Check out the programme of great events in the
Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry over the summer term including Unveiled, our fortnightly Friday night arts and performance event at
St Andrew’s Church (7.00 – 9.00 pm, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN), an exhibition entitled 'Adventures in Joy' by
Max Blake, our programme of
Quiet Days, and a
HeartEdge 'Living God's future now' event:
Unveiled Summer Programme 2025- 2 May (7.00 pm) - Exhibition viewing evening. See ‘Adventures in Joy’, an exhibition by Max Blake and hear Max speak about his work.
- 9 May (7.00 pm) – Hear Ken Porter, author, historian & Chair of Basildon Heritage, give an illustrated talk about blue plaques in Basildon borough.
- 30 May (7.00 pm) – – Poets Tim Harrold & Jonathan Evens share a selection of poetry and prose. Tim is a poet who creates images of profound challenge and change. Jonathan’s poems & stories have been published by Amethyst Review, International Times & Stride.
- 13 June (7.30 pm) – Open Mic Night organised with John Rogers. Everybody is welcome to come along and play, read, sing or just spectate. See you there for a great evening of live performance!
- 28 June (7.00 pm) – The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields in concert. The Choral Scholars sing for services, concerts and other events at St Martin’s, exploring a huge range of repertoire from the Renaissance to the present day.
- 4 July (7.00 pm) – An evening with Neil Tye. Hear British-born and Denmark-based artist Neil Tye speak about his work; paintings that entice the viewer to be immersed in their colours, shapes, and movement, where hidden images, feelings, or meanings can be revealed.
- 18 July (7.30 pm) – Eva Romanakova and Andrew Palmer in concert. Hear Mezzo-Soprano Eva Romanakova and pianist Andrew Palmer perform a wide selection of music including musical theatre, classical, opera, pop, jazz, folk and songs from the movies.
See
http://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html and
https://basildondeanery.co.uk/index.php/news/ for more information.
These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs.
Adventures in Joy: An exhibition by Max Blake, 2 May – 25 July 2025, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0ANView the exhibition and hear Max speak about his work at ‘Unveiled’, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew’s Wickford, Friday 2 May, 7.00 pm.
St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm.
https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html“Adventures in Joy” presents the most recent work produced by artist and cleric Max Blake. It includes some of the work he has developed though his studies of Icons, as well as his experiments in a more abstract and surreal direction. Max explores his own deep imagination, which is fed by his wide knowledge of religion and reflections amongst other things.
As a man of faith, much of his work expresses an exploration of the Christian faith. Over recent years, Max has studied Byzantine and Coptic Iconography and he has used this study to develop his own interpretations of the icon. Much of Max’s work is highly detailed and the viewer can find many hidden details, people, faces and shapes in his work. This creates a joyful adventure for the eye through bright and vivid worlds. Max uses a range of media including oil paints, inks and coloured pencils.
Max Blake was born in East London in the early 50s and then grew up in Basildon. After graduating as a teacher, Max taught art in secondary schools across south Essex. He also worked with children with anxiety and children with special needs. He was ordained deacon followed by priesting in the early 2000s. Although he is now retired, Max still works as a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in the United Benefice of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.
As well as artwork Max has also illustrated book covers and books for children. He continues to exhibit his vibrant work in various locations, including the Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill and St Catherine’s Church in East Tilbury.
https://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk/art/max-blake Our churches in Wickford and Runwell are places to enjoy cultural programmes including concerts and exhibitions as well as being places to see art and architecture.
Living God's future nowYou are warmly invited to join us at the
Living God Future Now event, presented by
HeartEdge and with performances from
The Choral Scholars of
St Martins-in-the Fields.
Join us for one or both days, as we explore new approaches to mission. There will be a wide
range of ideas covered, so we hope you will find something inspiring to take home.
Friday 27th June will be hosted by
St Andrew’s Church, Wickford and will begin at 9:45am.
Author
Sam Wells and other inspiring guest speakers will share their insights and explore
The 4Cs, (
Commerce,
Compassion,
Culture,
Congregation). There will be opportunities to
share ideas, connect with your colleagues and be actively involved in our
Being Withworkshops. We’ll also discuss music in mission and enjoy live musical performances.
Saturday 28th June will be hosted at
St Mary’s Church, Runwell and in contrast this will be a
Quiet Day. We’ll begin the morning at 9:00 am with a contemplative prayer walk through
Wickford Memorial Park. This will be followed by input from
Catherine Duce, of
The
Nazareth Community at St Martin-in-the-Fields, drawing on their seven spiritual disciplines,
in particular the significance of silent prayer and service in listening to the Spirit at work in
our lives.
We all have something to bring to the church and this inspiring event will help us recognise
this value. Leave with your imagination sparked and your heart singing!
This is a Diocesan event supported with SDF funding. Refreshments will be provided but
please let us know if you have any dietary requirements, allergies or additional needs.
Find out more about the event and register for it here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/living-gods-future-now-an-event-by-heartedge-tickets-1319715016139?aff=oddtdtcreatorQuiet Days
Our Quiet Days enable people to reflect in the beautiful and historic surrounds of St Mary’s Runwell and St Nicholas Rawreth. St. Mary’s is often described by visitors and by regular worshippers as a powerful sacred space to which they have been drawn. St Nicholas provides times of quiet and reflection in a beautiful setting.
Themes for 2025 include: Rogation Days; A Path with a Heart; Sabbath; Our Lady; and Lancelot Andrewes (at St Nicholas).
All are 10.30 am – 3.30 pm. Runwell Rd SS11 7HS/Church Rd SS11 8SH.
- Wednesday 28 May – Rogation Days: Rogation Days precede Ascension Day. Traditionally, they are days of prayer and fasting observed with processions and 'beating the bounds’ when God’s blessing is asked on agriculture and industry, and were. Led by Revd Sue Wise.
- Saturday 28 June – A Path with a Heart: Seeking inspiration from the Nazareth Community - Silence and Service are at the very heart of the Nazareth rule of life. Led by Revd Catherine Duce, Assistant Vicar for the Companions of Nazareth, St Martin-in-the-Fields.
- Saturday 12 July – Sabbath: Explore Sabbath as both a day of rest and the coming kingdom of God. Led by Mike Tricker, LLM.
- Wednesday 13 August – Our Lady: Reflect on the experiences, inspiration and support of Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus. Led by Revd Sue Wise.
- Saturday 27 September – Lancelot Andrewes: Discover the influence and example of Lancelot Andrewes (who lived in Rawreth) who helped define Anglican doctrine, translate the Bible, and shape the liturgy. Led by Revd Jonathan Evens & Revd Steve Lissenden. To be held at St Nicholas Rawreth.
Cost: £8.00 per person, including sandwich lunch (pay on the day). To book: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com / 07803 562329 (28/06, 12/07, 27/09) or sue.wise@sky.com / 07941 506156 (28/05, 12/07).
Parking available: Church Hall (Runwell) or Village Hall (Rawreth). Nearest station: Wickford (for Runwell) or Battlesbridge (for Rawreth).
http://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/
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The Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields - Great Sacred Music.
