Christmas Services at St Mary’s are of necessity this year not as we traditionally celebrate as we are still limited to 16 plus a Churchwarden and Priest so we are asking anyone wishing to attend any service to contact us and ‘book’ in advance. Email: [email protected]

But we have innovative plans to invite as many as possible to participate in our Christmas celebrations.  Please check back nearer to the time however in case we have to alter plans if regulations change.

We are still not allowed to sing carols in Church but some members of the Church have recorded themselves singing and this will be included in our Carol Service video, available on Youtube and Facebook at 4pm on 20th December.  (If you would like to join in with the singing please contact us and we’ll let you know how to do it.)

Crib Service – 3pm to 5pm on Christmas Eve  – a different format this year.  We are calling it the ‘Walk By Crib Service‘.  Following all the Covid secure rules (distancing, face masks etc) we’ll welcome visitors.  Rather like at Harvest Festival, if you are able, please bring a gift to leave at the crib, in the same way the three wise men brought gifts for Jesus.  These gifts will be given to HARP and Southend Foodbank.

Midnight Mass – 11.30pm on Christmas Eve  – Booking essential.  We can’t have the usual packed church for Midnight Mass due to Covid restrictions so if you would like to attend please email [email protected] .

Christmas Day – 10.30 am Family Eucharist – Booking essential – please email [email protected].  David promises a very short sermon at this one!

If you can’t be with us in person you can still follow the services on line as all of our Sunday services and Christmas Day Services, including Midnight Mass will be streamed on Facebook and Youtube.