Welcome

St. Helen's Church, set at the heart of the market town of Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, is an historic and attractive 15th century building. It is open daily from 9am until 5pm, giving plenty of opportunity to explore its wonderful history and splendid interior, with a variety of church guides, written and via 'phone app to help you. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings our helpful volunteers will be on hand, and our Heritage Centre will have exhibitions for you to enjoy, and the opportunity for a sit down with a cuppa.
At other times you may wish to sit quietly, to rest and reflect. Or you could join us at one of our weekly services or frequent fellowship and community events. To see a little of what we do, visit our Facebook page 
https://www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Church-Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

On Saturday mornings our St Helen's Community Heritage Centre is open between 10.30am & 12.30pm it is not only a Heritage Centre with great displays and ever new exhibitions but also a meeting place to chat, play board games, make art, do your own knitting or crochet, add a piece or two to the communal jigsaw, and all with good coffee and yummy cake to help it along.


Coming up:
Burns night/haggis supper:
Saturday January 25th, 2020 
7pm for 7.30pm
Community Heritage Centre.
Tickets available from Elizabeth Smith and the parish office (4 Churchyard, LE65 1AA) - £15

One in Christ Jesus: a service to mark Brexit
At 7pm on 31st January we are holding a contemplative service of prayer and reflection as the UK leaves the European Union. 
The service will have several strands: a reminder of our membership of the kingdom of God, which knows no borders; prayers for those who are fearful because of Brexit, and a re-commitment to living well with those with whom we don't agree. 
If you are pleased about Brexit, distressed by it or resigned to it, do come and spend time in God's presence on this historic evening.
 

Brunch on Sunday

Q.What could be nicer than enjoying conviviality and a bacon bap and some good coffee?
A. Enjoying conviviality and a bacon bap and some good coffee at St Helen's!
All of these things are served at 9.15am on the first Sunday of each month. Our next one will be on 2nd February 2020.

Prayer Partners Annual Get Together
The annual prayer partner get together will be held in church after the All Age Service on 2nd February. This will be an opportunity for adult and child prayer partners to have fun together. Light refreshments will be served and prizes will be awarded.
If you are interested in having your child/ children be a prayer partner(s) or you yourself would like to be an adult prayer partner, please let the Revd. Mary Gregory know or contact Eileen Coombs at 07711286486.

Heritage Talks
Our winter season of Heritage talks is underway. They happen on the first Monday of the month, starting at 7.30pm. (£3 including light refreshments).
The next talk is 'Pushing Up the Daisies', on February 3rd,  when Steve Woodward looks at the flora & fauna of churchyards.
Our final talk of this season is :'The Last English Nobleman to be Hanged for Murder' on March 2nd when Gay Evans tells the story of Earl Ferrers and his steward, John Johnson - a story which involves our very own Doctor Thomas Kirkland.

Love Is In The Air 
Love is in the air at St Helen's in February with these events:
  • 15th February at 3pm            Renewal of wedding vows service followed by cake and fizz. All welcome.
  • 19th February 10:30 to12:30 Heart-y Crafts – heritage inspired crafts for families for half-term
  • 29th February at 7.30pm       Leap-Day concert with Barberama, a 30-strong women's community choir who                                                sing unaccompanied four-part harmony

Our Spring Concert Series continues with ... 
  • The Cecilian Singers on Saturday 21st March at 7.30pm
‘Entente Cordiale’ is a programme of English and French music stretching far and wide, both historically and stylistically, including a 16th century secular item featuring over-the-fence gossips, a tourist-board renaissance advert for Paris, a quick-step through a bird-watcher's handbook, the only three part-songs for unaccompanied voices that Debussy ever wrote, one of the best-loved French Chansons of the 20th century (but wearing a 17th century suit of clothes!) and a ride on that most iconic of vehicles - the London Transport bus.
Tickets £12 (adults): £8 (16's and under) available from St. Helen's Church Parish Office OR from Jane Cotton, who can be contacted on 0115 937 2993 
  • Cantabile Choir on Sunday 5th April at 3pm
A welcome return for Cantabile Choir who will be joined for another of their most enjoyable Sunday afternoon concerts by the B Natural Choir from Sutton Coldfield, and South Derbyshire Music Centre's Family Brass Band. 






    


 

 
If you have a safeguarding concern, then please contact our local Safeguarding Co-ordinator, Liz Smith, via the Parish Office. If you wish to speak to the Diocesan Safeguarding Team, or to someone outside the church, their contact details are available here.
Mary Gregory, 16/05/2016