What we do

Church Life

There are services every day in the Parish Church! On weekdays we have an informal service.

In addition to our regular and seasonal services, there are occasionally extra services put on for special reasons.

Weekday Services

Matins and Evensong are said daily at 8.00am and 5.30pm respectively from Monday to Saturday inclusive. Only a small congregation gather for these services but they form a solid basis of prayer and Bible reading for those who attend. The services last for 15 minutes or so and we would welcome any new participants. Before the services, the Church bells are chimed to the tune of a few choruses in accordance with the words of the Book of Common Prayer concerning Church services which saith:And the Curate that ministereth in every Parish-Church or Chapel, being at home, and not being otherwise reasonably hindered, shall say the same in the Parish-Church or Chapel where he ministereth, and shall cause a Bell to be tolled thereunto a convenient time before he begin, that the people may come to hear God’s Word, and to pray with him.

Sunday Services

Our main congregational act of corporate worship is The Family Communion each Sunday at 10.30am. The whole Church Family meets for this lively, choral service that incorporates both modern and traditional music. Music forms an important part of our worship.

Members of the congregation can also take part as Sidesmen, by Lesson Reading or serving Refreshments. Sidesmen are elected annually at the Annual Pariochial Church Meeting (just before Easter). If you are interested in helping in the other capacities speak to the Rector.

As its name suggests, it is very much a family service, attended by a wide range of parishioners from babies in prams to pensioners. Every effort is made to make new worshippers feel comfortable and to help them integrate easily into the service. We are committed to the use of the new service book Common Worship.

The service is preceded by the ringing of the church bells for an hour. It concludes with the serving of coffee.

Among the many characteristics which make this service special and so popular are the singing of the psalm and of the Lord’s Prayer, Gloria and Acclamations (by the whole Church). We use one of Four service music settings each week (Ushaw, Appleford, Pulkingham or Murray) and the hymns (usually 6 or 7 hymns from The English Hymnal and The Songs of Fellowship) are carefully chosen for the theme of the service. The service lasts for an hour and has something for everyone.

A warm welcome awaits all our visitors!

Open The Book

A team from St James performs Open the Book once a week during term-time at Beech Green School and Field Court Infant School.

Christmas Services

We have two Christmas Eve services. At 4.00pm we have The Crib Service for younger children and led by the Church band. At 6.00pm we have Carols by Candle Light led by the Gloucester Charter Band. Both services are “out the door” and you need to come early to get a seat.

The highlight of the festival is the Family Communion at 10.30am on Christmas morning. A full church witnesses to the importance we place on the spiritual dimension of Christmas.