Charminster: St Mary the Virgin, Charminster
- About Us
- Find Us
- Contact Us
- Services and Events
- Features and Facilities
- More Info
Situated at the heart of the village, where a number of footpaths cross, casual visitors are rarely alone for long: one of the clergy will drop in on an errand, the vergers, brass polishers and flowers arrangers will be busy doing something or a villager will be tending the churchyard....and generally all will be happy to have a chat or leave you to pray in peace.
The warm Ham stone symbolises the warm welcome you can expect at Charminster ....also one of the best heated churches in Dorset.
The building was fortunate in having a sympathetic Victorian restoration. Similarly today the parish enjoys disabled access, a servery and up to date toilet facilities that enhance the building and enable it to be well used.
With its ten bells, fully restored organ and immaculate churchyard with the river running by St Mary's is ideal for weddings. Contact the vicar to arrange.
Look out for 'The Pilot,' the excellent parish magazine which goes free of charge 12 times a year to all 1500 households in the Benefice. The Pilot, supplemented by the weekly Pew News, carries all the latest details of services, concerts and events arranged in the church together with all the contact numbers that anyone planning to visit or move to Charminster will need.
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Rev Janet Smith
To contact the Assistant Curate [Wendy Fobister], Associate Minister [Hugh Willis] Parish Family Worker [Jo Neary], Deacon [Pete Stone] and Lay Minister [Peter Woods] please see 'The Pilot' parish magazine.
- Special Events
- Regular Services
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The children meet in Church House - in the NW corner of the churchyard - at 9.30am every Sunday except when there is a family service at the same time in Church. [That is usually the first Sunday of the month].
The smaller children gather downstairs and the older ones meet in the Upper Room with Kathy.
Sunday School joins the rest of the congregation in church for the very end of the service/drinks and biscuits.
Expect stories, prayers, painting, cutting & sticking, crafts and other FUN!
On special Sundays we enjoy Fair Trade breakfasts, Easter Egg hunts and other things that usually involve food!
Keep an eye on The Pilot (Parish Magazine) and local notices for variations on Mothering Sunday and other special days. every second third fourth fifth and last Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour 
The Lighthouse
Holiday Club for Half Term ( Reception to Year 4).
Games, quizzes, activities, Bible Stories, craft and more.
Cost £2 per day or £5 for 3 days:
Wed 15 to Fri 17 Feb.
To reserve a place contact :
revneary@gmail.com
Pete Stone 01305 265845
Wednesday 15th February 2012 at 10:00 AM for 2 hours
SPLASH!!
Games, food, stories, music, and activities for children.
Sunday 19th February 2012 at 11:00 AM for 1 hour
LENT LUNCH
Five Wednesdays in Lent beginning on 29th Feb: homemade soup, bread, cheese, coffee/tea in aid of the Church Times Train a Priest Fund.
Raffle.
If you bring your own bowl, plate and spoon it helps reduce the washing up. Thank you.
Wednesday at 12:30 PM from Wednesday 29th February 2012 until Tuesday 28th February 2012 for 1 hour Sunday
Holy Communion
BCP normally. No hymns or sermon. Held in the south aisle.
Every Sunday at 8:00 AM for ½ hour
BCP normally. No hymns or sermon. Held in the south aisle.
Every Sunday at 8:00 AM for ½ hour
SUNDAY SCHOOL
The children meet in Church House - in the NW corner of the churchyard - at 9.30am every Sunday except when there is a family service at the same time in Church. [That is usually the first Sunday of the month]. The smaller children gather downstairs and the older ones meet in the Upper Room with Kathy. Sunday School joins the rest of the congregation in church for the very end of the service/drinks and biscuits. Expect stories, prayers, painting, cutting & sticking, crafts and other FUN! On special Sundays we enjoy Fair Trade breakfasts, Easter Egg hunts and other things that usually involve food!
Keep an eye on The Pilot (Parish Magazine) and local notices for variations on Mothering Sunday and other special days. every second third fourth fifth and last Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
The children meet in Church House - in the NW corner of the churchyard - at 9.30am every Sunday except when there is a family service at the same time in Church. [That is usually the first Sunday of the month]. The smaller children gather downstairs and the older ones meet in the Upper Room with Kathy. Sunday School joins the rest of the congregation in church for the very end of the service/drinks and biscuits. Expect stories, prayers, painting, cutting & sticking, crafts and other FUN! On special Sundays we enjoy Fair Trade breakfasts, Easter Egg hunts and other things that usually involve food!
Keep an eye on The Pilot (Parish Magazine) and local notices for variations on Mothering Sunday and other special days. every second third fourth fifth and last Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
FAMILY COMMUNION
FAMILY COMMUNION Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Shorter, faster-moving and more fun than the services on other Sundays, this service is designed to appeal to families and the emergent faithful. Some elements of the service are much the same as in any other eucharistic service but some content will be especially suitable for the young. Children are encouraged to stay with their parents throughout. Please help them to find the hymn numbers, to follow the words on the service paper and generally participate.
Every first Sunday at 9:30 AM for ¾ hour
FAMILY COMMUNION Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Shorter, faster-moving and more fun than the services on other Sundays, this service is designed to appeal to families and the emergent faithful. Some elements of the service are much the same as in any other eucharistic service but some content will be especially suitable for the young. Children are encouraged to stay with their parents throughout. Please help them to find the hymn numbers, to follow the words on the service paper and generally participate.
Every first Sunday at 9:30 AM for ¾ hour
Sung Eucharist
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Common Worship with sermon, using an easy-to-sing musical setting and hymns from Common Praise. Sunday School is simultaneously held in Church House - NW corner of churchyard. Children join service for the Communion and may choose to go to the altar rail with their family or with the rest of Sunday School (make sure they know what you want them to do). Anyone who takes bread & wine in their own church, including children, are invited to the table. Others may request a blessing. Celebrant will usually be the Vicar. Ordained local minsters, retired priests and guest preachers are not uncommon but consistency is maintained. Visitors can expect to be welcomed by sidespeople on arrival, greeted at the peace and invited for coffee afterwards. Please see below for alternative arrangements on festival days.
Every second third and fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
Preceded by bell ringing (10 bells) from 8.45am: visiting ringers welcome [GF] - see link below. Common Worship with sermon, using an easy-to-sing musical setting and hymns from Common Praise. Sunday School is simultaneously held in Church House - NW corner of churchyard. Children join service for the Communion and may choose to go to the altar rail with their family or with the rest of Sunday School (make sure they know what you want them to do). Anyone who takes bread & wine in their own church, including children, are invited to the table. Others may request a blessing. Celebrant will usually be the Vicar. Ordained local minsters, retired priests and guest preachers are not uncommon but consistency is maintained. Visitors can expect to be welcomed by sidespeople on arrival, greeted at the peace and invited for coffee afterwards. Please see below for alternative arrangements on festival days.
Every second third and fourth Sunday at 9:30 AM for 1 hour
Evening
There is an evening service almost every week except in August; occasionally transferred to Stinsford on Fifth Sundays or cancelled (rarely). Bellringing begins at 5.30pm - visiting ringers welcome [GF] - link below. It might be Evensong with sermon, it might be a Eucharist, it might be Compline or it might be something else.
Every Sunday at 6:00 PM for 1 hour
There is an evening service almost every week except in August; occasionally transferred to Stinsford on Fifth Sundays or cancelled (rarely). Bellringing begins at 5.30pm - visiting ringers welcome [GF] - link below. It might be Evensong with sermon, it might be a Eucharist, it might be Compline or it might be something else.
Every Sunday at 6:00 PM for 1 hour
Tuesday
Service
Holy Communion: in the South aisle each Tuesday at 12.30.
Weekly but see local notices for arrangements around Festival times every Tuesday at 11:59 AM for ½ hour
Holy Communion: in the South aisle each Tuesday at 12.30.
Weekly but see local notices for arrangements around Festival times every Tuesday at 11:59 AM for ½ hour
Wednesday
LENT LUNCH
Five Wednesdays in Lent beginning on 29th Feb: homemade soup, bread, cheese, coffee/tea in aid of the Church Times Train a Priest Fund. Raffle. If you bring your own bowl, plate and spoon it helps reduce the washing up. Thank you.
Wednesday at 12:30 PM for 1 hour from Wednesday 29th February 2012 until Tuesday 28th February 2012
Five Wednesdays in Lent beginning on 29th Feb: homemade soup, bread, cheese, coffee/tea in aid of the Church Times Train a Priest Fund. Raffle. If you bring your own bowl, plate and spoon it helps reduce the washing up. Thank you.
Wednesday at 12:30 PM for 1 hour from Wednesday 29th February 2012 until Tuesday 28th February 2012
Thursday
Midweek Communion
HC will be at Meadow View Community Hall at 10am on the fourth Thursday of each month
Every fourth Thursday at 10:00 AM for ½ hour
HC will be at Meadow View Community Hall at 10am on the fourth Thursday of each month
Every fourth Thursday at 10:00 AM for ½ hour
Other information
A Church Near You ID: 9489
Built: Mediaeval
Style of worship: As a rural, village church, all traditions are welcome
Archdeaconry: SHERBORNE (341)
Deanery: DORCHESTER (34102)
Benefice: Charminster and Stinsford (34/078BF)
Parish Legal Name: Charminster (340035 34/35)
CofE Church Info: (634035 34/35)
Short URL: acny.co.uk/9489/
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Charminster: St Mary the Virgin : Where East Hill and West Hill meet, Charminster, Dorset, DT2 9RD
