Advent and Christmas Services 2023
Get Real This Christmas
Want to find out the real meaning of Christmas?
You are welcome to join us at a church near you.
See our Directory Page for a map of loations
Dunedin Area
Churches in Dunedin, from Port Chalmers to Brighton and Mosgiel.
Cathedral District
Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Click here for Cathedral service information
Cathedral District Cathedral Church of St Paul – 228 Stuart Street Dunedin
Thursday 14 December
6 pm: Blessing the Christmas Tree with Anglican Family Care
Sunday 17 December – 3rd Sunday in Advent
7pm: Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas
Sunday 24 December – Fourth Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve
- 10.00 am: Eucharist with Hymns for the 4th Sunday in Advent with Bright Lights Sunday School
- 6pm: Family Christmas Service
- 10.30pm: Christmas Carols with the Choir
- 11.00pm: Midnight Mass
Christmas Day – Te Rā Whānautanga o tō tātou Ariki, o te Karaiti
10.00am: Choral Mass for Christmas Day
Caversham Parish
St Peter’s – 500 Hillside Road
Sunday 24 December – Christmas Eve
8 am: Holy Communion (1662)
10.30 am: Nine Lessons, Carols and Eucharist
7.30 pm supper before Mass (bring some food to share)
9.00 pm: Mass of Christmas Eve (combined with St Martha’s)
Christmas Day
9.00 am: Holy Communion and Carols (1662)
Dunedin North Parish Te Pāriha o Ōtepoti ki te Raki
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
Click Here for Dunedin North Service Information
Dunedin North Parish Te Pāriha o Ōtepoti ki te Raki
All Saints’ – 786 Cumberland St
December 3, First Sunday in Advent
8 am Mass, 10.30 am High Mass, Sunday School. distribution of Advent Calendars, followed by lunch, 8 pm Taize night prayer, supper.
Thursdays in Advent
8.45 – 10 am, 4 pm – 6 pm, All Saints’ Fruit and Vege collection and sales table, front hall.
December 6, Thursday
7-9 pm C7Q youth group
December 9, Saturday
10 am – 2 pm Xmas fun day for children of all ages.
December 10, Second Sunday in Advent
- 8 am Mass, 10.30 am High Mass, Sunday School, followed by lunch and Trade Aid Christmas stall (Fair Trade chocolates, Christmas decorations, stocking fillers etc.).
- 7 pm Community Carol Service, followed by supper (no 8 pm Taize night prayer).
December 12, Tuesday
12 pm Christmas Women’s lunch, Good Earth Café
December 13, Wednesday
5.30 pm French Mass with carols, aperitif.
December 15, Friday
Absolute quiet day with Knox Church, details to follow…
December 16, Saturday
12 pm rehearsal for Nativity Play, children of all ages very welcome (shepherds, angels, kings, Roman soldiers, inn keepers etc. needed).
2 pm Ordination of Katie Marcar to the priesthood, St Paul’s Cathedral.
December 17, Third Sunday in Advent
- 8 am Mass (last 8 am Mass until Feb 4th 2024)
- 10.30 am Nativity Play, followed by lunch and Trade Aid Christmas stall (Fair Trade chocolates, Christmas decorations, stocking fillers etc.).
- 8 pm Taize night prayer followed by supper (last Taize until February 11th 2024)
December 20, Wednesday
7-9 pm C7Q youth group
December 21, Thursday
Last All Saints’ Fruit & Veges day until Feb 9 2024
December 24, Fourth 4th Sunday in Advent – Christmas Eve
- 10.30am High Mass followed by tea and coffee
- 4.30 pm Children’s Christmas Crib Service
- 10.30pm Carols by candlelight
- 11.00pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day 25 December
10.30am High Mass with children’s activities and blessing of crib.
St. Martin’s No Christmas Eve service,
Sunday 31 December:
10.30 am High Mass with children’s activities and blessing of crib
Until 4 February the only regular liturgy in the Parish will be the 10.30 am High Mass at All Saints.
St Matthew’s Parish (Dunedin)
30 Hope Street, Dunedin
Christmas Day
10.00am Christmas service
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St Martha’s (North Dunedin)
St Martin’s Church, 194 North Rd, North East Valley
Saturday 9 December, 2023: St Martha’s Kid’s Band Carol Service, 2.00pm: St Martin’s Church, (we are upstairs in the church for this service).
Saturday, 23 December, 2023: St Martha’s – Advent 4: Zoom Worship 2.00pm: Zoom link: https://otago.zoom.us/j/92907772180 Password: 029328
Christmas-themed worship by zoom – Liturgy of the word, gospel reflection, Christmas carols, and prayers led by our Worship Team.
Christmas Eve, 24 December, 2023:
St Martha’s and St Peter’s combined Christmas Eve Service, 9-10pm – St. Peter’s Church, 57 Baker Street, Caversham.
A simple, candle-lit Christmas service for those who love the beautiful tradition of ‘Midnight’ Mass but want to get to bed a bit earlier! Carols, candles, and Eucharist to welcome the birth of Jesus
7.30pm There is also a supper BEFORE the service in the hall. Bring a plate of Christmassy supper food to share.
Otago Peninsula Parish
St Michael’s and All Angels’, Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
Click here for Otago Peninsula Service Information
Otago Peninsula St Michael’s and All Angels’ – Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
10 Dec – 2nd Sunday of Advent, St Nicholas Day,
10 am: Worship service
17 Dec – 3rd Sunday in Advent
10 am: Seven lessons and carols
5.30pm: Macandrew Bay BBQ
Christmas on the beach singing Christmas carols. Celebrate the coming of the “Prince of peace “. Theme pray for ” peace’
24 Dec – Christmas Eve
10 am: Family service
10 pm: Mulled wine and Christmas pies
10 45pm -11.45pm: Candle lit Eucharist
25 Dec Christmas Day
10 am Family service
31 Dec – Sunday
10am: Service with Bishop Steven
7pm-10pm: New years eve party
Sunday Services in January
10.00 am Holy Communion
St Michael’s and All Angels’ – Elliot Street, Andersons Bay
Port Chalmers Parish
Holy Trinity – corner Grey and Scotia Streets, Port Chalmers
Contact Judy Ringland Stewart (Church Warden), 03 4728476 or 0274728477, box9portchalmers@gmail.com
Christmas Eve
10.30 pm: Carols and Eucharist
Christmas Day
10 am: Christmas Eucharist
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Roslyn Parish
St John’s – 373 Highgate, Roslyn, Dunedin
Christmas Eve
9 am: Said Communion
10 am: All Age Eucharist
5pm: Crib Service
11.30 pm: First Communion of Christmas
Christmas Day
9 am: Said Communion
10 am: All Age Eucharist
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Southern Coastal Deanery
Contact: Ven Jan Clark 027 351 5171
Click here for Southern Coastal Deanery Service information
Southern Coastal Deanery
St Mary’s – 3 Whitby Street, Mornington,
Holy Cross – 5 Bellona Street, St Kilda,
St Mark’s – 27 Shand Street, Green Island,
St Margaret’s – 4 Seaview Rd, Brighton
Contact: Ven Jan Clark 027 351 5171
3rd December: Advent Sunday – Launch of the Christmas Appeal
- 9.30 am: St Mary’s 3 Whitby St
- 10.30 am: St Margaret’s , Brighton 4 Seaview Rd
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
10th December: 2nd Sunday of Advent
- 9.30 am: St Mary’s 3 Whitby St, Mornington
- 4.30 pm: Mornington Churches Carol Service
- 10.30 am: St Mark’s 27 Shand St, Green Island
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
17th December: 3rd Sunday in Advent.
- 10.30 am: St Margaret’s, Brighton 4 Seaview Rd
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
- 4 pm: Deanery Communion & Christmas Dinner at St Mary’s
24th December: 4th Sunday in Advent – Christmas Eve
- 10.30 am: St Mark’s 27 Shand St Green Island
- 11 am: Holy Cross, 5 Bellona St, St Kilda
- 9 pm: Carols & Eucharist at St Mary’s 3 Whitby St, Mornington
25th December: Christmas Day
9 am: Christmas Day Eucharist at St Margaret’s 4 Seaview Rd, Brighton
31st December: New Years Eve
10.30 am: Combined Deanery Eucharist at Holy Cross 5 Bellona St, St Kilda.
Southland and Central Otago – Lakes
Churches in Gore, Invercargill, Southland through to Te Anau, Central Otago and the Lakes District
Dunstan Parish
St Aidan’s – 42 Shannon Street, Alexandra
St James – 12 Ferry Road, Roxburgh
St Aidan’s, Alexandra
Christmas Day at 9:30 am
St James, Roxburgh
Christmas Eve at 7:00pm
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Fiordland Parish, St Michael’s
49 Mokonui Street, Te Anau
Contact: Miriam Dudfield, 021 054 2027, miriamdudfield@hotmail.com
17th December
9.30 am Carols and Lessons
24 December
10 am: Scattered People of the Good Shepherd Zoom service (from home): Click here
25 December
9.30am Christmas Service with Extended Communion
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Gladstone Parish
All Saints – 509 Dee Street, Invercargill
Sunday 17 December
7 pm: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas Eve
9.30am: Holy Eucharist
11.30pm: Midnight Eucharist
Christmas Day
9.30am Holy Eucharist
Saint Andrew’s Stewart Island combined with Oban Presbyterian Church at Oban Church
Christmas Day: 10.30am
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Gore Parish
Holy Trinity – Trafford Street, Gore
Christmas Eve
Eucharist: 10 am
Carol Service: 7 pm
Christmas Day Eucharist: 10 am
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Invercargill – St John’s Parish
St Luke’s – 10 Black Road, Otatara
Christmas Eve, St Luke’s, 24 December
10 am: Come and join us for a family interactive service with carols.
Services resume the second Sunday in February 2024.
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Northern Southland
The Athol Church 18 Five Rivers Highway Athol
Monday 27 November 2023
11am: Pre Christmas service
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Maniototo Parish
St. Hilda’s, 16 Welles Street. Ranfurly
St. George’s, 46 Derwent Street, Naseby;
St. Alban the Martyr, Downs Road, St. Bathans
Contact Warwick Smith (Bishop’s Warden), 021 434536
Christmas Service Wednesday 6 December
St. Alban the Martyr, Downs Road, St. Bathans at 6pm
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Middlemarch
St John’s Presbyterian Church, 4 Aberafon Street, Middlemarch.
Sunday 17 December
6 pm: Community Interdenominational Christmas Service
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North Invercargill Parish
Holy Trinity – 61 King Street, Invercargill
Christmas Eve Eucharist
10 pm: Christmas Mass – Port/Orange and Christmas Cake to follow
Christmas Day Eucharist
9.30 am: Eucharist at All Saints, Gladstone, 509 Dee Street, Invercargill.
Sundays from 31 December to 21 January: Morning Prayer @ 9.30 am
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Upper Clutha Parish
St Andrew’s, Cnr Blyth & Donegal Sts, Cromwell
Christmas Day, All Age Festive Eucharist, 9.00am.
St Columba’s, Cnr Upton & Mcdougall Sts, Wanaka
Christmas Eve, Carols and Communion, 11.00pm
Christmas Day, All Age Festive Eucharist, 8.00am and 10.00 am.
Tarras Church, Church Road Tarras
Christmas Eve, Community Carols, 7.00pm
Whakatipu Parish
St Peter’s – 2 Church Street, Queenstown
St Paul’s – 16 Berkshire Street, Arrowtown
Glenorchy Community Church – 13 Argyle Street
Click here for Whakatipu service details
Wednesday 13 December: St Peter’s Church, 6.00 pm “Carols on the Lawn” (to be confirmed)
Christmas Eve
6 pm: St Paul’s, Arrowtown, Holy Communion & Carols.
7 pm: Glenorchy Community Church, Holy Communion & Carols
10.00 pm: St Paul’s Arrowtown, Holy Communion & Carols
10.00 pm: St Peter’s Queenstown, Carol Singing
11.30 pm: St Peter’s Queenstown, Holy Communion & Carols
Christmas Day
9 am: St Paul’s Arrowtown, Holy Communion & Carols
10 am: St Peter’s Church, Queenstown, Holy Communion & Carols
Waikaia
St Mary’s, 47 Newburn Street, Waikaia
Tuesday 19 December at 6 pm, Led by Bishop Steve.
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Western Southland Parish
St Mary’s Riverton:
Christmas Day – Joining other Riverton faith communities
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Winton Parish
Holy Trinity Church – 252 Great North Road, Winton
Contact: Phillis Wilson, (03) 2367039 or Rev’d Richard Johnson, 021 124 2746
Sunday 24 December
Christmas service at 7pm
Oamaru – East and South Otago
Churches from Warrngton (north of Dunedin) to Oamaru and the Waitaki Valley, and south of Dunedin to South Otago.
Balclutha Parish
St Mark’s – 19 Renfrew Street Balclutha, St Peter’s – 8 Church Street, Clinton
Christmas Eve – Sunday 24th December
8.30 am: Holy Communion, St Mark’s Balclutha
10.15 am: Holy Communion Service
4.30pm: Children and parents’ service
7.30pm: Christmas Eve Eucharist, St Peter’s Clinton
11pm: First Communion of Christmas, St Mark’s Balclutha
Christmas Day – Sunday 25 December
9.30 am: Christmas Day Holy Communion
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Karitane Christmas
Saturday 23 December
This year there will be a special Christmas Service at Hui-teRangiora Church at Puketeraki Marae – join us on Saturday 23 December at 2 pm.
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Oamaru-Maheno Parish
St Lukes – 2 Tees Street, Oamaru
St Andrew’s – 6 Short Street, Maheno
Saturday 9 December
2 pm to 4.30 pm: Nativity Display at St Lukes – displays from different countries plus an opportunity to make your own nativity set – a great event for your whānau.
Sunday 10 December
4 pm: Christmas Poems and Carols at St Lukes
Friday 15 December
7 pm: Maheno combined carols (at Presbyterian church – to be confirmed)
Sunday 24 December – Christmas Eve
11 pm: Carols (St Luke’s)
11:30pm: Christmas Eve Midnight Service (St Luke’s)
Monday 25 December – Christmas Day
9 am: St Andrew’s Christmas Service
10 am: St Luke’s Christmas Day Service
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Milton – Tuapeka
St Johns – 165 Union Street, Milton
17 December at 7 pm: Readings, Carols and Communion – to be confirmed
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Warrington-Waitati
St Barnabas’ 282 Coast Road Warrington
Christmas Eve
10.00 am: Holy Communion
9.00pm: Community Carols outside the church – wrap up well, bring a chair. After the carols a spoken communion service will be held in the church.
Christmas Day
10.00am: Holy Communion
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Waitaki North Oamaru
St Mary’s Church – 410 Thames Highway, Oamaru
St Alban’s Church – 5635 Kurow-Duntroon Rd, Kurow
St Martin’s Church – Earthquake Road, Duntroon
Christmas Eve
9.30 am: St Mary’s Oamaru, Service of Lessons and Carols
6 pm: St Martin’s Duntroon, Informal Eucharist
7.30pm: St. Alban’s Kurow, Carol singing followed by informal Eucharist at 8pm.
Daily On-line Opportunities and More…
- Daily Morning Prayers. Tuesday to Saturday at 9 am via Zoom with Bishop Steve. No computer or smart phone? Telephone 03 659 0603 (it may be a toll call depending on your plan), then key in the meeting ID: 959 771 603 66
- Daily Evening Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 5 pm with Bishop Steve. Meeting ID: 934 8425 0283
- Otago Access Radio Radio Church – 8 am on Sunday mornings or catch up on previous services via the link above.
- Hymns for Sunday Morning – traditional and contemporary hymns in this long-standing NZ favourite.
For anyone who hasn’t use Zoom before, have a look at instructions on our Contacts page and Zoom User Guide. You can join zoom from any device (phone, tablet or iPad, computer) that has a camera, microphone and speakers.