Services
REGULAR WORSHIP
All services are at St Mary's Church, unless stated otherwise.
EVERY SUNDAY
8am Holy Communion
10.30am Main Service
always with provision for toddlers and children
1st Sunday All Age Worship
2nd Sunday Parish Commmunion with The Launch (Children's Groups)
3rd Sunday Parish Commmunion with The Launch (Children's Groups)
4th Sunday Parish Commmunion with The Launch (Children's Groups)
5th Sunday All Age Worship (usually with Baptisms)
6.30pm Evening Worship
1st Sunday Choral Evensong
2nd Sunday Holy Communion
3rd - 5th Sunday Evening Prayer
CHILDREN are always welcome at St Mary's.
DURING THE WEEK
Monday to Friday 8.30am Morning Prayer
Wednesday 10am Holy Communion (at the Chapel in the Church Hall)
ACCESS at other times
Unfortunately the Church cannot be left open and unattended, but access can always be arranged by appointment: telephone or email the Vicar. (See CONTACTS page)
SPECIAL SERVICES
Baptism (Christenings) and Confirmation
Baptisms and Christenings are the same thing! Baptism is the formal way of welcoming someone into the Christian faith, and into membership of God's family.
For adults baptism is on the basis of their own faith in God. For children it is on the basis of the faith and promises of their parents.
The clergy always welcome enquiries about baptism. If you don't attend already, please come to a 10.30am Sunday service at church, and introduce yourself at the end of the service.
Parents of children to be baptised will be invited to attend a preparation group (single session). Adults interested in being baptised and/or confirmed are invited to join an Emmaus course [see GROUPS & ACTIVITIES].
Ideally baptisms take place as part of the main morning service at 10.30am. We offer this on a 5th Sunday, and on other Sundays by arrangement.
Weddings
Everyone is entitled to be married at St Mary's who lives in the parish and/or is a regular worshipping member of the church.
Previously Married?
Where someone has been previously married, permission to marry in church is at the discretion of local clergy. If this is your position, do not be discouraged from contacting us.
Renewal of Vows
We also welcome enquiries from couples with an association with the church who would like to have a civil ceremony blessed or to renew their vows, perhaps after a significant anniversary.
Preparation
All couples are invited to a short course, which includes sessions on the ceremony and communication.
Booking a Date
Weddings can take place on any day of the week, including Sundays. While some couples like to book as far as 18 months ahead, we can usually fit a wedding in next month!
Contact: Vicarage office 01895 825960
Funerals
We are very pleased to take funerals for anyone in our parish, whether they have close associations with St Mary's or none. This applies both to those who have died, and those who are bereaved. We invite everyone to consider having a funeral in church, which may be followed by burial or cremation. Of course we also take services at the Crematorium.
Normally a funeral is arranged between the family, an undertaker and the parish clergy. We see funerals as an opportunity to give thanks for the life of the person who has died, to commend them to God, and to provide for the needs of those who mourn.
Burial in St Mary's churchyard is available for all who live in the parish. It is not possible to buy or reserve space in the churchyard, nor is it necessary. There are Regulations (displayed on the reverse of the church notice board) which state clearly what is allowed in the churchyard. For example these regulations indicate which types of monument may be placed on a grave.
Following a cremation, ashes can be buried in the churchyard.
Contact: Vicarage office 01895 825960
Other Special Services include ..
Memorial Services - twice a year, to commemorate those who have died
ANZAC Day - always on 25 April each year, at 3pm
... and at other major festivals as announced.
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