Forthcoming Events
The Parish Calendar lists the services and events at all three churches.
Toy Service
Sunday 24 November at 9.30am at St Peters
Once again we are collecting toys for Reading Family Aid assisting disadvantaged families in Reading. Please bring new or nearly new toys that will make a young person’s Christmas.
Prayer Walk
Sunday 24 November at 3.30pm at St Johns
Come and join us as we pray together for our parish. We meet outside St John’s if it’s dry or inside if it’s wet!
Crafternoon and Lantern Procession
Sunday 1 December at 4pm at St Johns
Come and get in the festive mood by joining in our “Crafternoon” and Lantern Procession. We’ll meet at St John’s church at 4pm to make lanterns, and then walk to Costa in Caversham to meet people from other churches, sing a couple of carols, and enjoy a hot chocolate together! No need to sign up – just come along on the day.
Advent Carols
Sunday 1 December at 6.30pm at St Peters
A service of Choral Music, readings and Carols for the start of the Season of Advent. Choral Music to include: Nova Nova by Chilcott, Rejoice in the Lord (Anonymous), How lovely are the messengers by Mendelssohn and works by Handel and Palestrina. The service will be followed by refreshments.
Christmas Market
Saturday 7 December from 10am to 12.30pm at St Peters
This year we will be supporting Save the Children’s Yemen Crisis Appeal. There will be plenty of stalls selling homemade cakes, puddings, biscuits, fudge, preserves and wonderful crafts and excellent table decorations for the Christmas season. Also sideshows, refreshments, raffle and tombola. Not to be missed!
Save the Children is the largest independent aid agency in Yemen, working on the ground – as well as campaigning for lasting change – to help children survive a brutal war.
Across Yemen, the charity is running more than 150 clinics, 21 hospitals and five mobile health and nutrition teams. These are treating sick and injured children, providing life-saving treatment for malnourished children, responding to deadly disease outbreaks, such as cholera and diphtheria, and providing children with access to safe drinking water and essential hygiene items to prevent the spread of illness and disease.
If you would like to publicise this event, you could print or share this poster.
Christmas
The three churches in our parish will be celebrating Christmas in a variety of ways this year: with formal and informal services, but ones which are welcoming of all people. Please do join us as we celebrate God becoming one of us as the Light of the World.
Christingle
Sunday 15 December at 4pm at St Johns
The Christmas story retold with oranges, ribbons, sweets, candles and carols. Suitable for all ages, with refreshments afterwards.
Carols by Candlelight
Sunday 15 December at 6.30pm at St Margarets
A service for everyone as we fill this ancient church with candlelight, and sing carols of joy and peace.
Carols at Caversham Court
Monday 16 December at 7.30pm at Caversham Court
The Caversham community gathers for this outdoor celebration of carols at Caversham Court Gardens (or in St Peter’s nearby, if wet)
Carol service
Wednesday 18 December at 7.30pm at St Johns
A traditional service of Bible readings, carols and choir pieces, followed by tea/coffee and seasonal refreshments.
Service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday 22 December at 6.30pm at St Peters
The best way to start the Christmas festivities with our traditional service of Bible readings, carols and other choral music, led by our church choir.
Christingle Services
Christmas Eve 24 December at 3pm and 4.30pm at St Peters
A service, held twice due to popular demand, telling the Christmas story for all the family. Come to sing and be prepared to get involved! The doors open half an hour before the services start.
Christmas Eve 24 December at 4pm at St Margarets
The centuries-old tradition of telling the Christmas story to children with oranges and sweets, and singing some of the most-beloved Christmas carols.
Nativity Live!
Christmas Eve 24 December at 4.00pm in Lower Caversham
Come and be part of the drama of Christmas as we journey with Mary and Joseph and live donkeys, meeting shepherds, live sheep, angels and wise men. We will sing carols as we travel. Come in costume if you wish! Refreshments after. The journey begins at Caversham Baptist Church, Prospect Street and finishes at Caversham Methodist Church, Gosbrook Road.
Midnight Mass
Christmas Eve 24 December at 11.30pm at all three churches
The start of Christmas itself. Come and celebrate the coming of Christ on this most holy of nights, at a service of Holy Communion with well-known carols.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day 25 December at 8.00am at St Peters
Holy Communion: using the traditional language of the Book of Common Prayer.
Christmas Day 25 December at 9.30am at St Johns
All age Communion: A shorter Christmas communion service for all, followed by tea/coffee and Christmas cake!
Christmas Day 25 December at 9.30am at St Peters
Festival Communion: A celebration for all the family – bring your presents, and come to receive the gift of Christ
Christmas Day 25 December at 11.15am at St Margarets
Christmas Communion: A celebration of Christmas for all ages.
Combined Worship
Sunday 29 December at 9.30am at St Peters
The three congregations join for a communion service at St Peters. This will be the only service in the parish today.