Christmas services in the Haven Benefice

The churches of the Benefice offer something for everyone this Christmas so don’t feel that you have to just stick to the village you know. Each service is lovingly created to welcome everyone and to set the tone for the season of Peace and Goodwill for all people. From the majestic splendour of St Marys in Brading, to the intimacy of St Johns Yaverland, and with Candles at St Helens, and traditional carols with the Choir at St Peters Seaview, the Benefice is working together to invite you to something lovely this year.

Sun 1^st	The Vine St Helens	7pm	Light up life
Fri 6^th	St Marys	7pm	Christmas Trees Concert
	St Peters	7pm	Light up life
Sun 8^th	St Marys	2pm	WI Carols
Sat 14^th	St Marys	6pm	Light up life
Sun 15^th	St Peters	10am	Carol service
	St Johns	3pm	Carol service
Sat 21^st	St Helens	5pm	Solstice service
Sun 22^nd	St Marys	9.30am	Nativity Eucharist
	St Helens	6pm	Carol service
Mon 23^rd	St Peters	6pm	Carols round tree
Christmas	St Peters	3.00	Christingle
Eve	St Marys	4pm	Christingle
	St Catherines	6pm	Family carols
	St Helens	9pm	Evening mass
	St Marys	11.30	Midnight mass
	St Peters	11.30	Midnight mass
Christmas	St Catherines	9am	All age Communion
Day	St Marys	9.30 am	All age Communion
	St Peters	10 am	Christmas Praise
	St Helens	10am	All age communion
	St Johns	11am	All age communion

All the services are open for everyone, but if you would like a service for younger children then look for the Christmas Eve Christingle services and the Community Carols Round the Tree at St Peters on the 22^nd – when Father Christmas makes an appearance. All ages can enjoy the Christmas Tree Festival and the singing of the Community Choir on the 6^th, and the Light up Life services for the Hospice are carols, poems, food and fundraising for everyone. On the 22^nd, the morning Dress up Nativity at St Marys gives you a chance to get the tea towels and dressing gowns out and be part of the fun service and for an atmospheric Candlelit carol service – with an area for smaller children to play. Then St Helens on the 22^nd at 6pm is the place to be, for the carol service. St Catherine’s Family carols, on Christmas Eve, mixes tradition and imagination, and Christmas Praise at St Peters on Christmas Day, is a service for children – with the communions on Christmas day having places for small children to move about, or things to do.

On the 21^st we will be celebrating the longest night with a Solstice service in candlelight, with no electricity, as we experience the darkness of this turn of the year. Bring torches or lanterns and all ages to this short service with songs and food.

This year we are also having a 9pm ‘Midnight Mass’ at St Helens for those of you who, because of children’s ages or for your own convenience, find staying up till 12am difficult. All the atmosphere of midnight service at a comfortable time.

We look forward to seeing you,

God Bless

Ali