Christian Faith and Worship  
'Being a Christian' by Baron Williams of Oystermouth

Christian life is lived in relationship with God through Jesus Christ and, in common with other Christians, seeking to deepen that relationship and to follow the way that Jesus taught.

Central to that relationship is knowing we can trust God. Saint Paul says at the end of the eighth chapter of his letter to the Church in Rome, 'if God is for us, who can be against us?' And this is the heart of faith.

How do we know that 'God is for us'? Because Jesus Christ, the one human being who is completely in tune with God - with what God wants and what God is doing - has carried the burden of our human betrayals of God and running away from goodness. He has let himself be betrayed and rejected, executed in a humiliating and agonising way, and yet has not turned his back on us. Death did not succeed in silencing him or removing him from the world. He is alive; and that means that his love is alive, having survived the worst we can do.

Nothing - says St Paul in the same passage - can separate us from this love. But this isn't an excuse for doing what we like, knowing we can get away with it. Once we know that God is 'for us', we open up to the gift that God wants to give us - which is a share in his own love and freedom and mercy. We breathe with his breath - that's part of what it means to say that we receive God's 'Spirit', which makes us live like Jesus 'in tune' with God. If we have really taken the message in, we shall live lives of selfless generosity, always asking how the gifts given us - material or imaginative or spiritual or whatever - can be shared in a way that brings other people more fully alive. And we shall be able to trust the generosity of others and be free to receive what they have to give us.

Generosity, gratitude, confidence that when we fail we are still loved - all of this focused on Jesus' life and death and resurrection. That's where we start in the lifelong job of being a Christian.
 

Sunday services
Every Sunday:
8.00am Said Eucharist
This is a quiet reflective service of said Holy Communion which lasts about half an hour. It is held at St Clement's (2nd and 4th Sunday) and St Saviour's (1st and 3rd Sundays).

11.00am Parish Sung Eucharist This parish communion service usually lasts about an hour and 15 minutes, our singing is led by the choir and everyone is invited to refreshments afterwards.
1st and 3rd Sundays at St Clement's Church with the first Sunday being particularly family friendly (there is a children's corner with toys and games).
2nd and 4th Sundays at St Saviour's Church  There is also a children's corner in St Saviour's with toys, colouring etc.

6.30pm Choral Evensong/Compline
Easter - September Choral Evensong at St Petrox Church
September - Easter - 1st and 3rd Sundays at St Saviour's Church; on the 2nd and 4th Sundays at St Clement's Church we say Compline, an ancient service of night prayer

5th (Benefice) Sundays
Please see the calendar for details of our combined benefice services when there are 5 Sundays in a month.

Regular midweek services
St Clement's Church
On Thursdays there is a Said Eucharist at 9.30am (followed by coffee for those who want to stay for a chat). Morning Prayer is said on Monday and Tuesday at 8.30am and on Thursday at 8.45am and whenever possible Evening Prayer Monday to Thursday at 4.30pm.
St Petrox Church
On the first Tuesday of the month all year round there is a Said Eucharist (BCP) at 10.00am
St Saviour's Church
On Wednesdays there is a Said Eucharist at 10.00am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9.00am.
A short service of prayer is said daily (Monday - Thursday) at noon; this includes those who have asked for our prayers and any requests left on the board in St Saviour's.
St George's Church
On the Tuesday after the 2nd Sunday of the month there is a Said Eucharist at 9.30am, preceded by Morning Prayer at 9am.

Festivals
Please see the calendar for details of celebrations at Festivals

Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham
The Cell meets at St Clement's on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm with a Eucharist and 'bring and share' supper each quarter.  We are exploring the ministries offered at the Shrine, in particular the healing ministries (laying on of hands, anointing and reconciliation.  All are welcome, you do not have to be a member of the cell to come along and join in, or simply to sit and listen; we especially welcome anyone who might be considering going on pilgrimage in the future.

Prayers for Peace
Each Friday morning from 11.30am until noon a group of Christians of all denominations meets in St Saviour's Church to pray for peace throughout the world. Requests for prayers which have been left on the 'prayer board' in the Chapel are included in this short but important service.

Advent and Lent Courses - we invite everyone to join in our Advent and Lent courses; we have used various study aids including Emmaus, Hilary Brand's 'Christ and the Chocolaterie', 'Everybody Welcome' by Bob Jackson and George Fisher and most recently Henri Nouwen's meditation on Rembrandt's painting 'The return of the Prodigal Son'.

Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage can be a life changing event as setting aside a time specifically to focus on God is when we are most open to change and growth.  Each year a small group from the benefice goes on pilgrimage to The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham; there is a Walsingham 'cell' in the benefice. We are also considering other venues for pilgrimage or quiet days.