Church of England · Diocese of Ely

Somersham, Woodhurst, Pidley-cum-Fenton & Old Hurst

Worship

Services

These pages do not agree. The previous website published more than one service pattern, and the pages do not agree. Each table below is copied from one source and labelled. Nothing here has been merged into a single “official” timetable.

TODO: content needed. The Rector needs to confirm which pattern is current, and which lines should be taken down. Until then, every published version is shown.

A person sitting in prayer, the photograph used on the old worship page.

St John the Baptist, Somersham — church page

St John the Baptist, Somersham — church page
WhenTimeWhat
Sunday morning10:30Regular Sunday worshipThe page says to see the newsletter for details.
Wednesday morning9:30Midweek communionFollowed by coffee.

St John the Baptist, Woodhurst — church page

St John the Baptist, Woodhurst — church page
WhenTimeWhat
First Saturday of the month10:30 amOpen ChurchFree tea or coffee, a paperback book table, and a raffle for a cake.
Second Thursday of the month10:00 amHoly Communion

All Saints, Pidley — church page

All Saints, Pidley — church page
WhenTimeWhat
1st Sunday9:00 amHoly Communion
2nd Sunday9:00 amMorning Prayer
3rd Sunday9:00 amHoly Communion
4th Sunday6:00 pmEvening PrayerThe page says all are very welcome at any of these services.

St Peter’s, Old Hurst — church page

St Peter’s, Old Hurst — church page
WhenTimeWhat
2nd Sunday9:00 amContemporary CommunionThe page says Revd Rob Kean usually takes this service.
4th Sunday10:30 amAll Age serviceDescribed as child-friendly. Other services are taken by Maria Dorman or another member of the ministry team. Changes were to be shown at the top of the church page; none were published there.

Regular Worship page — Holy Communion and Sunday mornings

Regular Worship page — Holy Communion and Sunday mornings
WhenTimeWhat
1st Sunday9:00 amHoly CommunionPidleyTraditional language, Common Worship, with hymns, followed by refreshments.
4th Sunday10:00 amHoly CommunionPidley
2nd Sunday9:00 amHoly CommunionOld Hurst
1st Sunday10:30 amHoly CommunionSomershamMore formal, at the high altar. Common Worship in contemporary language, about an hour, followed by refreshments. Mix of traditional and modern hymns with the organ, pre-recorded music and sometimes a choir. An area at the back for young children, and a table with an activity or Sunday School.
3rd Sunday10:30 amHoly CommunionSomershamLess formal, using the communion table in the main body of the church. Same music and welcome for children as the first Sunday.

Regular Worship page — Services of the Word

Regular Worship page — Services of the Word
WhenTimeWhat
2nd Sunday9:00 amService of the WordPidley
2nd Sunday10:30 amService of the WordSomersham
3rd Sunday10:00 amService of the WordPidley

Regular Worship page — informal, family and breakfast services

Regular Worship page — informal, family and breakfast services
WhenTimeWhat
3rd Sunday4:00 pm in winterFamily ServiceWoodhurstShorter and more interactive, often with a drama and a children’s activity. A summer time is not given on this page.
4th SundayNot statedFamily ServiceSomersham and Old HurstIn Somersham, refreshments are offered afterwards, and every alternate month includes a shortened all-age communion.

Regular Worship page — evening services

Regular Worship page — evening services
WhenTimeWhat
4th Sunday6:00 pmCommon Worship Evening PrayerWoodhurstShort, quiet and reflective, usually in the candlelit chancel.
Every few months6:00 pmTaizé serviceOld HurstCandlelit. Simple repeated phrases, usually from the Psalms or other scripture.

Regular Worship page — midweek

Regular Worship page — midweek
WhenTimeWhat
Every Wednesday9:30 amCommunionSomershamCommon Worship, contemporary language, followed by refreshments.
Every 2nd Thursday10:00 amCommunionWoodhurstFollowed by refreshments.
MidweekNot statedServiceBrookfield Care Home, SomershamNo time or frequency is given.

Children and Families page — family services

Children and Families page — family services
WhenTimeWhat
1st SundayNot statedFamily ServiceOld HurstMusical instruments for children, a craft table and an all-age talk.
2nd Sunday4:00–5:30 pmMessy ChurchSomersham
3rd Sunday4:00 pm in the rugby season, 10:30 am the rest of the yearFamily ServiceWoodhurstChildren often do the readings.
3rd SundayNot statedBreakfast Sing and PraiseOld HurstBacon, cake, coffee, and singing, with songs projected and music from an iPad.
4th Sunday10:30 amFamily ServiceSomershamShorter Common Worship, one or two Bible readings, sometimes a drama. Children’s table at the front, with Jess, Family and Children’s Worker. Every alternative month includes a short communion.

Somersham church page — children on Sundays

Somersham church page — children on Sundays
WhenTimeWhat
1st and 3rd Sundays10:30Sunday SchoolSomershamDuring the Sunday service.
2nd SundayDuring the serviceChildren’s craftsSomersham

Benefice Diary — November 2026 to October 2027

Benefice Diary — November 2026 to October 2027
WhenTimeWhat
Every Sunday10:30–11:30 amSunday morning worshipThe diary does not name the church.
2nd Sunday9:00–10:00 amHoly CommunionOld Hurst
4th Sunday10:30–11:30 amAll Age ServiceOld Hurst
Every Wednesday9:30–10:30 amMidweek serviceThe diary does not name the church.
2nd Sunday, January to October 20274:00–5:00 pmMessy ChurchNot listed in the diary for November or December 2026. A separate one-off entry, “Messy church”, is on Tuesday 22 December 2026, 10:00 am–1:00 pm.
Every Tuesday in term time on the church pages; every Tuesday in the diary9:30–11:00 amLittle AcornsSomershamThe Somersham page says term time, 9:30–11:00. The Children and Families page says term time, 9:00–11:00. The diary lists it every Tuesday through the year.
Every Tuesday7:00–9:00 pmBell ringers’ practice
1st Wednesday10:30–11:30 amMothers’ Union
3rd Wednesday2:00–4:30 pmCreative MindsThe Creative Minds page says 2:00–4:00 pm, in church.
4th Saturday10:30–11:30 amWelcome CafeThe Woodhurst page separately describes Open Church on the first Saturday at 10:30 am. These are published as different entries.

What the Regular Worship page said about Sunday mornings in Somersham

On the first and third Sundays at 10:30am the page describes Common Worship in contemporary language, a mix of traditional and modern hymns with the organ, pre-recorded music and sometimes a choir. Services last about an hour and are followed by refreshments. There is an area at the back of church for young children and a table with an activity or Sunday School connected with the theme. The first Sunday is a more formal Holy Communion at the high altar. The third Sunday is a less formal Holy Communion, using the communion table in the main body of the church.

A family service is described as shorter and more interactive, in contemporary language, often with a drama and a children’s activity.

The same page says Taizé services are held every few months at Old Hurst, lit by candles. The music uses simple phrases, usually lines from the Psalms or other scripture, repeated or sung in canon.

See also festivals and special services and learning for life.