Daily prayer and weekly worship is the backbone of all that we are as a church. It celebrates and gives meaning to all else, and resources and challenges us. And it is an end in itself.
The regular pattern is:
And here’s what to expect:
Sunday Communion, 10.00am
This is the main service of the week, when the whole church family gathers. We use the words “Common Worship” – beautiful, fairly formal, modern language. We pray together, sing five hymns, hear the Bible and a sermon, and celebrate Holy Communion. It lasts just over an hour, with refreshments to follow.
An outline of how it works can be found here. We have different hymns and bible readings each week, and sometimes add in seasonal prayers, but the basic structure is always the same. The idea is that these words become familiar so that we say them together, but from the heart, not just reading a script. It’s lovely when it works.
Everyone is welcome. If you are baptised and normally receive communion when you go to church, then you can receive here. Or just receive a blessing if you prefer. We have gluten free communion wafers if you need one. Please come as you are – you are among friends and however you enter into this is fine.
Children are very welcome indeed. Sometimes they run about and explore the building. Sometimes they worship in their own way. That’s fine. Jesus said “let the little children come to me” and we’re all about that. Bring them up front where they can see what’s going on.
Morning Prayer, 8.30am Sunday-Friday
We meet in the Lady Chapel. We follow the pattern in Common Worship Daily Prayer. We say one ore more Psalms together, pausing to breathe and listen. We hear the Bible read. We say some canticles. We keep five or ten minutes silence together. We ask God for what we and the world need in the day to come. We start the day in the right way.
Evening Prayer 5.30pm Sunday-Friday
We meet in the beautiful vaulted chancel. We combine Common Worship Daily Prayer with the Psalm tones of Caldey Abbey. We sing the canticles and psalms together – but there are no music snobs here, and however you join in is fine! Here is the service book we use. We give thanks for all that has been and prepare to rest.
Midweek Communion, 12.15pm Wednesday
A small half hour said service of holy communion, usually with a short reflection, in the Lady Chapel.
Prayer During the Day, 12.15pm Friday
Each week the Holy Dusters, a friendly open-access group, meets to tidy up and maintain the church building – all are welcome to join in this work. We begin with ten minutes of prayer, with a psalm, reading and silence, in the Lady Chapel.
If you are involved in putting on our services on a Sunday (a) thank you! and (b) here is the handbook of how everything works to supplement your training and act as a refresher.
If you’d like to be involved, please do get in touch.