Parade is a service that happens most second Sunday mornings at St Nicolas at 10.30. It comprises of hymns, prayers, songs and Bible readings, and has a high input from the members of our Uniformed Organisations. The young people from Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers take part in the service in a variety of ways. They may read Bible passages, lead prayers, welcome the congregation, parade their flags and, occasionally, bring dramatic or musical presentations for us all to share. Despite a high level of involvement of young people in this service, it is, most definitely, not a children’s-only service. It is completely accessible to everyone (above about 6 years old – and there is a play corner for very small people, if they want to take an adult with them), without insulting the maturity or intelligence of other worshippers.

On occasion, Parade Service is “replaced” by a Service of the Word. Click here for Service of the Word. It is much as Parade Service, but with no specific input from the young people of the Uniformed Organisations.

The Parade Service takes on a larger and more formal mantle in November, when the young people take their part in the Annual Remembrance Day Service. In December each year Parade is part of our Patronal festival [St Nicolas Day is Dec 6th]. We combine our celebration with collection of toys and gifts for children who will otherwise receive nothing or very little at Christmas. The Family Services unit, based on Pool farm, co-ordinate the subsequent distribution of these toys and gifts. Christingle is held each January- a marvellous time when we rediscover God’s gift of Christ to the whole world, hear again about the visit of the Wise Men and discover about the work of the Children’s Society. There is something very special about seeing upwards of 200 hundred Christingle alight inside the church, each held by a young person or assisting adult.

Once or twice a year, Parade services incorporate Communion, to discover more about Communion, please click here.