The prodigiously exciting Baroque specialist Steven Devine returns for our annual Christmas concert, with a stunning programme. Bach's famous Magnificat for full orchestra, soloists and five-voice choir, is enhanced by the addition of four Christmas interpolations that Bach composed to be sung between movements. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/bachs-christmas-magnificat/e-kjbpgvPerformed by the Decimus Ensemble and The Devine Musick – principal players of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Academy of Ancient Music and others. Programme also includes Bach's Ascension Oratorio BWV 11, and Johann Bernhard Bach: Caprice, Air (Lentement), La Joye from Orchestral Suite No 4 in D.
Saturday 22 November, 11amJoin us for a warming mix of seasonal music, with carols for audience. 45 minutes of great music in a relaxed format for everyone, with tea and coffee available, and a retiring collection for church funds.
Sunday 30 November: Advent Sunday10:00 Parish Communion18:30 Advent Carol ServiceSunday 14 December(No 10am service)16:00 ChristingleSunday 21 December10:00 Parish Communion18:30 Christmas Carol ServiceWednesday 24 December: Christmas Eve16:00 Scratch Nativity23:30 Midnight MassThursday 25 December: Christmas Day10:00 Parish Communion
Saturday 31 January 2026, 2:30pmLancelot Andrewes: "a paper-life better than none"Professor Peter McCullough, Lincoln College Oxford2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Lancelot Andrewes—scholar, preacher, bishop, and dean of the Chapel Royal. Upon his passing in September 1626, King Charles 'thought it not fit his sermons should dye with him', and in commissioning William Laud to publish them, consoled himself and graced Andrewes' future readers with the consolation that 'a paper-life' was 'better than none'. This lecture will use Andrewes' long and varied 'real' life to put into a wider context Charles' admiration for him, and the ways that the 'paper-life' of his published sermons, one of the greatest monuments of English Renaissance prose, have sustained the bishop's remarkable after-life to our own day.Followed by tea. Free, with retiring collection. Previous lectureMany thanks to Simon Thurley, whose lecture on "The Pleasure Palaces of Charles I and Henrietta Maria", held on 24 September 2025, was extremely well received. For more information on his research and publications, see https://www.simonthurley.com/
