What’s On – upcoming services and events
All special events are listed here (and always more to come!)
Festivals in the Church of England Year are on our Worship page.
To ask about adding an event here, email our website editor.
OUR REGULAR CHURCH SERVICES
Every Sunday, 9.45am
and
Every first Wednesday in the month, 12 noon
Our Sunday service at 9.45am is sung, with four hymns, accompanied by the organ.
Our service on the first Wednesday of every month at 12 noon is a ‘said’ service.
At both services you are welcome to take Holy Communion if you wish.
At both services we delight in using the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
And you can come in for private prayer at any time, 8.30am-5pm, every day.
Climb the tower, see our ancient clock and bells
Saturday 25th July, 11.30am, then fortnightly, last tour 5th Sept
Our guided tour includes: introduction to church interior; climb the spiral stair to the second-oldest (1670) turret clock in Sussex; up to the belfry – lovely and very special oak bellframe dates from around 1400.
Not many belfries survive like this, and hardly any that are easily reached by stairs. Hear the big tenor bell strike twelve!
Not to be missed – only £5.
Cliffe Summer Fair
Saturday 29th August, 10am-12.30pm, beside the church
We stage the annual summer fair, now an amazing 615 years old – we had permission from King Henry IV in 1409. Come and hear us read the King’s charter and declare the fair open at 10am. Lots of tempting stalls – jam (of course), tea and coffee, delicious home-made cakes, plants, fruit and veg, great choice of books for grown-ups, jewellry and bric-a-brac. Plenty to try for in raffles and tombola. Indoors in Cliffe Hall if wet. Donations to stalls by 10am please.
Ride or Stride between churches for charity
Saturday 12th September, 9am-5pm
Join our walk between Lewes churches, or cycle or run between as many Sussex churches as you can manage. And raise money for the church of your choice and for the Sussex Historic Churches Trust. See the best of our historic churches, have great fun and help us raise money! Call Kate on 07708 014 313 for entry form. Full info at Sussex Historic Churches Trust
Harvey's Brewery Annual Harvest Thanksgiving service
Saturday 3rd October, in Church, 11am
The church is decorated with Harvey’s hop bines, beautifully and aromatically, for this very popular service. Not to miss! All welcome, retiring collection.
Church Harvest Supper, in Cliffe Hall
Sunday 4th October, Cliffe Hall, 6pm
A jolly, friendly, hearty and convivial evening, open to all. Tickets only £7 from Ruth in church or call 07899 723 911 or email ruthypooth@gmail.com Donations for the raffle would be welcome.
Coming soon - a Schubert song recital
Date to be announced
Our Vicar, Herbert Bennett, plans another of his well-received recitals, in Church, this time to feature the work of Franz Schubert (1797-1828) who bridged the Classical and Romantic eras – and wrote over 600 lieder! All will be welcome, with a retiring collection.
Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 8th November, 9.45am
At our Sunday communion service we remember the service and sacrifice of the armed forces of the UK and the Commonwealth. We read out the names of all the fallen from our Parish. We pay tribute to the special contribution of families and of the emergency services. We acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism.
Advent Carol Sevice with Sussex Harmony Quire
Sunday 29th November, 3pm
Sing Advent carols, and thrill to the Sussex Harmony Quire, an enthusiastic band of singers and instrumentalists in costume and playing period instruments. Their vibrant, beautiful and thoroughly entertaining music is a wonderful revival of rural church and chapel quires from 1700 to 1850. Wine, soft drinks and mince pies afterwards. Retiring collection.
Our jolly Christmas Fair
Saturday 5th December 10am – 12.30
Our traditional friendly Fair in the warmth of the adjacent Cliffe Hall. Lots of stalls perfect for finding Christmas gifts! Plus chocolate treats, books galore, preserves,, tombola and raffle. Scrumptious home-made cakes to enjoy on the spot or take away. Arrange to meet friends, there’s room to sit down and share a coffee and snack. Donations welcome: unwanted gifts, toiletries, books, Christmas decorations – bring on the day 8-10am.
Come and sing Christmas carols
Friday 11th December, 6.30pm
All are welcome to come to sing carols in Cliffe hall next door to the church.. Enlivened by Susan Bain on the piano. Ask for your favourite and you’ll probably get it! Free entry.
Christmas Eve Childrens' Crib Service
Thursday 24th December, 4pm
A very popular event – a lovely chance to bring your little children to help decorate the crib in preparation for the Nativity. There’s a warm welcome for everyone!
Midnight Mass Holy Communion
Thursday 24th December, 11.30pm
This is our traditional Book of Common Prayer service at which we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s usually a sung service accompanied by one of our loyal band of organists.
Christmas Day Sung Eucharist
Friday 25th December, 9.45am
On Christmas morning we celebrate with our usual form of Sunday service.
Boxing Day service
Saturday 26th December, 9am
A said Eucharist service for St Stephen.