The Second Week of Advent

Reading: Psalm 122  

Peace often feels fragile in our world—easily broken, quickly lost. Advent invites us to look not to the world’s version of peace, which depends on circumstances, but to God’s peace, which begins in the heart and flows outward.

The psalmist prays for the peace of Jerusalem, for safety, unity, and the flourishing of the whole community. As we light the candle of peace, we join that ancient prayer and carry it into our own time—praying for places torn by conflict, for homes strained by pressure, for relationships aching for healing, for our own hearts when they feel restless or fearful.

This candle calls us to be people who make peace real: in how we speak, how we forgive, how we welcome, and how we listen. As its flame rises, we bring our prayers to God—the One who alone can make peace whole and lasting.

This week we share peace as a community through celebrations with several of our local primary schools and with the support of iSingPop. If you would like to learn more about the season of Advent and our Christmas story, please feel free to join us for any of the services through the season on our Events page. All are welcome!

Upcoming events

Advent and Christmas Services

The congregations across our United Benefice in Thornbury, Oldbury and Shepperdine welcome all comers. Please feel free to come and join us at any of our services in any of our churches.

Check our ‘What’s On’ page for more details on services.

St Mary's Thornbury

A diverse community of worshippers sharing in all kinds of different services in our beautiful Grade I Listed building. St Mary’s also has an active church choir who welcome newcomers!

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St Paul's, the Hackett

St Paul's is the small daughter church in the parish of Thornbury, on the outskirts of the town on Hackett Lane. This is a small community church with a lively and enthusiastic congregation, a couple of young organists, and a simple, homely environment.

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St Arilda's, Oldbury

St Arilda's is a small country church in the village of Oldbury-on-Severn, with a passion and heart for the local community, and a small but enthusiastic worshipping congregation. This is a deeply welcoming church for visitors, walkers and enquirers, all are welcome
For more details visit the Oldbury parish website at: http://www.arildachurcholdbury.co.uk/

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St Mary's, Shepperdine

St Mary's is a small tin tabernacle on the banks of the River Severn that hosts a small congregation on a monthly basis (in ordinary times) for BCP services. Also used for regular services at Rogation and Harvest it is a building at the heart of the farming community. It is always open as a place of pilgrimage and prayer for those walking in the area.

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St Mary's Church Hall, Thornbury

St Mary's Church Hall is available to hire.
For bookings please email thornburybenefice@outlook.com or call the Parish office on 01454 281900.
Large Hall Dimensions: 11.5m x 7m x 3m tall. Small hall can be separate or included in the same hire.

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