Gillingham: St Luke The Evangelist

An opportunity to share in a quiet mid-morning service, held in one or other of the various chapels within the church.

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A short, said service, usually held in the Lady Chapel (the one in the picture - with a number of furnishings and fittings by Sir Ninian Comper, no less). The Cell of Our Lady of Walsingham meets each month, and dates of Cell Masses are usually published on the weekly pew-sheet.

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Our day's worship begins with said Morning Prayer, usually from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

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Our main act of worship each week, when we gather to hear God's Word proclaimed, and to receive Holy Communion. We use the modern-language form of service, with a modicum of traditional Catholic ceremonial to foster a sense of the mystery of the Mass. We usually sing a mixture of traditional and more modern hymns, together with a simple congregational Mass setting, led by our cantor(s) and volunteer organist/pianist.

Children and young people are encouraged to stay for the whole service, as it is not possible to have a separate Sunday School at present. For young families, there is a 'safe space' especially for them, with room to move around, but at the moment we cannot provide soft toys/colouring materials.

The Ministry of Christian Healing is available by arrangement with Father Garry, as is the Sacrament of Reconciliation (aka Confession).

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A short service of Evening Prayer, usually concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. (Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament is available, if you've missed Mass earlier in the day - please speak to whoever is leading the service).

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A short late-afternoon service in one of our various chapels.

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A Mass for the early-birds (!).

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For those taking part in the annual Friends of Kent Churches Sponsored 'Ride and Stride' event, we regret that this year we can only open the Church up until 1pm. However, the form for any Riders or Striders to sign, to show that they have been to St Luke's, will be on the Virginia Road door or noticeboard from 1pm onwards. If you wish to take part in the event, sponsorship forms can be picked up from the table in Church. The Church will be open from 10am until 1pm as part of the Heritage Open Days weekend, and refreshments will be available in the Hall.

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A good place to meet friends, and neighbours, and a good time to pick up a bargain - bric-a-brac, toys, gifts, clothes, books, and tasty refreshments (including our famous Full English Breakfast!).
Admission FREE!

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We give thanks to God for the harvest at today's Parish Mass. Gifts of food will be donated to the local Foodbank, and money will be collected for the charity Water Aid.

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We mark the Feast of St Luke the Evangelist - our Patronal Festival - on the nearest Sunday, but we invite visitors from other churches to join us if they can. The preacher is Father Darren Smith of the Additional Curates Society, and we hope to be able to have a *Bring and Share* lunch after the service!

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We celebrate All Saints - The Church Triumphant - at this morning's Parish Mass.

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At today's services we remember before God departed members of our own congregation, along with family members, friends, or neighbours, who have died. The names of those to be commemorated will be read out during the services. Please let Father Garry know if there's anyone whose name you would like added to the list.

There are TWO services today - at 10am and 7pm - but there is no 8am Mass. Each service lasts about 30 minutes.

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Our Remembrance Sunday service will include suitable readings and prayers, and all are welcome! After the service, have a look at our parish War Memorials, which are in the All Souls' (or Requiem) Chapel.

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Begin your Christmas celebrations with us at this service of seasonal carols, Bible readings, and prayers.

Our Christmas Market takes place today in the Hall, immediately after the service. Many stalls - seasonal crafts, gifts, 'nearly new', toys, books etc., and refreshments (hopefully). Admission FREE! If you can help in any way - either on the day, or beforehand - please call Janice on 01634 570408

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