Melbourne Benefice

Our worship pattern across the Benefice

Benefice services, bringing together all four congregations, are hosted by one of the churches in the Benefice on special occasions and Festivals. These may be morning or evening services.  On the fifth Sunday during the Vacancy, the four parishes hold a Benefice service in one of the churches as the only service that Sunday.  This service reflects the worship of the church in which it is held and helps unite the Benefice.

Melbourne

Sunday Services

• 8 a.m. Eucharist in The Lady Chapel (Common Worship Order 1 in traditional language) attended by 15-20 communicants.

• 10:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist (Order 1, contemporary language) gathers 40-60 people on average, plus Junior Church.

• 6:30 p.m. Choral Evensong (BCP) once a month and for major Festivals, with attendances up to 30 (including choir).

Refreshments are always provided after the 10.30 am service and are frequently offered after Choral Evensong.

Weekday services

• Thursday 9:15 a.m. (said) Eucharist is attended by 10-15 people

• Many past incumbents used the church for their own Morning and Evening Prayer, being joined by members of the community who find this a helpful quiet time of prayer. 

 Special services

• Mothering Sunday (flowers donated by a local market garden) are given to all mothers in the congregation.

• The Patronal Festival is in September.

• Harvest Thanksgiving (gifts are then taken to the locally housebound and to the Derby Padley Centre for the homeless.)

• All Souls.

• The Remembrance Day service, followed by the Act of Remembrance at the war memorial, led by the incumbent and attended by some 1,000 people with representatives from all local organisations; about 300 people form the parade, including The Royal British Legion, Grenadier Guards, councillors, the Town Band, scouts and guides.

• Christingle – last years’ service on Christmas Eve attracted around 150 children and 225 adults.

• Carol Services in Advent, at Christmas and Epiphany.

Smisby

Sunday services

• First: Holy Communion (5.30 pm)

• Second: BCP Evensong (5.30 pm)          

• Third: BCP Evensong (5.30 pm)  

• Fourth: BCP Evensong (5.30 pm)            

• Refreshments are always provided after services

 Weekday services

These are occasional offices or worship associated with Lent and other occasions.

 Special services

• Mothering Sunday - a choir of young children sang in 2024, which encouraged greater attendance. Smisby’s Patronal Festival falls on the Sunday nearest to 25th July.

• The Patronal Festival is on the Sunday nearest 25th July

• Harvest Festival – in 2024 the church started sending gifts to the Swadlincote Food Bank and Bus Stop Café.

Stanton-by-Bridge

Sunday services

• First: Holy Communion

• Second: congregation choose Swarkstone Church, (the other side of the River Trent and Swarkstone’s only service of the month) or Melbourne.

• Third: Holy Communion

• Fourth: Morning Service

 All services commence at 11 am.

 Coffee is served after services for the congregation, visitors and friends to enjoy the fellowship which this provides.

Special services

• Harvest Festival

• Carol Service

• Benefice Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday evening. 

Ticknall

Sunday services

• First: Holy Communion (9.15 am) 

• Second: Morning Prayer (9.15.am)

• Third: Holy Communion (9.15 am)

• Fourth: Morning Prayer (9.15 am)

Special services

Mothering Sunday (flowers distributed to all mothers present)

• Harvest thanksgiving

• Remembrance Sunday, when wreaths are laid by local representatives of various groups including the parish council at a commemorative window and plaque within the church.

• An informal fortnightly Morning Prayer service is held on Monday mornings.

It is hoped to promote Walking and Forest Church (the churchyard and proximity to farm and woodland offering opportunities to explore fresh expressions of worship.)