2025/26
Advent Art Show
1st-24th December
10am - 5pm @ Mariners Chapel
During this coming advent season we are really excited to be hosting an advent art installation in Mariners Chapel. We will be displaying 15 images each with a short meditation by artist Scott Erickson exploring the vulnerability of the incarnation and how we can encounter the divine in unexpected places.
For many people today Christmas has lost its true wonder and meaning and has become a stressful and pressurised season, and the sanitised version of the nativity story that we are all familiar with can feel quite far removed from the grit and chaos of life for many.
This advent we want to create a welcoming space, that is a haven in the midst of the noise and chaos. A place to pause, to slow down and to meditate on the wonder of Christmas and encounter the God who stepped into the grit and the mess of our world and who can identify with us in our human vulnerability.
We invite you to come and enjoy this immersive experience and discover the wonder of “God with us”. The Chapel will be open daily throughout December.
All images and meditations are from the book Honest Advent by Scott Erickson.
carol Singing in
Gloucester Docks
Sunday 7th December - Shine Sunday
11:00am @ Gloucester Ice Rink
As part of our Shine Sunday Celebration, we’ve been invited by Gloucester Quays to join in with Carol Singing by the Ice Rink — a brilliant opportunity to bring some Christmas joy and share the good news of Jesus right in the heart of the Docks. We’ll gather on Sunday 7th December during our morning celebration, singing from 11:00–11:30am by the ice rink. Whether you’re a confident singer or just love joining in, everyone’s welcome!
Practice Evening: To help us prepare (and have a bit of fun together), we’ll have a relaxed carol practice on Thursday 27th November. Come along, learn the songs, and get in the festive spirit early! This is a wonderful chance to be visible in our city, share a smile, sing with joy, and be part of something that opens conversations and deepens relationships.
Mariners
Christmas Party!
Saturday 20th December
5pm @ Mariners Hall
Our Mariners Christmas Party is one of the highlights of the year — a chance to celebrate Christmas together as a church family. Join us at Mariners Hall from 5pm for a relaxed, festive evening filled with laughter, food, music, and connection. We’ll have pizza for everyone, a silent disco, and plenty of space to chat, dance, and simply enjoy being together.
Tickets: £5 per adult / £2 per child (under 12) Includes pizza — please bring your own drinks and maybe something sweet to go with Wholly Gelato.
Sign up here to book your place. PLEASE NOTE: The last date to sign up is Wednesday 17th December.
Sunday 21st December
4pm @ Mariners Chapel
You’re invited to our Carols and Christingle celebration — a joyful, family-friendly gathering at Mariners Chapel as we draw near to Christmas. Together we’ll sing well-loved Christmas carols, make Christingles and enjoy hot chocolates as we remember Jesus as the light of the world. Whether you come every week or it’s your first visit, this is a wonderful way to step into the wonder of Christmas — Waiting. Encountering. Celebrating. Jesus. All are welcome — invite friends, bring the family, and come celebrate the light that changes everything.
Please sign up here so we can prepare enough Christingles for those that want them.
Thursday 25th December
10:30am @ Mariners Chapel
Come and celebrate Christmas morning together at Mariners Chapel! This is a joyful, family-friendly gathering where we’ll lift our hearts in worship, share hope and joy, and celebrate the birth of Jesus — the light of the world. Whether you’re visiting family, part of the Mariners community, or simply looking for somewhere to celebrate, you’re so welcome to
join us.
Come as you are — everyone is welcome to share in this moment of joy and peace.
Waiting. Encountering. Celebrating. Jesus.
Blessing Others
This Christmas, we want to make space not only to wait for and encounter Jesus, but also to share His love in simple, practical ways. As part of our Advent rhythm, we’re encouraging everyone to consider joining in with something that blesses others, that could be as individuals, families, friends or Life Groups. It could be taking part in an initiative like these to bless others:
Reverse Advent Calendar
Instead of receiving something each day, why not give something each day? Each day of Advent, add an item (non-perishable food, toiletries, treats, or essentials) to a box. At the end of Advent, donate it to your local Foodbank or the Trussell Trust. It’s a simple, powerful way to practise generosity and remind ourselves — and others — of the abundance of God’s love. Learn more about Reverse Advent Calendars
Delivering Joy Campaign (Dunelm)
This campaign helps bring a little light to someone’s Christmas. In participating stores, you’ll find tags with wishes or gift ideas from local people in need — simply take a tag, buy the gift, and return it to the store. It’s a beautiful way to remind people they’re seen, known, and loved. Find out more about Delivering Joy at Dunelm
Advent book club
Book: Waiting for Jesus by Rich Villodas
Monday Lunchtimes
Location TBD
This Advent, we’re creating space to slow down, listen, and draw near to God — together. We’ll be reading Waiting for Jesus by Rich Villodas, a 25-day devotional that helps us pause amid the busyness and rediscover the hope, wonder, and presence of Jesus in the Advent season. Each week through December, we’re planning to gather on Monday lunchtimes (1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd December) to chat about what’s spoken to us, reflect on the readings, and pray together. (Location is to be decided) Alongside this, we also plan to have a WhatsApp group so everyone can journey together and share reflections throughout Advent, even those that can’t make the Monday get togethers.
Are you going to join in with us as we wait for Jesus? Click the button to sign up, please do so by 24th November.
You can buy the book from Eden (which also supports easyfundraising!)
Wednesday 31st December
9pm @ Elim Church Gloucester
Worship 24/7 have organised a worship night on New Year’s Eve which will be taking place at Elim Church in Gloucester. Starting at 9pm, worship will continue through the evening and into the new year, until 12:15, as we celebrate the beginning of 2026 together with our praises to God.
These events are designed to be as freeing as possible so you are welcome to come and go as you please, stay for as little or as much as you would like!