Welcome.

St Thomas’ Church is part of a group of 4 churches served by our Rector and a small team of clergy. Each church has one or more church wardens, together with a group of volunteers who work within the church and the wider community. We also have a youth congregation which meets on Thursday evenings in the Rectory.

We invite you to share in our worship, friendship and  activities. We believe that people of all ages can join in and benefit from the opportunities for Christian discipleship and fellowship made possible in this parish.

If you are not a church-goer, or if you haven't been to church for some time, come and try it for yourself, you may be pleasantly surprised. You will certainly be joining people who feel that church gives enrichment to their lives. We assure you of a warm welcome.

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE IN MARCH 2026 2026

 

Welcome to our services in March leading up to remembering and engaging with the Passion of our Lord in our Easter celebrations. We will continue our sermon series and a weekly bible study prepared by 24-7 Prayer. The Meditation Service on 8th March will be in Pontesbury Church at 7pm. Palm Sunday falls on a fifth Sunday, 29th March, so we will have one Benefice Messy Church Holy Communion Service at Annscroft, starting the service in the car park at and processing to the area outside the church door. Then we will move around three further stations in church wrapped around a Holy Communion Service. There will be a hot meal afterwards following the pattern of our Lent Soup Lunches – donations will be invited for Shelterbox. On Good Friday we will have a Stations of the Cross (we hope with a choir) and poems from 2-3pm in Hanwood Church followed by hot cross buns. Our celebration of the wonderful principal feast of Easter on Sunday 5th April will start with a dawn celebration at 6.15am at The Knapp, Castle Pulverbatch, followed by bacon butties – a great way to start our celebrations. Other services as shown – having had Palm Sunday at Annscroft, we shall change the pattern and have our Easter Holy Communion at Longden, not Annscroft.

Upcoming events

Tuesday 10th March
10:00am - 12:00pm -
Coffee Morning
Wednesday 11th March
10:00am - 11:30am -
Tommies Toddlers
Sunday 15th March
4:30pm - 5:30pm -
Songs of Praise
Wednesday 18th March
10:00am - 11:30am -
Tommies Toddlers



On the third Sunday at Hanwood at 4.30pm we celebrate with a service of Songs of Praise. We usually meet in Vine Close Community Centre. This is an informal service in which people are asked to choose their favourite hymn and say why they have chosen it.
We also have reading(s) from the Bible, a short reflection and prayers. The service lasts about 45 minutes. Refreshments are provided after the service.

Do come and sing along with us. If you'd like to sing a particular hymn, please get in touch with our curate Freddie Strong who'd love to hear from you. revfreddiestrong@gmail.com

A message from Tearfund:

‘Trust in him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.’ (Psalm 62:8)

   Prayer requests from our staff and partners

An end to war and a lasting just peace

  • Please pray for the weapons to fall silent.

  • Pray for a softening of leaders’ hearts to bring an end to the violence that threatens the lives and welfare of millions of people.

The safety and security of our staff and partners

  • Please pray for protection for our staff and partners in the area.

  • Pray that they can move safely and respond to the increasing needs of people across the region.

People who are marginalised and made vulnerable by conflict

Pray for God’s comfort and healing:

  • For people already living in desperate need.

  • For women and girls at risk of sexual violence.

  • For children who risk losing their childhood and education because of conflict.

The local and global church

  • Please pray that local churches continue to be courageous witnesses of Christ’s peace and goodness.

  • Pray that the global church will be a bold advocate of justice, truth and abundant peace.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and your continued support of communities and people living in extreme poverty.

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