|
Christmas Service Times in Harefield
The Baptist Church (Rickmansworth Road, tel 824095)
Wed 16th 12 noon Meeting Point Christmas Lunch
Sun 20th 10.30am Advent Service, 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight
Fri 25th 10am Christmas Day Worship and Lunch
Sun 27th 10.30am All Age Family Service
St Paul's Catholic Church (Merle Avenue, tel 822365)
Thu 24th 5.45pm Christmas Mass with Children
8pm Christmas Carols and Lessons
8.30pm Christmas Mass
Fri 25th 9 & 11am Christmas Mass
Sun 27th 9am + 11am Mass (also Sat at 6.30pm)
Each weekday - Mass at 9.15am
St Mary's Parish Church (off Church Hill, tel 825960)
Sun 20th 10.30am Children's Nativity Service
6.30pm Christmas Carol Service by Candlelight
Tue 22nd 7pm Carol Singing around the Village
Thu 24th 4pm Christingle Service - for all ages
11pm Midnight Communion by Candlelight
Fri 25th 8am Holy Communion
10.30am Christmas Morning Communion for Everyone
Sat 26th 10.15am Boxing Day Walk - meet outside St Mary's
Sun 27th 8am Holy Communion
10.30am All Age Communion with Baptism
6.30pm Informal Service of Carols & Readings for the Holy Innocents
Regular Worship
All services are at St Mary's Church, unless stated otherwise.
CHILDREN are always welcome at St Mary's.
Every Sunday
8am Holy Communion
10.30am Main Service
always with provision for toddlers and children
1st Sunday and occasional 5th Sunday
All Age Worship
All other Sundays
Parish Commmunion with The Launch (Children's Groups)
6.30pm Evening Worship
1st Sunday Choral Evensong
2nd Sunday Holy Communion
3rd - 5th Sundays Evening Prayer
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. Recently the Church of England has changed the rules in order to make it easier for you to be married in a Church of your choice. Now an engaged couple can do just that if either of you can show just one of the following seven connections with the parish.
That one of you:
That one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months or
- has regularly attended worship at St Mary's for a period of at least 6 months or
That one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
Talk to the Vicar there well in advance to discuss the options open to you.
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. | 