St Thomas’, Simpson
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| St Thomas’ Church |
Serving the areas
of: | Please address all correspondence to the Partnership Office | |
Service
times |
Donate online to St Thomas’ church 
Welcome to St Thomas’, Simpson
Our Sunday services currently start at 10:30 am and last around an hour. However from Sunday 5th May 2024 the start time will change to 11:15 am (prompt – please try to arrive around 11:00) to enable ministers to come to St Thomas’ after being elsewhere in the Partnership.
Holy Communion is usually celebrated twice a month, with services of the Word on other weeks. There is normally a more interactive all-age service once a month. The church diary and weekly notice sheet gives details of the services planned for the next few weeks.
Typically we see 25–40 people on a Sunday, of all ages from infants to centenarians. Visitors and new members find a friendly welcome and a family atmosphere. After the service finishes, everyone is welcome to stay for a drink and biscuits (gluten-free always available).
After the service on the last Sunday of each month, many of the congregation stay for “Soup and Soul” – a light vegetarian lunch followed by a group Bible study, finishing around 2 pm.
Finding us
The church is in the corner between Simpson Road, Simpson Drive and Hanmer Road. There’s a little parking available near the entrance from Hanmer Road (please don’t part on the grass or blocking anyone’s drive), and more in the laybys just across Simpson Road or the larger Parks Trust car park on Simpson Drive.
Accessibility
There is level access into the building. The church has a hearing loop and toilets including wheelchair-accessible. Large print versions of hymn books and service books are available (please ask).
At Holy Communion services, people are normally invited to go to the front (on the level) to received Communion, but if you need it brought to you, just let someone know when you arrive. We use wafers – if you need gluten-free please let someone know when you arrive – and individual wine glasses.
Social events
The church has a
busy social calendar including quiz nights, concerts, afternoon tea events, bring-and-share suppers, and events for people walking in the lovely
parkland near the church. Social events are open to all – you don’t have to attend church to be very welcome!
Click here for a full list of what’s currently in the diary. There’s also a downloadable diary available, and events coming up soon are on the weekly notice sheet.
Latest news
For several years St Thomas’ has been greatly privileged to receive the ministry of Rev Nicola Vidamour. Sadly for us, Rev Nicola has now been offered a role as Director of Reflective Supervision at Wesley House, Cambridge, and will be leaving Milton Keynes shortly – her last Sunday with us is 28th April 2024. There’s a letter with a little more information here. We will miss Nicola very much, but her legacy will stay with us we support each other during the next few months. The church will continue to be supported by the other WEP clergy.
The building and churchyard
The church building dates from the early thirteenth century. You can read more about its architecture and history here.
As with most mediaeval buildings, there is always work to do! At present (early 2024), we have some significant cracks in the walls around the chancel. These are the result of very dry weather in the summers of 2021 and 2022, worsened by the nearby trees having grown too large. We have been advised that pollarding the trees over the next few years (to reduce their water demands) should correct the problem gradually. More recently, part of the flashing of the roof of the north transept has come away and needs significant attention.
We continue actively fundraising to meet the costs involved in maintaining this beautiful building. All contributions are very welcome.
The churchyard is a beautiful
and peaceful “God’s acre” in the heart of Simpson
village and is a haven for wildlife of all kinds. You can read more about what can be seen here. There is a list of burials and ashes interred in the churchyard here.
