News & Events

On Sunday we gather at 10.45am by the War Memorial in the Prospect for the annual Armistice Day commemorations which will be followed by a service of Remembrance in St Mary’s Church.

Don’t miss this excellent exhibition in St Mary’s – for one week only!

Join us for an online Advent retreat with Esther de Waal, Gregory Cameron, Peter Graystone, Richard Carter, and Rachel Mann. In association with Canterbury Press. Book tickets below.

10.00   Opening worship
Richard Carter and singers from the St Martin’s Voices. Director of Music: Andrew Earis

10.30   ‘Earth grown old, yet still so green’: Poetry for Advent
Rachel Mann

11.00   The Winter of Your Soul: How William Shakespeare can ease it
Peter Graystone

11.30   Break

11.45   Putting Christmas Together
Gregory Cameron

12.15   Watching and Waiting: A reflection on Advent
Esther de Waal

12.45   Closing Worship
Richard Carter, Andrew Earis and the St Martin’s Voices

About the contributors

Richard Carter is a priest at St Martin in the Fields in London’s Trafalgar Square, and founder of its contemplative Nazareth Community. He is the author of The City is My Monastery and In Search of the Lost.

Rachel Mann is a poet, priest, theologian and writer based in Manchester. Her numerous publications include In The Bleak Midwinter: Advent and Christmas with Christina Rossetti and a volume of poetry, A Kingdom of Love.

Peter Graystone is a writer who has worked for Scripture Union, Christian Aid and the Church Army. He is the author of All’s Well That Ends Well: From Dust to Resurrection – 40 days with Shakespeare. He regularly contributes to the Church Times and to Reflections for Daily Prayer.

Gregory Cameron is the Bishop of St Asaph in the Church in Wales and is author of An Advent Book of Days, the Canterbury Press 2021 Advent book.

Esther de Waal is one of the most outstanding spiritual writers of our day, renowned for opening up the treasures of Benedictine and Celtic spirituality for countless readers. Her most recent book is The White Stone: The art of letting go.

Book tickets

Tickets are £10, or £5 for Church Times and magnet subscribers. 

Details of how to watch the event will be sent to ticket holders by email the day before.

Questions? Contact events@hymnsam.co.uk.

This evening at 6pm in St Mary’s, our annual All Souls Service takes place, when we remember those who have died recently. During the service the names of those we remember will be read out.

Do let us know when you arrive if you would like us to read out the name of your loved one.

Light refreshments will be provided after the service when there will be an opportunity to talk to one of our ministers if you would like to.

Our family service at Walford this Sunday will be continuing with our green theme – in the world and in the church! Do hope you can come!

We’ll be celebrating God’s wonderful world and our part in working with God to care for all people and creation. We’ll have in our prayers the Earthshot prize winners and contestants, and COP26 as well as people needing our prayers / support and those affected by COVID. 

I’ll have a Prayer Bag for our prayers – do bring any items you would like to add

We’ll also be caring for each other by being mindful of social distancing with the number of Covid cases rising again. We’ll spread out well – but perhaps we’re at the time when it would be a good idea to bring/wear masks? 

See you soon! Caroline

Join us at St Mary’s on Sunday 31st October at 6pm for our annual All Souls Service when we remember those who have died recently. During the service the names of those we remember will be read out.

Do let us know if you are coming and would like us to read out the name of your loved one.

Light refreshments will be provided after the service when there will be an opportunity to talk to one of our ministers if you would like to.

9th – 15th October is Baby Loss Awareness Week. As a part of raising awareness and supporting those bereaved, our spire will be lit pink and we will be having a short service of remembrance on 15 October 6:45-7pm which will culminate in lighting candles as part of the wave of light. This service will be appropriate for anyone who has lost a baby at any point and those who grieve the inability or lack of opportunity to have children. For more information, contact Tiffany.

God’s world is wonderful! Let’s celebrate it and care for it together! Messy crafts, music, story, activities, prayer, food, friends, fun!

Join us on the first Thursday of the month (7 Oct) as usual between 3.30 and 4.30. 

Our usual zany mix of craft, activities, thought starters, story, prayer, song, food and much more. With socially distanced crafts and activities. Simple refreshments provided but you can also bring your own snacks. 

New for this month St Mary’s Youth choir members will be getting Messy with us! Make a joyful sound together – and hear the great sound they’re learning to make!

Book your free places here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/october-messy-church-at-st-marys-tickets-182406561937?utm_source=eventbrite&utm_medium=email&utm_content=follow_notification&utm_campaign=following_published_event&utm_term=October+Messy+Church+at+St+Mary%27s&aff=ebemoffollowpublishemail

Find out more and discover how you can help at https://rossparishes.uk/giving and if you’ve had an invitation to the cheese & wine evening, it’s this evening at 6pm in church.