Everybody is welcome to every service; children are always welcome and we have activity sheets and colouring to help keep little ones interested. If you're nervous about coming to church for the first time, please get in touch for a chat. We can meet up first, to talk about the services, and we can make sure we're looking out for you, to give you a warm welcome on your first visit. Our usual servi
ce times are:
EVERY SUNDAY:
10.30: Holy Communion. A great service to come to if you'd like to meet the church community or experience worship for the first time. If you are gluten intolerant, please let the Welcomers know: gluten-free wafers are available. If you're not a confirmed Christian, feel free to come up for a blessing when we receive Communion. Stay for refreshments are served afterwards. Plus:
1st SUNDAY:
6.00pm: Choral Evensong: A sung service in traditional language, using the the rich heritage of Anglican choral music to lead us in worship. At present, this is July-October.
2nd SUNDAY:
8.00am: Holy Communion: A quiet, spoken service in the beautiful language of the Book of Common Prayer.
3.00pm: Messy Church: A relaxed time for all ages, with craft and other activities on a biblical theme, followed by a short time of sung worship with modern songs and a shared tea. A really good choice for kids to bring their adults to.
3rd SUNDAY:
8.00am: Holy Communion: A quiet, spoken service in the beautiful traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer. During the week:
TUESDAY - SATURDAY:
9.00am: Morning Prayer: A quiet, said, service of readings and prayers. Usually in the Resurrection Chapel. THURSDAY:
10.00am: Holy Communion: A said service in modern language, in the Catharine Chapel. This service usually lasts around 30-35 minutes. BAPTISMS:
If you live in Westerham, you're entitled to be baptised at St Mary's, whether you're a child or an adult. To help you prepare, we'll arrange for you to meet one of our ministers some time before the service. It's a really good idea to come to some of our regular worship, too, because that helps you to think about what baptism means, and we'd love to celebrate with you by having your baptism at our 10.30 - but there is no obligation and you can have a family celebration separate from our main worship, if you prefer. WEDDINGS:
If you live in Westerham, or have a 'qualifying connection', then (with very few exceptions) you're entitled to be married in your parish church. There is a fee for the service, which is set nationally, but there is nothing quite like a church wedding; especially in such a beautiful setting as St Mary's. FUNERALS:
Everybody resident in the parish at the time of their death is entitled to a church funeral, and burial in the churchyard. It doesn't matter whether they ever went to church, or what they believed. If you prefer cremation, we can hold the service at the crematorium of your choice and have a separate burial of ashes at a later date. It's a good idea to plan your funeral ahead of time, rather than leave it to your loved ones to sort out in the time of their grief. Please feel free to get in touch to arrange a visit from one of our ministers, to talk through the service and how you would like it to be. There are nationally-set fees for funerals and burials. Having the service in church means that it can be as long as you want it - we're not running a business and there are no fees for overunning! It's your space, your time. If you're in the sad situation of just having lost a loved-one, we're here for you. Please get in touch and we'll help you through. If you've already been in touch with an undertaker, please ensure that they know that you would like the funeral to be in the local parish church or, for a cremation, with a minister from St Mary's.
