Sundays	at	Framlingham
	08:00	Eucharist (BCP)
	09:30	Parish Eucharist (CW)
Sundays	at	Saxtead

1st & 3rd	11:15	Eucharist (CW)
2nd	11:15	Eucharist (BCP)
4th	11:15	Morning Prayer (BCP)

 
In addition to Sunday services there is Holy Communion
at St Michael's on Wednesdays at 10:30
 

On Sundays crèche facilities are available. If needed please ask. 

 

Sunday Services at St Clare's   09:00 Mass & Children's Liturgy

United Free Church 11:00 Morning Service

Baptist Church 11:00 Service in St Michael's Rooms

 

 

CLERGY LETTER

Did you see the Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year's address on television? It was devoted to the relationship between broader society and young people. He starts by reflecting on the summer riots:

‘The events of the summer were certainly horrific. They showed us a face of our society we don’t like to think about - angry, destructive, lawless… The youngsters out on the streets may hove looked like a big crowd, but they are a minority of their generation … Most people of their own age strongly shared the general feeling of dismay at this behaviour.’

He then visits Kid's Company in London, joining youngsters assembling food parcels. At this point you might have been tempted to switch off, reflecting that we don't have a problem with young people in Framlingham, nor do we have any need for food banks in Suffolk. More measured reflection suggests that both points are open to challenge.

Research carried out last year by Cambridge University on behalf of the Suffolk Foundation found deprivation in parts of Suffolk amongst the worst in Britain. This fact is reflected by there being a Food Bank set up in Ipswich, and the excellent work done by Framlingham schools in their support of West Villa in Ipswich to alleviate the hardship suffered by many formerly middle income families in this recession.

The latter point might seem to prove that there is no youth problem in Framlingham and the Archbishop is right; the vast majority of our young people are growing up as fine members of the broader community. But that is not to ignore the fact that at frequent intervals we find a bong in the church-yard. (If you don't know what a bong is, then perhaps you should follow our Prime Minister's advice and 'hug-a-hoody').

At St. Michael's we have a long tradition of valuing children and enjoy excellent relationships with the schools in the town. This valuing of children is epitomised by our Christingle service at 11.15 on Sunday 5 February, a service for all the family involving oranges, sweets and candles!

Everyone is welcome to join us, but even if you can't come along, please consider the Archbishop's closing sentence:

‘Above all perhaps we should just be asking how we make friends with our younger fellow citizens - for the sake of our happiness as well as theirs.’

Michael Womack



The Tomb of Henry Howard, The Earl of Surrey - drawn by Bill Flemming

Getting the garden ready for spring
Our resident gardening expert, Ivan Dickings, will be demonstrating the art of taking cuttings, grafting and potting at 2.00pm on Saturday 3rd March at All Saints Church, Saxtead. We'll even be having our very own Gardeners' Question Time followed by tea. Tickets £7.50 from Deborah Sharman, Willow Farm, The Green, Saxtead, Wood bridge, IP13 9QB. Please enclose SAE.

Christingle at Framlingham
Our Christingle Service is on Sunday 5th February at 11.15am. Now one of the most popular family and community events in the church calendar, Christingles were first introduced to The Church of England in 1968. This candlelit celebration for all ages is a wonderful way to share key messages of the Christian faith, while raising vital funds to help vulnerable children and young people through the work of The Children's Society.

An Easter Offering

A week after presenting a concert of music for Easter at Ely Cathedral, Suffolk Singers are coming to Framlingham. The choir will perform a programme of sacred music at St. Michael’s Church on Saturday March 31st at 7.30pm.

Many will remember their concert in the church last year and the remarkably successful workshop devoted to Fauré’s Requiem organised by the choir last October. For this concert familiar works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Stainer and Rutter will be joined by new works written especially for the choir by local musicians Susan Wilkins and Jon Hutchings,  forming an exciting centrepiece to the programme.

Jon’s compositions are receiving wide acclaim, most recently at last year’s Edinburgh Festival. The evening promises to be a fitting part of the church’s preparations for Easter and will act as a fundraiser for Friends of St. Michael's (FOSM).  Tickets are £8, with under 14 year olds free, and obtainable from 01728 621082 and 01728 746441.
 

Parish Magazine
Contributions, preferably emailed or typed to: Ann Elliott anntelliott@googlemail.com or anntelliott@gmail.com 01728 724 867 5A Double Street, IP13 9BN

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