The Theydon Parishes Benefice

REMEMBERING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH IN THE THEYDON PARISHES

Following the announcement of the death of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh on Friday 9th April, our prayers are offered for the repose of his soul, and for Her Majesty the Queen and the whole Royal Family.

Sunday worship will continue as planned and special prayers will be said in all services

On Saturday 10th April, a single bell tolled at Theydon Garnon, Theydon Bois, and Stapleford Tawney. A short video of this can be found on our Facebook page 

The Theydon Parishes will join with others across the country, holding a special service of commemoration for the life of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh at 6pm on Friday 16th April (the day before his funeral service).  Following national guidance, this service will be held on Zoom, and the codes to access the service will be circulated by email and published on this website on Wednesday.

Books of condolence are open online at https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip

Bishop Guli and Bishop Peter have both shared their condolences.

Bishop Guli said:

"I am very sorry to learn about the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. We pray for Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, the Commonwealth and the Nation and we give thanks for The Duke of Edinburgh's extraordinary life of duty and dedication."

Bishop Peter said:

"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Diocese of Chelmsford are with Her Majesty the Queen, the Royal Family, our nation and commonwealth.  

At this time of great sadness, we remember with gratitude The Duke of Edinburgh's extraordinary contribution as consort to Her Majesty the Queen. He has devoted his adult life to our service and the loving support of Her Majesty, for which we are thankful.”

Rev John Fry – Vicar of the Theydon Parishes

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETINGS (APCM)

The APCM for each parish in the Benefice will take place as follows:

Parish of Stapleford Tawney and Theydon Mount - Sunday 18th April at St Mary's ST immediately after 10.30a.m. service

Parish of Theydon Bois St Mary - Wednesday 21st April at 7.30p.m. in St Mary's TB on Zoom

Parish of Theydon Garnon All Saints - Thursday 29th April at 8p.m. at All Saints' Theydon Garnon immediately after Evening Prayer that will be held at 7:45p.m.

Due to the current national situation, special permission has been given for annual meetings to be held virtually.  These are important opportunities to reflect on the last year and pray, plan, and dream dreams for the future and elect Churchwardens and PCC members where vacancies occur. Please be present and have your say at the APCM for your church, and speak to the Vicar in the first instance if you would like to stand in the elections.  

The agenda and annual report for each meeting can be found here

St Mary's Theydon Bois

All Saint's Theydon Garnon

St Mary's Stapleford Tawney with St Michael's Theydon Mount 

In order to vote at the meetings or to stand to serve on the Parochial Church Council it is necessary to be on the electoral roll. Membership is open to all who live in the parish or have attended church regularly for a period of 6 months.  The deadline date to register if you have not already joined differ in each church; please look out for the notices posted on the door of church building and complete the forms which will be found at the back of each church.  If you are unsure about this, please contact the Electoral Roll Officer for your parish - this can be done through the Benefice Office.

A warm welcome is extended to all visitors, both to this website, and visitors of our four churches.

The Benefice is the coming together of a number of churches (All Saints Theydon Garnon, St Mary the Virgin Theydon Bois, and the joint parish of St Michael’s Theydon Mount and St Mary the Virgin Stapleford Tawney)

We are:

• one Benefice,
• three Parishes,
• three congregations,
• four Churches

We are three active parishes that provide the opportunity to deliver a range of styles of worship from the Book of Common Prayer to All Age Worship. Our congregations are committed to developing their churches and reaching out to their communities in mission and ministry. We face different challenges in our quest to serve God in each community, whilst promoting the Christian faith.