by Neal | Jan 6, 2013 | News, Special Services |
On Epiphany Sunday, we were delighted to welcome the Bishop of Wakefield to St Mary’s to lead our Baptism and Confirmation service.
Four candidates were being confirmed, and one of those was also being Baptised. It was great to welcome them and their sponsors this morning.
The service started off with the Bishop welcoming everybody to the service and reminding us that Epiphany is a traditional time for Confirmation with the focus of journeys. The Bishop preached on this similarity as well.
The first part of the service was Gareth’s Baptism. This was incorporated with the Bishop reminding us all of our Baptisms, and doing this practically by liberally sprinkling the Baptism water over the congregation! However, it is fair to say that Gareth received his fair share of the water as well – it was dripping off him for most of the service.
Then we moved onto the confirmation part of the service. It was nice to hear from all the candidates why they have chosen to be confirmed, and then they made promises to confirm their Baptism promises.
The Bishop then celebrated the Eucharist, and the newly confirmed, and their sponsors and family were the first to receive communion this morning.
After the communion, the newly confirmed received their candles which they will keep. After the Blessing at the end of the service, the Bishop led the newly confirmed up the aisle to the back of church.
After the service, the congregation shared a faith lunch, which traditionally at St Mary’s are always well supported! Overall this was a terrific way for the church family of St Mary’s to start 2013 and move us forward into the new year, a lot of people were heard to say how much they’d enjoyed the service and that having the lunch in church rather than going round to the Parish Centre was really nice.
Below, pictured around the font at the end of the service is, left to right: Rev Amanda Barraclough (Vicar of St Mary’s), Paul Martin, Hannah Tombling, Bishop of Wakefield, Gareth Twohey, Laura Wiesiolek.
by Neal | Dec 30, 2012 | News, Special Services |
We are delighted to welcome Bishop Stephen (the Bishop of Wakefield) to join us for a Confirmation Service next Sunday 6th January 2013.
At this service, four people will be confirmed, and one of these baptised.
Afterwards, a faith lunch will shared by the church family to celebrate with the family and friends of those being confirmed.
The service is at 10.30am as usual.
by Neal | Dec 24, 2012 | Children, News, Special Services |
At our 5pm Christingle service this evening, Charlie and Alice were joined by Kebab the Camel! He had accidentally made it to Woodkirk (we think with the help of Dr Who) on his way back from carrying one of the wise men back from Bethlehem.
Here is Charlie and Alice with Kebab in front of the crib in the altar.
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by Neal | Dec 9, 2012 | Children, News, Special Services |
A fairly new tradition at St Mary’s is instead of having a rehearsed Nativity play, children turn up on the Sunday morning and take part in whichever role they can.
As you can imagine, this can be a little chaotic, but as Amanda always reminds us, the first Christmas hardly took place to a detailed plan!
This year the church was heaving, with standing room only. We approximately counted over 200 adults and over 100 children. Definitely a busy start to the Christmas period!
by Neal | Nov 4, 2012 | News, Services, Special Services |
All the Christmas Services are on the Calendar page, but here they are in a more concise form!
Sunday 2nd December – ADVENT 1
8am Holy Communion (said)
10.30am Holy Communion
12.30pm Baptism Service
Toy Collection starts this Sunday – unwrapped, new items please.
Saturday 8th December
10am – 1pm ‘Stable ‘n’ Stars’ Christmas Activity morning
Sunday 9th December – ADVENT 2
10.30am All-Age Service with Nativity
12.00pm Holy Communion
End of Toy Collection
Monday 10th December
12.00pm ‘First Steps’ toddler service in church ‘Henry’s Christmas Present’
Sunday 16th December – ADVENT 3
10.30am Holy Communion
4.00pm Carol Service by candlelight – with special guests
Thursday 20th December
7.00pm Westerton Road Carol service in church
Friday 21st December
9.45am Hill Top Christmas Carol Service in church
Sunday 23rd December – ADVENT 4
10.30am Holy Communion
Monday 24th December – CHRISTMAS EVE
3.00pm Christingle (aimed at younger children)
5.00pm Christingle (aimed at older children)
11.30pm First Communion of Christmas
Tuesday 25th December – CHRISTMAS DAY
10.30am Holy Communion (all-age)
by Neal | Apr 8, 2012 | News, Services, Special Services |
As usual on Easter Sunday morning, an empty cross is transformed through the services to one full of flowers to represent new life after Christ’s Resurrection. Today the cross was started with the All Age Worship and then following by the congregation of the Communion service.
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