St Mary, Frittenden

                                                  Rev. Allan Norris, Rector also Vicar of Sissinghurst

HISTORY OF THE CHURCH

• Frittenden is a small village with about 300 households. Rectors are recorded, continually, from 1279, and paintings and prints of the church in the 18th and 19th centuries survive. When the church was restored (by Hussey) in the 1840s it was found to be in such poor condition that it had to be largely rebuilt though parts of the original can still be seen.

STYLE OF WORSHIP

• The style of worship is basically traditional (BCP) but also comprises the modern (CW) and informal (all age worship).  A Prayer for Healing Team is available at most services and a Prayer for Healing Service is held bi-monthly.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

• ‘Sunday Club’ takes place weekly in term time and is replaced by ‘Vestry Club’ in the holidays.   The ‘Rectory Group’ for teenagers has lapsed but it is hoped to restart this.  All Age Worship i.e. a family service is held monthly at 9.30                                                                                                                                                        

FELLOWSHIP - HOUSE GROUPS, NURTURE GROUPS

• There is a weekly Bible Study with Sissinghurst.  House and study groups meet throughout the year and especially during Lent.  Lent Lunches are also held combining fellowship and study.
• The Rector holds a service of Holy Communion at the old people’s home once a month. Members of the congregation lead a monthly act of worship with the residents.  There is an active prayer chain.

DETAILS OF OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES

• The Church Choir accompanies all services, except the All Age Worship, with up to 20 members for festivals. Choir practices and rehearsals are on Friday evenings. There are plans for a combined School and Children’s Choir.  A music-group/orchestra accompanies the monthly All Age Worship.  There is a very active and well supported bell-ringing team who ring for 45 minutes before all Sunday morning services and attract large numbers to Monday evening practices. The Frittenden team partake successfully in County and District Competitions.

SOCIAL/FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

• Social occasions include a well-attended annual Harvest Supper, ‘coffee and biscuits’ after Sunday morning services twice a month, regular coffee mornings at Sissinghurst. Fund Raising activities - Gift Day, Christmas Market, Friends of Kent Churches Bicycle Ride, Coffee Mornings, Flower Arrangers Lunches, participation in the Village Fete. The church is responsible for the Parish Magazine: 10 editions a year and about 220 subscribers.

LINKS WITH SCHOOLS IN THE PARISH

• The Church of England Primary School in Frittenden uses the church 3 times a week for assemblies (including one with parents and one with the Rector) and also for end of term occasions, carol services etc. There are occasional joint School and All Age Worship Sunday services.

OVERSEAS LINKS/PROJECTS

• The church supports the Mission Aviation Fellowship in Uganda and often holds a summer barbecue to raise funds.  The millennium appeal raised £25,000 to provide fresh drinking water by sinking wells in the Rakai Province in Uganda.  A close link with I.C.R. (International Care and Relief) in Tunbridge Wells is maintained through a member of the congregation .

AFFILIATIONS/LINKS TO OTHER ORGANISATIONS/CHURCHES

• Frittenden is in a joint benefice with Sissinghurst. Shared Evensongs on Festival Sundays; Maundy Thursday shared Passover meal, Good Friday worship; also Bible Study group and occasional joint PCC meetings. there is a three year commitment to support Captain Graham Nunn of the Church Army.  There is a yearly Tear Fund lunch with Sissinghurst and also a Tear Fund targeted collection and various initiatives for Fair Trade shopping. A child in Brazil is supported through Tear Fund.

OPENING TIMES OF THE CHURCH

• The church is open daily from 8.30 am until about 6 pm or dusk if earlier.