Team Rector’s Letter February 2020
Did you realise? Some diaries for this year got printed before the decision was made... so check yours is correct!
In 2020, the early May Bank Holiday has been moved from the usual first Monday in May to Friday 8 May. This is to coincide with Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day, marking the Seventy-Fifth anniversary of the formal end of World War II.
It will be the first day of a three-day weekend featuring numerous commemorative events across the country. This will give us an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices, courage and determination of people from all walks of life who saw us through a dark and terrifying period our history.
St James North Cray is part of the Bexley Team of Churches and they have some of their plans in place already!
Our events on Friday 8 May will be focused on the church of St Mary’s in Bexley, because this was the original and ancient parish church for the village. There will be a VE Day Service there at 2pm, and then we will go across to the Parish Hall opposite the church to be ready for the National Toast at 3pm to raise a glass to those who gave so much. We will then enjoy afternoon tea together.
We hope that the church bells will be rung from the St Mary’s bell-tower, as they will be in churches across our country.
On the Sunday of the VE weekend (Sunday 10 May) each of the churches in the Bexley Team (St Barnabas Joydens Wood, St James North Cray, St John’s Bexley and St Mary’s Bexley will be marking VE Day at their Sunday morning services. The Service at St James will be at 9.30am
More news to follow, so look out for the VE day logo
Reverend Ren Harding (Team Rector)
contact me at Joydens Wood Vicarage,
6 Tile Kiln Lane, Joydens Wood, Bexley, DA5 2BB
01322-528923 renharding@hotmail.co.uk