St. Mary’s Church are planning ahead for the Lent Season, which begins on March 2, and the busy Easter period with additional services planned throughout Lent and Holy Week. They are able to do this as Covid requirements are eased and there is anticipation of restrictions being lifted.

Throughout Lent there will be an additional “Compline Service and Address” every Wednesday evening at 6.30 pm in St. Mary’s, beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 2). The theme of the seven addresses is “The Armour of God”.

Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday (April 10) when at last our donkey will be able to join us again for the Procession through the town.

Then on Monday in Holy Week (April 11) the whole of the Gospel Readings from the Bible will be read by members and friends of St. Mary’s. This starts at 8 am and will be completed at 6 pm - this is another traditional part of our Holy Week devotions. People are welcome to drop in and out throughout the day as they wish.

Maundy Thursday (March 14) will see the traditional Stripping of the Altars Service at a special service at 7 pm.

Good Friday will see members of the Church link with all the Churches in Tenby in a “United Walk of Witness” starting at Deer Park at 10 am and ending in Tudor Square for a short service there at 11 am. St. Mary’s will then host the Three-Hour Service, starting at 12 noon. Further details of this will be announced shortly.

It has long been the tradition to hold an ecumenical Easter Day Dawn Service in Tenby. Last year the service was held virtually with people of Tenby and Pembroke logging in. This year will see the Dawn Service return to the bandstand on Castle Hill at 6.30 am for the first time since 2019. It will be led this year by the Salvation Army. The traditionally very busy Easter Day Sung Eucharist service will follow at St. Mary’s at 10 am.

The Rector of Tenby, Canon Andrew Grace, said, “It is marvellous that we are in a position to be planning so many services and activities at this most important time in the Church's Year. We think of renewal and reawakening in the Spring, culminating in celebrating our Lord’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday. It is appropriate that this is a time when we as a Church are able to be reinvigorated and join again with friends and family in celebration.”

Full details of St. Mary’s Church services are available in their weekly pew leaflet and can be found on the St. Mary’s Church Facebook page.