The next Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership wide service will be the Rev Dr Paul Smith’s last service before retirement. It will be held at St James’ Church, New Bradwell Sunday September 29 at 3pm and will be led by Archdeacon Guy Venables.

The Rev Dr Paul Smith

If you would like to contribute to Paul’s leaving gift, please let Mary or Graham (St. James’ Church Wardens) know or offer a monetary gift into the SEP account via Adrian Prisk, Trustee Treasurer.

The last SEP wide service in 2024 will be 29^th December and has yet to be planned.

We hope for it to be led by Lay Ministers. Please let me know if you are available and can help.

Details of these events and more can be found in the latest SEP newsletter available to download here.

Statement from Churches Together in Milton Keynes in response to recent violent disorder

Churches Together in Milton Keynes has voiced its support for the people of Southport following the death of three young girls at a Taylor Swift themed dancing class.

The group has issued the following statement: “As Christians in Milton Keynes, we seek to follow Jesus, who called us to “weep with those who weep” and love our neighbour as ourselves. He made it clear that our neighbour is any person in need – who may have very different beliefs and practices from us. We therefore stand with the people of Southport as they mourn the loss of three young girls.

“We also stand with our Muslim neighbours when they are attacked or threatened. There is no justification for the violence that has taken place over the past week.  We are particularly appalled by attacks on refugees, migrants and asylum seekers who are already vulnerable.

“We pray for the police and emergency services, who put themselves at risk to defend our communities. We thank God for our diverse communities, and we pray for the peace and wellbeing of our entire nation.

Churches Together in Milton Keynes is a network of Christian communities in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas. It is working together to show God’s love to the Borough and City of Milton Keynes. We are an Intermediate Body of Churches Together in England.

For more information contact Ann Harris on email admin@ctmk.church / 07472 302106

The licensing of the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership’s new Anglican Minister and Team Rector and Leader, the Rev Chi Okpala, will be on Wednesday 4^th September at 7.30pm at St James Church New Bradwell.

St James Church, New Bradwell

Members of his congregation in Wolverton are also invited to come. Bishop Steven will be leading this service. There will be refreshments after the service.

There will be a Welcoming service for the Rev Phil Dunning, our new Baptist Minister and Vision Enabler Leader, on Saturday September 14 at 2pm. This will be held at Christ Church, Stantonbury.

Members of his current congregation in South Wales are also invited to come. Lisa Kerry, or her colleague will be leading this service. There will be refreshments after the service.

These news items are just two of those featured in the July SEP Newsletter which you can read in full here.