Worship
Worship at St Mary’s
St Mary’s is a warm, lively and friendly Church community. In Jesus’ name we try to be inclusive of all, so that we may make God’s love known to everyone within our community and so that all of us may come to know God’s love within our own lives.
Our main Sunday morning service is Parish Communion at 10am, which lasts about an hour. There is a children’s corner on the far side of the church, with colouring, books and crèche toys available. ‘Welcomers’ are on hand to help you find a seat and our children’s corner, which has a space for pushchairs. The service begins with a hymn then the children are invited to come to the front to help lead us into worship by lighting a candle and saying a prayer. On most Sundays, after lighting their candle, the children are invited to take part in our very popular All Stars Children’s Church, however, they are equally welcome to stay and worship with their families in the pews if they’d prefer.
There is something for everyone, from singing in our mixed-age choir; ringing our fine ring of eight bells; in one of them any roles that support our Sunday worship; assisting our flower team in creating beautiful floral displays; joining a small group to develop your faith and fellowship; and serving our local community or the wider world.
Services
Sunday Services
8am, Holy Communion (1662 Prayer Book)
This simple service of Holy Communion is said in the Chapel and lasts approximately
40 minutes. Breakfast is served afterwards in the Church Room on the third Sunday of each month.
10am, Parish Communion
Our main Sunday morning service lasts approximately 60 minutes. At Parish Communion there is a robed choir to enrich our worship. All Stars groups for children run during the service every Sunday except during Celebration Services, Festival Services and the month of August.
10am, Celebration Services
On Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival and Christingle, we use a simplified pattern of worship. Celebration Services often feature our ‘Open the Book Team’, who bring the bible stories to life, and children are invited to gather close to see the storytellers in action. We also bring people in the pews closer to the celebration by holding communion at the nave altar. On these occasions of celebration, we recognise that families may want to sit together, so choir members do not robe and can choose to sit in the choir stalls or in the pews. At Celebration Services we offer age-appropriate creative activities on the far side of the Church and in the Tower Room.
10am, Festival Services
On the major festivals of the Christian year – Easter Day, Pentecost, the Patronal Festival and Christmas Day – all ages are enabled to worship together. At Festival Services we offer age-appropriate creative activities on the far side of the Church and in the Tower Room.
6:30pm, Evening Service
We offer a range of Evening Services, including Sung Evensong and Choral Evensong in the traditional language of the 1662 Prayer Book, Taizé Services, and events which are contemplative and reflect contemporary themes such as healing, peace and unity.
Midweek Services
Wednesday 10:30am, Holy Communion
A simple said service of Holy Communion in the Chapel (perfect for those finishing the school run).
Saturday 9:00am, Morning Prayer over Zoom
A short 20 minute service of guided reflection and prayer.
Sunday
8:00am
Holy Communion
(1662 Prayer Book)10:00am
Parish Communion6:30pm
Evening Service
Midweek
Wednesday 10:30am
Holy CommunionSaturday 9:00am
Morning Prayer over Zoom