CHURCH services at churches in and around Ross-on-Wye will continue to be held this year, it has been announced.

Ross Parishes say that all the usual services at St Mary’s in Ross and at St Michael and All Angels in Walford will take place this year, with precautions taken to ensure peoples’ safety.

“After a difficult year for everybody, we are delighted to be able to hold all the usual Christmas services at St Mary’s in Ross and at St Michael and All Angels in Walford,” said a spokesperson.

“The churches will be cleaned for all services and chairs will be arranged in a socially distanced manner. Unfortunately, Covid regulations mean that we cannot accommodate our usual large Christmas congregations, and for most services at St Mary’s booking (details below) is essential to ensure a seat.”

The services start with Christingle services on December 13, at 11am in Walford and 4 pm in Ross. This service, which celebrates the light of the world, is now popular both with schools and churches. On Sunday December 20 the usual Sunday Eucharist will take place at St Mary’s and at Walford will have carols instead of hymns (but under Covid rules the congregation are still not allowed to sing). In the afternoon there will be Messy Church at St Mary’s from 2pm to about 3pm, then the traditional carol service. Demand for the carol service has been so great that we it is being held twice, at 4pm and at 6pm.

At 6pm on Tuesday December 22 a quieter, more reflective “Blue Christmas” service will be held. This is for any who feel in low spirits or who have recently experienced a trauma like bereavement or some other loss.

On Christmas Eve the churches will be having a Crib Service, but without many of its usual features (such as woolly sheep) to comply with Covid regulations. It will still be a great start to Christmas for families with young children. Then at 11.30pm there is the traditional Midnight Mass at both Ross and Walford. On Christmas Day there is a quiet, said Holy Communion at Ross at 8am, followed by a joyful Sung Eucharist at 9.30am; at Walford there is Parish Communion at 9.30am.

Finally, if you want an informal, outdoor, sing, come along to “Carols on the Green” at 5.30pm on December 23 and on Christmas Eve. This will be held in the North Churchyard (between St Mary’s and the Church Hall). Please bring your own candles, and carol sheets can be downloaded from our website.

All the St Mary’s services, except Messy Church and the ‘Blue Christmas’ service, will be live streamed on Facebook for those who cannot, or who would prefer not to, come out this year. For all the services, except Messy Church and the Carol Eucharist on December 20, booking is essential. This can be done through the Eventbrite site, using the link on St Mary’s website (www.rossparishes.uk), or by telephoning the church office: 01989 562175 between 9am and 2pm.