Higham, Holton St Mary, Raydon, Stratford St Mary

Four churches united by God and his people





 Services in the 4 Marys Benefice 


Please check our Facebook pages for any updates or email if you would 

like to receive occasional updates by email.  


Benefice Churches Open 
All the churches in our benefice are open for visiting every day during daylight hours.

Church Services for April 2025

Sunday, 6th April:
10am Stratford SM  Morning Worship             

Sunday 13th April:    
10am  Higham  Palm Sunday Service 

Monday of Holy Week
7pm Compline  Raydon  

Tuesday of Holy Week        
7pm Compline  Higham                                   

Wednesday of Holy Week  
7pm Compline  Holton   
          

Maundy Thursday: 
7pm Stratford Maundy Thursday
Communion with Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday: 
Walk of Witness (see Events)

3pm in Higham: A service of readings,
reflections & music 
for Good Friday

Holy Saturday:  
7.30pm Raydon  Easter Vigil with Bonfire  

Sunday 20th April: 
Easter Day 
9am Holton  Easter Family Communion                      
10am Higham  Easter Family Communion                       

Sunday, 27th April:  
2nd Sunday of Easter
10am  Raydon  Parish Communion                                                    
9.30am Stratford St Mary  Café Church
(in the Parish Room) 


Church Services for May 2025

Sunday 4th May:   
3rd Sunday of Easter
10am  Stratford SM  Parish Communion       

Sunday, 11th May:
 
 
4th Sunday of Easter
 
10am  Higham  Parish Communion
 

6.30pm Raydon Evensong 

Sunday 18th May:    
5th Sunday of Easter
10am  Holton Parish Communion  

Sunday, 25th May:  
6th Sunday of Easter   
10am  Raydon  Parish Communion             
9.30am Stratford St Mary  Café Church
(in the Parish Room) 

Thursday, 29th May:
10.30am Deanery Ascension Service        

Ascension Day        
Everyone welcome, this is a service for everyone
in the Deanery in All Saints’ Church in Semer          

Looking ahead to June

Sunday 1st June:   
10am  Stratford
Parish Communion with Baptism

Sunday, 29th June:
Two services in Higham
8.30am BCP Communion
4pm Pet Service
More details to come


 Hello Café Church

The Café-Church, will next meet on Sunday,  27th April at 9.30am.

 Join us for pastries, cafetière Coffee / tea and orange juice. Young and old gather round tables to have breakfast together, from babies, a few months old and toddlers to the over 90-year olds and any age in between.

We reflect on a Bible reading, discuss a current topic, hear a ‘Thought for the day’ or may have the odd craft activity for the young or the young at heart. It is an informal friendly gathering for all generations. Come and join us – we are looking forward to seeing you and to welcoming new faces.

Benefice Bible Study / House Group  

This month the House Group will next on 
 Thursday, 24th April at 2.30pm

Please get in touch with Judith, Sandy, Christine or Rev’d Manette if you would like to know more.

Diocesan Eastertide Confirmation Sunday 4th May at 10.30am

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is hosting a Diocesan Eastertide Confirmation with Bishop Graeme. Benefices and parishes are warmly invited to present candidates. If you or your children are interested in confirmation, please get in touch with Rev’d Manette to explore this. Tel. 07947 737789 or Email: revmcrossman@gmail.com


Prayer pointers for the Benefice


 

We pray for all those who are ill or in any way unwell, among them Nicky Bull, Steve Meech, Daphne Horrex, Jim Lowe, James Stock, Amanda Berry, Andrew Potter and Penny Watkins.  

We remember all those who have passed from this life to the next. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.  And we pray for all who mourn. May they be held in God’s love and comforted in their grief. 

We pray for Bishop Graham Knowles who has taken on the ministry of Interim Bishop in our Diocese; and we pray for all those involved in the appointment process of a new Diocesan Bishop. May they be guided by the Holy Spirit and may God’s will be done.

 

Prayers for the Easter Season

 

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year

bring peace and happiness to you

and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Saviour,

always be there by your side

to bless you most abundantly

and be your loving guide.

Author Unknown

 

Lord God,

may we proclaim with joy

your message of hope for the world;

may our lives, as well as our worship,

testify to the truth of the Resurrection;

and broaden our vision of what is possible

through new life in you. Amen.

Susan Sayers.  

 


  • The Rectory
  • Hadleigh Road
  • Raydon
  • Suffolk
  • IP7 5LH

07947 737789
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