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

Click Here

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)

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

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

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.


Taieri Parish

St Luke’s – 67 Gordon Rd, Mosgiel

Christmas Eve
7pm: Christmas Eve Service

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…

Please note: Daily Prayers by Zoom will end on Thursday 21 December and will resume on Wednesday 3 January. The links below are still available for anyone who wants to continue with prayers and join in with others on-line

  • 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.

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