Services and Events held at Sedlescombe with Whatlington parish churches
Along with our regular communion and family services on Sundays, both churches hold regular weddings, baptisms and other events.
Our churches are also open every Wednesday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm for prayer or quiet reflection, or simply to visit.
Both church grounds are beautifully kept and rich in history. They are open to explore at any time during daylight hours, although care should be taken on paths and the grounds at all times.
On this page we give details of upcoming services and events, as well as information relating to them.
You can expect a warm welcome whenever you come to St Mary Magdalene or St John the Baptist church, and we hope you will visit us soon.
Sunday Eucharist and family services
We are a friendly and warm Parish, always welcoming and inclusive of newcomers. We hold weekly services every Sunday, more details of which can be found below.
Sunday Communion Services
Everyone is very welcome to attend our regular Sunday services.
We hold a communion service every Sunday, other than on dates when a family service is being held (see box, right). Whatlington church services commence at 9:15am; services at Sedlescombe start at 10:30am. Join us for tea and coffee served after the service, too.
Sunday Family Service
A family service is held once a month at both churches. This is a more relaxed non-communion service, where everyone recieves a blessing. Children are very welcome to attend, and a soft play area is available to use.
Family services are held at St Johns Sedlescombe at 10:30am on the 1st Sunday of each month and at St Mary's Whatlington on the 2nd Sunday of every month at 9:15am.
Christenings and Baptisms
A Christening is the start of your, or your child's, Christian journey.
In our Parish, both adults and children or babies can be baptised.
Services are usually held on a Sunday during the family service, with the regular congregation in attendance to offer and give support.
If you'd like to know more, please get in touch with us using the contact form found here to discuss your requirements in confidence.
Weddings and Blessings in our Parish
A wedding in our parish makes a lifetime of memories
Weddings
A wedding in the traditional and historic settings of either St John the Baptist church, Sedlescombe, or St Mary Magdelen church, Whatlington, gives you the chance to make truly lasting memories.
If you would like to discuss getting married in the church or having your marriage blessed please contact the Rector, Revd John Hawkins.
As with all church services, if you wish to get married in this church, the law requires that you have a ‘qualifying connection’ with the church.
A bride and groom-to-be can marry in a church away from where they live if either of them can show just one of seven connections with the parish which we outline below:
- one of you has at any time lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- either person was baptised (christened) in the parish concerned, or
- either is confirmed, and their confirmation was entered in the register of confirmations for a church or chapel in the parish, or
- either one has at any time regularly gone to normal church services in the church for at least 6 months
˜ or ˜
that one of your parents, at any time after you were born:
- has lived in the parish for a period of at least 6 months, or
- has regularly gone to normal church services in the parish church for a period of at least 6 months
˜ or ˜
That one of your parents or grandparents:
- was married in the parish
More details on all this can be found at the Church of England website here.
If you are unsure about anything or would like to discuss any matter futher, please feel free to get in touch with us.
Blessings and renewal of vows
If you would like to have your marriage blessed, or hold a renewal of vows ceremony, please call the Rector on XXXXXX to discuss
Funerals and Memorial services
When someone dies, there's so much to think about and so much to organise. We understand how difficult this can be, but we can help you say your final goodbye in a way that really helps.
Whether sudden or expected, the death of a loved one can leave you with an overwhelming sense of loss and despair. We are here to support you in practical, emotional and spiritual ways.
While preparing for a funeral or memorial service, you will meet with a minister to discuss all aspects of the service: readings, tributes, music, prayers.
Please get in touch with us in confidence if you need any further information.