Safeguarding
We are committed to Safeguarding children and young people and vulnerable adults.
The PCC has adopted the Church of England's policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England's website:
Church of England Safeguarding
or on the Safeguarding pages of the Chelmsford Diocese:
www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding
Details of our Parish Safeguarding Representative can be found on the noticeboard in church. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative Jenny Clifford can be contacted at St Nicholas Church on 01708 454221
The PCC has adopted the Church of England's policies and best practice on safeguarding which may be found on the Church of England's website:
Church of England Safeguarding
or on the Safeguarding pages of the Chelmsford Diocese:
www.chelmsford.anglican.org/safeguarding
Details of our Parish Safeguarding Representative can be found on the noticeboard in church. Our Parish Safeguarding Representative Jenny Clifford can be contacted at St Nicholas Church on 01708 454221
St Nicholas Church - Elm Park
Parish Church of
St Nicholas
Woodcote Avenue
Elm Park
Hornchurch
Essex
RM12 4PY
Latest News
Dear One and All,
Sadly, today, C-19 restrictions have had to be reapplied. However, they are things that we were already doing in Church so they make no material difference us. This Sunday is the first time that the shielded individuals can now join us in church and how we look forward to seeing them. No doubt, some people are now away on holiday, but I hope that no one has got caught up in the Spanish problems.
Sadly, today, C-19 restrictions have had to be reapplied. However, they are things that we were already doing in Church so they make no material difference us. This Sunday is the first time that the shielded individuals can now join us in church and how we look forward to seeing them. No doubt, some people are now away on holiday, but I hope that no one has got caught up in the Spanish problems.
Finally, thoughts are turning to the VJ day anniversary on Saturday, 15th Aug. We hope to repeat the simple service that we held for VE Day. At 10.50am we will gather outside St Nicholas with the Union Jack and a Royal British Legion Standard.
In the meantime, take good care and with our love and prayers,
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
Dear One and All,
We are in a strange in-between place as we come out of lock-down and yet still can't go about our normal lives. I came across this picture which reminded me of my times in Croatia, capacity building as it is called.
We are in a strange in-between place as we come out of lock-down and yet still can't go about our normal lives. I came across this picture which reminded me of my times in Croatia, capacity building as it is called.
It is the Krk bridge outside Rijeka. The looping arches linking the islands made me think of the leaps forward we have taken but unsure whether or not we will end on the rocks again.
That is why it is so good to be back in church. The good news this week is that baptisms are being organised once more. More and more of you are coming back to church but it is strange with the mumbling from the back making it very hard to know on the altar if the congregation have said their parts of the prayers! To help us all it would be good to put our C of E shyness away for the duration and occupy the front half of the church!
The surprise of the week for me was eating someones home made jam and thinking how good it was! Carol Lowe's husband is a demon fruit picker and Carol is no slouch on the jam making. We will have to look to our laurels!
With our love and prayers to you all,
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
With our love and prayers to you all,
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
Dear one and all,
As lock-down comes to a close I have been practicing an old skill.
As lock-down comes to a close I have been practicing an old skill.
Locally, this is as close as I could get to the scenes Jesus would have seen as he travelled with his disciples through the Holy Land. Horse whispering is not a skill required to be an Anglican Priest. However, Jesus knew how important it was to explain his teaching as we find this week in the parable of the wheat and the weeds.
It has been good to see more and more people gradually coming back to church and we hope to see more of you as the summer progresses.
It has been good to see more and more people gradually coming back to church and we hope to see more of you as the summer progresses.
Please remember that if you want a copy of the Good Morning / Good Evening sheets in church, you will need to print them off and bring them. We're sorry for the inconvenience as we complete the transition from the old copier to the new.
Church life is beginning to waken up. New Baptisms are now being scheduled, discussions are underway for our new curate joining us in September and we hope this Sunday to be able to enjoy the sound of our own organ.
We hope that you are all taking the necessary steps to avoid catching the virus and that come September we will be back to something like our regular church life.
With our love and prayers,
Fr David, Fr Tom and Revd Amanda
Church life is beginning to waken up. New Baptisms are now being scheduled, discussions are underway for our new curate joining us in September and we hope this Sunday to be able to enjoy the sound of our own organ.
We hope that you are all taking the necessary steps to avoid catching the virus and that come September we will be back to something like our regular church life.
With our love and prayers,
Fr David, Fr Tom and Revd Amanda
Dear One and All,
It is with great joy that we will be opening St Nicholas Church for the 9.30am Holy Communion and Evening Prayers at 6.30pm. However, to do this a great deal of work has been undertaken by our Churchwardens (Sheila & Mike), as well as the Covid-19 Steering group that was created when the lock down commenced. I am writing today therefore to let you know in detail the constraints we will be under in order to open St Nicholas safely and to achieve C-19 compliance as set out by the Government and the Bishops.
Arriving at Church
It will be necessary to arrive early - we suggest between 9am and 9.15am. There will be a queuing system established in the car park area outside the normal stepped entry, so reduced space for cars. This is to ensure the minimum one metre with masks is observed at all points until you have been seated. On entry into church, you will be asked to sanitise your hands. Those who are clinically sensitive to the sanitiser solution will receive specific instructions of how to achieve a necessary level of hand hygiene. This is an absolute pre-requisite for entry in church. Masks will be kept on throughout the stay in church. If you need access by the easy access entrance, please ask someone on the main door to organise that for you. Finally, in order to comply with the track and trace requirements, a note will be kept of attendance for 21-days and then destroyed.
Before sitting down
The church has been deep-cleaned and well aired. The airing will continue throughout the service. Anyone who is sensitive to draughts, please dress accordingly. The collection will be taken on entry into church. To minimise touching three options for donations have been created: -
1. Tap and pay machine are available with pre-set totals. If you wish to donate a different total, then Margaret will be there to assist. We are still checking how to ensure that we can claim the tax relief via gift aid while using this mechanism. To assist with this, please bring a pen with you.
2. A receptacle for the white donation envelopes.
3. A basket for cash donations
If at all possible, we need to move away from cash donations so as to protect those who have to handle the donations. There will therefore be direct debit forms available, something that an increasing number of parishioners have been using in recent years.
You will then be given a service booklet. Please leave the booklet in your place. No Good Morning sheets will be available. If you want to have one, you will need to download and print it off at home. You will be directed to seat. We are afraid that there will not be choice in where to sit as the churchwardens and sides people will be constantly calculating distances to accommodate family groups a well as individuals. A Palm Cross will be on the seat. Further Crosses will be available on request next week.
During the service
Once seated it is important that you remain seated unless: -
1. Leaving the Church
2. Going to Holy Communion
3. Visiting the toilet
Please do not lean in any direction to talk with someone, or remove your mask to talk to someone, as this will breach the guidelines. Please respond quietly in the prayers. There will be no singing until allowed. There will be no children's club until the autumn term at the earliest.
When invited to come forward for Holy Communion please remember the one-meter rule both in going up to the altar and returning to your seat. A screen has been built at the Hobby Shop by Martin through the liaison of Brian Vallis and with the help of Mike tracking down difficult to find requirements. This will make the giving and reception of Holy Communion much easier. Its use will be demonstrated in the service. Please return to your seat via the Lady Chapel, no matter which side of the church you are seated on. Do not squeeze past people in rows.
At the end of the service
Please leave your booklets where they are. Move towards the easy access door, respecting the one-meter rule. I know this runs counter to the normal practice at St Nicholas, but do not linger for conversations. There will be no refreshments for the foreseeable future i.e. until the restrictions are eased. Everyone is encouraged to stay in church for the minimum period. There will be no lighting of votive candles for the present.
We know that these regulations are very foreign to everyone at St Nicholas and apologise for having to be the agents for their implementation. However, it is the price we pay for opening the church. It felt better to open the church and live with the restrictions than to keep the church closed. The three main weekly services will continue to be streamed, as we fully appreciate that some will want to wait a couple of weeks before venturing to Church.
I apologise that this is such a long read, but it is essential that we get this right so as to be able to move on to further easing of the lock down.
Please remember to print a copy of any the sheets that you might want with you in church.
Looking forward to seeing at least some of you on Sunday and/or next Thursday.
With love and prayers,
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
It is with great joy that we will be opening St Nicholas Church for the 9.30am Holy Communion and Evening Prayers at 6.30pm. However, to do this a great deal of work has been undertaken by our Churchwardens (Sheila & Mike), as well as the Covid-19 Steering group that was created when the lock down commenced. I am writing today therefore to let you know in detail the constraints we will be under in order to open St Nicholas safely and to achieve C-19 compliance as set out by the Government and the Bishops.
Arriving at Church
It will be necessary to arrive early - we suggest between 9am and 9.15am. There will be a queuing system established in the car park area outside the normal stepped entry, so reduced space for cars. This is to ensure the minimum one metre with masks is observed at all points until you have been seated. On entry into church, you will be asked to sanitise your hands. Those who are clinically sensitive to the sanitiser solution will receive specific instructions of how to achieve a necessary level of hand hygiene. This is an absolute pre-requisite for entry in church. Masks will be kept on throughout the stay in church. If you need access by the easy access entrance, please ask someone on the main door to organise that for you. Finally, in order to comply with the track and trace requirements, a note will be kept of attendance for 21-days and then destroyed.
Before sitting down
The church has been deep-cleaned and well aired. The airing will continue throughout the service. Anyone who is sensitive to draughts, please dress accordingly. The collection will be taken on entry into church. To minimise touching three options for donations have been created: -
1. Tap and pay machine are available with pre-set totals. If you wish to donate a different total, then Margaret will be there to assist. We are still checking how to ensure that we can claim the tax relief via gift aid while using this mechanism. To assist with this, please bring a pen with you.
2. A receptacle for the white donation envelopes.
3. A basket for cash donations
If at all possible, we need to move away from cash donations so as to protect those who have to handle the donations. There will therefore be direct debit forms available, something that an increasing number of parishioners have been using in recent years.
You will then be given a service booklet. Please leave the booklet in your place. No Good Morning sheets will be available. If you want to have one, you will need to download and print it off at home. You will be directed to seat. We are afraid that there will not be choice in where to sit as the churchwardens and sides people will be constantly calculating distances to accommodate family groups a well as individuals. A Palm Cross will be on the seat. Further Crosses will be available on request next week.
During the service
Once seated it is important that you remain seated unless: -
1. Leaving the Church
2. Going to Holy Communion
3. Visiting the toilet
Please do not lean in any direction to talk with someone, or remove your mask to talk to someone, as this will breach the guidelines. Please respond quietly in the prayers. There will be no singing until allowed. There will be no children's club until the autumn term at the earliest.
When invited to come forward for Holy Communion please remember the one-meter rule both in going up to the altar and returning to your seat. A screen has been built at the Hobby Shop by Martin through the liaison of Brian Vallis and with the help of Mike tracking down difficult to find requirements. This will make the giving and reception of Holy Communion much easier. Its use will be demonstrated in the service. Please return to your seat via the Lady Chapel, no matter which side of the church you are seated on. Do not squeeze past people in rows.
At the end of the service
Please leave your booklets where they are. Move towards the easy access door, respecting the one-meter rule. I know this runs counter to the normal practice at St Nicholas, but do not linger for conversations. There will be no refreshments for the foreseeable future i.e. until the restrictions are eased. Everyone is encouraged to stay in church for the minimum period. There will be no lighting of votive candles for the present.
We know that these regulations are very foreign to everyone at St Nicholas and apologise for having to be the agents for their implementation. However, it is the price we pay for opening the church. It felt better to open the church and live with the restrictions than to keep the church closed. The three main weekly services will continue to be streamed, as we fully appreciate that some will want to wait a couple of weeks before venturing to Church.
I apologise that this is such a long read, but it is essential that we get this right so as to be able to move on to further easing of the lock down.
Please remember to print a copy of any the sheets that you might want with you in church.
Looking forward to seeing at least some of you on Sunday and/or next Thursday.
With love and prayers,
Rev'd Amanda, Fr David and Fr Tom
A picture of the last years confirmands making their first Holy Communions:-
We look forward to the days when this can be rearranged and the necessary jollifications planned and prepared.
"Good Morning" Weekly Newsletter
Sunday 2nd August
| good_morning-02_aug_2020.pdf |
Thursday 6th August
| good_morning-06_aug_v2.pdf |
Two forms of prayers through which you can make a spiritual communion either on your own or with others in your household. The readings, collect, and post communion prayers on the Good Morning sheet will add to the prayers on the sheet(s) below.
I hope these are helpful and keep us praying together.
With prayers at this difficult time, Fr Tom
An Act of Spiritual Communion
An Act of Spiritual Communion is intended for those who cannot receive the Holy Sacrament due to unusual circumstances. Whilst it is not intended to be used as common practice, neither is it make-believe: just as God is able to make himself present in the bread and wine, so he is able to make himself present in our hearts.
| an_act_of_spiritual_communion_longer_form.pdf |
| act_of_spiritual_communion__a5_.pdf |
Streaming of Services
Please click on the link below for access to the streaming channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UClz39YeNr6_YeIy-ibx0V7w?view_as=subscriber
www.youtube.com/channel/UClz39YeNr6_YeIy-ibx0V7w?view_as=subscriber
"Good Evening" Sheets:
Sunday 2nd August
| good_evening-02_aug_2020.pdf |
Parish Magazine
It may mean that you have a little more time in your favourite chair, so here is the next edition of the most important publication in Elm Park. Thanks to Anne and Pirong, it looks ever more professional. Deep thanks to both for all the work that has gone into it.
Feedback to Anne is very welcome.
Feedback to Anne is very welcome.
As we wander off on some leave, we didn't want to leave you empty handed. Pirong and Ann have combined to produce another cracking edition. How fortunate we are to have such skilled editors!. Please note, it is not compulsory to laugh at Geoff's cartoons especially if they are taking the mickey out of the clergy!
Enjoy and looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Fr Tom
Enjoy and looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Fr Tom
| magazine-august_2020.pdf |
If you have any articles for inclusion in the next Parish Magazine, could you please let Ann have them by:-
Wednesday 26th August
Wednesday 26th August
or text, phone or by hand
Annual Report & Financial Statements for Year Ending 31 Dec 2019
| annual_report_and_financial_statements_year_ending_dec_2019_final.pdf |
Regular Services:-
Sunday 9.30 am Holy Communion with Sunday Club.
There will be no children's club until the autumn term at the earliest.
There will be no refreshments for the foreseeable future i.e. until the restrictions are eased.
Refreshments after the Service served in the Church Centre.
Sunday 6.30 pm Evening Prayer - Book of Common Prayer
Thursday 9.30 am Holy Communion.
There will be no refreshments for the foreseeable future i.e. until the restrictions are eased.
Refreshments after the Service served in the North Chapel.
Wall Hanging Fitted and Dedicated
A new wall hanging embroidered by Ann Del Canto has been fitted and looks absolutely fantastic. The wall hanging was dedicated on Sunday 9th June 2019 (Pentecost). Brian, Ronnie, Danny & Phil spent many hours of work making the frame and it took three hours to frame it!
Saturday 29th June 2019
Father David's Ordination Slideshow
Sunday 30th June 2019
Fr David's First Mass Slideshow
St Nicholas Diary of Forthcoming Events
Wednesday 23rd September
ARMENIA - Why isn't Mt. Arrarat in Armenia ??? - From 7.30 pm till 9.00 pm. Tickets £5.00. Refreshments in Church.
Tuesday 8th December
Ladies Club - Brick Lane Old-Tyme Music Hall - Doors open 12.15 pm and show starts at 2.30 pm. A great show for the festive season. Join Vincent Hayes and special guests for all the fun of Christmas. The price of £60.00 includes: 3 course lunch served at 1.00 pm. Ticket for the show. Return coach fare from Elm Park at 11.15 am. £10.00 deposit on booking and pay £45.00 by 7th Sep. Book the trip with Jan on 01708 438023 or 07816 441689.
Confirmation Service - Sun 28th April 2019
Photo Slideshow
Thank you to Fr. Tom for submitting the photos from several sources.
Dedication of Standard
The dedication of a new standard for the Ranger Guides of 2nd Elm Park (St Nicholas) occurred on Mothering Sunday, 31st March, 2019, at the start of the Parade Service.
This is a very rare occurrence, and no one present had seen this done before. The standard was carried by Ranger Guide Jess Stalabrass with two Guides as escorts Hetty Brown, and Tallulah Brown not related both aged 10 forming the escort. Fr Tom Keighley, Assistant Priest at St Nicholas, Elm Park, pronounced the dedication. The standard was then hung from the altar for the rest of the service. Standards from the Guides, Brownies and Cubs were also carried at the event.
The congregation watched in rapt attention and burst in spontaneous applause when the dedication was presented. The standard will now join the other standards which are hung in St Nicholas Church.
Ranger Guides are a new section for girls aged 14-18 and replaces the Senior Section, this change was effective from the start of the academic year 2019/20. 2nd Elm Park (St. Nicholas) Senior Section but now referred to as Rangers, was formally registered as a unit September 2014, and their activities include various crafts, cooking, badges, weekends away, and badges to mark new skill acquisition.
Mrs Margaret Roberts (Kestrel) the Guide Leader, Julie Mugglestone (Hawk), Stella Rawlings (Falcon) said that they had waited a long time for this event and were thrilled to see the new standard. The Leaders are all named after birds of prey.
Photographs by Fern Denyer (Brownie Assistant Leader) see below.
For further comment please contact
Mrs Margaret Roberts 0790 069 4920
Easter Fayre 2019
Our Easter Fayre was held on Sunday 7th April 2019 and organised by Fern.
The Fayre was raising money for Christian Hope International and we raised £553.81. Thank you so much to everybody who supported the Fayre.
Thank you to Revd. Amanda for the photos.
The Fayre was raising money for Christian Hope International and we raised £553.81. Thank you so much to everybody who supported the Fayre.
Thank you to Revd. Amanda for the photos.
Church Cleaning Day - Saturday 13th April 2019
We had a very successful work day when over 20 people arrived at 10 am to clean, tidy and re-organise the Church and garden.
Thank you to all that attended.
The photos were taken by Sheila Jackson.
Thank you to all that attended.
The photos were taken by Sheila Jackson.
Good Friday 2019- Slideshow
Easter Day 2019 - Slideshow
Photograph Slideshow of the Church at Harvest 2018
Thank you to Father Tom for the Photos.
Photograph Slideshow of the Harvest Supper 2018
Thank you to Father Tom for the Photos.
Photographs of our new Area Dean
Revd. Mike Powers was licensed at St Andrew's Romford on
Sunday 14th October 2018.
Thank you to Andrew Ruff for the photographs.
Sunday 14th October 2018.
Thank you to Andrew Ruff for the photographs.
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Parish Bar-B-Q Slideshow - Sunday 16th September 2018
Thank you to Shelia Jackson for the photos.
Some photos of the first Service for David Perry - Deacon at St Nicholas from Sunday 16th September 2018
Some photos of Ordination at Chelmsford for David Perry - Deacon
from Saturday 15th September 2018
from Saturday 15th September 2018
Guides
Jack Petchey Award for Elsie & Jessica.
2nd Elm Park (St. Nicholas) Guides and Senior Section together with their Leaders climbed the O2 Dome.
For More Details - Please refer to the Guides Page - Thank You
Thank you to Margaret Roberts for the Photos and text.
July 2018 - Some new photographs of the Ordination as Bishop of Bradwell of our former Archdeacon John Perembaleth. Several of the congregation attended, as well as Amanda and Tom being asked to robe.
Thank you to Lorraine Hancock for the photographs.
Thank you to Lorraine Hancock for the photographs.
Some Photographs of
Rev. Amanda's 10th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood - May 2018
Parish Cream Tea Slideshow - May 2018
Confirmation Service Slideshow
Confirmation service held on Sunday 22nd April 2018
at St Andrew’s Church, Romford.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
A new page has been added (13th April 2018) to the Website on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This page will contain any documents and information on GDPR and you are invited to explore this page so you may better understand this subject. Thank you.
The Privacy Notice was previously added to the GDPR Page
The Consent Form Link (updated 21/06/2018) has now been added to the GDPR Page, there is also a Consent Form in a Printable Word Version (also updated 21/06/2018).
The Privacy Notice was previously added to the GDPR Page
The Consent Form Link (updated 21/06/2018) has now been added to the GDPR Page, there is also a Consent Form in a Printable Word Version (also updated 21/06/2018).
Link to Our Facebook Page
Please follow the link to our Facebook page to discover more about the activities and parishioners
Some Photos of our Church Model - 10th March 2018
Graham Martin received an enquiry via the website. Graham subsequently picked up the Model of St Nicholas Church made by Karolina Garbacz and her Mummy. Karolina is a pupil at Benhurst Primary School. The model took Karolina and her Mummy many hours work. The model is on display in the Church. Thank you so much for the model.
Some More Photos
Thank you to Fern Denyer for some excellent photos of St Nicholas Church. Fern took the photographs for her recent A-level coursework. Thank you so much.
Elm Park Regeneration -
Unveiling the Elm Park Heritage Sign
Saturday 17th June 2017
In the photos above - Thank you to Revd. Amanda
Unveiling of the Elm Park Heritage Sign Revd. Amanda blessing Elm Park
The vicar flanked by the police Father Tom with a Police Officer
enjoying the cream tea
Unveiling of the Elm Park Heritage Sign Revd. Amanda blessing Elm Park
The vicar flanked by the police Father Tom with a Police Officer
enjoying the cream tea
Guides
Calling all girls aged between 10-14.
Are you twiddling your fingers on Friday evenings then why not pop along to Guides.
We meet in St Nicholas Church Centre, Ayhurst Ave 18.30 - 20.30.
Any further information Contact Margaret 01708 709805
Calling all girls aged between 10-14.
Are you twiddling your fingers on Friday evenings then why not pop along to Guides.
We meet in St Nicholas Church Centre, Ayhurst Ave 18.30 - 20.30.
Any further information Contact Margaret 01708 709805
Skeale's Court
Unfortunately our monthly service at Skeales Court has had to be cancelled. This will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Services have continued to be held at Skeale's Court and have been much appreciated and looked forward to by the residents.
Some of the St Nicholas congregation have also been attending and we have been made most welcome, always finishing with a cup of tea and a chat.
A short Communion Service is held at 10.30 am on the first Thursday of each month and anyone is always welcome to join us.
You will be made very welcome by Christine and the residents.
Peter Mann
Services have continued to be held at Skeale's Court and have been much appreciated and looked forward to by the residents.
Some of the St Nicholas congregation have also been attending and we have been made most welcome, always finishing with a cup of tea and a chat.
A short Communion Service is held at 10.30 am on the first Thursday of each month and anyone is always welcome to join us.
You will be made very welcome by Christine and the residents.
Peter Mann
Updating the Website
Graham Martin and Michael Hancock have now taken over the website.
Please forward any interesting articles and photographs to Graham Martin or Michael Hancock.
Content can be handed to Graham or Michael or sent by e-mail. Copy and paste the link below into your e-mail system. Thank you.
g_t_martin@yahoo.co.uk
or
hancockmike5@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you.
Please forward any interesting articles and photographs to Graham Martin or Michael Hancock.
Content can be handed to Graham or Michael or sent by e-mail. Copy and paste the link below into your e-mail system. Thank you.
g_t_martin@yahoo.co.uk
or
hancockmike5@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you.
St Nicholas Church Choir
St Nicholas Church Choir are always looking for new members!
Do you enjoy singing? If you do, then why not join our Choir?
We have a weekly rehearsal during school terms as follows:
Juniors 5.45pm till 6.30pm
Adults 6.30pm till 7.30pm
If you are interested in finding out more then please speak to one of following:
Clive Harris (Organist)
or
Ann Del Canto (Adult Choir Leader)
or
Alison Denyer (Junior Choir Leader)
Thank you.
Do you enjoy singing? If you do, then why not join our Choir?
We have a weekly rehearsal during school terms as follows:
Juniors 5.45pm till 6.30pm
Adults 6.30pm till 7.30pm
If you are interested in finding out more then please speak to one of following:
Clive Harris (Organist)
or
Ann Del Canto (Adult Choir Leader)
or
Alison Denyer (Junior Choir Leader)
Thank you.
