Welcome to the Stour Downs Parish.
Our Vision
Rooted in our six communities, the churches of the Stour Downs Parish connect with people of all ages and stages of life and faith, and together we grow in fellowship and share the love of God, showing this to the world around through prayer and action.
The Stour Downs parish was created in 2018, to serve the six rural communities of Brabourne, Mersham, Monks Horton, Sellindge, Smeeth and Stowting.
You can get a flavour of our parish life in the images here.
From April 2024, we are trialling a new service pattern with a 9:30am service at Smeeth and Mersham every week, plus 11am Communion on the third Sunday of the month at Brabourne and on the fourth Sunday of the month at Stowting. Evensong at Monks Horton and Brabourne first Sunday service remain unchanged. There is a mid-week Communion service at 9:30am in Brabourne each Wednesday. Please see our Sunday services tab for further details.
News!
Our Vicar, Rev Chris, has moved on to a new post in July. The Bishop's announcement and some words from Chris our available to read here. Chris' last service was on 7th July at 9:30am in Smeeth Church.
Rev Susan will be Interim Curate-in-Charge from 30th July.
Take a look at our "Round the Stour Downs" news sheet tab above for what is going on and also the "what's on" tab, plus some tasters of events coming up can be viewed below.
A Prayer for The Stour Downs Parish
Loving God, we commit into your hands all who live, work, learn or worship - both online and in church buildings- within the Stour Downs Parish. Bless our communities of Brabourne, Mersham, Monks Horton, Sellindge, Smeeth and Stowting. May these be places of safety, peace and belonging for all to enjoy. Bless those who pass through, let a warm welcome be extended to both stranger and neighbour, and may the love of Christ dwell in our hearts.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Join our live stream on the Stour Downs Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Stour-Downs-Parish-275026813134319
Live stream of services - We live-stream the first and second Sunday services at 9:30am
The churches in the Stour Downs are open in the daytime as a quiet space to reflect and pray.
If you or someone you know would find a parcel of essential food and toiletries useful, please get in touch by phone 07526 688826 or vicar@stourdowns.org.uk
Please visit the page "Can you help us?" on the menu to consider supporting us in these difficult financial times, or scan this QR code and follow the instructions.
Find us on Facebook- Stour Downs Parish or Instagram - .
Parish Office: Unit 15, Park Barn, Evegate, Station Road, Smeeth until 31/7/2024
Then: The Rectory, Bower Road, Mersham TN25 6NN
Our Curate is Reverend Susan Manners. Susan can be contacted on 07526 688826/ 01233 500414 or email revsusanmanners@gmail.com
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Sian Hall - email safeguarding@stourdowns.org.uk or phone 07725 859206
There is a safeguarding tab in the main menu.