Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

The season of Advent begins, in 2025, on the 30th November. Advent is the period immediately before Christmas, and the beginning of the Church year.

For our Advent and Christmas activities, do see our Church calendar. Our 'Christmas Celebration', including a Carol Concert, will be held on 13th and 14th December. Click here for more details. We will hold a Crib service at 4pm on the 24th December, Midnight Mass at 11pm on the 24th, and a family service at 10am on the 25th.

Bishop Martin has sent a Christmas message to us all in the Diocese of Chichester. You can find it here.

The Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme for 2025 revolves round a single word: Joy! Do see the Church of England website here.

‘Advent’ means ‘coming’ and is a time of reflection, expectation, and preparation as we await the coming of Christ.

In the northern hemisphere Advent occurs as we move to the darkest part of the year. The natural symbols of darkness and light are powerful throughout Advent and Christmas.

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In Church we display an Advent Crown of five candles. On each Sunday of Advent one of the outer candles will be lit, until by the fourth Sunday all four candles are alight. On Christmas day itself, the central, white, candle, that symbolises Christ, is lit. In lighting the candles we remember the Old Testament patriarchs, the prophets, John the Baptist, and the Virgin Mary, all of whom gave witness to the coming of Jesus, the Messiah.

Like many churches, St Mary’s will have a Nativity Scene on display, with Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, and the animals in the stable, although the infant Jesus will not be put in his crib until our Christmas services.

After Christmas we celebrate, on the 6th January, Epiphany. Epiphany, which means ‘manifestation’, remembers the arrival of the Three Wise Men or Magi, and thus the manifestation of Christ to the wider, gentile, world (as described in the Gospel according to Matthew 2:1-2). It is now that the figures of the Magi will be placed in our Nativity Scene.

The season of Epiphany lasts until Candlemas on 2nd February. Candlemas marks the presentation of the infant Christ in the Temple (as described in the Gospel of Luke, 2.22-40).

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It is only on 2nd February that we will take down our Christmas decorations and remove our Nativity Scene.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect.

Where and When

Our Church is open everyday between 8.30am and 4pm. Do just drop in, whether for a time of quiet and prayer, or just to enjoy the historical richness and beauty of the building.

On Sundays we meet, in the Church (details here), for our Sunday Service, which starts at 10:00am. When you arrive you will be given a warm greeting by our sidespersons (who will be wearing lanyards, so you can spot them). They will give you the hymn book and service booklet, and will happily help with any queries you might have. Do sit wherever you like!

By the way, there is no need to dress up (unless you want to). Informal, comfortable, clothes are very acceptable... but do wear warm clothes on cold days. Our pew seats are heated in winter, but we no longer heat the church itself, only the congregation, so the building can be chilly on frosty days.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it.

Our Services

The service begins at 10am. On the first Sunday of every month we hold an informal family service, with hymns, talks, prayers, and activities (for everyone who wants to join in). Other Sunday services are more traditional Eucharists. We follow the modern Anglican liturgy, with hymns, readings from the Old and New Testaments, a sermon, and prayers. The choir will sing an anthem.

At the end of all our services there is an opportunity to meet and chat with members of the congregation and the clergy over a tea or coffee (and biscuit or two).

We also hold weekday prayers and services, with a spoken Eucharist on Thursday at 10, and prayers at 8.30 every day of the week. (For more details, click here.)

Groups and Volunteering

You might like to join one of our groups, or becoming involved with our activities for young people. We also welcome volunteers to help with everything from flower arranging and cleaning to being a sidesperson. If you are interested, do get in touch using the form below.

Getting Connected

Get in touch with us to plan your visit or make any other inquiries

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Our Clergy


Rev'd David Bouskill		Rev'd Pat Benton
David has been the Vicar in charge of St Mary the Virgin since 2022.		Pat is the Curate at St Mary's as well as being a hospital chaplain.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

Revd David

Rev'd David