Waltham Abbey Church

Services at the Abbey Church

Covid-19 Emergency

Due to the Covid-19 emergency only the services below will be taking place.

Sunday services:

8.30 a.m. Eucharist (traditional language).
10.30 a.m. Eucharist (contemporary language).
6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong or other evening service (some Sundays only).

See This Month for details.

Weekday services:

Wednesday – Eucharist at 10.30 a.m (traditional language).

Please read our guidance notes before attending. If you wish to raise any concerns or make suggestions, please direct these to the Churchwardens.

For safety reasons, number at some services will be limited. If you would like to attend any of these services, please use the associated link to reserve your place.

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals:: These can be arranged with the Parish Office.

The resources below are available for you to use at home:

An order of service for Morning Prayer at Home.
An order of service for Night Prayer.
The monthly Prayer Diary.
A Covid-19 prayer booklet from the Church of England.
The Church of England Daily Hope phone line: 0800 804 8044 (freephone). Please pass this phone number on to those who don't have access to anything other than a telephone.

Sunday Services

Under normal circumstances the following services take place weekly at the Abbey Church. We intend to return to this rhythm of worship once the Covid 19 Emergency has passed.

8.30 a.m.: Holy Communion: a quiet, reflective communion service with sermon, based on the 1928 prayer book.
10.30 a.m.: Parish Eucharist (2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays in the month): a Common Worship communion service with hymns, some parts are sung by the congregation and choir. The service has a formal structure but encompasses moments of informality and humour! For children, there are Sunday Clubs that meet for the first part of the serviceThe service lasts about an hour.; We invite you to stay for refreshments and fellowship after the 10.30am service.
6.30 p.m.: Choral Communion (1st Sunday): a service using traditional language from Common Worship with prayer book format. The service is led by our Choir using music from various classic composers. Includes sermon and hymns.; Choral Evensong (2nd and 4th Sundays): a service (main church) using the 1928 prayer book for evening prayer led by the Choir. With psalm, hymns, canticles, anthem and sermon.; Healing Eucharist (3rd Sunday): a Common Worship communion service with hymns, silence (a time for reflection or prayer), sermon and laying on of hands for healing. The laying on of hands takes place at the altar rail and is completely confidential - an opportunity for prayer for yourself or others. In style, a reflective and supportive service.; Choral Compline (Occasional Sundays): a quiet and reflective service using the ancient monastic service of Compline, which includes hymns, psalm and a short thought or reflection. The congregation and Choir sing parts of the service. The service lasts about 45 minutes.; Taize (Occasional Sundays): this is a service adapted from those of the Taize Community. This service of evening worship invokes some of the core characteristics of the Taize prayer service with plenty of silence, space for contemplation and the chanting of songs. The service lasts about 30-45 minutes.

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Weekday Services

Under normal circumstances the following services take place weekly at the Abbey Church. We intend to return to this rhythm of worship once the Covid 19 Emergency has passed.

Morning Prayer: 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday: Holy Communion: 10.30 a.m. in the main Church. A 1928 Book of Common Prayer communion service. Lasts 35 minutes and is followed by refreshments.

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Special Services

Weddings

We welcome enquiries about weddings, please contact the Parish Office for details. See also our Wedding Guide.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

Take place throughout the week. Please contact the Parish Office for details.

Baptisms

Baptisms usually take place on the first or third Sunday of the month after the main Sunday morning service. Enquiries please to the Parish Office.

Funerals

These usually take place on weekdays. Please make enquiries with the Parish Office.

Memorial Service

This takes place twice a year on a Sunday in spring and autumn (for dates and times, please see below or in the weekly notices; alternatively contact the Parish Office). A time to remember the departed who were close to us. All welcome.

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This month

December

Sunday 3rd – Advent Sunday

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

6.30 p.m. Service of Music and Readings for Advent

music: Advent Antiphons; Moger Where shall wisdom be found?; Byrd Teach me, O Lord; Cashmore (arr.) Let all mortal flesh keep silence; Hone (arr.) Gabriel’s message does away; Macmillan O radiant dawn; Shephard Never weather-beaten sail; Sally Beamish In the stillness

day 10th – Second Sunday in Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

Tuesday 12th

7.30 p.m. Mothers' Union Christmas Service

Sunday 17th – Third Sunday in Advent

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

6.30 p.m. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Sunday 24th – Fourth Sunday of Advent; Christmas Eve

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

3.00 p.m. Crib Service

11.00 p.m. First Eucharist of Christmas; Midnight Mass

Monday 25th – Christmas Day

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

Sunday 31st – First Sunday of Christmas

8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

10.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist

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