Christmas carols with a rock and roll twist at St Mary’s Great Dunmow

5 December 2025

The idea for the service came from a couple in the congregation four years ago who suggested that the church held a ‘rocked up’ carol service specifically aimed at those who don’t usually join traditional carol services. The church already had a popular Nine Lessons and Carols service and a Carols by Candlelight service at the village church in Barnston, which were both well attended. Initially, there was some scepticism as to whether it would generate interest, but the team at St Mary’s gave it a go.

That first Carols by Neon Lights service was a huge success. The church was filled with people of all ages, and most of them didn’t come to other church events. People sang well-known carols played to well-known tunes played by a band with drums, trumpets and keyboards.

Since then, Carols by Neon Lights has grown to become the best attended carol service, and it is as valued as the traditional Christmas offerings at St Mary’s. Musicians are drawn in from across the area and the church is filled with light.

At the service, people enjoy an accessible gospel message while mulled wine flows and mince pies are served. The church organist has joined in, and the numbers attending have continued to grow.

Carols by Neon Lights is taking place at St Mary’s Church, Great Dunmow on Sunday 14 December at 4pm, and the Revd Tom Warmington, Rector at St Mary’s, is looking forward to The Rt Revd Roger Morris, the Bishop of Colchester, joining the festivities this year.

Revd Tom Warmington, Rector of St Mary's, said:

“I’ve been delighted to see how our Carols by Neon Lights service has grown and over the years, people who initially only came to this service have returned for other events. Last year many returned for our Christmas Eve Nativity services and our Midnight Communion Service, some returned on Sunday mornings and even attended our Alpha course and went on to be baptised.”

This article is taken from the latest edition of WePray, our quarterly prayer diary.