| A Monk's Experience |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A Monk’s Experience at St Mary’s Church Ecclesfield
A half day visit for schools helping children experience some of the life of a Benedictine monk.
Some Background:
Although there has been a church in Ecclesfield since Anglo Saxon times – hence the name –
the present building dates back to the time when responsibility for it lay in the hands of the
Monastery of St Wandrille in Normandy. Following the Norman invasion the de Lovetots
who came in this are sent back to their home town of St Wandrille for some monks to come
and over see the church. Three were sent here, hence the Priory behind the church. In many
ways the history of England can be told through the building and indeed it is often visited by
local history groups and schools. We felt however, that it was also important for visitors to
gain some insight into the purpose of the building as a place of prayer and worship.
Please look at our Church History page if you want a more detailed history.
So, after consultation with various folk including the staff of our local Primary School we
started this venture in September 2005 and it has proved to be very successful. The morning
fulfils a number of curriculum objectives for schools as well as our desire to use the building to
help children understand something about the life of prayer and worship. Both staff and
children have enjoyed the experience and talk about it for some time afterwards. Originally
designed for Y5’s most of the classes so far have been Y4’s although last year we had two Y6
classes who enjoyed it just as much.
What happens?
As the children arrive they are clothed in a black habit. The vows of poverty, obedience and
silence are explained (with some emphasis on the last two!). The day begins with a short
‘Office’ in the choir stalls – this consists of the 23rd Psalm, a reading of the story of the Good
Shepherd and the Lord’s Prayer. The children are then divided into groups and led off to their
‘work’ by the resident ’monks’.
Work is done in the Scriptorium, the Mason’s Yard, the Choir and according to the weather in
the Herb Garden or at the Glaziers. In the Scriptorium the children learn about manuscripts,
their writing and illumination and then copy out some verses from St Mark’s gospel and
letters are illustrated with ‘Bic Quill’ pens. In the Mason’s Yard they learn about the gargoyles
and make their own out of clay. In the choir they learn about plain song and practise a chant.
Finally, if the weather is dry, they collect herbs and learn about their uses both in cookery but
also in medicine, if it is wet they make some stained glass windows.
The children have 20 – 25 minutes at each activity with the morning broken part way through
with a ‘monk’s meal’. Here they experience the basic food which would have been grown at
the monastery. Finally they all gather in the choir for another ‘Office’ during which they sing
the chant they have learnt, listen to a short reading from the Rule of St Benedict (about
helping each other in the kitchen!) and finish with the Lord’s Payer.
We have a good team of volunteers and due regard is given to Child Protection considerations.
At present a small charge (£3.00 per child) is made to cover the cost of the materials. So far
schools have been willing to subsidise this.
For further information or to book a morning for your class please contact:-
The Revd Canon Tricia Impey
The Vicarage
230 The Wheel
Ecclesfield
SheffieldS35 9ZB
Telephone: Sheffield (0114) 257 0002
Email me:
A half day visit for schools helping children experience some of the life of a Benedictine monk.
Some Background:
Although there has been a church in Ecclesfield since Anglo Saxon times – hence the name –
the present building dates back to the time when responsibility for it lay in the hands of the
Monastery of St Wandrille in Normandy. Following the Norman invasion the de Lovetots
who came in this are sent back to their home town of St Wandrille for some monks to come
and over see the church. Three were sent here, hence the Priory behind the church. In many
ways the history of England can be told through the building and indeed it is often visited by
local history groups and schools. We felt however, that it was also important for visitors to
gain some insight into the purpose of the building as a place of prayer and worship.
Please look at our Church History page if you want a more detailed history.
So, after consultation with various folk including the staff of our local Primary School we
started this venture in September 2005 and it has proved to be very successful. The morning
fulfils a number of curriculum objectives for schools as well as our desire to use the building to
help children understand something about the life of prayer and worship. Both staff and
children have enjoyed the experience and talk about it for some time afterwards. Originally
designed for Y5’s most of the classes so far have been Y4’s although last year we had two Y6
classes who enjoyed it just as much.
What happens?
As the children arrive they are clothed in a black habit. The vows of poverty, obedience and
silence are explained (with some emphasis on the last two!). The day begins with a short
‘Office’ in the choir stalls – this consists of the 23rd Psalm, a reading of the story of the Good
Shepherd and the Lord’s Prayer. The children are then divided into groups and led off to their
‘work’ by the resident ’monks’.
Work is done in the Scriptorium, the Mason’s Yard, the Choir and according to the weather in
the Herb Garden or at the Glaziers. In the Scriptorium the children learn about manuscripts,
their writing and illumination and then copy out some verses from St Mark’s gospel and
letters are illustrated with ‘Bic Quill’ pens. In the Mason’s Yard they learn about the gargoyles
and make their own out of clay. In the choir they learn about plain song and practise a chant.
Finally, if the weather is dry, they collect herbs and learn about their uses both in cookery but
also in medicine, if it is wet they make some stained glass windows.
The children have 20 – 25 minutes at each activity with the morning broken part way through
with a ‘monk’s meal’. Here they experience the basic food which would have been grown at
the monastery. Finally they all gather in the choir for another ‘Office’ during which they sing
the chant they have learnt, listen to a short reading from the Rule of St Benedict (about
helping each other in the kitchen!) and finish with the Lord’s Payer.
We have a good team of volunteers and due regard is given to Child Protection considerations.
At present a small charge (£3.00 per child) is made to cover the cost of the materials. So far
schools have been willing to subsidise this.
For further information or to book a morning for your class please contact:-
The Revd Canon Tricia Impey
The Vicarage
230 The Wheel
Ecclesfield
SheffieldS35 9ZB
Telephone: Sheffield (0114) 257 0002
Email me:
The Monk's Day
| For Schools |
| Welcome to St Mary's Parish Church, Ecclesfield |