With Christmas just around the corner, churches across our diocese are welcoming congregations and communities to festive services and events. Here is a snapshot of some of the events taking place up to Christmas Day.
Gloucester Cathedral
Due to popular demand, the traditional Cathedral carol service will be taking place three times this year, on Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December at 6pm.
Families can also enjoy family carol services on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December at 2.30pm, a celebration suitable for all ages.
Christmas worship continues with Midnight Mass on 24 December at 11.15pm, and the Christmas Day Eucharist on 25 December at 10.15am.
While no tickets are required for any Advent or Christmas services, it is advised that people arrive early as space is limited and seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other highlights include the Good Tidings family trail, The Story of Father Christmas, Carols on the house and Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.
A Christmas carol service will take place on 21 December at 6pm. On 24 December, the Abbey will hold a Christingle at 4pm (doors open at 3.15pm; no dogs permitted at this service), followed later that evening by Midnight Mass at 11.30pm.
Christmas celebrations continue on 25 December with Christmas Day Mass at 10.30am.
Pip and Jim’s is focusing on ‘sharing Christmas joy’ this year, inviting everyone to take part in ways that suit them.
A variety of services and events will be held throughout December. Teatime Church – scratch nativity takes place on Sunday 14 December at 4pm, a service for children and families with the option to come dressed as nativity characters and stay for a picnic tea. Later that day, quiet Christmas will be held at 6pm, offering a reflective service followed by seasonal refreshments.
Other highlights include Beer and carols (20 Dec), Carols by candlelight (21 December), Blue Christmas, for those grieving or finding the season difficult (22 December), plus family Crib services at 3pm and 5pm, nativity costumes welcome. Midnight Mass is at 11.30pm.
Christmas worship continues on Thursday 25 December with Christmas Day Communion at 8am, a short said service, and the Christmas Day Service at 10am, suitable for all ages. This is followed by a Christmas lunch that’s open to anyone. The Christmas lunch is free; booking via the Parish Office is encouraged to ensure adequate catering and to share any dietary requirements.
Cirencester’s parish churches – St John Baptist, Holy Trinity, and St Lawrence – are offering a shared programme of Christmas worship and events.
At St John Baptist Church, activities begin on 13 December at 2.30pm with Christmas tree dressing and dedication. A Christmas sing-a-long is on 20 December at 3pm, followed by nine lessons and carols on 21 December at 6pm, and Shoppers’ carols on 23 December at 10.30am.
Christmas Eve includes a Midday Said Eucharist, an all-age crib Service at 4pm, and Midnight Mass at 11.30pm at PCH. Christmas Day services are at 8am (BCP Communion) and 10am (all-age Eucharist with carols).
At Holy Trinity Church, the season includes the HTW carol service on 14 December at 6pm, a Blue Christmas service on 20 December at 4.30pm, and a nativity service on 21 December at 10am.
On Christmas Eve, two Christingle services will be held at 4pm and 6pm (both free ticketed), followed by midnight mass at 11.30pm. Christmas Day worship takes place at 8am and 10am.
At St Lawrence Church, the church will hold Worship Together on 14 December at 10.30am, a service of nine lessons and carols on 20 December at 6pm, and Holy Communion on Christmas Day at 10am.
Lydney etc Benefice
A CommunityCarol Service will take place at Holy Trinity on Sunday 14 December at 4.30pm, with refreshments offered afterwards. All ages are welcome.
Sunday 21 December at 4pm is a Carol Service at St Mary’s, Lydney, with brass band and on Christmas Eve at 4pm there’s a Christingle service at St Andrew’s, Alvington.
Also on Christmas Eve at 4pm, Holy Trinity will hold a Crib service with a scratch nativity. Children are invited to come dressed as characters from the nativity story, or to arrive from 3pm to make simple props or borrow a costume. All are welcome to take part.
Midnight Mass will be at St Mary’s Alyburton and also St Mary’s Lydney, from 11.30pm on Christmas Eve.
St James’ Chipping Campden
Campden Carols will take place on Sunday 14 December at 6.30pm, held around the town tree and hosted jointly by St James’ and Campden Baptist Church. All are invited to join the community celebration.
A Christmas Carol service will be held on 21 December at 6.30pm, including lessons and carols, and open to all.
On Christmas Eve, Christingle services will take place at 3pm and 4.30pm, suitable for families and welcoming everyone who wishes to attend.
Christmas worship continues with Midnight Communion on 24 December at 11.30pm, followed by family communion on Christmas Day at 9.30am.
St Lawrence, Bourton on the Water
St Lawrence is hosting a Christingle Breakfast Church on Saturday 13 December at 9am, where families can make a Christingle and share breakfast before a short service.
Two carol services will follow: Around the Tree on 14 December at 6pm on the Village Green, and a church Carol Service on 21 December at 6pm, featuring carols and readings and followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
On Christmas Eve, a 4pm Family Service will retell the Christmas story, with an invitation for children to dress as their favourite characters. There is also Midnight in Bethlehem, a 9pm Christmas Eve Holy Communion.
Christmas Day Communion will be held on 25 December at 11am.
St Andrew’s and St Bartholomew’s, Churchdown
St Andrew’s and St Bartholomew’s will be hosting a range of services and events for the Christmas season.
A Carol Service will take place on Sunday 14 December at 7pm, with well-known carols, choir music and readings, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
A Youth Snow Ball will be held on Monday 15 December at 6pm, open to young people aged 11–18, with snacks, a silent disco and Christmas activities. Tickets cost £5.
A Beer and Carols evening will take place on Sunday 21 December at 7.30pm at The Old Elm Inn, with seating on a first-come, first-served basis.
On Christmas Eve, the church will host the Puppets Christmas Story at 4pm, a family-friendly service especially suited to primary-aged children, followed by Evening Communion at 10pm.
Christmas worship continues on Christmas Day, beginning with Holy Communion at 8.30am and an all-age Christmas celebration at 10.30am.
Stroud parish churches are offering a full programme of Christmas services and carol singing.
On Thursday 18 December at 6pm, there will be both Carols in the Pub at The Woolpack, Slad, and the Festival of Light and Carols at St Paul’s, Whiteshill.
On Sunday 21 December, lessons and carols will be held at 9.30am at St Matthew’s, Cainscross, followed by Carol Services at 11am at Randwick Church, 5pm at All Saints’, Uplands, and lessons and carols at Holy Trinity, Stroud at 6.30pm. Carols concludes with Candlelit Carols on Sunday 28 December at Holy Trinity, Slad.
There will be Christingle services at 4pm, both at St Matthew’s, Cainscross and at Holy Trinity, Stroud. There will also be a Crib Service at 5.30pm at St John the Baptist, Randwick.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worship includes Midnight Mass at 11.30pm, both at St Matthew’s, Cainscross and St Laurence, Stroud. Christmas Day services will be held at 9.30am at St Matthew’s, Cainscross (family communion), All Saints, Uplands, St Laurence, Stroud, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, Paganhill, with Communion at Holy Trinity, Slad and Holy Trinity, Stroud, both at 11am.
St Mary’s Church, Wotton-under-Edge
On Sunday 14 December at 10am, there will be a family-focused service with crafts and activities. A Christmas carol service will be held on Monday 15 December at 10am at Perry and Dawes Almshouses.
The Junior Choir is performing at 5.15pm and the Senior Choir at 6.15pm. On Sunday 21 December at 6pm, the church will hold its Nine lessons and carols service, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
On Tuesday 23 December at 9.30am, there will be a coffee morning and the making of Christingles. Christmas Eve includes Holy Communion at 9.30am with refreshments afterwards, Christingle Services at 4pm and 5.30pm, and Bethlehem Midnight Mass at 9.30pm. Christmas Day worship continues with a Family Christmas day service at 9.30am, where attendees are invited to bring their favourite present.
The Benefice of Minchinhampton with Box, and Amberley
At Holy Trinity Church, Amberley, lessons and carols will be held on 21 December at 5.30pm, followed by a crib service at 3pm and Midnight Mass at 10pm on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day worship continues with a 10am Christmas Day service.
Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton will host a candlelit festival of Christmas lessons and carols on 21 December at 5.30pm. Christmas Eve includes a family crib service at 3pm and Midnight Mass at 11pm. On Christmas Day, there will be a Traditional Eucharist at 8am, followed by a 10am Christmas Day service.
St Barnabas Church, Box, will hold its carol service on 20 December at 5pm, a nativity service on Christmas Eve at 3.30pm, and a Christmas Day service at 9am.
At St Nicholas, Cherington, the carol service will be held on 14 December at 5pm, with Midnight Mass at 10pm on Christmas Eve, and a 10am Christmas Day service on 25 December.
Holy Cross, Avening will offer lessons and carols on 14 December at 7pm, a crib service at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Communion at 10am on Christmas Day.
Would you like your church services and events featured in our round-up? Send yours over to Natalie.
2 thoughts on “Christmas services and events across the diocese”
At St John The Baptist in Great Rissington we have our Christmas Tree Festival this weekend – Saturday from 10 – 6 and Sunday from 12 – 6
We have our Christingle Service this Sunday starting at 11 am, our Carols by Candlelight next Sunday starting at 6 p,, and our Christmas Eucharist starts at 11 am
News Hub
At St John The Baptist in Great Rissington we have our Christmas Tree Festival this weekend – Saturday from 10 – 6 and Sunday from 12 – 6
We have our Christingle Service this Sunday starting at 11 am, our Carols by Candlelight next Sunday starting at 6 p,, and our Christmas Eucharist starts at 11 am
St Edward’s Church Stow on the Wold Services are:
Carol service is 3pm 21st December at 3pm with mulled wine and mince pies to follow
Midnight mass is 11pm on Christmas Eve and our Christmas Day Service is at 10.30am
Our website is http://www.achurchnearyou.com/St-Edward-Stow