Services

Sunday services

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Jesus

There’s a service most Sunday mornings at 10am Swainswick with time for reflection and prayer, enthusiastic hymn-singing, readings from the Bible and a short talk. Our theology is open and we like to explore and ask questions. But we also value quiet and silence. Once a month we meet in the afternoon for a simple service of Evensong.

Sitting in Peace

Sitting in Peace is for anyone who would like to spend time in quiet with others. We meet at 3.30pm on the 2nd Sunday of the month. A short reflection or poem leading into 30 minutes of meditation, followed by tea. We’re an interfaith group and bring own beliefs.

Services are at Swainswick unless the diary says they are at Woolley.

OCTOBER
Sunday 1910 amMorning Praise
Apple Afternoon2 – 5 pm
Sunday 266 pmEvensong
NOVEMBER
Sunday 2
All Saints
10 am Communion
Sunday 9
Remembrance Sunday
10 am Morning Praise
3pmAct of Remembrance @ Woolley
3.30pmSitting in Peace
Sunday 1610 amMorning Praise
Sunday 23
Christ the King
10 amMorning Praise
Sunday 30
Advent Sunday
4.30 pmEvensong with Advent Carols
DECEMBER
Sunday 710 amCommunion
Sunday 143 pmCarols @ Woolley
3.30pmSitting in Peace
Sunday 214.30 pmCandlelit Carol Service
Christmas Eve (24)9 pmChristmas Communion
Sunday 284.30pmCompline

Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals

Swainswick is a very special place to celebrate a life event whether that’s a baptism, a wedding or a funeral. We have seating for 90 people and there is space for up to 120 if every corner is filled.

Baptisms are usually during one of the regular Sunday morning services in church.

Anyone who lives in the parish or has a ‘qualifying connection‘ can be married in the church though there are particular legal requirements for non-UK nationals.  Sadly the Church of England does not allow same-sex couples to be married in church. However prayers of blessing can be offered in one of the regular services.

The lower churchyard is closed, but burials and interments of ashes still take place in the upper churchyard for anyone who lives or dies in the parish. We also have a beautiful Book of Remembrance in church where names can be inscribed.

Book of Remembrance

You will go out with joy
And be led forth with peace;

The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands
” – Isaiah