​For over nine hundred years Christians have gone in pilgrimage to Little Walsingham, nestled in the valley of the Stiffkey.  They have gone in thanksgiving and in need.  They have gone to seek refreshment from the deep wells of God’s love.  They have gone to join their prayers with the powerful prayer of Mary, Mother of the Lord, for themselves and for the whole world.

The original Shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Walsingham was destroyed at the Reformation and revived in the 1920s.  Groups from St Mary's have been going since at least the 1950s, and we'll be making a weekend pilgrimage next Spring, from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 May.  The cost will be around £145 (£90 for children), inclusive of all meals, accommodation and travel.

To download more information, please click here, or if you'd like to know more, please have a word with the Curate.  All are welcome.  If you'd like to make the pilgrimage, please sign the list near the church door and let the Curate have a (non-refundable) deposit of £10 before 15 November.

Last Thursday evening St Mary's Ladies Group enjoyed an autumn visit to the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich for the opening night of Polly Teale's Brontë.  The play explores the relationship between Charlotte, Emily and Anne, and their brother and father.  Here are three members of the group on the evening.  A good time was had by all and the ladies are looking forward to future gatherings!

Many shops in the town are covered in cobwebs and have windows full of pumpkins as we approach Halloween next week. This video gives a different perspective.

Last Sunday we were joined by the Bishop of Thetford and five candidates from St Mary's were Confirmed. Please continue to pray for those who were confirmed that they may feel blessed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

We're delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Miller as our new Organist and Director of Music. Ben is currently Director of Classical Music at St Thomas' Heigham in Norwich. Prior to his current post he was Organ Scholar at St Peter Mancroft in Norwich.

Ben will be with us from Epiphany on 3rd January. We look forward to his work in continuing the high standard of music at St Mary's.

Our harvest celebrations came to an end this evening with the second annual harvest quiz. The teams assembled in the hall to battle over eight rounds of questions. All proceeds (including £80 from the raffle alone) are going to St Martin'sHousing Trust. Thanks to Pat and Pam our Quizmaster and scorer, to Marion and Alec for producing wonderful refreshments and to Dorothy for organising the evening.

We have a busy Harvest weekend coming up. On Saturday morning we will be holding our first Messy Church at Attleborough Methodist Church. Messy Church is for children of all ages and starts at 9.30am for breakfast followed by crafts and worship.

Sunday is Harvest Festival day. We'll be celebrating the gifts of creation at our 10am Eucharist (during which Sunday Club meets) and Besthorpe's Harvest Service is at 4.30pm.