Come to enjoy Sunday service

Our Vicar, Herbert, and everyone in our congregation welcome to our community at St Thomas à Becket Church. We’ve been a place of Christian worship to Almighty God since at least the 12th century. And we are open every day, 8.30 to 5pm.

• Every Sunday we have sung Holy Communion at 9.45am.
• And on the first Wednesday of the month we have a midday ‘said’ Holy Communion.

St Thomas’ is always ready to welcome you to the presence of God. Take a little time amid the busy-ness of daily life – be refreshed and renewed in peace.

• The church is open every day for private prayer, and to visit from 8.30am to 5pm.
• We have a range of worship and social activities – see What’s On. Or pick up our free monthly Parish News.

Enjoy this oasis of calm and tranquillity, whether for a service, a visit, meditation, or private prayer.

An August message from our Vicar:
Dear Friends,

I hope you are enjoying the Summer and hopefully also a break away from the routine of everyday life to refresh, reflect and recharge.

In the month of August there are two important feast days of the church. On the 6th is the Transfiguration of our Lord and on the 15th is the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain is recorded in the gospels of St Matthew, St Mark, St Luke and also by St Peter in his second epistle. In each account it is clear that God’s salvation in Christ is for all people. Moses and Elijah, both also being present, give testimony to Jesus, and in addition the whole event of Jesus’ transfiguration looks ahead to his resurrection and a foretaste of that eternal life in the heavenly glory.

Then the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who upon receiving the angelic message from God, responded saying ‘Let it be to me according to thy word’. In this Mary revealed her obedience and reverence to God and she thus bore the Christ child, Jesus.

We may reflect in faith and draw comfort that amid everyday life we too can be aware of the presence of God – in situations, in people, in events. These are precious moments when we too are transfigured briefly and embraced in that heavenly light of God’s presence with us. The resurrected and risen Christ transforming us by his love, his redemption into a people for his own. St John’s gospel chapter 12 states this beautifully -‘and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw ALL people unto me’. Note not some, but all. Christ’s invitation of salvation is to all.

With best wishes and love,
Fr Herbert.