Once again, we travel through the holy season of Lent: forty days of prayer, reflection, repentance and hope. Not a space for simply giving things up, but about making space — space to listen more closely to God and to one another, as we walk the road that leads us towards Easter.

This year, we have a wonderful opportunity to deepen that listening at our Lent Study Day on Saturday 21st March. It will be a time to learn together, ask questions, and share fellowship as we explore our faith in good company. I warmly encourage you to come and be part of it.

This year there are also some new twists on beloved traditions. On Palm Sunday, we will gather as a benefice at St Mary’s Church for a service that includes procession and drama — entering Holy Week with energy and imagination. And on Holy Saturday at 8pm, we celebrate the great Easter Vigil. This ancient service has long been held on Saturday evening because, in the Christian understanding, the new day begins at sunset (and not at sunrise!) As darkness falls, we wait, we watch, and we light the new fire, proclaiming Christ’s resurrection as the first light of Easter breaks into the night. Expect all the beauty we cherish — incense, bells, and glorious song — though not at dawn (unless you prefer the dawn chorus the next morning at Oldbury!)

Throughout Lent there will also be quieter spaces for peace and reflection — do please take a look at the dates on the back and join us as you are able.

May these weeks of preparation lead us gently into the great celebration of Easter, and may the risen Christ fill our homes and hearts with lasting hope and blessing.

Blessings, Revd Joy Ludlow Priest in Charge

The congregations across our United Benefice in Thornbury, Oldbury and Shepperdine welcome all comers. Please feel free to come and join us at any of our services in any of our churches.

Check our ‘What’s On’ page for more details on services.

EASTER SERVICES

HOLY WEEK

EASTER SERVICES HOLY WEEK

Easter Service details

Palm Sunday 10am

A benefice communion service at St Mary’s Church. This service will be held as a teaching Eucharist led by Revd Joy and Revd Helen, pausing throughout to explain why it is we do some of the things we do each week. Service includes a procession of the palm crosses around the back of the churchyard with trumpeter (and organ inside for those who stay seated).

Holy Monday 7pm

This reflective service follows the Centurion’s journey through the events of Holy Week, inviting participants to consider themes of oppression, faith, and personal response. It weaves together narrative, reflection, music, and visual artwork, incorporating both images and musical pieces to deepen your reflection.

Holy Tuesday 7pm

A short devotional gathering to listen and respond to a reading for 5 voices that links Jesus’ experiences of Holy Week to psalm 23. Symbols reinforcing the key messages help us reflect on our own experiences of going through life with the Good Shepherd.

Holy Wednesday 10am

Healing Eucharist at St Paul’s with anointing and prayers for the sick. Spoken service with short homily.

Holy Wednesday 7pm

This Taizé service offers a simple and meditative pattern of worship, using repeated chants, silence, and prayer to create a calm and reflective atmosphere. St Mary’s Shepperdine provides an intimate space for contemplation and moments of stillness to deepen spiritual awareness and peace.

Maundy Thursday 7pm

Hand washing will be available in the porch as you arrive. The first part of this service is held at the back of church with a simple supper together broken up with readings, hymns and reflections. The second part is a simple communion with hymns in the Nave of the church. At the end of the service the choir sings while the altars are stripped and the church prepared for Good Friday. For those who would like to stay on following the readings for the Easter Watch will be shared in the choir stalls.

Good Friday Walk of Witness 10.30am

Gathering this year at the URC church the walk will lead down the High Street and all the way to St Mary’s. Ending with hot cross buns and refreshments in the church. The service is being led by the Baptist Church and is divided up into readings and prayers at each station, led by members of each worshipping community.

Good Friday Reflections 2pm

A service in which we are invited to enter into and respond to Christ’s passion and death on the cross, with Bible readings and choral music and times for silent reflection and spoken prayers.

Good Friday Walk of Witness (Oldbury)

This service gathers at the Pound (next to the old Methodist chapel in the village) and walks, with several stops enroute, to the church. Each station includes prayers and readings for the journey to the cross.

Holy Saturday Service of Light 8pm

A traditional Service of Light with Vigil readings and a reaffirmation of baptismal vows, following the Cathedral pattern. This service will start outside with the Easter fire and the blessing of the Paschal candle and lead into the first Eucharist of Easter as night falls. Includes choir and incense.

Easter Sunday Dawn Service (Oldbury) 6am

A traditional dawn service with Vigil readings outside by the Easter fire and a Communion service. Followed by breakfast together with the dawn chorus.

Easter Sunday at St Paul’s 9:00am

This joyful Easter Sunday service at St Paul’s celebrates the resurrection of Christ through uplifting worship, prayer, and Holy Communion, bringing the community together in hope and thanksgiving. The celebration continues with a fun Easter egg hunt for all ages and a fundraising cake sale in support of the Youth Cancer Trust, sharing both joy and generosity.

Easter Sunday at St Mary’s 10:30am

This joyful Easter Day Holy Communion service celebrates the resurrection of Christ with uplifting worship, scripture, and shared Eucharist at the heart of the celebration. Alongside the service, an Easter egg hunt adds a sense of fun and community, especially for families, reflecting the joy and new life of the Easter message.

Upcoming Services, Groups and Events

Choral Evensongs

2nd Sunday of every month - 6pm

Evensong is described by The Guardian as ‘one of England's richest heritages – a living musical tradition that costs nothing to experience live’.

Every month, we hold a service of Choral Evensong so you can appreciate this wonderful and evocative institution in the ancient surroundings of St Mary’s, Thornbury.

The service has been sung regularly since the 16th Century and is based on the daily offices held in the medieval church. Music – and the choir – is at its heart, and each service taps into the rich vein of English church music composed throughout the centuries.

Because of its ancient lineage, the old forms of the prayers and bible readings are used. After the introduction to the service, the choir recites the appointed Psalm which you can follow in the Prayer Book. The Lesson from the Old Testament is read and then the Choir sing the Magnificat, the song of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The New Testament Lesson is followed by the Choir singing the Nunc Dimittis, the song of Simeon. We then say together the Apostles’ Creed, and prayers are sung by a Cantor and the Choir which end with a reflective period where the Collects are read. An anthem is sung and a final hymn concludes the service, leaving you to sit for as long as you want and reflect on the day gone by.

If you get a chance, do come along to this rarely held service and be steeped in history.

St Mary's Thornbury

A diverse community of worshippers sharing in all kinds of different services in our beautiful Grade I Listed building. St Mary’s also has an active church choir who welcome newcomers!

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St Paul's, the Hackett

St Paul's is the small daughter church in the parish of Thornbury, on the outskirts of the town on Hackett Lane. This is a small community church with a lively and enthusiastic congregation, a couple of young organists, and a simple, homely environment.

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St Arilda's, Oldbury

St Arilda's is a small country church in the village of Oldbury-on-Severn, with a passion and heart for the local community, and a small but enthusiastic worshipping congregation. This is a deeply welcoming church for visitors, walkers and enquirers, all are welcome
For more details visit the Oldbury parish website at: http://www.arildachurcholdbury.co.uk/

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St Mary's, Shepperdine

St Mary's is a small tin tabernacle on the banks of the River Severn that hosts a small congregation on a monthly basis (in ordinary times) for BCP services. Also used for regular services at Rogation and Harvest it is a building at the heart of the farming community. It is always open as a place of pilgrimage and prayer for those walking in the area.

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St Mary's Church Hall, Thornbury

St Mary's Church Hall is available to hire.
For bookings please email thornburybenefice@outlook.com or call the Parish office on 01454 281900.
Large Hall Dimensions: 11.5m x 7m x 3m tall. Small hall can be separate or included in the same hire.
Disabled access and bathroom facilities. Designated parking area next to the hall.

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