar, containing about 1,000 copper coins, was ploughed up, about 2 miles from the village; they were mostly Roman, of the Emperors Constantius (A.D. 305) and Constantine (A.D. 306); various other relics of the Romans have been met with at several times hereabout, as well as celts and a double-edged sword, the hilt of which was embossed with figures of men fighting; this, when found, was in a perfect state of preservation. In several parts of the fen lands large oak trees have been brought to the surface from a great depth.

Near here is Vermuyden's Drain, so named after Sir Cornelius Vermuyden, a celebrated engineer who drained the Bedford lever in 1649-53. St. Matthias' Court, a poece of land of 24 acres, formerly held in trust by the Bishops of Ely, was conveyed in 1869 to 24 inhabitants of Chatteris as trustees, andthe rent is applied to the general improvement of the town. John Dunn Gardner esq. D.L. of 37 Grosvenor place, London S W, is lord of the manors of Chatteris Ramsey and Bartle-nuper- Gardiners; Thomas Jennings esq. of Newmarket, is lord of the manor of Chatteris Nunns; the Master and Fellows of Corpus Christi college, Cambridge, are lords of the manor of Benet College, Chatters. The principal landowners are John Dunn Gardner esq. Martin O'Connor esq. J.Edward Fryer esq. the Master and Fellows of Christ's College, Cambridge, John Nix, esq. The Limes, Chatteris, John Curtis Smith esq. J.P. of Grove House, Thomas Richards esq. of Wimblington, Arthur Ruston esq. and Herbert Fortesque Fryer esq. The Priory, Chatteris. The soil is clay, loam and fen land; subsoil, clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, oats, mangolds, carrots and potatoes. The land around has been rendered very productive by draining and gaulting. The area is 13,638 of land and 36 of water; rateable value, £26,813; the population in 1891 was 4,587.

* Kelly's Directory of Cambridgeshire 1900 (London: Kelly's Directories Limited, 1900), pp.99.

Monday, 23 March 2009 18:02 - History of the Parish Church

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:02:08 +0100

ORIGINS

We do not know when the Christian Faith first reached this part of the Fens, but there is little doubt there was a church in Chatteris by the 9th century. Huna, St. Ethedreda's steward, who became a hermit at Huna (Honey) Hill on the road to Manea, moved here on the death of his mistress in 679. By then, Christianity was established in the settlement. The name Chatteris derives from the Anglo-Saxon CAETERIC - CETO (a wood) and RIC (a river). Any religious buildings would later have been destroyed by the marauding Danes in their raids in 870 and 1010 which were accompanied by burning and pillaging.

ABBEY

Aelfwen, the Countess of East Angles founded the abbey in Chatteris circa 980 AD. She had been married to Aethelstan and the practice of prominent ladies to retire in nunneries founded by

themselves was common in Anglo-Saxon society. There was also a revival of Benedictine monasticism at this time.

CHURCH AND PATRONAGE

The Parish Church was given by Bishop Nigel of Ely in 1162. The Abbey held the patronage or 'right of presentation', and was to provide a chaplain to conduct services. The living remained the gift of the Abbey till the Dissolution in 1536, passed to the Manor of Chatteris Nuns until the late 1700s, was then sold to The Revd. Robert Chatfield who became Vicar of Chatteris in 1803 and by 1851 The Rev. M.A. Gathercole was both patron and Vicar. In 1909 the living passed to Gonville and Caius' College, Cambridge, who remain the patrons today.

VICARS

In the 14th century the first vicar was instituted and a regular stipend provided. He was Richard de Carton and was Vicar in 1347. A complete list of vicars from then to the present day can be seen by the main door.

FIRE!

The parish church, the Abbey and much of the town of Chatteris, was burnt down in a fire which raged between 1306 and 1310. Not until 1352 was the church restored, rebuilt and reconsecrated - by the Bishop of Ely. So the Vicar at the time, Richard, was a priest without a church and died in 1349. This 1352 church was the church basically that was restored and mainly rebuilt in 1910. (see illustration)

"IMPROVEMENTS"

During the next few centuries, the church lost its steeply pitched roof and gained the South West Porch (most of which is still extant). The date 1594,inscribed high upon the tower, may mark some further changes that were not always for the best. The clerestory windows lost their tracery.

The lovely north aisle Gothic windows were replaced by ugly rectangular ones. Tower masonry and flat nave ceilings were plastered. Thick wooden galleries were added on two sides of the church, spoiling the elegant Gothic nave columns.

These galleries and box pews were added circa 1720. By 1747 the whole roof was rebuilt, probably the one illustrated in our 18th century sketch. Then the north wall was rebuilt in brick and the traceried windows replaced. Another gallery was added (the west gallery) in 1804, where the first organ was sited. Until then, a band of wind instruments accompanied services. The clock (now replaced) was dated before 1726, as are 5 of the 6 bells that now hang in the tower.

NEGLECT

The Rev. W. Holden was the first vicar to live in Chatteris for some time, others being absentees.

Then came the Rev. R. Chatfield, who had the new school built in 1819. He was followed by the Rev. M. A. Gathercole who carried out a battle against non-conformists, while the Parish church was allowed to deteriorate and fall into disrepair. A visitor in the 1880s wrote... "windows, concealed by giant nettles. ...inside - atmosphere of the earth. ... Dust was in evidence. ... the most depressing church."

The roof leaked, the masonry was crumbling and weeds grew between the flag stones of the church floor. It was in a sorry state.

The Revd. M.A. Gathercole 1845-1877

BETTER DAYS - THE 20TH CENTURY

The Rev. J.J. Jones, curate in 1899, and from 1901, The Rev. H.F. Bagshaw -Vicar, set about restoring and repairing the church. Money was scarce. But on Christmas Day 1904 the Vicar announced a huge bequest. Robert Wright had died in 1903. He had been a choirboy and sexton's son at Chatteris.

He had emigrated to America and made his fortune with a laundry chain. He had left £5,000 to Chatteris Church in his will. The patron of Chatteris the Rev. Brocklebank added another £1,000. Work began in 1909. Not till 1916 after all debts had been paid would the Bishop of Ely reconsecrate the church. The Rev. McNeice (curate) worked hard to raise extra cash. The restorers worked skillfully and lovingly using as much of the original material as possible. Much thought was given to the architectural history of the church.

The Revd. H. F. Bagshaw M.A. 1901- 1927

Robert Wright, Benefactor

The tower was re-pointed in part, but is essentially the 1352 tower, though its lower courses are even older. The rest of the building was re- built around the nave pillars - widening the side aisles, extending by a bay the nave length and building a new chancel and chapel. The old chancel window frames were set in the new East End. A coke-fired central heating system was installed.

TODAY'S CHURCH

A new central heating - gas fired, fan assisted system, toilets and kitchen were added to celebrate a millennium of the Christian faith in Chatteris in 1980, and later a meeting room - The Bricstan Room was added in 1988. The hall was further extened in 2005 thanks to a grant from SureStart and the new facilites provide a focal point for the whole community.

In 1992 over £60,000 was raised from Chatteris to further restore masonry (particularly of the Tower) and the church today is in good structural order. The bells and bell-frames have been rehung and improved and much work has just been completed to restore the double-action Harrison organ, sited the north bay by the chancel since 1935 – one of the finest in the area.

The church floor was sanded and resealed in 1999 and new comfortably upholstered chairs bought (pews were removed as early as 1915 and replaced by wooden chairs). In 2006 the floor was found to be subject to wet rot and has been completely replaced with oak blocks.

Our latest project has been the installation of a new sound system. Installed in 2006, this now provides 24 channel mixing facilities for both speech and music. New speakers have been added to both the chancel and the recently refurbished Bricstan Hall. The main church now has a direct Bose speaker system with a mixing desk at the rear - including loop system cd/tape player and audio visual inputs for projection.

We now have an open and well-lit church building, strong and sturdy, for us to worship God in generations of worshippers to come.

Chatteris Parish Church is one of the Fenland Churches participating in the CHURCH TRAILS SCHEME (no. 6). Please visit us. You’re sure of a friendly welcome!

Monday, 23 March 2009 18:00 - The Marriage Course

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:00:35 +0100

What is it and who is it for?

The Marriage Course is a series of eight sessions designed to help any married couple strengthen their relationship. It’s a great opportunity to spend time together as a couple looking at the important issues in your marriage.

The Marriage Course is very practical and will help equip you with the tools needed to build a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime. Each week you are given the opportunity to listen to a talk and then have plenty of time to discuss the topic as a couple. There is no group work involved at any stage of the course.

The course was started by Nicky and Sila Lee in 1996. They have spoken to thousands on the subject of marriage and are the co-authors of The Marriage Book which has sold over 52,000 copies since it was published in 2000. The Marriage Course is now being run in 60 countries. Although the course is run by Christians from a Christian foundation, it is not overtly Christian in its content. Everyone, no matter what their background, will find it useful.

Monday, 23 March 2009 17:58 - Midweek Bible Study

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:58:54 +0100

The Bible is a best seller and a great read! And yet for most people, It is much more fun and interesting to read with others. Reading the Bible in a small group is a great way to get to know other people as well as learn more about what your Bible really says. We would love for you to join in one of two groups which always welcome visitors and new members.

Evening Group - Just for Starters

Geared for people who are just starting out. Maybe you are new to the church or new to reading the Bible, then this group is for you. We'd love for you to join in. We meet weekly in the Bricstan Hall on Thursday evenings at 7:30 - 9:00 pm.

Daytime Group

We meet weekly on Thursday afternoons at 2pm at Janet Smith's house. Ring Janet at 692720 for more information. We work through a book of the Bible, a little bit at a time. The discussion is lively and everyone is always welcome to drop in at any time. We look forward to seeing you.

Monday, 23 March 2009 17:57 - Alpha Course

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:57:28 +0100

Looking for answers? The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith.
see Welcome

It consists of a series of talks addressing key issues relating to the Christian faith.
see What is it?

It is for everyone, especially those wanting to investigate Christianity.
see Who's it for?

It's free.
see How much?

People are talking about it.
see What others say

Find out about the course at Chatteris.
email alpha@chatteris.org

Monday, 23 March 2009 16:59 - Children & Youth

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:59:51 +0100

We believe that the Christian life is fun!

Youth and children are at the heart of what we do at Chatteris Parish Church. We believe that everyone, regardless of age, has an important part to play in the Church family. We aim to run quality programmes for young people and at the same time, encourage young people to get involved wherever they can in order to develop own their leadership gifts.

Toddler Praise - Every Friday at 1:30 pm in the Bricstan Hall

A fun and informal way to introduce your baby to the church. We begin with a half hour of structured activities which usually include a craft, quiet music, a Bible story, prayers, NOISY music with movement. We use musical instuments, ribbons and flags to help us with our music. After the structured time, we serve refreshments. You will find that we are are a warm and welcoming community. We hope to be a support for mums and dads in their special job of being parents. We meet up on Fridays at 1:30 pm during term time in the Bricstan Hall. New mums and dads in Chatteris are especially welcome!

Monthly Morning Family Worship - 10:30 am, the last Sunday of the month

Families with children are all invited to join us for a fun and engaging hour on a Sunday. The whole service is designed to engage the younger members. The music is a mixture of contemporary and modern. We sometimes include a craft, or games or drama. The topics help all of us to better understand what the Bible teaches. It is a great opportunity to meet up in a community of all ages and your will find a warm welcome. (Please note there is no family service on the last sunday December.)

The Five O'clock Service - every week at 5:00 pm

A great way for families to enjoy God together. The Five o'clock service takes place every Sunday. Young people are involved both in the leadership and planning of the service as well as participating in the service itself. Together, we hope to develop a new community of all ages who love God and want to know him more. We have great music, food, fun, games and explore the Bible together in lots of creative ways. We hope more families will take the opportunity to get connected. More Info

Soul Cafe & Soul Mates (Youth)

The youth service is on the last Sunday of the month and is called Soul Cafe because it is refreshment for the soul. A youth band play at Soul cafe and the topics discussed are relevant to youth. God always turns up and it is a great way to experience his love. After the structured part, we jam on our instuments. There are always donuts and hot chocolate available too. Come along and see for yourself.

On Wednesday nights we meet up at the Hamiltons house to hang out, catch up with our friends, take a look at the Bible and play some music. We pray for each other and learn more about God. Once a year we also go camping for a week at a BIG youth event (with thousands of others) called Soul Survivor.

Summer Holiday Club

Every summer we run a week long holiday club in cooperation with the other churches in Chatteris. The fun packed energetic programme runs for 5 - 11 year olds during the month of August. Watch this space for more details.

Light & Life Team

As a church we strongly support the Light Life Team, an ecumenical team of Christians who work with children and youth in our town. The Light & Life Team run the annual Holiday Club and regularly present Christian assemblies in both Kingsfield and Glebelands schools. The GenR8 Team from Scripture Union also regularly go into both local primary schools and present lively Christian assemblies.

Monday, 23 March 2009 16:07 - Weddings

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:07:26 +0100

Congratulations on your engagement!

Your wedding is a very important day. It marks the beginning of a life changing and lifelong journey. As your promises under God, we want to support you and help to make this a special occasion for you to remember.

Please ring one of the clergy so that they can arrange to meet up and book your wedding date.

Next plan to join us for our next Marriage Preparation session which is held each year on the last Sunday in January at 2:00 pm.

A word about fees. Fees are set nationally by the Archbishops’ council for the whole church of England and are set out below for this year. They usually go up about 5% a year.

Fees for 2010

Marriage service £367.50 (includes banns, organist and verger) This is the fee for people planning for their wedding in Chatteris. Extras can be found below.

Publication of Banns £34.00 (If getting married in another church) Click on the following link for a Banns application form, if you are being married in another church and need to have your banns read in Chatteris.

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Extras

Bells £112.00
Choir £96.00
Heat (1st October to 30th April) £26.00
Playing CDs £20.00 (requires someone on the sound desk)

Monday, 23 March 2009 16:05 - Christenings

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:05:24 +0100

We believe that every child is a gift from God

Congratulations on the arrival of your child! You may be interested in your child's spiritual, as well physical and emotional development. Some parents choose to mark the beginning of their child's spiritual journey with a Christian service of Blessing or even Baptism. The main difference between the two services is in the vows and promises which are made. You may even choose to have a service of Blessing first with a Baptism at a later date (It is worth remembering that people may be baptised at any age). Whatever you decide, we hope that this chart will help you when considering your options.

For more information, we invite you to come along to the Five O'Clock Service which runs every Sunday or to Toddler Praise. This is a great way to meet some people from the church and see something that happens for families. The Revd Wendy Thomson will be happy to meet with you afterwards, give you a leaflet and let you know about the next preparation session.

May God bless you.

	Service of Thanksgiving & Blessing	Service of Baptism
Purpose	To celebrate, give thanks for the birth of your child, and to ask for God's blessing on his/her life.	To declare publicly your own faith in Jesus as Lord of your life; and your commitment to bring up your child to know and love Christ as a worshipping member of the church.
Background	"Jesus took the children in his arms, placed his hands on each of them and blessed them" - Mark 10.16	Jesus said: "Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptise them... and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28.19,20
Booking a date	Bookings are usually made for after the Sunday morning service (11:45 am) the 2nd, 4th or 5th Sunday of the month. Alternatively, bookings can be made for during the Five O'clock Service.	Baptism services are by their very nature public celebrations as your child is joining the Church community. Services of Baptism are held at either the Five O'clock service or the 10:30 am service (2nd, 4th or 5th Sunday).
Choosing Mentors	Godparents (or Sponsors) are chosen who might later act as mentors for the child. because of their care for your child.	Godparents are chosen who are themselves believing, Baptised Christians. They are chosen to act as mentors and Christian examples because they care for your child.
Your Vows & Responsibilities	Parents and Godparents (or Sponsors) promise to do all that they can to help and support your child as they grow up.	Parents and Godparents promise to pray for your child, speak to them about God and, bring them to church so that they can take their place within the regular life and worship of the church. You also make vows declaring your own commitment to follow Jesus as Lord of your life.
Our vows & Responsibilities	We are always here for you. You and your child are always welcome in the church especially as your child grows up and may be interested in learning more about Jesus, getting more involved, planning a wedding or in need of pastoral care.	As a congregation, we promise to support you in the care and spiritual education of your child as he/she grows to learn more about Jesus. In order to do this effectively, we provide lively children's programmes and look forward getting to know you better through regular contact with you and your child.
Symbols	Oil is used as a symbol of blessing with the sign of the cross. We pray that God's Holy Spirit will pour out his blessing on your child.	Water is used to symbolise both washing from sin and spiritual birth into the Christian life. We pray that both will happen in the life of your child as they grow to understand the Christian faith

Monday, 28 November 2005 01:00 - Welcome to the Community

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:00:00 +0100

We are a diverse group of people who have been brought together by our faith in Jesus. We live in the heart of the Fens - in a town which is fast growing and changing.

At the parish church, we are a community with four congregations and a variety of programmes for all ages and stages. In all we do, however, we aim to know Christ and to make Him known. We are happy to give a warm welcome to newcomers and visitors. We look forward to meeting you.

Revd James and Revd Wendy Thomson