Services & Worship
Worship at St Hilda’s
The same prayers have been said in this place for more than 150 years. Come as you are, sit where you like, and join in as much or as little as you wish.
Week by week
Our regular services
Sunday
8:00 am
Holy Communion
Said, in traditional language. About 45 minutes.
10:00 am
Sung Eucharist
With choir, hymns and Sunday School. Morning tea afterwards.
5:00 pm
Choral Evensong
First Sunday of each month. Candlelit in winter.
Wednesday
10:00 am
Said Eucharist
In the Lady Chapel, followed by coffee.
Thursday
5:30 pm
Evening Prayer
Quiet and short, about 20 minutes.
Every day
8 am – 5 pm
Church open
For private prayer and lighting a candle.
First time?
What to expect
Nobody minds if you are unsure what to do. There is a printed service sheet at the door, and a welcomer who is glad to help.
What happens at the Sung Eucharist?
The service has two parts: readings from the Bible with a short sermon, then the prayers of thanksgiving and communion. It lasts about an hour and a quarter, with hymns, a psalm and the choir.
Can I receive communion?
All baptised Christians who normally receive communion in their own church are welcome to receive here. Anyone else is warmly invited to come forward for a blessing; simply cross your arms over your chest.
What about children?
Children are very welcome, noise included. There is a children’s corner with books and quiet toys, and Sunday School meets in the hall during the first part of the 10 am service.
What should I wear?
Whatever you are comfortable in. Some people dress up on Sunday and many do not.
Is the church accessible?
The north door is step-free, there is a hearing loop throughout the church, and large-print service books are available. An accessible toilet is in the parish hall.
The church year
Seasons and colours
Through the year the church follows the life of Christ in its seasons, and the colours of the altar frontal and vestments change with them.
Advent
Purple · Four weeks of waiting before Christmas
Christmas
White & gold · Twelve days from Christmas Day
Epiphany
White, then green · The light of Christ shown to the world
Lent
Purple · Forty days of preparation for Easter
Holy Week
Red · Palm Sunday to Good Friday
Easter
White & gold · Fifty days of celebration
Pentecost
Red · The gift of the Holy Spirit
Ordinary Time
Green · Growing in faith through the year
Watch online
Join us from home
The 10 am Sung Eucharist is streamed live every Sunday, and recordings stay online for a month. Sermons are also posted with each week’s notices.
You will be very welcome
If you would like to talk before you come, or to arrange a visit from the Vicar, the parish office is open Tuesday to Friday mornings.