We enjoy an active Social Life with events such as quiz nights, concerts, Lent lunches, fairs and so on.
Music plays an important part in our worship, with focus on good singing to match the liturgy. The Parish Church has a recently overhauled organ (2002) and the choir sings at the Parish Church at the 9.30 services and other principal celebrations.
It is supported by a professional organist and is experiencing growth with the inauguration in 2006 of a Junior Choir, currently with 16 youngsters.
We attend the Royal School of Church Music Diocesan Choir Festival most summers, and strive to follow the RSCM standards in training.
These youngsters also take part in our Junior Church which meets most Sundays during the 9.30 service at the Parish Church. The Juniors go out for their own teaching for about 20 minutes. Growth of Junior Church puts demands on the choir vestry where they meet, as ages sometimes range from 4 to 15.
There is a thriving Mothers’ Union which usually meets at the St. Andrew Centre once a month. They assist in the welcome of Baptism candidates with the presentation of a posy at the principal Parish Eucharist following or in which the Baptism is celebrated.
A Bible Study Group runs at intervals through the year, usually at the St Andrew’s Centre.
A Prayer Chain operates a constant round of intercessory prayer as required.
A Support and Bereavement group keeps in touch with the bereaved and housebound. This group also provides monthly coffee mornings (‘Coffee and Company’) in different people’s houses. So successful has this activity been that it has been split into two, and continues to grow.
The Ministry Team meets roughly every six weeks to reflect on and plan the work of
the church both in the community, its outreach, etc., and also to explore its worship,
provision of pastoral care and self-
There is an active team of Servers at both churches, and at the Parish Church these include some juniors
The Parish Church is usually open every day for quiet prayer and reflection.
We endeavour to make the church as accessible as we can to the community, and in addition to regular contact with the local schools through assemblies, class teaching and social events, we regularly welcome all the Primary School children on visits to explore the building and its purpose. In addition they and the uniformed organisations come to the church for seasonal services, especially Remembrance and Christmas.
There is an attractive Parish Magazine which invites contributions from all the local
community as well as the Church. www.parish-
Seasonal provisions:
We offer an annual Commemoration Service and All Souls Eucharist for those who have been bereaved, which proves very popular. Remembrance Sunday sees the church packed with all the local uniformed organisations who march along Yarmouth Road (closed for the purpose) to the war memorial on River Green and then into church for a service.
Holy Week has appropriate provision for the lead up to Easter, including the running
of a children’s workshop on Holy Saturday.
Christmas sees all the schools having church carol services, as well as a Christingle with the Girl Guides, open to all.
Our own provision comprises a crib service at the Parish Church which is crammed with angels and shepherds, all suitably dressed , a carol service, and the usual Midnight Masses.
The Daily Office is said (Celebrating Common Prayer can be used), and there is observance usually with a Eucharist of various weekday saints’ days and festivals.
A group of gardeners meets every Friday morning to care for the Parish Churchyard.
Its excellent condition as a result draws many favourable comments.
View
from the roof repairs in February
2010
Teddy Bears’ Harvest Picnic Service October ‘11..... participants
More recent events:
Our new curate David and his wife Naomi:
they join us in July this year
On the second Sunday of the month we offer a Light Lunch, usually soup, cheese and fruit, preceded by a glass of sherry(!) at the St Andrew Centre, especially for those who live alone. Proceeds go half to the monthly charity and half to the church.
Part of Cafe Church activities
