Notices & Information
Contacts and Numbers
The Church Wardens are:
- Marian Theobald, Tel. 01676 523475
- Linda Barnett, Tel. 01676 523277
Lay Reader:
- Peter Wright, Tel. 01676 522414
Rector: Following the retirement of Revd. Michael Dawkins in June 2009 there is currently a vacancy. The Revd. Canon John Eardley, a retired priest, is assisting at St. Laurence during the vacancy, including taking some of the regular services each month.
Services
Our main service is at 10.30 every Sunday morning. The normal pattern of services each month is:
1st Sunday: Joint Service shared with Meriden Methodists; this takes place at the Meriden Methodist Church.
2nd Sunday: Holy Communion (following 'Order One' (Book of Common Prayer)) at St. Laurence Church.
3rd Sunday: Joint Morning Prayer Service shared with Meriden Methodists; this takes place at St. Laurence Church.
4th Sunday: Holy Communion (following 'Order Two') at St. Laurence Church
5th Sunday: Morning Prayer with Songs of Praise at St. Laurence Church.
All these services begin at 10.30 a.m. Please do join us for worship; you can be assured that there is a warm welcome for you.
Along with our regular Sunday morning services throughout the year there are particular services at all the special seasonal times during the year including:
Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, All Saints, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, as well as Easter and Ascension. Advance information about these will be posted on this page of the website as they approach.
Further information about all services can be obtained by 'phoning the above contact numbers.
The Church is also open for visiting. In addition to services, this ancient and beautiful church is open for visiting every Sunday afternoon until 6pm from now until late October. If you would like to call in to visit the church you are very welcome. Maybe while out walking or cycling, or out for a Sunday 'drive' in the area, or if you are just looking to spend a little reflective and refreshing time, maybe somewhere to pray, or just to find some space to be quiet and peaceful; whatever, we will look forward to seeing you; teas and coffees are provided.
(Please note the church will not be open in the afternoon on Sunday 13th June only as this is the occassion of the annual 'Kinwalsey Tree Service' at 4 p.m. followed by refreshments. All are welcome to this great event. For more information please contact the churchwardens or consult the current issue of the village magazine, the 'Meriden Mag' (www.meridenmag.co.uk)
The Stained Glass Windows of St. Laurence Church
In the Gallery pages of this website you will find photgraphs and information about these beautiful and distinctive windows which are now the subject of a specially published 70-page book.
Containing nearly 40 distinctively taken coloured photographs and accompanying text, the book has been compiled by the Revd. Michael H. Dawkins, Rector of the Parish, 1985 to 2009.
The book is available at £10 per copy (plus posting and package). Copies can be obtained:
* at the Centre Charity Shop on The Green, Meriden, nr.Coventry (tel: 01676 523050)
* at the Library on Meriden Green (tel: 01676 522717 for opening hours)
* at the Church (see service times in Notices and Information on this website or contact
the Church Wardens for other times)
* via the St. Laurence Church Wardens (tel: 01676 523475 or 01676 523277)
* via Revd. Dawkins (tel: 01384 893 299 or e-mail mhdawkins@aol.com)
The Bishop of Coventry, in his foreword to the book, writes: "This is a beautiful book about some beautiful windows in a beautiful church. And the windows tell the most beautiful story ever known - the story of the love of God that knows no bounds. As you savour their wonderful colours, exquisite detail and majestic images, and as you muse on the profound words that accompany them, let the story of God's immense love touch the story of your life to bring you hope and joy, truth and peace.....(this is a) precious book....these glorious windows shine with the light of Christ".
Half the proceeds of the sale of each copy will go towards the essential Restoration of the Church described on this website.
Enquiries for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals
Please contact the Church Wardens on 01676 523277 or 01676 523475, or, if not available contact 01676 522414.
All other enquiries please 'phone 01676 52377 or 01676 523475.
Baptisms: We welcome enquiries about baptism, sometimes called 'christening' (there's no difference, these are two names for the same thing). A form for the names of the child or children (or older person), parents and godparents is collected from either of the Churchwardens and returned for entry into the register.
Marriages: You're welcome to marry in church whatever your beliefs, whether or not you are baptised and whether or not you go to church, and we welcome enquiries for weddings at this ancient church of St. Laurence in its beautiful setting. A banns application form is collected from one of the Churchwardens, filled in and returned. The banns are called on three consecutive Sundays during the three months before the wedding. (If one of the couple lives in another parish a banns application form is collected from that parish and filled in. Later, that parish will issue a banns Certificate to be brought to the Churchwardens in Meriden.)
Further information on marrying in the Church of England can be found at http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/weddings but please do contact the Church Wardens on 01676 523277 or 01676 523475, or, if not available contact 01676 522414.
Funerals: Please contact the Church Wardens in the first instance on 01676 523277 or 01676 523475 or, if not available, the Lay Reader on 01676 522414
We will support you and try to help you understand the deeply right and sacred nature of these things.
