events in the church year

In addition to our regular worshipping life we celebrate the Christian festivals in some special ways: Advent is celebrated with a special Advent ring that is lowered from the ceiling of the church for the children to light.

The seasons of Advent and Lent are times of studying and deepening our faith, during these weeks we meet for study sessions with our Roman Catholic and Baptist brothers and sisters. St Nicholas day (6 December) is celebrated together with all the agencies that are engaged in supportive work with children in the area in particular SureStart and PEEP. We meet for a lantern-making afternoon, after which we have a candlelit lantern procession through Littlemore followed by a St Nicholas story-telling service in the church.

During December in addition to the more usual round of carol services (such as Advent, Christingle and blessing of the crib) we also have a special Community Carol Service where different local music groups present carols, and people who work in our community, such as publicans, postmen or women, dustmen and others read the lessons.

On Palm Sunday we hold a big open-air procession with palms led by a donkey. Holy Week and Easter are marked by a traditional keeping of the Tridium with confirmations and baptisms during the Easter Night festivities. Parishioners also organise social events, outings and fund-raising events. Mothering Sunday and Harvest Festival are observed with the participation of local uniformed organisations (Brownies, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts).