Welcome

cofe-version-2Welcome to St Mary Magdalen Church – we are the church with the blue roof in Chapelfields, Coventry.

We are an Anglican congregation in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England in the Diocese of Coventry with a heart for social justice. We are “liberal” and “inclusive”, recognising that everyone is made in God’s image. Accordingly, we welcome all into our midst,  irrespective of their race, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality, physical or mental abilities, culture, background or their present or past situations.

Please see our safeguarding page to learn about our policies, or to find out how to report an issue.


Christmas services

  • Sunday 18th December 2pm  Muddy Church Christmas Please meet us in the Magdalen Centre for this fun, family service in the great outdoors!
  • Saturday 24th December 5.00pm Family Christingle with Nativity Service
  • Saturday 24th December 11:30pm Midnight Mass
  • Sunday 25th December 8am Said Eucharist
  • Sunday 25th December 10am Sung Eucharist
  • Wednesday 4th January 6.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols

FrEd-landscapeOur Vicar, Fr Edward says, “I am delighted to welcome you to our parish website, we hope that you might find everything you need here, however, we would love to hear from you, so please do contact us if you have any questions. We would also love to welcome you to Church one day if you are new to the area, never been Church before, or perhaps returning to Church after some time. At St Mary Magdalen, everyone is welcome and everyone is wanted.”


Chapelfields Community Fund

chapelfields-community-fund

Are you experiencing debt? Are you one of the many who have been furloughed, or lost your job and income? Or one of the small businesses in our area that have been forced to close? We know that the coronavirus pandemic has had a tragic effect on people in our communities – with serious health and economic consequences. Here are two projects that might be able to help.

We’re excited that CAP (Christians Against Poverty) have reopened their new client enquiry line. We are pleased to, once again, have a dedicated debt specialist from CAP working in the Earlsdon, Hearsall and Chapelfields area one day a week. Supported by a number of churches in the area, including Earlsdon Methodist, Hearsall Baptist, St Barbara’s, and St. Mary Magdalen, Ian Burton from Coventry CAP Debt Centre is available to advise those struggling to help themselves become debt free. If you are aware of friends or neighbours who need support with debt and/or money management, you can contact the national CAP office (freephone number: 0800 328 0006). Or, for a much quicker local response, please email chapelfieldscommunityfund@gmail.com or ring 02476 672976. All contact is confidential.

We understand that many people are encountering unique difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic at this present time. Because of that, we are also very pleased to announce the launch of the Chapelfields Community Fund, which has been set up to try to meet the needs of those in the Chapelfields parish who are most disadvantaged. The fund aims to pro-actively support local residents at risk of social and/or financial exclusion, who have very limited or no other means of financial support. Although it may continue indefinitely, the fund’s initial intent is to address those in need because of the coronavirus pandemic or the likely economic recession that will follow.

Established by St Mary Magdalen Church in Chapelfields, we are pleased that other organisations including Hearsall Academy and All Souls Roman Catholic Church have indicated interest in supporting us. However, we recognise that we currently have limited funds and a very limited reach – and would therefore love it if other businesses or organisations might be willing to join us in serving the community.

Want to help out? Want to donate to the fund? Do you or someone you know need help? Contact us by ringing 02476 672976 or emailing chapelfieldscommunityfund@gmail.com.

Application form: chapelfields_community_fund_application_form


Giving

During this difficult time the work of our church is reliant on people’s generosity, a generosity that is a hallmark of a lived-out faith and a testament to it.

We give to our church in a variety of ways, and we are grateful for the continuing donations of our generous church members and friends, but with the closure of all our buildings we cannot receive the rental income that we usually would, so we really need your help now. If you are able to give more at this time, you can make a one-off donation to us here or set up regular donations on our Parish Giving Scheme page. Please know that we are enormously grateful for any help you can give us.

Donating to St Mary Magdalen from St Mary Magdalen Church on Vimeo.

What’s on

Online services

If you are missing our Refuge service please do download our taking-refuge-at-home prayer stations.


Christmas services

  • Sunday 18th December 2pm  Muddy Church Christmas Please meet us in the Magdalen Centre for this fun, family service in the great outdoors!
  • Saturday 24th December 5.00pm Family Christingle with Nativity Service
  • Saturday 24th December 11:30pm Midnight Mass
  • Sunday 25th December 8am Said Eucharist
  • Sunday 25th December 10am Sung Eucharist
  • Wednesday 4th January 6.30pm Nine Lessons and Carols

Regular services in the church

We are very pleased to welcome you to services in our church building, which are currently subject to COVID restrictions. Please use hand sanitiser as you come into the church (via the Magdalen Centre entrance on Sir Thomas White’s Road).

If you are still shielding and cannot join us in the building, please know that you are a beloved member of our church community, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to meeting with you again, when it is safe to do so.

  • Holy Hour (Adoration) Tuesday at 5pm
  • Said Eucharist Tuesday at 6pm
  • Holy Communion Sunday at 8am
  • Holy Communion Sunday at 10am

julian-meetings

First Sunday in the month (except November and January) – 6.30pm — 7.30pm Julian Contemplative Prayer Group

Image ©  The Julian Meetings

Julian meeting are for people of all denominations — or none — who wish to join with others in contemplative silent prayer in the Christian tradition. A brief reading and / or piece of music leads into half an hour of silent prayer, followed by another reading and more silent prayer. The whole meeting lasts around an hour, and is followed by tea and coffee.

What we do is perhaps best expressed on the Julian prayer card:

Relax your body and quieten your mind.
Be open to God in the silence.
God is with you — here, now.
Do not strive or be anxious.
Be silent, be still and let God reach you.
Let God love you.

First Monday in the month – 10am — 12 noon Monday Teapot

MondayTeapotOriginalCome and join us for a cuppa, cake and a chance to meet others and chat. We have a short (optional) service with well known hymns.

We meet on the first Monday of the month at 10:00.

Everyone is welcome, including those with memory issues, mental health and physical difficulties. Carers are welcome also!


Community groups

Mondays 36th/51st Coventry Scout Group

5.30pm — 6.30pm Beaver Scouts, 7pm — 8.30pm Cub Scouts

City of Coventry - ScoutsScouts take part in activities as diverse as kayaking, abseiling, expeditions overseas, photography, climbing and zorbing. As a Scout you can learn survival skills, first aid, computer programming, or even how to fly a plane. There’s something for every young person. It’s a great way to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express your creativity and experience the wider world.

Every year Scouts helps 450,000 young people in the UK enjoy new adventures; to experience the outdoors; interact with others, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Tuesdays 1.30pm — 3.30pm Knit for Peace

knit-for-peaceAn opportunity to meet, socialise and change the world (a little) at the same time. In a relaxed and social environment we chat and knit clothing and blankets, which are then given to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Our group is made up of a diversity of ages, some come to church some don’t. We are also all at different standards in our ability to knit so don’t worry if you drop a stitch someone is on hand to pick it up again or to help you find your place on a pattern.

Wednesdays 1.30pm — 3pm Jolly Tots — CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

jolly-tots

Do you sometimes feel isolated? Do you want to get your child used to playing with others? A safe place for children to play and socialise and for carers to meet with their peers over refreshments. Space to play, toys, singing, craft, baby changing facilities, quality refreshments. Email priest@stmarymagdalen.plus.com or call 024 7667 2976 to register an interest in attending or for more information.

Thursdays 11.30am — 1.30pm Luncheon Club

sandra-jeanette-janetThe club was formed on 25th April 1974 to provide aged like-minded parishioners a meeting point for a meal, chat and a Communion service. Transport was provided and the total cost was 15p. Although we don’t provide transport nowadays and the cost has risen to £2, the club is still going strong. We meet every Thursday and the Communion service commences at 11.30am for those who wish to attend, followed a little after 12 noon by the meal. The average attendance is 26 including the helpers in the kitchen and usually everyone has departed by 1.30pm.

If you would like to join this social occasion and have the ability to make your way to the church, contact us for further details, out phone number and address are at the bottom of this page.

I’m new

It can be daunting to step into a Church for the first time, and we try to make visitors as welcome and comfortable as possible. This page is intended to answer some common questions about St Mary Magdalen’s, but if your question isn’t answered here, please do get in touch with us — our contact details are at the bottom of the page.

Will I be welcome?

Everyone is welcome at St Mary Magdalen and members of our Church come from all walks of life. As of June 2017, St Mary Magdalen is an official Inclusive Church parish. The Inclusive Church statement of belief is:

includive_church_logoWe believe in inclusive Church – a church which celebrates and affirms every person and does not discriminate. We will continue to challenge the church where it continues to discriminate against people on grounds of disability, economic power, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, learning disability, mental health, neurodiversity, or sexuality. We believe in a Church which welcomes and serves all people in the name of Jesus Christ; which is scripturally faithful; which seeks to proclaim the Gospel afresh for each generation; and which, in the power of the Holy Spirit, allows all people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ.

Who should I contact about safeguarding concerns?

If you have any concerns about safeguarding in the church, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Wendy Nugent (phone: 024 7667 9700 email:  nugent116@googlemail.com) or the Coventry Diocese Safeguarding Team, which is led by Sarah Price (phone: 024 7652 1345, email: safeguarding@covcofe.org)

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team also has a 24-hour phone service: 024 7652 1345, and you can find out more about safeguarding arrangements throughout the Diocese on the Diocesan Safeguarding pages.

For more information, please see our safeguarding page.

What will happen when I come to a service?

Magdalen Centre

You will come in to the Church through the Magdalen Centre (the modern entrance on Sir Thomas White’s Road) and a welcomer will be there to greet you. They will give you a service sheet and anything else you need to follow the service. When you take a seat in the Church, there will be a hymn book for you in the back of the chair in front of you — there are some large print hymn books in some seats. Braille copies of the service sheets are available and can be provided by the welcomer. If you have never been to Church before, or you are not sure about following the service, just tell the welcomer and they will find a friendly person that you can sit next to who will show you the ropes.

Is the church accessible?

We are all created in the image of God and on occasions we all need assistance to accessing worship. Here are a few things we are trying to do to help:

Disability access entry to our church is on a flat level. All our chairs move so you can sit where you want to with your family and friends. We have new full and dedicated disability toilet facilities.

Hearing assistance if you use a hearing aid switch it to the T switch to gain a clearer sound of the service.

Sight assistance all our orders of service are available in large print. We have large print copies of our main hymn book in the seats and braille copies of the service sheets are available.

Food allergies wheat free communion bread is available, please speak to a welcomer to indicate you have an intolerance. Our kitchen is used by outside groups so we can not be fully confident that food prepared does not contain allergens such as nuts or seeds or has not come into contact with traces of allergens such as nuts or seeds.

Can I come to church if I am not a Christian?

Yes, definitely! You will be welcome at St Mary Magdalen whether you have been a Christian for many years, or you have never stepped into a Church before.

What should I wear?

There is no dress code at St Mary Magdalen and no need to wear “Sunday best”, just wear whatever you feel most comfortable in.

Will I be asked to do anything during the services?

No, if you are new to St Mary Magdalen you will not be called on or asked to do anything.

Can I sit anywhere in the Church or are there reserved seats?

Feel free to sit anywhere in the wooden chairs in the main part of the Church. Towards the back of the Church, near the altar, there are some wooden pews which are for the choir and clergy.

Can I leave part-way through if I feel uncomfortable?

If you feel uncomfortable you can leave at any time.

Will I be expected to give any money?

No. We do take a collection during our main Sunday services, but if you are just visiting or trying us out then feel free to give as much or as little as you want, or nothing at all. The money collected during the services goes towards the day to day running costs of our church, mission work in the community and the parish share which pays for Church of England clergy and staff in the Coventry area.

Who can take communion at St Mary Magdalen?

Anyone who takes communion in their own church is welcome to take communion at St Mary Magdalen. If you do not wish to receive communion, you are welcome to come to the altar and receive a blessing.

Can I bring children to a service?

We have child changing facilities, a microwave to heat food and toys if they need distracting. We are used to children running around but also have the service being relayed into another room if you become uncomfortable and need to give them space to fidget and scream.

Can I park at St Mary Magdalen?

The Church is located in a residential area, and there is very limited parking at the Church itself. However, it is usually possible to park in the surrounding streets, but please be mindful of our neighbours. There is a map at the bottom of the page.

How do I get to St Mary Magdalen by public transport?

The Church is close to bus stops on Craven Street (services 1, 40 and 45), Queensland Avenue (services 6, 6A, 6S, 18, 19, 47 and 53) and Hearsall Common (services 1, 11, 11U, 40, 45). Network West Midlands have a journey planner that can help you find the quickest route to the Church. The Church postcode is CV5 8DR, and there is a map at the bottom of this page.

How do I organise a christening (baptism), wedding or funeral?

Please see our life events pages.

How do I get in touch with someone at the Church?

We would love to hear from you! Our contact details can be found at the bottom of the page.

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