New year, new initiatives is the theme of the first Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership newsletter of 2026.

Acting Ministry Team Leader and Vision Enabler, the Rev Phil Dunning says work is beginning to bring a new discipleship course into the SEP in 2026. Simply called ‘Being With.’ It is a relaxed programme designed to enable participants to discover the different dimensions of God’s presence in their lives and live more abundantly with God.

“If you find yourself wondering about your spiritual life, its meaning, or have questions you would like to explore, we will be running a course beginning in February. We will meet in a relaxed setting, such as a pub or another place with good food, and plenty of space for conversation,” he said

It is a welcoming journey for those new to faith or simply curious about Christianity. The course will be led by the Revd Peterson Feital and the Revd Phil Dunning.

Further details about this and other events across our Partnership can be found in the newsletter, available to download here.

Happy Christmas from the Stantonbury Ecumenical Partnership – we have special services to celebrate the birth of our Lord over the next few days.

There will not be services in all churches at the same time – Bradwell and Cross and Stable will hold Christmas Midnight services starting at 11.30pm while Christ Church is holding its Christmas Eve Midnight in Bethlehem service at the earlier time of 9pm.

There are carol services in three churches – Bradwell, St Andrew’s and St James – at 6pm on December 21 but if that is not your choice head to St Mary Magdalene for their Children’s Crib Service at 3pm on the same day.

However if you wish to attend one of the carol services and a crib service then St Andrew’s (4pm), Bradwell and St James’ have crib services on Christmas Eve.

Similarly there are a range of times for Christmas morning worship. As a reminder download the poster for all services here.