MAY 2026

Special services in May         

Sunday 17^th May – Ascension Sunday. Rev Tom Robson’s last service at Apuldram

Sunday 24^th May –  Pentecost. Mother Jessica returns from maternity leave

Sunday 31^st May – Benefice Eucharist at Apuldram at 09.30

Annual Parish Church Meeting
took place on 21^st April. There were no nominations for election as churchwardens and these posts remain vacant.  All current members of the PCC were re-elected. The Treasurer, Minutes Secretary and Electoral Roll officer remain unchanged, as does the Deputy Churchwarden. The Treasurer’s Report (Trustees’ Annual Report) and Financial Statements, together with the Independent Examiner’s Report were approved and signed.

Interesting churches

Following the request for stories on interesting churches Jose Pound got in touch with descriptions of churches in Jerusalem which she and Graham visited in 2000.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Built in the 4thC, it was quite unassuming from outside but cavernous inside. Many chapels and side rooms with a lasting impression of dark stone, some showing signs of fire. But for me from the outset it didn’t feel as if I was in a sacred place. Maybe without the crowds, who shoved and jostled, it would have felt different. Guarding the marble Shrine and regulating the queue an unsmiling, rude Orthodox priest kept shouting at us to move on. At last, inside the Shrine confronted by the place where Our Lord was said to have been buried, how did I feel? Certainly not awed, no feeling I was nearer to God, no goose bumps, just nothing; there was no calm, no peace, just sweaty people pushing you along. Few of the maddening pilgrims bothered to look any further but Graham and I and another couple wandered around in an almost completely deserted church. We found ourselves looking at a crack in the rock, supposed to be the tomb of Abraham and that of Niccodemus. They did not see the centuries old smoke blackened roof, few sat in the chapel of St Mary Magdalene to pray, nor found the Chapel of St Helena, mother to Constantine and patron saint of Colchester, or took in the coolness and the quiet of the Crusader Chapel, but even this did not give me a sense of wonder apart from being very interesting and bringing home 2000 years of Christianity.

 

The Garden Tomb

We went to what is known as The Garden Tomb, a beautifully tended garden around a plain rock tomb or sepulchre, purported to belong to Jospeh of Arimathea and which some believe to be the actual resting place of Our Lord. This area is like the descriptions given by Matthew, Luke and John in the Bible, including the Place of the Skull, Golgotha, just outside the garden. Today you can still see the ancient weathered rock face and what appears to be an image of a skull. Beyond is the bus station built in an ancient quarry; another reason for thinking this might be Golgotha. Quarries were places of execution either by stoning or crucifixion. But inside the garden there was only peace and tranquillity, no one shoved or jostled, taking in the atmosphere of the place. Time for reflection and contemplation. We were so pleased we went there especially in the Millennium year and I am disposed to believe it was here Jesus was laid to rest. It just seemed right, I cannot explain that, and that was before I read the information booklet.

 

 

Here’s how to do it:

• Go to easyfundraising.org.uk
• Click on “Find a cause”
• In the box type St Mary’s Church – Apuldram, then click Search Cause
• On the next page click on St Mary’s Church – Apuldram
• This page shows you how to sign up and support St Mary’s

It is very straightforward and we could raise so much more for the church if everyone gave their support.  Next time you shop online please go to easyfundraising and sign up if you have not already done so.

 

 

St Mary’s Meeting Room is available to hire Please email apuldramchurch@gmail.com for information