My dear friends,
We shall have two Children’s Eucharists during March. On the first Sunday of the month, Sunday 2 March, we shall have our usual Children’s Eucharist at St Laurence’s Church, Catsfield, at 9.15am, and at St George’s Church, Crowhurst, at 11.00am. The last Sunday in the month, Sunday 30 March, is also Mothering Sunday, so we shall have special Children’s Eucharists on that day too at the usual times. These services are simple, pared-down Eucharists, lasting about half an hour, with children and young families in mind. The grown-ups seem to like them too! All are most welcome, and we serve refreshments afterwards (and a big thank you to our refreshment teams).
Ash Wednesday falls this year on Wednesday 5 March. We shall have celebrations of the Eucharist with the imposition of ashes at St George’s Church, Crowhurst, at 10.00am and at St Laurence’s Church, Catsfield, at 7.30pm.
As part of our observance of Lent, the Dean of Battle and I have arranged to hold some services of Compline with short devotional addresses celebrating the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed – the wonderful summary of the Christian faith – which falls this year.
Thursday 13 March 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church, Battle
What is the Nicene Creed?
The Rev Dr Robert Beaken
Thursday 20 March 7.30pm
St Laurence’s Church, Catsfield
I believe in God the Father
The Rev Ian Edgar
Thursday 27 March 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church, Battle
I believe in God the Son
The Right Rev Will Hazlewood
Bishop of Lewes
Thursday 3 April 7.30pm
St George’s Church, Crowhurs
I believe in God the Holy Spirit
The Very Rev Lee Duckett
I first encountered the service of Compline (also sometimes known as Night Prayer) in 1980 or 1981 when I was a student at Cheltenham. I spent a few days at Prinknash Abbey, which made a big impression on me. Each night the Benedictine monks made their way into their church, which was dimly light by candlelight, and sang Compline from memory, without the aid of music. It was the same every night – and fortunately the monks had choir practises – so their singing was perfect. Compline was the last service of the day, and sought to tie up the strings of all that day’s activities. There was penitence for sins committed, thanksgiving for all the good things God had given during the day, and a strong feeling of trustfulness in God and His good purposes: the day that was reaching its close and the coming night were prayerfully being placed in God’s hands and safekeeping.
I think we will probably end up saying Compline rather than singing it like the monks (though perhaps we might have a stab at the hymn, ‘Before the ending of the day’, which you can find on YouTube – there is a particularly fine recording of Compline from Guildford Cathedral from 1975); but it is a beautiful late evening service and its message of faithfulness and trustfulness remains timeless and inspiring. May I wish you a happy and holy Lent.
With my love and prayers,
Father Robert.