
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 1st | The Vine St Helens | 7pm | Light up life |
Fri 6th | St Marys | 7pm | Christmas Trees Concert |
| St Peters | 7pm | Light up life |
Sun 8th | St Marys | 2pm | WI Carols |
Sat 14th | St Marys | 6pm | Light up life |
Sun 15th | St Peters | 10am | Carol service |
| St Johns | 3pm | Carol service |
Sat 21st | St Helens | 5pm | Solstice service |
Sun 22nd | St Marys | 9.30am | Nativity Eucharist |
| St Helens | 6pm | Carol service |
Mon 23rd | 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 22nd – when Father Christmas makes an appearance. All ages can enjoy the Christmas Tree Festival and the singing of the Community Choir on the 6th, and the Light up Life services for the Hospice are carols, poems, food and fundraising for everyone. On the 22nd, 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 22nd 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 21st 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