Whilst our church is of a low church tradition it serves the whole village and the area known as New Packington, and it welcomes everyone, whatever their background or customary form of worship. There are normally three, and very rarely four, services a month which begin at 10.00am. Occasionally the time may vary e.g. if lunch is being served afterwards, so please check in the magazine or on the website calendar. The pattern of services is as below:
On the first Sunday of the month, there may be a Christening, when the church will welcome a new member into its family. Otherwise, the Service will be of a relatively informal nature and may be enhanced by a visiting speaker e.g. past guests have included a representative from Christian Aid and the organiser of the local Food Bank and in February this year a Pioneer Minister came to explain to us what is involved in carrying out this relatively new role.
On the second Sunday our Morning Worship is flexible but is usually based on Common Worship Morning Prayer. Normally, on the third Sunday there is no service in our Church but there will be services, including Holy Communion, in other churches within the Woodfield Team.
The fourth Sunday sees a Common Worship celebration of Holy Communion Service here, whilst, if there is a fifth Sunday in the month, there will be a united service hosted by one of the churches in the Team.
In addition to the regular pattern of services, there will also be special services e.g. the annual Remembrance Day Service, and additional services will be held around the Christmas and Easter Festivals, such as the Christingle and Good Friday services. We also hold a popular Songs of Praise Service, usually twice a year, when hymns are chosen by members of the community.
Finally, for those who like something more traditional, on the 2nd Wednesday of every month there is a said service of Holy Communion starting at 10.00am, celebrated according to the Book of Common Prayer.
Occasional offices – Christenings, weddings, funerals.
It is a privilege to share with people at key points in their lives, both times of joy and of great sadness, and the occasional offices provide that opportunity. There are further detail about Christenings, Weddings and Funerals elsewhere on this website. In brief:
Christenings A Christening is a very happy occasion and our church welcomes into its family all those bringing their baby to be baptised . A member of the clergy will talk to the family before the event, to guide on the choice of godparents and discuss with them the Order of Service and the meaning of the promises which they and the godparents will be taking on behalf of their child.
Confirmations When babies grow up into young people and are able to make decisions for themselves, from time to time there will be the opportunity for them to join a group, drawn from across the Team, which is exploring the Christian faith in more depth and considering confirmation.
Weddings Our Church also provides a beautiful venue for a wedding service and the minister will work with the couple, covering the required legal aspects, advising them about the content of the Order of Service and preparing them for the vows which they are about to take to each other.
Funerals/ Thanksgiving Services
Our church is here too to support those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Everyone is entitled to have a funeral service in their local parish church regardless of whether they attended church or not or it may be decided to hold the service at the crematorium. The service will be personal and the minister will involve the next of kin in planning it. After a service in church, a burial may take place in the churchyard or the minister can go with the family to the crematorium for the committal. Ashes can be interred in the Garden of Remembrance in the churchyard.
There are always “Lights of Love” services in one or two of the churches in the Team. They are occasions when we remember those we have loved and who have passed on before us and are given the opportunity to light a candle in their memory. The service is one of thanksgiving and reflection and many have found it helpful as they continue to grieve. Last year one was held in Holy Rood Church at the beginning of November and we are hoping to host one again later this year
In the first instance, all enquiries about baptisms, confirmation, funerals, and weddings should be made to the Team Vicar/Team Administrator.