About St Peter's Church
The mediaeval church of St. Peter stands on a slight rise at the end of the lane which also houses the village hall and the CEVPC - the Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School. The north aisle is the earliest part of the building, which is predominantly 14th century with some earlier features, and the south aisle and porch were added later. The crownpost roof to the nave is an unusual survivor as it was almost certainly removed, and replaced after the nave was heightened and the clerestory windows built, being of an earlier date than the windows.
It is a large church and the 72ft. tower, also 14th century, stands proudly in what is about the geographical centre of the village. There is some good flush flintwork and no less than seven (empty since the Reformation!) niches – three over the porch and four at the east end.
Inside there are a lot of interesting features which include a 12th century aumbry, possibly from an earlier building as the list of Rectors does go back to 1190, and an Easter Sepulchre of the 14th century – very little medieval glass remains: the large east end window is Victorian, and there is also a fine modern one.
The impression is of lightness when entering the church, which is well worth visiting.
Appointment of new Rector
We are delighted to announce that The Revd. Sharon Potter has been appointed as the new Rector to the Cockfield Benefice to succeed The Revd. Simon Hill who moved to Surrey earlier in the year.
Sharon was born and grew up in Ipswich, attended school there, and her family (parents and three younger brothers) still live there.
After working as a secretary for 6 years Sharon then trained as a registered nurse at the West Suffolk Hospital from 1988-1991.She moved to Ipswich Hospital in 1992 where she has enjoyed a variety of posts in her nursing career.
She trained for the ordained ministry on the Diocesan Ministry Course and was ordained priest in 2005. Sharon currently lives in Debenham and serves as a self-supporting minister in the Ipswich Waterfront Benefice of St Helens, St Lukes and Holy Trinity.
Sharon is beginning her ministry in the Cockfield Benefice in February 2012. Do hold her in your prayers. We all look forward to welcoming her to Lavenham Deanery.
The Revd. Mike McNamara
Rural Dean
Personal Message from Revd. Sharon Potter
Dear reader,
I never imagined whilst I was training for the ordained ministry that one of the tasks that I would be faced with in the future would be writing articles for village magazines! I am fairly new to village life and currently live in the (fairly large) village of Debenham. I have discovered over the past months that all the village news is contained within the local village magazine, as well as all sorts of people and clubs advertising for business. It has been a valuable source of information, as well as a good indicator of the issues that local people feel strongly about.
I was sent a copy of ‘Green Links’, which I have read with pleasure, eager to learn something of the place which I will shortly be calling ‘home’. One of the issues that appears to be very important is that of ‘speed’, where a number of roads in and around the village are experiencing drivers ignoring the 30mph speed limit, which of course can be extremely dangerous to both other drivers and to pedestrians.
This led me to think about ‘speed’ in the way in which we often conduct our lives, cramming in as much as we can during the hours of the day that we are awake. There is also something in most of us which makes us feel guilty if we stop and remain still for any length of time. And yet - it is so very important to our physical and mental well-being, whether we have a faith or none, to stop and be still, and to take time out of the busy-ness of the day. If there is no space in our day to reflect, to spend time with our loved ones or our friends, we will soon be burnt out with all the demands that are heaped upon us. Perhaps this could be added to the list of New Year’s resolutions that were made (and possibly broken by now) at the beginning of January, to put aside quality time to think and to just ‘be’.
New Year’s resolutions aside, my hope is that I will find the time in this year of 2012 in my new post as Rector of the Cockfield benefice to listen to what is being said in the community, and to get to know as many people as possible following my licensing service at St Peters Church, Cockfield on Monday 20th February. All are welcome to attend the service, which kicks off at 7.30pm. I am very much looking forward to it - and to being part of the community of Cockfield.
All good wishes in Christ,
Reverend Sharon Potter
Benefice Services
For more information on the schedule of services please email: churchservices@cockfield.org.uk
Church Contacts
For all enquiries on matters relating to St Peter's Church, please email: churchwarden@cockfield.org.uk
Limited Edition Print of St Peter's Church
Paul Evans is one of the leading Landscape Painters of today and his work has been bought by collectors and buyers worldwide. Paul was brought up in Sussex and has now settled in Lavenham, Suffolk where he has his own Gallery.
Paul has very kindly made a generous offer to the Church which enables us to sell this Limited Edition Print of Cockfield Church to raise much needed funds.
We are offering this Signed Limited Edition Print of 250 at a special price of £75.00
If you are interested, please email church.print@cockfield.org.uk to arrange a viewing prior to purchasing. The print comes mounted and the dimensions including mount are 660mm x 550mm ( landscape).
We can accept cheques or cash