Attendance at Church of England churches grew for the fourth year in a row last year, statistics have confirmed.The overall number of regular worshippers across the Church of England’s congregations rose to 1.009 million in 2024, a rise of 0.6 per cent, according to the annual Statistics for Mission findings.It was the second year in a row in which the Church of England’s “worshipping community” – the combined number of regular members of local congregations – has stood above a million since the Covid-19 pandemic.All age average attendance on a Sunday also rose 1.5 per cent to 581,000 in 2024, extending rises over recent years.And overall attendance across the week edged upwards by 1.6 cent in a year, and stood at just over 702,000 last year, according to the figures.The increase was driven by a recovery in attendance by adults (over 16), among whom average Sunday attendance was up by 1.8 per cent and weekly attendance rose by 1.8 per cent.The 2024 figures showed that adult baptisms rose to 8,700 in 2024 compared to 7,800 the previous year. There was also a rise in the number of young people, aged between 11 and 17 years old who were baptised, from 2,100 in 2023 to 2,400 last year. Confirmations also rose by 5.3 per cent from 10,700 to 11,300.However, the figures also showed the overall number of baptisms – which includes infant baptisms – fell, as the post Covid lockdown ‘catch up’ slowed.While the overall figures show that in-person attendance has not fully reached pre-pandemic levels, the figures suggest it is moving closer to the projected pre-pandemic trend and in some cases has risen above the levels that might have been expected had there been no pandemic.
Our Advent course this year will be based on Bear Grylls’ excellent new book, ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’. In it the author captures the life and times of Jesus from the perspective of five of his contemporaries.We will have special videos supplied by Bear Grylls to aid our discussions. We will be meeting on four consecutive Tuesday evenings at 7pm in the Sun Inn, starting on November 25th. We’ll share a pizza meal as a group before the main meeting starts.All are welcome. If you’d like to join us please email davidwalker2020@hotmail.co.uk ASAP.
Sunday 2nd November The fourth Sunday before Advent10.00 am Parish Holy Communion.4.00 pm A Time to remember service.Wednesday 5th November Eucharist in Honour of Our Lady of Walsingham at Hascombe Church at 9.30.Sunday 9th November Remembrance Sunday9.30 am Remembrance Service followed by laying of wreath at the War Memorial. NB The start time for this service.Sunday 16th November The Second Sunday before Advent10.00 am Joint Parish CommunionSunday 23rd November Christ the King10.00 am Joint Parish Communion at Hascombe ChurchSunday 30th November The First Sunday of Advent10.00 am Joint Parish Communion at Hascombe
In recent times we’ve added an important service to the diary of our church’s year. Our Time to Remember event coincides with All Souls’ Tide when we commemorate our loved ones departed.This service can be a particular help to those who are still mourning the recent loss of loved ones - family or friends. But it also provides a chance for many people who still want to give thanks for those who’ve gone before them to come to a special event at St Mary and All Saints’ Church. This year our Time to Remember service will take place on 2ndNovember at 4pm at Dunsfold Church. If you want to have the name, or names, of deceased relatives or friends read out during the service please inform us. There is a book at the back of church where you can tell us who you would like to be remembered, or alternatively please email Pam on pamwalker2020@gmail.com or tell the church officers on duty on the day. Also, after the service refreshments will be served and we’ve found that staying behind to share reminiscences has been a source of great comfort to everyone concerned. All are welcome.
