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).
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