Thanksgiving and Blessing of the New Glass Doors
Photo by Nick Carter Photography
The sermon and blessing of the glass doors was given by Bishop Robert of Tewkesbury.
To hear his sermon click on the arrow below.
To hear the blessing of the glass doors by Bishop Robert please click on the arrow below.
The text of Bishop Robert’s Prayer follows:
Dedication and Blessing of the Doors
Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you are our guide
and keeper, leading us into green pastures and inviting
us to drink of living water. We pray that you may guide
pilgrims and visitors, worshippers and seekers into this your
house. Bless these doors that welcome those who come.
May their story and message be a reminder and an
encouragement, a sign pointing to the one who welcomes all.
Lord, you watch over our going out and our coming in.
May the joy of your faithfulness and love blossom in those who pass
this way, and may the word of rejoicing carry them out into the world
once again, from this time forth and for evermore.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
From Rev’d Caroline – carolinesymcox@googlemail.com, 01285 712467
Readings for Sunday: Isaiah 11.1-10; Romans 15.4-13; Matthew 3.1-12
The following is taken from the Parish Newsletter for Sunday 7th December 2025
This Sunday we are thrilled to be joined by Bishop Robert of Tewkesbury at our 10am service as we give thanks for, and dedicate and bless, our beautiful new glass doors. This project has been years in the making, and it’s so good to be able to celebrate its completion together.
Although it was not in the original timeline (as we know, building projects rarely finish when you think they’re going to), it feels fitting that we should celebrate our new doors in the season of Advent. This time is all about preparing to welcome Jesus, and that means that welcome is very much on our minds. The entrance to our church is one part of that welcome for us as a community.
In our reading from Romans this Sunday, Paul talks about welcoming. He says, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Our lovely new porch, with its newly-level floor, and doors that are no longer dark and foreboding but light, beckoning visitors into the church, and showing them a glimpse of its beauty, is the first experience of our welcome that newcomers to St Mary’s might have.
But even more than the practicality of the doors and entrance, the design upon the glass is there to offer us a first taste of what they might find within – an encounter with the living God, with the Good Shepherd who leads and tends to his people. Paul’s words to the Romans in today’s reading are echoed in that one simple, powerful refrain etched through the waters of the River Coln on our doors: “Rejoice”. Paul quotes Isaiah: “’Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’; and again, ‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him’. He reminds the Romans of the Lord’s word through the prophets of old, that everyone, of every tribe, and nation and language, should come to be welcomed into his fold. The Good News of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ our Lord, is not only for one exclusive group. No, his love and salvation is for the whole of the world, with not a single person left out. ‘Rejoice!’ is a message for everyone, to be encountered within the peace and holiness of God’s house, the beautiful church building of St Mary’s, and then to be carried back into the world, shared far and wide.
As you pass through our doors, may that word of rejoicing take root in you. Each and every one of us is welcomed as Christ, and everyone is sent out again with his love and purpose surrounding them. May you find it that word of rejoicing deepened and strengthened in the prayer and worship you share within the church’s walls, and may you carry it with you wherever you go.
Rev’d Caroline
Updated 11th December 2025