Welcome to St. Margaret’s Church, Website! We hope you’ll take a few moments to have a look at the site. Here you’ll find information about future and past events, and the services which take place regularly at St. Margaret’s Church. There is also information about the many groups and activities which take place each week. St. Margaret’s has been a place of worship and ministry for over 700 years and continues to serve the people of Rainham and the diocese.

May 19: Pentecost/Whit Sunday – the birthday of the Church Pentecost took place on the well-established Jewish festival of First fruits, which was observed at the beginning of the wheat harvest. It was exactly 50 days after the Passover, the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. A feast day to celebrate the country’s wheat harvest does not sound exactly world-changing, but that year, it became one of the most important days in world history. For Pentecost was the day that God sent the Holy Spirit – the day the Church was born. Jesus had told his apostles that something important was going to happen, and that they were to wait for it in Jerusalem, instead of returning to Galilee. Jesus had plans for his apostles – but he knew they could not do the work themselves – they would need his help. And so the apostles and disciples waited in Jerusalem, praying together for several days. And then on that fateful morning there was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise God in many tongues – to the astonishment of those who heard them. The curse of Babel (Genesis 11: 1-9) was dramatically reversed that morning. That morning the Holy Spirit came to indwell the apostles and disciples of Jesus: and the Church was born. The Christians were suddenly full of life and power, utterly different from their former fearful selves. The change in them was permanent. Peter gave the first ever sermon of the Christian church that morning: proclaiming Jesus was the Messiah. His boldness in the face of possible death was in marked contrast to the man who had denied Jesus 50 days before. And 3,000 people responded, were Converted, and were baptised. How’s that for fast church growth!

May 9th: Ascension Day – 40 Days with the Risen Christ

Forty days after Easter comes Ascension Day. During those forty days
the Risen Christ appeared again and again to his disciples, following
his death and resurrection.

The Gospels give us little of Christ’s teachings and deeds during that
time. Jesus was seen by numerous disciples: on the road to Emmaus,
by the Sea of Galilee, and in houses. He strengthened and
encouraged his disciples, and at last opened their eyes to all that the
Scriptures had promised about the Messiah. Jesus also told them that
as the Father had sent him, he was now going to send them – to all
corners of the earth, as his witnesses.

Surely the most tender, moving ‘farewell’ in history took place on
Ascension Day. Luke records the story with great poignancy: “When
Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his
hands – and blessed them.”

As Christmas began the story of Jesus’ life on earth, so Ascension Day
completes it, with his return to his Father in heaven. Jesus’ last act on
earth was to bless his disciples. He and they had a bond as close as
could be: they had just lived through three tumultuous years of public
ministry and miracles – persecution and death – and resurrection! Just
as we part from our nearest and dearest by still looking at them with
love and memories in our eyes, so exactly did Jesus: “While he was
blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” (Luke
24:50-1) He was not forsaking them, but merely going on ahead to a
kingdom which would also be theirs one day: “I am ascending to my
Father and to your Father, to my God and your God…” (John 20:17)

There will be a service in St. Margaret’s on Thursday 9th May at 7.30pm.

More fun and games at our latest Messy Church last Saturday when we heard all about the story of Job with lots of the usual messy activities, before we all enjoyed our bring & share lunch. You can see all the pictures here

A party from St. Margaret’s Church led by our Vicar Revd. Judy have just returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, to read all about the visit click here To see many pictures from the visit click here

After the Easter Ceremonies service on Saturday evening our Easter Day Eucharist service was well attended, with two well decorated Easter bonnets in view. During the service Gabrielle was presented with her Choir Robe, and following the service the children (and adults) had fun hunting for Easter Eggs. There are pictures from these services on our on-line picture gallery

Our Palm Sunday procession was as usual led by “Dave” the Donkey as we marched singing “ride on, ride on in Majesty from St. Margaret’s Junior School down Orchard Street and along to the Church. There are pictures of the march and the service in Church here

“She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind. She watches over her family never wastes her time. Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her, saying, “There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them”. Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.” (Proverbs 31. 26-30 NCV) At our Mothering Sunday Family Service today Rev. Melanie gave a talk about the different words to describe mothers and everyone received a small bunch of daffodils to give to Mum. The Mother’s Union had made these and also welcomed four new members into the M.U. Click here for pictures from the service.

At our Messy Church today we all made table decorations to give to mum on Mothering Sunday next week, Jan told us the story of Moses and we all joined together to sing and enjoy our Messy Church lunch. You can see pictures from today Messy Church here

Not the usual outfit for the verger, but if you are Dame Doris Dumpling in the annual pantomime at the Rainham Theatrical Society then one must look the part.. For Peter however it is nothing unusual as he has been a regular part of the cast in many of the RaTs productions and has played Dame several times before. If you have not yet seen this year’s pantomime you have just time to do so as it is on for another week – details at http://www.oasthousetheatre.co.uk

Peter as we usually see him.

Work took place over two weeks to repair the platform under the block of pews on the north side of the church, facing the Lady Chapel. The pews were removed so that the platform on which they are supported could be repaired with new cross supports. This was because the existing ones had substantially rotted away. Now the new supports have been fitted the pews have been replaced. You can see pictures of the work here