Amesbury Parish Church
The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Melor
Worship
Worship is the heartbeat of the Church and this is true of Amesbury Parish Church. Our worship is rooted in the liberal-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. This means that the Eucharist is central to our worship, and that our worship is usually fairly formal and traditional, with a moderate degree of ceremonial. It also means that in our preaching we take an open-minded approach to the Bible and theology. Above all, as a Christian community we seek to welcome everyone to join us in the worship of God and hope that you are renewed and strengthened through sharing in our worship with us.
Our usual pattern of worship on Sundays is as follows:
8am: Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) – a quiet, reflective said service in traditional language lasting around 30 minutes, held in the Quire (Chancel).
10am: Parish Eucharist (Common Worship) – our principal service, in modern language and more elaborate, with organ, choir and a sermon, lasting between 60-75 minutes, followed by refreshments.
On the first Sunday of the month there is usually Choral Evensong at 6pm, a traditional and much-loved Church of England service, lasting around 45 minutes.
On the fifth Sunday of the month we usually have a ‘special service’ at 6pm, which is an opportunity to engage in a different kind of worship compared to our other services. In the past this has included, for example, Songs of Praise, Healing and Wholeness services, Taizé worship and an Iona Eucharist, but we are always trying new things too.
During the week there is a said Eucharist, in modern language, on Wednesdays at 11am. This is held in the intimate atmosphere of the Jesus Chapel, lasts around 30 minutes, and is followed by refreshments.
The Daily Offices are said Monday to Friday in the Jesus Chapel, each lasting around 30 minutes:
Morning Prayer is at 8.30am and Evening Prayer is at 4pm.
On Holy Days we usually hold a Sung Eucharist at 7.30pm.
All are welcome to any of our services. Times and dates of specific services can be found here in our parish calendar. Please contact the vicar, Fr Darren if you have any queries about our services.
