Come to enjoy Sunday service

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.

 A message from our Vicar, Herbert:

Dear Friends,
‘He is not here, for he is risen, as he said’. Thus proclaimed the angel on that first Easter morning to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who had come to Jesus’ tomb.

 The events that had led up to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, with all the fears and shock that there must have been for the disciples and followers of Jesus, had now been replaced with joy and great hope.

 St Thomas had not been there when the risen Jesus first appeared to the other disciples. So he doubted himself when later confronted by that same risen Jesus. But his doubts gave way to a profound faith with his great exclamation ‘My Lord and my God’.

 We are very conscious of living in a world where there is much turmoil, fear, suffering and distress. It is understandable to ask questions: Why? What is happening? Where is God? But we are reminded that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him might have eternal life’ (St John 3 vs.16).

 Our relationship with God is one of love. Love is a relationship of trust. So, in the face of our doubts, fears and turmoil of life, we must hold on to that. Our questions may not be answered, but there is hope because of Jesus’ rising and of God’s love for all. God’s love is with us as we walk in these times.

 ‘Follow love, for where love is, life is’, says TV’s Call the Midwife. We must show our love of the risen Jesus to others, so that all might be blessed by God’s love, mercy and forgiveness amid the turmoil of life. If we live in God’s love, then glimpses of the kingdom of heaven will be amongst us.

 Former Archbishop Rowan Williams wrote: ‘The death and resurrection of Jesus have made all the difference to the human world, opening the floodgates of divine mercy’. Easter with the resurrection of Jesus was just the beginning, with the gift of eternal life for all who, along with St Thomas, proclaim ‘My Lord and my God’.

With love,
Fr Herbert.