On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 13th of November, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kids' snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?
There will be crafts, a story for the children, and a warm welcome for everyone.
This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?
There is no heating in the church at the moment. Still, we have money to raise, and we will be there, though. Wrap up warm, everyone!
Come and join us.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in October.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 5th of November, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
If the lovely people of Upchurch could start adding a few Christmas treats, that would be great.
Please bring your items in carrier bags.
We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.
All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.
St Mary's and Uplift are putting together hampers and gifts for the Swale Foodbank/Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
Both have Gift Services on Sunday, the 7th of December. St Mary's at 10:00am and Uplift at 4:00pm.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Saturday, 11th October, between 10:00am and 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also, Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants
Something for everyone!
Refreshments
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
We will be holding our joint harvest celebration on Sunday, October 5th, in St Mary's Church, starting at 10:15am.
All gifts of non-perishable foods (within date, please) and hygiene items will be picked up by the foodbank project on the Monday following the celebration.
Children are invited to meet our two puppets, Billy and Tilly, who will be in church to help us celebrate God's goodness.
We are a warm friendly, all age church, where everyone is welcome!
Gill Gay
Email: gilliangay99@yahoo.co.uk
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 9th of October, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kids' snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?
There will be crafts, a story for the children, and a warm welcome for everyone.
This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?
Come and join us.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in September.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 1st of October, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Please bring your items in carrier bags.
We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.
All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Our Christmas Concert 2025 will be on Sunday, 7th December at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch, ME9 7AL at 7:30pm.
It will be a festive mix of Christmas music and audience carols conducted by Derek Boyne and accompanied by Janet Stone.
Tickets £12 cash on the door with interval refreshments.
***********
If you think you’d enjoy singing with us, why not come and try?
We rehearse in St Mary’s Church from 19:45 to 21:15 most Fridays.
No auditions, but the ability to read music is helpful, but not essential.
Thank you
Liz WaltersSecretary Upchurch Choral Society
We are a well-established SATB choral society of 58 years based in Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, seeking a new Musical Director to lead weekly rehearsals and conduct three main concerts annually starting in February 2026.
Our repertoire spans classical works, folk arrangements, and seasonal music. We have around 30 members and rehearse on Friday evenings from 19:45 to 21:15.
We welcome applications from experienced conductors with strong communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to inclusive music-making.
The role is remunerated, with rates negotiable based on experience.
To apply or request further details, please email Secretary Liz Walters: kbl.walters@talk21.com by 7th November 2025.
Thank you
Liz WaltersSecretary Upchurch Choral Society
Alison Lewin
FOSM - Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch
Saturday, 13th September, between 10:00am and 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also, Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants
Something for everyone!
Refreshments
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 11th of September, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kid's snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?
There will be crafts, a story for the children, and a warm welcome for everyone.
This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?
Come and join us.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
There will be a free raffle to win a hamper for those who donate (large or small) on the day.
Ray Kemsley & Jill RotheryChurch Wardens
Or send a cheque to Smile Malawi at: 4 Bedfont House, Holywell Lane, Upchurch, ME9 7HN.
Elspeth Baecke - Smile Malawi
Saturday, 9th August, between 10:00am and 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants
Something for everyone!
Refreshments
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
On the 2nd Thursday of each month.
The Rainbow Café at St Mary's Church opens its doors again on Thursday, the 14th of August, between 2:00pm and 4:30pm.
As usual, we will be offering delicious cakes and savouries.
We will have our fantastic kid's snack deal - 5 items and a drink for £1. Where else would you get such wonderful value?
There will be crafts, a story for the children, and a warm welcome for everyone.
This all helps us support 4 children in Uganda to go to school and supply breakfast for a group of Ugandan children at their Saturday Club. How special is that?
Come and join us.
Gill Gay and the Rainbow Café Team
Swale Foodbank Collection
Thank you to everyone who donated food and other needed items in July.
I will be collecting your foodbank donations at the bus stop opposite the church again on Wednesday, the 6th of August, between 10:30am and 11:30am.
Please bring your items in carrier bags.
We will then deliver them to the Swale Foodbank Warehouse, together with Trussell.
All donations are helpful, provided the food is long life and well within date.
Thank you
May God bless you ❤️
Gill Gay - Foodbank Co-ordinator
Ray Kemsley & Jill RotheryChurch Wardens
Saturday, 12th July, between 10:00am - 11:30am
Homemade Cakes, Jams, Pickles, Scones and Savouries
Also Puzzles, Books, Bric-à-brac and sometimes Plants
Something for everyone!
Refreshments
Please help support this ancient building - Thank you
🍰 🍓 🧩 📚 🎨 🪴 ☕️ ➕
Upchurch Matters
SINGING IS GOOD FOR YOU!
Upchurch Choral Society are always happy to welcome new members.
We are a four-voice part choir that rehearses on Fridays in St Mary’s Church, Upchurch.
Our next rehearsal is on Friday, 5th September at 7:45pm, when we begin rehearsing for a concert featuring parts of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on Sunday, 23rd November.
There are no auditions, and while the ability to read music is helpful, it is not essential.
If you are interested, please call me on: 01634 361897.
Thank you
Liz Walters
Secretary Upchurch Choral Society
Author Richard Emmett’s new book, The Train that Jumped the Gap, examines the wartime railway disaster in Oak Lane, which happened on Wednesday, 16th August 1944.
Richard will be giving a talk for the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch, about his research into this disaster at 7:00pm on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at St Mary’s Church, Upchurch, where his book will be available to purchase.
The talk will examine the tragic WW2 disaster when a Doodlebug flying bomb demolished the railway bridge at Oak Lane, Upchurch, causing the derailment of the London to Margate train.
It examines the facts gathered from various sources, including eyewitness accounts, to evaluate what happened on that ill-fated day.
Tickets are £5 with proceeds to the Friends of St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch.
Tea and cakes will be available with donations appreciated.
Proceeds of the book go to the Historical Research Group of Sittingbourne/The Heritage Hub.
Upchurch Matters
