Compline ~ night prayer for Wednesday in the first week of Advent

Day 4 of Mthr Arwen's Advent-ure Calendar A startling visitor

Day 3 of Mthr. Arwen's Advent-ure Calendar In the beginning (2) ....

Day 2 of Mthr Arwen's Advent-ure Calendar The mystery is described (through the words of St Ephrem's Nativity Hymns)

Day 1 of Mthr Arwen's Advent-ure Calendar In the beginning (1) ....

Our Advent Quiet Day took place today with the morning spent exploring the theme of waiting and the ‘mingling’ of divinity and humanity in the hymns of St Ephrem. The afternoon was led with a remarkable insight to the prayerful process of writing icons. With thanks to Sue Mattocks and Lis Lawrence who shared leading the day with Mthr. Arwen

Services for the 30th November ~ the first Sunday of Advent 8am ~ BCP Eucharist 9.45am ~ Sung Eucharist 6pm ~ Choral Evensong with guest preacher, the Ven. Russell Dewhurst (Archdeacon of Hastings) Live stream links: 9.45 https://www.youtube.com/live/H07Uria1Un4?si=jUczsjMrLlP34R6c 6pm https://www.youtube.com/live/LT9QToob9CI?si=G1IPfIHp98nYk0du

The final ‘Vicar’s Book Group’ has been moved from tonight to next Monday ~ December 1st at 6pm. A bit of extra time to get through chapters 9-13 of Augustine’s Confessions.

Studio Arwen back in action last night for the 2025 Advent-ure Calendar. Mthr Arwen writes ‘For anyone wondering what this is all about, well, it began when my children were small and I used to hide Mary and Joseph around the house each day of December for them to find each morning (I was far too lazy to do Elf on the Shelf). One year I decided to also post a photo of their locations on Facebook. During lockdown 2020 I learned how to create and edit videos, then I experimented with stop motion. In 2021 I began to stutteringly animate Mary and Joseph showing them making their journey. This has evolved over the years and each year, with the children now grown up, I do it as my own hobby during Advent and share it with anyone else who is interested. Each year the little films change a little but the journey towards Christmas is still made. Each year I think it will be the last time I do it - but then comes November and a little twinkle. I love doing them - it’s a creative project but I really am just a self taught amateur. The films are often a little rough round the edges. That said, I was amazed at how far and wide last years offering went. It is an Advent Calendar for grown-ups really. This might be my last year - but then maybe not …. I will share the calendar on the parish Instagram and Facebook pages for St Mary’s Eastbourne this year - but it is really just a personal project and Advent observance.’ The Advent-ure begins on 30th November, the first Sunday of Advent.

Earlier this year we held our ‘Fabric of Faith’ exhibition. We shared the history, artistry and beauty that has formed the life and worship in this church for so many years. Here is a video we made to document it all.