Worship
St Michael’s is an inclusive liberal catholic parish in the Church of England (Anglican). We are a member of the Inclusive Church network and believe that there is a place for everyone to receive the unconditional welcome of God.
We are part of the Headingley & All Hallows’ Team Ministry, working together with St Chad’s Far Headingley and All Hallows’ in Hyde Park. Look out for special joint services with our fellow churches throughout the year.
Sunday Services
Parish Eucharist, 10.00 am
This is our main weekly act of worship featuring music from the choir, sermon, the celebration of Holy Communion and is followed by refreshments. This service usually lasts about 65 minutes.
Evensong, 6.30 pm
A traditional service of sung evening prayer from The Book of Common Prayer, followed by refreshments. Once a month, the service includes prayers for healing and wholeness, and an opportunity to receive the laying on of hands and anointing. On occasion, Evensong is replaced by other choral services such as Choral Compline. This service usually lasts about 45 minutes.
Other Regular Services
Said Eucharist, 10.30 am - every Wednesday
A simple, reflective service of Holy Communion in the Lady Chapel, followed by refreshments. This service usually lasts about 35 minutes.
Compline, 8.00 pm - second Tuesday of every month
A contemplative service of night prayer by candle-light. This service usually lasts about 20 minutes.
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There are other special services by announcement throughout the year, following the high days and holy days of the Church calendar.
Our worship is focused on the Eucharist, enabling us to give thanks for the many gifts that God shares with us and all the blessings we enjoy. Through worship we are taken on a journey from confession and forgiveness to celebration and joy as we are brought to the fullness of our humanity together.
Our worship involves the whole parish community, and so there are always opportunities to read, lead prayers, or serve at the altar. The choir is always looking for new members and, if you love to sing, we would love to hear from you. Joining the flower team, helping with gardening, serving food and drinks, or welcoming visitors are all fantastic ways to be a part of our parish life.
About our services
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is at the heart of Christian worship. It is celebrated by Christians around the world as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in response to his words at the final meal he shared with his disciples, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the Eucharist, God invites us to his table as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet which he has prepared for people of all nations and cultures.
Outwardly, the Eucharist takes the form of a shared meal of bread and wine, recalling the fact that, at the Last Supper, Jesus associated the breaking of bread and sharing of wine with his own imminent death, giving them special significance. After his resurrection, the disciples recognised Jesus as he broke bread to share with them. Each time we share the meal Jesus shared with his friends, we remember his offering of himself on the cross, we rejoice in his resurrection from the dead, and look forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom.
Evensong
Evening Prayer (known as Evensong when it is sung) is one of the daily services or ‘offices’ of the Church of England. Emerging out of the religious Reformations of the 16th century, the Book of Common Prayer (often known as the Prayer Book or by the abbreviation BCP) was first produced by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), and influenced by the Protestant Reformers’ thinking.
Centred on readings from the Holy Bible, the difference of Evensong as an act of worship lies in its permission for worshippers to simply be rather than do. Much of the speaking and singing is done by the clergy and choir, leaving the congregation free to listen to the Holy Spirit, speaking to us through the beautiful words and music.