St Stephen's is open every day this week for private prayer from 10am to 4pm. Please go and remember the birth of Jesus in our beautifully decorated church. This is up to and including Christmas Eve.
Carol Service OnLine
We were able to record our Carol service which we held on Sunday 20th - click on the link and you can share with us - the choir of 6 socially distanced members singing carols, other members of the congregation reading, enjoy a lovely recording from St Bartholomew's choir and Henry playing the organ.
Cancelled Christmas services in Ashampstead & Aldworth
It is with enormous regret that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Carol Service at St Clement’s today. We just feel that in the light of the danger of the mutating virus and Tier 4 restrictions that it is our responsibility to make sure that everyone remains as safe as possible.
We have also decided to cancel the Christmas morning Holy Communion service. Aldworth has made the same decision as we both feel that it will be virtually impossible to make both our churches which are old totally covid-secure.
There are a number of online services taking place, notably we have a zoom Benefice Holy Communion service on Christmas Day which will be led by Juliet Straw. The Diocese is also providing a number of services and there will be many on the radio too. We will circulate details of all of these to you in the next few days.
We would also like to reassure you that St Clement’s will remain open for private prayer. St Clement’s has been beautifully decorated and all the Christmas stars are being blessed and hung this morning – a wonderful way of remembering all those we shall sadly be unable to see this Christmas. Do come and see them and say a prayer..
Preparation and waiting - Sunday 13th December 2020
What did Mary know?
How can I give to St Stephen's, St Mary's, St Clement's when I can't put money in the collection?
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Wednesday Midweek Meeting
Were they the first Christmas carols?
Join our Local Discussion Group looking at Luke's Christmas songs, on Wednesday evenings.
It will be on Zoom, so you can see it on computer or smart phone, or you can listen to it on your phone.
Jonathan, Mike and Rosemary will lead the discussion and there will be opportunity for you to join in.
Join us at 7:50 for 8 p.m. each Wednesday for about 30 minutes.
Join the Zoom Meeting by clicking on this url just before 8.00 pm:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84867831877?pwd=WDNBTWV3SHpZNnFHdVZ0alFIS3kvdz09
In case you need it - meeting ID: 848 6783 1877 and Password: 379081
Dates and Doings - keeping you in touch with your local community
We can be back in our church buildings tomorrow to celebrate the second Sunday in Advent. There will be music but no congregational singing.
At St Stephen's we'll be looking for a volunteer to light the candles! It will be a short service - families welcome! Come and help light the candles on our Advent wreath as we remember the preparations which God made for the coming of his Son into the world.
Lord Jesus you are the true light that gives light to everyone:
At this Advent season, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we receive you again in our hearts, renew our belief in your name, and remember that you give us the right to become children of God.
Lord Jesus, you are the Word become flesh, you made your home among us:
At this Advent season as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, may we once more be ready to see your glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
based on John 1:9-14
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SERVICES in the benefice
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From 2nd December we are in Tier 2 but WE CAN MEET FOR WORSHIP
From Wednesday 2nd December communal worship can resume. West Berkshire is in 'High Alert' tier level 2; this mean PLACES OF WORSHIP are Open, but you “cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble” when you’re in the building.
Church buildings continue to be OPEN for Private Prayer (details below); the Community Post Office in St Stephen’s church centre will continue to open on Monday and Friday mornings.
For details of church services please see our events page or look at the page for each church.