 |
|
|
|
St. Peter and St. Paul, East Sutton
Revd. Dr. Brian Curnew, Priest-in-Charge The parish is part of a cluster of three parishes - The Suttons - Chart Sutton, East Sutton and Sutton Valence, which, with Headcorn forms a new benefice within the Weald Deanery. The Priest-in-Charge is Revd. Dr. Brian Curnew.
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH There was almost certainly a wooden church on the site of the present building in Saxon times. The original stone church was probably built by about 1150. after several modifications and expansions (including the addition of the chancel and two small chapels) it assumed its present outward form with the completion of the tower and the South porch in about 1450.
PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY The Parish is in the far North East of the Deanery bordering on the parishes of the North Downs Deanery to the North, Sutton Valence to the West and Headcorn to the South. Although there are not a few parishioners who work elsewhere, the employment of most parishioners is related to businesses within the parish, in particular agriculture. It is the smallest parish in the Weald deanery - the population numbering no more than 250-260. Notwithstanding the small population, the church provides a focus for village life. The current electoral roll is 20 and, ignoring festival and special services, attendance at our services averages between 10-15. STYLE OF WORSHIP AND SERVICES The pattern of worship under the new leadership of our Priest-in-Charge, Revd, Dr. Brian Curnew, has so far remained as it has been for the past 10 years: 8.00am Holy Communion services alternating with 6.30pm Evensong services. In each of these we follow the Book of Common Prayer. There are departures from the BCP for the Christmas Day Service and for Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals. Apart from the Carol Service, the 24th December Midnight Communion, the Christmas Day Service and the Harvest Festival Service we usually have a Songs of Praise Service in the Summer and (in 2009 and 2010) a Choral Evensong. All these services are very well attended. CHILDREN'S MINISTRY AND MINISTRY LEADERSHIP The small size of the population brings constraints on the other efforts of our church to promote itself. There is a Sunday School in Sutton Valence to which some children go. Furthermore, the revelation that there are more children under the age of 10 than previously thought has encouraged the exploration of the idea of arranging a children's service on a once a month basis. OTHER CHURCH ACTIVITIES There is a combined team of bell ringers who ring at both St. Michael's, Chart Sutton and our church. They ring at St. Peter and St. Paul on the first Thursday in each month and for Evensong services, and at weddings and funerals. There is a ladies choir which assembles for 3 to 4 services a year and, if asked, at weddings and funerals. In common with many other churches, we lack the benefit of a regular organist but we have the benefit of excellent organists if and when they are available to play at Evensong services. To assist in maintaining the churchyard, a working party (sometimes 20 strong) assembles on one evening each Summer. there is an established and well-organised flower rota system. FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES Our church is conspicuously successful in its fundraising activities; raising some 20% or more of its annual income from these means. These (with the 2009 profits from these activities) include a coffee morning (£300), the Summer Party (£1830), the sponsored bike ride (£380 for the church), a barn dance (£260 for the church) and the Christmas Fayre (£750) and others. The success of these events is due very largely to the hard work and dedication of parishioners who man stalls and organise the events. OTHER LINKS The Parish has within its boundaries H.M. Prison, East Sutton Park. This houses up to 100 women who are, by and large, nearing the end of their custodial sentences. It is generally thought to be a well run prison which fits well into the community. The Park, as it called, provides a venue (and much assistance on the day) for both the Coffee Morning and the Summer Party. In return, the Church provides a place of worship for many of the prisoners and the Park's own Carol Service in December. The church is open to the public on the first Saturday in each month in Summer.
|
|
