St Swithun's Church
Kennington Oxford
|
St Swithun's Church
|
|
| Home |
The services listed below are those that would be held in a typical year, however for specific details including dates and times please see the Diary section nearer the time.
Early in the month a Christingle service is held in association with the school. The service centers around a decorated orange - the Christingle, which is symbolic of Christ's love for mankind. The Christingle has several parts: the orange to represent the world ; a red ribbon wrapped around the orange to represent Christ's blood; four cocktail sticks with sweets on it to represent the earth and its four seasons and a white candle in the centre to represent Christ, the light of the world. All children at the service are given a Christingle and the church is mostly lit by the candles from the christingles. A traditional 9 lessons and carols style service primarily lit by candlelight is held during December with refreshments directly afterwards in the church hall. A well-supported ecumenical carol service is held in the village hall, jointly led by members of St Swithun's, the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd and the Methodist Church. A crib service, especially aimed at children, is held on Christmas Eve,
often Later on Christmas Eve, the popular and traditional service of Midnight Mass is celebrated where typically the church is mostly lit by candlelight. On Christmas Morning itself a sung family communion is held to celebrate the birth of Christ.
The Church was also used for the traditional Mulled Wine and Mince Pies after the Village's Lighting the Tree and Carol singing in early December.
|
 |
Contact
St Swithun's Church
|
 |
During
the Christmas period the church is specially decorated with a crib and
a Christmas tree (generously donated by St John's College, Oxford) and
seasonal flowers arranged by Gwyneth Thomas and the flower arranging team.
involving
a Nativity play based on the story of Jesus' birth.