September 2020
Coronavirus (Covid-19)
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Our United Benefice if of course following the Canterbury Diocese guidelines based on Government advice. You can find out more information here. We continue to lift in prayer all who are affected whether physically or in any other way. Our services continue joyously online with many other additional online events, click here for a schedule of what is coming up.
In this period of global uncertainty, if you would appreciate prayer, or would like to talk things through with someone, please do make yourself known to myself or one the other helpers listed here.
Thank you. Pete. Rector of the United Benefice of Sissinghurst with Frittenden
January 2020
New Reverend - Please come along.
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Pete Deaves has been appointed to the post of Rector, Pete will officially be Licensed and Installed as the new Rector of Sissinghurst with Frittenden on Thursday February 27th 2020 at 7.30pm in Sissinghurst Church by The Bishop of Dover, Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Archdeacon of Maidstone Stephen Taylor. All welcome to attend this significant event in our parishes.
November 2019
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Pete Deaves has been appointed to the post of Rector, and plans are being made for his Licensing and Installation towards the end of February 2020.
Pete is currently Curate of Holy Trinity, Rudgwick, near Horsham, W.Sussex. He’s married to Claire, a Primary School teacher, and they have three young daughters, Phoebe (6), Jemimah (3 1/2) and Mollie (1). Pete is thrilled God has called him and his family to serve in Sissinghurst with Frittenden, and is greatly looking forward to meeting us and is excited, in God’s strength, on building upon the good foundations laid over many years. They are praying for us, and greatly value our prayers over the coming months and onwards.
December 2018
Christmas Tree Festival
Trees in the Church
22 Christmas Trees sponsored and decorated by village organisations made the Church sparkle.
Christmas Craft Fair
Local Christmas Crafts were on sale in the John Martin and Margaret Denton Rooms and a cafe set up in the Parish Room.
Evening Choral Concert
The Wealden Consort Choir put on a magical festive performance in the Church on the Saturday Evening to a capacity audience.
July 2018
Summer Picnic 1st July 2018
Following the success of last year's church family picnic at Bewl Water, we are proposing a church family picnic again this year at Bewl Water on Sunday 1st July. All church families and church members of all ages are invited. Bring your own picnic and let's meet up on the grassy slope, not far from the main facilities and cafe, at about 1 pm after the morning service.
After eating all together there'll be ample opportunity for the children to explore the wonderful play equipment. Please can we ask parents to be responsible for their children at all times, especially in the play areas or at the water's edge. At some point we could have some sort of game (our own version of rounders/ cricket?) in which we might all like to be involved. This worked well last year, much enjoyed by both participants and spectators. So if you have a child friendly cricket set or rounders bat, do bring it along...and indeed any other sort of outdoor game we could try. Or just relax in the sun (or shade) and enjoy time to chat. Ice creams and drinks will of course be available at the cafe.
Parking at Bewl water is just £3 per car for the whole day. We have spaces in our car if anyone needs a lift.
March 2018
Canterbury Choristers 10th March 2018
A Memorable Weekend!
Canterbury Choristers Concert Saturday 10th March
'Wasn't that lovely!' 'Weren't they wonderful?' 'That was so inspiring!' were just three of the appreciative comments overheard as the audience thronged out of the capacity packed church.
Directed by David Flood and accompanied by Guy Steed, the choristers held everyone enthralled as they sang a repertoire ranging from Purcell's 'Sound the Trumpet' to the more light-hearted 'Putting On the Ritz' by Irving Berlin.
As a member of the host church, Fergus McKie was given the honour of singing the short solo at the beginning of 'Stabat Mater' and, also, of playing one of the organ pieces, which he did with great aplomb. The performance was greatly enhanced by the theatre lighting direction of Chris Brown.
As the last notes died away, the choir was given a standing ovation.
It was a truly memorable evening!
January 2018
New Rooms and the Bishops Visit - Sunday 21st January 2018
Grand opening of the new rooms at Trinity Church Sissinghurst.
Sunday 21 st January was a special day for the church in Sissinghurst. What used to be the library part of the old school was officially opened by Bishop Trevor Willmott (The Bishop of Dover) as the newly named and renovated John Martin Room and Margaret Denton Room. Extensive works were carried out by Astral Building Construction over the past 6 months to convert this dilapidated part of the building into remarkable new spaces for use by both the church and the local community. The rooms are very light and have the benefit of underfloor heating, a kitchenette and a new toilet facility with baby changing station. As well as having their own dedicated entrance the rooms also connect to the existing Parish Room. The rooms are named after and created in the memory of two remarkable people, John Martin and Margaret Denton, who did much good work for Trinity Sissinghurst and the local community over decades. The new facility and the lovely opening ceremony was made possible by the generous support of The Diocese of Canterbury, Bishop Trevor Willmott, Margaret Denton’s Family, Frances Martin and the ever supportive Friends of Sissinghurst Church. Enquiries about using the rooms can be made through Sue Crowe who’s contact details are on the Information page in this magazine.
Messy Church - Sunday 21st January 2018
We were very excited and pleased to welcome 9 families to the first MESSY CHURCH in the John Martin and Parish Rooms at Trinity church on Sunday 21st January. The children ranged from 18 months old to 9 years. Mums, dads and children quickly got stuck into a variety of messy crafts, creating a happy buzz of activity, for about an hour. Then we came together for a time to think about God as we sang songs and watched a simple drama about how God spoke to Jacob in a dream. We began to see the link between our crafts and the story. After some noisy games we all sat down to a wonderful banquet with lots of favourite food and cheerful chatter. Thank you to all who helped in so many ways.
If you missed this one, we’d love to see you at our next MESSY CHURCH on February 18th and every 3rd Sunday of the month after that, same time, same place.
Over 60s Tea Party - Monday 8th January 2018
Thirty guests enjoyed the New Year’s Tea part at the Primary School on Monday, 8th January. The younger children, coached by Mrs Lyons, entertained with songs that they had sung in the Christmas play, causing everyone to marvel at their powers of memory. This was followed by a party tea, served very efficiently and politely by some of the older children. It was a good opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make new ones and much hilarity ensued as the cracker jokes were read – and groaned at!
December 2017
Christmas and New Year Services
November 2017
Remembrance Sunday
August 2017
Village Fete
July 2017
Mens Breakfast (15/07/2017)
On 15th July some 29 men from the local area met for a cooked breakfast in The Parish Room at the Church to hear a talk by retired Brigadier Ian Dobbie OBE who was discussing faith in challenging situations such as in war zones where great courage is needed. It was an inspiring talk by an inspirational man. Trinity Church normally has one of these breakfasts for invited speakers every year.
Family Picnic (02/07/2017)
On Sunday 2nd July twelve families from the church got together for a family picnic afternoon at Bewl Water. It was a lot of fun with a makeshift cricket pitch being set up. The weather was glorious and a fun time was enjoyed by all 36 people. Look out for the same event again next summer.
New Website Launch (01/07/2017)
June 2017
Vivid New Silk Trinity Banners in the Church
Sunday 11th June was Trinity Sunday and the 179th anniversary of the consecration of Trinity Church in Sissinghurst in 1838. To mark the occasion three new 8ft long banners were unveiled during the service depicting the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The banners were beautifully created by local amateur artist Jan Ashley who painted them on silk using silk paints. They are hung on the south wall and add vivid colours to the interior of the Church. The banners were well over a year in the planning in consultation with members of the Church’s PCC. Jan said that she very much enjoyed working on them but because the banners were so long she had to give up using her dining room for anything other than their creation for several months. For those of you interested in how these works of art are made the silks were mounted on wood frames for the actual painting and then taken off when completed. Many thanks to Jan.
May 2017
Rogation Walk
Sunday May 14th 11.00am with Hubert Ashton preaching followed by our Rogation Walk round the perimeters of the Parish boundary followed by a picnic lunch at the Sissinghurst Castle lake.
April 2017
New Parish Magazine
Launch of the new look Parish Magazine, Helen Berry our new Creative Director has given it a completely new look!
To see a our old news items click here
MilkFest - August Bank Holiday Weekend