Icons To Light Up Nocturne Festival

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All Saints

With 2023 coming to a close, it’s about time we started looking to next year and the fun we can have once the sun returns.

A surefire hit for music fans is Nocturne Festival with runs from 12th – 16th June at Blenheim Palace. The festival began in 2015 and has played host to music royalty over the years with the likes of Elton John, Kylie, Van Morrison, and Nile Rodgers gracing the stage over the years. With some of the headliners only recently announced we have to say we’re really excited about these shows..

Music legend and pop culture icon Chaka Khan will be performing on June 13th. The 10-time Grammy winner, who is touring in celebration of both her 70th birthday and 50th year in music, will be joined by disco legends Sister Sledge and party-starting funk group The Fatback Band.

Three era-defining British pop acts – Sugababes, Melanie C and Shaznay Lewis hit the stage on June 15th.

Sugababes are one of the most successful British girl bands of all time with six number one singles, multiple platinum selling albums, and numerous awards to their name. Since reforming in 2022 with their original 1998 line up of Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan, and Siobhan Donaghy, Sugababes have played at Glastonbury and performed live to over half a million fans.

Melanie C needs no introduction, surely. But just in case…she was in the Spice Girls and was known as the slightly less formal Sporty Spice, or Mel C. Melanie, is far fitting for the auspices of Blenheim Palace, isn’t it? As a solo artist she has over 3 million album sales, two number 1 singles, and six top 10 singles to her name.

Shaznay Lewis was in All Saints.

Sugababes are apparently jazzed to be taking part in this year’s festival, saying, “We are excited to be performing next year at the stunning setting of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. To get to play alongside our friends Mel and Shaznay is going to make the evening even more special.”

The third date to be announced features Crowded House, Sheryl Crow and Turin Brakes. This show, on 16th June, has all but sold out, with just a few VIP tickets remaining. So, if you have a quid knocking about and fancy a unique dining experience in the State Rooms of Blenheim Palace, followed by Crowded House, head to the Nocturne Live website. You may be required to rattle your jewellery during Weather With You.

Tickets for all events are available here.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Round & About

All Saints

Churches in Abingdon have a variety of services in Advent and Christmastide for you to attend

Well, the Christmas season is officially upon us. You may (or may not) have noticed the decorations already up in the shops by now. Personally, when I think of Christmas, I tend to remember my younger years and those exciting times of waiting until Christmas morning to open presents under the tree. Looking back, when I was a seven-year-old boy the Advent season and countdown to Christmas seemed to take forever.

But, what does Christmas mean to me now? For me, Christmas means far more than just physical gifts under a tree, but that the king of heaven and earth had left heaven to be with his people. The good news of Christmas is that Jesus came to save you and me.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.   John 1:14 NIV

Let us remember this holiday season that the baby born in a manger is so much more than any ordinary baby. That baby born in a manger is God himself who came to be with his people. The king had come and through his coming, his life, his death and his resurrection, we too can find hope and peace not just during Christmas, but in and out of every season.

 Merry Christmas to you and yours.

 Pastor Michael Ivey

Abingdon Community Church


Churches in Abingdon: Services in Advent and Christmastide 2023

Abingdon Baptist Church (OX14 5AG)

17 December 2023, 6 pm – Carol service followed by mince pies and mulled wine

24 December 2023
     10.30 am – Interactive nativity service for All-Ages

     11.30 pm – Midnight Communion

25 December 2023, 10 am – Christmas morning celebration

Abingdon Community Church (Thameside Primary School, OX14 5NL)

24 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christingle service

Abingdon Vineyard Church (Preston Road Community Centre, OX14 5NR)

17 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christmas café with family Christmas craft activities

24 December 2023, 10.30 am – Family Christmas celebration with Carols and nativity

25 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christmas Day celebration

All Saints (OX14 2AQ)
3 December 2023, 10.30 am – Advent Communion
10 December 2023,3.30 pm – Family Carols
16 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christmas tree festival                        
17 December 2023, 3 pm – Carol service
24 December 2023, 10.30 am – Morning worship
25 December 2023, 10 am – Christmas Day service

Christ Church

17 December 2023 (Northcourt Road, OX14 1PL)

     4 pm – Carol service

     7 pm – Carol service

24 December 2023

     3 pm – Christingle service (Northcourt Road)

     4 pm – Christingle service (Long Furlong, OX14 1XP)

     4.30 pm – Christingle service (Northcourt Road)

     11 pm – Midnight Communion (Northcourt Road)

25 December 2023

     8 am – BCP Christmas Communion (Northcourt Road)

     10 am – Christmas Day services at Long Furlong and Northcourt Road

Parish of Our Lady and St Edmund (OX14 3PL)

24 December 2023

     8.45 am – Mass

    10.15 am – Mass
    6.30 pm – First Mass of Christmas

  8.30 pm – Christmas vigil with Carols
     9 pm – Mass

25 December 2023   
     8 am – Mass
     9.30 am – Mass
     11.30 am – Mass

     2 pm – Polish Mass
26 December 2023 – Feast of St Stephen

     10 am – Mass

     2 pm – Polish Mass

Peachcroft Christian Centre (OX14 2RT)

17 December 2023

     10 am – Nativity service

     7 pm – Carol service

24 December 2023

     10 am – Christmas worship

     3 pm – Christingle service

     5 pm – Christingle service

25 December 2023, 10 am – Christmas celebration

Salvation Army (OX14 5BL)
10 December 2023, 10.30 am– Toy service
17 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christingle service
20 December 2023, 11 am – Community Carol service
24 December 2023, 4 pm – Candle-lit Carol service
25 December 2023, 10.30 am – Christmas morning service


St Helen’s Church (OX14 5BS)
3 December 5.30 pm – Music and readings for Advent                                            
22 December 6.30 pm – Lessons and Carols for Christmas                                   
24 December 4.30 pm – Christingle 11 pm – First Eucharist of Christmas
25 December 2023
     8 am – Holy Communion (1662)
     10.30 am – Family service with address

St Michael’s Church (OX14 1DB)
17 December 2023, 9.30 am – Sung Mass
24 December 2023
     9.30 am – Sung Mass
     3 pm – Crib service
     6.30 pm – Carols and readings
25 December 2023, 10 am – Sung Mass

St Nicolas’ Church (OX14 3NZ)
10 December 2023

     11.15 am – Holy Communion
     5.30 pm – Patronal Evensong

17 December 2023

     11.15 am – Third Sunday service

     5.30 pm – Carol service       

24 December 2023

     11.15 am – Holy Communion

     4 pm – Crib service

 25 December 2023, 10 am – Holy Communion

Trinity Church (OX14 1DB)
3 December 2023, 10.30 am – Gift service and Baptism
10 December 2023, 10.30 am – Civic service
17 December 2023
     10.30 am – Advent Communion
     4 pm – Carol service
24 December 2023, 4 pm – Christingle service
25 December 2023, 10 am – Christmas Day service

Details of all the churches can be found on the Church in Abingdon website:
www.church-in-abingdon.org.uk

Church in Abingdon: Christmas Services

Round & About

All Saints

Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas at a service in one of Abingdon’s churches

The Church in Abingdon has several venues at which you can enjoy a traditional service or carol concert this month, details here and more at www.church-in-abingdon.org.uk.

Abingdon Baptist Church

Ock Street, OX14 5AG

Sunday 11th December, 6:30pm – Carols by candlelight

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Nativity service with special guest ‘Donkey’

Saturday 24th December, 11:30pm – Christmas Communion

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family celebration

Abingdon Community Church

Thameside Primary School, Cotman Close, OX14 5NL

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – All-age family service

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day service

Abingdon Vineyard Church

Preston Road Community Centre, Midget Close, OX14 5NR

Sunday 11th December, 10:30am – Christmas Café with family Christmas craft activities

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Family Christmas celebration with Carols and Nativity

Sunday 25th December, 10:30am – Christmas Day Celebration

All Saints Church

Appleford Drive, OX14 2AQ

Sunday 18th December, 3:30pm – Candlelit Carol service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day service

Christ Church

Northcourt Road (NR), OX14 1PL/ Long Furlong (LF), Boulter Drive, OX14 1XP

Wednesday 14th December, 10am – LINK Toddler Nativity, NR

Saturday 17th December, TBC – Christmas Giveaway, LF Community Centre

Sunday 18th December, 10:30am – Indoor Carol Service, NR

6pm – Carols in the car park, NR

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service, NR

4pm – Christingle service, LF School

4:30pm – Christingle service, NR

11pm – Midnight Communion, NR

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas Day family service, NR

10am – Christmas Day family service, LF School

Sunday 1st January, 10:30am – Christ Church Together New Year’s Day service, NR

Our Lady and St Edmund’s Church

Radley Road, OX14 3PL

Saturday 24th December, 6pm – First Mass

8.30pm – Carols

9pm – Mass

Sunday 25th December 8.45am – Mass

10.15am – Mass

12 noon – Mass

Monday 26th December, 10am – St Stephen’s Mass

Peachcroft Christian Centre

Lindsay Drive, OX14 2RT

Sunday 18th December, 10am – Nativity for all

7pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Christingle service

5pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas celebration

Quakers, Abingdon Community Support Centre

Audlett Drive, OX14 3UW

Sunday 18th December 10.15am – Christmas meeting including all-age worship

Salvation Army

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BL

Sunday 18th December, 4pm – Candlelit Carol service

Wednesday 21st December, 10:30am – Community Carol service

St Helen’s Church

West St Helen Street, OX14 5BS

Friday 23rd December, 6:30pm – Christmas Lessons and carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Christingle

10.30pm – First Eucharist of Christmas

Sunday 25th December, 8am – Holy Communion

10:30am – Sung Eucharist with all-age address

St Michael’s Church

Park Road, OX14 1DS

Saturday 24th December, 3pm – Crib service

6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Sung Mass for Christmas Day

St Nicolas’ Church

Market Place, OX14 3JD

Sunday 18th December, 6pm – Christmas Lessons and Carols

Saturday 24th December, 4pm – Crib service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Holy Communion for Christmas Day

Trinity Church

Conduit Road, OX14 1DB

Sunday 18th December, 4:30pm – Carol service

Saturday 24th December, 4:30pm – Christingle service

Sunday 25th December, 10am – Christmas morning service