Many people in the village are involved in practical ways to keep St Mary’s the fantastic place it is. There is a small army of people who regularly mow the churchyard and keeping it tidy and looking pretty. Others like to support us through the activities organised by Harkstead Heritage.

For special services around Christmas, Easter and Harvest, the church is always decorated in a sea of flowers. If you would like to help, please contact Jenny Freeman on 328381.

Every year on the second Saturday in September a number of people support us raising funds by taking part in the Historic Churches Trust sponsored Bike Ride. Others help out by being in church signing the papers of those cycling from church to church. Even one of our youngest members does his bit by getting on his bike. Thank you to all those who sponsored our cyclists last September.

Financial Support

The people of St Mary’s want to be there for you whenever you need us. We do not receive any regular funding from outside agencies: everything we do is funded through the generous giving of our church family members and people in our local community.

You can support us in a number of ways:

* By joining the Parish Giving Scheme. This scheme is a safe and really easy way to make regular donations to St Mary’s. Please contact our treasurer Jo Butlin through the contact form. She can tell you all you need to know about the scheme and will be only too pleased to make sure you receive your application pack.

* By setting up a Standing Order with your bank – if you would like details on how to do this and on church bank account numbers, or a Standing Order form then please contact our treasurer Jo Butlin through our contact page.

* By sending a donation by cheque made payable to Harkstead PCC to The Rectory, Rectory Field, Chelmondiston, IP91HY.

If you are a UK taxpayer (Income or Capital Gains Tax) and would like the church to be able to claim back the basic rate tax through the government’s Gift Aid scheme, you will need to fill in, sign and return to us an ongoing Gift Aid declaration if you have not done so already. St Mary’s can recover the basic rate of income tax, currently 25p for each pound given, at no extra cost to you. No need to fill in an extra form when you join the Parish Giving Scheme as giving consent is part of the application process.

Download your Gift Aid form here.

Thank you!