MISSION STATEMENT
“We believe that the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Godmanchester, exists to build up the individual and corporate spiritual life of our Church and to spread the love of Christ through word and deed, by enabling those who live and work within our town to come into contact with God’s love and come to faith in Christ”.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES 2026
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (30th, 31st & 1st): Holy Communion at 9.45 am
This year there is no Passover Supper – not enough takers! Thanks to Lucilia for offering to hold it.
Maundy Thursday (April 2nd)
No 9.45 am Holy Communion.
There is the Chrism Eucharist in Ely Cathedral at 10.30 am. All clergy are expected to attend to renew their ordination vows, and all are warmly invited to come. It is a splendid occasion, at which Bishop Dagmar will Preside and Preach, the last opportunity for most of us to see and hear her before she leaves to become Bishop of Edinburgh. I can offer four seats, and will leave at 9.00 am. Please let me know if you would like a lift.
7.30 pm: Eucharist of the Last Supper. This includes the symbolic washing of feet in memory of Jesus doing this for his disciples. Please let me know if you are willing to take part: this involves both having your feet washed, and washing those of the person next to you.
The service ends in silence after all the altar cloths and hangings have been removed. There is then a vigil in the darkened church from about 8.30 to 11.00 pm. Please let me know if you are willing to take a half-hour slot (8.30 to 9.00, 9.00 to 9.30 etc.), and if you have a preference for a particular slot.
Good Friday (April 3rd)
1.30 pm: Good Friday Liturgy. Please enter and leave the church in silence, for this most solemn and moving of all the year’s services. Please note that there is no Children’s Workshop, and no hot-cross buns in the Church Hall afterwards.
Holy Saturday
7.30 pm: Vigil Service and First Eucharist of Easter. A magnificent service, with the Lighting of the Holy Fire outside the West Door, a procession with candles into the darkened church, the revelation of the decorated church when the lights come on, an organ fanfare with handbells, the renewal of our Baptismal vows (with a surprise if you haven’t been before!), and a full Sung Eucharist. Do come! If you are willing to do one of the readings, please let me know.
Easter Sunday (April 5th)
8.00 am: Morning Prayer
9.30 am: Easter Sunday Eucharist
6.30 pm: Evening Prayer
IN-PERSON SUNDAY SERVICES IN BOTH CHURCHES ARE at 9.30am in Godmanchester and 8am in Hilton
Dear Godmanchester Church Family,
- Sung Eucharist at 9.30 am every Sunday.
- Prayer for Healing to take place during the Sung Eucharist on the 1st Sunday of the month
- Evensong at 6.30 pm on a Sunday to become a monthly service rather than a weekly one, to be held on the 4th Sunday of the month. Evening Prayer, with no music, will be said in church on the Sundays when there is no Evensong.
- 8.00 am Holy Communion will be held each Sunday.
- The mid-week Thursday Holy Communion service in church at 9.45 am continues.
I am very pleased that we are able to resume the monthly services at The Chestnuts (1st Wednesday at 10.00 am) and McCartney House (4th Wednesday, at 9.45 am). Thanks to the residents who have kindly organised this for us.