St. Mary the Virgin, Eastry.
Working with the Community
For a map of Eastry please click here.
Luncheon Club
A group of people from the church felt that something could be provided in the community for those who may find it difficult to get out and who would appreciate some company, in a social atmosphere. Hence the idea of the Luncheon Club was born.
After some hard ground work on rules and regulations regarding food hygiene and compliance with the Health & Safety Act the Club was launched in October 2003. It is held monthly (at the moment) from 12.15 until about 2pm in the Church Hall and up to 50 people are served a 2-course delicious meal. A raffle is held and all the proceeds are ploughed back into the initiative.
It has been heartening to see how people have rallied round to help this venture, from the local taxi driver offering free transport to elderly folk to members of the village community offering to help with preparation of food, waiting on tables and publicity. For the modest cost of £2.50 per person, it has proved to be a great success, long may it continue!
On 8th October 2004 the first anniversary of this project was celebrated by 50 regular diners, who sat down to a tasty two-course lunch, rounded off by a large slice of birthday cake - all for £2.50! All meals are prepared by volunteers in the kitchen at Eastry Church Hall and we are always pleased to welcome new diners. Volunteers are also most welcome to help prepare the meals. More information and booking on 01304 611400.
Eastry Primary School
School and Church are closely linked and provide services for Welcome, Leavers, Harvest and Christmas. Our Rector regularly visits the school for assemblies and is a member of the Governing Body. Keep an eye open for Mikey, who frequently accompanies the Rector to the school!
Eastry House
This is a residential home for Adults with learning difficulties and is very much part of the life of the community and the church. Clients from Eastry House regularly attend services and always enjoy the social scene at the church, particularly Harvest Supper and the fellowship after services, when coffee and biscuits are enjoyed.
A recent innovation has been a monthly service which is held at the Day Centre of Eastry House on the third Friday of the month, at 2.30pm. Frank, our Rector, also visits once a month on an informal basis, accompanied by his accordion, for a sing-along with the residents, also very much enjoyed!
Parish Council
The church and the council have a good, close working relationship, and the Parish Council is responsible for the maintenance of the closed Churchyard and Cemetery.
"Eastry Village News" is a monthly church/village magazine, which was launched at the end of March 2005. It covers news both from organisations within the village as well as carrying church news and contact numbers. Advertisers have been invited to contribute to the magazine, which is free and is delivered to every house in the village. The Editor is Michael Kinns who can be reached on 01304 611400. If you have any items for inclusion in the magazine, please contact him.
"Corners"
The popular Play-scheme run by volunteers throughout the Benefice and which is based at Northbourne Parish Hall.
Disabled Access - Eastry Church Hall
At last, the Disabled Access to the Church Hall has been completed and on a rainy Thursday morning in December 2004, Frank, one of the residents of Eastry House, was ceremoniously pushed up the ramp to open the new access! Because of the inclement weather, we didn't hang around too long, but suffice to say, the access is well and truly open for business!
Church Fete & Flower Festival
Our church fete is renowned far and wide for its sense of community and fellowship, with good quality stalls and games etc. The fete takes place each year in July and the flower festival is bi-annual, again a most popular event. Look out for the signs, they are events not to be missed!
"Traidcraft"
Along with many other churches in the Diocese, Eastry has signed up to the "Fairtrade" ethic, whereby we tray as much as possible to use "Fairtrade" products. In connection with this, there is a Traidcraft stall every 1st and 3rd Sunday in the church, selling such products.