Open Mic Night

 

We had a great Open Mic Night last night at St Andrew's Wickford, with performers including Dave Crawford, Jake Essex, Moss Lunn & John Rogers, among others. Music performed ranged from Abba and Kate Bush to Puccini, Foo Fighters and Johnny Cash, with original material and a gospel rendition of 'O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder' included. For our autumn Unveiled programme see https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html.

Moss Lunn and Dave Crawford can be heard again at the Charity Music Day for MIND on 23 September at 21 Southend - https://www.wegottickets.com/event/590847.

Our autumn Unveiled programme continues as follows (all beginning at 7.00 pm):

• 22 September – Poetry and Prayer: Hear Jonathan Evens speak about and read poems about prayer and poems that are prayers. Enjoy poems by John Berryman, John Donne, Carol Ann Duffy, George Herbert, Ann Lewin and Mary Oliver among others.
• 6 October – From Hong Kong to Wickford: See the multifaceted pictorial display at St Andrew’s created by Wickford-based composer Ho Wai-On. It features stories of a lifetime of interaction with UK-Hong Kong based artists/people that have resulted in many creative works. Hear Wai-On speak about the exhibition, her career and her creative projects.
• 20 October – An evening with the Ladygate Scribblers. Hear poetry and prose from a long-established Wickford-based writers’ group.
• 3 November – Wickford Heroes: Hear Steve Newman of the Wickford War Memorial Association and author of ‘Wickford Heroes - The Wickford & Runwell Roll of Honour Book’ speak about the War Memorial & some of those from Wickford & Runwell who made the supreme sacrifice in the World Wars.
• 17 November – Rev Simpkins in concert featuring songs from ‘Pissabed Prophet’ – “Melodious, chaotic, gloriously energetic, the fruit of the fevered musical imaginations of Matty Simpkins (Rev Simpkins) and Ben Brown (Dingus Khan, SuperGlu).”
• 1 December – Mission to Seafarers evening including Sea Shanties: The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.89 million crewmen and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat. Hear more about their work from Paul Trathen, Port Development Manager. Also enjoy a selection of sea shanties from local singers led by John Rogers.
• 15 December – Film Night: It's a Wonderful Life. The story of dejected and desperate George Bailey, who's spent his whole life in the small town of Bedford Falls, but longs to explore the world. Reaching rock bottom, he starts to believe that everyone in his life would be better off if he had never been born. An angel shows him how important a role he's had in the lives of friends and family.

These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs. See http://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html for fuller information.

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Dave Crawford - Revelations.

Unveiled and Quiet Day

Here's details of the remaining Unveiled summer programme (fortnightly on Friday's) at St Andrew's Wickford:

• Unveiled – a wide range of artist and performers from Essex and wider, including Open Mic nights (come and have a go!).
• Unveiled – view our hidden painting by acclaimed artist David Folley, plus a range of other exhibitions.

Summer Programme 2023

• 9 June - Talk: Changing Face of Basildon. Ken Porter, author, historian and Chair of Basildon Heritage, will talk about the Plotlands in Essex.
• 23 June – Talk: A Walk in the Park. Kim Oakes and Janet Dunn from Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park give a visual tour of the Wickford Memorial Park, a little history of the park and the past work and future projects of the Friends of the Wickford Memorial Park Volunteer Group formed in 2019, including the development of the Beauchamps Meadow and nature reserve. The presentation will take the route of the walking tours of the park, covering the whole park.
• 7 July – Talk: Art in Worship. An illustrated lecture by Jonathan Evens exploring approaches to and understanding of the relationship between art and faith. This lecture highlights different facets to this relationship from the 4th century to the present.
• 21 July – Open Mic Night organised with John Rogers. Everybody is welcome to come along and play, sing or just spectate. Hope to see you there for a great evening of live music and performance!

These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs.

See http://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html for fuller information.

Quiet Day: Poetry & prayer
Saturday 1 July, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm, St Mary’s Runwell

Explore prayer through poetry, with poems about prayers and poems that are prayers. Enjoy poems by John Berryman, John Donne, Carol Ann Duffy, George Herbert, and Ann Lewin, among others.

Reflect in the magnificent mediaeval building that is St Mary’s Runwell, and relax in its beautiful churchyard. St. Mary’s itself is often described by visitors and by regular worshippers as a powerful sacred space to which they have been drawn. Experience this yourself, while also exploring its art and heritage.

Led by Revd Jonathan Evens, Team Rector, Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry

Cost: £8.00 per person, including sandwich lunch (pay on the day)
To book: Phone 07803 562329 or email jonathan.evens@btinternet.com

My poem about St Mary's Runwell can be read here.

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Kev Butler and Dave Crawford - Revelations.

Open Mic Night and Quiet Day

We had a great time last night at our Unveiled Open Mic Night in St Andrew's Wickford with a large number of performers taking part. There was spoken word and song, poetry and music. The poets included Tim Harrold, who also read at our first Open Mic Night, and whose practice includes poetry, photography and assemblage. Among the musicians was Dave Crawford, who often plays with Kev Butler, and who played a stunning new song entitled 'Revelations'. Tim Harrold rightly described Dave as a revelation and a fellow ‘channeller’ of the Zimmer Man vibe with the rich expansive tone of his 12 string and the folky minstrel voice of one who’s just emerged from the great north woods. 

Our thanks to John and Liz Rogers for all their work in organising this Open Mic Night. Click here for more information on their Open Mic Nights. 

Our next Unveiled event is St Martins Voices in concert on Friday 17 March, 7.00 PM, St Andrew's Wickford.

We enjoyed a lovely Quiet Day on Christian Mindfulness today at St Mary's Runwell led by Emma Doe. Christian mindfulness is the art of embracing all moments of life with acceptance and curiosity. We explored the beauty of being present to God, to ourselves, and to others through a series of Christian mindfulness exercises. Among the exercises we used was a colouring exercise reminding us to be strong and courageous for the Lord, your God, is with you.

Our next Quiet Days at St Mary's will be on Wednesday 31 May (Creation) and Saturday 1 July (Poetry and Prayer). To book: Phone 07803 562329 or email jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

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Kev Butler and Dave Crawford - Revelations.