Sermons and Services
Sunday eucharists are live-streamed on our Facebook page and available later on our YouTube channel.
When the church was closed for public worship prerecorded Sunday services were available on our YouTube channel. During periods of church closure Morning Prayer was also available on YouTube.
You can find sermons relating to our Mission and Ministry here.
Easter Sunday, 31st March 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
Palm Sunday, 24th March 2024
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, 17th March 2024
Given by ALM Vicky Friedrich
Mothering Sunday, 10th March 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
The Third Sunday of Lent, 3rd March 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
The Second Sunday of Lent, 25th February 2024
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The First Sunday of Lent, 18th February 2024
Given by ALM Vicky Friedrich
The Sunday Before Lent, 11th February 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 28th January 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
Epiphany, 7th January 2024
Given by Fr John Walker
Christmas Night, 24th December 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Advent 4, 24th December 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Advent 3, 17th December 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Advent 2, 10th December 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Bible Sunday, 29th October 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 20, 22nd October 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 19, 15th October 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Harvest Festival, 8th October 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 16, 24th September 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 15, 17th September 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Matronal Festival: The Blessed Virgin Mary, 3rd September 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 12, 27th August 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
Trinity 10, 13th August 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Transfiguration, 6th August 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Town Sunday, 2nd July 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
Trinity 2, 18th June 2023
Given by ALM Vicky Friedrich
Trinity 1, 11th June 2023
Given by Fr Barry Preece
Trinity Sunday, 4th June 2023
Given by Anderson Yan
Pentecost, 28th May 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, 7th May 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Third Sunday of Easter, 23rd April 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Second Sunday of Easter, 16th April 2023
Given by Fr Barry Preece
Easter Day, 9th April 2023
Given by Fr John Walker
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, 26th March 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Second Sunday of Lent, 5th March 2023
Nicodemus, given by Anderson Yan
The First Sunday of Lent, 26th February 2023
Given by Fr John Tomlinson
The Sunday Before Lent, 19th February 2023
Transfiguration, given by ALM Vicky Friedrich
The sermon, given by ALM Vicky Friedrich, as a sound file
A sermon by Bishop Rose for today on YouTube
The Third Sunday Before Advent, Remembrance Sunday, November 8th 2020
The service on YouTube
All Saints Day, November 1st 2020
The sermon as an audio file
The Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity, September 27th 2020
The service on Facebook
The Fifteenth Sunday After Trinity, September 20th 2020
The service on Facebook
Patronal Festival and the Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity, September 13th 2020
The service on YouTube
The Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity, September 6th 2020
The service on Facebook
The Twelfth Sunday After Trinity, August 30th 2020
The service on YouTube
The Eleventh Sunday After Trinity, August 23rd 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Tenth Sunday After Trinity, August 16th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Ninth Sunday After Trinity, August 9th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Eighth Sunday After Trinity, August 2nd 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Seventh Sunday After Trinity, July 26th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Sixth Sunday After Trinity, July 19th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Fifth Sunday After Trinity, July 12th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Fourth Sunday After Trinity, July 5th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Third Sunday After Trinity, June 28th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The Second Sunday After Trinity, June 21st 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon on YouTube
The First Sunday After Trinity, June 14th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon as an audio file
Trinity Sunday, June 7th 2020
The service on YouTube
There will not be a separate sermon this week as reflections on the Trinity are woven through the service
Pentecost, May 31st 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon, given today by Bishop Rose, on YouTube
Bishop Rose’s sermon as an audio file
The Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 24th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon as an audio file
The Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 17th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon, given today by Fr John Tomlinson, as an audio file
The Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 10th 2020
The service on YouTube
The sermon as an audio file
The Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3rd 2020
The service is only available on YouTube due to a Facebook glitch
The sermon as an audio file
The Third Sunday of Easter, April 26th 2020
The service on YouTube
The service on Facebook
The sermon as an audio file
The Second Sunday of Easter, April 19th 2020
The sermon on YouTube
The sermon on Facebook
The sermon as an audio file
Easter Sunday, April 12th 2020
The service on YouTube
The service on Facebook
The sermon as an audio file
Easter Vigil, April 11th 2020
The service on Youtube
The service on Facebook
Palm Sunday, April 5th 2020
The service on YouTube
The service on Facebook
The Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 29th 2020
The service on YouTube
The service on Facebook
The entire service as an audio file
Fr John’s sermon
The Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 22nd 2020
Facebook livestream of the entire service (opens in a new tab)
The entire service as an audio file
Fr John’s sermon
Fr John’s sermon on the Third Sunday of Lent, March 15th 2020
Fr John’s sermon on the Second Sunday of Lent, March 8th 2020
Fr John’s sermon on the First Sunday of Lent, March 1st 2020
Fr John’s sermon on Ash Wednesday, Feb 26th 2020
Fr John’s sermon on the Sunday Next Before Lent, Feb 23rd 2020
Fr John’s sermon on the Second Sunday Before Lent, Feb 16th 2020
Fr John’s first Sunday sermon, on the Third Sunday Before Lent, Feb 9th 2020
Bishop Rose’s sermon at Fr John’s Installation on Feb 4th, 2020
A new priest for St Mary & St Eanswythe
People are often quite surprised about how new Vicars are chosen. Actually, it’s a lot like recruiting for any job. The church writes a profile of the kind of qualities they’d like to see and the post is advertised. Priests who are looking for a move from their present jobs apply, are shortlisted and interviewed. If a candidate fits well, then they’re offered the job.
So far, so familiar. But then it gets rather different. Because you nearly always have to move house, even when the new job is close to the old one. I only moved from Dover, but the new Vicarage had to be redecorated and I had to box everything up and make a new home here in Folkestone before I could start my new job.
And then the way you start is extremely different! No sliding in to a quiet induction day for us. There is a magnificent worship service in the church where the Bishop installs the new priest (literally – you’re physically put in your stall in the church). The Bishop also gives a Licence to the priest to minister in their new parish.
My licensing and installation in St Mary & St Eanswythe Church was on the evening of February 4th and it was an extraordinary experience. Churchwarden Pam made sure the church was spotless. Churchwarden Andrew prepared the service sheets and made sure everyone was invited. Our Area Dean, the Revd Jane Weeks, made sure everyone participating knew what they were doing. Archdeacon Darren was there to commend me to the Bishop because he had overseen the appointment.
But Bishop Rose stole the show. This was one of her first services like this as our new Bishop and she has an amazing presence and energy. Her preaching is direct and challenging, but encouraging too. I was particularly pleased that the magnificent Cope (like a big cloak) that our church provided for her had roses on it…
And the church was packed with so many people. People from my old churches in Dover – but particularly St Mary-the-Virgin, many of whom sang in the choir. People from the new congregation. My friends and family. And so, so many people from the local communities, schools and churches of Folkestone who had come to wish me well. I was overwhelmed by that.
The service was partly legal, partly expressing hope and vision for the future, and partly inspiring, soaring worship. The combined choir under the leadership of Toby Huitson was glorious! And the Choir of the FESI group of Church of England Schools in Folkestone under conductor Helen Brookes was very, very moving.
And afterwards, the food… oh gosh… the food was literally gorgeous. Kim Adlington and her team were awesome!
So what have I come to do? Here are some words: spiritual and numerical growth; inspiring worship; welcome; belonging; spirituality; heritage; partnerships; story-weaving.
Want to know more? Contact me at rev.dr.john.walker@gmail.com