Our services in our churches continue as normal, however, we recognise that through ill health, frailty, or infirmity, not everyone is able to join us every week. Therefore, if you are unable to attend in person, you are warmly invited to join in with our Rector, The Revd Mark Woodrow, as he celebrates Holy Communion from the Vicarage.

This week we continue our journey through the season of "Ordinary Time", but there is nothing ordinary about this period of the Churches year. It is called this simply because the weeks of Ordinary Time are numbered. The Latin word 'ordinalis', refers to numbers in series, from which we get the English word 'order'.

The numbered weeks represent the ordered life of the Church - a period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons), nor in reflection or penance (as in the seasons of Advent and Lent), instead the Church focuses on growth and renewal, and looks forward in expectation of of the second coming of Christ.

The readings for today are Jeremiah 23:1-6, Ephesians 2:11-22, and Mark 6:30-34, 53-56.

The hymns for today are, God is Love: let heav'n adore him, and All my hope on God is founded.

A service booklet to accompany this service is also available to download below or please email [email protected] to receive a copy each week.

View attachment

Many of you will remember the wonderful event with had with Annie Garthwaite when she visited Clare Church in the summer of 2022. Annie talked about and read from her debut novel Cecily.
The historical novel was based on the real Cecily Neville who had links to our town of Clare in Suffolk.

1431 is a dangerous time for a woman to be defiant. England has been fighting France for 100 years. At home, power-hungry men within a corrupt government manipulate a weak king – and name Cecily’s husband, York’s loyal duke, an enemy. As the king’s grasp on sanity weakens, plots to destroy York take root… It will take all of Cecily’s courage and cunning to save her family. But when the will to survive becomes ambition for a crown, will she risk treason to secure it? Inside closed bedchambers and upon bloody battlefields, CECILY portrays war as women fight it.

I am delighted to report that Annie tells me that our event in the church is still one of her favourite events and has asked if she may return to talk about her brand new novel – The King’s Mother, which starts 30 years later as we return to the world of Cecily Neville…

1461 – Through blood and battle Edward has gained England’s throne as king by right and conquest – eighteen years old and unstoppable.
Cecily has piloted his rise to power and stands at his shoulder now, first to claim the title King’s Mother.
But to win a throne is not to keep it and war is come again. As brother betrays brother, and trusted cousins turn treacherous, other mothers rise up to fight for other sons.
Cecily must focus her will to defeat every challenge. Wherever they come from. Whatever the cost.
For there can be only one King, and only one King’s Mother. From the Wars of the Roses to the dawn of the Tudor age, this is a story of mothers and sons; of maternal ferocity and female ambition – of all they can build and all they can destroy.

Tickets just £5.00 and include a glass of something.

Tickets available now from Harris & Harris Bookshop (cash is preferred) Call 01787 277267 or pop in to collect your ticket.

The King’s Mother will be released on 11th July and reservations are always welcome, but not necessary as we will have plenty of copies of both books.

We shall be offering a discount of £2 off the price of the £16.99 book, making it a fabulous £14.99

Join us for a simple lay-led service of Morning Prayer

Come and join us in Clare Parish Church for Coffee, Cake and Chat!

Fair trade Coffee, Delicious Cakes, and a change to meet up with friends old and new.

No Charge - but Donations Welcome.

Children's activities also available.

Join us for our regular service of Holy Communion.

Join us for a simple service of Evening Prayer.

This is a FREE holiday club activity available for all children 12 and under.

5 and under need a parent/carer to stay with them, over 5’s can be signed in.

August 14th 10am – noon , adults please pick up at 11.45 so they can show you what they have been doing together ( refreshments available)

Stories, craft, music, fun and games – with an Eco-theme

For more information please contact The Rev Liz Paxton on [email protected]

No need to book, but it would be nice to know who will be coming.

View attachment

Come and enjoy a Garden Party in the Vicarage, browse some of the stalls and meet neighbours old and new.

Help raise funds for Clare Parish Church

Everyone Welcome

This is an in person training event, especially for those who are unable to complete the online training.

In order to attend this course you must have completed the "Foundation" Training

View attachment

This is an in person training event, especially for those who are unable to complete the online training.

In order to attend this course you must have completed the "Foundation" Training and "Leadership Part 1"

View attachment

The Building a Generous Church 2024 conference will take place on 28 September 2024 at Bridge Community Church, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3EW. It begins at 9.30am. You can download the flyer below.

Join us at the conference to be inspired about ways to improve your church’s finances. Three keynote speakers and 12 workshops. Suitable for PCCs & clergy.

Our three keynote speakers are leading on:

Grant Forrest, CEO of the Parish Giving Scheme ‘Living Life Generously’ As followers of Jesus, we are called to be generous. But what is generous discipleship? How can we cultivate a culture of generosity in our personal lives and our churches? In this session, we will explore what it means to be a generous disciple and a generous church and introduce the Parish Giving Scheme, which can help churches encourage regular giving. Join us as we explore how we can live a more generous life, as God has called us to.

Canon Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, Director of Giving at the Church of England’s National Giving Team ‘Living Generously’ Introducing a new discipleship resource on the different ways we can live generously, inspired by the story of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet.

Judi Newman, CEO of St Elizabeth’s Hospice ‘Generosity in a Civil Society’ Judi has been a charity fundraiser and philanthropy advisor for over 30 years. What defines a civil society? What does generosity look like in a civil society? There are strong themes of service, values and compassion but philanthropy is not a one-directional flow of wealth. Those involved in philanthropy or community fundraising are often surprised by the richness that they receive through their investment of time and a willingness to look afresh at complex challenges. We will look at Compassionate Communities and consider a society that is braver in having tender conversations and is willing to build a culture of generosity in all its forms.

There are three workshop sessions. You will be asked to choose one in each session when you complete the registration form.

For more information on the conference and to book your place, please click here.

View attachment

Join us as we celebrate Gods wonderful bounty and creation.

Donations of Tinned and Dried Items will be used on our "Free Community Pantry"

Please join us for a special reflective service as we remember those we love but see no longer.

Whether your loved one has recently died or many years ago, it is good for us to gather together and remember the love which they shared with us.

If you would like your loved one to be named during the service, please send their name to the Rector ([email protected]) or write them on the list which will be available in all churches across the benefice.

You can also light a virtual candle for your loved one using the "more about this event" link below.

Long Melford Silver Band will be joined by the Military Wives Choir Wimbish alongside members of the Uniformed and Military services for this Festival of Remembrance.

An evening of music to pay tribute and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, culminating in the traditional Drumhead Service as performed each year at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall.

Ticketing information will be released in September.

Christmas will soon be here - so come along and find that perfect gift or simply enjoy a mince pie as we prepare to get festive!

Christmas will soon be here - so come along and find that perfect gift or simply enjoy a mince pie as we prepare to get festive!