St Thomas
of Ipswich
A friendly Christian Church in Suffolk
Welcome to the Church of St Thomas Apostle & Martyr, Church of England
Bramford Lane, IPSWICH, IP1 5BS
We are a welcoming, friendly Church in Bramford Lane by the railway bridge. As the local Parish Church we seek to serve all in our community.
All ages are welcome to join us, explore and discover what the Christian church has to offer and to share the journey of faith with us.
ALL PUBLIC CHURCH SERVICES CANCELLED
Following the government’s advice this week all public church services and gatherings are suspended for the time being. But, at St Thomas we are not ‘shutting up shop!’
Sadly, we have to keep the Church closed, but are all still praying.
Morning Prayer is livestreamed from the Bishop’s House Chapel Mondays to Saturdays at 8.30am on https://www.facebook.com/BishopsCofEsuffolk/
St Thomas Online Worship on Facebook/St Thomas Ipswich at 10 am on Sunday and then available on YouTube https://www.facebook.com/stthomasipswich/
Sunday readings, prayer requests and reflections: 29 March 2020 Weekly Sheet
Compline: A beautiful service of night prayer – also available on Facebook/StThomasIpswich
Order of service here Compline Order of service Video
For more information of how we continue to stay connected, worshipping and praying, please see this letter from the Clergy.
Coronavirus letter One to congregation
Prayer resources for use at home: Prayer Resources for use at home 1
In the meantime, please remember to look out for your neighbour, to give to food banks, and to be kind.
As we find our way through this, may we know God’s presence with us.
Please, email any urgent prayer requests to jutta.brueck@cofesuffolk.org or revcatconnolly@gmail.com.
CANCELLED- Children’s Easter Craft Workshop – Good Friday, 10th April 2020
We’re delighted to be offering a fun morning of crafts to children aged 11 and under on Good Friday at 10am until 12noon. Places are limited, so please download the flyer here and either print and fill out the form to return to us at the Vicarage, 102 Cromer Road, or to Whitehouse Primary School, or you can email us at stthomasipswich@virginmedia.com with your details to secure places. Please return your forms by 8th April 2020!
Inspiring Ipswich – What does it mean for St. Thomas?
Sunday 16th February 2020 – Revd. Jutta will be discussing Inspiring Ipswich during the service, and everyone will get a booklet to read. We invite you to tell us what you find most inspiring about the vision set out in the booklet!
Sunday 23rd February 2020 – During the service, learn more about our Parish Plan and share what you find most inspiring! This will be followed by a catered lunch in the Community Room. Please talk to any of the Learning Community if you have questions (Roger Elmer, Malcolm Gibbs, Lyanne Brendt, Emma Knight, Stephen Marginson and Revs. Cat and Jutta).
You can download the leaflet here, which includes a prayer for Ipswich.
Faith Pictures – Lent Course
NO MEETING on 18th March or beyond
Starting on Ash Wednesday, 26th February, 7.45 pm in the church community room, then 7.30 pm on Wednesdays throughout Lent – information & sign-up sheet on the welcome table. Please do come along!
More details about Faith Pictures can be found here on the Church Army website.
Bishops’ Lent Appeal 2020
This year’s focus is on raising awareness of environmental issues. You can read the Bishops’ letter here on the Church of England Suffolk website.
You can also visit the Lent 2020 page for more resources, including details of the #LiveLent daily reflections (delivered either by email or via a smartphone app).
St. Thomas Youth Group
We’re back! Following the success of our youth group evenings in 2019, we’re running more for 2020! For school years 7 and up, come and have fun with us on the following dates:
- 8th March 2020
- 15th March 2020
- 29th March 2020
- 5th April 2020
Sessions will be held on Sunday evenings, 5.30 – 7.00 pm, in the Vicarage. Food will be provided!
For more information, or to sign up to attend, email Revd. Cat. Hope to see you there!
Bible From Scratch
Bible From Scratch, our Bible study sessions, are now on a break until after Easter. We hope you’ve enjoyed them so far! Please contact Revd. Cat for more details of these sessions.
Church Rota – 5th January – 1st March 2020
Church Rota – 8th March – 19th April 2020
St. Thomas Community Peace Garden
Our beautiful Peace Garden is now open for all to use. Please see our poster for details about when it is open.
Sunday: Holy Communion at 8 am and Sung Eucharist with Sunday School at 10 am (All Age Eucharist first Sunday of the month).
Morning prayer, daily at 9.30 on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays
Note: No morning prayer on Fridays & Saturdays
Wednesdays, when we have a Holy Communion service at 10am and coffee in the community room afterwards.
Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings & Funerals
Christening (Baptism)
We welcome enquiries from anyone about the above services, whether you have a link with the church or not.
Baptisms take place in the main 10am service on a Sunday morning when the congregation will be there to support you and your family as your children begin their journey of faith.
Baptism is a free service, please contact us for more details.
We serve fresh coffee and biscuits in the church after the 10:00 service on Sundays its very informal you are very welcome to join us.
On the first Sunday of each month we hold a bring and share lunch in the Church community ,just after the 10:00 Eucharist.
Confirmation
If you’d like to confirm the promises made on your behalf at your christening, St Thomas’ welcomes all ages.
We have young members of the congregation who are ready to pledge their faith as young as eleven and we have some members whose paths take a different route and they come back at a later on in life.
Please contact Jutta, who will be able to arrange preparation for your confirmation.
Adult Baptism
If you weren’t baptised or confirmed as a child, a ceremony combining the two sacraments is worth exploring. Contact us for more details and to discuss what course of action would be best for you.
Weddings in Church
If you wish to be married at St Thomas’ please contact Jutta to discuss your dates and the next steps you need to take.
Banns are announcements in church of your intention to marry and a chance for anyone to put forward a reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place. On these occasions, everyone in church will also be praying for you. It can be very special and moving, so come along if you can.
For any queries, please visit our Contact Us page to get in touch.
